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.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

Unfriggenbelievable.

You should learn how the justice system works. It's one thing to believe someone did something. It's another thing to prove they did it beyond a reasonable doubt.

I'm not saying these people didn't do it. But neither OJ or Anthony had their murder caught on ****ing tape.

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by jd1020

You should learn how the justice system works. It's one thing to believe someone did something. It's another thing to prove they did it beyond a reasonable doubt.

I'm not saying these people didn't do it. But neither OJ or Anthony had their murder caught on ****ing tape.

OK, no one over got off on an insanity plea. We are beating a dead horse here.

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by jd1020

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

[QUOTE=jd1020;8212227]You should learn how the justice system works. It's one thing to believe someone did something. It's another thing to prove they did it beyond a reasonable doubt.

I'm not saying these people didn't do it. But neither OJ or Anthony had their murder caught on ****ing tape.[/QUOTE]

I like how you move the goal posts too. Where is the camera in this?

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

I like how you move the goal posts too. Where is the camera in this?

wtf?

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

OK, no one over got off on an insanity plea. We are beating a dead horse here.

You dont "get off" on an insanity plea.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by jd1020

You dont "get off" on an insanity plea.

for all intents and purposes yes, you do.

[teedubya]

Since they just passed NDAA... they can actually just make this guy disappear. You spray someone in the face with flammable spray... and she dies? That's an act of terror. Send this guy to Gitmo.

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by teedubya

Since they just passed NDAA... they can actually just make this guy disappear. You spray someone in the face with flammable spray... and she dies? That's an act of terror. Send this guy to Gitmo.

This guy believes in the judicial process, lets not complicate things

[Gonzo]

To the DC!!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

[corn fed chief]

I'm waiting to hear this guys defense (if it gets to trial) give everyone a sob story about now he's homeless and has had a rough life. Maybe even throw in his upbringing filled with abuse.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

This guy believes in the judicial process, lets not complicate things

Quote me where I said "I believe in the judicial process."

You are ****ing reeruned.

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by jd1020

Quote me where I said "I believe in the judicial process."

You are ****ing reeruned.

Originally Posted by jd1020

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

You got plenty of resonses on this then you moved the goal posts.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

You got plenty of resonses on this then you moved the goal posts.

I didn't move any goal posts, reerun.

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by jd1020

I didn't move any goal posts, reerun.

Sure, you said the evidence would have to be on camera. It's Ok though, hope you have a better night. Cheetos and porn maybe.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

Sure, you said the evidence would have to be on camera. It's Ok though, hope you have a better night. Cheetos and porn maybe.

I never said the evidence would have to be on camera you dumb ****.