OH - Christie Mullins, 14, Columbus, 23 Aug 1975 *killer died*
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nerosleuth
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Columbus Dispatch Saturday December 17, 1977
Surprise Witnesses Cast Doubts
In a Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Saturday December 17, 1977, the article reported that in court testimony during the previous day, a nationally known psychiatrist, a 12 year old boy, and his grandmother, dealt damaging blows to the prosecutors case in the murder trail.
The psychiatrist testified that the mentally handicapped man told police just what they wanted to hear in his tape recorded confession.
Prosecutors were jarred by the surprise testimony of the 12 year old stepson and the mother-in-law of the male eyewitness. Neither one of them had a great deal of affection for the male eyewitness.
The 12 year old boy testified that he had met Christie at the home of his mother and stepfather, and that Christie had once had rode with Christie on a minibike and a tractor in the woods.
The boy told the jury that shortly before noon; his stepfather was wearing a T-shirt, shorts, and sandals when he took off in pursuit of some boys for throwing firecrackers in their yard. The stepfather had been gone for almost an hour when he returned home wearing only his shorts.
The boy testified that he and his 5 year old sister were sent to another room where he couldnt overhear their parent's conversation. Then a short time later, they all went to the Woolco store parking lot and walked through the woods behind Woolco.
The jury was told by the boy that during the walk in the woods, his stepfathers shoes were found laying in front of a tree. At one point as they walked into the woods, his stepfather said it isnt there. The group walked on before the stepfather told the children to stop. The parents went around a tree and found a body. Then five minutes, his boys mother came out crying and told the children what it was.
The boy testified that he was told by his stepfather to put his sandals which had been in the weeds twenty feet from where the body was found into the trunk of their parked car. The boy told jurors that his stepfather also found a comb lying in the path and threw it so it wouldnt be found there. The boy did not mention seeing anyone else in the woods.
The grandmother testified that she had not seen her daughter and son-in-law since Easter of 1975 when they telephoned her and insisted that she accompany them to the funeral home to view Christies body, although she didnt know the murdered girl.
As they were returning from the funeral home visit, the grandmother commented that the girls death was a tragedy for the Mullins family, and out of the blue, her son-in-law replied thatll teach her to keep her damn mouth shut.
Surprise Witnesses Cast Doubts
In a Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Saturday December 17, 1977, the article reported that in court testimony during the previous day, a nationally known psychiatrist, a 12 year old boy, and his grandmother, dealt damaging blows to the prosecutors case in the murder trail.
The psychiatrist testified that the mentally handicapped man told police just what they wanted to hear in his tape recorded confession.
Prosecutors were jarred by the surprise testimony of the 12 year old stepson and the mother-in-law of the male eyewitness. Neither one of them had a great deal of affection for the male eyewitness.
The 12 year old boy testified that he had met Christie at the home of his mother and stepfather, and that Christie had once had rode with Christie on a minibike and a tractor in the woods.
The boy told the jury that shortly before noon; his stepfather was wearing a T-shirt, shorts, and sandals when he took off in pursuit of some boys for throwing firecrackers in their yard. The stepfather had been gone for almost an hour when he returned home wearing only his shorts.
The boy testified that he and his 5 year old sister were sent to another room where he couldnt overhear their parent's conversation. Then a short time later, they all went to the Woolco store parking lot and walked through the woods behind Woolco.
The jury was told by the boy that during the walk in the woods, his stepfathers shoes were found laying in front of a tree. At one point as they walked into the woods, his stepfather said it isnt there. The group walked on before the stepfather told the children to stop. The parents went around a tree and found a body. Then five minutes, his boys mother came out crying and told the children what it was.
The boy testified that he was told by his stepfather to put his sandals which had been in the weeds twenty feet from where the body was found into the trunk of their parked car. The boy told jurors that his stepfather also found a comb lying in the path and threw it so it wouldnt be found there. The boy did not mention seeing anyone else in the woods.
The grandmother testified that she had not seen her daughter and son-in-law since Easter of 1975 when they telephoned her and insisted that she accompany them to the funeral home to view Christies body, although she didnt know the murdered girl.
As they were returning from the funeral home visit, the grandmother commented that the girls death was a tragedy for the Mullins family, and out of the blue, her son-in-law replied thatll teach her to keep her damn mouth shut.
nerosleuth
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Columbus Dispatch Sunday December 18, 1977
Prosecution Plans Attack On Damaging Testimony
In a Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Sunday December 17, 1977, the article gave a recap about the court testimony that was given in the Christie Lynn Mullins murder trial during the past week.
The article gave a brief summary of Carols court testimony. Carol testified that when she went inside the store to check on the time, she determined that it was five minutes of a quarter to two. Then she left the store and found Christie gone.
The article also gave a brief summary of the deputy coroner testimony. The deputy coroner testified that Christie had large gaping wounds over her forehead, multiple fractures of the face and skull, and brain damage. The deputy coroner believed the fatal injuries were inflicted 10 to 15 minutes before Christies death.
During court testimony on Friday, the grandmother testified that several months before the murder trial, she had confided with Christies father by telephone about what her son-in-law had said after leaving the funeral home.
