The Informants
In the murder of Mackenzie Cowell, two troubled tipsters aimed police toward Christopher Wilson
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Theodore A. “Theo” Keyes, 31, sent a letter to police that named Christopher Scott Wilson as a suspect in Mackenzie Cowell’s murder last year. The tip led detectives to Shawna A. Novak, 20, who claimed Wilson choked her in an assault about a month before Cowell was slain. Both these photos are taken from online social networking profiles.
WENATCHEE — Theo Keyes was in trouble, and he had something important to say.
In April 2010 Theodore Aaron Keyes, 30, had exposed himself to a female barista at a drive-through coffeestand in Springfield, Ore. Local prosecutors pursued charges. The Wenatchee Valley native was arrested in July, and spent 18 days in the Springfield city jail.
While there, Keyes wrote a letter.
The February murder in his hometown of 17-year-old Mackenzie Cowell had preyed on his mind. In his letter, received by the multi-agency Mackenzie Cowell Task Force in August, he gave a name: Christopher Scott Wilson.
“He had given previous tips during the course of this investigation that did not lead anywhere,” Wenatchee Police Sgt. John Kruse wrote in an October 2010 affidavit seeking a search warrant. “... He related a story from a yet to be identified female friend who told Keyes that Wilson had walked up behind her this year in his apartment. Without any warning Wilson began choking her around the neck. He stopped a short time later and acted as if nothing had happened. Keyes also said Wilson has an obsession with death, dead bodies and serial killers.”
The “female friend” was Shawna Novak, now 20, who largely verified Keyes’s account in an interview with police. She was questioned by Douglas County Sheriff’s Detective Steve Groseclose on Oct. 8, the day after Wilson, now 30, was charged with second-degree murder in the killing of Cowell. That charge was upped last week, to first-degree murder.
Murdered in February 2010
Charged with first-degree murder
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Superior Court Judge John Bridges now must decide whether Novak’s testimony, about an unrelated assault that went unreported to police until after Cowell’s murder, can be used at trial. Novak appears on a preliminary witness list filed April 4 by Chelan County Prosecutor Gary Riesen, and her story could help Riesen convince a jury that Wilson had a motive to murder Cowell.
“If this gets admitted, it opens up a whole cascade of other evidence that (Riesen) wants to present,” said N. Smith “Smitty” Hagopian, the special defense counsel assigned to argue against Novak’s testimony.
Wilson and Cowell were both students at the Academy of Hair Design in downtown Wenatchee at the time of her killing. Cowell disappeared after driving away from the academy on the afternoon of Feb. 9, 2010. Her body was found on the banks of Crescent Bar four days later. The Wenatchee High School senior had suffered a blow to the head, manual strangulation, and a stab wound to her neck.
Wilson is accused of killing Cowell in his apartment at the Burke Hill complex, 119 Okanogan Ave., where police say her blood was found soaked into the living-room carpet. Forensic investigators said they found Cowell’s blood on a length of duct tape found near her body, as well as genetic material matching Wilson’s paternal DNA type.
Novak’s witness status caused a ripple as the case moves toward its May 31 trial date. Chelan County Public Defender Keith Howard, representing Wilson, cited a conflict and removed himself from handling Novak’s testimony. Bridges appointed Hagopian as “conflict counsel” for the defense.
Police believe Wilson assaulted Novak sometime in January 2010. At the time, she told detectives, she was living “just out on the street.”
Riesen submitted her transcribed police interview to the court on Tuesday, as part of a memo arguing for her inclusion as a witness. He included an affidavit signed by Novak’s mother, saying Novak called her around the time she met with Wilson “in case I didn’t hear from her or she came up missing.” Novak also told her mother Wilson had choked her, according to the document.
Riesen’s memo to the court on Novak’s testimony calls it “relevant evidence” under state court rules, demonstrating that it’s more probable that Wilson acted similarly against Cowell. Evidence of past wrongs separate from the crime on trial is inadmissible in Washington, except where it may prove “motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident.”
“We’re asking the court to decide that her evidence is admissible to prove planning, preparation, motive,” Riesen said last week.
Court documents show Novak has struggled with mental health and substance abuse in the past. Hagopian said that’s likely to become an issue as he argues to exclude her testimony.
“The court has to make a finding that the evidence is more probably true than not,” he said. “So the question is, is she a reliable witness? Given her mental health history, that’s a factor.”
“That’ll be up to the court — what the court will allow as far as background on any witness,” Riesen said.
The first courtroom arguments are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Monday.
Neither Keyes nor Novak responded to requests for comment for this article. Messages left with Keyes through Twitter, email, his blog and his last known cell number went unreturned; Wenatchee Valley relatives said he no longer lives in the area.
