An autopsy of a badly broken social system by a forensic psychologist, the creator of the documentary Six.
It is almost impossible for us to look into a child’s eyes and see them committing the ultimate crime – cold-blooded murder. No parent wants to consider the possibility, no school wants to be responsible for preventing it, law enforcement typically doesn't deal with it until it is too late, and the mental health community often doesn't have the resources to treat it. But kids DO kill, and with alarming frequency.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - Christopher Rose
paulee, in the USA they do kill people who commit murder. It doesn't seem to do anything to reduce the murder rate though, does it?
I don't think people who are about to commit murder, whether pre-meditated or in the heat of the moment, are going to be thinking about the consequences.
27 - Roman
Does anyone else here think that some of these kids got railroaded? I think that Jason Bryant and possibly Joe Risner were guilty of murder and deserve to do life. What about the others? After watching the film I'm just not convinced that this was a mini-Manson Family(as the DA seemed to want the viewer to think). Natasha Cornett seems like a troublemaker and drama addict, but a murderer? Karen Howell seems far too mentally and emotionally frail to have done or supported this.
28 - Mother Nature
I just wanted to let everyone know that Selena was one of the bullies in school that called Natasha a freak because of the way she dressed. Natasha liked to wear bikers' clothes, they were not all black. I thought Selena had grown up a little and made friends with Natasha before the murders happened but I guess Natasha was lied to about that too.This was a tragady that happened and no one will be able to forget it. I just wished people only knew who the real Natasha was.
29 - NERO
MOTHER NATURE- You knew the girls involved in the murders? So do you think that Natasha and Karen had it in them to murder? Or take pleasure in it? It didn't come across that way in the interviews I've seen.
30 - EyE4anEye
I'm glad you knew the real Selena and the real Natasha. If your that forth coming in knowing them both why the nickname? I knew the whole lot of them and I know for a fact that shortly after Selena graduated she left Eastern ky. How could it be possible for them to "MAKE NICE?" Apparently you don't know these people as well as you say you do, or perhaps you just have a biased opinion much like everyone else that has taken sides in this debate. Bottom line is this reguardless of who done what and who is to blame, the killers, whom ever they were, or are, are paying their debt to society. As for who really done it. Guess that will continue to be their secret.
31 - EyE4anEye
Mother Nature- I think it's amazing how biased everyone seems to be on the who dunnit list! As for me I personally know that Selena Bell joined the armed services when she graduated high school. So as for kissing and making nice with Natasha, nope I don't see Selena stooping that low or even caring for that matter. All of us get s--t on in high school, it don't matter who is to blame for bullying. If you are the person that chooses to take it that far, then your way too serious about high school. 20 years after graduation does anyone remember who didn't like who? Nope, however, they will remember the mini mansion family knowns as these people. As for who is to blame, Natash knew she had so-called emotional problems, she chose not to take her medication. An Andrea Yates she is NOT! As for the murders, they done it, and know they will spend the rest of their lives right where they belong. NUFF SAID
32 - Nero
EYE4EYE- What bias are you talking about exactly? You speak as if everyone here has a "bias" or hidden motive except you.
33 - EyE4anEye
No Nero, I'm sorry, I wasn't being biased about or to you. I specifically addressed Mother nature. I am sorry that you were confused. by my comment.
34 - NERO
Eye4EYE- No problem at all. But I am curious: you say that you knew "the whole lot of them" and I have no reason to doubt you. But having known them, did you honestly feel that they were all murderers? As has been stated in previous posts, Karen Howell and Crystal Sturgill seemed to be pretty emotionally fragile people and it's hard to picture them as being OK with the senseless and cold-blooded murder of an innocent family. Let alone guilty of what the DA accused them of, which was laughing and performing satanic rituals over the bodies. Karen Howell seems like the type who would faint at the mere sight of a dead body up close.
What's your take? Did they do the deed? Or did they merely go into a state of understandable shock after seeing the Lillelids brutally gunned down right in front of them by Jason Bryant(a true sociopath if ever there was one)? And if after seeing it isn't it reasonable that they would be afraid of the killer and thus not want to risk being killed themselves by trying to break off from the group or recommending to the rest that they should give themselves in?
I really wanna know your thoughts on this. Thanks.
35 - NERO
EYE4- Scroll up and see Roman's Nov. 30 post. That's kinda how I feel about it. Very important questions to consider.
36 - EyE4anEye
Nero- reguardless of wether or not Crystal Sturgill and Karen Howell took part in the killings, do you honestly think they done anything to try and stop them? I will be the first to admit that knowing them personally, Crystal, Karen, Dean, nor Joe seemed like killers to me or anyone else. However, honestly, I wouldn't have stood by and watch them shoot innocent babies, they would have to have killed me in the process. Then after the blood bath, none of the teenagers tried to break away from the others to let anyone know what had happened. In Natashas interview, she asked them not to kill the family, been me, I guess I would be lying there with the family. I'm not saying Crystal, or Karen were invloved in the killing, I'm saying they never did anything to stop it. Which in part makes them just as guilty. Would you have tried to stop them from shooting babies? I'm not being sarcastic, I'm asking you what would you have done in this situation, honestly?
37 - Nero
EYE4- I wanted to write back immediately after reading your post last night, but then I decided to sleep on it cuz your questions/observations are important and I felt deserved more than a bit of thought on my part.
First off, let me state for the record that I am not an apologist for criminals. I am as hardcore an advocate for justice-as-punishment(to hell with rehabilitation) as you are likely to find anywhere. Now, on to my main points:
As adults it is easy for you and I to speculate on what we would do in that situation because we now have a solid grasp on ourselves and who we are. When I try to envision myself at 17 in that situation, however, it is a bit more difficult. Life is still kind of a game at that point and we tend to think of ourselves as indestructible(how else to explain all the crazy, rash and risky things teens do?). But at some point we grow up and realize that we are indeed mortal, that this isn't a game and that there are evil people in the world who do evil things. It's a wake-up call that I'm sure you've had already as well.
Have you ever witnessed an incredibly violent act that put you in a state of shock and disbelief? Like, "I can't believe this is happening"? I don't believe that anyone there that day(save Jason Bryant) could have imagined in their wildest dreams that that a beautiful family would be snuffed-out violently right before there eyes. The people who read about the act in the papers or saw the tv news reports were shocked. Imagine what it must have been like to actually WITNESS it. It probably happened so fast that nobody knew what to do.
I have worked in the psych field (with troubled teens) for many years and have dealt with many kids who were practically identical to the "Pikefield 6". In fact I remember clearly one day when one of our patients was found hanging in his room by a belt. We came out and announced it to his fellow patients as gently as we could and watching their reactions was a case study on how many troubled teens just arent equipped to process that kind of trauma. Some just looked blankly at us as they wrestled with their feelings, some shut-down(ala Karen Howell)and withdrew into themselves. Some even giggled nervously, though you could tell in their eyes that they found nothing humorous about it at all.
He'd threatened to do it several times and we told his peers that it was no joke, but they still never believed he'd actually do it. Well, he did. I'm sure his peers did a lot of growing up that day and remember that lesson to this very day, a decade later.
My point is that sometimes young people- even HEALTHY young people, let alone troubled- don't react to certain situations in the same manner as adults do. That is the difference between maturity and immaturity. Did they really believe that any of their number would actually pull the trigger on an innocent family? Even when the gun was pointed at their heads?
More later tonight. I gotta run to work.....
38 - Nero
...OK, I'm back. To continue, I think that it all just happened so fast. I mean, you just discovered that your friend is capable of doing what we like to think that none of us could do: murder an innocent family in cold blood. How does one react when a teen? Do you rush the little maniac while he's shooting, the danger being that he might turn the gun on you and end your life as well? Knowing also that after killing you and anyone else in his way he'll probably just turn and finish the job on the family?
Or after recovering from the initial shock do you threaten to go immediately to the authorities(another risky decision under the circumstances)? Or do you bide your time and wait until you arrive at your destination, where you can separate from the pack and safely find help?
I often wonder what would have happened had they made it across the border and went their separate ways. I'm betting that one or more would have eventually came out of their shock and reported to the authorities. I just can't believe that all 6 were perfectly OK with what happened and could live with it. That's not the feeling I get from them and from what you've told me neither do you.
Funny, but I just watched the documentary "Six" and "City Confidential: Pikeville" with the teens at my work last night. Afterward I asked them which teen or teens out of the 6 did they got a bad feeling about and they all singled-out Jason Bryant. Then I asked who they thought the killer or shooter was and they again unanimously singled-out Jason. They also pointed out how Natasha's mother and friends of Natasha, Karen and Joe all agreed that they got a bad feeling from Jason.
