Praise Reporter Mark Young

BB police chief: Morris death investigation winding down
By Mark Young, Islander Reporter


Morris

Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale said March 19 that the investigation into the 2009 death of Sheena Morris, 22, is “winding down.”

Speciale said the assisting Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents, as well as BBPD Lt. Lenard Diaz are in the process of completing the FDLE SMART panel recommendations issued in September 2012.

The recommendations came out of a SMART panel review of the BBPD investigation after years of publicly campaigning for a new investigation by Morris’ mother, Kelly Osborn.

Morris was found hanging on her dog’s leash in the shower of her BridgeWalk Resort motel room on Bridge Street on New Year’s Day.

The case was ruled a suicide, but Osborn hired a forensic pathologist who convinced District 12 Medical Examiner Dr. Russell Vega to change the cause of death to undetermined in 2011 based on the expert’s opinion that crime scene photos showed the hanging may have been staged.

The forensic specialist, Dr. Michael Berkland has since been discredited with information he was twice fired from medical examiner duties, and an arrest late last year when police found human organs being stored in household containers in a storage unit rented by Berkland.

Berkland allegedly harvested brains, hearts, lungs and other organs from funeral homes where he conducted private autopsies.

FDLE found no wrongdoing in the BBPD investigation, but recommended the department close some loopholes in the case.

The investigation stalled in November when Osborn refused to comply with a BBPD request to release Morris’ computer, cell phone and medical records.

Osborn relented and released the materials after receiving a Dec. 3 letter from FDLE Special Agent in Charge John Burke outlining the importance of her cooperation.

Speciale said it was the delay in receiving those materials that delayed the investigation.

“FDLE didn’t give us a timeline for their IT forensic team to go through those materials,” he said. “We knew it would take awhile, but we are getting close to the end. When that happens, we’ll put all the information together and send it over to the state attorney’s office for its final conclusion.”

Speciale will not comment on the investigation, but has consistently maintained confidence in Diaz’s conclusions and stands behind the initial ruling of suicide



Mother Seeking Justice

For Sheena Morris

Kelly Osborn







March 26, 2013



Chief Sam Speciale,



I am writing you today in regards to the article published in the Islander weekly paper. In case you are unaware of relevant facts I am going to provide them to you here so that the next time you release a statement to Mark Young you can have the facts available. Mark Young, reporter with the Islander has never contacted the FDLE for any statement or update on the investigation.



Regarding the topic of “refusing to comply” with your request, the letter you sent to me asking for personal property of Sheena Morris’ that you previously had in your departments possession.

Here is the explanation. After the Dr. Phil show aired on national television I had a documented conversation with you. First I had questioned you as to if you had seen the two episodes and you responded that you don’t watch that stuff. I questioned you as to why you wouldn’t since it was a case that your department handled. I had also questioned as to why you wouldn’t be interested in seeing if there was any chance in Joe Genoese’s recollection of the night of Sheena’s death, body language etc. You then stated to me that you were no longer involved in the case. Days later was when I received the letter from you requesting items of Sheena’s I sent you a letter (see the attached letter) which explained to you that since you informed me that you were no longer on the case that I would not provide them to you or your department. Since you were no longer on the case you can see why we wouldn’t comply with those requests. However, as soon as we were informed that the requested items would not enter into your department we complied with the requests of the FDLE immediately. These items were only to be released to what the family felt would be in competent hands and whom the family knew was actually working on the investigation. Those requested items DID NOT delay the investigation. There was a process by the FDLE that was to take place for those requested items to change possession.



You had previously released the letter by the FDLE addressed to me. You stated it wasn’t marked “confidential” however you knew the case was an open investigation and you released it anyway. This action by you and your department also explains why Sheena’s family doesn’t release items or information to your department.



In regards to forensic specialists, only one was named in the recent article to your convenience. There were several forensic specialists involved in Sheena’s case.



As quoted in the Islander by Mark Young, “Speciale will not comment on the investigation, but has consistently maintained confidence in Diaz’s conclusions and stands behind the initial ruling of suicide”. That statement exemplifies why the BBPD cannot objectively has any involvement in the investigation.



As quoted in the article, “FDLE found no wrongdoing in the BBPD investigation, but recommended the department close some loopholes”.



Here are the “loopholes” found by the family of Sheena Morris. Many are too numerous to list here and are also provided at www.Justice4Sheena.com should you chose to review those in effort to educate your department for future cases.

· Domestic Violence report was not written until 3 days after Sheena’s death. Your department refers to this as a “loud noise” complaint. That is contrary to the TWO 911 calls made in regards to this event.

· The boyfriend was not questioned until 22 days after Sheena’s death. This was only done after the prompting of Sheena’s family. There was no official written statement or recording of this questioning.

