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Are you sleeping with the enemy?

Malaika Cohen, author of SHACKLES- Overcoming Domestic Abuse a Modern Day Taboo, shares her experience as a domestic abuse survivor and how you can help others in similar situations.
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Unsolved Murder: Mike Grair

On October 10, 2008, Michael Grair's body was found inside his white Cadillac Escalade behind a vacant commercial center he owned. The engine was still running. His murder has yet to be solved and his family is offering $100,000 for information leading to the arrest or conviction of the killer or killers.
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Ventura County Crime Library

Our newest feature Includes gang information, unsolved murders and high profile cases.
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The Parent Toolbox

Safety & Prevention Resources
Order your free Child Safety Kit, learn how to discuss bullying with your child and how to help prevent child abductions.

Among the resources include how to deal with internet safety and cyberbullying, and how to empower your child so they will be prepared when dealing with dangerous situations.
>Read the full story

Davina & Brock Husted

Unsolved Murder
On May 20, 2009, an intruder wearing a dark jumpsuit and a motorcycle helmet, entered the home of Davina & Brock Husted. After a brief confrontation, the suspect murdered both the husband and pregnant wife while the children were at home.

The case has not been solved and has yet to be determined if it was targeted or random.
>Read the full story

Employment Opportunities

Jobs & Careers
The City of Ventura is currently hiring to fill temporary jobs ranging from $8.23 to $40 an hour. This includes after school programs, sports official, and driving positions.

The City of Oxnard also has employment opportunities, but don't delay, as some have deadlines. Listings include application instructions.
March 9, 2009 : Read the full story

Oxnard PD's Guide to Twitter

Social Media Guide
We compiled a list of Oxnard PD's twitter feeds, according to beat sections.

We encourage you to add the appropriate account and get to know your beat officers.
May 2, 2009 : Read the full story
Persons appearing in our blog may not have not been convicted of the charges for which they are accused and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Charlene & Lyman Smith

Reporter: Ellen Rodriguez 0 Responses
May 31, 2009
Last updated June 2, 2009 4:22 a.m. PST

If you have information on this case, please contact the Ventura Police Department at (805) 339-4400, or the Orange County Sheriff's Department at (714) 834-2583, or if you wish to remain anonymous, contact Ventura County Crime Stoppers, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Summary

On March 13, 1980, Charlene Smith, 33, and Lyman Smith, 43, were found murdered in their home in Ventura by their 12 year old son, Gary Smith.

They were bludgeoned to death by a log from the fireplace. Their wrists and ankles were bound with drapery cord and an unusual Chinese knot was used on their wrists.

In 2001, California law enforcement linked DNA evidence from the Original Night Stalker's crimes to DNA found from victims of an unidentified serial rapist dubbed the East Area Rapist in Northern California.

After 50 women were raped in the Sacramento area during the 1970's, citizens held a town meeting to discuss the East Area Rapist.  One particular incident that was discussed was the rape of a woman, whose boyfriend had dishes on his stomach put on by the rapist.  He was told that if he moved, the rattling of the dishes would alert him.

A man at the meeting stood up and insulted the male victims who allowed their women to be raped while trying to balance dishes on their stomach.

A few weeks later, this man's wife was raped while dishes were placed on his stomach.

Police now believe that the rapist was in attendance, although he has never been identified or apprehended.

Other victims linked by DNA include:

Keith Harrington, 24, and Patrice Harrington, 27, (PDF) were found bludgeoned to death in their home in the Niguel Shores gated community in Dana Point. Murdered August 19, 1980.

Manuela Witthuhn, 28, was murdered in her home in Irvine. Murdered February 5, 1981.

Janelle Lisa Cruz, 18, was found bludgeoned to death in her Irvine home. Murdered May 4, 1986.

Suspect Profile
via Colleen Cason, Ventura County Star

Based on victims' descriptions of the East Area Rapist, the suspect who killed Lyman and Charlene Smith might have shown these characteristics in 1980:
  1. A white male in his 20s or early 30s.
  2. Medium height, husky build with a muscular upper body.
  3. A tattoo of a bull on either forearm.
  4. Blond or light brown hair.
  5. A high-pitched voice.
  6. Seemed middle class in his manners.
  7. Jogged with a white German shepherd.
  8. Drove a white '70s Pontiac.
  9. Mentioned he once lived in Sacramento, Davis, Contra Costa County or Goleta.
  10. Preferred bondage or sadomasochistic sexual practices.
  11. Showed proficiency in tying ornate knots.
  12. Gave gifts of jewelry.
  13. Showed unusual interest in the Smith murder investigation.
  14. Inexplicably was absent in the late hours of the night.
  15. Showed contempt for authority, tendency to blame others.


