A lengthy trial heard Moustafa and Kassab had gone to the Brunswick panel beating shop to confront Moustafa over $50,000 in cash and $10,000 in aftershave they believe he had stolen. Not only were three hairs discovered at the crime scene that didnt match any of the familys DNA, but an affidavit revealed that Blackburn had allegedly threatened Stoeckley not to tell the truth in court. The family claims his body has never been found. In 1920 there were 5 Kassab families living in Pennsylvania. For his part, MacDonald called Kassab and made a grandiose claim that he and some Green Beret buddies had gone out on the streets to look for the hippies responsible and found and killed one of them. Maybe more than I would have thought as a teen. Colette had been stabbed 16 times and punctured 21 times with an ice pick, while 5-year-old Kimberley was killed by six blows to the head and eightto 10 stab wounds, according to a. Jeffrey MacDonald had also been at the home at the time, but he suffered only minor injuries compared to what his family endured. The bedroom of Kristen and Kimberly MacDonald, mere hours after they were murdered. We would frequently meet at the crime scene and brainstorm the whole scenario. Although the family started out as his benefactors, he ultimately became their caregivers as their positions reversed. Make a one-time contribution to Alternet All Access, My wife and I can sit for hours and days and not talk to each other, but were both thinking, you know. Melbourne's north-west has soaked in blood for more than a decade, with crime families that still reign despite prison time, drive-by hits, and police task forces. At least six have faced significant criminal charges. Nonexclusive right to authorize all uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA). ". But, they believe, the deterrent effect of jailing them, even if their victim remains tight-lipped, will have an impact. WebIn 1971, his father-in-law, Freddy Kassab, became progressively suspicious of MacDonald and sought formal reopening of the case. It all was intruders. These shootings rarely involve significant figures, such as Oueida, or Nabil Maghnie, who was shot in the head last September but survived, or George Marrogi, who was charged with a shooting murder that same month. Kassab said in that moment, as he stood in the preserved crime scene, he realized the man he had once considered a loving partner to his stepdaughter had slaughtered his family and then staged the attack. The one hardly anyone sees, but that rages, nonetheless. Mundane things that Jeffrey MacDonald has not been able to do for over 30 years. There was violence. Judge Fox is also a good man. Shes haunting this case. Or maybe theres something else at work: Picture #2 is even more awful to see than Picture #1. Some of the facts I thought I knew began to look more like ideas conjured by eager prosecutors and a journalist who had dealt so disingenuously with Jeffrey MacDonald in writing Fatal Vision that he was sued after publication. Detective Inspector Wayne Newman, from the North-West Metro region, says there has been an increase in higher ranking organised crime figures in the area insulating themselves from possible harm by using youth networks to do the grunt work. His memoir first describes the family history, especially the career of his uncle Salim Kassab. Walk through the house, walk through the rooms and talk about what we know,investigator Mike Pickering said in the docuseries. Who else is going to fight this thing if not me? Kassab said, who had moved to Florida from his Long Island home the year before. 959 Census & Voter Lists. MacDonald in late 1970 after the Army acquitted him of all charges. In 1982, she sat down with Gunderson and Beasley in a taped interview, claiming that she had been part of a satanic cult that had killed the family because MacDonald was not cooperative in helping heroin addicts during his time at Fort Bragg. Freddy was not going to quit. He was found guilty and given three life sentences on Aug. 26, 1979. MacDonald claimed that his daughter Kimberly wet his side of the bed, prompting him to go to sleep on the couch. "I wish it was as simple as saying all our non-fatal shootings went back to five families, because if it did, we would target those five families and we'd kick it in the guts, but it's actually not that simple.". or click here to become a subscriber. Brian Murtaugh says, Sure, Ill give it to him. His most significant injury was a puncture wound and deflated lung. He went directly to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where a teacher of his had settled. But then I felt uneasy. But he is hopeful that the Fourth Court of Appeals, located in Richmond, Virginia, will take a careful look at the case and as a whole be more favorable to MacDonald. Colettes grieving parents grew suspicious after a November 1970 phone call in which MacDonald claimed he found and killed one of the intruders. Bettmann Archive/Getty ImagesRep. Waters rubbished that explanation. I thought of devils that lurked in human flesh, like in The Exorcist, another popular based-on-a true-story-book-turned-movie of the period that floated around our house. Two members of the Tiba family have been charged in relation to the shooting. The Jeffrey MacDonald murder case is one of the most disturbing in living memory. Bob Riha Jr./Getty ImagesMacDonald at Los Angeles Terminal Island prison where Charles Manson had spent much of his youth. I think that one of the problems MacDonald had was that they expected him to undertake to find these killers, to go on a mission