Trial Coverage [SENT BACK FOR NEW TRIAL]

[FDInLaw]

http://www.ashleycountyledger.com/articles/2007/12/05/news/h16f078w.txt

According to this article, Osburn's trial will start January 10th. With the impending closure of the CTV message board, the moderators here were kind enough to set up this forum for Casey. Special thanks to them! I hope the folks that were posting on CTV will join us here. Please post if you have decided to join us! :happy0207:

[Sonya]

The 10th? Thanks, FD. I had the date wrong. I'm still planning on attending the trial.

[FDInLaw]

The 10th? Thanks, FD. I had the date wrong. I'm still planning on attending the trial.
You're HERE!!! :basic44:


I hope we get some more folks! :basic45:

[Sonya]

I'm glad to be here!:basic44: I think there will be more interest when the trial gets closer, it was a big deal around here when it happened. It's good to see you, FD! :friends3:

[CSOKC]

FD told me about this case a couple of days ago. I spent all day at work (haha) reading up on the other board yesterday. It seems like there is a lot of information, but at the same time there doesnt seem to be as much as like the Nona case. Has anyone figured out if she got into his truck voluntarily? Or did he force her in? Also, I saw something about cat and dog hairs. Does that mean he took her to his house? I'm sure more information will come out at the trial.

[FDInLaw]

FD told me about this case a couple of days ago. I spent all day at work (haha) reading up on the other board yesterday. It seems like there is a lot of information, but at the same time there doesnt seem to be as much as like the Nona case. Has anyone figured out if she got into his truck voluntarily? Or did he force her in? Also, I saw something about cat and dog hairs. Does that mean he took her to his house? I'm sure more information will come out at the trial.

Sure glad to have you here!!! :basic44:

I think she got in the truck voluntarily. :INhouseReading04:

[Precisely]

Oh good. An actual trial!! :basic44: I guess we'll have to find local news links to find live coverage??? Sounds like an interesting case.

[CSOKC]

Sure glad to have you here!!! :basic44:

I think she got in the truck voluntarily. :INhouseReading04:
Hmm, that's interesting considering the gas station was visible from where her car ran out of gas.

[FDInLaw]

Hmm, that's interesting considering the gas station was visible from where her car ran out of gas.I really don't know. . . did the bank camera record anything that would suggest a struggle? Gosh. . . what did it show???

I need to get read up on the case. . . it's been too long!

[FDInLaw]

Oh good. An actual trial!! :basic44: I guess we'll have to find local news links to find live coverage??? Sounds like an interesting case.
:basic44: Glad to have you!!!

[Precisely]

:basic44: Glad to have you!!!

Thanks, FD. I'm spinning trying to keep up with all the new threads here. :francis: Looking forward to staying put on a trial one. :happy0158:

[CSOKC]

I really don't know. . . did the bank camera record anything that would suggest a struggle? Gosh. . . what did it show???

I need to get read up on the case. . . it's been too long!
As far as I know I've never read anything about what exactly the videos show. I do think that someone was reported as seeing a person slumped down with their head against the window though. I don't know exactly what that tells us, but I would think it means something.

[Sonya]

I'm going on memory here, too. The survelliance was from the Sonic and the McGehee hospital. Osborn took his daughter to work at the hospital before he abducted Casey. There were questions as to whether the passenger in his truck was his daughter or Casey.

[FDInLaw]

I'm going on memory here, too. The survelliance was from the Sonic and the McGehee hospital. Osborn took his daughter to work at the hospital before he abducted Casey. There were questions as to whether the passenger in his truck was his daughter or Casey.I may be getting "bank cemera" from Nona's case. . . I do remember that two people were seen in the car IIRC. . . let's dig it up!

[FDInLaw]

slicked25
Member

Registered: Aug 2005
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 62

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by snowstar
<*>Wow Slicked25 that's interesting! I wonder if the camera just got pics of the truck or if you could actually see if there was one or two occupants in it. That's interesting they got the truck on camera three times. It's really interesting that they have a witness that saw two guys in it! Good job Slicked25!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



I'm not sure if the camera at Sonic picked anybody else. I don't think that truck has tinted windows. But considering KO dropped his daughter off at 6 and imo the camera picked him up sometime after that I guess he could've picked up somebody else but they would almost have to be waiting outside to jump in the truck. But then again it seems like anytime you go to somebody's house to get them you always have to wait.

Considering he had to go to a barbeque at the river around 10am I think it's more likely that he was alone at the time after 6:08 (Casey's last phone call other than trying to call 911) and by the time 6:50 the witness saw 2 men driving back more than likely from the crime scene imo.



http://boards.courttv.com/showthread.php?threadid=273531&perpage=40&pagenumber=11

[FDInLaw]

In the Online Edition-PineBluff Commercial
by staff writer Larry Ault
Saturday September 09, 2006 at 11:42pm

"Casey Crowder, the 17-year-old Pine Bluff girl who disappeared August 27, was described at a Saturday memorial service as a compassionate young woman who defended her brothers' honor and provided a home FOR ANY STRAY DOG OR CAT SHE FOUND within a few miles of her home...At one point THEY HAD MORE THAN A DOZEN (STRAYS)." Said the Rev. Delores Stroud.."



Now I knew from basic criminal investigative analysis, that the case cried-out as a spontaneous event, as opposed to a planned one, or where she either had been stalked or one committed by her boyfriend, since she had spent the night at his residence not far from where her vehicle was recovered. And the offender was unprepared and most likely a disorganized type of offender (at least in this situation) Therefore, the natural chain of events are simple and to be expected. The chronologics as well as location and circumstances and the age, gender, physical attributes of the victim support my hypothesis. It's all quite simple to assess. The vehicle of course is an outward indicator of the tyoe of individual we would be looking for. It's also supported statistically by the local demographics. His age and his race were not part of the statistical equation though. There is almost double the number of afrocan-americans in this area. And so the chances that this crime may have been perpetrated by someone not of the white race increases. The age as well as current marital status was estimated from my personal experience as well as from "other" means. I felt this would be what one would consider to be an older or mature male as opposed to a male around the same age or within ten years of her own age of 17. I believed the situation suggested a single offender as opposed to more than one individual. That estimation was also based on both a statististical as well as deductive reasoning means. The fact that I felt there would be dog hairs involved when examining her body was made through "intuition". I just felt that animals, especially dogs, would play an important role in any forensic recovery from her body. Of course I had no way of knowing if the hairs would be due to her particular involvement with such animals or the offenders, only that these were critical in this case.

I'm still awaiting for information on the man who has been referred to as both a suspect and a POI in different statements made by the Sheriff himself. In an email from a local citizen, it was stated the suspect lost his wife last year to disease or some medical problem involving her heart and his daughter to marriage a few months ago. That he is the driver of a pickup truck (although a newer type and white in color) That he is a local man and is a semi-truck driver. That he has a child (boy?) Casey's age. And he was present at the party her boyfriend had earlier that evening. That an image of his vehicle was captured on camera at a local spot, placing him in proximity to the location where Casey had began walking from her vehicle.

http://webforums.pressdemocrat.com/messageview.cfm?catid=16&threadid=1483&STARTPAGE=14

[FDInLaw]

CROWDER SUSPECT ARRESTED


By Patty Wooten/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Friday, September 29, 2006 9:09 AM CDT

DUMAS — Police have arrested a 46-year-old truck driver in connection with the Aug. 27 kidnapping and strangulation death of 17-year-old Casey Crowder.



Kenneth Osburn, of the Wolfe Project, a rural community near McGehee, was arrested at 3:50 p.m. Thursday on the north edge of the McGehee city limits, according to Desha County Sheriff-elect Jim Snyder.

Osburn likely will be charged with capital murder and kidnapping, according to Snyder.

Snyder confirmed that Osburn is the owner of a white Chevrolet pickup truck the state Crime Lab tested for possible evi dence in the case, but declined to say what, if any, evidence was found in the truck that would link the man to the girl’s murder.

“They’re not finished yet,” he said, referring to crime lab technicians and examiners.



He did, however, confirm that police had viewed surveillance tapes from videos located at businesses along U.S. 65 at Dumas where Casey is believed to have been abducted when her vehicle ran out of gas while returning home to Pine Bluff from her boyfriend’s home near Pickens.
http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2006/09/29/news/news2.txt



I'm still not finding an actual discription of what was seen on the surveillance tape. :0009:

[Sonya]

I may have read that from a poster that lived in Dumas. :waitasec:

[FDInLaw]

I may have read that from a poster that lived in Dumas. :waitasec:
Well. . . are ya gonna find it??? :eyebrow1qb:

We'll have no slackers on this thread! :grin:



:girl_haha:

[Sonya]

I wish I could find it, FD. It was on that really long thread at CTV.


ETA: It wouldn't be official anyway. A lot of information came from locals that claimed it was leaked.

[Pandabear]

I was going to take vacation this week so I could go to the trial, but my boss is out with the flu and I'm forced to work! :doh: Anyway, has anyone heard what's going on with this? My local paper (40 miles from Crossett) hasn't had a thing about any of this so I'm in the dark yet again.

[FDInLaw]

I was going to take vacation this week so I could go to the trial, but my boss is out with the flu and I'm forced to work! :doh: Anyway, has anyone heard what's going on with this? My local paper (40 miles from Crossett) hasn't had a thing about any of this so I'm in the dark yet again.

Is there a hearing today???

Glad you to have you, Pandabear! I remember you from the CTV thread! :happy0207:

[Pandabear]

See I don't know about a hearing. The last I heard, the trial was supposed to start in Crossett yesterday (12/10) but haven't been able to find out anything. If there is a hearing, hopefully one of the state papers will carry the news.

Good to be here and thanks for the welcome!!:happy0207:

[FDInLaw]

See I don't know about a hearing. The last I heard, the trial was supposed to start in Crossett yesterday (12/10) but haven't been able to find out anything. If there is a hearing, hopefully one of the state papers will carry the news.

Good to be here and thanks for the welcome!!:happy0207: I heard Jan. 10th! Huh. . . better make sure lol! :INhouseReading04:

[FDInLaw]

I heard Jan. 10th! Huh. . . better make sure lol! :INhouseReading04: This article says Jan. 10th. . .

http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2007/09/19/news/news2.txt

[Pandabear]

Oh OK! My feeble brain marked my calendar for December 10th. :duh: I'm glad to hear that it's in January, maybe I can make the trial next month. Thanks for the links! :happy0207:

[FDInLaw]

Oh OK! My feeble brain marked my calendar for December 10th. :duh: I'm glad to hear that it's in January, maybe I can make the trial next month. Thanks for the links! :happy0207: :girl_haha: Let's hope you can make it! :happy0158:



(Thank you for posting on Nona's thread. :1222423:)

[sweetgranny]

I haven't really been following this case but now that I am here I will keep checking this site. I hope the guy is found guilty.:1222423:

[sinaiw]

Here we go:

Motions were filed Wed 26 DEC 2007

http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2007/12/28/news/news2.txt

[CSOKC]

Here we go:

Motions were filed Wed 26 DEC 2007

http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2007/12/28/news/news2.txt
I'm glad to hear that his motions were denied.

[FDInLaw]

Here we go:

Motions were filed Wed 26 DEC 2007

http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2007/12/28/news/news2.txt
It's great to have you here! :basic45:

Thanks for the link!

[sinaiw]

Confusion in South East Arkansas:

Two locations from the same Paper source have the trial being held in two different location (ref sources below).

Do any of the locals know for sure where the trial is to be held (Crossett or Hamburg)?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Motions were filed Wed 26 DEC 2007

“Jury selection will begin Jan. 10 and the trial is set to begin Jan. 14 in Crossett in Ashley County.”

http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles...news/news2.txt

__________________________________________________ _____


Pine Bluff Commercial 1 JAN 2008
“The trial is set to begin Jan. 14 in Ashley County Circuit Court at Hamburg.”

http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2008/01/01/news/news1.txt


No. 7

Jury selection will begin Jan. 10 in the state’s capital murder and kidnapping case against Kenneth Osburn of Dumas, who stands accused of killing Pine Bluff teenager Casey Crowder in September 2006. The trial is set to begin Jan. 14 in Ashley County Circuit Court at Hamburg.

