anon wrote on Jan 20, 2008 3:21 AM:I only wish that I could lighten the Crowe family's pain. My son would have been in Stephanie's graduating class at OG. We live in a similar type of neighborhood as the crime scene. Someone fitting Tuite's discription was lurking in my neighborhood. A close neighbor's kids were friends of the Crowe kids. But for the grace of God. R.I.P. Stephanie. And to the Crowe family - you are often in my thoughts and prayers. It pains me that I can't do more.

Escondodo wrote on Jan 20, 2008 3:29 AM:This sad story will leave a permanent scar on the reputation of the Escondido PD. I am a pro-law - goody 2 shoes - type but I believe that Karma will catch up with the guilty parties in the EPD. My conscience would not allow me to be on the side of the city in it's case against the EPD. Bad Karma will follow them into their new digs. It is time to come clean. Just my humble opinion.

Escondodo wrote on Jan 20, 2008 3:39 AM:Correction. I meant to say the city of Escondido against the Crowe family. It isn't easy to support the EPD as an entity. They need to do some house-cleaning and soul-searching. It is a shame that this blog is anonymous. This really is a scar.

Mary wrote on Jan 20, 2008 7:33 AM:Had she lived, she would probably now be doing her practice teaching on her way to getting her degree. We need both a law to commit seriously mentally ill people to institutions and the funding to pay for their treatment. Stephanie unfortunately is the poster child for our lack of care for the mentally ill. She and her family have paid the ultimate price for our short sighted, heartless approach. As my old economics prof at USC said, you always pay the price, but what is the currency - cash or pain and suffering. I prefer cash. Thank you for this story reminding us of what we have lost when we lost this beautiful young lady.

Vista Granny wrote on Jan 20, 2008 8:10 AM:They've never fully convinced me that Richard Tuite was the guilty party.

A travesty wrote on Jan 20, 2008 8:56 AM:The EPD's housecleaning was done a long time ago, they certainly did screw some things up. However, anyone who really knows what happened knows that the three original suspects are the guilty parties and Tuite was a scapegoat. Don't believe the TV shows and the politically driven campaign against Tuite, listen to the facts.

The litany of police abuse.... wrote on Jan 20, 2008 10:48 AM:is long especially when confessions are involved. They are one of the reasons innocent men are getting sprung from death row thanks to DNA evidence.

RHINOSAURUSREX....... wrote on Jan 20, 2008 10:52 AM:Richard Tuite is NOT guilty....what shame!
The law found a person with a low IQ..who
can't defend himself...shame on the DA!

To Rhinosaurusrex wrote on Jan 20, 2008 12:33 PM:Richard Tuite was diagnosed with schizophrenia. This does not automatically mean he had a low IQ. Many schizophrenics have extremely high IQ's and have the ability to con.

experienced wrote on Jan 20, 2008 3:09 PM:My heart goes out to the Crowe family. People do not "heal," they do not "move on," time does not "heal all wounds" though as Mr. Crowe says, time does make the grief a bit easier to deal with. Because bright people learn the mechanics of dealing with it and also learn to purposefully keep it in the background while finishing out their lives the best they can--which, along with not being like your abusers, is your only revenge. But I will say, brainwashing, the very simple and effective tactic used on Michael, is real, though the people who practice it and know it is real deny it exists. Military men are trained how to try to counteract it if they are captured--if it were not real, they would not get this training. So though I also think the platitude that "something good will inevitably come from something bad" is cruel and untrue, Michael's infamous abuse at the hands of the EPD is now absolute proof brainwashing is real. And regarding the person here who wrote that the EPD has long since purged itself of the abusers, I'm not so sure that is true. Last I knew, Michael's chief interrogator, an officer skilled in dealing with adolescents, was still on the EPD.

Roberto1 wrote on Jan 20, 2008 4:32 PM:In Riverside County...he would have been convicted innocent or not IMHO...condolences to the family.

Fred wrote on Jan 20, 2008 6:15 PM:The police claimed Tuite was "not stealthy enough to enter and exit the Crowe home undetected" and that was their reasoning to not accuse him. But the same man not only slipped out of a state of the art surveilance anklet, undetected, returning to the very town he was banned from (Escondido); he is also the ONLY murder suspect to ever escape his own bonds in the San Diego Courthouse - evading capture for several hours and found several miles away. He did it by squirting the mayonaise packet from his lunch onto his one wrist that was handcuffed. And he did that when his guard went to the restroom. Not stealthy enough? Houdini couldn't pull that off.

trucrime wrote on Jan 20, 2008 9:50 PM:I am watching the movie The Interogation of Michael Crowe, right now. The Crowes should have collected millions for their mistreatment and coerced confession of Michael. The judge who threw it out, believe me, was told to by someone in high power (maybe the Gov?)..so as to not set a precedent for lawsuits against Ca police depts. ...

