Storyspy: Spying for stories in the distant-deep 'Net Sea'

Michele Linehan Murder

2008-03-08T22:31:00.001-08:00

Mechele Linehan is described by her Olympia, Wash. neighbors as a pillar of the community. But to Alaskan authorities the physician’s wife and PTA mom was a manipulative seductress who they suspected was responsible for the murder of an Alaskan fisherman a decade earlier. “I just feel like there is nothing I can do to make people believe me or make people like me,”
Linehan tells correspondent Susan Spencer in an exclusive interview with 48 HOURS MYSTERY on Saturday, March 8 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.** “A witch I may be, but a psychopath I am definitely not.”
The body of Kent Leppink was discovered in woods outside Anchorage on May 2, 1996. He had been shot point blank in the back, stomach and face, but more disturbing than the crime was a sealed letter Leppink sent to his parents days earlier with instructions to open it if something were to happen to him. In the letter he named three suspects, including the woman he wanted to marry, Mechele Linehan (then known as Mechele Hughes), a local exotic dancer, and Scott Hilke and John Carlin, who in a bizarre twist also claimed to be engaged to Linehan.
According to many, Hughes was a conniving temptress who used her feminine wiles to prey on vulnerable men. And Hilke, Carlin and Leppink were not immune to her charms, showering her with gifts. According to authorities Carlin was even willing to kill for her.
Linehan tells a different story. “Anybody else that knew me or worked with me didn’t feel that way,” she says. “You tell me how a 22-year-old girl can make grown men do these things.” She also refutes the notion that she was engaged to the three men during this period.
“The only person I agreed to marry was Scott [Hilke].” And she claims that she only pretended to be engaged to Leppink as a front to his parents. “I think [he] was gay…he could never tell his family he was gay….He was frantic.”
Authorities were always convinced that Linehan masterminded the murder while Carlin carried it out, but despite a financial motive of collecting on a life insurance policy and a series of suspicious letters, they had no murder weapon or DNA to connect them to the crime. That is, until 2004 when a new witness and forensic technology led a determined cold case squad right back to their initial suspects and eventually Linehan and Carlin were convicted.
For Leppink’s family, these convictions bring closure but little comfort. For Mechele’s current husband Colin Linehan, it means the start of his own family tragedy. Speaking exclusively with 48 HOURS, Colin says, “This whole thing is surreal. [A] nerve-shattering, anxiety-provoking nightmare…the bottom line is that’s not who she is.” Yet, as he adjusts to his own loss, his heart still goes out to the Leppink family. “Their son is dead. You can’t take back the dead. I have nothing but sympathy for them.”

Source: Mylifeofcrime.wordpress.com

LA Won't Charge Morales With Rape

2008-03-08T05:58:00.000-08:00

No criminal charges will be filed against ``NYPD Blue'' star Esai Morales over allegations that he raped his ex-girlfriend, a prosecutor's office spokeswoman said Friday.
The Los Angeles County district attorney's office rejected the case on Feb. 13, citing lack of evidence, spokeswoman Shiara M. Davila said.

``I'm happy that my client was vindicated,'' Morales' attorney, Richard Charnley, said Friday. ``He was never questioned by the police, never taken into custody, there were never any charges brought against him.''

Morales' former girlfriend, Elizabeth Mazzocchi, alleged that he raped her in April 2006. Morales has denied committing any crime, Charnley said. He also noted that Mazzocchi continued to live with Morales for months after the alleged rape.

The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted, but Mazzocchi has been very public with her allegations, including the holding of a news conference to detail accusations against Morales.

Mazzocchi has sued Morales in Los Angeles County Superior Court for unspecified damages, contending he raped her and gave her herpes. The lawsuit is awaiting trial.

``She stands by her allegations, absolutely,'' said Nader Pakfar, an attorney representing Mazzocchi in the civil case.

Pakfar said an investigation for the civil case may uncover additional evidence that might convince the district attorney's office to file criminal charges.

The DA had a very limited investigation and did not have the benefit of any of the evidence that's going to come out, he said.

Morales, 45, appeared in the movies ``Bad Boys'' and ``La Bamba,'' and played Lt. Tony Rodriguez on "NYPD Blue.''

