Riley Fox

[tybee204]

Archived Forum Read only

http://websleuths.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=52

If any news breaks on this case we will reopen the forum for discussion.

[Olivia77]

I understand why this was moved, but it breaks my heart that it looks like there will be no justice for Riley. :(

[Crimson Sky]

http://www.nbc5.com/video/5706508/detail.html

man accused of sexual assault on a girl in Wilmington was four houses down from Riley's Grandma's house around the time she was abducted.

[Crimson Sky]

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/top/4_1_JO29_FOX_S1.htm

[golfmom]

http://www.nbc5.com/video/5706508/detail.html

man accused of sexual assault on a girl in Wilmington was four houses down from Riley's Grandma's house around the time she was abducted.

I want to puke.

Other miscellaneous updates:

Phil Mock has been demoted. This sweetheart deal he put together was for the son of an assistant Illinois attorney general.

Will County State's Atty. James Glasgow on Monday demoted his top assistant for approving a plea deal that would have allowed a teen charged with predatory criminal sexual assault to escape prison and the stigma of being labeled a sex offender.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/southsouthwest/chi-0511290294nov29,1,131147.story?coll=chi-newslocalssouthwest-hed

One of the top deputies in the coroner's office has been terminated with no cause given. Another resigned in protest.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/top/4_1_JO28_CORONER_S1.htm

JOLIET — Will County Coroner Patrick O'Neil unceremoniously dumped his top deputy Tuesday, ending her five-year tenure in his office.

[lisag]

I hope this new lead proves to be something.. Little Riley deserves justice!

[crash676]

:behindbar :razz: I hope that this is the man and that Riley's case will be moved to the solved part of WS. But what I do not get was how this animal was on the street to begin with? He was a twice convicted sex offender and a murderer to boot. This is so deeply disturbing it goes beyond words. The worst part was he was not required to register as a sex offender anymore because it had been ten years since his conviction. How did it come out that he was four houses or blocks down from Riley's? Can someone post the link or point to where it was? I missed it somewhere. My parents live in that neighborhood and I am wondering where he lived and which house to tell my children to avoid on the off chance that he has some other disturbed friends in the area.

[crash676]

I found the link about the loser being four doors from the Rossi's. My parents live in the same neighborhood as the Foxes but it is still only about 1.5 miles if even between the two.

[golfmom]

I found the link about the loser being four doors from the Rossi's. My parents live in the same neighborhood as the Foxes but it is still only about 1.5 miles if even between the two.

It's possible he was watching the Rossi house waiting for an opportunity, when Kevin came along and picked up the kids and then he followed them over to the Fox residence . . . :(

[tybee204]

I would think the odds of this being a match are very low. Most pedophiles are not usually attracted to both babies and teens. They tend to follow the same MO in molestations. A teenager is post puberty and an entirely different attraction for perverts.

[tybee204]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-051229ilassault,1,2175381.story?coll=chi-news-hed

He's probably being asked about every case that's open and of a sex-related matter," Barry said. "To say he is a suspect in the Riley Fox case is inaccurate."

Barry said Southwood has prior sexual assault convictions and is being held at Will County Jail on $2 million bond.

Southwood was a friend of the quadriplegic girl's mother and is accused of assaulting the teen for several months, Will County State's Attorney spokesman Lee Michaels said.

[golfmom]

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/top/4_1_JO30_SOUTHWOOD_S1.htm

The Wilmington man charged with repeatedly raping a teenage quadriplegic has fathered two children with his own daughter, his abused offspring revealed Thursday.

"He made it look like we were husband and wife," Susan Clelland said of her father, 68-year-old Lawrence Southwood, and the monstrous "marriage" he made for her.

...........
Clelland believes her father more than capable of carrying out the sex attacks on the quadriplegic teen as alleged by the state. She also thinks he may have raped and killed 3-year-old Riley Fox, the young Wilmington girl whose murder has gone unsolved for the last 18 months.

Southwood's DNA is being compared to samples found on the dead girl's body, police said.

"I wouldn't put it past him," she said. "I don't know, but I honestly wouldn't put anything past him."

[kate312]

Wasn't there a "weird guy" that lived down the street? Or was that from Riley's house and not her grandmas?

The whole story around this monster is sickening.

[kate312]

http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/yrtwn/swest/302swyt1.htm

address: "Southwood, of 30507 S. Readman Lane, was charged earlier this week"

[golfmom]

Kate, I'm not sure if this clears it up:

Southwood reportedly stayed at the home of the quadriplegic teen the night before Riley Fox was killed. The teen lives near the grandmother who was babysitting Riley and her brother, Tyler, the evening before the young girl's murder.

The day Riley was discovered missing, a neighbor told police she saw the little girl sitting outside her grandmother's home.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/top/4_1_JO30_FOX_S1.htm

[Bobbisangel]

How close did Riley's parents live to her grandparents? Would it have been possible for Riley to walk over to her grandparents house that morning?

I hope we hear when the DNA results come back. That DNA belongs to someone and I hope it is that guy so that Riley can have justice.

It's just hard to imagine that a father would father two of his child's kids. I'd like to hear her story. He made it look like they were married? I wonder how old the daughter is.

And that poor little teenager. She couldn't even get away from him or try and fight him off. He must have threatened to harm her or her mom if she told. I wonder how he was found out. They should just take this guy out and shoot him. He isn't even worth the cost of a needle and the poison to put him to sleep. Just sickening.

[golfmom]

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=3766153
.......
As for the case he is being charged with now, it was his own daughter that turned him in.

Susan Clelland hopes her 68-year-old father spends the the rest of his life in prison. Lawrence Southwood is being held on a $2 million bond for sexually abusing a 14-year-old quadriplegic girl, and it was the daughter, who learned about the alleged abuse, that turned her father in.

"He was taking her to Wal-Mart, Kmart, out to eat, and places like that. He was taking me places when I was 17 years old to get me to trust him," said Clelland.

Clelland says she was a victim as well. She says her father abused her for several years. She says that Southwood even fathered two of her children.

Southwood is no stranger to the law. He was convicted and served time for a 1961 rape, and in 1969, he was convicted of attempted murder. In 1992, he was convicted of another sex-related charge.

"He should have never been let out of jail from the first crime of rape going back to 1961," Clelland said.

.........

[golfmom]

How close did Riley's parents live to her grandparents? Would it have been possible for Riley to walk over to her grandparents house that morning?
.

I think it was less than a couple of miles.

[genecam]

I'm glad to see that Sheriff Kaupas and his brave crew of detectives, and that brave crime fighter, former State's Attorney Jeff Tomczak were right on top of this guy Southwood between June and October of 2004. How many times did they inteview him about Riley's murder while the trail was still hot? All these guys have kids and live in the area. Gee, weren't they concerned about the safety of their own families with this guy running around loose?

Oh, I forgot, they "rolled the bones" and put Kevin Fox behind bars and said he would be executed, so everyone in the area would be safe.

Remember you Will County voters who visit this site -- Sheriff Kaupas is running for re-election in November. Remember to vote and vote against him. Throw him out just like you did to Tomczak.

[Maddy's Mom]

How many times did they inteview him about Riley's murder while the trail was still hot?

Unfortunately, I am going with NEVER seeing as how he wasn't even registered as a sex offender. His crimes were "too old". Meanwhile hes running around molesting people who cannot defend themselves. He is disgusting. I cannot even put into words how looking at his picture makes me feel. Sick, to say the least. Even if his DNA doesn't match what happened to Riley, I hope the boys locked up in Will Co jail help him with the soap.

[Maddy's Mom]

It's possible he was watching the Rossi house waiting for an opportunity, when Kevin came along and picked up the kids and then he followed them over to the Fox residence . . . :(

"Court papers allege Southwood violated his young victim with his finger, that he performed oral sex on her, and that he had her perform oral sex on him."

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/..._hearing_s1.htm (http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/top/4_1_jo28_hearing_s1.htm)


Riley was assualted with a small object, "like a finger". Also, the DNA found in her vaginal area was determined to be a man's saliva. Hmmm. Not to mention this sicko only lived 4 doors down from the Rossi's.

He would have either had to know where they lived, or followed them home. Until now, I have been under the notion that whoever killed Riley was either IN the house when they got home, or was outside and around the vicinity of the house when they got home. If it was this loser, he would have had to have seen Kevin pick the kids up that night. LOSER.

[Maddy's Mom]

Accused of coverup: She took money to hide rapist's crime, prosecutor says

JOLIET — A Wilmington woman took $10,000 to cover up the crime of a man who repeatedly raped her disabled teenage daughter for months, State's Attorney James Glasgow said Thursday.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/top/4_1_jo13_southwood_s1.htm



If this is true, this woman has no right calling herself a mother.

[crash676]

Accused of coverup: She took money to hide rapist's crime, prosecutor says

JOLIET — A Wilmington woman took $10,000 to cover up the crime of a man who repeatedly raped her disabled teenage daughter for months, State's Attorney James Glasgow said Thursday.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/top/4_1_jo13_southwood_s1.htm



If this is true, this woman has no right calling herself a mother.
I can not believe this. Is this the same woman who was on TV crying and distraught? How could anyone take money to cover abuse. I am just amazed at the disgusting things people do.

[tybee204]

Perhaps this case belongs in Crimes in the News rather then this thread on Riley.

[SewingDeb]

One article mentions that they have sent Southwood's DNA off to be compared in the Riley Fox case.

[Jeana (DP)]

I was thinking about little Riley today. I wonder when we're going to hear something????? :o :o

[Maddy's Mom]

I was thinking about little Riley today. I wonder when we're going to hear something????? :o :o
I Know! I think of her every day. My JusticeForRiley bumper sticker doesn't seem to attract much attention. Hopefully Riley's law is coming along well. I know Melissa's due date is coming up really soon...I do hope they are all doing as well as can be expected and are enjoying being new parents all over again!

[Jeana (DP)]

I Know! I think of her every day. My JusticeForRiley bumper sticker doesn't seem to attract much attention. Hopefully Riley's law is coming along well. I know Melissa's due date is coming up really soon...I do hope they are all doing as well as can be expected and are enjoying being new parents all over again!


Some monster is out on the loose. That scares the daylights out of me. Whatever they're doing, it ain't fast enough.

[lisag]

Some monster is out on the loose. That scares the daylights out of me. Whatever they're doing, it ain't fast enough.


Agreed.