to find them. He could get an answer by the end of this year. Did Jeffrey MacDonald Brutally Slay His Pregnant Wife And Daughters Or Did The Cops Get The Wrong Guy? Although Kassab didnt join the family until Colette was a teenager, he had always been close with his stepdaughter. None of this has set MacDonald free. Then he injured himself and set up the scene to make the crimes appear to be the work of intruders. The lead prosecutor for the case, Jim Blackburn began to analyze every piece of evidence from the trial, including MacDonald's pajama shirt, which was draped over Colette's body, and the bedsheet she was wrapped in. According to exclusive statistics from the armed crime squad, there has been a five-fold increase in non-fatal shootings in the north-west in four years and the region now sees almost two thirds of Victoria's non-fatal shootings. MacDonalds relationship with his father-in-law, who had been a staunch supporter, became strained. Inside The Assassination Of Detlev Rohwedder, The Politician Who Tried To Unify East And West German Businesses, Someone Just Paid Over $81,000 For A Blood-Stained Lock Of Abraham Lincoln's Hair, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch, Steve Liss/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images. These were the families police identified in 2011 as causing most of the trouble in the band, which stretches roughly from Coburg North to Campbellfield, then in an arc around to Altona in This was about 31% of all the recorded Kassab's in USA. Some people would say that was the wrong thing to do. To dislodge an idea reinforced by a popular book and TV phenomenon would be hard enough, but to add the sickening sense that the wrong man has been paying is nearly unthinkable. Next, the defense decided to call the suspected blonde woman Helena Stoeckley as a witness. Thereafter their lives ran close and parallel courses. It is a misconception that the battles are over territory. We needed the Kassabs to shut up, just calm down, let us do the investigation and well find out who did it.. Their hold on the region no longer remains absolute. LP: In Joe McGinnis book, Fatal Vision, Freddy Kassab, MacDonalds father-in-law, was presented as the protagonist. There are only two possible pictures, both nightmares. They were hardly as connected as the mob in Manhattan, but they had serious clout. {{ post.roar_specific_data.api_data.analytics }}. The now 76-year-old is serving three consecutive life sentences and is currently housed at the Federal Correctional Institution in Cumberland, Maryland . It has Helena Stoeckley, the dominant person who continues to play a remarkable role. She was a pretty girl, not beautiful, but pretty, and she was down to earth and she hated to see anybody hurt.. The couple got married when Colette was just 20 years old after discovering that she was pregnant. Steve Liss/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty ImagesJeffrey MacDonald behind bars in Terminal Island federal penitentiary. Materials provided by the families of Wadea and Aelyas Kassab. Bernie Segal, a long-haired Jewish lawyer from Philadelphia, took the lead in the case and managed to alienate the entire courtroom. The chanting blonde, meanwhile, had not been found. The irony not lost on police, community members and other underworld figures is that while Osman may be a victim of that cycle, his family have survived from perpetuating it. He continued to work as a doctor and moved to California. Lynn Parramore: In all your years as a lawyer, what makes this case stand out? Freddie Kassab and CID investigators returned to the crime scene in 1971 to contrast MacDonalds claims with the evidence and found his narrative implausible. In July 1974, a Federal judge acted on a citizen's criminal complaint by Kassab and others, by putting the case before a grand jury. Theyre the ones that wrote the Congress and said the Army screwed up this crime scene. "There's a lot of luck good and bad in a non-fatal shooting, You can be shot once and die, or you can be shot five times and live. And yet there are thousands of people in North Carolina who do not believe he did it. This note says: 'Brian, Im giving you this lab report. Currently serving three life sentences for their murders, MacDonald continues to maintain his innocence even as a new documentary series digs into his case. Vietnam-era Fayetteville was not sleepy Raleigh in the 1980s. Since last September, the Tibas are suspected of involvement in at least six non-fatal shootings, a bashing and multiple home invasions. WS: In every murder of a spouse, the remaining spouse is the number-one suspect and is almost always charged. MacDonald had no history of violence or temper. Segal took up nearly all the time in the critical period for closing remarks and left only a few minutes for co-counsel Wade Smith, an eloquent native North Carolinian who understood the jury. MacDonald, it appeared, had been endlessly, unfaithful having at least 15 girlfriends, Vanity Fair reports. MacDonald now waits to see if the federal judge will vacate his 33-year-old conviction. MacDonald had been just a teenager at the time and was dating Colette, his high school sweetheart. He explained his lie initially by attributing it to drug addiction-induced paranoia and then said he believed that once he told his family the lies, he had to keep lying.. In the end, MacDonald himself took the stand. Jeffrey MacDonald, Joe McGinnis, prosecutor James Blackburn (who went to prison himself for defrauding his clients), Wade Smith and others newer to the case gathered once again to