04 Friday May 2018
Posted in Crimes, Famous Locations, Famous People, Haunt Jaunts, True Crime, Uncategorized
≈ Comments Off on #FunFactFriday
Tags
#FunFactFriday, Al Capone, Atlanta Penitentiary, James "Jimmy" Clark, St. Valentine's Day Massacre
Head on over to HauntJaunts.net to read my latest blog. On this day in 1932, one of America’s most notorious mobsters entered the Atlanta Penitentiary along with a ghost.
Read the blog here: https://www.hauntjaunts.net/haunted-al-capone-goes-to-the-atlanta-penitentiary/.
02 Friday Feb 2018
Posted in Crimes, In the News, Uncategorized
≈ Comments Off on Second Slender Man Assaulter Sentenced to Psychiatric Hospital
Second Slender Man Assaulter Sentenced to Psychiatric Hospital
The second teenager accused of stabbing a schoolmate was sentenced to 40 years in a psychiatric hospital yesterday. Morgan Geyser, now 15, struck a plea deal whereby avoiding prison time. She and her friend, Anissa Weier, stood accused of stabbing another girl to appease the fictional Creepypasta character Slender Man. The girls were 12 at the time. The victim was left for dead but able to crawl out of the woods and alert an adult. She continues to recuperate from the trauma. Geyser’s sentencing closes the unimaginable criminal case.
The crime shook Wisconsin and the nation. Geyser was the instigator in the act and was charged with 1st degree intentional homicide. Weier also struck a deal and was sentenced for the lesser charge of being a party to 2nd degree intentional homicide. She was sentenced in December receiving 20 years in a psychiatric facility. Both girls have been diagnosed with mental disorders.
Although defense attorneys for Geyser hoped for a lighter sentence, they were not surprised. One doctor for the prosecution testified that Geyser continued to hear voices and posed a threat to society. Judge Bohren agreed stating: “[T]his is an issue of community protection. This is an issue to be sure there’s no recidivism. This is an issue to ensure that Ms. Geyser doesn’t have a revolving door situation where she ends up being in the community and then things fall apart and she comes back.” This case highlights the problem minors have differentiating fantasy from reality. It also serves as a reminder that mental illness occurs at any age.
22 Friday Dec 2017
Posted in Crimes, In the News, Uncategorized
≈ Comments Off on First Slender Man Stabber Sentenced
First Slender Man Stabber Sentenced
In 2014, two 12-year old girls stabbed their “friend” 19 times in order to please the fictional Creepypasta character Slender Man. Both girls claimed mental illness as their defense. This week Anissa Weier pleaded guilty by reason of mental illness to the 2nd degree intentional homicide charge. She will spend at least 3 years in the Winnebago Mental Health Institute after being diagnosed with Schizotypy, a less severe delusional disorder. Her mental health supervision will last 25 years.
Weier and Morgan Geyser stood accused of the stabbings; both claimed mental illness. Geyser was diagnosed with Schizophrenia and also pleaded out. She will be sentenced in February.
The victim continues to suffer from the heinous attack. Her mother wrote to the Court that the event “has defined our lives.” Her mother stated that her daughter continues to live with the “emotional and physical scars” from that day.
Slender Man (or Slenderman) is a fictional character created by Eric Knudson in 2009. Knudson, under the user name Victor Surge, posted a story about a tall, thin shadow man. Internet users added to the initial story on the website Creepypasta, a fan-fiction site where users write short horror stories.
The stabbing was a warning to parents who assumed their children understood the difference between real and imaginary people. It was a cautionary tale that the Internet is not necessarily factually accurate. It also served as a reminder that Slenderman is a work of fiction and made-up.
Editorial Note: I intentionally omitted the victim’s name in order to protect her identity. Although her name may be found online, it should not. Her privacy, especially as a minor, is important.
10 Tuesday Jan 2017
Posted in Crimes, Great Britain, Psychics, Reviews, TV Reviews, Uncategorized
≈ Comments Off on Characters with Psychic Abilities Mainstreamed on Popular TV Shows
Characters with Psychic Abilities Mainstreamed on Popular TV Shows
British television detective mysteries are known for ensemble casts. The characters are eclectic and diverse representing a large swath of people. It’s quite refreshing to see actors playing “normal” people. Gone are the overly sexy, highly polished and poised characters coming out of Hollywood. When was the last time you saw a female police detective in a pencil skirt and 3-inch heels? Like never. Season one of Broadchurch went a step further by incorporating a psychic into the storyline. It was a positive, nearly honest, representation of a psychic in prime time.
Debuting in 2013, Broadchurch is now in its 3rd and final season in the UK. The first season 8-episode run had 7-9 million weekly viewers, which is fantastic. (Fox attempted a US version, Gracepoint, which was cancelled after one season) According to IMDB.com, season/series 1 dealt with “[t]he murder of a young boy in a small coastal town bring[ing] a media frenzy, which threatens to tear the community apart.” As with most detective mysteries, nearly everyone in town was a suspect. And one stood awkwardly out: Steve Connelly, portrayed by actor Will Mellor.
“Steve” would have blended into the background and off of the radar of DI Alec Hardy (played by David Tennant—yes, as in “The Doctor”) and Detective Ellie Miller (played by Olivia Colman), except he felt compelled to share his visions with them. His psychic messages add to the colorful dialog (see below). Barring spoilers, you should give this show a chance and see for yourself. It is streaming on Netflix. Psychics have assisted police departments and families seeking answers, closures, and even suspects. It’s time they appear more as characters supporting the investigations.
02 Monday Jan 2017
Tags
burke ramsey, defamation, jonbenet ramsey, lawsuits, ParaScammers, slander, st james episcopal church cemetery
Slander in the Age of Post-Truth: Burke Ramsey Files Defamation Lawsuit
JonBenet Ramsey rests in eternal peace alongside her mother and half-sister Elizabeth in St. James’ Episcopal Church Cemetery across the street from my daughter’s school. It happens to be my church’s cemetery, as well. It is a small, quiet cemetery. I pass it at least twice a day during the school year. Every time I drive by, I think of JonBenet. Her murder was a tragedy that persists because no one has ever been arrested or convicted for the crime. Americans with their fascination with true-crime books and TV shows are consumed with her death.
Twenty years ago 6 year old beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey was murdered in her Colorado home. Her parents, John and Patsy, along with her brother, Burke, were suspects early on in the investigation. All three were cleared (see http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/29/us/jonbenet-ramsey-murder-fast-facts/). However, this didn’t stop one “documentary” from naming Burke as the killer. The Case of: JonBenet Ramsey debuted to lukewarm reviews capitalizing on the public’s infatuation with this tragedy. Ultimately, CBS may pay substantially for its recklessness.
The 2-part production was riddled with slanderous accusations. It was clear that the network merely sought to capitalize on ratings and advertising dollars. Producers dismissed the conclusions of law enforcement and multiple witness testimony concluding that Burke, who was 9 years old at the time, committed the murder. They’re wrong, but in the age of “post-truth,” this did not matter. All CBS saw were dollar signs. Hopefully, they will pay—and pay dearly. Burke Ramsey filed a staggering $750 million dollar defamation lawsuit this past week (see http://variety.com/2016/biz/news/jonbenet-ramsey-cbs-lawsuit-1201949899/ for more information).
Shortly after the series aired several “news” outlets suggested that JonBenet’s body was exhumed. It wasn’t; however, it sold a lot of tabloids. According to The Oxford Dictionary, post-truth means “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” Although routinely applied to political arguments, post-truth is when facts are ignored and replaced by emotional opinions. Needless to say, this is dangerous territory. By making an emotional appeal that someone—anyone—should be held accountable for JonBenet’s death, the producers believe that they can get away with framing Burke. They shouldn’t though.
