A Connecticut man who was a high school teacher pleaded guilty to two counts of 2nd degree sexual assault for entering into sexual relationships with two of his students, one 17 and the other 18. The relationships lasted from spring of 2008 to fall of 2008, according to prosecutors.
Though 16 is Connecticut's age of consent in most situations, teacher student sex is considered to be sexual assault even if the student is over 16 (or for that matter, 18). Russell Andrews, a 34 year old Lebanon, CT resident, plead guilty Wednesday, September 10, in New London Superior Court during a scheduled court appearance.
Andrews, the former chorus and drama club director, was arrested in the wake of a police investigation started in December after rumors started circulating around [Montville High School] that he was in a relationship with a 17-year-old student.
Andrews and the student engaged in consensual sex in the school auditorium, police said.
Further investigation uncovered a second victim, another former student, who admitted having sex with Andrews on numerous occasions during her senior year at the school. Andrews claims he did not have sex with the student until she was 18.
State prosecutor John Gravalec-Pannone will recommend a sentence of 14 years in prison, suspended after 7 years, and 20 years probation. The plea agreement meant that the 6 counts of 2nd degree sexual assault Andrews faced is now only two. Andrews must spend nine months in prison because that's the minimum mandatory sentence for 2nd degree sexual assault in Connecticut. Judge Susan B. Handy will preside over Andrews' sentencing, scheduled for November 10.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Justice in sight for man allegedly murdered by hitman wife hired after 25 years?
By Derrick Nunnally
[Philadephia]Inquirer Staff Writer
A quarter-century after Alan Bailey was shot to death in his Pottstown home, and 17 years since his body turned up in a Berks County forest, his widow was charged yesterday with helping her boyfriend commit the murder.
Jane A. Bailey, 53, admitted to police that she gave the accused gunman, Joey Small, the .357 Magnum used to kill Bailey in the summer of 1984, Montgomery County prosecutors said yesterday.
She confessed that to police in 1993, the year after Bailey's body was found in Colebrookdale Township, but said that the killing happened "because she could no longer stand Alan's physical abuse," according to an affidavit.
She also told police that Small had been buying methamphetamine from the Baileys.
Investigators at the time could not find Small or any other witnesses to corroborate the story.
"They did not have a great deal of information to go on," District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said.
In fall 2007, Montgomery County detectives took a new look at the file and interviewed a witness who had been arrested by Philadelphia homicide investigators.
The new witness - whose name prosecutors withheld - said Small and Bailey were romantically involved for a year before the killing and cohabitated afterward.
She was arrested late Tuesday in Fayette County, where she has been jailed without bail. A warrant has been issued for Small, 55.
[Philadephia]Inquirer Staff Writer
A quarter-century after Alan Bailey was shot to death in his Pottstown home, and 17 years since his body turned up in a Berks County forest, his widow was charged yesterday with helping her boyfriend commit the murder.
Jane A. Bailey, 53, admitted to police that she gave the accused gunman, Joey Small, the .357 Magnum used to kill Bailey in the summer of 1984, Montgomery County prosecutors said yesterday.
She confessed that to police in 1993, the year after Bailey's body was found in Colebrookdale Township, but said that the killing happened "because she could no longer stand Alan's physical abuse," according to an affidavit.
She also told police that Small had been buying methamphetamine from the Baileys.
Investigators at the time could not find Small or any other witnesses to corroborate the story.
"They did not have a great deal of information to go on," District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said.
In fall 2007, Montgomery County detectives took a new look at the file and interviewed a witness who had been arrested by Philadelphia homicide investigators.
The new witness - whose name prosecutors withheld - said Small and Bailey were romantically involved for a year before the killing and cohabitated afterward.
She was arrested late Tuesday in Fayette County, where she has been jailed without bail. A warrant has been issued for Small, 55.
Woman appealing murder conviction in husband's shooting pleads guilty to "boyfriend's" murder for hire attempt
A Buffalo, NY woman already serving (and appealing) a 25 to life sentence for the 2nd degree murder of her husband plead guilty to the attempted murder for hire plot against her "lover," the man she cheated on her husband with. Robin Wagner Kalinowski plead guilty Wednesday, September 9, to the plot against the man after State Supreme Court Justice Penny M. Wolfgang promised her she would only serve 6 to 12 years.
The mother of two pleaded guilty to a felony charge of conspiracy in the second degree and admitted she had sought the murder of her estranged lover, John F. Carey of Tonawanda.
She acknowledged she tried to make a deal in April 2008 with an undercover state trooper posing as an underworld hitman.
