GA GA - Wayne Williams - Atlanta Child Murders & more - 1979-1981

[YESorNO]

How investigators hope to solve the Atlanta child murders (with clip)
For the first time, we're hearing how investigators plan to crack the nearly four-decade-old cases.

April 20, 2019

"ATLANTA — Investigators have already pulled new evidence in the recently re-opened Atlanta Child Murders case.
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard made that announcement Thursday during a community forum in southwest Atlanta.

"What we're going to carefully do is to start with where we believe the deaths started," Howard said. "We're going to try to collect physical evidence in each one of those cases."

One thing that has always hampered the investigation is that there's never been a set number of victims. For that matter, there's never been a set timeline either. Howard believes there could be victims before 1979 - the commonly-accepted start for the murders...."

How investigators hope to solve the Atlanta child murders

 

[YESorNO]

Family finally locates grave of Atlanta Child Murders victim killed in 1981 (with clip)
Atlanta Child Murders victim Michael McIntosh's siblings is coming forward after finally locating his grave.

April 26, 2019

"ATLANTA — The Atlanta Child Murders case is one that continues to unfold here in Atlanta. Just last week, the suspected killer Wayne Williams phoned in from prison to share his side of the story, once again proclaiming his innocence.

“So I just wanted to reach out and just say God bless and let’s finally get some answers to these questions,” he said.
Family members of the victims are torn on whether he committed the horrendous crimes – some believing he’s innocent and some believing he’s the murderer.

11Alive’s Neima Abdulahi has interviewed several family members within the last two months, like the family members of victims Curtis Walker, Alfred Evans and Patrick Rogers.

Now, another family is coming forward wanting to share their story...."

Family finally locates grave of Atlanta Child Murders victim killed in 1981
---

A young, slightly-built black man suffocated before his body...

APRIL 21, 1981

"ATLANTA -- A young, slightly-built black man suffocated before his body was dumped in the Chattahoochee River was officially listed Tuesday as the 25th victim of Atlanta's child killers.

Atlanta Public Safety Commissioner Lee P. Brown said the death of Michael Cameron McIntosh, 23, described as mentally 'slow,' was being listed as the latest in the 21-month-long string of murders of young blacks because it fit the pattern of more than half of them....

Officials also announced the McIntosh autopsy results Tuesday.

'We are going to classify this as asphyxia due to some sort of suffocation,' assistant Fulton County Medical Examiner Dr. John Feegel said after examining McIntosh's body...."

A young, slightly-built black man suffocated before his body...
---

Michael McIntosh

Michael McIntosh

 

[Doghairrules]

Atlanta is taking another look at the case:

Who Killed Atlanta’s Children?

 

[dotr]

Atlanta is taking another look at the case:

Who Killed Atlanta’s Children?

Good article, thanks!
From link..
"Though her son’s killing was one of 10 considered a “pattern case” that authorities directly connected to Mr. Williams, Ms. Leach does not believe he is the killer. She is not alone. Several parents or relatives have said they believe the Ku Klux Klan was responsible.

“We want to know who killed our children,” Ms. Leach said, adding that it felt like her son and the other children had been forgotten. “That’s the answer we didn’t get.”

It was a stakeout in May 1981, near the Chattahoochee River, that led the police to Mr. Williams. Investigators eventually linked hairs and carpet fibers on the bodies of some of the victims to those in his house and car, they said.

Mr. Agan, who worked on the police force for 29 years, retiring as a homicide commander, said he understands the temptation to believe that Mr. Williams is innocent, particularly among African-Americans, in part because of a historic distrust of the police.

But for him, he said, the facts are clear. It was Mr. Williams whom the police spotted crossing a bridge in his car after an officer heard a splash, he said. Days later, a body was discovered in the river not far from where another had already been found."
“A lot of folks want to hinge his guilt on the carpet fiber alone. There was other evidence, more fibers and dog hairs brought into court, along with witness testimony. And there is the inescapable fact that Wayne Williams was on that bridge, and two bodies washed up days later,” Mr. Agan said. “Wayne Williams is a serial killer, a predator, and he did the bulk of these murders.”

In 2010, DNA testing was performed on human hairs found on the body of Patrick Baltazar, the 16th victim. The results did not exclude Mr. Williams as the source of the hairs, and the investigation didn’t produce any new results."

