Missing Children (rewrite)

Trial Testimony - Dr. L. P. Donaldson1

Abused children often lose touch with reality, and develop personality disorders such as manic depression, schizoid personalities, or multiple personality syndrome. In extreme circumstances they can become completely disconnected from their emotions, these people are known as 'sociopaths'. Now, children with these disorders are not necessarily dangerous, and quite often cause no problems at all. But when you have several of these children, in a group, then you've got a ticking time bomb on your hands. 2

Excerpt - Report by Sergeant Emilio Montez3

Victim identified as Robert Johannsen by spouse ( Barb Johannsen ) Body was found in North-West corner of kitchen by Mrs. Johannsen at approximately 6:30 pm, today ( March 7th, 2004 ). Paramedics pronounced the victim dead on arrival. Victim appears to have been bludgeoned around the head and face. Victim has also been stabbed approximately 20 - 30 times, in torso and neck area. Coroner places time of death as approximately 3:30 - 4:00 pm, today. Tentative cause of death: Massive blood loss from wounds. Body has been sent to Medical Examiner for autopsy.4

Mrs. Johannsen states that their son, Bobby Johannsen ( age 10 ) is missing. No evidence at scene to indicate the whereabouts of the child. Missing persons report has been filed.5

Police Interrogation - Samantha McNeil6

Bobby didn't show up at the clubhouse again, so a bunch of us decided to go to his house after school to check on him. We knew his dad had been drinking a lot lately, so we were worried.7

Trial Testimony - Joshua Schwartz8

When we saw him hitting him, Bobby I mean, we just, I don't know, we just all...I don't know.9

You don't know?10

We just snapped, I guess. He was hitting him, and Bobby was crying, and...Samantha grabbed a knife...and I had my baseball bat...11

Excerpt - Report by Sergeant Emilio Montez12

Items taken into evidence:13

1 wooden baseball bat14

4 kitchen knives ( various sizes )15

7 latent print lifts ( from back door into kitchen, on and around doorknob )16

Sent to lab for further analysis17

Police Interrogation - Samantha McNeil18

We hadn't planned it at all. After what happened at Bobby's house, it was like we suddenly knew what we had to do. We had this power, you know?19

Collier Daily Herald20

15 PEOPLE FOUND DEAD, CHILDREN MISSING21

A maniac is on the loose, according to police. On March 7th and 8th, 15 people were brutally murdered in their homes, and their children apparently abducted. Sergeant Emilio Montez ( lead detective )...22

Trial Testimony - Michela Leeds23

So, after you left the Johannsen's house, you all went back to Samantha's clubhouse?24

Yeah...yes, sir.25

And what did you talk about there?26

How we had to get out of town before somebody found, you know, found the body. Then Sam started talking about her dad, and, like, what he used to do to her, you know? That's when we started thinking maybe we could, you know, do it again.27

Press Release - Lieutenant Daniel Bartoy, Collier Police Department28

...have now officially classified these murders as serial killings. We are working with the F.B.I. to form a task force devoted to solving this case. We are still trying to find the children of the victims. If anyone has any information, we urge you...29

Trial Testimony - Kaitlin Murdock30

How did you end up in Rose Valley?31

Well, we decided we had to keep moving, because everyone was looking for us.32

And what happened in Rose Valley?33

We realized there were a lot more kids like us, more than we thought, and Samantha said we ought to help them too...34

Rose Valley Tribune35

COLLIER KILLER IN ROSE VALLEY?36

Last night a man and his wife ( names not yet released ) were found dead in their home. Their 13 year old son has been reported missing by relatives. Police refused to discuss the similarities between...37

Excerpt - Report by Sergeant Maxwell Brown38

Victims were declared dead on arrival. Coroner places time of death around 12:00pm to 2:00pm, today ( March 13th ) for both victims. Male victim has 10-15 stab wounds to the torso and face area. Tentative cause of death: blood loss from wounds. Female victim has abrasions around throat and neck area.Tentative cause of death: strangulation. Bodies sent to M.E. for autopsies.39

Police Interrogation - Samantha McNeil40

Well, it wasn't like we could just walk by and not do anything. Once we started we couldn't just stop, it was like our duty now.41

Rose Valley Tribune42

WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN?43

...neighbor claims to have witnessed a large group of children exiting the victim's house around 2:00pm on March 13th, just 4 hours before the bodies were discovered. "I recognized Damon, of course, but I'd never seen any of the others before...44

Trial Testimony - Damon Whitaker45

I didn't think they would really do it, but then that girl, Samantha, pulled a screwdriver out of her pocket...46

Excerpt - Report by Sergeant Maxwell Brown47

Items taken into evidence:48

1 screwdriver49

1 belt ( child's size )50

1 knife blade ( broken, no handle )51

4 print lifts ( front door of house, doorknob ) 52

3 print lifts ( master bedroom door, doorknob ) 53

Submitted to lab for analysis54

Channel 10 News55

...a rash of murders across the state. Police have now linked murders in seven cities to the 'Collier Killer'. The crime spree began on March 7th with the killing of Robert Johannsen of Collier. Authorities say...56

Police Interrogation - Samantha McNeil57

We started to feel like we'd never get caught. We felt like super heroes or something...protecting the innocent and all that, you know?58

Collier Daily Herald59

FINGERPRINTS AT SCENES MATCH MISSING CHILDREN'S8360

In a shocking new development, the 'Collier Killer' task force has announced that evidence suggests...61

Press Release - Agent Kimberly Blackwell, Federal Bureau of Investigation62

...believe they were responsible for 89 murders in all, we are still investigating several other cases. We currently have 46 children in custody, and have begun questioning...63

Police Interrogation - Samantha McNeil64

...we almost got away, you know that? I could have, at least, if that pig hadn't shot me in the leg...65

Trial Testimony - Dr. L. P. Donaldson66

...usually in these groups, there is an unofficial leader of sorts. One person that the other, weaker members respect, sometimes almost worship. And that leader often serves as the driving force, if you will. They may convince their followers to do things they would otherwise never...67

Closing Arguments - Prosecuting Attorney Jackson Rutledge68

...and I submit to you that Samantha McNeil, while only 13 years old, was fully aware of the criminality, the seriousness, of her actions...and while there were many others involved, she was the instigator, and therefore she must be held responsible...