Having studied the case wrote on Jan 20, 2008 10:00 PM:I cannot believe that some people persist in making excuses for Tuite. His attorney should be ashamed. They never offered even a speck of a realistic defense.

Enough suffering for the Crowe family. Justice was finally served when the boys were cleared.

This case is a huge black mark against Escondido. I hope time will heal all concerned. And I hope Richard Tuite never gets out of prison.

Thanks, nctimes, for the good update.

truthS wrote on Jan 20, 2008 10:09 PM:What a screwing this family has gotten....Their case should be appealed all the way to the Supreme Court. What was that judge thinking when he threw out their case?

Just another example of the government's unlawful power.

Roberto1 wrote on Jan 21, 2008 12:37 AM:Many steppford citizens out here who support the status quo...good to see an article that points out what should be obvious..question authority and expose it just like the framing of the so-called Murietta Fight Club

East Esco Resident wrote on Jan 21, 2008 8:02 AM:Fred has the story right. The police were wrong! Tuite was not a "bumbling" person. He was a con artist with the talents of Houdini. The DA, Escondido Police Department, and Escondido City Attorney placed the entire community at risk by not keeping him in jail. At the time of one his escapes, I had taken my kids to the Library. I was appalled to learn that Tuite was found loitering 2 blocks away at the 7-11. From what I can tell, the Crowe family were good hard working Americans who got caught in the other American of public employees who are overpaid, arrogant, and often lacking integrity.

Lesson learned wrote on Jan 23, 2008 2:58 AM:After the Crowe case, at least one Escondido teacher gave a lesson to his students. He told them NEVER to talk to the police without their parents present. I believe that was very good advice. Are you listening EPD? Trust and respect go both ways.

San Marcos Debby wrote on Jan 24, 2008 4:52 PM:I recall the first time I met Stephane - when she was my daughter's Girl Scout Big Sister at a San Marcos Girl Scouting event. The Crowe children attended San Marcos Woodland Park Elementry School (near their Grandmother's house). All the Crowe children were very well behaved and outstanding students and citizens (Stephanie often receiving awards at the school ceremonies). Fast forward several years to the Escondido library. Each time we stopped by there was Stephanie! Always helping my daughter catch the library cat to pet it and helping us locate childrens books. At various Girl Scouting events we saw Stephanie and miss her so. Who knows what she could have been? Its such a travesty! Its long over due to help people with disabilities so they don't hurt others. I have no doubt that Richard Tuite did do it! If I were Tuites family I wouldn't want to believe it either. Another totally different case last weekend with the same ending. The Aunt who took her nephew and niece for the weekend and walked them on to the freeway into traffic. She had been diagnosed with problems before. Why do innocent people like Stephanie and those two young children need to lose their innocent lives? The Tuite's of this world are just as innocent - they need help they are not getting! What is the answer? What happens after Tuite serves his 13 years sentence?

Roberto1 wrote on Jan 25, 2008 12:20 AM:Good point San Marcos Debby, We have dropped the ball i dealing with mental illness. Our judicial system is how we deal with it. It started when Ronald eagan was governer and emptied out our mental institutions. Right after that pandering by the mentally ill on street corners to support drug habits, alcohol, excessive smoking (mentally ill habit)became more prevelant. We need to quit using the penal system to torture the mentally ill who don't have voice speaking up for them...We should be ashamed of ourselves everytime we sentence a mentally insane person to die...Yes lay off a few overpaid prison guards and bring back a mental health care even if means we pay more taxes for it...its our obligation as a society to those who through no fault of their own live in their own mental hells...those who are a danger to themselves or others should stay there and not in prisons with the general population of deviants, violent predators etc.

Ron wrote on Jan 26, 2008 12:17 PM:I just watched the T V movie "Interrogation of Michael Crowe" and I am outraged. If the interrogating officers did what was portrayed in the movie, they deserve to lose their jobs and never work in law enforcement again. Losing their daughter/sister was devastating enough. What they put that family through in the aftermath of the most horrifying time of their lives makes me sick!

