The $250,000 ransom was suspiciously low to begin with for even one person to take that kind of chance to kidnap and negotiate, but it's ridiculously low to split between three people. Whatever the plan, it was senseless and way too risky.
Is Wiltse imagining a Jose and Jesus? I have so many questions I hope are answered eventually. How did they know each other? Why was the car rented in California?
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/crime/article116351518.html
..snips
..Harris called her husband on her cellphone at 11:15 a.m.
“They have me, and they want $250,000,” she told him.
..On Monday, Wiltse sobbed and lost her breath when Judge Cameron Mitchell set her bail at $1 million.
..Benton County Prosecutor Andy Miller requested the high amount and said charges are expected to be filed by Wednesday.
..Miller told the judge " Sandra Harris' body has been found and she was shot a number of times."
They told the kidnapper that the money would be paid and agreed to meet at the Country Mercantile store off Highway 395, just north of Pasco.
Just before 10 p.m. Friday, Wiltse arrived driving a Ford Edge to collect the money.
Officers could see blood in the backseat and disinfectant wipes, used in an attempt to clean it up, according to court records.
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/crime/article116351518.html
Looked perplexed, confused, and surprised she's in big trouble now. What was she thinking!
She just drives up to pick up the money and thinks she's going to drive away? Tried to clean it up some, but not enough concern about that blood in the backseat! Was it only one person making these stupid decisions or three?
Just my opinion
She looked somewhat perplexed and confused in the short court video that I saw.
Jose and Jesus? No last names?
It will be interesting to hear what the husband has to say.
The truth will come out eventually...but I think we have a bit of a road to drive before we get there.
Strange for sure.
A former state prison corrections officer was charged Wednesday with kidnapping and killing a Kennewick woman.
Theresa L. Wiltse, 49, did not appear in court Wednesday because prosecutors were finalizing the documents to charge her. The charges were filed at noon.
She remains in the Benton County jail on $1 million bail on charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping with aggravating circumstances.
A gun and ammunition found in Wiltse’s rental car when she tried to collect a $250,000 ransom were consistent with the ammunition found by Sandra Harris’ body, said court documents.
Wiltse was a corrections officer at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla for just more than two years, but was let go in September 2010. She had moved to Pasco from Michigan, but recently was living in Connell, according to court records.
Investigators have said she is the only known suspect at this time in Harris’ Nov. 18 disappearance.
Wiltse was arrested driving a rental car with California license plates and with blood in the backseat, according to documents.
She claimed that she had helped two men named “Jose” and “Jesus” kidnap Harris, but reportedly refused to give further details, court documents said.
Kennewick Officer Joe Santoy said her “role appears much bigger than she claims,” documents show.
Attorney Sam Swanberg has been appointed to represent Wiltse.
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/crime/article116351518.html
..snips
..Harris called her husband on her cellphone at 11:15 a.m.
They have me, and they want $250,000, she told him.
I wonder why they allowed cameras in the courtroom? Does anyone have any guesses to the connection between TW and SH and her family?
BBM
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/crime/article115909238.html
Randy Harris says just days earlier the couple celebrated their 30th anniversary. "If anyone can imagine what it's like to have a wife of 30 years. Just celebrated on Wednesday and have her taken on Friday."
Harris owns Ace Jewelry and Loan, a pawn shop in Kennewick. He says the suspect and his wife may have met in passing, but didn't know each other. "I'm a businessman, I own a pawnshop in Kennewick after 18 years. I'm a very compassionate person. My wife would have not recognized this lady, no way, no how," says Harris.
Wiltse has confessed to having a role in Harris' kidnapping, and blood and other evidence were found in her car. But she claims two other men helped her. Randy Harris doesn't believe that, and thinks Wiltse acted alone.
"I believe that Theresa Wiltse acted independantly in this hideous crime against my lovely wife of 30 years who I loved very dearly. It is the most horrible loss anyone could imagine," said Harris.
Harris said his wife was his life. She loved gardening, their pets and being a grandmother. He says his life was also taken, when his wife was murdered. "She was a wonderful person, we had the greatest relationship ever. I feel I had it made in life and now that's been taken away from me ... tragically."
Theresa Wiltse is expected back in court in early January and a trial date is now set for January 30th.
The Kennewick pawn shop owner said it was chilling to sit with family and friends just feet from the Connell woman in court, still believing her to be a stranger with no connection to his wife, Sandra.
“I’ve got to be strong,” he said. “My wife would want me to be strong, and I’ve got to go on.”
Wiltse, 49, pleaded innocent to aggravated first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping and her trial for the potential death penalty case was tentatively set for Jan. 30.
This woman obviously has serious mental health issues. She is 49 but looks to be 60-plus, so possibly substance issues also? I wonder If she has worked at all since being laid off from DOC.^^ PLEADED INNOCENT?! :gaah:
Just sick.