The grandmother testified that she was reluctant to come forward earlier because she was afraid of both her son-in-law and his brother. The article pointed out that her son-in-law, his brother, and their wives had been living in the same home in the neighborhood where Christie and Carol also lived at the time of the murder.
While the article retold the 12 year old boys court testimony of what transpired on the day Christies murder, the article happen to mention other interesting facts from the trial that hadnt been reported.
When the family went to Woolco by car, the boys mother claimed they had arrived in the Woolco parking lot at about 1:35 p.m. when the family took their walk into the woods. The boy and his mother did not mention stopping at an area hamburger stand en route to Woolco as the boys stepfather had recalled.
The boy said he was told by his stepfather to put his shoes in the automobile and his mother directed him not to talk to anybody.
The 12 year old boy told his father and stepmother what had happened after he returned back to his fathers home. The boy admitted he had told his story to Christies father a year earlier. The boy did acknowledge that a month before the trial, police and prosecutors only asked him few questions at his fathers home, but he didnt relate the detailed version he gave from the witness stand.
Prosecution Plans Attack On Damaging Testimony
In a Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Sunday December 17, 1977, the article gave a recap about the court testimony that was given in the Christie Lynn Mullins murder trial during the past week.
The article gave a brief summary of Carols court testimony. Carol testified that when she went inside the store to check on the time, she determined that it was five minutes of a quarter to two. Then she left the store and found Christie gone.
The article also gave a brief summary of the deputy coroner testimony. The deputy coroner testified that Christie had large gaping wounds over her forehead, multiple fractures of the face and skull, and brain damage. The deputy coroner believed the fatal injuries were inflicted 10 to 15 minutes before Christies death.
During court testimony on Friday, the grandmother testified that several months before the murder trial, she had confided with Christies father by telephone about what her son-in-law had said after leaving the funeral home.
The grandmother testified that she was reluctant to come forward earlier because she was afraid of both her son-in-law and his brother. The article pointed out that her son-in-law, his brother, and their wives had been living in the same home in the neighborhood where Christie and Carol also lived at the time of the murder.
While the article retold the 12 year old boys court testimony of what transpired on the day Christies murder, the article happen to mention other interesting facts from the trial that hadnt been reported.
When the family went to Woolco by car, the boys mother claimed they had arrived in the Woolco parking lot at about 1:35 p.m. when the family took their walk into the woods. The boy and his mother did not mention stopping at an area hamburger stand en route to Woolco as the boys stepfather had recalled.
The boy said he was told by his stepfather to put his shoes in the automobile and his mother directed him not to talk to anybody.
The 12 year old boy told his father and stepmother what had happened after he returned back to his fathers home. The boy admitted he had told his story to Christies father a year earlier. The boy did acknowledge that a month before the trial, police and prosecutors only asked him few questions at his fathers home, but he didnt relate the detailed version he gave from the witness stand.
nerosleuth
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Columbus Dispatch Monday December 19, 1977
Witness Admitted Killing
In a Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Monday December 19, 1977, the judge allowed defense attorneys to reopen the case they had rested Friday afternoon.
A surprise witness testified that he and the male eyewitness were drinking together at a bar during the summer of 1976 when the male eyewitness began crying and admitted to killing Christie. The male eyewitness told him he didnt meant to kill Christie and only had wanted to knock her out.
The male eyewitness told jurors that he had known the male eyewitness for ten years, admitted to having several traffic and misdemeanor convictions, and had acted as an informant for the police.
Another surprise witness was a supervisor of the Franklin County Adult Probation Department who read a probation officers pre-sentence report of the male eyewitness 1969 arson charge.
The male eyewitness M.O. in earlier arsons was to return home, await the arrival of firemen, and then report seeing a mysterious individual running from the scene before the fire broke out.
The defense attorneys maintained that it established a pattern of the male eyewitness blaming strangers for criminal acts.
The male eyewitness was recalled back into the court room by defense attorneys for additional testimony. The male eyewitness admitted that he knew the man from the bar he had been drinking with but denied about making any statements in the bar of killing Christie.
The grandmother was cross examined by the prosecution and admitted that she had been convicted of obtaining money under false pretenses in past years and filing nine false slip-and-fall claims against central Ohio department stores.
Witness Admitted Killing
In a Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Monday December 19, 1977, the judge allowed defense attorneys to reopen the case they had rested Friday afternoon.
A surprise witness testified that he and the male eyewitness were drinking together at a bar during the summer of 1976 when the male eyewitness began crying and admitted to killing Christie. The male eyewitness told him he didnt meant to kill Christie and only had wanted to knock her out.
The male eyewitness told jurors that he had known the male eyewitness for ten years, admitted to having several traffic and misdemeanor convictions, and had acted as an informant for the police.
Another surprise witness was a supervisor of the Franklin County Adult Probation Department who read a probation officers pre-sentence report of the male eyewitness 1969 arson charge.
The male eyewitness M.O. in earlier arsons was to return home, await the arrival of firemen, and then report seeing a mysterious individual running from the scene before the fire broke out.
The defense attorneys maintained that it established a pattern of the male eyewitness blaming strangers for criminal acts.
The male eyewitness was recalled back into the court room by defense attorneys for additional testimony. The male eyewitness admitted that he knew the man from the bar he had been drinking with but denied about making any statements in the bar of killing Christie.
