Amanda Brown 7, Msg 09/09/1998, Tampa FL

[sarahhod]

New Trial Sought In Disappearance of Seffner Girl

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/dec/16/na-retrial-bid-a-strain-on-families/news-breaking/



By NATALIE SHEPHERD

nshepherd@wfla.com

Published: December 16, 2008

TAMPA - It has been more than 10 years since 7-year-old Amanda Brown disappeared from her Seffner home. But that doesn't mean her father, Roy Brown, has any closure.

"It's just like 1998 all over again," Brown said outside the Hillsborough County Courthouse, where in a hearing Monday the man convicted of killing Amanda was seeking a new trial.

Brown said he is tired of court hearings and judges' rulings. He wants to know where his daughter is, and he wants Willie Crain to tell him. Crain is on death row for the child's slaying.

"Quit all these - playing games. You know, give him a life sentence. Tell me where my daughter is and let her be where he says she is," he said.

Amanda has never been found. She disappeared Sept. 9, 1998.

Crain spent that night with Amanda's mother. He was convicted of murdering the girl and getting rid of her body in Old Tampa Bay.

"He needs to man up. That's what he needs to do," he said. "He needs to take what's coming; that's the only chance he has of going to heaven."

Crain has maintained his innocence for 10 years. He is asking for a new trial because, he said, his attorneys were ineffective, he didn't get an attorney when he asked for one and detectives questioned him without his signed consent.

"I told those detectives I wasn't talking to them no more - they could arrest me or let me go," Crain said in court.

Crain's daughter, Patricia Davis, has visited her father in prison every month for 10 years.

She says he's ill, suffering from colon polyps and spots on his lungs.

"If he's guilty, I want him to stay where he's at, but if he's innocent, I want him out," she said.

Davis said it has been hard for Crain's family to know what to believe.

"We love him, and we try to support him, and we want to believe he's innocent. You know, in our hearts and our eyes, we haven't seen enough evidence to say he's 100 percent guilty," Davis said.

The case has been hard on both families, she said, because neither one has closure.

Crain's hearing is expected to take most of the week.

[Faith]

Three children kidnapped from Florida on 9/11 or September 11: Part 2 Amanda Brown


Amanda Victoria Brown was born to Kathryn Hartman and Roy Brown on March 13, 1991. Seven years http://image3.examiner.com/images/blog/EXID7403/images/amanda_brown.jpglater, in September of 1998, Amanda was a second grade student at Lopez Elementary. Her parents had never married and Amanda lived with her mother, Kathryn in a mobile home located at 10929 Old Hillsborough Avenue in Hillsborough County Florida.
Amanda Brown’s father later married a woman named Sylvia Brown. At the time of Amanda Brown’s kidnapping, Ron and Sylvia Brown lived in Lakeland, Florida, but they saw Amanda regularly.

During the trial of Willie Crain, the man who sits on death row for kidnapping and murdering seven year old, Amanda, testimony was given that Kathryn Hartman was addicted to pain killers.

Statements made to detectives indicated that there were times when the Brown’s would arrive at Kathryn’s trailer to pick up Amanda, and Kathryn would have no idea where she was. They also testified that due to Kathryn’s use of pain medication, it wasn’t uncommon for her to slur her speech. Kathryn testified that Amanda was a sound sleeper, one in which she could pick up Amanda from a babysitter’s home, place her in the car, bring her home and put her in bed without ever waking her.

The relationship between Kathryn Hartman and Ron Brown was contentious to say the least. At one point Kathryn Hartman accused Ron Brown of sexually abusing Amanda, an investigation ensued and no charges were filed against Ron Brown. Hartman had also accused Brown of threatening to kidnap Amanda and hide her away. The last night that Amanda Brown’s father and stepmother, Ron and Sylvia Brown saw her was the night of September 9, 1998.

On September 9, 1998, Sylvia Brown testified that Amanda had spent the night and that she had helped Amanda dry her hair and body after she took a shower. Sylvia Brown saw no signs of abuse or injury on Amanda’s body. The Brown’s were planning on taking Amanda with them on a trip to Daytona Beach, the following weekend. That trip would never occur. They brought Amanda to school early morning, September 10, 1998. Ron Brown and his wife Sylvia, would never see Amanda again.

Continue to part 3 (http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-7403-Tampa-Crime-Examiner%7Ey2009m9d13-Three-Florida-children-kidnapped-on-911-or-September-11-Part-3-Amanda-Brown)

Later that evening, on September 9, 1998, Kathryn Hartman met friends at Art’s Lounge where she

drank. The time was approximately 9:00 p.m. and a friend of Kathryn’s, Cynthia Gay, introduced Kathryn to her father, Willie Crain. Kathryn and Willie Crain drank and danced until approximately 2:00 a.m. Since the two hit it off, Kathryn gave Willie her phone number, he wrote it on a $50.00 bill.
According to court documents, Kathryn and Willie talked about their children and Willie told her that he was a lonely man who needed a good woman. After leaving the bar, Willie Crain invited Kathryn Hartman to follow him to his daughter’s house.

At Cynthia Gay’s house, Willie Crain ate eggs, then followed Kathryn home. Kathryn stated that she didn’t recall inviting Crain to follow here to her house, nor did she remember objecting. She also couldn’t recall whether or not she invited him into her home but she didn’t object.

http://image3.examiner.com/images/blog/EXID7403/images/willie_crain.jpgWillie Crain stayed in Kathryn’s trailer for approximately 30-45 minutes, Amanda was still at her father’s house, but there were obvious photos of her on the walls and atop of the television. Crain left, but Kathryn Hartman told him that he could come over again.

On September 10, 1998, Kathryn received a phone call from Willie Crain, his phone number was automatically stored in her phone’s caller i.d. system. Amanda came home from school at 2:30 p.m., Willie Crain arrived at Kathryn’s home approximately 5 minutes later.

With Willie Crain inside her home, she had told Amanda to do her homework. Willie Crain began speaking with Amanda, offering her $2.00 if she would complete her homework correctly. Kathryn had spoken with Willie about Amanda’ s loose tooth. Willie Crain offered Amanda $5.00 if he would let her pull the tooth, she said no.

Kathryn stated that Willie Crain smelled like alcohol and was drinking a yellow beverage from a cup. Amanda had asked if they could have spaghetti for dinner, Kathryn Hartman invited Willie Crain to come back over for dinner. Crain stayed at the home for approximately 2 hours before stating he would return at 7:00 p.m. for dinner.

After Willie Crain left, Amanda played with a neighborhood friend for three hours. Amanda showed her friend her loose tooth, it was not bleeding.

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Continue to part 4 (http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-7403-Tampa-Crime-Examiner%7Ey2009m9d13-Three-children-kidnapped-from-Florida-on-911-or-September-11-Part-4-Amanda-Brown)


Willie Crain came back to Kathryn Hartman’s trailer for dinner on September 10, 1998. During the trial, Kathryn testified that Willie Crain still smelled of alcohol and was still drinking the yellow liquid from a cup. Amanda Brown had asked for spaghetti that night, during dinner, Willie Crain told Kathryn Hartman that she had given Amanda more food than she could eat. Amanda finished her dinner.
After dinner, Willie Crain played tic-tac-toe with Amanda. On the notepad, Kathryn traced her hand and wrote “I love my Amanda.” On another piece of paper, Willie Crain traced his own hand and wrote “I like Willie.” After the doodling, Willie Crain invited Kathryn and Amanda to return to his trailer to watch movies. He stated that he had an extensive video collection.

Amanda begged her mother to let them go so she could see the movie “Titanic.” Kathryn Hartman was hesitant to let Amanda stay up late on a school night. At Willie Crain’s suggestion, Hartman agreed to let Amanda sleep in the next morning. Kathryn and Amanda left with Willie Crain at approximately 9:00 p.m., September 10, 1998 and headed for his trailer.


Willie Crain had been a commercial crabber since he was nine years old, once at the trailer, Willie spoke to his son who was standing near his boat. Inside the trailer, they watched Titanic in the living room.
Testimony by Kathryn Hartman states that Willie Crain still smelled of alcohol and that it was difficult to understand what he was saying. The phone rang and Willie Crain answered it. It was his sister and he asked Kathryn Hartman to speak to her. Kathryn stayed on the phone with Willie Crain for approximately twenty minutes. After she hung up the phone, she found Willie Crain in the bedroom with Amanda, the door was closed.

When Kathryn Hartman entered the bedroom, she found Amanda sitting between Willie Crain’s legs. She stated that he wasn’t touching her in an inappropriate manner, but was showing her how to use the remote control. According to court documents, Kathryn placed Amanda on the bed next to her, and then brought her to the bathroom. She stated that while in the bathroom, she didn’t detect any blood from Amanda, nor was there any blood on the toilet seat. Amanda did not use the bathroom again that evening.