Suspect Information & Modus Operandi
Prepared by: Special Agent Leslie D'Ambrosia, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Miami Sergeant John Yarbrough, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Homicide Bureau.
(includes photos & newspaper clippings)
>Suspect Profile and MO
Includes a voice recording of the suspect

News Coverage
>Attorney , Wife Beaten to Death in Ventura Home (3/17/1980) The Press-Courier Archives
>Double Slaying Motive Sought (3/20/1980) The Press-Courier Archives
>DNA Test Link Slayings in 3 Counties (10/3/00)

Charlene & Lyman Smith mini-series by Colleen Cason
>Chapter 1: Between the sea and the stars (11/3/02)
>Chapter 2: The two Charlenes (11/4/02)
>Chapter 3: Terrible memories (11/5/02)
>Chapter 4: 'Welcome to homicide' (11/6/02)
>Chapter 5: The stuff of black binders (11/7/02)
>Chapter 6: The partner (11/08/02)
>Chapter 7: The boyfriend (11/09/02)
>Chapter 8: 'Those things that abideth' (11/10/02)
>Chapter 9: The biggest bull shippers (11/11/02)
>Chapter 10: Everyone has a theory (11/12/02)
>Chapter 11: This is so 'Dragnet' (11/13/02)
>Chapter 12: Better than any other mall (11/14/02)
>Chapter 13: 'Between this man and his God' (11/15/02)
>Chapter 14: One day in May (11/16/02)
>Chapter 15: The big, bad Wolfe (11/17/02)
>Chapter 16: The waivers (11/18/02)
>Chapter 17: The cul-de-sac killer (11/19/02)
>Chapter 18: Street Justice (11/20/02)
>Chapter 19: The odd couple (11/21/02)
>Chapter 20: The People vs. Alsip (11/22/02)
>Chapter 21: The accused takes the stand (11/23/02)
>Chapter 22: The quiet man (11/24/02)
>Chapter 23: The dead zone (11/25/02)
>Chapter 24: The missing link (11/26/02)
>Chapter 25: The Dragon's Lair (11/27/02)
>Chapter 26: Waiting for a phone call (11/28/02)
>Tech-savvy sleuths continue quest for Original Night Stalker (5/3/09)

Witnesses, Investigators & Suspects in the Case
>Who's Who in the Smith Murder Case (11/12/02)
>Where are they now? Updates on suspects, investigators and witnesses involved (11/28/02)

Photo Galleries
>Photo of Charlene & Lyman Smith's home on High Point Drive in Ventura

Related Posts
>Unsolved Murders of Ventura County
>Ventura County Crime Library

If you have links or information that you would like to be added to this entry, please email us at:
CrimeEditor@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com





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Socorro "Cora" Caro

Reporter: Ellen Rodriguez 0 Responses
Summary:

On November 22, 1999, Socorro "Cora" Caro shot 3 of her 4 sons: Xavier Jr., 11, Michael, 8, and Christopher, 5, in the head at point-blank range after an argument with her husband, Dr. Xavier Caro. Her fourth son remained unharmed. She then shot herself in the head but survived. 

During the trial, the blame was shifted to the husband, but forensics showed it was Socorro Caro who killed her children.

She was found guilty and currently sits on death row.

Coverage-Ventura County Star

3 children slain in beds (11/24/99)
TRAGEDY: Father finds wife injured, three young sons shot to death, but infant is unharmed

Mother not talking in child killings (11/25/99)
Authorities won't say whether she shot herself in head

Police say they plan to make arrest soon in boys' slaying (11/27/99)
INVESTIGATION CONTINUES: Mother remains in hospital; funeral plans made.

Mother arrested in slayings (12/1/99)
ONLY SUSPECT: Sheriff's officials cancel news conference, are silent about possible evidence

Mother of slain children in court (12/18/99)
ARRAIGNMENT POSTPONED: A distraught Socorro 'Cora' Caro appears to answer charges; attorney shields her.

Judge unseals Caro affidavits (12/21/99)
TRIPLE SLAYING: Documents provide glimpse of crime scene, couple's problems.

Mother must stand trial in children's deaths (3/23/00)
SOCORRO CARO: Testimony at preliminary hearing describes failing marriage.

Woman accused of killing sons pleads insanity (7/20/00)
SOCORRO CARO: Judge assigns psychiatric experts to look for signs of mental illness

DA calls for death penalty for Caro (1/12/01)
MURDER CASE: Public defender for woman who allegedly killed three sons 'profoundly disappointed.'

Video may cast Caro killings in new light (5/27/01)
MOTHER ACCUSED: Re-enactment tape of boys' deaths blurs lines, defense claims.

Mom's trial in kids' slaying to start (7/16/01)
Defense may try to show Cora Caro's husband is killer

Trial Coverage-Ventura County Star

Day 1: Cora Caro murder trial opens (8/23/01)
Attorneys give widely different tales of slayings of three boys

Day 5: Cora Caro collapses during break in trial; jury absent (8/29/01)
VENTURA: Deputies, firefighters describe what they found when they arrived at home.

Day 8: Xavier Caro describes finding his boys dead (9/1/01)
HORROR SCENE: In second day, husband of accused mother testifies against her.

Day 13: Friend testifies Cora Caro talked of suicide (9/11/2001)
Co-worker calls her 'good, loving mother'

Day 14: FBI expert says bloody palm prints Cora Caro's (9/12/01)
Expert testifies defendant left marks on door frame near child's bedroom

Day 33: Caro takes stand in own defense at murder trial (10/11/01)
GROUNDWORK: Defendant to resume testifying today; move exposes her to cross-examination.

Aftermath
Mom sentenced for slaying sons (4/6/02)

Other
Women who kill their children
Women currently on death row for killing their children

Related Posts
>Unsolved Murders of Ventura County
>Ventura County Crime Library




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