The grandmother was cross examined by the prosecution and admitted that she had been convicted of obtaining money under false pretenses in past years and filing nine false slip-and-fall claims against central Ohio department stores.
nerosleuth
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Columbus Dispatch Tuesday December 20, 1977
Acquittal In Christie Mullins Murder
In a Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Tuesday December 20, 1977, the jury filled with Italian food and reasonable doubts, commenced deliberations after dinner and nearly three hours later, found the mentally retarded man not guilty of all criminal charges in the Christie Lynn Mullins murder trial. Spectators applauded in the court room after the jurys verdict was announced.
The mentally retarded man immediately became a free man after spending 28 months in the county jail for a crime he didnt commit.
The article mentioned that there appeared to be little likelihood that anyone else will be indicted for the murder of Christie Lynn Mullins.
The article also reported that the prosecutor shut the door on any further prosecution in the Mullins case.
Acquittal In Christie Mullins Murder
In a Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Tuesday December 20, 1977, the jury filled with Italian food and reasonable doubts, commenced deliberations after dinner and nearly three hours later, found the mentally retarded man not guilty of all criminal charges in the Christie Lynn Mullins murder trial. Spectators applauded in the court room after the jurys verdict was announced.
The mentally retarded man immediately became a free man after spending 28 months in the county jail for a crime he didnt commit.
The article mentioned that there appeared to be little likelihood that anyone else will be indicted for the murder of Christie Lynn Mullins.
The article also reported that the prosecutor shut the door on any further prosecution in the Mullins case.
nerosleuth
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Columbus Dispatch Wednesday December 21, 1977
Christies Murderer- Where Is He Now And Why?
In a Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Wednesday December 21, 1977, the article lambasted the police and prosecutors lack of interest in reopening the Christie Lynn Mullins murder investigation.
The article loudly stated the general publics sentiment that the case was botched from the beginning by the police, the prosecutor, and the original defense attorney. The article also alleged that not only was the case botched, it had been clouded by career advancement and political aspirations.
The article echoed the publics opinion that the murder case has not been solved and that justice hasnt been served for Christie Lynn Mullins.
The article noted that since the murder, Christies neighborhood had been rife with rumors of dope traffic and teenage sexcapades.
But Christies father took strong exception that his daughter might have been involved in them.
Christies father told a reporter that kids who went to school and to church with Christie have been telephoning Christies parents. The kids told Christies parents that Christie was a good girl as she was never involved or mixed up with the rumored activities in her neighborhood.
The article speculated that the trial may have political repercussions for the county prosecutors political aspirations of seeking the nomination to be the state attorney general in the next election, and there were also unconfirmed reports of a pending shakeup in the police homicide bureau.
Christies Murderer- Where Is He Now And Why?
In a Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Wednesday December 21, 1977, the article lambasted the police and prosecutors lack of interest in reopening the Christie Lynn Mullins murder investigation.
The article loudly stated the general publics sentiment that the case was botched from the beginning by the police, the prosecutor, and the original defense attorney. The article also alleged that not only was the case botched, it had been clouded by career advancement and political aspirations.
The article echoed the publics opinion that the murder case has not been solved and that justice hasnt been served for Christie Lynn Mullins.
The article noted that since the murder, Christies neighborhood had been rife with rumors of dope traffic and teenage sexcapades.
But Christies father took strong exception that his daughter might have been involved in them.
Christies father told a reporter that kids who went to school and to church with Christie have been telephoning Christies parents. The kids told Christies parents that Christie was a good girl as she was never involved or mixed up with the rumored activities in her neighborhood.
The article speculated that the trial may have political repercussions for the county prosecutors political aspirations of seeking the nomination to be the state attorney general in the next election, and there were also unconfirmed reports of a pending shakeup in the police homicide bureau.
nerosleuth
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Columbus Dispatch Thursday December 22, 1977
Authorities Reopening Mullins Investigation
In a Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Thursday December 20, 1977, the huge public outcry prompted police and prosecutors to reopen the investigation into the murder of Christie Lynn Mullins.
The article pointed out that following the arrest of the mentally handicapped man and his so called confession, detectives didnt actively pursue any other leads in the murder case.
The article mentioned that after the verdict, police and prosecutors peevishly insisted that the correct suspect had been brought to trial and the case was closed.
But a massive surge of unfavorable reaction from the public and the news media put police and prosecutors on the hot spot and prompted them to reopen the investigation.
Authorities Reopening Mullins Investigation
In a Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Thursday December 20, 1977, the huge public outcry prompted police and prosecutors to reopen the investigation into the murder of Christie Lynn Mullins.
The article pointed out that following the arrest of the mentally handicapped man and his so called confession, detectives didnt actively pursue any other leads in the murder case.
The article mentioned that after the verdict, police and prosecutors peevishly insisted that the correct suspect had been brought to trial and the case was closed.
But a massive surge of unfavorable reaction from the public and the news media put police and prosecutors on the hot spot and prompted them to reopen the investigation.
nerosleuth
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Columbus Dispatch Friday December 23, 1977
Police Renew Search For Christies Killer
In a Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Friday December 23, 1977, the article reported that a new team of police and prosecutors will attempt to pick up the investigation into the murder of Christie Lynn Mullins.