Kathryn then asked Willie Crain if he had any pain medication, he told her that he had Elavil and Valium.http://image3.examiner.com/images/blog/EXID7403/images/kathryn_hartman.jpg She took five valiums, according to reports this was not unusual for her. Crain also took Valium that evening. He offered her marijuana, she declined. Kathryn asked Willie Crain if she could borrow twenty or thirty dollars. He gave her a $100.00 bill and told her that she would not have to repay it.

Kathryn then went to use the bathroom, when she returned, she found Willie Crain and Amanda in the room again with the bedroom door closed. She stated that she left the bedroom door open when she went to the bathroom. At this point, Kathryn decided it was time for her and Amanda to go home.

Continue to Part 5 (http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-7403-Tampa-Crime-Examiner%7Ey2009m9d13-Three-Florida-children-kidnapped-on-911-or-September-11-Part-5-Amanda-Brown)
Interview with Willie Crain Jr. on Florida's death row
VIDEO
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-450912215616057956&hl=en#

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-7403-Tampa-Crime-Examiner~y2009m9d13-Three-children-kidnapped-from-Florida-on-911-or-September-11-Part-4-Amanda-Brown (http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-7403-Tampa-Crime-Examiner%7Ey2009m9d13-Three-children-kidnapped-from-Florida-on-911-or-September-11-Part-4-Amanda-Brown)



http://www.examiner.com/x-7403-Tampa-Crime-Examiner~y2009m9d13-Three-children-kidnapped-from-Florida-on-911-or-September-11-Part-2-Amanda-Brown (http://www.examiner.com/x-7403-Tampa-Crime-Examiner%7Ey2009m9d13-Three-children-kidnapped-from-Florida-on-911-or-September-11-Part-2-Amanda-Brown)


continued

[Faith]

Willie Crain drove Kathryn Hartman and her daughter, Amanda Brown back to their trailer. Again, Will e Crain and Amanda Brown drew pictures in the notepad. Kathryn told Amanda to take a shower, and then helped her rinse the shampoo out of her hair, dry off, and get dressed in her nightgown.



During the trial, Kathryn Hartman testified that there were no signs of injury, abuse, or open cuts at that time. Amanda was not bleeding. Willie Crain insisted on blowing Amanda’s hair dry before she went to bed, at approximately 2:10 a.m. to 2:15 a.m. early morning September 11, 1998.

Kathryn Hartman testified that Willie Crain appeared to be drunk and invited him to lie down and sober up before leaving. She did not recall at trial inviting him to lie in her bed, though she had stated earlier to a detective (Detective Edwards) that she had invited Willie Crain to sleep in bed with her.



At approximately 2:30 a.m., Kathryn Hartman changed into a nightgown and went to sleep, lying next to Amanda whom she had allowed to sleep in bed with her that night. Approximately 5 minutes later, Willie Crain entered the bedroom and lay down on the bed, between Amanda and the wall. Crain was still dressed and wearing his shoes.


When Kathryn Hartman awoke, at approximately 6:12 a.m., September 11, 1998, her daughter, Amanda Brown and a man she had known less than 72 hours were gone. Kathryn Hartman testified that she looked throughout her trailer for Amanda and then phoned Willie Crain and asked what he had done with her daughter. Crain stated that he had nothing to do with Amanda’s disappearance and that he had to hook his boat to his truck and would call her back later. He suggested that Kathryn call his daughter, Cynthia Gay. Kathryn Hartman called police; Willie Crain never called Hartman back.

Continue to Part 6 (http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-7403-Tampa-Crime-Examiner%7Ey2009m9d13-Three-Florida-children-kidnapped-on-911-or-September-11-Part-6-Amanda-Brown)

Detective Ron Noland was the first officer to respond to the missing child call placed by Kathryn Hartman. Detectives continued to arrive at the trailer looking for clues. Neither Amanda Brown nor her mother had a life insurance policy, none of Amanda’s toys had been taken or moved, and no valuables had been removed from the home.

Approximately three hours into the investigation, Detective Noland brought Ron Brown, Amanda Brown’s biological father to the trailer. Brown stated that he hadn’t been at Kathryn Hartman’s trailer and voluntarily provide blood samples to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

Another detective arrived at the scene, Detective Dorothy Flair. She arrived at Hartman’s trailer at approximately 9:00 a.m., September 11, 1998 and stated that, “Something was not quite right about her.” Referring to Hartman and the manner in which she spoke. Detective Flair obtained Hartman’s written consent and searched her vehicle.

