Chaim Weiss

[Raitch]

I just saw the episode on Chaim Weiss, the boy mysteriously murdered in his sleep at his Long Island Yeshiva. (Hooray, Lifetime reruns!) The case is nearly 20 years old now, and I was wondering if there have been any updates. I read everything posted on this forum about him, but it seems the most recent media attention was in 1992: a short article saying the case was still unsolved.

Anyone hear anything else?

[jeeps]

This story is perhaps the one that unnerves me the most. I can't imagine that a child was murdered in the dorm...and no one knows anything or will talk to investigators.

I really hope justice is found for that child and his family.

jeeps

[Mijada]

This story always bothered me too. I just can't understand what motive someone would have for killing him. I believe one of his classmates was involved but whoever it was isn't talking and if the case hasn't been solved by now, I don't think it ever will be.

[Raitch]

That's honestly what I'm afraid of -- that it'll never be solved. The story's been haunting me all day; I just can't get it out of my head that whomever killed him followed Jewish custom enough to open a window to "let his spirit out" (or to escape the room, I suppose) but ignored the Jewish belief that killing is wrong.

[Kane]

Originally Posted by Mijada

This story always bothered me too. I just can't understand what motive someone would have for killing him. I believe one of his classmates was involved but whoever it was isn't talking and if the case hasn't been solved by now, I don't think it ever will be.

Just because the case hasn't been solved by now DOES NOT mean that it could never be solved. When I read about someone believing that a case may never be solved, I am constantly compelled to respond. And one of the things I typically do when responding is that I would explain that there have been plently of cases that were solved after being cold for decades. (You can find the proof in many segments shown on the A&E documentary Cold Case Files.)

For example, it took 19 years for a suspect to be arrested in the Green River murders (which is nearly the same amount of time that has passed since the Chaim Weiss murder). Another example is the 1988 murder of Lisa Marie Kimmell, which took 16 years to solve. And another example: Kathy Power went on the run after taking part in the 1970 Brighton, MA robbery in which police officer Walter Schroder was murdered, and surrendered 23 years later.

So let's not be pessimistic (unless you want to give Weiss' killer the satisfaction in knowing that he/she has never been identified). There is no deadline on which to solve a case, and there's no statute of limitations on murder. In addition, it is never too late find the answers.

[crookshanks]

What? they showed this episode and I missed it? I'm sad I've wanted to see this episode for over a year and I had to play Sims 2

[crookshanks]

If anyone has this case on tape, I'm willing to pay a hefty price for you to copy it for me!

[Mijada]

Originally Posted by Kane

Just because the case hasn't been solved by now DOES NOT mean that it could never be solved. When I read about someone believing that a case may never be solved, I am constantly compelled to respond. And one of the things I typically do when responding is that I would explain that there have been plently of cases that were solved after being cold for decades. (You can find the proof in many segments shown on the A&E documentary Cold Case Files.)

For example, it took 19 years for a suspect to be arrested in the Green River murders (which is nearly the same amount of time that has passed since the Chaim Weiss murder). Another example is the 1988 murder of Lisa Marie Kimmell, which took 16 years to solve. And another example: Kathy Power went on the run after taking part in the 1970 Brighton, MA robbery in which police officer Walter Schroder was murdered, and surrendered 23 years later.

So let's not be pessimistic (unless you want to give Weiss' killer the satisfaction in knowing that he/she has never been identified). There is no deadline on which to solve a case, and there's no statute of limitations on murder. In addition, it is never too late find the answers.

I never said that the case could never be solved. All I said was that I don't think it ever will be. From what I understand there wasn't much evidence at the scene or any witnesses which could lead investigators to the killer. I am familiar with the other stories you mentioned and yes it is possible that the Weiss murder can still be solved and I certainly hope that someday it is. I just don't think the killer will be caught unless somebody who knows something speaks up but no one seems to know anything and the person or persons who do know something have kept quiet for nearly two decades.

[Kane]

Originally Posted by Mijada

I never said that the case could never be solved. All I said was that I don't think it ever will be. From what I understand there wasn't much evidence at the scene or any witnesses which could lead investigators to the killer. I am familiar with the other stories you mentioned and yes it is possible that the Weiss murder can still be solved and I certainly hope that someday it is. I just don't think the killer will be caught unless somebody who knows something speaks up but no one seems to know anything and the person or persons who do know something have kept quiet for nearly two decades.

I know you didn't say that it couldn't be solved. It's just that when someone says that they don't think a case will ever be solved, rightly or wrongly, it gives me the impression that they don't have much or any hope of seeing a resolution.

