GUILTY CT - Barry James, 59, stabbed to death, Fairfield, 28 Aug 2006

[LNL]

Here's an interesting article from the NYTimes...

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/01/nyregion/01stab.html
more at link...

Two Lives, Colliding Violently, Details of Fatal Stabbing Emerge
By AVI SALZMAN and STACEY STOWE
Published: September 1, 2006

STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 31 — Barry James was a community fixture in Fairfield, Conn., who served in local government and took care of his elderly parents, but struggled increasingly with alcohol abuse, according to friends and neighbors.

Jonathon Edington was a quiet lawyer and a young father from upstate New York who had just moved there and had begun to grow frustrated with his neighbor’s behavior, neighbors and the authorities said.

The wife was told about the molestation by the girl, the police said, and phoned her husband to tell him. The police charged that he then broke into Mr. James’s house and stabbed him to death, The girl’s mother, Christina Edington, filed a complaint with the police on Wednesday night claiming that Mr. James had molested her daughter. Captain MacNamara would not release details of the complaint or discuss the nature of the reported sexual contact.

READ LINK FOR ENTIRE ARTICLE
EDITED BY DP DUE TO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT



Here's my theory...

The father is basically a control freak who is "right" about everything

The child wasn't molested, but the mother has been a victim of domestic abuse...maybe more emotional than physical.

The mother gets tired of the Dad, takes the girl and leaves him.

She uses the excuse that the neighbor molested the girl as a "cover" for leaving so that he doesn't get angry at her.

The Dad flips out upon hearing that the Mom and girl have left, the reason why and then goes and kills a troubled neighbor.

The wife files the molestation complaint 2 days after the incident to "protect" her abusive husband. Some of the story may have been fabricated after the fact with the dad. Will they keep their stories straight???

The police will work with the Mom and she will eventually acknowledge that she made up the molestation claim and spill her guts. She will not be charged with filing a false complaint if she cooperates in the prosecution of her husband.

The Dad will not be as "pristine" as Mickey Sherman wants us to believe and will be spend a lot of time in jail for murdering an innocent man.

JMO

 

[southcitymom]

Here's an interesting article from the NYTimes...

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/01/nyregion/01stab.html
more at link...

Two Lives, Colliding Violently, Details of Fatal Stabbing Emerge
By AVI SALZMAN and STACEY STOWE
Published: September 1, 2006

STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 31 — Barry James was a community fixture in Fairfield, Conn., who served in local government and took care of his elderly parents, but struggled increasingly with alcohol abuse, according to friends and neighbors.

Thanks for your link and your very interesting theory. I think you are probably on the right track. It sounds like the victim in this case had some issues, but I am still dubious that he molested a little girl.

Is the wife an hysterical-type person, I wonder? Is she as flabbergasted by her husband's actions as I am?

I mean it make sense that a wife would call her husband if she supected someone molested their daughter - I would call my husband, but I know my husband well enough to know he wouldn't snap like this guy did.

I really want to hear from the wife. What a strange strange case. I personally think the husband's reaction is indicative of some type of mental disorder.

 

[Paladin]

I had almost the exact same theory on the top of page 3 and below. Let's see if it pans out.

 

[BillyGoatGruff]

Here's an interesting article from the NYTimes...

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/01/nyregion/01stab.html
more at link...

Two Lives, Colliding Violently, Details of Fatal Stabbing Emerge
By AVI SALZMAN and STACEY STOWE
Published: September 1, 2006

STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 31 — Barry James was a community fixture in Fairfield, Conn., who served in local government and took care of his elderly parents, but struggled increasingly with alcohol abuse, according to friends and neighbors.

Jonathon Edington was a quiet lawyer and a young father from upstate New York who had just moved there and had begun to grow frustrated with his neighbor’s behavior, neighbors and the authorities said.

That theory tends to completely ignore the dead guy's extremely bizarre and incresingly transgressive behavior. including exposing himself to the neighbors and children.

 

[southcitymom]

That theory tends to completely ignore the dead guy's extremely bizarre and incresingly transgressive behavior. including exposing himself to the neighbors and children.

Well, I don't think we know that the dead guy's behavior was sexually inappropriate. We know he was drinking more, struggling with that.

I mean the only "proof" we had that the dead guy exposed himself inappropriately is the word of the guy that stabbed him to death in the middle of the day. I'm not willing to take that guy's word without back-up.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

I NEED YA'LL TO DO ME A FAVOR. PLEASE DO NOT 'QUOTE' VERY VERY LONG POSTS IN ORDER TO RESPOND TO THEM. YOU CAN EDIT THEM DOWN SO THEY DON'T TAKE UP SO MUCH ROOM. IF YOU FIND ONE OF YOUR POSTS WHERE THIS HAS OCCURRED 'SHORTENED,' IT WAS BY ME AND THIS IS THE REASON. Thanks for your cooperation.

