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Ashland, Illinois is a sleepy little town of 1300 people smack dab in the middle of corn and bean fields; you know, Settlement Americana, Littletown, USA? The kind of place where the major events were the weekly livestock auctions, which proved to be exciting only when the occasional cow would cut loose and bolt down the street followed by a bunch of young boys and girls donning spurs on their cowboy boots making one hell of a racket as I was sleeping off the night before. The kind of town you’ve all heard about, full of those willing to lend a helping hand, give you a polite smile as you walk by. I know it well. I lived in the only funeral home it had.

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Steven Watkins

They set their priorities a little differently than those in a normal world. Especially when it comes to a murder crime scene. In Ashland, murder just kind of seems to take a backseat to other things more important…like perhaps the parade of idiot gawkers traipsing through the house checking out the hole in the dead man’s head. Think I’m being facetious?

It’s been a while. NovemberNovember reviewsNovember reviews 25, 2008. Almost a year ago today, on the cusp of Thanksgiving. Steven Watkins drove into Ashland to his estranged wife’s grandparent’s house to pick up his youngest daughter for his court ordered/approved visitation. I’m sure he was anticipating a less than warm welcome as he and Jennifer were due in court the following day to continue his effort to gain full custody of his child. But I’m fairly sure Steven didn’t plan on getting a bullet through the back of his head.

Yes, I’m aware of the fact we read about this shit every day. What sets this case apart is the best part: how this case was handled. The cast of characters are some I know so very well. So let’s get to it.

Steven’s estranged wife, Jennifer Watkins, was staying with her grandparents, Kenneth and Shirley Skinner in a nice ranch-style home. When Steven arrived to pick up his daughter, Jennifer, Shirley, and Kenneth were all home. So was little Sidney. There was a 911 call placed regarding a domestic disturbance, Steven was shot from behind, and when Chief Jim Birdsell arrived, the dog and pony show started.

There was a body. There was a gun. The scene started out with 4 people, add Birdsell and whomever he brought along, plus the numerous others that were allowed to walk on in and have a look around. Grandma Shirley started pulling a Fred Sanford, having some flipping medical condition that allowed the focus to shift from the dead dude with his head shot up, to her. Of course they got some medical attention for that poor ailing woman of 74 years. In walks Robert Daniel, owner of MECCA Ambulance, a man I spent many years working beside – fully expecting to find his victim but totally not expecting to find a body sprawled out on the living room floor with a hole through the back of his skull. Knowing Robert (and knowing he is quick on his feet) I’m sure he handled the situation like a pro. Or at least the best one can after finding what he did. Discovering that Chief Birdsell had been there a while and that the Cass County Death Examiner, Wyatt Segar had not been called…well Robert made a command decision to take it upon himself and report the corpse to someone who’d actually give a shit. I can only imagine that conversation…”Hey Segar, it’s Bob. Hey. We’ve got a situation here in Ashland. We got called for a medical and our patient isn’t the one laying on the floor with brain matter scattered. I think you should probably come. Yep, the police chief is here but I don’t think he’s seen the body he’s been tripping over. See you soon.”

Wyatt Segar made the drive in record time, processed the crime scene as a death examiner will as grandma Shirley was being taken to the hospital. God only knows what else was taking place within that home…but the one thing that didn’t take place was a gun shot residue test. Nope. Birdsell didn’t think it was necessary I suppose. Cause shit, if a test was done, he’d actually be responsible for making a decision to arrest someone. He couldn’t decide on calling in a fucking murder.

For damn near a year, Steven’s family has been wondering where their granddaughter was. As soon as the dust settled a bit, Jennifer took Sidney and split the state. Her attorney couldn’t give them a location. Couldn’t let them know little Sidney was okay. The State’s Attorney, John Dahlem couldn’t tell them where they were in making any arrests. Jim Birdsell became a pro at uttering, “No Comment”. This family knew nothing other than the fact that 3 adults knew exactly what happened on November 25, and the authorities had totally fucked the crime scene up so much so, an arrest was looking like a long shot. That’s right: there was a waning feeling that an arrest would be made, in a case where the victim was shot in the head from BEHIND! There’s a name for this kind of thing. Execution style.

