View Full Version : The Last Ride of Jesse James (Hollywood)


JohnMill
06-22-2004, 03:20 AM
Anyone else think this creep should be in jail by now? - This case was profiled by UM in 2001 and to my knowledge is still unsolved.

I must admit besides The Maples case (and a few of the other child abductions including the epic Amy Billig case which is semi-solved) there is no other case that I would like to see wrapped up then the case of the punk drug dealing murderer "Jesse James Hollywood".

For those of you who don't know JJH was a big time drug dealer in Los Angeles and scored enough dough to furnish himself a million dollar house and a fast sports car. While portraying a "street kid" image, he was actually the pampared son of a prominent California business man named Jack Hollywood.

JJH was also an accomplished baseball played and used a lot of his baseball contacts in his drug ring - One of his cronies was Benjamin Markowitz a local hood (although he tried to pass himself off as a clean cut kid scared straight by the tragedies that affected his family on UM - More on him later) who owed him a huge drug debt. Both boys participated in "junior high school" like pranks (from smashing windows, to prank phone calls etc) until Benjamin Markowitz took it up a notch by killing one of JJH dogs and smashing up his house.

JJH retailiated (as a knee jerk reaction) by kidnapping Benjamin Markowitz's younger step-brother Nick.

Now here is where things get seriously weird, one in custody of JJH and his cronies, Nick was treated more or less like a friend as they allowed him to play their video games, drink their booze and smoke up dope at his leisure. The "good times" ended however when JJH got in contact with a family lawyer and was told that the kidnapping of Nick could land him some serious jail time and he should "dispose of the problem" (Who the heck was this lawyer that gave this obviously immature teen this information?)

To make a long story short, JJH enlisted the help of yet another crony who owed him "drug money" and as a way of paying off his debt this crony along with two other friends murdered Nick and buried his body in a shallow grave.

The body was of course found days later, and all involved were arrested and brought up on charges. Of the three boys involved in the slaying - 1) One is going to recieve the death penalty (well deserved I might add and I'm basically not pro capital punishment) 2) One is serving a long prison sentence 3) The third only a conspiritor got off by turning evidence on JJH and his other cronies. JJH took flight and hasn't been seen since.

What is amazing is the irresponsibility in this matter and how this senseless act could have easily been avoided.

1) Benjamin Markowitz's parents should have intervened with the vandalizing of JJH's property - their "pranks" should have never gotten to the point where someone was kidnapped.

2) The Kidnapping - A 911 call was made and the 911 operator bungled it and called it an assault so the incident was given less priority than if it was deemed a "kidnapping". (Where do they get these operators from? - these are supposed to be credible people able to handle others in the state of an emergency god forbid someone was dying and ended up with this idiotic operator)

3) Nick Markowitz himself - Although he is the victim and is the least to blame for his demise he has to share some blame in this incident. It would be understandable if JJH treated him like a prisoner (admittedly he did duct tape him up once) but from all account he was treated like "one of the boys" and allowed to do as he pleased during his "internment". Also there was a length of time where Nick was left alone without any of the kidnappers present and at no time did he attempt to run away. I ain't buying the Stockholm syndrome here people believe me there are a million people who if in Nick's position during those three days would have bolted if given the many opportunities he did - The reason why he didn't is unknown and it baffles the mind.

4) The Other Kids - There were several other friends of JJH who dropped by the house where Nick was kept who were not involved in the kidnapping. One of them was even wary enough to want to call the police but she didn't cause someone told her that JJH was "crazy"

5) JJH demeanor - While this "friend" might have though JJH was "crazy" evidence suggests otherwise that JJH was cool, calm and collected during the entire ordeal. Also it has been noted from everyone who knew him be it friends, Benjamin Markowitz or fellow drug cronies that JJH was "full of hot air" and was basically a shrimp who Nick himself probably could have taken in a fair fight. Although JJH had some tough friends most of the people who knew him when questioned after the murder thought of Jesse as basically "a little punk who was all bark and no bite".

6) The parents - There were several opportunities where parents such as the mother of one of the accomplices in the murder plot were in contact directly with Nick. This mother in fact gave Nick a ride to a hotel the day he was murdered. Although some of the blame again falls on Nick for not speaking up (If he would have said I'm being kidnapped - I'm sure the mother would have put the kaibash on the whole thing right then and there and the kicker is JJH was not even present when this parent was in contact with Nick) - The fact that Nick didn't say anything proves that either he was extremley naive or extremely stupid (Again I'm not buying the "Stockholm Syndrome" or the fact that he thought that his captors were not dangerous - kidnapping is a very serious thing and for someone to take it as lightly as Nick was is something else all together)

7) The lawyer - JJH did not consider murdering Nick (he was actually considering returning him) until his lawyer told him that he could spend a sufficiant amount of time in jail. This lawyer having known JJH and his family for years (haven gotten JJH off on several drug related incidents) should have known what a "live-wire" JJH was and that he couldn't handle that information and the fact he suggested that JJH should have "done away with the problem" leads me to believe this lawyer should be disbarred and possibly brought up on conspiricy charges relating to Nick's death.

8) Poor judgment due to intoxication - What I ascertain is that everyone involved in this murder from the murderers to JJH to the victim himself went through the entire weekend in a stoned haze. In fact when questioned everyone seems to agree that if given more time to think about what they were going to do they wouldn't have comitted the act (While this may seem like a spin on the "I'm not guilty" plea consider this:) - if pot was not introduced to the mix Nick might still be alive today.

9) Uncle Hollywood - From all accounts Hollywood's uncle was an upstanding pillar of his community though during JJH's inital flight (the first few days) this "uncle" harbored a fugitive when he could have ended the search for Jesse right then and there. While I understand protecting kin, it served the uncle right that he lost his job as a teacher and a coach and had sanctions filed against him.

10) Jack Hollywood - Jack Hollywood is the crux of this entire problem, besides being a prominent business man and a baseball coach, Jack Hollywood is a major dope dealer himself with mob connections. It is believed to this day that "daddy's skirts" are what is keeping JJH in hiding avoiding his day in court to be arrained on charges of orchestrating the murder of Nick. Its enough to make you sick eh?

Basically as you can tell this whole damn mess could have been prevented so many times. In no other crime I have ever seen on UM has there been such a perversion of justice and human decency than in the case of "Jesse James Hollywood" and "Nick Markowitz". Oh yeah one last thing about Benjamin Markowitz although he appeared to be the grieving victim's brother on UM he soon returned to his devious was being arrested for several felonies (although he got off) as his step-mother said "He's rubbing his brothers name in the dirt."

Jesse James Hollywood needs to be brought to justice for if nothing else as a martyr or an example to a generation of teens running out of control, bankrolled by their wealthy and sometimes moraless (Jack Hollywood) and sometimes oblivious (the other parents) parents. The capture and ultimate conviction and possible execution of JJH will serve as a reminder that in the real world there are adult consequences for your actions and you can not escape the sins of your past. Perhaps with the arrest and conviction of JJH sometime will finally be made right in this whole dibocle.

There have been possible sightings of JJH in western canada and Langley, Virginia. Anyone else have any updates on this case?

This site was very helpful in the preparation of this essay http://articles.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1346/is_2_47/ai_82322705

Kane
06-22-2004, 08:46 AM
True, Jesse James Hollywood should be in jail by now. Someone must be helping him because, by one account, he's not smart enough to stay to help himself remain a fugitive.

He's been profiled repeatedly on America's Most Wanted, most recently a week or two ago. In AMW's latest airing of the segment, it was mentioned that they had arrested a man up in Canada who resembled Hollywood. But it turned out that it wasn't Hollywood. Just someone who happened to resemble him.

Composite Sketch
06-22-2004, 02:48 PM
I saw that too, I didn't think that the guy they arrested looked very much like him. He was huskier and appeared to be older than JJH.

He's supposedly been seen in my province, and it makes me wonder. But the thing that gets me (and it is probably the reason why JJH has been able to elude capture for so long) is that JJH looks like any other stoner punk with short man syndrome (makes up for a lack of height with a big mouth).

I damn sure hope that he gets caught soon.

JohnMill
06-22-2004, 05:00 PM
In my opinion he is definatley being bankrolled by his parents or their mob connections. Jesse isn't "smart" enough to stay hidden so long, that much is true. Finally where he was last seen he only had 25,000 to his name while that may seem like a bundle of money to some over a four year period he would have probably drained through it without any other income to support it which leads me to believe he is being helped by his parents to this day.

JohnMill
06-22-2004, 05:08 PM
Have set up a website in his memorial here

http://www.guitarmaan2000.com/In_Memory_Of_Nicholas.html

It also contains updates on the case.

Later.