Deputy Michael Cherup Jr., arrived at Hartman’s trailer at approximately 10:40 a.m.. He obtained consent from Hartman and searched her trailer. A missing child alert was issued for Amanda Brown.


Detectives dusted for fingerprints, photographed the trailer, and took fifty items into evidence. Some of these items included videotapes (the two part series of Titanic), the note pad on which Amanda and Willie Crain were drawing in, and a dress and pair of panties that Amanda had worn.
They noticed that Amanda’s bed had not been slept in and detected a glass next to the dresser in Hartman’s bedroom. A blood hound search was conducted around the trailer, but no sign of Amanda was revealed.

Deputies searched the neighborhood for several days, conducted neighborhood interviews, and searched through neighborhood trash. There were between 20 and 30 officers working the scene and actively searching for Amanda.


A neighbor, Penny Probst had witnessed Willie Crain arrive at the home in a truck described as a newer model white truck the day previously. She had witnessed Crain exit the vehicle, as well as when he returned for dinner. She also saw the three depart at approximately 9:00 p.m. and return some time near midnight. Willie Crain’s truck was parked behind Hartman’s.

Another neighbor brought her daughter to the emergency room, early September 11, 1998/ She testified that when she returned home, she saw a truck with its headlights on in front of Hartman’s trailer. She reported the time as approximately 2:30 a.m.

Hillsborough County detectives were dispatched to Willie Crain’s trailer at approximately 7:30 a.m., September 11, 1998. They remained there until they had a search warrant, which occurred at 5:40 p.m..
Continue to Part 7 (http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-7403-Tampa-Crime-Examiner%7Ey2009m9d13-Three-Florida-children-kidnapped-on-911-or-September-11-Part-7-Amanda-Brown)

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continued

[Faith]

Several officers arrived at Willie Crain’s trailer at 7:30 a.m., on September 11, 1998 and remained there until a search warrant had been issued at approximately 5:40 p.m., during that time, detectives saw no one enter or exit the trailer.

Testimony at trial stated that at approximately 6:30 a.m., another commercial crab fisherman, Albert Darlington, saw Willie Crain at the boat ramp located at the Courtney Campbell Causeway in Tampa Bay on the morning of September 11, 1998.

Darlington testified that Crain pulled his truck up and was towing his boat. He said that Willie Crain stopped then drove west. Darlington said that the tow lights on the back of Crain’s boat were on. In approximately ten minutes, Crain came back and the tow lights were no longer on. Darlington stated that Crain backed his boat into the water, until the water was approximately middle height of the front tires.

According to Darlington, Willie Crain didn’t usually back his truck this deep into the water.
Darlington continued with his testimony, stating that Willie Crain then pulled forward and threw his anchor onto the edge of the concrete ramp. This was not normal for Crain. Typically, Crain would put his anchor over the handrail to hold it.


Crain was also dressed differently than usual. Instead of wearing rain gear or an apron to protect his clothing (commonly called slickers); Crain didn’t have any on. He also wasn’t wearing his normal type of clothing, such as jeans.
On the morning of September 11, 1998, Darlington stated that Willie Crain was wearing “dress clothes.” These consisted of a maroon colored, collared shirt and dark blue of black slacks. Darlington also testified that Willie Crain was carrying something under his arm; it appeared to be rolled up clothing.

Darlington called out and said, “Hey Willie,” but Willie didn’t respond. He started the boat and took off. Darlington said that he could see that Willie had stopped the boat some distance away, but that he couldn’t make out what he was doing.

Crucial to the trial was Darlington’s testimony regarding prior statements made by Willie Crain. The statements were made approximately 18 months before Amanda Brown’s disappearance. According to Darlington, Willie Crain had stated, “I can get rid of a body where nobody will ever find it," and, "I can get rid of a body and I know how to do it where nobody can find it."

(http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-7403-Tampa-Crime-Examiner%7Ey2009m9d13-Three-Florida-children-kidnapped-on-911-or-September-11-Part-8-Amanda-Brown)
Continue to Part 8 (http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-7403-Tampa-Crime-Examiner%7Ey2009m9d13-Three-Florida-children-kidnapped-on-911-or-September-11-Part-8-Amanda-Brown)


Detective Michael Hurley was notified that Amanda Brown had disappeared and went to the Crab Hut to look for Willie Crain. Arriving at the Crab Hut at approximately 8:00 a.m., on September 11, 1998, Detective Hurley met Willie Crain’s son in law, Mark Davis and Davis’ wife, Patricia Davis. Patricia is Willie Crain’s daughter.