Then the State of Illinois came in and yanked the case from Cass County. (oh, it was “turned over”) *ahem* Okay, which ever way you want to read it. But shit started to happen. No one knew. Especially not the Skinner family who were yucking it up at their winter home in Florida. Yucking it up, living the good life until they were leaving a pizza joint Monday evening. That’s when Birdsell was flown in, escorted by officials who actually knew how to handle a situation, and Shirley Skinner was arrested for allegedly being the gun-wielding granny. According to her attorney, Shirley’s “obviously very upset. She’sShe reviewsShe reviews traumatized by the charges.” Hey lawyer dude: wasn’t she fucking traumatized by having her grandson-in-law laid out dead on her living room floor?

Shirley Skinner was flown back to Illinois Wednesday and is being held in Pike County (because Cass County has no jail) on a $5 million dollar bond accused of first-degree murder. According to the officials, the one’s who actually made things happen, more arrests may follow. God I hope so. And I also hope Steven’s family gains custody of Sidney so she can join her older half-sister who also resided with her adoring father. The Watkins now have custody of her. I can only imagine it would make the step forward a little easier to take knowing that Steven’s most prized blessings would be safe and sound in the loving arms of a family who displayed patience and grace and not with a family who chose to settle a custody dispute with a Glock 9mm.

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Alex, Steven, & Sidney Watkins

Source1 | Source2 | Source3 | Source4 | Source 5

 Grandma Shirley Skinner Helped With The Custody Battle Using a Glock

Comments

63 Comments on "Grandma Shirley Skinner Helped With The Custody Battle Using a Glock" make up the 115,829 total comments on Dreamin' Demon.

  1. defenestratethis
    3:14 am on October 8th, 2009

    Unreal..a guys laying on the floor, face down, with his head blown off…but grandma’s feigned heart attack was what warranted a call to the medics? Man..this guy really went out of his way to promote that stereotype of the corrupt, ignorant, hick town sheriff. Hope they find Sidney, and soon. I also hope the local law enforcement pays a very heavy price in whatever way possible.

  2. thinkgoat
    3:45 am on October 8th, 2009

    Lo and behold, Jennifer and Sidney were dining with grandma Shirley in Florida. Let’s just hope they all have to return and face the music.

  3. Lazlo
    7:04 am on October 8th, 2009

    What has always amazed me was that the major players were allowed to leave the state while the so called “investigation” was on-going. Everyone in that house that night LEFT THE STATE! I hope the story comes out on what kind of connections these folks had. The Cass County authorities can’t be that stupid. Can they?

  4. ItsMe
    11:50 am on October 8th, 2009

    That ass Jim Birdsell showing up in Florida makes me want to puke! “Look at me everyone! I care about this and I’m making an arrest! See I didn’t let the ball drop!” Sorry Chief! We’re not buying it even if the Ashland Mayor is! The Mayor sang the praises of ol’ Jim Birdsell and claimed he was retired from the IL State Police. HE’S NOT! He is retired from Secretary of State, which is a completely different agency!

    And the only reason the Illinois State police stepped in is because Dateline had just announced they were going to do a show on Steven and how nothing was being done about his murder.

    I hope the arrest Jenny too and other members of the family on obstruction of justice.

  5. Death Bed
    12:36 pm on October 8th, 2009

    Great article, TG. <3

  6. Peeperann
    12:46 pm on October 8th, 2009

    Great job on the write up TG! Damn, talk about fucking up a case, and people wonder why the entire justice is so messed up! Really, the guy in charge just did nothing? I hope the lot of them get arrested and little Sidney lives happily ever after with daddy and sister.

  7. chelesbells1
    1:01 pm on October 8th, 2009

    All they are wanting to do is to try to now make Birdsell look good and that he was doing his job all alog..Bullshit…Now we have to wait and see how much of the evidence is screwed up to actually get a conviction and to make sure it’s a conviction of the right person..Even though every single person who wa in that house that night needs to be held accountable for what part they played in either hiding the truth, messing with evidence, accomplice to pre-meditated murder( you know it was when every member of that household supposedly went shooting that day so they could all have gun residue on their hands)..(even that was botched from what I understand by not taking a residue test on ea. of them) …Just waiting for more arrests to come, and they had better not just pat their slimy hands and let them walk…Being from that county It just brings up the disgusting feelings I have about the way some people do things around there..Maybe this will bring some change…but I doubt it..