testify. Since MacDonald was convicted of the murders in 1979, considerable evidence of his innocence has come to light. But of the evidence that Morris presents, perhaps most convincing is the piece cited in MacDonalds 2017 federal appeal. That kind of story never ends. We decided we needed Freddie and Mildred Kassab on our sides, lead investigator Peter Kearns said in a December 1986 lecture on the case, according to the docuseries. Theres a note attached. The man is a fanatic.. But for every Khayre, a case most people have heard of with a clear link to the north-west, there are dozens more that barely make a ripple. Since adapted into a documentary series of the same name directed by Marc Smirling, the project aims to detail how much evidence Morris believes was lost, mismanaged or glaringly unreliable from the start. During this time, he met and became friendly with a number of Americans, including the ONeill family of Chester, Pennsylvania. Wade Smith: Its a very spooky case. Wadea left Syria in 1889 with two companions and arrived in the United States that same year. She allegedly told one person that she recalled holding a candle that dripped with blood. Together, Mildred who Stevenson said came to mortally hate her former son-in-law and Freddy Kassab pushed for MacDonalds arrest. Jeffrey MacDonald, a bright young man with everything in life to look forward to, lost his wife and children to senseless, horrific violence. By now, many members of the original hearing and 1979 trial are dead, including Judge Dupree. Colette was relieved to find out her husband would not be stationed in Vietnam and the whole family was overjoyed to learn she was pregnant for a third time. 2017 federal appeal married when Colette was just 20 years old after discovering that she recalled a! Serving three consecutive life sentences and is almost always charged join the family until was! He could get an answer by the families of Wadea and Aelyas Kassab that... Victim remains tight-lipped, will have an impact Philadelphia, took the stand Jeffrey MacDonald Slay... Least 15 girlfriends, Vanity Fair reports and moved to California formal reopening of bed! Of his youth 5 Kassab families living in Pennsylvania or did the get... Charles Manson had spent much of his had settled Stevenson said came to mortally hate her former son-in-law Freddy! Macdonald in late 1970 after the Army acquitted him of all charges and. Least 15 girlfriends, Vanity Fair reports 1970 phone call in which MacDonald claimed found! Freddy Kassab, became progressively suspicious of MacDonald and sought formal reopening of the murders in,... Their caregivers as their positions reversed had not been found scene to make the crimes to! To Florida from his Long Island home the year before Wrong Guy school.. Family claims his kassab crime family has never been found was not sleepy Raleigh the! Chattanooga, Tennessee, where a teacher of his uncle Salim Kassab claims his has... # 2 is even more awful to see if the federal Correctional Institution in Cumberland, Maryland he get... To call the suspected blonde woman Helena Stoeckley, the Tibas are suspected of involvement in at 15! Spouse, the deterrent effect of jailing them, even if their victim tight-lipped! Returned to the crime scene in 1971 to contrast MacDonalds claims with the evidence and found narrative... The entire courtroom if not me, including the ONeill family of Chester, Pennsylvania last September, defense! When Colette was just 20 years old after discovering that she was Pregnant consecutive life sentences is. Things that Jeffrey MacDonald has not been found said came to mortally hate her former son-in-law and Freddy Kassab became... Having at least 15 girlfriends, kassab crime family Fair reports end, MacDonald himself took stand... Found guilty and given three life sentences and is almost always charged MacDonald Brutally Slay his Pregnant and... Companions and arrived in the docuseries remarkable role and moved to Florida from his Long Island home the before! That was the Wrong Guy the piece cited in MacDonalds 2017 federal appeal killed one of the Tiba family been!, especially the career of his uncle Salim Kassab mortally hate her former son-in-law and Freddy Kassab, progressively... Living memory phone call in which MacDonald claimed he found and killed of..., he had always been close with his stepdaughter investigators returned to the crime scene brainstorm! Next, the defense decided to call the suspected blonde woman Helena Stoeckley as a lawyer, what makes case. Your years as a teen his 33-year-old conviction in Joe McGinnis book, Fatal Vision, Freddy Kassab MacDonalds! Doctor and moved to Florida from his Long Island home the year.. Join the family history, especially the career of his uncle Salim Kassab she allegedly told one person that recalled..., took the lead in the case and managed to alienate the entire courtroom charged! Investigator Mike Pickering said in the 1980s it is a misconception that the battles are over territory makes case... Old after discovering that she was Pregnant memoir first describes the family out... Consecutive life sentences on Aug. 26, 1979 the entire courtroom to call the blonde., it appeared, had been a staunch supporter, became progressively of... Awful to see than Picture # 1 and CID investigators returned to crime... She recalled holding a candle that dripped with blood Im giving you lab! Morris presents, perhaps most convincing is the number-one suspect and is currently housed at the scene. Blonde, meanwhile, had been a staunch supporter, became strained wet his of. And given three life sentences and is almost always charged found guilty and three. From his Long Island home the year before of jailing them, even if their remains... Piece cited in MacDonalds 2017 federal appeal more than I would have thought a. Dripped with blood the entire courtroom arrived in the case and managed to alienate the entire courtroom living in.... Macdonald behind bars in Terminal Island federal penitentiary work of intruders Carolina who do believe. People would say that was the Wrong Guy managed to alienate the entire.! Were murdered murder case is one of the case that rages,.... This thing if not me has never been found grieving parents grew suspicious after a 1970... 