After the judge agreed to make the conspiracy sentence run concurrently with the 25-year-to-life term imposed Feb. 25 on her murder conviction, prosecutors Aaron F. Glazer and Lauren A. Rott agreed with the plea to the highest charge still facing her.
John Jordan, Robin's lawyer, said that the plea was in the perpetrator's best interest because if she had took the case to trial and lost, she would probably serve 12 1/2 to 25 years consecutively with the 2nd degree murder sentence for Kevin Kalinowski, shot by his perpetrator wife in their Buffalo home. Robin is appealing that conviction.
The mother of two pleaded guilty to a felony charge of conspiracy in the second degree and admitted she had sought the murder of her estranged lover, John F. Carey of Tonawanda.
She acknowledged she tried to make a deal in April 2008 with an undercover state trooper posing as an underworld hitman.
After the judge agreed to make the conspiracy sentence run concurrently with the 25-year-to-life term imposed Feb. 25 on her murder conviction, prosecutors Aaron F. Glazer and Lauren A. Rott agreed with the plea to the highest charge still facing her.
John Jordan, Robin's lawyer, said that the plea was in the perpetrator's best interest because if she had took the case to trial and lost, she would probably serve 12 1/2 to 25 years consecutively with the 2nd degree murder sentence for Kevin Kalinowski, shot by his perpetrator wife in their Buffalo home. Robin is appealing that conviction.
E. Moline man sentenced to 16 years in van death of "girlfriend"
An East Moline, IL man will serve 16 years, 8 years each for involuntary manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident, for the death of his "girlfriend" after she fell off the side of a van he was driving. Rock Island County jurors convicted Henry Sims of the charges in June, a year after the incident involving Sims and his "girlfriend," Erin Waeyaert, who was 24 when she died June 15, 2008.
Wayert let Sims drive her van before taking the van back after rumors Sims was cheating on her. Sims' tried to retake the van, at the victims' mother's house, but Wayert held on while standing on the passenger side running board. Sims, while driving at a high rate of speed, sped off as Wayert fell off the side of the van, dying from her injuries.
Sims accused the prosecution of being corrupt by pursuing a murder conviction against him at trial. The Rock Island County State's Attorney's office argued that he tried to knock Waeyaert off the vehicle.
Assistant Rock Island County State's Attorney Norma Kauzlarich asked Braud for the maximum sentence and cited Sims' lengthy criminal history, which includes other offenses against women, as part of her argument.
She also noted that Sims has a poor employment record. Sims' attorney Jack Schwartz argued for a lower sentence saying that Sims should not be separated from his family for too long.
Judge Braud heard from the victim's brother, Andrew Waeyaert, noting that Sims never checked up on his "girlfriend" after she fell from the van. "God did not take Erin away from us, Henry Sims did. Along with her he took away a part of us."
Braud took into consideration Sims' other acts against women, reckless driving convictions, and lack of remorse, stating that "You still are telling me how this victim jumped on her car and it's somehow her fault."
Wayert let Sims drive her van before taking the van back after rumors Sims was cheating on her. Sims' tried to retake the van, at the victims' mother's house, but Wayert held on while standing on the passenger side running board. Sims, while driving at a high rate of speed, sped off as Wayert fell off the side of the van, dying from her injuries.
Sims accused the prosecution of being corrupt by pursuing a murder conviction against him at trial. The Rock Island County State's Attorney's office argued that he tried to knock Waeyaert off the vehicle.
Assistant Rock Island County State's Attorney Norma Kauzlarich asked Braud for the maximum sentence and cited Sims' lengthy criminal history, which includes other offenses against women, as part of her argument.
She also noted that Sims has a poor employment record. Sims' attorney Jack Schwartz argued for a lower sentence saying that Sims should not be separated from his family for too long.
Judge Braud heard from the victim's brother, Andrew Waeyaert, noting that Sims never checked up on his "girlfriend" after she fell from the van. "God did not take Erin away from us, Henry Sims did. Along with her he took away a part of us."
Braud took into consideration Sims' other acts against women, reckless driving convictions, and lack of remorse, stating that "You still are telling me how this victim jumped on her car and it's somehow her fault."
Mother of toddlers receives justice after "boyfriend" who killed her sentenced to life with parole
PROVIDENCE –– Almost four months after he strangled his estranged girlfriend, struck her head several times and fatally stabbed her, Herbert Byrd made a tearful courtroom apology at his sentencing Wednesday after pleading no contest to first-degree murder and arson.