Novak did not reply to a message left at her family’s home, and an email to her only known account bounced back. Her last known cellphone number was disconnected.
Both Keyes and Novak have dealt with psychiatric issues. Keyes was known to Wenatchee authorities, but mostly as a local musician and eccentric do-gooder: In 2006, he found a gun discarded in an alley by a suspect fleeing the scene of an attempted carjacking, and turned it over to police. It’s not known from existing court documents what previous tips he gave in the Cowell investigation.
“I worked with police regulating crime and putting bad guys in their place,” he wrote in a blog entry March 17 titled “The Call.” “I solved the Mackenzie Cowell homicide and I am very passionate about bringing justice where there is none.”
But there were problems, and according to Keyes, they were diagnosed.
“As an artist I have always been set apart in the way that I perceive and process reality,” Keyes wrote in the same entry. “Our limited and flawed understanding of psychology and the human spirit has named me schizo affective (sic) and bipolar, though I am not willing to accept these limitations.”
Novak’s troubles led her into conflict with police. In August 2008, a month shy of 18, she was arrested for alcohol possession and repeatedly kicking a Wenatchee police sergeant in the stomach, according to court papers. Once cuffed and locked in a police cruiser, she screamed and rammed her head against the car door. She continued to struggle with detention staff during her preliminary appearance in juvenile court.
Novak was released to her family under house arrest after six days. Chelan County Juvenile Prosecutor Ed Stevenson said a competency evaluation found Novak “suffered from a mental disorder and had deficits in communication,” although he would not disclose a specific diagnosis.
Charlene Woodward, president of the Wenatchee Valley chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, said the term “mental disorder” doesn’t necessarily relate to mental illness, and a person’s behavior three years ago may have no bearing on their later reliability as a witness.
“I think the simple answer is, if they are able to think clearly at the time that they are reporting something, then whatever happened in the past could have just been an illness that wasn’t treated,” Woodward said. “It doesn’t mean that they have memory problems or intelligence problems or anything else.”
Keyes, now 31, revisited Wenatchee last November, three months after pleading guilty and receiving a fine for his Oregon offense. While there, he began harassing a Wenatchee woman relentlessly, according to her petition for a protective order.
The woman wrote that Keyes texted her workplace “over 300 times with disturbing texts, filled my Facebook with threatening, disturbing texts claiming I was his passion, soulmate. Instant messaged me on Facebook saying he was writing songs and poetry that (had) violence toward himself and me in it. Got hold of personal cell number called and texted several times.”
The lyrics of one of the songs Keyes shared was “you’ll know the love in my heart, by the bloodsplatters on the wall,” according to the petition.
The woman has no connection to the Cowell murder, but in her petition she said she was advised to take out a protective order by two Wenatchee police investigators working the case — Sgt. John Kruse and Detective Edgar Reinfeld. “Detective Reinfield says he has mental illness and is unstable — also known for stopping meds,” she wrote.
Kruse had used information from Keyes to win at least two different search warrants against Wilson: for the Oct. 6 search of Salon Couture, 404 S. Chelan Ave., where Wilson lived in a basement apartment at the time of his arrest; and for cellular phone records. A third warrant granted access to Wilson’s Facebook profile, based in part on details Keyes provided to Reinfeld.
Wenatchee Police Capt. Doug Jones, spokesman for the Cowell task force, declined to provide a copy of Keyes’s original letter, or to arrange interviews with Kruse, Reinfeld, Groseclose and other task force members for this story.
The Wenatchee woman was granted a temporary restraining order Nov. 18. A note in the case file from Wenatchee Police Sgt. Cherie Smith said no one attempted to serve the paperwork because “we do not have an address for Keyes.”
In February, Wilson’s mother Kathleen Zornes said, Keyes began seeking her out at Salon Couture, which she owns. She asked him not to return, but in her own March 2 court petition she wrote, “He still comes into the salon looking for me — disrupting the clients, acting bizarre and has gotten angry with stylists when asked to leave i.e. throwing pens, screaming obscenities etc.”
On March 2, Keyes returned, she wrote. “When asked to leave he screamed that ‘Christopher Wilson is a murderer’ and threw a pen at the receptionist. Christopher Wilson is my son.”
This time, Reinfeld served the restraining paperwork on Keyes himself. On March 16, Chelan County District Court Judge Alicia Nakata barred Keyes from approaching the salon or Zornes’s home until March 2012. He did not appear for the hearing.
Although he was the first to finger Wilson as a suspect, Keyes is unlikely to be called as a witness at trial. Howard said last month Keyes is not a suspect in the Cowell murder. “They did send his DNA to the crime lab, and he’s been excluded,” Howard said.
On Oct. 11, the week after Wilson’s arrest, Keyes tweeted, “i will not rest till justice is served and all of the devil’s minions are dead.”