The trial venue was changed in September after Arkansas Public Defender Commission Defense Lawyer Patrick Beneca argued that it would be impossible for Osburn to get a fair trial in Desha County.

Crowder’s body was discovered south of Dumas on Sept. 2, 2006, six days after her abandoned car was found on U.S. 65. Osburn was arrested and charged with the crime on Sept. 28.

He was charged as a habitual offender because he has four prior felony convictions, all non-violent offenses.

[FDInLaw]

Confusion in South East Arkansas:

Two locations from the same Paper source have the trial being held in two different location (ref sources below).

Do any of the locals know for sure where the trial is to be held (Crossett or Hamburg)?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Motions were filed Wed 26 DEC 2007

“Jury selection will begin Jan. 10 and the trial is set to begin Jan. 14 in Crossett in Ashley County.”

http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles...news/news2.txt

__________________________________________________ _____


Pine Bluff Commercial 1 JAN 2008
“The trial is set to begin Jan. 14 in Ashley County Circuit Court at Hamburg.”

http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2008/01/01/news/news1.txt


No. 7

Jury selection will begin Jan. 10 in the state’s capital murder and kidnapping case against Kenneth Osburn of Dumas, who stands accused of killing Pine Bluff teenager Casey Crowder in September 2006. The trial is set to begin Jan. 14 in Ashley County Circuit Court at Hamburg.

The trial venue was changed in September after Arkansas Public Defender Commission Defense Lawyer Patrick Beneca argued that it would be impossible for Osburn to get a fair trial in Desha County.

Crowder’s body was discovered south of Dumas on Sept. 2, 2006, six days after her abandoned car was found on U.S. 65. Osburn was arrested and charged with the crime on Sept. 28.

He was charged as a habitual offender because he has four prior felony convictions, all non-violent offenses.
Hey there! :happy0207:

Read your post earlier this morning and sent a PM to someone I know that may attend the trial. Haven't heard from her yet. We'll get an answer! :basic45:

[sinaiw]

Tuesday, January 01, 2008 Ashley County Ledger Hamburg, Ashley County, Arkansas

Desha County Capital Case Moved to Ashley County For Trial During January

Tenth Judicial District Circuit Judge Sam Pope has reserved seven days on his calendar in January for a capital murder trial involving a Desha County man charged in the death of a Pine Bluff teen.

Judge Pope on Tuesday, September 18, signed an order approving a change of venue in the case from Desha County to Ashley County. The case is set for January 10-11 and then continuing January 14-18 in the courthouse in Hamburg.

Kenneth Osburn of Wolfe Project east of McGehee faces capital murder charges in connection with the death of Casey Crowder. Crowder, 17, and a senior at Watson Chapel High School in Pine Bluff, disappeared after apparently running out of gas on Highway 65 in Dumas on Sunday, August 27, 2006. She had been visiting a friend near Dumas and was on her way home. She called her mother about 6:08 a.m. and said she was out of gas and planned to walk to a gas station. No one heard from her after that. The doors of the vehicle were found locked just inside the Dumas city limits with the emergency flashers on.

A week later, on September 2, Arkansas National Guard search crews found Crowder's body in a wooded area several miles from where her car was abandoned. The trial had been scheduled to start in Arkansas City on September 20.

Osburn's defense attorney requested the change of venue stating, "this case has been highly publicized to the extent that the mind of the inhabitants of Desha County are so prejudiced against Kenneth Osburn that a fair and impartial trial cannot be had in this county." Officers arrested and charged Osburn about a month after Crowder disappeared.

[Sonya]

Thanks for the links, Sinaiw. :) The trial will be held at the Ashley County Circuit court in Hamburg. That is at the county courthouse.

[FDInLaw]

Thanks for the links, Sinaiw. :) The trial will be held at the Ashley County Circuit court in Hamburg. That is at the county courthouse.
Thanks for checking in! :basic45:

Hey, any lurkers. . . if you plan to follow the trial please post so that we know who we've rounded up. Also, spread the word about this forum! The more the better!!! :basic44:

[FDInLaw]

Doing a little bit of pre-trial review. . . do we know that the results of the dog & cat hair analysis was??? :z0tdntknw:

A trace evidence analyst at the state Crime Lab recovered animal hair resembling that of a dog and a cat on Crowder’s clothing, according to the affidavit for a warrant to collect DNA from Osburn’s dogs and cats.

Police are now awaiting the results of DNA tests on the animal hair.


http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2006/10/28/news/news2.txt

[animallady]

Thanks for checking in! :basic45:

Hey, any lurkers. . . if you plan to follow the trial please post so that we know who we've rounded up. Also, spread the word about this forum! The more the better!!! :basic44:

Hi All,

I'm very interested in this trial. Does anyone else live in AR?

:0012:

[FDInLaw]

Hi All,

I'm very interested in this trial. Does anyone else live in AR?

:0012:Hey There!

WELCOME! :basic44:

Yes, I live in NW Arkansas and I know Sonya lives down in the Southern part of the state. :basic45:

How long have you followed this case? Did you post over on the CTV thread? I don't remember your nic.

Thank you for posting! :0012:

[Pauli]

Are they going to do a live stream on this trial?

[Sonya]

Are they going to do a live stream on this trial?

Not that I have heard. This is a very small town. The local news stations are an hour away.

[packy]

Maybe a local will be able to attend the trial. I wonder if Pandabear will still be able to since they moved it. They were right to move it because it was publicized big time.

[Sonya]

Maybe a local will be able to attend the trial. I wonder if Pandabear will still be able to since they moved it. They were right to move it because it was publicized big time.


Hi, Packy! :happy0207: If it all works out as planned, I'll be able to attend the trial on the 10th, 11th, 17th and 18th. :basic44: And I plan on doing live updates here via my Blackberry.

[packy]

Hi, Packy! :happy0207: If it all works out as planned, I'll be able to attend the trial on the 10th, 11th, 17th and 18th. :basic44: And I plan on doing live updates here via my Blackberry.

Oh, thanks, Sonya. I didn't know you were close enough to that county. We'll appreciate hearing anything.

[FDInLaw]

Jury Selection in Crowder Capital Murder Case to Begin Thursday

By Sheila Prescott
Jury selection in the Casey Crowder capital murder trial is slated to begin Thursday in the Ashley County Circuit Courtroom. According to Circuit Clerk Bob Rush, twelve jurors and two alternates will be selected from a panel of 127 Ashley County residents to serve during Kenneth Osburn's trial before Tenth Judicial District Judge Sam Pope.

Pope scheduled seven days, two for jury selection and five for trial proceedings, on his calendar in the capital murder case involving a Desha County man charged in the death of a Pine Bluff teen. . .

Judge Pope on Tuesday, September 18, signed an order approving a change of venue in the case from Desha County to Ashley County. The case is set for January 10-11 and then continuing January 14-18 in the courthouse in Hamburg. . .






http://www.ashleycountyledger.com/articles/2008/01/08/news/h16f076qb.txt

Sonya, It looks like you will be there for jury selection.

[Sonya]

Oh crap! I don't want to be there for jury selection. :duh: I'll try to talk to my supervisor and change my leave time. I know I can't be there the 14th though. :(

[FDInLaw]

Oh crap! I don't want to be there for jury selection. :duh: I'll try to talk to my supervisor and change my leave time. I know I can't be there the 14th though. :(
:francis: So, you are going to miss opening statements???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Murphy's Law in action I guess!

Imagine the look on your face if you would have found this out Thursday! :girl_haha:

:basic44: that you will be there part of the time! Now, we need to find some others. . . how do we round up some locals to post here???

[Sonya]

I don't know of anyone that's local. What about the old thread at CTV? Some of them are still members.

[FDInLaw]

I don't know of anyone that's local. What about the old thread at CTV? Some of them are still members.Most of the locals posted as "guests." Unfortunately, "guests" can't receive PMs. I did PM a bunch of the "members" with the link for this forum some time ago. Guess we'll just have to wait and see who shows up. :girl_sad: The link for this forum is posted over on CTV. Hoping the gang will all see it! I've been wondering how some of Casey's friends are holding up. :(

[Sonya]

I know. I saw a lot of guests when I was reading the old posts yesterday. I just talked to my supervisor. She's approved my vacation time for Tuesday-Friday of next week. :basic44: I wish I could be there Monday, too, but I have an important meeting in Little Rock that day.

[animallady]

Hi All,

Just to let you know. I'm very interested in following the trial!!! Compared to all of you I'm a total ignoramus re the case. My interest stems from the very beginning; from when her family realized she was missing. I know someone who knows someone who knows the family. Lo. Wish I could attend the trial but too far from me (in Benton) for round-tripping.

Do you know whether or not anyone is going to video the trial.? A local station maybe? Look forward to following the trial thru your posts.

Thanks for keeping this thread updated.

:happy0207:

[FDInLaw]

Hi All,

Just to let you know. I'm very interested in following the trial!!! Compared to all of you I'm a total ignoramus re the case. My interest stems from the very beginning; from when her family realized she was missing. I know someone who knows someone who knows the family. Lo. Wish I could attend the trial but too far from me (in Benton) for round-tripping.

Do you know whether or not anyone is going to video the trial.? A local station maybe? Look forward to following the trial thru your posts.

Thanks for keeping this thread updated.

:happy0207::basic44: WELCOME!:basic44:

I'm posting from Benton county too and won't be making the trip. We've got a day to kill here before the trial. . . what sparked your interest in the beginning??? Since you know someone, who knows someone, scoop already! (Did you really think you would get off that easy??? :girl_haha:)

[Sonya]

I'm glad you can join us, Animallady! I've spent some time in Benton myself. We used to have weeklong trainings at Brown's Country Cafe. I love that place!

:happy0207:

[FDInLaw]

I'm glad you can join us, Animallady! I've spent some time in Benton myself. We used to have weeklong trainings at Brown's Country Cafe. I love that place!

:happy0207:
Benton is a town too. . . :duh: Can you tell I'm new to Arkansas? :girl_haha:

[wannabem00se]

Casey was a friend of mine and I am very close to the family. Thank you for posting information about the trial, I've been following it since she was reported missing. I attended the funeral, and preached at her church the weekend following her funeral.
I do not like to ask her brothers about this because I don't want to bring up hard feelings. This is my main, if only, source for what is going on now.
Thank you so much, Casey means a great deal to me and I'm praying justice and discernment will be present with every juror and everyone in the courtroom. This has changed my life completely.

[FDInLaw]

Casey was a friend of mine and I am very close to the family. Thank you for posting information about the trial, I've been following it since she was reported missing. I attended the funeral, and preached at her church the weekend following her funeral.
I do not like to ask her brothers about this because I don't want to bring up hard feelings. This is my main, if only, source for what is going on now.
Thank you so much, Casey means a great deal to me and I'm praying justice and discernment will be present with every juror and everyone in the courtroom. This has changed my life completely. WELCOME TO THE BOARD!:happy0207: I hope you will post often. I'm sorry for your loss. :1222423:

Joining you in prayer for the trial! :1222423:

HUGGERS ~ FD

[Sonya]

Casey was a friend of mine and I am very close to the family. Thank you for posting information about the trial, I've been following it since she was reported missing. I attended the funeral, and preached at her church the weekend following her funeral.
I do not like to ask her brothers about this because I don't want to bring up hard feelings. This is my main, if only, source for what is going on now.
Thank you so much, Casey means a great deal to me and I'm praying justice and discernment will be present with every juror and everyone in the courtroom. This has changed my life completely.

