True Crime

Freedom: My Book Of Firsts by Jaycee Dugard  Jaycee Dugard was only eleven years old when she was abducted by Philip and Nancy Garrido. She was held in a shed in their backyard where she was raped almost daily at the hands of Philip Garrido. She gave birth to two daughters fathered by Garrido, the first when she was only thirteen years old. Jaycee lived in captivity for eighteen years with her daughters. She was taken on June 10, 1991 and found by the authorities on August 26, 2009.  "These events happened so many years ago. Even though I am well into my thirties now, I can still close my eyes and relive these events as if they just happened yesterday. These are moments ingrained into my psyche and cannot be erased. I chose not to let them take over my life now. And I choose to create new, better memories. Memories that will eventually outweigh these bad memories until they are nothing but dust in the air" (Dugard 17).  Dugard is showing a very positive ou...

I found this article that focuses on five different real life cases (which have true crime shows about them) and how they have effected the cases. It is very fascinating and I urge you to check it out!     http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/making-a-murderer/feature/a862462/true-crime-tv-cases-staircase-jinx/

If you are into true crime and snapchat, you're in luck! There is something called "Solve" on the discover page. They hire actors to play suspects of a crime, and you have to analyze the clues and guess who did it. It's cool because they are based off of real events!

20 year old Mollie Tibbetts went missing on the evening of July 18 while taking a jog. She was dog-sitting at her boyfriend's Brooklyn home while he was out of town. There is a massive search party going on to locate Tibbetts. Hopefully she is found unharmed. Spread the word!

Jose Gilberto Rodriguez, 46, was arrested for three fatal shootings. He is suspected of killing Pamela Johnson, 62, Allie Barrow, 28, and another unidentified man. He is also being investigated for the robbery and non-fatal shooting of a bus driver and a home invasion. He is a ruthless killer and does not think twice about breaking the law. 

New Developments in the shooting of XXXTentaction were made when the grand jury indicted three new men for the crime. Dedrick Devonshay Williams has already been charged and remains in custody. Michael Boatwright, 22, was apprehended on July 5th and is also in custody. Robert Allen, 22, and Trayvon Newsome, 20, are also suspects who have not been found yet. 

Essential Question: What can our government change to avoid gun violence? While reading Serial Killers and Mass Murderers by Niguel Cawthorne, I learned that on August 1, 1966, Charles Whitman Jr. a deranged ex-marine, climbed to the top of a tower at the University of Texas, shot and killed 16 and injured 30 more. His crimes sparked national debate about gun control and the need to prevent mentally ill people from getting them. Connecticut state senator at the time, Thomas Dodd proposed a bill that made laws to obtain a firearm more difficult, but also to prohibit sales to criminals and mentally ill people.  Despite the bill, Charles Whitman Jr. would have still been able to purchase guns, because provisions on it did not apply to him. Before the incident, Whitman sought very brief counseling with a psychiatrist, but stopped going after a couple appointments. The psychiatrist that Whitman met with did not suspect he was a danger to himself or others...

  I found this map that has the name of a prolific criminal on each state (where they were/ are from or where they committed their crimes) and the color represents the crimes they are responsible for. The key in the bottom right tells you what each color means.

One of my books I chose for this class is a New York Times bestseller, called Whitey Bulger by Kevin Cullen and Shelley Murphy. Whitey Bulger, now 88, is one of the most well known organized crime bosses in history. He was the target of a nationwide manhunt for years, after finally being apprehended on June 22, 2011. Two weeks ago, Frank Salemme, an 84 year old man with ties to Whitey Bulger was convicted on one count of murder. Bulger is currently serving two consecutive life sentences.

Serial Killers and Mass Murderers by Niguel Cawthorne Finished Book: 327 Pages The quote I chose arises a very interesting debate. The author's statement draws attention to a deeper issue that I feel strongly about. I chose it because I want to discuss my opinion on the topic. "Are they inhuman beasts who are beyond compassion or understanding? Or are they human beings just like us, but who have simply overstepped a line?" (Cawthorne 4). . The author is bringing up two separate views on ruthless serial killers people may have. Some believe murderers should be put to death, or locked up for life, and deserve zero sympathy. Others believe they deserve compassion and rehabilitation. I personally believe that a person who has mercilessly killed other human beings for personal pleasure and covered up the crimes should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. If a killer takes forensic precautions to exclude themselves as a suspect, they understand their crimes...