 

[YESorNO]

The key to closure: Could new DNA testing help solve the Atlanta Child Murders?

May 17, 2019

"...Is Wayne Williams the true and only Atlanta Child Murderer?

CBS46 was granted special access into the evidence room at Atlanta Police headquarters where the murder cases are being reorganized and dissected. This time, DNA is on everyone's minds.

The cases are separated by year. Starting in July of 1979. Posters on the walls of the room label the cause of death, “asphyxiation, blunt force trauma, unknown” followed by a list of names.

The Fulton County District Attorney's office was the first in Georgia to use a private genealogy lab to examine DNA in a cold case that led to a suspect's arrest.

Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard is open to using a private company to possibly retest evidence in the child murders cases.

“What we've got is years of boxes and evidence that we plan to examine to see whether or not there is something in those items that merits retesting,” Howard told Mason. “You're talking about clothing items if you can find them. We are talking about any items that might have been touched by someone who had contact with those children who might be in some way responsible for the death.”

He said investigators will be reaching out to each family to go over facts and findings as well as speaking with the original detectives...."

The key to closure: Could new DNA testing help solve the Atlanta Child Murders?

 

[RookieInvestigator]

I remember this case...I follow it at times...He is stil proclaiming his innocence...I didn't realize DNA matched him to victims until reading the post above...Wikipedia confirmed it

I think some feel he may not have killed any or all the victims because some thought the killer was white... However, I also thought it was due to his small stature, likeability (don't quote me on this), his father's profession as a well known photographer and he was the only child of what it appeared to be good parents...I don't agree...I think to make sure the victim's family and the community doesn't have any doubt, I'm all for the new testing...

Not to long ago I believe the FBI walked back the accuracy of fiber evidence and other things...The Innocence Project was involved..The term junk-science is used to describe fiber evidence, bitemark accuracy, etc...

WASHINGTON POST

 

[YESorNO]

'The public thought one way and we witnessed another' | Juror from Wayne Williams trial opens up about the Atlanta child murders (with clip)
"If some of this technology brings out he wasn’t involved, I’ll be the first to apologize,” the former juror said.

May 24, 2019

"ATLANTA — In an exclusive 11Alive interview, a juror from the Wayne Williams trial is speaking publicly about the Atlanta child murders case for the first time, almost 40 years after the trial....

11Alive’s Neima Abdulahi brings us this exclusive report with Clarice.

Neima asked “Does it surprise you that all of a sudden the case is resurfacing?”

“It doesn’t surprise me because I’ve seen it over the years when he files for appeals,” Clarice said.

The former juror said she voted ‘guilty’ based on the evidence that was presented in court...."

'The public thought one way and we witnessed another' | Juror from Wayne Williams trial opens up about the Atlanta child murders

She voted Wayne Williams guilty in the Atlanta Child Murders. Here's why

 

[YESorNO]

Despite new inquiry, no new answers in Atlanta Child Murders (with clip)

MAY 31, 2019

"...In March, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that police and prosecutors would take a new look, using modern technology to test old evidence in case something was overlooked the first time.

“It may be there is nothing left to be tested,” said Bottoms, who recalled living through the grim chapter in Atlanta’s history as a terrified 9-year-old. “But I do think history will judge us by our actions and weIt’s unclear what the new efforts have borne out.

The Atlanta Police Department has declined to detail its progress with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, but did grant an interview to The New York Times. will be able to say we tried.”..."

Despite new inquiry, no new answers in Atlanta Child Murders
---

Who Killed Atlanta’s Children?

 

[YESorNO]

'My dream is finally coming true': Memorial task force for Atlanta Child Murders holds first meeting
They have been charged with coming up with a way to honor the victims.

June 20, 2019

"ATLANTA — Decades after their deaths, steps are being taken to honor the 29 lives lost in the string of killings between 1979 and 1981 that became known as the Atlanta Child Murders.

Last month, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the people included on a task force charged with coming up with a way to acknowledge and remember the young lives taken.

They met for the first time Thursday evening at Atlanta City Hall...."

'My dream is finally coming true': Memorial task force for Atlanta Child Murders holds first meeting

 

[dotr]

'My dream is finally coming true': Memorial task force for Atlanta Child Murders holds first meeting
They have been charged with coming up with a way to honor the victims.

June 20, 2019

"ATLANTA — Decades after their deaths, steps are being taken to honor the 29 lives lost in the string of killings between 1979 and 1981 that became known as the Atlanta Child Murders.

