GUILTY TX - Billy Joe Harris for rapes of elderly women in 6 counties, 2011

[Starry Night]

Starry Night--Please know that we are all thinking of you and sending strong and brave thoughts. Keep a light on, set a cookie sheet leaned up against the door, play your radio a little louder than usual, and keep the holy water nearby--whatever helps. Is your cell under your pillow? You'll be fine.

And a suggestion. You don't need a big dog. I have 7 tiny poodle and chihuahua rescues. I'd like to see someone get into my house. They'd raise the roof. It's the sound of the bark not the bite which scares bad guys off. There's always a house that's more quiet. A little dog can be quite a deterrent and a great pillow-mate!!

You sleep tight.

Thank you. Good night

 

[KellysGal]

ok i think that the tip about TXCLOCKNUT should be called in... cause if it set off more than one hinky meter i think it is worth calling in.

 

[Missizzy]

I'll leave this to Starry Night as she has the most info. My hinky really isn't alerting but then I haven't seen everything Starry did. The number to call is:

(866) 786-5972

They were pleasant and polite to deal with and definitely knew what I meant when I mentioned the Twilight Rapist.

 

[txsvicki]

It is 34 pm here and I have to get to bed soon and I dread it. Cause if I keep the fan on that is good noise but then I might not hear someone coming in-I g=feel so isolated and alone and vulnerable-I have no dog-no weapon. Once or twice I g=have kep my iron plugged in and given myself a pep-talk before I go to bed -just in case-this is the plight of women alone .....I am one of them and this case scares me becaude of course I thought I was out of the age where someone would want to attack me. Tambling thoughts here-gearing up for another scary night in my bed...I always end up saying to myself that-oh well-if they or he comes in to get me then just get it over with and hope to God ot os not a sadist......I rely on God to get me through it-that and my Holy Water (yes I am Catholic lol) but I am OUT of Holy Water tonight.
My mim used to keep 'robber money' in her house.......just in case. So that is how we plan and plot our nights-we women over 50 who are alone. I seriously need an big friggin dog.

My mother once had a friend who lived alone. She had a bolt lock installed on her bedroom door, kept a gun in her bedside table, and had her a little dog sleeping in the room with her. I'd be afraid of a gun myself, but agree that a dog is a must and the bolt lock to better secure a bedroom door. I have little alarms on some windows and curtain rods stuck in the track so they won't easily open. When my husband was away overnight I tied my bedroom doorknob over to the closet so it wouldn't open easily at all and kept my dog with me. Of course, he scared me half to death when he heard a neighbor coming home and started barking. I hope you are able to get a good night's sleep.

 

[DeepThinker]

It is 34 pm here and I have to get to bed soon and I dread it. Cause if I keep the fan on that is good noise but then I might not hear someone coming in-I g=feel so isolated and alone and vulnerable-I have no dog-no weapon. Once or twice I g=have kep my iron plugged in and given myself a pep-talk before I go to bed -just in case-this is the plight of women alone .....I am one of them and this case scares me becaude of course I thought I was out of the age where someone would want to attack me. Tambling thoughts here-gearing up for another scary night in my bed...I always end up saying to myself that-oh well-if they or he comes in to get me then just get it over with and hope to God ot os not a sadist......I rely on God to get me through it-that and my Holy Water (yes I am Catholic lol) but I am OUT of Holy Water tonight.
My mim used to keep 'robber money' in her house.......just in case. So that is how we plan and plot our nights-we women over 50 who are alone. I seriously need an big friggin dog.

Fortunately, we have 2 dogs that sleep in the bedroom with me when I'm alone. Hubby works some nights, some days, etc. Anyway, if you don't have a dog, then put a hammer under your pillow, or a baseball bat or something you feel you can swing. Leave your porch lights on. Put stuff in front of your windows, and maybe something by the doors that would make noise. Leave a radio or tv on, so it sounds like someone is up. Leave on a light. Do these things alternately, so there's a random pattern. That's the best info I have. Stay safe, gf.

 

[Starry Night]

Hey thanks everyone-GREATsuggestions-I feel safer already.
So-on with the matter at hand....when was his last known attack? Isthere apattern developing asfar as days between,days of week, weather etc?

 

[Missizzy]

It's literally blowing my mind to type this, Starry Night, but not a word. Only two stations, KEYE out of Austin and KBTX out of Bryan are even reporting that the DNA was not a match. They are both saying that the Lubbock attack is not connected to the others. Why in heck the other Texas news sources aren't all over this is beyond me. I would think that many daytime TV viewers would fit the demographic of the victims. So why aren't they giving their viewers important safety updates. Hopefully, Texas Mist will here back from some of the sources she wrote to. Not acceptable, to my mind. In "essence" this is what they are saying:

"Ladies, we have a rapist on the loose. We don't know where he is or where he will strike next. We have lots of new details and theories we're working on but that info must stay under wraps at this point. We'll check back in with you next Tuesday. Stay safe, ya'll."

Makes me want to scream.

