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

[no1uknow]

Yes, and his prior record probably put them into orbit. "He's our guy!" was probably said 30 times in the meeting rooms, etc., before they said, "We got him!"

From what I saw and experienced, I'd say they only targeted him in the last week before he was arrested. 10 days at the very longest.

 

[Madeleine74]

Hard to say how anyone will react, it's not something one can know until one has to confront it.

Jessica is not JW. She has committed no crimes. She is guilty of nothing. And while learning the truth is very painful, living in a lie would have to be worse. Plus, he's not the person he claimed to be...not by a long shot. He'll never be able to hurt another person and he'll never be free again. If there's any solace at all, at least he got caught relatively quickly.

 

[no1uknow]

See...I would have been tempted to go up to him, hand him my dog's leash (with dog attached), a few plastic poop bags, and say, "Here...go make yourself useful and take my doggy for a walk around the hood. In exchange, my dog will give you an exclusive!"

I'm a bit surly and bold, too. I'm, by nature, outspoken. But nothing will cure you of having a big mouth better than having your face, name, address and opinion broadcast to everyone in the entire free world.

 

[no1uknow]

Hard to say how anyone will react, it's not something one can know until one has to confront it.

Jessica is not JW. She has committed no crimes. She is guilty of nothing. And while learning the truth is very painful, living in a lie would have to be worse. Plus, he's not the person he claimed to be...not by a long shot. He'll never be able to hurt another person and he'll never be free again. If there's any solace at all, at least he got caught relatively quickly.

Almost six weeks was not quickly enough. While I truly appreciate the RPD and what they did to find Jason, those weeks were hell. I'm just glad they got him, period. I'm not whining about the time it took. But seriously, those weeks were awful. The weeks afterward, somehow, were worse. That may not make a lot of sense to some of you folks. The realization of that and the afterthought made me understand, I had a murder/rapist living right next to me. I didn't know it and what could I have done if he had come into this house? That is only one of the questions that haunted me and haunts me still.

 

[Madeleine74]

I guess you can arm yourself and take classes to learn to properly shoot and care for a gun and keep it by your bedside. Have pepper spray available on walks and at home. Or keep a baseball bat near your bed.

Lock doors, windows and add a portable alarm to entrances. Barking dog is a deterrent which you already know. I realized that I have mess (pile of stuff) blocking a pathway near one of my doors, inside the house. This is not for protection (pure laziness) but if anyone tried to come in that way, they would trip over shoes, laundry, cat toys, and a box or two. It occurred to me that this could be an interesting way to booby trap an entrance.

And yes, being surly and using eye contact is also a deterrent too, believe it or not. Read Gavin DeBecker's "The Gift of Fear." One of the best books ever about not becoming a victim and using your instincts.

Carol Burnett was being mugged once in NYC (years ago) and she went into her full-on Tarzan yell and just acted totally crazy. The mugger ran away, he was so frightened of the crazy lady. Crazy scares people, even men.

For the ongoing fear and trauma, therapy, some self-defense classes can only help. Maybe organize a community meeting where you invite a couple RPD guys to help educate on how to better protect yourself, your environment, etc. I'm sure they would gladly do this.

Knowledge is power. You can't change the past but you can do things now to help yourself and feel more empowered.

 

[no1uknow]

I'll also add that beyond the terror and upset Jason caused, he also cost me money and business. I teach private music lessons, here at home. When this investigation was going on, I think every single one of my students was approached and questioned by the police. I'm thankful for the RPD and I'm glad they did their jobs but....it cost me many hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. The students who stuck with me didn't want to come over here after being questioned but they persevered. I had several students quit, because they either didn't feel safe coming over here or didn't want to be questioned again.
Once again, I'm not whining because the RPD was just doing what they needed to do.
But you can imagine me having to call my landlord, saying, "I'm going to be a few days late with the rent this month." He said, "OK, but why?" I said, "Having a murder suspect living next to me has not been good for business." He said, "Alright. Don't bother paying the late fee."

