Michael King Picked Wrong Woman

Where do these guys get off!? It’s like they read all the other stories about men killing & burying their wives or girlfriends, and try to out-do eachother.

It sucks that she’s probably dead, because she did everything right to get her abductor caught.

If he’s killed her, you want to take bets on whether he lives long enough to stand trial? Killing the daughter of a LE officer is a bad, bad idea. In fact, i’m betting there’s a little unofficial interrogation happening right now.

Maybe she knew this guy somehow, secret love affair gone bad? hmmm.

Ummm, Irondawg, judging by the picture of him, I highly doubt that!

Maybe she knew this guy somehow, secret love affair gone bad? hmmm.

Watch…we’ll find out that her Dad had arrested this dirtbag at some point.

Pausing a moment to say, “Bravo” to the dirtbag’s cousin, who “immediately called police.” Whatever the outcome, it’s nice to see a family member DO THE RIGHT THING.

Hope there is a happier ending than it looks like there will be…

How frustrating it will be for everyone involved if they find her charred, buried corpse in the area around the highway he was arrested at. So close. That’s enough to haunt any of the authorities, searchers, and family for the rest of their lives.

bastard

He borrowed gasoline and a shovel and he had a woman tied up in the back of his truck. Where could that be leading to?

He borrowed gasoline and a shovel and he had a woman tied up in the back of his truck. Where could that be leading to?

Why did he not claim that he was out of gasoline and his shovel was broken. Granted, he called police, but it was a bit of a dumbass move to give him the things he asked for. No??

agreed, wry and ash… kudos for calling the cops, but a kick in the ass for not getting in your car and following them… if she was dead, at least they could find her. if she was alive, she mightve stayed so……

They just put up a timeline on the Tampa Tribune:

According to a probable-cause affidavit, here’s what happened in the disappearance of Denise Amber Lee:

THURSDAY

2:30 p.m.: Neighbor Jennifer Eckert sees a green Chevrolet Camaro parked in the driveway of Lee’s home,7912 Latour Ave., North Port.

3:20 p.m.: Nathaniel Lee, the missing woman’s husband, arrives home to find his 2-year-old and 6-month-old children home alone in a crib. Denise Lee’s car, keys and cell phone are still there.

3:29 p.m.: Nathaniel Lee calls police.

6:14 p.m.: A 911 dispatcher receives a call and hears Denise Lee crying and pleading with someone, authorities say. It is determined the phone is King’s and that she has managed to dial for help. Authorities confirm a Chevrolet Camaro is registered to King.

6:23 p.m.: Authorities receive a call from King’s cousin saying King has borrowed a gas can and a shovel. When King drives away in a Camaro, a woman is visible tied up in the backseat, the cousin tells authorities.

9:16 p.m.: Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Eddie Pope is northbound on Toledo Blade Boulevard near Interstate 75 when he sees a Camaro matching the “be on the lookout” description. He stops King on southbound I-75 at Mile Marker 178. King is taken into custody and his car is impounded as evidence by the North Port Police Department.

FRIDAY

3:15 a.m.: Police talk to a witness, whose name has not been released, and determine there is probable cause to arrest King.

Why did he not claim that he was out of gasoline and his shovel was broken. Granted, he called police, but it was a bit of a dumbass move to give him the things he asked for. No??

The way I read it, he didn’t see the woman until he was leaving. After he had given him the items.

not looking good…………

Earlier on Thursday, North Port Police officers surrounded King’s house and went inside. They say they did find evidence that Lee had been in the home. Sources say they also searched his car, and reportedly found hair, blood, or both inside it. Police also reportedly found the gas can, shovel, and flashlight he had borrowed from his cousin, and all of the items were soaked in water.

Investigators say though King is in custody, he is not cooperating with detectives. They say when they arrested him, he was also drenched in water.

North Port Police, Sarasota and Charlotte County deputies, and the Florida Highway Patrol are all involved in the search for Lee. They are reportedly going near her home looking for her.

They’re also searching the area around King’s home – including some canals.

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=5517369&version=35&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

Investigators have found clothing in an area where they are searching for Denise Amber Lee, whose kidnapping yesterday from her North Port home sparked an exhaustive search.

The clothing was found on the north end of Salford Avenue, south of Interstate 75, not far from the home of Michael Lee King, who authorities say abducted Lee, a 21-year-old mother of two young children. King was arrested last night, charged this morning with one count of kidnapping and booked into the Sarasota County jail.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080118/BREAKING/677386723/-1/RSS01

At 6:23 p.m., police received a 911 call from King’s cousin, who told investigators about the shovel, gas can and flashlight. He also said Lee tried to leave the Camaro, but King shoved her back in.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080118/BREAKING/677386723/-1/RSS01

holy shit… why didn’t the cousin do more?

I will never understand what motivates someone to do something like this. The guy even parked his car in front of her house! Apparantly he got her inside her own home?? How did he get in? There has to be so much more to this story. Are they doing an all-out search for her? He might have left her somewhere and she might still be alive. I can’t believe they found him, but not her yet. This guy is obviously a dumbass, how could he hide her that well?

more on the cousin
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080118/BREAKING/863522753

NORTH PORT — Neighbors of Denise Amber Lee said they had seen her reported abductor, Michael Lee King, drive by Lee’s house several times, including early yesterday morning.

Neighbor Jennifer Eckert said she saw King park his green Camaro in the driveway of Lee’s Latour Avenue home at about p.m. yesterday. Eckert said she came outside when she heard the Camaro pull in and made eye contact with the driver, presumably King. The driver then sped off, Eckert said.

Eckert told police what she saw, and that information helped identify King and his Camaro as a suspect. She said Lee’s husband later tearfully thanked her for the help.

“He was totally distraught. He didn’t know what to think,” Eckert said.

Friends and family portray Denise Lee as a loving mother

By KATE SPINNER
Denise Amber Goff graduated magna cum laude from Lemon Bay High School in 2004, and married Nathaniel “Nathan” Lee, a 2001 Lemon Bay graduate, on Aug. 1, 2005.

The couple moved to Tampa to attend the University of South Florida, but withdrew after Denise got pregnant.

Public records indicate that for a time after that, they moved into the home of her parents, Richard and Susan Goff. The Goffs are descendants of William and Mary Goff, pioneers of Englewood who came to the area in 1878.

Denise and Nathan moved out of the Goff’s home after their first child, Noah, was born 1 ½ years ago. They since have had a second child, Adam, six months ago. Neighbors say the couple moved into the home on Latour Avenue about a year ago.

Nathan works full-time at Florida Power and Light as a meter reader, and also plays saxophone in bands and earns a little money coaching little league. Denise Lee stays home with the children.

This summer she kept up with friends on the Lee family’s Myspace.com page, posting photos of her children, reports on the progress of her pregnancy, and news of the deer that popped up in her front yard twice in May, once with a foal.

In August, she wrote about the day that she took the two boys to the mall to buy sunglasses, and was already getting tired after going to just one store.

“I let Noah play in the play area so I could get a chance to just sit. Noah was knocked down twice by older boys running around wild. Of course then Adam needed changing and I couldn’t take my eyes off of Noah or else he’d run out of the play area. So I put them both on the changing table and changed both their diapers. Fun fun.”

By the time she found a pair of glasses she liked at JC Penney, both of the boys were crying, the blog says.

“So I put Noah down and picked up Adam,” she wrote. “Noah thought it would be funny to try to run away again. So i caught him while holding Adam and put Noah in the stroller. An old man commented that I must have my hands full and said he checked in the bottom basket of the stroller to make sure I didn’t have a third one in there. LOL, can you imagine if I had three?”

Lee’s grandmother, Nancy Bates, said Nathan worked hard so the young couple would have enough money to live on their own, so she could stay home with the children.

“Things were getting easier and going a lot better” for them, Bates said. “I’m just waiting for that phone to ring with good news.”

holy shit… why didn’t the cousin do more?

Trying to think from his frame of mind, he probably thought that was the best he could do. If I were him, I would be thinking the police will catch him before he could get too far. But in restrospect, he should have followed in the car, to at least be able to tell the police where he is.

I changed my mind, it doesn’t look like she ‘s alive anymore

Why didn’t the cousin tell King to let her go. I can’t imagine him letting him drive off and then calling the police. I think that’s how I read it. He saw the Lee tied up? So just take off cuz and call me when you get done with whatever nasty deed it is your doin. I’ll call the police later? Geez!

if you read the articlde – he didnt even call right away… he drove past kings house a few times, then went to a payphone and made an anonymous report….
he seems remorseful now (end of article)…and I hate to speculate she’s dead… but if it turns out that way, those extra minutes might’ve saved her life.

Muxlow sat at home with his 9mm pistol for hours after the disturbing visit from his cousin.

He begun to quietly weep when talking about the incident.

“It’s just hard talking about it,” he whispered through tears. “When I think about it I feel so bad for the girl and the family.”