 

[NanaMcZoo]

This is going to come across as crass...sorry...but you know that suicide by cop theory? If this guy did indeed harm this child,I would be inclined to look at it as suicide by parent.
I think everyone with an IQ over zero is aware that parents,friends,family,the public in general,is fed up.Yes, taking the law into your hands is wrong....but our judicial system,and lawmakers,don't seem to give a damn about changing a thing. I am sick and tired of the "rights" afforded criminals. I also am fed up with punishing parents for defending their children.
I think this is just the beginning of a return to vigilantism, and it's not likely to stop until the powers that be wake up,pay attention,and do something. Getting priorities straight would be a good start... as in a child's right to safety is far more important than a paedophiles "right" to excuse,justify his/her behaviour. Or continue breathing.

 

[SewingDeb]

I really want to hear from the wife. What a strange strange case. I personally think the husband's reaction is indicative of some type of mental disorder.

I have heard many fathers say they would do the same thing if someone molested their child. I'm not sure it's indicative of a mental disorder as much as an inability to control his temper. Could be wrong.

My thought is this. If the wife and daughter were still there when he was told, he probably would not have reacted so strongly. He may have confronted the guy, maybe even beat him up...but being alone didn't help the situation.

 

[southcitymom]

I have heard many fathers say they would do the same thing if someone molested their child. I'm not sure it's indicative of a mental disorder as much as an inability to control his temper. Could be wrong.

My thought is this. If the wife and daughter were still there when he was told, he probably would not have reacted so strongly. He may have confronted the guy, maybe even beat him up...but being alone didn't help the situation.

I've heard a lot of people say they would do the same thing too, but I don't believe them, because if everyone who said it, did it, we would read about these things all the time and we don't. I think it's easy to say you would kill someone that molested your child. I don't think it's easy to do and that's why most people don't.

It's my hunch that we will find a mental disorder here or a bizarre dynamic between the husband and wife.

 

[Details]

I agree there's more to the story - maybe, as someone above stated, the mother using this story as an excuse to get away from her husband (and using his least favorite person in the neighborhood as a scapegoat, since he'd be more likely to believe that).


But, indecent exposure in the home - that's not really anything, unless he was looking outside and masturbating or something - but just that someone could see inside the house and the guy wasn't fully clothed - I can't comment negatively at all on that, because I'm also a household nudist. And I try to keep from getting exposed, but sometimes a door is left open, or the blinds aren't all the way down.

I was working on a theory myself - not too sure at all about it - and I want to make it very clear there's nothing to suggest this is true - but just as a hypothetical, imagine daddy is the molester. Mom notices something, asks the girl about it. Maybe she's too scared to name the real molester, so she names the neighbor; or in the really dark version, she names daddy, and he convinces the mom that the neighbor must have really done it and told the girl to lie. Anyway, daddy knows the truth, and figures the best way to keep this from being investigated is to kill the neighbor so he can't defend himself, so the abuse allegations aren't investigated.

I just want to say, there's nothing suggesting this is true - I'm just trying to figure out some explanation for what seems a huge overreaction - just the stabbing seems so over the top, and the girl can't have been left alone or even close to the neighbor, which severely limits the level of molestation that could have occurred.

 

[SewingDeb]

It's my hunch that we will find a mental disorder here or a bizarre dynamic between the husband and wife.

You could be right. I did have the thought that the wife did this deliberately.

 

[southcitymom]

You could be right. I did have the thought that the wife did this deliberately.

We are definitely thinking along the same lines! THis story is just so strange.

 

[LNL]

<<<SNIP>>>

I was working on a theory myself - not too sure at all about it - and I want to make it very clear there's nothing to suggest this is true - but just as a hypothetical, imagine daddy is the molester. Mom notices something, asks the girl about it. Maybe she's too scared to name the real molester, so she names the neighbor; or in the really dark version, she names daddy, and he convinces the mom that the neighbor must have really done it and told the girl to lie. Anyway, daddy knows the truth, and figures the best way to keep this from being investigated is to kill the neighbor so he can't defend himself, so the abuse allegations aren't investigated.

This is a good theory also. A real possibility. I like the "dark" version best.

 

[Indy Gal]

No, I never did. I've heard about that show though. I think this guy would be respected in prison simply because of the murder of a child molester. That's not to say that he won't have any problems though!!

I AGREE.....He will be like a ???"king" in there

 

[Indy Gal]

I already tried to post this ... It poofed!!!


UGH!
OK one more time
First off I contend that if the mother has any history of sexual abuse she could have over reacted.

