The Springfield Three--missing since June 1992 - #1

[Hurricane]

Supposedly Sherrill had a weapon registered to her person that was kept somewhere handy for just such contingencies.

Was a gun recovered from the home, or is it missing?

 

[Hurricane]

It seems unusual for an individual to go from a normally well compensated job in the white collar ranks to driving a cement truck but perhaps it paid better or the dealership was in financial difficulties. It went out of business not too long thereafter.

I'm sure that he felt frustrated just sitting behind a desk, as the investigation dragged on. By 1997 rumors were hot and heavy concerning the two cement workers. He probably thought he could discreetly ask questions of his own conerning these two, at construction sites, delivery locations, etc.

It didn't say, in 2002 if he is now retired or still at it.

 

[Missouri Mule]

The fact that Sherrill had only lived there for a couple of months or so should make it easy to determine any identified prints of individuals who should have not been to the home in that short amount of time.

That would be true if the abductors left any prints and/or DNA. If they were professionals they probably didn't. They carried out their plan and beat a hasty retreat out of town OR to a preselected safe location in town is the most likely scenario. I somewhat base this on the fact while the porch globe was broken that the bulb itself was left burning. It would stand to reason that the light would have been turned off and the door locked. Even the television was on and the dog was left. What is implicit in this speculation is how the crime scene was almost staged to represent something that shouldn't have been there. (The neatly stacked purses, for example.) That may be far more important than determining who exactly was in the home, had visited there, or was known to have had a legitimate reason to have been there.

Recently, I have learned through a correspondent who knows a nearby who observed considerable coming and going from the home. The list could have been quite long in addition to any friends and relatives who may have come along to contaminate the crime scene. One would have hoped that all identified individuals were thoroughly interrogated by the police department and reliably eliminated as suspects. Again, the news reports give no specific details. We are left only to speculate.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Was a gun recovered from the home, or is it missing?

That I can't answer. In Springfield, the Greene County Sheriff's office would have had to issue the permit to purchase the handgun, assuming it was legally obtained. You might check there and ask them. And then you might actually ask the SPD to see if it was in the inventory of items logged during the investigation. What I can say for a relative certainty is that Suzie did not have a key to the side entrance. Presumably, Sherrill was concerned about Suzie having left that entrance unlocked and was only provided a key to the front door. This I was told by one of the original investigators to the case; the same officer who was charged with running down the partial plate and the supposed van used in the abductions. Evidently that particular key was missing from Suzie's purse. Now how the SPD deduced that Sherrill was concerned that Suzie was not being careful to lock that entrance, I do not know. Perhaps one of the many witnesses recalled something to this effect. Perhaps one of Suzie's friends was told this. Who knows? One of the other lingering questions.

 

[Hurricane]

Recently, I have learned through a correspondent who knows a nearby who observed considerable coming and going from the home.

Are we talking considerable coming and going just during the time of the graduation, say June 5-6th or over the short time Sherrill had lived there?

It is said that Sherrill was a home-body, at least since moving there. If this is true what could account for the considerable coming and going?

 

[Hurricane]

They carried out their plan and beat a hasty retreat out of town OR to a preselected safe location in town is the most likely scenario.

Someone I knew well turned out to be a successful bank robber. He is now in the Leavenworth Federal Pen. He and a partner robbed banks all over the United States. Knowing that police would establish road blocks, watch airports, bus and train stations they always rented a residential home or appartment a few months in advance to be used as a "safe house" for a week or so after the robbery.

I would believe that the reason the 3MW were not killed immediately in the residence was so that they could be moved somewhere in an effort to learn exactly what they did know and who else they may have told that information to. The bodies could then be disposed of in such a way that to this day some would believe that they are alive somewhere.

 

[Hurricane]

I somewhat base this on the fact while the porch globe was broken that the bulb itself was left burning. It would stand to reason that the light would have been turned off and the door locked. Even the television was on and the dog was left. What is implicit in this speculation is how the crime scene was almost staged to represent something that shouldn't have been there. (The neatly stacked purses, for example.)

I know time was short for the abductors but I almost think it was a mistake on their part to have left behind the purses, cigarettes, shorts and all of the other evidence to indicate an abduction. Had they taken those things with the women, turned off the TV, lights, and locked the door we would probably be debating today if a crime had even been committed or if the women had left on their own!

