Tim Hennis and the Eastburn Murders - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

BuffaloBill · 10-27-2006, 01:26 AM

I was watching a movie called "Innocent Victims", based on the story of Army sargent Tim Hennis. He was wrongly convicted and later sentenced to death in North Carolina for the gruesome murders of the Eastburn family- a mother and her 2 daughters in May ,1985. Gary Eastburn the husband was stationed away in Alabama on military duty, while another daughter was left untouched in her crib, the only surviver. Hennis was found guilty sentenced to death, later won a retrial due to badly being railroaded by the prosecution. In 1989 was set free after he was granted a new trail and was found not guilty in just 2 hours. In all the years of watching UM I don't recall this case ever being featured. Does anyone know if this case was ever featured on UM.

Ironically about a month ago the case was reopened by the SAME prosecutor, cause the are now claiming DNA evidence links Hennis to the murders. The problem is of course initial DNA tests and fingor prints never linked Hennis to the murder period. So this should be interesting.

Kane · 10-27-2006, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuffaloBill

In all the years of watching UM I don't recall this case ever being featured. Does anyone know if this case was ever featured on UM.

I don't recall such a case ever being on UM, so the answer is a probable no. But I remember hearing about the TV-movie. It aired on primetime in 1996, but I saw a few minutes of it when it was shown on Court TV in the not-too-distant past. What I recall about the TV-movie was that it starred Rick Schroder. Tim Hennis was played by John Corbett (of My Big Fat Greek Wedding fame).

yours4life215 · 11-12-2006, 04:37 AM

Well, lets just say that I am a "friend" of Tim's daughter Kristina. After her family moved to Washington state, the family history was kept really secret. Needless to say that I am shocked to here about all that is going on and am curious to find out the results of this case. I plan to keep on top of the case.

Briony Coote · 04-23-2007, 12:56 AM

At the time of the fist trial DNA testing was not available. By the time it was in the second trial they could not conduct it because the semen sample had not been preserved. So it will be interesting to see how accurate this latest testing really is, on a sample that is 17 years old and not preserved properly. No physical evidence linked Hennis to the crime. The only thing that did was the identification made by Patrick Cone which identified him as a walker seen in the vicinity of the crime. At the second trial it was established that Patrick Cone actually saw John Raupach. I have a nasty suspicion that if the police had got to Raupach first they would have charged him with the crime, based on Cone's identification and Raupach's knife collection. In which case the defence would have brought in Tim Hennis to show the jury that Cone could have got Raupach confused with Hennis.

Anyway what about these loose threads, like Kathy Eastburn receiving threatening phone calls and the defence witness (second trial) receiving the same calls? The Mr X letters?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuffaloBill

I was watching a movie called "Innocent Victims", based on the story of Army sargent Tim Hennis. He was wrongly convicted and later sentenced to death in North Carolina for the gruesome murders of the Eastburn family- a mother and her 2 daughters in May ,1985. Gary Eastburn the husband was stationed away in Alabama on military duty, while another daughter was left untouched in her crib, the only surviver. Hennis was found guilty sentenced to death, later won a retrial due to badly being railroaded by the prosecution. In 1989 was set free after he was granted a new trail and was found not guilty in just 2 hours. In all the years of watching UM I don't recall this case ever being featured. Does anyone know if this case was ever featured on UM.

Ironically about a month ago the case was reopened by the SAME prosecutor, cause the are now claiming DNA evidence links Hennis to the murders. The problem is of course initial DNA tests and fingor prints never linked Hennis to the murder period. So this should be interesting.

kadrmas15 · 04-26-2007, 12:38 AM

Hennis is not guilty. The man was wrongfully convicted once and then acquitted in a re-trial. He was at least acquitted of first degree murder so I do not know what this prosecutor who is the over zealous Nancy Grace I think anyone I charge with murder is guilty type is planning to charge Hennis with now.

However Hennis is not guilty and this prosecutor cannot charge anyway unless they are planning on re-writing our laws which would be illegal anyway. Of course, the pro prosecutor types are not willing to break our laws as long as they dont agree with them, isnt that ironic and hypocritical?

BuffaloBill · 04-26-2007, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kadrmas15

Hennis is not guilty. The man was wrongfully convicted once and then acquitted in a re-trial. He was at least acquitted of first degree murder so I do not know what this prosecutor who is the over zealous Nancy Grace I think anyone I charge with murder is guilty type is planning to charge Hennis with now.

However Hennis is not guilty and this prosecutor cannot charge anyway unless they are planning on re-writing our laws which would be illegal anyway. Of course, the pro prosecutor types are not willing to break our laws as long as they dont agree with them, isnt that ironic and hypocritical?

