It was probably held as evidence and then junked, The insurance company took it back, after a body shop in Maryville fixed it up. Flipping television channels I ran across the old film Road House. The Town That KILLED a Bully in Broad Daylight | Ken Rex McElroy Joshua Roberts 64.8K subscribers Join Subscribe 666 Share 22K views 11 months ago #trucrime #thehistoryof Here is the story of a. My point is that now I am a very happily married wife and mother of two and nothing at all like the girl I was. On July 27, 1976, Skidmore farmer Romaine Henry said McElroy shot him twice with a shotgun after Henry challenged him for shooting weapons on Henry's property. Although three separate grand juries were convened and later the FBI investigated when local authorities failed to make any progress not a single person was ever charged with killing Ken McElroy. . Im glad to hear your grandmother was able to pick up and live a good and better life. Roadhouse looks like this in its basic plot and conclusion. His girlfriend lived in my apt building and he knocked her around quite a bit. I grew up in Oregon, MO which is a small town not too far from Skidmore. No one was more a victim of the bastard McElroy than was she. People are fully entitled to talk about a thug whether he is DEAD or NOT. I live in this area of missouri and have always wanted to know the location of where the farm house use to be can you point me in a direction. Unfortunately, those kinds of attorneys exist to this very day. McElroy was never a popular man. All were threatened including their children yet she was the one who felt that she was wronged, horrible dangerous individual she was. harry my name is sam lewis. Trena had her young children to think about, and probably no job skills at the time Ken was killed, so I really dont fault her seeking a settlement and I doubt seriously anyone in that town would help her out. Im sorry, in my comment above I mean to say the bar was called Brews Blue Town. As for Ken Rex, no surprise. Your email address will not be published. she was lucky enough to get outta the truck that hot summer day when Ken was MURDERED .. & call it what you want .. vigilante justice or whatever .. it was MURDER. Attempting to sue her victims. Over the course of his life, McElroy was accused of dozens of felonies, including assault, child molestation, statutory rape, arson, animal cruelty, hog and cattle rustling, and burglary. He is patient, kind and very loving. Did he run around there? Jeffrey Not a good time for anyone involved in the story and it ended as fate intended it to end. Hello Mr. MacLean. How sad for him. I dont know just guessing. She departed this life Tuesday, January 24, 2012, in her daughter's home, near Conway, Missouri, at the age of fifty-five years. Especially when youre as young as she was and probably financially dependent on your abuser. Just a matter of a fact type situation. However, Im sure that he knew who McElroy was. I dont believe that vigilante violence is justifiable, but in this case it is. I also believe someone knew the killer/killers, but as long as its bin since the killing, I kind of doubt anyone will ever come forward as to ever get a conviction in the case. Background. You need to get a job yourself and quit sniveling. I have spoken to him in the past about this situation and he allowed me to borrow the book In Broad Daylight It was an amazing book, and more interesting because I know Jeff. Painful. Q was quite an interesting fellow. "He always had a chip on his shoulder," Harry MacLean told host Phoebe Judge about McElroy on her podcast Criminal. He bedded a series of teenagers, sometimes finding his quarry by hanging out at junior high school playgrounds. I am the Granddaughter of Richard Stratton (my mother is Vickie). The children had little parental supervision, and for the most part ran free around town. Its a tribute to the human spirit that she was able to turn her life around and have another happy family. Without him around to protect her, she wilted back down to reality. When your parents show you arbitrary cruelty and dont acknowledge their wrongdoing, it humiliates you, and you begin looking for outlets on which to impose your own anger, so you can feel in control again. I understand people may frown on Trena for the lawsuit, but she suddenly lost her only means of support, had all those children to care for and finish raising, plus after that Im sure she didnt have one friend in that town who would have helped her with anything and probably had to pack up and leave. The thought of all of the rotten crap McFadin pulled in order to protect his criminal client makes me sick to my stomach. Been there, done that and survived that! McElroy left many children, and some of them were extremely unhappy with the way their father was killed and the way he was portrayed in my book In Broad Daylight. The demise of Ken Rex, is one that will continue to be debated, for years to come. There is a photo of Trena with Alice in the book, and an obituary photo of Trena in an earlier post on this blog. Trena didnt have a chance when her parents abandoned her. The other kids are