UM Computer Theft/Murder

[bell83]

I thought about this case, earlier. Can someone refresh my memory? I know it was late 80s or very early 90s. I want to say the value of whatever computer stuff it was was somewhere around 25,000 dollars. Two people had the stuff and had put out an ad, to which someone replied. They met at a motel (I think?), and the person killed one or both of them, and took the items. Can anyone tell me anything about this?

[MegtheEgg86]

Originally Posted by bell83

I thought about this case, earlier. Can someone refresh my memory? I know it was late 80s or very early 90s. I want to say the value of whatever computer stuff it was was somewhere around 25,000 dollars. Two people had the stuff and had put out an ad, to which someone replied. They met at a motel (I think?), and the person killed one or both of them, and took the items. Can anyone tell me anything about this?

Yep. The suspect's alias was Tom Johnson. The victims were Jeremy Rolf and Heather Uffelman, both students at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. Tom Johnson answered an ad placed by Jeremy's company and the crime was committed at a motel Johnson was staying at in Marietta, GA. Pretty sure it was around 1990 or '91.

[bell83]

Originally Posted by MegtheEgg86

Yep. The suspect's alias was Tom Johnson. The victims were Jeremy Rolf and Heather Uffelman, both students at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. Tom Johnson answered an ad placed by Jeremy's company and the crime was committed at a motel Johnson was staying at in Marietta, GA. Pretty sure it was around 1990 or '91.

YES! Thank you, Meg!

[Oldschooler81]

The four saddest aspects of this are:

1. That oh-so "valuable" computer that Heather was needlessly killed for and Jeremy almost, would be absolutely worthless now (or even by the late 90s). Even a dumbphone can do more than that laughable clunker!
2. That Tom was even able to fool them and get away with a brutal murder to begin with.
3. That Jeremy was such a wimp and actually let he & his fiance get pushed around by a little weasel who needed weapons to be tough.
4. Jeremy died in a car accident just a few years later in 1997 while volunteering in South America.

[MegtheEgg86]

Originally Posted by Oldschooler81

1. That oh-so "valuable" computer that Heather was needlessly killed for and Jeremy almost, would be absolutely worthless now (or even by the late 90s). Even a dumbphone can do more than that laughable clunker!

I researched this once. The computer was a MacIntosh Quadra 900. Today you can pick one up a fully functioning model for about $25.00, if that.

2. That Tom was even able to fool them and get away with a brutal murder to begin with.
3. That Jeremy was such a wimp and actually let he & his fiance get pushed around by a little weasel who needed weapons to be tough.

To speak to these points, Johnson by all accounts was smooth as stone. I'm not sure I wouldn't have believed him--he looked and sounded the part to a T.

I'm not sure what Jeremy was "supposed" to do in this situation, especially since Johnson had a handgun (or a replica, or whatever--Jeremy and Heather didn't have the luxury of ascertaining whether the thing was real or not). I figure Jeremy felt their best chances for survival were to not put up resistance. I don't think he's a wimp. I think he simply selected what he thought at the time was the optimal choice for ensuring their survival.

[bell83]

Originally Posted by MegtheEgg86

I'm not sure what Jeremy was "supposed" to do in this situation, especially since Johnson had a handgun (or a replica, or whatever--Jeremy and Heather didn't have the luxury of ascertaining whether the thing was real or not). I figure Jeremy felt their best chances for survival were to not put up resistance. I don't think he's a wimp. I think he simply selected what he thought at the time was the optimal choice for ensuring their survival.

I agree. It's easy to say "He should've acted," after the fact, knowing the outcome. But I'm sure that the thinking that both he and Heather had was that "If we just do as he says, we'll be ok." Sadly, they were wrong...

[Necco]

I object to the classification of Jeremy as wimp.

If Henry Rollins couldn't save his best friend (and he's Henry freaking Rollins) why do you fault Jeremy Rolfs for being a victim.

And, for the record, he died serving our country in the Peace Corps in Lesotho, not South America. The accident itself occurred in South Africa, but he was assigned to Lesotho.

While not mentioned as frequently as members of the armed forces, diplomats and Peace Corps Volunteers also put their lives on the line for the good of our country and others. And they deserve the same respect.

[Oldschooler81]

Originally Posted by MegtheEgg86

To speak to these points, Johnson by all accounts was smooth as stone. I'm not sure I wouldn't have believed him--he looked and sounded the part to a T.

I'm not sure what Jeremy was "supposed" to do in this situation, especially since Johnson had a handgun (or a replica, or whatever--Jeremy and Heather didn't have the luxury of ascertaining whether the thing was real or not). I figure Jeremy felt their best chances for survival were to not put up resistance. I don't think he's a wimp. I think he simply selected what he thought at the time was the optimal choice for ensuring their survival.

That's very true, Meg. (And, for the record, you're somebody that I deeply respect and care about your opinions.)