Welcome, Wannabe! I'm glad you could join us. I'll remember your prayer when I am in the courtroom next week.

[sinaiw]

Fox16 Text and video:

http://www.fox16.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=6320a8fd-fa13-4d44-8016-45f19d30b4eb

[FDInLaw]

Fox16 Text and video:

http://www.fox16.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=6320a8fd-fa13-4d44-8016-45f19d30b4eb


Casey's treasure box also holds just a fraction of the community support for the Crowder family in the form of condolence cards. Melinda hopes that support and Casey's memory will prove enough to get her through the trial.

"I want justice for my daughter and that helps to think that maybe if he's convicted, which we hope he will be, that this will help bring a little bit of closure to my family," Crowder says.



This section of the article jumped out at me. . . let's send a card from the gang here! Their address was easy to find on the Internet. Just take a moment and post on the condolence thread here. . . I can print it off and send it in a day or two. OR, let me know if you just want me to sign your nic. Let's love on these folks and let them know they are not standing alone. :1222423:

[lorettalockhorn]

Days before trial, mom recalls child
Pine Bluff woman says slain daughter was fearless, a tomboy
By MIKE LINN
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

PINE BLUFF — Melinda Crowder’s eyes welled up in tears as she opened the large green treasure box in her home.

The items inside - newspaper clippings, sympathy cards, a worn softball glove, a package of M&M’s - act as reminders of her slain daughter Casey Crowder, a 17-year-old Watson Chapel High School senior whoauthorities say was strangled to death in August of 2006 in Desha County.

Authorities found her body near a canal east of Dumas on Sept. 2, 2006,following a six-day search that attracted national attention.

The man accused in her kidnapping and death, 48-year-oldKenneth Ray Osburn, will be in Ashley County Circuit Court today and Friday as prosecutors and his defense team select the jurors to decide his fate.

The former truck driver is accused of kidnapping and capital murder and faces the death penalty. Trial begins Monday and is expected to last three to five days.

“It’s scary,” Melinda Crowder said Monday during an inter-view at her home in Pine Bluff. “I feel like somebody has reached inside my chest and is squeezing my heart. We miss her so much.”

Casey grew up in Pine Bluff and was a country girl at heart. She loved to hunt and fish, and had no problem - she actually enjoyed - cleaning the guts out of a dead deer, her mother said.

“She was not skittish at all,” Melinda Crowder said. “If there was a mouse around the house, she would pick it up and chase her brothers with it. She was the bug killer. When they would skin deer and everything, she was always right in the middle of it.”

Melinda Crowder described her daughter as a “spitfire” and a “little cocky,” a seemingly fearless teen who wouldn’t back down in a verbal confrontation.

“She was a tomboy and she was very outspoken,” said Courtney Peters, a friend of the family and Casey’s hairstylist. “She was not a girly-girl at all. I would always try to get her to do something different with her hair, but she never would. Blonde highlights - that was it.”

The only girl, Casey grew up with three younger brothers and had an older half brother, her mother said.

She was tough, somewhat stubborn at times, and yet in the summer between her junior and senior years in high school she began to show a softer, more mature side, her mother said.

“She grew up a lot that summer,” Melinda Crowder said. “She was just starting to get out of that can’t-get-along-with-the-teenager stage.”

At Watson Chapel, Casey played left field for the girls softball team and was elected to the student council her senior year, school officials said.

Her best friend, 18-year-old Brianne VonTungeln, played softball with her at Watson Chapel and remembers the “spunky, fun-loving girl” who spent hot summer nights catching bass in a pond in VonTungeln’s yard.

She also remembers a church mission trip the two took to New Orleans a few years ago, when she climbed a plantain tree overlooking a swamp at a Cajun diner called the Bayou Barn.

“She got on a friend’s shoulder and shimmied up the tree, got a handful of [plantains] and threw them down,” VonTungeln said. “Next to us was a formal restaurant with glass windows and people in tuxes, dresses and ties saw what we had just done. We were so embarrassed.”

Memories like these put a smile on VonTungeln’s face, but offer little comfort to the loss of a best friend.

“It still feels the same as the day they found her body,” VonTungeln said. “I haven’t gotten any closure. I don’t think anybody has.”

Casey vanished on Aug. 27, 2006, a week into her senior year at Watson Chapel, after she ran out of gas about 6 a.m. on U.S. 65 in Dumas following a visit to see her boyfriend in Pickens, a farming community just south of Dumas.

Authorities zeroed in on Osburn after video surveillance from businesses on U.S. 65 showed a truckmatching his vehicle’s description driving around the time and place where Crowder ran out of gas.

Court records indicate Osburn dropped his daughter off at work shortly before police say Crowder was abducted.

Osburn, who lived in the Wolfe Project area near McGehee, was arrested Sept. 28, 2006, interviewed and “admitted that he caused the death of Casey Crowder,” according to court records filed by law enforcement.

Desha County Sheriff Jim Snyder, a deputy sheriff at the time, testified at a hearing in September that Osburn told him, “Jim, I didn’t do that to that girl. I was outside myself watching myself do it.”

“I took that to mean he was having an out-of-body experience,” Snyder testified. Osburn used to work for Snyder, and the two had rapport, Snyder told the court.

At the September hearing, Osburn’s attorney Jim Wyatt of Little Rock attempted to get certain statements to authorities - including the alleged confession to Snyder - barred from trial on the grounds that authorities continued to interrogate Osburn after he asked for his attorney. The motion was denied.

Osburn’s defense team has asked the court to allow a University of San Francisco School of Law professor, Richard Leo, to testify on the issue of police interrogation and false confessions, according to 10th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Thomas Deen.

Deen said Circuit Judge Sam Pope took the request under advisement and would decide whether to allow Leo to testify.

A phone message left for Leo on Tuesday at his home in California was not returned. Wyatt also did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Pope moved the trial to Hamburg from Arkansas City after deciding it would be too difficult to seat a fair and impartial jury in Desha County. Publicity about the case, which included national media coverage, had prejudiced Desha County residents against the defendant, defense attorneys argued in court papers.

Melinda Crowder said she is getting nervous as the trial nears, noting that all of the details surrounding her daughter’s death will be put before her and her family.

Before the trial begins, she said she may light a candle in honor of her daughter. She lights the candle, which sits atop a piano, every Christmas to remind her family of Casey, the teen who had plans to go to the University of Arkansas at Monticello to study to become a game warden.

The 5-foot-1-inch teenager with blonde hair and green eyes loved to sing and play softball, had many friends and was often laughing, her mother said.

But what Melinda Crowder remembers most was that fearlessness. Casey wasn’t scared of mice, bugs and bloody deer. She wasn’t scared to sing in front of big crowds, either. She wouldn’t let the anxieties of life rattle her, her mother said.

“She used to make me so nervous because before a solo at church, I would tell her to practice, practice ... and she would say, ‘No, I’m fine,’” the mother said. “She would go up there and do it perfect. Not nervous or anything. She would hit every note.”

This article was published Thursday, January 10, 2008.
Arkansas, Pages 11, 20 on 01/10/2008

[lorettalockhorn]

Channel 11 will have jury selection coverage at 5pm and 6pm; short article here:

http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=58769

[FDInLaw]

The process of jury selection in the capital murder and kidnaping trial of Kenneth Osburn of Wolfe Project began rather slowly in Ashley County Circuit Court in Hamburg on Thursday morning, January 10. . . .
The state is seeking the death penalty in the case, and the proceedings Thursday morning included questioning of jurors in groups of five about any knowledge that they may have about the case, any connection to the victim's family or others involved in the case. The prospective jurors were also asked about their views on the death penalty and if they would be able to view photos of the victim without the photos interfering with their ability to hear the case impartially.

Each of the 127 prospective jurors had completed a 17-page questionnaire prior to the proceedings on Thursday. On Thursday, half of the panel appeared, with the remainder to appear on Friday.

During the first morning of proceedings, Circuit Judge Sam Pope asked the panel about issues which would prevent the members from hearing the case.

After questions of the group as a whole, defense and prosecuting attorneys began questioning groups of five potential jurors. In the first group of five, two potential jurors, one man and one woman, were selected and were ordered to report to court at 8:30 for the trial to begin at 9 a. m. Monday.

As of noon Thursday, the prosecution had examined the second group of five potential jurors with the defense attorneys to began the examination after a lunch break. . .




http://www.ashleycountyledger.com/articles/2008/01/10/news/h16f076q.txt

[wannabem00se]

This section of the article jumped out at me. . . let's send a card from the gang here! Their address was easy to find on the Internet. Just take a moment and post on the condolence thread here. . . I can print it off and send it in a day or two. OR, let me know if you just want me to sign your nic. Let's love on these folks and let them know they are not standing alone. :1222423:




The yellow paper chain inside that box was something I started at my high school in Louisiana. Several of my friends wrote messages to Casey's family. I also collected the same notes from members of my church and we made a long chain of hope for Casey's family. I gave it to her Mom the week after the funeral. That Bible is the one she used at church camp, where I met her. It was also the Bible used for her memorial service.

[FDInLaw]

The yellow paper chain inside that box was something I started at my high school in Louisiana. Several of my friends wrote messages to Casey's family. I also collected the same notes from members of my church and we made a long chain of hope for Casey's family. I gave it to her Mom the week after the funeral. That Bible is the one she used at church camp, where I met her. It was also the Bible used for her memorial service.
HUGS! That's beautiful. Those things really do mean a lot. :1222423:

[sinaiw]

From The ASHLEY COUNTY LEDGER

The process of jury selection in the capital murder and kidnaping trial of Kenneth Osburn of Wolfe Project began rather slowly in Ashley County Circuit Court in Hamburg on Thursday morning, January 10. Osburn is charged with kidnaping and murder in connection with the August 27, 2006, disappearance and subsequent death of Casey Crowder, 17, of Pine Bluff.

The state is seeking the death penalty in the case, and the proceedings Thursday morning included questioning of jurors in groups of five about any knowledge that they may have about the case, any connection to the victim's family or others involved in the case. The prospective jurors were also asked about their views on the death penalty and if they would be able to view photos of the victim without the photos interfering with their ability to hear the case impartially.

Each of the 127 prospective jurors had completed a 17-page questionnaire prior to the proceedings on Thursday. On Thursday, half of the panel appeared, with the remainder to appear on Friday.

During the first morning of proceedings, Circuit Judge Sam Pope asked the panel about issues which would prevent the members from hearing the case.

After questions of the group as a whole, defense and prosecuting attorneys began questioning groups of five potential jurors. In the first group of five, two potential jurors, one man and one woman, were selected and were ordered to report to court at 8:30 for the trial to begin at 9 a. m. Monday.

As of noon Thursday, the prosecution had examined the second group of five potential jurors with the defense attorneys to began the examination after a lunch break.

The court allowed Thursday and Friday for juror selection in the case. Judge Pope allocated all of next week for the trial itself.

[FDInLaw]

http://www.katv.com/news/stories/0108/486902_video.html?ref=newsstory

[sinaiw]

From The Pine Bluff Commercial

http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2008/01/11/news/news1.txt

[sinaiw]

From The Pine Bluff Commercial

http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2008/01/11/news/news2.txt

[FDInLaw]

From The Pine Bluff Commercial

http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2008/01/11/news/news1.txtFrom this article

Prosecutor Thomas Deen also quizzed the candidates about crime-fighting shows such as “CSI: Miami,” in which numerous lab technicians doubling as detectives collect and analyze mountains of DNA and other forensic evidence.

“Would any of you be surprised to find that in many, if not most crimes, there is no DNA evidence, like hairs or semen,” said Deen. “I trust you’re not going to hold us to that type of ‘CSI’ burden.”

The case against Osburn is largely circumstantial, with little physical evidence. Confessions by Osburn will be heard by jurors at trial.
IMO the prosecution's case is in trouble if depends greatly on Osborn's confession. The videos will help a great deal, but they are still circumstantial evidence.

