Reaching Out, Touching Hands

[DiamondSmiles]

Originally Posted by kellyhound

An Arizona gunman who killed nine people at a Buddhist temple as a 17 year old in 1991 was sentenced to 249 years in prison.

Johnathan A. Doody, 39, killed six monks, a nun and two other members of the Wat Promkunaram temple outside of Phoenix in an August 1991 robbery attempt with a co-suspect Allesandro "Alex" Garcia — a high school classmate who is also serving multiple life sentences.

The notorious murderers shot their victims in the back of the head and placed them on the ground face first in a circle. The suspects stole $2,600 and valuables from the temple, where Doody"s mother and brother attended.

"These people were peace-loving," Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Joseph Kreamer said at Friday"s sentencing. "These people didn"t seek violence."

Prosecutors could not seek the death penalty in the second and third trial because of a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court ruling against using the penalty for defendants who committed their crimes when they were under the age of 18.
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On Aug. 10, 1991, nine people were killed execution-style in the largest mass murder in Arizona history. Saturday, the community gathered to remember the victims and encourage others to continue their legacy of kindness.

The shooting occurred at Wat Promkunaram Buddhist temple in Waddell on the western edge of the Valley. The nine victims were all members of the temple: the high priest, Pairuch Kanthong; five monks, Boochuay Chaiyarach, Surichai Anuttaro, Chalerm Chantapim, Siang Ginggaeo and Somsak Sopha; a nun, Foy Sripanpiaserf; a novice monk, Matthew Miller; and a temple worker, Chirasak Chirapong.

The bodies were discovered at about 10:30 a.m. on August 10, 1991, but officials believe the shootings occurred about 5 hours earlier. No weapon was found at the temple. Physical evidence showed that the victims were all lined up face down and shot.

Two teenage boys were charged with the murders.

Alessandro "Alex" Garcia, 16 at the time of the murder, pleaded guilty in 1993 to avoid death row. Jonathan Doody, then 17, was found guilty in 1993 and sentenced to 281 years in prison. His sentence was later overturned and he was retried. In 2014, he was again found guilty and sentenced to nine life sentences in prison.

Saturday, more than 100 monks and community members gathered at the temple. At first, they laughed and talked together. But they grew quiet and somber as they joined the prayers and chants in Thai and Vietnamese, holding their hands in front of their chests.

Temple leaders spoke to the crowd, telling them about the murders and how the temple had tried over the past 25 years to hold themselves together as a community and move beyond what happened. They encouraged others to continue the legacy of the victims' kindness and goodness.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office was the agency that investigated the 1991 crime. Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who hadn't yet become sheriff at the time of the crime, presented community leaders with certifiates of appreciation at Saturday's event.

"This senseless killing that took the lives of six monks, one novice monk, a Buddhist nun and a lay person continues to be in our minds," Arpaio said in a statement. "As a law man, I am very grateful justice has been served."

I counted 9 in the one shot. I wonder how Doody will do in prison.

[DiamondSmiles]

Originally Posted by HeyJealousy

Don't know for sure, as that's not my line of work, but I would go out on a limb and say that the time period between 1995 and 2005 brought about significant changes in the processing of police photography.

That's why crime-scene photos dating back to ~1997 tend to look grainier than those from ~2007.

With a film camera, it depends on your shutter speed and speed of the film.

Higher speed films are for freezing motion like a sporting event or concert.

Also, when a photo is enlarged, it gets more grainy. It´s very obvious in black and white photos.

[DiamondSmiles]

Originally Posted by Bazonthebass

Is that an ashtray? Didn't think the Buddos were allowed **** or spliffs?

My crazy neighbor, who claims to be a Buddhist, smokes the **** and marijuana.

I also thought they were very peaceful. She is a psycho, who doesn´t believe in medication, but, needs it badly. I´m not sure how many personalities there are going on with her. Phoniest smile ever!

[minka1]

Originally Posted by Blacksun_Viper1

I’ve seen this type of thing in the case I worked the family held hands because they knew there was no way out of going so they went together

And where was that? Which state?
Or are you recalling executions you carried out of children and their parents in Africa.

[HeyJealousy]

Originally Posted by minka1

And where was that? Which state?
Or are you recalling executions you carried out of children and their parents in Africa.

I could be wrong, but isn't this how the Rhoden Family went out in Ohio a few years back? The family that was supposedly executed over marijuana, tied up and shot in the head? Or am I misremembering?

[RestlessGypsy]

Heartbreaking, but thanks for the awesome post. And great add, Kelly!