Hi friends and family, please visit me over at ChicagoNow’s Bittersweet site this morning. Link below.
http://www.chicagonow.com/bittersweet/2013/06/blackhawks-win-andrus-slayings/
As always comments and thoughts welcomed and appreciated……
Crime
Neighborhood friend/youth mentor – convicted pedophile
Friends and family,
Please know where your children are and who they are with. Even if they are with a mentor associated with a kid-friendly organization….know your kids are safe. (Link below)
I feel it is important that I add a bit more detail to this story, details that did not make it into the new story:
The grown men who came forward during the trial, knew their molester from the neighborhood where they all lived at one time, and for whatever reason actually lived with him for some time during the molestation. They only came to investigators after they saw a story two years ago that he had been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy. They were ashamed and scared to come forward earlier but felt they needed to come forward to stop Puccini from hurting other boys. After he molested them in the 1990s -and allegedly at least three more boys (one of which Puccini will face trial for) – he then went on to become a volunteer mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters. None of these boys ever told anyone about their abuse, so there was no record of the earlier abuse. So in Big Brothers Big Sisters defense, he had no criminal record for abuse. Also, I heard this mom of this current victim, the now 16-yr-old, has a civil case against the organization. Other details -not in the newspaper story- he groomed all these boys. Each of them was without a father figure in the home, he bought them gifts, took them on trips…The mom of the boy in this particular trial against Puccini, said that he was texting her son saying “Good morning, I love you” “Good night, remember, I love you” Her son became secretive during this time. Puccini also offered the mom $10,000 to let her son come and live with him…. Maybe this little add of information will protect someone out there. He was — and had done with the other victims years early — grooming them. He also would wrestle with the boy and the mom started feeling like it was inappropriate. So, this tells us to go with our gut moms! BTW Puccini was found guilty of sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 — ANGER FACTOR: this is a probational case or he could serve between 3 to 7 years in prison… BUT he does have to register as a sex offender. So at least we will know where he is living…..Until next time, love each other and keep your kids safe
Really poor decisions, yet again, lead to death and prison
This case involved a young couple taking desperate measures to make ends meet and the death of one who took advantage of their plight.
(Click link below)
I have no more words.
Things can never really be that bad, can they?
Until next time, love each other……
I’d love your input and comments on this one friends and family!
Family’s reaction to conviction in decade-old cold-case with no body
Dear family, friends and followers:
I wrote a story in the Chicago Tribune today about reactions of the families in the aftermath of Mario Casciaro’s conviction in the murder and disappearance of Brian Carrick.
Brian, a 17-year-old boy, described as small, skinny, sweet and funny, was last seen on Dec. 20, 2002 running up the stairs to his bedroom in his family’s large, white farmhouse where he was raised with his large, Irish Catholic family – with 13 siblings.
He was last seen by co-workers in the grocery store where he worked as a stock boy, located right across the street from his home, at the back of a produce cooler arguing with known felon Shane Lamb, described as “the muscle” – “the intimidator” of a small rural town drug ring.
Again I say there are no winners. This is a sad story all around about youth and poor choices. I have followed this case for many years. I have come to know the families on both sides of this case and they are very nice people who love their sons and brothers.
I welcome your comments and questions. It is a confusing case to understand. But prosecutors say they did what they had to in order to hold someone accountable for the loss the Carricks have suffered. Prosecutors say they will continue to investigate where the 17-year-old stock boy’s body is.
For more background search my blog. There are several stories posted from the trial that ended Tuesday. Until next time, love each other.
Brian Carrick cold-case murder and disappearance: both sides rest. Who is telling the truth? Case goes to jury today.
UPDATE LINK BELOW: COULD BE A VERDICT TODAY
Dear friends, family and followers: here is how I spent my Spring Break. I’ve been hold up in a McHenry County courtroom. But I believe in all things there is a lesson to be learned.
My take away? Always tell the truth, know who your friends are and who your friends’ friends are and who your kids’ friends are. Be mindful of your words and actions. Humans are complicated.
Please click or paste link below. THERE IS A SECOND LINK ADDED
Soon I’ll update this blog post with an end of the day recap from today/Monday in court. Remember there has never been a body found. This is the tragedy in this twisted, lie-ridden tale of sin and redemption. Tomorrow each lawyer will give their final closing arguments to jurors. Then the jurors will deliberate. Mario Casciaro’s fate will finally be determined – after more than 10 years since Brian’s disappearance, one perjury trial that ended in an acquittal, one murder trial that ended in a mistrial. Mario, 29, faces 20 to 60 years in prison.
The Carricks will never know what really happened to Brian. One of 14 children in this large, Irish Catholic family. Very sweet, kind people. They will forever have a hole in their hearts, an empty chair at their Christmas table. They will also always have an empty chair where mom, Terry, would sit. Brian’s mom died months before seeing an arrest in her son’s murder.
I welcome your input. Like, share and comment. Until next time, love each other…..
UPDATE: COULD BE A VERDICT TODAY (link below)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-brian-carrick-trial-0402-20130402,0,7892950.story
Amanda Marrazzo 