IA IA - Kenny Johnson, 14, Dubuque, 10 Oct 1987

[SCHMAE]

I wish I knew more about where the carpet came from before it was "at the park". It stated in the article that someone came forward and claimed it. So..does that mean we put all our old carpets in the park? Or maybe a bum went garbage picking and took it there? I agree. Very convenient that the carpet was just "at the park" where kenny spent his last moments.
If I were a killer, and didn't posess a carpet from get go; I wouldn't go looking for something to hide a body in. Especially if I just wanted to dump it and get out of there.
JMHO

Good points. I wonder if the carpet is the crime scene, just moved from a home where he was killed or was it only to hide the baby's body in ? Sorry little Kenny. I hate to speak so bluntly about you . Surely the carpet had some blood on it, just wondering what amount and/ or if they could tell he had been dead a long while before hiding him in the carpet.

ETA The man who reported it was his...did he leave it in the park ? Did someone steal it from a pile of debris in his yard? Had he had new carpet put in and a crew or workers took it with them ? Knowing more about the carpet would be really helpful.

 

[KariKae]

Marksgirljess - Would you fiance be willing to call the detective in charge of the case to see if he, as a family member, can obtain any more information?

I think we would all like to know wha the police found out about the carpet and any other information the detective would be willing to share.

 

[SCHMAE]

Marksgirljess - Would you fiance be willing to call the detective in charge of the case to see if he, as a family member, can obtain any more information?

I think we would all like to know wha the police found out about the carpet and any other information the detective would be willing to share.

I was thinking that and wondering if we could come up with say a list of good questions and see if ewe could get some answers for. I get LE doesn't like folks stepping on their toes or interfering but with a case this old, who's to say how much they might be willing to share in hopes of solving it !?

 

[Marksgirljess]

Yes, he is more than willing. He's going to try to call on monday.

Sent from my LG-LG730 using Tapatalk 2

 

[LR1]

There's half a dozen or more articles in Google news archives about this case (Kenny Joe Johnson) that are free to view, mainly the earlier ones from the Tribune Herald. Here's one that talks about the carpet and the people who left it in the park. At the time this article was published which was Nov 98 the people had refused to meet with investigators.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

I looked at three articles on CODIS and all it says is that it's a DNA database for Offenders. It doesn't say that the DNA from Cases are stored in there as well. An interesting quote from here says that there is ALOT of DNA to be processed still; and the DNA samples from crime scenes are in abundance. (My own paraphrasing) So, I'd say it's highly unlikely that any "crime scene DNA" is stored as well. (Correct me if I'm Wrong/ MOO?)

Meaning that it will have to be re ran every once in awhile to see if the crime can be matched to an offender.

Respectfully snipped for space.

CODIS is also used for Missing / Unidentified persons. From what I understand of it in that aspect, whenever a new missing person's DNA is entered into CODIS, it is automatically run against every other sample in there, to check for a match against an unidentified body. And vice versa. If a new unidentified body is found, DNA entered into CODIS, it's automatically run against everyone else in CODIS to see if it matches a missing person.

I'm assuming it would work the same in this case. The DNA info for Kenny Joe's killer would be in CODIS. If this person were to be arrested for another crime and have their DNA taken, that DNA would automatically be run against the entire CODIS system and would result in an automatic match.

I don't think it's something like, "Hmmm, we haven't checked this unknown killer's DNA in a while. Let's see if we have any new hits!"

 

[Cate49]

Sorry if I missed the carpet detail was the carpet cut or Was it bound on the edges? Would there not be carpet that is specific to automobiles? The number of threads and loops may tell the origin of carpet. It is a very sad story filled with long standing grief. May the good people on this site provide you support and justice for Kenny Joe.

 

[jenstar]

Respectfully snipped for space.

CODIS is also used for Missing / Unidentified persons. From what I understand of it in that aspect, whenever a new missing person's DNA is entered into CODIS, it is automatically run against every other sample in there, to check for a match against an unidentified body. And vice versa. If a new unidentified body is found, DNA entered into CODIS, it's automatically run against everyone else in CODIS to see if it matches a missing person.

I'm assuming it would work the same in this case. The DNA info for Kenny Joe's killer would be in CODIS. If this person were to be arrested for another crime and have their DNA taken, that DNA would automatically be run against the entire CODIS system and would result in an automatic match.

I don't think it's something like, "Hmmm, we haven't checked this unknown killer's DNA in a while. Let's see if we have any new hits!"

I didn't know that UIDs were in CODIS. Thanks for that info. What I was saying is that "all DNA from every crime scene" meaning (random DNA that they could find not directly connected with a certain person) wasn't stored. So, hypothetically;
Someone's DNA not in CODIS could be in someone's trunk/rental car/house. Was ruled out because it wasn't connected to the known killer or the current victim. An unknown third party wouldn't be stored. At least that's what I took away from the article.

 

[jenstar]

There's half a dozen or more articles in Google news archives about this case (Kenny Joe Johnson) that are free to view, mainly the earlier ones from the Tribune Herald. Here's one that talks about the carpet and the people who left it in the park. At the time this article was published which was Nov 98 the people had refused to meet with investigators.

View attachment 34691

View attachment 34692

Thank you LR1, I certainly appreciate that info. And I can see why the people who dumped the carpet didn't want to be involved. What I can't see is why weren't they willing to help even through the lawyer? IMO they spent the retainer fee for what they would have paid for an "illegal dumping of trash" ticket. If it meant taking a little fine in the process; I would think people would do the right thing and help Kenny's family. Sheesh. MOO

 

[Sin City]

Remember the Morgan Harrington Murder Case, and the DNA connection LE made there? This causes me to wonder if this type of cross checking needs to be specifically done, or if the CODIS system does it automatically?

