Kate Johnson was a person many of us aspire to be. The last words written in her journal were: May 27, 2001 I am so very blessed Lord; I can’t thank you enough! You are my life and my heart. Tonight, my prayers are with others. Kate Kate Johnson, age 21, spent her last visit with her mother going to a musical titled, “The Pajama Game.” The play was initially titled 7 ½ cents and was about a dispute between laborers and the owners of a pajama factory over a request for a 7 ½ cent raise. Her mother, Edie Hagstrom, shared that she will never forget Kate took her hand and held it as they walked to a show. An unusual gesture for an adult. It was reminiscent of Kate’s quiet compassion and confidence. Kate was a devout Catholic, and outstanding student, and loved music. She had planned on becoming a music teacher. Kate (Catherine Johnson) was described by university staff and students as a lovely, self-effacing young woman who epitomized the University's ideals of faith and service. The fit, brown-eyed Johnson had spent countless hours on volunteer activities, including working with low-income children, mentoring young girls and teaching music. On May 29, 2001 Kate Johnson was murdered in her dorm room. The rape was violent and she had significant bruises on her breasts and body that occurred before she died. The CSI team scoured the dorm room and found saliva from the killer on her pillow case. May 22, 2001: Kate Johnson’s murder transpired from an incident in the University Park neighborhood. Kate’s friends had offered to take her out for a drink for her 21st birthday. She had no idea that the momentary encounter with a man would cost her life. Key to the investigation: There was a concern from investigators from the onset that the killer entered the dormitory without having to break in. The school year was over, but Kate (as a resident assistant), was allowed to remain residing there. Investigators believed the killer had a pass key. Suspects: Kate had interest in a foreign exchange student. The investigators discovered he was in France when Kate was murdered. The Medical Examiner on the scene was odd and made claims, “she was handcuffed” and “she was choked,” when it wasn’t obvious to others at the scene. The statements later turned out to be true. The examiner returned to the scene after all of his forensic work was done and climbed up the drainpipe to Kate’s second floor room to prove the killer could have come up this way. Investigators thought he seemed to know too much, so they DNA tested him. Kate’s supervisor, as a dormitory residence assistant, held a poker game in a home across the street from Kate’s dormitory on the night of her murder. All of the players offered their DNA willingly. The Hunter Community College women’s track team was using Portland University’s track on the day Kate was murdered. Their coach was male. They asked for DNA. He refused to provide a sample. They heard the coach regularly went to a bar in Portland, called, The Olive or Twist. They staked it out, hoping to take one of his drink glasses to test his DNA. However, he stopped going to the bar after Kate’s murder. A Holy Cross Priest left the campus the week after Kate’s murder. It was initially believed he wasn’t staying in the dorm that night, however it was later discovered he did. The Priest had left the country for mission work and was in an area where he couldn’t be reached. When the Priest finally returned, he gave a DNA sample as requested. Throughout the investigation, Kate’s mother sent the investigators pictures of Kate to remind them of the wonderful life that had been lost. The lab returned with a positive DNA match. It turns out the DNA belonged to Deniz Aydiner-- one of the poker players. The problem was, Deniz had returned to Turkey. They hadn’t expected him to leave without his family. The investigators made a decision which would lead to harsh skepticism from the community and would be hurtful to Kate’s family. It would lead to the University of Portland being accused of protecting a Priest, when in truth the Priest had nothing to do with the murder. The investigators announced they were closing the investigation without resolution. What the public didn’t know was they were daring Turkish immigrant, Deniz Aydiner, to return to the U.S. Regarding the accusations leveled against the Priest: It’s interesting that accusers never seem to come back and apologize when they’re wrong. So instead, it’s only the accusation that remains in the public’s mind. I know people will say there have been cover-ups in the past. My point is that every injustice should be addressed, not rationalized. Rationalizing injustice is what killers do. On January 16, 2004, Deniz Aydiner took the bait and returned to the U.S. He was arrested when he stepped on U.S. soil. Deniz had been verbally abusive to his wife in a bar when Kate was out on her 21st birthday. Kate confronted his behavior. Deniz argued that the behavior was normal for Turkey. She pointed out that they were in Oregon. From that night forward Deniz planned his revenge. Deniz managed to secure a campus pass card from a friend who worked in campus security, entered the dorm that night, brutally assaulted her and murdered her. (Today we would know exactly whose security card was used. They didn’t have this technology at the University of Portland at the time.) Aydiner’s attorney argued that the DNA swab shouldn’t have been admissible, since the police officers never warned him that giving it could affect his immigration status. Investigators pointed out the reason for asking for DNA had nothing to do with immigration. Aydiner’s appeal was denied in 2009. We do this work for people like Kate. So others don’t have to experience her fate.
Thanks for listening, Frank Monday, March 21, 2022, Forensic Psychologist, Frank Weber will be interviewed by Kelly Cordes from 10:15 to 10:30 on WJON 1240 AM or 95.3 FM regarding his forensic work and writing of True Crime. That evening Frank will be speaking, and demonstrating a lie detector test, at the Belgrade Public Library. Monday, March 21, 2022, Frank will be at Belgrade Great River Regional Library, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. speaking on the writing of True Crime, forensic work and his latest book. Burning Bridges examines the life and demise of a psychopath in central Minnesota. Frank will demonstrate a lie detector test (volunteer a friend). The Library is located at 324 Washburn Avenue, Belgrade, Minnesota, 56312. Tuesday, March 29, 2022, Frank will be speaking at the Kiwanis 100-year celebration 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event will take place from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Broadway Ballroom at 115 30th Avenue East, Alexandria, Minnesota, 56308. Frank will sign and sell books both prior to speaking and after speaking. He will demonstrate a lie detector test (volunteer a friend), and share what they get right and wrong in shows and movies. Author and forensic psychologist Frank Weber will be the presenting author for a virtual “Brown Bag” author visit on Monday, April 4, 2022, 12 noon to 1 pm. Frank will present on his latest book, Burning Bridges, an incredible true crime mystery centered around a Bemidji State College student’s search for her biological father which leads to the examination of the life and demise of a psychopath in central Minnesota. Frank will also speak about new forensic techniques and the writing of True Crime as a genre, and what they get wrong on crime shows and movies. This will be a virtual event, presented live from the Friends of the Brainerd Public Library Facebook page.
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AuthorFrank F. Weber is a forensic psychologist specializing in homicide and sexual and physical assault cases. He uses his unique understanding of how predator’s think, knowledge of victim trauma, actual court cases, and passion for writing true crime thrillers. His Award Winning books include "Murder Book" (2017) "The I-94 Murders" (2018) "Last Call" (2019) and "Lying Close" (September 2020). Archives
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