GUILTY NC - Kathy Taft, 62, Raleigh, 6 March 2010 - #5

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Madeleine74 said:
no1uknow,

Thank you for protecting her privacy regards to her current location. I think it's very important to establish and maintain those boundaries and keep things out of the public domain.

These cases usually involve ordinary people whose lives have been turned upside down due to the actions of someone else. Criminal cases, especially murder cases, are hard enough to get through as it is.
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Thanks, Madeleine. It's important to understand that this ordeal has effected many, many people. For the six weeks before JW was arrested, none of us in this neighborhood slept well. Detectives, police and reporters were everywhere, constantly. I was interviewed by detectives several times and got caught by the media many times. JW was living about 30 feet from me and was arrested for this crime, so you can imagine how scary that was for all of us when it happened. The night he was arrested, I had been out to dinner with my friend only to come home at around 7 pm and find my house to be a crime scene. I had to show ID to get through my own door that night. Detectives were in my house, they were questioning me, they had cordoned off the parking lot and the back yard. They stayed for 12+ hours.
So, for all of you who think you'd like to be an "insider": no, you don't. You haven't the slightest damned idea what you're talking about. Honestly, I wouldn't wish the last two years of being an "insider" on my worst enemy.
 
I can understand how horrible it must have been to be so close to where it all happened. My house was not far away. I was a few blocks down near Oberlin. It was a very tense and worried time. I lost so much sleep. My anxiety level was VERY high.

One night before the discovery of JW, DH was out of town and I awoke to a loud noise. I was so scared! I immediately called 911. They talked to me until the cars arrived. They searched the area and couldn't find anything. They understood why I was so jumpy. After they left, I discovered the noise was a back scrubber had broken and fallen in the shower! I felt like a fool. I did call them back though and tell them what it was. I'm sure they got plenty of calls like that from nervous citizens. Honestly, I don't think I will ever be at peace in my home, the way I used to be. I realize I didn't have a loved one taken from me, but I have a fear now, that I never had before this horrific murder.
 
no1uknow said:
No, she moved out late last summer. Since she asked me not to tell anyone where she was going, I can't tell you where she is. However, I can tell you that I hear from her once in a while and she's doing really well in her new place - sounds like she's moving forward and happy.
On a personal note, I got to know her quite well before she left Raleigh. I want you all to know that she is very much a victim in this whole ordeal and after getting to know her, I got to see that she's a good gal. While she didn't lose her life or her mother, she lost everything and has suffered greatly.
I don't have the heart to ask her if she has been asked to do so or not but if she's asked to testify, what she has to say will be very interesting.
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Thanks, again, no1 -- I had hoped that she was away from it all, at least geographically now -- she looked so alone in the courtroom that day, even tho his parents were right beside her; from what little I heard, they were very supportive of her and helped them financially at times, too.

She was obviously supporting him, paying for the rent, the food, the gas, etc., etc., working, and then BAM, the bottom fell out of her world. She must have had horrible self-doubt about her earlier judgement of him and her decision to marry him.

At least she had the strength to get out and get away. Something about JW must have attracted and appealed to her once upon a time, and she was probably questioning her ability to judge people and make decisions. Glad to hear also that she had a confidant in you to listen and to perhaps help her feel strong enuff to leave. So glad to hear that she is doing okay and away from "it." Maybe one day she can put all of that down in a "done" pile, but I would think the scars would be there for a long time.

Yep, one more victim of this man's selfish and probably drug-fueled urges. It looks like to me, he just didn't care about anything but making his body feel good -- to he!! with anyone else, seems to me. IMO, the DT is going to have to go a quite a ways, so to speak, to make him look less abhorrent and evil. Whew, what a job to do for them...
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And just let Saacks rip...
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Prancy said:
I can understand how horrible it must have been to be so close to where it all happened. My house was not far away. I was a few blocks down near Oberlin. It was a very tense and worried time. I lost so much sleep. My anxiety level was VERY high.