Police and prosecutors asked for the public to come forward with any information pertinent to the case, no matter how insignificant it may seem.
The father of Christie Lynn Mullins questioned why detectives didnt do their job 2 ½ years earlier investigating the things that had come out during the murder trial. The father wasnt optimistic that something would come out of the reopened investigation into his daughters murder.
A director from the Volunteers of America explained to the news reporter that the police werent interested in anything that didnt point to the mentally retarded man.
Police Renew Search For Christies Killer
In a Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Friday December 23, 1977, the article reported that a new team of police and prosecutors will attempt to pick up the investigation into the murder of Christie Lynn Mullins.
Police and prosecutors asked for the public to come forward with any information pertinent to the case, no matter how insignificant it may seem.
The father of Christie Lynn Mullins questioned why detectives didnt do their job 2 ½ years earlier investigating the things that had come out during the murder trial. The father wasnt optimistic that something would come out of the reopened investigation into his daughters murder.
A director from the Volunteers of America explained to the news reporter that the police werent interested in anything that didnt point to the mentally retarded man.
nerosleuth
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Columbus Dispatch Friday December 23, 1977
Mullins Case: Still Active, Unsolved
In another Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Friday December 23, 1977, the article provided a partial transcript of the two hour taped murder confession that was made by police during their investigation into the murder of Christie Lynn Mullins.
The article also made three stunning bombshell revelations.
The first bombshell was that police revealed that the male eyewitness had been a snitch more than once for the United States Secret Service.
The second bombshell was that the taped confession of the mentally handicapped man was good enough for the chief of detectives, who considered the murder case to be solved and felt there was no need to follow possible leads to other suspects.
The third bombshell was that the male eyewitness and his wife had been scheduled to take polygraph tests. But the tests were cancelled on account that both of them were on medication, he because of an injury and she because of her nerves. The polygraph tests were never rescheduled.
The article did reveal that Carol had been interviewed three times by detectives and gave answers that were conflicting. The conflicting statements were clarified after Carol had passed a polygraph test proving that she told the truth about all the important facts in the case.
Mullins Case: Still Active, Unsolved
In another Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Friday December 23, 1977, the article provided a partial transcript of the two hour taped murder confession that was made by police during their investigation into the murder of Christie Lynn Mullins.
The article also made three stunning bombshell revelations.
The first bombshell was that police revealed that the male eyewitness had been a snitch more than once for the United States Secret Service.
The second bombshell was that the taped confession of the mentally handicapped man was good enough for the chief of detectives, who considered the murder case to be solved and felt there was no need to follow possible leads to other suspects.
The third bombshell was that the male eyewitness and his wife had been scheduled to take polygraph tests. But the tests were cancelled on account that both of them were on medication, he because of an injury and she because of her nerves. The polygraph tests were never rescheduled.
The article did reveal that Carol had been interviewed three times by detectives and gave answers that were conflicting. The conflicting statements were clarified after Carol had passed a polygraph test proving that she told the truth about all the important facts in the case.
nerosleuth
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Columbus Dispatch Thursday December 29, 1977
Man Threatened Witness Police Say
In another Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Thursday December 29, 1977, the article reported that a 19 year old man was arrested by police for threatening and harassing Carol during a telephone conversation.
Police filed aggravated menacing and telephone harassment charges against the 19 year old man after Carols mother contacted police. Carols home phone had been under police surveillance at the mothers request.
At the time of the 19 year old mans arrest, his father was an attorney.
Police reported that Carol had remembered meeting the 19 year old man about a month ago through some mutual friends.
When the 19 year old man called Carol on the telephone, he told Carol that he had been employed to get information about Christies murder from her.
The affidavits filed by Carols mother stated that the 19 year old man called her daughter Carol on Wednesday, stating that he would cause serious physical harm to her person or property.
Police said that a telephone tap was ordered after Carols family had been bothered by the menacing telephone calls.
Man Threatened Witness Police Say
In another Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Thursday December 29, 1977, the article reported that a 19 year old man was arrested by police for threatening and harassing Carol during a telephone conversation.
Police filed aggravated menacing and telephone harassment charges against the 19 year old man after Carols mother contacted police. Carols home phone had been under police surveillance at the mothers request.
At the time of the 19 year old mans arrest, his father was an attorney.
Police reported that Carol had remembered meeting the 19 year old man about a month ago through some mutual friends.
When the 19 year old man called Carol on the telephone, he told Carol that he had been employed to get information about Christies murder from her.
The affidavits filed by Carols mother stated that the 19 year old man called her daughter Carol on Wednesday, stating that he would cause serious physical harm to her person or property.
Police said that a telephone tap was ordered after Carols family had been bothered by the menacing telephone calls.
nerosleuth
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What you found at the Columbus Public Library website was the Columbus News Index from the Columbus newspapers that can be searched online.
You won't be able to view the news stories online.
You'll have to go to the Main Public Library in Downtown Columbus and view those newspaper stories on microfilm.
Or any public or college library that has the Columbus newspapers on microfilm.
But dont worry. I'll be posting those articles in the next thread.
nerosleuth
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Columbus Dispatch Thursday July 27, 1978
Attack Sparks Review Of Rape-Slaying
In another Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Thursday July 27, 1978, the article reported that Columbus Police were looking into the attempted rape and severe beating of a North Side woman.