Jefferson Robbins: 664-7123
» 91 comments on this story
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Comments
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SteveML 2 years, 1 month ago
I am not sure what this article is all about, but if it was to expose that the evidence leading to the arrest of CW came from sketchy sources, it didn't work for me.
Let's wait until trial----these half baked stories are nauseas.
jenniferi 2 years, 1 month ago
You have my vote Steve, I agree ..
n8er 2 years, 1 month ago
Wow all I can say is I attended 7 years of schooling with Mr. Keyes and agree 100% with the doctors that correctly "named me schizo affective (sic) and bipolar"
2 years, 1 month ago
Why would the WW even print this article???
2 years, 1 month ago
Because they have no sense of decency to anyone involved or for the case itself, unfortunately.
2 years, 1 month ago
Great question, you should ask the "writer". Better yet, read his other "articles"; mostly drivel.
Nuff 2 years, 1 month ago
It's just you. They look nothing alike.
Mslips 2 years, 1 month ago
A very bizarre article indeed. I'm also curious, where is this trial going to be held and how are they going to select a jury? Not from anywhere local, obviously.
jenniferi 2 years, 1 month ago
I agree with Cindy, it appears the WW has no problem helping to ensure both sides get a fair and impartial jury. I for one don't blame the people involved in the case AT ALL for choosing not to share with them. What they print may be considered good journalism in the eyes of others, but I personally find it very distasteful when they write information that will potentially send the trial elsewhere, and that exposes information that should be left for the professionals to sort through. Come on, displaying what the coroner will say happened to Mackenzie? There is no respect for the case, the victim, or anyone affiliated with this case. Let justice take its course, so ALL t's are crossed and the i's are dotted. Don't print until AFTER court appointments, and then print what is public information. If WW wants to see this trial be fair for both sides, then have common decency. If people want the public information, let them gather the info, chances are they won't because life gets to busy, and conveniently WW hands it over on a silver platter. Just My Opinion.
girlfawkes 2 years, 1 month ago
You guys need to do strike-throughs on your redactions, not white out. I can see all the information you're trying to hide.
Nuff 2 years, 1 month ago
"Theo Keyes was in trouble, and he had something important to say."
Sigh. I'd assume he had a lot to say when he was trying to save his own a** after he was arrested for exposing himself to a worker at a drive-thru coffee shop. This article clearly mentions that Keyes had been "tipping" the police off with leads that went nowhere. It seems interesting to me that he would be so concerned with helping police finding the perpetrator of this crime. Think about that one.
At any rate, i can't believe that LE would take the word of a known "troubled" and mentally disturbed individual, or his equally imbalanced friend seriously. Perhaps LE should look more into this Keyes fellow to discover what his true motivation for pointing fingers is. Sometimes it is important to point, if only to lead the trail in another direction.
jenniferi 2 years, 1 month ago
This will prevent many people from ever wanting to talk with the police. This is definitely branded in my head how easy my information can land in the paper whether I want it there or not. They should take it down altogether, this young lady not only has to deal with the justice system but being a victim herself, this is infuriating to me. Doesn't she have rights? Did she have an advocate with her during this interview? I would be outraged as a victims advocate to know that this was not offered to her. I am even more outraged about her statement being on here without her permission.
01haley 2 years, 1 month ago
There are those that will do the right thing always no matter what it is called integrity. Here is a couple things that I know about myself, 1. I have Never choked anyone (even during Karate tournaments) that did not know it was a possibility. 2. I have never killed a innocent girl and not owned up to it.......Chris
jenniferi 2 years, 1 month ago
Integrity? No. Sorry, that is why victims are advised that they DO NOT HAVE TO talk to anybody. They are advised that immediately if they have access to an advocate. Doing THE RIGHT thing for all THE RIGHT REASONS is integrity. Putting this in the paper is not doing the right thing. It puts this alleged victim on public trial, and it hasn't even been determined that she will be used yet. It reads like she was clearly uncomfortable with the interview, and now she has to face public opinion because this newspaper has no sense of decency, and could have very well left this to the courts. I am hanging on by a thread with this paper, and we will likely start using another paper to learn of Mackenzies case because these writers don't deserve to be read other then through smut magazines..
jenniferi 2 years, 1 month ago
I should say that I am referring to community advocates, I am not referring to the advocates available at the Prosecutors office. Sorry I did not clarify that.
jenniferi 2 years, 1 month ago
The difference between community advocacy and the advocacy available through the prosecutors office is that community advocates are there for the client only, so all information is confidential and appropriate resources are made available to them. Conversation is had as to what is in the best interest of the victim regardless of what is in the best interest of the case, and as you can see from this article why it is important for people to have a choice about what is best for them and their families after being advised of potential consequences. If they choose to speak with law enforcement and have it recorded they are encouraged to have an advocate to be beside them. The defense HATES this before trial, but the victim has the right and the prosecutor will FIGHT for that right to have an advocate in during defense questioning, so I hope if she is questioned by the defense an advocate outside of the prosecutors office is offered because the prosecutors advocate will be in the room regardless, but the community advocate can take that conversation and will debrief with the client afterwards and so forth throughout the case, and the client knows it will go nowhere else unless there is a threat of harm.