Aww, I feel kind of sorry for the guy. If I read correctly, he did go to King’s home right after he left, and then called the police. I agree, it was a stupid thing to do, but this is one of those incidents that no one could even imagine or prepare for.

When I think about it more though, the fact that he was borrowing a gas can and shovel shouold have really alerted the cousin that the situation wasnt just some psycho girlfriend, as he says. He really made a big mistake. Possibly a life-threatening one.

Police said they found a long, blonde hair in the car and a woman’s ring in the rear passenger seat.

She really knew what she was doing, I bet she left that ring on purpose. Man, she really did a damn good job trying to stay alive

God, imagine being at home in the middle of the day, you live in a normal neighborhood, you are just sitting there playing with your kids…

Then a minute later someone kidnaps you and you know you are about to be fucking killed. Jesus Christ, you really just aren’t safe anywhere, no matter who you, no matter where you live.

How about the cuz takes the shovel and cracks King on the back of the head with it and then lets Lee go. That could be a posible solution, but now it’s too late and he’s sorry? Too nuts for me. I’m gald he called police but I think he could have done that A LITTLE SOONER!

God, imagine being at home in the middle of the day, you live in a normal neighborhood, you are just sitting there playing with your kids…

Then a minute later someone kidnaps you and you know you are about to be fucking killed. Jesus Christ, you really just aren’t safe anywhere, no matter who you, no matter where you live.

That’s what I was thinking! How scary is that. She most have asked him to not hurt the kids, can I put them somewhere safe. Seems like she did all she could, made smart decisions. That makes it even harder to except. I’m so sorry for this family! I hope he comes clean and tells them what he has done.

That’s what I was thinking! How scary is that. She most have asked him to not hurt the kids, can I put them somewhere safe. Seems like she did all she could, made smart decisions. That makes it even harder to except. I’m so sorry for this family! I hope he comes clean and tells them what he has done.

I really am surprised he hasnt cracked yet. It seems that the nutjobs like this give up quick where the body is.

i just saw the family’s myspace page. This family looks so happy and her children are so beautiful. I am literally in tears for her. One of the posts on the page says this:
“We are all praying. PLEASE anyone viewing this page PLEASE pray for my niece’s safe return and her family. ”
this breaks my heart. I am praying so hard that they find her and that she is alive. Her kids and husband need her.

At 6:14 p.m., a call came in to the Sarasota 9-1-1 Center. Reportedly, voices of a woman and a man could be heard. Denise Lee’s cousin, Sheana Goff, said that during the call, the woman asked, “When are you going to take me, Denise Amber Lee, back to Latour Avenue?” possibly to leave clues as to what was happening.

According to Estrada, the 9-1-1 operator concluded the woman was in distress from the tone of her voice. It was speculated that Lee may have somehow obtained her abductor’s cell phone and dialed 9-1-1, then conversed with the man.

Estrada said the number from which the 9-1-1 call came was found to belong to a cell phone owned by King. Police began searching for King’s car, a 1994 green Camaro with a black grill cover.

Shortly after the 9-1-1 call came in, police received a call at 6:23 p.m. from someone stating that King had gone to his cousin’s house and asked for a shovel, a gas can and a flashlight. The cousin, believed to be Harold Muxlow Jr. of Karluk Street, reportedly gave the items to King, and at that time saw a woman tied up in the back seat of King’s car.

Muxlow did not contact police directly, but Estrada said a relative of the cousin did inform police of what the man had seen. Police issued a “Be on the Lookout” bulletin for King’s car.

Estrada said the information from the cousin’s relative was “absolutely critical” to the police search.

At 9:16 p.m., FHP Trooper Ed Pope saw a green Camaro traveling north on Toledo Blade Boulevard, not far from the I-75 onramp. He confirmed its license plate matched the BOLO’s, so in his unmarked car, Pope followed the Camaro when it entered I-75 heading south. Pope soon pulled the Camaro over at the 178 mile marker and found King inside. Lee was not in the vehicle. Pope placed King into protective custody.

According to Estrada, King was “completely soaked” from the waist down when he was taken into custody. Also found in King’s car were a gas can, a wet shovel and a flashlight. A woman’s ring was discovered on the Camaro’s rear seat. Estrada said a blond hair was also found inside, but he was not aware of any blood being found in the car.

King was initially uncooperative, according to police. Later, after he was questioned by North Port Police Lt. Kevin Sullivan, he did talk with officials, but police are not disclosing what he said. King reportedly gave information that led police to begin a search near King’s home.

King was said to be an avid outdoorsman and intimately familiar with the wooded areas around his house where the search began Thursday night, wrapping up around 2:30 a.m. The search resumed at daybreak Friday and is expected to continue at 7 a.m. today.
_________________________________

So it seems he may have told them where she is? I am hoping against all hope that she is by some miracle still alive.

I find this odd…. where is the kids mother geeeesh – did king off her and get away with it – another drew peterson ? (he moved to fla close to where his parents live and doesn’t take his son – not saying he didnt try but maybe isn’t allowed to remove the child from MI State… maybe child was takin away from both parent and placed with the uncle. If no charges were filed – it would appear his record was clean with no priors)

Patsy King says her son was facing a foreclosure on his North Port home, and had about 90 days before he had to move out. He had been debating whether to head back to Michigan, where King figured on getting a job and being closer to his 12-year-old son.

His son lives with King’s brother and sister-in-law in Michigan.

This is sooooo terribly sad – I feel bad for the cousin – he hadnt seen him in awhile. seems king remained calm they had a short conversation about his foreclosure etc. in real life situations it does take a few mins to set in. It was common for him to have drama with g/f’s apparently. If it had been the “mean girls” one of them probably would of been dragged down the street while holding on the door handle.

The cousin got on the phone called his daughter and were discussing what had happen then reacted by driving to kings house making a call at a nearby pay phone whether it is annonimous call or not (as we constantly beg others to report abuse this way if need be – we can’t knock him for that). He helped to interrogate king until 530 am – tried everything he knew to get him to talk – bless his heart…

King soaked and the borrowed items were soaked with water – DOES ANYONE KNOW the weather conditions for 630 – 9pm in that area for Thurs

– check the sewer … what is in the mind of a plumber ?

anyone know what evidence they have that lee has been to kings house, as i read there was only a mattress and stand up mirror in the home.

very sad story !

“Muxlow said that King, his cousin, had a “psycho” girlfriend and that such drama was not necessarily unusual.” I can’t imagine saying that hearing someone yelling, “Call the cops” from the backseat of a car is just daily living.

This poor woman did everything right to try to help herself in this kidnapping and she is probably dead.

Why is it when so many guys “snap,” they seem to think that killing a woman is the proper course of action? It’s as if we owe them something and they decide that the time has come to collect. “I’m mad at life and there’s a woman, so now I’m going to get me my raping and killing time.” “Gee, I’m mad a life and instead of raping and killing myself or someone who is responsible, I think I’ll punish some woman I barely know or just saw shopping in a store.” What is going on with this?

sad that her husband is already working 3 jobs to make a good life for his stay at home wife and 2 infant children. Horribly sad that kids will be without a mother and father will need childcare in order to work and most likely end up with a stepmother to care for them

Praying for a miracle ! ♥♥♥♥

I really am surprised he hasnt cracked yet. It seems that the nutjobs like this give up quick where the body is.

Someone posted over on Websleuths:

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1923874&postcount=18

“according to foxnewstv he has given LE a general idea of where to look for her. it doesn’t sound good!”

They found a body

http://www.heraldtribune.com/

This story in unbelievable!

I wish they could take him out there and feed him to the gators! let them chew one limb at a time off.

They confirmed it’s herbody. God fucking damn it. All it took was three hours! If the cousin had given the cops King’s address when he called, the cops could have gone straight there instead of waiting to spot the car! Isnt that where she was killed, at his house???? They could have gotten there in time! How the hell do you tell a 2 year old that their mom is never coming home???

They confirmed it’s herbody. God fucking damn it. All it took was three hours! If the cousin had given the cops King’s address when he called, the cops could have gone straight there instead of waiting to spot the car! Isnt that where she was killed, at his house???? They could have gotten there in time! How the hell do you tell a 2 year old that their mom is never coming home???

I read so much true crime that it doesn’t usually affect me as much as it used to, but the story of Denise Lee has brought me to tears. If only…you know? I suspect we’ll be hearing about the suicide or attempted suicide of King’s cousin in the next weeks or months.

Now maybe we can find out WHY…..

They confirmed it’s herbody. God fucking damn it. All it took was three hours! If the cousin had given the cops King’s address when he called, the cops could have gone straight there instead of waiting to spot the car! Isnt that where she was killed, at his house???? They could have gotten there in time! How the hell do you tell a 2 year old that their mom is never coming home???

So fucking sad this really makes me want to cry *actually I am crying*, and make sure my doors are dead bolted, fucking piece of shit. Not even safe in are own homes wtf!

Now maybe we can find out WHY…..

He saw her, he wanted to rape and kill her, and he did. That’s probably about as much “why” as we’re ever going to get unless it turns out there’s a connection to her father’s LE work.

Why.. because there’s evil in the world, that’s why.

The cousin that he borrowed the shovel, gas and flashlight from is the one I’m having a problem with.

The last man to have seen North Port resident Denise Amber Lee said Friday that she screamed for him to call the police before she was sped away by accused kidnapper Michael King.

Harold Muxlow Jr., 45, was startled by the incident outside his North Port home but said he did not immediately understand that there had been a kidnapping.

Muxlow said that King, his cousin, had a “psycho” girlfriend and that such drama was not necessarily unusual.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080118/BREAKING/863522753

I think the cousin was hit hard on the head at some point in his life.

I think the cousin was hit hard on the head at some point in his life.

Yeah. I just read the article yo linked. He just isn’t that intelligent. I mean, he did do the right thing, just 30 minutes later than he should have. He genuinely seems tore up about the whole ordeal, though.

Yeah. I just read the article yo linked. He just isn’t that intelligent. I mean, he did do the right thing, just 30 minutes later than he should have. He genuinely seems tore up about the whole ordeal, though.

I agree. Unfortunately, this guy could have and should have saved this girl’s life. But I really believe that he is just stupid and dense, and didn’t mean for this to happen. I keep thinking that after being able to call 911, and shout to someone to call 911, she must have thought that she would be saved for sure I would have.

One thing that has always bothered me is that some states have the property appraiser online. FL was one of the first states to do this. From what I understand unless your in law enforcement you have to petition the court to have it taken off and you have to have a darn good reason. I read in one article that her husband worked for Florida Power and Light.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080119/NEWS/801190343

He was a meter reader so I doubt he cut the guys power off. It’s just to easy to find people these days. I had a old boyfriend that I had not seen or heard from in 20 years and never wanted to see or hear from again contact me because he found me on the internet. He knew where I lived, my parents lived and my siblings lived. He knew when I got married and divorced. It was chilling. I did a search on him and found out he’s had several domestic assault charges against him. If someone knocks on my door I don’t know I don’t answer. If I get a phone call from a number I don’t know I don’t answer it. My friends and family know if they call from a strange number to talk to the machine.

i clicked on that link and found 2 moms and 2 babies (indianpolis killing) 4 men arrested pound of pot in the house http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080120/APA/801200570

going to read what i can about Denise Lee and head to bed. I am sad this turned out so bad for all involved.

8th photo here
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080119/PHOTOS02/862982137
boggles my mind how someone could not be seen with a shovel along side of a road

seems like an odd place for a crosswalk (sidewalk stops and starts over)

videos http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20070612/VIDEO01/706120731

i clicked on that link and found 2 moms and 2 babies (indianpolis killing) 4 men arrested pound of pot in the house http://www.heraldtribune.com/a…../801200570

what does this have to do with denise/king?

“The body of Denise Amber Lee was found naked, in the fetal position, in a shallow grave with what appeared to be a single gunshot wound to the head, a source involved in the investigation said today.”

My god

Jesus….that’s brutal. Naked? Guess that answers one question.

Rot in hell King, you fuckin’ piece of shit.

“There was a three-hour delay between the first report of Lee’s disappearance and North Port police calling for a lockdown of the city, and some wonder if the department should have acted sooner.”

Wow. That woman did everything right, and she still ended up raped (more than likely) and murdered. Sit back and think of that for a bit and it can really take the wind out of your sails.

I read that he took her to his house, raped her, and from there took her to where he buried her. When are there ever cases like this when rape ISNT involved? Sick fucking fat ugly diseased bastard. I hope now he’ll get all the sex he wants in prison, and then some!

Not only did she do everything right, he did everything wrong. Left his cell phone with her while he went to get the shovel and stuff (I read that she called the police while he was talking to the cousin, and when he got back in the car, the conversation continued in the background)….. He let his cousin, who knew who he was and where he lived, see the woman and hear her call for help….. And yet he still was able to complete what he was doing. How can he fuck up so much and still not be stopped in time????

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/jan/20/some-knew-suspect-kidnapping-unpleasant-individual/

more information about micheal king. Seems nobody liked him.

to LL44 that was another story on that page (link from post before mine – near the bottem) , sharing morbid or impqueen may want to use it.

Another thing I want to know is, how did he get her in his car without anyone seeing?

Walsh said he was “astonished” to learn of the abduction. He pointed out his street is a quiet residential circle with few houses on it.

“If we get five cars passing our house a week, that’s a lot,” he said.
—————
it is so extremely hard to watch – sunday mornings new conf. – I had a long good cry. *sobbbb – a real shocker to know her son’s 2nd birthday was saturday… How horrible any future birthdays for this kid will be a tremenous burden to bare.
—————
I have re-thinked the cousin bit – and find it odd that he didn’t consider it strange ex physco g/f or not that the girl screaming for help was in the back of the car. I even read that she tried to get out of the car.
—————-
since she was stripped I am thinking she had been bathe – could be the reason he was wet from waist down. I hadn’t come across where it says there is evidence she was at his house. some here said they read that. I did read tho there was only the matress and a mirror leaning agaist a wall.
—————-
her father is calling her a hero for saving her son(s) life. I am wondering what that means.
—————-
I am looking for the comments promised (today) from kings parents.

Denise Amber Lee found shot in head, naked, in shallow grave.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080120/BREAKING/82183926

Oh no…
As if this story wasn’t tragic enough…
01/23/08
Sheriff’s response to witness’s call under review

Janet Kowalski called 9-1-1, but that didn’t save murder victim

As she drove south on U.S. 41 from North Port Thursday evening, Janet Kowalski heard a woman scream “like she never heard before.” The scream came from a woman in the back of a car next to hers, a woman who was pounding on the window, trying to escape.

From that moment, Kowalski did everything she could to save the woman’s life, a North Port Police report indicates.

She called 9-1-1 on her cell phone while trying to get the man driving the other car to pass her. Meanwhile, Kowalski told the dispatcher the name of each side street they passed as the two cars headed south, according to the police report.

The report provides harrowing details of Kowalski’s efforts — as the last witness to see 21-year-old Denise Amber Lee alive — to alert law enforcement officers to her plight.

What the report does not detail is what Charlotte County Sheriff’s deputies did in response.

Both Charlotte and North Port officers were on the lookout for the suspect. And the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office had dispatched a helicopter to assist in the search.

Charlotte County Sheriff John Davenport responded to a request for an interview about his agency’s response to the Kowalski 9-1-1 call by issuing a terse statement.

“The Sheriff’s Office is looking into the entire case and evaluating all of our responsibilities, so we won’t comment on anything until the North Port Police Department does,” Davenport said Monday. He could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Sheriff’s spokesman Bob Carpenter on Tuesday also declined to discuss the agency’s response to Kowalski’s call or elaborate on the evaluation. Carpenter did not immediately respond to requests for public records about the call.

“It’s all under investigation,” Carpenter said.

Attempts to contact Kowalski for comment Tuesday were unsuccessful.

North Port Police Chief Terry Lewis confirmed that Kowalski’s call was routed to Charlotte County’s dispatch center. He referred a reporter to the Charlotte agency for information about the response.

“I know they’re looking at it,” Lewis said.

The investigation into the crime began after Lee’s husband, Nathan, returned home from work to their North Port home about 3:20 p.m. that day to find his wife missing. She’d left behind their children, ages 6 months and 2 years.

A neighbor told investigators that a green Camaro had pulled into Lee’s driveway an hour earlier.

At 6:14 p.m., the Sarasota County dispatch center received a call made from King’s cell phone. Dispatchers could hear the voice of a female pleading for her life. Detectives quickly learned King owned a green Camaro, and a “be on the lookout” bulletin was issued.

Just 16 minutes later, at 6:30 p.m., Kowalski called 9-1-1 as she drove south on U.S. 41 near Cranberry Boulevard, which is near the Charlotte County line.

After making eye contact with the driver of the car next to hers, Kowalski reported hearing “screaming like she never heard before coming from within the vehicle,” states North Port Police Detective Chris Morales in an affidavit.

Kowalski also saw a woman’s hand slap the passenger window as if attempting to break out. But the driver kept pushing her down, states the report.

Kowalski slowed down, hoping to get the suspect’s vehicle to pass hers so she could get the license plate number, the report states.

Finally, the suspect’s vehicle turned east on Toledo Blade from the center lane of U.S. 41.

It wasn’t seen again until 9:16 p.m., when Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Eddie Pope pulled King over on I-75 near Toledo Blade Boulevard. By then, it was too late.

Lee’s body was found Saturday in a shallow grave in a wooded area south of Toledo Blade with a single gunshot wound to the head.

The article above is so scary. If something happens, you’re really on your own in this world.