Praying for the jury, that they may have discernment. :1222423:

[Sonya]

I got a little information at lunch time. Two Ashley County Librarians were called as prospective jurors. They are still questioning them in groups of 5. One person in one of the librarian's group was chosen. The second librarian was to report back at 1:00 p.m. Another prospective juror was asked to come back with another group at 2:00 p.m. All three of these people are middle-aged women.

[sinaiw]

"A panel of four male jurors, eight female jurors and two female alternates were chosen....."


http://www.ashleycountyledger.com/

[sinaiw]

REF: Pine Bluff Commercial 12-12-08, SAT.

http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2008/01/12/news/news3.txt

[FDInLaw]

REF: Pine Bluff Commercial 12-12-08, SAT.

http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2008/01/12/news/news3.txt
Is it me, or does the defense team's game plan mirror what happened in the Kevin Jones trial? Seems they intend to put the local PD on trial and keep the jury focused on that and not the actual murder. It will be interesting to see if they have any ground to stand on. I really hate watching. . . it is the defense's job to distract the jury from why they are there pointing fingers, etc. It's not easy to watch though. Praying hard that the facts the jury needs to hear stick in their mind and that a just verdict is given.

May the truth prevail, whatever it is. :1222423:

[sinaiw]

Tomorrow 14 Jan 2008 is the beginning of the story of “Casey Crowder’s TRAGIC END’.

A recap is presented in the PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL.


http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2008/01/13/news/news2.txt

MURDER TRIAL TO BEGIN

By Jeannie Nugent/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Saturday, January 12, 2008 11:17 PM CST

[packy]

So far it seems they only have the confession and the video of his truck, but it sure doesn't look good if it's true they had false satellite pictures of his truck at the scene.

Nothing in his truck? And one article said the pet hairs did not match. Although it is interesting that he said he went back for cigarettes but there was no register receipt for a single pack. Has any more about that come out I wonder.

Thanks for all the links and updates. I'm trying to keep up.

[FDInLaw]

Opening statements are to scheduled for Monday, January 14, in the trial of Kenneth Osburn, who is accused of kidnapping and killing Pine Bluff teenager Casey Crowder.

A jury of four men and eight women was seated Friday at Hamburg. The trial was moved there because the judge feared publicity in Desha County, AR could make it hard to seat an unbiased jury. The trial is expected to last all week.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for the August 27th, 2006, slaying of the 17-year-old. Police say Casey had run out of gas on U.S. 65 near Dumas after visiting her boyfriend at Pickens.

Osburn has maintained he is innocent and said that he did not want to discuss a possible plea agreement in which he would serve life in prison.




http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=8a51c981-3f37-4513-8619-7e62dcce5724&rss=59

[FDInLaw]

So far it seems they only have the confession and the video of his truck, but it sure doesn't look good if it's true they had false satellite pictures of his truck at the scene.

Nothing in his truck? And one article said the pet hairs did not match. Although it is interesting that he said he went back for cigarettes but there was no register receipt for a single pack. Has any more about that come out I wonder.

Thanks for all the links and updates. I'm trying to keep up.It's good to have you! :happy0207:

[FDInLaw]

Details of the killing not known publicly before emerged during jury selection. Prosecutor Thomas Deen said Casey had been strangled with a “zip tie,” a plastic strip used to bundle electrical cables.

After the jurors had been selected and cleared from the courtroom, Circuit Judge Sam Pope noted that he was told Deen discussed offering Osburn the plea agreement.

Defense lawyer Jim Wyatt said Osburn turned down the offer.

“You don’t want to even talk about it?” Pope asked Osburn.

“No, I declined,” Osburn said, shaking his head.

During pre-trial proceedings, Pope ruled that statements Osburn made to police before his formal arrest could not be used during the trial. But Pope ruled that statements Osburn made later were admissible.

Defense lawyers said Friday that they may seek to introduce at least some of the statements Pope agreed to keep out. Co-defense counsel Patrick Benca told the judge that the statements could be used to support defense claims that police didn’t use proper investigative techniques.

Pope cautioned the defense that prosecutors would also be able to use the tapes if the defense introduced them into evidence.

“Anything on those tapes are fair game,” Pope said.

Defense lawyers asked that Pope limit prosecutors’ cross-examination concerning the statements. The judge did not immediately rule on that request.






http://www2.arkansasonline.com/news/2008/jan/12/opening-statements-slaying-pine-bluff-teen-set-mon/

[slicked25]

I'm not going to lie I thought he was guilty BRD but after reading this site last night has got me thinking different. Granted, I haven't kept up with the details for way over a year now but I had no idea they (ASP & FBI) used FAKE PICTURES of Osburn's truck at the crime scene. That's unbelievable to me that the govt. would stoop to this level. They wouldn't even have to do this to get an conviction but now if this isn't true and the DNA which was the main reason the prosecutor filled charges on this 9th grade dropout who was taken out to an old metal shed and questioned plus who knows what else for 23 hours without a lawyer (Duh, Coercing's illegal) was NEGATIVE on the dog hairs found on Casey then he's not guilty.

The reason they carried him out to that shed was because they wanted to keep away from all the media hordes. Please. I remember driving by during all of that and it wasn't anybody else out there besides cops and a few reporters. What a lame excuse not to use a govt. building for questioning. OJ got thru it (in '95) but I guess Osburn wouldn't be able to. Reality, they took him out there and did you know what to him.:duh:

So in other words fake pictures, negative DNA results, no link of Casey inside his truck what so ever then how can you send a man to death beyond a reasonable doubt? They also used his daughter as a pawn that I didn't no about to get a confession out of Osburn because he was scared they'd go after her also sticks. I mean he probably did it but after what I know now not counting with what's gone on today then he'll walk. Not to mention the two Arkansas Dept. of Correction employees that saw a black male walking down he sidewalk about the time of Casey last phone call. I assume they passed the polygraph test because the defense was unable to get the results back from Dean. Who knows now?:rolleye0001:

[FDInLaw]

I'm not going to lie I thought he was guilty BRD but after reading this site last night has got me thinking different. Granted, I haven't kept up with the details for way over a year now but I had no idea they (ASP & FBI) used FAKE PICTURES of Osburn's truck at the crime scene. That's unbelievable to me that the govt. would stoop to this level. They wouldn't even have to do this to get an conviction but now if this isn't true and the DNA which was the main reason the prosecutor filled charges on this 9th grade dropout who was taken out to an old metal shed and questioned plus who knows what else for 23 hours without a lawyer (Duh, Coercing's illegal) was NEGATIVE on the dog hairs found on Casey then he's not guilty.

The reason they carried him out to that shed was because they wanted to keep away from all the media hordes. Please. I remember driving by during all of that and it wasn't anybody else out there besides cops and a few reporters. What a lame excuse not to use a govt. building for questioning. OJ got thru it (in '95) but I guess Osburn wouldn't be able to. Reality, they took him out there and did you know what to him.:duh:

So in other words fake pictures, negative DNA results, no link of Casey inside his truck what so ever then how can you send a man to death beyond a reasonable doubt? They also used his daughter as a pawn that I didn't no about to get a confession out of Osburn because he was scared they'd go after her also sticks. I mean he probably did it but after what I know now not counting with what's gone on today then he'll walk. Not to mention the two Arkansas Dept. of Correction employees that saw a black male walking down he sidewalk about the time of Casey last phone call. I assume they passed the polygraph test because the defense was unable to get the results back from Dean. Who knows now?:rolleye0001:
Hey Slicked! I'm glad you found us! The "evidence" in this case has me scratching my head too. . . hoping we will know more soon!

[Happy2bme]

Hey Slicked! I'm glad you found us! The "evidence" in this case has me scratching my head too. . . hoping we will know more soon!


Wow! Unbelieveable! Hope we get some real answers.

[FDInLaw]

Opening statements began around 9 a.m. The state called their first witness, Melinda Crowder, the mother of Casey Crowder.

Melinda says her daughter called her twice the morning of August 28th, 2006 telling her she ran out of gas on Highway 65, but not to worry that she would call her boyfriend to come pick her up. That was the last time Melinda says she heard from her daughter.

Casey's car was found around noon that day on Highway 65 between Dumas and Pine Bluff with no gas and a dead battery.

The state says throughout the trial, the jury will see surveillance video from various businesses on Highway 65. They reveal, according to prosecutors, Kenneth Osburn's truck driving back and forth on that highway-- the same morning Casey disappeared.

Crowder was reported missing. Six days later, after an extensive search, she was found strangled to death in a wooded area about six miles from her car. Detectives say DNA evidence and interviews led to the arrest of Osburn.

Police think Crowder was kidnapped by Osburn while she walked to a gas station.

Prosecutors say Osburn has four prior felony convictions although they are not for violent crimes.



Complete article here:

http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=58925

[FDInLaw]

Wow! Unbelieveable! Hope we get some real answers.We will have to wait and see. . . I'm not going to come to a firm resolve without knowing a lot more! :serious:

Nice to see you H2BM!!! :happy0207:

[FDInLaw]

post already! :francis:



What are your thoughts about the trial??? :basic45:

[FDInLaw]

Associated Press - January 14, 2008 4:04 PM ET

HAMBURG, Ark. (AP) - The mother of a slain teenager described how her daughter called twice the morning of August 18th, 2006, saying she ran out of gas but not to worry. Melinda Crowder took the stand today to testify in the capital murder trial of the man accused of killing her daughter.

Kenneth Osburn -- a truck driver from Desha County -- is accused of kidnapping 17-year-old Casey Crowder and strangling her. The teenager was found dead in woods about six miles from her car on Highway 65 near Dumas. Detectives say DNA evidence and interviews led to Osburn's arrest.

The trial in Hamburg may continue into Friday.



http://www.kfsm.com/Global/story.asp?S=7622247

Interesting! It says quote "Detectives say DNA evidence and interviews led to Osburn's arrest."

[slicked25]

http://www.kfsm.com/Global/story.asp?S=7622247

Interesting! It says quote "Detectives say DNA evidence and interviews led to Osburn's arrest."

I went back last night and read every media paper here and that's the same thing they said then as now about DNA plus other interviews led to KO's arrest. Well the DNA was the dog hair that took forever to find out the results but came back negative. I don't know much but I do know that dog's hair sheds 1000 times more than humans. I know humans don't shed but you know what I mean. My dog lives inside and I'm constantly sweeping and wiping off the furniture just to clean up her hair. My point is IF she got into that truck then some of KO's dog's hair that was inside the truck would have been on Casey period. You can bet that his truck wasn’t spik and span when he allegedly picked her up. So regardless if he cleaned up the truck afterwards if the Dog's DNA came back negative this is a huge blow in the prosecution’s case.

I haven't kept up with it in a long time but give me a reason for me to vote guilty. Tell me something to make me believe BRD. A truck driving by on video doesn't do it for me and on that note I have eaten at that Sonic a million times and HAVE NEVER SEEN A VIDEO CAMERA THERE. I'm not saying that there's not one but it's highly unlikely that if they did there's no way that they could've seen KO inside that white Chevy truck (IN THE DARK) with distinctive markings on it. Now there is a camera at the Dollar General but the video (Black and White Cameras) reception is way below 480SD if you will. That's Standard Definition to you non HD junkies. Besides, it’s the same point, that that camera could not have seen KO inside that truck at pre dawn hours. It's too far away. It could maybe see a truck driving by but nothing else. I'm not now taking up for him but as of last night reading here the prosecutions case stinks. DNA doesn’t lie.:a1chic: In one of the first media reports here the Sherriff elect at the time said that their primarily looking for a Toyota Truck. I’m sorry but as a Dumas resident (unless they prosecution can pull a rabbit out of its hat) Case Closed.

Also, I tried for over an hour to find a case that was used to convict a man using NASA Satellite Photos and couldn't find one. The prosecutions case was sealed IMO using fake pictures. So sad.

[slicked25]

Now that my interest level is back I just went out and made the exact same route that KO took "only" where he was videotaped and it donned on me that that it's the exact same route people have taken for over 50 year's while out cruising around much less the people pulling into the grocery store for a few minutes then heading back out towards the river. I'm specifically talking about cruising southbound by Sonic then turning into the shopping center where people have hung out at times then cruised back by Sonic northbound then hanging a right onto 165 east while passing Dollar General on your left. Catch my drift? I now have a lot of doubt about the quality of the video cameras. The one at DG is worse than I previously thought. Unless they changed the camera angles and that's a possibility, I couldn't even see myself a few minutes ago. Sonic is brand new up got upgraded to the newer style but couldn't find a camera. Maybe it's inside the building. I don't know.

And another thing and I'm not the only one that thinks this now here is he went to Matthews for coffee for 20 minutes. He then left but decided to go back for cigarettes. Cash register receipts didn't show any smokes on it. Look, this is Arkansas, much less SEA, so this isn't surprising at all that there's no receipt for smokes on there.

I'm not going to start naming local business but I know for a fact that there are a few people who make a living off dipping into the kitty. Then one place I go to she'll hit "No-Sale" on the cash register which makes the machine open up without recording anything being sold. So at the end of the night she'll scrape the top minus the start up. Now this wouldn't ever work in the big city or even a national big name gas station like Exxon, BP, Chevron, etc… but this is just simply a small country gas station that's home to the good ole boy networks. Pay attention when you buy something and see if the amount gets punched in. Chinese restaurants in general are notorious for this and I don’t mean the ones here.

This is what people are saying on the street now about the satellite photos, if they could fake those then they could fake the video just as easy. They had his truck "while he was carried out behind the shed" so they could've easily had driven the truck right by there late in the night where it could "allegedly" be videotaped but the only thing they'd have to do is change the date on the camera or just Photoshop it too. You ought to see some of the pictures they had Photos hoped of Houston Nutt. You'd think he was sitting right there with Abraham Lincoln. I only hope that they prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. If he's the man then fry'em but don't send somebody to the pokie for something that they didn't do. That's my main concern.

[slicked25]

So what does this mean?

Six days later, after an extensive search, she was found strangled to death in a wooded area about six miles from her car. Detectives say DNA evidence and interviews led to the arrest of Osburn.

"DNA evidence however will not be showed to the jury because the prosecution says it was ruined by humidity."

http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=58925


Am I missing something here? DNA was the primary reason he was arrested in the first place and now there saying in court today that “DNA was ruined by humidity.”: Francis: The DNA that was tested was the HAIR found on Casey as well as testing KO dog's for DNA sample to see if there was a match. Well, we all know that the results came back “negative” and now we're all learning that “the DNA will not be shown to the jury because it was ruined by humidity.” I don't get it.

I googled can DNA be ruined by humidity and received a lot of hits but couldn't find anything about hair being ruined by humidity. Look, I'm not the smartest man in the world but it doesn't take over two plus year's to find out on day 1 that the DNA was ruined by Mother Nature. It sounds to me that someone's trying to Google their tracks if you will.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4DKUS_enUS253US253&q=can+DNA+be+ruined+by+humidity

Why do you see on some of those crime shows specifically courtv/trutv that a said judge had ordered for a body to be exhumed for DNA testing even though they’ve been dead for 30 year’s? The truth of the matter is Hair, Teeth, Bones will last forever. In one of the online media papers here the investigators couldn’t put Casey inside his truck. No fingerprints, hair, carpet fibers could be linked between the two. Look, OJ had a mountain of evidence stacked against him and as of this moment, I can’t find one single piece of concrete evidence against Kenneth. We’ll see…

[Pauli]

Thank you Slicked for your posts, very interesting to say the least. I have a hard time with the DNA.. if they are saying it was ruined by humidity how did they get any DNA from it in the first place.. does not make sense.

[slicked25]

http://helpfindthemissing.org/forum/showthread.php?t=190 #3

Osburn was arrested Thursday after authorities said he was linked to Casey's death from a DNA sample and other evidence. Investigators credited interviews with residents and surveillance tapes from area businesses for helping in the arrest.

http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2008/01/13/news/news2.txt
Investigators compared hairs, including pet hairs, found on Casey’s body to those found in Osburn’s truck. The results were "negative." No evidence was found in the truck that linked Osburn to Casey.

http://arkansasmatters.com/content/fulltext/?cid=64200
On Monday, the prosecution said in opening statements, there will be no physical evidence or DNA linking Osburn to the crime scene.:022:

Beating a confession out of a man for 23 hours is illegal. I've lossed total confidence with this DA.:0009:

[slicked25]

Thank you Slicked for your posts, very interesting to say the least. I have a hard time with the DNA.. if they are saying it was ruined by humidity how did they get any DNA from it in the first place.. does not make sense.

Exactly, they used dental records to make a match just read it.:waitasec:

[Pauli]

To me it looks like they either have the wrong person, or they screwed up big time and a guilty person could go free.

[slicked25]

To me it looks like they either have the wrong person, or they screwed up big time and a guilty person could go free.

I don't know the man from Adam and had never seen him before but the people that went to class with him pre-9th grade obviously said that he didn't do that. They also said that he might be dumb as a bag of rocks but he wouldn't kill anybody. Of course, we've all heard that one before so who knows. I was on a jury year's ago for Dean and looking back now that's all they had on that dude was a confession that ended up being a hung jury.

You ought to see this building that they carried KO for the infamous 23 hour interrogation. I had never heard of anybody that had used that building or had seen anybody walk in and out of it until now. Of course that doesn't mean anything other than they should've carried him to the police stations interrogation room.

[wannabem00se]

Please remember the reason for this trial is to get justice for Casey and closure, even if in a small amount, for the Crowder family.

[slicked25]

Please remember the reason for this trial is to get justice for Casey and closure, even if in a small amount, for the Crowder family.

I totally agree without a doubt but I hope to God they got the right man. Hopefully, the smoking gun will be found and if he's GBRD then justice will be served for the Crowder family. I couldn't imagine their pain and what they've gone through and are currently going through. But sending an innocent man to jail for the rest of his life doesn't make it right either. I live here and this week the interest has picked backed up and the people are talking. I've heard anybody from KO, his son, Mexicans that were at a party where Casey was, that black guy walking down the sidewalk at the time of her last call to her mom and numerous others, plus negative DNA results, 23 hour coerced confession and nothing to link the two together after all this time is mind-boggling to say the least. I hope they just get it right for both families going through this painful time.

[FDInLaw]

Someone jump in here and correct me if I'm wrong, there are several possible sources for dna on a crime scene. If the victim has sat for over 48 hours (or is it 72?) samples of semen, etc. are no longer useable, especially in hot and humid conditions. This is why serial killers dump their victims out where they will not be found for some time. Time kills some evidence. Hair is a whole different issue. In the little child recovery packets handed out to parents (I picked up some of these at a fair recently), along with the child's photo and finger prints a hair sample was also asked for and it clearly states "for dna." I assume the humidity issue does not apply to hair samples??? Just a thought.



Justice for Casey! :1222423:

[slicked25]

Let's figure out the timeline. Maybe that will make it a little clearer.

Casey called mom at 5:47 and a final call at 6:08

6:11 Osburn was then seen heading north by Sonic's camera just under 3 minutes after Casey made her last call according to media reports here.

http://helpfindthemissing.org/forum/showthread.php?t=190&page=2

6:14 Today's ADG said his truck was seen going southbound on 65, then northbound on 65 2:44 seconds later.

6:46 KO's truck seen going east bound on 165

That's 32 minutes later.

Dean said in today's ADG that a woman said she saw "Osburn and a woman" heading East on 165. She initially thought it was Osborn’s daughter Holly Osburn, whom she worked with at a nursing home.

But when she arrived at work, Holly was already there.

Osburn, according to a statement he reportedly made to police two days after Crowder’s body was found, said he had taken his daughter to work at a Dumas nursing home sometime between 6:15 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. then went to Matthews’s truck stop at the intersection of U.S. 65 and 165 to drink a cup of coffee.

He said he left about 20 minutes later headed home to McGehee, according to the exhibit.

When told that his truck was seen traveling north on U.S. 65 minutes after it was seen traveling south, Osburn reportedly told police he turned around and went back to Matthews to buy a pack of cigarettes. He said he bought one pack then went home, according to the exhibit.

Osborn’s truck was not seen going south again after it headed north and cash register receipts from Matthews, during the time frame in question, did not show the purchase of a single package of cigarettes, according to the exhibit.

So if cameras had pined him at 6:46 at the Dollar General which is directly across from Matthews, would/could Casey be in the truck while he drank coffee for about 20 minutes? How could that happen especially considering this said woman saw a woman in the truck with KO heading east on 165? Is it possible that she was actually in the truck :1222423: while he was inside drinking coffee? That doesn't make since to me considering it was Summer time in late August and at that time of the morning the farmers are rolling 100%. Way too many eyeballs there drinking coffee at those hours. Here's another thing to consider, why was he (KO) allegedly only seen 3 times on videotape? Two by Sonic and one by DG. How could he not be on tape at least one more time?:0009: OK I got to go.

[slicked25]

Someone jump in here and correct me if I'm wrong, there are several possible sources for dna on a crime scene. If the victim has sat for over 48 hours (or is it 72?) samples of semen, etc. are no longer useable, especially in hot and humid conditions. This is why serial killers dump their victims out where they will not be found for some time. Time kills some evidence. Hair is a whole different issue. In the little child recovery packets handed out to parents (I picked up some of these at a fair recently), along with the child's photo and finger prints a hair sample was also asked for and it clearly states "for dna." I assume the humidity issue does not apply to hair samples??? Just a thought.



Justice for Casey! :1222423:

I knew I should've clicked off but yes DNA can be ruined by the Sun and or humidity especially in hot weather. As for hair, as long as there's a good root on the end of the hair. When you pull a single piece of your hair out what you see on the steam is what they test DNA for. Teeth can survive a fire and still be tested. Also read this old article that I found talking about the DNA in this case.

http://missingexploited.com/2006/11/22/kenneth-ray-osburn-pets-dna-to-be-tested-in-murder-case-of-casey-crowder/

[FDInLaw]

Please remember the reason for this trial is to get justice for Casey and closure, even if in a small amount, for the Crowder family.Casey's family will only have justice if the right person is convicted. Questioning is apart of the process, please don't let it get to you. Trust me, I know first hand how hard this week is. . . hang in there. :1222423:
During the trial the defense will do their best to have the jury focus on the PD or someone/something else and NOT on what happened to Casey. Be prepared for it. Pray hard, just because they will try this does NOT mean they will succeed! KO is a person and has a family too, we need to be mindful of that. There are a lot of people hurting as a result of Casey's death. Let's keep praying for the truth to come out and keep looking for facts and evidence that we can trust before determining guilt.

There is a memorial thread set up for Casey, I hope everyone will post a message for her family there.

HUGS ~ FD

:1222423:

[FDInLaw]

The jury on Monday saw surveillance video from various businesses on Highway 65. They show Kenneth Osburn's truck driving back and forth on that highway-- the same morning Casey disappeared. Prosecutors say that puts Osburn at the scene.

Six days later, after an extensive search, she was found strangled to death in a wooded area about six miles from her car. Detectives say DNA evidence and interviews led to the arrest of Osburn.

DNA evidence however will not be showed to the jury because the prosecution says it was ruined by humidity.

Police think Crowder was kidnapped by Osburn while she walked to a gas station.

The jury can expect several other things from the trial as well this week; including a taped admission of the kidnapping and killing made from Osburn to police.

At one point police say Osburn said, “It's like I was outside my body, watching myself."

Defense attorney Jim Wyatt argues that officers intimidated Osburn bringing out the confession and that they quote, "Asked him leading questions, and the entire interrogation was not done properly."