  8. Veronica
    1:24 pm on October 8th, 2009

    Let me guess — the Skinners were “upstanding members of the community.” Nope, no need to “cause a scene,” Birdsell must have just thought it was an “unfortunate situation.”

    I mean, no WONDER granny thought she could get away with an execution style murder in THAT fucking town!

    I hate these fucking people. I hope granny has a real heart attack, but is revived and has to spend the rest of her fucking years in prison. The piece of shit husband and granddaughter, too. While we’re at it, let’s throw Sheriff Moron in there with them.

    This pisses me off to no end. My jaw is CLENCHED right now!

  9. Coyote
    1:30 pm on October 8th, 2009

    Great write-up Thinkgoat. I completely agree there needs to be more arrests in this case, including that of Chief Birdsell for helping with the cover up of this crime. Knowing small town politics the way that I do though I highly doubt anyone will truly pay for what was done to Steven. Let’s hope I’m proven wrong.

  10. Boughtthefarm
    1:43 pm on October 8th, 2009

    LMFAO @ gramnda pulling a Fred Sanford!!! Toooo MFing funny!!
    I bet Granny deserves an Oscar for that stellar preformance. Heartless old bitch!

  11. Veronica
    2:37 pm on October 8th, 2009

    Direct link to Grandma Shirley’s ugly, wrinkled, evil, smug mug:

    http://www.pcsoweb.com/InmateBooking/SubjectResults.aspx?id=1374893

  12. Veronica
    2:51 pm on October 8th, 2009

    I don’t know, maybe this is getting to me worse than usual because my hubby is also a Steven, but SHIT…I can’t believe they called an ambulance for heart-attack faking Grandma Cuntlip while this poor man was on the floor with his brains blown out. I wish I could understand WHY Sheriff Idiot didn’t find the dead guy on the floor notable enough to call the fucking medical examiner and maybe grill the house’s occupants on how he got, you know, DEAD, on THEIR FLOOR.

    This is infuriating. No one is that dumb. Your average 3rd-grader knows about gun residue tests and shit from watching CSI shows! At this point, the sheriff should be considered an active participant in a cover-up and, IMO, do some time.

    Does anyone know the chances of bringing the FBI in on this? I know that obvious misconduct by local law enforcement makes that much more likely. The State of Illinois got involved but that doesn’t mean the buck ultimately stops with them.

  13. Abroad
    3:09 pm on October 8th, 2009

    I hope the lot of them get arrested and little Sidney lives happily ever after with daddy and sister.

    That is going to be difficult, Peeperann. Daddy is dead…….

  14. Siobhan
    4:01 pm on October 8th, 2009

    Fabulous write-up!

  15. Kdogg
    4:02 pm on October 8th, 2009

    At least they won’t be able to say he committed sucide. That is the only saving grace in this slipshod investigation.

  16. thinkgoat
    5:38 pm on October 8th, 2009

    Unfortunately, it’s unlikely the FBI will look at this case – even more unlikely Birdsell will be held accountable. Cass County is the quintessential good-old-boy’s network. And when this story first broke, I can’t remember being more flabbergasted at the turn of events on how it was handled. Our local paper carried a couple of stories but didn’t cover it like the capital city’s newspaper.

    Being very close to the case, I have the horrible feeling that it wasn’t only gross incompetitance, but something more sinister. And Veronica, your first comment about being fine upstanding citizens…yep! You nailed it.

    And where else is there an unsolved murder – 3 adults admit being present when the shot was fired – and all three are allowed to come and go as they please, leaving the state for fuck’s sake? And who, in this day and age, doesn’t think of GSR testing? Who lets the crime scene be contaminated by other family members and/or friends?

    It’ll be interesting to see how this pans out. If Jennifer and Kenneth are arrested…and for what. If there’ll be a conviction… for the sake of the Watkins family, I certainly hope so.

