Crime Expert BURL BARER. Edgar Award Winner and NYT Bestselling Author

Body Count by Burl Barer A book review by Ginger Dawn Harman

Body Count by Burl Barer A book review by Ginger Dawn Harman

by Ginger Dawn (Notes) on Saturday, 18 May 2013 at 19:01 

"Murders have three essential elements," explained Detective Skeeters. "They are as follows: motive, means, and opportunity. The `means' in this crime was a handgun, the `opportunity' was the seclusion of a couple's picnic site, but the motive was something that couldn't be ascertained." Burl Barer applies in- depth research of the murderous crimes of serial killer Robert Yates in Spokane and Tacoma, WA from 1975 - 1998. This personal True Crime novel was one that the author undertook with dignity, understanding, and sympathy. Not only did the author live in the area but knew some of the victims and their families. Burl Barer has put together a highly readable, extremely accurate, and well investigated book that digs into Robert Yates childhood background and crimes.

 

Before reading this book I was under the impression that for the most part the inexcusable prejudices of the work of a prostitute were given little thought or consideration by police. After all, some say they asked for it. I felt the author was clear when he stated that, "when a prostitute is murdered, there is not a united public outrage. It's sad, but for some reason these victims, who were wives, mothers, and someone's child." This humanistic outlook allows healing to the families and more importantly understanding without prejudice by the reader. These women were thrown on the side of the road like trash while ex-military security forces Robert Yates continues to attend church while celebrating fatherhood with his own two children. The frustration and determination can be felt by the reader as each new body is found. One might find many similarities of Yates psychosis to that of Ted Bundy. As Yates becomes more and more desperate to kill and in order to quench his own sexual thirst he buries Melody Murfin in his backyard by his bedroom window. Yet, the descriptions and use of Locard's Principal of Exchange helps homicide detectives and FBI to close in.

 

From the very start of this book to the end I was hooked. I have read a lot of true crime books in my life and very few have required me to focus on the victims and the family members. It is easy to write a book that gives the hard facts, data, dates, and details. Yet, Burl Barer digs deeper into the life of not only the killer but each victim. I have been a fan of Burl Barer for many years. His style is engaging, addicting, and purposeful. He is an expert in his field and does not hold back. Toward the end of this book one can read the statement to the victims by Robert Yates along with statements from the family members of the victims. I was most touched by the letter that Robert Yates daughter wrote. Furthermore the reader is able to view crime scene photos along with the evidence that was collected. Some may find this disturbing but Burl Bares tackles the issue with grace. I highly recommend Body Count by Burl Barer. Additionally, I hope you too will become a fan of an amazing, talented, and entertaining author: Burl Barer!

ZACH FORTIER -- "DERANGED COP" & BEST SELLING AUTHOR LIVE SATURDAY!

 Listen Live Saturday May 18th 2pm Pacific Time/5pm Eastern Time/10pm London via Outlaw Radio!

Fasten your bullet proof vest and buckle your seatbelt, it is gonna be a wild ride!

I worked the street for many years before I entered the Gang Task Force, joining it with the idea that I could rise to the level of violence of any banger I encountered - a really stupid idea. I wanted to "earn back" the respect of the citizens for the police; I grew up in this city, and I worked its streets the best way I knew how, feeling that I had a firsthand understanding of what the citizens were experiencing.

The increasing frustration at gang crimes, drive bys, robberies, never feeling safe with your kids in your own neighborhood - I wanted to do what I could to make that fear go away.

Once I was inside the task force, though, the reality was a rude awakening for me. The task force was poorly managed and staffed by detectives mostly out for themselves, and the internal politics made success incredibly difficult and almost impossible - almost, but not quite.

Witnessing bad cops, brutal crimes, and realizing the department had been compromised, the cost was much higher for me personally than I anticipated.

I left the unit two years later, severely broken, edgy, and dangerously damaged.

StreetCreds is the story of how all that came to be. Hold on for a reality check

Zach has cranked out a mind numbing gut wrenching trilogy of true crime thrillers that are burning up the best seller list!  We are delighted to welcome Zach to True Crime Uncensored!  Hear Zach this Saturday live on Outlaw Radio's True Crime Uncensored!

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STREET CREDS is #2 in his best selling series, but we will get into all of them. 

Listen to True Crime Uncensored every Saturday 2pm PT on Outlaw Radio, and hear True Crime Uncensored's Greatest Hits Monday through Friday 2am Pt on errorfm.com, and Sunday mornings 7am ET also on Errorfm.com

HEART -- ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME!

Once upon a time, there was a litte band called "A Boy and His Dog" == they played at the Trolly Club in Seattle where I was the primary DJ.

Once upon a time, there was a new band called HEART. comprised of folks I knew from A Boy and His Dog. My pal Chet Tozer did roady work for them, and I did the very first radio commercial for their very first gig -- "The debut of Roger Fisher's new  band, HEART!"

That was back when steam was still rising from the surface of the planet, and dinosaurs were just hatching out of the primordial ooze. 

Tonight, HEART is being inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, and they were kind enough to include me in the "thank you" section of their official HEART book.  I was tempted to attend the event...I could get a ticket up in the nosebleed section for a reasonable price -- but the view is better on the TV broadcast, and the reason for going in person would be to offer my personal congradulations. That, of course, would be next to impossible at that venue at that time and under those celebratory circumstances.  So, suffice it to say that I am very proud of Ann, Nancy and the whole band, past and present.  It does warm my heart to know that I, in some minor way, was able to contribute to their career path..their success on that path is because of their talent, skill and show-biz determination.

I'll bump into them again, sooner or later -- I always do -- and give them the same encouragement I did back when we were alll much younger, less lined, and not as famous. 

LEE GOLDBERG IS STUNNED - Get the smelling salts!

.Lee Goldberg, another literary genius in the never ending flow from my family's gene pool, was perusing stats on Amazon.com when he saw something that left him drop jawed -- in his own words, Lee says...

 "THE HEIST is the #10 bestselling ebook on Amazon...and #6 bestselling book on Amazon in any format... and it's not even out until 6/18! I am stunned. Someone get me smelling salts..."

From Janet Evanovich, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stephanie Plum novels, and Lee Goldberg, bestselling author and television writer for Monk, comes the first adventure in an electrifying new series featuring an FBI agent who always gets her man, and a fearless con artist who lives for the chase.
 
FBI Special Agent Kate O’Hare is known for her fierce dedication and discipline on the job, chasing down the world’s most wanted criminals and putting them behind bars. Her boss thinks she is tenacious and ambitious; her friends think she is tough, stubborn, and maybe even a bit obsessed. And while Kate has made quite a name for herself for the past five years the only name she’s cared about is that of Nicolas Fox—an international crook she wants in more ways than one.              
 
Audacious, handsome, and dangerously charming, Nicolas Fox is a natural con man, notorious for running elaborate scams on very high-profile people. At first he did it for the money. Now he does it for the thrill. He knows that the FBI has been hot on his trail—particularly Kate O’Hare, who has been watching his every move. For Nick, there’s no greater rush than being pursued by a beautiful woman . . . even one who aims to lock him up. But just when it seems that Nicolas Fox has been captured for good, he pulls off his greatest con of all: He convinces the FBI to offer him a job, working side by side with Special Agent Kate O’Hare.
 
Problem is, teaming up to stop a corrupt investment banker who’s hiding on a private island in Indonesia is going to test O’Hare’s patience and Fox’s skill. Not to mention the skills of their ragtag team made up of flamboyant actors, wanted wheelmen, and Kate’s dad. High-speed chases, pirates, and Toblerone bars are all in a day’s work . . . if O’Hare and Fox don’t kill each other first.

DEADLY SINS' DARREN KAVINOKY -- cool guy, great show!

I first met Darren Kavinoky about four years ago via our mutual friend, Leonard Buschel, co-founder of Writers in Treatment, where Darren serves on the Board of Directors, and I serve on the Advisory Board.  What a combination! 

Darren had a great idea -- a project based on the 7 Deadly Sins, each exemplified by a particular criminal case.  While we tossed around the idea of a book, or series of books, that didn't come to fruition. Instead, Darren tranformed it into a compelling television series, DEADLY SINS on Investigation Discovery, with him performing brilliantly as the insightful wise-cracking host.  

Darren and I occassionaly appear together at speaking engagements. It is always fun working with him, and I was delighted when DEADLY SINS approached me about adapting one or more of my true crime books for the series. 

"Mommy's Little Killers," based on the case I wrote about in MOM SAID KILL, debuted recently, and I couldn't be more pleased with their presentation of the case.  Apparently the crew of DEADLY SINS was equally pleased with my commentary, and we are discussing additional shows based on my other books.

As Darren was kind enough to have me on his show, I'm returning the favor this Saturday, April 6th, pm Pacific Time when Darren joins us on TRUE CRIME UNCENSORED on Outlaw Radio.  I'm sure it will be great fun as Darren hangs out with co-hosts Howard Lapides, Executive Producer of Celebrity Rehab, "fact checker" Mark Boyer and, of course, Burl Barer (that's me!).

 

DEADLY SINS "Mommy's Little Killers" -- Get the full untold story!

DEADLY SINS on Investigation Discovery did a great job adapting and dramatizing the story of Barbara Opel and her killer kids featured in my book MOM SAID KILL.   

DEADLY WOMEN also did a version of this story as well.  The major difference between the two shows was (1) I was younger when we taped Deadly Women, and I had a red tie. (2) The actress who played Barbara in Deadly Women looked more like the real life Barbara.  The Deadly Sins Barbara is a hottie! Both are good actresses, and it was a pleasure working with these true professionals for programs that both air on Investigation Discovery. 

The great thing about ID is that I get to see people I know...no, not the killers...I mean the true crime authors!  Caitlin Rother, a true crime hottie, was on just before me, and M. William Phelps has his own show!  Caitlin has been on my radio show tons of times, and Phelps was on a special Valentines Day show about lovers who kill each other -- sadly, that show didn't get recorded! I've been chasing Matt ever since to get him to come back.  

BEHIND MANSION WALLS just interviewed me for an episode about Rhonda Glover, the good looking trigger pulling woman who killed Jimmy Joste because he was working with Satan and having sex with George W. Bush in a cave under the house...as this was in Texas, she was perfectly competent to stand trial.
I'm still looking for the "perfect" case for my next true crime book...rich people having hot sex on cool drugs and then killing each other with a wood chipper. Oh, and they gotta be good looking.

Any suggestions?

 

 

 

Related articles

Deadly Women: Barbara Opel got her daughter and friends to kill for her

DEADLY SINS: MOM SAID KILL Saturday March 2nd 6pm & 9pm PT on I.D.

 DEADLY SINS is one of Investigation Discovery's most popular true crime programs. Hosted by my friend Darren Kavinoky, DEADLY SINS brings you shocking stories of lives ruined by selfish, desrtructive behavior.

Saturday, March 2nd, DEADLY SINS turns its attention to the strange case of Barbara Opel who promised her 14 year old daughter a brand new dirt bike if she and her friends would murder Opel's employer.  The murder was cruel, brutal and sensless, and the kid never got the dirt bike.  I documented this case in my best-seller, MOM SAID KILL, available for instant download in all ebook formats
Yes, I appear in this episode offering my commentary on the case. The crew from DEADLY SINS was a joy to work with, and while I have not yet seen the episode, I'm sure they did an excellent job bringing this tragic story to life.

So, set your DVR or make plans to watch DEADLY SINS this Saturday, March 2nd 6pm and 9pm Pacific Time, for their take on MOM SAID KILL.

Of course, I would be thrilled and delighted if you would download the book to your computer, Kindle, Nook or other ebook reader.

Watch the show, and let me know what you think!

 

 

BEHIND MANSION WALLS -- RHONDA GLOVER "Fatal Beauty"

The nice folks from I.D.'s BEHIND MANSION WALLS are coming to interview me next month for an upcoming episode based on my book, FATAL BEAUTY, the story of beautiful Rhonda Glover who pumped 13 bullets from a Glock 9mm into her boyfriend of 15 years, Jimmy Joste.  Joining me on the show will be Jimmy's long time pal, Danny Davis. 

 

 I also taped an episode of DEADLY SINS for a show based on the case in my book, MOM SAID KILL. And we may also be doing an episode adapted from my book Murder in the Family.

 

All in all, I'm doing more television than ever, including some really cool stuff on Hart Fisher's AMERICAN HORRORS channel.  I have taped a variety of things for Hart, some with my old radio saddle pal, Don Woldman, although this stuff isn't a TV version of TRUE CRIME UNCENSORED.   There is a fabulous True Crime Author roundtable featuring Lowell Caufiel and Fred Wolfson, plus a tear-jerking and gutsy interview with Jeri Estes.  Look for these TRUE CRIMES TV specials on American Horrors in 2013.  I think 2013 is going to be a good year!  Now, if we can just get true crime (non-fiction thrillers) back into airport book stalls, that will be a plus!

