AL - Karen Shahan, 53, murdered, Homewood, 23 July 2013 #1

[pastorpk]

Shahan had already checked his luggage and passed security, but never made it onto the plane. He was red flagged by the computer system and Homeland Security agents took him into custody.

However, Shahan's attorney John Lentine said the allegations that Shahan planned to skip the country are "totally bogus." He said Shahan would have turned himself in at any time if he had been notified by the police department of the charges. The attorney says they plan to waive extradition to Alabama.

Wendell Sheffield, another attorney representing Shahan, adds that they didn't even know about the murder warrant. He says if they had, they would have told Shahan he couldn't go on his mission trip.

"And that was done for no other reason that to leave the impression with people, the way it was left at the news conference with Homewood PD, [is] that [Shahan] had done something he shouldn't do and that's just not the case, it's just not," Sheffield said.

Chief Roberson said he saw a picture of Shahan just after he was pulled out of line at the airport, and he looked "totally shocked."

 

[TravelingBug]

http://www.waff.com/story/24346664/homewood-pastor-arrested-while-trying-to-board-plane-to-germany

The Department of Homeland Security has arrested a pastor from Homewood who they say is wanted for homicide.

More information in article

I had just looked an hour or so earlier yesterday to see if - by any chance - there was a break. No clue why I had done that since it's been so long since anything had come out!

Wow!!!

So did not expect to see this this morning!!

 

[TravelingBug]

IIRC,the police chief did not confirm nor did he deny the rumor about a certain "man friend who is a florist" and lives in Nashville. I thought he left it as seeming like that is, in fact, the reason he was in Nashville prior to attempting to leave the country. That was my impression although he didn't confirm it.

He did say that they (HPD) had been following all social media just like the people in the press and that they (HPD) too were aware of the rumors that were floating around.

I have heard rumors that there might be another man rather than another woman that was his motivation...but that's all it was...rumors.

The 'man friend' phrase is cracking me up for some reason! Maybe it's a regional thing as I've not heard that. (And apparently sleep deprivation has me easily amused!)

And so interesting that there's a rumor of someone in Nashville. Like everyone else I figured if it was over another person it'd be the translator. If only all the people who wanted to be with someone else would just LEAVE and not kill their poor partners... :banghead:

And that would definitely be interesting if it turned out to be another guy! Wow would heads really be spinning at his church I would think.

 

[Elley Mae]

I wonder why Mr. Shahan was leaving from Nashville International Airport (when he was arrested)... And not from an airport in Alabama? :waitasec:

Where has he been living since Karen was murdered?

When I lived in calhoun Ga I drove to knoxville tn and had someone drive me to nashville tn to fly to baltimore md. But I don't think that I did it for the same reason as shahan.

 

[TravelingBug]

http://www.abc3340.com/story/24346354/pastor-richard-shahan-arrested-in-nashville

hmm:

That (the no longer employed by the church) I don't think is odd given he was leaving to go overseas.

I don't know that I've seen a church keep a staff member on their staff who then was out of the country long-term (especially since it's not like he was their missions pastor or something)

Truthfully, I don't think the organization would have allowed it either, or allowed him to raise support AND draw a salary from the church.

I suspect that was likely the reason for the timing rather than them suddenly thinking this was coming or anything.

I'm more surprised they didn't officially have him off earlier and he was just 'on leave.' It really makes me think they truthfully didn't think he was involved, because the investigation alone would have had most churches dismiss someone (especially when it was murder and had dragged on so long).

In part, I think all of the above b/c if the church had really thought he may be involved, there is no way they'd have let him raise support within their church body, or go as a missionary (nor would the organization have let him) since he'd need a recommendation, etc. (despite having worked with them on some very short-term trips) And I would think the organization essentially felt the same.

 

[TravelingBug]

The Chief of Police of Homewood just held a press conference which was streamed live by Fox6 WBRC at foxalabamalive.com. Maybe they will have it available for viewing.

I did not see and hear the whole conference however I did take note of some of what he said:

In answer to a question asking if they know the motive? Yes, we have an idea.

Took some time to allow for processing of some physical evidence.

Interviewed dozens of people.

Richard's statements had inconsistencies. As they worked the case, many of the inconsistencies led back to him.

Because of his 'intent to leave the country' the DA determined it was time act upon everything they had. (Extradition from Germany would be difficult, extradition from Russia, virtually impossible)

Chief won't talk about details of what happened but said that how and why she was killed will become readily apparent as the case unfolds.

Thinks Shahan was totally surprised or shocked when he was pulled out of line at the airport and arrested.

.

After reading the article on the presser, I imagine he really was shocked! The warrant had just been taken out hours earlier and his attorney apparently didn't at all see it coming either. So interesting!

They obviously found out when he was planning to leave and so acted just prior so they could get him stopped at the airport, but it's interesting that it probably would still not have happened if he hadn't been leaving for a few more weeks.

I hope they have more than enough to convict him and that wasn't what they were holding out and what kept them from doing it earlier...

And thank goodness the system worked and the computer flagged him and they actually did detain him!