Remember this is North Carolina we are taking about here were people are sentenced to death or get a life imprisonment sentence before a trial takes place. Then by the grace of God new evidence come to light and they are set free, cause the whole world found out what a shame some of these trials
and acuzations were. Which leads us to my next point Jesse Jerkson, and the Rev Al Notso Sharpston...If any seen the 60 Minutes interviews with the Duke lacross players the constantly received death threats from "being as guilty as sin" thanks to the mob sentiments caused by these two jerks. When the case finally blew up in their faces, they ran and hid in the closet like the cowards they really are.

sharonsutt · 04-28-2007, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuffaloBill

Remember this is North Carolina we are taking about here were people are sentenced to death or get a life imprisonment sentence before a trial takes place. Then by the grace of God new evidence come to light and they are set free, cause the whole world found out what a shame some of these trials
and acuzations were. Which leads us to my next point Jesse Jerkson, and the Rev Al Notso Sharpston...If any seen the 60 Minutes interviews with the Duke lacross players the constantly received death threats from "being as guilty as sin" thanks to the mob sentiments caused by these two jerks. When the case finally blew up in their faces, they ran and hid in the closet like the cowards they really are.

Yes that is North Carolina you are talking about and that is where I am from, but some people seen tim hennis in the early morning. If the DNA matches well duh he did it. He is guilty and he hurt 2 little girls and there mother for no reason

BuffaloBill · 04-28-2007, 07:56 PM

Nothing personal, but only one guy saw what looked like to be tim hennis, oviously later turned out to be someone else....now as far as the dna, there was no dna linking to him years ago, that evidence was too poorly prevserved
to be conclusive match to any today. I just think the prosecution cant accept the fact that looked like idiots in the sec trial, now are looking for a mulligan.

kadrmas15 · 05-02-2007, 02:02 AM

Well Tim Hennis didnt do it, the DNA proves he didnt do it and besides that one person saw a guy that "looked like" Tim Hennis. I believe in Tim Hennis's innocence, he didnt do it, and the prosecutors are just mad because they basically cannot retry him for this case and cant force someone to take the blame for something they didnt do. I dont mean to be a ***** about it but that is the truth, the guy didnt do it, I mean I know people feel better when someone takes the fall for it, I totally get that. However Hennis did not do it, it has been proven.

kadrmas15 · 05-18-2007, 02:53 PM

Well, Hennis is being re-tried, I found an article on it. The DNA did match him although I am not sure which particular DNA it was in terms of whether it was the semen that matched or what. Hennis is not being re-tried on state charges because he cant be because he was acquitted. However people, including myself did not realize that even if you are acquitted on state charges you can be re-tried for the same crime on federal charges.

There is something about this case that bothers me. I am not saying he didnt do it but I find it fishy how he is being re-tried for a crime he was acquitted of even if it is technically legal since he is being re-tried in federal court not state court. Also the same county sheriff's department that is doing this and the same prosecutor that is doing this are from the same county that botched Debbie Wolfe's murder investigation so I dont hold them too credible. I also question how the feds could have the authority to charge him again since the murders did not occur on a base and therefore did not happen on federal property.

Hennis after he was acquitted returned to the Army and fought in the Gulf war and he retired from the Army with full benefits in 2004 and was living in Washington state. The Army recalled Hennis to active duty last year so they could charge him with the three murders. Hennis was put back on active duty at Fort Bragg in North Carolina so he could be charged. Hennis could spend the rest of his life in Federal prison if convicted. I dont know if he can face the death penalty or not.

Here is an article:
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/573385.html

and another:
http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=262579

Thinman · 05-18-2007, 03:33 PM

Guys, with the advances in DNA technology over the past few years, it does not take a perfectly preserved DNA sample to get a match. Crimes that are much older with less preserved evidence have been solved recently. I don't understand why it seems so unlikely for some of you that a match has been made.

Hennis is guilty as hell and will get what is coming to him.

kadrmas15 · 05-18-2007, 04:54 PM

Well I dont know that Hennis is "guilty as hell" he hasnt even been tried yet let alone convicted, innocent until proven guilty is how it works in this country whether you like it or not. Also Hennis in my opinion shouldnt be re-tried, the Army doesnt even have the authority to re-try him yet apperantly thinks it does.

Hennis was acquitted in a re-trial in 1989 and was acquitted very quickly. I find it curious how the state never turned over this matching DNA evidence before all this. If Hennis is so guilty why on Earth would they wait years and let him stay out on the streets, waiting until after Hennis was retired before deciding that since they couldnt re-try him they would get the army to do it.

It really doesnt speak well for the case when you have the same detectives and prosecutors that are so ticked because they lost a case and being sore losers about it are going after Hennis now. Again, Hennis is innocent until proven guilty, that is how it works. I think we have forgotten that in this country and I think now it has become guilty until proven innocent which is sad, sick and not the way things are supposed to be.

