Here is a brief section of a chapter of Murder in a Small Town: The Tragic Death of Stacey Burns which examines the supposed alibis of two of the "persons of interest" in the murder of Stacey Burns.
"Alibis can be everything or they can be nothing. With the investigation now in its third year, the one thing that should be certain is that alibis will not have changed from the beginning. However, what may happen could be called the erosion of an alibi. While the police wait for someone to remember something or for someone (like the killer or a friend of the killer) to finally cave in to the truth, the erosion of alibis could be occurring. . .
. . .a real danger with the erosion of alibis over time is that the initial arduous examination of them will fall victim to the same erosion. This is how people get away with murder."
(p.108-Tentative Chapter Heading- Alibis)
I'd be interested to hear if these samples from the book are piquing anyone's interest?
Duker
Monday, October 29, 2012
Friday, October 26, 2012
Social media
As promised, here is another brief sample from the unedited but copyright protected manuscript of Murder in a Small Town: The Tragic Death of Stacey Burns. (Page 62, a chapter tentatively titled "The Exes")
"Sit in a restaurant or a bar, stand on a street corner or the post office steps, visit a local supermarket and listen to conversations or ask anyone to give an opinion on the Stacey Burns case and the 'How much truth' list would expand beyond belief. Add to those avenues for rumors the highly in-vogue possibilities of blogging, where people can literally say anything they want and express any opinion or theory, no matter how outrageous, and the blurring of truth, fiction and fantasy becomes a major problem. Inflammatory statements, frivolous accusations, astounding assumptions and presumptions, all enhanced by the power of the 'social networking' available through the internet, ricochet through the community like indiscriminate pin balls, wreaking havoc on the lives of those directly involved."
The "how much truth" list in this paragraph refers to some of the stories which circulated (and probably still are circulating) about life in the quiet and staid town of Wolfeboro. Extracting portions of a book and publishing them out of context is a dangerous thing and may not be especially productive. My purpose for doing so therefore deserves to be repeated. Here it is:
In the previous 55+ blogs on this subject, I've raised many questions, some basic and others more provocative in nature. Perhaps revealing some of what has been included in the book already will encourage participation by those who have chosen not to supply information to do so. That is my hope at this point.
duker
"Sit in a restaurant or a bar, stand on a street corner or the post office steps, visit a local supermarket and listen to conversations or ask anyone to give an opinion on the Stacey Burns case and the 'How much truth' list would expand beyond belief. Add to those avenues for rumors the highly in-vogue possibilities of blogging, where people can literally say anything they want and express any opinion or theory, no matter how outrageous, and the blurring of truth, fiction and fantasy becomes a major problem. Inflammatory statements, frivolous accusations, astounding assumptions and presumptions, all enhanced by the power of the 'social networking' available through the internet, ricochet through the community like indiscriminate pin balls, wreaking havoc on the lives of those directly involved."
The "how much truth" list in this paragraph refers to some of the stories which circulated (and probably still are circulating) about life in the quiet and staid town of Wolfeboro. Extracting portions of a book and publishing them out of context is a dangerous thing and may not be especially productive. My purpose for doing so therefore deserves to be repeated. Here it is:
In the previous 55+ blogs on this subject, I've raised many questions, some basic and others more provocative in nature. Perhaps revealing some of what has been included in the book already will encourage participation by those who have chosen not to supply information to do so. That is my hope at this point.
duker
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
A Preview
It is October 24, 2012 and I promised in my last posting that I would resume this blog today. I will but I am resuming it without any new information since the last posting. However, I will be including brief snippets from Murder in a Small Town: The Tragic Death of Stacey Burns in yet another attempt to generate interest in this case. Hopefully, these short samples will direct some people with new information in my direction. As always, contact with me is not difficult through my website, this blog, twitter, Facebook, phone, e-mail, snail mail, etc. The first "snippet" is from page 103 of the unedited but copyright protected manuscript in a chapter entitled "The Investigation."