“I’m sorry for all the pain I caused everyone,” said Byrd as the family of Linda Encarnacao looked on in Superior Court.
“I turn to God for forgiveness, and he says he forgives all,” Byrd said, pausing as emotion overwhelmed him. “But how can he forgive me when I can’t forgive myself?”
Encarnacao, 26, was found alive, but dying and unconscious, in her burning Reservoir Triangle apartment on May 14.
She had suffered 26 stab wounds and lacerations to her stomach, face and other areas of her body. Byrd also caused strangulation wounds to her neck and he inflicted a blunt force injury to her head, according to Assistant Attorney General Scott Erickson.
After inflicting “the multiple trauma injuries” that caused the woman’s death, Byrd set fire to her apartment, Erickson added in court yesterday.
Judge William E. Carnes Wednesday sentenced Byrd to life in prison for murder and imposed a concurrent 20-year sentence on the arson count. He also ordered that Byrd serve an additional 10 years for being a habitual offender.
Byrd’s plea bargain, which the attorney general’s office said allowed him to avoid a possible sentence of life without parole, gives Byrd a chance for parole in 2029, a fact that haunts Encarnacao’s family, who asked Carnes to imprison Byrd for life with no possibility of parole.
Authorities say the 26-year-old Byrd attacked Encarnacao because he was jealous and wanted a more substantial relationship than she was willing to allow.
He was a regular caretaker of Encarnacao’s two children and a father of one of the youngsters. The children, now 3 and 5 years old, were in Byrd’s care before he left them alone and set out for Encarnacao’s apartment, according to authorities.
The slaying was one of 13 homicides in Providence this year, the same number as in all of 2008.
Encarnacao’s murder happened about eight months after a domestic incident involving Byrd and Encarnacao in September 2008.
Immediately after the incident, Encarnacao told the police Byrd had strangled her until she passed out and he had tried to rape her, but she later told authorities she did not want to press a charge of domestic simple assault against him.
In the sentencing Wednesday, Carnes deemed Byrd a habitual offender because of convictions in 2006 for possessing a controlled substance and delivering a controlled substance. The 10 year prison term on that count with no chance for parole is consecutive to the other two sentences. This means Byrd must serve an additional 10 years if he should be receive parole on the murder count, according to Erickson, who figures Byrd would be eligible for parole on May 14, 2029. Byrd’s release at that time would put people in danger, according to members of Encarnacao’s family.
The family members crafted a joint statement that Special Assistant Attorney General Diane Daigle read to the court before Byrd’s sentencing.
“In 30 years, Mr. Byrd will be in his 50s and he will be released,” says the statement. “Linda’s two children and family will again relive this horrible nightmare and be petrified that he will come searching for them. What more does Mr. Byrd need to do to prove that he is a leach on society? Words can never express how Mr. Byrd’s senseless and violent crime has forever changed our lives.”
“I’m sorry for all the pain I caused everyone,” said Byrd as the family of Linda Encarnacao looked on in Superior Court.
“I turn to God for forgiveness, and he says he forgives all,” Byrd said, pausing as emotion overwhelmed him. “But how can he forgive me when I can’t forgive myself?”
Encarnacao, 26, was found alive, but dying and unconscious, in her burning Reservoir Triangle apartment on May 14.
She had suffered 26 stab wounds and lacerations to her stomach, face and other areas of her body. Byrd also caused strangulation wounds to her neck and he inflicted a blunt force injury to her head, according to Assistant Attorney General Scott Erickson.
After inflicting “the multiple trauma injuries” that caused the woman’s death, Byrd set fire to her apartment, Erickson added in court yesterday.
Judge William E. Carnes Wednesday sentenced Byrd to life in prison for murder and imposed a concurrent 20-year sentence on the arson count. He also ordered that Byrd serve an additional 10 years for being a habitual offender.
Byrd’s plea bargain, which the attorney general’s office said allowed him to avoid a possible sentence of life without parole, gives Byrd a chance for parole in 2029, a fact that haunts Encarnacao’s family, who asked Carnes to imprison Byrd for life with no possibility of parole.
Authorities say the 26-year-old Byrd attacked Encarnacao because he was jealous and wanted a more substantial relationship than she was willing to allow.
He was a regular caretaker of Encarnacao’s two children and a father of one of the youngsters. The children, now 3 and 5 years old, were in Byrd’s care before he left them alone and set out for Encarnacao’s apartment, according to authorities.
The slaying was one of 13 homicides in Providence this year, the same number as in all of 2008.
Encarnacao’s murder happened about eight months after a domestic incident involving Byrd and Encarnacao in September 2008.