JohnMill
06-23-2004, 01:12 AM
There have been credible sightings of someone known as someone matching JJH description in British Columbia going by the name "Hollywood" and yes he is still very much involved in the drug scene. Which I think will be his undoing, if this kid had any brains he would lay low but by participating in "drug trade" he makes himself more visable. Any sightings please contact you local law enforcement agency - The family is offering a $70,000 bounty of Hollywood's head if that is of any interest to anyone.

Later.

Composite Sketch
06-23-2004, 04:58 AM
http://articles.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1346/is_2_47/ai_82322705

A short story about Jesse James Hollywood.

I'm only on the second page and already I have to surpress the gagging. Says Jesse's dad: "He was slinging some spliff. But it wasn't even that much of a bad rhythm. There was no trouble until this Ben Markowitz guy came around."

Good God. Ben was a loser thug - I was thoroughly disgusted with his lack of class and compassion in the UM segment, and thankfully AMW decided to not have him speak in theirs - but this attempt at exoneration annoys me. Yes, buying a house and cars on drug money, and letting your kid do this, equals no trouble. And I cannot stand it when middle-class suburbanites try to talk street. Especially middle-aged ones. You aren't fooling anybody. I now firmly believe that a father like this would help his son escape the law.

Oh, but it gets better! After Nick was kidnapped and a neighbor saw the whole thing and called 911:

Two Los Angeles police officers were advised, but a series of missteps ended any chance of catching up. The 911 staff, it turned out, had coded the incident as an assault rather than a kidnapping in progress--even after a second witness made a similar call. Thinking the matter was less serious, an officer talked to Mahoney via cell phone but never took a direct statement. They also failed to reach the registered owner of the van, partly because they had misread his address. "This was not the LAPD at its best," says Xavier Hermosillo, a member of the department's Board of Rights, which investigated the lapse. The officers received written reprimands; two emergency dispatchers ended up with three-day suspensions.

I hate incompetence from people who are paid to help you in times of crisis.

Page five pretty much validates your feelings that JJH has been getting a lot of help in the four years since the murder. The fact that a teacher would help him hide speaks volumes.

Page six explains how JJH is the way he is (scumbag drug-dealing dad) and why he's been able to elude capture. His father is helping him, both directly and indirectly. I am now certain. That one police officer is right: "If [Jack Hollywood] had not taken control, Jesse would be in jail fight now."

I actually feel a little sick after reading that. I'm from BC, where high-demand marijuana is grown, it's the type that JJH sold. I've been around it. I've seen drugs affect and destroy friends' lives. But I've never seen it pedalled out of $250,000 homes. I've never seen parents of using kids actively helping them make the problem worse.

jesses_gurl19
01-24-2006, 06:47 PM
y does everyone think that jesse james get the death sentence i mean yeah he might have killed an inoccent person but i mean it was a beef between 2 opposing gangs and the court should see that also. i mean hello its california theres always someone getting killed that wasnt involved in the 1st place

i think he should go to prison yes not get the death penalty:mad: :talk:

Ireneparalegal
01-24-2006, 09:16 PM
y does everyone think that jesse james get the death sentence i mean yeah he might have killed an inoccent person but i mean it was a beef between 2 opposing gangs and the court should see that also. i mean hello its california theres always someone getting killed that wasnt involved in the 1st place

i think he should go to prison yes not get the death penalty:mad: :talk:
OH S**T...:cuss: :cuckoo :goaway: :yousuck: are u a family member of his???? hmmm, if it was your child, u would want that bastard killed. I can't wait for them to pull the plug on that bastard. THEN HE CAN ROT IN HELL WITH ALL THE REST OF THEM!!!!

LooksLikeCRicci
01-24-2006, 11:12 PM
y does everyone think that jesse james get the death sentence i mean yeah he might have killed an inoccent person but i mean it was a beef between 2 opposing gangs and the court should see that also. i mean hello its california theres always someone getting killed that wasnt involved in the 1st place

i think he should go to prison yes not get the death penalty:mad: :talk:

:wallbang:

Hmmm... as a law student, I just want to say that "Oops, I killed the wrong guy; I was ACTUALLY trying to kill that guy over there" is NOT a defense and it should NOT spare you from the death penalty.

Also, did you forget that he KIDNAPPED a kid, HELD HIM FOF RANSOM, and then either killed him or had him killed and dumped his body? That's not an accidental killing. That's straight-up homicide, and in the commission of said crime, I can spot at least three felonies.