 

[Missouri Mule]

I know time was short for the abductors but I almost think it was a mistake on their part to have left behind the purses, cigarettes, shorts and all of the other evidence to indicate an abduction. Had they taken those things with the women, turned off the TV, lights, and locked the door we would probably be debating today if a crime had even been committed or if the women had left on their own!

This will be my last post of necessity for today.

Actually, on this point I think you are wrong. Had the house been locked up, it is likely the police would have been called in sooner and certainly the crime scene would not have been so badly contaminated. I think it is a hard case to make that they just decided to pick up and leave for no apparent reason. It would have been far better if the door had been locked. As it was many, many hours were lost to the investigation and the crime scene horribly contaminated. This argues that the crime scene was staged. By leaving the purses in place it appeared (or was said to appear) that the women had simply decided to take a walk through the neighborhood. And the television was on. This would naturally have caused someone to believe they would return shortly. At what point does one say too much time has elapsed? All of this bought time for the abductors and worked to their advantage.

 

[Hurricane]

Had the house been locked up, it is likely the police would have been called in sooner and certainly the crime scene would not have been so badly contaminated.

You make your point well. Especially if the house was locked and all three cars were in the driveway.

 

[Hurricane]

Does anyone know why Barry County prosecutor Johnnie Cox disqualified himself from the case, citing a "potential conflict of interest"? Was he a friend or related somehow to the deceased land owner where the dig was to be conducted? Does anyone know who that land owner was?

 

[Missouri Mule]

Does anyone know why Barry County prosecutor Johnnie Cox disqualified himself from the case, citing a "potential conflict of interest"? Was he a friend or related somehow to the deceased land owner where the dig was to be conducted? Does anyone know who that land owner was?

If I am not mistaken, Cassville is the county seat. I would check the local court house. I'll bet you could find it there. Nice town. Pretty drive. Near "Roaring River State Park" where the governor comes every year to open up the bass season, come April 1. We once thought of moving there to retire. Actually made an offer on a home there. If you can't find it there, let me know via PM and I'll refer you to a local realtor who would undoubtedly have that information. I can also probably get it from someone who reported on the case. But I would suggest the other two methods first.

 

[Hurricane]

...the deceased land owner where the dig was to be conducted?

Correction: the land owner is not deceased.

 

[Missouri Mule]

This is an area that I believe deserves some discussion. From the very outset the police seemed to believe that the sweeping up of the broken globe (the lamp itself was not broken) was an important item that contaminated the crime scene. Reports I have heard are that up to 20 people contaminated the crime scene.

Recently I received some information which I believe to be reliable. Contrary to the expectation that the shards of glass would be disposed in the trash receptacle inside the home which I had always assumed (always be careful of assumptions), it appears that according to my source (which as I state believe to be reliable), the shards were not disposed of into a receptacle inside the home but were instead swept up and thrown over a bush separating the Levitt home from an adjoining home, landing on the driveway of that home. Needless to say (if this report be true), the homeowner would not exactly be overjoyed at finding the glass on his driveway. It is logical to believe that he found the glass and fuming all the while, simply swept up the shards, put them in his trash can which was then put out for the local trash pick-up thereby depriving the SPD of examining the glass for any evidence of possible DNA or other evidence that would possibly have identified the van, for example, such as the paint from a tire iron that may have been used to break the globe.

I have become persuaded that what likely took place was that the porch globe was deliberately broken to create a disturbance necessary to bring someone to the door and that it likely took place at about 4:30 AM when the van was seen near the home. Considering that the light itself was not broken, it leads me to believe that the perpetrators removed the light bulb prior to breaking the globe so the person answering the door to see what had happened would be unable to see outside the home onto the porch. It was at this point that the door(s) were opened which then were barred from closing and entry was then gained. At a point later in time, the light bulb was replaced in the receptacle for illumination. It was left burning all the way up to the time the police report was made if I recall correctly.

This may seem a niggling point but if the police believe it was important it probably was. And the fact that those shards of glass were not recovered (assuming my source is correct), nothing was ever recovered as to DNA or other evidence.

 

[MaryLiz]

This is an area that I believe deserves some discussion. From the very outset the police seemed to believe that the sweeping up of the broken globe (the lamp itself was not broken) was an important item that contaminated the crime scene. Reports I have heard are that up to 20 people contaminated the crime scene.