[Maddy's Mom]

Some monster is out on the loose. That scares the daylights out of me. Whatever they're doing, it ain't fast enough.
It kills me that all this DNA is just sitting on a shelf. None of it has even been tested. All they have done is cleared the family. Ok, fine, now lets get on with it! The bastard is still walking the streets!

"A seemingly endless backlog of violent crime cases has been a cause for frustration at the Illinois Crime Lab. DNA from Riley Fox's killer has been at the lab for the past seven months.....

All of Riley's relatives and close family friends have been eliminated from suspicion in the case. Zellner said 50 to 60 Wilmington-area residents have undergone DNA testing."

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/sunpub/naper/news/n15riley.htm

[Jeana (DP)]

It kills me that all this DNA is just sitting on a shelf. None of it has even been tested. All they have done is cleared the family. Ok, fine, now lets get on with it! The bastard is still walking the streets!

"A seemingly endless backlog of violent crime cases has been a cause for frustration at the Illinois Crime Lab. DNA from Riley Fox's killer has been at the lab for the past seven months.....

All of Riley's relatives and close family friends have been eliminated from suspicion in the case. Zellner said 50 to 60 Wilmington-area residents have undergone DNA testing."

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/sunpub/naper/news/n15riley.htm


Agreed.

[Maddy's Mom]

Agreed.Lisa, I just noticed your footer! (Haven't been around in a while),
CONGRATULATIONS!!! :dance:

[lisag]

Lisa, I just noticed your footer! (Haven't been around in a while),
CONGRATULATIONS!!! :dance:


Thanks !! I go in next week for my big ultra sound - hoping to find out if it's a boy or girl !!

[Bobbisangel]

I wonder why that DNA wasn't sent to the FBI labs months and months ago. This is about the horrible death of a little girl. It seems that the FBI should be involved in it as the person who murdered Riley is fully capable of murdering more children...he probably already has in some other city or state. As they haven't tested the DNA they don't even know if it might not match the DNA of someone already in the database. What a shame.

[golfmom]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/southsouthwest/chi-0603230320mar23,1,4400150.story?coll=chi-newslocalssouthwest-hed

....
Both men said they expected the June 2004 sexual assault and murder of 3-year-old Riley Fox to be a topic of debate.

The girl's father, Kevin, was arrested after he allegedly implicated himself in a statement that defense attorneys contend was coerced. But he was released nearly eight months later when DNA tests from Riley's rape kit showed no link to him.

"A lot of people want a lot of answers," Girot said. "They are not getting any."

Kaupas has defended his investigators' handling of the case, which is being probed by the office of State's Atty. James Glasgow. Kaupas did so again Wednesday, adding that there are things he could not say about the case while it remained under investigation and in civil litigation.
...

[gardenmom]

Thanks !! I go in next week for my big ultra sound - hoping to find out if it's a boy or girl !!
It will definately be a boy or girl!! See, you didn't need an ultrasound, just ask me.

Congratulations!

[lisag]

It will definately be a boy or girl!! See, you didn't need an ultrasound, just ask me.

Congratulations!


Lol... I guess that was worded goofy.. I was hoping to find out WHICH one..!!

Anyway, we found out we are having a boy...

[Maddy's Mom]

Lol... I guess that was worded goofy.. I was hoping to find out WHICH one..!!

Anyway, we found out we are having a boy...

As long as he is healthy, right!?

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!

[Maddy's Mom]

Prayers today for the Fox Family. Today would have been Riley's 5th birthday. I am sure she is shining down on her new baby sister and smiling away!

God Bless Her Soul!!

[Jeana (DP)]

Prayers today for the Fox Family. Today would have been Riley's 5th birthday. I am sure she is shining down on her new baby sister and smiling away!

God Bless Her Soul!!


:( :( :( :( Thanks for the reminder darlin.

For Riley:

http://bestsmileys.com/angles/12.gif

[inquiringmindz]

So strange, I was thinking about Riley today having no idea it would have been her birthday. May her killer be brought to justice soon!

[TangledWishes]

Nobody has forgotten about Riley; her family, Zellner and her office, nor the police department and dedicated detectives along with many many many others that pray each night that the killer is found and prosecuted to the fullest. Happy Birthday, little angel.

[genecam]

Nobody has forgotten about Riley; her family, Zellner and her office, nor the police department and "dedicated" detectives along with many many many others that pray each night that the killer is found and prosecuted to the fullest. Happy Birthday, little angel.
One of the biggest crimes in this case is that there are no, nor have there ever been any "dedicated" detectives on this case -- in any connotation of the word "dedicated." If there had been, there would have been a chance of catching the killer a long time ago when the trail was fresh.

Now the trail is so cold, I think all we are getting is lip service from LE here.

Remember all you Will County voters out there, the Sheriff's election is in November. Vote for Rich Girot and send Kaupus and the six thugs that interrogated Kevin to the unemployment lines so they can be reunited with their old buddy Jeff Tomczak.

[Bobbisangel]

One of the biggest crimes in this case is that there are no, nor have there ever been any "dedicated" detectives on this case -- in any connotation of the word "dedicated." If there had been, there would have been a chance of catching the killer a long time ago when the trail was fresh.

Now the trail is so cold, I think all we are getting is lip service from LE here.

Remember all you Will County voters out there, the Sheriff's election is in November. Vote for Rich Girot and send Kaupus and the six thugs that interrogated Kevin to the unemployment lines so they can be reunited with their old buddy Jeff Tomczak.



Another big crime in this case is the way they focused in on Kevin right away so much that they weren't even looking for anyone else. They may have gotten the "real" killer if they hadn't had such tunnel vision.

Sure sounds to me like they need a whole new bunch in there. The people have the vote and the power to get the rotten eggs out. They just need to use it.

I agree that a case always needs at least one dedicated detective that swears he will keep looking until he retires. Someone with a passion for justice for your loved one.

[Bobbisangel]

Prayers today for the Fox Family. Today would have been Riley's 5th birthday. I am sure she is shining down on her new baby sister and smiling away!

God Bless Her Soul!!



Do you have any idea what they named the baby?

[Maddy's Mom]

Do you have any idea what they named the baby?
No, sorry, I do not. I wrote to Chad to send congratulations to them and I asked him what they named her, but he did not reply.

[Maddy's Mom]

Small Update:

Riley Fox murder case: Father charges he was falsely imprisoned

A federal judge denied every count but one of a motion to dismiss the lawsuit alleging a conspiracy to falsely imprison — and possibly condemn — Kevin Fox for the rape and murder of his 3-year-old daughter.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/city/4_1_jo02_fox_s1.htm

[genecam]

Small Update:

Riley Fox murder case: Father charges he was falsely imprisoned

A federal judge denied every count but one of a motion to dismiss the lawsuit alleging a conspiracy to falsely imprison — and possibly condemn — Kevin Fox for the rape and murder of his 3-year-old daughter.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/city/4_1_jo02_fox_s1.htmOne thing that really bothers me in this article is the following quote from State's Attorney Jim Glasgow:

Glasgow downplayed the significance of the judge's ruling on the motion. "The court was required on this preliminary motion to view the allegations in the light most favorable to the plaintiffs," he said. "This ruling clearly does not mean that they will prevail on the merits. We will continue to vigorously defend this matter."

He is supposedly conducting an investigation to be "vigorously" pursuing Riley Fox's murderer.

It seems to me to be a huge conflict of interest for him to both "vigorously defend" this matter (fighting the civil suit)" and simultaneously "vigorously" investigating the murder of the daughter of people who are suing him.

I recall Melissa Fox, shortly after Kevin's release, saying that Will County, Glasgow and Kaupus had a huge conflict of interest and could not adequately investigate Riley's murder because they were defending against the civil suit, and wanted Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to intervene and investigate the case. Madigan said she could not unless Will County voluntarily ceded authority to here.

At the time, Glasgow said there was no conflict of interest and that he would "vigorously" investigate this case with a fresh team of investigators.

I never thought any Will County investigators could take a "fresh" look at this case. Glasgow's statement only reinforces my opinion.

I think the only thing Will County Law Enforcement has shown in this case is a "vigorous" pursuit of idiocy, buffoonery, dishonesty and hypocrisy.

I see that Sheriff Kaupus was dismissed as a defendant in the civil suit. Will County voters - let's dismiss Kaupus as Sheriff by voting him out of office in November. Remember to vote for Rich Girot for Sheriff and tell all your friends and neighbors what dishonest, incompetent nitwits Kaupus and his detectives are.

[Elliemae]

One thing that really bothers me in this article is the following quote from State's Attorney Jim Glasgow:

Glasgow downplayed the significance of the judge's ruling on the motion. "The court was required on this preliminary motion to view the allegations in the light most favorable to the plaintiffs," he said. "This ruling clearly does not mean that they will prevail on the merits. We will continue to vigorously defend this matter."

He is supposedly conducting an investigation to be "vigorously" pursuing Riley Fox's murderer.

It seems to me to be a huge conflict of interest for him to both "vigorously defend" this matter (fighting the civil suit)" and simultaneously "vigorously" investigating the murder of the daughter of people who are suing him.

I recall Melissa Fox, shortly after Kevin's release, saying that Will County, Glasgow and Kaupus had a huge conflict of interest and could not adequately investigate Riley's murder because they were defending against the civil suit, and wanted Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to intervene and investigate the case. Madigan said she could not unless Will County voluntarily ceded authority to here.

At the time, Glasgow said there was no conflict of interest and that he would "vigorously" investigate this case with a fresh team of investigators.

I never thought any Will County investigators could take a "fresh" look at this case. Glasgow's statement only reinforces my opinion.

I think the only thing Will County Law Enforcement has shown in this case is a "vigorous" pursuit of idiocy, buffoonery, dishonesty and hypocrisy.

I see that Sheriff Kaupus was dismissed as a defendant in the civil suit. Will County voters - let's dismiss Kaupus as Sheriff by voting him out of office in November. Remember to vote for Rich Girot for Sheriff and tell all your friends and neighbors what dishonest, incompetent nitwits Kaupus and his detectives are.
What do you expect? It's Illinois politics. The seediest in the country. :bang:

[Jenn]

One thing that really bothers me in this article is the following quote from State's Attorney Jim Glasgow:

Glasgow downplayed the significance of the judge's ruling on the motion. "The court was required on this preliminary motion to view the allegations in the light most favorable to the plaintiffs," he said. "This ruling clearly does not mean that they will prevail on the merits. We will continue to vigorously defend this matter."

