Libel Suit Filed

Princeton, NJ.

Sinclair Blande, father of alleged Satin Strangler Destiny Blande, has filed a multimillion dollar lawsuit against Horace Krouch, accusing his daughter’s criminal defense attorney of libel with regard to the widely publicized book If She Did It.

“The book is a condemnation of my daughter and our family name,” Blande stated. “He was the one she chose to defend her, for chrissakes, but instead he is declaring her guilty and capitalizing on her demise. Krouch says the book is not about Destiny, but everyone knows it is meant to be her story, even if it appears on the fiction shelves at the bookstore.”

The book’s opening chapter, Finding the First Victim, begins with the line, “You never forget your first kill.” The lead character, Daphne Blain, shows an obvious, in fact indistinguishable, resemblance to Blande in both name and appearance. Daphne stalks potential male prey through a bar, licking her lips like a lupine nymphomaniac, and thinking, “Any of these men would be fun to sleep with and even more fun to kill.” The chapter ends as she selects a blonde crew cut waiter closely reminiscent of the Satin Strangler’s first victim, Phillip Stewart.

The timing of real life events is indeed bizarre. Blande’s acquittal in criminal court was quickly followed by the announcement of the civil suit filed against her by Satin Strangler victim Edgar Stahl’s family. Krouch then released the first two chapters of his book as blog entries on his website over the last few weeks. Krouch plans to follow these two on-line teaser chapters with a hard copy release worldwide.

Sinclair Blande’s lawsuit would only seem to complicate matters for his daughter. We can barely speculate what will happen next; so far we’ve been getting it all wrong with this one. How will all these distractions affect the wrongful death civil case against Blande’s infamous daughter Destiny? Will Krouch’s story ever make it to press? Your guess is a good as ours.

We’ll keep giving you the dirt on this one.

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NJ Corruption Sting

Trenton, NJ.

Federal authorities arrested 44 people in New Jersey and New York in a broad-ranging corruption and international money laundering investigation that led to charges against two N.J. assemblyman and mayors of Hoboken, Secaucus and Ridgefield. The FBI and IRS investigation also ensnared rabbis from the Syrian Jewish communities in Deal and Brooklyn.

At the center of the case was Solomon Dwek, a failed Deal real estate developer. After he was caught allegedly trying to pull off a $50 million bank scam, he agreed to wear a wire and was allegedly able to ensnare the public officials and religious leaders in a massive web of money laundering, corruption and fraud.

Civil Suit Announced

Trenton, NJ.

In the wake of the widely publicized Satin Strangler criminal trial acquittal, the family of murder victim Edgar Stahl has announced a civil suit against Destiny Blande.

“Despite the jury’s decision in the criminal case, we know Blande is guilty’” said Wynn Cravens, the family’s attorney. “We want her to pay for her crimes and the damage they have done to this family.” He added that they are hoping to get the trial underway as soon as possible in an attempt to minimize the psychological toll on the family.

Blande is now thought to have strangled more than 80 men along the east coast. Her father, Sinclair Blande, owner of Neon Lights advertising agency, called the allegations “completely absurd and unfounded.” “Destiny is innocent,” he said. “Her trial in this state has already proven that. This is double jeopardy. They have no case against her.”

Destiny Blande’s criminal defense attorney, Horace Krouch, will not be at her side in this trial. She has instead chosen local defense attorney Barbara Randolph to assist her. “This is a witch hunt,” Randolph said. “She was proven innocent in the criminal trial, and we will prove her innocent of these allegations as well.”

In the civil case, the plaintiff’s attorney will be required to show only a “preponderance of the evidence” that Blande is guilty, allowing a jury to determine if there is at least a 50.1% chance of guilt. This differs greatly from a criminal case, in which the burden of proof is substantially higher, requiring evidence beyond a shadow of a doubt that the defendant is guilty. Only 9 of 12 jurors are needed for a decision, rather than the unanimous decisions required in criminal cases. Unlike the criminal case, Blande cannot plead the 5^th amendment and refuse to take the stand. She may be required to testify in her defense if called to the stand.

