A confidential informant has told investigators that he witnessed murder suspect Patrick Dewayne Murphy assault and rape Coralrose at Murphy’s home in North Port.
The informant says he was at the home — two miles from where Coralrose’s body was found — on the night she reportedly disappeared.
The man said that three young girls and a boy were at the home and that a man at the home, Edward Chinnici, offered the children $10 to have sex with each other, according to a search warrant.
Chinnici videotaped that sex act, then the informant said he saw Murphy strike Coralrose and rape her.
Personally, I hope this info is not correct. I really pray. It’s bad enough that Coralrose suffered as she did, this….it’s just more than I can handle. I literally wanted to throw up after reading this article.
You can read it here. I don’t want to print the whole thing. Like I said, it made me sick.
Rest in peace, Coralrose. Someday there will be justice for you, and you will not be forgotten.
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Well, the news (both local and national) has been kind of slow lately…unless you count Obama news, which I’d really rather not. So, since I couldn’t find anything interesting to read, I started surfing around looking at vacation rentals in my dream location, Casey Key. I know it’s just up the highway a little bit, and I should probably dream of going to Hawaii or something, but to me, Casey Key is the perfect place…if I won the lottery, the first thing I’d buy is a house on Casey Key. :)
So, while stumbling around the internet, I found this place, Home Away Vacation Rentals. Do they have rentals in Casey Key? They sure do! They’re even offering one that I think I recognize from our drives to North Jetty Beach. Can we afford to go off and do this right now? Probably not, but all things considered, the price they’re showing isn’t that bad. And hey, a girl can dream, right?
Well, since I can’t afford a vacation right now, I just continued to wander around this site (dreaming, lol), and stumbled across their blog. They’re currently trying to get a movement going for a National Vacation Day, which seems like a pretty cool idea to me. They’re also running a contest, Save Our Summer Vacation, where you can win a $10,000 getaway. Very cool! Think of the place I could rent on Casey Key with $10,000! So, I guess I’ll be entering a contest. :) Hey, like I said, a girl can dream, right?
So, if the news is boring you like it’s boring me, wander on over there. Type in your favorite place…see what there is to be had out there. I found my dream place, yours is probably there, too. And enter the contest….hey, one never knows, right?! Someone has to win…maybe it will be you….or better yet, me!
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The Sun published a good article yesterday about the Denise Amber Lee Foundation’s recent trip to Texas to attend a NENA (National Emergency Number Assocation) Conference. There’s been so much publicity about the murder of Denise Amber Lee, it’s nice to see a little bit about the good that has come out of such a senseless act. Sadly, the article was only online for a little while, and then disappeared. I couldn’t even find it doing a search on the Sun…but Google found it. I’m going to reprint it here. And if you have any questions about the changes we’re trying to bring about, and why we need standards in the 911 system, please feel free to ask me. If I don’t have the answer, I’ll get it for you.
By ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH
North Port Community News Editor
Hundreds of telecommunication employees throughout the United States who were visiting a booth sponsored by a local foundation learned about how a Southwest Florida mother of two young boys was kidnapped, raped and murdered and how her story will help change the industry.
In-between speaking to hundreds at the National Emergency Number Association Emergency Help conference Tuesday through Thursday in Fort Worth, Texas, Nathan Lee shared his story before a crowd of about 2,400 attendees.
Nathan, whose wife, Denise Amber Lee, 21, was killed in North Port last January, believes she could have been saved if it weren’t for major glitches in the 911 system.
Witness Jane Kowalski was on the line with 911 for nine minutes describing someone struggling in the back of a Camaro near U.S. 41 and Toledo Blade Boulevard, later believed to be Denise. Despite that lengthy effort, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office failed to dispatch a single deputy. The Sheriff’s Office also didn’t relay the information Kowalski provided to the North Port Police Department, which was investigating the case.
The state is seeking the death penalty for suspect Michael King, 38, whose trial is set for August.
Nathan was invited to be one of the keynote speakers at the NENA conference Wednesday. He spoke for 15 minutes about what happened to Denise and how the foundation named after her is trying to change 911 operations to make them more uniform nationwide. Then he showed a 10-minute video of TV spots and clips of the couple.
