I remember that night clearly. It was 2005, and I was sitting in my parent’s van with my brothers and sisters. We were in central Phoenix, which was where most of the Baseline Killer incidents had occurred. We were waiting for my mom to return to the car, and my brothers were making jokes that we were going to be attacked by the Baseline Killer. I laughed along but was secretly terrified. The Baseline Killer, now identified as Mark Goudeau, is on trial right now for kidnaping, rape, child molestation, and the killing of nine.
I recall Phoenix being in an upheaval at the time of these crimes. Who is committing these crimes and how are they getting away so quickly? I remember reading several news articles that had quoted the police in thinking that more than one person were involved. Nevertheless, when surviving victims were questioned, the police sketch always turned out to be similar. Goudeau used several tactics in successfully getting away with these crimes. Once he wore a Halloween mask while committing a crime. Often he would still be in the area when police arrived so instead of trying to run he would impersonate. Once he pretended to be a homeless person begging on the side of the road.
For the number of crimes he performed, it is remarkable he wasn’t caught earlier. Some of his crimes were even caught on camera! His impersonations and masks helped him escape, and also there were a few men who claimed to have committed some of Goudeau’s crimes, therefore slowing down the search. What initially helped the police catch the Baseline Killer is that he was on Community Supervision with the Arizona Department of Corrections, and they suggested that Goudeau matched the police sketch.
If Goudeau is found guilty of even just one of the nine murders he was accused of, he could face the death penalty. Naturally Goudeau pleaded not guilty to the crimes bestowed upon him, but the fact that he was on parole at the time the crimes occurred is not helping his case. All of his rape victims were shot in the head after resisting. One woman who survived was ordered to undress, but when she refused and Goudeau tried to shoot her in the head, his gun misfired. The crimes Goudeau is facing add up to 72 counts in all, and are as follows:
1- 8/6/2005, sexual assault, 7200 block of South 48th Street, 9:45 p.m.
2- 8/14/2005, sexual assault, 2400 block of East Thomas Road, 4:10 a.m.
3- 8/14/2005, robbery, 2400 block of East Thomas Road, 4:10 a.m.
4- 8/28/2005, robbery, 1400 block of West Baseline Road.
5- 9/8/2005, murder, 3700 block of South Mill Avenue, 1 a.m.
6- 9/15/2005, sexual assault, 4500 block of North 40th Street, 9:40 p.m.
7- 9/20/2005, sexual assault, 3100 block of West Vineyard Road, 10:30 p.m.
8- 9/28/2005, robbery, 7200 block of South Central Avenue, 9:30 p.m.
9- 9/28/2005, sexual assault, 7200 block of South Central Avenue, 9:30 p.m.
10- 11/3/2005, robbery, 4000 block of North 32nd Street , 8:01 p.m.
11- 11/3/2005, sexual assault, 3100 block of East Indian School Road, 8:10 p.m.
12- 11/7/2005, robbery, 2900 block of North 32nd Street, 8:08 p.m.
13- 11/7/2005, robbery, 2900 block of North 32nd Street, 9:08 p.m.
14- 11/7/2005, robbery, 900 block of North 32nd Street, 9:08 p.m.
15- 12/12/2005, murder, 6000 block of South 40th Street, 6:55 p.m.
16- 12/13/2005, robbery, 700 block of East South Mountain Avenue, 4 p.m.
17 and 18- 2/20/2006, murders, 9100 block of Lower Buckeye Road, 6 a.m.
19- 03/15/2006, murder, 4100 block of North 24th Street, 9 p.m.
20- 03/15/2006, murder, 4100 block of North 24th Street, 9 p.m.
21- 03/29/2006, murder, 2500 block of North 24th Street, 12 a.m.
22- 05/01/2006, sexual assault, 2900 block of North 32nd Street, 9 p.m.
23- 06/29/2006, Murder, 2900 block of East Thomas Road, 9:51 p.m.
What was really daunting to me at the time was that all of the locations of the crime were places I was familiar with. When the suspect for the Baseline Killer was found, you could almost hear a sigh of relief coming from the men and women of Phoenix. I wasn’t quite old enough to understand the full nature of these crimes, but I was relieved as well. Then I didn’t have to worry about attending my church on Baseline Road.
I thought that your use of the narrative was really creative and interesting. It was able to captivate me and made me want to continue reading. It was also effectively used as a conclusion. If I were you, I would definitely keep the narrative. The one part of this article that I had a problem with was the extended list of crimes. I felt it was a bit unnecessary to add such an extensive list. I would say "he was charged with many crimes such as....." and then list some out. I also felt that the list was taking away from overall content. I would try expanding on some more points within the article and/or adding more. Overall, it was very well written but could use a little more content.
ReplyDeletehope this helps :)