To back that up, the defense is expected to call an expert doctor to the stand who will testify that Osburn has a low I.Q., and was led into a confession after grueling hours of questioning.

The defense is still uncertain if Osburn will take the stand.

Prosecutors say Osburn has four prior felony convictions although they are not for violent crimes.

Circuit Judge Sam Pope moved the trial from Desha County to Ashley County. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in the case.

The jury consists of four men and eight women. The trial is expected to last through Friday. Defense Attorneys say they have not decided yet if Osburn will testify.




http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=58925

[FDInLaw]

HAMBURG — Prosecuting Attorney Thomas Deen leaned over the lectern and in a soft voice described for the jury the final hours of Casey Crowder’s life.

The 17-year-old Watson Chapel High School senior had traveled from Pine Bluff to Desha County on Aug. 26, 2006, to spend the night with her boyfriend in Pickens, a farming community south of Dumas.

Early the next morning, she left for home in her Dodge Durango, running out of gas on U. S. 65 just south of Dumas.

Crowder called her mother, telling her she would be OK.

That was last time anyone spoke to Crowder, whose body was found six days later in woods east of Dumas, a black zip tie around her neck, her Birkenstock sandals by her side, Deen said.

Authorities say a McGehee area truck driver, Kenneth Ray Osburn, abducted Crowder, killed her and dumped her body. The 48-year-old, in Ashley County Circuit Court on Monday wearing a pink button-down shirt and khaki pants, is accused of capital murder and kidnapping and faces the death penalty. The trial is expected to last three to five days.

Deen, prosecuting attorney for the 10 th Judicial District, told jurors during opening arguments Monday that Osburn confessed to the killing on Sept. 28, 2006, the day of his arrest.

Osburn told Desha County Sheriff-elect Jim Snyder: “It wasn’t me who did that to that girl. It was like I was outside my body watching myself do it.” Osburn’s attorneys say authorities have the wrong man, that they used trickery and deceit to obtain a false confession.

“Casey Crowder was a beautiful girl,” defense attorney Patrick Benca told jurors in his opening arguments. “I can’t imagine what her family went through. She was murdered. She didn’t deserve it, but Ken didn’t do it.” He said an expert would testify this week that the methods authorities used to interrogate Osburn were not only improper but often have the effect of drawing out a false confession.

For nearly an hour, Benca sparred with Special Agent Rick Newton of the Arkansas State Police, who took the stand late in the afternoon as a witness for the state.

Benca peppered Newton with questions about interview techniques established by John E. Reid and Associates in the 1940 s, the same techniques Newton studied during a course days before his first interview with Osburn on Sept. 4, 2006.

A book Reid wrote on the techniques, according to Benca, discourages deceit and trickery and says that telling a suspect that he could receive a reduced sentence may in fact result in an innocent man confessing to a crime he didn’t commit.

Reading from a transcript of an interview authorities had with Osburn on Sept. 4, Benca pointed out that Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Michael Boyd Boshears suggested to Osburn that if he cooperated with authorities he could get a break and 10 or 20 years in prison.

He also pointed out that Newton told Osburn that the defendant’s cell phone company could tell the direction Osburn was traveling the day Crowder disappeared, that Osburn was being videotaped and that the medical examiner already had evidence linking Osburn to the crime, none of which was true.

“Kenny was adamant that he had nothing to do with this, wasn’t he ?” Benca asked Newton.

Newton responded: “I think if I committed a murder, I’d be the same way.” Asked if he felt deception was the right way to interview Osburn, Newton said, “If it takes trickery to solve a homicide, you betcha.” “The rules of criminal procedure for the state of Arkansas give us the right to lie, use deceit and trickery,” Newton said.

Authorities initially zeroed in on Osburn after surveillance video from a Sonic Drive-In showed his truck on U. S. 65 during the time when and near the place where Crowder ran out of gas.

Authorities were able to see the white Chevrolet truck, which has a distinctive black stripe on its side, heading southbound on U. S. 65 and then back northbound two minutes and 44 seconds later.

A second business, the Dollar General store on U. S. 165, showed the same truck moments later heading toward the woods where authorities later found Casey’s body.

Deen said in opening arguments that a witness will testify that she saw Osburn and a woman traveling east on U. S. 165. She initially thought it was Osburn’s daughter Holly Osburn, who she worked with at a nursing home.

But when she arrived at work, Holly was already there. She asked Holly if Osburn’s son, Ken Osburn Jr., was with him. Holly responded no, Deen said.

Exactly one week after Crowder’s disappearance, authorities set up a roadblock near the time and place Crowder ran out of gas.

During the roadblock, Agent Margaret Faulkner of the FBI’s Mobile, Ala., office stopped Kenneth Osburn, who had his son and daughter in his truck with him.

Faulkner testified Monday that Osburn denied seeing Crowder’s vehicle in the early hours of Aug. 27, 2006, although he did tell her he saw the car about 10 a.m. that morning on his way to a barbecue with his son.

Defense attorneys said Faulkner and other authorities should have investigated leads from drivers who said they saw Crowder’s car before 3 a. m., when witnesses said she was sleeping on the couch with her boyfriend in the Pickens community, where he worked as a farmhand.

Defense attorneys cross-examined Crowder’s boyfriend, Adam Brigham, who testified Monday that he gave Casey $ 20 for gas early on Aug. 27, 2006, and never saw her again.

Jim Wyatt, a defense attorney, asked Brigham if he ever went looking for Crowder the day of her disappearance.

Brigham said he did not, that he instead went fishing and helped build a duck blind, even after friends told him they saw Crowder’s car abandoned on U. S. 65.



http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/213778/

[FDInLaw]

Casey Crowder Murder Trial Underway
Reported by: Cecillea Pond-Mayo, KARK 4 News
Monday, Jan 14, 2008 @09:32pm CST

Testimony began on Monday in the Casey Crowder murder trial. A Desha County truck driver, Kenneth Osburn, stands accused of the crime. The 17 year old Watson Chapel student ran out of gas on Highway 65 in Dumas in August of 2006. Her body was found in a wooded area several miles from that location 6 days later. On Monday, the prosecution said in opening statements, there will be no physical evidence or DNA linking Osburn to the crime scene. They say the state’s case will rely on surveillance tape showing Osburn’s truck on the highway during the time Crowder ran out of gas. It will also rely on a reported video tape confession. Osburn’s attorney says it is a false confession. Patrick Benca says everything police were trained not to do, they did during the interrogation. He told the jury, police threatened to detain his son and daughter until he confessed. The trial is expected to continue until Friday. It is taking place in Hamburg because of the pre-trial publicity.



http://arkansasmatters.com/content/fulltext/?cid=64200


This doesn't sound good to me. . . :(

[FDInLaw]

I just stumbled on this:

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/mitchellville-ar/TBHAOALOTF52R4JVT

Might be an interesting read. :INhouseReading04:

[FDInLaw]

I know. I saw a lot of guests when I was reading the old posts yesterday. I just talked to my supervisor. She's approved my vacation time for Tuesday-Friday of next week. :basic44: I wish I could be there Monday, too, but I have an important meeting in Little Rock that day.
Waiting for your updates, Sonya!!! :basic44:


(Gang, I'm out for awhile. . . back in a few hours. :happy0207:

Someone better post while I'm gone. :francis: I feel like I'm taking to myself here! :girl_haha:)

Prayers for trial. . . that the truth is evident for the jury. :1222423:

[TJEddie]

Some interesting stuff in this article:

http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2008/01/15/news/news1.txt

[FDInLaw]

Some interesting stuff in this article:

http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2008/01/15/news/news1.txt Thanks Eddie! :happy0207: It's good to see you again!

The main part of the article:

MURDER TRIAL OPENS IN HAMBURG


By Jeannie Nugent/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:01 AM CST

HAMBURG — The first day of the kidnapping and capital murder trial of Kenneth Ray Osburn was off to a fast start Monday, with the prosecution expecting to wrap up its case today. . .

Osburn was once again escorted into the Ashley County Courthouse here outfitted in a bullet-proof vest. Opening statements from the prosecution and the defense were mostly a review of the case.

Tenth Judicial Circuit Court District Prosecutor Thomas Deen detailed video footage obtained from the Sonic Drive-In and the Dollar General store that showed Osburn’s truck going south then north again at the estimated time of Crowder’s disappearance. Deen also made a point that Crowder’s boyfriend Adam Burroughs and his brother Scott were subjected to “intense scrutiny” by investigators.

He warned the jurors about possible arguments the defense would broach.

“There is no doubt that Casey Crowder was a beautiful girl. She did not deserve it, but Kenny didn’t do it,” said defense attorney Patrick Benca, pointing to Osburn.

Twice, during Benca’s statements about the police interrogation of Osburn’s daughter, Osburn took his glasses off and wiped his eyes with a tissue.

Benca contended that on Sept. 4, 2006, the day that Osburn voluntarily brought his truck to the Arkansas State Police headquarters in Dumas, was the day that “…the investigation ended.”

Melinda Crowder, the victim’s mother, was the first prosecution witness to take the stand. She recounted the events of the day her daughter went missing and the search that followed.

Burroughs testified that the last time he saw Casey was when she asked him for gas money before she left his home in the Pickens community the day of her disappearance. His friend Jimmy Davis later came to tell him that he had seen Casey’s Dodge Durango with the flashers on, sitting on the side of the road. Burroughs said he called her phone several times, but it went straight to voice mail.

Burroughs said he went with Davis and Jay Pickens to build a duck blind, then he and Davis went fishing. That night police investigators went to his home to talk about Casey’s disappearance.

On cross examination, defense attorney Jim Wyatt asked Burroughs if he and Casey had argued the night before. He denied any argument. After more questions, Burroughs admitted they had argued the prior night.

“In fact the relationship had gotten a little physical in the past, hasn’t it?” asked Wyatt.

“Yes, sir," Burroughs responded.

Wyatt questioned Burroughs about his activities after he was told that Casey’s SUV was on the side of the road. “But you never went to check on her, did you? You never went to check on her?” asked Wyatt.

Davis testified that he and Jay Pickens drove to Exxon sometime after 5:19 a.m. and saw the SUV on the side of the road. Davis said they slowed down to look in the vehicle to see if Casey was there. He then asked the clerk at the gas station if she had seen someone matching Casey’s description. The clerk said she had not.

The prosecution played surveillance video taken at Sonic Drive-In on the day of Casey’s disappearance. In the video, a white truck, allegedly Osburn’s, with distinctive graphics on the side can be seen traveling south on U.S. 65 — toward where Casey’s abandoned vehicle was found — at 6:42 a.m. The same truck was seen three minutes later traveling north. The truck was also captured on video from the Dollar General.

Benca questioned FBI Special Agent Boyd Boshears about other vehicles that were seen on the video traveling on U.S. 65 within that time frame.

Benca pointed out that Jay Pickens, who drives a pewter-colored truck, also traveled south then north between 6:39 a.m. and 6:46 a.m.

Boshears acknowledged that he saw a pewter truck on the video during that time frame. The prosecution argued that the license plate of the pewter truck could not be seen on the video.

“In reference to Osburn, we were certain it was Osburn’s truck,” said Boshears. “We could not have done that with the other vehicle.”

FBI Agent Margaret Faulkner testified that she spoke to Osburn at approximately 5:47 a.m. at a roadblock after Casey’s body was discovered. Osburn told her at that time that he had not seen Crowder’s abandoned vehicle the day of her disappearance, the agent said. Osburn was once again stopped at the roadblock at about 10 a.m. that day, said Faulkner. This time, Faulkner testified, Osburn said that he had seen a vehicle on the side of the road with its flashers on at the time in question.

On cross examination, defense attorney Herbert Wright asked Faulkner about an information sheet from a witness who claimed to have seen Casey’s abandoned vehicle at 3:30 a.m. on the day of her disappearance. The roadblocks, which were set up to find witnesses who may have seen Casey or her abandoned vehicle that day, were not erected until 4 a.m. each day.