Mark Davis led Detective Hurley to the Courtney Campbell Causeway boat ramp, where they found Willie Crain’s truck. At approximately 8:40 a.m., Mark Davis and his wife took Detective Hurley and another detective on their boat and found Crain at the Double Branch area of upper Tampa Bay. Crain was in his boat.

The detectives spoke with Willie Crain, who told the detective that he was aware that Amanda was missing. He stated that he had spoke with Kathryn Hartman. Willie Crain agreed to speak with Detective Hurley at his office and offered to give the detective a ride to the boat ramp on his boat. Detective Hurley agreed. As they road back to the ramp, Willie Crain told Detective Hurley that he had spent the previous night with Kathryn Hartman and her daughter.


Willie Crain also told Detective Hurley that his daughter, Cynthia Gay, stated that Kathryn Hartman called her and accused Willie of kidnapping Amanda. Crain stated that he obtained Kathryn Hartman’s phone number from his daughter and called her back.
Crain said that during their conversation, Hartman didn’t accuse him of taking Amanda. He continued saying that he put the phone down and never picked it back up because he had to go crabbing.

“This looks real bad for me,” Willie Crain told the detective.

Willie Crain stated that he went crabbing early that morning because he was concerned that other crabbers were stealing from him. Detective Hurley said that when he met with Willie Crain, he was wearing slickers or rubber pants that were chest high, a blue tee-shirt, a baseball cap, and black loafers covered in mud. Detective Hurley stated that he did not see a maroon colored shirt on Crain’s boat, but that he did notice a small scratch on Willie Crain’s right arm.

Willie Crain then offered to give Detective Hurley a ride to his office, Detective Hurley accepted the ride. Willie Crain gave his son in law, Mark Davis a box of crabs and two boxes of bait. Detective Hurley observed Willie Crain as he removed his slickers. Detective Hurley testified that Willie Crain was wearing jeans and that the zipper was down. Willie Crain told Detective Hurley that he would do whatever the detectives needed to help with the investigation. They went back to the office and Willie Crain was placed in an interview room.

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Continue to part 9 (http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-7403-Tampa-Crime-Examiner%7Ey2009m9d14-Three-Florida-children-kidnapped-on-911-or-September-11-Part-9-Amanda-Brown)

[Faith]

Willie Crain sat in the interview room at approximately 10:00 a.m., on September 11, 1998 with Detective Albert Brackett and Detective Michael Hurley. Crain was advised of his Miranda rights and had signed a written consent to allow his truck and boat to be searched.
After he was read his Miranda rights, Crain agreed to talk with detectives without an attorney present. Detective Hurley did not bill out the written consent form to be interviewed. He did have Crain’s written consent to search his home trailer. Willie Crain gave Detective Hurley his truck keys and Detective Hurley took his truck and searched it.

He found children’s clothing that belonged to Willie Crain’s grandchildren, but he did not find the maroon shirt or dress pants that Crain was seen wearing earlier.

According to trial documents, Willie Crain initially volunteered information. He continually stated that he did not have anything to do with Amanda Brown’s disappearance and that he didn’t know where she was. Willie Crain also said that he knew things didn’t look good for him. He told the detectives that after the three returned to Kathryn Hartman’s trailer, he left at approximately 1:30 a.m..

Willie Crain then proceeded to tell detectives that when he went home, he accidentally spilled bleach in his bathroom and cleaned it up. According to the detective’s reports, Willie Crain cleaned the spilled bleach between the hours of 1:30 a.m. and 5: 30 a.m.. After he cleaned the bleach, he went crabbing.

Explaining why he went to the boat ramp and then turned around, Willie Crain said that when he arrived at the boat ramp, he saw a group of crabbers that didn’t like him. He told detectives that the crabbers had threatened to kill him. Detective Brackett left the interview to speak with other detectives regarding the case.

When Detective Brackett came back to the interview room, he questioned Willie Crain regarding the events of the night before. He had asked if he had drawn pictures with Amanda; Willie said no. Willie also acted as if he didn’t know the girl’s name, then later into the interview, called her ‘Amanda.’ When Detective Brackett pointed out that Crain said he didn’t know her name, then called her Amanda, causing Crain to become very agitated. Crain accused the detective of making things up.