staying well below the limelight, as far as I know. I prepared for a much older stronger bully when I was a kid by tying a strip of Rawhide through an old Yale padlock. [5] She became pregnant when she was fourteen, dropped out of school in the ninth grade, and went to live with McElroy and his second wife Alice. Its been a while since I saw any new posts on this blog. That was a wonderful thing that guy did for Ken, too bad iKen rejected Jesus at that point. After McElroy finished his drinks, he purchased a six pack of beer, left the bar, and entered his pickup truck. Sharon had children in 1961, '63, '64 and '65, and Sally in '61, '63 and '64. Tony Im your aunt your dad is my brother . If she had just moved on and let the issue with his wrongful death go, I would have felt more pity for her in terms of how she first became involved with him. The lost son of Ken Rex McElroy. Its located on 9th st by Patee House. That guy wouldve kicked his ass and Ken knew it. Vigilante justice ended up being the last resort for the townspeople. It just seems odd . Law enforcement and the legal system failed. So before you believe anything you might want to get all the facts. Do you know where abouts? I share your sympathy toward the children. I intend to write something on it soon. Sounds naive I know, but I feel hope that perhaps Ken McElroy may well have found God, even if tangentially. ", Ariana Madix Got Caught On Camera Reacting To A "Scandoval" Joke At The WHCD, Kim K Cries In 'The Kardashians' Season 3 Trailer After Her Pete Davidson Breakup, Tom Sandoval Straight-Up Lied About Hooking Up With Raquel On Vanderpump Rules, Everything To Know About 'RHOC' Season 17, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. Ken obviously was mentally ill and never got help. I believe that the blog is right and the book wrong. A town having inadequate policing. Thanks for writing. Im glad I was able to find out this information. DNA can and is irrefutable evidence though. Nicely balanced. The murder of Ken Rex McElroy took place in plain view of dozens of residents of this small farm town, under the glare of the morning sun. I just found out about the book The Story Behind In Broad Daylight', and I am reading it. Were they scared of this thug? Its astonishing to think the entire population allowed it to go on. Do the world a favor, end the line. Alice (2nd wife) children; son (Jaurez), daughter (Tonya/Toni), son (Ken Jr./Mouse) As I understand it, the insurance company had it repaired and sold. I appreciate it! The vibe is the same in these northern Missouri rural towns. ), he was going to defend him. You are to be commended.robin. Love ya Bud, Bobby. My grandparents farmhouse mysteriously burnt down while they were away in the early 80s. anyhing good about him. Damien, I know this is from an old thread but I am very sorry to hear about your grandmother. While she contributed to whatever Ken did, she posed no threat individually. Mr Dalsing is a man who puts others needs before his own. Thank you for your service in the special needs field. Someone involved in that might act in a toxic manner. My dad sat on the jury in one of Kens many hearings. Crazy book. I had relatives in Fillmore, MO and found your comments of there a bit mean. As I understood it, the jurors did not hear any information because the charges were dismissed on a technicality. In June, 1973 I was a patient at the Fairfax Community Hospital, 20 some miles NW of Skidmore. They had 10 children. The towns people were being bullied and never got the help they needed. I agree that the kids are the victims here, I am interested to know about them, I read a few blogs and a few posing as his children posted, Tony and Ken Jr posted on one blog, but I dont know for sure if it was them. Does no one stand up to him? Even WORSE. Give the lady a break. McCloud identified D&G owner Del Clement as one of the shooters, but Clement was never officially charged with the crime, Mental Floss writes. Kenneth Rex McElroy is shown in family photo with daughter Tina. All of these things have combined to make me a true crime fanatic. Sorry Harryjust to clarify, when I asked what was his/her name, I was referring to the fourth child of Sally, not mentioned in your book. It is very difficult to escape an abusive situation even as an adult. I am not from Missouri, but I have been fascinated by this story since I saw the movie in the 80s. From the impression I got, the law enforcement officers, with exception of Corporal Stratton of the State Patrol, seemed to back down to Ken out of fear the same as the townspeople did for a while. In 1980, one of McElroy's children got into an argument with a clerk, Evelyn Sumy, in a local grocery store owned by 70-year-old Ernest "Bo" Bowenkamp and his wife Lois, allegedly because the young McElroy child tried to steal some candy. Even today if you google any of the names of the children you will find hateful things written by people. Although McElroy is long gone, his reputation looms ever-present, even over a series of nonrelated disturbing events, including the death of Wendy Gillenwater, stomped to death by her boyfriend