Defrosting Cold Cases

This post is Chris Birt’s rebuttal to the statement that investigative reporter Bryan Bruce released to the media. Bruce claimed Roddick made it clear that Mrs Norma Demler was not the woman that he saw at the Crewe Farm. Chris Birt explains in detail why he disagrees. __________________________ Media statement by Chris Birt, long-time Crewe [...]

This #cclivechat was not planned since I expected to be tied up until later in the afternoon. I was pleasantly surprised to be dismissed early so I told you about some favourite true crime books. Books are an important part of my life. They have shaped some of my thoughts, they question my beliefs, they [...]

Today John Leake discussed the case of Duncan MacPherson with us. His book explains what happened to Duncan after he disappeared in August 1989. Duncan Alvin MacPherson (Feb 3, 1966 – Aug 9, 1989), a Canadian professional ice hockey player, went missing during a short stay in Austria. Duncan had accepted a job as a player-coach for a semi-pro hockey [...]

Last Thursday, the Zeigler defense team was back in court to ask Judge Whitehead for an evidentiary hearing to explore the latest developments in the case of William Thomas Zeigler, who remains on death row in Florida. Of course, at issue were the false arrest report and the legal consequences for the case. From the Orlando [...]

Christian Bruyère takes an interest in Zeigler. Mr. Bruyère  and his company “Mystique Films” are based in Vancouver, Canada. Vancouver is the third largest motion picture production center in North America. I could not be happier that Zeigler is getting more media attention. Yesterday was Zeigler’s birthday and a press conference was held outside the Orange County Courthouse. [...]

Who left his DNA behind: Richard A. Lapointe or Frederick Rodney Merrill? We have new developments that could shed a light on the case of Bernice Martin and could once and for all clear up who left his DNA. We already know it wasn’t Lapointe. The Connecticut State Board of Pardons and Paroles decided last week to grant [...]

The lid has been lifted on the extent of police malpractice in New Zealand’s most controversial homicide inquiry. In a new book, released today Friday 15 June long-time Crewe murders researcher and writer Chris Birt chronicles a significant list of what he determines are acts of malpractice and ropes more of the original homicide squad [...]

Key evidence is lost in the case of Henry Skinner so despite the fact that the state of Texas now backs further DNA testing, we still will not get all the answers we need. There are pictures of the jackets (see here) but the big blood- and sweat-stained tan jacket with snap buttons down the front found near [...]

She only lived for two months but the little girl is etched in our memories. After she disappeared her mother, Lindy Chamberlain was convicted of murder on October 29, 1982 and sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labour. Her father, Michael Chamberlain was found guilty as an accessory after the fact and was given an 18-month suspended sentence. Their marriage [...]

From PBS Frontline comes fantastic news! David Lee Gavitt is free after modern forensic arson detection determined there was no arson but an accidental fire. Gavitt is amongst several who have had their cases re-examined and thankfully, have been freed from prison and some from death row. Alas, all this comes too late for Willingham. [...]