Christina wrote on Jan 31, 2008 7:28 PM:I just watched the TV Movie as well. I have NEVER been so outraged before in my life! I can't believe that the police department would act so cruely to this family. I can't even begin to imagine all the pain I would experience if something like that happened in my immediate family. The only thing worst would be to also be taken away from my family. I can't believe the police department would tell that poor family all those lies. Separting the family and telling them that they couldn't see each other or they'd be thrown in jail! How ridiculous. I don't think I've ever been so upset before about a story in my life. If it was horrible enough the guy just lost his sister, how bout they tortue him on top of that. what were the police doing? What they did was tortue those kids. It was ridiculous? They went witch hunting against all the KIDS in the neighborhood and didn't even investigate for evidence which was there job. I was horrified to learn that this was a true story. It's just on believable and ridiculous. Lord help us...

Lisa wrote on Jan 31, 2008 8:03 PM:I just watched the Lifetime Movie and desided to search online for the full story. All I could do was cry through out the whole movie. NO child should ever be held for questioning without a parent or lawyer present. It is bad enough that most adults don't know their rights, certainly children don't and it should never be assumed they do. All I could do is think, what if it was one of my children. I can tell you that my children are educated now. I feel the two interogators should be relieved of their duties, what gave them the right? Grrrr The Lord sees all, and it will be right in the end.

Sheryll wrote on Jan 31, 2008 8:15 PM:I came on here hoping to find that justice was served for this family. How disappointing that these police officers were not punished in any way for what they did to those children. I have a 15-year-old son who has never been in any trouble and I just can't imagine him ever having to go through something like that. I just pray the Lord will bless the families of these boys and that justice will be served in the everlasting life.

Jackie ... wrote on Feb 2, 2008 2:13 PM:I remember when this happened, the whole thing is very strange and so sad. I don't see why anyone would want to do something like this. I actually went to elementary school with Stephanie, I knew her and she was such a sweet, good person. I just don't get it and it seems like they're never going to figure out who really did it.

Dee wrote on Feb 3, 2008 2:31 PM:Sheryll,
Ditto, I came looking to make sure the Crowe family had been compensated for the horror they endured. I can only imagine their financial burden of legal bills. The psychological burden is overwhelming.
What of the other two boys? They had legal bills and psychological trauma as well.
I was outraged at the plight of Eric Voltz locked in prison in Nicaragua for a murder he did not commit, he was finally released after a year in prison. I thought, "how backward and corrupt their legal system must be." Only to find out similar legal travesties exist in my own backyard!!! SHAME on Escondido, not for the original mistake or bad premise and judgement, but for trying to save face and then not compensating this family.
A separate topic. Mentally ill are not always out of it, as we have seen. As for Tuite, the mentally ill are discarded in society and that leads to these situations. Had he been on meds in an institution, could this have been prevented? Thanks Reagan. I have a brother who is mentally ill from a head injury. The hospital released him (said he needed medication and a 3 months intensive in-patient re-hab plus a year outpatient). When his insurance fell short after two weeks, he was released, no re-hab, no meds. Guess where he is now. Prison. He will probably be homeless when released. The hospital informed us (my brother lived alone at the time) that if he had no one to care for him, he would be delivered to a homeless shelter. My elderly dad, who since has had a stroke, took a full time job to care and support my brother until he got too difficult to deal with.
The system was broken for Tuite, for society and for the Crowes. It still is broken. ...

Jessica wrote on Feb 17, 2008 6:33 PM:The EPD is a joke, always has been, always will be. My sister and I were nearly victims of their absolute disregard for the law. I cannot even imagine what this family has gone through and continues to go through. My heart goes out to all of them. A Travesty, you should be ashamed of yourself. Fact? Blood spatters on Tuite's sweatshirt. Fact? He was spotted lurking in the area on the night of the crime. Fact? No DNA evidence to link any of the boys to the crime. Fact? Escondido investigators didn't do their job, instead torturing children into confessing. There are your facts.

Michelle wrote on Feb 17, 2008 8:26 PM:A very sad story. Truly a nightmare that never ends for the Crowe family. May someday they find a little peace and comfort is my prayer for them.