Immediately after the incident, Encarnacao told the police Byrd had strangled her until she passed out and he had tried to rape her, but she later told authorities she did not want to press a charge of domestic simple assault against him.
In the sentencing Wednesday, Carnes deemed Byrd a habitual offender because of convictions in 2006 for possessing a controlled substance and delivering a controlled substance. The 10 year prison term on that count with no chance for parole is consecutive to the other two sentences. This means Byrd must serve an additional 10 years if he should be receive parole on the murder count, according to Erickson, who figures Byrd would be eligible for parole on May 14, 2029. Byrd’s release at that time would put people in danger, according to members of Encarnacao’s family.
The family members crafted a joint statement that Special Assistant Attorney General Diane Daigle read to the court before Byrd’s sentencing.
“In 30 years, Mr. Byrd will be in his 50s and he will be released,” says the statement. “Linda’s two children and family will again relive this horrible nightmare and be petrified that he will come searching for them. What more does Mr. Byrd need to do to prove that he is a leach on society? Words can never express how Mr. Byrd’s senseless and violent crime has forever changed our lives.”
Belligham man gets 45 years for murder of wife even without body
ISABELLE DILLS - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD
BELLINGHAM - Bruce Hummel was given a maximum sentence of 45 years in a state prison after refusing to reveal the location of his wife's remains.
Whatcom County Superior Court Judge Charles Snyder sentenced Hummel Tuesday, Sept. 8, for murdering his wife, Alice, in October 1990. A jury found him guilty of first-degree murder Aug. 20.
Hummel, 67, had been facing a sentence of 34 to 45 years in prison. Whatcom County Prosecutor Dave McEachran said he offered to recommend the minimum sentence if Hummel provided information leading to his wife's remains. Hummel declined, and McEachran recommended the maximum sentence.
"It would have provided such a relief to the children to bury their mother," McEachran said, adding that he thought the sentence was "very fitting."
Hummel's attorney, Jon Komorowski, director of the Whatcom County Public Defender's Office, said they intend on appealing the conviction, citing insufficient evidence.
"Mr. Hummel has always maintained his innocence," Komorowski said.
The Hummels' three children have not seen their mother since October 1990, and Alice Hummel's body has never been found.
The backbone of McEachran's case was a nine-year investigation by Bellingham Police detectives, who began looking into Alice's disappearance after her oldest daughter filed a missing person's report with the department in 2001.
McEachran said that Bruce Hummel killed his wife to continue cashing her disability checks and to cover up his alleged molestation of his youngest daughter. Alice Hummel found out about the alleged molestation just before she disappeared, McEachran said.
Hummel covered up the murder by telling his children that Alice moved to California for a new job and to abandon the family, McEachran argued in court.
Letters and packages purportedly from Alice Hummel were sent to the children for years after her disappearance. But police could find no trace of her existence after October 1990.
Bruce Hummel initially told police his wife had abandoned the family. Later he sent them a letter saying Alice had committed suicide and he dumped her body in Bellingham Bay.
Hummel will be transferred to a state prison Tuesday, Sept. 15, to begin serving his sentence.
BELLINGHAM - Bruce Hummel was given a maximum sentence of 45 years in a state prison after refusing to reveal the location of his wife's remains.
Whatcom County Superior Court Judge Charles Snyder sentenced Hummel Tuesday, Sept. 8, for murdering his wife, Alice, in October 1990. A jury found him guilty of first-degree murder Aug. 20.
Hummel, 67, had been facing a sentence of 34 to 45 years in prison. Whatcom County Prosecutor Dave McEachran said he offered to recommend the minimum sentence if Hummel provided information leading to his wife's remains. Hummel declined, and McEachran recommended the maximum sentence.
"It would have provided such a relief to the children to bury their mother," McEachran said, adding that he thought the sentence was "very fitting."
Hummel's attorney, Jon Komorowski, director of the Whatcom County Public Defender's Office, said they intend on appealing the conviction, citing insufficient evidence.
"Mr. Hummel has always maintained his innocence," Komorowski said.
The Hummels' three children have not seen their mother since October 1990, and Alice Hummel's body has never been found.
The backbone of McEachran's case was a nine-year investigation by Bellingham Police detectives, who began looking into Alice's disappearance after her oldest daughter filed a missing person's report with the department in 2001.
McEachran said that Bruce Hummel killed his wife to continue cashing her disability checks and to cover up his alleged molestation of his youngest daughter. Alice Hummel found out about the alleged molestation just before she disappeared, McEachran said.
