Kathryn Casey
Mysteries and True Crime

I hate to have to write this blog post. After all, it's been hardly any time, just a couple of months, since Laura Hall went through her resentencing trial and came away the loser, her sentence doubled from five years to ten. It's unbelievable but true that she's already up for parole.

For those of you who haven't read A DESCENT INTO HELL as yet, Laura was Colton Pitonyak's wanna-be girlfriend. She helped him escape, lied for him, and she's been convicted of aiding him in attempting to dispose of Jennifer Cave's poor violated body, by tampering with evidence in the most horrendous of ways, helping to dismember Jennifer's corpse. Makes me angry every time I think about it.

Anyway, here we are, a couple of months after the sentencing and, yup, it's possible Laura's getting out. One of the shockers at the resentencing hearing was the playing of Laura's own jailhouse phone calls. You have to picture the scene: A hushed courtroom, quiet except for the recorded phone calls, a screen at the front of the room with those bursts of color representing the ebb and flow of the words. What did Laura say that shocked so many? That she intended to take revenge against the judge, jury, prosecutor, even the victim's mother, Sharon Cave, who'd already suffered so much.

It was a disgusting display, giving so much insight into who Laura Hall is, an unstable narcissist, who even today calls Jennifer Cave's murder a victimless crime.

I urge all of you to write protests. It's easy, and you can do it in minutes via e-mail. I'm assured that the inmate never sees the letters, so there's no reason to be afraid. Make the point that Laura is a continued danger to others, especially the victim's family.

Here's what to do:

Snail mail:

TDCJ – Victim Services Division8712 Shoal Creek Blvd, Ste 265Austin, Texas 78757

Or Email: victim.svc@tdcj.state.tx.usFAX: 512-452-0825

Include this information:

Name: Hall, Laura

State ID: 07572662

TDCJ Number: 01654372

The review process takes about four to six months, but do it now, while you're thinking about it. Laura has threatened violence, and there's no reason to think she's not capable of it if she's released. She's a very disturbed young woman.

Hi All,

I had an interesting Sunday morning this week; two producers, a sound and a camera man from Investigation Discovery dropped in to interview me. They shuffled around my living room furniture, set up lights, hooked up cameras and the sound equipment, then sat me in a chair and drilled me with questions. What about? Did I get caught doing something illegal? No, thank goodness. They wanted to talk about the case in EVIL BESIDE HER, that of James and Linda Bergstrom.

It seems that ID is introducing a new series this coming fall. They don't have a set title yet, but it'll be on women who've married men only to find out later that they're criminals. That, of course, fits Linda to a "T." She married a shy young man who worked in a paint factory, one who blushed when shown Playboy and who wanted to wait until after marriage to have sex. Only later did she discover that he was a dangerous sexual predator. By then, she was pregnant and worried that if she left him he'd attack other women and, on visitation days, molest their own daughter.

At first Linda tried to change James. Then, when presented with evidence that she couldn't, she worked to get police to stop him. I have so much respect for Linda. If it weren't for her, many more women would have suffered. She hit so many roadblocks, but kept pushing. It was a long battle, full of heartbreaking twists and turns.

Anyway, it was quite the morning. Linda, the producer, drilled me with questions the way I usually do those I'm interviewing. Some I expected, others really made me think. But in the end, it was fun. I'll be sure to let y'all know when the show begins airing, and I've posted a photo of myself with the crew in the right hand column of this page.

But through all of this fun, there was the heart of the issue. I will talk to anyone who's willing to talk to me about James Bergstrom. I need to get the news out. I don't go around protesting paroles very often, but this is one very sick guy, someone who needs to be kept behind bars. And the scary thing is that he occasionally comes up for parole.

For those of you who haven't protested James's parole, there are instructions on my update page. Remember: This guy's the real thing, a true psychopath and a sexual predator. We don't want him out of prison. We really don't. So make your wishes heard, and let's keep him behind bars.

This is a thank you letter of sorts. If I knew all your names, I'd personalize one to each and everyone of you. But I don't, so please forgive me for not being able to do that.

As many of you know, my latest true crime book, SHATTERED, debuted on June 29th. You can look it up here on my Web site by clicking on the title in the left hand column. It's on the Houston murder of Belinda Lucas Temple, and it's a fascinating case, an investigation that took eight years and one of the most amazing trials I've covered. I can't overstate the number of twists and turns this case took over nearly a decade.

The reason I'm saying thank you is that the book is doing remarkably well. It was in the top ten on Amazon's bestselling true crime list for more than a month before it came out. Since its release, SHATTERED has consistently had two places on the top ten, one for the paperback and another for the Kindle edition. For its first two weeks and counting, it's been high on Amazon's bestselling nonfiction summer reading list. Truly wonderful.

And who do I have to thank? All of you, the folks who read the books, and especially those who read them and then make a point to recommend my books to others. So again, thank you! Keep up the good work! It's sincerely appreciated.