There is much speculation over the anticipated outcome of the civil suit against Destiny Blande, who is already in dire financial straights, according to insiders. Blande, who has preferred to remain in obscurity behind a snowballing frenzy of media attention since her arrest for the Satin Strangler murders, was not available for comment.

That’s the dirt from Trenton.

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This is post #44 in The Satin Strangler Blogs (TSSB).

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Satin Strangler Verdict

Sea View, NJ.

In the widely publicized Satin Strangler trial, the jury in the case against Destiny Blande reached a shocking verdict of “not guilty” today.

Prosecuting attorney Ned Danton summarized the evidence in the case two days ago. Numerous character witnesses described the sadomasochistic undercurrent hidden beneath the demure veneer of Blande. The graphic testimony of ex-boyfriend Mitch Carlson was titillating, painting a picture of a woman progressively scorned to the point of igniting an anti-male vendetta.

The key to the prosecution’s case resided in evidence linking Blande to the scenes of the two New Jersey murders attributed to the Satin Strangler. A now well publicized surveillance video showed Blande entering the Sea View Marina the night of Edgar Stahl’s disappearance. Footage at that site was sporadic, not just for that particular evening. As a result, Blande was never seen leaving the marina, and exactly what happened to Stahl will remain a mystery. The evidence in the Grant Leighton case was more tenuous and placed Blande within 20 miles of the victim’s home on the night of the murder.

As though the absence of victim Edgar Stahl’s body and fragmented video evidence were not enough, the Achilles heel in the case proved to be the missing alleged murder weapons confiscated at Destiny Blande’s room at the Oceanview Motel the night of the arrest. The descriptions of the evidence in the police reports perfectly match last week’s eBay sale items that raised a media storm.

Danton read the weapons report to the jury, describing each set of satin stockings, down to the detail of the lace garter belt. He waved his hands in the air in a vain attempt to demonstrate that the missing stockings would have made a strangulation weapon of choice in the small hands of the defendant. He ended his summation with the phantom stockings still invisible somewhere in front of him as the jury, perplexed and unconvinced, gazed into the void.

Defense attorney Horace Krouch took center stage for his summation yesterday. He flashed his white-out smile, wiped his entire face several times with a handkerchief, and ran a hand along his slick Gordon Gecko hair before approaching the jury. Krouch first focused on the missing victim and then on the infamous eBay stockings, contesting that there had been tampering of the evidence. He described Blande as a delicate woman, not hateful or powerful enough to commit the murders in question. From his perspective, the gruesome details of the Leighton autopsy were important, not as a reason to seek full retribution, but rather as proof that Blande was innocent.

The defendant, Destiny Blande, never took the stand. She remained ever calm during the final morning, like a woman unnerved by or oblivious to the implications of a guilty verdict. Her librarian smile never wavered. Her viridian eyes continued to mesmerize the jury and audience, even through the final moments as Judge Grey spoke before the deliberation.

In less than three hours, the jury reached a “not guilty” verdict. All eyes turned to Destiny Blande as the verdict was read. She still showed little emotion at the news, simply nodding while gathering her paperwork into a yellow leather purse.

The biggest surprise came when Blande was allowed to leave the courtroom a free woman. Legal experts expected her to be transported to Virginia and eventually Georgia to face the next of her series of murder charges. While watching the New Jersey trial, however, prosecutors in Virginia and Georgia got cold feet.

On his way out of the courtroom, defense attorney Horace Krouch stated, “We are thrilled about the decision. We are relieved that the jury was able to come to the right decision. It demonstrates that with a methodical approach, even a seemingly lopsided case replete with convicting evidence can still be won by a strong defense. This was my most difficult case since my days at Yale Law School. Justice has been served. Destiny can now return to her normal life."

Whether Ms. Blande will be able to lead a normal life remains to be seen. The press collapsed around her as she exited the courthouse with Mr. Krouch. She smiled politely and silently evaded the microphones while shielded by Krouch.

That’s the dirt from the courthouse.

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This is post #37 in The Satin Strangler Blogs (TSSB).

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Krouch to Represent Blande

Sea View, NJ.

New Jersey once again owns the hottest news story in the country. A native resident of the state, Destiny Blande, remains behind bars, accused of the Satin Strangler murders. The latest breaking news on this story will turn it up another notch. Blande has selected high profile defense attorney Horace Krouch to represent her case.

Krouch touts himself as a self-made success story. He was 5 years old when his father, attorney Herbert Krouch, Esq., hung himself in their New York City apartment. His mother Victoria never recovered from the event. She was later hospitalized for undisclosed psychiatric conditions when Horace was 12, and passed away a few years later. Horace was sent to live with his cousins near Exeter, New Hampshire. He completed his undergraduate and law school studies at Yale, including a year as editor of the prestigious Yale Law Review. After graduation, he worked as a public defender in New York City before leaving to establish one of the world’s premier criminal law practices. He has accumulated an extensive winning record in high profile cases, most often representing female defendants.

Krouch became a household name after the Gloria Watson case 5 years ago. Watson, a wife and mother of two from Syracuse, New York, was accused of shooting six men during a three week killing spree. Evidence against Watson was stacked, including DNA evidence at all crime scenes, motives, numerous eye witnesses, and the coup de grace - video of her fleeing the scene of the last murder. Krouch somehow threaded together enough evidence to have Watson acquitted, creating a public conundrum reminiscent of the aftermath of the O.J. Simpson case.

Krouch, who is physically bigger than life in both stature and girth, now bears a legend to match as the most highly touted criminal defense attorney in the country. Depicted in several biographies and all but deified in Watson’s best-selling autobiography, Acquitted, Krouch now hobnobs with the rich and famous. He blogs and tweets for his “faithful followers,” serves as guest editor for numerous magazines and law journals, and regularly makes television appearances.

Last year Krouch made three cameo appearances on Law and Order. Each episode revealed whiter teeth, a darker tan, and a little less gray in Krouch’s slicked back Gordon Gecko hair. His eyebrows were even a little higher above his ever present sun glasses and moved much less in the last episode, raising speculation that the lawyer caught the plastic surgery bug. The focus on appearance has not made it down to his body, which is still as well fed as ever.

Krouch now only takes on cases of “personal interest.” During the last 5 years, he has only represented six women, each with fairly straightforward approaches to their defense. At first glance the Satin Strangler case seems a perfect fit for Krouch, with Blande facing seemingly insurmountable odds for some of the most publicized murders of our time. There is, after all, no better opportunity to stay in the spotlight. But in this case, what does he have to gain? The expectation is that he will win every time. With Destiny Blande, a loss seems inevitable. Why create a chink in the armor and tarnish a nearly perfect legal career.

Keep coming back so we can bring you the dirt on how Krouch does with this one.

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This is post #22 in The Satin Strangler Blogs (TSSB).

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Sea View Among Safest American Towns

Sea View, NJ.

Time magazine published its 100 Safest Towns in America yesterday, and Sea View, NJ, ranked number 72.

Until recently, Sea View was best known for the Ocean Park amusement pier, which once served as a top vacation destination. That golden age ended when the pier closing and boardwalk merchant exodus created severe economic hardship for the town.

Based on similar cases, one would have expected the character of a town to deteriorate. This is not been the case in Sea View, much to the credit of their mayor of 12 years, Winston Mayfield.

Mayfield originally ran for office on a platform of cleaning up the town and creating a safe haven for its residents. As mayor he delivered on his promise. During his first few years in office, Mayfield instituted extensive neighborhood cleanup programs. He developed some the most elaborate green initiatives in the country through his Green With Pride program. Under Mayfield’s leadership, Sea View helped inspire Rutgers University’s New Jersey Sustainable State Institute and the Mayor’s Committee for a Green Future.

Sea View remains among the nation’s leading municipalities in purchasing environmentally friendly products, such as compact fluorescent light bulbs, recycled paper, and hybrid cars. Mayfield has also supported ordinances for mandatory recycling and anti-idling, and is well known for planting trees around city buildings with the local high school every Earth Day. His sparse critics point to the negative impact the new high energy standards may have on industry and housing development incentive, but even they commend the mayor’s motives.