Hummel covered up the murder by telling his children that Alice moved to California for a new job and to abandon the family, McEachran argued in court.
Letters and packages purportedly from Alice Hummel were sent to the children for years after her disappearance. But police could find no trace of her existence after October 1990.
Bruce Hummel initially told police his wife had abandoned the family. Later he sent them a letter saying Alice had committed suicide and he dumped her body in Bellingham Bay.
Hummel will be transferred to a state prison Tuesday, Sept. 15, to begin serving his sentence.
Man sentenced to 22 years without parole for murder of mother he had "consensual" sexual relations with
A 21 year old man plead guilty but mentally ill to the murder of his 43 year old mother with whom he had a "consensual" but inappropriate sexual relationship for the past 4 years. Mary Finnegan was found dead, nude and wrapped in bedding, by her other, 23 year old son July 24, 2008. John Finnegan initially denied killing his mother, but told police that he was "bottled up with rage."
John Finnegan tried to kill himself, but when that did not work, he grabbed some cash, left the house in his mother's car, and fled for a few days before being arrested in a neighboring county, according to prosecutors.
The guilty but mentally ill plea allows the younger Finnegan to get mental health counseling during his 22 year prison stay, a stay which cannot be reduced for good behavior. All 1st degree murderers in Illinois must serve all of their sentence, with 1st degree murder sentences ranging from 20 to 60 years in most cases.
John Finnegan tried to kill himself, but when that did not work, he grabbed some cash, left the house in his mother's car, and fled for a few days before being arrested in a neighboring county, according to prosecutors.
The guilty but mentally ill plea allows the younger Finnegan to get mental health counseling during his 22 year prison stay, a stay which cannot be reduced for good behavior. All 1st degree murderers in Illinois must serve all of their sentence, with 1st degree murder sentences ranging from 20 to 60 years in most cases.
Man convicted of HIV positive rape - sentencing date scheduled for September 25
(Original Post 2-24-09)
A Nigerian immigrant to Canada was convicted of aggravated sexual assault for raping his ex-"girlfriend," causing her to be infected with HIV. William-Imona Russel, 35, was also convicted of beating and endangering the 58 year old victim's life. Ontario Superior Court Justice John McMahon stated that "there's no absolute proof" that Imona-Russel infected the victim.
The judge found him guilty of assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon, threatening death, attempted aggravated sexual assault to endanger life and two counts of sexual assault.
"I do not find Mr. Imona-Russel to be a forthright witness," McMahon said, noting his testimony was not only contradicted by other witnesses but was internally inconsistent.
The judge found that long after Imona-Russel and his former girlfriend ceased to have consensual sex, he visited her apartment on March 3, 2005, pushed, slapped and kicked her, stood on her chest, threw her on her bed, and threatened to kill her with a power drill before having forced intercourse.
On March 13, he returned, pushing open the bathroom door she was cowering behind, grabbed her throat and raped her again. A few days later, the woman complained to police, who had a pair of her underwear tested for Imona-Russel's semen. The test was positive.
Police also urged the woman to get tested for HIV. She was infected.
Imona-Russel stated that he came to Canada claiming refugee status April 2003, then met the victim in an apartment building near the airport. They started having sex until an immigration doctor told him he was HIV positive, and they never had sex again. However, the judge stated that he tested positive for HIV a month before he stopped having sex with his victim.
The victim suffers from PTSD and substance abuse. Imona-Russel is facing charges that in 2006, he stabbed another woman to death.
(Update 9-13-09) Imona-Russel's sentence, according to Crown prosecutor Julia Forward, should be 8 to 10 years for his "violent and callous" crime against his victim. "She's infected because of his selfish indifference and that is something she'll have to deal with for the rest of her life," Foward opined in her argument before Justice John McMahon in Imona-Russel's sentencing hearing.
Lawyer Ferhan Javed, appointed by Justice McMahon to represent Imona-Russell after he fired other attorneys, argued for a 4 to 6 year sentence. Even though the sentencing hearing was Friday, September 11, his actual sentence will be meted out two weeks later, on September 25.
A Nigerian immigrant to Canada was convicted of aggravated sexual assault for raping his ex-"girlfriend," causing her to be infected with HIV. William-Imona Russel, 35, was also convicted of beating and endangering the 58 year old victim's life. Ontario Superior Court Justice John McMahon stated that "there's no absolute proof" that Imona-Russel infected the victim.
The judge found him guilty of assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon, threatening death, attempted aggravated sexual assault to endanger life and two counts of sexual assault.