One night before the discovery of JW, DH was out of town and I awoke to a loud noise. I was so scared! I immediately called 911. They talked to me until the cars arrived. They searched the area and couldn't find anything. They understood why I was so jumpy. After they left, I discovered the noise was a back scrubber had broken and fallen in the shower! I felt like a fool. I did call them back though and tell them what it was. I'm sure they got plenty of calls like that from nervous citizens. Honestly, I don't think I will ever be at peace in my home, the way I used to be. I realize I didn't have a loved one taken from me, but I have a fear now, that I never had before this horrific murder.
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And Prancy, we should multiply your situation in that neighborhood by, what?, 10 or 20 or 30?? How many of your neighbors felt the same, and still do? I guess it gets a little easier each day, but now IT has come back again with the trial getting ready to start.

".....Is it okay for xxxxx and I to have our mid-morning (or after dinner) walk? Should I let my son continue to walk to/from school at Daniels? Dare I take the path to the Teeter to pick up a box of Cheerios? Are the locks on our doors & windows really strong enuff? When I leave the house, everybody will know no one's at home. Will our friends feel okay about letting their girls come to my daughter's slumber party? Is this baseball bat in my bed really gonna stop somebody, or do I need to buy a stun gun? ..."

I can only guess how it was/is for you & your neighbors, Prancy. Ummmpppffff.
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During the Richard Ramirez (Night Stalker) rampage I felt the same way. I was living in one of the cities he was targeting and I remember the fear.
 
Prancy said:
I can understand how horrible it must have been to be so close to where it all happened. My house was not far away. I was a few blocks down near Oberlin. It was a very tense and worried time. I lost so much sleep. My anxiety level was VERY high.

One night before the discovery of JW, DH was out of town and I awoke to a loud noise. I was so scared! I immediately called 911. They talked to me until the cars arrived. They searched the area and couldn't find anything. They understood why I was so jumpy. After they left, I discovered the noise was a back scrubber had broken and fallen in the shower! I felt like a fool. I did call them back though and tell them what it was. I'm sure they got plenty of calls like that from nervous citizens. Honestly, I don't think I will ever be at peace in my home, the way I used to be. I realize I didn't have a loved one taken from me, but I have a fear now, that I never had before this horrific murder.
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Before JW was arrested, a homicide detective showed up here to ask me some questions. When he knocked on my door, my trusty old hound dog gave him the business and wouldn't let him in until I told her it was ok to back off. After the interview, I asked him if I should be scared. He said, bluntly, "Yes. You have every reason to be scared. Keep your doors and windows locked. Don't walk around after dark." He was scratching the dog's ears as he said, "After 30 years of doing what I do, I've learned that having a dog like this one is your best defense. Listen to her when she is telling you that something is wrong."
In hindsight, my dog, who is protective but usually likes everyone, never liked JW. While she never growled at him, she usually wants to meet everyone but she was aloof whenever she saw him. When JW got arrested, that detective was here. He remembered my dog's name and she remembered him. So the moral of the story is: If you're scared, get a dog.
 
no1uknow said:
She was at home and she confronted him when he finally came home. Let's just see how this trial works out. Like I said, if she has to testify, it's going to be very interesting.
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I must say, I'd be interested in hearing how that confrontation went.

imo
 
Any news on jury selection?? I haven't seen a thing...:banghead:
 
diphi said:
I must say, I'd be interested in hearing how that confrontation went.

imo
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She is going to have to testify so I'm sure you'll all hear about it then. Poor girl. I feel really bad for her.
 
I'm not really surprised, no1, that her testimony is wanted -- probably by the PT. And it sounds like they have subpoenaed her. Seems to me that they would call her early in the trial if their approach is to start with the folks who were in on it from the beginning. It is a shame for her, since she was finally able to leave the Wayland Drive location and to start anew somewhere else.

I do wonder when they anticipate calling her.... I have no idea how a subpoena is written -- anyone who knows ---> is a subpoena dated with the days for testimony or what?

And thanks, no1, for keeping us up-to-date since we are so much in the dark on this one so far(!).
 
borndem said:
I'm not really surprised, no1, that her testimony is wanted -- probably by the PT. And it sounds like they have subpoenaed her. Seems to me that they would call her early in the trial if their approach is to start with the folks who were in on it from the beginning. It is a shame for her, since she was finally able to leave the Wayland Drive location and to start anew somewhere else.

I do wonder when they anticipate calling her.... I have no idea how a subpoena is written -- anyone who knows ---> is a subpoena dated with the days for testimony or what?