The court testimony became heated when state police Special Agent Rick Newton took the stand. Newton interviewed Osburn at the ASP headquarters in Dumas on Sept. 4 after Osburn showed up because he “heard they were looking” for him. Osburn voluntarily allowed investigators to process his truck, take photographs of scratches on his arms and torso, obtain a DNA sample and gave a taped statement.

At that interview, Newton asked Osburn, who was an over-the-road truck driver, if he ever lied on his log book. Osburn emphatically denied the question. Newton testified he later discovered on the log book that Osburn wrote that he was off duty in Shreveport on Aug. 27, 2006, a direct contradiction to what he had told investigators.

Benca read from transcripts of Osburn’s Sept. 4 interrogation and compared them to a book outlining proper interrogation techniques. The transcripts show Newton telling Osburn that investigators had video of the service station where Osburn claimed to have had coffee that morning. He also told Osburn that even if his phone was not in use, it would send a “ping” from the tower, pinpointing his exact location at any given time.

“That would be a lie, is that correct?” asked Benca.

“That’s correct,” responded the investigator. Newton said that he follows the Arkansas rules of criminal procedure when it comes to interrogation techniques.

“We can be deceitful. We can tell a lie,” he acknowledged.

Newton also denied that he told Osburn evidence would be “put” in his truck to implicate him in Crowder’s murder.

Benca then played an audio recording on which Newton can be heard saying “We’re going to find something to put in your truck.”

Newton angrily said that his words were misinterpreted and he meant that the state Crime Lab would “find” evidence in Osburn’s truck.

FBI Agent Jerry Spergers testified that he processed Osburn’s truck at the time of the interrogation. He found some “streaking” on the passenger-side window that appeared as if the window had recently been cleaned. A witness claims that she saw Osburn with someone “slumped over” on the passenger’s window at the time of Casey’s disappearance.

The agent said the other windows had not been cleaned. Windex and “wadded up” paper towels were found in the floorboard.

Lynn Hill, a friend of Osburn, testified that she encountered Osburn sitting in his truck on a gravel county road at about 2 or 3 a.m. Aug. 28, as she was traveling to her sister’s home. When she approached Osburn, he responded that he was “just piddling around.”

“It was just normal of Kenny. He was always out at that hour,” she said.

The prosecutor told 10th Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Sam Pope the state would probably rest by this afternoon.

[FDInLaw]

Update: Casey Crowder's Mom Talks To Today's THV About The Trial

Kenneth Ray Osburn

It's day two for the trial of 47-year-old Kenneth Osburn. He's the truck driver from Desha County charged in the 2006 death of 17-year-old Casey Crowder.

THV's Ashley Blackstone is blogging updates on the case from the courtroom.

Witness questioning began at 9 a.m. this morning. One key witness for the prosecution is Nancy Dunn. Dunn is a longtime family friend of Kenneth Osburn.

Dunn testified that she saw Kenneth Osburn driving on Highway 65 the morning Casey disappeared and that there was a female in his truck with him.

Dunn says the girl was slumped over against the passenger door and that she assumed it was Osburn's daughter sleeping. But a few minutes later, Dunn learned she was wrong when she arrived at the local nursing home to find Osburn's daughter already there.

It's now 9:56 a.m. and the prosecution has called a detective to the stand that worked the crime scene where Crowder's body was found. Attorneys are prepared to show pictures of the scene and the body.

Melinda Crowder and several family members have left the courtroom-- so they won't have to see and hear about the images.

It's about 10:35 a.m. and Terri Rolf with the Arkansas State Crime Lab is now testifying. Rolf says after an examination of Crowder's body, no DNA of Osburn's was found at the crime scene. "Heat, humidity, and the decomposition of the body make it nearly difficult if not impossible to recover DNA-- if there was any," says Rolf.

Also, Rolf explains to the jury that there was no DNA evidence of Casey's found in Osburn's truck.

It's now 10:55 a.m. and an expert doctor is on the stand testifying that Crowder was strangled to death with a black zip tie.

The jury broke for lunch around 11:30. It's now 1:00 p.m and the jury has just returned to the courtroom.

I had a chance earlier to speak with Melinda Crowder, Casey's mom. She tells me that her family is doing well and they are hoping Osburn is found guilty and receives the death penalty. You can hear more from Melinda tonight at 5 and 6 on Today's THV.

I also spoke with Kenneth Osburn's brother who tells me Kenneth is doing well and that he believes Kenneth will be found not guilty.

Defense attorneys are calling this case purely circumstantial.

Below is a recap of what happened in court yesterday.

. . .

THV's Ashley Blackstone is in Hamburg in Ashley County today and will have more coming up on Today's THV at 5,6, and 10. Plus, watch for updates here on todaysthv.com


http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=58995

(For whole article see link)

[FDInLaw]

Was wondering how Casey's family felt. . .

I had a chance earlier to speak with Melinda Crowder, Casey's mom. She tells me that her family is doing well and they are hoping Osburn is found guilty and receives the death penalty. You can hear more from Melinda tonight at 5 and 6 on Today's THV.


With the PA closing today, I don't see a conviction here. Is there something I've missed???

Prayers for Casey's family. . . I'm so sorry. :( :1222423:

[slicked25]

I'm sorry but the timeline is too foggy. This is what was said on the tape in today’s court. There's a 32 minute gap from the last time he was seen at 6:14 Sonic driving northbound 65. He was supposedly on the camera at 6:46 Dollar General seen driving east on 165. If this really happened below then he would've been seen on camera at the Dollar General no latter than 6:16. It just doesn't make any since especially since today’s witness said she saw a female in the truck with him. This could only happen after 6:46 not 6:16 because the woman wasn't coming to town then.


In the video tape, he says he saw Casey [August, 28, 2006]on Highway 65 and stopped his truck. He told her he’d drive her to get gas, so she got in. He started driving but passed two gas stations and immediately drove to the area where her body would later be found. He says they got out of the truck and he put a zip tie around her neck. Osburn then explains that there was a struggle and Casey then fell into the woods. Osburn says he got in his truck and left.

[sinaiw]

Will someone review this timeline and make corrections.

To Sonya or anyone that knows; Was Holly and the other witness,; a witness for the prosecution or defense?



6:08a CC Called Mother, out of gas. According to Snyder, the mother volunteered to drive to Dumas, about 45 minutes away, but the daughter said she would walk to a nearby Exxon service station to buy gas.

6:15a-6:30a Osburn, according to a statement he reportedly made to police two days after Crowder’s body was found, said he had taken his daughter to work at a Dumas nursing home sometime between 6:15 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. then went to Matthews truck stop at the intersection of U.S. 65 and 165 to drink a cup of coffee.
He said he left about 20 minutes later headed home to McGehee, according to the exhibit.

6:30a Adam. He testified that about 6:30 a.m. Casey left a message on his voice mail which was submitted into evidence as state's exhibit 3. Although the first section was not audible, in cross examination the defense asked Scott where he was that particular night. "In Star City," he answered. "Hey Scott, this is Casey, you were just at the house a couple of minutes ago. I ran out of gas," the attorney read to the court the voice mail left on the phone.

6:33a According to an exhibit attached to an affidavit for the warrant to arrest Osburn, the image of a southbound white pickup truck fitting the description of Osburn’s personal vehicle was captured on a surveillance video camera at the Sonic Drive-In on U.S. 65, approximately three minutes after Crowder made her last cell phone call seeking help.

6:46a At 6:46 a.m., shortly after the truck passed the Sonic headed north, the truck was captured on video surveillance camera at the Dollar General Store on U.S. 165, headed east, according to the exhibit.
Osburn’s truck was not seen going south again after it headed north and cash register receipts from Matthews, during the time frame in question, did not show the purchase of a single package of cigarettes, according to the exhibit.

6:50a est. Person headed to Nursing Home where KO's daughter worked, spotted KO with passenger headed East on 165.
. Ms. Blank said, hey KO’s daughter, “I just saw your dad (on Hwy 165 2 miles west of the exit to where he would’ve taken Casey because it’s the quickest route from Casey’s car to where she was found) and your brother.” Daughter said, “you probably saw my dad but you didn’t see my brother because he hasn’t had time to get back to McGehee to pick him up because KO just dropped his daughter off at work at the Dumas Nursing Home.” The daughter and KO were the only ones in that truck when she got dropped off at work according to the daughter.

On Sept. 5, three days after Crowder’s body was found, a woman told police she saw Osburn traveling east on U.S. 165 toward the river. She said a passenger in the truck was “slumped down and laid over toward the passenger window,” according to the exhibit.

[TJEddie]

Who's Scott?

[Sonya]

I want to know what happened to Casey's purse. KO said she didn't have it in his truck.

[mommy939598]

i'm really confused on this whole thing. one article says that they have evidence...another says that they don't have enough. from wat i have read it seems to be that there is more evidence proving that he is the man who did this than there is to prove that he is not.

[FDInLaw]

i'm really confused on this whole thing. one article says that they have evidence...another says that they don't have enough. from wat i have read it seems to be that there is more evidence proving that he is the man who did this than there is to prove that he is not.

Welcome to the board!:happy0207:

It sure can get confusing! One must keep in mind that there are different kinds of evidence, of primary importance is that which exclusively ties the suspect to the crime. The video cameras provide circumstantial evidence. . . they do not prove in any way that KO picked up or had any contact with Casey. They merely put KO in the area during the time frame Casey went missing. Consequently, the videos put others there too. To my knowledge there is no physical evidence that ties KO to Casey. . . no dog hair, no matching tire tracks, a personal items, etc. Really, depending on the type of pets and the amount of hair in KO's vehicle, the defense could make the argument "why wasn't it found if Casey was in the truck?" It seems to me, that this case is based on circumstantial evidence and KO's confession. The lack of physical evidence leaves the door wide open for reasonable doubt IMO.

Questions. . .

How did this small framed man pull a slip tie to 3 inches on a spunky girl that would have put up a fight?

A girl with DARK hair was seen in KO's truck. Did Casey recently dye her hair? Was the lighting too poor for the witness to differentiate hair color?

What about the other guys that were in the area at the same time? How well were they checked out?

I have a bunch of loose ends and questions going through my mind but am getting too tired to articulate them at this hour. I really feel for the families involved. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

~ FD

[Sonya]

Tire tracks were mentioned during testimony today. The road is made of buckshot and is actually named Buckshot Road. The ground was too dry for tire tracks. LE did look for them.

[mommy939598]

i was told today that there may have been another girl say that KO attempted to do the same thing to her. does anyone know anything about that?

[ficustree]

Does anyone know if they found Casey's purse? KO said she didn't have it with her and it was not in her vehicle?? Do they have her cell phone that she made calls from? Is it true that she tried to call 911? Sorry, lots of questions.

[mommy939598]

i'm not sure if they ever found the purse or cell phone. her shoes were with her but that is all that has been mentioned in wat i have read.

[slicked25]

i was told today that there may have been another girl say that KO attempted to do the same thing to her. does anyone know anything about that?

Hearsay

[mommy939598]

she testified today. it was reported to the police at the time it happened.

[mommy939598]

this was taken from one of the other discussions involving this case on this site "A Mrs.Sparks testified that she knew KO because her sister was engaged to him in the past. They had broken up when in the 1980's KO went to Spark's house and asked for a ride becuase of car trouble. He gave her directions to the Arkansas River levee. When they got there, his car wasn't there. He grabbed Mrs.Sparks by the throat and groped her breasts. He tried to get his hands in her pants. After she fell to the ground, she was able to kick him in the groin. She left him on the levee and reported the incident to the Sheriff."

[slicked25]

I just don't understand the timeline.

6:14 said his truck was seen going southbound on 65, then northbound on 65 2:44 seconds later.