Jesse James Hollywood deserves to be in prison and he DESERVES the death penalty. Based on your screen name, I'm assuming that you think that he's hot. I'm sorry to be rude, but that's just sad. He's the scum of the earth.

unsolvedfan4life
01-24-2006, 11:55 PM
Yes, to my knowledge he was captured, hopefully the bastard gets raped in prison for the next 30 years by Big Hairy Men with the H-FIVE and then get the death penalty or die of the diseases he gets when he gets it in the rear. Real Scumbag........

Ireneparalegal
01-24-2006, 11:59 PM
Yes, to my knowledge he was captured, hopefully the bastard gets raped in prison for the next 30 years by Big Hairy Men with the H-FIVE and then get the death penalty or die of the diseases he gets when he gets it in the rear. Real Scumbag........
:yeahthat :mooner: :whip

Kane
02-01-2006, 04:50 PM
Also, did you forget that he KIDNAPPED a kid, HELD HIM FOF RANSOM, and then either killed him or had him killed and dumped his body? That's not an accidental killing. That's straight-up homicide, and in the commission of said crime, I can spot at least three felonies.

You hit the nail in the head. What role Jesse James Hollywood might have played in the murder really doesn't matter, because if you take part in a felony that results in someone's death, you're guilty of murder. Plain and simple.

synthisislab
05-05-2008, 12:20 AM
So did he ever get sentenced for this?

Ireneparalegal
05-05-2008, 12:24 AM
He is currently awaiting trial.

synthisislab
05-05-2008, 01:07 AM
Still? Hasn't he been in custody for nearly 3 years already?

Ireneparalegal
05-05-2008, 03:43 PM
Trials sometimes take years to start. The Phil Spector trial took 4 years to start.

meglruss
07-02-2008, 10:14 PM
The official word on the trial (from Nick's mom, Susan Markowitz and the official court transcript) is that JJH's petition to remove the Santa Barbara District Attorney, Zonen and the SBDA's office failed. They will be allowed to prosecute JJH. Now we just wait. The official trial date is February 18th or 19th 2009. Yeah, it sucks but as they always say, "the wheels of justice turn very slow".

Cori aka ChrisSCrush
07-03-2008, 03:48 AM
Probably the single most unrealistic thing about TV court dramas. The case always comes to trial the next week after the perpetrator is identified.

LooksLikeCRicci
07-08-2008, 02:20 AM
As I've explained in other threads, I've learned from my experience prosecuting (and defending) that the prosecution has ONE SHOT to convict their person. If the case falls into the territory of reasonable doubt, the Defendant walks away and because of double jeopardy, can not stand trial again.

I understand it's tough for the families to wait, but in cases where there is no statute of limitations on prosecution time, I can understand why the prosecution will choose to wait. They want to make sure they have their ducks in a row and they want to ensure a conviction.

Personal prediction in re: the JJH case: He's toast.

Blackout
07-16-2008, 09:54 PM
he's innocent

Ireneparalegal
07-16-2008, 09:56 PM
Innocent of what? Having a young man murdered for weed money? :rolleyes:

Blackout
07-16-2008, 10:06 PM
yes

LooksLikeCRicci
07-16-2008, 10:10 PM
You're absolutely welcome to your opinion. However, there appears to be substantial evidence that JJH panicked and ordered Nick's killing. We can compare this case to the likes of Charles Manson, if you'd like. From my knowledge, Manson didn't take part in the Tate murders. HOWEVER, because he ordered it, a California jury found him just as guilty as those who actually committed the murders.

Didn't the JJH case take place in California, too? I'm just sayin'...

Blackout
07-16-2008, 10:12 PM
yes

Ireneparalegal
07-16-2008, 10:22 PM
This case did occur in California and took place in the next county of where I live. It is beyond a reasonable doubt as to JJH guilt. Enormous. First of all, an innocent person doesn't flee the authorities.

Thinman
07-17-2008, 09:36 AM
Jesse James Hollywood will get what he deserves: a life of pain and suffering. Good riddance.

Dislimb
07-17-2008, 02:02 PM
Haters! :happyface

LooksLikeCRicci
07-17-2008, 08:43 PM
I was wondering when we would hear from the infamous JJH. :)

Hi, Dislimb. :)

Dislimb
08-01-2008, 07:39 PM
Where my money at G?

mphs95
08-02-2008, 10:07 PM
Jesse James Hollywood will get what he deserves: a life of pain and suffering. Good riddance.

Well, he always liked being surrounded by admirers. He'll have some in prison....before he is killed for being a child killer. Good riddance.

DarkDante
08-03-2008, 07:26 PM
Where my money at G?

Dislimb,

Can you please translate (in English perhaps) what the heck you are trying to get across in this following video?