I guess we all have to remember we're looking it this through the lens of observers after the fact. We've all had times in our own lives (me for sure), where we drew a blank at the time, and later thought: Oh man, if only I'd said/done that! Plus, the real event might've gone down slightly different than the re-enactment. The hindsight is always 20/20 too, I can't imagine how Jeremy must've felt to himself the several years after he survived and Heather didn't.

I hope I didn't sound insensitive, it certainly wasn't my intent. I'd definitely be scared s***less in his shoes too. I just cringe in the segment when Jeremy goes "Why'd you do this, Tom, why'd you lie?" The man playing Tom didn't exactly look like a stereotypical tough guy. I'd be so tempted to say (especially if I was with a girlfriend/fiance I loved very much and would want to protect) something like, "Hey you nerdy little weasel, let's see how much of a man you really are without that gun! Leave her alone and if you want to do something, fight me with your hands, punk!"

Makes me think of this line:

"If I am gonna get busted, it is NOT gonna be by a guy like that!"
-Ferris Bueller.

[TallGirl]

Originally Posted by Oldschooler81

The four saddest aspects of this are:

1. That oh-so "valuable" computer that Heather was needlessly killed for and Jeremy almost, would be absolutely worthless now (or even by the late 90s). Even a dumbphone can do more than that laughable clunker!
2. That Tom was even able to fool them and get away with a brutal murder to begin with.
3. That Jeremy was such a wimp and actually let he & his fiance get pushed around by a little weasel who needed weapons to be tough.
4. Jeremy died in a car accident just a few years later in 1997 while volunteering in South America.

They were in my RATV department at MTSU. This happened my junior year. 1991/92. The computer, at the time, was the first of its kind that had video editing capability. Very state of the art, for it's time. Heather was moaning, and that is why Tom kept hitting her. Jeremy was not a wimp. He was very bookish and nerdy, but very excited about the huge sell. And trusting. He never really got over this, which is what led him to the Peace Corp. Sad.

[LooksLikeCRicci]

Originally Posted by TallGirl

They were in my RATV department at MTSU. This happened my junior year. 1991/92. The computer, at the time, was the first of its kind that had video editing capability. Very state of the art, for it's time. Heather was moaning, and that is why Tom kept hitting her. Jeremy was not a wimp. He was very bookish and nerdy, but very excited about the huge sell. And trusting. He never really got over this, which is what led him to the Peace Corp. Sad.

Thanks for your input. I'm sorry for your loss. Jeremy and Heather both seemed like such nice, gentle people.

We've debated this case on the boards for well over a decade. Given that you are from the area, have there been any recent developments on this? Any idea who the suspect "Tom" actually was?

And yeah, I know we knock the Mac Quattra NOW, but I remember seeing this segment as it first aired and thinking, "Holy crap. That's a nice computer." I realize that my cell phone probably has more memory now than that computer did, but that's technology for you...

[xxxxmattxxxx69]

Originally Posted by LooksLikeCRicci

Thanks for your input. I'm sorry for your loss. Jeremy and Heather both seemed like such nice, gentle people.

We've debated this case on the boards for well over a decade. Given that you are from the area, have there been any recent developments on this? Any idea who the suspect "Tom" actually was?

And yeah, I know we knock the Mac Quattra NOW, but I remember seeing this segment as it first aired and thinking, "Holy crap. That's a nice computer." I realize that my cell phone probably has more memory now than that computer did, but that's technology for you...

There was a rumor that "Tom Johnson" was actually Tom Steeples who was a criminal in that area and timeframe(forget what he was wanted/convicted of) but he died short term after the murder was commited. So he was never really looked at

[LooksLikeCRicci]

Originally Posted by xxxxmattxxxx69

There was a rumor that "Tom Johnson" was actually Tom Steeples who was a criminal in that area and timeframe(forget what he was wanted/convicted of) but he died short term after the murder was commited. So he was never really looked at

I remember that! From what I can recall, the online sleuthing was pretty compelling on that. Just curious as to what the locals thought.

[James T]

Are there any pictures of this Steeples anywhere? Cannot find any.

[TallGirl]

Originally Posted by xxxxmattxxxx69

There was a rumor that "Tom Johnson" was actually Tom Steeples who was a criminal in that area and timeframe(forget what he was wanted/convicted of) but he died short term after the murder was commited. So he was never really looked at

Jeremy spent the year after the murder in his house. Literally. So if Tom Steeples was believed to be the guy, Im sure Jeremy was shown a lineup.

[James T]

Originally Posted by xxxxmattxxxx69

There was a rumor that "Tom Johnson" was actually Tom Steeples who was a criminal in that area and timeframe(forget what he was wanted/convicted of) but he died short term after the murder was commited. So he was never really looked at

He murdered & then set fire to a bar owner. Incredibly he was out on bond for this awaiting trial when he fooled a gullible young couple looking to become country music stars, he convinced them he was a producer, having befriended them he went to their hotel room, tied up & murdered the man & then when the woman got out of the shower raped & murdered her.