NE NE - Corrie Wood, 28, Grant, 20 September 2008 #2
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NSC
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A great big HUG for John Ferak who is helping keep Corries story alive!! We will not forget you Corrie!!! Thanks John!!!
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10515236
Published Tuesday December 16, 2008
Grant frustrated by unsolved beating death
BY JOHN FERAK
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
The unsolved beating death of a 28-year-old woman in southwestern Nebraska continues to frustrate family and friends.
Can you help?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Nebraska State Patrol is offering up to $1,000 for information about the slaying of Corrie Wood of Grant, Neb. The patrol wants to hear from anyone who saw Wood on Sept. 19.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the statewide Crime Stoppers at www.nebraskacrimestoppers.com.
Corrie WoodWith each passing week since Corrie Wood was found dead Sept. 20, the community loses faith that the person responsible will be arrested, said Doug Tatum, owner of the Barber Pole in Grant, Neb., a town of 1,220 that is five hours from Omaha.
Wood's boyfriend, Scott Petro, contacted authorities after he found her unresponsive in their bedroom. The night before, Wood, Petro and a few other friends met for drinks at a bar in a neighboring town. An autopsy later determined she had been beaten to death. No arrests have been made.
"Questions are being asked, but answers are not being found," Tatum said. "You remain hopeful that today will be the day with the big break. It needs to be resolved."
Perkins County Sheriff Jim Brueggeman said it may take another three to six months before an arrest is possible.
The case - the first homicide investigated in Perkins County in 22 years - has raised questions about whether the local authorities in the city of Grant and Perkins County hindered the investigation by not securing the crime scene until an autopsy was completed.
It wasn't until the third day that local authorities realized that the Grant woman was a homicide victim, prompting them to contact the Nebraska State Patrol for help in the investigation.
Click to enlargeState Patrol Capt. Mark Funkhouser said that because local officials waited to enlist their help, investigators were forced to "play catch-up." Most rural communities, he said, seek immediate help from the state in death investigations where the cause is unknown.
"This was a case they didn't recognize as a homicide," Funkhouser said. "In this case, the sheriff thought this was a natural death or accidental death."
But he said "it's not the norm" when a young woman who appears to be in good health is found dead in her bedroom.
Questions surrounding the Wood homicide come several months after The World-Herald's series Fatal Flaws, which revealed that autopsy rates, the amount of training and the quality of investigation vary from county to county because the state sets few standards and offers no oversight.
In Grant, rescue workers and local authorities who found Wood dead in her one-story house did not suspect foul play initially, said Sheriff Brueggeman, one of the first officers on the scene.
At first, officials theorized that Wood died from excessive drinking, the sheriff said.
"This was not a case with an obvious smoking gun," he said.
On the evening of Sept. 19, a group gathered at a Venango, Neb., bar to celebrate Wood's coming 29th birthday. One of the friends, Melissa "Red" Dutton, said that Wood vomited several times outside the bar after consuming too much alcohol.
About 1:15 a.m., Wood asked Dutton to give her a ride home.
"Our understanding is that Scott Petro remained at the bar," the sheriff said.
Both women stopped briefly at Dutton's house in Venango to retrieve a sweater. They returned briefly to the bar to locate Petro, but he had already left. During the 18-mile drive to Grant, Wood passed out in the passenger seat. Dutton said she had to wake her up when they pulled into Wood's driveway.
Wood staggered up to her house with Dutton's help. Wood crawled on top of the bed and passed out. She was wearing blue jeans and a white-tank top. Dutton estimated she left around 2:10 a.m. to meet some friends at a restaurant in Big Springs, Neb.
"When I left, Corrie was completely fine, so I figured everything was OK," Dutton said.
At 9:53 a.m. the next day, Sept. 20, Petro called 911 from the house he shared with Wood and reported finding her unresponsive after he woke up. An ambulance crew found Wood dead.
The sheriff and his deputies collected evidence and interviewed Petro and others. A local doctor examined the body. Perkins County Attorney Rick Roberts, acting as the coroner, ordered an autopsy. Several hours later, the house was released to Petro, and authorities left.
On Sept. 22, the autopsy results came back, indicating Wood died of blows to her head and body.
The sheriff said he does not believe that releasing the house hindered the death investigation. He said authorities did not have enough evidence on Sept. 20 to continue securing the house.
When the autopsy results came back, the scene was re-secured, he said.
"Absolutely, I was surprised," the sheriff said of the autopsy results. "The scene did not present itself as being a homicide. There was not a person there that had suspicions this was a homicide at the time. In fact, it was far from it."