in 2000, the disappearance of Branson Perry in 2001, and the brutal 2004 murder of Bobbie Jo Stinnett, whose live baby was carved from her body. And, Im sorry for this too, but as a former English teacher, did she ever get educated so she learned proper grammar. You made a non-point just then. It has since been renamed, but at the moment I cant recall it. Stockholm Syndrome at its finest! I reckon the evidence is in that it wouldnt stop an 8mm Mauser round. Trena . I wanted to feel bad for her after all she endured as a child but too much just doesnt really come together. I would not doubt that situations like this one still happen in this day and age. She may have come out the other side, but its been tough to locate any kind of record showing her apologize to all those people she terrorized and women and children she shamed when they tried to come forward with their true, horrifying accounts of this mans abuse. According to the the citizens of Skidmore, Mo. I understand that was probably the case. He had no respect for the law or those who enforced it. Definitely Im sorry to have to say this but ken McElroy got his just deserts. Other than listing hers and Kens children among her survivors, it is her husband of almost 3 decades, Howard, and her longtime residence in Lebanon, MO, which are mentioned in the obituary. The ones still living can be found listed in obituaries of some of the siblings. The town has had a hard time forgiving Trena. That would add a significant twist to the story. This society punishes girls and women who are victims for the horrors they have endured. Ken McElroy was in a paradoxical sense victimized by his lack of education, poverty stricken upbringing, a father who refused to punish him for his bad behaviour and his own seeming inability to improve his lot in life. This led to several patrons deciding to see what they could legally do to prevent McElroy from harming anyone else. Hoping she really did turn her life around and become a kind person. The law is the law and no one should exploit loop holes in order to ensure someone does not pay for their crimes. Its so well written, or maybe since Im from Missouri, I can totally see the scenes that are described in the book. His murder is still technically unsolved. She was a young girl trying to survive. THATS TOTAL BS. He wasnt nearly as mean as portrayed in the movie. I had heard a little about cattle rustling. [8] At the trial, two raccoon hunters testified they were with McElroy the day of the shooting away from Henry's property. I guess I never understood it completely. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) PURCHASE A LICENSE. Ken McElroy was born in 1934, one of 16 children, author Harry MacLean explains in his book In Broad Daylight, an account of the case. Ive been there. Sharon had children in 1961, '63, '64 and '65, and Sally in '61, '63 and '64. Where was the law when KR was intimidating everyone including the law and their family and most importantly, where was the law for Trena? While it is sad the people of Skidmore had to resort to shooting, fear can be a very strong force. By this, I mean how does someone from poverty work the legal system to the point they can almost LITERALLY get away with murder? I will never forget him and all the heart to heart conversations we had. I will find a picture of her and post. I have known Mr. Dalsing since 1999. Skidmore is 90 minutes or more north and west of downtown Kansas Cit, Peculiar is 40 minutes south. you reference). If she was there in the tavern she may have been playing a pinball machine or video game elsewhere. Im so glad to hear that she was able to find happiness after the trauma inflicted on her by her 1st husband and by the town of Skidmore. Most people dont get bail after conviction, pending appeal. Interesting how McElroy was functionally illiterate, but undeniably street-smart in the extreme. Doesnt add up to me, if she had moved on and wanted to forget everything, why go back to that memory???? The real nasty part of it all is the sleezoid judges and prosecutors. Who knows, they might be following this blog? They likely did the best that they could have, though, as any parent would. She insisted that I hadnt told the whole story about McElroy: he was much worse than portrayed, than anybody could imagine, and it had been harder than people would ever realize for her to give up her four children. In all, there were 46 potential witnesses to the shooting, including Trena McElroy, who was in the truck with her husband when he was shot. Required fields are marked *. Its amazing that she was able to recover and lead full life. It makes me realize that no matter who your biological parents are, you choose to be the person you want to be. Cell phones taking photographs, calling police would have made a big difference back then. So similar to Skidmore. My daddy was a quite man but very protective of his 5 daughters and wonderful role model to my one brother ! But I am so pleased to hear that trena and her children were able to over come what he put them thru she must have been a amazing women. Trena did not profit from the movie. We