GUILTY Turkey - Sarai Sierra, 33, NY woman murdered, Istanbul, 21 Jan 2013 - #4

[EncyclopediaBrown]

Mentally, I'm lagging pretty far behind many on this thread. I have no problem with the logistics of this crime, and the fact that it is 100% possible that Z committed it. I know the area is prime for criminal activity- I get all that, logically speaking.

What I'm referring to is the fact that a stranger killed SS. I just can't get that to make any sense to me, given the other information we have. I don't quite buy it just yet.

I'm definitely enjoying reading everyone else's thoughts, as they let this theory play out. Hopefully something one of you guys says will help me change my mind!

I think it's hard to swallow that all the other side stories mean nothing and it was random. I definitely hear you. I think most of us are trying to let it sink in.

 

[Yashim]

Wow, and all this time I thought you were either a high-level LE, a spy or maybe even Taylan! Are you a lawyer?

A lawyer, of course not.

I'm just a regular utility-maximizing criminal.

 

[EncyclopediaBrown]

If Sarai had headphones in while she was taking pictures, it's entirely possible Z (or her killer if it turns out not to be Z) had her gagged or incapacitated before she even knew he was there.

I actually hope he hit her before she knew he was there. That would be the kindest death in this situation.

I thought the hit from behind theory too but she put up a struggle as per forensics evidence. She woukdve been too out to fight.

 

[alpmighty]

okay - so then I guess one could say that these poor trash collectors from small villages are uneducated, do not separate glish, are living in marginal conditions, and some of them are murdering violent muggers that will get rid of merchandise they have stolen from their victims which may incriminate them if found on them quickly- for cash. But this guy is not trouble free - he is being pursued by the police. Beware of trash collectors!

How did the media get this story?

Murdering types, no. I don't think if Z is the actual perp, his initial intent was murder. Muggers, yes, possible. Rapists, yes, possible. They may be uneducated and generally ignorant, but you can count on them being street smart. Otherwise, they wouldn't survive.

Murder is big trouble. You don't just get away free with murder. It would be extremely unwise for a scavenger to premeditate murder.

 

[necco]

I thought the hit from behind theory too but she put up a struggle as per forensics evidence. She woukdve been too out to fight.

He could have gagged her, with his hand or otherwise. I'm trying to account for no screaming.

 

[SANDOVAL]

But she might have had earbuds in, and taking pictures and got hit by a train, notwithstanding some don't buy that.

 

[alpmighty]

this may be offtopic but what will happen to this guy if he is in fact the killer?
life sentence or could he get death? how does that work?

Capital punishment has been abolished since early 2000s, even before that it was rarely handed out. He'll do hard time, depending on the circumstances. I'm not well acquainted with current sentencing guidelines, but my guess is he'll get 25-30 to life.

 

[EncyclopediaBrown]

He could have gagged her, with his hand or otherwise. I'm trying to account for no screaming.

true or any type of material- blanket etc.

 

[KivaSupporter]

Apart from the road itself, the area around the walls cannot be considered crowded. It would be hard for passing by vehicles hearing screams, cold weather makes it unpleasant to drive around windows rolled down. Besides, we're not even sure where the body was found is the actual crime scene. We'll know more when Z is apprehended and interrogated.

I don't remember this being covered.

Is there a road or a path where cars could be driven above the rocks?

 

[Yashim]

Alpmight, thank you for your posts. You, and others (hi, Yashim), have helped me understand various things, especially the culture in Turkey. It is very valuable to hear what the locals think.

Noting the time difference, do you guys ever sleep? Jk

We couldn't help the one person we should have.

Sleep? Good thinking. I gotta go now.

(Today, I slept through an entire conference call.)

 

[NewYork625]

He could have gagged her, with his hand or otherwise. I'm trying to account for no screaming.

Maybe she shouted at him, but didn't actually scream for help, or maybe she did scream. Maybe nobody heard anything because nobody was close enough to hear, or maybe people heard her either screaming or what sounded like a fight, and were too afraid to report it later. Could be any of those things, or something else...

 

[KivaSupporter]

A lawyer, of course not.

I'm just a regular utility-maximizing criminal.

I was joking.

By the way, you seem to be highly educated and knowledgable. Love the poetry you cited. Sorry Off topic.

 

[EncyclopediaBrown]

But she might have had earbuds in, and taking pictures and got hit by a train, notwithstanding some don't buy that.

scratches and bruises though? head trauma. a train wouldve mangled her pretty badly. not thst I know much about getting hit by trains.

 

[Rolandred]

Murdering types, no. I don't think if Z is the actual perp, his initial intent was murder. Muggers, yes, possible. Rapists, yes, possible. They may be uneducated and generally ignorant, but you can count on them being street smart. Otherwise, they wouldn't survive.

Murder is big trouble. You don't just get away free with murder. It would be extremely unwise for a scavenger to premeditate murder.

Right, or even murder. How did the media get this story?

 

[alpmighty]

Alpmight, thank you for your posts. You, and others (hi, Yashim), have helped me understand various things, especially the culture in Turkey. It is very valuable to hear what the locals think.

Noting the time difference, do you guys ever sleep? Jk

You're most certainly welcome.

Well, I have to confess, this case keeps me up awake. It's currently 0130 here. I think I personalized it to an extent that it enrages me how SS ended up murdered. I have absolutely no contempt for a foreigner, a woman alone visiting my country, being harmed in any way.

 

[Rolandred]

okay - so then I guess one could say that these poor trash collectors from small villages are uneducated, are living in marginal conditions, and some of them are murderous violent muggers that will get rid of merchandise they have stolen from their victims which may incriminate them if found on them quickly- for cash. But this guy is not trouble free - he is being pursued by the police. Beware of trash collectors?

How did the media get this story?

 

[PippaCatherine]

While SS was being killed in broad daylight no one heard her screams and struggles? She had DNA under her nails so she wasn't killed instantly. "Z" is a fall guy, LE is pressured to solve this case fast and with no other options decides why not steamroll some homeless dude who would not have the finances and resources to defend himself against any crimes.

Scary, eh?!

 

[necco]

If you watch the documentary someone posted somewhere around page 22, or at least the first 2 minutes of it. Some of the recyclers and scrappers were discussing what school they went to and things like that. I don't think they're all homeless and uneducated. There seems to be a variety, much like here in the United States. I've seen scrappers that were college kids, some just earning extra money to buy bait to fish, some homeless, some mentally ill and some are addicts.

 

[Herat]

I don't remember this being covered.

Is there a road or a path where cars could be driven above the rocks?

No. The the top is broken rubble or relatively flat and grassy or with trees growing in it. It is the degraded part of the old fortress that originally was 10+ foot thick with a flat paved surface, interrupted by towers and gates. The part she was found in is crumbling and you wouldn't be able to get anything other than a motorcycle up there and even then it looks as though it would be really rough with big holes and divots.

 

[alpmighty]

But she might have had earbuds in, and taking pictures and got hit by a train, notwithstanding some don't buy that.

If that was the case, I'd say injuries inflicted on her would be quite characteristic. Herat would be able to provide a better explanation, since he has forensics experience under his belt.