  17. Veronica
    6:02 pm on October 8th, 2009

    At this point I’m sure Birdsell is going to try and throw the Skinners under the bus to save his own ass, but I suspect it’s going to be difficult for him to do that considering that to highlight what THEY did is to highlight what HE did (and didn’t) do. Will he say they lied to him? Well, that’s nice, but that doesn’t explain why the medical examiner wasn’t called and why he didn’t even do a fucking investigation! Really, what’s he going to say? “They told me they didn’t do it!” Yeah, because you’re supposed to take people’s word on that. What a corrupt fucking piece of shit. And I absolutely believe he was an active participant in a cover-up.

  18. Veronica
    6:17 pm on October 8th, 2009

    Chief Birdsell would not say whether the three adults had been subjected to gunshot-residue testing to determine if any of them had fired the pistol that was recovered.

    Cass County Sheriff David Osmer, whose department is assisting in the investigation, said he was not aware of those tests being conducted, but lack of testing “hasn’t harmed the investigation,” he said.

    Hasn’t harmed the investigation? Are you fucking kidding me? Something tells me Sheriff Osmer isn’t much better than Barney Fife Impersonator Birdsell. Is he trying to cover something up as well? Because I don’t see why else one would make such a monumentally stupid statement.

    And pardon me, but Steven Watkins’ mother has lost her damn mind. She “doesn’t blame” the Ashland police and Birdsell for the bungled investigation, because the state police “should have been brought in from the start” since Ashland “doesn’t have the resources.” No resources for a simple gunshot residue test? Yeah, that’s feasible.

    I hope she wakes the hell up, because if she doesn’t Birdsell getting what he deserves is even less likely than it already is.

  19. Dr.Keegee
    6:32 pm on October 8th, 2009

    Fabulous write-up!

    Absolutely

    Worst case – County atty offers to drop all charges against Gramps and Jennifer in exchange for ’state’s evidence’ then reduces charges on grammy b/c their testimony indicates 2nd degree.

    Or even worse – grammy claims self defense “he went berserk and ran backwards at me – for land’s sake!”

  20. Athena
    7:05 pm on October 8th, 2009

    He was shot in the back. I’m pretty sure Texas is the only state in the Union where you can still claim that shit was self defense. :P

  21. thinkgoat
    9:18 pm on October 8th, 2009

    Because Cass County has no jail, Skinner was taken to the Pike County Jail. Bail was set at $5 million and she will need to post $500,000 in cash to be released from jail.

    “She gave no indication to me that she would be bonding out,” Pike County Sheriff Paul Petty said. “She had no family there when she arrived.”

    Skinner is to appear Friday afternoon in Cass County Circuit Court before Judge Bob Hardwick Jr., said Michael Vujovich, a special prosecutor for Illinois State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor’s Office.

    http://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/arrives-24049-illinois-skinner.html

    From the Cass County Death Examiner’s Office – Inquest

    Death Examiner – Wyatt Sager Chief of Police – Jim Birdsell
    *typed by me – direct transcripts

    Mr. Sager: Who was present in the home when you arrived?

    Chief Birdsell: When I arrived was Jennifer Watkins, the wife of Steven’ their daughter, Sidney’ Shirley Skinner, the grandmother of Jennifer’ Kenny Skinner, the grandfather of Jennifer’ and I believe there might have been one or two other people got there just about the same time or shortly thereafter I did.

    Mr. Sager: Okay. It should be noted for the permanent record that this home is owned by Kenneth and Shirley Skinner, and it’s our understanding that Jennifer Watkins would be the separated spouse to Steven was also living in that residence with her daughter–their daughter.

    Chief Birdsell: Their daughter. And then Jennifer’s mother and father, Deborah and Bob Webster, were living there also, as far as I know.

    Mr. Sager: Did you attend his autopsy?

    Chief Birdsell: Yes, I did.

    Mr. Sager: From your discussions with the pathologist, he was shot from, of course, behind him?

    Chief Birdsell: Yes.

    Mr. Sager: Any other description?

    Chief Birdsell: He said it would have been more than two feet away. It was not a contact wound. It was — the bullet went in at the lower base of the skull and traveled in an upward direction toward the front part of the skull.

    Mr. Sager: Okay. Do you gentlemen have any questions of Officer Birdsell?

    Juror: If he would have committed that shot himself, would that gun have been that far away from him?

    Chief Birdsell: No, it wouldn’t. The coroner — or sorry. The pathologist said that it was not a contact wound. He pretty well said that it was not self-inflicted.

    Mr. Sager: There was absolutely no way it could have been self-inflicted.

    Juror: Otherwise, the shot came a ways back.

    Chief Birdsell: It had — he said it was at least two feet from the entrance wound.

    Juror: The bullet went in lower than it came out?

    Chief Birdsell: It went in lower –

    Juror: — projectory?

    Chief Birdsell: It did not come out.

    Juror: Oh, it did not come out.

    Chief Birdsell: There was no exit wound.

    Jurur: Okay.

    Chief Birdsell: Matter of fact, we found the bullet inside the skull.

    Juror: Okay.

    Juror: Had he traveled any distance after he was shot, or was it just drop instantaneously?

    Mr. Sager: He dropped instantaneously.

    Chief Birdsell: Yeah.

    Mr. Sager: You can tell by — I’ll answer that one. Because of the blood pattern on the carpeting, it was very distinctual as to where he was standing when the incident took place and where he fell.

  22. joo
    11:41 pm on October 8th, 2009

    TG, I love how you linked the Wikipedia article for “God.”

  23. Death Bed
    11:46 pm on October 8th, 2009

    TG, I love it when you call me “Big Papa”.

  24. Peeperann
    12:03 am on October 9th, 2009

    I hope the lot of them get arrested and little Sidney lives happily ever after with daddy and sister.

    That is going to be difficult, Peeperann. Daddy is dead…….

    You’re right, I was pretty enraged when I wrote that. Well, hopefully she’ll get to live happily ever after with her Paternal grandparents and sister.

  25. MadeaBecBec
    1:55 am on October 9th, 2009

    Here’s to hopin’ Grandma Skinner has a “real” stroke and suffers until death. And the rest of the idiots, including the former Sheriff, get arrested for obstruction of justice!!
    I can’t imagine anything an ex-inlaw could say or do, in my own home, enough to piss me off that I grab a gun and shoot them in the head, short of catching them in the act of molestation, even then, I would go for their knee caps….. ;)

  26. Wonder
    2:16 am on October 9th, 2009

    I’m thinking, sheriff had a nice sit down with them explaining that he has to take them in. He tried and done as much as he could. Time has come.

    I smell a Plea deal for a confession. So therfore nope gun residue test won’t be needed.

    Was Jennifer and Sidney in the home when shit went down ?
    Where is Jennifer’s parents in all of this ?

    Does seem to be a bad time to visit, with all that tension, Not sure what the circumstances were and why he was seeking full/joint custody?

    really now how that town seems, would he had a fair hearing?

    Oh poor guy and poor family so sad, I am pleased that dateline stepped in to get the ball rolling. Kudos to his family that was able to get the help that they needed.

  27. thinkgoat
    2:36 am on October 9th, 2009

    Was Jennifer and Sidney in the home when shit went down ?

    Yes. There were 4 people present when Steven was shot. Grandma Shirley, Grandpa Kenneth, Jennifer and Sidney.

    Where is Jennifer’s parents in all of this ?

    Not really sure nor sure if it’s relevant. They weren’t in the main residence when Steven was shot. When Chief Birdsell arrived, he can only recall one or two people (but not sure) arriving at the same time as he…or closely after.

    Does seem to be a bad time to visit, with all that tension

    I don’t think Steven was there to visit. He arrived to pick up his daughter. There’s bound to be tension but that is no excuse, nor did he choose to use it as an excuse to not see his daughter. He looked forward to his visitation days.

    really now how that town seems, would he had a fair hearing?

    Ashland is a small town within Cass County. Custody hearings would not have been performed in Ashland and I’d like to assume he would have been fairly represented as well as Jennifer would have. And that the custody would have been determined based on facts…which is perhaps why they chose to kill Steven instead of lose the custody hearing.

  28. Wonder
    3:05 am on October 9th, 2009

    Thanks, were you able to get grandpa’s mug?

    did stephen and alex live in cass county also?

    I only asked about Jennifers parents – seems reasonable, will they come to the rescue? If one lives with grandparents and not their own parents, you have to wonder how come. It is a stability issue, step mothers, step fathers, drug problems, money, space. Maybe they are locked up – just curious

    STill very sad story!

    I was never comfortable when the ex came for the kids, or vice vs. At first I would take the kids to see daddy but the new g/f would try to fight me. At one time I thought we were going to have to pick a public parking lot to exchange them. It was easier the older they got. He would blow or call on the cell from our driveway and they would go. I didn’t even approach the door. It was never very comforting. I am glad he didn’t come regularly and the older the kids got they were too. One day it hit them how fortunate they were to escape the what ifs. It helped them to see how the g/f’s kids turned out.

  29. Wonder
    4:19 am on October 9th, 2009

    inquest hearing, Jan 2009 (13 pg pdf describing the murder scene)

    http://video.onset.freedom.com/journalcourier/kr4q01-watkinsinquest.pdf

    page 7 says Jennifers parents, Deborah and Bob Webster were living there too, as far as he knows.
    ————

    page 8

    The bullet entered at lower base and traveled in an upward direction

    page 11

    says that either someone sitting or a awful short person shot Steven

    Steven was 5′7″ (69″)

  30. thinkgoat
    7:52 am on October 9th, 2009

    Thanks, were you able to get grandpa’s mug?
    did stephen and alex live in cass county also?

    No, Kenneth Skinner doesn’t have a mugshot because he hasn’t been arrested for anything.

    Steven Watkins was from Chandlerville Illinois – another small town located in Cass County. There is one town that separates Chandlerville and Ashland (Virginia, IL) although Chandlerville and Ashland schools are consonlidated with each other.

    There hasn’t been any confirmation on exactly who else lived in the house with the Skinners. It was speculated earlier (when the murder occurred) that even a brother was living in the house. Chief Birdsell has neglected to confirm any of that basic information. “As far as he knows”!

    says that either someone sitting or a awful short person shot Steven

    That was actually a question posed by a Juror during the inquest.

    Juror: How tall a man was he?

    Chief Birdsell: I believe he was 5′7″.

    Mr. Sager: 69 Inches.

    Juror: And the bullet come in at a low angle?

    Mr. Sager: Yes. So it had to be — he had to be shot from a lower position.

    Juror: Somebody sitting or awful short person?

    Mr. Sager: Right. Someone from behind.

  31. Death Bed
    11:20 am on October 9th, 2009

    How tall is this grandma lady? Most old people shrink as old age deteriorates them from the inside out. It’s possible her medical condition was legit — shooting people in the head just really takes it out of an elderly person.

  32. thinkgoat
    1:31 pm on October 9th, 2009

    How tall is this grandma lady?

    Her arrest information states she’s 5′4″

  33. biteme
    1:34 pm on October 9th, 2009

    The sheriff’s loser no question and everything about his investigation and how he handled the crime scene is questionable
    As far as calling the ambulance, in emergency situations you’re taught to deal with the living before the dead.
    Although in this case sounds like the dead/crime was totally ignored or forgotten

  34. thinkgoat
    1:46 pm on October 9th, 2009

    As far as calling the ambulance, in emergency situations you’re taught to deal with the living before the dead.

    That’s true – BUT – no one but a coroner or a doctor can pronounce death…and it certainly isn’t the decision of a Chief of Police with absolutely no medical training whatsoever. The moment Birdsell saw a dead body sprawled on the floor, he should have called for the Death Examiner. Period. Securing the crime scene runs a very close second.

  35. Lazlo
    2:05 pm on October 9th, 2009

    As far as calling the ambulance, in emergency situations you’re taught to deal with the living before the dead.

    In early local reports it was understood that Birdsell was on scene for a period of time before G’ma started having he conniption. Also, he nature of the “attack” did not preclude removing the victim from the crime scene in order to preserve it.

