Illinois Plans to Gather Missing DNA Samples of Released Felons: Illinois law enforcement agencies say they are going to quickly gather up missing DNA samples from felons already released from prison. Chicago Tribune writer Megan Twohey reports that law enforcement agencies have pledged to gather DNA samples of released felons in the hopes of linking them to unsolved crimes. A 2002 Illinois state law requires that all felons in custody must submit a DNA sample, but delays have caused nearly 10,000 inmates to be released without a sample being taken. The issue of missing DNA samples, came to light due to the case of Wisconsin serial-killer Walter E. Ellis. Ellis was one of 12,000 inmates released from Wisconsin prisons without giving a DNA sample and this month Ellis has been charged with the murders of seven women over 21 years. Our news scans from September 8th, found here, and 9th, found here, provide some background on Ellis. The Attorney General's office is unhappy with the proposed plan of gathering DNA samples when felons are rearrested and undergo bond assessment. Instead, Cara Smith, deputy chief of staff to the office says, " [h]aving already identified hundreds of the most serious offenders released from the Department of Corrections, the office plans to hunt them down with the help of local and county law enforcement."
Killer Takes Back His Request For Death: Three years ago Shawn Windsor requested a death sentence for killing his estranged wife and child, now he has changed his mind. Local Kentucky station WLKY reports on Windsor's request to the Kentucky Supreme Court to halt his death sentence. In Louisville, KY on December 2003, Windsor beat to death his estranged wife, Betty Jean, and his eight-year-old son, Corey with a dumbbell. Nine months after the slayings Windsor was caught and he asked to plead guilty to the killings and asked for the death penalty. Windsor's attorney, David Niehaus, argues that Windsor should have never have been allowed to request the death penalty because of his mental state. Windsor had attempted suicide on July 7, 2006, and a judge found him competent to make the decision on July 14, 2006. Assistant Attorney General Hays Lawson does not think that Windsor death sentence should be reversed because "[t]hose crimes are incomprehensible. There's affront to all that is decent and just in the world."
DNA Links CA Man to Seven Cold Case Murders: John Floyd Thomas Jr., 73 has been linked to seven cold case killings this year. Ontario, CA Daily Bulletin writer Will Bigham reports that Thomas was linked to the unsolved murders earlier this year when a DNA sample of the convicted sex offender match DNA collected from decade old crime scenes. The Los Angeles area killings all took place between 1972 and 1986. Targeting elderly women who lived alone, Thomas would enter their homes and then rape and strangle them to death. Then in June of 1986, Thomas killed 56-year-old Adrienne Askew in her Claremont apartment. In additional to three unsolved rape cases, Thomas is believed to be responsible for two other killings of Claremont women, Isabel Askew and Wilma S. Meyers, but because of the lack of physical evidence he will not be charged.
Killer Takes Back His Request For Death: Three years ago Shawn Windsor requested a death sentence for killing his estranged wife and child, now he has changed his mind. Local Kentucky station WLKY reports on Windsor's request to the Kentucky Supreme Court to halt his death sentence. In Louisville, KY on December 2003, Windsor beat to death his estranged wife, Betty Jean, and his eight-year-old son, Corey with a dumbbell. Nine months after the slayings Windsor was caught and he asked to plead guilty to the killings and asked for the death penalty. Windsor's attorney, David Niehaus, argues that Windsor should have never have been allowed to request the death penalty because of his mental state. Windsor had attempted suicide on July 7, 2006, and a judge found him competent to make the decision on July 14, 2006. Assistant Attorney General Hays Lawson does not think that Windsor death sentence should be reversed because "[t]hose crimes are incomprehensible. There's affront to all that is decent and just in the world."
DNA Links CA Man to Seven Cold Case Murders: John Floyd Thomas Jr., 73 has been linked to seven cold case killings this year. Ontario, CA Daily Bulletin writer Will Bigham reports that Thomas was linked to the unsolved murders earlier this year when a DNA sample of the convicted sex offender match DNA collected from decade old crime scenes. The Los Angeles area killings all took place between 1972 and 1986. Targeting elderly women who lived alone, Thomas would enter their homes and then rape and strangle them to death. Then in June of 1986, Thomas killed 56-year-old Adrienne Askew in her Claremont apartment. In additional to three unsolved rape cases, Thomas is believed to be responsible for two other killings of Claremont women, Isabel Askew and Wilma S. Meyers, but because of the lack of physical evidence he will not be charged.
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