Detective Brackett also questioned Willie Crain regarding some scratches on his arm. Crain was silent for several minutes. When he spoke he was upset and yelled, “You’re accusing me of doing something to the little girl.” At approximately 12:20 p.m. on September 11, 1998, Detective Brackett had Corporal Arthur Picard take photographs of Willie Crains’ wounds. The photos revealed wounds on the back of his left hand, his wrist, under his left arm, and on the back of his left tricep.
Detective Brackett then asked Crain if he would voluntarily turn over his clothes. Crain agreed and cooperated with detectives. Next, detectives would arrive at Willie Crain’s trailer, located at 10816 Leanne Drive, Lot 10 Tampa, Florida 33610 with a search warrant.

(http://www.examiner.com/x-7403-Tampa-Crime-Examiner%7Ey2009m9d16-Three-Florida-Children-kidnapped-on-September-11-Part-10-Amanda-Brown)
Continue to part 10 (http://www.examiner.com/x-7403-Tampa-Crime-Examiner%7Ey2009m9d16-Three-Florida-Children-kidnapped-on-September-11-Part-10-Amanda-Brown)


On September 11, 1998 at approximately 5:30 p.m., Detectives Norato and Moreno obtained a search warrant and entered Willie Crain’s trailer. The trailer was located at 10816 Leanne Drive, Lot 10 Tampa, Florida 33610 in Hillsborough County, Florida. Detective Brackett assisted in the search of the trailer. Crain’s trailer was located approximately one mile from that of Kathryn Hartman, Amanda Brown’s mother.
According to reports, as soon as the detectives entered the trailer, they detected a strong scent of bleach in the bathroom. Detective Brackett located an empty bleach bottle and other cleaning products in the bathroom. He lifted the toilet seat lid and noticed that there was blood on the toilet seat.
Immediately, the toilet seat was taken into evidence as well as bloody tissue that was found inside the toilet bowl. Detectives also found a blue rug, the type designed to fit on the floor around the base of a toilet, in the dryer. Also located were various bottles of Valium and Amitriptyline. Detective Hunt sprayed the bathroom with luminal and the entire room lit up: including the bathtub, floors and the walls.
Luminal is a substance used to detect blood spills. However, luminal also reacts with bleach.
Photos were taken of Willie Crain’s trailer’s front door, dryer, freezer, approximately 30 crab traps stacked, and various tools found in a utility room. Detective Hunt located the video “Titanic” in the bedroom’s VCR player. Though Detective Brackett searched Willie Crain’s boat, he didn’t find anything that would have connected Crain to the disappearance of Amanda Brown. Crain’s truck was searched and detectives retrieved a telephone bill that had a phone number written on it as well as a bottle containing 84 Amitriptyline pills. Meanwhile, the search for Amanda Brown continued.

Continue to part 11 (http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-7403-Tampa-Crime-Examiner%7Ey2009m9d30-Amanda-Brown-Floridas-missing-children-part-11)

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Willie Crain had been questioned and the search for Amanda Brown was underway. In September 1998, two women who lived in the same trailer park as Willie Crain’s daughter, Cynthia Gay, recounted a story to authorities.
The night after Amanda Brown’s disappearance, September 11, 1998, Mayrann Lee stated that Willie Crain was upset that he had been accused. Lee testified that Linda Miller said to Willie Crain, “Just remember, you didn’t do anything, you didn’t hurt that little girl.”

Willie Crain answered, “Yes, I did do it; yes, you’re right; I didn’t hurt her, I didn’t do anything.” Lee testified that Crain had added the following comments, correcting his initial statement that he did ‘do it.’ Willie Crain had been drinking but not to the point where Maryann Lee could not understand his statements, she stated.

Linda Miller also recounted the conversation and stated that she said to Willie Crain, “Well, don’t worry about anything; you didn’t do anything to that little girl.” Linda Miller stated that Willie Crain paused, looked at his daughter Cynthia Gay and stated, “Yes, you’re right; I did do it.” He paused for a couple of seconds, then looked at his daughter Cynthia, and stated, “No, I didn’t do it.”

Linda Miller stated that Willie Crain then repeatedly stated that he did not do it and that if he knew were the ‘baby’ (missing child Amanda Brown) was, he would tell them.

Maryann Lee told detectives that Willie Crain had mentioned that he would like to set up a reward to help find missing child, Amanda Brown.