CatLady…thanks for sharing…(I think)…wow, that was difficult to read. The lady that tried to help her out…I can only imagine how she must be feeling.
This husband is left alone with his two babies to raise, it truly is a heart-wrenching story.

holy shit… how many different opportunities to save her…all failed…. how the fuck does that happen? king had to know he was in deepshit – why not let her live? the punishment would’ve been less than what he ‘s gonna face now!

holy shit… how many different opportunities to save her…all failed…. how the fuck does that happen? king had to know he was in deepshit – why not let her live? the punishment would’ve been less than what he ’s gonna face now!

LL44 – that would have required a brain…….

What a mean POS, I can only imagine her terror. So many missed oportunities to save her life. Most people don’t even get one chance to be saved.

To the lady who drove along with the car, kudos to her and thanks to her for finally being one person trying to help another for no reason at all. I know her efforts were in vain – but still she at least gave a shit about someone other than herself and tried to help.

As usual, the question, what about the cops? They had a woman on the phone giving street names and a helicopter, WTH? Why couldn’t they find the car? Kidnapping and a woman screaming for her life – one would think, the cops would have listened to the 911 caller a little more closely, especially, since HIS cousin had already called 911 and the cops had a vehicle description.

They suck!! and they are directly responsible for her death, right along with that POS King.

I feel like I need to weep, again.

OMG. that poor woman. there are so many people out there that just look the other way. she was putting herself in danger, yet she still called and SLOWED down her car. He could have hurt her too. what a wonderful person, it is so sad that her efforts did not save Denise Amber Lee.

Timeline:

http://www.sun-herald.com/breakingnews.cfm?id=4522

“11 a.m.: Denise Amber Lee and her husband, Nathaniel, talk on the phone.
1:45 p.m.: North Port resident Chuck Briggs saw Denise Amber Lee at te North Port Post Office on US 41. He remembers holding the door open for her as she carried in a large package. As she stood in line, he remembered seeing a man, whom he later realized was Michael King, in line about four people behind Lee.
2:30 p.m.: Lee’s neighbor reports seeing a green Camaro parked in Lee’s driveway with a white male in the driver’s seat.”

He freekin followed her home from the post office! Can you imagine just going to the post office to mail a package have some creep follow you home and then abduct you!?
It is so frustrating that she and people around her did everything to help her and she was still murdered.

Oh wow ! the post office, I wonder if they have the P.O. lobby suveillence tape.

I just noticed Her LAST NAME is LEE and His MIDDLE NAME is LEE… maybe as he was standing there his eye caught the return label …. something like “fate” clicked inside his head – thinking she was his soul mate.

Carrying such a large box wonder if her children were with her

6:23 p.m.: Sarasota 9-1-1 Center receives a call from Sabrina Muxlow stating that her father, Harold Muxlow, on Karluk St., was visited by King, who is Muxlow’s cousin. He asked Muxlow for a gas can, flashlight and shovel. Muxlow saw a bound woman get out of the car, but according to reports gave King the requested items.
6:30 p.m. Janet Kowalski, heading southbound on US 41, spots a dark Camaro to her left at the Cranberry Blvd. stop light. She hears a woman screaming through the open passenger window, and sees a woman slap the back window with her hand. She calls 9-1-1 and reports the Camaro’s location as they pass cross-streets. The Camaro suddenly turns left and heads north on Toledo Blade Blvd.
6:59 p.m. Police enter King’s house on Sardinia Ave. They do not find either King or Lee there, but discovered duct tape with long blonde hairs.

damn damn…. hell with kings house they should of been on US 41 !!! I’m guessing that is Price Blvd.

*apparently her hands were not bound !!!

King remains in custody at the Sarasota County Jail. An arraignment is set for 9 a.m. on Feb. 15.

interesting i did mapquest from
Lee’s house: latour to sardina 7 miles (20 mins)
King’s house: sardina to karluk (includes salford) 6 mile (15 mins)
Cousins house: karluk to cranberry 4 mile (10 mins)
Janet last saw her screaming: cranberry to plantation 3 mile (6 mins) where Denise was found

OH MY GOD. I knew it. Denise Lee’s husband is suing the Charlotte County police dept.!!!!!! The police operators say they “forgot” to tell deputies about the lady calling in saying that there was a girl in a car screaming for help and tied up!!!! Nathan Lee, good luck!

The caller even told the operator that the murderer was turning left on Toledo Rd., telling them EXACTLY where this guy was, and the operator’s, “forgot”???? How could you as a human being forget a call like that?? Someone calling for help? What the hell is going on. The Charlotte County PD has some SERIOUS questions to answer. I WANT ANSWERS

I hope the family gets BUNDLES of money…. and lots of people lose their cushy jobs. This woman had what, three opprtunities to be rescued? Everyone fucked this one up & 2 precious kids have to grow up without their mommy.
I know money won’t make the pain go away, or bring her back… but it can buy therapy and Daddy never having to work again so he can spend every precious minute with his kids.

The caller even told the operator that the murderer was turning left on Toledo Rd., telling them EXACTLY where this guy was, and the operator’s, “forgot”???? How could you as a human being forget a call like that?? Someone calling for help? What the hell is going on. The Charlotte County PD has some SERIOUS questions to answer. I WANT ANSWERS

I agree. I hope the husband wins his case. Her death was so very preventable, had the cops/dipatchers done their jobs. You’ve already got cars out looking for a woman from two departments, and “I just forgot to tell the officers” – I hope the husband and children get one of the largest settlements in history.

- I hope the husband and children get one of the largest settlements in history.

Me too….and I also hope the husband, as part of the settlement, is given the opportunity to knock the holy living SHIT out of everyone who had a part in ‘dropping the ball’ in this case. He needs to be given the chance to at least cold-cock the stupid dispatcher with the spotty memory. After all it’s not like the hit will have any chance of causing brain damage in such a person, because that bitch is already brain dead! My God! If that had been a family member of mine, I would already be on death row myself, having hunted down the stupid twat, and fucking killed her!

Was she smoking crack, by chance? Somebody please tell me that the police departments in this country don’t hire people who are naturally this stupid, and then put them in a position where they are responsible for the lives of others….. At least if she was smoking crack or doing meth, I could try and convince myself that not all of the people in that office were given the job simply because no one else applied….

Was she smoking crack, by chance? Somebody please tell me that the police departments in this country don’t hire people who are naturally this stupid, and then put them in a position where they are responsible for the lives of others….. At least if she was smoking crack or doing meth, I could try and convince myself that not all of the people in that office were given the job simply because no one else applied….

That does seem to be the case — that no one else applied for the job. How in the hell could you forget something like that? Why in the hell wouldn’t you have come up with a better excuse?

And you are correct in your statement of “cold-cocking the bitch would not cause any brain damage” – nothing there, nothing to damage.

Was she smoking crack, by chance? Somebody please tell me that the police departments in this country don’t hire people who are naturally this stupid, and then put them in a position where they are responsible for the lives of others….. At least if she was smoking crack or doing meth, I could try and convince myself that not all of the people in that office were given the job simply because no one else applied….

That does seem to be the case — that no one else applied for the job. How in the hell could you forget something like that? Why in the hell wouldn’t you have come up with a better excuse?

And you are correct in your statement of “cold-cocking the bitch would not cause any brain damage” – nothing there, nothing to damage.

That does seem to be the case — that no one else applied for the job. How in the hell could you forget something like that? Why in the hell wouldn’t you have come up with a better excuse?

I KNEW back when I read this that this was all wrong. This idiot couldn’t have made it easier to be caught if he had driven her and himself to the freaking police station! Even if he had, it seems they still would have missed him as he murdered her in the PD lobby! Holy shit! How could this woman have not survived??? You have the dumbest criminal on the face of this earth, a smart woman, plenty of concerned citizens calling for help, and that STILL WASN’T ENOUGH????
I am leaning towards agreeing with the conservatives and their gun rights arguments. Who the hell can you count on to protect you nowadays?? The fucking cops??? Yeah, tell that to Denise!

I KNEW back when I read this that this was all wrong. This idiot couldn’t have made it easier to be caught if he had driven her and himself to the freaking police station! Even if he had, it seems they still would have missed him as he murdered her in the PD lobby! Holy shit! How could this woman have not survived??? You have the dumbest criminal on the face of this earth, a smart woman, plenty of concerned citizens calling for help, and that STILL WASN’T ENOUGH????I am leaning towards agreeing with the conservatives and their gun rights arguments. Who the hell can you count on to protect you nowadays?? The fucking cops??? Yeah, tell that to Denise!

You can count on NO ONE but yourself, to protect you. Never forget that. Even when you have others trying to help, sometimes you just need a pistol in your pocket to save your own ass. Its saved mine more than once, and obviously, I’m not in jail because I killed someone.

I think of Denise and her family Quite often and along with that I have to see Michael Kings face in my memory… Denise struggled numerous ways to attract attention to her and the car. She made a remarkable effort to get someone to help her.

