GUILTY NC - Kathy Taft, 62, Raleigh, 6 March 2010 - #5

[Just the Fax]

Maybe from JG's house that night or from a previous b/e since the house had been "vacant" for a while.

JTF - do you think JKW would have returned to the crime scene after EMS left and before LE arrived perhaps 1.5 hour timeframe?

Who knows?
This guy apparently had no fear.
After being busted for B&E and crapping on the floor, he does it again a couple of years later...this time while the house was occupied.

 

[susubaby]

Who knows?
This guy apparently had no fear.
After being busted for B&E and crapping on the floor, he does it again a couple of years later...this time while the house was occupied.

From the bust the few years later...I am assuming you are speaking of the b&e with the g'ma and g'daughter in the home....does anyone know what he did in that house? All I have heard was that he broke in and that no one was harmed...but nothing else.... did he take anything? eat anything? etc...:waitasec:

 

[Just the Fax]

From the bust the few years later...I am assuming you are speaking of the b&e with the g'ma and g'daughter in the home....does anyone know what he did in that house? All I have heard was that he broke in and that no one was harmed...but nothing else.... did he take anything? eat anything? etc...:waitasec:

I seem to recall Ed Crump saying that the total charge was a reduction, as it originally included 'assault on a female'.
I'm thinking the granddaughter was the 'focus' of his B&E.
===========

"sources say the 2001 break-in may have originally been a felony involving a female victim."

http://74.125.45.132/search?q=cache...ving+a+woman+charges&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

 

[Maja]

IMHO: JW will not see trial due to "insanity" plea.

I was at an AA meeting one day and someone said, "Good gracious, I've done and said some horrible things while drunk. Thank God I never killed anyone." Another responded, "How do you know you didn't?"

 

[no1uknow]

no1uknow
You seem to know a good bit about the couple.
Do you actually know them, or did you just hear these details from other neighbors?

Just the Fax, I am reluctant to give out a lot of information. In order to protect my own identity and the privacy of JF, who I feel incredibly bad for, I don't want to say too much. I have met and spoken to both she and JW on several occasions in the past few months. Suffice it to say I live uncomfortably close by. But to say I "know" either of them would be huge stretch.
I find the information and theories posted here interesting. I'll participate in this thread when I have useful information that I know to be true to impart. Otherwise, I'm just another person who would really like to know (perhaps more than most, given the circumstances and proximity) what exactly happened.

 

[susubaby]

no1- I totally respect & understand that. We are all just so curious about JW bc I guess on the surface, he looks like just your average joe. But, you never know what your gut feeling will tell you when you are talking to someone. Maybe he gives off a creepy vibe. If you feel comfortable- will you tell us what he was like when you talked to him? Did he seem like just a regular guy?

 

[Just the Fax]

"sources say the 2001 break-in may have originally been a felony involving a female victim."

http://74.125.45.132/search?q=cache:...&ct=clnk&gl=us
==========================================================

More on the post above.
A felony involving a female would be one of these- (assault / battery is a misdemeanor).

1- 1st or 2nd degree rape
2- 1st or 2nd degree sexual offense

First Degree Sexual Offense (14-27.4)

A person is guilty of a sexual offense in the first degree if the person engages in sexual act (other than vaginal intercourse):

With a victim who is a child under the age of 13 years and the defendant is at least 12 years old and is at least four years older than the victim; or
With another person by force and against the will of the other person, and:
a. Employs or displays a dangerous or deadly weapon or an article which the other person ... believes to be ... [a] weapon; or
b. Inflicts serious personal injury on the victim or other ...; or
c. The person commits the offense aided ... by one or more ...
Classification: Class B1 Felony (life imprisonment)



Second Degree Sexual Offense (14-27.5)

A person is guilty of a sexual offense in the second degree if the person engages in a sexual act (other than vaginal intercourse) with another ...

