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Part I
Nov 16, 2015 18:32:10 GMT -5
Post by Michael on Nov 16, 2015 18:32:10 GMT -5
For anyone interested... I just finished the rough draft and unedited version of "Part I." It's short but full of many new facts. I personally believe anyone who reads it will put it down knowing exactly what happened. I realize how that sounds but I wouldn't say it if I didn't actually believe it myself. Anyway, I only plan a "Part II" and "Part III" if everyone else sees the same value in it as I do. In the meantime first things first....
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Part I
Nov 16, 2015 19:35:40 GMT -5
kit likes this
Post by stella7 on Nov 16, 2015 19:35:40 GMT -5
Glad it's coming along, I'll be very interested
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Part I
Nov 16, 2015 20:32:07 GMT -5
Post by xjd on Nov 16, 2015 20:32:07 GMT -5
yes, i too am anxiously waiting to read Michael's book!
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Part I
Nov 16, 2015 23:51:04 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2015 23:51:04 GMT -5
That is great news, Michael! I am very excited that you have completed the rough draft for Part I. I am so looking forward to Part I being published and finally knowing what really happened March 1, 1932. All your research is valuable and I sincerely hope that there will be a Part II and a Part III.
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Part I
Nov 17, 2015 0:42:06 GMT -5
Post by lightningjew on Nov 17, 2015 0:42:06 GMT -5
Can't wait to read it. When/how do we get to see it?
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Part I
Nov 17, 2015 6:10:20 GMT -5
Post by Michael on Nov 17, 2015 6:10:20 GMT -5
Thanks. It was just an update since I've been talking about this for so long and have been asked about it's progress in the past. So far it's more like a conglomerate of research then a "book," and still sounds like a 3rd grader wrote it (as of now) - but I do believe the facts I've put together are hard to overcome. Over the years I've had discussions with people who've heard me mention some, here or there, and they looked at me like I'm nuts. Why? It's not in a book so people can't understand how it could be true. But it is. Now to go back over and fix some things and then in the end I will probably self publish. Like I said it's real short but contains a whole lot.
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Part I
Nov 17, 2015 17:16:55 GMT -5
Post by Michael on Nov 17, 2015 17:16:55 GMT -5
I know that I keep saying I have a ton of new material so I wanted to exemplify it by mentioning one of the many things I've found. This fact will be thoroughly explained in "Part III" which, as it now stands, will be about Hauptmann and the Trial. I won't say anything else about it for now, but I want everyone to ask themselves why it's "new" and never found it's way into any of the books ever written on the case. Fact: A Juror was bribed.
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Part I
Nov 17, 2015 19:25:47 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by lightningjew on Nov 17, 2015 19:25:47 GMT -5
Wow. I knew witnesses were bribed--to say things like they saw Hauptmann hanging around Highfields--but a juror??
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Part I
Nov 17, 2015 22:23:27 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2015 22:23:27 GMT -5
I am wondering why someone found it necessary to bribe one of the Hauptmann jurors to begin with. It is truly amazing what all of your research has uncovered. I am looking forward to what you will be sharing on this.
I really like how you have chosen to use a three part format for publishing your research. I think it is a good form to use considering the amount of new material you will be sharing about this case. This approach must have made it easier for you to organize all your material as well.
Keep us posted as you continue to work!
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Post by Michael on Nov 20, 2015 12:13:00 GMT -5
Wow. I knew witnesses were bribed--to say things like they saw Hauptmann hanging around Highfields--but a juror?? And the funny part is that in about a month or so no one will even remember it, yet, they'll always remember about some kid overhearing a man say "Bruno." It's just crazy. I really like how you have chosen to use a three part format for publishing your research. I think it is a good form to use considering the amount of new material you will be sharing about this case. This approach must have made it easier for you to organize all your material as well. Thanks Amy. That strategy is what got me to create Part I (unedited). I cut it a little short because I had planned a section on both Cemetery John and J. J. Faulkner but I'll put those in Part II - if there is one. I need to correct history in regards to those as well. Both will contain information on the level of a Juror being bribed. Everyone "missed" these too - or just didn't look.
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Post by Michael on Apr 7, 2016 16:11:30 GMT -5
Volume I is almost there. Here is a little preview of what's to come: This book explores all the unknown facts concerning the early stages of the Lindbergh Kidnapping that were either ignored, forgotten, missed, or shrugged off. Among this new material is the death bed “confession” which has been long sought after by just about anyone who has ever researched this crime. It undeniably turns this crime upside down! Anyone familiar with this sensational case will be completely shocked to learn about this important information and once applying it, no matter how it is interpreted, will realize the solution is obviously at hand - once and for all.