 

[Starry Night]

It really disturbs me as well. I don't know how we can keep people safe that way. Awareness is such a crucial aspect in preventing crime. I'm gonna look around too and see if I can find anything.

 

[Missizzy]

The women of Texas are a force to contend with. Where's Molly and Ann when you need them?

I think the women's groups--in fact, all citizen's groups for that matter, as rape is not a "woman's crime", need to bombard their state reps and news editors with calls and emails. There should be an immediate call for a protest at the Capitol!! Challenge Gov. Perry to come out front and answer some questions. All Texas citizens should feel safe tonight on his watch.

We saw the phrase "lackluster response" by DHS concerning the death of Jeanette Maples in Oregon a few days ago. That's the perfect description of what's going on in Texas.

I want to believe that a lot of intense investigatory work is going on behind the scenes. I feel comfortable that the Texas Rangers are working around the clock. But the people are not being given the info they need to feel and/or be safe.

Where's the "spokesperson"? Where are the information bulletins and flyers filled with safety reminders? Where are the community and neighborhood meetings on safety? Where are the posted numbers to call with tips? How can an elder woman get an escort? What are the churches, Senior Centers, nursing and retirement homes doing?

I want to know.

 

[Starry Night]

Can't find anything. What I am doing now is running a 'myspace' search with perameters of male, between 18 and 26, within 10 miles of Yoakum zip. 77995. Problem is my computer-too darnedold and slow. I may have to hit the library this weekend. And also create some kind of fake myspace acount. There is also Facebook. I just want to look at some profiles and see if anything jumps out.

 

[Missizzy]

I took your lead, Starry Night, and am doing the same. I actually found something of concern. I know we can't link to MS pages of uninvolved people but I'd like someone else to look at something.

I did a search on black guys, aged 20-25, and a certain 21 year old came up with a hometown of Yoakum. He goes to a college where the Brothers Under Christ is an active fraternity (remember the Tick Tock comment from one of their forums?). He's a very bright, handsome, put-together person who seems angry at life. He blogs (they are old FWIW) about the slights he's suffered. On a tag blog, he lists this:

1. I have seen all six Star Wars movies at least ten times.

2. I read the newspaper every chance I get.

3. I think it would be cool to be a serial killer.

4. I can listen to the same song over 20 times in a row and still like it.

5. I can't go an entire day without putting my fingers in my mouth.

6. I keep everything that a friend gives me.

 

[Starry Night]

That is disturbing indeed. Since I can't get around myspace too well I googled RAPE CLOCK.....look at the first link to Encyclopedia Dramatica (be forewarned:very sexually explicit stuff). Really weird and depraved stuff on this site.

On the same google search a also found a page of Rape Clocks-yes-clocks with weird sayings and graphics etc. I am trying not to get nauseated.

 

[KellysGal]

Maybe that guy should be reported as well, you never know what might help find the jerk.... I was thinking along the line of maybe a city maintenance person since they would know a street light out and most likely how to remove windows and such. Just a thought.

 

[Texas Mist]

I was working on a better timeline w/ dates & I found this tonite -- note the part about the houses "looked alike":

<snip>

January and February 2009 - Lavaca County Sheriff Arthur Rogers reported two break-ins occurred in Yoakum, Texas, a community about 40 miles north of Victoria, in Lavaca County. Cash and valuables were stolen in both cases and one woman was sexually assaulted. The assailant has been positively linked to the Leon County cases by DNA results. In the second case there was a robbery and attempted sexual assault.

July 20, 2009 &#8211; Leon County Sheriff&#8217;s Department Chief Investigator Victor Smith reported that he was called to a residence in Marquez where a 77-year-old woman was robbed and sexually assaulted. The assailant took cash and two mounted deer heads.

August 13, 2009 &#8211; Bell County Sheriff T.J. Crew reported that a woman in her early 90s awoke with a male standing in her doorway. She was robbed and sexually assaulted.

September 9, 2009 &#8211; Bell County Sheriff Crew reported that the county had a town hall meeting on 9-8- 09 and the next morning a 90-year-old Seaton woman with dementia was robbed and sexually assaulted.

September 10, 2009 &#8211; Leon County Investigator Smith reported that an 80-year-old Marquez woman woke up to a man demanding money. She was able to get away from the assailant and escape through the window without being sexually assaulted. The man escaped with valuables.

September 12, 2009 &#8211; Leon County Investigator Smith reported that an elderly woman had heard noises outside and reported it to a friend. While doing some upgrading of security around the woman&#8217;s house, the friend found that a burglar bar had been removed.

October 10, 2009 &#8211; Falls County Sheriff Ben Kirk reported a man entered the home of a 78-year-old woman through the garage, then stole money out of the woman&#8217;s purse and raped her. The house had been broken into and robbed earlier.

October 24, 2009 &#8211; Leon County Investigator Smith reported that a man broke into a Centerville woman&#8217;s home through a back window. The woman was able to scare the suspect off with a gun and escaped out of the house without being sexually assaulted. Phone lines were cut and had been cut previously.

