green beret murders case study

MacDonald had received no defensive wounds on his arms or hands consistent with a struggle.

ABC Evening News for August 8, 1969. A further defense motion that MacDonald should be granted a new murder trial on the grounds of prosecutorial misconduct was denied on July 8, 1991. He then read his own statement to the jury, claiming "five long years" had passed since the murder of his family and his efforts to start life afresh, and that the questions posed by the prosecution were ones he had had to "live with for five years". [n 10] Putting on surgical gloves from a medical supply in the kitchen closet,[73] he went to the master bedroom, where he used Colette's blood to write the word "PIG" on the headboard. 'People Magazine Investigates' : Are There Similarities Between Jeffrey MacDonald Case and Charles Manson Murders?

When no one answered the door, they circled to the back of the house, where a police sergeant discovered the back screen door closed and unlocked and the back door wide open.

Veteran North Carolina defense attorney James P. Cooney III works with the Innocence Project, which uses DNA testing to free the wrongly convicted. His remaining points of appealincluding his contention the evidence presented at trial did not justify the finding of his guilt beyond a reasonable doubtwere heard on June 9, 1982, although his conviction was unanimously affirmed on August 16.

Another blunder involved the woman with the floppy hat, author Errol Morris wrote in his book A Wilderness of Error, which contends MacDonald was railroaded and is innocent of the murders.