I just returned home from a wonderful weekend in San Antonio, where I was on a panel at the Texas Library Association Convention. Thank you to Sharon and Victoria who invited me to attend, and to all the great librarians who stopped by to meet me.

Libraries are inspiring places, don't you agree? I told the story of my first encounters with the school library, and how I fell in love with one book in particular: The Reader's Guide to Periodic Literature. Strange choice? True. Very true. Why that book? Because (more…)

For all of you who've read EVIL BESIDE HER, it's time to e-mail or write letters again. James Edward Bergstrom, the psychopathic sexual predator in the book, is up for parole. Yes, I know, he got four 99-year sentences. But what does that mean? Apparently not as much time as the jurors wanted.

Bergstrom is a danger to society, especially women. If released, he will certainly victimize more women. He attacked 35 women in the Houston area in a two-year period, raping five of them, and he threatened to kill the last victim, a high school cheerleader.

Make your voice heard and keep Bergstrom behind bars. Here's how. (more…)

by Kathryn Casey

You probably wouldn't have noticed him in the crowd, the bearded, 36-year-old man at Wal-Mart two days before Christmas, scouring the tool aisle. He picked up one item after another, examining each, perhaps testing their weight, considering how they were made, the quality of a hatchet, a machete, and a variety of knives. What Jason Bouchard settled on, what he paid the cashier for and walked out the door with, was a crowbar.

Miles away at her Houston home, Terri Sanvincente, a well-known Adam Lambert fan and an assistant manager at a Walgreen's drug store, worried about Bouchard, a man she'd once loved who'd systematically tormented her life.

Two years earlier, she'd had the ex-army paratrooper formally evicted from their home. The separation, however, had dragged on, with Bouchard seeking custody of their three children, ages eight, six and three. Yet that, too, had recently been settled in Sanvincente's favor; six weeks earlier, after an 18-month battle, jurors granted primary custody to Sanvincente. Perhaps it wasn't surprising. At the hearing, Bouchard, who represented himself, surprisingly well, one expert says, admitted drug use and frequent masturbation. The jury ruled that he'd be allowed only supervised visits with his children.

Forty-year-old Sanvincente, it would later appear, took little comfort in the ruling. She continued to worry that she and her children (one dressed as Lambert on the right) remained in danger from a man who'd pushed her and hurled constant insults. “She was always afraid of what he was going to do next,” said Tabitha Charlton, Sanvincente's first family attorney, who walked away (more…)

Hey Everyone,

All of us who read true crime know one name: Ann Rule. Right now, she's fighting a difficult battle. Ann is hospitalized, fighting some strange virus that's attacked her neck. She's flat on her back, unable to move her head. It's a tough one.

So all you ARFs out there (Ann Rule Fans), now's the time to send your best wishes, prayers, good vibes, whatever you can, to Seattle, to Ann. Here's wishing her a speedy recovery. I'll keep you posted!

Best,
K

Update: Ann is turning her head now, and she appears to be improving. Thanks to everyone who wished her well.

2nd Update: Ann's in rehab, busy getting better! Let's continue to send good thoughts and hope that she's at home and well, writing again very, very soon!

Okay, so if any of you know how to reach Cesar Millan, a.k.a. The Dog Whisperer, call him, please. Quickly! Give him my name and ask him to get in touch. I have 11 pounds of fur living in my house and he's driving me crazy.

He looks innocent enough, all white and fluffy tinged with gray and a touch of black with big, big, almond-shaped dark brown eyes. Who could know that he'd turn out to be a tyrant, running the household? I didn't.

We've had Ozzie Nelson, our Havanese puppy, since October. He's funny and cute and he gives great puppy hugs and kisses, but he's dominating my life. I mean: Is this normal?

Okay, let me explain. First housebreaking has been a challenge. He either has to go every twenty minutes, or he's figured out that uttering his I've-gotta-use-the-facilities moan earns him a respite outside to romp in the grass. I guess this is an improvement, since before we were finding little packages left all around the house. That's no longer happening, but he's employing the woeful eye roll and guttural call combo so often, I had him outside 14 times yesterday. That's not a typo: 14 times!

And the bark. Who would have thought that a such a little guy would pack such a powerful (more…)

We all know this. It isn't news, but I'm going to spit it out: There are some pretty special people in the world. Now, you ask, how do I define "special?" Those who are able to spread enthusiasm, to get the rest of us up off our keesters (as my grandma used to say). Those who inspire us to live better lives and to help others.

One of those people is Kathy L. Patrick, founder of the Tiara wearing, book-reading Pulpwood Queens.

Yup, you got it right; I did put Tiara wearing and book reading in the same sentence. So does Kathy. She founded the club in her Jefferson, TX, beauty salon/bookstore ten years ago, and it's going strong. Last time I asked, she had something like 220 chapters and counting. Each month Kathy picks a book and an alternate for the Queens, and they read their pick then get together to discuss it.