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Part I
Apr 7, 2016 16:38:32 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2016 16:38:32 GMT -5
OH WOW!!! This is the ultimate teaser, Michael. This "confession" was not supposed to exist!! Yet here it is coming out in your book. You found it because you "did the time" and did the research thoroughly. I can hardly wait to get a copy of your book! It will be beyond great. I am so excited for you.
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Part I
Apr 7, 2016 23:06:34 GMT -5
Post by xjd on Apr 7, 2016 23:06:34 GMT -5
this sounds amazing! congratulations Michael on this tremendous project, i know you've worked hard. but how am i supposed to sleep knowing this is coming out???
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Part I
Apr 8, 2016 1:31:16 GMT -5
Post by sweetwater on Apr 8, 2016 1:31:16 GMT -5
I concur with all amy35 and xjd have said in response, Michael! Excitement for your achievement, excitement looking forward to the read! My mind is all aflutter. Can hardly wait, wonderful anticipation.
One thing I hope maybe you have included in your work is a little explanation about how your interest in the case came to be and how it grew to the point that you were motivated to do what you have done in your research. Or, if not in the book(s), I hope you will at some point post a little about that here. I know that you have probably shared, over the years and on different sites, how that came to be, but being fairly "new" to most online case discussion, I would really like to learn about how it all came about.
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Post by Michael on Apr 8, 2016 16:11:11 GMT -5
I appreciate the encouragement!
As I've stated in the past, it's really not a "normal" book where I retell the story and make one feel like they're inside the narrative walking among the Characters. It's mostly just new facts which surround all the questions most of us have had over the years. While I go into some detail, I didn't waste time going over the everyday facts we all already know about. Too many books have already done that, I clearly don't have the skill as a Writer those who already did have, and I wanted to write something that leads one to the the answers everyone wants. In short, I didn't want to re-write something that's already been written. I try to explain my "style" and intent in the introduction.
I am convinced whoever reads it will come away with much more knowledge then they had previously... Even those who will say it ain't true. But it is true because if it wasn't then it would not be in the book. I've cut out anything I believed questionable OR I qualified it as such so there won't be any mistake.
My interest in the crime started at an early age. I grew up in Lambertville when it was still a tight-nit blue collar community. Everyone still knew everyone, and neighbors had all grown up with one's parents and their parents with the others grandparents. Anyone of that age (grandparent) always seemed to have their own story to tell about the case, trial or even both. My grandfather was a Trooper in '41, and he knew everyone who had been involved. Unfortunately, while he and everyone else told me a lot - much of what they said didn't "stick" as far as names go because I had no idea who anyone was. A few things did, but if I knew then what I know now I'd probably be blown away by what I don't remember.
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Part I
Apr 9, 2016 17:18:32 GMT -5
Post by hurtelable on Apr 9, 2016 17:18:32 GMT -5
This deathbed confession: Wow! I'm quite knowledgeable on American history, and I can think of only one very well publicized crime in the US where a deathbed confession came into play and altered dramatically the public perception of who the REAL perp(s) was or were. That would be the 1913 murder of a 13-year-old girl who was working in a pencil factory in Atlanta at the time. The man convicted of the crime was Leo Frank, one of the owners of the factory who had the unfortunate demographic characteristics of being Jewish, a "Yankee", and a well-to-do capitalist. Though sentenced to death, the governor of Georgia, having some doubts about Frank's guilt and the charged atmosphere in which the trial was conducted (compare to the Hauptmann trial to some extent), commuted the sentence to life imprisonment. The governor was so much the target of mob rage for his commutation, that he was forced to flee his mansion for his own safety and wound up in Alaska. Four years after the trial, a lynch mob broke into the state prison where Frank was incarcerated and strung him up on a tree. (He is believed to be the only Jew in American history to have been lynched by a mob; other victims were almost exclusively black.)
In the Frank case, a black janitor at the factory, who had testified against Frank at trial (very rare in the Jim Crow South in that era), confessed on his deathbed (in the 1950s?) that HE was the murderer of the girl and that Frank was NOT involved. The then-governor of Georgia then issued a posthumous pardon to Frank so many years after his violent death. It was a decent gesture but could hardly have been said to bring justice.