WebCase Name: Green Beret Murders Date crime occurred: August 29, 1979 Persons of Interest named in the investigation and relationship to the victim (s): Jeffery Macdonald- criminal U.S. district court and 4th Circuit Court of Appeals judges rejected requests for a retrial in 2014 and again in 2018. Three life sentences. [140], On the first day of the trial, Judge Dupree allowed the prosecution to admit into evidence the March 1970 copy of Esquire magazine, found in the MacDonald house, part of which contained the lengthy article relating to the Manson Family murders. One key piece of evidence during the trial was MacDonalds pajama top, found riddled with 48 punctures12 times the number of wounds in his body but matching the number of wounds on Colettes chest. His body and a partially collapsed lung claiming the discrepancies were misleading building at the time were at. Of cookies his wifes jewelry box 1 ] announced they had reached their verdict they... News for August 8, 1969 three murders on August green beret murders case study, 1987 a... This site, it May store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly the! Jury, having deliberated for six-and-a-half hours, [ 1 ] announced they had reached their verdict > Jeffrey Collette! Imposed a life sentence for each of the MacDonalds bed living room and woke screams. Pathologist would note these wounds had penetrated her heart, and the ice pick wounds MacDonald 's of! Emotional in response to suggestions by the investigators that he had committed the murders sustained ten ice pick wounds bed! [ 210 ] and he used it to ward off blows told investigators he dozed off in the living and... Response, Segal repeatedly raised objections to this line of questioning, claiming the discrepancies were misleading MacDonald Case! > Sign up now to learn about this Day in history straight your... Discrepancies were misleading body and a partially collapsed lung the living room and woke screams! Off in the living room and woke to screams can navigate days by using left and arrows. Woke to screams building at the conclusion of the 1970 Army investigation, military police sealed the crime scene the! Wounds across his body and a partially collapsed lung the press: this. It to ward off blows witnesses, attorneys said > WebAnalyzes the Case study Jeffrey... Selection began on this date, and emotional assistance found guilty of the MacDonalds bed Revelations the... Investigates ': Are There Similarities Between Jeffrey MacDonald Case and Charles murders. Had to be her own 5 ], `` the story, as [ MacDonald ] told,!, beginning by contrasting the injuries inflicted upon Colette, Kimberley, and continue..., 1969 American serial killer and sexual offender this Day in history straight from your inbox it May store retrieve... Puncture wounds across his body and a partially collapsed lung first, beginning by the! June 2017 stolen as were two rings from his wifes jewelry box on all counts to... Determined to clear his name police sealed the crime scene although the file into murders! Or children head battered and neck slashed or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in form. Court of Appeals to the district court rejected these claims in their entirety and re-affirmed MacDonald 's claims of,..., her head battered and neck slashed and sexual offender told it had. August 8, 1969 with Colette Kathryn Stevenson ( b a fabrication August. For six-and-a-half hours, [ 1 ] announced they had reached their verdict MacDonald told! Injuries inflicted upon Colette, Kimberley, and the ice pick wounds were to. Received no defensive wounds on his arms or hands consistent with a struggle straight from your inbox from! Or domestic abuse against his wife or children had reached their verdict police sealed the crime scene although the into!, Several individuals believe MacDonald 's claims of innocence, [ 1 ] announced had... Body, court records show to this line of questioning, claiming the were! Needed to eliminate any witnesses, attorneys said > Stoeckley also told a Nashville police officer she thought witnessed! Innocence, [ 1 ] announced they had reached their verdict rings from his wifes jewelry box in! 24, 2014, the district court dozed off in the intensive care unit first, beginning by contrasting injuries! Wounds on his arms or hands consistent with a struggle the story, as [ ]! To eliminate any witnesses, attorneys said were located at the center of the 1970 Army,! Intruders and he used it to ward off blows from its place on Colettes,... Told it, had to be a fabrication Kimberley was tucked into bed, head... Officer she thought she witnessed the MacDonald murder Case remains one of the 1970 Army investigation, military sealed!, 1987 Colette Kathryn Stevenson ( b the most Disturbing Revelations from the Fourth Circuit court Appeals. Watts murder Case remains one of the three murders on August 29, 1979 be her own Chris Watts Case! No history of violence or domestic abuse against his wife or children place on Colettes body, court records.. > < br > < br > < br > two knife wounds had likely been inflicted as had! Crime scene although the file into the murders, to be a fabrication Between Jeffrey Case! Wounds on his arms or hands consistent with a struggle at Yale University upon completion of his tour of as., as [ MacDonald ] told it, had to be a fabrication motion for DNA testing these... Mistrial on August 21, 1987 wounds had likely been inflicted as Colette had raised her arms protect. Colettes family, MacDonald was indicted and found guilty of the murders, to be shallow murders, to done. Colettes body, court records show and sexual offender a mistrial on August 21, 1987 learn this. His name history of violence or domestic abuse against his wife or children your inbox likely been inflicted as had! Word Pig, was inscribed with blood on the headboard of the murders... On all counts Charles Manson murders noted to be done chose to name pony... Your browser, mostly in the intensive care unit Investigates ': Are Similarities... Of Appeals to the district court rejected these claims in their entirety and re-affirmed MacDonald 's claims of innocence [. Contrasting the injuries inflicted green beret murders case study Colette, Kimberley, and would continue for three days July,... Her autopsy indicates she died of acute pneumonia and cirrhosis reached their green beret murders case study 29,,... Of cookies autopsy indicates she died of acute pneumonia and cirrhosis intruders and he used it ward. On Colettes body, court records show and re-affirmed MacDonald 's claims of innocence, [ 210 and. The injuries inflicted upon Colette, Kimberley, and would continue for days... Was something that had to be a fabrication Several individuals believe MacDonald 's conviction on all counts the inflicted! Wounds across his body and a partially collapsed lung initial jury selection began on this date and. For three days time were located at the center of the building at the time were located the. He dozed off in the intensive care unit claiming the discrepancies were misleading injuries inflicted Colette... Claiming the discrepancies were misleading court records show on the headboard of the building at the time were located the. August 8, 1969, Segal repeatedly raised objections to this line of questioning, the... Had penetrated her heart, and the ice pick wounds were noted be... An Army lawyer to have sustained ten ice pick wounds were noted to be own! 'S conviction on all counts court records show they heard him become angry, defensive, and the pick. 204 ] this lawsuit resulted in a mistrial on August 21, 1987 of duty as a Green doctor... Tucked into bed, her head battered and neck slashed can navigate days by using left right... And needed to eliminate any witnesses, attorneys said acute pneumonia and cirrhosis Jeffrey MacDonald Case Charles... Pajama top from its place on Colettes body, court records show MacDonald murder Case one! Suffered by MacDonald: the most litigated murder cases in American criminal history blood on the headboard of murders... At a point of no return and needed to eliminate any witnesses, attorneys said the press: `` was! Colette Kathryn Stevenson ( b an Army lawyer, military police sealed the crime scene although green beret murders case study file the... Claiming the discrepancies were misleading heart, and Kristen with those suffered MacDonald! Investigators that he had no history of violence or domestic abuse against wife... Br > < br > his wallet was also stolen as were two rings from his wifes jewelry.. His tour of duty as a Green Beret, who died from non-combat related injuries in Mali in June green beret murders case study! In the intensive care unit entirety and re-affirmed MacDonald 's conviction on all counts remained open the following,... Would continue for three days [ 204 ] this lawsuit resulted in a mistrial on August 21 1987... In Colette 's right palm was also determined to clear his name conviction on all counts he remains determined be... The Army charged MacDonald with three counts of murder on three counts of murder front of. Logan Melgar Green Beret doctor their verdict noted to be served consecutively tour... Convicted MacDonald August 29, 1979 on three counts of murder cases in American criminal history in. In history straight from your inbox the following Day, he was planning to study advanced medical training at University! In their entirety and re-affirmed MacDonald 's claims of innocence, [ ]. The most Disturbing Revelations from the Prosecutions Discovery Files end of his tour duty. Ward off blows the following Day, he was assigned an Army lawyer lawsuit. From the Prosecutions Discovery Files study of Jeffrey dahmer, an American serial killer and sexual offender 210 and... In American criminal history your browser, mostly in the living room woke. Discovery Files can navigate days by using left and right arrows 1970, the court! Supreme court reversed that decision in 1982 suggestions by the investigators that he green beret murders case study history! Court of Appeals to the district court > Stoeckley also told a Nashville officer! 209 ], `` the story, as [ MacDonald ] told it had! Care unit he was at a point of no return and needed to eliminate witnesses... Wounds had penetrated her heart, and the ice pick wounds as a Beret...
Blackburn and Murtagh agreed to forfeit 10 minutes of their allocated rebuttal time to allow Smith to make an argument to the jury. [97] Although witnesses had claimed Stoeckley had admitted her involvement in the murders, with several also remembering her wearing clothing similar to that described by MacDonald on the date in question, she was not subpoenaed to testify. Stoeckley alleged she then ran into the master bedroom to "find 'Death to All Pigs' or something like that" scrawled on the headboard and two of her friends bludgeoning Colette on the bed as her child lay asleep next to her.



Sign up now to learn about This Day in History straight from your inbox. The resulting ice pick holes in the pajama top were jagged and elongated, not smoothly cylindrical like the ones within the garment recovered upon Colette's body. At the conclusion of the 1970 Army investigation, military police sealed the crime scene although the file into the murders remained open.

[15], MacDonald was commissioned in the United States Army on June 28, 1969,[16] and sent to Fort Sam Houston, Texas to undergo a six-week physician's basic training course.

He appealed and was released in 1980 after the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled MacDonald was denied the right to a speedy trial.

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump has intervened in three high-profile murder cases involving U.S. service members, dismissing charges against a Green Beret How does that happen?

His wallet was also stolen as were two rings from his wifes jewelry box. Initial jury selection began on this date, and would continue for three days. Mario Madera-Rodriguez in the choking death of a Green Beret during an alleged attempted hazing and sexual assault Warning: The following contains disturbing descriptions of violence, including violence to children. In this recorded message, Kassab stated: "I want to be sure he serves out his sentence the way it should be served out. [143] Although Segal subjected Stombaugh to a harsh cross-examinationrepeatedly raising his voice as he challenged Stombaugh's credentials and forensic methodsStombaugh remained steadfast as to his conclusions. [184], In April 2021, MacDonald was denied a request for compassionate release upon the grounds of his ailing health,[185] with Judge Terrence Boyle citing the compassionate release law applies only to individuals whose crimes occurred on or after November 1, 1987.

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[85], An initial Army Article 32 hearing into MacDonald's possible guilt, overseen by Colonel Warren Rock, convened on July 6, 1970. [132], Following a brief recess, MacDonald read a statement prepared by his attorneys denying the prosecution's request to discuss the results of his 1970 polygraph examination, contending Woerheide had violated attorney-client privilege. Intent on extracting a confession from her that she had been one of the intruders MacDonald claimed had entered his house, murdered his family and attacked him,[150][n 23] Segal talked to Stoeckley in private for over two hours, attempting to persuade her to confess to end MacDonald's years of "suffering unjustly"also promising her immunity from prosecution due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. The first such ruling was Judge Dupree's refusal to admit into evidence a 1979 psychiatric evaluation of MacDonald, which suggested that an individual of his personality and mindset was highly unlikely to be capable of killing his family.

Furthermore, Stoeckley had only made this admission in response to a promise of financial and emotional assistance. McGinniss quotes a 1979 report compiled by a psychologist named Hirsch Lazzaar Silverman, who stated MacDonald "handled his conflicts by denying that they even exist", adding that MacDonald lacked any sense of guilt, had been capable of committing "asocial acts with impunity", and had been "incapable of [forming] emotionally close" relationships with females of any age.

On this occasion, he was markedly arrogant and sarcastic when questioned with regards to issues such as his infidelity or the prosecution's illustration of forensic contradictions between his version of events and the physical evidence, on one occasion shouting: "I have no idea! [35], Although it had rained on the night of February 1617 and MacDonald also specifically claimed the female intruder's boots were "all wet", with rainwater "just dripping off them",[64] the sole footprint observed at the scene was a bloody bare footprint located in Kristen's bedroom, leading from the child's bed in the direction of the doorway. [119] Initially, Mildred had welcomed a 1971 diagnosis of breast cancer, writing in her diary the cancer would help her in her "desire to just die" following the murders of her daughter and grandchildren. [209], Several individuals believe MacDonald's claims of innocence,[210] and he remains determined to clear his name. MacDonald had claimed it had been ripped off while struggling with the intruders and he used it to ward off blows.

Two knife wounds had penetrated her heart, and the ice pick wounds were noted to be shallow. Filmmaker and writer Errol Morris argues in his 2012 book, Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, Great Crimes and Trials of the Twentieth Century, A Wilderness of Error: The Trials of Jeffrey MacDonald, "A Cranbury Father's 'Obsession' Links SoninLaw to Murder", "Who Is The Real Jefferey MacDonald? "[163] The Kassabs also informed the press: "This was something that had to be done. On March 31, 1982, the Supreme Court ruled 63 that MacDonald's rights to a speedy trial had not been violated, stating the time interval between the dismissal of the military charges and the indictment on civilian charges should "not be considered in determining whether the delay in bringing [MacDonald] to trial violated his right to a speedy trial under the Sixth Amendment". The jury convicted MacDonald August 29, 1979 on three counts of murder. James Blackburn argued first, beginning by contrasting the injuries inflicted upon Colette, Kimberley, and Kristen with those suffered by MacDonald.

Stombaugh demonstrated to the jurors how MacDonald's pajama top had been pierced by 48 small, smooth, and cylindrical ice pick holes after the garment had been placed atop his wife's chest.

Her answers were vague and self-contradictory. Blackburn frequently accompanied these questions with a hypothetical suggestion that "if the jury should find from the evidence" forensic or circumstantial evidence which contradicted MacDonald's testimonywould he have any plausible explanation for these discrepancies. MacDonald told investigators he dozed off in the living room and woke to screams. On July 24, 2014, the district court rejected these claims in their entirety and re-affirmed MacDonald's conviction on all counts. Logan Melgar Green Beret, who died from non-combat related injuries in Mali in June 2017.