“Nate did so well,” said North Port City Commissioner Dave Garofalo, a member of the Denise Amber Lee Foundation who accompanied Nathan and three other members. “It was fantastic. We are well on our way to uniformed national training standards.”
Nathan agrees.
“We met with the CEOs and head honchos in charge of 911 systems and were able to sell them on our cause,” Nathan said. “All of them wanted to work together 100 percent with us.”
Nathan said it’s “nice to see that Denise is really making a difference.”
“She is touching the lives of those in the industry and many others,” he said. “Her tragedy will help revamp and reform the system that failed her.”
Nathan said he met members of Matthew Cantrell’s family. Cantrell, 21 months, died after he being entangled in a soccer net in his family’s Texas home.
The family sued because they believed police didn’t respond quickly enough after a 911 call was placed. They claim the operator allegedly refused to give CPR instructions to Matthew’s distressed mother in the 2007 incident.
“We have been reaching out to other families and they are joining our cause as we go,” Nathan said.
There are about six other conferences in Florida that Nathan has been invited to through December.
“We are also working with Florida legislators to lobby hard for uniform training standards and state certification for 911 telecommunicators,” he added.
E-mail: eallen@sun-herald.com
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The trial for murder suspect Michael Lee King is due to start in August, and surprise….his lawyers are trying to get the trial moved out of Sarasota County because of extensive publicity. Yes, there was a lot of publicity….but it was state wide, even nationwide. I’m not sure there’s anywhere in the state of Florida that you could go where people don’t know of Denise Amber Lee’s abduction and murder.
To me, it seems that moving the trial is just putting even more misery on the family. None of them are looking forward to this, they just want it over. Why on earth should they have to travel in order to go to the trial? Why shouldn’t they at least have the comfort of being at home, close to their friends?
I’m going to include the article from the Herald Tribune. But I refuse to publish the picture of Michael King that they chose to accompany their article. I’m going to post a picture that shows the PAIN that this man has caused a family. Because that’s what we all need to remember. Michael King didn’t (allegedly) just take Denise’s life….he took her out of everyone else’s life as well. He took a daughter away from her parents, a sister away from her siblings, a wife away from her husband….and a mother away from her children.
Tons of coverage, along with links to photo galleries (make sure you have tissues, because you’ll need them) here.
Published: Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 11:18 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 11:18 a.m.
SARASOTA COUNTY - The community reaction and publicity surrounding the kidnapping and murder of Denise Amber Lee mean extra preparations for the trial of her alleged attacker, which is scheduled to begin in August.
Jurors will be asked individually what they remember about media coverage of Michael King, 38, who is charged with kidnapping, rape and murder. Jurors will also be asked whether they discussed the case on the Internet through blogs or by posting to message boards, court records show.
King’s attorneys are asking that the trial be moved somewhere else in the state because of extensive publicity. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for King.
The case became the topic of a “Dr. Phil” show and hourlong national network shows, and became an impetus for improving emergency call centers across Florida.
If it stays in Sarasota County, the trial will be held in the largest courtroom to accommodate family, media and the public, as well as an extra large pool of potential jurors. It is expected to last three weeks.
Lee, 21, was reported missing from her North Port home on the afternoon of Jan. 17.
Her body was found two days later in a shallow grave six miles from her home.
King was arrested on a kidnapping charge the night of the abduction and was charged with murder after the body was found. He is being held in solitary confinement at the Sarasota County Jail.
A lab has matched King’s DNA to DNA found on Lee’s body, according to court documents filed by the prosecution.
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Yesterday was our first Angels in Blue 5K Run for the Denise Amber Lee Foundation, held at Englewood Beach. I’ve never had anything to do with a run before and wasn’t sure what to expect, but the turnout was just awesome! Over 200 people turned out, ready to run. Boy do those runners take things seriously, I had no idea! Even though it was getting ready to storm, they were all there, ready to go. And we got so lucky…the storm actually held out until almost everyone was back from the run. :)
Below are some pics that Ben took, along with an article from the Charlotte Sun. The last pic is of Noah and Adam Lee…who “ran” the run in their Jeep! They get more beautiful every time I see them.