Source: Guardian.co.uk

Elizabeth Shoaf Recounts Her Story

2008-03-07T21:38:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth Shoaf recounted her 10 days of hell spent in an under ground bunker this morning on the Today Show. When she was 14, Elizabeth Shoaf was abducted on her way home from school by a man who stated he was a police officer. Vinson Filyaw, a 36-year-old construction worker, kept Elizabeth Shoaf for 10 days in an underground bunker that he created right next to his mobile home. He ended up sexually assaulting her for these 10 days, but Elizabeth never lost her faith. She stayed strong and believes that her strength and prayer is what kept her alive. This man, Vinson Filyaw, was also a suspect in another sexual assault case. Eventually, he was found and after confessing to the charges against him, Filyaw was sentenced to 421 years in prison, with no chance of parole. While he is in prison, Elizabeth Shoaf is taking the time to tell the tale of her courage, bravery, and healing.

Elizabeth Shoaf's story serves as a reminder to both parents and children alike, that safety when walking to and from school, is a must.

Source: Associatedcontent.com

VeryFunnyAds.com

2008-03-07T21:29:00.001-08:00

I can't believe that I missed this site for so long. VeryFunnyAds.com is a streaming video site just for commercials. I always thought it was a great idea to have a youtube just for commercials. Everyone wins as visitors get to see that commercial everyone is talking about without watching every channel on TV for 24 hour a day trying to catch it naturally and the advertiser get extra free promotion. You also get to see ads not for your region and even your country.

Source: Sungsblog.com

TMAU

2008-03-07T20:37:00.000-08:00

TMAU, also known as fish odor syndrome or fish malodor syndrome, is a rare metabolic disorder that causes a defect in the normal production of the enzyme Flavin containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3). When FMO3 is not working correctly, the body loses the ability to properly breakdown trimethylamine.Trimethylamine is consumed through the diet and when not properly broken down, through a process called N-Oxygenation, builds up and is released in the person’s sweat, urine and breath, giving off a strong fishy odor.

Symptoms
Trimethylamine causes an offensive body odor that resembles dead fish or other odors described below. It is released in the person’s sweat, urine and breath. People affected with TMAU usually suffer from this unusual body odor that is volatile and pungent.This odor varies depending on many known factors, including diet, hormonal changes, other odors in the space, and individual sense of smell and odor perceptions.The scent has also been described and compared to cigarette smoke, garbage, feces, urine, sulfur, and rotten eggs.

Incidence
TMAU is a life-disruptive disorder caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Living with TMAU is challenging, and it can adversely affect the livelihood of adults who have it and their families. Children with the condition could face rejection or a lack of understanding from peers during school or at play. There are various online support groups that have been created to help those in with malodor issues such as TMAU.

Diagnosis
Measurement of urine amino acids is the standard screening test. A blood test is available to provide genetic analysis. The prominent enzyme responsible for TMA N-oxygenation is the FMO3 gene.TMAU is a rare disorder. There used to be very limited medical knowledge readily available about most rare disorders or how to get tested for them. However, health care professionals can now get helpful information from genetic and rare disorder databases.One of the tests for trimethylaminuria is a urine test for elevated levels of trimethylamine.A similar test can be used to identify carriers of this condition - those individuals who carry one copy of a mutated gene but do not have symptoms. In this case, the person would be given a high dose of choline (one of the precursors of trimethylamine) and then have their urine tested for elevated levels of trimethylamine.There also is a DNA test that can detect the genetic defect.