It is also important that said victims know they can have their advocate(s) with them during sentencing, and their advocates can and will stand beside them during their statement to the judge to put their perpetrator in prison.
The advocates available through the prosecutors office are advocates, but they share information with both sides so it is NOT confidential.
I am at the state capitol, so although I was born and raised in Wenatchee I do not know where your community advocacy programs are, but if you need assistance in finding one I will do the research for you. Here in Olympia, is where my experience in the courtroom is, but I will find out your resources if you need it.
mizmaus 2 years, 1 month ago
I think it was poor judgement to publish this story. It is like painting targets on prosecution witnessess in this case, imo. If the WW, for whatever their own reasons might have been, just Had to publish it, Why was it newsworthy to include the witnessess's photographs?? I see No reason at all. Like anyone in a small town, a news reporter has opinions too, imo. I just don't often see an article like this presented as "news", instead of opinion.
girlfawkes 2 years, 1 month ago
The state's witness list is now public information. I'm not sure why they do that. I was involved in witnessing a gang beat down on Ferry street after school got out some years ago and the court summons that was delivered to everyone had everyone elses name on it. Not very comfortable.
BikeGirl 2 years, 1 month ago
I certainly hope the police have more then just these two for informants. Why does Keyes seem to know so much about this case? It seems odd to me. And if either of these two are mentally unstable, there goes their reliability in the case. To be honest, they shouldn't have any reliability. It seems they are trying to misdirect attention from them to else where. Until the trial is completed, we don't know if Chris committed the murder or not. What we know is innocent until proven guilty. Are there some circumstantial evidence? Definitely. So he obviously knows something, but as more of these "informants" come out I begin to doubt that Chris is the ONLY one involved. I guess it's true, in situations like this, the crazies do come out.
girlfawkes 2 years, 1 month ago
Just throwing out some ideas here.
"Why does Keyes seem to know so much about this case?"
Maybe Chris told him, it's not beyond belief. Many murderers brag.
"And if either of these two are mentally unstable, there goes their reliability in the case. To be honest, they shouldn't have any reliability."
Is a retarded person incapable of giving any testimony? Just because a person may have mental issues does not automatically make them a liar or unreliable. Whatever the case, their statements were enough to obtain warrants which I'm sure were not granted lightly.
"What we know is innocent until proven guilty."
True.
"Are there some circumstantial evidence? Definitely."
Unless a murder is directly witnessed all evidence will be circumstantial. It doesn't devalue the evidence, however.
In any case, this will play out in court.
jenniferi 2 years, 1 month ago
You said it perfectly ....Thank you for saving me from doing it. :)
gogogadget 2 years, 1 month ago
They probably just think that having a self proclaimed psychopath testify would only damage thier case.
KC 2 years, 1 month ago
Hmm? I guess the DNA evidence should be tossed along with the blood found in the apartment because Theo is off center. I guess SN was a good target since she she has issues and no one would believe her. Maybe CW planned well after all?
Nuff 2 years, 1 month ago
What if the "evidence" were somehow planted by "off center" people? While it is true that someone shouldn't be discredited for their mental disorders, the fact that they have mental disorders should also be looked into. It has already been legally established that Keyes has a "problem" with exposing himself to younger girls. What's to stop this sort of behavior from being "stepped up" a notch or two? And then let's point fingers at the "weird" guy in town who has some unusual interests. From what i have read, CW didn't have a (diagnosed) disorder. One has to wonder about the motivation for Keyes being so desperate to find the "perpetrator" of the crime... reward money... guilt...? In the interview, Ms Novak makes mention that when she visited CW his apartment was very clean. It makes me wonder if someone would leave blood stains on a rug for months if they were someone who was in the practice of keeping a tidy house. As far as the DNA "evidence" goes, CW and MC went to school together. It is quite possible that a stray hair, sneeze or what have you deposited this DNA. Or perhaps it was placed there by someone else (after the fact) in a frantic effort to divert attention elsewhere?
jenniferi 2 years, 1 month ago
Very good points KC ... she being vulnerable makes her a good candidate for Chris Wilson. Her word against his. Unfortunately for the WW I do believe her, and I do believe he choked her, and if she sees this I hope she knows that she is supported.
girlfawkes 2 years, 1 month ago
"What if the "evidence" were somehow planted by "off center" people?"