 

[borndem]

I'm a bit surly and bold, too. I'm, by nature, outspoken. But nothing will cure you of having a big mouth better than having your face, name, address and opinion broadcast to everyone in the entire free world.

Well, thank you, WRAL or WITN or WTVD or, or, or...

I was gonna ask you if you'd ever gotten "caught" by any of the media folks, no1.... I guess you did. Makes you wanna holler, doesn't it?! I can't imagine it, although I've seen it happen enuff.

"Well the news people gotta make a living, too." I call horse-hockey. Do they not think about the immediate residents of the very building where he lived? Guess not... :banghead: :maddening:

Are they all consistently gone now?

 

[no1uknow]

Well, thank you, WRAL or WITN or WTVD or, or, or...

I was gonna ask you if you'd ever gotten "caught" by any of the media folks, no1.... I guess you did. Makes you wanna holler, doesn't it?! I can't imagine it, although I've seen it happen enuff.

"Well the news people gotta make a living, too." I call horse-hockey. Do they not think about the immediate residents of the very building where he lived? Guess not... :banghead: :maddening:

Are they all consistently gone now?

Thanks, Dem.
Mostly, it's been quiet lately. Amanda Lamb was here not long ago, with a camera pointed straight into my kitchen window. I just wanted to run out there and say, "It was Apt. D! If you're going to terrorize us, how about you at least get the right apartment?!" They don't care. My apartment is the most visible and easily-filmed. They're just here to tell a story that makes for good television, no matter how inaccurate it is.
They all want to go into the back yard. I never have or will give them permission to do so. It's just too invasive. Yes, Jason spent a lot time back there. Yes, that is where he was when he got back home after he killed Kathy Taft. However, we live here. This is our home. There is NO reason for the media or anyone else to have access to that area. It's the one spot we can't be filmed or accosted by anyone other than the police. I plan to keep it that way.

 

[borndem]

Thanks, Dem.
Mostly, it's been quiet lately. Amanda Lamb was here not long ago, with a camera pointed straight into my kitchen window. I just wanted to run out there and say, "It was Apt. D! If you're going to terrorize us, how about you at least get the right apartment?!" They don't care. My apartment is the most visible and easily-filmed. They're just here to tell a story that makes for good television, no matter how inaccurate it is.

Thanks to you, too -- uknow!

Liked the nick you just gave me. You hit it on the head....

Closing aguments will be goo, uknow. As will the charge to the jury.

Join us when you can.

((hugs)) my brave friend. Sleep well. And so to bed....

And so to bed...

 

[no1uknow]

I guess you can arm yourself and take classes to learn to properly shoot and care for a gun and keep it by your bedside. Have pepper spray available on walks and at home. Or keep a baseball bat near your bed.

Lock doors, windows and add a portable alarm to entrances. Barking dog is a deterrent which you already know. I realized that I have mess (pile of stuff) blocking a pathway near one of my doors, inside the house. This is not for protection (pure laziness) but if anyone tried to come in that way, they would trip over shoes, laundry, cat toys, and a box or two. It occurred to me that this could be an interesting way to booby trap an entrance.

And yes, being surly and using eye contact is also a deterrent too, believe it or not. Read Gavin DeBecker's "The Gift of Fear." One of the best books ever about not becoming a victim and using your instincts.

Carol Burnett was being mugged once in NYC (years ago) and she went into her full-on Tarzan yell and just acted totally crazy. The mugger ran away, he was so frightened of the crazy lady. Crazy scares people, even men.

For the ongoing fear and trauma, therapy, some self-defense classes can only help. Maybe organize a community meeting where you invite a couple RPD guys to help educate on how to better protect yourself, your environment, etc. I'm sure they would gladly do this.

Knowledge is power. You can't change the past but you can do things now to help yourself and feel more empowered.