7-23-08

http://www.tvguide.com/detail/tv-show.aspx?tvobjectid=191723&more=ucepisodelist&episodeid=8011037

Denise Lee was featured on “Primetime: Crime” at 10/9 CST – There has been a number of reports of 911 calls and witnesses that hesitated to call 911. In one case a man dialed the number on his cell phone and then decided to end the call. The last woman to see Denise alive. Explained there were awhole lot of questions about the caller. Instead of being concerned with what the report was.

This woman after seeing the photo of Mike King in the paper the next day. Again stepped up and wanted to know why why why ? Now so does Denise’s family.

Denise’s father says it is hard to swallow that it was his Dept where he works. Denise’s Husband says it didn’t have to happen. The 911 dispatchers didn’t put the call thru – each thought the other one had. The were suspended for a short time and ordered to attend a training class. The dept has learned from there mistake.

Pimetime: Crime showed the Denise Lee Story with great detail / awesome coverage.

*sigh*

I’ve never come across this story, it really was a bad way to end my night. Glad I did though, it added another souvenir to my paranoia collection. Jeez, like I don’t have enough. I am investing in a stun gun.

Please visit the official website for Denise
http://www.deniseamberlee.org
Rest in peace Denise~ lets Improve 9-1-1!

Thanks for visiting!
The site is currently undergoing planned maintenance to release the latest version. The site should be back up and running, and all new on January 4th.

If you have any questions or concerns, please send us an e-mail. mailto:info@deniseamberlee.org

UPDATE (1/2/09 10:40am CT):Everything is going well! Sorry we had to take the existing site down. We are running into some delays because the new technologies we are attempting to use are not compatible with our servers the site is hosted on, making some drastic changes necessary. Hopefully the next time you visit, we’ll have a better update for you.

UPDATE (1/2/09 7:32pm CT):Still plugging away – a few styling issues and other cosmetic issues. We’re still well on track for our 1/4/09 return. Thanks for your continued patience.

UPDATE (1/2/09 11:21pm CT):Hard to believe it has been 50 weeks…

UPDATE (1/3/09 6:21pm CT):Still here and still working. I’ve made a few last minute security changes as well, so we’re looking good! Hope you check back tomorrow when we go live!

UPDATE (1/4/09 7:50pm CT):Transfer delays have forced me to push back the release to 10pm Central. Hang in there, it’s now just a matter of web speed!

UPDATE (1/5/09 12:30am CT):Runtime errors from our remote servers have caused me to push back the release even further. I refuse to release an inferior or partial product, so I am forced to apologize yet again for the lack of an official site. We’re still here and still working hard, so please send us an e-mail if you need us.

UPDATE (1/6/09 1:10am CT):The site relaunch has been indefinitely postponed. We likely will be seeking new hosting or another alternative solution. Please bear with us during this transition. Again, just because we don’t have a site doesn’t mean we’re not still working to help tell Denise’s story and find ways to further augment our country’s fine 9-1-1 system.
I’m going to leave all of these updates here so everyone gets an idea of what is going on. I hope you think the wait is worth it.
Thanks again for your continued patience.

——————–
whats going on with the M L King case ? all I see is about the website… interesting tidbit – the abused 911 system… I do wished Denise could of been saved, she struggled so very hard to get help!!!! wrong dispatcher wrong county unbelievable… and yes embarrassing!

——————————————
google search – June 11 2008

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008/6/11/356186.html

MANATEE COUNTY (Bay News 9) — Hundreds of documents, audio and a video tape have been released in the case of the kidnapping and murder of 21-year-old Denise Amber Lee.

On Jan. 17 Denise Amber Lee was snatched from her North Port home. A surprising call from Lee came into 911 three hours after her husband first reported her missing.

The call came in just hours before she died, the last time anyone would hear from her.

Michael Lee King, 37, is the main suspect in the case and has been charged with killing her.

According to the dispatcher who took the call from Lee, the 911 phone call ended when Lee’s kidnapper realized she was on their cell phone.

Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher: “He did not know that she was on the phone.”

North Port police dispatcher: “Ok who did he think she was talking to?”

Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher: “No she had the phone next to her.”

North Port police dispatcher: “Ok, ok.”

Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher: “He was like where’s my phone? She’s like I don’t have your phone, and finally when he took phone.”

The call came in at 6:14 p.m. to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center.

It was the first time authorities learned she was being held against her will.

More Information

Watch the story
Previous story
E-mail TV Reporter Summer Smith
Two days after the 911 call North Port police found Lee’s body in the woods.

Police said they found evidence linking King to the crime, including tape they said contained Lee’s hair.

The documents released did not reveal if King and Lee knew each other before the murder or a possible motive.

Prosecutors are not releasing the 911 call made from Lee. They said it is exempt from public records laws because King made statements that are admissions.

Lee left behind a husband and two young sons.

According to court documents, DNA found on Lee’s body has been matched to King’s DNA. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for King if he’s convicted.

*** there is a video link – not working for me.

————————————–
I’m Thinking of Denise’s son that’s soon having his third birthday……… Have a Happy Birthday darling… You are Loved ! Both of you boys ! wishing you a lifetime of happiness and good times.

Sounds like the 911 operator was discussing the situation with someone else, I would assume a supervisor or trainer, talk about incompetent, they are responsible for that murder.

TRU tv had this case on today, the jury is in deliberations whether to execute King, the majority rules. Michael is the 3rd son out of 4. His brother of 5 yrs his senior testified that Michael (6) was slammed into a pole while riding a sled. The brother (11) explained the tobaggon in which he was driving was pulling a sled, there was a rope appx 20 foot connecting them. The tobaggon was making a turn, the brother was screaming “let go Michael” Michael’s face slammed into the pole his nose and mouth was bleeding and he was unconscience. The 11 yr began to shake him and pound on his chest he opened his eyes. The brother took him to the farm house, where they cleaned Michael up. No visit to emergency room. This is what they are using for his defense.

Michael sat physically motionless and emotionless.

The were using keypoints, he was a devoted father and attentative in his relationship, mentioned never being in trouble before. Stressed from the foreclosure on the house and no job.

They failed to mention that his ex wife and kid lives 5 states away in Michigan. That the cousin said it was normal for him to have a woman with him that hollars and yells. (refer to earlier post how the cousin puts that)

http://www.mysuncoast.com/global/story.asp?s=10986855

*** new picture needed ?

CNN covered the trial of Michael King who was charged with the kidnapping, rape, and murder of Denise Amber Lee. Today, the jury recommended the death penalty. During the trial, Michael King sat looking emotionless, staring blankly throughout the entire proceedings. Last week, he was found guilty; this week was his sentencing hearing. Next to come will be the actual sentencing where the judge will pronounce that Michael King has received the death penalty. Additionally, family members will have the opportunity to tell Michael King directly what his horrendous actions has cost them as a family.

The links from this and the post before mine have some pictures of the family, including Denise’s family if someone would add the pictures please. Thx

During the sentencing phase, defense attorneys for Michael King tried to state that a childhood accident while sledding caused brain injury, an injury that led to King’s inability to control his actions or know right from wrong. They also alleged that he had a very low IQ. An emergency hearing had been held earlier this week in an attempt to prevent prosecutor’s mental health experts from testifying. The Judge agreed with the prosecution and allowed the experts to examine King. Other testimony provided by the defense pointed to an incident where Michael King was 17 years old. Family members of King’s testified that when he was 17, he had chased his family around the home with a chain saw, acting out the movie “Texas Chain Saw Massacre.” The chainsaw was working, and when the event was over, Michael King reportedly behaved as if nothing had transpired.

Michael King’s brothers testified in his defense, telling about King’s state of mind before the murder. One of King’s brothers, James King, described Michael King after his girlfriend broke up with him. Subsequently, Michael King lost his job, was unemployed and was undergoing both bankruptcy and foreclosure proceedings. Michael King’s sister in law, Kerry King, testified that she and her husband have custody of King’s son, Matt. Matt is 13 ½ years old.

The defense also called Michael King’s ex girlfriend, Jennifer Robb. Her testimony included that she ended their relationship on Thanksgiving Day, 2007 and had felt that Michael King’s personality had drastically changed. Under cross examination, however, Jennifer Robb stated that she was the aggressive one in the relationship. She also stated that she would throw things out of anger and that Michael King would walk away. This testimony, however, didn’t change the jurors’ decision.

On Wednesday, September 2, 2009, Judge Economou put a temporary hold on the penalty phase to have mental health experts examine Michael King. Addressing the way King sat through each proceeding emotionless and with a blank stare on his face; the exam would help protect the prosecution’s case as well. Ensuring that Michael King was fit for trial was important to ensure that a mistrial would not ensue. After a professional examination by Dr. Eddy Regnier, it was determined that Michael King is not incompetent to understand the proceedings of the death penalty phase.

Today, the jury deliberated as to what the most appropriate punishment would be for Michael King. In closing arguments, Michael King’s defense team stated that due to King’s low IQ, a recommendation of life would be best. They also stated that due to his poor IQ, he could not logically calculate his cold hearted actions of murder against Denise Amber Lee. They pointed to his history of non-aggressive behavior and mentioned that he was a good father, boyfriend, and husband. This was in stark contrast to the prosecution’s closing arguments.

