mysteriew said:
Richard, thank you for the background on the story.
One thing that is not clear in the article I posted, is why LE is now questioning whether Stano killed Grieve, Foster, and Valleck. Do you have any idea why they are now questioning it?
I know that some serial killers will sometimes take "credit" for murders they did not commit. But LE seems to have strong questions about whether he actually killed these three.
I do not have much information on the murder of Dianna Lynn Valleck (18), who was murdered in Tampa, Florida in 1975. Neither do I have much information on Emily Grieve (38) and Joan Gail Foster (18), who were both murdered in Pasco County, Florida in 1977.
The book "Blind Fury" is pretty good at detailing the crimes for which Stano was convicted, because those details were brought out in public trials and are part of the public record. Ms. Flowers used the trial records extensively in researching her book. She also drew heavily on the assistance of Detective Paul Crow and of the Volusia and Brevard County Sheriff's Department for information about the investigation, arrest, and interrogation of Stano.
As the book points out, Stano's confessions took place at widely separated times and over numerous interrogations. They also involved crimes committed in many different jurisdictions.
Stano was initially charged with three counts of first degree murder after confessing to six murders - in exchange for life in prison. After entering prison, he felt that he could obtain a higher standing in the pen if he continued with his confessions. He did so without any grants of immunity or promises of life in prison. He was subsequently tried on several more counts of first degree murder, over several years.
By January 15, 1984, Stano entered Death Row with three death sentences and eight life terms from murder convictions in five different Florida counties for the deaths of fourteen women - although he had confessed to murdering many more.
Stano was never charged with the murders of Valleck, Grieve, or Foster. I do not know specifically why, but the book mentions in general many conflicts between jurisdictions, sometimes lack of bodies, sometimes improper police procedures, etc.
The answers as to why these cases are being reconsidered may lie in the police files.