By force and against the will of the other person; or
Who is mentally defective, mentally incapacitated ... and the person per forming the act knows or should reasonably know that the other person in mentally defective, mentally incapacitated ...
Classification: Class C Felony (40 years or a fine or both)

 

[Prancy]

I seem to recall Ed Crump saying that the total charge was a reduction, as it originally included 'assault on a female'.
I'm thinking the granddaughter was the 'focus' of his B&E.
===========

"sources say the 2001 break-in may have originally been a felony involving a female victim."

http://74.125.45.132/search?q=cache...ving+a+woman+charges&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

It could be, however, the part about a female victim, could have been that the fact their were people in the house, when it was broken into, met the requirement for First Degree Burglary if it was a "occupied" residence.
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/statutes/StatutesTOC.pl?Chapter=0014 (NC Statutes) Did they say for sure an assault was involved? I feel sure Crump would have looked a the file and surmised what it was reduced from.

 

[Prancy]

Just the Fax, I am reluctant to give out a lot of information. In order to protect my own identity and the privacy of JF, who I feel incredibly bad for, I don't want to say too much. I have met and spoken to both she and JW on several occasions in the past few months. Suffice it to say I live uncomfortably close by. But to say I "know" either of them would be huge stretch.
I find the information and theories posted here interesting. I'll participate in this thread when I have useful information that I know to be true to impart. Otherwise, I'm just another person who would really like to know (perhaps more than most, given the circumstances and proximity) what exactly happened.

I do feel for this woman's situation. People never really know what others are going through behind closed doors. I can't say this is her situation, but something that happened to me.

Years ago I was in a relationship with someone who was a serious alcohol and drug absuser, however, they kept it pretty well hidden, except to close friends. Most of his colleagues, family, and even neighbors, had NO idea of the severity and how it influenced his behavior. Being his GF, I was the closest to him. The first year I knew him, he played a nice guy character. He was great and won my trust and love. The second year, the true self came out. I eventually became to see how truly violent, cruel, devious and bizarre he was. It was a hard pill to swallow. The few friends who also caught a glimpse of the evil twin, as they called it, thought he was only a monster when drinking, but I saw how he was also a monster when sober. It's hard to fathom that you have grown close to a person with such bizarre and unpredictable behavior. Eventually, I ran for my life and ended it.

While most thought he was a super nice guy, a few knew better. If LE would have come to me and asked me about what he was capable of, I would have not have ruled ANYTHING out. There is nothing that would have surprised me. That is very sad and I feel for anyone in that situation.

 

[sloothseeker]

This crime/case is beginning to demonstrate all that is wrong with the judicial system. From all the previous posts and public records research by WSers, it is evident that laws were broken and thanks to good attorneys (I assume) the crimes were overlooked or reduced to lesser offenses. The judicial system failed the public with JW and look at the results. It should be no surprise that the same will happen again with JW when/if this case does to trial. Unfortunately folks, we are all victims here.

 

[pinkorchid]

Sloothseeker, I totally agree that there is a problem with repeat offenders and the justice system is to blame for being a revolving door. Personally, I think an adult who breaks and enters and defecates in someone's home should be in a mental institution, but that's just me. If JW had been incarcerated for his other crimes he wouldn't have been able to kill (allegedly) Kathy Taft. Some people should not be walking the streets. The public should not have to literally beg the courts to keep criminals at bay. Crime is out of control in this country as far as I'm concerned.

 

[susubaby]

100% agreed. JW has obviously been "building up" to something like this happening for years, looking at his past history of behavior. The court system and criminal justice system is so far out of whack it is scary and almost makes the average person want to be paranoid. What will it take to make the laws in this country change? I just learned that a sexual predator of children moved 1100 ft away (I guess once you are in the system you have to move 1000 ft away?) from my child's elementary school. He was accused of attempted kidnapping in another county. So, you mean to tell me he just HAPPENED to find a little ole apt. so close to the elementary school he just couldn't pass it up? I don't think so. He's probably there, as close as he could be, to watch children. This is absurd! When are things going to change? He should be in jail! (sorry for the aside).... (Oh, the attempted kidnapping was from another elementary school playground...just an fyi)....