I'm a Montanan so I grew up hunting. I know how to work any firearm you hand me and I'm comfortable with them. I own several guns. I've been raised to only use a gun while hunting. If I were to ever use one to defend myself, the situation would have to be dire - somebody was right in my face, threatening my life or the life or someone near me. Guns don't make me feel any safer than the fact that I own a banjo and my best friend is an old hound dog who barks at everything (and sometimes, she's barking at nothing....)
Yes, I also read "The Gift of Fear." I liked it a lot. I appreciate the insights and advice that book provides. However, nothing could have ever prepared me for Jason Williford. I'm not trying to argue with you or slight your opinions. I am simply saying that the only one around here who didn't particularly care for Jason was my dog. She never liked him. I absolutely should've paid more attention to her but I didn't. Nobody else got that vibe.
Dog = smart. Me = not so sharp.
I truly appreciate your comments, Mad. Thanks for your good words!

 

[sloothseeker]

Ramblings for today…
--Another victim of this bizarre crime was JG, owner of the crime scene. I do not know what his physical health was but IMO, the guilty he may have felt (if he knew) the reason his house was picked. Can’t help but wonder if the “if only I had gotten the mail, had a more secure door, had an alarm system” put him in an early grave.
--Hoping the Taft family will pursue a civil suit so JW doesn’t profit from the book that Amanda Lamb will no doubt write. Perhaps the proceeds can be donated to a KT charity or used so something good can come from this tragedy.
--To “no1uknow” – along those lines, perhaps an interview with Ms Lamb will help the healing that has to occur. I think you offer great insight into JWs world as a neighbor and I know it helps me understand how normal this guy appeared to be and how he could hide his true self.
--Also to my websleuth friends, any desire to be in the live courtroom when the final verdict and sentence is given? I hope the camera focuses on JWs reaction when it is all said and done.
See yall on the computer!

 

[Madeleine74]

Just an FYI. A.L. will not be writing any more true crime books. She said (publicly) the Cooper case was her last. She is concentrating on more uplifting fare as living with/writing about these cases takes a toll and she feels it's negative karma, being immersed in it. I asked her if she'd make an exception for the Young case since that one went on for so many years but she said no.

So, if someone writes a book about the case it won't be A.L.

any desire to be in the live courtroom when the final verdict and sentence is given?

Not really for this one. Getting downtown, parking, over to the courthouse is a P.I.A. I wish I had seen the Cooper one live but I was at work.

 

[borndem]

:seeya:Good Morning, Sleuthers!:seeya:
​

Closing Arguments Begin

http://www.wral.com/specialreports/k.../#/vid11099775


http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/index

 

[Boodles]

That's interesting about Amanda. I see her point. This trial is making me think twice and then three times about my interest in true crime.

No, I would not want to be in the courtroom. I went to the JY trial, and it didn't bother me at all, I was not phased by JY, even with eye contact. But I don't want to be any closer to this case than I am from this computer. I am very creeped out by this and to be honest, I wish I had never taken an interest in it.

 

[NCB]

Good morning all!

 

[NCEast]

Good Morning to Everybody. I hope the jury is intelligent and paid excellent attention to the final state's witness, the female psych doctor, (I'm having the hardest time remembering her name) and will come back with a guilty verdict in all respects..... in record breaking time.

 

[waltzingmatilda]

Good morning everybody! :seeya:

Hi borndem! :seeya:

I've had lots of company lately but been keeping up as best I can. I hope JW never sees the light of day again.

Justice for Kathy!

wm

OT thanks to all for the updates. You all :rocker:

 

[borndem]

All the necessary peeps are here for things to begin.

Harbison rule is once more conducted between Judge Gessner and JW. Those muted words from JW may be the last we ever hear from this man. How 'bout that, no1uknow!? That's a hoo-ray, seems to me. Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish... (bbm)


Closing arguments begin.
Defense is first:
Diane Savage.

 

[waltzingmatilda]

I just spewed coffee at the name of the prostitute JW hired!

:what:

 

[borndem]

Savage done - 10:10am

Driver begins.

Good Morning, Everyone!

We're our own jury....

Comments on Savage?