In 1979, DNA technology was not available.
Across the country many boxes of important DNA evidence Continue to sit in crime storage facilities as budgets are cut and law enforcement agencies are without the resources or manpower to work a cold case, especially if it was 33 years old.
In Beaver County, PA, investigators worked the 1979, unsolved homicide of Catherine Janet Walsh, 23 years old found by her father, her hands bound, cause of death, strangulation.
On Sunday, police arrested and charged Bridgewater Councilman Gregory Scott Hopkins, 65 with her murder. Investigators on the case resubmitted evidence to a crime lab using new technology. The Councilman's DNA was on the rope used to bound Catherine's hands, bed sheets and nightgown.
The symphony has already begun playing the "he's a citizen of good standing" musical arrangement. Words to music written by a "once" respectable businessman.
This case shows how easy it can be to get away with murder. There are a lot of unsolved cold and missing persons cases across the country where law enforcement could solve cases of intimate partner homicide but don't for one reason or another. Can you imagine how many so called "wonderful people" are living in your community?
The population of "wonderful, amazing people" are not immune from committing the perfect crime. Those who murder a lover, girlfriend or spouse are quite often pillars in their community and do hold positions of importance or power.
What does a person who commits intimate partner homicide look like? Looks like the town of Bridgewater has a vacant council seat to fill!
Susan Murphy Milano is a staff member of the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education as a educator and specialist with intimate partner violence prevention strategies directing prevention for high risk situations and cases.
A national trainer to law enforcement, training officers, prosecutors, judges, legislators, social service providers, healthcare professionals, victim advocates and the faith based community and author.. In partnership with Management Resources Ltd. of New York addressing prevention and solutions within the community to the workplace. Host of The Susan Murphy Milano Show,"Time'sUp!" . She is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated "The Roth Show" with Dr Laurie Roth and a co-host onCrime Wire. Online contributions: Forbes : Crime, She Writes providing commentary about the hottest topics on crime, justice, and law from a woman’s perspective, as well as Time's Up! a blog which searches for solutions (SOS) for victims of crime http://documenttheabuse.com/
1 comment:
kudos to whomever kept this one open for that period of time ! Well done. It only goes to show as technology gets better the murderer won't be living the life of Riley for decades on end.
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