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Middletown, CT - Wesleyan Murder Suspect Surrenders |
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News Source: WCBS News
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Police have arrested Stephen Morgan in the shooting death of Johanna Justin-Jinich.
29-year-old, Stephen Morgan turned himself into police. At approximately 10 p.m. Morgan turned himself in at a Cumberland Farms convenience store in Meriden, Conn. This came not long after his family made a televised plea for him to surrender.
Two years ago, victim Johanna Justin-Jinich was in a six-week summer program at NYU with Morgan. The two lived in the same building.
Starting on July 10, 2007 she reported getting dozens of harassing and threatening calls and e-mails from him, including one message that read: "You're going to have a lot more problems down the road." On July 17 she filed a complaint. On July 24 the case was closed because she did not want to pursue prosecution. However, police said Morgan never let it go.
Then on Wednesday an armed Morgan put on a wig and went to a bookstore at Wesleyan where Justin-Jinich worked in the cafe. He shot her repeatedly then ditched the gun and the disguise.
Published reports said on Thursday that Morgan stayed near the scene, and was interviewed by police, who let him leave. Later, inside his abandoned car, journals were found with chilling entries about raping and killing Justin-Jinich ... and more.
"Evidence suggests Morgan may be focused on the Wesleyan community campus as well as the Jewish community," Middletown Police Chief Lynn Baldoni said earlier Thursday.
Middletown's only synagogue was shut down.
"As far as moving forward the students are anxious to know when this lock down or semi lockdown will be over," Rabbi Yosef Wolvovsky said. "Really we're here to reinforce they should stay where they are."
The Wesleyan University campus was like a ghost town today as a boosted police force continued to comb the area, making numerous stops.
"I think it's fear. I think it's sorrow. I think it's not knowing how to deal with things," student Ben Carman said.
Morgan's family in Massachusetts said he was not anti-Semitic. His sister made a public plea on this afternoon.
"Steve, turn yourself in right now to any law enforcement agency, wherever you are, to avoid any further bloodshed," Diana Morgan said.
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Read Comments (11) — Post Yours »
1
May 07, 2009 at 10:18 PM Anonymous Says:
So who's Jewish here that the Jewish community was put on high alert?
2
May 08, 2009 at 02:24 AM Anonymous Says:
The victim was Jewish and they found anti-semetic writing in his journal, that's why the shul and Chabad were warned.
3
May 08, 2009 at 01:24 AM Miss Williamsburg Says:
“ So who's Jewish here that the Jewish community was put on high alert? ”
I presume the victim was Jewish. Hy"d
4
May 08, 2009 at 12:13 AM Anonymous Says:
The victim was Jewish.
5
May 08, 2009 at 12:00 AM Anonymous Says:
The victim was the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor and the perpetrator had journals with anti-semitic entries that might have indicated he would target Jews.
6
May 07, 2009 at 10:56 PM montreal Says:
The girl was juwish!!!!!
7
May 08, 2009 at 07:08 AM Anonymous Says:
was this location close to the jewish community of Waterbury Con.?
8
May 08, 2009 at 08:05 AM Anonymous Says:
“ was this location close to the jewish community of Waterbury Con.? ”
About 20-25 miles from Waterbury, depending on which part of Middletown the school is in.
9
May 08, 2009 at 08:38 AM Anonymous Says:
do you close down a shul bc one guy kills somebody? what future intimidation can come from this episode people get shot but now theres future incentive to make the jewish communities cower like always
10
May 08, 2009 at 09:41 AM Anonymous Says:
“ So who's Jewish here that the Jewish community was put on high alert? ”
You idiot. Just because they don't wear shtreimel bekishe, or observe even the basics, doesn't make them not Jewish, and an attack aimed toward "them" is also aimed toward you.
11
May 08, 2009 at 03:53 PM bdl Says:
“ was this location close to the jewish community of Waterbury Con.? ”
He was caught about 10- 15 min away from waterbury yeshiva.