Treatment
Currently, there is no cure and treatment options are limited. Although there is no perfect cure for trimethylaminuria, it is possible for some people with this condition to live relatively normal, healthy lives without the fear of being shunned because of their unpleasant odor. Getting tested is an important first step. Ways of reducing the odor include:Avoiding foods such as eggs, legumes, certain meats, fish, and foods that contain choline, nitrogen, and sulfur.Taking low doses of antibiotics to reduce the amount of bacteria in the gut.Using soaps with a moderate pH, between 5.5 and 6.5.At least one study has suggested that the daily intake of charcoal and/or copper chlorophyllin may be of significant use in improving the quality of life of individuals suffering from TMAU, the success rates vary:85% of people tested completely lost their “fishy” odor.10% partially lost their odor.5%, though, kept the scent.However, whilst they may be beneficial in some cases, many people in trimethylaminuria support groups who have tried charcoal and copper chlorophyllin have reported disappointing results.Also helpful are:Behavioral counseling to help with depression and other psychological symptoms.Genetic counseling to better understand their condition.[edit] GeneticsTrimethylaminuria has an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance.Most cases of trimethylaminuria appear to be inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means two copies of the gene in each cell are altered. The parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive disorder are carriers of one copy of the altered gene. Carriers may have mild symptoms of trimethylaminuria or experience temporary episodes of fish-like body odor.Mutations in the FMO3 gene, which is found on the long arm of chromosome 1, cause trimethylaminuria. The FMO3 gene makes an enzyme that breaks down nitrogen-containing compounds from the diet, including trimethylamine. This compound is produced by bacteria in the intestine as they digest proteins from eggs, meat, soy, and other foods. Normally, the FMO3 enzyme converts fishy-smelling trimethylamine into trimethylamine N-oxide which has no odor. If the enzyme is missing or its activity is reduced because of a mutation in the FMO3 gene, trimethylamine is not broken down and instead builds up in the body. As the compound is released in a person’s sweat, urine, and breath, it causes the strong odor characteristic of trimethylaminuria. Researchers believe that stress and diet also play a role in triggering symptoms.There are more than 40 known mutations associated with TMAU. Loss-of-function mutations, nonsense mutations, and missense mutations are three of the most common. Nonsense and missense mutations cause the most severe phenotypes. Although FMO3 mutations account for most known cases of trimethylaminuria, some cases are caused by other factors. A fish-like body odor could result from an excess of certain proteins in the diet or from an increase in bacteria that normally break down trimethylamine in the digestive system. A few cases of the disorder have been identified in adults with liver damage caused by hepatitis.The evolution of the FMO3 gene has recently been studied including the evolution of some mutations associated with TMAU.

Source: Savemylink.com

Police Investigates Times Square Explosion

2008-03-06T05:38:00.000-08:00

An explosive device caused minor damage to a military recruiting station in Times Square early Thursday, and police blocked off the area to investigate.

The device shattered a glass entryway, but no one was injured, police said. Members of the police department's bomb squad and fire officials gathered outside the recruiting station in the early morning darkness, and police cars and yellow tape blocked drivers — most of them behind the wheels of taxicabs — from entering one of the world's busiest crossroads.

Witnesses staying at a Times Square hotel in the area said they heard a "big bang" and could feel the building shake. A large plume of smoke was also visible after the explosion, they said.

Early in the investigation, subway cars passed through the Times Square station without stopping, but normal service was restored, with some delays, before the morning rush hour.

The recruiting station, located on a traffic island surrounded by Broadway theaters and chain restaurants, has occasionally been the site of anti-war demonstrations, ranging from silent vigils to loud rallies.

In October 2005 a group of activists who call themselves the Granny Peace Brigade rallied there against the Iraq war. Eighteen activists, most of them grandmothers with several in their 80s and 90s, were later acquitted of disorderly conduct.

The recruiting station was renovated in 1999 to better fit into the flashy ambiance of Times Square, using neon tubing to give the glass and steel office a patriotic American flag motif. For a half century, the station was the armed forces' busiest recruiting center. It has set national records for enlistment, averaging about 10,000 volunteers a year.

Police said it was too early to say if the blast may have been related to two other minor explosions in the city.

In October, two small explosive devices were tossed over a fence at the Mexican consulate, shattering three windows but causing no injuries. No threats had been made against the consulate, and no one took responsibility for the explosion, police said.

At the time, police said they were investigating whether it was connected to a similar incident at the British consulate on May 5, 2005.

In that incident, the explosions took place in the early morning hours, when Britons were going to the polls in an election that returned Prime Minister Tony Blair to power.

In both cases, the instruments were fake grenades sometimes sold as novelty items. They were packed with black power and detonated with fuses, but incapable of causing serious harm, police said.

Source: The Associated Press