Continue to part 12 (http://www.examiner.com/x-7403-Tampa-Crime-Examiner%7Ey2009m10d3-Amanda-Brown-Floridas-missing-children-part-12)

The search for Amanda Brown continued and on September 11, 1998, Detective Hurley and another detective focused their search on the Courtney Campbell Causeway area. The search included the boat ramp, the shoreline, trash bins, and a garbage truck. A helicopter searched the shoreline as well as the Double Branch area. Unfortunately, the search yielded no clues.
On September 17, 1998, aerial searches were underway: they were also conducted on September 30 and October 6th. Included in those aerial searches were devices known as Forward Looking Infrared. These devices locate dead bodies; the searches found nothing.

By September 18, 1998, Detectives had set up a road block between Williams Road and Old Hillsborough Avenue between the hours of 12:00 and 5:50 a.m. During that search they stopped every car and asked them for information. It was later determined that they had stopped and questioned 156 vehicles, yet they were no closer to finding missing child, Amanda Brown.

Up until September 22, search crews included 145 police officers, the S.W.A.T team, K-9 units, marine, aviation and jet ski searches. These searches focused on the shoreline, mangroves, and crab traps. The McKay Bay and Palm River areas were also searched. Though there were over 300 telephone leads given during the case, none of the tips ever panned out. By September 7, 1999 Amanda Brown was still missing.

Private searches executed by citizens continued every weekend for six months following Amanda’s disappearance. One search included 684 divers searching the waters off of the Courtney Campbell Causeway and more than 700 volunteer searchers scouring the land. Again, no signs or evidence regarding Amanda’s disappearance had been found.

A second search warrant was served on Willie Crain and his trailer was searched again on October 8, 1998; that search didn’t reveal any additional information. With the search nearing conclusion and no clues found, the focus of the investigation shifted to the evidence that was obtained: Amanda Brown’s blood on Willie Crain’s toilet seat and his boxer shorts.

Continue to Part 13 (http://www.examiner.com/x-7403-Tampa-Crime-Examiner%7Ey2009m10d3-Amanda-Brown-Floridas-missing-children-part-12-Willie-Crain-prior-arrests-part-13)


The search for Amanda Brown continued and on September 11, 1998, Detective Hurley and another detective focused their search on the Courtney Campbell Causeway area. The search included the boat ramp, the shoreline, trash bins, and a garbage truck. A helicopter searched the shoreline as well as the Double Branch area. Unfortunately, the search yielded no clues.
On September 17, 1998, aerial searches were underway: they were also conducted on September 30 and October 6th. Included in those aerial searches were devices known as Forward Looking Infrared. These devices locate dead bodies; the searches found nothing.

By September 18, 1998, Detectives had set up a road block between Williams Road and Old Hillsborough Avenue between the hours of 12:00 and 5:50 a.m. During that search they stopped every car and asked them for information. It was later determined that they had stopped and questioned 156 vehicles, yet they were no closer to finding missing child, Amanda Brown.

Up until September 22, search crews included 145 police officers, the S.W.A.T team, K-9 units, marine, aviation and jet ski searches. These searches focused on the shoreline, mangroves, and crab traps. The McKay Bay and Palm River areas were also searched. Though there were over 300 telephone leads given during the case, none of the tips ever panned out. By September 7, 1999 Amanda Brown was still missing.

Private searches executed by citizens continued every weekend for six months following Amanda’s disappearance. One search included 684 divers searching the waters off of the Courtney Campbell Causeway and more than 700 volunteer searchers scouring the land. Again, no signs or evidence regarding Amanda’s disappearance had been found.

A second search warrant was served on Willie Crain and his trailer was searched again on October 8, 1998; that search didn’t reveal any additional information. With the search nearing conclusion and no clues found, the focus of the investigation shifted to the evidence that was obtained: Amanda Brown’s blood on Willie Crain’s toilet seat and his boxer shorts.

Continue to Part 13 (http://www.examiner.com/x-7403-Tampa-Crime-Examiner%7Ey2009m10d3-Amanda-Brown-Floridas-missing-children-part-12-Willie-Crain-prior-arrests-part-13)




A Tampa police report from 1984 states that Willie Crain told detectives he had molested three daughters, two granddaughters, a step-daughter, and several of the girl’s friends from around the neighborhood.