At that point, Perkins County called for help from the State Patrol, which dispatched a team of investigators from North Platte, along with the mobile crime lab trailer, to search the house for clues.
In the following days, authorities served six search warrants around Grant to collect evidence, which is being analyzed at the State Patrol forensics crime lab in Lincoln.
Petro has not been interviewed by the State Patrol, on the advice of his attorney. A court order required him to submit DNA and hair samples.
Dutton, the friend, said she submitted to a lie-detector test with State Patrol investigators and allowed them to impound her vehicle for forensics tests in September.
In an interview with The World-Herald, Petro said that he is not responsible for his girlfriend's death. Petro and Wood had dated for the past two years and co-owned a small construction business in Grant.
"I am not involved in Corrie's death," Petro said. "I am not an angel, but I am not a troublemaker anymore."
Petro, 38, has been on supervised probation since being released from federal prison in August 2006 for being a felon in possession of a firearm, after being earlier convicted of felony theft by deception.
On the advice of his lawyer, Petro said he would not discuss the time before his call to 911 on Sept. 20. Petro said he's well aware that he remains a suspect in his girlfriend's death.
"I knew I had to get a lawyer because they were looking very serious at me," Petro said. "It is such a shock, and it upset me and blew me away that they were looking at me."
Wood was a native of Imperial, Neb., where her family owned a farm equipment dealership. She graduated from Chase County High School in Imperial in 1998. She had recently worked for an optometrist.
Wood, who was divorced, left behind a 4-year-old daughter, who lives with her biological father in Venango.
Lt. Lynn Williams, a State Patrol investigator in North Platte, has taken over the investigation from the Perkins County Sheriff's Office. He said the crime lab analysis on numerous items seized during the searches is critical to the case.
"This is not yet a cold case," Williams said. "It remains a top priority for us."
For now, Wood's family continues to maintain faith that the State Patrol will gather sufficient evidence to make an arrest.
"The family is very disappointed that the investigation has not yet brought anyone to justice," said Jarrod Nielson, Corrie Wood's brother-in-law. "But we were warned by law enforcement at the very beginning that this could take a long time."
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10515236
Published Tuesday December 16, 2008
Grant frustrated by unsolved beating death
BY JOHN FERAK
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
The unsolved beating death of a 28-year-old woman in southwestern Nebraska continues to frustrate family and friends.
Can you help?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Nebraska State Patrol is offering up to $1,000 for information about the slaying of Corrie Wood of Grant, Neb. The patrol wants to hear from anyone who saw Wood on Sept. 19.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the statewide Crime Stoppers at www.nebraskacrimestoppers.com.
Corrie WoodWith each passing week since Corrie Wood was found dead Sept. 20, the community loses faith that the person responsible will be arrested, said Doug Tatum, owner of the Barber Pole in Grant, Neb., a town of 1,220 that is five hours from Omaha.
Wood's boyfriend, Scott Petro, contacted authorities after he found her unresponsive in their bedroom. The night before, Wood, Petro and a few other friends met for drinks at a bar in a neighboring town. An autopsy later determined she had been beaten to death. No arrests have been made.
"Questions are being asked, but answers are not being found," Tatum said. "You remain hopeful that today will be the day with the big break. It needs to be resolved."
Perkins County Sheriff Jim Brueggeman said it may take another three to six months before an arrest is possible.
The case - the first homicide investigated in Perkins County in 22 years - has raised questions about whether the local authorities in the city of Grant and Perkins County hindered the investigation by not securing the crime scene until an autopsy was completed.
It wasn't until the third day that local authorities realized that the Grant woman was a homicide victim, prompting them to contact the Nebraska State Patrol for help in the investigation.
Click to enlargeState Patrol Capt. Mark Funkhouser said that because local officials waited to enlist their help, investigators were forced to "play catch-up." Most rural communities, he said, seek immediate help from the state in death investigations where the cause is unknown.
"This was a case they didn't recognize as a homicide," Funkhouser said. "In this case, the sheriff thought this was a natural death or accidental death."
But he said "it's not the norm" when a young woman who appears to be in good health is found dead in her bedroom.
Questions surrounding the Wood homicide come several months after The World-Herald's series Fatal Flaws, which revealed that autopsy rates, the amount of training and the quality of investigation vary from county to county because the state sets few standards and offers no oversight.
In Grant, rescue workers and local authorities who found Wood dead in her one-story house did not suspect foul play initially, said Sheriff Brueggeman, one of the first officers on the scene.
At first, officials theorized that Wood died from excessive drinking, the sheriff said.