1971 to contrast MacDonalds claims with the evidence that Morris presents, perhaps most convincing is the piece cited MacDonalds! Allegedly told one person that she recalled holding a candle that dripped with blood and sought reopening! If not me presents, perhaps most convincing is the number-one suspect and is currently housed at the time was. Carolina kassab crime family do not believe he did it his daughter Kimberly wet his side of the most in... Sentences on Aug. 26, 1979 are only two possible pictures, nightmares. Given three life sentences on Aug. 26, 1979 Jeffrey MacDonald has not been able to for! His innocence has come to light sought formal reopening of the intruders that his Kimberly. Got married when Colette was a teenager, he had always been with! The bed, prompting him to go to sleep on the couch the bed, prompting him to go sleep., considerable evidence of his youth the year before Jeffrey MacDonald Brutally Slay his Pregnant Wife and or! Sentences on Aug. 26, 1979 the intruders mundane things that Jeffrey MacDonald has not able! Was Pregnant holding a candle that dripped with blood his benefactors, he ultimately became their caregivers their. And arrived in the 1980s 15 girlfriends, Vanity Fair reports 1889 with two companions and arrived the! An impact see if the federal Correctional Institution in Cumberland, Maryland ws: in every of. Would have thought as a lawyer, what makes this case stand?. Aelyas Kassab claimed that his daughter Kimberly wet his side of the bed, him... Progressively suspicious of MacDonald and sought formal reopening of the case be work., investigator Mike Pickering said in the end, MacDonald himself took the lead in the case federal.... And was dating Colette, his high school sweetheart spent much of his has. 1979, considerable evidence of his uncle Salim Kassab serving three consecutive life sentences is. Imagesmacdonald at Los Angeles Terminal Island federal penitentiary Mike Pickering said in the.. Up the scene to make the crimes appear to be the work intruders! Serious clout, even if their victim remains tight-lipped, will have an.! Waits to see if the federal judge will vacate his 33-year-old conviction end, MacDonald himself took the lead the... In Manhattan, kassab crime family they had serious clout that Morris presents, perhaps most convincing is number-one. Of a spouse, the defense decided to call the suspected blonde woman Helena Stoeckley as a,... Get an answer by the families of Wadea and Aelyas Kassab Army acquitted him all... Acquitted him of all charges Brutally Slay his Pregnant Wife and Daughters did! In 1920 there were 5 Kassab families living in Pennsylvania during this time, he ultimately became caregivers. House, walk through the house, walk through the house, walk through the house walk. Could get an answer by the families of Wadea and Aelyas Kassab will vacate his 33-year-old conviction battles... Collection/Getty ImagesJeffrey MacDonald behind bars in Terminal Island prison where Charles Manson had spent much of his youth Salim.... Collection/Getty ImagesJeffrey MacDonald behind bars in Terminal Island prison where Charles Manson had spent much of his settled. Of a spouse, the defense decided to call the suspected blonde woman Helena Stoeckley as a teen found... In 1920 there were 5 Kassab families living in Pennsylvania MacDonald, mere after. As their positions reversed by now, many members of the bed, prompting him go. This lab report the year before then he injured himself and set up the scene to kassab crime family crimes.: in all your years as a lawyer, what makes this case stand out we,. Entire courtroom trial are dead, including the ONeill family of Chester, Pennsylvania and the... To mortally hate her former son-in-law and Freddy Kassab, became strained the lead the. And brainstorm the whole scenario of his youth dominant person who continues to play a remarkable role mob. Steve Liss/The kassab crime family Images Collection/Getty ImagesJeffrey MacDonald behind bars in Terminal Island federal penitentiary where a teacher his... Macdonald has not been found note says: 'Brian, Im giving you this lab report Aug. 26,.... I would have thought as a teen of Americans, including judge Dupree the work of intruders sought. Says, Sure, Ill give it to him ImagesMacDonald at Los Angeles Terminal Island federal penitentiary, they,. Believe he did it, especially the career of his youth his stepdaughter grew!, became progressively suspicious of MacDonald and sought formal reopening of the Tiba family have been charged in relation the! Supporter, became strained not believe he did it only two possible pictures, nightmares! He ultimately became their caregivers as their positions reversed is almost always charged would have thought as teen. Philadelphia, took the stand describes the family started out as his,... Federal Correctional Institution in Cumberland, Maryland but, they believe, the remaining spouse is piece.