The prosecutor in the case, Lon Arend described the fear that Denise Amber Lee experienced knowing that the shovel had been placed in the car with her. Throughout her fear and terror, she called 911, knowing what evil plans Michael King had for her. The prosecutor described Michael King’s actions as heinous, atrocious, and cruel. He also stated that there is a good chance that Denise Amber Lee saw Michael King put the gun to her head, as there was no proof that her eyes had been covered at the time she was shot execution style. The jury voted 12-0 that Michael King should get the death penalty.

Sources: http://www.examiner.com/x-7403-Tampa-Crime-Examiner~y2009m9d4-Michael-King-gets-the-death-penalty-in-Denise-Amber-Lee-case-videos-from-the-trial

—————

What happened to the 13 yr old, Matt’s mother ? I had just assume the mother took off to Michigan with her son after the divorce.

—————

all i can say is brain damage or low IQ should work against someone in this situation, they are a menace to society in my opinion… After such an atrocious crime the stress worrying waiting, the questions how you hurt your family and friends would play on your mind, their mentality would be wickid and left shattered that much more risky and unsafe – if he/she would ever be released. Scary and I believe alot of them feel that they have nothing to lose so why not attitude to re-offend… they have so much time behind bars to create a list of absurd events.

———– anyways I am impressed with the 12-0 vote cause I figured the defense would of picked jury members that were totally against the DP.

I was interested in knowing what his father had to say – I found this write up.

http://www.abc-7.com/Global/story.asp?S=11039643

Trial blog: King competent for sentencing
Posted: Sep 03, 2009 8:37 AM EDT
Updated: Sep 03, 2009 3:10 PM EDT

3:01 p.m.: We will be back in the courtroom tomorrow morning when court begins with opening statements. Watch Marisa Brahney’s report tonight at 6:00 to hear some of today’s testimony.

2:51 p.m.: The attorneys and judge are going over the jury instructions.

The defense is objecting to the aggravators in the case.

2:50 p.m.: The jury is to be back at 8:45 tomorrow and court will reconvene at 9 a.m.

2:46 p.m.: Christopher Morales has been called to the stand. He’s with the North Port Police Department. He was with Michael King 8-9 hours after his arrest. He was lucid, conversational and appeared normal. The state has completed their questioning.

The defense is now questioning Morales. He says he had an incident with King in 02 or 03 for a neighbor disturbance.

He says King was on a phone call where he said he was going to be killed, raped and asked his brother to call 911 from Michigan.

Morales is done.

The state is done. All that’s left are the closing arguments and jury instructions. They will start tomorrow morning with closing arguments. Then they will be given instructions and then deliberate.

The jurors are excused now.

2:34 p.m.: The defense is cross examining the witness. The defense is asking about the invalid tests. They’re also asking about his IQ test results. He agrees all the IQ scores (from years ago and recently) they are all substantially the same.

The doctor is going to be paid $250 an hour for sitting in the gallery all week.

2:32 p.m.: The doctor says King can follow the law, his ability to do that has not been substantially impaired.

2:28 p.m.: The doctor says paranoia is atypical of frontal lobe damage, contradicting what Dr. Wu testified Tuesday. Inability of controlling impulses is consistent with frontal lobe damage. Difficulty with cognition is consistent with frontal lobe damage. Delusions are not indicative of frontal lobe damage – separating fantasy from reality. Blunted affect – not indicative of frontal lobe damage – more common is inappropriate affect (behavior). Mood disregulation, difficulty regulating your mood, keeping it in check – that is indicative of frontal lobe damage. Greater vulnerability to stress is also indicative of frontal lobe damage. Bizarre behavior – it isn’t consistent with frontal lobe damage.

2:22 p.m.: The state asks if King is mentally retarded. He finds no evidence for that diagnosis.

Does Mr. King have frontal lobe damage? The tests he ran came back invalid. Therefore, the scores derived, he can’t say they are an accurate reflection of his abilities. The doctor believes his real abilities are higher than his performance on the tests.

If he looks at the pattern of performance, it is not indicative of frontal lobe damage.

The state wants to refute Dr. Wu’s testimony, but the defense is objecting. They are at sidebar now.

2:11 p.m.: The doctor is going through all of the different tests he performed and what they are and how they work. One of the tests is a validity test to figure out if a person is faking.

Gamache found King’s tests were invalid and because he didn’t put forth a true effort. He says there is no confidence the other scores the Gamache did with King are accurate.

The invalid result is likely the result of one of the following three reasons:

The subject was deliberately attempting to not perform fully
The subject wasn’t motivated to put forth full effort
The subject was simply distracted and had too many other things on his mind.
The doctor says King either wasn’t motivated to put forth full effort or was too distracted. There is a possibility he was deliberately not doing well.

His IQ score was 76 (but the doctor says there is little confidence in this and that his true results would likely be higher)

Previous tests, King scored 83 and 85 (both were after the sledding accident). The doctor says most of the time, people’s IQ scores stay stable.

The doctor has an opinion King’s IQ is likely in the “low average” range in the 80s.

1:55 p.m.: The state has called a doctor to the stand. Dr. Michael Gamache is a psychologist. He has met with Michael King, in April 2, 2009 and August 31, 2009.

He was given documents to review -five or six volumes of documents – including letters from Mr. King to family members, some were transcripts of interviews or depositions, school records of Michael King and work records of Michael King.

He has been in the courtroom for the entire penalty phase.

He spoke to King Monday. (the defense objected to this testimony and the judge must have agreed at sidebar).

The state moved on to another line of questioning.

King does not have a criminal record. The state is asking about PET scans and about frontal lobe damage.

1:45 p.m.: The judge is sending the jury out for about ten minutes. Michael King will not testify. The defense has no more witnesses.

The state has the opportunity to present rebuttal evidence. The jury has been brought back to the courtroom.

1:30 p.m.: We’re back, waiting for court to begin. First up will likely be James King, Michael’s father, via teleconference.

The jury is in the courtroom.

James King Sr is testifying via teleconference.

He says Michael was sick when he was about 1 1/2 and he had double pneumonia and was in the hospital for a while.

The defense is asking about the sledding accident.

He says Michael had a knot on his head and the lower half of his face was bloody. At the doctor’s office, the doctor said his teeth would be okay because they were his baby teeth.

Michael was in a learning disability/special ed classes. He says Michael had trouble spelling.

Michael had trouble with nosebleeds and hardly ever went to the doctor. He went to the doctor and went to the car and hid in the car.

After Michael’s divorce, his father asked him to move to Florida with them and helped him get a job and helped take Matt back and forth to school. (His parents were seasonal residents)

At Christmas 2007, Michael went back to Michigan. He couldn’t find a job, though. He took Michael to a bankruptcy attorney, but a Michigan attorney couldn’t help him, so Michael went back to Florida to take care of the house.

12:29 p.m.: We are in recess for lunch until 1:30 p.m.

12:18 p.m.: When the detectives went to Rodney’s house, he told them he didn’t remember any adverse effects from the sledding accident. He told them he exaggerated a lot afterwards.

Michael still believes he killed a rabbit with a cork gun and still believes it to this day.

After the sledding accident, Rodney told detectives, he only mentioned the exaggerations and killing the rabbit with the cork gun.

Rodney didn’t tell detectives that Michael had buzzing in his head from the sled accident, when he spoke to them in February 2008. Rodney doesn’t remember whether he did or not.

Now the state is asking about the witch incident. Rodney didn’t mention it to the detectives in February.

He didn’t tell detectives about the bow and arrow, the chain saw accident, the wolves incident, the trance-like state he was in January 2008, or that he thought Michael was in another world in early 2008.

12:07 p.m.: He says he didn’t believe detectives had the right person, that the brother he knew wouldn’t kill someone. When can’t recall what he said to detectives in February 2008.

The state wants to know if Rodney told Florida detectives that Michael was knocked unconscious and if he was bleeding. The statement he made at the time he said he didn’t remember Michael bleeding.

Rodney was asked if Michael was knocked unconscious (in February 2008), but couldn’t answer the question.

In 2008, Rodney told investigators he doesn’t remember Michael going to the doctor.

He told police about a time he hit his head on a pole. He knocked himself in the head and it knocked him to the ground. It knocked him out. After he was knocked out he told the detectives he heard buzzing in his head.

He never saw Michael get violent or scream.

11:59 a.m.: Rodney testifies the witches incident is because of the sledding accident.

The chainsaw incident, Rodney believes it was as a result of the sledding incident.

He also believes the bow and arrow incident was because of the sledding accident.

The belief there were wolves in the woods was a result of the sledding accident.

The trans-like state was a result of the sledding accident. “He still had a head injury lingering on”

Rodney says he never realized how bad the sledding accident was.

In December 07-January 08, Rodney testified Michael seemed to be in another world and that was a result of the sledding accident.

Michael was paranoid about getting lost while driving and that was a result of the sledding accident, Rodney says.