If anyone can come up with other well-known American criminal cases where a deathbed confession long after the crime changed everything, I would be interested.
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Post by sweetwater on Apr 9, 2016 21:19:44 GMT -5
I don't recall anything about a deathbed confession from an alleged perpetrator in the Mary Phagan murder case, hurtelable. I do think that the attorney for Jim Conley, one suspect, wrote a deathbed note indicating that he (the attorney) believed Conley was the real killer. I also seem to remember something about a girlfriend of Conley's saying he had confessed to her, but not on his deathbed. Former office boy Alonzo Mann also came forward in the 1980s with a statement pointing to Conley.
As for the deathbed confession we are all eagerly waiting to read about -- it crosses my mind that it might not be a "confession" from a killer. It could be one from...well, from several kinds of folks and still be very important. Just one example: David Wilentz, say, might have made a zinger of a deathbed statement about Hauptmann's true involvement and about to what lengths the prosecution went to assure that he was executed. Or Condon could have confided to someone close the true nature of his involvement. Or one of the domestic workers of the Morrow or Lindbergh household could have spilled...something...at the last. Or Anna Hauptmann. Many possibilities -- wow.
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Part I
Apr 11, 2016 7:03:58 GMT -5
Post by hurtelable on Apr 11, 2016 7:03:58 GMT -5
I don't recall anything about a deathbed confession from an alleged perpetrator in the Mary Phagan murder case, hurtelable. I do think that the attorney for Jim Conley, one suspect, wrote a deathbed note indicating that he (the attorney) believed Conley was the real killer. I also seem to remember something about a girlfriend of Conley's saying he had confessed to her, but not on his deathbed. Former office boy Alonzo Mann also came forward in the 1980s with a statement pointing to Conley. As for the deathbed confession we are all eagerly waiting to read about -- it crosses my mind that it might not be a "confession" from a killer. It could be one from...well, from several kinds of folks and still be very important. Just one example: David Wilentz, say, might have made a zinger of a deathbed statement about Hauptmann's true involvement and about to what lengths the prosecution went to assure that he was executed. Or Condon could have confided to someone close the true nature of his involvement. Or one of the domestic workers of the Morrow or Lindbergh household could have spilled...something...at the last. Or Anna Hauptmann. Many possibilities -- wow. With respect to the Mary Phagan murder case, I apologize for my inaccuracy there. It wasn't quite a deathbed confession by a perp, it was a deathbed witness revelation on the part of Alonzo Mann in the 1980s which strongly implied that Jim Conley, the black janitor or sweeper at the pencil company, was indeed the murderer. That was the impetus for the state of Georgia's posthumous pardon for Leo Frank in 1986. Mann, as a kid at the time of the Phagan murder, had been threatened by Conley with physical violence if he were to reveal what he saw. In retrospect, what likely went down at trial in 1913 was the prosecution, in its irrational efforts to convict and execute Frank, used Conley as a witness against him, and Conley was more than ready to oblige to save his own life. Again, their use of a black witness to testify against a white defendant was pretty much unheard of in the Jim Crow South of the time. But demographically, Frank was a very atypical white defendant for that time and place. Regarding Michael's clue that a deathbed confession in the LKC is forthcoming in his book, I agree with you, sweetwater, that there are many possibilities to think about when you consider the number of characters in the drama. Michael, to his credit, is leaving just about all of us here with a sense of eager anticipation.
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Part I
Apr 11, 2016 19:06:38 GMT -5
Post by rebekah on Apr 11, 2016 19:06:38 GMT -5
Volume I is almost there. Here is a little preview of what's to come: This book explores all the unknown facts concerning the early stages of the Lindbergh Kidnapping that were either ignored, forgotten, missed, or shrugged off. Among this new material is the death bed “confession” which has been long sought after by just about anyone who has ever researched this crime. It undeniably turns this crime upside down! Anyone familiar with this sensational case will be completely shocked to learn about this important information and once applying it, no matter how it is interpreted, will realize the solution is obviously at hand - once and for all. What a teaser, Michael! Now, who died? (and just couldn't take his or her information with them) My mind is in overdrive on this tidbit. As soon as it hits the shelves, wherever they may be standin', let us know where we can get this book. And, thank you.