"As Sunday morning crept into afternoon, the scene of subdued pandemonium at 146 N. Main Street migrated to the police station in downtown Wolfeboro. The subdued is replaced by frenzied as friends and relatives stream into the station, searching for answers to questions they can't even formulate yet. By this time, the news has reached the extended family of Stacey Burns and her mother and siblings are on their way to Wolfeboro."
The sample creates no controversy. Future ones might.
duker
"As Sunday morning crept into afternoon, the scene of subdued pandemonium at 146 N. Main Street migrated to the police station in downtown Wolfeboro. The subdued is replaced by frenzied as friends and relatives stream into the station, searching for answers to questions they can't even formulate yet. By this time, the news has reached the extended family of Stacey Burns and her mother and siblings are on their way to Wolfeboro."
The sample creates no controversy. Future ones might.
duker
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Suspension and Review
This is the fifty-eighth blog in this series. There will not be another post (unless it comes as a comment from one of you out there) until Wednesday, October 24, 2012.
My posted blogs have raised issue after issue regarding the diabolical and heinous murder of Stacey Burns and the ensuing investigation into who may have committed the crime. The purpose of the blog was, I believe, clearly established early in June when it was begun.
The reason for this temporary, eleven day suspension is simple. There is not much else to say without additional factual information. Here is a brief review of what has been covered in previous blogs.
1. Questions regarding the police investigation and the apparent movement of the case closer to the "cold case" category were raised but never answered.
2. Invitations to contact me were issued to people who have chosen not to provide their side of the sometimes provocative stories and rumors running rampant around Wolfeboro. So far, those invitations have been rejected or ignored.
3. Pleas for permission to use some of the information supplied in previously conducted interviews went unanswered. (duker's note- I promised my interviewees that they would be able to read what I had written if it applied to them or statements they may have made before publishing anything. A knowledgeable newspaper person I know told me that promise was a big mistake.)
4. Requests to obtain "back story" information about the Burns and Keane families so as to paint a complete picture of this exceptional person were issued. As of this date, the information in the one hundred and forty + pages written so far is derived primarily from friends and acquaintances.
There were other topics covered as well but these were the major ones.
A friend raised a good question to me, asking exactly how this blog has been publicized so that people are aware of it. The subtext of that question is obvious: If people don't know it is available, how could I expect any results? My answer is simple. I posted the blog information everywhere I could imagine, including my two facebook accounts, my e-mail address list, Wolfeboro Topix, the Stacey Burns memorial site, professional writers' newsletters, my website, etc. Perhaps (obviously?) that has not been enough. . .
Until Wednesday, 10/24/2012 . . .
duker
My posted blogs have raised issue after issue regarding the diabolical and heinous murder of Stacey Burns and the ensuing investigation into who may have committed the crime. The purpose of the blog was, I believe, clearly established early in June when it was begun.
The reason for this temporary, eleven day suspension is simple. There is not much else to say without additional factual information. Here is a brief review of what has been covered in previous blogs.
1. Questions regarding the police investigation and the apparent movement of the case closer to the "cold case" category were raised but never answered.
2. Invitations to contact me were issued to people who have chosen not to provide their side of the sometimes provocative stories and rumors running rampant around Wolfeboro. So far, those invitations have been rejected or ignored.
3. Pleas for permission to use some of the information supplied in previously conducted interviews went unanswered. (duker's note- I promised my interviewees that they would be able to read what I had written if it applied to them or statements they may have made before publishing anything. A knowledgeable newspaper person I know told me that promise was a big mistake.)
4. Requests to obtain "back story" information about the Burns and Keane families so as to paint a complete picture of this exceptional person were issued. As of this date, the information in the one hundred and forty + pages written so far is derived primarily from friends and acquaintances.
There were other topics covered as well but these were the major ones.
A friend raised a good question to me, asking exactly how this blog has been publicized so that people are aware of it. The subtext of that question is obvious: If people don't know it is available, how could I expect any results? My answer is simple. I posted the blog information everywhere I could imagine, including my two facebook accounts, my e-mail address list, Wolfeboro Topix, the Stacey Burns memorial site, professional writers' newsletters, my website, etc. Perhaps (obviously?) that has not been enough. . .