MANASOTA KEY — More than 200 runners, walkers and strollers showed up at Englewood Beach early Saturday for the first “Angels in Blue” 5K Run/Walk, sponsored by the Denise Amber Lee Foundation. In the process, they helped raise funds for what some call the nation’s splintered 911 call system.
Denise was kidnapped from her North Port home and murdered in January 2008. Four 911 calls, including one from Denise, failed to bring authorities to her aid in time to save her.
She left behind a husband and two small sons, who attended the 5K run Saturday along with family and friends.
Since her murder, a foundation was created in her name to promote and support public safety, bring about improved standards, and restore public confidence in the 911 system.
“Everybody wants to do something but not everybody can give a lot to 911 reform and the system that failed Denise,” said Nathan Lee, Denise’s widower. “It’s heartwarming to see so many people come out.”
Nathan has become a spokesman in a national effort and said he plans to attend eight conferences this year on 911 reform.
The biggest challenge facing reform is funding, Nathan said.
“Most states pay for 911 funding,” he said. “We’re going to start pushing for federal funding. I’m trying to prevent another Denise tragedy.”
The weather for the 5K promised to be stormy, but held until most runners had returned to the finish line on Englewood Beach.
The turnout impressed Bob Geyer, who coordinated the race.
“This is going to become an annual event and I can see why,” he predicted. “This one is very successful because of the numbers of people.”
Geyer runs with Zoomers Southwest Florida Running and Triathalon Club, which meets in Port Charlotte, with members from Sarasota to Fort Myers.
About 100 people preregistered and another 100-plus signed up the day of the race.
Wearing Denise Amber Lee arm bands, visors and T-shirts, the crowd followed a route along Beach Drive, accompanied by police escorts.
Englewood resident Eric Botelho, 37, won the men’s 5K run in 18 minutes and 29 seconds.
Just getting back into racing after knee injuries, he said he watched as high school students took off “way too fast” at the start, only to fall behind later in the race.
Second and third place went to Dylan Ireland, 16, and Derrick Lindberg, 18, both Lemon Bay High School students.
“Our pace needs a little work,” Dylan said. “This is our first race since track season ended.”
Runners found the track along Beach Drive more difficult than it first appeared.
“It’s a long straightaway and no turns,” Dylan said. “It makes it seem like you’re running slower and like the race is never going to end.”
Practicing what she preaches, Bethany Heslam, 44, won the women’s 5K run. Heslam coaches track and cross country at Port Charlotte High School.
“It’s a good race for a great cause,” she said. “The course is a little deceiving. It’s nice to have some turns to focus on. We were focusing on real estate signs.”
Stefany Sanchez-Smith, 18, a recent Port Charlotte High School graduate, placed second in the women’s race.
E-mail: dsanchez@sun-herald.com
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This is not the outcome I had hoped for. 5 year old Nevaeh Buchanan, who has been missing since May 24th, was found today in the River Raisin, allegedly encased in cement. I just don’t get it….why must people keep doing this to our children? Why does it seem so hard to keep them safe these days?
I guess at least now Nevaeh’s family knows what happened to their little girl, and can try to go on (as best they can, which probably isn’t very well).
I am so sad tonight.
More on this story at the Monroe News, which also has a comment section. The story below is from the Detroit Free Press.
BY AMBER HUNT, ZLATI MEYER AND JEFF SEIDEL • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS • June 4, 2009
Updated at 9 p.m.
A body found near the River Raisin is that of 5-year-old Nevaeh Buchanan, who disappeared from her Monroe home May 24, the Monroe Evening News has reported.
The paper said police have spoken to the family.
Ryan Bickley, 15, said his father, Guy Bickley, found the body this morning when he was by the river fishing with his grandfather around 11 a.m.
The teenager said the body was encased in a cement block and they could smell it. His father, he said, chipped a piece of cement away and saw skin and when he saw skin, he stopped and called police. The block was near the water.
Nevaeh’s mother was huddled with friends at her apartment in Monroe.
A mobile command unit, which signifies intense police activity, arrived earlier this evening at the area of Dixon Road and Sullivan in Raisinville Township. Police were acting on a tip that the body of Nevaeh could be buried there.
