5/4 Interview with Crimescape author Tori Richards

Posted on May 16, 2012 by

Tori Richards is a journalist who has lived and breathed the crime beat in Southern California during the past 20 years. She spent the first 12 years of her career at newspapers such as Los Angeles Daily News and San Gabriel Valley Tribune, where she was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for an investigation into prisoners who mysteriously died in jail. She also won numerous journalism awards, including the coveted Associated Press Best of the West and two from the California Newspapers Publishers Association.

Tori is an old-school reporter who likes to dig for information at crime scenes, track down witnesses and attend criminal trials. During her career, she has written thousands of crime stories and covered more than 100 trials at various stages including those involving OJ Simpson, Michael Jackson, Anna Nicole Smith, the Aryan Brotherhood, Rodney Alcala, and the Night Stalker.

  • Meet Tori Richards! (2:00)
  • Tori shares her background with us and her passion for her career. (5:45)
  • Tori discusses what sparked her interest in serial killers, and her involvement in the case of Richard Ramirez, the Night Stalker. (9:30)
  • Joey discusses the original night stalker. (11:40)
  • Tori shares her courtroom experience with Rodney Alcala. (14:25)
  • Tori explains her contact with criminals and how to go about getting an interview. (19:40)
  • Tori talks about her work at Crimescape for the talented Marilyn Bardsley. (22:30)
  • Two things that Tori likes to know about a case before writing a story are discussed. (27:45)
  • Tori discusses the O.J Simpson case. (28:00)
  • Tori Richards discusses her book, “Killers For Hire”. (30:00)
  • A very talented homicide detective with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is
  • discussed and credited for catching the perpetrator in Richards’ book. (40:00)
  • Joey talks about media regarding cases and how it may affect an outcome, such as the Scott Dyleski case. (44:40)
  • Tori discusses her ethics when it comes to her sources. (55:00)
  • Tori gives out advice for new and inexperienced reporters. (60:20)
  • Go to our Facebook page to find out how you can WIN 1 of 3 copies of Tori’s book, “Killers
  • For Hire”! (65:55)
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4/27 Discussion with Bone Detective Author Jon Jefferson

Posted on May 9, 2012 by

As a veteran journalist and documentary filmmaker, Jon Jefferson has written seven novels in the Body Farm series in consultation with renowned forensic anthropologist and founder of the University of Tennessee’s “Body Farm”, Dr. Bill Bass. Jefferson Bass is the pen name of Jon Jefferson and Bill Bass. Jon Jefferson’s two National Geographic documentaries on the Body Farm were seen around the world.

  • Meet Jon Jefferson! (2:00)
  • Mr. Jefferson describes the beginning of his schooling and shares his experience in television documentaries, including the last ten years as a writer. (3:35)
  • Mr. Jefferson shares his insight on Jefferson Bass and working with Dr. Bill Bass. (6:00)
  • Jon Jefferson explains the meaning behind Jefferson Bass. (11:00)
  • A story about survival is discussed. (12:30)
  • Mr. Jefferson discusses the new international setting in his newest book, “The Inquisitor’s Key”, which takes place in Avignon, France. (21:00)
  • Mr. Jefferson illustrates a detailed and fascinating picture while describing his experience in Avignon. (23:00)
  • Jefferson lists the main topic for each of the novels in the Jefferson Bass series. (25:00)
  • The provocative trailer for “The Inquisitor’s Key” is discussed, and can be found on youtube.com (30:05)
  • Good and evil is debated; “Who would kill to possess them and who would die to protect
  • them?”, in reference to the newest novel. (32:00)
  • Mr. Jefferson shares his empirical definition of extremism. (37:23)
  • Mr. Jefferson shares a story with us and discusses his upcoming book. (46:00)
  • Possible talk about a television series in the future based on the body farm novels. (57:40)
  • Mr. Jefferson discusses his e-book, “Madonna And Corpse”, which is a short prequel to “The Inquisitor’s Key”, which comes out on May 8th, 2012. Find us on Facebook and look for an announcement from Arie K. to find out how you can WIN a copy! (59:50)
  • Next weeks guest and giveaways are announced! (62:24)
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McCullough Not Guilty in Rape Charge

Posted on May 6, 2012 by

On June 29, 2011 John Tessier/Jack Daniel McCullough was arrested for the murder of Maria Ridulph.  Maria was a young girl from Sycamore, Illinois who disappeared and whose remains were found 5-months later.  She had been murdered.  McCullough or “John Tessier” as he had been known back then was arrested and remains in the DeKalb County Jail awaiting trial for Maria’s murder.  McCullough’s sister accused him of rape and he was brought to trial for those allegations last month.  He was found not guilty of the rape of his teenage half-sister 50 years ago.