were teens when we met and became best friends while attending UMKC. Everyone wants to know how he controlled a little girl and others. , I met Jeff in the fall of 1984. No investigation, no real police presence. The marshal turned in his badge and quit the next day. In late winter of 1981 I walked over to the local neighborhood beer bar one evening and encountered a tough looking guy who was intimidating everyone around him and just generally mouthing off. Jeffrey traveled to California to meet his mother. He dropped out of school at age 15 in the eighth grade and quickly established a local reputation as a cattle rustler, small-time thief, and womanizer. I agree wholeheartedly about the ridiculous Sundance show No One Saw a Thing. The producer had the story in mind before he even went to town. It was based on In Broad Daylight. In all, McElroy was indicted 21 times and managed to escape conviction every time. The Sheriff said the case was actually not mysterious at all and simply a murder among drug acquaintances. Thank you Harry for putting that in the book. This accident led to severe chronic pain and possible brain damage that plagued McElroy throughout his life, which some townspeople believe attributed to or exacerbated his violent behavior and erratic temper. Ive never come across Charlie again. What I haven read is how tough and how much of a man he was without a gun with a man face to face that wasnt afraid of him. Jeff and I both shared a huge interest in bodybuilding and worked out together for years and years. The person knew McElroy for many years and said that Ken neither had the guts nor the intestinal fortitude to face Bo in a face to face gun duel. The trauma and scars he left behind will only be brought to justice in the next life, not this one. he might get the point & stop being a dumbass, I recently have seen the tv show called city confidential. Very well said. Jeffery has done some amazing things in the 6+ years I have known him. No one is to blame. A very interesting post, and thanks for the kind words. I just wish she had been left in the truck as well. She was molested by him and controlled by him as a child. Thank you, Harry. You can also make the case that it was in defense of the cowardly act of shooting an old man in the neck. Shoot them in the head and throw their ass in the creek make a example out of them? Now he had to deal with the truth. Wow..you Gerry Murphy do not understand anything about abuse..trena had every right to sue the town..Im glad she did it..look at what the town did to help her..not a damn thing..she should have gotten more money..as for the 2 trouble maker daughters what ever happened to these little liers?..they started all this mess with there bullshit story about raiding the store? Harry. However, I was forbidden to go anywhere near the pool hall in town, and could only go to the post office near it with an adult. When they met him on the street, parents steered their children, especially their daughters, away from McElroy, a notorious womanizer who favored young women and was married multiple times . Do any of the haters actually know how someone, especially a young person, can be influenced and manipulated into doing things that is wrong? McElroy knew this quite well and knew the only way he could duel with Bo was to shoot him while Bo was unarmed. McElroy controlled the whole town. Fear was Ken Rexs weapon and he used it well. Only the local pastor and one or two others helped out, especially as it looks like the Bowenkemps were decent hardworking people, really pitied them and their daughter for what they had to go through. Im glad you liked the book. Its amazing that she was able to recover and lead a fulfilling life. Everyone owes a huge debt of gratitude to special education teachers, the unsung heroes of the schools. I would love to hear from you . I havent been able to find an address for Ken McElroys house that was burned. The lot where Kens house once was still stands empty, although there is a trailer in the woods behind it. Id guess McFadin pushed for the lawsuit so he could get a nice percentage of any award. Small towns should pass laws to protect themselves from such harassment, and people stick together to prevent future problems. That lawyer should have been run out of town on a rail, or at least been reported to the bar. I was 20 years of age in 1981 and living south of The River in Warrensburg when I learned of all of this. A common refrain among the people MacLean interviewed? In between his many felonies and intimidation tactics, McElroy fathered ten children with different women and married four times. This man had such a shameful history of crime to his name that he was definitely no saint. Lori met her and they have corresponded off and on over the years. Eventually, he moved to her town and lived there for two years in an attempt to help her overcome her severe alcohol problems. The town was harmed by poor law enforcement, Ken McElroys behaviour and its own fear. They were innocent of all of this. Which country is that, somewhere in central Africa? But it was an easy thing for them to do, to raise their