Mayfield has taken the concept of “neighborhood watch” to previously unseen extremes. Three years ago, following his most recent reelection, he led a fund-raising campaign to purchase surveillance camera systems for installation throughout the town. These were stationed at each traffic light, in front of the most commonly used business establishments, and on certain neighborhood blocks. Crime is down 45% during the mayor’s tenure in office, and violent crime is essentially nonexistent in Sea View, despite rising crime rates in nearly every surrounding town during the same period.

When receiving word about the Time magazine honor, Mayor Mayfield commented, “This is a testament to efforts of our citizens. We've all been committed to making this a safer and cleaner place to live. We have had some difficult economic trials here, but with the unwavering confidence and support of our citizens, we will overcome that challenge as well. Everyone here certainly deserves as much."

This award may come as a surprise in the wake of the Satin Strangler arrest in Sea View. Of course, Time made its selections prior to the arrest. Regarding the Satin Strangler case, Mayfield stated, “That was just more evidence that this is a safe place to live. She was an outsider who came through and placed our town in jeopardy. Luckily, we had a surveillance system in place to identify and apprehend her and keep our residents safe."

Other safe towns on Time magazine’s list included State College, PA, Steubenville, OH, Wheeling, WV, Pittsfield, MA, Wausau, WI, Nashua, NH, Parkensburg, WV, Glens Falls, NY, and Williamsport, PA.

That’s the dirt from the 72^nd safest town in America.

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This is post #20 in The Satin Strangler Blogs (TSSB).

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Satin Strangler Arrested

Sea View, NJ.

Police have arrested a suspect in the Satin Strangler case. Responding to a tip from a front desk clerk at the Oceanview Motel, police broke down the door of room #7 where the suspect, Destiny Blande, was staying.

Police Chief Robert McHugh reported that Blande is the person in the Sea View Marina surveillance video the night of Edgar Stahl’s disappearance. Stahl is still missing and presumed dead, the latest in a string of as many as 40 Satin Strangler victims. Police are running forensics on DNA evidence potentially linking Blande to the scene of the crime on Stahl’s boat.

“It will be a relief to all of the victims’ families,” McHugh said. “At least they can find comfort in knowing that their loved ones’ killer is behind bars.”

Blande’s Facebook profile states that she was an administrative assistant at Neon Lights, a Princeton advertising agency owned by her father, Sinclair Blande, until the spring of this year. The 23 year old alleged serial killer was born on May 1^st, 1985, in West Windsor, NJ. She grew up in nearby Mount Rose, NJ, and attended Mount Rose High School and later Rutgers University, where she earned a BA in Marketing. Friends listed on Facebook include only her father Sinclair and her sister Cheryl. Her marital status is listed as single.

Blande is an amateur photographer and an expert on Stagmomantis carolina, the Carolina praying mantis, the subject of her current Master of Science study at Rutgers University’s night school. Blande has recently been traveling the eastern seaboard studying the mating behavior of these tiny creatures. Police have placed her in the general vicinity of at least three Satin Strangler murders along the east coast.

The sleepy New Jersey beach town of Sea View is reeling from the news. Amy Beluga, a waitress at the nearby Bait and Bagel restaurant who witnessed the arrest stated, “She is not at all what I expected. She’s pretty enough, but she’s kind of quiet looking, more like an average person than a killer. There must be a lot of firepower hidden away in that little body. You can see it in her eyes. They’re green and sparkly like cat eyes.” She shuddered and then continued, “It’s scary that a killer like that was right here in our town. I had no idea, but I definitely feel safer now that she’s been arrested.”

Warren Grey, the judge assigned to the hearing on Tuesday, stated, “I need to review the details of the case before commenting. I can guarantee you, however, that she will be punished to the full extent of the law. If found guilty, of course.”

Our crew was one of the first to the scene, but reporters from across the country have been rushing to the jail in Sea View, NJ, where Blande is being held.

We will give you more dirt on this case as it unfolds over the ensuing hours and days.

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This is post #8 in The Satin Strangler Blogs (TSSB).

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