    That’s true – BUT – no one but a coroner or a doctor can pronounce death

    Thanks TG – I have been screaming this since I read his words that the young man was clearly dead. Who in the hell is he to make that call. An arrogant, self serving, incompetent dipshit – thats who.

  36. biteme
    2:39 pm on October 9th, 2009

    if you’ve ever seen the damage a shotgun can do from 2 feet, you’d understand everyone knew he was dead
    Maybe I didn’t explain myself well, but in an emergency situation, a coroner is not there, you look at the scene decide who is salvageable and who is not and act accordingly, the victim didn’t necessarily need to even be dead but not as salvageable as the old lady, for the sheriff to react to her instead of Steven
    Bottom line, Sheriff was wrong in this whole matter, except an ambulance needed to be called

  37. biteme
    2:44 pm on October 9th, 2009

    NO! you do not let some one die of a heart attack to preserve a crime scene
    As far as the sheriff being there awhile before the heart attack i don’t know. like I said the sheriff was not professional maybe criminal, that’s not for me to decide, all I’m saying is some one is having a heart attack, you call an ambulance right away.

  38. Lazlo
    2:44 pm on October 9th, 2009

    if you’ve ever seen the damage a shotgun can do from 2 feet, you’d understand everyone knew he was dead

    Weapon was a Glock 9mm – single gunshot to the back of the head – no exit wound.

    Indeed – a shotgun would cause and “injury inconsistant with life”. A single 9mm bullet does not.

  39. biteme
    2:47 pm on October 9th, 2009

    Weapon was a Glock 9mm – single gunshot to the back of the head – no exit wound.
    Indeed – a shotgun would cause and “injury inconsistant with life”. A single 9mm bullet does not.

    OOPS! my mistake
    but you still have to call an ambulance for a heart attack, crime scene or not

  40. Lazlo
    2:52 pm on October 9th, 2009

    NO! you do not let some one die of a heart attack to preserve a crime scene
    As far as the sheriff being there awhile before the heart attack i don’t know. like I said the sheriff was not professional maybe criminal, that’s not for me to decide, all I’m saying is some one is having a heart attack, you call an ambulance right away.

    I don’t think anyone is suggesting that a victim be allowed to die – just moved away from the crime scene. Easy-Peasy. EMT’s are trained to provide service with minimal impact on a crime scene – and Bob Daniels and crew did a fine job. It is the Sheriff’s gross incompetence and possible ulterior motives that are called into question here. I think we agree on that.

  41. biteme
    3:05 pm on October 9th, 2009

    That’s the point, EMT’s disturbance would be minimal but necessary
    And if you’re calling the coroner, you’ve already made the death call, just waiting for the signature, so deal with the live person first.
    I’m sure most of us feel the sheriff is more dirty than incompetent, but definitely one of the two

  42. Lazlo
    3:33 pm on October 9th, 2009

    That’s the point, EMT’s disturbance would be minimal but necessary

    Not necessary if the victim is ambulatory

    And if you’re calling the coroner, you’ve already made the death call, just waiting for the signature, so deal with the live person first.

    I agree with this. And given that Birdsell is not professionally qualified to make a death call – the EMT’s should have been in route upon discovery of Steven’s body.

    I’m sure most of us feel the sheriff is more dirty than incompetent, but definitely one of the two

    Ardently agree with this!!!

  43. ItsMe
    3:49 pm on October 9th, 2009

    Oh give me a F ing break! She wasn’t having a heart attack! She was having a FAKE attack! They planned this. They knew Steven was coming over and what time he was coming over. They went to the shooting range that day so they would all have gun powder residue on them. But really, that was just a waste of time cause old Birdbrain didn’t even bother to check. And the back up plan was to fake chest pains. That ’s what the report said. CHEST PAINS/ and or anxiety attack ! Not possible heart attack! Whatever. She even called her Pastor to come up to the hospital to be with her. Gotta get the good old pastor on your side from the get go.

    Here is a Statement from a Sheriff in Ashland. This is hilarious!