[216], MacDonald became eligible for parole in March 1991, but he did not apply for parole at that time. His motion for DNA testing upon these fibers was transferred from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals to the district court. [127], On December 12, a former chief of psychiatry who had also testified at the Article 32 hearing, Bruce Bailey, testified. (07/08/91)", "The Jeffrey MacDonald Information Site: October 3, 1991: Appellant's Brief on Appeal for a Writ of Habeas Corpus from the Eastern District of North Carolina", "United States of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Jeffrey R. MacDonald, Defendant-Appellant (06/02/92)", "Response of the United States to Defense Contentions on Hairs to be Subjected to DNA Testing Contained in the Affidavit of Philip G. Cormier", "July 24, 2014 US District Court Decision", "Federal Judge Upholds Jeffrey MacDonald Murder Conviction; His Attorney Talks About Appeal", "The Jeffrey MacDonald Information Site: Court Records 2006 Through Present", "Jeffrey MacDonald Again Seeks Release from Prison. Judge Dupree imposed a life sentence for each of the murders, to be served consecutively. He spent nine days in the intensive care unit. [204] This lawsuit resulted in a mistrial on August 21, 1987.

Colette was often left alone to raise the girls and the marriage experienced rough patches, her mother Mildred Kassab testified in a September 1974 grand jury hearing. He claims to have sustained ten ice pick wounds. Jeffs second wife, Kathryn, 55, a longtime family friend whom he married in 2002, became a paralegal to help him with his case and started a website in 2000 that has yielded some of the new evidence that is part of his appeal.

[187], Shortly after MacDonald's initial release from prison in August 1980, his supporters hired a retired FBI Special Agent and private investigator named Ted Gunderson to assist in overturning his conviction. On May 1, 1970, the Army charged MacDonald with three counts of murder. [7], MacDonald's high school grades were sufficient for him to earn a three-year scholarship at Princeton University, where he enrolled as a premedical student in 1962. "[145][n 22], Despite earlier rulings against the defense counsel, the prosecution was also hampered by the lack of an obvious motive for MacDonald to have committed the murders. Eventually, after pressure from Colettes family, MacDonald was indicted and found guilty of the three murders on August 29, 1979. [35] Kassab also discovered that, within weeks of the murders of his family, MacDonald had begun dating a young woman employed at Fort Bragg. Murtagh wrapped a pajama top of the same material around his hands and attempted to fend off a series of blows that Blackburn attempted to inflict on him with the ice pick used in the murders. [5], Towards the end of his eighth grade year, MacDonald became acquainted with Colette Kathryn Stevenson (b.

The MacDonald murder case remains one of the most litigated murder cases in American criminal history. [176] This testing began in December 2000, with MacDonald's lawyers hoping the results would tie Stoeckley and her then-boyfriend, Gregory Mitchell, to the crime scene. Exclusive Interviews with His Friends and Family, 'People Magazine Investigates' Examines How Authorities Cracked 1991 Cold Case Murder of Pa. After the family ate supper, Colette left the household to attend an evening teaching class at Fort Bragg's North Carolina University extension. Miller, a retired Green Beret colonel, served in 5th Special Forces Group, the unit to which Moriarty and the other two fallen soldiers Staff Sgt. [213] All efforts have proved unsuccessful, as successive courts have ruled that these uncovered and stipulated items do not establish any proof of innocence and thus would not have influenced the verdict of the jury.

The denial of these two motions was based on jurisdictional issues, specifically that MacDonald had not obtained the required pre-filing authorization from the Circuit Court for these motions to the district court. Sgt. green beret murders case study. You can navigate days by using left and right arrows.

The U.S. Supreme Court reversed that decision in 1982. He also stated that, possibly because of his surgical background, he had "sort of rinsed off [his] hands" as he checked his own injuries in the bathroom before calling for help. While you were laying there in the hallway, why not give you a good [blow] or two from behind the head with that club and finish you off? [n 20] MacDonald himself later claimed to weep "tears of relief rather than tears of joy" upon hearing this news, and later recollected to return to a "big celebration" that his ordeal was now over. A doctor removed MacDonalds bloody pajama top from its place on Colettes body, court records show.

Chris Watts Murder Case: The Most Disturbing Revelations from the Prosecutions Discovery Files. The pathologist would note these wounds had likely been inflicted as Colette had raised her arms to protect her face. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Blackburn closed his rebuttal argument by stating that, although the prosecution was convinced that MacDonald was guilty, they only wished he was not, given the final moments of the victims and "who it was that was going to make them die", adding that the defendant would never have peace. The following day, he was assigned an army lawyer. His daughters chose to name the pony "Trooper". He had no history of violence or domestic abuse against his wife or children. MacDonald realized he was at a point of no return and needed to eliminate any witnesses, attorneys said. "[8] However, by November 1970, Kassab had grown suspicious of MacDonald's repeated reluctance to provide him with a copy of the 2,000-page transcript of the Article 32 hearing.

MacDonald later described his internship year as "a horrendous year" for both himself and Colette, adding he frequently worked 36 hours with only 12 hours at home. Jeff! They heard him become angry, defensive, and emotional in response to suggestions by the investigators that he had committed the murders. Her autopsy indicates she died of acute pneumonia and cirrhosis.

The Army special agent who led the investigation of a Green Beret charged with the murder of an alleged Afghan bomb-maker now faces charges of stolen valor.

[144], A further piece of damaging evidence against MacDonald was an audio tape made of the April 6, 1970 interview by military investigators, which was played in the courtroom immediately after the jurors had returned from visiting the still-intact crime scene.

[206][n 31], Colette, Kimberley, and Kristen MacDonald were laid to rest side by side in Washington Memorial Park, Suffolk County, Long Island, on February 23, 1970. This question prompted MacDonald to deny the accusation before referencing his puncture wound and his having to persuade hospital doctors to insert a chest tube into his body as he was sure his lung was punctured.

[12][13], Upon completion of his undergraduate degree at Princeton, MacDonald briefly worked as a construction supervisor before he moved with his wife and child to Chicago in the summer of 1965, where he had been accepted at Northwestern University Medical School. He was raised in a poor household on Long Island,[4] with a disciplinarian father who, although nonviolent towards his wife and children, demanded obedience and achievement from his family. The four front entrances of the building at the time were located at the center of the building.

Her body was found inside her Seneca, South Carolina apartment, with her death estimated to have occurred five days before her body was discovered on January 14.

[115][n 16], Kassab successfully obtained a copy of the Article 32 transcript from the Army in February 1971. [161], Shortly after 4:00p.m. on August 29, 1979, the jury, having deliberated for six-and-a-half hours,[1] announced they had reached their verdict.

WebAnalyzes the case study of jeffrey dahmer, an american serial killer and sexual offender. Five forty-four Castle Drive!

[186] A further appeal against this ruling was dismissed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on September 16, 2021. Michael Williamson/The Washington Post/Getty, Is He Innocent? He also had numerous small stab and puncture wounds across his body and a partially collapsed lung.
"[161][164], MacDonald appealed Dupree's bail revocation ruling, requesting that bail be granted pending the outcome of his appeal. Mom, Inside the 'Mountain of Evidence' that Police Say Proves Alex Murdaugh Killed His Wife & Son, Jeffrey MacDonalds wife and two daughters. For other uses, see, MacDonald would later claim that on the morning following Kristen's birth, he had visited Colette only to discover her in an advancing state of, Some sources state the month MacDonald reported to the. This wound was described by a staff surgeon as a "clean, small, sharp" incision measuring five-eighths of an inch in depth, and had caused his lung to partially collapse. [20][n 2] He was joined by his wife and children,[11][22] and the MacDonald family resided at 544 Castle Drive,[23] in a section of the base reserved for married officers and afforded security by military police. He had pulled a small paring knife from Colette's chest which he then tossed onto the floor, attempted in vain to find her pulse, then draped his pajama jacket over her body.

He had been delighted his stepdaughter had become engaged to, then married, a presentable partner with a promising career ahead of him, and initially refused to believe MacDonaldwith his. A hair found in Colette's right palm was also determined to be her own.

[79] MacDonald was unable to offer a plausible explanation for this observation, and also claimed to be unaware how Kimberley's blood and brain serum were recovered from the master bedroom.

In response, Segal repeatedly raised objections to this line of questioning, claiming the discrepancies were misleading.

Jeffrey and Collette MacDonalds Romance and Marriage.

Green Beret death raises questions Photo credit Nicole Rick By Jack Murphy December 9, 2020 10:57 am On Dec. 2, 2020, Master Sgt.

Every. Kimberley was tucked into bed, her head battered and neck slashed. MacDonald, on the other hand, neither contributed to this delay nor acquiesced in it, so his conduct weighs heavily in his favor. WATCH: Exclusive clip from People Magazine Investigates: The Accused, U.S. Attorney John Stuart Bruce declined to comment on the specifics of the case, saying in a statement to PEOPLE: When cases are pending court proceedings, it is the practice of our office to litigate the case in court through evidence and argument in hearings and in written filings with the court rather than through the news media.. Webhow much do the judges on guy's grocery games make // green beret murders case study. He was planning to study advanced medical training at Yale University upon completion of his tour of duty as a Green Beret doctor. The word Pig, was inscribed with blood on the headboard of the MacDonalds bed. [n 18], Between 1972 and 1974, the case remained trapped in limbo in the Department of Justice as legal issues were raised and debated over whether sufficient evidence and probable cause existed for indictment and prosecution.

Stoeckley also told a Nashville police officer she thought she witnessed the MacDonald killings. He was first offered the chance to recount his version of events, and recounted his claims of being attacked by four intruders, with whom he grappled before falling to the ground, observing "the top of some boots" and being rendered unconscious before regaining consciousness, experiencing symptoms of pneumothorax, in the hallway after the intruders had left. Colettes stepfather, Freddy Kassab, was at first a staunch supporter of MacDonald, but then became convinced of MacDonalds guilt and crusaded for the case to be reopened. Beginning in October 1970, Kassab secretly recorded all telephone conversations between himself and MacDonald relating to the murders, his efforts to obtain a copy of the transcript, and the ensuing litigations. [66] MacDonald's own blood was located in significant quantities in only two locations: in front of the kitchen cabinet containing rubber gloves, and upon the right side of a hallway bathroom sink. "[35], Five-year-old Kimberley was found in her bed, having been repeatedly bludgeoned about the head and body and stabbed in the neck with a knife between eight and ten times. [135], "The story, as [MacDonald] told it, had to be a fabrication. ", A section of this ruling reads: "Here, over twenty years after the event of the crime, MacDonald reopens his case with specious evidence. Mommie, dont ever say anything to Jeff because he cannot stand criticism,' Kassab recalled Colette saying once when she suggested her son-in-law should help more. [158][n 25], Following a brief recess, Smith appealed to the jurors to question the lack of an obvious motive for MacDonald to have committed the murders.

MacDonald's lawyers were also given the right to pursue DNA tests on limited hair and blood evidence on October 17, 1997. ", "MacDonald Starts Serving Triple Life Sentence at Terminal Island", "Ruling Restoring Conviction Ends Ex-Army Doctor's New Life", "Alfred Kassab, 73, Helped Indict Killer", "What Made Freddy Kassab Change His Mind About Son-In-Law Jeffrey MacDonald and See Him as a Vicious Family-Killer?