And thanks, no1, for keeping us up-to-date since we are so much in the dark on this one so far(!).
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The subpoena form has a space to write the date and time to appear. Normally if will also say, that you will stay for so long as you are needed, so that if you are subpoeaned on the 1st, but not reached until the second, you are still under subpoena. Here's a form.
http://www.nccourts.org/Forms/Documents/556.pdf
 
Madeleine74 said:
During the Richard Ramirez (Night Stalker) rampage I felt the same way. I was living in one of the cities he was targeting and I remember the fear.
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Whew, Mad -- glad you got through it with your wits, etc. How scary -- looking around corners, afraid to be in dark areas, and trying to sleep.

My cousin (much older than I, I might add) was going to grad school in Boston during the time of the Boston Strangler. She and her roommates resolved not to go out singly, and to call home & check in if they were not home by a certain time. My aunt & uncle (her parents down here in C. Hill) were wild with worry, but they all survived it, but they were worried & obviously cautious.
 
Wow, Prancy -- you are full of good info -- a big Thank You for the subpoena answer and pic!!
 
borndem said:
I'm not really surprised, no1, that her testimony is wanted -- probably by the PT. And it sounds like they have subpoenaed her. Seems to me that they would call her early in the trial if their approach is to start with the folks who were in on it from the beginning. It is a shame for her, since she was finally able to leave the Wayland Drive location and to start anew somewhere else.

I do wonder when they anticipate calling her.... I have no idea how a subpoena is written -- anyone who knows ---> is a subpoena dated with the days for testimony or what?

And thanks, no1, for keeping us up-to-date since we are so much in the dark on this one so far(!).
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I feel pretty gossipy in giving any updates but I will since several of the people here are in this neighborhood. All I know is that they won't notify her as to when she needs to testify until two days beforehand, which must make things pretty difficult with trying to keep a job and all that.
Like I said before, I feel really bad for her. She's a victim, too. Hopefully, the media will afford her some distance and leave her alone.
 
NCB said:
Hi all--hope everyone is well. Just thought I'd pop in to update--apparently five jurors have been seated as of EOB today.

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/11007099/
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Thanks much, NCB, for bringing us up-to-date on jury selection. Hmmmm, an average of 1 juror for every 2 days (if the 9th was spent on selection at all -- the 1st day of the trial usually doesn't allow much time for voir dire to really get started). We might as well settle in and think of names for our grandchildren or of future cats & dogs which we may adopt .... or knit or snit or eat chocolate... At least they are taking their time. We know that rushing this part of the trial is often asking for trouble....

This paragraph, below, from the WRAL article above cited by NCB is interesting:

"Williford's mental state could also be part of his defense. He has undergone a state-ordered psychiatric evaluation, and, although they haven't elaborated, defense attorneys say information on his laptop is tied to his psychological history."

Hmmmmm. Should be interesting, IMO.
 
Its been a long time since i have checked on this case here. I found out about JG couple weeks ago. I saw KT family day before selection began. Just so difficult to wrap my head around this again but this case is BIG for NC victims. Buddy Conner is THE BEST in CM cases and with DNA analysis....he will not make it easy for state to convict.
Thanks to all that keep this forum going and facts (not gossip) clear and easy to understand!
 
aarrgghh said:
Its been a long time since i have checked on this case here. I found out about JG couple weeks ago. I saw KT family day before selection began. Just so difficult to wrap my head around this again but this case is BIG for NC victims. Buddy Conner is THE BEST in CM cases and with DNA analysis....he will not make it easy for state to convict.
Thanks to all that keep this forum going and facts (not gossip) clear and easy to understand!
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Hiya, aarrgghh - :seeya: - it's nice to have you check in with the gang of us. I think this will be a big one for Sleuthers as well. And yes, JW has got a couple of heavy hitters with him on this. A DP specialist & a DNA specialist (among her other abilities). I think Saacks will be equal to it as long as he has some good solid help in this case.

I also think Judge Gessner will give the principals a lot of margin on this case, too. Going by other biggies we've seen lately, the Bench has not been dis-allowing much evidence or testimony. They've been giving much leeway & not a lot of "over-rules." Open it up & let it all come in... they don't want to be overturned...
 
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