Regarding YT Link: I removed the YT link as even though I am 100% convinced it did not contain any copyrighted material I don't want to get Todd or CD in any trouble. There is some raw JJH footage on YT though...those interested should check it out...

slasherman
08-03-2008, 10:27 PM
Dislimb,

Can you please translate (in English perhaps) what the heck you are trying to get across in this following video?

:lol: quasi gangsters.....

LooksLikeCRicci
08-04-2008, 08:36 PM
Yeah, I want to say that the avatar that Dislimb uses is a still shot of a home video JJH filmed. In it, he's giving one of his friends a hard time about money that's owed to him. He keeps saying, "Where's my money at, G?"

Ugh. Wannabes.

Big3sCompanyFan
08-04-2008, 10:01 PM
Isn't Jesse James Hollywood the brutal killer a midget too? He's like 5'2" or something?

Must've had the Napoleanic complex since I can't imagine him having control over all those people for that long. He should've just gotten a bullet to the back of the head like the REAL Jesse James did, you know?

marlins3
08-05-2008, 11:25 AM
This guy should hang (still my preferred method of punishment for violent criminals).

BTW, I've watched Alpha Dog several times now and was very familiar with the JJH case prior to watching the movie. The movie sets an all-time high for tattoos and F-bombs. I do, however, have a few questions regarding the authenticity of the film (about 95% of it is accurate with real events).

1.) Did Jesse Rugge (portrayed as Frankie in the movie) really offer to let Nick Markowitz flea by bus?

2.) Did Ben Markowitz really drop a deuce on JJH's carpet (I know the scene where he breaks the window really DID happen as did the scene where JJH stiffs Markowitz's girlfriend)?

3.) In the movie MANY characters have numerous tattoos. Is this accurate? BTW, on one review of the movie, some clown stated that Jake Mazursky (Ben Markowitz) is a skinhead Neo-Nazi with no explanation as to why. I rebutted him. Mazursky is a Jewish man with short hair (Though he does have a swastika tatooo...however, I hav ealways felt that the tattoo fit his rebllious character)

4.) Did Nick Markowitz really have an "encounter" with some young ladies prior to his death?

5.) Is Ben Markowitz really that high-strung in real life?

6.) Bruce Wills (as JJH's dad) states that he questions his son's orientation. I have read elsewhere that this really was the case. Is this true?

7.) Did JJH really try to sabotage Ben Markowitz's job?

8.) Was Ryan Hoyt (Elvis Schmidt in the movie) really that much of a lackey for JJH ?(It is known that Hoyt liked to smoke marijuana and when he would sell drugs for JJH, he often smoked away the profits)

9.) Was Graham Pressley (Keith Stratton in the movie) really that much of a pathetic stoner?

Dislimb
08-06-2008, 01:49 PM
Ugh. Wannabes.

Sounds like you've been drinking some of this:

http://www.warpedtoys.com/images/product_images/haterade.gif

:p :p :p

DarkDante
08-06-2008, 03:20 PM
This guy should hang (still my preferred method of punishment for violent criminals).

BTW, I've watched Alpha Dog several times now and was very familiar with the JJH case prior to watching the movie. The movie sets an all-time high for tattoos and F-bombs. I do, however, have a few questions regarding the authenticity of the film (about 95% of it is accurate with real events).

1.) Did Jesse Rugge (portrayed as Frankie in the movie) really offer to let Nick Markowitz flea by bus?

2.) Did Ben Markowitz really drop a deuce on JJH's carpet (I know the scene where he breaks the window really DID happen as did the scene where JJH stiffs Markowitz's girlfriend)?

3.) In the movie MANY characters have numerous tattoos. Is this accurate? BTW, on one review of the movie, some clown stated that Jake Mazursky (Ben Markowitz) is a skinhead Neo-Nazi with no explanation as to why. I rebutted him. Mazursky is a Jewish man with short hair (Though he does have a swastika tatooo...however, I hav ealways felt that the tattoo fit his rebllious character)

4.) Did Nick Markowitz really have an "encounter" with some young ladies prior to his death?

5.) Is Ben Markowitz really that high-strung in real life?

6.) Bruce Wills (as JJH's dad) states that he questions his son's orientation. I have read elsewhere that this really was the case. Is this true?

7.) Did JJH really try to sabotage Ben Markowitz's job?

8.) Was Ryan Hoyt (Elvis Schmidt in the movie) really that much of a lackey for JJH ?(It is known that Hoyt liked to smoke marijuana and when he would sell drugs for JJH, he often smoked away the profits)

9.) Was Graham Pressley (Keith Stratton in the movie) really that much of a pathetic stoner?