6:46 KO's truck was seen going east bound on 165 by the DG camera. If that's really true then why did he say he past two gas stations and if he went straight to 43 Canal then he could not have had enough time to get to the crime scene, minus the time there, and get back before 6:46. So if what he said was true then the time on the camera at DG should have been 6:16.

That's only 30 minutes for KO to drive way out there then come back into town to then drive by DG's camera going back Eastbound on 165 by 6:46. It's impossible. Especially considering that only one witness saw something and nobody else when the Farmer's are going wide open by that hour. That truck should have stood out like a sore thumb.

Just because it was only 6 miles away doesn't mean it was smooth sailing like an Interstate. It took me over an hour to drive there and back a couple of months after his arrest and I promise I drive faster than KO.

The point of which the lady saw KO and a girl slumped over was at the 19th Canal which is a 45mph zone that everyone usually drives 55 to 60. 45 is so slow that I seriously doubt he was driving the speed limit but more in importantly it'd be hard for the best set of eyes to exactly see who was in the passenger's seat not to mention the bright angle of an early Sun.

Another rumor that I had forgotten about was that KO's son and Casey were at a party together that was behind the Pizza Hut area at some apartments and another rumor was that KO was there too the night before. That could explain why there was no struggle but the timeline above COULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

[slicked25]

this was taken from one of the other discussions involving this case on this site "A Mrs.Sparks testified that she knew KO because her sister was engaged to him in the past. They had broken up when in the 1980's KO went to Spark's house and asked for a ride becuase of car trouble. He gave her directions to the Arkansas River levee. When they got there, his car wasn't there. He grabbed Mrs.Sparks by the throat and groped her breasts. He tried to get his hands in her pants. After she fell to the ground, she was able to kick him in the groin. She left him on the levee and reported the incident to the Sheriff."

That's news to me so is this one of his felonies? It sure sounds to me and I've been trying to catch back up that the DA is reaching for anything if he's dipping back into the 80's. Today is day 507th since Casey's tragic morning. You'd sure think that the prosecutor could go more than two days before resting.

[slicked25]

According to today's ADG, he's got some explaning to do but to me this is the backbone of the case;

http://helpfindthemissing.org/forum/showthread.php?t=190&page=2 #16


Crowder called her mother, Melinda, at 6:08 am, to tell her she was out of gas. Police believe Osburn encountered Crowder on the side of the highway as she walked to a service station for fuel.

Daley noted in an affidavit for-arrest warrant filed in the case that the surveillance video showed Osburn's single-cab, white Chevrolet pickup drive by the Dollar General at 6:46 a.m.

You can't argue with cell phone records and computers.

I'm curious about the infamous coerced confession and the so called fake satellite photos of the truck at the crime scene.

[FDInLaw]

That's news to me so is this one of his felonies? It sure sounds to me and I've been trying to catch back up that the DA is reaching for anything if he's dipping back into the 80's. Today is day 507th since Casey's tragic morning. You'd sure think that the prosecutor could go more than two days before resting.
Two days seems a bit short to me too. Looks like the PA opted for the short and simple. . .

KO had opportunity, there are surveillance videos that puts him in the area as well as personal testimony.

KO confessed to killing Casey.

And, per witness testimony, KO has sexually assaulted before.


Honestly, I certainly don't want this guy living near my family. However, I sure would feel a lot better about seeing him put away if there were some actual physical evidence that links him to the killing. I don't envy the jury in any way! This is a hard case IMO. Having the death penalty on the table just makes it all the more so.

[sinaiw]

In response to TJEDDIE #111;


From the Ashley County Ledger:

“Scott Brigham, Adam's older brother and roommate, testified that when Casey stayed overnight that he stayed with his step dad in Star City. He further stated that because they did not have a residential phone and Adam did not own a cell phone, it was not uncommon for Adam to call Casey from his phone or for Casey to call him to contact Adam. He testified that about 6:30 a.m. Casey left a message on his voice mail which was submitted into evidence as state's exhibit 3. Although the first section was not audible, in cross examination the defense asked Scott where he was that particular night. "In Star City," he answered. "Hey Scott, this is Casey, you were just at the house a couple of minutes ago. I ran out of gas," the attorney read to the court the voice mail left on the phone. Without a redirect by the state, the witness was released.”


Question to slicked25 ref#122;


Refer to sinaiw #110:
The time line looks pretty close except the the 6:33a is based on last phone call; which I have only seen the text message to Scott at 6:30a.

6:33a to 6:46a is not clear.

Are there other known phone calls?

[sinaiw]

Addition to timeline

Will someone review this timeline and make corrections.

To Sonya or anyone that knows; Was Holly and the other witness,; a witness for the prosecution or defense?

5:47a CC calls mother to inform her she is headed home
6:00a est CC runs out of gas in Dumas.





6:08a CC Called Mother, out of gas. According to Snyder, the mother volunteered to drive to Dumas, about 45 minutes away, but the daughter said she would walk to a nearby Exxon service station to buy gas.

6:15a-6:30a Osburn, according to a statement he reportedly made to police two days after Crowder’s body was found, said he had taken his daughter to work at a Dumas nursing home sometime between 6:15 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. then went to Matthews truck stop at the intersection of U.S. 65 and 165 to drink a cup of coffee.
He said he left about 20 minutes later headed home to McGehee, according to the exhibit.

6:30a Adam. He testified that about 6:30 a.m. Casey left a message on his voice mail which was submitted into evidence as state's exhibit 3. Although the first section was not audible, in cross examination the defense asked Scott where he was that particular night. "In Star City," he answered. "Hey Scott, this is Casey, you were just at the house a couple of minutes ago. I ran out of gas," the attorney read to the court the voice mail left on the phone.

6:33a According to an exhibit attached to an affidavit for the warrant to arrest Osburn, the image of a southbound white pickup truck fitting the description of Osburn’s personal vehicle was captured on a surveillance video camera at the Sonic Drive-In on U.S. 65, approximately three minutes after Crowder made her last cell phone call seeking help.

6:46a At 6:46 a.m., shortly after the truck passed the Sonic headed north, the truck was captured on video surveillance camera at the Dollar General Store on U.S. 165, headed east, according to the exhibit.
Osburn’s truck was not seen going south again after it headed north and cash register receipts from Matthews, during the time frame in question, did not show the purchase of a single package of cigarettes, according to the exhibit.

6:50a est. Person headed to Nursing Home where KO's daughter worked, spotted KO with passenger headed East on 165.
. Ms. Blank said, hey KO’s daughter, “I just saw your dad (on Hwy 165 2 miles west of the exit to where he would’ve taken Casey because it’s the quickest route from Casey’s car to where she was found) and your brother.” Daughter said, “you probably saw my dad but you didn’t see my brother because he hasn’t had time to get back to McGehee to pick him up because KO just dropped his daughter off at work at the Dumas Nursing Home.” The daughter and KO were the only ones in that truck when she got dropped off at work according to the daughter.

On Sept. 5, three days after Crowder’s body was found, a woman told police she saw Osburn traveling east on U.S. 165 toward the river. She said a passenger in the truck was “slumped down and laid over toward the passenger window,” according to the exhibit.

[Sonya]

Sinaiw, I'm not sure I understand your question. What other witness did you mean? I haven't seen Holly yet. She just had a baby Monday night and hasn't been in the courtroom. And I'm confused about the timeline sine hearing this morning's testimony.

[sinaiw]

Ref: in the Courtroom #28.

"Discussion about a witness that wants to give a deposition but just had surgery. She is willing to discontinue pain meds long enough to give deposition tomorrow afternoon.

Also, KO's daughter, Holly had a baby last night. I guess they are expecting her to be in court as soon as she is able.

Court reconvenes tomorrow morning at 9:00."

Trying to determine Whose witness the two would be.

[Sonya]

Oh. I guess Holly will be for the defense. I don't know who the other witness is so I don't have any idea.

[Pandabear]

this was taken from one of the other discussions involving this case on this site "A Mrs.Sparks testified that she knew KO because her sister was engaged to him in the past. They had broken up when in the 1980's KO went to Spark's house and asked for a ride becuase of car trouble. He gave her directions to the Arkansas River levee. When they got there, his car wasn't there. He grabbed Mrs.Sparks by the throat and groped her breasts. He tried to get his hands in her pants. After she fell to the ground, she was able to kick him in the groin. She left him on the levee and reported the incident to the Sheriff."

So, has this woman testified in this trial?

[FDInLaw]

So, has this woman testified in this trial?Yes, on Tuesday she did IIRC.

[mommy939598]

So, has this woman testified in this trial?

hey guys....i been gone for a few days....but i'm back...to answer your question...yes she did testify. From wat i have heard KO's parole was revoked for that incident sending him back to prison on a prior convitction. the police were notified yet no charges or reports were ever filed. Doesn't really make a lot of sense that his parole would be revoked and no charges or reports filed

[mommy939598]

The Jury has returned guilty verdicts on kidnapping and capital murder charges for KO

JUSTICE FOR CASEY!!!!!!!!

[FDInLaw]

Any current local buzz? How are both families doing now? I often think about Osburn's daughter and her baby. :0009:

[sinaiw]

Where do we go from Here????

See
http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2009/06/26/news/news1.txt

[sinaiw]

See "MY Monticello News"

http://www.mymonticellonews.net/articles/2009/09/15/news/local_news/doc4aaabb0f1f981894168199.txt

[FDInLaw]

See "MY Monticello News"

http://www.mymonticellonews.net/articles/2009/09/15/news/local_news/doc4aaabb0f1f981894168199.txtThank you for posting this, Sinaiw!


From link:

The state Supreme Court in June overturned the conviction and remanded the case back to Ashley County Circuit Court for a new trial because the lower court did not suppress statements Osburn made to police.

In the divided June ruling, Justice Danielson, writing for the majority, said "Osburn was repeatedly pressured in a coercive context to provide a confession. Osburn finally succumbed to that pressure, but only after the agents had essentially dangled his ability to see and protect his family in front of him time and time again."

Osburn's statements to police may not be used as evidence in the new trial.

Asked if he intends to seek the death penalty, as he did in the first trial, 10th Judicial District Prosecutor Thomas Deen said he does.

[sinaiw]

Door remains open for re-trial of Osburn

From the Pine Bluff Commercial online 25 Feb 2010;
http://pbcommercial.com/articles/2010/02/25/news/news2.txt

"Without comment, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Monday that it will not review the decision of the Arkansas Supreme Court that reversed the conviction of a Desha County man accused of killing a Pine Bluff teenager in 2006, and sent the case back for another trial."

[packy]

From link above. "In a dissenting opinion, Associate Supreme Court Justice Robert Brown said that by throwing out the confession, “I am exceedingly doubtful that a retrial will occur.”

What do you think will Deen retry as he said last year? Without the confession (they should have gotten him a lawyer when he asked) I wonder what they will concentrate on. Was it ever resolved about the person who said they saw a woman in his truck or that the video was staged? I'll have to read up on this again. I was not so sure they had the right person.

[FDInLaw]

From link above. "In a dissenting opinion, Associate Supreme Court Justice Robert Brown said that by throwing out the confession, “I am exceedingly doubtful that a retrial will occur.”

What do you think will Deen retry as he said last year? Without the confession (they should have gotten him a lawyer when he asked) I wonder what they will concentrate on. Was it ever resolved about the person who said they saw a woman in his truck or that the video was staged? I'll have to read up on this again. I was not so sure they had the right person.
Wow. . . that quote packs a punch. I wonder if we will see a second trial? :z0tdntknw:

There were/are several points that made me uncomfortable about the State's case. . . I had hoped that they got the right person in the end, but honestly, I wasn't sure. Some things just didn't sit well with me. What a heartbreaking situation for the family. My heart goes out to them. :girl_sad:

[sinaiw]

The quote being talked about came from the original ruling, ref #136 and fwd.

Lots of happening since then, but unknown latest position about retrial.