Here is what had happened in the last nine days.
Monday, November 12- Duker's Blog publishes the information from a very reliable source that there are a few people (also deemed reliable) who feel that the police should be thinking "outside the box" as far as suspects in the murder of Stacey Burns case are concerned, mentioning a specific "person of interest." I notify the current cold case detective via e-mail that I have some "disturbing information" which he may want to hear. If this information is nothing but speculative rumor, the substantial influence of the NH State Police could easily rule it out. I may be wrong but isn't this what the police are always seeking--that is, possible new information or leads, especially on a case that is three and a half years old?
Since November 12, I have had several conversations with sources in New Hampshire, all of which reinforce my opinion that this information deserves at least some official attention. That attention may simply be a contact which asks what my information is. It is possible that the information has already been examined and dismissed by the investigators but who would know if no contact takes place.
Thursday, November 15- A updating blog is published, saying that thus far, the police have not shown any interest in what it is that I am talking about.
Now, to the two questions in the title of this blog:
What if I simply called the New Hampshire State Police "tip line" and said I had information about the Stacey Burns murder? Would it take the cold case detectives nine days (and counting) to follow up that supposed tip?
What if the Stacey Burns case is moving ever deeper into the morass of paperwork which threatens to bury unsolved cases?
Why would an investigator not make a simple phone call (I left my cell phone number in the e-mail) and say,"thanks but no thanks?" Could it be that the case is solved and no more information is required, especially information that may conflict with evidence already in place?
Just trying to help . . .
duker
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Update ("New" suspect)
In Monday's blog, I mentioned hearing from a person whom I perceive to be a reliable source that perhaps the police should be taking a closer look at another possible "person of interest" in the Stacey Burns murder case. I e-mailed the New Hampshire State Police cold case detective who is currently working on the case, saying that the information given to me might be helpful but then again, it may not be. With the resources of the NH State Police, this information could be easily confirmed or denied but I do not have the influence which they have.
In an attempt to keep the followers of this blog up to date, I will tell you that so far I have not heard from the New Hampshire State Police regarding my offer to share this information. After confirming some details with this source, I will make another attempt to contact the cold case investigators.
More later . . .
duker
In an attempt to keep the followers of this blog up to date, I will tell you that so far I have not heard from the New Hampshire State Police regarding my offer to share this information. After confirming some details with this source, I will make another attempt to contact the cold case investigators.
More later . . .
duker
Monday, November 12, 2012
A "new" suspect
Most of the attention in the investigation into the murder of Stacey Burns has focused on just two people but today I received some rather disturbing information which I am now trying to confirm. If it turns out that this information is correct, than just maybe the police had better adjust that focus knob because those two people could move into the background.
Of course, we know that the investigators have diligently examined every possibility and have not fallen into that classic trap of identifying a suspect early on and then making sure that all the evidence points in the direction. But, what if . . .
If I can get the police to open up just a little, we either put the information mentioned above behind us or else they need to move forward on it. We will keep you informed . . .
Duker
Of course, we know that the investigators have diligently examined every possibility and have not fallen into that classic trap of identifying a suspect early on and then making sure that all the evidence points in the direction. But, what if . . .
If I can get the police to open up just a little, we either put the information mentioned above behind us or else they need to move forward on it. We will keep you informed . . .
Duker
Monday, November 5, 2012
The "Fear Factor"
The following two paragraphs will be the last of the "excerpts" which I will publish from Murder in a Small Town: The Tragic Death of Stacey Burns until I am ready to release everything I have already written. If anyone wants to contact me directly, my website (www.dukesouthard.com) has contact information. The suspension of the release of small parts of the book is necessary for two reasons.
First, as mentioned in an earlier blog, it is always dangerous to take anything out of its contextual surroundings as that allows the reader to speculate about what came before and what some after.
Second, to put it simply, my expectations for response haven't materialized, much as they haven't materialized for this blog since its inception in June.
Here, from page 95 in Chapter Eleven titled "The Search Begins," are two paragraphs addressing the fear factor in this story, again unedited and copyrighted.
"In general, human nature rebels against admitting that fear exists but there can be no doubt that a high degree of anxiety is present in many of the friends that Stacey left behind. The tangible, unshakable truth that any official words or statements cannot gloss over is simple and undeniable."
