Category Archives: Crimes

Ghost Hunter Injured while Trespassing

02 Monday Aug 2021

Posted by in Abandoned America, Accidents, Crimes, Historic Places

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Historic Buffalo Central Terminal as it appears now and when it opened in 1929.

A 35-year-old Kenmore, NY woman and unidentified man were trespassing in the abandoned Buffalo Central Terminal Saturday evening when the woman fell 15-20 feet through a substation roof. Emergency responders arrived shortly after the 10:30 PM call and transported the female to Erie County Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. At this time, no charges have been filed. Of course, there is a lesson here: Don’t trespass.

The Buffalo train station was a 17-story Art Deco hub for the city. Opening on June 22, 1929, the 14-platform station was designed by New York architects Fellheimer & Wagner. At one point, the 61-acre property consisted of several buildings; however, smaller buildings were torn down in 1966 to save on property taxes. All that remains is the main building, baggage building, and mail complex. The Lake Shore Limited was the final train to leave the station on October 28, 1979, at 4:10 AM. After changing hands several times, the terminal is now owned by the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation, whose organizer purchased the property for $1 cash and repayment of $70,000 in back taxes. The non-profit is in the process of restoring the building.

Both Ghost Hunters and Ghost Hunters Academy conducted investigations that were televised (2008, 2009, and a live investigation in 2010). Unfortunately, these investigations inspire others, with less experience, no liability insurance, and no written permission to venture onto the private property. These explorations have generated a great deal of buzz online, especially when someone is injured.

These people clearly should not have been inside the terminal. It was dark. Power is generated via solar energy. The utilities are at a minimum. The property has been abandoned for a long time. Urban explorers, or UrbEx for short, explore abandoned urban areas; however, they go when it is safe. Although the intentions of this couple are unknown, they were conducting an investigation, something that takes time and equipment. They weren’t merely popping inside to snap a few pictures. Their conduct was reckless and dangerous. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured.

Amityville Horror Murderer Dies

16 Tuesday Mar 2021

Posted by in amityville horror, Crimes, Hoaxes, Not Haunted, True Crime

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1. Undated photograph of the DeFeo family. 1. The exterior of the infamous house. 3. Ronald “Butch” DeFeo, Jr. in handcuffs.

Ronald “Butch” DeFeo, Jr. is dead at the age of 69. On November 13, 1974, DeFeo murdered his parents and 4 siblings. One of his defense theories was that he was possessed at the time. The Court did not entertain the idea. Instead, DeFeo was sentenced to serve 25 years to life. On February 2nd, he was transported to the Albany Medical Center, and his death was reported on March 15.

The combination of a horrible crime coupled with the farfetched defense theory spawned one of horror movie genres most successful and lucrative franchises. However, it was build upon a hoax. (See my blog from 2014: https://thehauntedlibrarian.com/2014/03/19/amityville-horror-hoax/)

Prison officials nor the hospital provided a cause of death stating that one would be released only to immediate family. We may never know how he died. Honestly, I’m okay with that. Let’s focus on the victims instead.

According to Alaska Supreme Court, Inmate Cannot See Poltergeists

31 Tuesday Mar 2020

Posted by in Crimes, Poltergeists, True Crime

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The Alaska Supreme Court ruled that Adam Israel, incarcerated for murdering his mother, cannot see poltergeists, thus tossing his medical malpractice suit against the Department of Corrections.

In 2005, Adam Israel killed his mother, Dorothy Israel. In 2011, he was found guilty of 2nd degree murder by stabbing and killing Dorothy. He was sentenced to 60 years with 20 years suspended with 40 years to serve. While incarcerated in Colorado, Israel was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. With this diagnosis, Israel was able to be placed in a facility handling inmates with mental healthy issues. Israel protested and filed a medical malpractice suit.

In the suit, styled Supreme Court No. S-16990 (previous Superior Court No. 3AN-14-11063 CI), Israel, acting as his own attorney, relies on 2 arguments. The first is that his family, and possibly comedian Steve Martin, bribed the doctors to diagnose Israel with a mental illness. According to Israel, several of his family members, but not Steve Martin, have committed several murders and they’re afraid he will grass them out.

The second argument, and by far the most interesting, is that Israel claims to be born with a “rare genetic ability to see the electro-magnetic radiation of poltergeists.” Israel claimed, without evidence that former British Prime Minister David Cameron is a third cousin once removed and also suffers from the genetic anomaly. Israel educated the Court on plasma and how he can see “low energy photons.” He finished by claiming “any respected physician knows this phenomenon exists.”

Israel asked to perform a demonstration where dead insects would be placed individually in jars containing ethanol. Each insect corpse was to be removed, and Israel would guess what type of insect was held in the jar. (It is not believed that the experiment took place). Instead, the Court stated: “Mr. Israel believes he testified truthfully. But Mr. Israel’s claims are incredible. Without supporting evidence, the court cannot find that Mr. Israel’s testimony is based in reality.” The written opinion went on to state that Israel’s testimony was “bizarre.”