· Diaz insisted Sheena never made a 911 call herself. While he had her cell phone in his possession he failed to look further into the 911 call. I presented the 911 recording to Diaz when he failed to further investigate this call.

· Dias never investigated outside the room Sheena was found. The many businesses, restaurants and pubs were never interviewed.

· Two days after Sheena’s death her father arrived at the BBPD to retrieve her suitcase. At no time did Diaz question her father as to when the last time he had spoken with her, how she was or any relevant information that might have been helpful. He was handed her suitcase and was told Dias was sorry for his loss.

· At the same time her father was released the suitcase Joe Genoese was provided her jewelry and he was not questioned while right there in the BBPD’s department.

· NONE of Sheena’s friends were ever interviewed by BBPD including those who had conversations with Sheena.

· Verification of Joe Genose’s alibi was never questioned until we hired an attorney to persuade Diaz to follow up. This wasn’t done until 10 months later.

· Verification of cell phone pinging, this was not done until the family hired an attorney to request this to be done. Your detective did not know how to obtain the cell phone records.

· You as the Chief of Police refused to speak with Sheena’s family and address any concerns for over two years and finally did so at the request of the former Mayor.



It is our hope that in the future you will take these issues seriously. Defending your conclusions without a proper and full investigation does not lead to an objective investigation that Sheena Morris deserved. Leaving out relevant facts to your local reporter only appears to hide the facts from your locals at Anna Maria Island.

Sincerely,
Kelly Osborn

Cc: Mayor Shaughnessy

MOD Delete this thread!

BB police chief: Morris death investigation winding down
By Mark Young, Islander Reporter


Morris

Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale said March 19 that the investigation into the 2009 death of Sheena Morris, 22, is “winding down.”

Speciale said the assisting Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents, as well as BBPD Lt. Lenard Diaz are in the process of completing the FDLE SMART panel recommendations issued in September 2012.

The recommendations came out of a SMART panel review of the BBPD investigation after years of publicly campaigning for a new investigation by Morris’ mother, Kelly Osborn.

Morris was found hanging on her dog’s leash in the shower of her BridgeWalk Resort motel room on Bridge Street on New Year’s Day.

The case was ruled a suicide, but Osborn hired a forensic pathologist who convinced District 12 Medical Examiner Dr. Russell Vega to change the cause of death to undetermined in 2011 based on the expert’s opinion that crime scene photos showed the hanging may have been staged.

The forensic specialist, Dr. Michael Berkland has since been discredited with information he was twice fired from medical examiner duties, and an arrest late last year when police found human organs being stored in household containers in a storage unit rented by Berkland.

Berkland allegedly harvested brains, hearts, lungs and other organs from funeral homes where he conducted private autopsies.

FDLE found no wrongdoing in the BBPD investigation, but recommended the department close some loopholes in the case.

The investigation stalled in November when Osborn refused to comply with a BBPD request to release Morris’ computer, cell phone and medical records.

Osborn relented and released the materials after receiving a Dec. 3 letter from FDLE Special Agent in Charge John Burke outlining the importance of her cooperation.

Speciale said it was the delay in receiving those materials that delayed the investigation.

“FDLE didn’t give us a timeline for their IT forensic team to go through those materials,” he said. “We knew it would take awhile, but we are getting close to the end. When that happens, we’ll put all the information together and send it over to the state attorney’s office for its final conclusion.”

Speciale will not comment on the investigation, but has consistently maintained confidence in Diaz’s conclusions and stands behind the initial ruling of suicide



Mother Seeking Justice

For Sheena Morris

Kelly Osborn







March 26, 2013



Chief Sam Speciale,



I am writing you today in regards to the article published in the Islander weekly paper. In case you are unaware of relevant facts I am going to provide them to you here so that the next time you release a statement to Mark Young you can have the facts available. Mark Young, reporter with the Islander has never contacted the FDLE for any statement or update on the investigation.



Regarding the topic of “refusing to comply” with your request, the letter you sent to me asking for personal property of Sheena Morris’ that you previously had in your departments possession.

Here is the explanation. After the Dr. Phil show aired on national television I had a documented conversation with you. First I had questioned you as to if you had seen the two episodes and you responded that you don’t watch that stuff. I questioned you as to why you wouldn’t since it was a case that your department handled. I had also questioned as to why you wouldn’t be interested in seeing if there was any chance in Joe Genoese’s recollection of the night of Sheena’s death, body language etc. You then stated to me that you were no longer involved in the case. Days later was when I received the letter from you requesting items of Sheena’s I sent you a letter (see the attached letter) which explained to you that since you informed me that you were no longer on the case that I would not provide them to you or your department. Since you were no longer on the case you can see why we wouldn’t comply with those requests. However, as soon as we were informed that the requested items would not enter into your department we complied with the requests of the FDLE immediately. These items were only to be released to what the family felt would be in competent hands and whom the family knew was actually working on the investigation. Those requested items DID NOT delay the investigation. There was a process by the FDLE that was to take place for those requested items to change possession.