"The murderer of Stacey Burns remains free. That, in reality, means that someone who is capable of the murderous rage inherent in this heinous act is still out there, and could, as one person said in an internet blog, easily be roaming the streets of Wolfeboro. This fact perhaps colors what those closest have to say about Stacey and her life during the six months before her murder. However, the desire for justice for her and for her memory obviously overrules any hesitation they may have when expressing opinions about her. Stacey Burns was an immensely popular woman in the town of Wolfeboro. . . . .
The theme that dominates what people had to say about her can be summarized in a single sentence: Stacey Burns was beautiful, inside and out."
This Saturday, November 10, 2012, marks the end of the 42nd month since Stacey Burns was killed. More than one person had expressed the opinion to me that there will never be an arrest in this case.
Could that be possible? Each passing day seems to say so!
duker
First, as mentioned in an earlier blog, it is always dangerous to take anything out of its contextual surroundings as that allows the reader to speculate about what came before and what some after.
Second, to put it simply, my expectations for response haven't materialized, much as they haven't materialized for this blog since its inception in June.
Here, from page 95 in Chapter Eleven titled "The Search Begins," are two paragraphs addressing the fear factor in this story, again unedited and copyrighted.
"In general, human nature rebels against admitting that fear exists but there can be no doubt that a high degree of anxiety is present in many of the friends that Stacey left behind. The tangible, unshakable truth that any official words or statements cannot gloss over is simple and undeniable."
"The murderer of Stacey Burns remains free. That, in reality, means that someone who is capable of the murderous rage inherent in this heinous act is still out there, and could, as one person said in an internet blog, easily be roaming the streets of Wolfeboro. This fact perhaps colors what those closest have to say about Stacey and her life during the six months before her murder. However, the desire for justice for her and for her memory obviously overrules any hesitation they may have when expressing opinions about her. Stacey Burns was an immensely popular woman in the town of Wolfeboro. . . . .
The theme that dominates what people had to say about her can be summarized in a single sentence: Stacey Burns was beautiful, inside and out."
This Saturday, November 10, 2012, marks the end of the 42nd month since Stacey Burns was killed. More than one person had expressed the opinion to me that there will never be an arrest in this case.
Could that be possible? Each passing day seems to say so!
duker
Friday, November 2, 2012
Two Camps
The paragraph in today's blog is taken from Chapter Sixteen of Murder in a Small Town: The Tragic Death of Stacey Burns, a chapter tentatively titled "Where Were You, Anybody?" The chapter addresses the mantra of motive, means, and opportunity, the three undeniable realities of a homicide investigation.
"The official investigation appeared to settle into a pattern and the amateur sleuths in the community went along with that pattern, dividing into two camps representing Jim Vittum and Ed Burns. As the blogs proliferated in numbing fashion across the internet with the main concentration circulating on the Wolfeboro Topix (sic) site, the foregone conclusion of most of the community was that police would no doubt soon be arresting one of the two. The widely accepted opinion that this investigation would be over within a short period of time allowed some leeway for Jeffrey Strelzin to proclaim that the public was not in danger. This was not a crime that would be one of many. It surely would stand by itself. All that had to happen was for the New Hampshire State Police to sift through what surely would be damning evidence and arrest the person responsible. . . . . Who had the motive? Who had the means? Who had the opportunity? How difficult could it be?"
Almost forty two months later, one can only draw a single conclusion to that final question. "How difficult could it be?" Police investigators have said on more than one occasion that they "know who did it." The conclusion has to be that the prosecution of the case is the difficult part, a conclusion that brings us full circle, back to the reasonable doubt versus probable cause dilemma.
duker
"The official investigation appeared to settle into a pattern and the amateur sleuths in the community went along with that pattern, dividing into two camps representing Jim Vittum and Ed Burns. As the blogs proliferated in numbing fashion across the internet with the main concentration circulating on the Wolfeboro Topix (sic) site, the foregone conclusion of most of the community was that police would no doubt soon be arresting one of the two. The widely accepted opinion that this investigation would be over within a short period of time allowed some leeway for Jeffrey Strelzin to proclaim that the public was not in danger. This was not a crime that would be one of many. It surely would stand by itself. All that had to happen was for the New Hampshire State Police to sift through what surely would be damning evidence and arrest the person responsible. . . . . Who had the motive? Who had the means? Who had the opportunity? How difficult could it be?"
Almost forty two months later, one can only draw a single conclusion to that final question. "How difficult could it be?" Police investigators have said on more than one occasion that they "know who did it." The conclusion has to be that the prosecution of the case is the difficult part, a conclusion that brings us full circle, back to the reasonable doubt versus probable cause dilemma.
duker
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