He is supposedly conducting an investigation to be "vigorously" pursuing Riley Fox's murderer.

It seems to me to be a huge conflict of interest for him to both "vigorously defend" this matter (fighting the civil suit)" and simultaneously "vigorously" investigating the murder of the daughter of people who are suing him.

I recall Melissa Fox, shortly after Kevin's release, saying that Will County, Glasgow and Kaupus had a huge conflict of interest and could not adequately investigate Riley's murder because they were defending against the civil suit, and wanted Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to intervene and investigate the case. Madigan said she could not unless Will County voluntarily ceded authority to here.

At the time, Glasgow said there was no conflict of interest and that he would "vigorously" investigate this case with a fresh team of investigators.

I never thought any Will County investigators could take a "fresh" look at this case. Glasgow's statement only reinforces my opinion.

I think the only thing Will County Law Enforcement has shown in this case is a "vigorous" pursuit of idiocy, buffoonery, dishonesty and hypocrisy.

I see that Sheriff Kaupus was dismissed as a defendant in the civil suit. Will County voters - let's dismiss Kaupus as Sheriff by voting him out of office in November. Remember to vote for Rich Girot for Sheriff and tell all your friends and neighbors what dishonest, incompetent nitwits Kaupus and his detectives are.
Genecam, I agree. Sadly, it doesn't look like Riley will ever get justice. At least not in this lifetime.

[halycon]

"Stunning victory"? Leave it to Zellner to spin good news out of nothing. She's amusing, I'll give her that.

[laini]

Has anything come of the sex offender/sleazy old man who was living nearby? Has he been ruled out? Chances are, this wasn't the first time Riley's killer killed. (my opinion) There may be other murders with similarities. Was Riley's body found in a nearby river? There was a little girl in Iowa who was taken right out of her living room somehow while her dad was sleeping. She was found in a river. I would guess the killer knew it would ruin some of the evidence if he put her in water.

[Jeana (DP)]

Has anything come of the sex offender/sleazy old man who was living nearby? Has he been ruled out? Chances are, this wasn't the first time Riley's killer killed. (my opinion) There may be other murders with similarities. Was Riley's body found in a nearby river? There was a little girl in Iowa who was taken right out of her living room somehow while her dad was sleeping. She was found in a river. I would guess the killer knew it would ruin some of the evidence if he put her in water.


Yes, her body was in water. I think the only person whose been ruled out is her father. We don't know much else about this case. Because of the civil lawsuit pending, we'll hear very little.

[laini]

Yes, her body was in water. I think the only person whose been ruled out is her father. We don't know much else about this case. Because of the civil lawsuit pending, we'll hear very little.
Ok. Thanks for answering. :) Maybe in the future we will get more info.

[halycon]

Kevin Fox, the father, has not been ruled out. He was merely released pending further investigation.

There is nothing to suggest Riley's killer had prior bad acts.

[genecam]

All charges against Kevin Fox were dismissed when the judge granted a "nolo pros" motion made by the State's Attorney. The DNA tests and a subsequent confirmation retest positively and definitively excluded Kevin Fox and all other male members of the Fox and Rossi families. There is no ongoing investigation of any of them.

There is supposedly an ongoing investigation by a "fresh" (hah!) team of new investigators from the Will County Sheriff's Office and State's Attorney's Office. Nothing of interest has been reported from those investigators, and I wouldn't hold my breath in anticipation of hearing anything soon.

Southwood's DNA was tested because they are testing the DNA of all sex offenders arrested in the area to see if there is a match to the DNA found on Riley. I doubt that Southwood was Riley's murderer. It does not fit his MO at all. This just shows how cold the trail really is, and how bereft of direction this investigation really is.

Next week will be the second anniversary of Riley's death - 730 days. Of those 730 days, they had Kevin imprisoned for 240 of them, and they only interviewed 2 people from July - October 2004, about 120 of them. That's about 1 year right there. Kevin was released from jail almost a year ago, and all we have seen since then is Southwood's arrest and DNA testing - which will likely amount to nothing regarding the Fox case.

That's almost the entire two years of "investigation" right there.

What a great job - the "fresh" team looks just like the "stale" team to me - except the "fresh" team doesn't have anyone for Kaupus to "roll the bones" on before this year's election to try and save his a$$. I sure hope he gets what he deserves - and it's not "four more years."

[halycon]

Kevin Fox has not been cleared. The DNA is meaningless. Investigation is continuing but that doesn't mean Kevin won't wind up back in the pokey, this time for good.

[Jeana (DP)]

Kevin Fox has not been cleared. The DNA is meaningless. Investigation is continuing but that doesn't mean Kevin won't wind up back in the pokey, this time for good.


I'm not exactly sure what the hang up seems to be with regard to your opinion, but the DNA is not "meaningless," and Kevin has indeed been excluded as being the source of the DNA.

The DNA testing of evidence resulted in an "absolute exclusion of Kevin Fox as a donor," State's Atty. James Glasgow told the judge.


I think the State's Attorney General knows a bit more about this than any of us do. You may not like the results, but they are indeed the results.

[lisag]

Kevin Fox has not been cleared. The DNA is meaningless. Investigation is continuing but that doesn't mean Kevin won't wind up back in the pokey, this time for good.


MANY of us thought Kevin was guilty as sin in the begining... but DNA does not lie.

DNA was found on little Riley - DNA that did not belong to her father. Instead of wasting your enrgery on still trying to convict him, you should put that energy to a more worthy cause.

I will never stop praying for justice for Riley.

[halycon]

The DNA is artifact. It's meaningless. I can't be more clear about this.

Kevin is still the chief suspect.

[Jeana (DP)]

The DNA is artifact. It's meaningless. I can't be more clear about this.

Kevin is still the chief suspect.


You are incorrect and you're also wasting your time.

[halycon]

If you can show me some evidence that Kevin is cleared, I will be more than happy to consider your opinion. Until then, I'm afraid you are only wishful thinking. But enjoy yourself. Me, I prefer dealing in facts.

[Jeana (DP)]

If you can show me some evidence that Kevin is cleared, I will be more than happy to consider your opinion. Until then, I'm afraid you are only wishful thinking. But enjoy yourself. Me, I prefer dealing in facts.

CAN YOU READ THE SENTENCE BELOW? The STATE's Attorney General says Fox has been cleared. You can consider my "opinion," if you'd like, but I'd much prefer you just take the attorney general's word for it.


The DNA testing of evidence resulted in an "absolute exclusion of Kevin Fox as a donor," State's Atty. James Glasgow told the judge.

[Crimson Sky]

If you can show me some evidence that Kevin is cleared, I will be more than happy to consider your opinion. Until then, I'm afraid you are only wishful thinking. But enjoy yourself. Me, I prefer dealing in facts.

Show us evidence that Kevin isn't cleared. Show us your so called facts .

[halycon]

The facts are completely on my side.

Unless you can cite the EXACT location, type and amount of DNA, it is pure artifact to the case. Ask Zellner to tell you. She won't because she knows better!

Kevin is still the chief suspect. Sorry if you think otherwise.

[Jeana (DP)]

The facts are completely on my side.

Unless you can cite the EXACT location, type and amount of DNA, it is pure artifact to the case. Ask Zellner to tell you. She won't because she knows better!

Kevin is still the chief suspect. Sorry if you think otherwise.


With all due respect Halycon, you haven't the slightest clue what you're talking about. If the FACTS were on your side, Kev would have been tried already.

[lisag]

With all due respect Halycon, you haven't the slightest clue what you're talking about. If the FACTS were on your side, Kev would have been tried already.


Exaclty...
Halycon, you have given NO FACTS indicating that Kevin is still the prime suspect... I do not understand how you can minimize DNA.

[halycon]

Ladies, go to the source -- ask Zellner. My questions to you here are the ones she won't answer. They make her hair frizz even more than usual. When she hears my questions, and she has but not from me, she shrivels and shrieks because she knows the person asking them has found her weak spot.

Zellner is all smoke and mirrors. She won't deal with anything factual. I only deal in facts. Someday you will realize this.

Have a great day!

[Jeana (DP)]

Ladies, go to the source -- ask Zellner. My questions to you here are the ones she won't answer. They make her hair frizz even more than usual. When she hears my questions, and she has but not from me, she shrivels and shrieks because she knows the person asking them has found her weak spot.

Zellner is all smoke and mirrors. She won't deal with anything factual. I only deal in facts. Someday you will realize this.

Have a great day!


Zellner doesn't answer to you. She's got a civil case to prepare for and her first duty is to her clients. Once the evidence is presented in open court, you'll either accept it or you won't. That's the way our civil courts work. The district attorneys office and the police office have much to loose. If they thought there was a shred of evidence that could save them their reputations and the amount of money this case is going to cost not only to defend, but the possible damage award, you can't convice me that they would accept the DNA as gospel and release Kevin and make that statement. Quite frankly, it matters not whether you and I can convince one another. What matters is what Zellner can convince her jury to believe. I tend to think they're going to believe what the STATE'S ATTORNEYS office admits to.

[halycon]

Zellner's sole job is to keep Kevin and other clients out of prison. Not to tell the truth. Not to find the truth. Not to find a replacement suspect. Just to keep him out of jail. And she will do that despite the horror of the crime that happened, the incredibly brutal murder of this innocent child whom Zellner cares nothing about.

You'd think someone in that Fox family would place a value of Riley's life over Kevin's. It's truly one of the saddest things I've ever witnessed. I only hope their private thoughts are a bit more sensible.

Riley deserves better. The taxpayers deserve better.

Oh, and that civil case? Well, tell the Foxes not to go spending that money yet...

[Jeana (DP)]

Zellner's sole job is to keep Kevin and other clients out of prison. Not to tell the truth. Not to find the truth. Not to find a replacement suspect. Just to keep him out of jail. And she will do that despite the horror of the crime that happened, the incredibly brutal murder of this innocent child whom Zellner cares nothing about.

You'd think someone in that Fox family would place a value of Riley's life over Kevin's. It's truly one of the saddest things I've ever witnessed. I only hope their private thoughts are a bit more sensible.

Riley deserves better. The taxpayers deserve better.

Oh, and that civil case? Well, tell the Foxes not to go spending that money yet...


Zellner is a CIVIL attorney, not a criminal defense attorney, if I remember correctly. If I'm wrong, please show me a link proving it and I'll apologize. Civil attorneys do not keep people out of jail. They try to get damages awarded to their clients for different reasons. Her reasons in this case are obvious. The rest of the post about Riley's family makes no sense because Kevin had nothing to do with the crimes, so I'm just going to skip over that part.