Last month, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the people included on a task force charged with coming up with a way to acknowledge and remember the young lives taken.

They met for the first time Thursday evening at Atlanta City Hall...."

'My dream is finally coming true': Memorial task force for Atlanta Child Murders holds first meeting

Long overdue, but it will be a wonderful thing to remember and honour the children and all those who loved and lost them.

 

[Dontknow?]

'Our children matter' Mayor Bottoms announces decision to reexamine Atlanta Child Murders after 11Alive story

'Our children matter' Mayor Bottoms announces decision to reexamine Atlanta Child Murders after 11Alive story

From the post above, back in March they decided to re-test evidence. Now the case is reopened. I remember this happening but was raising little ones and working at the time. Glad to see the murders really being looked at again, hopefully with an arrest or more.

 

[YESorNO]

Murder in Black & White | Full series

Jul 19, 2019

"The notorious killing spree that terrorized Atlanta’s black neighborhoods known as the Atlanta Child Murders has haunted the city for forty years."

 

[YESorNO]

11Alive reports on Atlanta Child Murders from 1986

Jul 19, 2019

"Murder in Black & White | Retired 11Alive journalist Paul Crawley covered the Atlanta Child Murders case extensively as the nightmare unfolded, terrorizing Atlanta’s black neighborhoods between 1979 to 1981.

These are his original reports from 1986 on the 8100 File about the investigation into the KKK's possible involvement in the killings."

 

[Falcon500]

The fact that the Atlanta Child murders are still being debated after forty years and that the media comes running to Wayne William’s beck and call is ridiculous.

The people in Atlanta who are convinced that the KKK was responsible are delusional and can’t accept the fact that it wasn’t a white man.

The biggest indicator that the right man is in prison is that the child murders stopped the day that Williams was arrested.

 

[Al Ka]

The fact that the Atlanta Child murders are still being debated after forty years and that the media comes running to Wayne William’s beck and call is ridiculous.

The people in Atlanta who are convinced that the KKK was responsible are delusional and can’t accept the fact that it wasn’t a white man.

The biggest indicator that the right man is in prison is that the child murders stopped the day that Williams was arrested.

There were many crazy articles written about this case and they also will be in the future. And yes, touching it in press in any shape or form, it has feeling of wasp nest exploding at any time.

However
Not many people dispute that they have the right person behind bars. What they oppose to though is that most of the cases were marked closed or solved after his arrest based of not much but an assumption (apart of those 2 or was it 4 he was convicted of).

While there are many serial killers out there there are Zero cases which were marked solved just due to killer proximity/location to the murder.

Is he guilty of all of them? Maybe but prove it. If not, don't mark it solved. Is there chance that there could be someone else out there guilty of one of two from the 30 victims? I personally would say, there is always chance. Black, white or blue, does not really matter. With new technology re-examining the evidence with help of science, maybe finding things they might have overlooked, maybe even catch someone who slipped the net or confirm he is guilty of all of them.

Parents of any murder victim want to know and have right to know for sure. Even when it is wasp nest.

 

[YESorNO]

HBO Documentary Films in Production on Series About 1979-1981 Missing and Murdered Children of Atlanta

Jul. 25, 2019

"HBO Documentary Films, Show of Force, Roc Nation and Get Lifted Film Co. are currently in production on a new documentary series reexamining the Atlanta Child Murders of the late-'70s and early-'80s. It offers a never-before-seen look at the murder of at least 30 African American children and young adults that occurred over a two-year period in Atlanta, from the initial disappearance and discovery of two murdered teenage boys and the fear that gripped the city, to the prosecution and indictment of 23-year-old Atlanta native Wayne Williams and the rush to officially shut down the case.

With unprecedented access, this timely documentary series brings new evidence to light, providing a powerful understanding of one of America's darkest chapters. ..."

https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv...ing-and-Murdered-Children-of-Atlanta-20190725

 

[pg66]

Here is my reconstruction for the Latonya Wilson case. I got most of the information for my reconstruction from the FBI files on the case which are now available to the public.