The incident occurred as the woman was jogging at a bicycle trail in Northmoor Park. The woman was struck over the head with a stick, dragged along a foot path to a wooded area, and struck again in the head with an unknown object.
The woman, who was forced to disrobe, escaped further injury by playing possum and the assailant became scared by other people in the area.
Police refused to identify the husband and wife who were bicycling in the area when they heard a woman scream.
Police said the couple saw the suspect fleeing the wooded area shortly before 7:00 p.m. where the beaten woman was found. Police also said the couple who saw the suspect in the womans attack was 15 to 20 feet away from him.
Police described the suspect as male white with medium brown hair, 20-35 years old, 5 feet 8 inches to 6 inches tall, thin build wearing blue jeans and a tank top.
Police said that they were going to review the Christie Lynn Mullins case file to see if there were any similarities, along with other assault or indecent exposure case for any similarities.
But police cautioned that no definite link to the Christie Lynn Mullins homicide had been made.
Attack Sparks Review Of Rape-Slaying
In another Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Thursday July 27, 1978, the article reported that Columbus Police were looking into the attempted rape and severe beating of a North Side woman.
The incident occurred as the woman was jogging at a bicycle trail in Northmoor Park. The woman was struck over the head with a stick, dragged along a foot path to a wooded area, and struck again in the head with an unknown object.
The woman, who was forced to disrobe, escaped further injury by playing possum and the assailant became scared by other people in the area.
Police refused to identify the husband and wife who were bicycling in the area when they heard a woman scream.
Police said the couple saw the suspect fleeing the wooded area shortly before 7:00 p.m. where the beaten woman was found. Police also said the couple who saw the suspect in the womans attack was 15 to 20 feet away from him.
Police described the suspect as male white with medium brown hair, 20-35 years old, 5 feet 8 inches to 6 inches tall, thin build wearing blue jeans and a tank top.
Police said that they were going to review the Christie Lynn Mullins case file to see if there were any similarities, along with other assault or indecent exposure case for any similarities.
But police cautioned that no definite link to the Christie Lynn Mullins homicide had been made.
nerosleuth
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Columbus Dispatch Friday July 28, 1978
Location Spurred Possible Linking In Two Beatings
In another Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Friday July 28, 1978, the article reported that Columbus Police thought there were definite similarities in the womans beating Wednesday night at Northmoor Park on the citys North Side and the murder of Christie Lynn Mullins in 1975.
A police detective told a reporter that there would not have been much attention focused on the comparisons if the woman had been attacked on the citys South Side.
The woman was hospitalized in fair condition with extensive head injuries.
A police detective noted that both attacks occurred in wooded areas on the citys North Side, and the assailant apparently intended to rape both victims, but said that no definite connection has been made between the two attacks.
The womans attack, which occurred at Northmoor Park near the Olentangy River, was about two miles South of where the 1975 murder of Christie Lynn Mullins occurred in a wooded area behind the Woolco Department Store at Graceland Shopping Center.
The couple who saw the suspect attacking the woman at Northmoor Park had not picked a photograph of a suspect from police files.
Another police detective told a reporter that the woman in the Northmoor Park attack could have died within an hour after the attack if she had not been found by the couple who were bicycling in the woods.
The suspect spotted leaving the area was described as male white with medium brown hair, 20-35 years old, 5 feet 8 inches to 6 inches tall, thin build wearing blue jeans and a tank top.
Location Spurred Possible Linking In Two Beatings
In another Columbus Dispatch newspaper article published on Friday July 28, 1978, the article reported that Columbus Police thought there were definite similarities in the womans beating Wednesday night at Northmoor Park on the citys North Side and the murder of Christie Lynn Mullins in 1975.
A police detective told a reporter that there would not have been much attention focused on the comparisons if the woman had been attacked on the citys South Side.
The woman was hospitalized in fair condition with extensive head injuries.
A police detective noted that both attacks occurred in wooded areas on the citys North Side, and the assailant apparently intended to rape both victims, but said that no definite connection has been made between the two attacks.
The womans attack, which occurred at Northmoor Park near the Olentangy River, was about two miles South of where the 1975 murder of Christie Lynn Mullins occurred in a wooded area behind the Woolco Department Store at Graceland Shopping Center.
The couple who saw the suspect attacking the woman at Northmoor Park had not picked a photograph of a suspect from police files.
Another police detective told a reporter that the woman in the Northmoor Park attack could have died within an hour after the attack if she had not been found by the couple who were bicycling in the woods.
The suspect spotted leaving the area was described as male white with medium brown hair, 20-35 years old, 5 feet 8 inches to 6 inches tall, thin build wearing blue jeans and a tank top.
scriptgirl
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Whatever happened to Carol Reeves?
nerosleuth
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Back in 1977, two daily newspapers were published in Columbus, Ohio. The Columbus Dispatch was the evening newspaper, and the Columbus Citizen Journal was the morning newspaper.
A couple of days ago, I decided to make another visit to the public library and took a look at what the Columbus Citizen Journal newspaper reported during the Christie Lynn Mullins trial.
I found out the morning newspaper had information during the trial that the evening newspaper didn't report.