It's true that Kathy picked my second novel, BLOOD LINES, as last November's main read, but, honestly, that's not why I'm writing this post. It's because of all Kathy does. In addition to the book clubs, she's active in a long list of other projects and still finds time to volunteer teaching literacy at a shelter. More amazing is how she influences others to become involved in good work. For instance, the Southwest Louisiana PQs raise money and supplies for a South American orphanage, and the Alaska bunch has an outreach program in a women's prison.

In fact, Kathy's so persuasive, she's inspired me to start working on a project. It's not at a point where I can talk about it yet, but when it comes together. I'll tell all of you about it.

So, you women (sorry, guys, but the club is for gals), if you have a group of friends, or if you'd like to make new friends, if you love good books and having fun, start your own Pulpwood Queen chapter. Kathy's link is on the right hand column of every page on my Web site, so it's easy to get in touch. Then get ready to be inspired!

One last note: Make sure you come to Girlfriend Weekend in Jefferson next year. Oh, my goodness, such a party. Authors from all over the country will be there, maybe dressed up like this past January as the Wizard of Oz or a munchkin. It's a blast!

My mom, LaVerne, died of Alzheimer's in June 2006. She'd been ill for nine years, and it was horrific.

My mother was hard-working, loving, articulate and funny. She enjoyed reading, dancing with my father, and she relished a good laugh. Mom was a secretary and one of the few women in our suburban neighborhood who worked outside the house. She never really liked cleaning or cooking, but for us she did both, never complaining. Nothing pleased her more than being with her family. Christmas was her favorite holiday, and for mom the only real roses were red.

Anyone who has lived through watching a loved one battle this devastating disease, (more…)

Hi All,

Awhile back I got a flood of e-mails from people after I wrote a newsletter about my schnauzer, Max, my best buddy, and how we had to put him down. Tough times. Those of you with pets, whether you've had to do this or not, I'm sure, understand how difficult it is to lose a pet. They're such a part of the family.

Today, I'd like to introduce our new puppy, Ozzie Nelson. Ozzie, because I love the Wizard and dream of Oz and my husband and I both love the name. Nelson for a friend of ours. Ozzie Nelson for the guy who was married to Harriet and fathered Ricky! Really fun.

Ozzie is a Havanese: a small white, gray, black and tan dog, with big dark eyes. I've posted a photo of him in the right hand column, since I couldn't figure out how to put one in the blog itself.

Anyway, he's the funniest dog. He makes strange noises, even coos like a dove at times. And he loves people. He's so furry and warm, it's like holding a Teddy bear. Absolutely darling.

So, our world is complete. Thanks again to everyone who e-mailed me expressing their sympathy for our loss. We still miss Max, but we're delighted Ozzie moved in!

Hi All,

It's been awhile! That's what's on my mind this morning. Time just rifles by, doesn't it? Here it is 09/09/2009, or nine-nine-nine, and I remember 01/01/01 like it was yesterday. I was at a rented bay house in Galveston with friends, where we'd spent New Year's Eve. My husband, myself, and three other couples.

The sunset that evening was gorgeous, swatches of bright golds and reds, stunning. We'd taken our photo in front of it, then gone inside to watch New Year celebrations across the world on TV, while we played cards. Lots of champagne, lots of laughing, lots of fun and good friends.

Is it possible that was nine years ago? Come on, how could that be?

The older I get, the quicker the years fly. I scan this blog and the first post is nearly a year old, from last October, when the Web site was redesigned and the option was first available. Strange.

What I'm taking from all this is that I need to get to work! I'm considerably more than halfway through my life, no way of knowing how far into it really, since life is so uncertain, and there's still so much to accomplish. I have so many books I want to write. I need to get busy, or I'll never get there. Where is there? I'm not sure, but I do believe I have much left to accomplish.

Most important: I've got family and friends to spend time with. How can we ever tell them enough that we love them? Impossible!

So, it's back to work. Just a reminder: Time's passing! Enjoy it, relish it, give it your all!

Hey All,

Last week I did an interview with Fran Stewart for her Mystery Matters program on VoiceAmerica. If you'd like to listen, click on the link below, right hand side of the page.

More good reviews are popping up for BLOOD LINES. Take a look at the book's page for samples!

As Always,
KC

Hey All, I just had the best time.

Last Thursday I packed my car and trekked north to Jefferson, Texas, for the Pulpwood Queens 2009 Girlfriend Weekend. For those of you unfamiliar with the Queens, the organization was started by Kathy L. Patrick in her hair salon/bookstore, Beauty and the Book. What began as (more…)

Last week a "48 Hours Mystery" program entitled "The Guessing Game" aired on Belinda Temple's murder. I'm currently working on a book on this case entitled "Shattered," scheduled to be published next year, probably in the fall. After the program aired, my e-mail runneth over with correspondence from folks interested in knowing my take (more…)

After a couple of decades covering sensational murder trials, I'm still stunned by many of the crimes. It's so hard to understand how one human being can do something so truly evil to another. I was reminded of that this past month, watching the Timothy Shepherd trial unfold in Houston.

The (more…)