Weekend Update: The Crime Scene

Working the graveyard shift often makes for an interesting week. This one, as usual, was comprised of all things good, bad, and ugly.

First of all, thanks to an enthusiastic group of research-hungry writers, the 2013 Writers’ Police Academy sold out in less than a week!

As a reward for their eagerness, the WPA is pleased to present the largest, best, and most exciting event we’ve ever produced. We have plenty of new action, and exciting workshops lined up. So stay tuned for announcements and details.

The 2013 Golden Donut Short Story contest photo has been released (above). This is an extremely popular contest that’s open to everyone, not just WPA recruits. The rules are simple—write a story about the photograph above using exactly 200 words, including the title (each story must include an original title). The image in the photograph MUST be the main subject of the story. The contest officially opens at 12 noon on Monday April 1, 2013. Winner receives the prestigious Golden Donut Award!

Now, for the news with our on the spot Crime Scene reporter:

New York – NYPD detective and popular Writers’ Police Academy instructor Marco Conelli has penned a new article titled Perps and Guns, It’s No Mystery.

Marco Conelli

Marco invites you all to read the informative piece here.

Brunswick, Ga. – While out for a leisurely walk, pushing her 13-month-old son in a stroller, Brunswick, Ga. resident Sherry West was approached by two teens who demanded her money. When she told the youths that she didn’t have any cash, the older boy pushed West to the side and shot her child in the face, killing him. The boy also fired rounds at West, grazing her ear and wounding her leg. Police have arrested 17-year-old Demarquis Elkins and an unnamed 14-year-old in connection with the attempted robbery, attempted murder, and murder.

U.S.A. – Jason Cherkis of the Huffington Post reports that since the school shooting in Newtown, Ct., 2243 people have died as a result of gun violence. Until I told him last night, Jason was unaware of the shooting in Brunswick, Ga. Unfortunately, I presume the total is now 2244.

Los Angeles – Chef David Viens received a 15-year prison sentence after confessing to police that he killed his wife and then boiled her body for four days to dispose of the evidence. The woman’s body has never been recovered.

Orlando, Fl. – Sarah Adleta was arrested for live-streaming video (Skype) of herself while sexually abusing children. A North Carolina man has been accused of watching the videos as they took place.

Texas – A proposed new law would require DNA testing be conducted on all biological evidence in all death penalty cases. Probably a good idea since Texas executes more people than any other state.

Taiwan – A man wanted for drug crimes was spotting wearing a t-shirt with “WANTED” printed across the front. The suspect does not speak English, therefore had no idea of the word’s meaning. Unfortunately for him, the officer was well-versed in the English language and decided to run a check on the unsuspecting wanted criminal who was indeed arrested.

Robert Skiff, Sirchie Fingerprint Laboratories training manager and WPA instructor

Youngsville, N.C. – Sirchie Fingerprint Laboratories is once again offering writers the rare opportunity to attend their evidence collection course. This week-long class is normally for law enforcement only, however, through the Writers’ Police Academy, Sirchie has opened their doors to any writer who’d like to learn “how it’s really done.” Feel free to contact me for details as to how you can take advantage of this fabulous opportunity. Several writers have already attended the course. www.sirchie.com

Me and my pal Joe Bonsall of the Oak Ridge Boys

Valdosta – @Joe Bonsall of the Oak Ridge Boys just tweeted “It’s a rainy day in Georgia #Valdosta.” Hey, Joe, it’s raining out here on the islands, too. I love seeing the dark clouds roiling over the ocean. The egrets are confused, though, and have all snuggled together in the rookery behind our house.

LA – The Southland crew wrapped up season 5 filming yesterday. Now comes the long wait to hear if we’ll be treated to a season 6.

Here’ what Michael Cudlitz (Southland’s John Cooper) had to say on Facebook about my review of this week’s episode – Michael Cudlitz You always put so much thought into your work. Thank you.

CJ Lyons

From bestselling author CJ Lyons: Attention Fellow Thriller Writers!

You may have heard that last July I began the Buy a Book, Make a Difference charity. So far we’ve raised $28,000 for charity and 28 scholarships for police officers from underserved communities to receive CSI forensic training through the Jeff Farkas Memorial Scholarship, named after my fellow intern who was murdered while we were at Childrens’ Hospital of Pittsburgh.

I know a lot of you have law enforcement connections and need your help in reaching out to law enforcement agencies.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could please forward this link to the scholarship page:

http://www.sirchie.com/training/training-programs/farkasscholarship.html

For more info, you can also send people here: http://cjlyons.net/buy-a-book-make-a-difference/

Together we can help the police officers who are so generous with their time and support of thriller writers gain the tools they need to put the bad guys away!

Thanks in advance,

CJ

*So there you have it, the news for the week. Now it’s time now to toss a banana to the typing ape, hoping he’s up to doing a little work on my manuscript. After all, he types faster than me since I have yet to master the use of my toes on the keyboard. He has.