[TangledWishes]

Today is the anniversary of little Riley's death. My prayers and thoughts are with her family and friends.

[Jeana (DP)]

Today is the anniversary of little Riley's death. My prayers and thoughts are with her family and friends.

As do I. Thanks.

[genecam]

Zellner is a CIVIL attorney, not a criminal defense attorney, if I remember correctly. If I'm wrong, please show me a link proving it and I'll apologize. Civil attorneys do not keep people out of jail. They try to get damages awarded to their clients for different reasons. Her reasons in this case are obvious. The rest of the post about Riley's family makes no sense because Kevin had nothing to do with the crimes, so I'm just going to skip over that part.Zellner has a diverse practice, handling both civil and criminal cases. Her best known criminal cases that I have read about have been at the post-trial motion or appellate level - getting the Ford Heights Four exonerated after DNA testing, the release of Kevin Fox, the currently ongoing appeal of Michael Cardamone, the Aurora gymnastics coach, and several others. She has also handled the civil suits seeking compensatory and punitive damages for the Ford Heights Four, Kevin Fox and several others, and has won large judgments. I do not know of any criminal cases where she has been the defense attorney at the initial trial court level. This is her law firm's web site:

http://www.kathleentzellner.com/firm.html

On another matter - Jeana (DP), I believe I remeber reading that you are a lawyer. What do you think the odds are of the Kevin Fox civil suit making it to trial? If I were a betting man - and I am not any more - I would bet at about 50-1 odds against it going to trial. I think, after Gerald Haberkorn, Will County's defense attorney, talks a lot about fighting this case to the end that it will quietly be settled out of court with no admission of liability on their part, and probably no disclosure of the settlement terms. In addition to the obvious impact of Kevin's testimony, I do not think they can overcome having the DNA from the beginning and not testing it, then hiding it, then calling off the testing. I think Tomczak's character and family history lends a dose of reality to the conspiracy theory that would play well with a jury. And Tyler testifying as to his ordeal would be the death blow to the defense, along with Zellner questioning Mary Jane Pluth, Tyler's unlicensed interrogator. And, of course, there is always of the luck of the draw regarding the judge. Based on his rulings in the pre-trial phase thus far, this judge appears inclined to give the plaintiffs every opportunity to proceed to trial, and has only dismissed one defendant.

It's really a shame that this case will likely fade quietly away, and so will the investigation of Riley's death, as the trail is so cold now, her killer will never be found unless there is a lucky break.

[lisag]

Today is the anniversary of little Riley's death. My prayers and thoughts are with her family and friends.


My prayers are with them as well today.

[tennessee]

Sweet little Riley. You are loved and missed, not only by your family but by countless others who never got the chance to see you or know you. I hope your spirit is chasing butterflies, climbing trees and counting stars.

[Jeana (DP)]

Genecam, thanks. I remember now that we discussed her firm handling both the civil and criminal cases. Now that the criminal case is no longer an issue, she's serving as the civil attorney in this matter.

If they settle regardless of whether that happens tomorrow or the morning of trial, there will not be any admission of guilt on anyone's part and the settlement terms will remain confidential.

I think Kevin's got a good case, but I've only seen what's been presented in the media and the amended petition. I don't know what the defendants' responses are. Nothing good would come from a trial in this matter, so I would think that both sides would be anxious to try and settle, if at all possible. With an open murder investigation, the defendants won't want to have to testify as to certain aspects of their case, so that will be a factor as well.

[Crimson Sky]

http://ww2.abc7chicago.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?clipid1=818940&at1=News&vt1=v&h1=No+suspects%2C+leads+in+murder+of+Riley+Fox&d1=129200&redirUrl=www.abc7chicago.com&activePane=info&LaunchPageAdTag=homepage



Southwood cleared by DNA

But who knows according to Halycon it could still be him or does that opinion just apply to kevin

[halycon]

Not surprised Southwood has been cleared by that particular DNA. As I mentioned ad infinitum, it's artifact and meaningless to the case. If anyone has info to the contrary, please post it.

I saw that news clip and had to kinda chuckle about Melissa's comment that cops have lost interest. I sincerely doubt that's true. In fact in cases like this, where a defense/civil attorney has pulled tricks to distract from justice, cops, lab techs and prosecutors redouble their efforts. And when a child is the victim, particularly in such an egregious manner of death as befell Riley, they will never give up.

All of which means, Kevin shouldn't stop looking over his shoulder. He could be brought back into custody at the snap of a finger.

[Maddy's Mom]

"Of 59 people who have been tested, 57 results are in, and no one has matched the DNA swab, which was taken from Riley's body. That includes Lawrence Southwood, who was recently convicted of a sex crime. Two swabs remain to be tested. One from a man who was convicted of a sex crime in Shorewood, and a male neighbor who still lives in Wilmington."

Anyone remember the "Creepy Neighbor" discussions? Sounds like his DNA is not back yet.

"We found even in the DNA swabbing that they had done, that there were very obvious people that they had missed," said Kathleen Zellner, the family's attorney. "There were people that had access to the house, knew their schedule, knew the house, the layout, everything, that they hadn't swabbed."

http://www.nbc5.com/news/9324645/detail.html

Also, on FOX news last night, they said the civil trial is set for September 2007.

Prayers for the Foxes on this day.

[Jeana (DP)]

"Of 59 people who have been tested, 57 results are in, and no one has matched the DNA swab, which was taken from Riley's body. That includes Lawrence Southwood, who was recently convicted of a sex crime. Two swabs remain to be tested. One from a man who was convicted of a sex crime in Shorewood, and a male neighbor who still lives in Wilmington."

Anyone remember the "Creepy Neighbor" discussions? Sounds like his DNA is not back yet.

"We found even in the DNA swabbing that they had done, that there were very obvious people that they had missed," said Kathleen Zellner, the family's attorney. "There were people that had access to the house, knew their schedule, knew the house, the layout, everything, that they hadn't swabbed."

http://www.nbc5.com/news/9324645/detail.html

Also, on FOX news last night, they said the civil trial is set for September 2007.

Prayers for the Foxes on this day.


Don't get your heart set for that civil trial to begin on that date. They hardly ever do go on the first date that they're set. Someone usually will ask for a continuance and the court will most likely grant one, especially if they're waiting for results on evidence.

[genecam]

Don't get your heart set for that civil trial to begin on that date. They hardly ever do go on the first date that they're set. Someone usually will ask for a continuance and the court will most likely grant one, especially if they're waiting for results on evidence.I agree. It will probably more likely be September 2008. And sometime during that year settlement negotiations will probably take place as the two sides assess their respective positions. And, as you said, the settlement terms will remain confidential. About the only thing made public might be the $$ amount of the settlement, as it will have to be voted upon and approved by the Will County Commissioners, since public funds would be used to pay for the County's liability.

I do not recall reading or hearing any statement by Melissa saying she believes "the cops have lost interest."


The only inference I perceived from Kevin and Melissa during the interview was a tacit acknowledgement of how cold the trail has become, and I sensed that they doubted the killer would be found.

And Glasgow's flip statement about "that's why we got rid of the British. . .we have to respect people's rights. . ." is ridiculous. It just shows what a clueless buffoon he is. What kind of respect did they have for Kevin's rights when they interrogated him for 14.5 hours and jailed him for 8 months and didn't test the DNA they had from the beginning. I never knew that "rolling the bones" equated to respecting people's rights.

And Gladgow shouldn't be demeaning the British when Will County's got Tomczak, Kaupus, the six thug detectives, Mary Jane Pluth the cleaning lady who browbeat Tyler, and Janette Bishop-Green the sadistic jail guard who taunted Kevin. What a crew. We need to get rid of all of them.

----------------------------------
Oops - I just re-read the ABC Channel 7 page on the interview with the Foxes. The following quote from Melissa was in the printed story, but was apparently cut from the video:

"It's almost as if, I feel no one is taking it seriously. I guess. A way to put it," said Melissa.

Interesting -- I wonder why they cut that from the video. Especially since it's true.

[Maddy's Mom]

Good Post, Genecam. The trial probably won't start then, but at least there is some sort of date set to go off of.

One has to wonder if they don't give a darn about who killed Riley because of the trial. If someone was suing you, would you want to help them? I don't think these guys look at it as their JOB or their DUTY to find the murderer. They are all so glib about the whole thing. You can bet your bottom dollar if this was of THEIR children they wouldn't sleep at night until they got the REAL killer! As Melissa said in one of her interviews last night, "Certain people need to stop living in denial. C'mon, it OBVIOUSLY wasn't Kevin."

[TangledWishes]

Good Post, Genecam. The trial probably won't start then, but at least there is some sort of date set to go off of.

One has to wonder if they don't give a darn about who killed Riley because of the trial. If someone was suing you, would you want to help them? I don't think these guys look at it as their JOB or their DUTY to find the murderer. They are all so glib about the whole thing. You can bet your bottom dollar if this was of THEIR children they wouldn't sleep at night until they got the REAL killer! As Melissa said in one of her interviews last night, "Certain people need to stop living in denial. C'mon, it OBVIOUSLY wasn't Kevin."
I try not to comment, but I have to on this one. Yes, the cops care. Do all of them? Probably not, but I know for certain there is a handful. Then spend their personal time trying to find answers. They all have other cases to handle and since this one is cold and getting old, the way politics play out is the newest cases move to the front of the line. Don't judge the cops, the individual cops, until you have met them.

[Jeana (DP)]

I try not to comment, but I have to on this one. Yes, the cops care. Do all of them? Probably not, but I know for certain there is a handful. Then spend their personal time trying to find answers. They all have other cases to handle and since this one is cold and getting old, the way politics play out is the newest cases move to the front of the line. Don't judge the cops, the individual cops, until you have met them.


:clap: :clap: :clap: Good post!!

[Maddy's Mom]

I am not judging all detectives, because I do realize that they take their orders from higher up. Whoever is "working" this case has shown no effort to the public at all. If they are working on it and trying to find answers, they should update the local public who still live in fear of this monster. If it weren't for Kevin and Melissa holding press conferances every 6 months or so to keep Riley's name in the public eye, how many people who don't live in Wilmington would remember that sweet little girl? Some, but most have already forgotten all about it. The only time it is mentioned is when Kevin and Melissa put themselves in front of the media.