 

Adam Rayner as Simon Templar, Burl Barer as Burl Barer.

FBI HAS A COMPLAINT ABOUT TRUE CRIME TALKING HEADS!

I do a live true crime talk show every Saturday on Outlaw Radio,  and we have our own approach to the topic, guests, and content. One thing we avoid doing is having a panel of talking heads offer their opinions and speculations on current high profile cases under investigation. . 

The reason for this policy isn't simply that there are other established shows both on radio and television that use that as their basic format, and there is no need to cover the same ground they already do so well, but because I have concerns about what can become "trial by talk show" and "indictment by sound bite."   That doesn't mean that I turn down guest appearances on some of these programs, but rather that I personally will not speculate on an ongoing investigation because of the concerns expressed by the FBI at an important symposium, and published on the FBI website.

The public’s interest in serial murder cases makes serial murder an attractive storyline for the media. To further the public’s interest in these cases, the media uses people who are willing to speak as experts on the topic of serial murder and more specifically, individuals willing to comment on the current, featured case. These commentators are commonly referred to as talking heads, and it appears that there is no shortage of people willing to do this.

 Individuals utilized by the media to comment on serial murder cases include both experts and pseudoexperts. Experts are identified as academicians, researchers, retired law enforcement officials,mental health professionals, and retired law enforcement profilers who have developed specific knowledge and experience in serial murder investigations. Pseudoexperts are self-proclaimed profilers and others who profess to have an expertise in serial murder, when, in fact, their experience is limited or non-existent. The media will recruit talking heads, whether true experts or pseudoexperts, to offer their opinions on current cases, when they have no official role in the investigation and no access to any of the intimate facts of the case.

When individuals appear in the media and discuss ongoing cases, they have an enormous potential to negatively influence investigations and may even cause irreversible damage. They often speculate on the motive for the murders and the possible characteristics of the offender. Such statements can misinform the public and may heighten fears in a community. They may contribute to mistrust and a lack of confidence in law enforcement and, more importantly, may taint potential jury pools. These statements may also impact the behavior of the serial murderer, because it is unlikely that an offender discriminates between a talking head and a law enforcement official actively involved in the case. When offenders are challenged by statements or derogatory comments made in the media, they may destroy evidence, or more tragically, react violently.

I certainly wouldn't want to be responsible for violence or destroyed evidence in my quest for ratings or controversy.  

Step-Daddy's Little Sex Toy

 On Friday, May 17th, 2010-Amanda Rodgers was sworn in as an advocate for abused and neglected children involved with the juvenile court system. As a CASA volunteer, Rodgers completed 35 hours of training, but her credentials for compassion come from life experience. 

 " I was step-daddy's little sex toy, and a prisoner in the one place that I should have been the most safe and  protected,".explains Rodgers. :"I didn't have anyone there for me, but I have vowed to be there for others. Even if  I can help just one child, and be their voice, they will know they aren't alone."

 Amanda Rodgers took pen to paper, and wrote an open letter to the man whom she alleges repeatedly molested her, stole her innocence, and denied her a childhood.  She shared it with me, and with her permission, I'm sharring it with you. Brace yourself.

 

You are the man who molested me. You are the man who stole my one and only opportunity to be a free spirited child along with my innocence

 

 I want you to know exactly what your actions have done to me. To begin, it was like I was a zombie in the vast darkness. I felt alone & ashamed because as a little girl you told me, on several occasions, that you were doing what you were doing because it was my fault because I wore shorts or skirts & I was just too cute.

 

 I have flashbacks, nightmares that literally make me sick to my stomach. I have severe anxiety issues. Let me tell you about the nightmares.....VIVID! So vivid that I wake up with my stomach hurting from crying in my sleep, my face & pillow soaked from the tears

 

. I am a restless sleeper because I am afraid of what dream I will have that night. It was the same when I was a child, only then I was restless from knowing that I would have to wake up with you at the foot of my bed..  As that little girl, I cried myself to sleep & still do at times now, wondering when & where does the  pain ever end? You have been out of my life now for quite some time now & the touch of your hands have been over for almost 12 years now, but the pain is still there.