"I do not find Mr. Imona-Russel to be a forthright witness," McMahon said, noting his testimony was not only contradicted by other witnesses but was internally inconsistent.
The judge found that long after Imona-Russel and his former girlfriend ceased to have consensual sex, he visited her apartment on March 3, 2005, pushed, slapped and kicked her, stood on her chest, threw her on her bed, and threatened to kill her with a power drill before having forced intercourse.
On March 13, he returned, pushing open the bathroom door she was cowering behind, grabbed her throat and raped her again. A few days later, the woman complained to police, who had a pair of her underwear tested for Imona-Russel's semen. The test was positive.
Police also urged the woman to get tested for HIV. She was infected.
Imona-Russel stated that he came to Canada claiming refugee status April 2003, then met the victim in an apartment building near the airport. They started having sex until an immigration doctor told him he was HIV positive, and they never had sex again. However, the judge stated that he tested positive for HIV a month before he stopped having sex with his victim.
The victim suffers from PTSD and substance abuse. Imona-Russel is facing charges that in 2006, he stabbed another woman to death.
(Update 9-13-09) Imona-Russel's sentence, according to Crown prosecutor Julia Forward, should be 8 to 10 years for his "violent and callous" crime against his victim. "She's infected because of his selfish indifference and that is something she'll have to deal with for the rest of her life," Foward opined in her argument before Justice John McMahon in Imona-Russel's sentencing hearing.
Lawyer Ferhan Javed, appointed by Justice McMahon to represent Imona-Russell after he fired other attorneys, argued for a 4 to 6 year sentence. Even though the sentencing hearing was Friday, September 11, his actual sentence will be meted out two weeks later, on September 25.
Surburban Toronto woman shot and killed, allegedly by estranged husband
Woman found dying of gunshot wound 45 minutes after police left her house
Sep 13, 2009 04:30 AM
Raveena Aulakh
[Toronto Star]Staff reporter
ORANGEVILLE–Cyril Donaldson was going to bed when a bloodied woman staggered through his front door, gasping for life and pleading for help.
"I've been shot by my husband – help me," Donaldson's neighbour begged as she collapsed in his arms around 1 a.m. yesterday. He cradled her as his 17-year-old granddaughter called 911.
Heidi Ferguson, 39, mother of two children, was airlifted to Sunnybrook hospital where she died of her injuries.
"I didn't think she would survive," said Donaldson. "She had lost too much blood," he said, pointing to the trail leading into his house.
At midnight, Orangeville police had been called to Ferguson's home on Westdale Ave. on a report of unknown trouble. When the officers got there, Ferguson told them the source of the trouble, her estranged husband, had left, according to an OPP spokesperson. About 45 minutes later, they were called back by Donaldson's granddaughter as Ferguson lay dying from her chest wounds.
Two hours later, her husband, Hugh Ferguson, 42, who had barricaded himself in his house in Mono Township, 13 kilometres north of Orangeville, shot himself as police surrounded the house. Determining what happened in those two crucial hours is now the task of the province's Special Investigations Unit.
Yesterday, Ontario Provincial Police Const. Peter Leon defended the actions of the Orangeville police, saying officers didn't misjudge the severity of the situation as there was no history of violence involving the couple.
"They (officers) were in the midst of an investigation after the first call," he said. "The gentleman had left and there was no indication the outcome was going to be what it was." Leon would not say if police had been called to Ferguson's home in the previous months, but said there was "no such behaviour in the past," referring to violence.
The husband is said by neighbours to have been an avid hunter who owned many firearms. Some speculated that he wanted to get back together with his wife, but that she wanted to move on. Neighbours on Westdale Ave., an affluent, tree-lined street, said Heidi Ferguson moved into the single-storey home about 14 months ago after separating from her husband.
Before moving in, she completely renovated the house. Their children, a 15-year-old boy and a 19-year-old daughter, who neighbours said just started studying at Ryerson University, lived with both parents. The Fergusons operated a business that bought, renovated and sold homes, and he used to visit her as often as twice a week but didn't speak to neighbours.
A police officer said the estranged husband picked up their 15-year-old son some time Friday night and dropped him at a friend's place in the town. The daughter was at Ryerson, said the police source.
A black SUV with the name of Ferguson's company, www.suitedreamdesignteam, stood in the driveway cordoned off by yellow police tape. A cellphone, covered by a cardboard box, lay in the grass between the two driveways. The porch lights were still on in Ferguson's home and the blinds were closed.
Ferguson worked from home. If there was trouble between the Fergusons, Donaldson said he didn't hear of it. He last spoke to Ferguson on Thursday evening when she was leaving and he was coming home.
