Missing evidence: Preble County recurring problem

[admin]

I have read so many comments about Preble County missing evidence, both reading cases as well as in the many private messages I receive, that I would like to encourage open discussion so that others may feel compelled to come forward with their own information or dilemma - whether openly or in a PM to myself (admin).

In my own case of the triple homicide on Consolidated Rd (10/87), I have been told countless times of a gun (a 9mm?) missing from the PC sheriff's evidence room. Also, not long after the "triple" I received an urgent call from a friend living in Preble County that an official had just been caught burning evidence in our case. I seem to recall a newspaper article about it, but today I am not able to locate it. I remember Sheriff Green being involved - however I cannot remember if he was a perpetrator or an official I spoke with upon hearing about it and who comfirmed it. I definitely remember speaking with the BCI agent about it.

I repeatedly am told that a fire at the local PC library is somehow suspicious and ties in with the triple homicide, and I look forward to once again hearing those suspicions if anyone reading this is aware of what they were.

Also, over the years I have been told countless times that the triple homicide very much involves drugs and officials from PC and beyond. When I expressed doubt about that angle (I was fortunate to live in PC for only 6 months), many have confirmed that they had purchased marijuana that came directly from the evidence room. This is 1980-era. Shame on you, PP (yes, you were directly named - MANY times - and others)...

I have great difficulty finding reports, both journalistic and legal, that reference these evidence actions - they seem to disappear quicker than evidence. However, while deep-searching the web ( try Turbo10.com , a great tool) I came across the following little gem ...

www.whiotv.com/news/18435991/detail.html

Posted: 5:53 am EST January 8, 2009

EATON, Ohio -- The Preble County Sheriff’s Office has a lot of cleaning up to do after a fire breaks out in a storage area.

Jail staff first spotted smoke and flames coming from the storage building on Wednesday afternoon.

Sheriff Mike Simpson said he believes a battery that shorted out in an evidence truck started the fire.

The fire heavily damaged the truck and caused some structural damage.

Simpson also said damaged evidence that was in the storage area was from past cases and not current ones.

To those who may be knowledgeable in such matters, is this possible or even likely to have been caused by a battery that shorted out?!?

I find this shocking and have no doubt that the triple was one of the past cases Sheriff Mike Simpson was referencing. I would think that if they were holding evidence from past cases, it would have been because those cases remain unsolved. And I would think that those items of evidence would be most valuable and likewise very well protected.

I try not to let my mind wander to the fact that this fire happened not long after some of the families suffering from official wrongdoing found each other and organized a concentrated effort to gather their own information in 2007. By 2008 we were neck-deep in threats of lawsuits by officials and warnings not to participate in these discussions. We had already been alerted that a flurry of activity was occuring within the files of these cases and that things were being removed.

I look forward to reading others' like experiences within Preble County, and -as always - any PM to myself will be honored with confidentiality.

Thank you,
admin

[sixdegrees]

I find it hard to believe that a battery shorting out would cause a fire like this. But I am no expert. Perhaps you should request the fire report. I am sure there were many pictures taken. Insist on pictures. Reports don't always paint a clear picture. It would be interesting just to see what kind of reaction you get when you ask.

You have a suspicious mind. That is what happens when people aren't forthcoming with information. Any evidenced destroyed could be from any number of cases.

Do you wonder about every crime that has ever happened in Preble County now? I certainly do. The whole Silvers' case just blew my mind!!! You recently brought up the Whitesell case. On some thread long gone someone mentioned a hanging back in some woods?

How many more? Still going on?

[admin]

I have requested the report from the fire chief, who was very kind and immediately looked up the incident report. He is putting a copy along with photographs in the mail for me. Depending on what is in the report, I will consider contacting the sheriff's office and request more information - including the insurance report if necessary. OBCI needs to be alerted, for sure.

Sixdegrees, you are so right, I now have a suspicious mind. Evidence in our case has already been destroyed by fire twice, so a third time would be awful but no longer surprising.

I think (and hope) that the survivors of these cases involving corruption have made officials well aware of our presence and knowledge, and perhaps these suspicious deaths have come to an end. I do know the threats have continued, though.

I would love to know exactly which cases have lost evidence to this latest fire and if the electrical problem in the vehicle was the true incinerant...

[sixdegrees]

Did you ever get this information?

[I know]

P.P. was the same sex lover of E.D.

[admin]

I neglected to post here that I submitted a request for the fire report to the fire chief, and he was remarkable in replying and then mailing a comprehensive report including photographs.

It's a shame that stand-up persons like the fire chief are not running Preble County government. Well ... that's not acccurate - I should say that though I am sure there are stand-up persons in Preble County government, not a single one has taken a stand on uncovering and investigating corruption which has been documented and even submitted as written complaints. At this point, I can understand (and have proof) that a local would have their livelihood and safety on the line should they speak up ... this is going to have to be done by an outsider ...

[sixdegrees]

???I am not very good at reading between the lines...

Did you get the report?

More importantly, are you satisfied with it's contents?

[sixdegrees]

Hm-m-m-m. Easy to read between these lines.

Gee, this is the kind of thing you are up in arms about.

Failure to share information.

Facts are facts no matter where they come from.

Only selected facts make it to evidence. That is the problem. Who is doing the selecting?