In the early morning hours of Sunday June 22 1980, a man removed the window pane (replaced only the day before by a maintenance man) of a second floor apartment (#7) at 2261 Verbena, where Latonya lived with her family. He deposited the window pane in a dumpster about 20ft away. Neighbor Gladys Durden says she saw the man enter the apartment three times. After the fourth time, the man had Latonya in his arms. This would have been difficult to accomplish. By entering through that window, he would step squarely onto a bed (Latonya’s brothers). He then would have had to walk past her parents’ room to get to Latonya’s room, where she was sleeping next to her sister, and pick her up from her bed. No one woke up. Nevertheless, this is how it was done. The man exited the apartment through the back door, which he left ajar. Next, the neighbor said that the kidnapper stopped in the parking lot to talk to another black man.


Earlier that evening, Saturday June 21 1980, Amp Wiley, a neighbor of the Wilsons, upon returning home, noticed two males and a female lurking around the back end of the Wilson apartment and walking along the driveway. It was too dark for him to furnish detailed descriptions of these individuals. He also noticed an old type van parked in the driveway. He went to his apartment, which was next to the Wilson apartment, and went into the kitchen. He heard some screaming coming from the Wilson apartment and said it sounded like someone was getting spanked. A “whipping”, he said. Then Latonya’s mother screamed and yelled “Stop”. An hour and a half later, Amp Wiley left his apartment. He saw Ella Wilson sitting on her balcony. He called out to her but she ignored him. She seemed very upset about something. That night, the kidnapping occurred.


Now, in the parking lot, the two perpetrators argued about why they should take the girl instead of one of the boys. One of them said it was an order that had to be carried out. It is very strongly suspected that Latonya’s parents had something to do with her disappearance. For one thing, they never got involved in searching for her. They were likely involved in the drug traffic run by the cult or where members of the cult. One of their sons was selected as a victim. But the Wilson’s either disrespected some internal code and were punished by being forced to give up their daughter (instead of one of their sons) or they themselves decided to get rid of/give up their daughter instead, possibly because of misbehavior on Latonya’s part (the spanking). This was the order that had to be carried out. It would explain why Ella Wilson seemed so upset. She did not agree with the change of plans.


Basically, Latonya’s parents were in on the whole thing and the abduction was arranged to look like a break and enter kidnapping. The way it actually happened bears this out. There is no way it could have happened the way it did without anyone waking up. Impossible. Even Latonya apparently did not wake up. Only one explanation is possible for this. Latonya was given a sedative by her parents. This would explain the neighbor saying that he did not see Latonya at all that evening after the spanking incident and also why Latonya’s body was limp under the abductor’s arm. The people seen lurking around earlier that evening were the kidnappers who were sent out to do the job and were “casing the joint” waiting for the right time. Once inside, the abductor was told by one or both of Latonya’s parents to take her instead. This would explain why the two perpetrators argued as to why they should take her instead. It would also explain why the abductor went in and out so many times. He either disagreed with the change of plans or simply went in and out to consult with Latonya’s parents and the other perpetrators. Latonya’s brothers, who slept in the bed directly under the window through which the abductor entered, were either given sedatives as well, slept elsewhere, or saw something and were threatened into silence. There is a remote possibility that they too were in on it. It is also strongly suspected that one of the two men in the parking lot was Nathaniel Cater, who lived upstairs from the Wilsons. He could even be the one asked why the girl was taken instead of one of the boys. In any case, he very likely played a part in all this. So did the maintenance man. The putty around the removed window pane was fresh as he had replaced it the previous day. This would have allowed easy removal.


The circumstances and the events as they happened clearly imply premeditation. The way it happened was just too easy. This was not a random abduction. It was carefully planned.

 

[YESorNO]

Where the Suspected Atlanta Child Murderer Is Today
Wayne Williams has always maintained his innocence.

AUG 17, 2019

"One of the most intriguing parts of Mindhunter's second season was the search for the serial killer responsible for the Atlanta Child Murders. 23-year-old Atlanta native Wayne Williams is widely believed to be the one responsible for the killing of about 28 children, adolescents, and adults, but he wasn't tried for any of the child murders.

Williams did end up going to prison, but viewers are wondering what happened to him after he was sentenced.

Where is Wayne Williams now?..."

Where Is Suspected Atlanta Child Murderer Wayne Williams Now?

 

[Fede]

LaTonya Wilson's case is still considered open:
LaTonya Wilson

 

[pg66]

LaTonya Wilson's case is still considered open:
LaTonya Wilson

I know. I'm the one who supplied information to the website you linked.