Virginia State Police reiterate that the ONLY case currently connected to the Morgan Harrington case remains the 2005 abduction and rape of a Fairfax woman that was connected to Harrington, through DNA, in 2010.

http://www.wset.com/story/21472387/possible-lead-in-murder-of-morgan-harrington

 

[Sin City]

1988 Dubuque, IA Robert Cushing

Catholic School Worker Charged with Sexual Abusing Male Students

http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1988/C...-Students/id-fa08b3d6a3c8d48a023e94754b9680eb

 

[Sin City]

2008 Unsolved, but not forgotten

In Iowa, there are about 150 unsolved homicides that date back to 1965, said Jessica Lown, a spokeswoman for the Iowa Public Safety Department.

According to the Nebraska State Patrol, since 1969 there have been about 250 unsolved homicides in the state; roughly half are Omaha cases. The patrol and Omaha police are the only agencies in Nebraska with designated cold case units.

Cold case squads grew in popularity in the 1990s, as advanced DNA technology allowed law enforcement officials to re-examine evidence. But contrary to television dramas such as "Cold Case" and the documentary series "Cold Case Files," both of which can make the job look easy, officials said it's among the toughest in police work.

Homicides become difficult to solve if a killer isn't found within 48 to 72 hours of the crime, officials said. The older a case is, the harder it is to locate witnesses and find samples for DNA testing. After one to three years, an unsolved homicide is considered a cold case.

http://www.omaha.com/article/20110313/NEWS97/110319812/1081

 

[Sin City]

NE - Ricky Chadek, 11, kidnapped and murdered in Omaha, March 1986

NE NE - Ricky Chadek, 11, kidnapped and murdered in Omaha, March 1986 - Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community

 

[Sin City]

Charles L Miller,06/25/1935 date of birth, who is currently incarcerated in the prison in Lincoln. Shortly after this crime he was convicted of molesting a child in 1987. He was a suspect in the chadek case, and he had a couple of blue pickups. 01/25/1988 Sentence date. two counts sexual assault first degree. Projected Release Date: 12/24/2000.

And, 5 1/2 yrs later he Recidivism/reoffends!!!!

07/20/2006 Sentence Begin Date. Projected Release Date: 12/22/2030 SEXUAL ASSAULT 1ST DEGREE

http://dcs-inmatesearch.ne.gov/Corrections/InmateDisplayServlet?DcsId=65008

 

[SCHMAE]

1988 Dubuque, IA Robert Cushing

Catholic School Worker Charged with Sexual Abusing Male Students

http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1988/C...-Students/id-fa08b3d6a3c8d48a023e94754b9680eb

WOW good find !~ Anyway to know where this guy is today ?

ETA Does anyone know if sex offenders put into prison PRIOR to DNA sample requirements then had to give DNA samples after they became more widespread? Say this guy in the article, if he went to prison in the 80s, there would be no dna on file. But 10 yrs later, would they go to him and take his to match to any other cases? Something tells me the answer is NO even though there could be lots of cases cleared up if they did . TIA

 

[KariKae]

After reading the article, I am even more suspicious of the owner of the carpet. He dumped the carpet out of his van to make room for equipment? Who carries a roll of carpet around in their van? Also, somebody who is in a band would have a prime opportunity to come in contact with Kenny Joe.

I know the article says LE doesn't suspect him, but why? His story sure sounds suspicious. And lawyering up for an illegal dumping charge? That just doesn't seem right to me.

 

[KariKae]

More thoughts...If Kenny Joe was killed onsite (and he was the one who screamed), why would the perp take the time to roll him up? It seems to me a carpet would be used to contain the body and all bodily fluids and also so the perp didn't have to look at him.

Maybe Van Man/Carpet Owner didn't kill Kenny Joe, but I have a strong feeling he knows who did. Maybe he even helped dispose of the body.

 

[KariKae]

So questions for Marksgirljess' fiance to ask LE when he calls.

1) As much information about the carpet and owner as her can give
2) Who was interviewed and cleared in connection with the case. What about the workers at the group home?
3) Do they know anything about Kenny Joe's whereabouts after he left the group home? Do they have any information about where he went on previous run away attempts?

 

[Marksgirljess]

So questions for Marksgirljess' fiance to ask LE when he calls.

1) As much information about the carpet and owner as her can give
2) Who was interviewed and cleared in connection with the case. What about the workers at the group home?
3) Do they know anything about Kenny Joe's whereabouts after he left the group home? Do they have any information about where he went on previous run away attempts?

Yes, thank you. A list of questions would be helpful.

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[Sin City]

I believe DNA is taken upon a predator's release from prison. I didn't search Cushing's release date. I'm hoping he's still in prison! However, I do not believe that LE retrieves DNA from a convicted felon years after a release...unless needed in the investigation of a felony. I truly don't know.

For example: I am aware of a man who was convicted of second degree murder in the 60's, was released in 3 1/2 yrs, continued his path of violence among other crimes, and when caught by LE only received slaps on the wrist or small fines....his DNA has never been taken by authorities BTW. :banghead:

WOW good find !~ Anyway to know where this guy is today ?

ETA Does anyone know if sex offenders put into prison PRIOR to DNA sample requirements then had to give DNA samples after they became more widespread? Say this guy in the article, if he went to prison in the 80s, there would be no dna on file. But 10 yrs later, would they go to him and take his to match to any other cases? Something tells me the answer is NO even though there could be lots of cases cleared up if they did . TIA