GUILTY WA - Four people murdered in three-state killing spree, Sept-Oct 2011

[georgiajean]

http://www.katu.com/news/local/131922288.html

Friends remember vibrant teen Cody Myers
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2011/10/15/friends_remember_vibrant_teen_killed_in_spree/

Our planet has lost a truly wonderful human being and a vibrant shining star. So very very sad. They put his guitar on stage, and people came up to play alongside Cody's silet guitar.

I love reading the words his friends and family said at his memorial....

His family and friends described him Saturday as a humble, smiling devout Christian who got along with anyone he met. He was a gifted guitar player who loved sharing his talent with the world -- as a performer and as a teacher.

Often, Garcia said, Myers would get so caught up jamming with his friends that he'd miss the last bus home -- a 90-minute journey to Lafayette from the school in Oregon City. Sometimes Myers would stay the night in Garcia's tiny apartment. But other days he'd insist on rolling out a sleeping bag and spending the night behind some bushes on campus, just to make sure he'd be in class on time the next morning.

"I'll miss him," said Hank, a musician with long, graying hair who took Myers to jam sessions with friends around the Willamette Valley. "It's kind of like a dream for me, that somebody like him would hang out with me."

This breaks one's heart...

Myers' 11-year-old nephew, Peyton Klein, said in a brief note read by his mother that he asked for a guitar for Christmas last year so Myers could teach him how to play. "I only hope that I'm as cool as him some day," Peyton wrote. "I would like to be like him, and I looked up to him."

 

[georgiajean]

New bits of information from this article
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap...JSlYMw?docId=3821c7b1345942c4895cdac56af2399b

The 122 days taken off his sentence changed his release date to May 24. His scheduled date of release without earned time credits would have been Sept. 23. Three days later, on Sept. 26, authorities believe he and Grigsby killed Pedersen's father and stepmother.

Pedersen took up cage fighting after his release in May. Sometime after, he met Grigsby through a mutual friend.

Even though Grigsby had a husband and a 2-year-old, she started hanging around Pedersen at cage matches, jogging with him in the mornings and eventually weaning herself from a drug habit into which she had relapsed after being clean for nearly a year.

 

[OR_Newshound]

Just ran across this article from today
http://www.kgw.com/news/Suspect-in-Oregon-teens-murder-had-hit-prison-guards-131954253.html

 

[stillwatersc]

I don't understand why these two were released. If they can't behave in prison why would anyone think they would behave after being released? Prisoners should be expected to follow the rules before being set free where they are not monitored.

Glad to see Pedersen's release is being questioned.

David 'Joey' Pedersen Released Despite Violent Past

http://www.aol.com/2011/10/17/david-joey-pedersen-released_n_1015448.html

But for most of his prison sentence, he was segregated from the prison population. In the last 20 months of his latest sentence, it was an opportunity to accumulate "earned time" to the tune of one day off his sentence for every five days in prison. The 122 days taken off his sentence changed his release date to May 24. His scheduled date of release without earned time credits would have been Sept. 23. Three days later, on Sept. 26, authorities believe he and Grigsby killed Pedersen's father and stepmother.

Pedersen's litany of offenses should have been a reason to keep him in prison longer than his original sentence called for, said Harriet Salarno, chair of the California-based Crime Victims United, which presses the Legislature for stiffer sentences.
"There should be some enhancements that if you don't behave, you stay longer," Salarno said. "If they can't conform in prison, they certainly can't conform in the outside world."

So he was able to accrue 'good behavior' time towards a release because he was in solitary!!?? and he was in solitary because he couldn't behave in the general population....

 

[OR_Newshound]

Crazy stuff huh?? Welcome to Oregon!

 

[freefallzzzz]

Crazy stuff huh?? Welcome to Oregon!

Did you see this and will you be watching?

tweet via KGW reporter

MikeBennerKGW Mike Benner

I got a hand-written letter from alleged serial killer David Pedersen. Tune in at 5 and 6 to hear what he told me about Cody Myers' death.

2 minutes ago Favorite Undo Retweet Reply


MikeBennerKGW Mike Benner
Only on 8 - a letter from alleged serial killer David Pedersen. Tune in at 5 and 6. http://yfrog.com/o06vxugj

1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply

 

[OR_Newshound]

Did you see this and will you be watching?

tweet via KGW reporter

MikeBennerKGW Mike Benner

I got a hand-written letter from alleged serial killer David Pedersen. Tune in at 5 and 6 to hear what he told me about Cody Myers' death.

