Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Criminal.
The Toy Box Killer
Although David Parker Ray appeared to be a normal guy who worked in maintenance for the New Mexico Parks Department, he was convicted of kidnapping and torture in 2001. He was accused by his accomplices of killing many people and police suspect him for up to 60 murders in New Mexico and Arizona. No bodies were ever found and he was not convicted of a single murder before his death in 2002.
By Kathy Craig7 years ago in Criminal
Memoirs of a Dope Man (Pt. 2)
This year, Halloween fell on a weekend, emotions were high, and it seemed like the entire world was too. Triple fat gooses and leather eight ball jackets were the fashion among the many designers that emerged during this era. I was 15 in the 9th grade and me always being fashionable refused to be left out of the race. At this time, Granby was the school I attended. The majority of the students attending came from five of some of the largest neighborhoods in Norfolk and everybody was involved in the game one way or another. The whole point was to never be left out, to keep up, the money, the cars, the girl it was easy to access with a little bit of work and math. Our design business started making a little more money and school garnered me more customers, although I couldn't afford the high-end fashion at the time, the designs concealed the fact that the clothing I wore came from Scotchmans (low budget clothing store) on the inside of me something started to change.
By Darim Stewart7 years ago in Criminal
Love and Murder
New York City, particularly Manhattan, is called the concrete jungle and for good reason. Dreams are made and killed in a flash, just as many of it's citizens are. It's Darwin at its Darwiniest. Howard Pilmar was one of the people who had not only figured out how to survive in the concrete jungle but actually ended up thriving, until he didn't. He had made one critical mistake on his way to the top, marrying Roslyn Pilmar (nee Wald). She and her brother, Evan Wald would murder him and go more than 20 years before being convicted.
By Edward Anderson7 years ago in Criminal
Review of 'The Case Against Adnan Syed' 1
The Case Against Adnan Syed debuted last night on HB0, the first in a four-episode documentary about the murder of Hae Min Lee on January 13, 1999, for which Syed was convicted. The podcast Serial in 2014 generated enormous international interest about this case, and the possibility that Syed was not the killer. Presumably at least in part as a result of this and new evidence brought to light, the path to a new trial was set for Syed in July 2016 by a Maryland Court of Special Appeals. That court indeed ordered a new trial in March 2018. But a higher Maryland Court of Appeals overturned that order on March 8, 2019—or, amazingly, just two days before the premiere of the HBO series. You just can't make this stuff up.
By Paul Levinson7 years ago in Criminal
Why I Think R. Kelly Is Guilty
The things that make me believe that R. Kelly is guilty is his over the top emotional reaction with his interview with Gayle. Before that interview, I was sort of on the fence about whether he did all the things he is accused of. Once I saw his over the top reaction and his constant invasion of questions come that put no doubt in my mind about his guilt. I always believe that R. Kelly had an unhealthy attraction to underage girls. There is no getting around the underage marriage to Aaliyah I believe she was only 14 or 15 when she married R. Kelly.
By Yvonne Knight7 years ago in Criminal
Memoirs of a Dope Man (Pt. 1)
15 years was a long stretch for distributing poison, never planned to go that long it just happened that way. The taste of layoffs, downsizing, and criminalization at the workplace encouraged this extraordinary but deadly business venture. At the age of nine, I was formally introduced to cocaine by my uncle who was one of the main distributors to the mid-Atlantic region. The summer of '86... I will never forget "Cruel Summer" was at the top of the charts, what a cruel summer it was. He summoned me from the backroom room where my younger brother, cousin and I spent the majority of the summer. As I walked into the well-lit room I witnessed a mountain of cocaine wrapped in plastic covering the entire table. Beside it was the most beautiful piece of iron my young eyes have ever witnessed—a gold plated 357 magnum with a pearl handle. It had me in a trance until my uncle nudged me with his elbow while separating a few lines for testers, "You want some of this?"
By Darim Stewart7 years ago in Criminal
R. Kelly and His Legal Peril: So Not Funny
While I acknowledge that "I Believe I Can Fly" is a song that can be empowering for many people, I've never been a big R. Kelly fan. His music has never really been that appealing to me, and once he started facing some serious legal trouble—dating back to 1996—I simply get a bad vibe from him.
By Christina St-Jean7 years ago in Criminal
Movie Review 'Lords of Chaos'
Rory Culkin stars in Lords of Chaos as Euronymous, the leader of the Norwegian black metal band, Mayhem. Mayhem formed in the late 80s and began to pioneer a new form of heavy metal that rejected all of the trappings of rock stardom in favor of something dark and disturbing. Picking up a new lead singer, who called himself 'Dead' (Jack Kilmer), the band became a popular live act in their home country and an underground legend for metal heads.
By Sean Patrick7 years ago in Criminal
Real Talk
Abortion is a topic that everyone is passionate about. One side says it's a woman's body, thus her right to choose. The other side says that life begins at conception, and abortion is murder. What we, as a society, don't often hear is what the fathers of the unborn children have to say about it. Are they given a choice? Sadly, fathers are not given a choice. If the mother wants an abortion, there is nothing a helpless and hopeless father can do to stop the death of the life he helped create. What happens when a father decides to fight for his rights? In a case filed in the Madison County, Alabama court system, nineteen-year-old Ryan Magers of Hunstville asked the following:
By Phoenixx Fyre Dean7 years ago in Criminal
Worthless
Shawn always managed to find a way to regain his role as the puppet master in my life. I think I am taking two steps forward, and he makes it his duty to knock me 10 steps backwards. If my success and accolades are not directly due to him, he is not genuinely happy for me. He has to always have the last laugh, but this time, I have nothing more to lose. If it is a game he wants, then let's play, and I will happily make him star of the show.
By De'Ja Wilcher7 years ago in Criminal
Stay Informed
At age 19, I was arrested for possession of less than a gram of marijuana—0.4 grams to be exact. Almost two years later, my suspicions of just how ineffective and exploitative the American judicial system can be were confirmed. At least to a degree. Without trying to justify the use of illicit substances, allow me to set the stage and give you some perspective.
By Oliver Conlon7 years ago in Criminal
Lost Lovers
"Hello, is this Samantha?" I asked. I actually knew that it was her already, I would know her voice in a crowded coffee shop. I have been watching her for a while now. I found her as I was searching for my next lover. She was shopping at the local grocery store, careful in picking items before she put them in her cart. She has short brown hair, the greenest eyes you have ever seen, and such an innocent look about her. She never wears any makeup, at least never when I have studied her. I guess that is where I get the innocent look from when describing her. I know she is anything but innocent and that is why she will be my next lover.
By Jodi Roberts7 years ago in Criminal
