AL - Karen Shahan, 53, murdered, Homewood, 23 July 2013 #2

[LambChop]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that I believe the pastor is probably the one that's correct. Way back in the beginning, there was a lot of misinformation about the way Karen was found. Someone from Hobby Lobby called 911 for a welfare check or went by her house to check on her. Someone from HL called the church, which then called 911 for a welfare check, etc.

This audio was the day after her funeral and less than a week after the incidents unfolded. Since the church staff and members were actively involved, This was all still very fresh in everyone's mind. The pastor is calling out by name the people that performed various tasks on behalf of the Shahan family.

I used to work at a local television station. I can't speak for every reporter or every news outlet, but I'd be surprised that the inconsistencies in the different media reports were because RS told different stories. There is tremendous pressure to be the "first" with any nugget of news about a high profile story, so rumors sometimes are reported as truth. Most reporters are trying to do a bunch of things at once. Maybe someone didn't write it down and so "Fort Campbell" becomes "Bowling Green" because they're both in Kentucky. Maybe they mixed up the location of the sons (Fort Campbell and Nashville/Franklin).

My point is that these people were way more involved in this crime than any of the reporters were. They knew the Shahans and their family. They knew details, like who drove to pick up RS. That's why I tend to believe this is the closest to the truth. JMOO.

Sometimes reporters do some "creative" reporting and that is why there may be inconsistencies, not because of what a person actually said but because of the way they gather information. I am always suspicious when a reporter claims to have gotten their information from a "source close to the investigation". Any officer or detective that releases information in an ongoing investigation that was not cleared for release takes a chance on losing his job...aka the FBI detective who released the pictures of the Boston bomber. Reporters gather information from a source but not necessarily anyone connected to the investigation.

And you are right they have to be the first to get an exclusive. No doubt about that even if it sacrifices the truth.

I am really surprised we have not heard anything about a hearing because I would think RS would want to go before the judge as soon as possible. jmo

 

[enzeder]

Here is an excerpt from an earlier article. According to this it was Karen's mother-in-law who went to the house first to check on her.

July 24, 2013

FBC Birmingham woman found slain

Karen Shahan’s mother-in-law became concerned when she did not pick her up as they had previously discussed and went to check on her. The mother-in-law called the church and a First, Birmingham, support staff member notified 911. Homewood police Sgt. Andrew Didcoct said officers found Shahan in her home about 11:15 a.m. when they arrived.

http://thealabamabaptist.wordpress.com/2013/07/24/breaking-news-fbc-birmingham-woman-found-slain/

 

[DTLJ]

Wow...I just saw the video clip of the sermon that was preached after KS's murder. Reminds me of my cousin, who was a pastor's daughter, and who was murdered very similar to KS (whom I knew and went to church with - was even in their first home).
We never found out the killer of my cousin. It still remains a mystery to us after all these years (since 1979). I know this web-site's goal is to find every clue about what might have happened in a case, and that's why I'm here too.
I knew RS too...worked closely beside him as a staff intern and taught children's Sunday School under him. I've had my share of hurts within the church...even gone through a divorce by my first pastor/husband...who led a dual life.
That's why I'm not taking RS out of the line-up of suspects...as much as I want to believe he is innocent. '
One thing I want to say here is that pastors are only messengers...they are not perfect...and sometimes they mess up - big time ...like all of us. As we seek for the killer of KS, and as the LE brings more revelation to the case, is there not, in our own lives, a place for faith before our own death? Don't let RS deter you from that place. It's not worth it. Ok...I'll get off my soapbox.
DTLJ

 

[PatEl]

Here is an excerpt from an earlier article. According to this it was Karen's mother-in-law who went to the house first to check on her.

July 24, 2013

FBC Birmingham woman found slain

Karen Shahan’s mother-in-law became concerned when she did not pick her up as they had previously discussed and went to check on her. The mother-in-law called the church and a First, Birmingham, support staff member notified 911. Homewood police Sgt. Andrew Didcoct said officers found Shahan in her home about 11:15 a.m. when they arrived.

http://thealabamabaptist.wordpress.c...n-found-slain/

So let's take this apart based on what we know and compare it to the pastor's version.

The Shahans lived in a house that was next to the church and was within walking distance. Karen was supposed to pick up RS's mother for an appointment on Tuesday morning, but she didn't. So far, both versions are the same.

According to the pastor, RS's mother called the church and asked if someone could go check on Karen. Someone from the church found Karen and called 911. According to the article, RS's mother went to the house and then called the church and the church called 911. If RS's mother was at Karen's house and could call the church, why didn't she call 911 herself? Why didn't she walk/drive over to the church if she couldn't get in and needed help? If you take out the one bit about "and went to check on her," then both versions agree. I don't think the reporter did it intentionally, but the second version just doesn't make sense. That's why I tend to think that the closer you get to the people involved, the closer to the truth.

A side note: This must have been something important like a doctor's appointment where Karen was supposed to drive RS's mother. I don't think I'd call my child's workplace if I was stood up for a lunch date, KWIM? If RS set this up with an alibi that he was out of town and knew about the Tuesday appointment, he certainly picked a time when he knew Karen would be found relatively quickly.

 

[enzeder]

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Prosecutors told a judge Thursday that former Homewood pastor Richard Shahan was on his way to marry his boyfriend when he was arrested in Nashville.

The Jefferson County District Attorney's office made the revelation at a bond hearing in front of Judge Shelly Watkins.

[...]

At the end of Thursday's hearing, Shahan was released on a $100,000 bond and must remain on home monitoring.