A movie called My Friend Dahmer was released on November 3, 2017, and I have been meaning to watch it for a couple months. In one of my books, Serial Killers and Mass Murderers by Niguel Cawthorne, there is a chapter about Dahmer and his crimes. I decided to watch the movie, and it was really great. Starring a former Disney actor, Ross Lynch, he very effectively portrays Dahmer's psychological issues starting at childhood. It delved into Dahmer's thoughts and actions that lead him to committing some of the most horrific murders in history. I don't want to spoil any of the movie, but if you are interested the topic of true crime or psychological thrillers, then I highly recommend watching it.

Serial Killers and Mass Murderers by Niguel Cawthorne Finished book: 327 pages The beginning of the book, Serial Killers and Mass Murderers, the author raises thought-provoking questions on the serious topic of murder. He argues that we are never safe from vicious killers, no matter what. His bluntness drew me in, so I chose a quote that I found very compelling. "Then again we are all potential victims. You are not even safe in your own home (most murders occur within families) or on the streets even in broad daylight (there could be a sniper on the roof intent on killing whoever steps into their sights)" (Cawthorne 2). This quote is very straightforward, showing the reality of how easy it is for a deranged person to take a life. He makes a point that you could be targeted in your own home, or just be in the wrong place at the wrong time and be killed. It opens the reader's eyes and reminds them that we are never safe, no matter where we are or who we ...

On June 18th, influential rapper Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, better known as XXXTentaction, was killed by a gunshot wound to the chest. While he was at a motorcycle dealership in Deerfield Beach, Florida, two masked men approached his vehicle, shot him multiple times and stole his bag. Only 20 years old, Onfroy's tragic death has shocked the world and effected many of his fans. 22 year old tattoo artist, Dedrick Devonshay Williams, one of the masked assailants was caught two days after the shooting. He is now being charged with first degree murder, while the hunt for the other killer continues.               Thousands of fans and supporters of XXXTentaction attended his public service at the Florida Panthers Stadium on June 27th. May he rest in peace. https://hypebeast.com/2018/6/xxxtentaction-murder-suspect-arrested https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/celebrities/xxxtentatcion-memorial-florida-sl...

Most infamous killers people are aware of as Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy Jr. and Ted Bundy had their killing sprees around the 1970's. Personally, I feel like present day serial killers are not talked about nearly as much. On April 24, 2018, The "Golden State Killer" was finally apprehended. He is committed over 45 rapes and 21 murders spanning from the 70's to the 80's. Joseph James DeAngelo, a veteran and ex police officer was charged after DNA evidence linked him to the horrific crimes.     

Essential Question: What psychological problems lead someone to commit heinous acts?   In the book, Serial Killers and Mass Murderers, By Niguel Cawthorne, each chapter addresses a specific killer with descriptions of their upbringings, psychological states, and the crimes they committed. One chapter touches on "The Boston Strangler," (Albert Desalvo) who brutally sexually assaulted all of his female victims before strangling them. One in five rapists/ molesters have experienced sexual abuse or trauma themselves. As I read more of the chapter, the author revealed that Desalvo witnessed his alcoholic father physically abuse his mother to the point of knocking her teeth out and breaking her fingers. He and his two sisters were sold to a farmer by his parents. Desalvo escaped, returning home to his father's care. His father taught him to shoplift, and forced him to watch as he had sexual intercourse with prostitutes. The traumatic images he sa...

First Vocabulary Blog: Serial Killers & Mass Murderers   1. Convivial:   (of an atmosphere or event) friendly, lively, and enjoyab le (Page 6) 2. Namesake: a person or thing that has the same name as another (Page 3) 3. Pittance:   a very small or inadequate amount of money paid to someone as an allowance or wage (Page 9) 4. Pinnacle: the most successful point; the culmination (Page 12) 5. Traipse:   walk or move wearily or reluctantly ( Page 21) 6. Tawdry: showy but cheap and of poor quality (Page 140) 7. Preen: (of a bird) straighten and clean its feathers with its beak (Page 141) 8. Impetus: the force or energy with which a body moves (Page 150) 9: Opulence: ostentatiously rich and luxurious or lavish (Page 25) 10. Copious: abundant in supply or quantity (Page 30) 11. Embodiment: a tangible or visible form of an idea, quality, or feeling (Page 31) 12. Vitriolic: filled with bitter criticism or malice (Page 31) 13. Unrepentant: showing...