"This was not a case with an obvious smoking gun," he said.
On the evening of Sept. 19, a group gathered at a Venango, Neb., bar to celebrate Wood's coming 29th birthday. One of the friends, Melissa "Red" Dutton, said that Wood vomited several times outside the bar after consuming too much alcohol.
About 1:15 a.m., Wood asked Dutton to give her a ride home.
"Our understanding is that Scott Petro remained at the bar," the sheriff said.
Both women stopped briefly at Dutton's house in Venango to retrieve a sweater. They returned briefly to the bar to locate Petro, but he had already left. During the 18-mile drive to Grant, Wood passed out in the passenger seat. Dutton said she had to wake her up when they pulled into Wood's driveway.
Wood staggered up to her house with Dutton's help. Wood crawled on top of the bed and passed out. She was wearing blue jeans and a white-tank top. Dutton estimated she left around 2:10 a.m. to meet some friends at a restaurant in Big Springs, Neb.
"When I left, Corrie was completely fine, so I figured everything was OK," Dutton said.
At 9:53 a.m. the next day, Sept. 20, Petro called 911 from the house he shared with Wood and reported finding her unresponsive after he woke up. An ambulance crew found Wood dead.
The sheriff and his deputies collected evidence and interviewed Petro and others. A local doctor examined the body. Perkins County Attorney Rick Roberts, acting as the coroner, ordered an autopsy. Several hours later, the house was released to Petro, and authorities left.
On Sept. 22, the autopsy results came back, indicating Wood died of blows to her head and body.
The sheriff said he does not believe that releasing the house hindered the death investigation. He said authorities did not have enough evidence on Sept. 20 to continue securing the house.
When the autopsy results came back, the scene was re-secured, he said.
"Absolutely, I was surprised," the sheriff said of the autopsy results. "The scene did not present itself as being a homicide. There was not a person there that had suspicions this was a homicide at the time. In fact, it was far from it."
At that point, Perkins County called for help from the State Patrol, which dispatched a team of investigators from North Platte, along with the mobile crime lab trailer, to search the house for clues.
In the following days, authorities served six search warrants around Grant to collect evidence, which is being analyzed at the State Patrol forensics crime lab in Lincoln.
Petro has not been interviewed by the State Patrol, on the advice of his attorney. A court order required him to submit DNA and hair samples.
Dutton, the friend, said she submitted to a lie-detector test with State Patrol investigators and allowed them to impound her vehicle for forensics tests in September.
In an interview with The World-Herald, Petro said that he is not responsible for his girlfriend's death. Petro and Wood had dated for the past two years and co-owned a small construction business in Grant.
"I am not involved in Corrie's death," Petro said. "I am not an angel, but I am not a troublemaker anymore."
Petro, 38, has been on supervised probation since being released from federal prison in August 2006 for being a felon in possession of a firearm, after being earlier convicted of felony theft by deception.
On the advice of his lawyer, Petro said he would not discuss the time before his call to 911 on Sept. 20. Petro said he's well aware that he remains a suspect in his girlfriend's death.
"I knew I had to get a lawyer because they were looking very serious at me," Petro said. "It is such a shock, and it upset me and blew me away that they were looking at me."
Wood was a native of Imperial, Neb., where her family owned a farm equipment dealership. She graduated from Chase County High School in Imperial in 1998. She had recently worked for an optometrist.
Wood, who was divorced, left behind a 4-year-old daughter, who lives with her biological father in Venango.
Lt. Lynn Williams, a State Patrol investigator in North Platte, has taken over the investigation from the Perkins County Sheriff's Office. He said the crime lab analysis on numerous items seized during the searches is critical to the case.
"This is not yet a cold case," Williams said. "It remains a top priority for us."
For now, Wood's family continues to maintain faith that the State Patrol will gather sufficient evidence to make an arrest.
"The family is very disappointed that the investigation has not yet brought anyone to justice," said Jarrod Nielson, Corrie Wood's brother-in-law. "But we were warned by law enforcement at the very beginning that this could take a long time."
Straitfan
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NSC, thanks for keeping us up to date on the case and posting the new article.. Have to say, (just my opinon) the article brings up more questions from my perspective... Ususally (from my younger days anyway 
if taking someone home who was obiviously in need of a bed at the least.. stopping to retrieve a sweater.. why not keep the person at home with one's self rather than drive 18 more miles.. These stories of the evening do not add up.. Prayering for Corrie's sake, daugh and family the resolution is close coming.. 
Any word of her family? Don't think I've seen anything regarding them?
