Man Burns Woman Alive in Elevator, Caught on Film

[Ming the Merciless]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/18/ny...-elevator.html

But in the beginning, it seemed routine: a man dressed as an exterminator, wearing gloves, with a protective mask perched atop his head and carrying a container on his back, takes the elevator to the fifth floor.

Sometime later, an older woman carrying groceries took the same ride to the fifth floor.

Two cameras recording from different positions, one inside the small tiled elevator and another in a hallway, show the doors open and the man with the container approach. The man, who appeared to be in his 40s, first sprays the woman in the face, then douses her methodically from head to toe with what a city official said was an accelerant as she turned and cowered, raising her hands, the grocery bags hanging from her wrists.

Having cornered the woman in the elevator, the man struggles to light a barbecue lighter. He then ignites a Molotov cocktail — a wine or Champagne bottle filled with accelerant with a rag stuffed in its neck. He retreats and comes back again, spraying more liquid on his victim. And suddenly the silent video goes white with a conflagration in the small space: the woman, on fire.

Investigators are poring over the footage, a disturbing silent film capturing what is perhaps a singular act of violence: a woman being burned alive.

The crime took place Saturday afternoon at 203 Underhill Avenue in Prospect Heights. Detectives and fire marshals were reviewing the footage and interviewing neighbors.

As of Saturday evening, there had been no arrests, but investigators were already following a major lead: the man appeared to have been burned on his face and hands. Investigators immediately began looking for him at local hospitals.

The Police Department released photographs of the suspect, taken from the video, late Saturday night.

Firefighters and the police arrived about 4 p.m. after callers to 911 reported fire and smoke in the building, unaware of what had happened in the elevator.

A resident of the fifth floor, John, 29, who would not give his last name, said he had heard screaming and saw smoke coming from the elevator. “I thought it was kids because the screaming was high-pitched,” he said. “I looked out the door and saw smoke coming out of the elevator.”

While officials did not release the woman’s name on Saturday night, neighbors said they believed she was Delores Gillespie, though they were unclear as to the exact spelling of her first name. Ms. Gillespie was a postal worker, one neighbor said.

Residents were evacuated from the building after the fire. Hours later, some, like Maria Daley, wept while sitting on a city bus that had been provided for the displaced tenants. “She was my friend,” Ms. Daley said. “I just spoke to her yesterday.”

Another neighbor, Heidi Matthews, 46, said Ms. Gillespie had given her a plant on Mother’s Day. “It’s hard to believe somebody would do that to her,” she said.

“We all loved her,” Ms. Matthews said. “She was a part of this neighborhood for years.”

Tim Stelloh contributed reporting.

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by petegz28

Don't worry, what will be even worse is if they catch the guy he will deemed insane and not fit to stand trial.

And the bureaucracy will soak the tax payers for millions no matter what way it goes.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

And the bureaucracy will soak the tax payers for millions no matter what way it goes.

Well, if I had my way I would give him his trial, then his appeal, then take him into the bathroom at the courthouse and put a bullet in his head and be done with it. There is no point in keeping someone like this alive.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by petegz28

Don't worry, what will be even worse is if they catch the guy he will deemed insane and not fit to stand trial.

No chance. The guy sprayed her in the face, had a lighter, and a bottle of alcohol with a rag stuffed in it. Premeditated murder. Even a reerun wouldn't get out of that.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by jd1020

No chance. The guy sprayed her in the face, had a lighter, and a bottle of alcohol with a rag stuffed in it. Premeditated murder. Even a reerun wouldn't get out of that.

You haven't paid much attention to our legal system as of late I take it? I hope you're right but the sad part is that we have this sick habit of making a victim out of the criminal.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by petegz28

You haven't paid much attention to our legal system as of late I take it? I hope you're right but the sad part is that we have this sick habit of making a victim out of the criminal.

Link me to someone who recently got off on premeditated murder.

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by petegz28

Well, if I had my way I would give him his trial, then his appeal, then take him into the bathroom at the courthouse and put a bullet in his head and be done with it. There is no point in keeping someone like this alive.

Totally agree.

[Gonzo]

Originally Posted by jd1020

Link me to someone who recently got off on premeditated murder.

www.ojsimpson.com
Posted via Mobile Device

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by Gonzo

www.ojsimpson.com
Posted via Mobile Device

This guy is really going to get off on lack of evidence...

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by jd1020

Link me to someone who recently got off on premeditated murder.

You have to be kidding.

[Gonzo]

Originally Posted by jd1020

Link me to someone who recently got off on premeditated murder.

Oh wait, you want someone recent...
Casey Anthony good enough for you?
Posted via Mobile Device

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by Gonzo

Oh wait, you want someone recent...
Casey Anthony good enough for you?
Posted via Mobile Device

Ugh, beat me to it.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by Gonzo

Oh wait, you want someone recent...
Casey Anthony good enough for you?
Posted via Mobile Device

Another case with not enough evidence.

[corn fed chief]

Originally Posted by petegz28

If they don't know who he is, how do they know he knew her?

Yeah, makes no sense to me.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by petegz28

Ugh, beat me to it.

OJ? There is a launry list. I can't believe anyone would even post that

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by jd1020

Another case with not enough evidence.

Unfriggenbelievable.