NE NE - Jessica O'Grady, 19, Omaha, 10 May 2006

[chicoliving]

Douglas County Attorney Stu Dornan has filed a Second-Degree Murder charge against 19-year-old Christopher Edwards. Prosecutors claim he killed Jessica O'Grady with a sword.

Edwards was arrested last week.

During a news conference Monday afternoon, Dornan said investigators believe that Ms. O'Grady was killed with a Bangkok battle sword, similar to those pictured on the right. It's a weapon that is 26 inches long with a 19 inch blade. Dornan says the death was intentional.

http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/3021596.html

My heart just goes out to Jessica and her family/friends.

 

[concernedperson]

Douglas County Attorney Stu Dornan has filed a Second-Degree Murder charge against 19-year-old Christopher Edwards. Prosecutors claim he killed Jessica O'Grady with a sword.

Edwards was arrested last week.

During a news conference Monday afternoon, Dornan said investigators believe that Ms. O'Grady was killed with a Bangkok battle sword, similar to those pictured on the right. It's a weapon that is 26 inches long with a 19 inch blade. Dornan says the death was intentional.

http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/3021596.html

My heart just goes out to Jessica and her family/friends.

Oh,Jesus! The cruelty is unimaginable and the rage to inflict this kind of harm even moreso....what a horrible thing for her family. Prayers for all of her family.

Not the clean up crew...may they reflect and dream of their complicity for the rest of their lives.

 

[cbcrime]

That is just horrid. That poor girl and her family. Why if it was intentional is it 2nd degree murder. I'm so glad he is caught. I just hope they can find Jessica.

Does any know if the relatives he was living with - are going to face any charges?

 

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

They're only charging him with second degree. I wish they could go for first! :furious:

 

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

That is just horrid. That poor girl and her family. Why if it was intentional is it 2nd degree murder.

Maybe it means that he meant to kill her when he went at her with the sword but that it was not premeditated. Maybe they got into an argument when she got there, and he grabbed it in a fit of rage, without thinking. Maybe the reaction to the very human situation to which his lawyer referred means that they're going to say that Jessica attacked HIM with the sword, and he accidentally harmed her while trying to protect himself.

 

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

fremonttribune.com, Fremont, Nebraska's Community Newspaper

... "We charge what we can prove, and the charge now is second-degree murder..."

Investigators said the sword was found in Edwards' room and is now at the Douglas County Crime Lab.

Sheriff's officials said the sword and other evidence seized at Edwards' home implicates him in O'Grady's death. O'Grady's body has not been found, but authorities say they are certain she is dead. Deputies also recovered a headboard, three pillows, carpeting, shovels, a stair rail and parts of a bed from a home where Edwards lives.

Dornan said Edwards would appear in court for a bond hearing on Tuesday, and county officials say they will ask that bond be denied...

 

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

fremonttribune.com, Fremont, Nebraska's Community Newspaper

... "We charge what we can prove, and the charge now is second-degree murder..."

Investigators said the sword was found in Edwards' room and is now at the Douglas County Crime Lab.

Sheriff's officials said the sword and other evidence seized at Edwards' home implicates him in O'Grady's death. O'Grady's body has not been found, but authorities say they are certain she is dead. Deputies also recovered a headboard, three pillows, carpeting, shovels, a stair rail and parts of a bed from a home where Edwards lives.

Dornan said Edwards would appear in court for a bond hearing on Tuesday, and county officials say they will ask that bond be denied...

 

[longwayaround]

I want to know what kind of "reasonable" explanation Mr. Edwards and his attorneys have for this??? "Gee, honey, do you mind if I shave my legs with your BANGKOK BATTLE SWORD?" This is one of the most disgusting crimes I've ever heard of happening in Omaha. I am so angered by Chris Edwards actions.

I hope they find Jessica soon, to give her family and friends some closure. My heart goes out to Jessica and her loved ones.

 

[longwayaround]

Omaha World-Herald

...Edwards turned himself in Friday. His attorney says Edwards is innocent. Dornan said officials had found "significant circumstantial evidence that supports a violent death" in Edwards' bedroom, which was in the basement of his aunt's house at 2546 N. 130th St.

...The sword, which Dornan described as a "Bangkok battle sword," was 26 inches in length, with a 19-inch blade, Dornan said. Similar swords can be purchased on the Internet for as little as $20 for two.

 

[longwayaround]

Omaha World-Herald

The Bangkok battle sword can be bought online for as little as $19.95 - and that's for two of them.

But true swordsmen wouldn't bother. As one dealer said, the cheap e-Bay version has a blade more like a letter opener than a sword.