In 1985, Willie Crain was convicted on five counts of child rape that garnered him 20 years in prison he served seven of those years. He had been convicted of raping five girls under the age of 11. Reports state that in one of those incidents, he raped the young girl at gunpoint, holding the gun to her head during the incident.

After Amanda Brown’s disappearance on September 11, 1998, and in the midst of the investigation, Willie Crain was arrested for the rape of two girls between the years 1969 and 1971. The arrest occurred on September 18, 1998 at approximately 1:30 p.m., at the University Mall parking lot. Crain had been under surveillance and told detectives that he was planning on going to Las Vegas as he was being transported to jail.

The women came forward and shared their accounts of rape and abuse after seeing media coverage regarding Amanda Brown’s disappearance. The two women, who were 8 and 10 years old at the time of the rape, stated that Willie Crain had raped them repeatedly.

With knowledge of Willie Crain’s past convictions of child sexual battery and rape, the evidence linking Willie Crain to Amanda Brown’s disappearance became the seal in the prosecutor’s case against Crain. Now that Willie Crain was in custody on the two sexual battery (rape) charges, the prosecutor needed to have forensic testing completed in order to charge Willie Crain with the disappearance of Amanda Brown.



Willie Crain says he is innocent
http://www.examiner.com/x-7403-Tampa-Crime-Examiner~y2009m10d3-Amanda-Brown-Floridas-missing-children-part-12-Willie-Crain-prior-arrests-part-13








(http://www.examiner.com/x-7403-Tampa-Crime-Examiner%7Ey2009m9d16-Three-Florida-Children-kidnapped-on-September-11-Part-10-Amanda-Brown)

[packy]

What a sad case. It said see part 14 at the link but I could not find it.

[annalyzer]

Fed up father of missing Tampa Bay area girl demands confession

Thursday, December 10, 2009

TAMPA — Roy Brown wanted to see into the heart of a killer. But when he got a peek recently, he decided that he had seen enough.

For nearly a decade, Brown has wanted to talk to his daughter's killer and look him in the eye. He wants to know where 7-year-old Amanda Brown's remains were left. She has been missing since 1998.

Willie Crain was convicted of her abduction and murder based on testimony and blood found on his underwear and toilet. Prosecutors believe Crain, a crabber, dumped Amanda's body in Old Tampa Bay. He sits on death row in prison in Raiford.

At his 1999 sentencing, lawyers told Brown to rein in his comments so Crain couldn't use anything in a future appeal. It left Brown pent up ever since.

In 2006, he tried to hand Crain a letter at an appeal hearing but the court system stopped him. He tried again at Crain's prison but a warden took the letter and read it to Crain instead.

Three years later at his home in Zephyrhills, Brown finally received a response. Crain wrote him a message in September agreeing to meet.

"I will answer Roy Brown's questions as best as I can," Crain wrote.

When Brown tried to schedule something, state prison officials told him their administrative rules prohibited victims and prisoners from meeting because of safety concerns. Up in arms, Brown sought help from reporters and lawyers.

Crain was diagnosed with spots of cancer on his lungs almost two years ago, and Brown figured Crain might soon go to the grave with his secrets.

Brown, 57, thought if Crain saw his haunted face in person, he might be moved to confess. A killer would come clean in his last days and an anguished father could finally rest.

Brown soon found out Crain had his own ideas about the meeting. Last month, the inmate wrote Brown again.

"I just want to clear my name and get you to make the detectives reopen the case to get the real persons that took your daughter," he wrote. "Mr. Roy Brown, I'm going to get my name cleared. You can bank on that."

Friends had warned Brown that corresponding with Crain — let alone meeting with him — would open him to more misery and manipulation. Carole Bernhardt told him so, and she can relate to Brown's plight. Her 8-year-old grandson, Zachary Bernhardt, disappeared from a Clearwater apartment in 2000 and has never been found.

"Me and my daughter both," she said. "But we support him wherever he wants to go."

Crain's letter was full of claims about a tainted investigation and it made Brown burn. Already suffering from emphysema, he spent Tuesday in an emergency room with headaches.

"He's twisting my head," Brown said. "His name is in my mouth more than my daughter."

On Wednesday, Brown called a news conference at the Hillsborough County Courthouse to send Crain a public message:

Don't write me anymore unless you want to come clean.

"If he wants to see me, tell me where Amanda is," Brown said. "Otherwise, I'll see him in the death chamber."

http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/fed-up-father-of-missing-tampa-bay-area-girl-demands-confession/1057755