Rodney says he has trouble with short term memory and that he’s on a lot of medications.

In February 2008, Rodney met with investigators in Michigan. He remembers speaking to the investigators and telling them the snowmobile was going 90 mph. He told them Michael hit a pole or a barn with his head.

When Rodney talked to detectives in February, he didn’t remember if Michael was bleeding after the sled accident. He remembers Michael was bleeding from his mouth but doesn’t remember if he was bleeding from the head.

11:55 a.m.: The state is now cross-examining the witness.

At the time of the sledding accident, he was five years old. It was right after he hurt his chin. He remembers going to school in ’77 and the sled accident was in ’78.

Rodney thinks the sled accident has affected his life, especially because of the buzzing in his head. Michael mentioned the accident and the buzzing in his head often.

11:52 a.m.: Michael had to go back to Florida to meet with a bankruptcy attorney.

The last time Rodney spoke with Michael Christmas or New Years, just before he was arrested.

He didn’t see Michael on the day he was arrested.

11:42 a.m.: In late 2007, Michael visited Michigan. He said Michael was sitting in a recliner and wouldn’t acknowledge him – like he was in a trance.

He says Michael’s look was expressionless. He says Michael was like that when he was on his motorbike – and it seemed like he was in another world.

Rodney says Michael was affected by Danielle leaving him.

At one point Michael was trying to get a job as a plumber so Rodney tried to help him put a resume together. He had to rely on his father for the dates. He says his wife helped finish Michael’s resume.

11:34 a.m.: They cut down the tree stumps and Michael never talked about the witches again.

Rodney says Michael always complained about head buzzing, ever since the sledding accident. He says he didn’t realize the buzzing was so bad.

Rodney remembers the chainsaw accident. It was Rodney, Gary, Maggie and were watching Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Michael grabbed a chainsaw and cut the tree up.

Then Michael got into the house and Maggie and Rodney got out of the house.

They had to air the house out from the smoke.

Rodney says they didn’t help him clean up or air out the house. They didn’t want Michael to get in trouble. He says Michael walked around, didn’t say anything and never even mentioned the incident He acted like he didn’t know what he did.

Rodney doesn’t think Michael wasn’t going to hurt them.

He didn’t want to get Michael in trouble so they didn’t tell their parents. There were lots of things that didn’t make sense like that, Rodney said.

In 1984, Rodney says they had bow and arrows and rubber on the end of them instead of real arrows. Rodney says sometimes Michael would take off the rubber ends and would shoot at him.

Then at one point Michael got a hold of a real arrow and shot at Rodney and it went through the closet door. When their dad came home, he asked what the hole was for. Rodney explained Michael shot an arrow through it.

11:26 a.m.: Rodney doesn’t remember what the doctor said about Michael’s injury. He just remembers his mom having to wake Michael up every 20-30 minutes.

Rodney says it seemed like Michael always had nosebleeds. It would “gush” out.

He says Michael was scared of doctors. He ran out of the doctor’s office and hid in the back seat of the car and wouldn’t come out.

Michael did go to the dentist and got his wisdom teeth pulled.

Rodney says Michael was a slow learner. Even in junior high he had LRC classes, and in high school as well.

He says Michael had a hard time with reading, writing. He just didn’t understand and wasn’t as advanced.

The defense is asking if he observed bizarre or strange behavior. He says he remembers when he was in second grade and Michael was in third grade…He says they would ride their bikes in the woods and he said two tree stumps were witches that were going to hang them on the tree.

To get through the woods, they would have to ride really fast.

They took guns to the woods to kill the witches. Rodney says no one knew about it.

They shot at the trees, Rodney with the BB gun and Michael had a pellet gun.

11:22 a.m.: Rodney was waiting for his turn on the sled when he saw the accident. Rodney remembers wearing a green jacket that day. He walked over to Michael just after the accident.

Gary carried Michael into the house. Rodney doesn’t remember whether his dad was home at the time and his mom took frozen meat from the freezer to put on Michael’s injuries.

He says Michael had a lot of blood on his face. He says Michael plowed right into a 4″x4″.

“It stopped him right in his tracks.”

11:10 a.m.: The witness testifying by teleconference is Rodney King, Michael’s brother. The jury is being brought in and then the defense will begin questioning him.

The defense is now questioning the witness. Rodney King is 36. He lives in Decker Michigan. He is unemployed, on disability for kidney and lung disease. He can’t travel because of his health.

His father had a triple bypass recently. He has three kids, 16, 14 and 8. He has been married for 16 years.

Michael is Rodney’s older brother.

He says Michael was held back in third grade, so Rodney was held back too.

The defense is asking Rodney about Michael’s sledding accident.

Rodney says he hurt his chin in 1977 and it was four or five months before the sledding accident.

10:53 a.m.: We’re taking a recess while they set up the videoconferencing equipment.

10:52 a.m.: He says Michael was non-responsive, incoherent and was hearing buzzing in his head – in January 2008. Gary says he wished he could’ve helped him in 2008.

Gary has no idea what happened on January 17th.

The state finished with him and the defense has no redirect.

10:43 a.m.: Now the state is asking about the sledding accident. It was a 31 years ago.

Gary says he was driving the snowmobile 40 mph at the time. When they took Michael to the hospital, Gary said there’s nothing we can do, just make sure he doesn’t go into a coma. They had to wake Michael up every 20-30 minutes. That’s Gary’s memory of what happened.

He doesn’t remember the name of the hospital. Gary testified Michael was mentally affected by the accident.

Gary last saw Michael in January 2008 and says Michael seemed to be getting worse. Gary says he wishes he could help him and “it was like a rubber band snapped in his head.”

Michael told Gary he still had buzzing in his head from the sledding accident.

Now the defense is talking about the chainsaw incident.

He says Michael came in the house with the chainsaw and was chasing him. This happened when Michael was 16. They didn’t take Michael to a mental hospital after it happened.

“A pale faced, bugged out eye brother with a chainsaw came towards you with a running chainsaw?” The state asked – and you didn’t take him to a hospital.

Gary didn’t want his brother to get in trouble.

“This situation was so scary to you…you didn’t tell your parents, did you?” Gary didn’t want to get Michael in trouble.

10:36 a.m.: Gary looked up to Michael and respected him. Gary says Michael would often exaggerate. Gary called them hallucinations because Michael would catch a small fish and would say it was a big fish.

Michael had also told him once that he was shooting at ghosts.

Michael says he remembers driving through the redwood forest trees, but has never been to California. According to Gary, then Michael told Gary maybe that happened “in his second life.”

Gary says Danielle would be on the computer all day. Michael was upset because Danielle didn’t clean the house.

10:30 a.m.: The state is now cross examining Gary King. The state asked if there was anything else he had to share with the jury to show the mental problems Michael experienced as a result of the accident.

Gary says once Michael said someone was trying to run him off the road.

Gary says Michael was “square” because he wouldn’t drink. Michael didn’t create waves and seemed to do the best he could. He was a hard worker.

Michael is Gary’s younger brother and doesn’t want anything bad to happen to him. He says Michael worked so supersonic fast he would make mistakes…like a bottle rocket. People liked him because he didn’t try to take advantage of him, but people took advantage of him.

Gary told Michael to refinance his mortgage to pay his bills.

10:26 a.m.: Gary is showing the jury pictures of the snow mobile and sled from the accident.

10:16 a.m.: He says the chainsaw accident happened in the summer of 1988. And Michael was in his teens.

Gary says he and his brother never told his parents about the incident.

In late 2007, Michael visited Michigan and Gary saw Michael in January 2008. Gary says Michael was paranoid about wolves in the woods. He worried about them chasing him.

He says at one point Michael was in a trance and wouldn’t respond. He says he tried to communicate with Michael and he wouldn’t “snap out” of the trance.

He says Michael wasn’t always in a trance, only sometimes.

For a short period of time Michael lived with Gary and his wife. He says everyone loved Michael.

10:08 a.m.: Gary says Michael had buzzing in his head.

He says Michael didn’t use drugs and alcohol.

Now they’re addressing the chainsaw incident. Gary, Gary’s girlfriend, and Rodney were watching a movie, the Texas Chainsaw massacre.

At some point he says Michael went outside, but didn’t realize it. Just as the movie ended, he heard a chainsaw. He saw Michael cutting down a spruce tree. Michael came into the house with the chainsaw and walked toward Gary , and it was smoking up the house. He says Michael had a “ghost look.” Gary says he ran through the house to the doll room and shut the door.

Gary heard silence and went outside. He says Michael seemed to not hear anything or acknowledge what he just did.

Gary says Jim wasn’t at the house when it happened. He says he never told his parents or Jim about the incident.

Gary, Rodney and Gary’s girlfriend cleaned up the tree.

He says Michael had no expression on his face while he had the chainsaw.

Gary saw Michael come out of the garage, and to this day Michael has never mentioned the incident.

