Hello Mary, thank you for having me back. I will be awarding two lucky people who comment each a print book of their choice. The winners will be selected by JoAnne on September 4.
Writing True Crime
First you must pick an interesting crime. I specialize in homicides in my home state of Ohio. Routinely reading newspapers will help the writer find murder cases. Find a homicide that has numerous good elements that will hold one’s interest.
Next you must start the investigation of your chosen crime. To find my information, I read newspaper reports of the homicide. I searched court documents for witness reports, and courtroom testimony. I interviewed witnesses. Persons that either were present when the crime occurred, or had after the fact information. Try to locate the victim’s family members, and see if they want their side of the story told. If the case goes to trial, the Defense’s job is to discredit the victim. To portray the deceased as the “bad guy.” This type of mud slinging does not sit well with loved ones of the victim. Give them a chance to speak for the deceased. Anyone that was involved with the case, will have something of interest to report. Don’t forget to locate the reports of the arresting officers and the homicide detectives. Try to locate the coroners report, any eyewitness, or person’s who reported hearing an altercation or gunshots.
Keep abreast of updates, and read everything that was written about the case. Build a relationship with the law enforcement officials who are involved in the case. I personally live in a very small town, where most person’s know one another, and many have relatives or close friends that are involved with law enforcement. Attend the trial and speak to everyone you can about the criminal, the victim and prosecution and defense witness.
Last but not least, sit down and write. Now it is time to tell the story of the crime. Hopefully you will find most of the information you need in your copious notes–if not go back and get the answers you need. Never throw away any notes or information concerning the case. Not even after the trial is over with, and the story is written. Most convicted felons apply for numerous appeals, which take years to dissolve. Some cases never seem to end; The Crime of the Century was such a case. When the accused was found guilty and sent to prison, he and his attorneys, who always believed him innocent, continued fighting for his freedom. That blessed event came after the convicted spent five years on death row. He was cleared with DNA, but it still took nearly thirty years to find the true killers. If you want your true crime novel to be believable, you can’t fudge the facts.
Blurb for “The Crime of the Century” a shocking true story
The residents of Rolling Hills, a hamlet in southeastern Ohio, were horrified when the dismembered bodies of two missing teens were pulled from the local river. Multiply suspects surfaced, but only one was railroaded, Richard Allan Lloyd, a known nudist and hothead.
What began as an evening stroll turned into what found only in horror films, and dubbed ‘the crime of the century’. 18 year old Babette, a voluptuous beauty contestant and horsewoman, and her 19 year old boyfriend Shane Shoemaker, a jealous and possessive unemployed printer, were last seen crossing a trestle bridge. Within fourteen days, their mutilated torsos and severed heads and limbs were unearthed, suggesting satanic cult activity.
With an investigation smeared with contradicting statements, and a botched crime scene, investigators built a flimsy case against Richard Lloyd. The three-week trial was based on police corruption and ineptitude, fairytale theories, and forensic mishandling.
This heinous crime shattered the sense of security for Rolling Hills, destroyed two families, and forever scarred the town. This story is a detailed account of finding justice for Babette and Shane, and of one man’s perseverance to gain his freedom from death row.
EXCERPT: The Arrest
On September 29, 1983, months of investigative work, combined with the public’s doubts, fears, and beliefs that Richard Lloyd was a killer, paid off. What most in the county hoped for, finally came true.
Jethro said Richard was unaware of the conversations between him and the authorities. Through conversations, he believed Richard would “pin” the murders on him, to escape arrest. He wanted the killer caught and “put out” of society, even if that person were a loved one. Still he was not totally convinced of Richard’s guilt, but that “gut feeling,” was still there.
Police said what came next as no surprise. It happened on a cool autumn afternoon, as citizens busied themselves with the upcoming fall and winter festivities. While leaf-covered streets overflowed with gleeful residents and out-of-towners, two silent cruisers, lights out, descended upon the Lloyd farm.
The Newsome County Grand Jury, after two days of testimony, and 56 witnesses, handed down an indictment against Richard Allen Lloyd. The stepfather was now a murder suspect, for two counts of aggravated murder with mitigating circumstances.