 

[Prancy]

It's difficult to say what happens in certain cases. You know what they say about hindsight. There can be technical problems with a charge that would result in evidence being inadmissable,the possiblity that every element of the crime could not be proven, witnesses who for whatever reason are uncooperative or unavailable. Some move away, resist, can't remember etc. The DA has to examine the strenght of his case and make a judgment call. I will say that I think the Wake Co prosecutors are very keen on strong prosecution. They don't just do reduce or dismiss things just to make it go away. There are compelling reasons IMO. That's my experience and no, I don't work with them.

 

[sloothseeker]

The DA has to examine the strenght of his case and make a judgment call. I will say that I think the Wake Co prosecutors are very keen on strong prosecution. They don't just do reduce or dismiss things just to make it go away. There are compelling reasons IMO. That's my experience and no, I don't work with them.

I agree but just look at the public court records of just those in this one case - DH, JG and JW - it's not an isolated incident.

 

[Just the Fax]

It could be, however, the part about a female victim, could have been that the fact their were people in the house, when it was broken into, met the requirement for First Degree Burglary if it was a "occupied" residence.
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/statutes/StatutesTOC.pl?Chapter=0014 (NC Statutes) Did they say for sure an assault was involved? I feel sure Crump would have looked a the file and surmised what it was reduced from.

No, the fact the home was occupied made it 1st dgree burglary.
Ed's report said he was originally charged with a felony involving a female victim and that charge was apparently dropped....2 different things.

"Assault on a female" is a misdemeanor.
If it was originally charged as a felony involving a female victim, it would have to be sexual.

As I said before, I trust WTVD's direct sources. IMO this was verified before it was broadcast.

 

[Prancy]

I agree but just look at the public court records of just those in this one case - DH, JG and JW - it's not an isolated incident.

I'm not familiar with the other individuals prior cases except it seems there were some DWI's. Were their cases in Wake Co? Other counties that tend to be less populated and more rural, tend to be more flexible in reducing and dismissing, IMO.
If you have a link or post with the records of the other two, please list. I'll see if I can locate them in the meantime.

 

[sloothseeker]

I'm not familiar with the other individuals prior cases except it seems there were some DWI's. Were their cases in Wake Co? Other counties that tend to be less populated and more rural, tend to be more flexible in reducing and dismissing, IMO.
If you have a link or post with the records of the other two, please list. I'll see if I can locate them in the meantime.

Threads 3 and 4 discussed much of DH and JG's priors. That's my point - the entire judicial system is an injustice, regardless of the county.

 

[Just the Fax]

Threads 3 and 4 discussed much of DH and JG's priors. That's my point - the entire judicial system is an injustice, regardless of the county.

Not sure I would say "injustice"...at least not total.
The # of DWI 'dismissals' varies greatly by county.
For example, the coastal counties have a much higher dismissal rate than the very conservative mountain counties.

http://www.wral.com/asset/news/local/2008/09/25/3613836/2007DWIcharges.pdf

 

[sloothseeker]

Not sure I would say "injustice"...at least not total.

http://www.wral.com/asset/news/local/2008/09/25/3613836/2007DWIcharges.pdf

Thanks, JTF. I'll work the percentages up in my free time to compare counties, just because that's how my mind works!

 

[no1uknow]

No, the fact the home was occupied made it 1st dgree burglary.
Ed's report said he was originally charged with a felony involving a female victim and that charge was apparently dropped....2 different things.

"Assault on a female" is a misdemeanor.
If it was originally charged as a felony involving a female victim, it would have to be sexual.

As I said before, I trust WTVD's direct sources. IMO this was verified before it was broadcast.

I was shown the police report from this crime (which took place several years ago, in an entirely different but equally-as-affluent part of Raleigh.) I don't recall anything about an assault in the report. That doesn't mean it did or didn't happen - I'm just recounting what I actually saw from a photocopy of the report. JW wrapped a t-shirt around his fist, busted a window and entered the home. The crime took place between 3:00 am and 3:30 am. Police were called and JW was arrested after being found wandering around the area, drunk, not far from the location of the break in. It was explained to me that since the house was occupied, the crime was considered a felony; a very serious crime but it was pleaded down.