I know there are so many other crimes to handle, and it would not be realistic to expect constant updates, but if they had done their job correctly in the first place, perhaps the monster would be off the streets by now.

[Jenn]

Just wanted to repost this link for everyone.


http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8892940

[genecam]

I am not judging all detectives, because I do realize that they take their orders from higher up. Whoever is "working" this case has shown no effort to the public at all. If they are working on it and trying to find answers, they should update the local public who still live in fear of this monster. If it weren't for Kevin and Melissa holding press conferances every 6 months or so to keep Riley's name in the public eye, how many people who don't live in Wilmington would remember that sweet little girl? Some, but most have already forgotten all about it. The only time it is mentioned is when Kevin and Melissa put themselves in front of the media.

I know there are so many other crimes to handle, and it would not be realistic to expect constant updates, but if they had done their job correctly in the first place, perhaps the monster would be off the streets by now. You got it MM. Right on!!! There is absolutely no defense or excuse for the way this investigation was f*****d up. All the Sheriff, the State's Attorney and the detectives have done since they jailed Kevin is CYA. They need the heat kept on them relentlessly. Kaupus and the detectives are only concerned about the fact that they are in real danger of being unemployed come November, and that the Will County taxpayers will be after their hides because their actions in this case are going to cost the taxpayers beaucoup $$$. They are only temporarily saved by the fact that the bill won't come due until after the election. In fact, that's another reason why they have dragged the civil case out and haven't proposed a settlement, because doing that before the election would be political suicide. It's all clear now - pure politics. They just continue to make Riley a political football while they play their little games. How disgusting.

[blueclouds]

Here's another link on Riley's case. How sad.

Yet again, why would the DAD confess? Not in a million would I do that..... ever.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/top/4_1_JO06_FOX_S1.htm

IS IT ME OR IS THIS PHOTO OF RILEY EXTREMELY INAPPROPRIATE????

[genecam]

I try not to comment, but I have to on this one. Yes, the cops care. Do all of them? Probably not, but I know for certain there is a handful. Then spend their personal time trying to find answers. They all have other cases to handle and since this one is cold and getting old, the way politics play out is the newest cases move to the front of the line. Don't judge the cops, the individual cops, until you have met them.My comments on "the cops" on this board are not about ALL cops. They are specifically directed at the defendants in the Kevin Fox civil suit plus two others who were lucky enough not to be defendants, namely: former State's Attorney Jeff Tomczak, State's Attorney Jim Glasgow, Sheriff Paul Kaupus, the six detectives who interrogated Kevin for 14.5 hours, sadistric prison guard Janette Bishop-Green who taunted Kevin daily, Mary Jane Pluth the unlicensed person who browbeat Tyler, and the lie detector guy.

Of course most law enforcement officers are decent people. But it's the 10% of rotten apples like these incompetent thugs that get all of the publicity when they totally screw up a case like this and ruin the lives of innocent people, and they need to be held accountable for their actions. In fact, if all of the decent law enforcement people would condemn thugs like these and get them out of the profession, we'd all be better off. Their voices would be the most effective. Unfortunately, with a few notable exceptions, most law enforcement personnel rigidly conform to the "code of silence" -- Thou shalt never speak ill of any other law enforcement officer no matter how outrageous, illegal, unprofessional, dishonest or disgusting their actions are, for to do so would make me the condemned one.

I do not need to be reminded that "all cops" are not bad. This forum concerns LE in this case. I believe there are other forums to discuss "all cops" - where the integrity of the good ones can be defended. However, LE in this case has had no integrity. That's why Riley's murderer is still on the loose.

[Jeana (DP)]

From the article:

Since then, Will County police have tested 50 to 60 DNA samples against evidence found on the toddler's body. It was the same sample that cleared her father, Kevin Fox, of the crime.
"We continue to check DNA samples of known sex offenders," said Pat Barry, spokesman for the county police. "We also check them with a national registry of sex offenders."

Barry said no one has been officially cleared of the crime.


No wonder we can't even agree here at WS that Kevin's been cleared. :doh: I HATE THE MEDIA!~

[TangledWishes]

I do not need to be reminded that "all cops" are not bad. This forum concerns LE in this case. I believe there are other forums to discuss "all cops" - where the integrity of the good ones can be defended. However, LE in this case has had no integrity. That's why Riley's murderer is still on the loose.
I was speaking of the police officers on THIS case.

[genecam]

From the article:

Barry said no one has been officially cleared of the crime.


No wonder we can't even agree here at WS that Kevin's been cleared. :doh: I HATE THE MEDIA!~
It's not the media. They are only reporting what Pat Barry, the Sheriff's spokesperson said. I would hate to make the assumption that Pat Barry and Sheriff Kaupus know what they are talking about.

Also, food for thought - although Barry said no one has been officially cleared of the crime, as of now, no one is officially charged with committing the crime.

[Jeana (DP)]

It's not the media. They are only reporting what Pat Barry, the Sheriff's spokesperson said. I would hate to make the assumption that Pat Barry and Sheriff Kaupus know what they are talking about.

Also, food for thought - although Barry said no one has been officially cleared of the crime, as of now, no one is officially charged with committing the crime.

It was the media who just printed both versions in the link above. I've got my own personal bones to pick with the media.

[genecam]

It was the media who just printed both versions in the link above. I've got my own personal bones to pick with the media.Jeana (DP) - I agree, the media provides plenty of bones to pick with, but since you're a lawyer give us a legal explanation here based on the following: Kevin's case has already been adjudicated. The State's Attorney moved to nolo pros and dismiss the charges against Kevin. The judge granted the motion and dismissed the charges against him. When the Sheriff went to the State's Attorney with the evidence for the State's Attorney to pursue or not pursue as is his decision to make, doesn't that mean the case against Kevin was out of the Sheriff's jurisdiction and under the control of the State's Attorney? And especially since the judge has ruled and dismissed the charges.

To me that clearly means Kevin is cleared, and neither the Sheriff or his spokesperson can speak with any authority concerning whether or not Kevin is cleared. Therefore, Pat Barry must have been referring to someone else -- or probably no one else, since they don't have any clue about anyone else. And if he wasn't excluding Kevin, he was just plain wrong and "still in denial" as Melissa said the other night during one of the interviews.

[Jeana (DP)]

Jeana (DP) - I agree, the media provides plenty of bones to pick with, but since you're a lawyer give us a legal explanation here based on the following: Kevin's case has already been adjudicated. The State's Attorney moved to nolo pros and dismiss the charges against Kevin. The judge granted the motion and dismissed the charges against him. When the Sheriff went to the State's Attorney with the evidence for the State's Attorney to pursue or not pursue as is his decision to make, doesn't that mean the case against Kevin was out of the Sheriff's jurisdiction and under the control of the State's Attorney? And especially since the judge has ruled and dismissed the charges.

To me that clearly means Kevin is cleared, and neither the Sheriff or his spokesperson can speak with any authority concerning whether or not Kevin is cleared. Therefore, Pat Barry must have been referring to someone else -- or probably no one else, since they don't have any clue about anyone else. And if he wasn't excluding Kevin, he was just plain wrong and "still in denial" as Melissa said the other night during one of the interviews.



Sorry Darlin! I don't do criminal work and would hate to tell you the wrong thing. Its my understanding though that he has been cleared.

[genecam]

Sorry Darlin! I don't do criminal work and would hate to tell you the wrong thing. Its my understanding though that he has been cleared.
Thanks for the quick response. Even though you don't do criminal work, I agree with your understanding on this.

BTW - I have mellowed quite a bit since we last exchanged messages - probably becoming a grandfather is part of it. You can call me darlin' or the other terms you use any time. I was wrong to pick on you about it before and I apologize.

"You can call me darlin, darlin" -- Is that a Willie Nelson song title?

[Maddy's Mom]

Kevin HAS been cleared. Pat Berry just can't get his big mouth to say it. God forbid they admit their mistake. That would make them look incompetant!

Obviously, the 59 people whose DNA was tested and did not match have been cleared. But they will not even say that much. Only that "No one has been cleared". They suck!

[Maddy's Mom]

[QUOTE=genecam]
BTW - I have mellowed quite a bit since we last exchanged messages - probably becoming a grandfather is part of it. [QUOTE]

Congrats, Grandpa!!

[Jeana (DP)]

Thanks for the quick response. Even though you don't do criminal work, I agree with your understanding on this.

BTW - I have mellowed quite a bit since we last exchanged messages - probably becoming a grandfather is part of it. You can call me darlin' or the other terms you use any time. I was wrong to pick on you about it before and I apologize.

"You can call me darlin, darlin" -- Is that a Willie Nelson song title?


I'm sorry. Was that you who took offense?? :blowkiss:

I didn't know. We get so many people here - and, as you know, I use it for everyone at one time or another, but never in anger. I find another name to use then. ;)

[genecam]

I was speaking of the police officers on THIS case.TW - Specifically, by name, these are the "police officers" on THIS case whose behavior I have criticized:

DETECTIVE EDWARD HAYES, DETECTIVE MICHAEL GUILFOYLE, DETECTIVE SCOTT SWEARENGEN, DETECTIVE JOHN RUETTIGER, DETECTIVE BRAD WACHTL, and DETECTIVE DAVID DOBROWSKI, all from Will County Sheriff Paul Kaupus's office.

I hope these are not the guys whose actions you are defending. They don't have a caring bone in their collective bodies. They have needlessly inflicted a great deal of pain on a lot of people. There was no probable cause for their actions. They have shown no remorse, nor issued any apology for their repugnant behavior. They are a bunch of lazy thugs who do not belong in law enforcement.

These guys are totally devoid of character and morals -- just pure evil. Their moral compasses were discarded long ago and are probably lying in a ditch alongside Interstate 55 somewhere between Joliet and St. Louis.

Of course they are working on new cases. They desperately want this one to fade away so everyone will forget about it when they vote in November. But guess what -- the two-year anniversary of Riley's death fell right in the middle of the election campaign, and the local TV and radio stations wanted to interview Kevin and Melissa. And without having to be nasty or strident, they were subtly able to convey to everyone that no progress has been made towards capturing the killer in the entire two years, no one seems to be taking this case seriously, and Kaupus and the six thugs are "living in denial" still concentrating on CYA by trying to convince people that Kevin is still involved somehow.

I know the Foxes want to see Kaupus lose the election. They really took advantage of the opportunity to get their message across in a most effective way.