 

 Remember the winters? Remember me wearing layer upon layer of clothes? You thought it was because I was cold & trying to keep warm? You couldn't have been more wrong. I tried thinking of every possible way to make the touch of your hand more of a hassle or to try to make you hesitate violating me. I guess I couldn't have been more wrong huh? It didn't stop you. Nothing did. I tried to stop the "Monster in the Night". That's what you were to me. Not that the night hours were the only time you would prey on & violate me.

 

The clothes don't ring a bell? How about me sleepng in the fetal position? With the blankets tucked under me, that way I would at least have a warning that you were there.  Still nothing? How about the showers? Remeber those? You would tell my so called "mother" that you were going in there to pour ice cold water over the top of the shower....yea, right. If she only knew what you were really doing.

 

 Let me tell you how I would go about preparing myself for a shower...I would lock the door with the latch lock, that you put on the door.  Undress myself, while looking through the key hole, to see if you were coming....hurrying in the shower....trying to take a fast shower to get out of there before you came in. I'd be just about finished with my head tilted back, rinsing the soap out of my hair. I'd tilt my head foward to rinse the soap off my face, open my eyes & BAM! There you were, at the end of the shower, watching me with that sick smile on your face & excitement in your eyes. You'd make your perverted comment & just walk away. There was never any ice water poured over me, but to this day the memory sends chills down my spine.

 

 Why my so called "mom" never suspected anything is beyond me because there was never any "ice pouring" over the boys when they were in the shower, just me.

 

Remember anything yet? How about the porn?  How you would make me watch it with you & the comments you would make? You would say,"don't that look like fun? We should try that one of these days"..It was showing a woman having oral sex with a man, sometimes 2 or 3 men at the same time! I prayed every morning & night that the day would come that you would get caught because I knew that you would never just 'stop' because you were already looking foward to having oral sex & possibly actual sex with me when I got older.

 

When people ask about my childhood, I want to say, "What childhood? I was step-daddy's little sex toy..." There's not one single picture of me, as that little girl, that I can look at say that I was happy. You know when people say, "oh to be a kid again"? I say, "no thanks, I"ll pass". In the pictures, you see the smile? It's fake. Behind that smile is a little girl who is trembling with fear and angst, because she knows that before the days' end that she will have to endure the touch & hear the perversion of her mothers' husband's hand. So take a real good look at the pictures of the 'seemingly' happy little girl & know that she was terrified, lost & lonely.That she was hoping that someone, anyone would notice that her life was full of secrets.

 

I pursued legal action against you, and when you escaped justice, I felt like that little girl all over again. I had to be put on medicine that I never had to be on before. Medicine for my nightmares, my anxiety, depression & post traumatic stress disorder....ever heard of those things?  I know I am not the only child you molested, or the only person upon whom you forced yourself. I know about them all, every one of them.

 

You are in my past now & that's where you will stay. God waits until a person's life has ended before there is judgement. I refuse to hold on to my hatred and disgust because I know its corrosion will destroy me.  In order to be free of you and your evil, I must let go.

 

 I condemn your deeds. I have no power to condemn your soul. Forgiving is not forgetting, nor is it excusing or overlooking. Forgiveness is freedom from your control over my mind, my body, and my emotions.  I will never forget what you have done.

 

If ever there is a day that someone needs my help to put you behind bars, I will be there for them. In the meantime, if there is a child suffering what I suffered -- a child fearful and alone, I want them to know that I am there for them, I will be their voice, and they are not alone.

 

Today, Amanda Rodgers is a happily married mother of two children. "My husband is my backbone," says Rodgers. “He is everything a father or step-father should be - kind, loving, supportive, encouraging and compassionate. Because of his love for me, and mine for him, I am overcoming issues of fear and distrust. My husband and children have given me a new life. I am incredibly happy. Today, by becoming a CASA volunteer, my life has more purpose and more focus than ever before.””

 

90% of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way; 68% are abused by family members.

 

The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The hotline counselors work with translators who speak 140 languages to help people who call and speak something other than English. All calls are anonymous. (The hotline counselors don't know who you are and you don't have to tell them.)

 

 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) then push 1 to talk to a hotline counselor.

 

For more information on CASA, visit their website.

 

http://www.casaforchildren.org