His sister alleged that he took her for a ride in his car and took her to a house where he assaulted her, as well as two other men in the home but she could not identify them.  Continue reading →

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Name: Unknown

Posted on May 3, 2012 by

Princess Blue

A few years back, I became involved in trying to give an unidentified woman her name back.  The Houston Press did an article on her case based on the efforts of some wonderful people and myself. She was found off of a service road in Brazoria County, Texas.   There were many murdered women who were dumped in and around this area in Brazoria County.   When a local pulled off of the road to relieve himself, he found the remains which were skeletal.   According to the medical examiner, her remains had been there for a few years.   No one knew who she was, and to this day she remains unidentified.

What intrigued me about this particular case was the Class of 1975 Robert E. Lee High School class ring that was on her finger.   The school was located in Houston, Texas, and has since been renamed “Lee High School”. One would think that this would be a great clue and would make the chore of identifying her very easy.   Not so.   My former admin at someoneknowsme.com, myself and others used the Robert E. Lee High School 1975 yearbook that we purchased to harvest names of students who might have owned that class ring and lost it somewhere, or maybe someone had given the ring as a gift.   We had hope that we might find the owner of that ring.    After many hundreds of letters were sent out, and countless telephone calls to the investigators in Brazoria County, Texas she still has no name.   Out of respect for her, and the desire to give her a real name, we called her Princess Blue.   It has been over 20 years since Princess Blue’s remains were discovered.  To this day, her identity remains a mystery.  

Sadly, Princess Blue’s case is not unique.   In 2009 there were more than 40,000 dead Americans in morgues throughout our country.   Over the last 50-years their remains were pulled from watery graves or from deadend roads similar to the secluded area that Princess Blue was dumped.  These people were found by unknowing hunters or individuals who were just out for a nature walk.   Their bodies may have been hidden beneath shallow graves or wrapped in trash bags and tossed into roadside ditches as if they were garbage just waiting for someone to stumble upon them.   They all share a common name – Doe.   They are the unidentified persons who sit in medical examiners’ offices until the day that they are identified and returned to their loved ones for proper interment.   Here is another good article in which the author calls this issue a “silent mass disaster”. Continue reading →

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4/13 – Interrogations Methods Discussion Part 2 w/ Joseph Buckley

Posted on April 17, 2012 by

  

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internet radio with Joey Ortega on Blog Talk Radio

Joseph Buckley is a graduate of Loyola University and has a Master of Science degree in the detection of deception. He is also certified in The Reid Technique. He is president of the company John Reid and Associates and has been since 1982.

Mr. Buckley has conducted 10,000 interviews and interrogations and has been a speaker in the seminars for over 35 years. He is a frequent guest on radio talk shows and a much sought-after guest speaker for police and security organizations throughout the country, discussing the art of interrogation and interviewing. Mr. Buckley has authored numerous articles on the topic, and is also co-author of the book, “Essentials of The Reid Technique: Criminal Interrogations and Confessions”. Joseph’s vast knowledge of interviewing and interrogation procedures has made him one of the foremost authorities on investigative tactics and techniques in the law enforcement and security fields today.