[TangledWishes]

TW - Specifically, by name, these are the "police officers" on THIS case whose behavior I have criticized:

DETECTIVE EDWARD HAYES, DETECTIVE MICHAEL GUILFOYLE, DETECTIVE SCOTT SWEARENGEN, DETECTIVE JOHN RUETTIGER, DETECTIVE BRAD WACHTL, and DETECTIVE DAVID DOBROWSKI, all from Will County Sheriff Paul Kaupus's office.

I hope these are not the guys whose actions you are defending. They don't have a caring bone in their collective bodies. They have needlessly inflicted a great deal of pain on a lot of people. There was no probable cause for their actions. They have shown no remorse, nor issued any apology for their repugnant behavior. They are a bunch of lazy thugs who do not belong in law enforcement.

These guys are totally devoid of character and morals -- just pure evil. Their moral compasses were discarded long ago and are probably lying in a ditch alongside Interstate 55 somewhere between Joliet and St. Louis.

Of course they are working on new cases. They desperately want this one to fade away so everyone will forget about it when they vote in November. But guess what -- the two-year anniversary of Riley's death fell right in the middle of the election campaign, and the local TV and radio stations wanted to interview Kevin and Melissa. And without having to be nasty or strident, they were subtly able to convey to everyone that no progress has been made towards capturing the killer in the entire two years, no one seems to be taking this case seriously, and Kaupus and the six thugs are "living in denial" still concentrating on CYA by trying to convince people that Kevin is still involved somehow.

I know the Foxes want to see Kaupus lose the election. They really took advantage of the opportunity to get their message across in a most effective way.
No, I am definately not defending those that you listed. But they aren't the only ones working on the case - if those in the past are even working on the case. I am defending others on this case, which unfortunately I cannot at this time divulge. Although it would be public record to anybody who would call the department.

There is so much that I would love to say, but cannot. All I can say is that there are many people who continue to spend endless hours to find Riley's killer. The media is unaware of much of it and so the public is unaware of much of it. I would be frustrated if I were Melissa and Kevin, but they also know more than what is being publicized. We live in a world where what the media prints or doesn't print is considered gospel. It isn't. I know of cases where the LE fed the media lies to throw the killer off. No, it isn't just a CSI show, it is real. I just wish people wouldn't always take things at face value. I understand that until Riley's killer is arrested and named that there will be a public outcry. Cry out all you want! Scare the bejesus out of the sicko that did this! But my point was don't assume that all LE on this case are scum or uncaring.

[Jeana (DP)]

No, I am definately not defending those that you listed. But they aren't the only ones working on the case - if those in the past are even working on the case. I am defending others on this case, which unfortunately I cannot at this time divulge. Although it would be public record to anybody who would call the department.

There is so much that I would love to say, but cannot. All I can say is that there are many people who continue to spend endless hours to find Riley's killer. The media is unaware of much of it and so the public is unaware of much of it. I would be frustrated if I were Melissa and Kevin, but they also know more than what is being publicized. We live in a world where what the media prints or doesn't print is considered gospel. It isn't. I know of cases where the LE fed the media lies to throw the killer off. No, it isn't just a CSI show, it is real. I just wish people wouldn't always take things at face value. I understand that until Riley's killer is arrested and named that there will be a public outcry. Cry out all you want! Scare the bejesus out of the sicko that did this! But my point was don't assume that all LE on this case are scum or uncaring.


I tend to agree with you. Let's remember that most of these guys live in that community as well, and most of them have children. If there is a baby murderer around, they want him found and jailed.

[genecam]

No, I am definately not defending those that you listed. But they aren't the only ones working on the case - if those in the past are even working on the case. I am defending others on this case, which unfortunately I cannot at this time divulge. Although it would be public record to anybody who would call the department.

There is so much that I would love to say, but cannot. All I can say is that there are many people who continue to spend endless hours to find Riley's killer. The media is unaware of much of it and so the public is unaware of much of it. I would be frustrated if I were Melissa and Kevin, but they also know more than what is being publicized. We live in a world where what the media prints or doesn't print is considered gospel. It isn't. I know of cases where the LE fed the media lies to throw the killer off. No, it isn't just a CSI show, it is real. I just wish people wouldn't always take things at face value. I understand that until Riley's killer is arrested and named that there will be a public outcry. Cry out all you want! Scare the bejesus out of the sicko that did this! But my point was don't assume that all LE on this case are scum or uncaring.TW - Glad to hear you are not defending the conduct of the original 6 detectives. Their conduct is totally indefensible. According to Glasgow, right after Kevin was released, they were all off the case and a new "fresh" team was formed. However, shortly thereafter, Chad received a call from Hayes, the worst of the thugs, requesting information from Zellner's investigators. That's when Melissa publicly requested the Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan take charge of the investigation because Will County had a huge conflict of interest because of the civil suit. If you recall, Madigan said she couldn't do that unilaterally. Will County had to request it, and Glasgow said that, with the new team there was no conflict of interest. And Kaupus gave some lame excuse that Hayes was "only getting the paper work in order for the new team." I recall Glasgow practically ordering Kaupus to get Hayes totally out of the picture, and looking clearly disgusted with Kaupus.

I questioned Glasgow's statement then, and I still question it now. The new team was comprised of a chief investigator and two others from the State's Attorney's Office, and two detectives from the Sheriff's Office. There are only 13 people in the Sheriff's detective unit, including a Lieutenant, a Sergeant and a support person. That leaves 10 detectives, including the six who interrogated Kevin. That's a small office. They all know each other and work in close proximity to each other. Many of them may even be friends and socialize together. I do not see how the two Sheriff's detectives on the new team can be objective or effective. I cannot see them doing anything to make any of their buddies among the original six look any worse than they do now, or anything to jeopardize the defendants' positions with regard to the civil suit. In fact, with regard to the civil suit, I think the objectivity and effectiveness of the entire new team is irrevocably compromised. I recall Glasgow said last week after the judge refused to dismiss the suit that "we will defend this case vigorously." There is a huge conflict of interest here that is impossible to overcome. Glasgow should turn this case over to the state.

I know there is a lot of information that is not public knowledge. I am sure Kevin and Melissa know much of it. Most likely because most of it came from Zellner's investigators that the Fox family has paid for entirely, and who seem to be the only conscientious investigators on this case who have come up with any viable leads at all.

I also think that Kevin and Melissa have no confidence in Will County's "fresh and new" investigator team. While they didn't say so outright, that message came through loud and clear in their press interviews earlier this week. Statements like: ". . .we're back on square one. . .", ". . .no one seems to be taking this seriously. . ." , ". . .you'd have to be blind to not be able to see the conflict of interest here because of the civil suit. . .", ". . .too many people are still living in denial, c'mon it's obvious it wasn't Kevin. . ."

These statements, sprinkled throughout the interviews, do not indicate much confidence in the Will County investigative team. In fact, it sounds like they were trying to emphasize that.

I am not saying the new team members are bad people. In fact, they may even be caring. However, in this case, I think their priorities are first to protect their buddies, the original six detectives, second to not let Will County's ability to defend against the civil suit erode any further, and, maybe, third to try and find Riley's murderer.

You also seem to have a lot of knowledge about information that has not been made public. How were you able to acquire it?

To quote (somewhat) one of our fellow posters: everyone's entitled to an opinion, this one's mine.

[Maddy's Mom]

You also seem to have a lot of knowledge about information that has not been made public. How were you able to acquire it?
Yes, TW, how is the psychic investigation going? Have you been able to come up with any answers?

[TangledWishes]

Yes, TW, how is the psychic investigation going? Have you been able to come up with any answers?
With all due respect, anything I have to say is confidential in nature and not to be posted all over a public forum. But thanks for asking.

[genecam]

With all due respect, anything I have to say is confidential in nature and not to be posted all over a public forum. But thanks for asking.TW - I remember that last year some posters discussed bringing in a psychic, but I guess I didn't make the connection that it was you.

Since you have no information about Riley's murderer, how about answering this question: Who is going to win the Sheriff's election this November - Sheriff Kaupus, or his opponent Rich Girot? I am really curious since, if Girot wins, there is a good chance that there will be a very welcome and necessary complete housecleaning in the Sheriff's office.

[TangledWishes]

TW - I remember that last year some posters discussed bringing in a psychic, but I guess I didn't make the connection that it was you.

Since you have no information about Riley's murderer, how about answering this question: Who is going to win the Sheriff's election this November - Sheriff Kaupus, or his opponent Rich Girot? I am really curious since, if Girot wins, there is a good chance that there will be a very welcome and necessary complete housecleaning in the Sheriff's office.Actually, I don't believe I ever mentioned bringing a psychic in...plus I am not a psychic :)

Hmmmm...let me look into my crystal ball. Joking. I am rooting for Girot.

[halycon]

Here's another link on Riley's case. How sad.

Yet again, why would the DAD confess? Not in a million would I do that..... ever.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/top/4_1_JO06_FOX_S1.htm

Yes, blueclouds. It's terribly sad. So many people are in denial on this case, but you have to wonder what Melissa and Chad must think in their private moments.

The important point made in that article is this:

Barry said no one has been officially cleared of the crime.

[genecam]

Barry said no one has been officially cleared of the crime.And as of now no one is officially charged with the crime.

And Barry is an ignorant buffoon, just like Kaupus and the 6 thugs, with zero credibility and they will all be out of a job in about 7 months.

[TangledWishes]

Yes, blueclouds. It's terribly sad. So many people are in denial on this case, but you have to wonder what Melissa and Chad must think in their private moments.

The important point made in that article is this:

Barry said no one has been officially cleared of the crime.
Melissa and Chad? Chad is Melissa's brother. You mean Kevin?

[Maddy's Mom]

Melissa and Chad? Chad is Melissa's brother. You mean Kevin?No, haly means Chad. Halycon is trying to imply that Chad and Melissa believe Kevin is the murderer. As IF Melissa would have another child with and continue to live with the person who took her baby away. Keep dreaming Haly, no one is buying it.

[genecam]

No, haly means Chad. Halycon is trying to imply that Chad and Melissa believe Kevin is the murderer. As IF Melissa would have another child with and continue to live with the person who took her baby away. Keep dreaming Haly, no one is buying it.In my final analysis, I can "buy" two theories about this case:

1. The one I hit on the most - LE incompetence, laziness, stupidity and dishonesty, all cited in the civil suit alleging the conspiracy orchestrated by Tomczak and Kaupus and executed by the detectives, taken at face value in and of itself.

