Request to visit my sister blog, Online True Stories.

Note to my readers:  I’d like to reintroduce, or should I say promote, my sister blog – Online TrueStories.com/.

I have a couple of new items posted on that blog.

First, I’ve continued with my short stories.  The most recent entry is titled Tom Shannon, the FBI and the Witch.  Perhaps, some of you will be interested.  Also, I encourage you to sign-up to receive notifications of new posts on that blog.  That will save you the trouble of periodically checking back to see if there are updates.

Secondly, I’m trying a new feature that relates to creative writing; with, hopefully, reader participation.  How it works:  approximately once a month I will post a photograph.  I’d like readers to write a mini-story about the photograph – 150 words or less.  And, I plan to give a prize to the winner of the best story.  I will try this for a couple of months.  If there is no interest, I won’t continue to bore you with the concept – and will drop it.  However, I hope there is some interest.  It could be fun.

It is sunny today in Portland.

Best wishes to all of you, and thank you for dropping by.

True Nelson

Thoughts on Kyron Horman, David Durham, and Doitchen Krastev

True’s Miscellany:  I hope those of you who bother to read my posted opinions also check-out the comments.  They can be very informative and articulate.

I have recently received questions about Sheriff Dan Staton’s (Multnomah County SO) statements early on in the Kyron Horman investigation; to wit the Sheriff referring to related information uncovered, including information that they (allegedly the authorities) wished they did not know.

It was, I agree, a strange comment.  I might use the metaphor here that the Sheriff was like a deer caught in the headlights.  I suppose that he was speaking extemporaneously – while attempting to project compassion and sincerity.  Regarding things that he wished he did not know, my current guess would be that he was referring to generalized information about child trafficking and abuse that he, and all of us, would find heartrending.  Nonetheless, this was not something that a Sheriff should say in a press conference, during a very active investigation, without elaborating.  When no elaboration was forthcoming, the implication for the public was, perhaps, we need someone in charge of the investigation who is not quite so ‘sensitive,’ and that we want our investigators to know everything that might have some relevance to this inquiry or other inquiries.  My initial reaction to his comments was that law enforcement was close to a solution and a recovery.  That initial opinion, on my part, was apparently far from accurate - in that the Kyron investigation has not seemed to significantly progress since the Sheriff made those rather awkward comments.

Here I might add something about the news media coverage.  Have you noted that the Oregonian reporters covering the David Durham case, or the Kyron Horman case for that matter, seem to be entirely satisfied with receiving the latest law enforcement briefing, without doing any independent investigation?  This was especially evident in the recent Oregonian article about David Durham – nothing really new, just a rehash of old information.

One of my readers very smartly stated some follow-up that outlined what the Oregonian reporters needed to do.

“Previous articles said that David Durham was on the north coast at a work colleague’s party in Manzanita. He skipped work on the Friday before, was he planning to go to work on Monday? What else WAS going on with him, why would someone set-out, at this time of year, down the coast highway in the dark & bad weather? It’s not commonly done.
Why have no details been released about that party, interviews with the other partygoers, explanations for why he left and drove south instead of east.”

True’s Response:  Law enforcement will give the press the typical boilerplate; and, if the press appears satisfied, they will go no further.  I don’t think it is a misrepresentation to say that the Oregonian reporters, when it comes to criminal investigations, are remiss in many ways.  It is the responsibility of reporters to press the authorities for information – hence the word ‘press.’  This is also what good investigators do.  They need to push for information, not just accept what is handed to them.

Another reader referred to the Doitchen Krastev case, previously discussed in this blog.  Said reader furnished some interesting information.  The information appears to be accurate.

“Not to resurrect a dead story, but there are a couple of issues with the original anonymous questions and comments in this post.

1. The Anarchist Cookbook contained the basics on how Krastev obtained his fake ID and was quite available on BBSes and other pre-internet networks. It went through the computer underground in the early 90s. I had a copy by 1995 and I was barely in high school at the time.