If you came home to find a large bloodstain on your carpet would you just say "oh well, that's strange" and clean it up, or call the police? Don't forget, it was CW's apartment.
"It makes me wonder if someone would leave blood stains on a rug for months if they were someone who was in the practice of keeping a tidy house."
It's likely that the majority of the visible stain was cleaned as to be practically invisible. The carpet is a mottled brown color and it would likely be possible to clean the top surface. The police may have found it through the use of luminol or a similar fluorescing substance. The stain was still visible on the subfloor, however, after a large squares of carpet and pad was removed. There must have been a significant amount of blood for it to soak through the carpet, glue saturated padding and on to the subfloor. The area was then covered with a coffee table later IIRC from the Tessa photos.
"As far as the DNA "evidence" goes, CW and MC went to school together. It is quite possible that a stray hair, sneeze or what have you deposited this DNA at the crime scene."
Stuck to duct tape?
"Or perhaps it was placed there by someone else?"
If so, then both of the people in this article were very careful about not leaving their own DNA behind.
And why was CW picked up at Lincoln park by a friend on the date in question?
Nuff 2 years, 1 month ago
"If you came home to find a large bloodstain on your carpet would you just say "oh well, that's strange" and clean it up, or call the police? Don't forget, it was CW's apartment. "
I don't believe it has ever been stated that the blood stain was "large". In fact, we don't know much about the supposed stain at all. Where are the LE documented photos of the actual stain? Where is a certified copy of the blood report which states that this is definitely MC's blood and not just her blood type? If the carpet were a "mottled brown color" isn't it possible that CW thought the stain was from some random, unknown thing and didn't think much about it at all?
"Stuck to duct tape? "
Why not? That would be the perfect place to put it, since it wouldn't likely blow away.
"If so, then both of the people in this article were very careful about not leaving their own DNA behind."
As any careful killer would/should be. If they don't want to get caught.
"And why was CW picked up at Lincoln park by a friend on the date in question?"
I have no knowledge of this. Where did you hear about that?
TattooJohnny 2 years, 1 month ago
According to this article, the blood found was DNA matched, not blood type.
"WENATCHEE — Investigators say DNA analysis has confirmed that blood found in the apartment of murder defendant Christopher Scott Wilson belongs to Mackenzie Cowell."
TattooJohnny 2 years, 1 month ago
from WW The blood evidence was collected Oct. 8 from the main living area of a studio apartment at the Burke Hill Apartments, 119 Okanogan Ave. Investigators said Monday that they found “a substantial stain” of blood that “had soaked through the carpet and padding to the concrete floor below.”
“It was obvious that somebody had cleaned it up,” Wagg said. “It didn’t show until we used chemical treatment on it.”
Wagg called the DNA results, “just another forensic link now that we can put Mackenzie at a site where we believe her murder took place.”
BikeGirl 2 years, 1 month ago
Even if the blood in the apartment was Cowell's and it was cleaned up, it doesn't mean it was from her dead body, which is what everyone is saying. Everyone claims that she was never in his apartment, but we don't really know. So it is possible she got a bloddy nose, or something, and he cleaned up afterwards.
Could he be the murderer? Yes, it is likely and possible. But what if he's not and everyone's been the pointing the finger because he is different, hangs out with the wrong people, and is in the wrong places at the wrong times.
And mentally disabled people can give testimony. But it must be noted and acknowledged that their state reality is different from ours and from what may really be true. I definitely wouldn't take these two as the only statements of truth.
wenatcheegirl30 2 years, 1 month ago
The blood in his apartment was Cowells, and it did come from her dead body. Chris invited many girls to his apartment as stated by a neighbor. I am pretty sure Mackenzie was invited that day...
Delmar 2 years, 1 month ago
You say she was invited that day yet no one saw here or her car coming or going. Do you know where the Burkhill is? Right across from the court house, on one of the busiest bus lines, across from the Plaza Super Jet in one of the most congested areas in Wenatchee. Yet no one saw her or her car. So the chances of her there that day are pretty slim to none, JMO of course.
BikeGirl 2 years, 1 month ago
Can you send me the link to the article where it said it was from her dead body? I have read all the articles on this and honestly dont remember the part where it was factually confirmed it was from her dead body.
TattooJohnny 2 years, 1 month ago
E-Nuff you can look up the rest of your questions yourself- all the answers are linked to articles WW has reported.
MrsG 2 years, 1 month ago
So, what should the WW write about if nothing about the Mackenzie Cowell case, Theo Keyes, Shawna Novak, or Chris Wilson because it's disrespectful? I don't ever see these kinds of whiney comments in the Seattle PI about stories related to murders, articles about the suspects and the investigation of law enforcement. Mostly all everyone does in the comments is argue, demean and slander each other. Good grief Wenatchee...complain about something worth while or shut up. If you want rant, go to CL.
jenniferi 2 years, 1 month ago
Sounds like you know your way around these "complaining" site opportunities. Maybe, your the one out of place here considering Wenatchee is NOT Seattle. Seattle has murders on a daily basis, Wenatchee does not. BIG difference in newspapers. HUGE. What is CL? Let me guess, another place to complain?