Notice how they were all able to spot the sociopath? These young people have no experience in the psych field and yet were able to spot the bad apple that spoiled the bunch. For myself and others who actually work in the field it is as simple as ABC.
To bring this to a conclusion, I agree with you that ALL deserved punishment for being a part of certain aspects of the incident. They kidnapped the Lillelids- which all were pretty much complicent in(I've never heard about any of them trying to stop that from happening). Joe Risner and Jason Bryant were the main culprits here and deserve the lion's share of the blame. They stole a van and all were justifiably charged with that as well. Murder? To me, from all I've seen and read, that falls solely on Jason Bryant. Again, I don't believe the others really thought it was going to happen until it actually did, and by then it was too late to stop it.
In my opinion they all should have gone to prison. Life WITHOUT possibility of parole?? No, I think that is way out of proportion. At least in the case of Karen Howell, Crystal Sturgill, etc. I think if they'd known that babies would be shot and killed ahead of time they would have made plans to stop it somehow.
I agree with you. They should somehow have taken action. They froze-up instead. What does one do in this case? Is it understandable on some level, given the shocking and sudden nature of the shootings? Do they deserve life with no parole for freezing up in this situation?
Like you I'm not being sarcastic here. After pondering these questions I really wanna know what you think.
Looking forward to your thoughts....
39 - kenny
Re- "As someone raised in non-American countries, where most types of guns have been bought back from owners and crushed"
Yes, Sean but you forgot something-- the criminals in your society still have guns!
re Sean-"where there is easy and universal access to medical care for anyone - no expensive insurance required"
But your medical care is quite expensive, you just pay for it through your taxes and it's not easy access when it's rationed by the government and you sit on a waiting list for a year now is it?
Sean"where schools do not moralistically reject people in that fashion, where an understanding tolerance is practised, where the concept of 'devil worship' is laughable in a broadly secular society"
Sadly, kids get get rejected in schools all over the world but they don't kill people and occult beliefs occur in most countries. Really Sean, you should know better.
"I think that the nature of society really does have something to do with it in a compounding fashion. Especially when the babysitters of these unstable kids have probably been violent Hollywood fare in films and television, another product of American society"
Exactly what do you know about the "nature" of American society when you are not from the US so spare me your arrogant ignorance. You are also hardly in a position to point fingers at American society. Look at Eurotrash society, it glorifies sex and drugs and youth crime rates are rising(England is much higher than the US for example) whereas American youth crime rates have fallen, despite the media attention given to Natasha C. or Columbine. European teens often make Americans look tame. .
"And now it appears the Republicans have worked out how to rig every election.) '2nd amendment rights' gun nuts and fetishists and allied Republican voting bloc interests will continue to make sure America remains a very unsafe, volatile place where extreme violence can occur randomly and without warning. "
While I'm not a republican, this drivel is ridiculous, even for you Sean. You really should stop beliving what your news media feeds you about the US because your comments are so typical and laugable. Try thinking for a change Sean. (If you want to look at violence, it's rampant throughout the the Western world, contrary to what many believe ie. no-go areas in European cities, rapes, home invasions, murder(look at the Canadian pig farmer who made sausages out of his murder victims), the German kid who shot his classmates, drive-bys in England, Canada etc etc.
"Appropriate* forms of social control and intervention appear to be completely lacking, swinging instead between harmful economic rationalism, Christian fundamentalism, hypocrisy and intolerance and institutional laissez-faireism"
Describes the rest of the Western world, except replace Christian with Muslim.
40 - george zelaya
I am Delfina Lillelid's brother. As we approach the tenth anniversary of her, and her family's brutal attack, I am constatly disgusted by the ammount of coverage granted to the perpetrators of this horrific crime. Dr. Smith has made her agenda to try to figure out the root of why some teens kill. She blames their environment and the failures of society for the actions they commit. Her exploitaion of these crimes in order to further her own fame is deplorable. In most of these books and films that depict teen violence, the focus is rarely on the victims and their families. Not once were any of our family contacted for our opinions or the effects of this tragedy on our lives. These six were very fortunate that they did not attempt their actions with myself and my close ones because I would have used my 2nd ammendment rights to the fullest.
41 - Batman
I think thier are only six people who know what happened. In none of the stories was anyone but Joe and Jason the shooters. The rest had crimes they could have paid for but murder shouldn't be one of them.
My life was very similar to what these kids lead, and I never killed anyone. I'm very lucky in that regard.
These kids no matter how macabre thier actions do still mean something to people who didn't kill anyone, give them some respect.
Also nice to see such a large bunch of ppl mainly you Selena who are quick to judge someones actions when you weren't even thier. DON'T WORRY SUGAR SOMEONE IS GOING TO JUDGE YOU SOON ENOUGH!!!!
42 - The truth is a Virus
George you are a typical hypocrite, to judge the six young adults for murder and then boost that you would have killed them. Murder is murder the six young adults no matter what your reason or who is doing it.
The biggest problem I have with this case is that Joe Risner is quoted as saying 'They've seen us and they'll call the police. They've all got to die.'" if discovery was his reason for killing everyone why did the children have to be shot? The reason is because who ever did the shooting wanted to kill someone.
Also all I ever here in this case is Natasha, Natasha, Natasha. I fail to see how she was the ringleader when Joe made the decision that everyone had to die. That should have been a point that one of her attorneys SHOULD have made in her behalf.
I personally hope that one day a judge sits before this case and Natasha Cornett, Karen Howell, Crystal Sturgill, and Dean Mullins are released and are able to live the rest of thier lives.
I assume that most of you blogging here are adults and have children. Remember you never know who your child might get involved in and what they may do. You might one day experinece the same thing these young adults and their families are going threw.
43 - Against the Odds
MOTHER NATURE- Know that not everyone is so closed minded when it comes to this case. It's a shame that the outcome of this case has been what it has up until tihs point.
You said that you wished that people knew who the real Natasha was, well some of us do. I'm very glad to have had the chance to get to know her and I don't know that she will ever know how much she really means to me, I only hope that one day she will.
44 - Nero
TRUTH/VIRUS- He's not so much a "hypocrite" as someone who lost his sister in a senseless murder(something most of us will never experience, thank God). Though I agree with you that some of the defendants are not guilty of murder and should be free, I still think that you could couch your comments with a bit more empathy and understanding of his viewpoint.
45 - Selena
I am deeply sorry for what has happened to your family George. I hope to never experience the pain that you have had to go through, nor the pain that Peter Lillelid will experience growing up without his parents or sister. As for my personal opinion about the people involved, that is just what it is. MY opinion. No one has to respond to it, or argue it. I was mearly stating how I, as an individual felt about what happened to these 6 people. As for judging, I'm not entitled to judge anyone. If anyone thought I was then I apologize for that. I didn't log on here to cause a heated battle over right or wrong. My husband is coming back from is second tour in Iraq, I don't have time to be bitter over these people, I'm too happy to even think about it at all. What happened, happened. Getting on here night after night arguing over it won't solve any of it. And I doubt that anyone will ever know the truth. Not only is this article from a certain point of view, but the documentary six is as well. A&E done one on City Confidental that is from a completely diffrent point of view. I refuse to try and defend myself on here against anyone, cause that isn't what any of this is about. And as for personal attacks on me. Your wasting your time, I don't lose sleep at night over them, so why bother? Some people kill, others don't. And not everyone is predictable. I won't pretend that I know who really shot them, or who stood by and watched, however I do believe in the justice system and I also believe that what comes around, goes around.
46 - Carl
I have always thought that is the father had minded his own business and kept his religous beliefs to himself that he and his family would still be alive.
47 - Carl
And Selena do you remember me, it's Crazy Carl. You were a snotty little bitch in school always ridiculing everyone and making them feel like shit over anything you could.
I remember you picking on Cornett and that other girl quite a bit.
For those of you that didn't know them they stuck out but they didn't cause anyone any problems. I rembember them as nice if you actually stopped to say hello. I didn't hang out with them but we talked on a few occasions about different things.
The demoness at that school was Selena and her friends. I'm surprised she didn't make someones hit list.
48 - Nero
CARL- Can you make your points without reducing yourself to childish name-calling?
49 - Selena
Well Carl, this is how much I knew you and how much of my life you've affected, I honestly have no idea who you are, and frankly, don't care. As far as hit lists go if someone wants to hurt me over drama from high school, when I was a child, they really need to get a life and quit worring about garbage that happened years ago. LOL! Don't you think it's time to move on from High School and well, grow up! Second, you have no idea what happened between Natasha and I unless you were there the night I sat outside her boyfriends car waiting on her after she and her friends agreed that I needed my butt kicked. Well, if you have all this bulit up anger, maybe you need to contact Dr Smith yourself cause you sound really passive-agressive to me.
50 - Carl
yeah you've moved on so much you feel the need to check this site everyday.
51 - Selena
actually I check this site to read opinions of both Nero and Roman because they are just about the only people that make intelligent comments. And not only that they really try to figure out from non parcial opinions as to why this really happened. I'm not going to lower myself to your standards and cat call back and forth. For starters, I wouldn't even know who I was arguing with, or care. Please do us all a favor Carl, post a comment that actually is worth typing or go back to your special place and stay there, please! Because the comment you made about the father, not only wasn't puncuated, but it really didn't make sense. That is almost like saying that if Jesus Christ would have kept his mouth shut he wouldn't have been hung on a cross. With their religious beliefs, I'm pretty sure that spreading their religion by word of mouth is something they believe in. I don't claim to know anything about thier religion, but they way you make it sound is they were shot for it. I don't like unsolicited religion either, but I'm not gonna shoot someone or their family for it. See know you got me on a whole other circumstance. Do yourself and everyone else a favor and the next time you get a idea to type something that ridiculous again, just let it go please.
52 - Nero
CARL- sounds like you've got a bone to pick. What's eatin' ya?
53 - Tonya
I've only recently started thinking about this crime again, and it troubles me greatly. I went to Prestonsburg High School with Joe for awhile, and remember him as being one of the sweetest, goofiest kids I had ever met. To this day, it is still difficult for me to imagine what happened to that blue eyed boy that seemed so full of life. A few weeks prior to the event, the group of them were in the community college library where I worked. A friend and I both noticed a marked difference in Joe, and that as a group, they seemed very foreboding. We had no idea what would transpire a few weeks later...
My heart goes out to the families of those left behind...yet, though angry at first, my heart goes out to each of the six as well. It is difficult for those that have never lived in this region to understand what it's like to be different in one of the most close-minded parts of the world. Growing up, I loosely flowed with the cultural norms, but I was friends with all groups of people. I watched countless kids be verbally abused and threatened daily, sometimes enduring much worse. There really is such a feel of "suffocation" that overtakes you at times, feeling completely taken over by the culture of this area.
While I'm not dismissing any blame from the six for what occurred, I know quite well the cruelty and abuse that they endured before making the choices that they did. I can't help but wonder what would have happened if someone had stepped in with love instead of judgement.
Another documentary from this region, "Country Boys" featured a young boy that looked much like the six. His name was Cody. He also came from a backgrond of abuse and violence. He chose to express himself in a way that wasn't "norm" acceptable. However, at some point, during his anger and difficulties, he discovered someone that sincerely loved him and taught of God without judgement. Cody transformed what could have been a very dark path to one of much more promise. He and his wife are some of my best friends, and after thinking back to the tragedy of the Lillelids, I am so thankful that someone reached out to Cody in a way that he was able to respond.
Mostly, this just all makes me look at my life, my past and present, and question how I treat those around me. Do I truly embrace those that are different than me? Do I pay attention to the pain that someone else feels? Just one act of love and sincere kindness could help end this violent cycle....
54 - Nero
Tonya- Thanks for that input. Let me ask you this: do you think they are all "murderers"? Or that the punishment of life without parole for all 6 was out of proportion for those who didn't kill nor advocate it? When you last saw Joe he obviously seemed a bit darker to you. But did he seem like someone who would kill?
55 - Durkl
Has anyone actually read the book "The Scarred Heart"?
I have not but was tihnking about looking for it on amazon.
How about the movie "Six", has anyone watched it?
I have not but want to order it.
56 - Nero
DURKL- SIX is an excellent documentary. It gives a well-balanced point of view from several sides of the issue. It's what got me thinking that maybe not all of the six defendants are murderers or even had murderous intent.
57 - Durkl
NERO- Do you have a email you can share so that we can discuss this in private a little more?
58 - fuck u all and no one
uhh..
59 - STM
Guns, guys, and the ready access to them is the real reason behind the tendency of angry young Americans (who are no different to angry young people anywhere) to pick up a firearm and go on a shooting spree.
Too easy when Dad's rifle or handgun is stored on the top shelf of the closet with a box of bullets.
Check out the figures and see for yourself. Most of these killings by young people are done with firearms.
In places where there is no ready access to a weapon, the usual response from a young angry person might at best be a punch in the mouth.
Think, guys. And instead of engaging in continuous bouts of handwringing, do something about it. You don't need the second amendment.
It was designed to keep an armed militia 200 years ago.
Here endeth the tirade.
60 - Selena
You know some time has gone by since I felt a lot of hate for these people. Of course I just wanted to blame them for everything and be completely closed minded. Now that I have been studying some criminal psychology, I don't to blame then. My weird interest in criminal psychology has really opened my mind about only this situation , I have a strange interest in criminal psychology. I read nothing but true crime books Some were vvery emotional. I won't be so black and white about this anymore MY passion is to do, basically what Helen Smith does. I"m bipolar, there for I have emotional problems. So what I"m tryin to say is that if anyone could help me out on learning more about basic psycholog. Let me me know if some has some insite on the whole subject.
61 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Dawn, this is directed to you. I have no idea of what happened with the Six who were involved with a murder, I cannot comment on it at all - and I won't.
But, this article and the comments it brought out are an example of the success of the magazine that your husband started three years ago.
Check out the comments here. A lot of the folks commenting knew the convicts and one knew the victims personally. The article has not died, even though it is from the beginning of the magazine, over three years ago, and would be regarded as old news anywhere else.
Whatever you all do here, do not change the essential format. This article is proof of its success. Kol hakavód - all honor to the both of you.
A comment for the rest of you who have come to comment on this terrible event.
Speaking as a parent with two teenaged boys, one of whom is being contacted by the army here to be drafted, it has been my view that the mother and the father are the primary ones responsible for the up-bringing of their children. Period. Society has its role to play, but we parents have been given an opportunity by the Almighty to help mold a soul to do good or to do evil, to choose life, or to choose death.
Children are not all born perfect. They have defects, and our job as parents is to help them cope with the defects in a way that they will be able to be as whole as possible when we ourselves die, and can no longer try to guide them away from unwise decisions.
This is all preventive work, so that groups of children do not forgather to murder other families in cold blood, and events like the one commented on so extensively here do not scar other lives.
62 - NERO
SELENA- I've worked in psych for many years. Especially with bipolars. Be happy to help you any way I can.
63 - NERO
and I think it's impressive that you've allowed yourself to change your point of view, too. Sometimes it's hard to see through our own prejudices and indignation, especially when on top of it you're dealing with the near-unmanageable emotional swings that bipolars suffer through. You're a tough, brave chica.*s*
64 - harley
I live in the town where these murders occurred, Greeneville,TN. These events have forever changed our small quiet little town.I remember when this happened the whole town was in disbelief that this could happen in our area.Because of the type of people that live in our area (open and friendly) I'm sure Mr. Lilliled had no fear at all when he attempted to reach out to what he thought to be some troubled youth in need of love.I guess he was too late.During the trial all that was talked about was the fact that the leader (cornett) was a witch ,devil worshiper,etc.So automatically everyone assumes that that was the reason for the violence of the crime.I'm not so sure it wasn't .Even taking into consideration the background of each person involved here ,I believe you can open yourself up to evil to enter into your being and it can take control of your life just as the young lady said that Joe seemed darker.The district attorney in our county had I'm sure never dealt with any crime this violent and bizzare and he did what he felt he needed to do to put them all behind bars and by getting them all to plead guilty to save each other from the death penalty was a major coup. He also saved the taxpayers lots of money while making sure these monsters were off the streets.Shooter or not I feel they all were equally responsible and had they not all been sent to prison I think they were capable of much more mayhem.Thanks for allowing me to offer my comments.In closing; Our town after that fateful night lost its innocence forever.
65 - Nero
HARLEY- Jason Bryant was the only "monster" out of the group. The others weren't "monsters" and nothing in their past would justify such a label(except unreasoning religious hysteria and slavish acceptance of the media's gross misinterpretation of the events). They were deeply troubled teens with poor coping skills who froze up during the most horrifying event of their lives, thus showing consistency in their well-documented inabilty to cope and process. They had no previous history of violence and there's no reason to think that they would be a danger to society if they were released. They should be released, with the exception of Jason Bryant and Joe Risner.