If Hennis in fact did these crimes than he deserves to be in prison but it is possible for a state to fake DNA evidence to convict someone and they have the perfect motive in North Carolina to do just that.

Awsi Dooger · 05-19-2007, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kadrmas15

and another:
http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=262579

Well, I better stay out of discussion of this one due to potential bias. I'm familiar with this case. My sister gave me a book about it years ago. The investigator quoted extensively in that article, Robert Bittle, is my brother-in-law's father. He was a homicide detective in '85 and conducted the investigation that led to Hennis' arrest. I never talked to him specifically about it. But my brother-in-law mentioned this case to me one of the first days I met him, while describing his dad's career. The theme was heavily toward guilt. That I remember distinctly.

Thinman · 05-19-2007, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kadrmas15

it is possible for a state to fake DNA evidence to convict someone and they have the perfect motive in North Carolina to do just that.

You's right thar, boy. Down hare in Keroliner we need us sum dadgum justice!

Pull you head out of your arse for a minute. Are you trying to tell me that the Army, the police, the crime lab analysts, DNA experts, and countless others are going to conspire to "fake DNA evidence"? You are talking about a conspiracy that dwarfs the Kennedy assassination. And I'm certain everyone would stay mum on that one. The things that some on this board come up with.

kadrmas15 · 05-19-2007, 01:46 PM

Thinman, I wasnt portraying people in North Carolina as being stupid backwoods hicks so I do not know what that first line of yours was all about. I was actually if anything complimenting them by suggesting they might have faked DNA evidence.

It was merely a theory of mine that the DNA evidence was faked, it is possible to fake DNA evidence to implicate someone you want to be guilty of a crime. I have seen no evidence that it is not possible. They had vials of Hennis blood I am sure in storage from the late 1980's and it would be possible to use his own DNA to frame him. Everyone would eat it up because when you say someones DNA matches everyone would believe the person was guilty.

Now of course it is possible too that Hennis did it, that his DNA really did match and that this whole thing is a genuine effort to get a rapist and murderer off the streets. I have never said that was not possible I was just saying that it might be possible that prosecutors and the cops because they were angry and embarassed about the acquittal and looking like fools decided they were going to nail Tim Hennis anyway they had to. I am just saying that is a possible theory I want to make sure you know I am only saying it is a possibility not a for sure thing. You may very well be right, I am just saying I havent taken Hennis and put him in prison yet and thrown away the key, that is all.

10-27-2006, 01:26 AM	#1
BuffaloBill Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 07, 2004 Location: Cheektowaga(Buffalo),NY Posts: 440	Tim Hennis and the Eastburn Murders I was watching a movie called "Innocent Victims", based on the story of Army sargent Tim Hennis. He was wrongly convicted and later sentenced to death in North Carolina for the gruesome murders of the Eastburn family- a mother and her 2 daughters in May ,1985. Gary Eastburn the husband was stationed away in Alabama on military duty, while another daughter was left untouched in her crib, the only surviver. Hennis was found guilty sentenced to death, later won a retrial due to badly being railroaded by the prosecution. In 1989 was set free after he was granted a new trail and was found not guilty in just 2 hours. In all the years of watching UM I don't recall this case ever being featured. Does anyone know if this case was ever featured on UM. Ironically about a month ago the case was reopened by the SAME prosecutor, cause the are now claiming DNA evidence links Hennis to the murders. The problem is of course initial DNA tests and fingor prints never linked Hennis to the murder period. So this should be interesting.

11-12-2006, 04:37 AM	#3
yours4life215 Member First Time Poster Join Date: Nov 12, 2006 Posts: 1	Tim Hennis and the Eastburn Murders Well, lets just say that I am a "friend" of Tim's daughter Kristina. After her family moved to Washington state, the family history was kept really secret. Needless to say that I am shocked to here about all that is going on and am curious to find out the results of this case. I plan to keep on top of the case.

04-26-2007, 12:38 AM	#5
kadrmas15 Retired from Board 03/03/11 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 11, 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,910	Hennis is not guilty. The man was wrongfully convicted once and then acquitted in a re-trial. He was at least acquitted of first degree murder so I do not know what this prosecutor who is the over zealous Nancy Grace I think anyone I charge with murder is guilty type is planning to charge Hennis with now. However Hennis is not guilty and this prosecutor cannot charge anyway unless they are planning on re-writing our laws which would be illegal anyway. Of course, the pro prosecutor types are not willing to break our laws as long as they dont agree with them, isnt that ironic and hypocritical?

04-28-2007, 07:56 PM	#8
BuffaloBill Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 07, 2004 Location: Cheektowaga(Buffalo),NY Posts: 440	Nothing personal, but only one guy saw what looked like to be tim hennis, oviously later turned out to be someone else....now as far as the dna, there was no dna linking to him years ago, that evidence was too poorly prevserved to be conclusive match to any today. I just think the prosecution cant accept the fact that looked like idiots in the sec trial, now are looking for a mulligan.