hands and lie under oath.". I can not believe the people that defend him! If he was in fact one of the shooters, then he held on to that for many, many years. [2] He was struck by bullets from at least two different firearms, in front of a crowd of people estimated as numbering between 30 and 46. And where are her adult children she & Ken had together now ? Agreed as well. I am sure their memories are nothing like the book and I hope they hold onto the happy memories they have. No names were mentioned. Just a comment on the burning of the house: Trena, Alice and their children were all long gone by the time McElroys house burned down. Ken was a good guy and a good friend with those he was comfortable with. Did she give the money back? But I also decided to not live my life even for a minute being afraid of another man. funny how all you people talk crap about a dead man. Ken McElroy was a functional illiterate. We have one. You are in no position to talk :). They tried law enforcement, which at times failed and other times was too intimidated to try. She said the house didnt burn down and in that same sentence she said faulty wiring. Aside from MacLean's book and Judge's podcast, the case has also been covered in episodes of the podcast My Favorite Murder and the TV show Drunk History, as well as having been turned into two movies, including the 1991 made-for-TV adaptation of MacLean's In Broad Daylight starring Tony winner Brian Dennehy, Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden, and Emmy winner Cloris Leachman. What do you say? It happens. The T O W N failed to protect the 12 year old? Missouri is not like NYC firearms are easy to own and Im sure even in 81 carry permits easy to obtain. I agree that the laws are much better this day and time in regard to stalking, etc., but I still dont feel law enforcement did enough in this situation. I would also like to ask, When did Alice Wood passed away? It was about the FBI investigation that took place in Skidmore, Missouri after Ken Rex McElroy was shot to death. Ive been saying the exact sam thing the last few days. From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. Trena did get remarried, about five years after Kens death. Not here my friends .any way I hope they catch the kidnappers and find Branson, also did anyone think for a sec that K.R had mental issues and if it was taken care of like they do nowadays this wouldnt have happened? I really enjoyed this book so much so, that I just read it a 2nd time! When I met him his demeanor was exactly like you described in your book. Laws on stalking & witness intimidation are much stronger & better enforced. I researched every aspect of the family as thoroughly as I could and tried to be as fair as possible. Hi Harry, I read your book In Broad Daylight 4 years ago.I want to say it was an excellent book, Thanks for all your hard work!! Im so happy and glad that you wrote about your grandma. He has been alive and living. I just finished reading your book, an excellent piece of work. The vast majority of people familiar with this case are quite happy with the outcome. Everyone wants to know who shot him. Ive been amazed at the messages Ive gotten since the post. It is said that he could shoot doves and quail in midflight with those .45s and light matchsticks on a fence post at 25 yards away. Of the most serious, McElroy was accused of child molestation and statutory rape. I dont believe there is a price tag to cover that. Ken Rex deserved everything that happened to him and his killers deserved jail, too. Sharon (1st wife) children; son, daughter (Tina), daughter (Teresa), daughter (Tammy), daughter (???). McElroy chose to be a bully. Back in 1981, it was your word against mine. Jerry: The long view of Trena is that she was essentially a victim. But I dont understand her denial and defensiveness until her death. Was Treena her mother? I had a fascinating interview with her, though. I havent seen her kids defending McElroy, although they might have. I would love to hear from you . More people need put down instead of let off or allowed to live off taxpayers money in jail for the rest of their lives. She was a girl who became corrupted and was abused, no doubt. No way a son of a bitch is going to sit in front of my home and fire a gun at my house buy one time. He was one of the jurors on the Romaine Henry case. Looks like Im going to have to buy the updated version of the book. The law fails. Shocked..he got away with a lot because of the times they lived inand the police were fearful oof him..he would have messed them up bad..would have twisted them like a pretzel, or blew them away. To hear him talk about that experience was something. And Im here to say that I fully believe 100% that he was not a bad man. People have tried to figure out if that is McElroy by the car. Not that I didnt need a little help. To say he was a human being is laughably naive and the kind of thing stated by someone who engages in fantasy. http://www.holmanhowe.com/sitemaker/sites/Holman1/obit.cgi?user=559576WilliamsLebanon#.TyhZNgTT0J0.facebook.
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