Until Wednesday, 10/24/2012 . . .
duker
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Exactly Two Months
Exactly two months ago, on August 7, 2012, I published a blog named after a short memoir I wrote for submission to a writing contest, a contest I decided subsequently not to enter. The title of the blog was ICAC, an acronym for In Case Anyone Cares.
Toward the end of that blog, a list of names and descriptions appears. The list is quite specific, mentioning those who could help significantly with Murder in A Small Town: The Tragic Death of Stacey Burns.
With just a couple of exceptions, the people named are folks I tried to contact in conventional ways before listing them in that blog.
Well, (ICAC) I have not heard from a single person on that list since that blog was published. There are likely quite legitimate reasons for that. Here are a few but certainly not all:
"I don't like what you are doing."
"I don't trust you or your motives."
"I have nothing to offer."
"It's been over three years; I don't want to revisit such a sad time."
"If I talk with you, I could incriminate myself ." (Never stated but I'm guessing at least one person thinks this.)
"It is simply too upsetting and I'd rather not deal with it."
"The police are on top of it. The killer will soon be arrested and convicted so why are you writing this book."
However, ICAC, I still believe in what I am trying to do.
duker
Toward the end of that blog, a list of names and descriptions appears. The list is quite specific, mentioning those who could help significantly with Murder in A Small Town: The Tragic Death of Stacey Burns.
With just a couple of exceptions, the people named are folks I tried to contact in conventional ways before listing them in that blog.
Well, (ICAC) I have not heard from a single person on that list since that blog was published. There are likely quite legitimate reasons for that. Here are a few but certainly not all:
"I don't like what you are doing."
"I don't trust you or your motives."
"I have nothing to offer."
"It's been over three years; I don't want to revisit such a sad time."
"If I talk with you, I could incriminate myself ." (Never stated but I'm guessing at least one person thinks this.)
"It is simply too upsetting and I'd rather not deal with it."
"The police are on top of it. The killer will soon be arrested and convicted so why are you writing this book."
However, ICAC, I still believe in what I am trying to do.
duker
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Proud? Believe it or not!
A few blogs ago, I mentioned that when I sent a portion of my manuscript of A Favor Returned to Robert Newton Peck, an author I respected and had met at a conference in New Hampshire, he said, after a scathing, ego-deflating review, "write a book you can be proud of."
It has now been two full years since I traveled to New Hampshire to do the initial interviews for Murder in a Small Town: The Tragic Death of Stacey Burns. Since Robert Peck said that to me on more than one occasion, I've taken his advice to heart. It makes absolute sense for any writer (except perhaps James Patterson who apparently allows his name to be attached to anything these days).
If my book about the Stacey Burns murder ever makes it into print or even e-book status, I will be proud of it. Here is why:
1. I feel that I've done everything I possible could to include all sides of the story. The fact that some people have chosen to dismiss my efforts to be fair is a shame but I can deal with that.
2. The writing is good. Some who have read parts of it say that it is the best writing I've done.
3. My motive is clear and has been stated without equivocation: I will NOT profit from this book. The foundation for Stacey's children might if it ever achieves any status at all.
4. I've spent more time, more effort and more of my own money than on any other of my writing projects. I am proud of that.
5. Just maybe, any efforts on my part have served to keep this case in the forefront for somebody, whether law enforcement, family, friends, community or even the killer.
To Rob Peck, I say this: I am proud of what I've done so far with this very difficult subject. I have no idea where it will end but hopefully Stacey's family will finally have some peace when it does end.
To those who might have something to add to this effort, please contact me. As of this moment, I am out of information. Look back through all of the blogs I've written and see the names of people who have chosen not to take part in my project. Please do not let this disappear into the abyss of the NH State Police cold case division!
duker
It has now been two full years since I traveled to New Hampshire to do the initial interviews for Murder in a Small Town: The Tragic Death of Stacey Burns. Since Robert Peck said that to me on more than one occasion, I've taken his advice to heart. It makes absolute sense for any writer (except perhaps James Patterson who apparently allows his name to be attached to anything these days).