Larry71 2 years, 1 month ago
whats CL
Nuff 2 years, 1 month ago
I believe that would be "CraigsList".
Larry71 2 years, 1 month ago
Thanks
Larry71 2 years, 1 month ago
Thats because no one reads the P.I anymore.
Nuff 2 years, 1 month ago
Tattoo Johnny, you said "from WW The blood evidence was collected Oct. 8 from the main living area of a studio apartment at the Burke Hill Apartments, 119 Okanogan Ave. Investigators said Monday that they found “a substantial stain” of blood that “had soaked through the carpet and padding to the concrete floor below.” “It was obvious that somebody had cleaned it up,” Wagg said. “It didn’t show until we used chemical treatment on it.”
**This is such an interesting discussion. I wonder what constitutes a "substantial stain"? I'd imagine it to be quite a lot of blood. And again i ask... where are the photos of the stained concrete? Where are the certified tests that prove this was her blood? And that CW was responsible for it being there. I can't take something as a "fact" if i haven't seen visible proof of it. I suppose what i am getting at here is that mistakes have been made in crime investigations before and they will be made again. Does this mean that a mistake was made in this investigation? No, but i think that we all need to keep an open mind until we see concrete proof of this supposed evidence.
Does the phrase "West Memphis Three" mean anything to you? Not so long ago in a small town in Arkansas, three boys were imprisoned on charges of a brutal, multiple murder on circumstantial evidence that led to them because they were the "weird kids" in town. Recently, new evidence has led people to question the original "evidence" the police had against them. It is a very interesting case and you can read more about it at www.wm3.org.
I am not saying that certain people are guilty or innocent. I am just saying that everyone has the right to a fair trial. And that mistakes in investigations are made more often than we think.**
wenatcheegirl30 2 years, 1 month ago
All the evidence will be presented in court, if you want to see the evidence, attend the trial. I am in full belief that Chris had "something' to do with this girls murder, a "substantial" amout of blood does not just show up on someones floor.
Someone mentioned Chris being framed, well, Wenatchee is not smart enough nor could anybody keep their mouth shut about it.
BikeGirl 2 years, 1 month ago
It's pretty said that you think so lowly of the place you live. Why do you stay if you hate it so much? I don't think he was framed, but I think there is more then one person involved. However, I have known quite a few intelligent people from the area, and I think there are people who would be able to frame some one else and no one ever know. Perhaps the people you know aren't smart enough, but trust me, there are people out there who are.
jenniferi 2 years, 1 month ago
I agree with you Kendall, and I understand your frustration.
jenniferi 2 years, 1 month ago
It is unfortunate that this happens, and it does. Keep in mind that it is the prosecutor who carries all the weight in this case, and he has to ensure that every i is dotted and t is crossed. I am not familiar with murder cases, but I do know in cases I have been an advocate for the victims in, that the prosecutor has only one chance to prove guilt. Now that he has been upgraded to 1st degree what does that look like if he is not found guilty? If something comes up later, can they retry him because it is murder or does this prosecutor have only 1 chance, and that is now?
ash 2 years, 1 month ago
Finally you reveal the grand intelligence sources are two schizophrenics with violent criminal records. Someone listened to these two completely uncredible and unfortunate people, and it's given false hope to one family and destroyed another. Good job WW for printing this, I hope those who are hellbent on demonizing Christopher will begin to see some of the many discrepancies in this case. I hope this is one of many articles exposing the ridiculousness of this investigation.
gogogadget 2 years, 1 month ago
If you read above it says that the male exposed himself to a barista, not violent, but pretty bad. Also above, the girl was accused of kicking a police officer in the stomach multiple times. There's the source.. Try reading.
ash 2 years, 1 month ago
Does no one else notice that his charge was upped from second degree to first degree murder last week? No one asks why? What is wrong with this town?? Doesn't anyone see that he's being punished for not making a confession yet? Now the prosecution has to come up with more than some tweaked out statements from Theo and Shawna, they've made good on their threat of a higher sentence. I wouldn't be surprised if they move the trial back another 6 months or more to try to get him to make some kind of confession. Pay attention people.