10:02 a.m.: Michael’s head was swollen and his teeth were loose. The doctor said they had to take him home and observe him for 48 hours and wake him every 20-30 minutes to make sure he didn’t go into a coma. Gary has been crying while telling the story and says he feels it’s his fault (the accident).

9:54 a.m.: The defense is calling Gary King, one of Michael’s brothers. He drives a semi and is 42 years old. He has never testified in court before.

Gary is approximately 5 years older than Michael.

The defense is asking about a sledding accident in 1978. He was driving the snowmobile.

They had a plastic sled they pulled behind a snowmobile.

He says Michael was on the sled and there was a long rope between the snowmobile and the sled.

Gary was driving the snowmobile that day. He says he was going down a hill, about 40-45, he made a turn and he was screaming for Michael to let go of the rope.

Michael hit the pole head-on. Gary ran over to Michael but he wasn’t moving. He started pounding on Michael’s chest. He says Mike was bleeding from the nose and mouth.

He says Michael’s eyes popped open. He started breathing. He took him to the house and put ice on his face and meat on his head.

They went to the hospital.

9:52 a.m.: The jury is being brought in. This morning will be the teleconference with Michael King’s relatives in Michigan.

9:46 a.m.: The judge is back on the bench and court is in session.

9:01 a.m.: The judge rules the defendant is competent to proceed. Now the attorneys will be discussing jury instructions.

9:00 a.m.: The defense asked if he was reluctant to discuss the voices. The doctor says he did, but that King could’ve been faking.

8:50 a.m: The second doctor is taking the stand, Dr. Gregory DeClue, a forensic psychologist. He has evaluated defendants before.

He says he spoke with King around 5:30 a.m. Attorneys for both sides were present at the time.

He conducted several tests with King.

He found King showed he had the capacity to understand the charges against him, the penalties, adversarial nature of the legal system, could discuss facts with his attorney.

He behaved appropriately during the interview.

His capacity to testify – doctor said there’s no reason he couldn’t. King should be able to testify.

He appeared to have sufficient understanding.

King said he never had mental health issues prior to his arrest. But after his arrest in the jail he has heard a voice. It has been able to influence his perceptions. It can cause him pain. It can “flip” him pain.

He doesn’t believe the voice is human or has a body. It isn’t the devil or a religious being.

He doesn’t believe it’s mental illness but that he’s experiencing something real.

He said he hears the voice every day but not all day every day.

The voice distracts him from being able to hear what’s going on in the courtroom.

King says he’s distracted about half the time.

The test to see if he was feigning or exaggerating psychopathology was inconclusive. It’s not an indication he is or isn’t lying.

Regarding competency, if he’s hearing voices he wouldn’t be competent to proceed.

Doctor says he’s either lying or he’s genuinely hearing the voices. “He’s either lying or not”

He does not have an ultimate opinion on whether he’s competent to proceed or not.

8:48 a.m.: The state asked a few brief questions. The defense asked if he spoke about the injury he sustained as a child. The doctor said yes. And the defense didn’t follow with any other questions.

8:45 a.m.: King says he is innocent and can’t believe he was convicted.

He understood the adversarial nature of the court process.

He says the paranoia played a background role. At times he said there were things King didn’t want to talk about, like things his lawyer told him not to discuss and his ex-wife’s information.

He’s had to pull his emotions back because he’s been hearing horrible things about himself.

He denied having mental illness, having hallucinations or taking medication.

The doctor says officially, he is “quite competent to proceed.”

8:43 a.m.: The doctor says King was very cooperative and polite. The doctor also reviewed prior reports. He spent two hours with King.

He found King competent to proceed. He understood the rules of the court, the jury, defense counsel and state attorney. He understood his attorneys were trying to save his life.

He understood he might be sentenced to death.

Says King was paranoid and was confused. He had trouble with dates. At times he became overcome by grief.

He felt the confusion was manipulative to serve his interests.

He said he was a plumber but couldn’t tell how many inches were in a foot or a yard.

King couldn’t do a simple math question.

Said it took quite a while to answer a simple math question.

He seemed confused about the jury but later had no trouble with what the jury found and wanted the change of venue. He said the county was in a conspiracy against him. He was able to discuss the issues of the case.

King said he would’ve had a more fair trial if it had been moved out of the county. He says he will have a good case for appeals because the trial wasn’t moved.

Other than some paranoia and conspiracy, he had a good understanding of the issues of the case.

8:36 a.m.: One of the doctors is now taking the stand, Dr. Eddy Regnier. The jury won’t be in until 10 a.m.

This looks like someone twittering from court? Is that the case?

Video plus ex girlfriends picture http://www.mysuncoast.com/Global/story.asp?S=11034530

SARASOTA – The penalty phase of the Michael King murder trial is now on hold. The judge ordered a doctor to test King to see if he’s competent, a move that could put his sentencing in jeopardy.

For weeks, Michael King has come into the courtroom and for the most part act emotionless, talking to no one. The defense says that he has a brain injury. The prosecution says that’s not the real Michael King.

Wednesday, the Judge Economou wanted to find out why Michael King is in a “catatonic state”. And for the first time, jurors heard from the family of Michael King, as the defense tried to continue their argument that an injury as a child caused brain damage. “All the time he had nosebleeds. Mike was always afraid of the doctor or the dentist…stuff like that. So he never went. We tried to get him to go, because they were severe at times,” said his brother, Jim King.

Jurors also heard from an ex-girlfriend, who said his mental state was deteriorating. “He still acted like he was somewhere else,” said Jennifer Robb.

And he was hearing sounds that could have drove him insane. “Would get really bad headaches. We would be out doing something, and his head would hurt, and he would say it almost felt like, you know, a freight train on his head, you know…something tight. He would have to go lay down, or go right home,” said Robb.

The prosecution wanted to bring a witness to testify that King was acting competent the day he kidnapped, raped and murdered Denise Lee; that he was not like he is now: quiet, blank stares, and emotionless.

Since that was brought up, it prompted the judge to halt the case for an evaluation by doctors. “The issue having been raised, is required of the court to have an evaluation performed to determine whether or not the defendant is competent for proceeding at this time,” says Judge Economou.

Denise Lee’s parents say King has been coached to act this way in court, and say they are not buying it. “Now he going to get in here and make you think for three weeks that he’s crazy as can be. And you ask the jailers, and there he’s fine, he talks to people every day. But when with he’s in the courtroom he doesn’t want to talk. Another way of him being a coward and don’t want to face his actions,” says father Rick Goff.

“We know he’s just putting on an act in there. So hopefully the doctors will see through that, and we’ll get the sentence we want,” says Susan Goff.

So the sentencing phase has been put on hold for now. Michael King is being looked over by two separate doctors. They will give their findings to the judge Thursday morning.

Missing, where is the cousin’s testimony, He was the last to see him? The Cousin gave him the shovel and gas can.

Michael King sentenced to death, Friday December 4th,2009

“We just can’t wait for the day the state of Florida decides to put that piece of trash to death,” says Denise Lee’s father, Rick Goff. “That’s our next step to be up there for that and we’ll be there if we have to be in a wheel chair to do it.”

“Some day we’ll be watching him take his last breath and I wish that was tomorrow, but that’s not the way it works,” says Denise Lee’s Husband, Nathan.

Source
I wish it was tomorrow, too! I’ll be back in 15 years (or more) to report his being put down, unless, a shank gets him before then….

Finally this ‘EVIL MONSTER’ has reached death row. The only thing i regret for Denise and her family is that Florida is painfully slow in putting animals like Michael to death…I wish that we could hang, shoot, or fry offenders like him via old sparky. I still hurt thinking about what Denise went through and what I feel sure….her family still faces today and what will her children experience over the course of their lives as the result? I hope this fiend “michael” finds a speedy trip to hell to meet his tormentor. We all have choices in life to make…it is really simple math when one really thinks about it “will I be good or will I be bad and if I decide to be bad what excuses will justify me?” Michael I am pretty sure will enter the gates of hell and see that particular sign “abondon all hope ye who enter here”. He chose his lot in life..let this be a warning to all. Become Christian and accept the love of God..afterall he did sacrifice his own Son for our sins.

I was with you until the “become Christian” part. Kind of disgusting, if you ask me, that you would exploit such a tragic story to peddle your ridiculous superstition.

Become Christian and accept the love of God..afterall he did sacrifice his own Son for our sins.

Athena responded:

I was with you until the “become Christian” part. Kind of disgusting, if you ask me, that you would exploit such a tragic story to peddle your ridiculous superstition.

I am agreeing with Athena here: your beliefs are your beliefs. Congratulations! The Ancient Greeks believed their gods fathered children on human mortals, too. Your belief is every bit as valid as theirs–if you get my drift. As it is, some of us don’t need the specter of such myths to keep us from being evil jerks who do wrong to others. We manage to be good people without it. So, kindly don’t shove your beliefs down others’ throats or make presumptions that your worldview is the correct one. Enjoying your beliefs is one thing, proselytizing quite another. Thanks.