The Dead End Chronicles

Returning to the Scene of the Crime

2009-07-01T08:41:00.004-04:00

It was a warm and sunny day in June that my wife and I decided to visit the Robison murder site. The scene of the crime. It isn't much of a scene anymore. The twisted brush, humus and burnt tree marks are all that remain in this quiet but desolate setting. No cottage, only a few pieces of flagstone that mark the walkway to the front door and the stone cover for the septic tank. These are hard to find unless you know where they are. As you stand on one of the steps, your mind travels back in time and you wonder.

The sounds of birds and the waves of Lake Michigan lapping the shore is music to one's ear, however the thought of that tragic moment in 1968 always surfaces even under the most pleasant of circumstances. It is still difficult to imagine how anyone could have found this secluded setting without knowing exactly where it was. It is even more difficult to picture someone who did know the location yet be secure enough to believe that they could kill 6 people and get away with it. But it happened. That is the most mysterious thing of all. Every star, planet and human condition had to be exactly right for this to come together.

On June 25th, 2009, precisely 41 years after the tragic event, I noticed that it took almost until 10:00 p.m. for darkness to completely cover the landscape in Lansing. It should have been the same in Good Hart, even a little later because of the vast horizon of Lake Michigan which does not obstruct the sun's rays. Even on an overcast day, which it was in 1968, there would have been sufficient light around the Robison cabin. Such is life. Such is death.

One Of A Kind - Dave Walker

2009-06-01T18:38:00.004-04:00

On Saturday, May 30th, I attended a memorial service in Traverse City, Michigan for Dave Walker. Dave was a longtime news reporter for TV Channel 7/4, the NBC affiliate based in Traverse City. The service was a beautiful and wonderful tribute to a man whom many knew as a person of integrity, patriotism and professionalism. My condolences to Kay Walker, his wife and all of the Walker family members, relatives and friends who were part of Dave's life.

I had the pleasure of meeting Dave Walker last year on June 3rd, 2008. Dave had phoned me early in May after reading about my appearance at the Kiwanis Club in Petoskey, Michigan promoting Dead End. When he called, I was not at home but he left a message to return his call because he definitely wanted to do a story about me and the book’s creation. I thought he was just another reporter looking to ride the popularity of my book and using it as a stepping stone to promote his own career. Boy was I wrong and ignorant of who Dave Walker was. He was a well respected and noted personality in the world of radio and television that did not need me to further an already illustrious career. It was not only true in northern Michigan, but across the country.

I decided to return his call and we had a brief conversation to set-up a date for the television shoot up north near the area where the murders occurred.
"It will be a human interest story by a Michigan author trying to solve a 40 year old murder case. It will be great." Those were the words I recall Dave using.
Because of his upbeat tone, I agreed to meet him for lunch at the Side Door Saloon in Petoskey and discuss what he thought would be the best way to set up the filming.

Shortly before noon on that sunny Tuesday, I pulled into the parking lot, spotted the 7/4 news station wagon that was empty of humans and parked next to it. I strolled into the bar/restaurant wearing my Michigan State Spartan hat which was to be the piece of clothing that would indentify me to Dave. The usual noon crowd had not yet arrived, A young man waved at me and I approached the table and introduced myself, asking if he might be Mr. Walker. "Oh, no. I'm the camera man. Dave is using the lavatory; he'll be out in a minute."

I made myself comfortable, but wondered what type of person Dave Walker would turn out to be. It didn't take long. If one can construct in their mind's eye, Santa Claus without the beard or red suit, you had the physical appearance of Dave Walker. Within a minute after we exchanged our greetings, I knew that I liked Dave Walker. What was more important was that I believed that I could trust Dave Walker. For those people who have known me over the years, that says a ton. Dave Walker was a genuine, lovable, honest and caring human being who brought out the best in you! Why? Because he had already learned in life what was really important. He was the pure example of the Golden Rule philosophy and what it should sound and act like.

Previous to our meeting, I had sent Dave a copy of my book. He told me that he had given the book very high marks and that was one of the reasons that he had called me to do this film spot.
Because his review of the book was so positive, he wanted to make sure that the film shoot would be as interesting as he could make it. He also believed that the public should know and read about the tragedy that happened at Good Hart in 1968. Dave Walker did that and more. I had people from all over Michigan calling and emailing me about what a wonderful story it turned out to be. They were especially impressed by Dave’s questioning of me and his respect in dealing with a subject of a despicable mass murder. In my opinion, only Dave Walker could have told it that way on film and made it the success it was.

On Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2008, Dave Walker passed away after a two-year battle with cancer. He never made me aware of his medical condition during our filming or in other correspondence. Unfortunately, I was never made aware of his passing. I console myself with the fact that it was the holiday season and many people were consumed by the numerous events that happen at that time. I unknowingly sent him a Christmas card, thanking him for his support and hoping to get together after I returned from Florida in the spring. Last week I called the television station to talk with Dave. I was shocked and deeply saddened when the receptionist told me of his passing. In the few hours that Dave and I worked together on the shore of Lake Michigan, I will always remember his quite direction, his patient and sincere interest in order to make me "look good" on film.

Dave will always be a part of my wonderful memories. Dave Walker was my friend and for that I will always be grateful. His voice has been stilled, but his spirit will always be with those who loved, knew and worked with him. Dave Walker- gone but never forgotten. He truly was one of a kind. God Bless you, Dave.

Reflections - RIP

2009-05-16T17:18:00.005-04:00

During the past couple of weeks, I have been recovering from major surgery, and during this down time I've been able to review a number of notes, old police reports and other information related to the Robison murders. It is amazing when one reviews previous information how one could have missed important statements made by prime suspects or persons of interest. In some cases, detectives continued on with their interviews, having missed an important answer or statement given by the person sitting in front of them, oblivious to what had just been said. It certainly gives credence to the fact that many of us concentrate on what we are going to say as opposed to listening to the answers being given. It is certainly is true for me, and unfortunately more importantly, what may have been missed during the initial phase of the Robison investigation.

My comments are certainly not an inquisition to police work that was done during that time because, as we all know, every roadblock imagined in this mass murder case seems to have come together after the discovery of the bodies. However, even after 40years, I feel that much of the evidence that could have been obtained was not, mainly because the lead investigators created for themselves what is now a known fact among law enforcement agencies. That many times investigators develop "tunnel vision" as to who they believe the main suspect is. Consequently, they concentrate on that one particular individual to the expense of the entire investigation. I believe that is what happened in this case.

For example, in an August 7,1968 interview by lead investigators with Joe Scolaro, exactly three weeks after the bodies had been discovered, Mr. Scolaro said, in a matter of fact way: "Robison hated his step-mother, you know." The detectives continued on with their questioning, basically overlooking a revelation to them that Robison was not the natural-born child of Mr.& Mrs. Ross Robison. A fact much later revealed by a family member that sent the detectives scurrying to see if they could find out who the real parents were and if that might have led to some conflict between Richard Robison and his natural mother and father because of his abandonment. Also, it might have been an opportunity for the detectives to pull back the covers as to why Robison "hated his step-mother" and how did Scolaro know this?
Of course none of this was done and now we are left many years later trying to evaluate what it all means. What a shame! More to come, so stay tuned!

Overlooked and Uninvited - Who cares?

2009-05-12T19:45:00.006-04:00

I have recently been bombarded with inquiries by my ardent fans and readers of Dead End as to why I will not be attending the "forum" regarding the Robison murders that is to be conducted at the Petoskey Public Library on May 18, 2009.
Here's my answer - I was not invited - plain and simple. The individuals who initiated this gathering, most of whom from what I have been told by those who know, are people with whom I have written or spoken to in the past. I will have to assume they did not wish the pleasure of my company either because they felt that my presence would be an embarrassment to them or to their abstract theories regarding the case.

To Purchase Dead End...

2009-05-12T19:28:00.004-04:00

You can purchase Dead End online via www.globepublishing.net or www.amazon.com, or request it through your national bookstore chain or the Good Hart General Store.

Announcing the Summer Reading Special!!

From Memorial Day, May 25th thru Labor Day, Sept.7,2009.

You can order your copy of the most recent edition of Dead End today for your own collection or as a gift to someone special.

The Summer Special price is $15.00 with free shipping.
Reg. Price is $19.95 + shipping.
The book will be autographed by the author as instructed by the purchaser.

We are also asking you to consider supporting your local library with current publications of Dead End. We will put your name on a gold foil label inserted on the inside front page listing you as the donor.

Special Library donation price: $10.00 with free shipping directly to the library.

Both of these Specials are only available by sending a Money Order only. (No checks or cash,please.)

Mail order to:
Globe Publishing
P O Box 27386
Lansing, MI 48909

Thank you for your support!