What the grand jury heard was all the evidence that pointed to Richard Lloyd being the killer. They did not hear the information that conflicted with the investigators theory of accounts. According to some witnesses, the state went to great lengths to ensure only the evidence against the accused was heard.
Detective Eli, with the eager assistance of Sheriff Reynolds, finally arrested Richard for the murder of the teenagers. However, that would prove not to be the end of the story . . . only the beginning.
Author Bio:
I have been a long-time resident of southeastern Ohio, and worked in the blue-collar industry most of my life. Besides having several novels under my belt, I canvas paint.
When not busy with hobbies or working outside the home, I spend time with relatives, and volunteer my time within the community. I am a member of the International Women’s Writing Guild, Savvy Authors, Coffee Time Romance, Paranormal Romance Guild, True Romance Studios, National Writers Association, the Hocking Hill’s Arts and Craftsmen Association, The Hocking County Historical Society and Museum, and the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center. I believe in family values and following your dreams. My original canvas paintings, can be found at: booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com
Other books by JoAnne:
“TWISTED LOVE,” a true-crime anthology
“WICKED INTENTIONS” a paranormal/mystery anthology
“LOVES’, MYTHS’ AND MONSTERS’,” a fantasy anthology
“MURDER MOST FOUL” a detective/mystery
“POEMS ABOUT LIFE, LOVE, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN”
“FLAGITIOUS,” a crime/mystery anthology
Order your copy of “The Crime of the Century” by JoAnne Myers here http://www.blackrosewriting.com/non-fiction/the-crime-of-the-century-a-shocking-true-story
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-crime-of-the-century-joanne-myers/1118400773
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IFHT5K6/
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612963072/
Contact JoAnne:
Email: joannemyers@frontier.com
Amazon Author Page: http://amazon.com/author/joannemyers
Facebook Author Page: http://facebook.com/authorpage.joannemyers
MUTTonline: http://www.MUTTonline.com/JoAnnMyers
To view or purchase signed and framed unique and beautiful canvas art by JoAnne Myers click here: http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com
My Blogs:
Books and Paintings by JoAnne Blog: http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com/page2
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http://joannemyerswordpressblog.wordpress.com/
Jo Anne’s Postings: https://joannemyers.wordpress.com/
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Hi! I actually have my degree in criminal justice. I am a TV crime show addict and I love reading crime dramas/investigation stories. I find the process of solving a crime, fascinating.
I work for the department of children and families and been with them for 23 years. I have been a child protective investigator for the last 21 years. The night that I was transitioning from my ongoing unit to my new investigation unit, one of my co-workers, who was also an investigator, was shot and killed execution style after she left work that evening. The police questioned, her co-worker’s, her colleagues, her family, her friends, her clients, her neighbors and any possible witnesses that might have had any information on who, why, what and how. The police found nothing and the case went cold. We were told the case had nothing to do with her work.
There were no real leads, until 7 years later when the murderer, met a new woman on the internet and left his local love to move cross country, wiping out their bank accounts when he left. That prompted the local lady to contact the authorities to tell them what she knew. That was how they caught the guy. It turned out the my co-worker had testified in a custody hearing where he lost custody of his children. He was brought back east, tried, found guilty and is doing life without parole. I attended the trial and was able to be there when the verdict was read.
Wow! My father in law loves, loves, loves reading true crime. Mr I would get nightmares if I read much more than your post. But I’d love to win a copy for him.
Thank you!
True crime is great to read.
I have been a fan of true crime for many years, and I owe it all to my first true crime book. It was written by my favorite author of all time, Ann Rule. She recently passed away, and I cried. People were calling me and sending me emails to let me know that I had lost someone I adored and admired. ID channel even did a tribute to her, and showed all the crime case shows that she was on or had written about, even her first book on Ted Bundy. I have read every book she has ever written, and am now in the process of buying them. I miss her just talking about her.
Crime stories have always interested me. I think because I come from a police family. Thanks for the chance to win.
YOUR POST AND BOOK ON TRUE CRIME SOUNDS INTERESTING! THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY!