The Boston Marathon Bombing was another sad day in American History.
Alas, using explosive devices to cause death and destruction is not new to the United States.
The most known examples are, of course, 9/11 (where planes became bombs), and bombings of the World
Trade Center in New York and the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma.
But other cases have also left their mark on our society..
For example, in July 1985, there was pipe bombs were used to murder wealthy
widow Margaret Benson and her twenty-one-year-old adopted son, Scott Benson,
in the
family's Naples, Florida home. Another son turned out to be the culprit.
Even more shocking is the story of Jack Gilbert Graham, who way back in 1955, gift wrapped 25 sticks of dynamite (disguised as a present for his mother) and snuck onto a plane out ofDenver en route to Portland. It exploded while airborne, killing all 44 passengers and crew on board. I wrote about this tragedy in my true crime short, MASS MURDER IN THE SKY.
It seems that determined killers have always been with us, often hidden in plain view, wanting to take away the freedoms and lifestyle we take for granted. Allowing them to win would be the worst thing we can do.
The best thing would be to continue going after those who cause such murder and mayhem--making sure they face justice under the law and living our lives, while cherishing each and every day we get to spend with our loves ones as we try to make a difference in the world we live in.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
O.J. Simpson, Medical Center, and Nicole Brown Simpson
Having purchased the DVD of the 1960s TV series, Medical Center, last month as a present to my wife (who happened to love the show's star, Chad Everett), we finally got around to watching the first episode last night.
The guest stars of the first episode, "The Last Ten Yards," which aired on Sept. 24, 1969, were O.J. Simpson and Cecily Tyson. Simpson played a college football player, not too surprisingly, and Tyson was his nurse wife.
What struck me eerily was that at one point Simpson threatened to kill his wife and at another, was abusive toward her.
I couldn't help but think of the irony of this, considering that twenty-five years later Simpson would be charged with murdering is real ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Had life imitated art with no one making the connection?
Of course, Simpson was acquitted of both murders in what many called the "trial of the century." However, he would later be found liable for wrongful death in a civil trial.
We may never know whether Simpson, or someone on his behalf, killed his ex-wife or not. Still, that episode of Medical Center and the parallels caught my attention nonetheless.
One can only hope that Nicole and Goldman are at peace in the afterlife...
The guest stars of the first episode, "The Last Ten Yards," which aired on Sept. 24, 1969, were O.J. Simpson and Cecily Tyson. Simpson played a college football player, not too surprisingly, and Tyson was his nurse wife.
What struck me eerily was that at one point Simpson threatened to kill his wife and at another, was abusive toward her.
I couldn't help but think of the irony of this, considering that twenty-five years later Simpson would be charged with murdering is real ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Had life imitated art with no one making the connection?
Of course, Simpson was acquitted of both murders in what many called the "trial of the century." However, he would later be found liable for wrongful death in a civil trial.
We may never know whether Simpson, or someone on his behalf, killed his ex-wife or not. Still, that episode of Medical Center and the parallels caught my attention nonetheless.
One can only hope that Nicole and Goldman are at peace in the afterlife...
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Who Shot J.R. -- Second Time? -- A Review of Dallas Season Finale
Having been a fan of the original Dallas series, I have also been enjoying the new version, though not quite as much.
With the setup for a 21st century, "Who Shot J.R.?" theme, I was piqued at how they might put together the final two episodes of the season.
Though on the whole, it was suspenseful enough (including keeping us on edge that Victoria Principal might somehow make a cameo as Pam Ewing, which didn't happen) with an ending that left the door open for more drama, backstabbing, romance, and new alliances in a possible third season-- I still had a couple of beefs with the way they went about bringing down bad buys, Cliff Barnes and Harris Ryland.
Specifically, I had trouble buying that not one but the two naughty daughters of the villains, Barnes and Ryland, betrayed their Dads so easily for the Ewings, after being in their fathers' camp their entire lives. Can loyalty and blood really fall by the wayside that quickly???
It smacked in the face of credulity that this was the way the Ewings were able to achieve victory. In the case of Cliff Barnes, it was especially hard to believe he could be so set up by his daughter (played well by Julie Gonzalo), without even a clue till too late.
Showed how much he loved and trusted her to put himself in such a bind in letting guard way down. Now Cliff, who was definitely no angel in finale, has been forced to at end surprisingly throw his support in a new twist of past meets present and future to Elena Ramos (who was on the outs with boyfriend and Bobby's son, Christopher).
Overall, Dallas continues to be a guilty pleasure, though not quite that of its predecessor -- when J.R., Bobby, Sue Ellen, etc., were still in their prime.
The season ending two episodes got an expected bump in the ratings -- but was still less that half of what the series premiere episode received in season 1.
I would certainly watch a season 3 if it happens -- but if not, this was a suitable sendoff for J.R., though, the essentially death by suicide (or his handpicked executioner) when dying of cancer (as was the case in real life) in order to set up Cliff Barnes for his murder somehow seemed even beneath J.R. (not to mention Bobby, who helped set plan in motion, along with Cliff's daughter, Pamela).
I wouldn't count on seeing other seventies and eighties soap operas, Knots Landing, Falcon Crest, and Dynasty come back to life, though you never know these days...
Visit TNT for clips and more on Dallas and its finale!
http://www.dallastnt.com/
With the setup for a 21st century, "Who Shot J.R.?" theme, I was piqued at how they might put together the final two episodes of the season.
Though on the whole, it was suspenseful enough (including keeping us on edge that Victoria Principal might somehow make a cameo as Pam Ewing, which didn't happen) with an ending that left the door open for more drama, backstabbing, romance, and new alliances in a possible third season-- I still had a couple of beefs with the way they went about bringing down bad buys, Cliff Barnes and Harris Ryland.
Specifically, I had trouble buying that not one but the two naughty daughters of the villains, Barnes and Ryland, betrayed their Dads so easily for the Ewings, after being in their fathers' camp their entire lives. Can loyalty and blood really fall by the wayside that quickly???
It smacked in the face of credulity that this was the way the Ewings were able to achieve victory. In the case of Cliff Barnes, it was especially hard to believe he could be so set up by his daughter (played well by Julie Gonzalo), without even a clue till too late.
Showed how much he loved and trusted her to put himself in such a bind in letting guard way down. Now Cliff, who was definitely no angel in finale, has been forced to at end surprisingly throw his support in a new twist of past meets present and future to Elena Ramos (who was on the outs with boyfriend and Bobby's son, Christopher).
Overall, Dallas continues to be a guilty pleasure, though not quite that of its predecessor -- when J.R., Bobby, Sue Ellen, etc., were still in their prime.
The season ending two episodes got an expected bump in the ratings -- but was still less that half of what the series premiere episode received in season 1.
I would certainly watch a season 3 if it happens -- but if not, this was a suitable sendoff for J.R., though, the essentially death by suicide (or his handpicked executioner) when dying of cancer (as was the case in real life) in order to set up Cliff Barnes for his murder somehow seemed even beneath J.R. (not to mention Bobby, who helped set plan in motion, along with Cliff's daughter, Pamela).
I wouldn't count on seeing other seventies and eighties soap operas, Knots Landing, Falcon Crest, and Dynasty come back to life, though you never know these days...
Visit TNT for clips and more on Dallas and its finale!
http://www.dallastnt.com/
Boston Marathon Bombing
When I first heard about the "explosions" going off around the finish line at the Boston Marathon, my first thought was that it was a few fireworks as a celebration for those who managed to finish what they had started.
Of course, like everyone else, I soon learned that there was nothing celebratory about turned out to be two bombs going off -- causing mass casualties and chaos. Just as we had let our guard down a little after years since 9/11, terror had struck the country once again.
The authorities have yet to establish whether it was domestic or foreign terrorism -- but the bottom line is the same: we are all vulnerable in a free society to this type of attack. Hopefully, the perpetrator(s) can be tracked down quickly by the FBI or other law enforcement and held accountable for this despicable act.
My heart certainly goes out to the victims, as well as the city of Boston, in coming face to face with terrorism and its aftermath.
The fact that explosive devices were used in this attack illustrates how attackers can wreak havoc on our society by means other than traditional firearms, causing further concern for public safety as Congress works on gun control.
Fortunately, Americans are resilient during times of crisis and tend to band together against a common enemy -- in this case, the specter of terrorism and its intent to strike fear into the hearts of men, women, and children.
Of course, like everyone else, I soon learned that there was nothing celebratory about turned out to be two bombs going off -- causing mass casualties and chaos. Just as we had let our guard down a little after years since 9/11, terror had struck the country once again.
The authorities have yet to establish whether it was domestic or foreign terrorism -- but the bottom line is the same: we are all vulnerable in a free society to this type of attack. Hopefully, the perpetrator(s) can be tracked down quickly by the FBI or other law enforcement and held accountable for this despicable act.
My heart certainly goes out to the victims, as well as the city of Boston, in coming face to face with terrorism and its aftermath.
The fact that explosive devices were used in this attack illustrates how attackers can wreak havoc on our society by means other than traditional firearms, causing further concern for public safety as Congress works on gun control.
Fortunately, Americans are resilient during times of crisis and tend to band together against a common enemy -- in this case, the specter of terrorism and its intent to strike fear into the hearts of men, women, and children.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Murder in All Shapes and Sizes
The Dynamics of Murder:
Kill or Be Killed,
is my latest bestselling criminology text and true crime book.
According to Harold
Schechter, Professor of American Literature and Culture and bestselling historical true crime author,
The Dynamics of Murder is "an
indispensable sourcebook for anyone interested in American homicide, from
law-enforcement professionals to armchair criminologists."
In fact, the
book is a multifaceted examination of murder, offenders, victims, and
characteristics of homicide in American society. It is generally intended for
an audience of students in criminology and other disciplines, as well as
professionals in law enforcement, psychology, and sociology.
But the book
will appeal to thriller writers as a great resource on the crime of homicide.
For instance, there are chapters on serial killers, mass murder, domestic
homicide, and terrorism--common themes in many of today's thriller novels.
Fans of true
crime will also find this a gripping read. Included are several case studies of
real life murders. For example, the tragic tale of Sahel Kazemi, the young
woman who murdered her lover, ex NFL football star quarterback star Steve
McNair, before killing herself in what amounted to a love triangle is examined.
http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439879733
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dynamics-of-murder-r-barri-flowers/1111813346?ean=9781439879733
http://www.amazon.com/Dynamics-Murder-Kill-Be-Killed/dp/1439879737/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353522017&sr=1-1&keywords=the+dynamics+of+murder
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Trailer of Interview on Biography Channel's Crime Stories
See trailer of my interview on the Biography Channel's Crime
Stories, episode, "The Love Slave Murders."
Crime documentary is based on my bestselling true crime
book, THE SEX SLAVE MURDERS. It chronicles the crimes of husband-wife serial
killers, Gerald and Charlene Gallego, who murdered ten people in the late
seventies and early eighties.
THE SEX SLAVE MURDERS is available in eBook, print, and audio.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2548742/crime_stories_the_love_slave_murders/
Monday, April 8, 2013
The Pickaxe Killers (A True Crime Short) by R. Barri Flowers
From R. Barri Flowers, award winning
criminologist and internationally bestselling author of THE SEX SLAVE MURDERS, comes a riveting new true crime short, THE PICKAXE KILLERS.
Having written about hundreds of notable
murders in his bestselling true crime book, MURDERS IN THE UNITED STATES: Crimes, Killer and Victims of the
Twentieth Century, one case that stood out to Flowers for its sheer
brutality as well as shocking aftermath was that of Karla Faye Tucker and
Daniel Garrett, who used a pickaxe to hack to death two people.
In this 8000 word tale of revenge, murder,
substance abuse, betrayal, and redemption, the author gets to the root of the
violent crime that effectively ended four lives and gripped the entire country
as its sordid details and shocking twists and turns played out over fifteen
years.
Bonus material includes a complete
true crime short story on equally infamous Canadian serial killers Karla
Homolka and Paul Bernardo from his true crime bestseller, SERIAL KILLER
COUPLES, and excerpts from his internationally bestselling true crime book, THE
SEX SLAVE MURDERS, about scary husband and wife serial killers Gerald and
Charlene Gallego and the sex slave fantasies that fueled their murder spree.
Now in Kindle,
Nook, and iTunes—and soon to be in audio!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)