You are taking the movie far too literally. In watching "Alpha Dog" or reading the book "Stolen Boy" you should take the events portrayed in both are based on the real life kidnapping/murder of Nick Markowitz.

You have to remember that in any form of entertainment whether that its a movie or in the case of the book a fictional story based on a true story is dressed up for entertainment purposes.

That being said both the film and the book which follow the same plotlines are based on information handed over by the prosecutors to Michael Mehas. Mehas who is the author of "Stolen Boy" and the chief researcher behind "Alpha Dog" took these files and built a storyline/script around it.

I've been following this case since the start and while in no way am I an expert taken together the UM segment, the book, the film and all the articles what happened was that:

Nick Markowitz was kidnapped by JJH and held as a marker until Ben Markowitz paid his drug debt. At some point JJH got some information from his lawyer that if he returned Nick to his family he could be facing a prison term. Given this info JJH made an incredibily stupid decision in hiring Ryan Hoyt whose portrayal in the film is pretty much accurate to kill Markowitz.

------------------
Beyond that all the rest is window dressing. Ben Markowitz and JJH had a falling out - its really not important what they did to each other during their feud. It is know that Markowitz killed JJH's dog and they were breaking each others windows and a lot of other Harry High School BS. Jesse Rugge and many of other JJH's friends did take a liking to Nick Markowitz and treated him like a guest instead of a hostage.

Markowitz over the weekend had many chances to escape and chose not to believing that his life was not in any danger.

Basically all of these kids were naive, unworldly stoners who obviously did not consider the consequences of their actions. These kids were not criminals, with the exception of Ben Markowitz none of them were close to what you would call a gang member...they were extremely stupid kids who all followed an equally stupid kid (JJH) because he had a nice house, a nice car and hooked them all up with drugs.

Thats really the facts of this case. The blind leading the blind, following each other blindly without one having the intelligence or guts to step up and put the brakes on the runaway train before it crashed.

browneyes106
08-08-2008, 09:19 PM
Isn't Jesse James Hollywood the brutal killer a midget too? He's like 5'2" or something?

Must've had the Napoleanic complex since I can't imagine him having control over all those people for that long. He should've just gotten a bullet to the back of the head like the REAL Jesse James did, you know?

I think he is 5"5. He had influence over people through drugs and money.

Kennedy
08-16-2008, 05:57 PM
Sounds like you've been drinking some of this:

http://www.warpedtoys.com/images/product_images/haterade.gif

:p :p :p



:lol:

marlins3
08-16-2008, 06:11 PM
You are taking the movie far too literally. In watching "Alpha Dog" or reading the book "Stolen Boy" you should take the events portrayed in both are based on the real life kidnapping/murder of Nick Markowitz.

You have to remember that in any form of entertainment whether that its a movie or in the case of the book a fictional story based on a true story is dressed up for entertainment purposes.

That being said both the film and the book which follow the same plotlines are based on information handed over by the prosecutors to Michael Mehas. Mehas who is the author of "Stolen Boy" and the chief researcher behind "Alpha Dog" took these files and built a storyline/script around it.

I've been following this case since the start and while in no way am I an expert taken together the UM segment, the book, the film and all the articles what happened was that:

Nick Markowitz was kidnapped by JJH and held as a marker until Ben Markowitz paid his drug debt. At some point JJH got some information from his lawyer that if he returned Nick to his family he could be facing a prison term. Given this info JJH made an incredibily stupid decision in hiring Ryan Hoyt whose portrayal in the film is pretty much accurate to kill Markowitz.

------------------
Beyond that all the rest is window dressing. Ben Markowitz and JJH had a falling out - its really not important what they did to each other during their feud. It is know that Markowitz killed JJH's dog and they were breaking each others windows and a lot of other Harry High School BS. Jesse Rugge and many of other JJH's friends did take a liking to Nick Markowitz and treated him like a guest instead of a hostage.

Markowitz over the weekend had many chances to escape and chose not to believing that his life was not in any danger.

Basically all of these kids were naive, unworldly stoners who obviously did not consider the consequences of their actions. These kids were not criminals, with the exception of Ben Markowitz none of them were close to what you would call a gang member...they were extremely stupid kids who all followed an equally stupid kid (JJH) because he had a nice house, a nice car and hooked them all up with drugs.