2. Krastev’s parents were intellectuals, whether they were nonmenklatura, is uncertain. No information as far as I’m aware of has established, beyond speculation, that the parents were committed to the communist party. His mother basically brought Jungian psychotherapy to Bulgaria. His father is the Executive Director of the Central Library.

3. As of today he’s been released from Taft Correctional Camp and is in INS custody. I would assume that had he been a spy there would have been a much faster deportation to Bulgaria, like the Russian 10.”

True’s Response:  The Russian 10 were returned to Russia in an expedited manner for a couple of reasons (I believe):  embarrassment to the US security services for allowing this to continue for so long; and as a token offered to a quasi-ally of ours, the new Russia.  Within a few weeks of their capture, the Russian 10 were old news, and most Americans had forgotten about them.  They did, however, return to their homeland and a heroes’ welcome.  My feeling is that there are many more like the Russian 10 still acting as ‘sleepers’ within the U.S. – probably hundreds from many countries.  Another reason, if we really require another, to secure our borders.

Krastev may be currently being held because they do not know what to do with him.  Bulgaria may not want him back.  Or, Krastev may be claiming that he would be in danger if he was forced to go back.  Moreover, Krastev could, possibly, serve as a negotiating chip.  Who is to say?  My feeling is that, ultimately, he will be allowed to remain in the U.S.

True Nelson

David Durham Wanted for Shooting Officer Steven Dobbs

                

             The Oregonian, front page, instant date, had an updated article on the Steven Dobbs (Lincoln City Police Officer) shooting by David Durham on 1/24/11 – a year ago.  Police investigators admit there is nothing particularly new in the case.  Durham escaped a massive manhunt that night, as well as the subsequent days, and hasn’t been seen since.

I’ve discussed this case in the past on my blog.  However, I would like to emphasize how extraordinary this Durham situation is and has been.  Let’s consider some aspects:

• Although Durham was, according to friends and acquaintances, acting somewhat strange in the days or weeks before the shooting – with indications of paranoia – there seems to be no explanation as to why the adverse change in his behavior.  An unexplainable psychotic episode?  Perhaps.  Was he under the influence of prescription drugs and possible non-prescription drugs for pain, or simply recreation?  Considering everything that occurred, that's a bit of a stretch.  Or, was he involved in something, something criminal, which agitated him to the point of fearing law enforcement?  Hard to say.  Or was it a combination of possibilities?
• It is unusual for someone to shoot a police officer where there appears to be no obvious explanation.  It does, nonetheless, happen.  That said, a psychotic episode and/or drugs generally would limit, considerably, your ability to escape capture – much less disappear without a trace.
• Some in law enforcement have opined that he “tried to swim across the bay and just didn’t make it.”  Law enforcement went on to say that 50% of the time the water gives up the dead, and 50% of the time bodies are never recovered.  I did search and rescue on a sheriff’s office, and found that a much higher percentage of bodies are recovered – nearer 100%.  I acknowledge that my experience was mainly with rivers and lakes, not a near costal area.  But, it seems to me incredible that a person would chance swimming, in the middle of night, across a body of water of which he reportedly knew little.  And what about his gun or guns, did he just throw them in the water before taking the swim?  Yes, I know.  Anything is possible.  I think if he is dead, it is just as likely, or more so, that he ran into the woods and shot himself.
• However, I am not convinced that he is dead.  I think it is possible that he received help in escaping the area.
• What was not explained in the article was:  What was Durham doing on the coast?  And was he planning to meet someone?  11:30PM was when the shooting occurred.  Really?  That doesn’t sound like he’s on vacation or just sight-seeing.

True Nelson 

Kyron Horman Update / January 2012

Regarding Kyron, I feel a little guilty that I haven’t spoken of him lately.  Nothing much is new in the investigation – as far as we know.

The most significant development, in recent months, is that the judge overseeing the divorce and custody proceedings involving Terri Horman, Kaine Horman and their young daughter has extended the ‘restraining order’ against Terri for another year – apparently based on the pending allegations against Terri.  Judges would not take such drastic action against a mother unless the presumptive evidence is considerable.  As we know, this restraining order limits Terri’s contact with her daughter.  For the normal mother, this would be a terrible consequence.

As I understand it, Terri Moulton Horman remains a virtual prisoner in her parents’ home located in Roseburg.  She seems to be biding her time – waiting for what I am not sure.  I guess expecting that all of this will blow over one day soon.

I know some of you are very defensive of Terri.  Some of you defend her based on good and decent hearts.  Some of you seem entirely clueless as to how society works – is supposed to work.  Mothers protect their children – at all costs.  Even to the extent of sacrificing their own lives.  This is nature’s way.  In Terri’s case something does not ring true, and I think it is obvious to most of us.  Terri has been playing this game to almost absurd lengths – the reticent innocent who must defend herself against unfounded and fabricated allegations.  There can be only one reason for that.

If Terri is truly innocent, what information could she possibly furnish to the authorities, about Kyron, that would in anyone’s wildest imagination assist the prosecution in railroading her into a prison cell?  Why would you hire a top-notch and very expensive criminal defense attorney like Steve Houze even before being designated a suspect in the case?  Some will say she is on defense due to the alleged murder-for-hire plot.  Sorry folks, I just can’t buy it.  That case is obviously so weak that law enforcement has chosen not to pursue it – and who knows where the landscaper is these days.

I don’t know how long this will continue.  I don’t know why the Sheriff’s Office is so mute – especially in view of the Sheriff’s glibness early on.

I suppose law enforcement is waiting for Terri to break or die of old age.  Many of us will not live to see the latter.

True Nelson

Personal Thoughts on Birds and Winter

Forgive me if I digress into more personal reflections – not necessarily blog theme related.

It is snowing here in Portland.  Presently, we have only a dusting on the ground.  More is expected over the next few days.  It’s beautiful.  I’ve been out to feed the birds, and am now enjoying a cup of tea (Darjeeling is my preference).  Silly comments I know.

As you may have noted, I’ve been attempting to expand my online presence into other areas – kind of wandering in the dark and trying to find topics, subjects that might interest both me and my readers.  This Google Analytics capability is a bit of a curse, because one is able to follow the readers’ interest too closely as it waxes and wanes.  What is tremendously gratifying is receiving comments of encouragement from some readers – as well as the interest apparent in some other countries.  However, it puts a bit of pressure on me to produce something worthwhile.

Today, at the moment, I was thinking about birds and winter.  Here in Portland our winters are relatively mild.  However, in my earlier career, I traveled extensively.  I remember visiting Saint Cloud, Minnesota during a very cold snap – not unusual for there.  I was temporarily stranded in my third story motel room.  Earlier, I had tried to start my rental car with negative results.  One of the managers at the facility I was visiting promised to come and pick me up – late morning – and transport me to the mill.  I was wiling-away my time reading USA Today and looking out my window.  I don’t remember what the temperature was outside, but the weather forecasters said the temperature was life threatening – if you happened to be stranded in your car.  Having briefly been outside earlier in my attempts to get my car started, there was no doubt that someone from Oregon, improperly attired for the harsh Minnesota winter, would not survive long if required to be exposed to the elements.  The cold was brutal, incredible and unforgiving.

I looked out on the adjacent roof, one floor down.  There was a brick chimney spouting volumes of smoke, probably steam or a combination of smoke and steam, from the restaurant below.  Every once in awhile, a gust of wind would sweep the smoke away and reveal the chimney’s rim.  It was an amazing site.  There were birds, shoulder to shoulder, without an inch to spare, perched on the rim of the chimney.  You could see them briefly, and then they were totally enveloped by the smoke.  They were surviving as best they could.  Why they hadn’t flown to Florida – never to return – I do not know.

Which brings me to a question for my readers in Minnesota or Wisconsin, how on earth do birds survive your winter with no real food source and no access to water?  And, of course, the larger question is:  How do you survive?

True Nelson