A medical examiner truck also arrived at the scene.
Volunteers claimed to have found a clump of long brown hair, said the Rev. Dale Hayford, senior pastor of Crosswalk Community Church in Monroe.
Barricades kept traffic away from North Custer Road, west of Ida Maybee Road.
Since Nevaeh’s disappearance, police have zeroed in on a few men with histories of sex assault convictions, but no one has been charged in the case and leads are dwindling.
One man, George Kennedy, 39, told a Ohio newspaper this week he had nothing to do with the girl’s disappearance. In fact, he told the Toledo Blade, he helped the girl’s mother search for Nevaeh.
Earlier in the day, firefighters from area departments sent over not only volunteers, but also equipment, to breathe new life into the nearly two-week search.
“I hope this is what we needed,” said Elisa Boyer, 31, of Monroe.
Firefighters from agencies such as Monroe, Monroe Township, Ida Township and Dundee are being tracked electronically into a system usually reserved for battling blazes.
The fireTRAX program logs who searches where, then allows that volunteer to move onto another unsearched area when finished, said Monroe Township Firefighter Joe Hernandez.
“We want to help any way we can,” said Ida Township firefighter Mark Andrews, 19. “We hope to find her alive, but finding her in any way will help the family.”
Contact Amber Hunt at alhunt@freepress.com.
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5 year old Neveah Buchanan has been missing from Monroe, Michigan, for five days now. Usually with missing kids, it’s easy to find info on them. But with this little girl, I actually had to do some searching. Even google doesn’t seem to bring up the very latest. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has her listed….but I had to do a search. She’s not on the start page. It’s just….weird.
Here is the video that I managed to find, along with the flyer from The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. If you’re a blogger, please repost it. Let’s keep this little girl’s face out there. And if you’re a local in the area that Neveah is missing from, please feel free to share any updates in the comment section. There are people out there that care.
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We weren’t able to go to the game….it was in Fort Myers, Ben had plans to go camping, and Lindsay had her “Farewell Dance”….but I’m so proud of Nick. He started, and played almost the whole game….he was one tired boy when he got home! Here’s the only pic I know of (since Ben wasn’t there to take any). It came from “some Fort Myers newspaper” (gotta love teenagers!). Nick is #76.
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Ok, so I’m in mourning. After this performance, how can he NOT have won? Yeah, Kris is good, but there’s just really no way to compare the two in vocal abilities. I don’t get it.
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Thanks to Robin Stublen for posting this video from the Punta Gorda Tax Day Tea Party. I’m including a few pictures that Ben took below. And Robin, I’m looking forward to the next Tea Party!
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Prosecutors said today they may include rape and molestation allegations in their murder charge against the woman suspected of killing an 8-year-old Northern California girl and putting her body in a suitcase.
Melissa Huckaby, 28, was arrested Friday on suspicion of kidnapping and murdering Sandra Cantu.
San Joaquin County Deputy District Attorney Robert Himmelblau told The Associated Press today that a homicide charge against Huckaby could also include the special circumstances of rape with a foreign object, lewd and lascivious conduct with a child and murder in the course of a kidnapping.
A conviction on any of the special circumstances would make Huckaby eligible for the death penalty or life in prison without parole, Himmelblau said. The district attorney has not determined whether his office will seek the death penalty in the case, he said.
Sandra disappeared March 27. She was last seen on surveillance video skipping near her home at the Orchard Estates Mobile Home Park in Tracy. A 10-day search ended April 6, when farmworkers draining a nearby irrigation pond found a suitcase that contained her remains.
Himmelblau wouldn’t provide additional details on any evidence leading prosecutors to consider the sexual assault allegations. Police have not released any details on how, where or why Sandra was killed.
“I was hoping that wasn’t the case,” said Sandra’s aunt, Angie Chavez, regarding the possibility of rape and molestation allegations. “I’m in shock,” she said through tears. The whole thing is unimaginable.”
Formal charges have not yet been filed against Huckaby. A final decision on which special circumstances to include has not been made, Himmelblau said. Huckaby is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Stockton.
Himmelblau was not aware if Huckaby had an attorney.