    Cass County Sheriff Dave Osmer said he selected the Pike County Jail to house Skinner because it was less populated than the Morgan County Jail “and I felt their jailers can observe her a lot easier than Morgan.”
    Petty said that in talking to Skinner as she was being processed at his jail she did not appear to have any health concerns.

    Keep up the special treatment guys! Your just making yourselves look more guilty in the cover up!!!!

  44. Lazlo
    3:56 pm on October 9th, 2009

    Amen ItsMe :D

  45. thinkgoat
    3:58 pm on October 9th, 2009

    Okay. The thing is….grandma didn’t start having “whatever” until a while after Birdsell had arrived at the scene. He arrived, saw a dead body and did nothing but allow others to come in and contaminate the crime scene. THEN granny started to freak, have her panic attack, whatever it was…the ambulance was called, the body discovered by someone who gave a rat’s ass. Plus – Robert Daniel was able to successfully treat and “stabilize” the patient AND get Wyatt called. Even IF granny was fitting-out when Birdsell arrived…call the ambulance…call the Death Examiner. NOT THAT DIFFICULT. Birdsell had ample time. The ambulance is based out of Virginia IL approx 12 miles away.(the call comes into MECCA – then the medics respond to the ambulance shed from their home – although their response time is great – there’s STILL ample time to have made a call) Wyatt Sager lives in Beardstown IL approx 20 miles away.

  46. thinkgoat
    4:43 pm on October 9th, 2009

    A handcufffed Shirley Skinner stood before Judge Bob Hardwick Jr. and quietly cried Friday as she learned she faces a minimum of 45 years to natural life in prison if convicted of the first-degree murder of her granddaughter’s estranged husband.

    At the brief court hearing Friday in Cass County Circuit Court, Hardwick told the 74-year-old Skinner that because she is accused of using a gun to kill Steven P. Watkins, she faces an additional mandatory 25 years or up to natural life to the term of imprisonment imposed by the court.

    First-degree murder not involving a gun carries a mandatory minimum of 20 years and up to as many as 60 years imprisonment.

    Skinner is accused of shooting Watkins in the back of the head with a Glock 9mm handgun.

    At the request of Michael Vujovich, a special prosecutor for Illinois State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor’s Office, Hardwick ordered Skinner surrender her passport is she makes bail.

    She is to appear in court Nov. 4 for a preliminary hearing, where the state must show probable cause that a felony was committed by Skinner.

    http://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/life-24074-minimum-years.html

    I wonder – was the rest of the family there? Have they (especially Jennifer) left Florida to support Shirley or are they hanging her out to dry?

  47. shelly1968
    5:36 pm on October 9th, 2009

    Thinkgoat I have always had great respect for you, thank you for telling it like it is!

  48. Death Bed
    5:39 pm on October 9th, 2009

    That is just some serious incompetence going on with the defendants and the police department in this whole matter. That goes without saying at this point though, but I find it amusing that perhaps a better course of action could have been thought up by people at the errortapioca site. Yes, that is an exaggeration, but I think you take my meaning.

  49. thinkgoat
    5:45 pm on October 9th, 2009

    MY SHELLY!! Welcome to the Dreamin’ Demon, my friend. Welcome! I am thrilled to have you here! I hope you make this a regular “stop”. I believe you’ll really enjoy the site.

  50. shadowman
    8:52 am on October 10th, 2009

    Years ago, I was a resident of Cass County. Even then the ineptness of the County’s law enforcement was evident. During the time I lived there, I was involved in two murder investigations. One involved a battered woman who called the city police (Beardstown, Il) to intervene when her estranged husband showed up and began to batter at her door. She had to call several times. The final time she called, her ex had made it in the house and she killed him. The police just sat on their hands until it was too late.

    Now it takes almost 11 months to resolve a murder investigation that was obviously a no-brainer?

    The Illinois State Police should have been called immediately. The family should never have been allowed to leave the state. The Skinners were already packing at this point! Consider the weapon was found on a box of packed items. This is going to happen when there is a custody hearing for the next day?

    I believe the other adults were just as culpable as Shirley Skinner. Obstruction of justice, conspiracy to commit. There were several reasons why they should have never been able to leave Illinois.

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