Recently I received some information which I believe to be reliable. Contrary to the expectation that the shards of glass would be disposed in the trash receptacle inside the home which I had always assumed (always be careful of assumptions), it appears that according to my source (which as I state believe to be reliable), the shards were not disposed of into a receptacle inside the home but were instead swept up and thrown over a bush separating the Levitt home from an adjoining home, landing on the driveway of that home. Needless to say (if this report be true), the homeowner would not exactly be overjoyed at finding the glass on his driveway. It is logical to believe that he found the glass and fuming all the while, simply swept up the shards, put them in his trash can which was then put out for the local trash pick-up thereby depriving the SPD of examining the glass for any evidence of possible DNA or other evidence that would possibly have identified the van, for example, such as the paint from a tire iron that may have been used to break the globe.

I have become persuaded that what likely took place was that the porch globe was deliberately broken to create a disturbance necessary to bring someone to the door and that it likely took place at about 4:30 AM when the van was seen near the home. Considering that the light itself was not broken, it leads me to believe that the perpetrators removed the light bulb prior to breaking the globe so the person answering the door to see what had happened would be unable to see outside the home onto the porch. It was at this point that the door(s) were opened which then were barred from closing and entry was then gained. At a point later in time, the light bulb was replaced in the receptacle for illumination. It was left burning all the way up to the time the police report was made if I recall correctly.

This may seem a niggling point but if the police believe it was important it probably was. And the fact that those shards of glass were not recovered (assuming my source is correct), nothing was ever recovered as to DNA or other evidence.

That is odd about the glass shards. When did the police find out that Janelle Kirby's boyfriend, Mike, swept up the glass and put it in the garbage?

It says in the News-Leader that Mike swept up the glass and put it in the garbage. But whether he put it in the trash or threw it across the bushes to the driveway next door, surely the police would have searched for it if he told them in time. Strange that I never thought of that before.

I have always believed that the noise of the globe being broken on the front porch was how entry was gained into the house.

 

[Missouri Mule]

That is odd about the glass shards. When did the police find out that Janelle Kirby's boyfriend, Mike, swept up the glass and put it in the garbage?

It says in the News-Leader that Mike swept up the glass and put it in the garbage. But whether he put it in the trash or threw it across the bushes to the driveway next door, surely the police would have searched for it if he told them in time. Strange that I never thought of that before.

I have always believed that the noise of the globe being broken on the front porch was how entry was gained into the house.

My thinking is that there was probably minimal clearance between the globe and bulb. The bulb should also have been broken. It was likely unscrewed and temporarily removed to limit visibility forcing the occupants to open the door and use a flashlight at which time entry was gained. This is one of the reasons that I personally have a fake door bell on my front door. If anyone comes to my home to "use the phone" or some other tactic to gain entry, I'll not know they "rang" the doorbell and they'll go elsewhere. And in this day of the cell phone they can jump in the lake anyway. I'm not letting anyone in the house at night. But in 1992, cellphones didn't exist to my knowledge.

One would think that the disposal of the glass shards would have been accurately reported and the police would have gotten to the bottom of it immediately. Had I been one of the investigating officers I would have immediately asked where the shards were. Whoever swept them up would surely have remembered that. I personally believe that the early reporting on the case was somewhat shoddy in that so many loose ends were left hanging.

Since the reporting was that the glass shards were an important part of the puzzle, the implication, as I understood it, was that perhaps blood or DNA was left behind. I can't recall that it was ever suggested that it was broken to create the necessary disturbance to gain entry. To be perfectly honest, I had not entertained that idea until reading someone else's post here. Then I could see the clear logic in doing so. It surely would have awakened the occupants. And I can also envision the perps going around to the bedroom window and tapping it to wake up Sherrill. Upon hearing the globe being broken she surely would have gone to the front to see what on earth was going on.

 

[Missouri Mule]

I viewed a "48 hours Mystery" program las night that was about a 25 year old unsolved double homicide in Davis, California. The case was handled fairly well except the forensics specialists did not do their job right. The detectives were not at fault. The certain culprit was eventually caught when the blanket containing the DNA was properly analyzed. The original test only checked one side of the blanket. (How incompetent is that???)

I know a little bit about this subject because I headed up the unit that handled paternity cases where I worked prior to retirement. Before the early or mid 1990s most paternity cases were resolved through blood tests and a typical blood test would come back at say 98.9% positive for the father or negative which excluded him. As I recall, ideally it should have been 98% or higher but a little lower than that would usually suffice. Toward the end of my work career, DNA testing came into wide practice that only required a simple swab to the inside of a person's cheek and it was then put into a secure evelope (by the technicians) and sent off the national lab along with the other DNA samples of the mother and child to be tested for paternity. To get something back with a high probability was not uncommon. Say two billion to one. That is virtually an impossibility to argue. Theoretically, since we have a worldwide population of about 6.5 billion, there could be two other people on the planet with almost identical DNA. That's a tough argument to make by any defendant's attorney.