Himmelblau said prosecutors were considering filing other charges against Huckaby but declined to specify what the additional charges may be.
She remained in custody without bail in San Joaquin County jail today where jail staff have been monitoring her mental health. She’s not been allowed visitors.
Tracy police did not immediately return messages seeking comment. San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Deputy Les Garcia said autopsy results were still pending.
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It doesn’t pay to go off to WalMart right after work. It seems a ton of news was breaking as I was wandering through WallyWorld.
The first thing that caught my eye was that Florida prosecutors have decided to seek the death penalty against Casey Anthony after all. You’ll remember, the death penalty was taken off the table a while back, but that was before Caylee’s remains were found. I’ve heard so many people (TV pundits and so forth) say that they didn’t think there was a strong case against Casey. I think they might be wrong….I don’t think the state would be trying for the death penalty if they didn’t think they had a decent shot at getting it.
What really gets to me is Jose Baez’s reaction to the news. Here is what he had to say:
“This is not a death penalty case. We will do whatever is necessary to defend Casey Anthony from the State trying to take her life. We already have death-qualified defense lawyers on our team and are prepared for a vigorous defense,” he said.
NOT a death penalty case?! Excuse me, but Caylee was found DEAD. There’s no evidence whatsoever that “Zanny the Nanny” existed anywhere besides in Casey’s imagination. The last person to see Caylee was her mother. The trash bag, laundry bag, and duct tape all appear to be the same as what was found in the Anthony home. What more does Baez need for it to be a “death penalty case”?!
ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida prosecutors will seek the death penalty against Casey Anthony, who is charged with murdering her young daughter, Caylee Anthony.
A spokeswoman for the State Attorney’s Office in Orlando said Monday that prosecutors have filed papers seeking to have Anthony executed if she is convicted of first-degree murder.
Anthony’s attorney, Jose Baez, said that Anthony’s defense was prepared to fight.
“This is not a death penalty case. We will do whatever is necessary to defend Casey Anthony from the State trying to take her life. We already have death-qualified defense lawyers on our team and are prepared for a vigorous defense,” he said.
Anthony claimed that 2-year-old Caylee was kidnapped and has pleaded not guilty. Hundreds of volunteers helped search for the toddler after she was reported missing last summer.
Anthony was arrested last October. Caylee’s body was found in woods near her home last December.
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My employer recently changed how our 401K works, and I needed to roll it over into something else. All it’s done in forever is lose money, so I was reluctant to continue it at the same place. Having three kids, I can’t afford to be losing money! So, I decided to investigate other alternatives.
The most important thing, obviously, was finding a bank that I could trust. One that hasn’t been harmed by the recession. Clearly, I don’t want to put my little bit of money in a bank that’s on the verge of failing. So, as usual, off to google I went. A money market account seemed to be a good idea. M&T bank offers their M&T Money Market account, which can all be managed online (a wonderful feature for me, as I seem to spend a lot of my time there!). There’s no monthly fees, no minimum balance (which is great, as I don’t have a lot to work with), and you can sign up quickly and easily online.
So, it looks like I found my solution. A large bank, trustworthy, and it all can be done online. That’s my kind of bank!
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Pre-order price is $15.00, plus $3.95 shipping and handling. Order early to be sure and get your copy!
Become an advocate for the cause. Vistaprint makes it easy and affordable to upload photos and print t-shirts that let you wear your heart on your sleeve.
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Wednesday Hero
Tammy
My name is Tammy. I'm a 45 year-old married mother of three teenagers, living in my version of paradise, also known as SW Florida. I can tend to be opinionated. My political views lean to the right. I'll think of more later, lol.
In Memory Window Decals/Bumper Stickers can now be purchased. They are $5.50 each and can be displayed on your car window/bumper. These are laminated and weather proof! The approximate size is 8"long 3" wide.
These may be purchased via paypal. If you are a local resident and would like to pick one up, please email Tammy for more information.
June 25, 2009 
Posted in News, SW Florida news, crimes against children 
3 Comments »
My name is Tammy. I'm a 45 year-old married mother of three teenagers, living in my version of paradise, also known as SW Florida. I can tend to be opinionated. My political views lean to the right. I'll think of more later, lol.