If my book about the Stacey Burns murder ever makes it into print or even e-book status, I will be proud of it. Here is why:
1. I feel that I've done everything I possible could to include all sides of the story. The fact that some people have chosen to dismiss my efforts to be fair is a shame but I can deal with that.
2. The writing is good. Some who have read parts of it say that it is the best writing I've done.
3. My motive is clear and has been stated without equivocation: I will NOT profit from this book. The foundation for Stacey's children might if it ever achieves any status at all.
4. I've spent more time, more effort and more of my own money than on any other of my writing projects. I am proud of that.
5. Just maybe, any efforts on my part have served to keep this case in the forefront for somebody, whether law enforcement, family, friends, community or even the killer.
To Rob Peck, I say this: I am proud of what I've done so far with this very difficult subject. I have no idea where it will end but hopefully Stacey's family will finally have some peace when it does end.
To those who might have something to add to this effort, please contact me. As of this moment, I am out of information. Look back through all of the blogs I've written and see the names of people who have chosen not to take part in my project. Please do not let this disappear into the abyss of the NH State Police cold case division!
duker
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
A Realistic Look Through Life's Rear View Mirror
While on the ten day trip, I posted just three blogs although I had great but unrealistic plans to keep to my schedule. My sincere apologies go out to those who expected more.
My "1,236 Days" blog has not yet created the response I expected. I imagined that placing the murder of Stacey Burns in concrete, time-related terms might make some people think about how long a sick, psychotic murderer has been walking around free and how long a caring, loving mother has been missing from her children. I still have hopes that the blog might accomplish this but I must admit that I'm worried that the rear view mirror syndrome is at work here.
Twenty years ago last May, we lost our son to a sudden, totally unexpected heart problem, just weeks after he had passed a pilot's physical. The relatively short book I wrote about that tragic event in our lives took over six years to write, simply because looking back was so painful. I have used the "rear view mirror" analogy often to describe the process of healing the grief associated with such a profound loss. Now, working on the Stacey Burns book, I believe I am seeing a similar pattern, a pattern that is repeated over and over again in the lives of human beings.
It is the nature of things that people want to move forward, to move beyond the hurdles, the obstacles that impede our progress. We would much prefer to see those obstacles receding in our personal rear view mirror than to have them always with us. The death of Stacey Burns presented challenges to many people, challenges that likely seemed insurmountable at the time. However, time and space thankfully place those challenges in the rear view mirror of life where they become easier to deal with each passing day. Three and a half years of life have passed by and like the eighteen wheeler we pass on the Interstate, the event takes up an ever smaller portion of the rear view mirror as we careen into the future.
Is that what we really want? Is it realistic to expect anything else as long as nothing is happening with the investigation?
duker
My "1,236 Days" blog has not yet created the response I expected. I imagined that placing the murder of Stacey Burns in concrete, time-related terms might make some people think about how long a sick, psychotic murderer has been walking around free and how long a caring, loving mother has been missing from her children. I still have hopes that the blog might accomplish this but I must admit that I'm worried that the rear view mirror syndrome is at work here.
Twenty years ago last May, we lost our son to a sudden, totally unexpected heart problem, just weeks after he had passed a pilot's physical. The relatively short book I wrote about that tragic event in our lives took over six years to write, simply because looking back was so painful. I have used the "rear view mirror" analogy often to describe the process of healing the grief associated with such a profound loss. Now, working on the Stacey Burns book, I believe I am seeing a similar pattern, a pattern that is repeated over and over again in the lives of human beings.
It is the nature of things that people want to move forward, to move beyond the hurdles, the obstacles that impede our progress. We would much prefer to see those obstacles receding in our personal rear view mirror than to have them always with us. The death of Stacey Burns presented challenges to many people, challenges that likely seemed insurmountable at the time. However, time and space thankfully place those challenges in the rear view mirror of life where they become easier to deal with each passing day. Three and a half years of life have passed by and like the eighteen wheeler we pass on the Interstate, the event takes up an ever smaller portion of the rear view mirror as we careen into the future.
Is that what we really want? Is it realistic to expect anything else as long as nothing is happening with the investigation?
duker
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