The Court found that Israel’s behavior was consistent with someone who is suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.

Israel failed to provide any expert testimony to rebut the state’s case. They ultimately ruled against Israel.

Crime and Cults: Supposed “Reptilian” Sentenced to 15-40 Years in Jail

18 Tuesday Jun 2019

Posted by in Conspiracy Theories, Crimes, In the News, Uncategorized

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MineoRogers

Crime and Cults: Barbara Rogers Sentenced to 15-40 Years

Last week, convicted killer Barbara Rogers, age 44, was sentenced to the 2017 killing of her boyfriend, Steven Mineo. At the time of the killing, Rogers and Mineo, age 33, were having a tiff with an online cult. The cult leader, Sherry Jan Shriner, called Rogers a “vampire witch Reptilian super soldier.” Wow. That’s a lot to unpack.

As a lawyer, I’m fascinated with criminal justice. I don’t practice that segment of law. I binge watch shows on ID (Investigation Discovery) Channel, especially their new show People Magazine Investigates: Cults. The Rogers’ story would be a great profile case.

Mineo was a member of Shriner’s cult. Not sure of the official name; however, Shriner posted 243 videos on her YouTube channel, which started 11 years ago. (Note: Don’t watch the videos and give them any viewership.) All was good until Mineo began dating Rogers.

Shriner was very upset about the relationship. She began to make comments linking Rogers to Reptilians and calling her names. Reptilian humanoids are humans possessing characteristics of reptiles. Conspiracy theorist David Icke claims they are aliens who can shape-shift in order to take control of the human race. Shriner referred to the “New World Order,” where Reptilians would take over Earth. Further, Shriner called out several politicians as being Reptilians in disguise.

Shriner must have thought that by calling Rogers a vampire-witch-Reptilian would end Mineo’s relationship with Rogers. It didn’t. In fact, it led to Mineo criticizing the cult. Mineo and Rogers were publicly ousted from the online cult.

On July 15, 2017, Mineo held a .45 Caliber semi-automatic Glock to his head and commanded Rogers to pull the trigger. She did. Mineo died of a single gunshot wound to the head. In March of 2019, Rogers was found guilty of 3rd-degree murder and was finally sentenced last week.

The story should end here. But, it does not.

Sherry Shriner died less than a year after Mineo died. She was 54 years old. Reports are she died of natural causes; however, no official obituary from her family was ever published. Shriner, herself, was an oddity. Her YouTube channel has 20,000 followers. The 243 videos have a total of 3 million views. She’s hardly the level of cult leader as Jim Jones or Marshall Applewhite, but she’s a shady character.

First, there are her videos. They’re really audio recordings. Shriner used a high school photo for publicity. There are very few current images of her.

Second, her education is questionable. Articles claim she received three degrees from Kent State: Journalism, Political Science (has several tracks), and Criminal Justice (not the actual name of the degree). It is highly unlikely that Shriner received degrees in three distinct programs.

Third, is her supposed 32nd rank of Freemasonry. The Freemason do not accept women. There is a branch in the United Kingdom that does; however, there are no lodges in the US.

Finally, there is her trademark for Orgone Blasters and Orgone rocks. For a hefty price, you can defend yourself against aliens by purchasing these items. Note that it’s a trademark and not a patent.

I said finally, but there is so much more. Her GoFundMe campaigns; the Twitter account; her supposed genealogy. You get the picture.

It’s interesting how a seemingly run-of-the-mill murder turned into a conspiracy theory fueled fight leading to a couple of suspicious deaths. Goes to show: The story is never what it seems.

#FunFactFriday

04 Friday May 2018

Posted by in Crimes, Famous Locations, Famous People, Haunt Jaunts, True Crime, Uncategorized

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JimmyClark

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/.

Second Slender Man Assaulter Sentenced to Psychiatric Hospital

02 Friday Feb 2018

Posted by in Crimes, In the News, Uncategorized

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GeyserHearing

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.

 

First Slender Man Stabber Sentenced

22 Friday Dec 2017

Posted by in Crimes, In the News, Uncategorized

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Slenderman

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.

WeierGeyser

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.

Characters with Psychic Abilities Mainstreamed on Popular TV Shows

10 Tuesday Jan 2017

Posted by in Crimes, Great Britain, Psychics, Reviews, TV Reviews, Uncategorized

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broadchurch

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.

willmellor

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.

dialog2

 

 

Slander in the Age of Post-Truth: Burke Ramsey Files Defamation Lawsuit

02 Monday Jan 2017

Posted by in Cemeteries, Crimes, Famous People, Scams, Slander, Slander in Paranormal Community, The Haunted Librarian, Uncategorized

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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.

 

Ouija Board “Predicts” Fire: Arson Charges Filed

04 Wednesday Feb 2015

Posted by in Breaking the News, Crimes, In the News, Ouija Boards

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Katrina Livingston

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 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

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

Destroyed Bungalow

Credits: Images from the Northern Echo newspaper.