Murder in Fairbanks (photos, village, current)

[vegetarianblt]

Are you not jumping to conclusions in assuming that the murder was committed for "pocket change"? We do not yet know why these acts were committed, so practice what you preach rotorhead.

[warptman]

A murder is a murder...guilty in my books.

[rotorhead]

I generally "preach" justice and retribution, usually in that order.

I guess I'll have to leave the "practice" part up to the court system, which seldom delivers either of the former.

[bkyhi]

Originally Posted by vegetarianblt

I grew up with Towndrow as well, he was my best friend. And he and his family have been part of my family my entire life. He did community service while he still lived here in NY, got Hillary Clinton to donate money to our town for recreation, and sat on the board for Reality Check. We still do not know why these actions took place, and people need to think twice before they assume someone is scum or trash, Brian has worked hard his entire life to prove people otherwise. The military as well as the media have been famous for desensitizing people, and this is a perfect example. Wait until the details are released before jumping to conclusions. Also, if he was in his right mind at the time of the murder, why would he call the police and tell them where to locate the body?

The problem here, is from your post it appears Towndrow WAS a good guy at one time. From what you said he knew right from wrong. If so, at some point something changed. You're not making the case for him any better with that post. In the end he comes up a 'bad guy'. He was involved in a heinous crime for selfish reasons, period.
Regardless what kind of spin you put on this thing - he comes out pretty badly.

I don't see what being in any given state of mind during the crime has to do with telling the police where the body is. It probably is not that uncommon in order to get some sort of leinency from the courts. Now that makes him sound calculating.

BTW was he already married with children when he was with that consenting 15 year old? It seems he was.

Originally Posted by vegetarianblt

Are you not jumping to conclusions in assuming that the murder was committed for "pocket change"? We do not yet know why these acts were committed

Please see the link below - Where in a court document a defendent states they planned to "kill Frederick because of a matter that military authorities were investigating".

http://media.newsminer.com/docs/bizh...1224133258.pdf

Yet they had in their possession stolen items, including credit cards and merchandise purchased with those cards. Thousands of dollars, but in regards to the life of the man they killed - yes just pocket change.

I still don't know what that military investigation was about but remember Towndrow had already been discharged. I can't think of any kind of serious military infraction which wouldn't have them imprisioned already.

Re-read rotorhead's post. As I said above and rotorhead says in his post. Regardless of what Towndrow did in the past, what he did now is what matters. If he changed, he changed for the worse. He changed to trash and scum, and needs to be dealth with accordingly.

[firemanswife2009]

the army is trained to kill under all circumstances and after doing several tours to iraq to fight for peoples freedom when they take it for granted anyways they snap! their brains are trained on way, i for one believe they need to get the mental help they need, maybe from now on the army will think about it, get them help before something like this happens

[rotorhead]

Do not tar all servicemembers, current or former, with the same brush.

Each and every one is their own individual self, and makes their own individual decisions accordingly. The Army does not and never has turned anyone into a "robot killer" of any kind, despite what the new (idiot)director of the Dept. of Homeland (in)Security would have you think.

I'm all for returning veterans getting whatever mental health assistance they need, but lets keep in mind that these are people just like you and me that we are talking about here.

[icarian]

"Trained to kill under all circumstances." Really? That is what you honestly believe is taught and followed in the Army? If so, sad.

[gdkodiak]

T0 firemanswife:

You have no idea what you are talking about. I have served several combat tours and have years of training, but we have been trained to kill only in specific situations. Your biased comments sickens me and simply shows how little you know as well as reveals your prejudice towards military members.

The absolute overwhelming majority of those serving in uniform are perfectly capable of being able to compartmentalize their combat experiences and get on with life in the normal world when they return.

You, my dear, are disrespectful, ignorant, unappreciative and unworthy.

[Glitch]

Yep, all of us ex-vets are just one insult away from devouring someone's liver.

And I went up there, I said, "Shrink, I want to kill. I mean, I wanna, I wanna kill. Kill. I wanna, I wanna see, I wanna see blood and gore and guts and veins in my teeth. Eat dead burnt bodies. I mean kill, Kill, KILL, KILL." And I started jumpin up and down yelling, "KILL, KILL," and he started jumpin up and down with me and we was both jumping up and down yelling, "KILL, KILL." And the sargent came over, pinned a medal on me, sent me down the hall, said, "You're our boy." -- Excerpt from "Alice's Restaurant", by Arlo Guthrie

So remember to be nice to ex-vets, your very life may depend upon it.

[bkyhi]

Good words all - you know of that which you speak.

Service teaches respect, discipline, self worth and value in life.
It's the streets where some folks learn kill, kill, kill, damage, unrest, etc.

Glitch I especially got a kick out of your sense of humor. Thanks!

With gratitude and respect.