"She said hello, asked how my wife was ... that's it," said Donaldson, 73, whose wife uses a wheelchair. Ferguson was very friendly and often chatted with him, his daughter and two granddaughters but "if there was any problem, she would never talk about it," he said.
Pam Hillock, who lives across the street, didn't hear the gunfire, but was startled by the arrival on the street of at least three police cruisers shortly after 1 a.m. yesterday.
"It came pretty out of the blue ... you know, there were no loud fights, nothing.
"My heart goes out to the two kids."
At the estranged husband's sprawling million-dollar home in Mono Township, a lone black pick-up truck stood in the driveway as an OPP cruiser guarded the scene.
The SIU team, which had been called at 6 a.m., left the scene at 3 p.m.
A "For Sale by Owner" sign hung outside the brown brick house, which has a three-car attached garage.
Neighbours said they didn't hear any gunfire, but woke up to a large police presence.
"We didn't know what (had) happened till we heard it on the radio," one neighbour said.
"It's so tragic."
Sep 13, 2009 04:30 AM
Raveena Aulakh
[Toronto Star]Staff reporter
ORANGEVILLE–Cyril Donaldson was going to bed when a bloodied woman staggered through his front door, gasping for life and pleading for help.
"I've been shot by my husband – help me," Donaldson's neighbour begged as she collapsed in his arms around 1 a.m. yesterday. He cradled her as his 17-year-old granddaughter called 911.
Heidi Ferguson, 39, mother of two children, was airlifted to Sunnybrook hospital where she died of her injuries.
"I didn't think she would survive," said Donaldson. "She had lost too much blood," he said, pointing to the trail leading into his house.
At midnight, Orangeville police had been called to Ferguson's home on Westdale Ave. on a report of unknown trouble. When the officers got there, Ferguson told them the source of the trouble, her estranged husband, had left, according to an OPP spokesperson. About 45 minutes later, they were called back by Donaldson's granddaughter as Ferguson lay dying from her chest wounds.
Two hours later, her husband, Hugh Ferguson, 42, who had barricaded himself in his house in Mono Township, 13 kilometres north of Orangeville, shot himself as police surrounded the house. Determining what happened in those two crucial hours is now the task of the province's Special Investigations Unit.
Yesterday, Ontario Provincial Police Const. Peter Leon defended the actions of the Orangeville police, saying officers didn't misjudge the severity of the situation as there was no history of violence involving the couple.
"They (officers) were in the midst of an investigation after the first call," he said. "The gentleman had left and there was no indication the outcome was going to be what it was." Leon would not say if police had been called to Ferguson's home in the previous months, but said there was "no such behaviour in the past," referring to violence.
The husband is said by neighbours to have been an avid hunter who owned many firearms. Some speculated that he wanted to get back together with his wife, but that she wanted to move on. Neighbours on Westdale Ave., an affluent, tree-lined street, said Heidi Ferguson moved into the single-storey home about 14 months ago after separating from her husband.
Before moving in, she completely renovated the house. Their children, a 15-year-old boy and a 19-year-old daughter, who neighbours said just started studying at Ryerson University, lived with both parents. The Fergusons operated a business that bought, renovated and sold homes, and he used to visit her as often as twice a week but didn't speak to neighbours.
A police officer said the estranged husband picked up their 15-year-old son some time Friday night and dropped him at a friend's place in the town. The daughter was at Ryerson, said the police source.
A black SUV with the name of Ferguson's company, www.suitedreamdesignteam, stood in the driveway cordoned off by yellow police tape. A cellphone, covered by a cardboard box, lay in the grass between the two driveways. The porch lights were still on in Ferguson's home and the blinds were closed.
Ferguson worked from home. If there was trouble between the Fergusons, Donaldson said he didn't hear of it. He last spoke to Ferguson on Thursday evening when she was leaving and he was coming home.
"She said hello, asked how my wife was ... that's it," said Donaldson, 73, whose wife uses a wheelchair. Ferguson was very friendly and often chatted with him, his daughter and two granddaughters but "if there was any problem, she would never talk about it," he said.
Pam Hillock, who lives across the street, didn't hear the gunfire, but was startled by the arrival on the street of at least three police cruisers shortly after 1 a.m. yesterday.
"It came pretty out of the blue ... you know, there were no loud fights, nothing.
"My heart goes out to the two kids."
At the estranged husband's sprawling million-dollar home in Mono Township, a lone black pick-up truck stood in the driveway as an OPP cruiser guarded the scene.