Again, your the best NSC! Keep up your great work. God Bless
if taking someone home who was obiviously in need of a bed at the least.. stopping to retrieve a sweater.. why not keep the person at home with one's self rather than drive 18 more miles.. These stories of the evening do not add up.. Prayering for Corrie's sake, daugh and family the resolution is close coming.. Any word of her family? Don't think I've seen anything regarding them?Again, your the best NSC! Keep up your great work. God Bless
I did not know:
Petro has not been interviewed by the State Patrol, on the advice of his attorney.
That is very interesting. Doesnt that also conflict what Scott has openly said on here or bluecrime? I havent went back and looked yet, but I swear he said that he told them all they wanted to know and gave them all they wanted as far as samples.
I also did not know:
Petro, 38, has been on supervised probation since being released from federal prison in August 2006 for being a felon in possession of a firearm, after being earlier convicted of felony theft by deception.
If Scott is currently on probation, booze use is a violation. Scott admitted he was in the bar drinking and he has been arrested for DUI AND stopped another time for drinking and driving. Why on earth hasnt his PO slapped him back in jail for probation violation????
Petro has not been interviewed by the State Patrol, on the advice of his attorney.
That is very interesting. Doesnt that also conflict what Scott has openly said on here or bluecrime? I havent went back and looked yet, but I swear he said that he told them all they wanted to know and gave them all they wanted as far as samples.
I also did not know:
Petro, 38, has been on supervised probation since being released from federal prison in August 2006 for being a felon in possession of a firearm, after being earlier convicted of felony theft by deception.
If Scott is currently on probation, booze use is a violation. Scott admitted he was in the bar drinking and he has been arrested for DUI AND stopped another time for drinking and driving. Why on earth hasnt his PO slapped him back in jail for probation violation????
cloudajo
Bob Harrod, Missing from Placentia, CA
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NSC, thanks for posting the article!
Proud, some comments have been removed from BC, but here is a snip of what was posted:
"For your info, i gave DNA as well as fingernail clippings, hair samples and was put under some type of light to check my entire body."
But it was court ordered...
Proud, some comments have been removed from BC, but here is a snip of what was posted:
"For your info, i gave DNA as well as fingernail clippings, hair samples and was put under some type of light to check my entire body."
But it was court ordered...
cloudajo
Bob Harrod, Missing from Placentia, CA
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Some key points from the article IMO:
· In the following days, authorities served six search warrants around Grant to collect evidence, which is being analyzed at the State Patrol forensics crime lab in Lincoln.
· Petro has not been interviewed by the State Patrol, on the advice of his attorney.
· A court order required him to submit DNA and hair samples.
· "I am not involved in Corrie's death," Petro said. "I am not an angel, but I am not a troublemaker anymore."
· On the advice of his lawyer, Petro said he would not discuss the time before his call to 911 on Sept. 20. Petro said he's well aware that he remains a suspect in his girlfriend's death.
· "I knew I had to get a lawyer because they were looking very serious at me," Petro said. "It is such a shock, and it upset me and blew me away that they were looking at me."
· Dutton, the friend, said she submitted to a lie-detector test with State Patrol investigators and allowed them to impound her vehicle for forensics tests in September.
· In the following days, authorities served six search warrants around Grant to collect evidence, which is being analyzed at the State Patrol forensics crime lab in Lincoln.
· Petro has not been interviewed by the State Patrol, on the advice of his attorney.
· A court order required him to submit DNA and hair samples.
· "I am not involved in Corrie's death," Petro said. "I am not an angel, but I am not a troublemaker anymore."
· On the advice of his lawyer, Petro said he would not discuss the time before his call to 911 on Sept. 20. Petro said he's well aware that he remains a suspect in his girlfriend's death.
· "I knew I had to get a lawyer because they were looking very serious at me," Petro said. "It is such a shock, and it upset me and blew me away that they were looking at me."
· Dutton, the friend, said she submitted to a lie-detector test with State Patrol investigators and allowed them to impound her vehicle for forensics tests in September.
Awww ((((((((((((Hugs))))))))))))) I hope tommorow is a better day for you and I hope that Corries killer will be caught SOON
Patriot Eagle
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Has anyone heard the "trip over the dogs and hit her head story" before???
NSC
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Yes, I have heard this story before. Not sure if it is true or not. However, if this trip was significant enough it should have been ruled on in the autopsy.
Bobbisangel
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I've heard it and no one has said that's what happened, it was just a theory.
I have also heard from several other people that Corrie tripped over the fence at the Cactus and hit her head and that she and Red laid there on the ground and giggled about it like drunk girls do.
Bobbisangel
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Sounds like someone is trying to direct the attention away from Scott. It won't work.
NSC
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I agree bobbis angel. The evidence toward anyone other than scott is not there! I have tried to find it. I won't be around much as I am out of town for the holidays! Happy Holidays...let's pray for an arrest!!
Hi NSC
havent been in here for a few days due to the Caylee case and some others, Hows it all going ? any further developments ?
How are Corries friends on here holding out ? I hope you are doing ok
I am thinking Of Corries Family and how sad it must be to be without her this Christmas...(hugs to them)
havent been in here for a few days due to the Caylee case and some others, Hows it all going ? any further developments ?
How are Corries friends on here holding out ? I hope you are doing ok
I am thinking Of Corries Family and how sad it must be to be without her this Christmas...(hugs to them)
djkbs0416
Justice for Corrie Wood
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I think that we have all not been around quite as much with the holidays, BUT I still haven't forgotten about Corrie, not for a second. She is forever in my heart and my mind. It sure is a sad thing this year without her around for the holidays. My heart goes out to Kyleigh all the time but especially this time of year. There is a little girl who is missing her mommy and something needs to be done about it. I REALLY hope that things start moving along with Corrie's case and we get some justice!! Love you Corrie Jo and miss you always!!
Bobbisangel
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I hope there will be an arrest soon. Seems like it is taking forever. I wonder if any evidence is back from the labs yet? Anyone know what happened with Scott and those DUI's he got after Corrie was murdered? Wasn't he supposed to go to court for those plus a suspended license?
cloudajo
Bob Harrod, Missing from Placentia, CA
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Scotts Upcoming Court Dates: Jan 7; Jan 16; Jan 21; Feb 2
1._Keith County Court
Case ID #CR080001001 (this record does not show up in search anymore)
Court Date: 12/22/2008 - Arraignment
Petro,Scott, R.
2._Perkins County Court
Case ID: CR080000087
Next Court Date: 01/07/2009 Pretrial Hearing
Petro,Scott, R.
3._Nebraska District Court (this record requires subscription to view)
Case No. 8:04CR538
Court Date: 10/24/2008
Next Court Date: 1/16/2009 Final Disposition Hearing
·United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Scott Petro, Defendant
·Nebraska District Court, Joseph F. Bataillon United States District Judge
·Public Defender David Stickman entered denials on all allegations on behalf of the defendant
·The final disposition hearing is this matter is continued; Final disposition hearing is scheduled at Roman L. Hruska U.S. Courthouse, Omaha, NE on Jan 16, 2009
·The defendant is released on the same terms and conditions as previously imposed with additional conditions: 1) The defendant is ordered to enroll and participate in outpatient therapy within the next seven to ten days and 2) The defendant shall have no contact with ____ and _____.
4._Perkins County Court
Case ID: SC080000010
Court Date: 01/21/2009 SC Trial (Small Claims?)
Name: Petro, Scott
Caption: ____ v. Scott Petro
5._Keith County Court
Case ID # CR080000993
Next Court Date: 02/02/2009 Trial
Petro,Scott, R.
http://www.nebraska.gov/courts/calendar/index.cgi
1._Keith County Court
Case ID #CR080001001 (this record does not show up in search anymore)
Court Date: 12/22/2008 - Arraignment
Petro,Scott, R.
2._Perkins County Court
Case ID: CR080000087
Next Court Date: 01/07/2009 Pretrial Hearing
Petro,Scott, R.
3._Nebraska District Court (this record requires subscription to view)
Case No. 8:04CR538
Court Date: 10/24/2008
Next Court Date: 1/16/2009 Final Disposition Hearing
·United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Scott Petro, Defendant
·Nebraska District Court, Joseph F. Bataillon United States District Judge
·Public Defender David Stickman entered denials on all allegations on behalf of the defendant
·The final disposition hearing is this matter is continued; Final disposition hearing is scheduled at Roman L. Hruska U.S. Courthouse, Omaha, NE on Jan 16, 2009
·The defendant is released on the same terms and conditions as previously imposed with additional conditions: 1) The defendant is ordered to enroll and participate in outpatient therapy within the next seven to ten days and 2) The defendant shall have no contact with ____ and _____.
4._Perkins County Court
Case ID: SC080000010
Court Date: 01/21/2009 SC Trial (Small Claims?)
Name: Petro, Scott
Caption: ____ v. Scott Petro
5._Keith County Court
Case ID # CR080000993
Next Court Date: 02/02/2009 Trial
Petro,Scott, R.
http://www.nebraska.gov/courts/calendar/index.cgi
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