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Part I
Apr 14, 2016 5:29:56 GMT -5
Post by Michael on Apr 14, 2016 5:29:56 GMT -5
What a teaser, Michael! Now, who died? (and just couldn't take his or her information with them) My mind is in overdrive on this tidbit. As soon as it hits the shelves, wherever they may be standin', let us know where we can get this book. And, thank you. It going to ruin any assertion about what's true and what isn't. So much of what's accepted as fact isn't true, and it's exactly these pseudo facts that are pointed to as proving or disproving something. You'll have groups of people saying things that did not even happen. The idea that certain things would have come out if they were true is, in my opinion, evidence that it wasn't looked for - or those who did look did not spend enough time on. I've spent enough time because I've found them. And it's all coming out. The argument that it's not true because no one knows about it is about to end.
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Part I
May 2, 2016 10:23:09 GMT -5
Post by steve romeo on May 2, 2016 10:23:09 GMT -5
deathbed confessions are a dime a dozen and unreliable
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Part I
May 2, 2016 15:48:33 GMT -5
Post by Michael on May 2, 2016 15:48:33 GMT -5
deathbed confessions are a dime a dozen and unreliable I think that depends on who it is, what they said, and if there's anything other then the confession to support it.
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Part I
May 3, 2016 1:52:31 GMT -5
Post by sweetwater on May 3, 2016 1:52:31 GMT -5
Well, I saw there was new activity on this thread and got pretty excited...thinking maybe there was an update on the progress of Part 1!!
Since I'm here, though, let me fling out a question, Michael, about the deathbed confession -- one you may not wish to answer just now, I understand. (I've already confessed that I am sort of on tenterhooks waiting for Part 1, so you can't blame me for trying.)
You've said in the past, if I remember correctly, that Part 1 will concern mostly the "early part" of the case -- the disappearance of Charlie and the pretty immediate aftermath, I think? So my question is: Is the "confession" from someone people studying the case "meet", so to speak, in those early weeks?
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Post by Michael on May 3, 2016 5:47:06 GMT -5
You've said in the past, if I remember correctly, that Part 1 will concern mostly the "early part" of the case -- the disappearance of Charlie and the pretty immediate aftermath, I think? So my question is: Is the "confession" from someone people studying the case "meet", so to speak, in those early weeks? For the most part it's all early stuff. I might be criticized by the style and certainly my writing skills will be attacked by those who don't like the facts I present - because they won't be able to attack those facts - so if one can't disprove the facts that will be the only avenue of distraction. The first proof has come and gone so I think that's a measure of progress I can report. As to the confession: I am not sure I understand your question but it's probably best to leave it alone until you can read everything. It's one of the reasons I felt a book was necessary so that everything could come out at once. There's no doubt in my mind it's 100% real or I wouldn't have included it. But of course it's up to the Reader to decide.... There's plenty of new stuff to think about, and not everyone is going to see everything the exact same way. I understand that some people don't like it already which is fine. It exemplifies how much resistance will come from those who "like" what they already firmly believe and don't want to see anything different come out to ruin it. The bottom line is that it's a book of unknown facts meant for those who want to know. I would suggest to anyone who does not want to know - not to read it. It won't hurt my feelings in the least.
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Part I
May 5, 2016 7:54:11 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on May 5, 2016 7:54:11 GMT -5
I understand that some people don't like it already which is fine. It exemplifies how much resistance will come from those who "like" what they already firmly believe and don't want to see anything different come out to ruin it. The bottom line is that it's a book of unknown facts meant for those who want to know. Count me in as one of the people "who want to know". I see that you are making good progress with your first volume. I like that you keep us updated. For people like me, who are not writers, it provides me with a window to view the process of what it takes to create a volume of work and what it entails with getting it published. Thanks for sharing all this as it happens. As you near the final stage of the publication of your first volume, I am wondering if you are laying out the framework for volume two. (No pressure intended by this question!) After the initial "shock and awe" that volume one will create, the foundation you are laying with this first book will push open the door to the need for additional volumes. There will be things that will still require clarity and/or better explanations/additional facts surrounding various people and findings that came to light during the investigation of the Lindbergh Case. Then there is the matter of the arrest and subsequent trial of Richard Hauptmann that you may want to share unknown facts about. Here are some of the things I am hoping might be covered in future volumes. 1) Your theory about the "hired hands" involved in the kidnapping. 2) John F. Condon and his participation in this case. 3) Violet Sharp. A tragic figure in this case. Was she involved with the kidnapping or not? 4) The J.J. Faulkner deposit slip. 5) The Hauptmann and Fisch relationship. 6) Who helped Hauptmann. 7) Why didn't Hauptmann cut a deal to share what he knew (how exactly he was involved) in exchange for the protection of his wife and child. 8) Which juror was bribed and why that would have been necessary. Hans Kloppenburg was interviewed in Sept. of 1934 about his friend Richard Hauptmann (called Hauptmann "Dick" in the interview). Hans did not believe Hauptmann had anything to do with the kidnapping and death of the Lindbergh child. He also didn't believe Hauptmann was in Hopewell the night of March 1, 1932. Hans was, however, perplexed by Hauptmann's silence. Hans said the following during that interview: "Of course he knows who gave him the money and he probably knew it was bad money. I can't understand why he doesn't come out with his story. I'm sure I wouldn't go to the electric chair for someone else."Besides who is responsible for Charle's death, it is Hauptmann's silence and willingness to sit in that electric chair instead of telling whatever he might have known, that haunt me most about this case. The book Hauptmann said would never close needs a push to close it.