The SIU team, which had been called at 6 a.m., left the scene at 3 p.m.
A "For Sale by Owner" sign hung outside the brown brick house, which has a three-car attached garage.
Neighbours said they didn't hear any gunfire, but woke up to a large police presence.
"We didn't know what (had) happened till we heard it on the radio," one neighbour said.
"It's so tragic."
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Milwaukee serial killer update
Five more 1st degree intentional homicide (murder) charges were added to the criminal complaint in the Milwaukee "North SIde Strangler"serial killer case. Late this afternoon, 49 year old Walter E. Ellis was charged with the murders of Sheila Farrior, Florence McCormick, Irene Smith, Tanya Miller, and Debra Harris. All five women were strangled, but only Irene Smith died by "bleeding out." Smith's death occured on November 28, 1992. The killer strangled Sheila Farrior with her bra on June 27, 1995, Florence McCormick with a rope on April 24, 1995, Debra Lynn Harris with a handkerchief on October 10, 1986. and the day after Harris' death, killed Tanya Miller by choking her to death. Except for Harris, whose body was dumped in the Menominee River, all bodies were found in abandoned houses on Milwaukee's north side.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Phillipi, WV man sentenced to 20 years for shooting "girlfriend"
A Phillippi, WV man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for shooting his pregnant girlfriend and killing their unborn baby. Glen Junior Corder III pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and wanton endangerment last month. Yesterday, Corder was sentenced by Judge Alan Moats to 20 years. The plea agreement spared Corder from a 1st degree murder charge and malicious assault charge for shooting Karen Sue Smith at an apartment complex last December.
In February 2009, a Barbour County grand jury indicted Corder for one count each of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, wanton endangerment and malicious assault. At his arraignment, Corder pleaded not guilty to the charges, and Judge Moats set Corder's trial for June 2009.
In late May 2009, Judge Moats rescheduled Corder's trial for August, because both the prosecution and defense were still waiting on forensic evidence to come back.
On August 14, 2009, Corder entered his guilty plea.
At the hearing, Corder admitted that he knew Smith was pregnant at the time he shot her, and said he was drunk at the time of the incident.
Corder will go back to the Tygart Valley Regional Jail until he can be sent to a state prison.
The 20 year sentence runs as follows - 15 years for the voluntary manslaughter, and 5 years for wanton endangerment.
In February 2009, a Barbour County grand jury indicted Corder for one count each of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, wanton endangerment and malicious assault. At his arraignment, Corder pleaded not guilty to the charges, and Judge Moats set Corder's trial for June 2009.
In late May 2009, Judge Moats rescheduled Corder's trial for August, because both the prosecution and defense were still waiting on forensic evidence to come back.
On August 14, 2009, Corder entered his guilty plea.
At the hearing, Corder admitted that he knew Smith was pregnant at the time he shot her, and said he was drunk at the time of the incident.
Corder will go back to the Tygart Valley Regional Jail until he can be sent to a state prison.
The 20 year sentence runs as follows - 15 years for the voluntary manslaughter, and 5 years for wanton endangerment.
Soldier charged in murder of wife
An Army soldier was arrested in the murder of his wife in their Clarksville, TN home. Sena Marie Downing, 25, from the Iowa town of Decorah, was found shot to death after her body was discovered by police around 3:17 AM, Tuesday morning. Her husband, a 31 year old Iraq veteran who had been deployed to Iraq twice, was arrested later yesterday after fleeing in his vehicle, with a Kentucky tag and Ft. Campbell decals.
The vehicle turned up in Robertson County where the police also found Jonathan Clyde Downing, 31, hiding in the woods. Police used officers on foot, K-9s and a helicopter in the search.
Police talked with him for a couple of hours before arresting him without incident at around noon.
Clarksville Police spokesman Jim Knoll said officers then transported Downing to the Montgomery County Jail to be booked. Knoll did not know whether Downing had obtained a lawyer.
Downing, who was a Calvary Scout in the Army, is charged with criminal homicide. He's originally from Decorah, IA via Ventura, CA.
The vehicle turned up in Robertson County where the police also found Jonathan Clyde Downing, 31, hiding in the woods. Police used officers on foot, K-9s and a helicopter in the search.
Police talked with him for a couple of hours before arresting him without incident at around noon.
Clarksville Police spokesman Jim Knoll said officers then transported Downing to the Montgomery County Jail to be booked. Knoll did not know whether Downing had obtained a lawyer.
Downing, who was a Calvary Scout in the Army, is charged with criminal homicide. He's originally from Decorah, IA via Ventura, CA.
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