I wonder how their kids are holding up - and I wonder what they've been thinking all along...

 

[Elley Mae]

He was not fleeing to Germany. He was given permission to go then a warrant issued just before he arrived. He had no idea they were even looking for him.

Do you have a link to the information that permission was granted and the warrant being issued? TIA

 

[Elley Mae]

Whatever happened to innocent before PROVEN guilty?
We are awfully quick to jump at what we "think" is the truth. Remember this man has family and friends just like we all do.
Maybe a prayer before an instant judgment would be better?
Just a thought!

No one is automatically "innocent". We are Presumed to be innocent until proven guilty.

 

[SCHMAE]

Whatever happened to innocent before PROVEN guilty?
We are awfully quick to jump at what we "think" is the truth. Remember this man has family and friends just like we all do.
Maybe a prayer before an instant judgment would be better?
Just a thought!

Not for me and not when it's a pastor who teaches others how to live a good life. I'm not the law nor a jury. I have not duty to view him as innocent until proven guilty. If the jury acquits him, I will give it some more thought. I understand your point and it's a valid one but in my own mind he's guilty until proven otherwise . mooo

 

[txsvicki]

It's going to be up to a jury whether he's innocent or guilty, but police must have plenty of reason to have charged Shahan. It all led back to him. I can't wait for the trial to start because it will bring his motives to light. It's really a shame when someone is living off Christian donations but is doing evil. Even worse when a wife comes up murdered.

 

[TracyLynnS]

I haven't followed this thread thoroughly....

Has anyone given the motive?

Is it known that someone was hired to do this or did the man who was arrested do it himself and then leave town and wait for her body to be found?

 

[LambChop]

It appears they arrested him because he was trying to leave the country. Whether or not they have enough for a trial is another matter. If they have enough, why wasn't he arrested long before this? It should get interesting once he appears before a judge for his bail hearing.

 

[BamaGrl1]

I wonder if his son in the military is now stationed in Germany.

 

[Ausgirl]

I wonder how much sympathy this man would be getting right now, if he wasn't a pastor?

He was arrested for the -murder- of his wife... if LE believed him 100% innocent, he'd be in Europe as we speak. But he isn't, eh.

I think law enforcement had already made a case, but were hanging back for bankable proof... and found their hand a bit rushed, being that he was attempting to leave the country.

Here's my guess for motive: $$$$$$

.. or sex.

It's -always- money or sex..

 

[CountryGirl]

I haven't followed this thread thoroughly....

Has anyone given the motive?

Is it known that someone was hired to do this or did the man who was arrested do it himself and then leave town and wait for her body to be found?

In the PC yesterday the Police Chief said when asked if they are looking for additional suspects that they believe they have the one who committed the crime arrested. I took that to mean they believe he committed the murder himself, not a hired killer. He also said there were inconsistencies in his statements. As for motive, he said it would become clear once legal proceedings began.

 

[killarney rose]

It appears they arrested him because he was trying to leave the country. Whether or not they have enough for a trial is another matter. If they have enough, why wasn't he arrested long before this? It should get interesting once he appears before a judge for his bail hearing.

MOO is that they know he did it. They were trying to amass enough irrefutable evidence to take to trial to insure a conviction. But with him leaving the country, they didnt want to risk not being able to get him back for trial so they decided to go with what they have and hope its enough to get a conviction.

 

[Elley Mae]

iirc He was flagged. It's my opinion that they (LE) allowed him to go as far as they could without him entering the plane. He can not back out of or say that he was not going to leave the country.
It's no different then a drug bust when they (LE) allow the transaction to take place to solidify the arrest.

iirc he was on paid leave after the murder, is he not still employed with the church and going to europe (germany,russia) on their dime, or working for them and getting paid?

 

[michmi]

Whatever happened to innocent before PROVEN guilty?
We are awfully quick to jump at what we "think" is the truth. Remember this man has family and friends just like we all do.
Maybe a prayer before an instant judgment would be better?
Just a thought!

If you wish to wait for a trial, please do.

I believe the police, who say there is evidence and there is also a motive.

The only prayers I'll say is for his poor wife, who was murdered, and for the children.

 

[michmi]

iirc He was flagged. It's my opinion that they (LE) allowed him to go as far as they could without him entering the plane. He can not back out of or say that he was not going to leave the country.
It's no different then a drug bust when they (LE) allow the transaction to take place to solidify the arrest.

iirc he was on paid leave after the murder, is he not still employed with the church and going to europe (germany,russia) on their dime, or working for them and getting paid?

He resigned his position with the church effective December 31, 2013.

 

[Fairy1]

I find it interesting that so many folks are defending this fellow or taking to task others who have been fairly certain from day one he murdered his own wife. Normally in cases where the husband is suspected, it's quite the opposite story. This isn't the first "man of God" to do evil and he won't be the last.

I was under the impression LE had been waiting for test results. We know that some results can take forever to come back but since the good pastor revealed his plans to leave the country, perhaps LE had to step up their efforts to wrap it up.

I suppose time will tell the whole story. Why do I feel it's going to be more disturbing than we can imagine?