So I'm going to share what the morning newspaper reported that the evening newspaper didn't report.
Columbus Citizen Journal Tuesday December 13, 1977
Someone Else Killed Girl, Jury Told
In a Columbus Citizen Journal newspaper article published on Tuesday December 13, 1977, the newspaper had a photo of the jury gathered near the crime scene where Christie Lynn Mullins was murdered.
The jurors were taken in a public transit bus from the courthouse to scenes important to the murder case.
The first stop was the Volunteers of America hostel on West Broad Street where the mentally handicapped man lived at the time Christie Lynn Mullins was murdered.
Then the public transit bus took the jurors to the North Side of Columbus. The bus trip from the West Broad Street location to the entrance of Graceland Shopping Center took 28 minutes.
The bus went north of the shopping center and traveled on Broad Meadows Boulevard to the Riverlodge Apartment complex where Christie Lynn Mullins went swimming on the day she was murdered.
The bus then proceeded south on Riverside Drive and went past Rosslyn Avenue where the Mullins Family lived and past Kanawha Avenue where the male eyewitness lived. Jurors were asked to note that the swimming pool was visible from the corner of Kanawha Avenue and Riverside Drive.
But the pool is actually near the corner of Broad Meadows Boulevard and Riverside Drive.
The bus then proceeded to the southern end of Riverside Drive and the jurors were directed to look across the ravine to the rear of Graceland Shopping Center. The article noted that condos were not in the area of the ravine at the time of Christies murder.
The bus then went to the rear of the Woolco store where jurors climbed a pile of bulldozed snow to look to look through the woods from the place where Christie was last seen by her friend Carol on the day of the murder.
The article noted that the father of Christie Lynn Mullins followed the jury bus in a private car.
A couple of days ago, I decided to make another visit to the public library and took a look at what the Columbus Citizen Journal newspaper reported during the Christie Lynn Mullins trial.
I found out the morning newspaper had information during the trial that the evening newspaper didn't report.
So I'm going to share what the morning newspaper reported that the evening newspaper didn't report.
Columbus Citizen Journal Tuesday December 13, 1977
Someone Else Killed Girl, Jury Told
In a Columbus Citizen Journal newspaper article published on Tuesday December 13, 1977, the newspaper had a photo of the jury gathered near the crime scene where Christie Lynn Mullins was murdered.
The jurors were taken in a public transit bus from the courthouse to scenes important to the murder case.
The first stop was the Volunteers of America hostel on West Broad Street where the mentally handicapped man lived at the time Christie Lynn Mullins was murdered.
Then the public transit bus took the jurors to the North Side of Columbus. The bus trip from the West Broad Street location to the entrance of Graceland Shopping Center took 28 minutes.
The bus went north of the shopping center and traveled on Broad Meadows Boulevard to the Riverlodge Apartment complex where Christie Lynn Mullins went swimming on the day she was murdered.
The bus then proceeded south on Riverside Drive and went past Rosslyn Avenue where the Mullins Family lived and past Kanawha Avenue where the male eyewitness lived. Jurors were asked to note that the swimming pool was visible from the corner of Kanawha Avenue and Riverside Drive.
But the pool is actually near the corner of Broad Meadows Boulevard and Riverside Drive.
The bus then proceeded to the southern end of Riverside Drive and the jurors were directed to look across the ravine to the rear of Graceland Shopping Center. The article noted that condos were not in the area of the ravine at the time of Christies murder.
The bus then went to the rear of the Woolco store where jurors climbed a pile of bulldozed snow to look to look through the woods from the place where Christie was last seen by her friend Carol on the day of the murder.
The article noted that the father of Christie Lynn Mullins followed the jury bus in a private car.
nerosleuth
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Broad Meadows Boulevard is a street lined with apartment complexes on both sides of the street all the way from North High Street to where it dead ends near the Olentangy River.
The swimming pool that Christie and Carol went to was the Riverlodge Apartment Complex on Broad Meadows Boulevard. The swimming pool is almost near the corner of Broad Meadows Boulevard and Riverside Drive.
I checked the 1975 Columbus Area City Directory at the public library. The city directory is a cross reference directory where you can find people or businesses listed by street addresses and by type of businesses.
I didn't find in the city directory any listings of swiming pool businesses in the neighborhood that Christie lived in.
From what I was able to determine, the swimming pool is a private pool owned by the apartment complex. I don't know if it sold pool memberships to people living in the neighborhood.
I do wonder if Christine or Carol had a friend living at the apartment complex that they went to school with.
I checked the Franklin County Auditor's website and I found out that the apartment complex was built in 1972. The apartment complex was owned by the River Lodge Foundation during the 1970's and early 1980's. It has been owned by River Lodge Partners since 1984.
The above picture is an image of the swimming pool at the Riverlodge Apartment complex. As you can see from the picture, it is a small outdoor swimming pool.
I also found a youtube video about the Riverlodge swimming pool and another site that has info regarding the apartment complex.
Riverlodge Apartments- Columbus Apartments For Rent - YouTube
http://www.apartmentguide.com/apartments/Ohio/Columbus/Riverlodge-Apartments/13341/
nerosleuth
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Columbus Citizen Journal Wednesday December 14, 1977
Witness Say Mullins Girl Hit With Board
In a Columbus Citizen Journal newspaper article published on Wednesday December 14, 1977, The wife of the male eyewitness testified in court on Tuesday that she saw the mentally handicapped man beating Christie Lynn Mullins with a board.