Tonight's episode came back with a probability of 270 TRILLION to one. The only possible defense is to argue that someone else managed to secure the murderer's DNA and placed it on the blanket. That's a preposterous argument to make although the defense will attempt to make it. The trial will begin, or is scheduled, to begin in September. He also molested several children in addition to this brutal murder of two young people; a young man and a young woman with all their lives ahead of them. Just thought that readers here might find this interesting and how high and definitive these DNA tests are. For all practical purposes DNA is infallable unless the lab is sloppy, there is someone crooked on the inside or the chain of possession is somehow broken. The rebuttal to that defense is simply to repeat the test.

As to the 3MW case, bear in mind that all the DNA and fingerprints were allegedly said to belong to only the 20 identified people who were known to have entered the inside of that home or had reason to be there in the past. Now that's assuming a proper forensics job was done. If that were true, then it would almost certainly rule out one well known suspect, Robert Cox, because to my knowledge he was never in the home.

It would be interesting to know or who exactly those 20 people were. And let us hope that the forensics people did a complete and thorough job back in 1992.

 

[Missouri Mule]

I'll be looking at this forum from time to time to see if there is new information. I've put in my $0.03 to the present time and the case is still stuck in neutral so far as the LE community is concerned. I don't think I have anything further to add. I have settled on "Reason 'X'" as what took place here. It answers all of the questions. The actual timeline cannot be positively penned down but there was ample time to do what was done. It will now be up to LE to do their job. They didn't do their job properly (that is well sourced) when it counted and there is little to suggest they will do it now. In any event I'm done for now.

 

[medic911]

Almost assuredly unrelated to the case, but I will mention it because I've seen some here try to draw a connection:

In 5 minutes the officials in Christian and Greene Counties are releasing a press statement apparently announcing that they have solved the murder of Jackie Johns, who was murdered in 1985. (her body was found in Springfield Lake)

:woohoo:

At least according to KY3's website.

Also, I'm a paramedic who works for Cox hospital here in Springfield. My wife works in the Hulston Cancer center. There is absolutely no chance that their bodies are located underneath or anywhere near that hospital! It's inconceivable. There is far too much security, far too much foot-traffic, and far too much lighting. (As was there at the time of their vanishing) I am intimately familiar with the area, and I have been since well before the 3MW's disappearance. You'd have better luck burying three bodies in the middle of the mall during the Holidays.

The so-called "psychics" need to get a life.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Ah yes. Mr. Carnahan. Know him well. I used to see him about every other day where I worked. I was also introduced to him once on the state office elevator. I can't recall if I rushed to the restroom to scrub my hands clean.

I'll be interested to know if they actually got the goods on him this go around. Before this plays out there could be others who will have some 'splaining to do.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Almost assuredly unrelated to the case, but I will mention it because I've seen some here try to draw a connection:

In 5 minutes the officials in Christian and Greene Counties are releasing a press statement apparently announcing that they have solved the murder of Jackie Johns, who was murdered in 1985. (her body was found in Springfield Lake)

:woohoo:

At least according to KY3's website.

Also, I'm a paramedic who works for Cox hospital here in Springfield. My wife works in the Hulston Cancer center. There is absolutely no chance that their bodies are located underneath or anywhere near that hospital! It's inconceivable. There is far too much security, far too much foot-traffic, and far too much lighting. (As was there at the time of their vanishing) I am intimately familiar with the area, and I have been since well before the 3MW's disappearance. You'd have better luck burying three bodies in the middle of the mall during the Holidays.

The so-called "psychics" need to get a life.

I had a heads-up that this was coming so I'm glad to see it went public. But let me differ from you in this respect. I don't know how you can make a categorical statement there is "absolutely no chance" that the remains could be found there. I say this as one who has never believed they are there. But theoretically, it is possible unless I don't know anything about concrete and I think I do; being that I worked in that part of construction many years ago before the advent of pumping machines which probably was used to deliver the concrete to certain parts of the parking lot.

I'm not taking up for psychics but I've always been well served that statements of absolutism are always "no" on any exam. And I did very well on my exams.

If I were to make a guess where the remains were to be found it wouldn't be there. But I could think of several other places where they should be looked at.