It might seem like that no one knows anything. Also, admittedly, very little evidence has been found, and that a motive hasn't been established. But don't let any of that discourage you.

[Bluejay]

As for myself I wonder if it was an inside job. Orthodox Jews tend not to reveal much to outsiders -- they are almost like Amish in a way. Without their cooperation, the police cannot do much. The people who run the school might know who the killer was, but they won't talk. Instead they may deal with it themselves.

[Wamisto]

Originally Posted by Raitch

I just can't get it out of my head that whomever killed him followed Jewish custom enough to open a window to "let his spirit out" (or to escape the room, I suppose) but ignored the Jewish belief that killing is wrong.

It happens all the time in religion (all religions). That is why Jesus said, "they strain out a gnat and swallow a camel" when denouncing religious hypocrisy. Like when he said "you tithe on mint, cumin, every itty bitty thing but then you neglect things like justice and mercy - the stuff that really matters" (or words to that effect).

[Wamisto]

Originally Posted by Bluejay

As for myself I wonder if it was an inside job. Orthodox Jews tend not to reveal much to outsiders -- they are almost like Amish in a way. Without their cooperation, the police cannot do much. The people who run the school might know who the killer was, but they won't talk. Instead they may deal with it themselves.

I would agree with that. The only thing that holds me back from agreeing is that a polygraph was given to a lot of the rabbis/teachers and students, but this did not give the investigators any useful information.

[Mastermind]

I just can't get it out of my head that whomever killed him followed Jewish custom enough to open a window to "let his spirit out" (or to escape the room, I suppose) but ignored the Jewish belief that killing is wrong.

The killer may actually hate the Jewish faith and may actually considered this an act against the religion. He may have opened up the window as a joke or some twisted take on an act that was drummed into his head.

I wonder if we're focusing too much on the religious angle of this case. This is actually a murder in a boarding room. It could have happened in a secular college or some prestigous boys school in East Hampton. Those may actually be the only parameters of this case-a bunch of adolescent boys stuffed into a school run by adults. Stuff a bunch of rats in a cage...eventually one of them is going to murder the other. I think all the motives for why a young boy could be killed are valid here.

I would agree with that. The only thing that holds me back from agreeing is that a polygraph was given to a lot of the rabbis/teachers and students, but this did not give the investigators any useful information.

You know we could have this whole thing wrong here...the Rabbis and the community may actually NOT know who did this. They may have seen nobody and

[egswanso]

Originally Posted by Mastermind

The killer may actually hate the Jewish faith and may actually considered this an act against the religion. He may have opened up the window as a joke or some twisted take on an act that was drummed into his head.

I wonder if we're focusing too much on the religious angle of this case. This is actually a murder in a boarding room. It could have happened in a secular college or some prestigous boys school in East Hampton. Those may actually be the only parameters of this case-a bunch of adolescent boys stuffed into a school run by adults. Stuff a bunch of rats in a cage...eventually one of them is going to murder the other. I think all the motives for why a young boy could be killed are valid here.

You know we could have this whole thing wrong here...the Rabbis and the community may actually NOT know who did this. They may have seen nobody and

It's a valid point.

If it's an inside job, then I find it hard to believe the other students and Rabbis don't know who's responsible and very easy to believe they just wouldn't cooperate with outsiders. As to the motives behind the killing, you're exactly right, it could be anything.

The outsider is a bit harder to fathom. As presented, at least, there would be no reason for anything to have specifically targeted Chaim for being Chaim, which leaves either a random act (hard to fathom) or the Yeshiva itself being the target with Chaim just a victim of chance within the target.

I don't recall the segment going into what, if any, physical evidence was present. Was there are sign of break-in, forced entry, etc? If it was a hate crime, I would think it would be something the perpetrator would be proud of/brag about, yet there's no evidence of that either.

[Mastermind]

I don't recall the segment going into what, if any, physical evidence was present. Was there are sign of break-in, forced entry, etc? If it was a hate crime, I would think it would be something the perpetrator would be proud of/brag about, yet there's no evidence of that either.

Weren't the windows open? If that's the case, there is no need to break in. A Aperson could have cased the joint the day before and noticed the windows. He just needs one open.

If it was a hate crime, I would think it would be something the perpetrator would be proud of/brag about, yet there's no evidence of that either.

Could be the proverbial "angry lone nut" that walked by the Yeshiva every day and blamed Jews for his problems. He may not have anyone to boast to.

An ex-Yehsiva student would have reason not to boast in order to hide his identity.