Victims have all been elderly white females who live alone. Investigators commented that all the houses looked alike. In several cases there have been previous break-ins or phone lines cut. All houses have been dark. The assailant&#8217;s entry has been different, depending upon the house. In some cases he has removed an entire window; in another case he removed only a pane.

http://www.leoncountytoday.com/news...e/If_he_comes_in_my_house_can_I_kill_him.html

ETA: for purpose of keeping a timeline in one post, adding this info from earlier post(s)

Another attack was reported on Nov. 9 in Yoakum.

The latest incident happened involved a break-in and attempted sexual assault on Nov. 24 in Luling.

 

[Missizzy]

Thank you Texas Mist!!! My hats off to Leon County but it's time for a new meeting. So, the one detail we couldn't find was in this article. All the women have been white and all lived in similar houses. I thought there'd been some discussion of houses and a retirement "village". I wonder what that means? This guy is playing out some fantasy. These are not random in the least. Remember, the LEO who referred to the ladies as "frail, tiny little things"? He would know. So does that mean he's going after a particular size and shape of a woman or just the most vulnerable? We cannot lose sight of the fact that one poor woman had a stroke after the attack. I hope to high heck that that was not the woman who was attacked twice.

He's going to keep going until he gets caught or killed. I notice that there were a great number of attacks in the summer (A/C might be a factor or opened windows). If he was a college student, that would make sense. The attacks (which we know about) occurred on a Monday, and multiple Thursdays and Saturdays.

Can anybody else look at these dates and see if they correlate to anything in the area?

 

[Texas Mist]

I found some more info on the houses....sounds like he may be specifically targeting these "nice" homes for $$ or other valuables (JMO)...I still tend to believe he's more of a burglar/sexual predator, as opposed to a sexual predator who burglarizes.

The first sign of an attack is when phone lines are cut. The attacker is scouting his homes weeks prior to the attack. In some instances, he steals home keys and then cuts the phone lines. Walter urged any elderly person who has their phone lines cut or disconnected to report it to local law enforcement.

The victims all share similarities: elderly widows living alone in well-kept brick homes off main roads. The only exceptions were attacks earlier this year in Lavaca County, which happened off less-traveled roads, Walter said. Most of the attacks happened off Highway 7.


http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?s=36846


ETA: - in this video, reporter says the SR "sometimes cuts power" not just the phone lines

http://www.centraltexasnow.com/glob...g=Search Results&activePane=info&rnd=90327440

ETA2: this print article pretty much says what the video says ("The rapist would cut phones lines and sometimes power before he would break in.")

http://www.centraltexasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11431310

ETA3: another description -- from Dec.15th

While none of the victims have been able to get a good look at their attacker, Texas Rangers said he is described by some victims to be a dark-skinned male who is between 5'6" and 6'0" tall, with a thin build and short hair.

 

[txsvicki]

Now I'm even more creeped out by this attacker. The bit of info is that one lady got away out of a window while he was looking for valuables and I believe another mentioned that she was awakened before he started ransacking the place. We may not be told all the facts, but it doesn't sound like he ties the women up while he gets the valuables. One lady said he was there about 40 minutes, so he must really look all over for money. I doubt that the lady who had $10,000 had it where it could easily be found. I'm not so sure now that he is all that cunning or intelligent. It's almost as if he doesn't realize obvious things, such as not all people will just stay and not try to get away and not all will ignore things like removed burglar bars and a clock ticking outside the bedroom wall. I'm not sure why this bothers me, but maybe that it makes him seem even more demented.

 

[Missizzy]

And here I am up here obsessing over that darned clock. So, just how does a woman hear a clock ticking as loud as a "time bomb" on the outside of a BRICK HOUSE? Most women who live in nice homes can afford A/C and run it through the summer so I'd think that the the windows would be closed.

In looking at the dates, I see none which wouldn't be at times where the A/C or the heater wouldn't be on--except the two in October. I'm going to check the weather on those days and see if A/C might have been needed. I know the Texas Spring lasts for about three days and the Fall's about the same.

Sorry, love those Texans....but hate the blasted heat.

 

[Missizzy]

Oct. 10th in Bell, Leon, and Falls county was cool--a high of 57 and a low of 51. Oct. 24th was warmer during the day at 73 but very cool at night at 44. I could certainly see an older woman running her heater at night for those evenings.

The summer dates in July, August and September are what you'd expect--high in the mid 90's and low's in the mid-high 70's. A/C weather.

Remember, we're mainly looking at what a woman would have running to mask sound in the night time hours.

No idea if this even is an issue. The hearing of the clock could be a really red herring.

 

[Ruflossn]

I have been reading and trying to catch up on the posts. I am confused by one thing. Is this perp cutting phone lines days/weeks b4 the break-ins and assaults or is he doing that the night of the crime?

Also, his removing windows, is a clue as to his past/present. He most likely has worked in construction or at a home improvement type store. This creep has left lots of info for LE. It won't be long b4 they catch him. Am I correct in that the last attack was in Nov.?