2. A much more deeply disturbing scenario - probing beneath theory number one and trying to conclude a reason for the LE behavior in theory number one - I can only come to one conclusion - that being that LE knows who the killer is and that the killer is in some way connected to Will County LE - sibling, child or other relative, friend, relative of a friend, big time contributor to Will County Republicans - someone with enough clout, influence and leverage to keep LE from testing the DNA, and to push them into framing Kevin.

I know this sounds like one of those crackpot conspiracy theories, but so many things that have happend in this case defy any other explanation. There are people in this world who do these kinds of things.

[halycon]

This reminds me of a case from years ago where a father wiped out his entire family. You can drive by the cemetery and see the headstones all lined up. I won't say the name of the case, or even confirm it, but it's a famous case in legal and law enforcement circles. I will add details not known to the public. The similarities to the Kevin Fox case are staggering.

The father was arrested and spent a good deal of time in prison, but was released on a technicality. As with Riley's case, DNA was artifact only and had no meaning in the case.

A publicity-seeking attorney got hold of the defendant's case and saw it as a fast track for a book or movie deal. A civil suit was filed and the father became the darling of media circles, making TV appearances and being feted at parties as a "wrongfully imprisoned individual and victim of a vengeful justice system." A screenplay was written and meetings were taken with Hollywood and New York producers. Book proposals were circulated to make the attorney the hero on a white horse.

Meanwhile, law enforcement knew they had had the right guy all along. They rallied the best experts in homicide cases to create a foolproof counterargument. This took years before it was heard in civil court.

By the time the case came up in court, the defendant's guilty conscience had taken over. He was alcoholic, sickly and quite nutty. Even though there was now a solid case against him, there was the thought that rearresting him would be akin to beating a dead horse. Both the criminal investigation and civil case petered out, and the guy lived out the rest of his life a pauper.

Perhaps the best part of the story is that the lawyer who had pumped up this bogus case was seen as the scam artist s/he was. No book, no movie, and no more A-list parties! This attorney ended up spending far more money on promoting this case than was ever made back. So I guess that's a happy ending.

Any friend of Zellner should remind her of this case. She's probably going to see history repeat itself.

Any friend of Melissa should remind her not to spend the money she hasn't made yet.

Any friend of Kevin should remind him there's no statute of limitations on homicide. But then, I'm sure he thinks of that daily.

[genecam]

Sounds like a cut and paste of the Jeffrey MacDonald and Sam Shepherd (aka "The Fugitive") cases, plus some fiction thrown in. And not a very good one at that. Both of those cases were long before DNA science was perfected. Neither of these cases or the fiction thrown in for added flavor bear any resemblance at all to the Riley Fox case. Jeffrey MacDonald was eventually retried and is still in prison. Sam Shepherd was exonerated and died in his 50s after a turn at pro wrestling. MacDonald and Shepherd were both doctors.

And of course you're not naming names. You never do. Makes one wonder if there are any names. And, as for knowing so-called "facts not available to the public", how do we know these are "facts" and not just "ar-tee-facts."

Artifact art' i fact = relic, objet d'art, work of art. Some of them are in the form of crocks. In the Chicago area most of those are in the Field Museum or the University of Chicago Oriental Institute. Since you love artifacts so much, you ought to visit those places. Both places are very interesting and offer a great opportunity for cultural enlightenment.

I am still leaning towards the "LE are idiots" theory. But I can't completely discount the "LE Coverup" theory.

[halycon]

There's proof that a Google U education isn't worth the tuition.

The case I described is real and has nothing to do with those you cited.

[genecam]

There's proof that a Google U education isn't worth the tuition.

The case I described is real and has nothing to do with those you cited. I didn't have to google those cases. I knew about them, from both the news and TV movies made about both of them.

Name the case and provide convincing proof that your "facts not known to the public" are facts and not fiction, or maybe just artifact (since you seem obsessed with that word). Otherwise it is just fiction. Also, what you describe is not similar to the Fox case in any way shape or form.

There is no reason to withhold the name of this case. Sounds like all the parties are dead and death is the surest way to end a prosecution.

[Maddy's Mom]

There is a rather lengthy article chronicaling Riley's story in this month's Chicago magazine. It affirms what we already know and also offers additional insight into Kevin and Melissa's thoughts and feelings. I found it extremely interesting. The reporter even got Pat Berry to admit that Kevin should have been released when the DNA cleared him. Of course, most of the others who were contacted for comment refused because if the pending lawsuit.Those in the area can pick it up at Walgreen's.
Genecam- beware because it will leave you even more angry at the detectives in this case than before.

[genecam]

There is a rather lengthy article chronicaling Riley's story in this month's Chicago magazine. It affirms what we already know and also offers additional insight into Kevin and Melissa's thoughts and feelings. I found it extremely interesting. The reporter even got Pat Berry to admit that Kevin should have been released when the DNA cleared him. Of course, most of the others who were contacted for comment refused because if the pending lawsuit.Those in the area can pick it up at Walgreen's.
Genecam- beware because it will leave you even more angry at the detectives in this case than before.I went to Walgreens at lunchtime and got a copy and read it over lunch. A very compelling read but, as you said, not much new. I did not read Pat Berry saying Kevin should have been released when the DNA cleared him. I read a sentence stating he still defended the work of the detectives.

I am not any angrier at those thugs than I was before. However, I hope, more than ever, that Kaupus and all of them join Tomczak in the unemployment line after the November election. I can't think of any job appropriate for them. The immediate cliches are insulting -- garbage collectors and dog-catchers are honorable people in honorable professions.
Kaupus and the detectives belong in jail. Hopefully they will be, with the threat of each of them being f****d everyday and taunted by the guards. It's a shame they won't have to personally pay the millions that the Fox family wins in the civil suit. I hope it's at least $10 million. Unfortunately, no amount of money will bring Riley back or make up for the horrible way she died, but the family deserves every penny for what LE put them through. This was one of the worst cases of LE misconduct and abuse of authority that I have ever heard of. It rivals the Nicarico case.

The article does, however, reinforce my opinion that the case will never be solved due to the way the investigation was botched. Certainly Will County LE will never solve the case, and I doubt that they even want to. And the article also reinforces my opinion that the supposedly "new" investigative team is irrevocably compromised due to the overwhelming conflict of interest they have in not wanting the defendants in the civil suit look any worse than they already do. An acquaintance of mine who is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Chicago said that there is no way Will County will ever let this case go to trial, and that they would have to be nuts not to settle it before then. However, they will drag it out until after the election. If they settle before then, Kaupus and the detectives are even deader ducks than they are now. I think the tape of Tyler being browbeaten by Mary Jane Pluth is probably worth about 5 million bucks in and of itself.

[genecam]

Does anyone know if the Grand Jury that was impaneled to receive evidence in this case is still in session? Have they received any evidence from the fresh, new team of investigators that Glasgow formed after the old one was discredited? Or is their focus still totally on "vigorously" defending the civil suit? Maybe it's time for Glasgow to turn this case over to Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, or would that also compromise Will County's defense against the civil suit. That seems to be the primary basis for any decision Will County LE makes on this case anymore.

I read recently where Gerald Haberkorn, the lawyer representing Will County and the thugs who wrongfully incarcerated Kevin, won an "Attorney of the Year" award from some lawyer's professional group. The article was accompanied by all sorts of testimonials from clients and fellow lawyers. From reading them you would think this guy could walk on water. However, I think he will need an even greater talent than that to get the Foxes to settle for less than $10 million. If he's as brilliant as everyone says, he's got to be smart enough not to let this go to trial. However, if he's blinded by his own arrogance, it could likely be a case of -- the bigger they are, the harder they fall (THUD!!!)

[golfmom]

However, I think he will need an even greater talent than that to get the Foxes to settle for less than $10 million. If he's as brilliant as everyone says, he's got to be smart enough not to let this go to trial. However, if he's blinded by his own arrogance, it could likely be a case of -- the bigger they are, the harder they fall (THUD!!!)

Rolando Cruz and the DuPage 7. :razz:
http://www.law.northwestern.edu/depts/clinic/wrongful/exonerations/cruz.htm
Overwhelming prosecutorial and police misconduct and after a long and painful trial ...

"In the aftermath of the Cruz trial, a special grand jury indicted four sheriff's deputies and three former prosecutors for their roles in the Cruz case. Charges included perjury and obstruction of justice. Although a DuPage County jury acquitted these men of those charges, the County later agreed to pay $3.5 million to settle the civil rights claims that Cruz, Hernandez, and Stephen Buckley (a third defendant who had been charged in the crime) had filed in federal court."

[Bobbisangel]

Not surprised Southwood has been cleared by that particular DNA. As I mentioned ad infinitum, it's artifact and meaningless to the case. If anyone has info to the contrary, please post it.

I saw that news clip and had to kinda chuckle about Melissa's comment that cops have lost interest. I sincerely doubt that's true. In fact in cases like this, where a defense/civil attorney has pulled tricks to distract from justice, cops, lab techs and prosecutors redouble their efforts. And when a child is the victim, particularly in such an egregious manner of death as befell Riley, they will never give up.

All of which means, Kevin shouldn't stop looking over his shoulder. He could be brought back into custody at the snap of a finger.



Kevin was cleared by DNA and that is as good as it gets. If the Pros hadn't been so anxious to put him in jail the DNA would have been tested before anyone was arrested but with elections and all coming up he got in a big rush.
If the cops hadn't been so anxious to hang Kevin they would have seen to it that the DNA was tested first but oh no, they did it their way and ended up with egg on their faces.

I don't blame Melissa for feeling that Riley's case isn't being worked. Nothing has happened. The real killer walked away with a smile on his face knowing that the cops had it in for Kevin and weren't looking at anyone else. That is always a mistake...tunnel vision. The killer is probably long gone and has murdered another little girl by now. Thanks to dirty cops.

[genecam]

This reminds me of a case from years ago . . .

Any friend of Zellner should remind her of this case. She's probably going to see history repeat itself.

Any friend of Melissa should remind her not to spend the money she hasn't made yet.

Any friend of Kevin should remind him there's no statute of limitations on homicide. But then, I'm sure he thinks of that daily.Haly, Haly, Haly. . . (or can we call you Joe) -

No amount of columns in a third-rate newspaper by a fourth-rate columnist will influence the outcome of the civil case in the county's favor or make it go away.