The wife testified before the jury that her husband at first tried to carry the victim to the Woolco store, but she couldnt feel a pulse and couldnt hear a heart beat when she put her head to the victims chest.
The wife also testified that the victims hands were bound in front of her with wire, and the board was lying on the victims eye when her husband picked it up and threw it aside.
The wife told jurors that neither she nor her husband had previously known Christie Lynn Mullins.
Christies friend Carol also testified in court that day.
Carol testified that she had been at the apartment complex swimming pool that day when her 10 year old sister told her that she had been receiving telephone calls about a cheerleading contest.
Carol said she went home and got a phone call from a man with a hillbilly accent who told her he was a disc jockey and there would be a cheerleading contest with prizes at 1:45 p.m. behind the Woolco store. The caller asked Carol if she knew a short cut through the woods.
Carol said she went west on Kanawha Avenue and met Christie going south on Riverside Drive and the two decided to go to Woolco together in search of a cheerleading contest.
Carol testified that no one was behind the store when they arrived, and she left Christie sitting on a guard rail while she went inside to see if there was such a contest. Carol said that Christie was combing her hair at that time.
Carol said that she was barefoot but left a new pair of black and white saddle shoes and socks with Christie. When Carol returned from the store, her shoes were still there but Christie was gone.
Carol said she walked to a nearby creek and waited for 15 minutes, but she never heard or saw Christie Lynn Mullins again.
Carol testified on cross examination that she went to Dominion Junior High School with Christie.
I want to point out that back in the 1970's and 1980's, students in grades 7 thru 9 went to junior high schools, and students in grades 10 thru 12 went to senior high schools in the Columbus public school system. I remember back then that you started your freshman year in junior high school then you started your sophmore year in senior high school.
At the time Christie Lynn Mullins was murdered, the school year hadn't started yet and Christie was getting ready to start her sophmore year at Whetstone High School after the Labor Day Holiday in 1975.
Two expert witnesses gave conflicting court testimonies regarding the issue of whether Christie Lynn Mullins had been raped.
A deputy Franklin County coroner testified that Christie Lynn Mullins died of massive brain trauma but found no evidence of semen on the victims body.
A chemist from the police crime lab testified that semen was found on the victims body and also was found on what appeared to be a bath suit bottom she was wearing beneath her blue jeans.
Witness Say Mullins Girl Hit With Board
In a Columbus Citizen Journal newspaper article published on Wednesday December 14, 1977, The wife of the male eyewitness testified in court on Tuesday that she saw the mentally handicapped man beating Christie Lynn Mullins with a board.
The wife testified before the jury that her husband at first tried to carry the victim to the Woolco store, but she couldnt feel a pulse and couldnt hear a heart beat when she put her head to the victims chest.
The wife also testified that the victims hands were bound in front of her with wire, and the board was lying on the victims eye when her husband picked it up and threw it aside.
The wife told jurors that neither she nor her husband had previously known Christie Lynn Mullins.
Christies friend Carol also testified in court that day.
Carol testified that she had been at the apartment complex swimming pool that day when her 10 year old sister told her that she had been receiving telephone calls about a cheerleading contest.
Carol said she went home and got a phone call from a man with a hillbilly accent who told her he was a disc jockey and there would be a cheerleading contest with prizes at 1:45 p.m. behind the Woolco store. The caller asked Carol if she knew a short cut through the woods.
Carol said she went west on Kanawha Avenue and met Christie going south on Riverside Drive and the two decided to go to Woolco together in search of a cheerleading contest.
Carol testified that no one was behind the store when they arrived, and she left Christie sitting on a guard rail while she went inside to see if there was such a contest. Carol said that Christie was combing her hair at that time.
Carol said that she was barefoot but left a new pair of black and white saddle shoes and socks with Christie. When Carol returned from the store, her shoes were still there but Christie was gone.
Carol said she walked to a nearby creek and waited for 15 minutes, but she never heard or saw Christie Lynn Mullins again.
Carol testified on cross examination that she went to Dominion Junior High School with Christie.
I want to point out that back in the 1970's and 1980's, students in grades 7 thru 9 went to junior high schools, and students in grades 10 thru 12 went to senior high schools in the Columbus public school system. I remember back then that you started your freshman year in junior high school then you started your sophmore year in senior high school.
At the time Christie Lynn Mullins was murdered, the school year hadn't started yet and Christie was getting ready to start her sophmore year at Whetstone High School after the Labor Day Holiday in 1975.
Two expert witnesses gave conflicting court testimonies regarding the issue of whether Christie Lynn Mullins had been raped.
A deputy Franklin County coroner testified that Christie Lynn Mullins died of massive brain trauma but found no evidence of semen on the victims body.
A chemist from the police crime lab testified that semen was found on the victims body and also was found on what appeared to be a bath suit bottom she was wearing beneath her blue jeans.
nerosleuth
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Columbus Citizen Journal Thursday December 15, 1977
Jurors Hear Taped Confession
In a Columbus Citizen Journal newspaper article published on Thursday December 15, 1977, jurors heard the taped confession that the mentally handicapped man made with police. Jurors also heard testimony from the male eyewitness.
