Most times while watching the news or speaking with the family of a murdered person, the story will end it like this. The killer is still on the street or the killer remains at large. This is aggravating and disturbing to me because the killer could be in the park, riding the bus, in the grocery store or just among members of society waiting to kill over and over again.
With the city again ready to set a modern record for homicides — 430 as of Oct. 13, 2022, more than double by this date in 2013 and 2014 —I can’t help but wonder, how many of these murders go unsolved and families have no closure of who, and why. How many murders do we truly encounter on a daily basis of our everyday life and when will the murderer strike again?
In terms of statistics, the homicide clearance rate for a closed or solved case was just 42 percent. That leaves a lot of murderers walking around, and many who will kill again.
As we have moved into the era of technology, I really thought it would be easier to convict a murder. But according to homicide detectives, they still need a witness that will show up to court to recall what they witnessed, or say they heard the murderer tell them what they did.
Yes, I know it is crazy but this is why a lot of cases fall into a category of unsolved murders even with all of the technology such as home surveillance camera’s, cell phones, etc. If there isn’t enough tangible evidence, the homicide detectives will not take the case to the District Attorney’s Office because it will be rejected and the detectives only have one chance.
This is why homicide cases can take years to close. When a detective is rushed on a case they will make mistakes that may have a negative effect on the case.
I can recall a friend whose grandson was murdered in West Philadelphia at a gas station. At first there were at least four people questioned by detectives and were subpoenaed to be a witness for the prosecution. Two years later the homicide detectives made an arrest and the accused was on trial. When the four witness went to give their testimony all stories changed and the murderer walked and continues to live in the community he murdered in.
In street terminology, he beat the case and took a L for a year while waiting to go to trial but he stands firm on his word he didn’t do it. But it was said threats were made to the witnesses and money was paid to shut them up so he can be free.
A lot of times as parents our anxiety over takes us and we call the homicide detectives with information and wanting answers right away. I can recall the homicide detective assigned to my son’s case saying to me I have to be patient, it’s a long process if we want a murder conviction. The detectives may also say to you many murderers get arrested on something else and befriend someone in jail while in for something else and talk about a murder they have committed. The person they are talking tell on them to get a lesser sentence on their sentences.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of unsolved murders in Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Police Department is going to make an investment in investing cold cases which will be referred to as the Cold Case Squad. The unit will be composed of four teams of two detectives which will total eight detectives in total. Their only job will be to work with cold cases only. This will be good for families having new eyes on their loved one’s cases as well as having a team committed to breaking cases.
In addition to bring light to Unsolved Murders Channel 3 news anchor Joel Holden airs CBS3 Mysteries where he features a cold case each week on the 6 p.m. news. He brings a fresh look at the case in hopes to assist with bringing closure to families in the future.
Kimberly Kamara is the author of “Where’s My Daddy,” a children’s book aimed at kids who’ve lost a parent to murder. The book was inspired by her family’s continuing journey of grief after her son, Niam Johnson-Tate, lost his life to gun violence on July 5, 2017. Kimberly has two daughters and lives in Germantown with her husband.
Leave a Reply