No matter how hard you try to rehabilitate the reputations of Tomczak and your detective friends, they are still lazy, incompetent, evil-minded thugs.

No matter how many times you try to drag Kevin's name through the mud by comparing him with other cases that are totally irrelevant, people will see through this transparent attempt to smear him and his families with lies.

[Crimson Sky]

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/127888,4_1_JO08_CORONER_S1.article (http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/127888,4_1_JO08_CORONER_S1.article)


Ex-deputy sues Will coroner over dismissal
SUIT: PROTOCOL VIOLATED IN RAPE, DEATH PROBE


November 8, 2006
By JOE HOSEY (jhosey@scn1.com?Subject=Story.Response) staff writer


A former top deputy for Will County Coroner Patrick O'Neil has sued her former boss, accusing him of violating procedure in the politically charged investigation into the rape and death of Riley Fox. Attorneys for Janet Alexander filed the multimillion-dollar federal lawsuit against O'Neil on Monday in Chicago. The suit alleges O'Neil harassed, abused and wrongfully fired Alexander, then orchestrated the creation of false memoranda criticizing her job performance, because she questioned him regarding the Fox autopsy.

[Maddy's Mom]

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/127888,4_1_JO08_CORONER_S1.article (http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/127888,4_1_JO08_CORONER_S1.article)


Ex-deputy sues Will coroner over dismissal
SUIT: PROTOCOL VIOLATED IN RAPE, DEATH PROBE


November 8, 2006
By JOE HOSEY staff writer


A former top deputy for Will County Coroner Patrick O'Neil has sued her former boss, accusing him of violating procedure in the politically charged investigation into the rape and death of Riley Fox. Attorneys for Janet Alexander filed the multimillion-dollar federal lawsuit against O'Neil on Monday in Chicago. The suit alleges O'Neil harassed, abused and wrongfully fired Alexander, then orchestrated the creation of false memoranda criticizing her job performance, because she questioned him regarding the Fox autopsy.
"O'Neil ordered Dr. J. Scott Denton to "complete two separate sexual assault kits while conducting the autopsy of Riley Fox's body" in June 2004, according to the suit. This was a "violation of protocol and is not generally accepted procedure for medical examiners and pathologists."

This is interesting. I wonder WHY? Why order 2 separate kits? Hmmm.....

[golfmom]

"O'Neil ordered Dr. J. Scott Denton to "complete two separate sexual assault kits while conducting the autopsy of Riley Fox's body" in June 2004, according to the suit. This was a "violation of protocol and is not generally accepted procedure for medical examiners and pathologists."

This is interesting. I wonder WHY? Why order 2 separate kits? Hmmm.....

:waitasec: why would they need a spare? and why would O'Neil go to such extremes to keep that quiet? From other articles I read O'Neil was furious :furious: that Alexander was talking to other county coroners trying to figure out why two kits were taken.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/127888,4_1_JO08_CORONER_S1.article

"When O'Neil discovered that Alexander was truthfully answering questions about the Riley Fox autopsy, from that day forward, O'Neil began harassing and abusing Alexander in order to force her to resign," the suit claims. "On several occasions in late 2005, O'Neil screamed insults and profanity at Alexander in the presence of Will County coroner office staff."

O'Neil then "ordered Alexander to stop speaking to, conferring with, or socializing with" coroners and coroners' staff from other counties, and O'Neil heaped even more abuse on her, the suit says.

"O'Neil's abuse was calculated to force Alexander to stop investigating the Riley Fox autopsy, to stop answering questions about the Riley Fox autopsy, to stop associating with coroners from other counties and political parties and to resign," according to the suit.

[Maddy's Mom]

Something is definately hinky here. Sounds like he was covering something from the very start. Why would a coroner purposely do such a thing? Unless he was trying to cover for someone specifically. Poor Riley, this whole thing has stunk from the beginning. This little girl deserves to rest in peace.


Thanks for posting the article, Crimson.

[genecam]

Another quote from the posted article:

"There was just cause for Janet Alexander's dismissal," Pelkie added. "We plan to defend the lawsuit vigorously and we're certain we are going to prevail in court."

Let's see now - the State's Attorney and the Sheriff are going to pursue the investigation of Riley's murder vigorously; the State's Attorney and the Sheriff are going to defend against the Fox family civil suit vigorously; and now the Coroner's actions in this case have been called into question and they are going to defend against Alexander's suit vigorously.

That's an awful lot of vigor multi-directed. Sounds like they're spread a little thin. And still their primary focus seems to be on CYA rather than catching Riley's killer.

What a motley crew. And the people of Will County re-elected Sheriff Kaupus. How can 80,000 people be so stupid!!?

[golfmom]

Another quote from the posted article:

"There was just cause for Janet Alexander's dismissal," Pelkie added. "We plan to defend the lawsuit vigorously and we're certain we are going to prevail in court."

Let's see now - the State's Attorney and the Sheriff are going to pursue the investigation of Riley's murder vigorously; the State's Attorney and the Sheriff are going to defend against the Fox family civil suit vigorously; and now the Coroner's actions in this case have been called into question and they are going to defend against Alexander's suit vigorously.

That's an awful lot of vigor multi-directed. Sounds like they're spread a little thin. And still their primary focus seems to be on CYA rather than catching Riley's killer.

What a motley crew. And the people of Will County re-elected Sheriff Kaupus. How can 80,000 people be so stupid!!?

I swear with all of them being so VIGOROUS it sounds like they've been hanging around with BOB and taking ENZYTE for natural male enhancement.

[lisag]

Ok... maybe it's early... maybe I am having a blonde moment... maybe my hormones are still out of wack after having my baby 3 months ago.... but what would it matter if two seperate kits were taken?? I mean, I guess I am looking at it like it's a back up ??? You could never have too much DNA eveidence.. so why would it hurt to have two, three, four, evidence kits (samples)..?? .. somebody explain to me why I am confused!!!???

[genecam]

It's not just the fact that two kits were prepared, it's the coverup by the Coroner's office that followed the preparation. The Coroner never revealed that two kits were prepared. Instead, he harrassed and humiliated the employee who disclosed this, and never attempted to give an explanation as to how many kits were prepared and why.

Also, the kits contained the DNA. They had two kits, and they didn't test either one.

This case is very strange. Will County Law Enforcement seems to be engaged in an ever-increasing coverup of something in this case. Why? Is one of them or someone close to one of them, or someone blackmailing one of them involved in Riley's murder somehow?

In many other cases this could be dismissed as another crackpot theory. In this case it's food for thought.

[Jenn]

I was just wondering if anyone knows how the Fox family is doing.

[tadpole]

I was going to try to put this under Kevin's Civil lawsuit by it has been archived. My question is why isn't anyone talking about Kevin's depositions going on this week and last week? I heard that when the depositions are done, the Judge is going to decide if they case should even be heard in court.

[lisag]

I guess I didn't even realize there was anything going on with that right know... If you have any info, post away!

[Jeana (DP)]

I was going to try to put this under Kevin's Civil lawsuit by it has been archived. My question is why isn't anyone talking about Kevin's depositions going on this week and last week? I heard that when the depositions are done, the Judge is going to decide if they case should even be heard in court.


Feel free to talk!!

[tadpole]

I have no other info. about what is going on. I just have it on good authority that the depositions are taking place. I wish I could be privledged enough to be there are hear everything for myself. I'll try and get some info if I can. Does anyone know what would happen with the case from here?

[Jeana (DP)]

I have no other info. about what is going on. I just have it on good authority that the depositions are taking place. I wish I could be privledged enough to be there are hear everything for myself. I'll try and get some info if I can. Does anyone know what would happen with the case from here?


If they're taking depositions, they're still in the discovery phase of the litigation. This could take years. I suspect they'll begin the motions and then prepare for trial.

[genecam]

I was going to try to put this under Kevin's Civil lawsuit by it has been archived. My question is why isn't anyone talking about Kevin's depositions going on this week and last week? I heard that when the depositions are done, the Judge is going to decide if they case should even be heard in court.The judge has already decided - TWICE - that the case can go to trial. First time was in early 2005 when he put it on hold, as Zellner requested, pending the outcome of the criminal charges, as opposed to dismissing it outright as Will County Wanted. Second time was last fall when he again refused to dismiss the case - just dropped Sheriff Kowp-a$$ as a defendant and approved adding former State's Attorney Jeff Tomczak, the hereditary sleazeball, as a defendant.

As Jeanna said, depositions are part of the discovery process, the opportunity for EACH PARTY (not the judge who has already spoken) to decide whether or not to take the case to trial. In this case, primarily Will County's opportunity to see whether or not they can defend this case in court. My opinion on that is well-known to all of you so I won't restate that here.

As Jeanna also said, this could take years. It is already past two years since the case was originally filed. The next court date isn't scheduled until September. If the county is going to settle the case - the likely outcome - they will prolong it as much as possible before their insurance company has to fork over a big chunk of change to the Foxes.

In the meantime, Sheriff Kowp-a$$ gets off scott free for condoning what I consider to be criminal actions on the part of his detectives in condemning an innocent man to death, deliberately concealing exculpatory DNA evidence, and letting a killer/rapist go free as a result.

Kowp-a$$ even won re-election. How could 85,000 Will County voters be so stupid?

[Jeana (DP)]

Also, keep in mind that settlement offers and/or demands will not be exchanged until the discovery process is pretty close to being completed. Each side must know what they'd be dealing with in court before they know what their case is worth.

[genecam]

Also, keep in mind that settlement offers and/or demands will not be exchanged until the discovery process is pretty close to being completed. Each side must know what they'd be dealing with in court before they know what their case is worth.The discovery process in this case reminds me of an episode of the "The Practice", an ABC lawyer show that morphed into "Boston Legal", starring David Spader playing a rather wacky, unconventional lawyer named Alan Shore, who was always at the edge, but was a winner most of the time.

In one episode, Alan Shore was the lawyer for the wife in a divorce case. The rich husband and his lawyer thought they had a slam dunk case for the husband to get almost everything in the divorce settlement, leaving the wife almost nothing. However, the husband had been having an affair with his secretary and Alan Shore had a private investigator film the husband and the mistress in bed in a hotel room. When the husband and his lawyer walked into Shore's conference room, he had the video of the "in flagrante delicto" running on two wide-screen tv's.

If I were Zellner, I'd invite Gerald Haberkorn, Will County's lawyer, and his clients into my conference room for a meeting, and I would have, running on 2 or 3