Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Body of Missing Girl Found; Man Arrested
AP ^ | 2/6/04 | Mitch Stacy

Posted on 02/06/2004 7:34:15 AM PST by apackof2

SARASOTA, Fla. - The body of an 11-year-old girl whose abduction was captured by a surveillance camera has been found in a church parking lot and a mechanic has been charged with her murder, officials said Friday.

Sarasota County Sheriff Bill Balkwill refused to say where Carlie Brucia's body was found, but a law enforcement source close to the investigation said it was found between 12:45 a.m. and 1 a.m. Friday outside a church not far from the car wash where she was taken.

"Our prayers on behalf of everybody here in Sarasota County go out to the family," Balkwill said.

He said Joseph P. Smith, 37, has been charged with her murder. He is believed to be the tattooed man in a mechanic's shirt who was seen in a car wash surveillance video leading Carlie away by the arm Sunday evening, authorities said.

Investigators found the body after negotiations with Smith, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Earlier, authorities had said he was not cooperating.

"We now stand ready to complete our obligation, and assure you that he will pay the ultimate price for what he did to her," Capt. Jeff Bell said.

Family and friends had kept vigil outside Carlie's ranch-style house which was decorated with banners and posters reading, "We love you, Carlie."

Carlie was described by friends as a beautiful girl who loved actress Jennifer Lopez, going to the mall and hanging out. The youngster was known for greeting friends with warm hugs. She was heading home from a slumber party when she was abducted.

Carlie's friend Natalie Thomas cried after hearing that her classmate's body was found. She remembered Carlie's smile and that she liked to go on walks.

Carlie's family had gone into seclusion Friday and was unavailable for comment.

"There's nothing you can do to make anybody feel better and it's going to hurt for a long, long time," said Chuck Chambers, a private investigator who was working with the family.

"I need my daughter home," Carlie's mother, Susan Schorpen, had said Thursday. "She's a very, very important part of this family and community."

Members of her former Girl Scout troop took a day off from school Wednesday to pass out fliers at shopping centers, canvass neighborhoods and distribute pink ribbons adorned with Carlie's name.

A reward fund of $50,000 was offered for information.

Smith has been arrested at least 13 times in Florida since 1993, according to state records and convicted of drug possession and other charges. He was arrested in 1997 in Manatee County on kidnapping and false imprisonment charges, but was acquitted a year later.

An aide to Smith's public defender, Adam Tebrugge, had declined to comment Thursday.

Carlie was walking home from a friend's house at about 6:20 p.m. Sunday when she took a short cut behind Evie's Car Wash, which was closed for the day.

Car wash owner Mike Evanoff said he checked the security system video Monday after bloodhounds led deputies to the business. The images of Carlie popped up almost immediately when he turned on the system, he said.

"It was cold chills right up my back," Evanoff said earlier this week. "My manager couldn't even look at it. It's an awful feeling."

FOR DISCUSSION ONLY


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: florida; girl; killed; murder; scumbagkiller
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-102 next last
This makes me ill
Prayers for the family of this innocent girl

I am also mad as *ell, look at this guy's criminal record!

Why was he on the street?!!

1 posted on 02/06/2004 7:34:17 AM PST by apackof2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: apackof2
The guy's PO tried to have him put in jail in December and the judge refused,,Judge ought to be horsewhipped.
2 posted on 02/06/2004 7:36:05 AM PST by cajungirl (John Kerry has no botox and I have a bridge to sell you!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: apackof2
Investigators found the body after negotiations with Smith, ...

Don't like the sound of that.

3 posted on 02/06/2004 7:37:36 AM PST by ladtx ( "Remember your regiment and follow your officers." Captain Charles May, 2d Dragoons, 9 May 1846)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: cajungirl
Just add it to the list of government failures. The penal system is so overcrowded with drug users and pushers, that there is no room for the true degenerates who walk among us.
4 posted on 02/06/2004 7:39:41 AM PST by Banjoguy (Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: cajungirl
The guy's PO tried to have him put in jail in December and the judge refused...

What a disgrace...

5 posted on 02/06/2004 7:39:41 AM PST by JohnHuang2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: LexBaird
As a side point to what we have been talking about....

Do you think what this guy did to this little girl was wrong, or does it really depend on the neighborhood he grew up in?

6 posted on 02/06/2004 7:39:44 AM PST by laotzu
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: cajungirl
What's the 411 on this judge, elected, appointed, Democrat, liberal, senile, crazy ??
7 posted on 02/06/2004 7:41:12 AM PST by skip2myloo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: ladtx
Investigators found the body after negotiations with Smith, ...

A LEO at one of the pressers this morning was talking about going fo "the ultimate punishment". Doesn't sound like Smith was negotiating. If he was, I think that LEO and others are going to be very angry.

8 posted on 02/06/2004 7:42:44 AM PST by mewzilla
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

Comment #9 Removed by Moderator

To: skip2myloo
Google up the name Rapkin for info on the judge. The other thread has his pic and phone number.
10 posted on 02/06/2004 7:47:01 AM PST by doodad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Banjoguy
I might point out that this guy's previous crimes were mostly drug related. So he would have just added to your overcrowded penal system.
11 posted on 02/06/2004 7:47:05 AM PST by NTegraT
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: mewzilla
I heard on the news last hour that there was a deal cut in an all night session last night.
12 posted on 02/06/2004 7:48:14 AM PST by doodad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: apackof2
He was on the street due to the morons who sat on his kidnapping trial in 1997-98.

Pray the next jury has half a brain between them.
13 posted on 02/06/2004 7:48:19 AM PST by CaptainK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: doodad
Jeez, talk about a deal with the devil. Hope the parents were consulted.
14 posted on 02/06/2004 7:49:31 AM PST by mewzilla
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Banjoguy
is so overcrowded with drug users and pushers, that there is no room for the true degenerates who walk among us.

AHHH this creep was a drug user with a criminal past yet the system gave him many many chances.....why wasnt he in jail as a drug user?

15 posted on 02/06/2004 7:50:27 AM PST by alisasny (Thankyou to all who made 12/28 party so wonderful in NYC)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: NTegraT
He was acquitted of kidnapping charges in 1998. I don't know why the drug charges are being highlighted by the press.
16 posted on 02/06/2004 7:50:32 AM PST by CaptainK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: apackof2
Another case of a LEFTIST judge who finds it nearly impossible to "JUDGE" anyone. He (judge) should be impeached (removed) from the bench and put in the same cell as the perp. Sickening.

My prayers go out to the family and their sweet little girl. What a sad, sad day!

17 posted on 02/06/2004 7:51:05 AM PST by PISANO (God Bless our Troops........They will not TIRE - They will not FALTER - They will not FAIL!!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: apackof2
A real shame no doubt, Pray for the family. I wonder how much money the folks in Sarasota will spend on this jerks defence? "millions no doubt" a good rope only cost .18 cents a foot
18 posted on 02/06/2004 7:51:09 AM PST by JamesA (Stand up, stand together or die as one.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: doodad
Harry Rapkin

FWIW, according to this site, his civil practice was 80% Personal Injury.

19 posted on 02/06/2004 7:51:35 AM PST by r9etb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: laotzu
Do you think what this guy did to this little girl was wrong

Huh? Am I missing something here? Please tell me you don't mean that.

20 posted on 02/06/2004 7:53:12 AM PST by doodad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-102 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson