JOPLIN RELIEF FUND INFORMATION

POSTED BY JEN MIELE

June 13, 2011

Dear Westmoreland Community Action Partner:

As I am sure you are aware by now, Joplin Missouri suffered destruction of epic proportion on Sunday, May 22, 2011 when hit by an EF5 tornado. At least 20-25% of Joplin was completely devastated. To date, more than 100 members of that community have lost their lives, while 750-1,350 received injuries.

It has been determined that 25 employees of our sister community action agency who is fighting poverty in Joplin – the Economic Security Corporation of Southwest Area (ESCSWA, www.escswa.org <

http://www.escswa.org>) – have experienced either severe damage to their homes or a total loss. The CEO of ESCSWA has informed us that the pictures on TV in no way depict the absolute destruction that this storm has left in its path.

Since the tornado, Joplin has received assistance from literally all over the nation in the form of provisions, fire fighters, police officers, medical professionals and thousands of volunteers. But it’s simply not enough.

Therefore, Westmoreland Community Action is partnering with the Greensburg Fire Department to aid in the relief effort at Joplin, Missouri. We are requesting donations of money in addition to specific goods such as building supplies, appliances, personal hygiene items, baby supplies, etc. We are also looking for people to volunteer some of their time with this effort. I am hoping to take two tractor trailer loads of much needed supplies to Joplin along with a cash donation.

I’m personally asking for your assistance with this effort. Every little bit of support we can give Joplin in their extreme time of need would be greatly appreciated. Checks can be made out to Economic Security Corporation – Tornado Disaster Fund and mailed to us at 226 South Maple Avenue, Greensburg, PA 15601. Or if you would like to make a donation of supplies, please contact me at 724-834-1260, ext. 105 to make arrangements for drop-off or pick-up. In addition, if you would like to donate some of your time, please contact me as well.

In the spirit of Community Action, I thank you in advance for partnering with us and stepping up to help a community when they need us most.

Sincerely,

Tay R. Waltenbaugh

Chief Executive Officer

VERDICT EXPECTED TODAY
posted by Jennifer Miele

In his closing arguments defense attorney Michael DeMatt told the jury what happened to Jennifer Daugherty was an absolute tragedy, horrifying, and  something nobody should ever have to go through. But he continued by saying Angela Marinucci is not the person who killed her. Marinucci is charged with murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy. DeMatt argued she did not want this to happen, she did not encourage this, and that she was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

He asked the jury to consider her state of mind, specifically what was going on in her mind. He says there is no proof she had intent to kill Daugherty.

Next up, district attorney John Peck will deliver his closing arguments. He will argue that Angela Marinucci is guilty of first degree murder: “a willful, deliberate, premeditated murder.” The crimes code lumps conspirators or accomplices in with the actors themselves.

Closing arguments could take all morning, and after lunch the judge is expected to give the jury instructions on how to deliberate. The jury could begin their deliberations by 230 pm.

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VERDICT EXPECTED TOMORROW
Posted by Jennifer Miele

Stay with Channel 4 Action News all day tomorrow, to hear a verdict in the case against Angela Marinucci, the first of the Greensburg Six to stand trial for the murder of Jennifer Daugherty. She could face life in prison if she’s convicted.

Closing arguments begin at 9am, after that the jury will be given instructions on how to deliberate, and then the case will be in their hands.

Much of tomorrow’s decision will be based on today’s testimony provided by Marinucci herself. The consensus at the courthouse: watching the District Attorney cross examine her was like watching a dad argue with his teenage daughter.

Marinucci maintains she was not in a relationship with Ricky Smyrnes, and therefore not jealous when he started dating victim Jennifer Daugherty. But prosecutors say her jealously prompted her and the others to gang up on Daugherty, torture her, and finally kill her.

Jodi Wiltenburg, a case worker at the Westmoreland County Children’s Bureau, testified Marinucci and Smyrnes showed up at her office the week of the murder to discuss custody of Ricky’s son. She said Marinucci and Smyrnes were acting very flirtatious with one another, they told her they were engaged, and Marinucci indicated she was pregnant with Ricky’s baby. We later learned Marinucci was not pregnant.

Marinucci claims she was lying to the case worker, making it seem like Ricky had a stable home life, so he could regain custody of his son.

Marinucci claims she had nothing to do with the torture, but admitted she helped the group decide what to do with Daugherty’s body.

The DA asks: So you were pretty certain at the end of the day Jen was going to be dead?

Marinucci: I didn’t think they would go thru with it.

DA: You didn’t lift a finger to untie her?

Marinucci: No.

