Bloody letter could be murder clue
Bloody fingerprints found at the scene of the murder of a pregnant bride-to-be in Brooklyn could lead to her killer, a law enforcement source said Monday.
Vindalee Smith, 38, was found stabbed to death in her Flatbush apartment Saturday.
She was due to marry Anthony Jackman, 33, the following day — even though he is still married according to police sources — and was two weeks away from giving birth to her fifth child, who did not survive.
Found under her body was a bloody envelope containing a letter that detectives believe is an attempt to throw them off as they try to solve the murder case.
The letter -- a computer printout signed by "the apprentice" and marked with a smiley face -- says a pregnant woman will die each month unless authorities release Lee Boyd Malvo, the Washington, D.C., sniper, sources said.
"I will kill 1 (cq) pregnant woman a month starting now until Lee Boyd Malvo is set free!" It was signed "the apprentice" with a smiley face.
Tests are now being done on the blood and the fingerprints. Two sources said the blood at the scene might come from more than one person--raising the possibility that the killer was wounded in the attack.
Malvo, serving life in prison for six of 10 Beltway murders a decade ago, was back in the news recently after giving a jailhouse interview.
And Malvo's mentor and accomplice -- John Allen Muhammad, who was executed three years ago --said after his arrest that had he not been caught, the second phase of his spree would have kicked off with the murder of a pregnant woman.
Police have not named a suspect in Smith's murder, but are taking a hard look at Jackman, Police had said Sunday that Jackman was not a suspect, but two sources said Monday that he has been less than forthcoming with detectives.
"He hasn't lawyered up," one source said, "But he isn't saying anything."
Jackman would not answer the door Sunday night when a reporter sought comment.
He works in construction and, a law enforcement source said, has 14 prior arrests on his record, 11 of which are sealed.
The unsealed cases date back to 1999 and include charges of petty larceny, burglary, weapons possession and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
On Saturday, police arrested him for the 15th time -- but only because he had a forged license plate in the back window of his 1998 BMW.
rparascandola@nydailynews.com
Read More @ Source Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - Ballerina
Criminal Stories Here
Comments