Thats really the facts of this case. The blind leading the blind, following each other blindly without one having the intelligence or guts to step up and put the brakes on the runaway train before it crashed.


I wasn't taking anything to literally. Somebody (I don't remember who) said "History has to be true to the facts. Hollywood has to be true to the spirit of the facts." That said, I was simply wondering what events actually happened and what events the producers made up or embellished for the film. I do disagree that the kids weren't criminals. Most of JJH's posse sold drugs for him on consignment. I do know that police said Ben Markowitz was the most hardened of the group (he was the closest to being an actual gangsta and not a poser). I did NOT know that he killed JJH's dog (thanks for the info).


In response to another post., JJH is 5'4". Hopefully in February 2009 (when he goes to trial) he will be sentenced to death.

Big3sCompanyFan
08-18-2008, 03:11 AM
Well, he always liked being surrounded by admirers. He'll have some in prison....before he is killed for being a child killer. Good riddance.

Yeah, it's true he'll have a tough time in prison for 2 reasons. 1 is because he's a child killer the other is because he's a midget. He may have to be segregated or in solitary but like you all say hopefully he end up in the FRYER! LOL!

WHY didn't someone just kick the sh*it out of this shrimp a long time ago??? It would have taught him some humility.

Cori aka ChrisSCrush
01-18-2018, 11:42 PM
This case recently appeared on the program Demons in the City of Angels. I always wondered why Nick did not try phoning his parents. Obviously he would have his home number memorized without having to look it up, and should have let them know where he was, and he could have learned the address by looking at letters left lying around, or some such means, if he didn't know the exact address.

This program said Nick was partying, that he was on pills much of the time and not fully aware of what was going on. When the guys put him in the car he thought he was getting a ride home until they turned onto a deserted road--awful moment and tragic way to go!

dynoguy88
01-19-2018, 10:35 AM
This program said Nick was partying, that he was on pills much of the time and not fully aware of what was going on. When the guys put him in the car he thought he was getting a ride home until they turned onto a deserted road--awful moment and tragic way to go!

This is also the most devastating part of 'Alpha Dog,' as well. While most of the movie is exaggerated for Hollywood sake, the scene where the boys take Nick's character to be killed pretty much matches what is known from the police reports. And the actor who played the character based on Nick (I forget what his name was in the movie) did an excellent job of going from calm to confusion to sheer panic.

It's really a difficult scene to watch.

Hot Jock
01-19-2018, 11:59 AM
This is also the most devastating part of 'Alpha Dog,' as well. While most of the movie is exaggerated for Hollywood sake, the scene where the boys take Nick's character to be killed pretty much matches what is known from the police reports. And the actor who played the character based on Nick (I forget what his name was in the movie) did an excellent job of going from calm to confusion to sheer panic.

It's really a difficult scene to watch.

I think the character in the film was named “Zack” instead of Nick. He was portrayed by Anton Yelchin who himself died under very bizarre circumstances in real life.

Cori aka ChrisSCrush
01-20-2018, 02:36 AM
The UM segment failed to make adequately clear that Nick had run away by climbing out his bedroom window, which he had done before. So parents or authorities would be thinking only another runaway, not missing person or kidnapping.

plmkr88
01-22-2018, 10:18 PM
Markowitz was having the time of his life in captivity. Just imagine being that age, often being at odds with your parents, and this other group is telling you they are just holding you for a couple of days as a scare tactic, and at the same time they are showering you with all sorts of fun, drugs, and girls.

When I was 15 I wouldn't have called the cops or my parents either I don't think if I had all that.

Its unfortunate that he was so naive. Hopefully JJH serves a long and painful sentence.

LooksLikeCRicci
01-26-2018, 12:41 PM
Markowitz was having the time of his life in captivity. Just imagine being that age, often being at odds with your parents, and this other group is telling you they are just holding you for a couple of days as a scare tactic, and at the same time they are showering you with all sorts of fun, drugs, and girls.

When I was 15 I wouldn't have called the cops or my parents either I don't think if I had all that.

Its unfortunate that he was so naive. Hopefully JJH serves a long and painful sentence.

I'm so glad you had that last sentence in there. I was about to go on blast. LOL.

Yes, I'm sure Nick had some fun... although in no way does it excuse the senselessness of his murder.

marlins3
04-17-2018, 01:06 PM
https://www.independent.com/news/2014/feb/04/meet-mrs-jesse-james-hollywood/


Interesting tidbit here

LooksLikeCRicci
04-17-2018, 01:16 PM
https://www.independent.com/news/2014/feb/04/meet-mrs-jesse-james-hollywood/


Interesting tidbit here

Thanks for posting.

