kidindy

Someone here mentioned the Johnny Gosch case from Iowa in the early 80's. There is a documentary on Netflix about it called "Who Took Johnny", I watched it last night and it really is crazy how different child abduction cases were handled back then and even up to when Jacob was taken. Unfortunately it took things like this happening for much needed laws and acts to be passed.

Norm de Plume

Absolutely! During the press conference the other day, the sheriff (?) was speaking about the discovery of Jacob's remains, and I observed a young officer behind him who could hardly hold it together. It's emotional for anyone who has a heart.
That's cool about the retired investigator who was brought back to help out.

kidindy, re: Gosch, some are conjecturing that Heinrich might have had a hand in his abduction and that of fellow Des Moines paperboy Eugene Martin a couple of years later. I doubt it. Heinrich was only 19 at the time, which is an uncommonly tender age to start as a serial abductor/killer. However, I think it's highly probable he had other victims (certainly other sexual assault victims) later who are as yet unknown. He is strongly suspected of having committed a series of sexual assaults and attempts in the Paynesville area in 1986-87, but the statute of limitations has expired on those cases. Those might have been his first dabblings in child molestation.

Norm de Plume

The wonderful Patty Wetterling. Her daughters are behind her. Jacob's younger brother, Trevor, who was on the scene during Jacob's abduction, is leaning against his dad Jerry's shoulder.

starman9000

Here is a pretty decent interview with one of the attorneys involved to help explain how (and why) the plea deal happened:

http://kfan.iheart.com/onair/dan-bar...il-a-15085485/

Mikael79

My wife and I were talking about the deal, and she was upset at how light it was. For me, if I had gone so long without knowing for sure what happened, I'd have taken the same deal to provide closure and allow myself to be able to heal.

Danny Heinrich already looks 70 (he's just 53), so I have a feeling he won't live another 20 years anyhow.

Trevor

Minnesota sports team honoring the victim and his family with patches.
http://www.twincities.com/2016/09/08...y-september-9/

VitiminJ

This has really bothered me. I was not aware for the story and I do not live near MN but it has stuck with me. I'm kicking myself for reading the article.

It's a shame that this prick can't be prosecuted.

I understand the family wanted closure but I don't think hearing his account of the situation would ever help them heal. His poor brother that ran in fear has probably been in counseling his whole life.

As a father this enrages me. All I can hear in my head is my son saying the same words Jacob did.

TheDude

Horrible story. I do somewhat remember this case. I was older than the victim back in '89, but wasn't out of my teens yet so do remember biking around with friends earlier in that decade. This type of thing could have happened to any of us.

Yes, too bad that the scum-bag who committed this heinous crime can't be prosecuted for this. Hopefully something horrible will happen to him in prison.

I'm usually for the death penalty in cases like this, but that would be too good for this piece of shit - he needs to suffer.

Living Dead

I think I'm missing something or not understanding something here... how exactly did the killer benefit by admitting to the murder? Everything I read about this case says they had no proof that he killed Wetterling and that the crimes they could prove him guilty of (kidnapping and sexual assault) were too old to prosecute. All they could get him on was child porn.

Even in the interview posted by starman the attorney says (around 19:30 or so) that the guideline sentence he was looking at was 5 to 8 years but the killer willingly agreed to receive a max of 20 years and give a confession. Was there a heavier sentence hanging over his head that I've somehow missed to make him confess and agree to 20 years?

Trevor

I hate to sound remotely positive about this scumbag who deserves to die imho, but there are examples of similar criminals doing deals like this to offer closure to the victim's families, while protecting themselves from the harshest penalties too.

Norm de Plume

I think they offered him quarters in a cushy, pedo-friendly federal prison in Colorado, whereas he otherwise would have been in an ass-rapey state prison. That's what I have read.

FiveO

They did not have evidence he killed Jacob Wetterling. He was suspected of it due to the similarities to the previous abduction and assault.

Now...if they had Jacob's body that's another story...but LE didn't... There was nothing connecting him directly to Jacob's death. LE needed the body...and possible evidence on or around it. If the body had been found before the agreement...there wouldn't have been an agreement. Period. They would search for DNA or something else and hopefully tie him to Jacob's death.

With no evidence...other than suspicion...they had to take the deal to get the body but once the body was recovered the deal was in place and no charges will be brought.

He was looking at multiple counts on the child porn. Probably much more than 20 years....he took the deal to cover himself (as best he could). He doesn't take the deal...later Jacob's body is recovered and he's on the hook for murder if ANY evidence can be found on the body.

He took the deal to get out of a murder charge. He knew he was going to prison for the Child Porn...if you're going to go to prison, why not be safe from prosecution on a murder charge if and when Jacob's body is discovered. Just my thoughts.

The Wetterling family wanted to know...they wanted to know no matter how painful it was. They wanted the closure. 27 years of not knowing....so difficult. I wouldn't want to make that decision...but it was up to them. US Attorney Luger gave them that choice and they jumped at it knowing the suspect was going to go to prison for 20 years then face a civil commitment (life confinement).

Either way...sad sad case. No other way to put it.

FiveO

Forgot to add: 20 years is probably "Top of the box" when it comes to sentencing. He agreed to be sentenced at the top end of the range for that CP charge.

He still gets out of a murder charge...and never has to worry about Jacob's body being recovered...because if it was, without a deal, he'd be looking at life.

Again...just my thoughts.

TheDude

OK - I read these latest responses. It's obvious that this guy is guilty of the crime - otherwise, he wouldn't have known where the body is. Again, too bad he can't be charged for this. But, hopefully he'll never get out of prison.

kidindy

The guy clearly did it. Some of the news, here in Minnesota, is that this testimony will make it so that if he does live past the 20 year sentence that they can use the testimony to have him civilly committed. If that is the case, he will never be free to roam the streets again.

Norm de Plume

Memorial service for Jacob Wetterling tomorrow.

Incidentally, Jacob's favourite song was the beautiful, meaningful song about peace, "Listen", by children's musician Red Grammer.

Norm de Plume

Recap of memorial (can't embed):
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2016/0...ling-memorial/

Norm de Plume

Full memorial service, for anyone who wants to sit through a very solemn 80 minutes with a great deal of religiosity:

Norm de Plume

Today was sentencing. As anticipated, he got 20 years. Here's the court transcript, in which Wetterling's family members' and best friend's heartrending victim-impact statements can be read:
http://www.documentcloud.org/documen...html#document/

story

They released a ton of case documents today. The major gist of it appears to be the whole investigation was screwed up right from the start, big surprise. Jacob's parents had sued to block their release because of privacy and likely some embarrassing content but they lost the case. It's opening up more wounds on this one.

I've decided personally that I will not seek information on the docs out of respect for Patty and Jerry. I'm not going to gain anything from trying to satisfy curiosity. I agree with the release and right to information but I don't need to read it.

I cannot emphasize enough how much impact Jacob's disappearance had on Minnesota parents now in their 60s-70s and kids now in their 30s-40s. It literally hit close to home. The whole thing just makes me run the gamut of emotions several times a day whenever it hits the news cycle again.

Sonny Corinthos

That absolutely breaks my heart. I don't know how people can do these types of things, especially to children. A long, slow, painful death would be too good for this guy.

DVD Polizei

Stuff like this should be left up to the parents to decide. And if one parent does and one does not, assume the negative.

Norm de Plume

Thanks for posting the update, story. I have been away. And yes, the Wetterling abduction was a massive story, not only in Minnesota, but nationally and beyond. I followed it over the years when there periodically was a new interview with the parents, siblings, or whatnot. Interest was rekindled a few years ago when long-suffering neighbour Dan Rassier formally became a suspect, and then when J.S. came forward with his story. I was convinced it would never be solved.

Just released is this wrenching photo of the soccer jersey Wetterling was wearing the night he was abducted, and which lay with his remains for 27 years: