Christine Sheddy Case: Did Arson Play A Role In Her Murder ?
Pocomoke City, MD– Christine Sheddy was murdered on the Byrd Rd Farm in Pocomoke City on the evening of November 12, 2007.
The series of events that led up to her murder are stupifying.
Of Particular concern is the rash of fires occuring on the farm and within surrounding areas in the time frame of both of Christine’s visits there.
As the September alarms are no longer accessible on the Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Department Site, you are looking at a cached version confirming the call to the farm and the fact that photos DID exist of what was assuredly a major fire. Three different stations responded at a minimum. The Images have been deleted.
The day before the Byrd road chicken house fire on September 20th, the Showell Fire Department extinguished this chicken house fire:
Also a cached version of deleted information from the PVFD site, is this October Alarm Source, through October 23rd, 2007:
Effective October 1, 2007 the Worcester County Fire Marshalls Office takes over.
“..The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office is responsible for conducting fire investigations of all fires in the County where arson is suspected, the fire is undetermined by the fire department, and/or an injury or death has occurred. The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office is the local enforcing agency for 3 municipalities and the County…”
Note the October 10th alarm for yet again, a subsequent fire in the chickenhouse on Byrd Road.
On October 11, the neighbors who have already been vicitmized by the Clarence Butch “ Jr” Jackson crew, are victimized again. As you can see the Fire Marshall visits Byrd Road.
What the record does not say, is that the neighbors are awakened at 3 am by the Fire Marshall and Deputy Parnell from the PCPD. They were told if they called the Fire Department one more time for fires on the neighboring property, they would be arrested.
On the exact same day that JR Jackson unsuccessfully seeks peace orders against the neighbors that are simply trying to avoid the menace of his existance at this point are denied on October 13th; there is another chicken house fire. Fire Police and Pocomoke PD are in attendance.
Another outside fire call on October 17th. There is no data past October 23rd on fire activity available for this time frame.
The November calls have been deleted entirely by the Pocomake VFD. The site is managed and maintained by “Choppy Layton” a long time Vounteer Fire Fighter and by all accounts, a solid guy.
What is astounding, is that I am in receipt of an email that confirms a witness gave a statement to Detective Trautman, the original detective in this case, on February 12, 2008.
Should we consider it a coincidence then, that the last time the PVFD site is updated, and apparently when the November alarms were deleted is February 12, 2008?
We have eyewitness accounts of fires on the Byrd Road farmhouse from November 9th through the 13th at a minimum. Fire Police and Marshalls have been to the property. By my accounting, we are talking in the neighborhood of 12 fire alarms to this property alone, starting one month after an emergency outdoor burn ban.
Why hasn’t Clarence Jackson been charged with arson?
Any other suspects? Dead Issue? We know there are surveillance still pictures and security guard witnesses, what did they see?
What is the ratio of alarm calls versus arson arrests?
I digress.
Who was copied on the confirmation email containing a witness statement on February 12, 2008?
Michael McDermott.
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I would imagine the owner just rented it without going through all the rigmarole of background checks, lease, etc. Same with trying to get back rent or garnish the wages of someone who has no job—-just a headache with nothing to show for it in the end. The owner is lucky they skipped town—usually they dig in and are nearly impossible to evict. (My friend who rents the tenant house on her farm is trying to throw out someone who owes her $10,000 in back rent—she’ll be happy if they just go).
It may be that the owner inherited this property and doesn’t want to sell it, but realizes every penny counts if you can get some rent, even low rent. The owners might farm it themselves or let someone else farm it, just to keep it in farm use so that the taxes stay low. Those chicken houses might have been ancient and in long disuse—doesn’t mean the owner didn’t want them, but I wonder if insurance would even cover them.
Does the Office of the State Fire Marshal in MD have any jurisdiction or supervision over Poco VFD?
I dont think the pocomoke mayor is scimming money from drug pushers on crack street. More like ballooning prices for contracts the city awards. How much did the new firehouse cost? follow the dollar.
Personally, I dont believe the meth lab theory at all, not in Christine’s case anyway. I believe you are correct, I think it was $400k.
B
Frequently, farm land is leased to other farmers in the area. Likewise with chicken houses. Often, landowners rent the house to a tenant who has no connection to the farmland or the chicken houses. The country side is filled with old chicken houses that are no longer used. I doubt a landowner would have insurance on them. Most of the time, they fall down or they are offered to the local FD for training under a controlled burn.
Renter’s insurance is fairly inexpensive, because it does not cover any structures, only personal possessions.
The house is the type of place only miscreants would rent. In this area, there are a lot of places like that. Waaay below what ‘normal’ people would consider decent. Since this area has a lot of lowlifes who need their privacy (you can imagine why), these places get rented out all of the time.
Now I am really steamed. I don’t know about any else, but the fires, the lack of investigation by LE of other incidents, the arrests and lesser charges or charges dropped all scream of cover up ..and that coverup seems to lead back to the Pocomoke Mayor over and over again. If he is on the up and up..why all the coverup..why isn’t he first in line to say this is specious? How can people in that area not be up in arms at the evidence uncovered in this case? It shows that not only was Christine’s death swept under the rug, but many other crimes went without proper prosecution. There can only be a few people in that little picturesc town with the ability to make things go puff!
And do I really care about them…no..only that we find Christine and the rest will fall into place after that..it always does. Mr Mayor..if you truly worked for Baltimore City as a detective..I hope that your heart will find compassion for a young lady who was caught in a hard situation by known felons.
Since this case started I have been hearing the words to “Hotel California” alovely place ..that you can never leave. I think that about sums up how Christine ended up at the farm..a lovely place..but her hosts..they knew she would never leave.
Now I am really steamed. I don’t know about any else, but the fires, the lack of investigation by LE of other incidents, the arrests and lesser charges or charges dropped all scream of cover up ..and that coverup seems to lead back to the Pocomoke Mayor over and over again. If he is on the up and up..why all the coverup..why isn’t he first in line to say this is specious?
How can people in that area not be up in arms at the evidence uncovered in this case? It shows that not only was Christine’s death swept under the rug, but many other crimes went without proper prosecution. There can only be a few people in this town with the ability to make things go puff!
And do I really care about finding Christine and the rest will fall into place after that..it always does. Mr Mayor..if you truly worked for Baltimore City as a detective..I hope that your heart will find compassion for a young lady who was caught in a hard situation by known felons. You judged her wrong..you still have time to understand that not every unwed mother who ends up in a bad situation like the farm was street wise enough to know what she was getting into at that point. People pretend all the time..Mr Mayor..look into your soul and know that Christine was a ruse in the pretending game by these individuals at the farm house. And guess what..you have been played too, if you can’t find it within yourself to do the honorable thing.
Good Job Blink,
Again, I have nothing of substance to offer, just wanted to say good job and thanks!! Is MSM still coming on board?
D
TY, holding off on comments about that
B
Maryland’s Eastern Shore has been run by certain families for as long as I can remember…you see their names on OC businesses..and Salisbury businesses..and I would surmise Pocomoke too.
What surprises me is they would endorse, through their silence, the actions of the Mayor, the Police Department, the Fire Department and others.
I am speaking to the wealthy citizens of the Eastern Shore now…you know who you are, and Lordy so do I. I have done the Maryland debutante circuit…I’ve met you’ll. Do the right thing..I know for past and future generations you would not ever condone this behavior. But you alone have the money to get to the root of this problem..and cut it off. Cut off the money and the support of civic projects until Christine is found!
Do the right thing..question the mayor, the LE and the fire department to find out what others know………….then report it. And worse yet…cut off the money that supports these people until they produce evidence and Christine’s body.
All this family wants and deserves is to put her to rest and to allow her children to know she did not leave them, and then of course to allow this community heal. They are victims too.
B
Good and positive thoughts today.We are going to get christine back to deleware SOON.Burned bridges or not.
Emergency burn ban, we have that here. No Burn days, either because of drought or high pollution. There were 12 fires? Cheeseandrice!!!! How annoying. Bridges or water near the farm?
Okay, I am curious.
Let’s say this is a corrupt little place. Okay?
Say there is pressure from above for the firemen to be quiet.
Say there is also pressure for the law to not investigate thoroughly.
What would it take to make a federal case of this, so to speak?
What are the steps to take it from the corrupt local level to the State or Federal level?
I am wondering, mostly, because I think about what has happened to Christine and her family and also to that neighbor…
I am wondering, at what point do you move onto Plan B?
I remember you saying you had a Plan B. I know we aren’t there yet, but I am curious what the criteria is.
Did I refer to a Plan B? My apologies, I dont recall. Please refresh so I might answer your question intelligently.
B
I typed a question, but I don’t think it posted.
Do you actually know what the witness reported on February 12th?
I am thinking that if they took the pics down the same day, and if it was indeed because of that testimony, then what was said or who said it would have been motive.
Also:
When did the security guard come on duty?
Wondering if the neighbor brought in security after being threatened by the police. I am thinking that would make me want to have security, particularly if the police and fire marshall show up at 3 am just to intimidate this poor citizen.
Them showing up at my house at 3 am would SURELY intimidate me!
I am going to decline respectfully to your first question except to say yes, if I am receipt of the email, I am aware of it’s contents. I am also aware of when security was hired, from them directly, but again, I am trying to accomplish the balancing act of reporting and witholding what might be important to a bad guy.
‘B
Blink,
Doesn’t there have to be a Hazmat cleanup if there is evidence of a meth lab operating on the ranch ?? Sure seems to me like some ranch members sure liked to brag on-line about cooking crystal. That would lead me to believe crystal meth or ?? On a recent television special they were going into detail about the costly cleanup and work involved to disinfect premises after meth labs tear downs. JMO, but I was thinking perhaps some fires were the result of something like this. Just thinking aloud…..on line…..hHhhmmmmmm……
I personally don’t think there was a meth lab on that property. I doubt JR would have been running around starting fires daily if there had. But yes, they would require hazmat.
B
What happened to people of CONSCIENCE? Seriously- how can these people sleep at night? Any decent person withholding information surrounding this incident needs to get down on their knees and pray for the strength to speak the truth. What kind of an example do they want to set for their children? I wouldn’t want to have blood on my hands nor would I want my children to grow up being liars and cheats.
Hey Blink,
Just wanted to touch on your comment about the dogs. You said they were in such bad shape that they needed to be euthanized. Isn’t that a crime, too? Did JR ever have to answer for that?
Also, if they went into that house and seized guns and starving/abused animals, wouldn’t they also look into the safety of the children there? It seems to me that the children should have also been removed from the house at that time. It was obviously an unsafe environment for children.
I completely agree. I can tell you CPS was called, nothing was done.
B
Another agency that did nothing?
Such a strange town.
Where I live, the constant fires, guns, starving animals, would all be enough to start the process of having the neighbors and teachers interviewed about the children.
And in this case, we know the neighbor had a LOT to say.
As far as JR punishing the dogs because Christine fed them, I am guessing it doesn’t take a reason for JR to be cruel to animals. He is into having power.
Mariann — anyone who would do to Christine whatever was done to her has no conscious in the first place and don’t care. they are all about “me” and the rest of the world comes 2nd after that.
I understand that Brenda. I was talking more about the people who were “around” or know something about the crime. If someone told me to lie or lose my job- I’d plain and simple lose my job. Aren’t any of these people == people of integrity? Enough people have their hands in the coverup that you’d think 1 of them would step forward and do the right thing.
I am only posting these off-topic links, because Christine cared about the dogs on that farm (and OK, because that made me adore her more, since I am an animal advocate).
The Maryland dog laws need to be improved. In fact, most States need to improve their dog laws. If you only knew… sighhhhh.
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/pets/PA_rescue_helps_dog_set_on_fire_in_Baltimore.html
http://www.ohmidog.com/2009/06/19/governor-seeks-review-of-animal-cruelty-laws/
Let’s get JR for what he –and TIA –and whomever else– did to Christine.
Sadly, the dogs don’t have anyone fighting for them.
I was reading profiles about people who set things on fire like JR was doing.
It said that arsonists typically are males who come from families with abuse, neglect and humiliation. They generally have below-average IQ’s, bordering on retarded, and anger issues. Basically, angry males who don’t have the intellectual capacity to express their anger in less destructive ways.
The motivation for starting fires is: anger, revenge, thrill-seeking, and rarely there is a sexual component.
True, unless your doing it for money.
B
I’ve been busy in the “UD” today.UGH!
And for silverspnr:
“animal abusers are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against people and four times more likely to commit property crimes than are individuals without a history of animal abuse.”
“The FBI has recognized the connection since the 1970s, when its analysis of the lives of serial killers suggested that most had killed or tortured animals as children. Other research has shown consistent patterns of animal cruelty among perpetrators of more common forms of violence, including child abuse, spouse abuse, and elder abuse. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association considers animal cruelty one of the diagnostic criteria of conduct disorder.”
http://www.pet-abuse.com/pages/abuse_connection.php
A paid arsonist would explain a lot of behavior. That WOULD explain a lot.
72, Yes, the article said that when older males burn property it is often money related.
I was more looking at the non-money related causes, since there were so many fires and JR was making gasoline bombs…
I thought it was interesting that:
Baltimore police who file domestic violence reports are required to note if there are any animals and how they are treated.
I wonder if the law works the same in reverse.
If they see animals neglected and abused do they have to check the condition of the domestic partner and children?
If sex was the starting point for Christine’s death, I also thought this was interesting:
a police study in Australia revealed that “100 percent of sexual homicide offenders examined had a history of animal cruelty.”
(From one of the links on the pet-abuse page above.)
OK Mariann, you made it clear to me what you mean. Certainly witnesses are afraid of these folks (since it’s also quite, clear they can get away with murder….) I too would rather tell the truth because one day we’ll have to answer for not only what we did wrong, but didn’t do right! Not to start a religious debate, but doesn’t the Bible say that “to him to knows to do right and does not, to him it is sin.”???
Shows a bunch of weaklings hung around the “mighty JR and clan”. Weaklings of spirit and honor that is!!
Who would pay a dime store hood like JR for arson? Who would benefit? His “peeps”? Location, location, location!!!
According to the Encyclopedia of Interpersonal Violence, there is a strong connection between animal abusers and arsonists.
I don’t know if this type of information is useful yet, but I am thinking it will be once the arrests are made.
Someone’s “peeps” is bankrolling this behavior.
I am going to step way out of the box here and am wondering if these fires were intentionally set and that someone knew about this “arrangement”. The City of Pocomoke has been applying for state and federal grants for awhile now. I have researched the state and federal FEMA grant applications and they are extensive. If one has ever written a grant before it is a mind-boggling process. Not only does the application have to be completed, but a near-thesis is required as an attachment to prove the necessity of such a bond. If one cannot justify state and federal grant funding, then you’re pretty much out of luck. For example, recently the City of Pocomoke was denied a grant due to “low crime” (WTH?):
Saturday, August 8, 2009 Pocomoke Citizen’s Forum http://pocomokecity.blogspot.com/
“We were advised that we would not receive any grant money in the first round of COPS Grants from the Federal Stimulus Funds. Our low crime rate was a significant factor in their decision.”
As part of the mayor’s “plan” one of their fire department grant applications was to receive matching funds and there was quite an impressive campaign in their community to help raise funds (article dated Sept. 2007):
Community News
By The Dispatch Staff
Originally published September 7, 2007
Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company has announced a $15,000 pledge toward the Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Company’s Capital Campaign. Presenting the first of three installments to Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Department’s Choppy Layton, Rick Choquette and Jimmy Hammond are Taylor Bank’s Baxter Brasure and Barry Laws. Submitted Photos
http://www.mdcoastdispatch.com/article.php?cid=54&id=1300
One more:
http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2009/06/13/all-america-city-projects-pocomoke-city-mds-pocomoke-volunteer-fire-department-fire-station/
I am excited for the City of Pocomoke that they were granted a $27M FEMA grant in Round 20 January 2009 for probably a new fire truck:
(I think line #2992):
http://www.firegrantsupport.com/afg/awards/08/AFG08awards.xls
Though all of this has nothing to do with Christine’s family helping find her, I find it an interesting read
However, there is no logical explanation (IMHO) for a person who lives on a property (for what…3 months?) and there is fire after fire and never held accountable! And early on in Blink’s articles, there were certain persons who had a “garbage bag” full of arrests of which way too many of these offenses were either dismissed or received a hand-slap!
I am probably way off base with this, but after reading the article dated August 2009 of their low crime rate (LMAO) being a determing factor for not receiving their grant request in Round One….it definitely raises my eyebrows to go HHMMMMMM?! Don’t get me wrong…though I am thrilled for any city to receive state/federal grants to assist with building/improvement, I certainly hope “upping their numbers” was not a part of anyone’s agenda.
Just re-read the article.
So they were burning all of these properties during an emergency burn ban.
And STILL the NEIGHBOR was the one threatened with arrest.
My impression of the Nov 9th fire must have been bigger than a flue fire indicates. Those chicken house fires look big to me.
That 10/23 fire feels hinkey to me. Didn’t steve, levi and christine drive out to the farm in october?
Just thinking about all those fires. The time of the fires, the place, so many of them, the chicken houses, the criminals in attendence etc.. Fires are also used in rituals. Did some digging on http://www.paganwiccan.about.com.
McDermott is the mayor and a lieutenant with LE?? I want to know who polices him? What, if any are his reposonsibilites or ties to the fire department?
oh, boo, please don’t insult nice pagans and wiccans everywhere by associating them with these thugs…! All the ones I know are peace loving.
I think the throwing of the molotov cocktails, coupled of course with the big fat bon fires, and careless or malicious structure fires suggest that jr has pyro tendencies.
McDermott is controlled by city manager Russ Blake. Blake has had that job for over 30 years. Two crooks!!
Besides (re: the pagan/wiccan thing), these dreadful events didn’t happen during any significant lunar phases or cross quarter holidays that I could tell (now, halloween or lammas or candlemas or beltane or the solstices or equinoxes? that might be a different story).
In the tat blogs 2/2/09 he talks about keeping the others quiet about other “family” activites. I’ve read this statement over and over and think he is referring to something other than christine.
#90 suz…my apologies to good pagans/wicca’s. I was just searcing fire rituals. The “blair witch” angle.
#90 suz…too many horror films I guess..LOL
#84 PamTX, nice in theory.
I know somebody who worked at a library which counted how many people came in to decide how much State funding to give. She told me she padded the numbers each day, so that it would look that thousands of more people used the library than really had.
Allowing 12 fires from this crew might explain having the fire related crime numbers increase…
BUT, threatening the neighbor would only serve to DECREASE the reported number of fires.
Back to #78… If this was a sexual homicide, meaning someone wanted sex and out of that encounter Christine ended up dying.
The cluster of highly associated behaviors associated with this type of crime would be: Chronic lying, arson, animal abuse, and bed-wetting.
We know about the lying, arson and animal abuse.
Wondering if Justin and JR wet the bed? (60 to 68% of sexual homicide perpetrators have a problem in that area.)
Of the likely factors that I am reading, the one I find most interesting is that it is often the oldest sons who do this type of crime.
Alcohol, drug abuse and mental illness can be major contributing factors.
Sorry for profiling.
It’s just that, when I read about the animal abuse, plus, 12 fires…. I knew that both of those factors are key components in certain types of crimes and certain types of disorders.
To me, it increases the likelihood that JR is one of the actual murderers.
Maybe the neighbor was interfering with someone’s plan by reporting the fires too soon, before they could get as large as planned? Maybe he/she noticed and reported too many details about the perpetrators and their methods and that was throwing a wrench into the larger scheme? It does make one wonder how the arson and resulting conviction rates might compare to similar areas.
There is also the risk to the lives of the brave volunteers who show up to battle the criminally set blazes. It was in gross disregard to these brave souls that someone commanded a witness to cease from reporting the flagrant violations. Who in this instance was the fireman’s friend? Between the neighbor and the jack-booted thugs who threaten the law abiding citizen in the middle of the night, who should be held accountable?
Does anyone “police” Russ Blake? If so, who? Thank you