2 minutes ago Favorite Undo Retweet Reply


MikeBennerKGW Mike Benner
Only on 8 - a letter from alleged serial killer David Pedersen. Tune in at 5 and 6. http://yfrog.com/o06vxugj

1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply

I missed the 5pm hit but saw the 6pm one. I hope that the entire letter is posted ... who can we hit up for it? I know some of the reporters and anchors through tweet-ups. lol

There will be more later tonight but Pederson said that the "idea that they chose Cody Myers because of his 'Jewish' name is patently ridiculous" (from memory ~ I should have had a word doc open) ....

 

[freefallzzzz]

I missed the 5pm hit but saw the 6pm one. I hope that the entire letter is posted ... who can we hit up for it? I know some of the reporters and anchors through tweet-ups. lol

There will be more later tonight but Pederson said that the "idea that they chose Cody Myers because of his 'Jewish' name is patently ridiculous" (from memory ~ I should have had a word doc open) ....

Thanks for posting this! I heard the same thing (I wasn't taking notes either)..
=)

 

[OR_Newshound]

ok ... the article is online now http://www.kgw.com/news/local/Suspect-in-NW-killing-spree-tells-KGW--132023643.html

Suspect in NW killing spree tells KGW Myers not a 'Jewish' target

"....In a letter addressed to KGW reporter Mike Benner, David Pedersen said he did not target Oregon teen Cody Myers because his name sounded Jewish, as reported in a newspaper article. He said, “…to suggest that we based the commandeering of a vehicle on the owner of said vehicle’s last name is patently absurd.”

and later on ...

"In the letter to KGW, Pedersen said he and Grigsby had “future plans,” and a “goal,” had they not been captured.
“In the vehicle we were in at the time of arrest were some things that give a better idea of what our goal was,” he wrote."

 

[freefallzzzz]

ok ... the article is online now http://www.kgw.com/news/local/Suspect-in-NW-killing-spree-tells-KGW--132023643.html

Suspect in NW killing spree tells KGW Myers not a 'Jewish' target

"....In a letter addressed to KGW reporter Mike Benner, David Pedersen said he did not target Oregon teen Cody Myers because his name sounded Jewish, as reported in a newspaper article. He said, “…to suggest that we based the commandeering of a vehicle on the owner of said vehicle’s last name is patently absurd.”

and later on ...

"In the letter to KGW, Pedersen said he and Grigsby had “future plans,” and a “goal,” had they not been captured.
“In the vehicle we were in at the time of arrest were some things that give a better idea of what our goal was,” he wrote."

So I wonder what "more" info they will release from letter at 10 & 11pm?

 

[OR_Newshound]

So I wonder what "more" info they will release from letter at 10 & 11pm?

No idea ... I wonder if he alludes to more killings or if he explains if there is a 3rd vehicle.

 

[georgiajean]

Interesting how as soon as the media starts to turn away from them and focus on other things, like the victims, the two murderers release something else. Anyone else get the feeling G&P are enjoying the spotlight?

 

[OR_Newshound]

Interesting how as soon as the media starts to turn away from them and focus on other things, like the victims, the two murderers release something else. Anyone else get the feeling G&P are enjoying the spotlight?

Today's letter was in direct response to the Mike Benner (KGW Reporter) sending a letter to Pederson last week. It's two pages, hand written.

The letter will NOT be released to the public. I asked, damn! I'm sure it will be entered into evidence when the trials happen. Pederson did say he'd grant an in person interview w/ Benner, this will happen once he's transferred up to WA State where he's going next.

As for them "enjoying the spotlight", that's part of their psyche. They planned out for this to be bigger than it was.

KGW also spoke w/ Pederson's mom, that poor woman is so guilt ridden right now. She was estranged but is questioning what she did wrong when she had him as a child. Was sad to hear her pain.

 

[revampz]

How does someone turn so evil. Please understand that I am in no way empathizing with this monster, however the longer I am on here, the more apparent it becomes that what happens in childhood can severely affect the adult you become. I also know that there are many many many adults out there who have overcome a "sick" childhood and gone on to have normal/wonderful lives. I know a few personally, however there are far too many that don't, as witnessed by cases listed here, majority of serial killers etc.


This boy had a mother with MPD (if in fact it exists), she had a mental illness and his father supposedly (I would say it is true for him to be affected like this) molested his sister (and maybe him???). He really didnt have much of a chance. Put into jail at sixteen and because of continual bad behaviour only out in the real world for four months.

No doubt he got in with the white supremists in jail and found it a perfect vehicle for all that hate and anger and made him.............evil.

 

[stillwatersc]

You cannot blame what a person becomes on their parents. No way. Everyone chooses their own path. The murdering scum then try to place blame on everyone but themselves. That's the MO of a sociopath.

 

[georgiajean]

There are people, I believe, born evil. And there are people who are infected with evil as they grow up. Unfortunately, we'll probably never know why or how either of these individuals turned evil.

I do think we need to do a much better job, as a society, identifying evil or the beginnings of evil, and redirecting it if possible. Once alienated, it is hard to bring a person back to the fold of humanity. So catch them before they are alienated.

As a boy, growing up with a mother with severe mental illness, he probably got some hard knocks socially. If his mother's illness was genetically based, that would have added to his inability to weather the knocks. He was acting out and alienated and angry at the age of 14 when he started his path of criminal actions. And he was housed with others who were alienated, angry, and acting out. Not the smartest game plan for trying to rehabilitate him or anyone else.

So very, very sad for the loss of life and the loving families and friends who have lost dear people.

 

[Kimster]

I agree that housing the mentally ill with the general criminal population can create a monster, but again I wonder how many criminals are mentally ill? The issue could be not having the resources to house them individually as there are so many out there.

It seems like we are going around in circles and I wish I had the answer to the problem.

 

[georgiajean]

I agree, you can't blame what a person becomes on their parents. But I believe that parents can be a factor in the equation.

Children are the product of their environments. Not everyone can rise above what is taught by their parents. Look at the little boy who is being raised by two white supremacists (well, now only one, since his mother is going to be incarcerated for the rest of her life). Does he have a chance of choosing his own path? Our brains take in our environment, and catalog it, whether it is good or bad. That is the brain's normal way of making sense and adapting to the world. There is no default setting that we can stick to, when our parents and environment teach us negative, socially damaging beliefs. Especially if nothing intervenes along the way to show us a different way.

Similarly, kids who grow up in poverty, with little stability and a parent who is not able to bond with them and give them the foundation of trust and safety... some of those kids will be permanently damaged, and will not be able to rise above the damage. A child raised by an abuser is often permanently damaged, and is likely to become a victim and/or an aggressor as an adult. A child raised in neglect and disinterest will struggle to have engaging, real relationships with people. Without intervention, and often even despite intervention.

Yes, there are always people who rise above their upbringing, and become decent human beings despite what their parents/families of origin did. And there are always going to be people who can't rise above it, who need the rest of us (society) to help them access the decent human being they could become.

I think we, as a society, are far to comfortable with the idea of throw-away human beings..

 

[Kimster]

Last year I attended a meeting on building a mental health facility in Junction City Oregon. We were told that the feds have determined that Oregon IS lacking in mental health care and that the state of the existing facilities here are horrible. So the state decided to build new facilities before the feds come in and build them for us - costing us millions more than if we do it ourselves.

They've started in JC already. Just building the infrastructure so that the area can maintain water and sewage has cost $24 million so far. The land itself is STILL BARE. They were hoping to get stage one of the project done by next year, and I believe we were told that would be 35 beds. Many more are projected for the future, but they can't staff enough people to service more than 35. IIRC, and I don't have the statistics written down so this may not be correct, it takes about 5 people to service one patient.

However, because the state is having major budget problems, the hospital is on hold.

Here's an article from earlier this year about the project: http://special.registerguard.com/we.../state-junction-hospital-care-mental.html.csp

 

[chasing.halos]

I think these two thought they were going to start some sort of revolution or something. :sick: Which is perhaps why they didn't off themselves when they had the chance. I believe these two think they are celebrities of some sort- writing into papers, interviewing with reporters....

These evil "people" don't deserve one more second of press time. We know they are evil based on their actions and beliefs. Why is it better to have killed Cody for his car instead of because they thought he was Jewish? Seriously, get real! I'm going to start writing these news outlets to tell them of my disgust in publishing interviews/letters from these vile "people."

What can we learn from this? What would the victims want?

I think we should focus on more good deeds in their honor. Focus on loving each other. All we can do is live on in their honor. Because it's always gonna outweigh the evil. Even though sometimes it doesn't seem that way.

(btw, the day of Cody's memorial my 9 year old son asked if he could take guitar lessons. Got him all signed up. :heartbeat