Crime Blotter
--> -- ALAS, POOR EVIL GENIUS!
ROCHESTER, N.Y.
The skull of the Civil War’s “evil genius” general was stolen from his grave on the summer solstice and police believe Satan worshippers may be responsible.
The remains of Gen. Elisha G. Marshall were dug up during the night of summer solstice last week at Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester.
Marshall was born in Rochester in 1829 and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He fought Indians in the West and took part in some of the bloodiest Civil War battles.
When Marshall was trying to organize the 14th New York Heavy Artillery regiment in Rochester later in the war, he managed to divert recruits from another regiment, leading a historian of the other regiment to describe him as an “evil genius.”
Bones were found near the desecrated grave, along with satanic symbols. The solstice — the longest day of the year sunshine-wise — is often marked by satanic and pagan rituals.
Police said they typically find evidence of satanic activities on that day.
“We try to do [checks at the cemetery] two or three times a year, depending on the satanic calendar,” said Sgt. Dan Magill. “I’ve been there the last five years during the summer solstice. Unfortunately, we were doing something else that night.”
An official at the cemetery said the grave robbery was very unusual.
“We get vandalism periodically, but it’s substantially less than it used to be,” said cemetery manager Nancy Hilliard said. “This is the first time I’ve had a grave dug up.”
PICK A FLOWER, GO TO JAIL
YUBA CITY, Calif.
When Highway 99 was deflowered of 250 daffodils, local authorities took it seriously.
An out-of-town couple faces jail time and fines of $2,000 after the flowers disappeared in February.
But Soren Lannon and his wife, Cheryl, said they had nothing to do with the flowers. They have refused a plea bargain and are demanding a jury trial.
The 250 daffodils were planted along the freeway just outside Yuba City by garden club volunteers.
The couple this week rejected an offer that would have settled the matter provided either one of them agreed to plead guilty to stealing plants from public property and pay $300 in restitution. Now they each face up to six months in jail if convicted.
Trial is set to begin Aug. 15.
YOU MAY ALREADY BE A TIPSTER
AUGUSTA, Ga.
It’s not Ed McMahon who’s offering $200,000 to residents of Augusta, but the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department.
In hopes of solving a 2-year old murder case, deputies have mailed 65,000 questionnaires to residents seeking leads that might solve the slaying of David Holt.
Detectives hope that the anonymity of the mailer might yield tips from people who otherwise would be afraid of speaking up.
Holt was the manager of a Sam’s Club store in Augusta that was robbed in June 1998. That same night, Holt’s body was found in the trunk of his car in Aiken County, S.C., just across the Savannah River from Augusta.
Sam’s Club is offering the $200,000 reward in the case. The company also paid for the mailing.
“What we’re thinking is that people overhear things, people hear conversations,” said Sgt. Wayne Bunton, a homicide investigator for the Richmond County sheriff.
Crime Blotter is a weekly feature of ABCNEWS.com and is compiled by Amy Collins. The Associated Press contributed to this report.