  • Meet Joseph Buckley of the Reid Institute! (2:30)
  • Mr. Buckley shares the events in his life leading up to his career. (5:20)
  • The Investigator Anthology is discussed. (9:10)
  • Mr. Buckley compares and contrasts the Reid technique with Wicklander Zulawski. (12:25)
  • The core elements of the Reid technique are discussed. (20:50)
  • Cultures in reference to deception are discussed by Mr. Buckley. (30:00)
  • False confessions are briefly covered. (31:20)
  • Unfounded claims regarding interrogations and its controversy are explained. (38:10)
  • Body language is discussed, along with micro expressions and neuro linguistic programming. (44:15)
  • Corroboration is defined by Mr. Buckley along with its significance. (54:50)
  • Deception is explained in regards to the law. (55:40)
  • The use of the justification is debated. (60:20)
  • For more information on The Reid technique, go to www.reid.com. They also have free investigator tips. (65:30)
  • Don’t forget to go to our facebook page and our blog on wordpress.com for a chance to win a fingerprint kit and a copy of Mr. Buckley’s book! (73:30)
  • Next weeks guest is announced! (74:18)
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Jessica Rae Sacco Murder

Posted on April 16, 2012 by

On March 30th body parts were found near Covington, Kentucky in a creek bed and were later identified as the remains of Jessica Rae Sacco of Urbana, Ohio.   Her boyfriend, Matthew Puccio, and four friends were arrested and charged with her murder.  Puccio claims to be a “Juggalo”.  For those who are not familiar with this term,   “Juggalos” are fans of the rap group Insane Clown Posse or ICP.  The band is the self-proclaimed “most hated band”  and their fans are maniacal in their support of the band. The FBI has recently classified Juggalos  in their 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment as a “fast-growing, violent gang.”

Prior to Jessica’s murder, Matthew Puccio, had threatened a group on Facebook because of their ill feelings towards Juggalos.  Jessica had also posted on her wall about a “hit” against her by Puccio’s ex-girlfriend, as well as a “hit” against other Juggalo members.  Matthew Puccio has a violent history and his Facebook postings prove as much.

Matthew Puccio and friends were at the home of his on again/off again girlfriend Jessica Rae Sacco on March 22nd.  Puccio now claims that Jessica had put a hit out on him and he was acting in self defense.  However, his story keeps changing and he interviewed with an Ohio media outlet and stated that Jessica asked him to stab her.   Continue reading →

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3/23 Lonnie Athens – The Process of Violentization

Posted on March 30, 2012 by

Air date: Fri, March 23, 2012
Guest: Lonnie Athens

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internet radio with Joey Ortega on Blog Talk Radio

Lonnie Athens was senior research criminologist at Georgetown University Law Center  and now teaches in the criminology department at Seton Hall University. After graduating from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Mr. Athens continued his criminology studies at the University of Wisconsin.  After college, Mr. Athens interviewed inmates about their criminal lives and social experiences,  focusing on the areas of Iowa and California for his interviews.  Mr. Athens also worked as a probation and parole officer in northern Virginia in 1986. He took all of  his findings and his studies and put them together to form the book, “The Creation of Dangerous Violent Criminals“, in which he discusses his theory and the cases he studied along the way. The theory he developed is known as The Process of Violentization.  This theory focuses on nature vs. nurture and supports the nurture argument as it pertains to serial killers.  Mr. Athens discussed his background, publications on his Violentization Process Theory and the implicatons it has on our understanding of criminals and why they kill.

  • Meet Lonnie Athens (1:40)
  • Mr. Athens shares his unique background with us. (3:40)
  • The four types of violent people in society are described by Mr. Athens. (7:20)
  • Mr. Athens controversial violentization model is discussed along with his research for the book,
  • “Why They Kill.” (7:50)
  • Mr. Athens shares his experience on interviewing violent inmates. (12:30)
  • We discuss the provocative titles in the book, while Mr. Athens shares his insight. (16:20)
  • Mr. Athens describes the obstacles he had to overcome while dealing with violent criminals in prison and even the guards. (20:30)
  • Mr. Athens unique work is discussed, as it is not the traditional way of conducting research and developing a theory, resulting in criticism from others. (27:50)
  • Mr. Athens explains his theory of “people don’t snap.” (37:30)
  • Mr. Athens breaks down the four part process of his violentization model. (38:20)
  • Mr. Athens gets into the specifics of his theory, in relation to social experiences while applying
  • his theory by using examples. (46:30)
  • Mr. Athens sums up the stages that one goes through when dealing with levels of violence, along with intervention, while real cases from his book are discussed. (54:30)
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