The male eyewitness testimony was identical to his wifes court testimony.
The male eyewitness testified that he and his family were hiking in the woods when they came upon a man striking at something on the ground with a board. The man saw them and immediately fled from the scene.
The male eyewitness told the jury that when he found the body, the board was imbedded in the victims head. He testified that he pulled the board out and threw it to the side of the path.
The male eyewitness said that Christie Lynn Mullins was frothing blood from the mouth and he had wanted to carry her to the Woolco store, but his wife told him the victim was dead. The male eyewitness said he covered the upper part of the victims body with his shirt and went to call police.
The article pointed out that the male eyewitness lived on West Kanawha Avenue and in the same neighborhood that Christie and Carol lived in.
Jurors Hear Taped Confession
In a Columbus Citizen Journal newspaper article published on Thursday December 15, 1977, jurors heard the taped confession that the mentally handicapped man made with police. Jurors also heard testimony from the male eyewitness.
The male eyewitness testimony was identical to his wifes court testimony.
The male eyewitness testified that he and his family were hiking in the woods when they came upon a man striking at something on the ground with a board. The man saw them and immediately fled from the scene.
The male eyewitness told the jury that when he found the body, the board was imbedded in the victims head. He testified that he pulled the board out and threw it to the side of the path.
The male eyewitness said that Christie Lynn Mullins was frothing blood from the mouth and he had wanted to carry her to the Woolco store, but his wife told him the victim was dead. The male eyewitness said he covered the upper part of the victims body with his shirt and went to call police.
The article pointed out that the male eyewitness lived on West Kanawha Avenue and in the same neighborhood that Christie and Carol lived in.
nerosleuth
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Columbus Citizen Journal Friday December 16, 1977
Defense Witnesses Testify In Trial
A neighbor, who was a former Columbus auxiliary police officer and lived on West Kanawha Avenue, the same street where the male eyewitness lived, testified that he had visited the home of the male eyewitness prior to the murder of Christie Lynn Mullins.
The neighbor said that during the visit, he had seen a wire in the garage of the male eyewitness home that was similar to the wire that was found on Christie Lynn Mullins body.
The neighbor said that on the day Christie Lynn Mullins was murdered, the male eyewitness had scratches on the backs of his hands.
When he asked the male eyewitness about the scratches on his hand, the male eyewitness told him he got the scratches after removing a board that was embedded in the murder victims skull.
The male eyewitness admitted to the neighbor that he had a key to the apartment complex swimming pool on Broad Meadows, and he also shared a nude swim in the pool at midnight with Carol.
The neighbor also testified that he picked up a pistol that the male eyewitness had loaned to the father of Christie Lynn Mullins. Due to the suspicions that Christies father had about the pistol, the neighbor took the pistol to the Sheriff of Delaware County and had a check done on the pistol to determine if it was stolen or used in a crime.
The sister of Christie Mullins testified in court that Christie left the swimming pool with Carol to go to the Woolco store on the day her sister was murdered.
The article pointed out that in Carols earlier testimony during the trial, Carol had stated that she met Christie at Kanawha Avenue & Riverside Drive when they went to the Woolco store.
Christie Lynn Mullins mother also testified in court that day. Mrs. Mullins testified that the day after her daughters murder, she was told by Carol that she thought the person who killed Christie meant to get her.
Mrs. Mullins also testified that Carol thought the mysterious phone call on the day of her daughters murder was made by someone named Ramsey.
Defense Witnesses Testify In Trial
A neighbor, who was a former Columbus auxiliary police officer and lived on West Kanawha Avenue, the same street where the male eyewitness lived, testified that he had visited the home of the male eyewitness prior to the murder of Christie Lynn Mullins.
The neighbor said that during the visit, he had seen a wire in the garage of the male eyewitness home that was similar to the wire that was found on Christie Lynn Mullins body.
The neighbor said that on the day Christie Lynn Mullins was murdered, the male eyewitness had scratches on the backs of his hands.
When he asked the male eyewitness about the scratches on his hand, the male eyewitness told him he got the scratches after removing a board that was embedded in the murder victims skull.
The male eyewitness admitted to the neighbor that he had a key to the apartment complex swimming pool on Broad Meadows, and he also shared a nude swim in the pool at midnight with Carol.
The neighbor also testified that he picked up a pistol that the male eyewitness had loaned to the father of Christie Lynn Mullins. Due to the suspicions that Christies father had about the pistol, the neighbor took the pistol to the Sheriff of Delaware County and had a check done on the pistol to determine if it was stolen or used in a crime.
The sister of Christie Mullins testified in court that Christie left the swimming pool with Carol to go to the Woolco store on the day her sister was murdered.
The article pointed out that in Carols earlier testimony during the trial, Carol had stated that she met Christie at Kanawha Avenue & Riverside Drive when they went to the Woolco store.
Christie Lynn Mullins mother also testified in court that day. Mrs. Mullins testified that the day after her daughters murder, she was told by Carol that she thought the person who killed Christie meant to get her.
Mrs. Mullins also testified that Carol thought the mysterious phone call on the day of her daughters murder was made by someone named Ramsey.