05-02-2007, 02:02 AM	#9
kadrmas15 Retired from Board 03/03/11 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 11, 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,910	Well Tim Hennis didnt do it, the DNA proves he didnt do it and besides that one person saw a guy that "looked like" Tim Hennis. I believe in Tim Hennis's innocence, he didnt do it, and the prosecutors are just mad because they basically cannot retry him for this case and cant force someone to take the blame for something they didnt do. I dont mean to be a ***** about it but that is the truth, the guy didnt do it, I mean I know people feel better when someone takes the fall for it, I totally get that. However Hennis did not do it, it has been proven.

05-18-2007, 02:53 PM	#10
kadrmas15 Retired from Board 03/03/11 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 11, 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,910	Well, Hennis is being re-tried, I found an article on it. The DNA did match him although I am not sure which particular DNA it was in terms of whether it was the semen that matched or what. Hennis is not being re-tried on state charges because he cant be because he was acquitted. However people, including myself did not realize that even if you are acquitted on state charges you can be re-tried for the same crime on federal charges. There is something about this case that bothers me. I am not saying he didnt do it but I find it fishy how he is being re-tried for a crime he was acquitted of even if it is technically legal since he is being re-tried in federal court not state court. Also the same county sheriff's department that is doing this and the same prosecutor that is doing this are from the same county that botched Debbie Wolfe's murder investigation so I dont hold them too credible. I also question how the feds could have the authority to charge him again since the murders did not occur on a base and therefore did not happen on federal property. Hennis after he was acquitted returned to the Army and fought in the Gulf war and he retired from the Army with full benefits in 2004 and was living in Washington state. The Army recalled Hennis to active duty last year so they could charge him with the three murders. Hennis was put back on active duty at Fort Bragg in North Carolina so he could be charged. Hennis could spend the rest of his life in Federal prison if convicted. I dont know if he can face the death penalty or not. Here is an article: http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/573385.html and another: http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=262579

05-18-2007, 03:33 PM	#11
Thinman Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 08, 2005 Posts: 182	Guys, with the advances in DNA technology over the past few years, it does not take a perfectly preserved DNA sample to get a match. Crimes that are much older with less preserved evidence have been solved recently. I don't understand why it seems so unlikely for some of you that a match has been made. Hennis is guilty as hell and will get what is coming to him.

05-18-2007, 04:54 PM	#12
kadrmas15 Retired from Board 03/03/11 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 11, 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,910	Well I dont know that Hennis is "guilty as hell" he hasnt even been tried yet let alone convicted, innocent until proven guilty is how it works in this country whether you like it or not. Also Hennis in my opinion shouldnt be re-tried, the Army doesnt even have the authority to re-try him yet apperantly thinks it does. Hennis was acquitted in a re-trial in 1989 and was acquitted very quickly. I find it curious how the state never turned over this matching DNA evidence before all this. If Hennis is so guilty why on Earth would they wait years and let him stay out on the streets, waiting until after Hennis was retired before deciding that since they couldnt re-try him they would get the army to do it. It really doesnt speak well for the case when you have the same detectives and prosecutors that are so ticked because they lost a case and being sore losers about it are going after Hennis now. Again, Hennis is innocent until proven guilty, that is how it works. I think we have forgotten that in this country and I think now it has become guilty until proven innocent which is sad, sick and not the way things are supposed to be. If Hennis in fact did these crimes than he deserves to be in prison but it is possible for a state to fake DNA evidence to convict someone and they have the perfect motive in North Carolina to do just that.

05-19-2007, 01:46 PM	#15
kadrmas15 Retired from Board 03/03/11 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 11, 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,910	Thinman, I wasnt portraying people in North Carolina as being stupid backwoods hicks so I do not know what that first line of yours was all about. I was actually if anything complimenting them by suggesting they might have faked DNA evidence. It was merely a theory of mine that the DNA evidence was faked, it is possible to fake DNA evidence to implicate someone you want to be guilty of a crime. I have seen no evidence that it is not possible. They had vials of Hennis blood I am sure in storage from the late 1980's and it would be possible to use his own DNA to frame him. Everyone would eat it up because when you say someones DNA matches everyone would believe the person was guilty. Now of course it is possible too that Hennis did it, that his DNA really did match and that this whole thing is a genuine effort to get a rapist and murderer off the streets. I have never said that was not possible I was just saying that it might be possible that prosecutors and the cops because they were angry and embarassed about the acquittal and looking like fools decided they were going to nail Tim Hennis anyway they had to. I am just saying that is a possible theory I want to make sure you know I am only saying it is a possibility not a for sure thing. You may very well be right, I am just saying I havent taken Hennis and put him in prison yet and thrown away the key, that is all.