IMPORTANT CHANGE

As of today, all of my blogs including the Stacey Burns murder case, updates on re-release of my novels, work on current projects, writing tips, and any other information will be available on my updated website whichis still www.dukesouthard.com.
Please visit that site to see a fully interactive website.
You will be able to comment on any post I place on that website.
Thanks for following this blog but you'll enjoy the new one much more!
duker

Still for sale?

I've been told that people back in New Hampshire are reading this blog. For that reason, I've waited for ten days for a response to my "Manuscript for Sale" blog, hoping that someone, other than Jim Vittum, would answer the call. (See previous blog for my request) No one has.
For over two and a half years, my writing energies have gone toward Murder in a Small Town: The Tragic Death of Stacey Burns. This is just a guess but maybe I've spent more time working on this project in recent months than the authorities have spent trying to solve the murder. Of course, I hope with all my heart that this guess is completely wrong but I'd be willing to match hours out of curiosity. I know, I know, they have other cases to work on too!
The sad truth is that without anyone else stepping up to either supply new information to me or to simply tell me that it is all right to use the information they've already supplied, I am stymied.
Within the next three or four months, my first novel (A Favor Returned)  will be re-released in paperback and as an e-book so my writing efforts are going to be focused on the revision of that book. (which, by the way, is undergoing a complete rewrite)
I still make the offer to anyone reading this: If you have any new information about the Stacey Burns murder, I would love to include it and I'd be happy to return to work on that book if anyone supplies me with the incentive of fresh ideas.
Watch for an announcement coming soon about my new website where you will be able to go for all kinds of information, from the Stacey Burns book to writing tips and anecdotes to news about programs and presentations.
Just wondering about one other thing regarding the Stacey Burns case- have any reporters been able to obtain any informative police reports concerning that day? Has an autopsy report been released? Is all of that type of information still hidden behind the "ongoing investigation" curtain?
duker
 

Manuscript for sale (Murder in a Small Town . . .)

The title of this blog is misleading, I admit. Please follow the logic below and perhaps it will make sense.
Murder in a Small Town: The Tragic Death of Stacey Burns is going nowhere unless I self-publish it (which is not a moral nor financial option for me) or there is an arrest of the killer of Stacey. Right now, it is a manuscript that could be subtitled The Jim Vittum Story because the most extensive interviews I've conducted have been with him.
I know his story well and unless I hear from someone who can contradict what he has told me, it makes sense. I know there are people out there who have said "Don't believe anything Jim Vittum has told you" which is fine if I have other people revealing specific information on the other side. Ample opportunities have been given to others to respond to my requests to tell their side of the story. Here is where the sale comes in.
Currently, the manuscript is approximately 140 pages in length and is as well-balanced as I can make it without the "others" mentioned above giving me something to write about. I estimate that a final version should be well over 250 pages if the "others" choose to tell me their side.
So, yes, the manuscript is for sale, not literally but figuratively. I will sell as much space in this manuscripts as it takes to tell the many sides of the story. I can't do that without information from the Burns family, the Keane family, the local and state authorities, or the many "others" who know details of what happened during the last few months of Stacey's life.
Any takers for the offer to buy the remaining part of the manuscript? Just get in touch with me with your new information!
In the meantime, I am working on a re-release of a completely revised edition of my first novel, A Favor Returned which should be released sometime this spring as a paperback and an e-book. Watch for it!
duker

Cash for info (2)

In the two days since the blog which contained the word "cash" in the title, there has been a significant spike in the page views for duker's blog.
Perhaps the title of that blog (and this one) piqued some interest or, at the least, some curiosity. Just so there is no misunderstanding, I do not know of any cache of funds earmarked for the search of information in the Stacey Burns murder. However, the whole concept of rewards in solving crimes is not a new one, by any stretch, so why not just speculate on what might happen if someone does have some solid (and new) information which they are only willing to share for a price?  
Since October, 2010 when I began work on Murder in a Small Town: The Tragic Death of Stacey Burns in earnest, I've had the sense that there is more to this story than appears on the surface. That sense remains and is stronger today than it was two and half years ago. If "cash for info" is what it would take to remove a killer from the streets, then probably someone should make that happen. For my part, I naively believe that "justice for info" should be enough to move anyone who knows something to bring it forward and, of course, we know that at least one person knows something- the murderer of Stacey Burns.
duker

Cash for info?

The thought occurs to me that perhaps some people who have chosen not to either talk to me or to allow me to share their information concerning the book about the Stacey Burns murder might be willing to do so if offered cash. Several blogs ago, I mentioned that I would love to be able to ask just two questions of certain people. I wonder if there is dollar amount that would convince these folks to answer those questions? My guess would be that most still would not want to answer the questions regardless of the "stipend" offered but it is an interesting thing to ponder. Obviously my budget for this project is long gone, as if there ever was one anyway. However, it would be an intriguing exercise to see if spreading cash around in the search for information would do any good.
My sincere hope would be that the search for the truth would not be dependent on the trading of information for money but who knows?
Just wondering . . .
duker

Watching and Waiting

This blog will be brief but it concerns a critical area in the investigation into the murder of Stacey Burns. (Less than four months to the 4th Anniversary)
I wonder why this case has seemingly lost its momentum. Is it because the police have decided that they want to wait until the murderer makes a mistake? Is it because no new information has come forth? Is it because some people just want it to go away? Is it because a trial could be an embarrassment for someone (beside the killer)? Is it because those who know something are afraid to come forward? Is it because any pressure on the police to solve this crime has evolved into a once a year event?
Please add your own questions to these, at least in your mind. I believe there is truth in every one of them.
It just seems to me that if someone cares, than that someone acts or at least takes the initiative in trying to force something to happen. The fear factor should not be a part of the equation. Unfortunately, it appears that in this case, for whatever reason, it is part of the equation.
duker

 

Change in focus

Since last June, my blogs have been focused on the murder of Stacey Burns and my work on Murder in a Small Town: The Tragic Death of Stacey Burns. Approximately seventy blogs later, I wonder if these pieces have had any effect. In the near future, this blog will hopefully be reaching a wider audience as a completely rewritten version of my first novel, A Favor Returned, is released as an e-book and as a paperback. As that event approaches, the blog will have a change of focus. It will still be addressing my true crime book but will be expanding into other areas as well. Perhaps with a wider audience, the blog will have the effect I intended in the first place. That effect was (and is) to help keep the cold-blooded killing of Stacey Burns from falling through the cracks of indifference. I am not at all sure that all the blogs I've written have come anywhere close to doing that.
I'm sure that as the FOURTH ANNIVERSARY of her murder rolls around in a few months, there will be a flurry of newspaper articles and memorial events with a great deal of attention paid. I thought that just maybe these blogs would fill in the gap between anniversaries of her death, keeping her memory in the forefront. Sad to say and hard to admit but I guess just maybe I was mistaken.
duker

And still a killer walks free

I never met Stacey Burns yet over the last thirty months or so since I've worked on a book about her death, I feel I've come to know why she was so loved by so many. My extensive research coupled with interviews with friends, colleagues and acquaintances (unfortunately not her family) have, quite frankly, made me increasingly angry that her killer is still living his or her life in freedom.
     Recently, I was rereading an Ann Rule book of true crime cases (A Rage to Kill) and ran across the phrase, "Closed-Exceptional," in her foreword. It is a phrase I did not recall but she says it designates a case in which "the guilty person is known by detectives but, due to lack of physical evidence, has never been arrested." Obviously, with her outstanding record of excellent writing about true crime, Ann Rule would be aware of such terminology. I have been told (and I've mentioned it in other blogs) that the police know who killed Stacey Burns. One person in authority went so far as to say that he thought there would be an 85% chance of conviction with the evidence they had, which apparently is not enough to risk letting a guilty person walk free. Why bring this up? Here are just a few reasons.
     1. If Stacey Burns murder is in a category such as Closed-Exceptional or whatever else it may be
         called, then it has been solved but the killer will continue to walk around free. For how long?
         Infuriating!
     2. If the killer continues to walk around free, then assurances from the police that the public is not in
         danger are ludicrous. Any person, male or female, who could take another's life in a manner such
         as happened to Stacey Burns has to be extremely unstable. Don't tell us this is a one time event!
         What if the circumstances that set this homicidal sociopath off are duplicated in his or her life?
         Murder was a solution once; why not again? No matter what a profiler might say, it is illogical
         and probably even dangerous to assume that Stacey Burns' killer is not a potential threat to others.
     3. If this case is indeed "solved" but not coming to a conclusion, would the public be better served
         to know which of the potential persons of interest (suspects) are actually free from suspicion?
As I said at the beginning, I did not know Stacey Burns but I know that it is a sad, frustrating and even frightening prospect that her killer remains out there.
duker
    

A Public Reading

Apologies are hollow when they are for the same mistake but I'll make yet another anyway. It's been about two weeks between blogs and that is inexcusable on my part. So there you have it- another apology for not blogging in a timely fashion. I been told by one who knows that I need to write something on a blog every day so I will try desperately to do better in 2013. Enough of that!
There are some developments of which you should be aware. First, this blog will be branching out in subject matter as this year progresses. Murder in a Small Town . . . will remain the most substantial focus but  a few other items will begin to make an appearance.
First, you will be interested to know that I will be reading an excerpt from the Stacey Burns book at the 6th Annual Authors' Showcase in Green Valley, Arizona, joining eight other invitees at the event which takes place on January 12, 2013. I've not decided yet on the excerpt I will read but whatever I choose, it will be the first public exposure of that part of the book. Stay tuned to see how it is received.
Second, my two novels, A Favor Returned and Agent for Justice are undergoing revision in preparation for rerelease in e-book and publish on demand format. Both of those books were originally published in hard cover but are now out of print although copies are still available. The plan is to do an extensive rewrite of A Favor Returned, retaining the full impact of the story while tightening the flow. It was, after all, a first novel with some of the weaknesses that occasionally accompany first attempts. It will be worth rereading if you have already read it and if you haven't, well . . .please do when it is released.
Third, here is a request which I've made in the past but it is worth asking once more. At this time, Murder in a Small Town; The Tragic Death of Stacey Burns is sorely lacking some details which Stacey's family could supply to help me to make the story a fair and reasonable portrayal of a wonderful person. I know they are not in favor of this book but I still contend that just maybe I could help to somehow not let her memory drift away into a cold case file drawer. In my opinion, should that happen, it would be yet another crime against Stacey Burns.
Happy New Year!
duker

A Christmas Wish

This blog has been sputtering along since the mention of a possible "new suspect" in the Stacey Burns murder case. The primary reason for this lack of momentum in the blog is really quite simple. There has been no additional information forthcoming from any of my sources.
I have been reading sections of the manuscript of Murder in a Small Town: The Tragic Death of Stacey Burns to the Green Valley Writers Forum, a critique group of talented writers in our area of Arizona. The response of that group has been positive, with the consensus being that this book definitely should be published. However, without input from several crucial people, I feel that the story would have a bias which would effectively destroy the integrity of the book. So, I make a plea that has been made before in this blog.
My revised list of people I'd like to ask just two questions now stands at thirteen. The list could be shortened considerably if any of the NH State Police investigators would allow me to ask them the twenty six questions as I'm sure they must already have the information. Surely, they would have asked these same questions during their open and ongoing investigation which I'm certain continues even now, forty three months later.
The dilemma I am facing right now is this: Should I begin publishing what I've done so far since there truly does not seem that any resolution is imminent?
By the way, I still have that "disturbing information" that possibly could impact the murder case of Stacey Burns and would love to have NH State Police tell me that they have already dismissed it as not valid. All it would take is a return e-mail or phone call from someone in authority.
My Christmas wish? Please, New Hampshire, solve this case for the sake of Stacey and her family!
duker

Summary of New Developments

My sincere apologies go out to all followers of this blog. The usual busyness of the season somehow managed to trump my best intentions to keep you informed of any new developments in my work on the book about the Stacey Burns murder case. Since there has not been a single new development, I will summarize where this case appears to be. If anyone out there disagrees with any part of this summary, I would love to hear from you! Here are my observations and a few questions:
1. Can it be denied that this case has moved from an "ongoing investigation" to a "cold case" with all the connotations that the cold case designation carries with it? Over one month ago, I contacted the New Hampshire State Police cold case detective via e-mail saying that I had received some "disturbing   information" that may have some bearing on the murder of Stacey Burns. As mentioned in a previous blog, there was no response then and to date there has not been a response. I suppose the fault lies with me as I possibly could be more aggressive.
2. In less than five months, the fourth anniversary of the murder of Stacey Burns will be observed. As someone has said, where is the outrage that a resolution of this case has not occurred? It has been over seven months since the march in Stacey's honor supposedly applied pressure on Concord to solve this horrendous crime. I, for one, would love to hear exactly what has happened in those seven months. I've spoken with several people in Wolfeboro who had a close relationship with Stacey Burns and would seem logical candidates for a visit by cold case detectives trying to unearth new information. However, as far as I can determine, there has been only one person reinterviewed in that time. Any number of conclusions might be drawn from this if indeed my information is correct. You may draw your own but I'd surely like to hear from all of you out there with connections to Stacey Burns who have been interviewed, even in the last year.  
3. It is a cliche but a true one that with each day that passes by, the chances of bringing this psychopathic killer to justice diminish. Hopefully, the anger and frustration and disappointment of family and friends continue unabated. If these emotions should diminish even slightly, where is the hope that we will ever see Stacey's heartless killer in a courtroom?
4. This is the 67th blog since June on this topic. I honestly do not know if I am helping or hurting by trying to keep this investigation alive. While there are people who still express a willingness to support  my project, I also find some who, without saying so directly, would rather that I back off. My reasons for doing this work have been explained repeatly and I will not be "backing off" in the immediate future.
duker
      

What If and Why?

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  

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

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

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
 

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   

Musing on an alibi

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

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
 

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  
  

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