Secondly .. I reply to Peter Hamilton who a few pages ago said a child molester doesn't deserve death??
If any crime deserves death the abuse of a child does.
Killing someone leaves only those who remember to suffer but to harm a child perpetuates generations of abuse.

If US law is about keeping society safe then it should be a high priority that child molesters and abusers go to the death chamber or at the very least never see the outside of prison again.
I cannot understand why such people ever deserve a second chance.

Couldnt have said it better myself

 

[Indy Gal]

Are you kidding?? They use those threats anyhow!
You bet your butt someone who fondles a child should DIE.
Lets call it like it is...
Murder is one shot deal ... the real victims are those that remember their loved one.
Child abuse lasts forever. If you don't believe me you go ask every drug addict and crack .
You go ahead and believe for the sake of many I hope your the one who is right.
Honestly I do not think that the DP stops someone from killing or committing any other crime.
I really do not care either way actually .... In real life I would not hesitate to kill someone who harmed any child I know.
If it means prison for the rest of my life then so be it.
I will happily serve those days knowing the will harm another child NEVER Again!

I do have to ask... You said you think a child could recover???
OK maybe that is true ... but why should more then one have to?
WHy?? so gradpa can molest a few other kids?? One child harmed is enough after that it is societies fault for permitting such scum to live among us.
We as adults who pay taxes and vote are guilty if we permit someone to do it more then once.

Y ou and I are like 2 peas in a pod here....HOW CAN ANY CHILD RECOVER..

 

[SewingDeb]

We are definitely thinking along the same lines! THis story is just so strange.

It really is.

This may have already been posted, but just in case it has not: ABC News talked to parents of molested children about this case. Interesting reactions:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/LegalCenter/story?id=2381841&page=1

 

[Bobbisangel]

I find it really hard to believe that people are turning everything around onto these parents. Why would you think that the dad had been molesting the little girl or the dad was a wife beater or the wife set the husband up so she could get rid of him or leave him, etc, etc.

I think this is a simple situation. Dad is at work. Mom calls him and tells him that the little girl has told her that the neighbor man has done something to her...molestation. Little kids can easily verbalize if they have a sore pee pee or cry because they hurt in their pee pee. Mom checks it out and finds her peepee is red and looks sore. She asks the baby why her peepee is sore and the little girl tells her "the man" and points to the neighbors house. It could have happened as simple as that. Maybe they have a fenced in back yard and the baby was out playing that afternoon. The mother must have had a reason to believe what the baby was telling her. There must have been a slot of time that something could have happened for the mom to believe what the baby was telling her.

The mom grabs the baby and heads for a relatives home. I haven't read anywhere that she had planned a trip. I've also read that they have the one child...the 2 yr old. The mom probably left because she couldn't stand to stay home with the neighbor man right next door. I'm sure that she was very distraught.

The dad has put up with this neighbor exposing himself in his window...he has been outside drunk and cursing the neighbor kids according to neighbors and doing who knows what else in his drunken state. He probably sickens this young father who is stuck living beside him. The wife tells the dad what has happened to the baby. I think the dad just flipped. Just like in the story a few links above where the dad got his gun and went hunting the molester. I can understand a dad going into a red rage upon hearing that his baby has been violated. He doesn't have to have a mental illness or anything else. It is because some pitiful old drunk touched his babies privates...his baby girl who he no doubt adores. He was probably in such a rage that he couldn't think straight and he didn't have that chance to calm down between leaving his office and going home and grabbing the knife and going next door.

There doesn't have to be anything beneath this father's behavior but rage that his daughter was violated. I think it is simple to understand.

 

[Old Broad]

IMO there's still much more to this story we need to hear.
From what's been said the father already was upset about the neighbors behavior and they were on alert about him acting strange. I can't imagine he would have been allowed to be around the little girl so how did he get to her?
I'm wondering if the fact the father is a lawyer has anything to do with his judgement at the time? He probably knows more than the average person how people accused of crimes can manage to weasel out of something and how the system can turn things around where the victim (his daughter) would become victimized again. Even tho he's not a criminal lawyer he's probably more "in the know" on how things can be turned around and twisted by some to save their client.
It was not wise of the mother to tell him over the phone but I have no doubt she was not thinking clearly, was probably hysterical and quite irrational at that time. The man was right next door. If it had taken more time to get to him he may have cooled off enough to look at it differently and seen he wouldn't be helping his family by being sent to prison and losing his career.

OB

 

[southcitymom]

http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/dad_kills_in_perv_rage_regionalnews_jeane_macintosh_________and_lukas_i__alpert.htm


August 31, 2006 -- An enraged Connecticut lawyer leaped through the window of the house next door and plunged a knife into his neighbor's chest a dozen times - after being told the man had molested his 2-year-old daughter, police said yesterday.

Some new information here. The attorney stabbed the victim to death in front of the victim's parents!