Before you judge, separate yourself from the lies you have been sold and look into the history of each individual involved. And before I myself am accused of being an apologist for them or a "monster" too, rest assured that I'm not jumping up in the air, clicking my heels together in joy that an innocent family is dead. I just think that much blame has been misplaced based on ignorance and hysteria.
66 - Nero
I take that back, I don't think the blame has been misplaced based on media hysteria and ignorance...I KNOW it has. Because I have done a lot of research and homework on this case. I challenge everyone reading this to do the same.
Because if anyone comes on here repeating the discredited "facts" of the case(and many have been proven inaccurate and discredited), the lies and the exaggerations, I WILL call you on it. I will be happy to listen to anybody who does their research.
67 - Nero
BTW Harley....none of those last posts were meant to be an attack upon you. So please don't take them that way*s*
68 - Steele66
Selena: What can you tell me about Karen Howell? She was kinda hot. Were her and Natasha kinda slutty chicks too, or not really?
What kind of girl was Karen? Was she smart, or sort of brain dead? Did she have a good sense of humour?
Anyone that knew Karen Howell, please post info about her and what she was like.
69 - Roman
Check out this great website. www.pikeville4.com It gives a whole new(and complete) version on what REALLY happened on that day in April, 1997.
70 - Truth
This is from a person who knew Karen Howell before these crimes. Her intelligence is low. Her efforts at education/learning were nonexistant. She was a very beautiful young girl. Observing her at a young age, the word I used to describe her was "follower". She would follow whomever she was attracted to at the moment, and would behave like those she followed. She was a failure at being an individual.
All that being said, she is where she needs to be. If she didnt follow in this circumstance, she would have followed in another and been a burden to free society. Many people suffer from various problems in their lives, but dont murder innocent people. She was a train wreck waiting to happen, and met another train wreck, Cornett. The punishment for accessory to murder is the same as those who pull the trigger. You are (she was) part of these murders. They chose to follow Satanic influences, now they reap the benefits from a cell. Face the truth and serve your time.
71 - chip navarro
sara..... sean hits it right on the head and it's 'dullards'(look it up)like you who perpetuate the horrors we now see in america.. and the republicans??? you dare tout a president(read:republican party) that is given a 3trillion dollar surplus,, runs thru it and puts us trillions more in debt?... you must be f*&%$# rich.....
72 - Mikey B
Karen Howell was hot. She should have just left Pikeville and let her looks give her a shot at a better life somewhere.
73 - ANGEL
HI I JUST READ YOUR STORY ABOUT NATASHA CORNETT AND CRYSTAL STURGILL. I WAS IN PRISON WITH THEM I WAS THERE WHEN THEY FIRST CAME IN. IN FACT I WAS HANGING AROUND THEM WHILE I WAS THERE . I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I FEEL SORRY FOR KAREN AND CRYSTAL NATASHA WAS THE RING LEADER SHE WAS VERY BOSSY AND TRIED TO MAKE PEOPLE DO THINGS THEY DIDNT WANT TO DO. THEY DO CUT THERE SELVES AND SUCK EACH OTHERS BLOOD EVEN STILL IN PRISON. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM IN A LONG TIME MY CONTACT WITH TASHA STOPPED BEFORE I EVEN LEFT. ME AND HER JUST STOPPED TALKING I CONTINUED TO WRITE KAREN AND CRYSTAL WHEN I FIRST LEFT BUT QUIT BECAUSE HERE I AM FREE AND THEY ARE LOCKED UP FOREVER WHAT I COULD I SAY TO THEM
74 - shannon
I HAVE TO SAY I WAS RECENTLY IN PRISON AND MY CELLMATE WHOM I DIDNT KNOW NOTHING ABOUT WAS THE MOST PRECIOUS PERSON IN THE WORLD TO ME KAREN HOWELL VERY SWEET NOT IN A MILLION DO I BELIVE KAREN KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT TOOK PLACE THAT NIGHT. WHEN THE CASE WAS TALKED ABOUT SHE CRIED DEEP BECAUSE OF THE THINGS THAT WHERE DONE TO THOSE PEOPLE. I BELIVE SMALL COMMUNITIES NEED MORE YOUTH PROGRAMS TO KEEP KIDS OCCUPIED.
75 - Mike
Karen, Crystal and Dean will be free soon enough. As they should be. They had nothing to do with the murders. In fact Jason Bryant was threatening to kill both Crystal and Dean, so can you really fault them for going along? What would you have done?