Marinucci: Ricky called a family meeting about what to do with Jen’s body.Maybe dump it by the rail road tracks.

DA: Who suggested that?

Marinucci: I did.

The DA pressed her about why she did not call police or do something to stop the murder.
Marinucci claims she did not call police because she didn’t trust them. She tried to tell the jury she made a rape allegation against a man in 2010 — and wasn’t happy with the way police handled it. But the judge would not allow the jury to hear that story, and asked them to disregard the testimony.

MARINUCCI BACK ON THE STAND: PRESSED OVER WHY SHE DIDN’T STOP THE TORTURE
posted by Jennifer Miele

Angela Marinucci is back on the stand this morning, the time being cross examined by district attorney John Peck. Although she denies having a relationship with co defendant Ricky Smyrnes, she admits she told detectives she thought she was pregnant with his baby the day Jennifer Daugherty’s body was discovered. Prosecutors alledge Marinucci was jealous over Daugherty relationship with Smyrnes.

Under cross examination she never once looked at the district attorney in the eyes, and at times became defiant when he asked her why she did nothing to stop the torture.

She claims she was afraid of Ricky Smyrnes and Melvin Knight, but admitted she continued to return to the apartment in Greensburg where the men were staying.

Yesterday she told the jury she hit Daugherty 4 times with her fists, angry because Daugherty made fun of her family. Today she admitted she hit her 5 or 6 times.

She continues to pin the torture and murder on her co defendants, claiming they eat and humiliated Daugherty, by forcing her to drink urine and eat feces, pouring onion powder into her eyes and beating her head off the walls.

DA: ” WHY DIDN’T YOU DO ANYTHING TO HELP HER?”

MARINUCCI: ” THERE WAS NOT REALLY ANYTHING I COULD DO.”

DA: ” DO YOU KNOW HOW TO CALL THE POLICE ON YOUR CELL PHONE?”

MARINUCCI: ” YES I DO.”

DA: ” ISN’T IT TRUE YOU WANTED HER TO BE HUMILIATED? DIDN’T YOU THINK THIS WAS A GOOD WAY TO TEACH HER A LESSON TO STAY OUT OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH RICKY?”

MARINUCCI: ” I DID NOT HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH RICKY. WHAT ELSE COULD I DO FOR HER?”

DA: “COMFORT HER, GIVE HER A TOWEL COMMENT CALL THE POLICE?”

DEFENSE ATTORNEY MICHAEL DEMATT: ” OBJECTION!”

DA: “I WITHDRAW THAT LAST QUESTION.”

Marinucci is expected to be on the stand most of the day. The jury will likely not begin deliberation until tomorrow.

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MARINUCCI POINTS FINGER AT 5 OTHERS
posted by Jennifer Miele

In surprise move Angela Marinucci took the stand in her own defense telling the jury she has nothing to do with the murder. She claims she was good friends with Jennifer Daugherty and it was absolutely no jealousy between them.

She claims her co defendant Ricky Smyrnes was a violent womanizer.

Mariucci admits she did punch Daugherty a few times because Daugherty made fun of her family. And when the others to gain up on her, she claims she did nothing to stop it because she was too afraid and did not want others to gang up on her.

Marinucci pointed the finger at everyone but herself blaming others for the beating, the stabbing, and the torture.

But prosecutors maintain Marinucci is a vindictive jealous teenager who wanted her boyfriends new love interest dead.

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Suspect’s Mother Takes the Stand: Knew Something Was Wrong With Her Daughter Posted by Jennifer Miele

Jeannie Lynn Green, the mother of Angela Marinucci, took the stand in her daughter’s defense Tuesday, telling the jury she does not believe her daughter was dating Ricky Smyrnes at the time of the murder. Smyrnes and Marinucci are two of the six suspects accused of killing Jennifer Daugherty in February, 2010. Prosecutors say Marinucci was the instigator of the murder, jealous over Daugherty’s relationship with Smyrnes. Her mother told the jury she believed Marinucci was dating a man named “Jay” at the time.

She also claims the night of the murder, Angela Marinucci came home to get some prescription medication and she could tell something was wrong. She claims Amber Meidinger was with Marinucci the entire time, rushing her to grab clothes and get moving, saying “Come on Ang, we gotta go, we gotta go.”

Under cross examination, prosecutors asked if Green ever asked her daughter what was wrong. She replied, no. They asked if Marinucci ever told her mother she was scared or did not want to go with Meidinger. She replied, no. Meidinger is another one of the six suspects accused in the murder.

She also testified she allowed her then 17 year old daughter to sleep away from home 5 of the 7 nights before the murder, believing she was staying with some friends. She told the jury sometimes Angela snuck out, possibly to be with Ricky Smrynes, who her mother thought was much too old for her to date.

Defense: Marinucci was not jealous, did not hate Daugherty
Posted by Jennifer Miele

Robert Naperatz, Angela Marinucci’s ex-boyfiend, told the jury he had a romantic relationship with Angela for about a year. After they broke up she says Angela introduced him to Jennifer Daugherty and encouraged their relationship. He said Agela was never jealous. That is a major contrast to the prosecution case, which has alleged Angela Marinucci was a very jealous person and decided to plot Jennifer Daugherty’s murder because she was jealous of Jennifer’s relationship with her new boyfriend, Ricky Smyrnes.

He told me about Marinucci after he left the stand, “me and her go way back to the young marine program. I still have feelings for her but after what she did to Jen I just can’t deal with it.”

Although he does not believe jealousy motivated her to participate in the torture and murder, he told me he has no idea what did. He said every time he saw Jennifer and Angela together they got along well and were good friends. Again, another contrast to the prosecution case which alleged Angela hated Daugherty.

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Prosecution Rests after calling Family Members to Stand
Posted by Jennifer Miele

Jennifer Daugherty’s mother, Denise Murphy, and stepfather, Bobby Murphy, were the last 2 witnesses to take a stand for the prosecution. They told the jury they allowed Jennifer to take a bus from Mount Pleasant to Greensburg to visit friends on Monday February Eighth 2010, with the agreement that she would return home the following day.

When she did not return on Tuesday they became very concerned. They called her cell phone Tuesday and Wednesday but each time they called it went straight to voicemail.

Jennifer left an emergency contact number for a woman she told her family she would be staying with in Greensburg. They called that woman now known to be Peggy Miller, 1 of the 6 suspects accused in her murder.

Peggy denied knowing Jennifer’s whereabouts. Later on Wednesday Jennifer’s mother got a call from a woman now known to be Amber Meidinger, another 1 of the 6 suspects charged in the murder. Amber told her mother she would go look for Jennifer because she knew Greensburg very well.

By Thursday Daugherty’s family continued to try to call her cellphone, and became even more concerned when the voicemail had been changed. A male voice could be heard on the phone saying the phone belong to Melvin and Amber, Melvin now known to be Melvin Knight, another one of the six suspects accused of murder.

Just then Jennifer’s mom saw breaking news come across the television screen saying a body has been found in Greensburg. So she, her husband and her other daughter drove straight to the Greensburg police station to speak with detectives.

They showed her a photograph of the bruised and battered body which the later identified as Jennifer Daugherty.

Tomorrow defense attorneys will have a chance to make their case.

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Wecht: "Extreme Case of Torture"

Posted by Jennifer Miele

Dr. Cyril Wecht, world renowned Forensic Pathologist, has conducted 17,000 autopsies over 54 years, and participated in more than 36,000. During an interview with Channel 4 Action News, he said, " I can say that the number of wounds over the body in these various locations certainly places it as one of the most extreme cases that I have seen in terms of torturing somebody."

It took him more than an hour just to describe the injuries on Jennifer Daugherty’s body.

He told the jury all of the injuries were inflicted over a period of days before her death. They include:

* Cuts all over her scalp.

* Multiple cuts on her neck.

* 7 separate stab wounds to the chest (3 to the heart, 4 to the left lung, which caused her death).

* Bruises all over her face, forehead, swelling of the eyes, nose and lips which prosecutors say came from a severe beating.

* Bruises on both hands.

* Bruises and cuts on her back, which prosecutors say happened when she was beaten with a towel rack and metal crutch.

He said there were no injuries resulting from a sexual assault. He went on to say that often times rape occurs but leaves no injuries depending on the level of consciousness of the victim. In this case, he believes she had been forced to ingest at least 33 pills of Zoloft, which could have created extreme drowsiness.

Her body was stuffed in a garbage can and left in the parking lot of Greensburg Salem Middle School. The entire can was brought to Carlow University for Wecht to inspect during an autopsy on February 11, 2010.

He said Daugherty was bound with holiday lights around her neck and hands, and her ankles were bound with a cloth.

Daugherty’s family cried as prosecutors showed the photographs of her battered body to the jury.

Dr. Cyril Wecht, a forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy, told the jury Jennifer Daugherty suffered terribly before she died. She had cuts and bruises all over her body, which he believes were inflicted in the days before her death. She ultimately died from 7 stab wounds to her chest, 3 directly to her heart and 4 to her left lung. He suspects she lost consciousness and died within 5 to 7 minutes of being stabbed.

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