You had previously released the letter by the FDLE addressed to me. You stated it wasn’t marked “confidential” however you knew the case was an open investigation and you released it anyway. This action by you and your department also explains why Sheena’s family doesn’t release items or information to your department.



In regards to forensic specialists, only one was named in the recent article to your convenience. There were several forensic specialists involved in Sheena’s case.



As quoted in the Islander by Mark Young, “Speciale will not comment on the investigation, but has consistently maintained confidence in Diaz’s conclusions and stands behind the initial ruling of suicide”. That statement exemplifies why the BBPD cannot objectively has any involvement in the investigation.



As quoted in the article, “FDLE found no wrongdoing in the BBPD investigation, but recommended the department close some loopholes”.



Here are the “loopholes” found by the family of Sheena Morris. Many are too numerous to list here and are also provided at http://www.Justice4Sheena.com should you chose to review those in effort to educate your department for future cases.

· Domestic Violence report was not written until 3 days after Sheena’s death. Your department refers to this as a “loud noise” complaint. That is contrary to the TWO 911 calls made in regards to this event.

· The boyfriend was not questioned until 22 days after Sheena’s death. This was only done after the prompting of Sheena’s family. There was no official written statement or recording of this questioning.

· Diaz insisted Sheena never made a 911 call herself. While he had her cell phone in his possession he failed to look further into the 911 call. I presented the 911 recording to Diaz when he failed to further investigate this call.

· Dias never investigated outside the room Sheena was found. The many businesses, restaurants and pubs were never interviewed.

· Two days after Sheena’s death her father arrived at the BBPD to retrieve her suitcase. At no time did Diaz question her father as to when the last time he had spoken with her, how she was or any relevant information that might have been helpful. He was handed her suitcase and was told Dias was sorry for his loss.

· At the same time her father was released the suitcase Joe Genoese was provided her jewelry and he was not questioned while right there in the BBPD’s department.

· NONE of Sheena’s friends were ever interviewed by BBPD including those who had conversations with Sheena.

· Verification of Joe Genose’s alibi was never questioned until we hired an attorney to persuade Diaz to follow up. This wasn’t done until 10 months later.

· Verification of cell phone pinging, this was not done until the family hired an attorney to request this to be done. Your detective did not know how to obtain the cell phone records.

· You as the Chief of Police refused to speak with Sheena’s family and address any concerns for over two years and finally did so at the request of the former Mayor.



It is our hope that in the future you will take these issues seriously. Defending your conclusions without a proper and full investigation does not lead to an objective investigation that Sheena Morris deserved. Leaving out relevant facts to your local reporter only appears to hide the facts from your locals at Anna Maria Island.

Sincerely,
Kelly Osborn

Cc: Mayor Shaughnessy

Word on the street is the MEN from the state are doing they investigation ,And wont let the BOYS from the Beach do any thing more than get them coffee..The article states no fault was found on the part of the Beach Boys,HUMMM..It took the beach boys 2 days to close the case and take the easy way out,yet it has been over 5 months for the state to close up some loose ends!?Chief Speciale do you swear to tell the truth?The whole truth ?And nothing but the truth? And then there is that LOSER Mark Young who should be FIRED (again)for putting out Garbage like this and calling it a story! ops: ops: ops:

Face it folks., , ,There is no mystery other than a spoiled girl who hanged herself.

The Rejects from Bradenton Beach screwed up another case. Nothing new about that!

Face it folks., , ,There is no mystery other than a spoiled girl who hanged herself.

Spoiled stripper is what I heard?

Strippers tend to be a little koo-koo anyway right

MOD Delete this thread!

Why crybaby? It's public record. It's posted already all over the web by the justice seeker nut jobs.

Maybe a few bottles of wine clouds your judgement, eh Kell?

The Rejects from Bradenton Beach screwed up another case. Nothing new about that!

You got that right.

The Rejects from Bradenton Beach screwed up another case. Nothing new about that!

You got that right.

Can someone please recommend a washed up, drunken, "reject" real estate "expert" please? I'm considering selling my mobile home in Arcadia and need someone who can really screw the whole process up, get fired, and start a crusade in the name of her estranged dead stripper daughter.

Please let me know

are you guys talking about that girl who tried to kill herself once before who finally suceeded out at the beach?