Issue 137, May 15, 2024

Colorado Teen Pleads Guilty in Rock Attack that Killed 20-Year-Old Woman, Woman Denies Killing Friend by Stabbing Her Nearly 500 Times, Sentenced to 55 Years

🕵️^{Trivia Question}

What legal agreement allows a defendant to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence or the dismissal of other charges?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

‎PODCAST: The Letter | Ripple Effect

‎A delivery man making his rounds finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Buddy Booth discovers the body of Jordan Rasmussen at a stop on his route and is shot in the back, leaving another young widow to raise children without their father.

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What’s Happening Now

Colorado Teen Pleads Guilty in Rock Attack that Killed Alexa Bartell

Alexa Bartell was killed in April 2023 when a rock was thrown through her car windshield.

Three Colorado teens were charged in the series of rock attacks, with one now pleading guilty to assault.

The other two defendants are still awaiting trial, with one scheduled in June and the other in July.

The guilty teen, Zachary Kwak, faces a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 32 years in prison.

Bartell's parents agreed to the plea deal, and will speak at the sentencing hearing.

The case continues with ongoing trial coverage and updates expected.

Woman Denies Killing Friend; Suggests Real Killer Still at Large - Sentenced to 55 Years for Stabbing Nearly 500 Times

Kailie A. Brackett denied killing Kim Neptune in April 2022 during her sentencing and suggested that the real killer may still be at large.

She was sentenced to 55 years in prison for stabbing Neptune nearly 500 times.

Neptune was found dead in her Maine home wrapped in a blanket with 484 stab wounds.

Donnell Dana, initially charged in the murder, had a mistrial declared in his case.

He later pleaded guilty to lesser charges related to disposing of evidence.

Brackett and Dana shared a child, and Dana had lived with Neptune.

Passamaquoddy Councilmember Adam Newell expressed relief that justice was served after Brackett's sentencing.

🛣️ Safety Tip of the Day: Safety on Highways During Rock Attacks

Rocks thrown onto highways or freeways can cause severe accidents, injuries, or fatalities. Do not attempt to confront the individuals yourself, as it could be dangerous. Instead, safely pull over to the side of the road if possible, ensuring you are out of traffic and in a safe location. Then, call the local authorities to report the incident, providing as much detail as possible about the location and the individuals involved. This allows the authorities to handle the situation appropriately and helps prevent potential accidents or harm to other drivers.

Cold Case Highlights

The 21-Year Mystery of Midtown Jane Doe: The Tragic Story of Patricia Kathleen McGlone

The body of a murder victim known as Midtown Jane Doe was found in a makeshift tomb inside a building in New York City.

Initially unidentified, the victim's identity was confirmed 21 years later as Patricia Kathleen McGlone thanks to DNA testing and forensic genealogy.

McGlone was a 16-year-old girl who was found hogtied, wrapped in carpet, and encased in cement.

The investigation into her murder continues, with focus on her husband at the time of her death.

The club where her body was discovered had ties to the mob and closed in 1969, around the time of McGlone's death.

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Unsolved Murder Haunts Family Decades Later

Kasia McRoberts has endured a rollercoaster of emotions following her brother's unsolved murder.

Samuel Henry Goodrum, 30, was a waiter in Santa Fe when he was fatally shot in 1992.

Despite possible suspects being named, no one was charged in his case.

Goodrum's murder resurfaced recently as a potential new review is considered by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office and a Cold Case Unit.

McRoberts hopes for justice but also sympathizes with one of the suspects, Tyrone Smith, who was later convicted in another killing.

The investigation into Goodrum's death has been revisited over the years, offering little closure to McRoberts and her family.

‎PODCAST: Murder, She Told | The Disappearance of Jeremy Alex

‎Jeremy Alex, 28, was no longer his free-spirited self, increasingly paranoid about being pursued. On April 24, 2004, he frantically ran into his former teacher's backyard with cash, then vanished into the Maine forest. His fate remains a mystery, but his family hopes the truth will eventually emerge.

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🔍^{Trivia Answer}
Plea Bargain

A plea bargain is a legal agreement between a prosecutor and a defendant. In this arrangement, the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge or to one of several charges in exchange for a more lenient sentence or the dismissal of other charges. This helps both parties avoid a lengthy trial and allows the court system to manage cases more efficiently.