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Part I
May 6, 2016 5:23:33 GMT -5
Post by Michael on May 6, 2016 5:23:33 GMT -5
All great topics and I do plan on addressing as many of them as I can. My whole intent is to hit on subjects that I have "new" or "game changing" material on. Since I wasn't an English Major in college (as is plain to see by my posts here) I think the motivation will be how the first volume is received... Anyway, I guess my point is that I have new material on a ton of different angles involving the case. J.J. Faulkner for sure, Condon, Birritela, the Fisch Story, Jury... the list does go on and on. I do also want to finally put in writing the truth about the Ladder as well. However, I absolutely do not want to "re-tell" everything. Writing the story as has already been done, where correct, (for me) is a complete waste of time.
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Post by georingoes on May 10, 2016 21:04:31 GMT -5
What I want to know is how do we become part of the advance sale of the book and Michael, will you be doing a book signing?
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Post by Michael on May 11, 2016 16:22:24 GMT -5
What I want to know is how do we become part of the advance sale of the book and Michael, will you be doing a book signing? Thanks for your interest! While the Publisher has an advanced copy program, I chose not to get involved with it for several reasons. Also, a book signing isn't something I'd do because frankly I don't see the point of it. The only reason I wrote the book was because it is absolutely necessary in order to get the facts into a referable form AND because "dribs & drabs" of information doesn't work when there's a ton that needs to come out at the same time for the full and enormous effect to occur. The Message Boards are great but we've debunked things here, however, outside of those who read (or remember) those posts the history surrounding those issues remains unchanged. The facts in my book should make sure those changes take hold - so that's why it was written. Believe me, there will be plenty of people saying what I've written isn't "true" but they won't have the knowledge to even make such a claim. The footnotes prove what I wrote. Also, I am plenty sure most English Teachers will dislike how I wrote it as well. I'm fine with that because I wasn't writing it to be "graded" in that way. Over the years I've come to realize that many people write books to make money. Rest assured that has nothing to do with why I've written mine. Knowing the case like you do, you will be very happy with the new facts and material regardless of how you may interpret them. They're all real and need to be considered.
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Part I
May 15, 2016 7:57:46 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on May 15, 2016 7:57:46 GMT -5
Hey Michael,
I know your book is about new facts and material that people do not know about the kidnapping case. This fact alone makes your book a "must read" about this case. I was wondering if Ellis Parker comes up at all in your book or is being considered for inclusion in a future volume. I am very clear that you are not doing a retelling of this case with your volume(s). We have discussed Ellis Parker at length on this board. I was just wondering if there might be some new or unknown facts/material regarding Parker and his investigation of the kidnapping that may be a part of any of your volumes.
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Part I
May 15, 2016 9:25:59 GMT -5
Post by Michael on May 15, 2016 9:25:59 GMT -5
I was wondering if Ellis Parker comes up at all in your book or is being considered for inclusion in a future volume. I am very clear that you are not doing a retelling of this case with your volume(s). We have discussed Ellis Parker at length on this board. I was just wondering if there might be some new or unknown facts/material regarding Parker and his investigation of the kidnapping that may be a part of any of your volumes. In the upcoming volume he is mentioned in both Chapters 1 and Chapter 15. I do expect, that if anymore volumes are written, that he will be mentioned again. The crazy part of the whole matter is that new material continues to turn up. And so, as a result, there could be information I write about which at this moment I haven't even seen yet. But first things first.... If the people that matter (like the Members here) think I should keep going after my book comes out then I will. I do have at least two more volumes to write if that happens.
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