...Most southeast Asian swords don't have tips designed for thrusting, he said. And few people have the skills or knowledge to use swords - of any type - for cutting, said Rodell, who teaches swordsmanship. That doesn't mean swords can't kill. It just means that the greatest danger - including from a southeast Asian sword - is from blunt-force trauma, Rodell said.

 

[SewingDeb]

The body found may be that of a female child:
http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/3024506.html

"It looked like it had possibly been rolled to get down to the bottom of the ditch," said Mack Taylor, Mills County Sheriff.

So far, the body doesn't match descriptions of any Mills County missing persons report.

"It's even possible they may have to call in an anthropologist," said Taylor. "This body appears to have been in that location at least for a couple of weeks and there's some decaying that's already started taking place."

Only then will authorities know who was killed and dumped in the ditch.

Neighbors thought the body was that of a female child based on the shoes they saw, but Sheriff Taylor says they aren't going to release any details until they know for certain the approximate age and gender of the person.

 

[longwayaround]

BOND DENIED

A judge has denied bond for 19-year-old Christopher Edwards, accused of Second-Degree Murder in the death of missing UNO student Jessica O'Grady.

...The family has also confirmed the possibility that Jessica might have been pregnant at the time of her disappearance, although they will not comment on who the father would have been.

 

[longwayaround]

Blood all over Edwards' Home

No bond was set for a man accused in the death of missing University of Nebraska-Omaha student Jessica O'Grady, and evidence presented in court on Tuesday morning details large amounts of O'Grady's blood in the defendant's residence.

 

[amom]

Jessica O'Grady's pregnancy was confirmed by family members tonight on WOWT news. I believe Nebraska has a fetal homicide law.


Anyone know if they would have been able to detect pregnancy from blood from a crime scene? I know if they draw your blood they can tell, but does the same apply for blood detected on a surface?

 

[PrayersForMaura]

Blood all over Edwards' Home

No bond was set for a man accused in the death of missing University of Nebraska-Omaha student Jessica O'Grady, and evidence presented in court on Tuesday morning details large amounts of O'Grady's blood in the defendant's residence.

wow, this is absolutely horrifying!
Blood of hers on the headboard and the ceiling and she was killed with two swords?
I wonder if he decapitated her? It must've been something awfully violent to have her blood splatter to the ceiling.

Prayers for her family. They are going through a most horrific and sad time, indeed.

 

[Bobbisangel]

This is just horrible. That poor girl. He doesn't look like a very big guy. He must have taken her by surprise. I think I read that she was around 5'9" but can't remember what she weighed. I can't begin to imagine the terror poor Jessica must have felt.

His aunt, stepmother and cousin tried to clean up that room so you know darn well they had to have known what happened. No one would just clean it up without asking questions. I wouldn't doubt if they helped him get rid of her body. His room was in the basement and if it hadn't been for them trying to clean up everything I might have thought that they weren't aware of what happened.

I'm glad that bail was denied. I also hope that it can be proven that she was pregnant. The baby was probably why he killed her and so it's only right if the baby lengthens his sentence. He should have to pay for that one way or the other.

 

[mom3dd]

I am hoping that the aunt, and stepmother cave in really soon like Avery's nephew did. I don't think they can live with this long. I also hope that they are still looking for Jessica since they found blood in the trunk of her car. DP is no good now that the supreme court has put a hold on cruel and unusual punishment.

 

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

Blood all over Edwards' Home

Thanks so much for the links. I wanted to post this part of the article you posted:

... Further evidence revealed on Tuesday showed that Edwards admitted a sexual relationship with O'Grady. Cell phone records indicate that O'Grady was at Edwards' residence the night before she was reported missing. The county attorney said Edwards tried to destroy evidence by wiping the swords' blades clean, and by using poster paint and shoe polish to try to cover the blood spatters...

Family did say Tuesday there "is truth to the speculation" O'Grady was pregnant, but investigators have not confirmed that.

 

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

Jessica O'Grady's pregnancy was confirmed by family members tonight on WOWT news. I believe Nebraska has a fetal homicide law.

I think you're right. I believe that there's an article posted earlier on this thread that mentions charging him with double homicide if it's confirmed that she was pregnant. I wonder if they would be able to determine the pregnancy after her body has been missing all of this time.

 

[Megs]

Interesting New Info....

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1636&u_sid=2188209

Jessica O'Grady's DNA was found on a sword, a mattress and tools belonging to Christopher Edwards, a prosecutor said today in court.

Edwards, 19, faces charges of second-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony in connection with the death of O'Grady, also 19.
Investigators have said O'Grady was Edwards' girlfriend. Edwards also has another girlfriend, and she is pregnant, as was O'Grady, according to two people familiar with the investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity. The two women knew each other, one of the people said.

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