Can I just say, "Ew." I do not get women who "fall in love" with these guys while they're incarcerated. But that's probably a topic for another thread.

I did enjoy reading that JJH has read books by both Mike Tyson and the Menendez brothers. That was good for a chuckle.

dynoguy88
04-17-2018, 01:35 PM
"I sent Jesse a letter in March of last year because I had heard about everything that was going on with his case, and I wanted him to know I was supporting him. I wanted him to know that I thought he got a raw deal and that I was there for him."

*Sigh*

How exactly did he get a raw deal? Is kidnapping and ordering a murder not that important to her?

LooksLikeCRicci
04-17-2018, 04:26 PM
*Sigh*

How exactly did he get a raw deal? Is kidnapping and ordering a murder not that important to her?

She believes that JJH didn't tell Ryan Hoyt to pull the trigger-- that Hoyt did it of his own volition. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I REALLY enjoyed this counterpoint (https://www.independent.com/news/2009/aug/14/impressions-juror/), btw. One of the jurors in the JJH case allowed herself to be interviewed.

"Jesse James Hollywood was responsible from when Nick was put into the van to his death," she says. From a purely #legalnerd aspect, I enjoyed reading about how the deliberations went. 8-4 in favor of conviction, 10-2, and finally 12-0. Every jury is different, but it's interesting to see what they find relevant and important. It looks as if they put great weight on Graham Pressley and Ben Markowitz's testimony, which makes sense to me.

From reading about Ben's testimony, it certainly appeared compelling. I knew the spat was because Ben owed JJH drug money. What I didn't know was that Ben had taken on a drug debt owed to JJH for $1200 for ecstasy... Ben was hoping to turn a profit on the pills... and found out the pills didn't work, so Ben refused to pay him back (https://www.independent.com/news/2009/jun/12/markowitz-brother-spars-defense-attorneys/).

MegtheEgg86
04-20-2018, 06:27 AM
For me by far, JJH, Ben Markowitz, and Ryan Hoyt are some of the biggest pieces of sh*t ever featured on UM. Bunch of rich kids and hangers-on with nothing to do all day but pretend they're actual gangbangers scrapping on the streets when I'm sure almost all of them probably had jobs set up with daddy's company waiting for them when they graduated from respectable colleges. :rolleyes:

SomethingWilder
04-21-2018, 02:29 PM
https://www.independent.com/news/2014/feb/04/meet-mrs-jesse-james-hollywood/


Interesting tidbit here

Thank you so much for sharing the link to this story. I couldn't make up my mind if I wanted to laugh or cry reading Mrs. Jesse James Hollywood's insights. Yikes....

Oh, and he wrote his own vows. He’s very smart. He uses all these big words, and sometimes I have to look them up. [Laughs.] It was so heartfelt. One of my friends at the wedding was crying, and his family all say they’ve never seen him so happy.

:stupid:

Just because you’re in prison doesn’t mean you can’t have love or give love. A person deserves love no matter what. It’s like that Rihanna song, “We found love in a hopeless place.”

:rofl: I just can't.

I want to make a calendar for him of pictures of us during the wedding and from the last year.

Aw that's sweet.

What about Jesse attracts you? Were you drawn by his celebrity? No. It’s not like I wrote to Scott Peterson or something.

:facepalm:

Get this woman on a reality show, she sounds like a hot mess.

DALLASTEXAN!!
04-21-2018, 02:34 PM
For me by far, JJH, Ben Markowitz, and Ryan Hoyt are some of the biggest pieces of sh*t ever featured on UM. Bunch of rich kids and hangers-on with nothing to do all day but pretend they're actual gangbangers scrapping on the streets when I'm sure almost all of them probably had jobs set up with daddy's company waiting for them when they graduated from respectable colleges. :rolleyes:
Absolutely agree here. Complete waste and a good kid got killed.

SitcomsHeydayfan
04-21-2018, 05:48 PM
https://www.independent.com/news/2014/feb/04/meet-mrs-jesse-james-hollywood/


Interesting tidbit here

She has a Jay Leno jaw. I agree with CRicci. Anyone who falls in love with a killer in jail has a serious mental disorder!

Jesse James Hollywood definitely deserved the death sentence but he's in a state too scared to even carry out death sentences of serial killers!

MegtheEgg86
04-22-2018, 08:31 AM
He uses all these big words, and sometimes I have to look them up. [Laughs.]

Welp.


She is beautiful, though.