Media is rampant with slanderous comments. There are numerous laws against and related to slander. However, law enforcement routinely avoids charging someone. Often the only recourse is civil court, which is expensive. To some, it is easier to defame and to get away with it while profiting. That is why this case is important. If Burke’s legal team is successful, they may be able to set a precedent for others seeking remedies in similar actions. Similarly, they rely on Hulk Hogan’s defamation case against the now defunct Gawker Media to bolster their case. These cases may pave the way for others with limited income to successful sue for defamation.
The paranormal community has its share of profiteers who slander others in order to make a quick buck. This article is meant to place them on notice. Don’t make up stories about the living or the dead. (Yes, the dead cannot sue for slander, but it’s unethical just the same.) In addition, don’t repost or share stories that you suspect to be fake. Paranormal researchers should hold themselves to higher standards. By doing so, they establish credibility and limit their exposure to potential lawsuits.
04 Wednesday Feb 2015
Posted in Breaking the News, Crimes, In the News, Ouija Boards
≈ Comments Off on Ouija Board “Predicts” Fire: Arson Charges Filed
Tags
arson, dog killer, katrina livingston, margaret carroll, northern echo newspaper, ouija board, paul carroll
Katrina Livingston
Ouija Board “Predicts” Fire: Arson Charges Filed
Ouija boards are not toys. Here’s another glowing example.
Dateline Leadgate, Consett, County Durham, England where Margaret Carroll (age 60) and Katrina Livingston (age 37) are suspected of setting fire to their home stemming from a Ouija board session. The mother and daughter were attempting to communicate with their dead Bedlington terrier. The dog was savagely killed and dismembered on Christmas Eve by Margaret’s current husband, Paul Carroll (age 51), after a similar Ouija board session.
Paul Carroll dog killer
Paul Carroll asserts that the December 24th session was spurned by black magic. Paul admits to playing with the Ouija board. He further stated that the dog became possessed. Afterward he killed and dismembered the innocent dog. Foolishly, Paul attempted to flush the parts down the sewer drain. The resulting clog alerted local police to the crime. Paul was arrest for the unnecessary suffering of an animal; he awaits sentencing.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, RSPCA, removed the remaining dogs from the residence. The family has lived there for less than a year. However, they appear to be frequent Ouija board enthusiasts.
Margaret Carroll
Last weekend, Margaret and Katrina toyed with the Ouija board. Katrina told a neighbor that the board predicted their imminent deaths. The following day, Saturday, January 31st, the attached bungalow was engulfed in flames; mother and daughter were found unconscious in the garden.
Neighbors are mad. The bungalow destroyed. Police skeptical.
According to the Northern Echo newspaper, Margaret and Katrina were hospitalized following the fire. Katrina was arrested shortly after her release and charged with suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. She was remanded into police custody and will appear in court on February 18th. Presumably, Margaret will face similar charges once released.
Destroyed Bungalow
Credits: Images from the Northern Echo newspaper.
07 Saturday Jun 2014
Posted in Crimes, In the News, Photography, Urban Legends
Tags
Slender Man
Don’t Blame Slender Man
On May 31, 2014, Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier, both 12-years-old, attempted to kill a classmate. The girls lured the other girl to a slumber party with the pretext of celebrating a birthday. The next day during a game of hide-and-seek, one of the girls held the classmate down while the other stabbed her nineteen (19) times. One reportedly yelling: Go ballistic; go crazy!
Amazingly, and probably by the grace of God, the classmate survived the brutal attack, crawling toward safety and the assistance of a passing bicyclist. The victim identified her assailants. She is expected to recover. Police quickly picked up Geyser and Weier, along with the large knife used in the violent attack. Seems the girls were quite chatty and told officers that they performed this deed to curry favor with “Slender Man.” Once they killed the classmate, they intended to run off into the forest to Slendy’s mansion and live happily ever after.
According to the criminal complaint, the girls started planning the murder last December—over six (6) months ago. On June 2, 2014, both girls were charged as adults with 1st degree attempted homicide. They face 60-65 years in prison. Bond is set at $500,000 each.
Who Is Slender Man?
In 2009, Photoshop hosted a “Create a Paranormal” image contest. Eric Knudsen submitted several photo-enhanced images depicting a tall, slender faceless man dressed in a black suit hovering near children. His arms were long and octopus-like. Knudsen included a brief narrative and the fictional “Slender Man” character was born. In his relatively short, five (5) year life, the nicknamed Slendy has appeared in lots—and I mean lots—of horror stories and YouTube videos. He is the latest urban legend to sweep the Internet. And he is pure fiction. Made up. As in Not.A.Real.Person!
Geyser and Weier
The news story struck a chord with Americans. Amongst the daily headline news gun-related killings sweeping the nation, two tweens committed a violent act with a kitchen knife. Early reports called the victim as their “friend.” I dismiss this classification because she was clearly no friend to them. She was the intended prey. She was the VICTIM. And they are the ACCUSED. The crime they are charged with is serious. If completed, it would have been MURDER.
Some have quickly dismissed the behavior of Geyser and Weier as juvenile antics. A growing number state that these two girls should not be charged as adults. A few have claimed that the girls may suffer from a psychosis whereby they created a parasocial relationship with a fictional character thus believing that the fictional character (Slender Man) is real. One professional likened the relationship to the fictional television character of Doctor Marcus Welby, where people mailed him letters seeking medical advice. These people cannot distinguish fantasy from reality. Therein lies a problem. How does one confuse a fictional paranormal entity as real? Nowhere on the Internet does it state that Slender Man is real. Nowhere on the Internet is he purported to be real. I don’t buy it in this case.
Geyser and Weier’s defense attorneys will run with this theory. Hopefully, they will not run far.
Delinquent versus Guilty
Comments from a Huffington Post article run the gamut of people who are outraged that these girls are being charged as adults to those wondering where their parents were. I, too, wonder where the parental guidance was, but I strongly believe that these girls should be tried as adults. The Juvenile Justice System was created to rehabilitate, to treat, and to protect juvenile delinquents. The system is geared for community protection while the child matures. A child is not afforded the same “rights” as an adult when charged with a crime. The juvenile is remanded to the care of the Juvenile Justice System, and the system takes over the care of the child. For better or for worse, the system “knows” what to do. There have been lots of published reports of the system warehousing the children in institutions and not actually rehabilitating them. A current story claims that a juvenile judge took bribes and remanded juveniles to an institution, which did nothing to care or to rehabilitate the children. A juvenile is not guaranteed due process as most of us know it within the juvenile justice system. A juvenile in this system is found “delinquent.”
In the adult system, the girls have “rights.” They have the right to an attorney if they cannot afford one. They are afforded the opportunity to make bail. They can even have a jury trial. Whereas all juvenile proceedings are closed, criminal proceedings are scrutinized and open. There is more due process. An adult is found guilty or not guilty. Most importantly, the criminal sanctions are proportional to the offense committed. The final outcome of the criminal system is deterrence. To stop these girls from committing this violent act again. Geyser and Weier are not juvenile delinquents. They are criminals. They are guilty of attempting to kill a juvenile. They didn’t merely skip class and go shopping.
Most states allow for juveniles to be tried as adults. In Wisconsin, where this occurred, there is no minimum age requirement. Therefore, these 12-year-olds may be tried as adults. And they should. They willingly knew what they were doing. They plotted. They carried out the violent act. Now they should suffer the consequences.
The Horror Genre
Horror authors and aficionados worry that this story will create a backlash on the genre. And they are correct. The quick American knee-jerk reaction has already started while the defense attorneys maneuver to transfer the case to Juvenile Court. People are calling for copy-and-paste sites such as creepypasta.com to censor content. But remember: Slender Man did not commit this heinous crime. Two intelligent girls did. Don’t blame Slendy. Place the blame where it belongs: on Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier.