Shahan's preliminary hearing to determine if the case will go to the Jefferson County Grand Jury is scheduled for February 5, 2014.

Prosecutors: Richard Shahan was flying to Europe to marry boyfriend
Read more: http://www.alabamas13.com/story/244...hahan-was-flying-to-europe-to-marry-boyfriend

 

[meanmaryjean]

Whiskey,
Tango.
FOXTROT??????

 

[PatEl]

hwow:hwow: Ummmm....WOW.hwow:hwow:

 

[CountryGirl]

Whiskey,
Tango.
FOXTROT??????

Seems that question during the PC wasn't out of left field after all.

 

[enzeder]

Prosecutors believe Shahan wanted to escape the country to start a new life and marry his boyfriend. They say when he was arrested at the Nashville International Airport before boarding a flight to Germany on Jan. 1, he was carrying $27,000 in various currencies, including Euros, pounds and Kazakh money.

Prosecutors say they've looked at 3,000 emails, including messages that indicate Shahan planned to go to Russia and eventually become a citizen in the U.K.

Prosecutors claim Homewood pastor killed wife to start new life with boyfriend
Read more: http://www.myfoxal.com/story/244750...r-intended-to-flee-country-to-marry-boyfriend

 

[PatEl]

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2014/01/prosecutor_former_homewood_pas.html#incart_2box

Gwathney said that information obtained from more than 3,000 of Shahan's emails indicated that he was planning to leave the country and never return.......and ultimately planned to move to the United Kingdom.

"He planned to become a citizen there and begin a new life with his boyfriend... who he intended to marry," Gwathney said. "He had no intention of ever returning to the United States. He had no home to return to and he had said his goodbyes to his family."

Just cause you delete the email from your inbox doesn't mean it's gone, people.

 

[enzeder]

Also in court today, Judge Shelly Watkins granted Shahan a bond of $100,000 with house arrest and electronic monitoring. If he bonds out of the Jefferson County Jail, he will have to live under house arrest with his mother in Homewood. The judge ruled he cannot have his passport back, but any other personal possessions not covered by the search warrant will be returned to him.

Prosecutors claim Homewood pastor killed wife to start new life with boyfriend
http://www.wsfa.com/story/24475057/...r-intended-to-flee-country-to-marry-boyfriend

 

[PatEl]

I am really surprised we have not heard anything about a hearing because I would think RS would want to go before the judge as soon as possible. jmo

Looks like you're psychic, LambChop!

 

[LambChop]

Looks like you're psychic, LambChop!

LOL. I wish.

 

[CountryGirl]

...he was carrying $27,000 in various currencies, including Euros, pounds and Kazakh money.

That's a lot of donations!

 

[BamaGrl1]

The obituary was a family matter and as such should be considered as something we should not be sleuthing because we do not know who made the funeral arrangements. So unless the funeral director comes forward or LE makes a statement that RS wrote the obituary no further discussion is necessary regarding how the funeral arrangements were made by the family.

This isn't in regards to the specific obit for Karen, but I'm just catching up on this thread and wanted to explain how obits work in the main Alabama papers (I'm in Huntsville, but B-ham and HSV papers are under the same ownership.) They charge by the WORD not line, and the funeral home asks you to provide basic info and they'll submit something (The first 30 to 50 words are free if I remember correctly and they will keep it within that free limit) OR they tell you the price per word and offer to let you write something more personal/longer. My father passed unexpectedly in Dec 2009 and I chose to write my dad's obit (the funeral home gave me one night to turn it back into them) and it ended up costing me an extra $375 just for what I wrote (and it wasn't THAT long).

 

[BhamAdGal]

I guess the early innuendos about a boyfriend proved prescient. $100,000 bond seems low for 1st degree murder. Was the $27,000 he had on him sourced from contributions to his mission trip? if so, those people need their $ back.

 

[meanmaryjean]

I guess the early innuendos about a boyfriend proved prescient. $100,000 bond seems low for 1st degree murder. Was the $27,000 he had on him sourced from contributions to his mission trip? if so, those people need their $ back.

I think the fact that the $100,000 is conditional - on electronic monitoring, giving up his passport and living with mom. I personally don't think there should be bond in murder cases, but that's just me...

 

[seattlechiquita]

Prosecutors claim Homewood pastor killed wife to start new life with boyfriend
Read more: http://www.myfoxal.com/story/244750...r-intended-to-flee-country-to-marry-boyfriend

Oh snap! I did not see this coming. I need to read up!

 

[enzeder]

The attorneys also requested that the possessions that were seized at the airport be returned to Shahan. Those items included luggage, $27,000 in U.S. and foreign currency, a phone and various hard drives and thumb drives.

Sheffield and Lentine specifically sought the return of the money, saying that it was personal money from his job. They argued that the state had no legitimate reason to hold the funds unless prosecutors could present evidence that it was contraband or was related to Karen Shahan's death.

Watkins ruled that the U.S. currency should be returned to Shahan, but the other money - pounds, euros and Kazakhstani currency - will not be turned over.

Wife-killing pastor was headed to Europe to marry boyfriend, prosecutor says
Read more:http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2014/01/prosecutor_former_homewood_pas.html

 

[LambChop]

I guess the early innuendos about a boyfriend proved prescient. $100,000 bond seems low for 1st degree murder. Was the $27,000 he had on him sourced from contributions to his mission trip? if so, those people need their $ back.

His attorney said it was personal money. He made a good salary with the church and Karen worked so they may have been saving up that money to relocate. It does not sound that way though.

I imagine they kept the foreign currency because they consider it evidence. jmo