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

[pastorpk]

Pastorpk - Welcome to Websleuths!

I see that you have become a verified insider but since we don't know exactly your connection, I would like to ask a couple of questions which you may or may not be able to answer.

When I looked on Google maps shortly after the 'event' it appeared that the Shahan home basically backed up to the church parking lot. Does it? And, does that part of the parking lot have cameras installed? If so, could they have captured someone sneaking into the home?

I hope you can answer, but if you can't that's okay.

Yes their home sat behind the church in a clump of trees and RS would often walk a path between the two.
The cameras in the church would not have picked up anything as they would not be pointed in the housing direction as to not invade anyone's privacy. The church owns the homes but the renters are all separate individuals and no one else from the church lives in these home other than Richard and Karen until recently.
Their house is now up for rent with many new lights installed by RS out of his own pocket.

Hope this is what you need and it helps?

 

[i.b.nora]

Yes their home sat behind the church in a clump of trees and RS would often walk a path between the two.
The cameras in the church would not have picked up anything as they would not be pointed in the housing direction as to not invade anyone's privacy. The church owns the homes but the renters are all separate individuals and no one else from the church lives in these home other than Richard and Karen until recently.
Their house is now up for rent with many new lights installed by RS out of his own pocket.

Hope this is what you need and it helps?

Yes, thank you. Another question: I presume the Shahan's had two cars? Each their own? Did they park them at or next to the house? Or did they park them in the church parking lot?

 

[i.b.nora]

Pastorpk: Do you have any personal knowledge of who actually went to the house first? Was it a Hobby Lobby Lady or was it a church staff member or worker or someone else from the church? Who saw a broken window? Or, alternatively, was it the police who went to the house first?
Do you know?

Did you see the broken window?

 

[pastorpk]

i.b-The cars would have been at their home unless pastor Richard was at work at such time he would usually bring one of them to the church parking area.

 

[pastorpk]

Pastorpk: Do you have any personal knowledge of who actually went to the house first? Was it a Hobby Lobby Lady or was it a church staff member or worker or someone else from the church? Who saw a broken window? Or, alternatively, was it the police who went to the house first?
Do you know?

Did you see the broken window?

I am unable to disclose that information to protect those who told me in in confidence, and I realize this does not help, but it honestly has no bearing on the case IMO.

Yes, I did see the broken window.

 

[i.b.nora]

I am unable to disclose that information to protect those who told me in in confidence, and I realize this does not help, but it honestly has no bearing on the case IMO.

Yes, I did see the broken window.

No problem. Thanks for what you feel comfortable answering.

Um, regarding the window, I assume it was broken glass? And, you saw the broken glass? Was the glass inside or outside the home?

And, on another subject, do you know when Richard left Homewood to go visit his sons?

 

[CountryGirl]

As the Business & Facilities Administrator, do you know if he attended the Finance Committee meetings?

 

[pastorpk]

No problem. Thanks for what you feel comfortable answering.

Um, regarding the window, I assume it was broken glass? And, you saw the broken glass? Was the glass inside or outside the home?

And, on another subject, do you know when Richard left Homewood to go visit his sons?

The house is comprised of glass blocks in the back to allow a scenic view.
The glass was broken but I can't say which direction.

Richard always left after the week of Vacation Bible School due to his elaborate production and presentation that included 50-60 church members and staff to pull off.
Here is a link someone put on after taping it. Please take note Richard and Karen made all these costumes.

http://youtu.be/B4tGf9sytXQ

Hope this helps!

 

[pastorpk]

As the Business & Facilities Administrator, do you know if he attended the Finance Committee meetings?

Yes he was required to be at those meetings to be in the understanding of the finances for the building and any maintenance that would need to be done.

 

[CountryGirl]

Yes he was required to be at those meetings to be in the understanding of the finances for the building and any maintenance that would need to be done.

Thank you. Was he at the July 22nd Finance Committee Meeting?

 

[pastorpk]

This is just some of pastor Richards and Karen's elaborate costumes they made, and the numerous hours leading up to this would always tire pastor Richard out so it was well known he always took a week off after the summer Vacation Bible School.
If you watch these, you can see the amount of effort and time it took and why he would take a mini-vacation to get away for a while to "recharge" his batteries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=B4tGf9sytXQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=pj1jFlBRtGs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=dftGya3jn3Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=XV2U-uKFFyA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=X2bp9MhYjlw

Hope this helps!

 

[pastorpk]

Thank you. Was he at the July 22nd Finance Committee Meeting?

I honestly do not know.
Sorry, I was not on this committee so I would not know.

 

[i.b.nora]

The house is comprised of glass blocks in the back to allow a scenic view.
The glass was broken but I can't say which direction.

Richard always left after the week of Vacation Bible School due to his elaborate production and presentation that included 50-60 church members and staff to pull off.
Here is a link someone put on after taping it. Please take note Richard and Karen made all these costumes.

http://youtu.be/B4tGf9sytXQ

Hope this helps!

Part of your answer baffles me a little. I am familiar with glass block but don't generally think of them being used for view windows. And, the view was the parking lot wasn't it? Anyhow, no big deal. Thanks for your answer.

I did see some portions of those videos last week. A lot of work!!!

 

[pastorpk]

Sorry, two thoughts ran together.
glass blocks were instead of a regular window to allow light in and the glass windows in the back were for viewing.
The view from the back is peaceful and serene looking into the trees which blocked the view of the parking lot, but you could see the side and the top of the church.

Hope this helps!

 

[txsvicki]

Glass blocks beside a door? If those were there and broken, did it appear to be done to gain entry?

 

[pastorpk]

They were not broken a single pane glass was.

 

[i.b.nora]

Pastorpk: How soon after the event did you personally talk with Richard? And, I realize you didn't really answer when (date, time) did Richard leave Homewood to go visit his sons? You sound like a good friend to him so I am imagining that surely he told you?

 

[pastorpk]

Pastorpk: How soon after the event did you personally talk with Richard? And, I realize you didn't really answer when (date, time) did Richard leave Homewood to go visit his sons? You sound like a good friend to him so I am imagining that surely he told you?

The day of the murder he and i spoke, but he was in no frame of mind to converse, and I respected his grieving and privacy.
We have spoke many times since then.
Sorry I wasn't avoiding the question I overlooked it. He did not leave Homewood till recently to visit his sons and grandchildren other than attend church out of town with friends.

 

[i.b.nora]

The day of the murder he and i spoke, but he was in no frame of mind to converse, and I respected his grieving and privacy.
We have spoke many times since then.
Sorry I wasn't avoiding the question I overlooked it. He did not leave Homewood till recently to visit his sons and grandchildren other than attend church out of town with friends.

I maybe didn't make myself very clear, I will try again. After his Vacation Bible School activities, when did he actually physically leave Homewood and drive to visit his sons?

 

[i.b.nora]

When you spoke to him on the day of the murder, did you speak to him on the phone? Or, did you speak to him in person? What time of the day was it?