Elusive 'Clark Rockefeller' figure charged in 1980s' slaying of John Sohus

[everybodylovesrs]

3/15/2011

Twenty-six years after a San Marino couple disappeared from their home, Los Angeles County prosecutors Wednesday charged an illusive German national with murder in the slaying of the husband.

The charge against Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter caps a sensational murder mystery that took a bizarre twist in 2009 when officials dug up the couple's backyard searching for evidence. John Sohus' body was found buried in the backyard in 1994, but Linda Sohus' body has not been found.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lano...arino-man.html

[LooksLikeCRicci]

Just read that on CNN. I'm glad to see that someone is finally being brought to justice in that case. I've always wondered what happened to Linda.

[nohwheregirl]

This is great news!

Also: Welcome back, Ricci!!!

[RobinW]

You might have to add this one to the "Half Solved Mysteries" thread I started several months ago. We've got finally put together some pieces of this mammoth puzzle, but there are still quite a few loose ends, like Linda Sohus' fate.

It's also worth noting that John Sohus is still listed on the Charley Project. Even though people believe the skeleton is him, there's never been any way to conclusively prove it, so officially, he's still considered "missing".
http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/..._jonathan.html

[Apostapler]

They ought to be able to match it with the photo superimposing process...never figured out why they didn't just do that in the first place, or reconstruct the head with clay.

I am so excited that something is finally happening!

[biscuitgirl]

Originally Posted by Apostapler

They ought to be able to match it with the photo superimposing process...never figured out why they didn't just do that in the first place, or reconstruct the head with clay.

I am so excited that something is finally happening!

Agreed! I hope this case doesn't drag out for a long time.

[rts29803]

Didn't "Rockefeller" attempt to sell Sohus truck in Connecticut using the alias "Chichester"?

[lilmissd]

As much as I want to see this guy convicted; I just don't know how the DA can get a conviction. Think about it; they have a body that they can't 100% prove to be John Sohus, they don't have Linda Sohus' body, so they can't even prove that she's dead and Didi Sohus died so they don't have her testimony as to what exactly occured or what further information she may have had on Chichester. With all that against them I just don't know how they can risk taking it to trial; when Rockefeller has a good chance of "getting off" and being found not gulity for lack of evidence and then they can't re-try him again. I think they need to wait and gather more evidence.

[crystaldawn]

Good news!!

[badcompany]

Originally Posted by lilmissd

As much as I want to see this guy convicted; I just don't know how the DA can get a conviction. Think about it; they have a body that they can't 100% prove to be John Sohus, they don't have Linda Sohus' body, so they can't even prove that she's dead and Didi Sohus died so they don't have her testimony as to what exactly occured or what further information she may have had on Chichester. With all that against them I just don't know how they can risk taking it to trial; when Rockefeller has a good chance of "getting off" and being found not gulity for lack of evidence and then they can't re-try him again. I think they need to wait and gather more evidence.

Well they arrested him in 2008 and from what I've read they have been trying to connect him to the Sohus murder the entire time. I don't think they would bring this to court if they didn't have something.

[LooksLikeCRicci]

Originally Posted by lilmissd

As much as I want to see this guy convicted; I just don't know how the DA can get a conviction. Think about it; they have a body that they can't 100% prove to be John Sohus, they don't have Linda Sohus' body, so they can't even prove that she's dead and Didi Sohus died so they don't have her testimony as to what exactly occured or what further information she may have had on Chichester. With all that against them I just don't know how they can risk taking it to trial; when Rockefeller has a good chance of "getting off" and being found not gulity for lack of evidence and then they can't re-try him again. I think they need to wait and gather more evidence.

I'm guessing there's some stuff going on behind the scenes that we don't know about that hasn't been released to the media. Even though there is no concrete evidence that Chichester was involved in John's disappearance/death, I do think there's a pretty decent circumstantial case. I'm not sure how other states operate, but I can tell you that at least in my state, circumstantial evidence is given the same weight as direct evidence and juries are instructed as such.

Nohwhere Girl: Thanks! Glad to be back.

[crochetbuff]

Saw this, this a.m.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42099048

'Rockefeller' to lawyer: I didn't kill man'

[crochetbuff]

Originally Posted by RobinW

You might have to add this one to the "Half Solved Mysteries" thread I started several months ago. We've got finally put together some pieces of this mammoth puzzle, but there are still quite a few loose ends, like Linda Sohus' fate.

It's also worth noting that John Sohus is still listed on the Charley Project. Even though people believe the skeleton is him, there's never been any way to conclusively prove it, so officially, he's still considered "missing".
http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/..._jonathan.html

Question, I know John Sohus was adopted and there was no way to easily get his DNA, but were there not dental records? I don't remember. Thanks

[crochetbuff]

Originally Posted by rts29803

Didn't "Rockefeller" attempt to sell Sohus truck in Connecticut using the alias "Chichester"?

As far as I remember, yes, he ended up with their truck, another great piece of evidence, albiet circumstantial.

[crochetbuff]

Originally Posted by lilmissd

As much as I want to see this guy convicted; I just don't know how the DA can get a conviction. Think about it; they have a body that they can't 100% prove to be John Sohus, they don't have Linda Sohus' body, so they can't even prove that she's dead and Didi Sohus died so they don't have her testimony as to what exactly occured or what further information she may have had on Chichester. With all that against them I just don't know how they can risk taking it to trial; when Rockefeller has a good chance of "getting off" and being found not gulity for lack of evidence and then they can't re-try him again. I think they need to wait and gather more evidence.

There is video of Didi Sohus (or her relative) talking about the case that could possibly be used in the trial. L.E. has had a couple of years to work on this, could've even traced John's adoption, found a living relative and obtained DNA.

Also, man is missing, male body is found buried in his own yard (they can estimate age and height)... who else is it gonna be? Christian's history of lying, taking on alias', etc... I've certainly watched some of these crime/trial show's and seen people convicted with a lot less. Let's hope.