Mandy wrote on Feb 18, 2008 11:24 AM:I saw the movie "The interogation of Michael Crowe" last night on lifetime. Seeing the previews for it earlier in the week I was waiting to watch it. When it started, it was good, and then i heard escondido and oceanside. I was shocked! I live in Temecula which is pretty close. The movie was one of the movies i actually stayed awake to. The way the police treated the family by seperating them and accusing the son of killing the sister the day they found her killed is so brutal. My prayers are with the family as they are still recovering from their loss. ... no money in the world can replace the loss of a loved one.

P.S: To the Crowe's, what a beautiful family u have

Karen wrote on Feb 18, 2008 10:19 PM:I feel so sorry for the Crowe family! Police are suppose to protect and serve!
What happen to the innocent until proven guility? The officers lost site of the unusal facts of Tuite being in the area the time of the attack. There were witnesses but law enforcement chose a different path without evidence. It's such a loss for the
whole family and no money can bring Stephanie back..She had her life stolen and the Escondido and Oceanside Police Department need to be accountable for their actions. My thoughts and prayers go towards the Crowe family and may the Justice System be changed!

alvin wrote on Feb 19, 2008 6:15 AM:I saw this for the first time last night on some detective show. I was disturbed by the way these ... police officers work on those kids. I wanted to climb through the tv in his defense. I wish I could write him a letter. I feel so sorry for him for having gone through such a tragedy. I hope they have been compenstated for this. I hope the detectives found new work away from childre and police work.

Sam wrote on Mar 9, 2008 11:59 AM:Since I suffer from schizophrenia, I can guarantee you that Tuite has already paid the price of 1000 murders and crucifixions. Scapegoat if you ask me and should be locked in secure hospital for life, not prison. Ignorance is bliss for many of the witchburners considering themselves in "normal society" Dark ages prejudice seems to come hand in hand too with these media preoccupied busybodies. As for my IQ I have a medical degree, a masters and a whole lot more in my life such as wife, children, business and freedom. I say free the family from their selfish gried bondage and put Tuite in a secure hospital for life (not 13 years).

HeartsGoOut wrote on Mar 15, 2008 9:09 PM:My heart goes out to The Crowe Family.
After reading the comments and clippings and articles including the movie.
Bravo on getting the real person.
I mean I knew that Michael didn't do it.
How could you possibly trap a young boy like him in the corner and assume its him.
Just because he doesn't have close ties with his family makes him a suspect?
I know lots of people that would fit this description and would you be pointing the finger at them as the guilty party in a slaying of a sibling?
What normal family does not have their share of family problems and sibling rivarly?

Glad that they got the right people and sad to see that not a day goes by that the family is going to ever forget that horrific night that Tuite did this.

I can't believe that only 2 states have allowed video taping in the interrogation rooms. Wish all the States would accept this and use it in front of the grand jury (if needed)

Should have done it in the OJ trial.
But anyways.
My hearts and Prayers are with you Crowe Family and glad to see that Michael and Stacey are doing well together.

I also think that Tuite should have got life because all Michael and his friends had to go through to be convicted of this killing.

We back you 100% Crowe Family. "In God We Trust!"

wene8 wrote on Mar 20, 2008 6:56 AM:To: RHINOSAURUSREX - Shame on the DA? You must be kidding?? You must mean SHAME ON THE DNA that appeared on his shirt from the little girl he killed?? Shame on you!

Mom wrote on Mar 31, 2008 4:35 PM:those who raise a weapon in an attempt
to murder their intended victim should
have a massive heart attack and drop
dead BEFORE they can harm anyone.
That wouldn't be too difficult for an
"almighty god" to arrange.

the case of "WHO DONE IT" wrote on Apr 6, 2008 9:33 PM:And that is still the question.

EPD screwed-up ... They put the Crowe family thru a living hell...but-

I can't believe that so many think Tuite is absolutely guilty. If you go by DNA, than why is O.J. still playing golf? They tested Tuite's shirt 3 months later and there was no confirmed DNA match. Than a year later there is a match. WOW what a conspiracy story we have here. Is this EPD's way of saving-face? Let's see-

no fingerprints

no fibers or hair

how did he get in and out without wakeing 5 occupants?

Are you saying this was premeditated? How convinent that there is a mentally ill man to accuse. Case Closed...Not hardly!

Too much reasonable doubt.

ken

Nancy wrote on Apr 7, 2008 9:19 AM:How could a confession of any 15 year old be used in a court of law, without the present of that childs parents or a Lawyer? I have always told my children, that the Police are there to protect you, but I will educate them different now.

Isis wrote on Apr 24, 2008 4:30 PM:I went to Hidden Valley with Stephanie Crowe. I'd see her but she was a 7th grader and I was 6th and we weren't friends or anything. I so remember that day though. It's so true, she's forever twelve. I'm 22 now, and it's strange to think that she would be a woman like me now. How sad. My condolences to her family and her friends. There's no real justice, unless yo could give the Crowes their daughter back alive.....

Jessica wrote on Jun 10, 2008 6:55 PM:OJ is playing golf because he is OJ. Plain and simple.

And to the individual who mentioned the selfishness of the Crowe family...what if it had been your child? How would you feel then? Put yourself in their shoes, then let's see how selfish grieving your innocent 12 year old daughter seems.

Nancy wrote on Jun 10, 2008 8:35 PM:I have watched the movie twice and each time it makes me mad that the Police can be so dishonest to a family already hurting. The facts came out that Tuite was in the neighborhood that night and that blood was on his clothing. It seems to me the Police didn't want to go after the guilty party. I am behind the Crowe family 100%. I hope they win their case against the police dept. Those men should be ashamed.
In this Country, each confession does need to be video taped. We all know that the police, sometimes, do jump to false conclusions. We do live in a corrupt country and it is not getting any better.

Elizabeth wrote on Jun 10, 2008 9:02 PM:This whole story is very sad to me. It kind of rmeinds me of another story that was turned into a tv movie for Lifetime. It's called "Gone In the Night" The girl who was taken was taken from her bed at night time wrapped in her comforter and taken out the front door. The killer supposedly smash the door open form the outside and clim,bed through the basement window and took her out the front door. The parents just like in this story were accused of murdering thier child. It's sad that horrible things like children being murdered have to happen before anyone does anything about it. Yes the system sucks. It's not fair at all.

Outraged wrote on Jun 10, 2008 9:16 PM:I watched, "The Interrogation of Michael Crowe", tonight for the first time, and at first didn't really know that it was a true story, as I watched in outrage, I had to honestly curse the TV, because I was so outraged at how a police officer could harasse a child. I have always told my 14 yr old daughter and now my 3 yr nephew that police officers are your friends, don't be afraid of them, because they are to help you, well now, I will have to explain to them, that unfortuately we can't always trust them or anyone for that matter, because we live in a world that sometimes takes justice into their own hands. I was so furious that I could have honestly slapped that detective's face if could have gotten thru the TV screen. Then towards the end of the movie I saw that the Crowe family had filed a civil suit, I was like, Yes, bless your hearts you deserve it plus more, but then when I logged on to research the story and found out that after all these years they still haven't received one dime, just upsets me even more, I honestly can not put into words at the anger I have for what this family went thru, I mean they could not even get time to grief for their daughter, because of our insanely justice system took their other children away from them, then to find out they had to fight for their 14 year old son, I can't even imagine. To the Crowe's if you are reading this, my prayers are with you and your family and just know that one day when we all stand before God All Mighty you, Michael, Stephanie and the rest of your family will finally get justice.

With Love From the East Coast wrote on Jun 10, 2008 9:56 PM:To the Crowe family:
I am deeply saddened by your loss. What a wonderful woman Stephanie should have grown up to be. I just watched "The Interrogation of Michel Crowe" on Television and it appalled me to find out that your whole family was treated with such disrespect through the investigation of the death of your daughter. No family should have to live through that and yet it happens all the time. Please know that people are praying for you and hope you find peace, even though it seems impossible.

Mia wrote on Jun 28, 2008 4:24 PM:words cant describe how much i miss stephanie we were volunteers together at the library .. i didnt do it as long as she did .. but we went to the same middle school and were in choir together .. its always hard to talk about her i still hear her voice and the songs she used to sing from phantom of the opera.... R.I.P Stephanie

Theresa wrote on Sep 27, 2008 1:10 PM:The Crowe family should sue them for every thing that they have. He first lost his sister and then went through so much. I was once called to go the the sheriff department to tell what i heard in a shooting, and when I got there they told me I had to know what happen there. Just that fast they thought I was the person involve and i had just got off from work and got into bed. One of the officers came in and told them they had the wrong female and I did not even get an apology. Take care of your family michael and get what your family deserve.

Taylor wrote on Nov 27, 2008 5:59 AM:I feel so sorry for the crowe family!! :[ i saw the movie and it was very hard to watch!!! i will pray for them.