BikeGirl 2 years, 1 month ago
Or move it back some more to get more people to testify against him. More people like these two. What a joke that they think these two people are their credible witnesses. If these two are all they have, it will definitely fall apart in court and then we all may never have a true accurate picture of what happened.
gizmodee 2 years, 1 month ago
I agree. After learning that Mr. Keyes is one of the "credible witnesses" I am starting to doubt even more the validity of this case. I honestly cannot believe a word that comes out of Mr. Keyes' mouth. The man is delusional and has a hard time separating fantasy from reality...
girlfawkes 2 years, 1 month ago
To date he is not on the state's witness list.
gizmodee 2 years, 1 month ago
Oh ok. Thanks for the info.
girlfawkes 2 years, 1 month ago
Problem 1- The alleged assault against Miss Novak took place before the murder.
Problem 2- Miss Novak TOLD multiple people about the alleged assault before the murder.
Problem 3- Chris contacted Miss Novak on Myspace shortly after her stay with him, inviting her back.
Excluding everything else that stemmed from this information, the defense is going to have a hard time overcoming these problems, despite the questionable nature of the witness.
It's a shame that the alleged assault was not reported to authorities right after it took place, it's possible that a murder could have been avoided.
wenatcheegirl30 2 years, 1 month ago
I believe Shawna's story, but Why in the world is this being exposed?
jenniferi 2 years, 1 month ago
I want to vote that I agree with you, but fear clicking the vote button will suggest removal.
Cambium 2 years, 1 month ago
A study from Northwestern University estimated that nearly 3 million severely mentally ill people are crime victims each year in the United States. People with mental illness were eight times more likely to be robbed, 15 times more likely to be assaulted, and 23 times more likely to be raped than the general population.
Does this mean that the criminal is more likely to get away with it as well- because the testimony of a person with a history of mental illness is not taken seriously?
jenniferi 2 years, 1 month ago
Very good question, and from this article we can see many who already don't believe them due to the mental health. It is unfortunate, AND very sad that this could have been avoided.
voiceofreason1 2 years, 1 month ago
His DNA was found on duct tape by her body as well as blood from the poor victim in the guys apartment. The "witnesses" in this case don't even matter except for convincing a jury that he is even more guilty than what they would already decide.. that he is in fact guilty.
"Ash" person who talks on these comments.. it's not the witnesses, its the scientific proof he will be convicted on. So chill.
jenniferi 2 years, 1 month ago
This case will be continued, and continue to be continued for awhile. The life inside the courtroom has a lot of continuances, these continuances although frustrating are for good reasons and can prove to be very beneficial to the case.
lurker_berserker 2 years, 1 month ago
So wait, who was the woman who sought a protective order Wilson's mom? Or is it some other woman? Also, I feel really bad for these "informants", to have their pasts dragged out into the spotlight like this seems a bit unfair.
Delmar 2 years, 1 month ago
Yes it was Christopher Mom. And feel bad for the Cowells,and Kathleen who have had their past dragged out into the spotlight. This is unfair to everyone involved.
jenniferi 2 years, 1 month ago
Very Unfair to BOTH SIDES of this case and ALL who are involved in it whether they are witnesses, supporters, victims (primary, or secondary), the state and the defense counsel, etc. Not to mention Judge Bridges whom I am sure will be left with a heavy burden over this. His role is to ensure the laws are followed. Does anybody else see a change of venue request coming?
Delmar 2 years, 1 month ago
Ash you are right. Christopher would not accept Gary's Plea Agreement of 8-10 years so they upped it to First Degree Murder. His trial has been pushed back until September.
lurker_berserker 2 years, 1 month ago
wait, what plea deal?
ash 2 years, 1 month ago
What a sad little excuse for a justice system. I wish they would just admit they made some mistakes and stop torturing these families.
searching 2 years, 1 month ago
I guess you missed the part when the prosecutor told CW's lawyer a few months ago he would be pursuing 1st degree murder charges...
but you do have a point ash, we should let CW go free until LE knows everyone involved. No point in putting CW in jail just because he was involved somehow....
We need everyone involved to be charged all right now or no one charged!
jenniferi 2 years, 1 month ago
Readiness Hearing is set for May 19th, hopefully the defense will be ready at this appearance, and the proper date for trial will be set.
jenniferi 2 years, 1 month ago
Oops, I just learned it is the 9th.
BlindLeadingBlind 2 years, 1 month ago
SEARCHING TR.... why does it have to be everybody charged or nobody charged??? I believe that CW has enough evidence against him that the president couldn't help him...
searching 2 years, 1 month ago
Nate, I believe you are right, I was being sarcastic. It seems certain people here don't want CW on trial at all because some one else might have been involved.
BlindLeadingBlind 2 years, 1 month ago
sorry about that haha... I wasn't quite understanding and now I know you were being sarcastic... haha... yeah I dunno its easy to get mad over comments written and not said or heard you know???
girlfawkes 2 years, 1 month ago
Just letting WW know again that I can still see almost all of the redacted info through the white out. For example, her mother's phone number has two 3's, two 0's, a 5, a 6, and a 2. Of course not in that order.
robbins 2 years, 1 month ago
DM me with the browser/viewing method you're using and we'll try to fix any problem.
Disappointed2011 2 years, 1 month ago
The WW reporter is writing this story to sell papers and nothing else, obviously. What does this story do for the CW case? Everything about this article is so out of context to make for a good story. The reporter throws in quoted material to fit his story but is out of context from the actual event. I base my opinion on knowing SN personally and knowing the surrounding information, that is of course not included in this story, to all the little quotes thrown in. I believe SN is owed an apology for printing this story that paints a very different picture of her than is actual. This story needs to be rescinded!!!!
jenniferi 2 years, 1 month ago
Amen, and you have my vote. Wenatchee World should do the right thing and remove this article, in my opinion. Unfortunately, the damage has been done and I don't think WW has any idea of what they did to this young lady. An apology is in order, in my opinion, but only if they REALLY mean it.
SteveML 2 years, 1 month ago
One other point I picked up from this story Theo needs to stay away from bikini baristas
Disappointed2011 2 years, 1 month ago
Fairly sure from reading the posts on here that not everyone understands what psychiatric issues are. Psychiatric issues can be any issue involving the brain, it can be anywhere from depression to schizophrenia, but one of the many differences between a psychiatrist and a counsel is the ability to perscribe meds as needed . No where does it say SN or TK has schizophrenia (in re: to the post above) but TK makes reference to it himself about himself. I guarantee you SN does not have schizophrenia. In re: to answers2sweiss, word in quotes are used because someone is quoting someone else, but the reporter is telling a story and using snippets of quoted material pulled from other sources to fit into his story and make it sound good to sell a paper. As for calling her mom, if you read the story it talks about being choked then walked to the door to leave and didn't return after being asked to come back...did it occur to you maybe she called in between that time. That is why I am saying you can't believe the paper, there is not enough information given to know the truth, you only hear what makes for a good story to sell the Wenatchee World
jenniferi 2 years, 1 month ago
I can say that mental health issues are a part of the majority today regardless of whether it is depression, bipolar, etc. Who does NOT have some form of mental health issue? Those without any form are the minority today, in my opinion. If you are friends with SN let her know she has support.
Disappointed2011 2 years, 1 month ago
Well I guess I was going by the appropriate use of quotation marks in the written word and not how some people use them. So, I can see where you are coming from but I would think anyone writing for the paper uses punctuation correctly. As for the calling of her mom, the choking was not mentioned until she didn't go back. The call was to notify the mom as she had orginally planned to return but had the whole day to think about things and decided not to go back related to muliply reasons of which are not mentioned in the article, that's when she told her mom more details. This is exactly why I say you can not read a story in the paper and draw ANY conclusions. There is just not enough information. They are selling a paper, they want you to buy the paper and that takes good stories...unfortunately at the cost of innocent lives. I can tell you SN never would of gone to police herself she was only cooperating with the police after her boyfriend butted in. You would have to know her true history to begin to even understand that and you won't get it by reading the Wenatchee World
jenniferi 2 years, 1 month ago
Amen.
SteveML 2 years, 1 month ago
Her boyfriend "butted in",but rightly so. No matter when she told someone about it, I don’t see where it is our place to judge that her timing was not immediate. Sometimes victims of domestic violence blame themselves. Her boyfriend did the right thing by "butting in".
Disappointed2011 2 years, 1 month ago
Thank you jenniferi, I shall let her know she does have supporters as well : )
jenniferi 2 years, 1 month ago
Yes, please. ;) She may not feel like it, but she has more support than she knows.
Disappointed2011 2 years, 1 month ago
As for cooperating with the police, I'm not saying she shouldn't have done so, I'm saying the WW had no business plastering it all over the paper in a negative way. (I was also saying SN would not have gone to the police at the time of the incident due to her history and that includes history with the police not helping, and this particular incident was far less devastating for her than other incidents). The WW took something that was only meant to help and twisted it into something more. They painted a picture of her that goes beyond the CW case and quite frankly was not the public's business to know, especially to now have to draw conclusions on inadequate, incomplete, and totally out of context conclusions about the type of young lady Shawna is...and now they are pointing a finger at her saying she is the reason they are going after CW even harder. What does that do for SN who was only trying to cooperate. Does CW not have friends and family too that will want to support him (he is human too no matter if innocent or guilty) will those people try to shut SN up? These type of issues belong in the court room not in the WW. How would anyone feel if they had their life plastered in the WW for all to read and have it not adequately protrayed but instead had snippets of their life pulled in to make for a good story? I think anyone's life can be used negatively to paint an ugly picture, if a writer so chose, as can the opposite be done.
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