In late 1964, with Sharon again pregnant and both young women with newborns, McElroy took up with Alice, a 15-year-old from St. Joseph, Mo., 50 miles south of Skidmore. I must say that I read the book and it was my favorite true crime of all time. truth is she was kens partner in crime terrorizing the residents of skidmore( yeah I know she was young) but you dont just simply forget that . Did she give the money back? It was Valley Road at the time. Of her three kids, only Juarez has had difficulties with the law; assault, possession of marijuana, possession of a shotgun, violation of probation, etc. Any other comments on what other people have said, or what I said? You can make the case that shooting McElroy in the back was a cowardly act. If you are a decent human being there is no way you can condone his actions! She was young and he probably brainwashed her impressionable young mind until she without a doubt thought this was how life was supposed to be. Despite the fact that the shooting occurred in broad daylight while several dozen people watched, everyone who was there that day stubbornly claims they didn't see a thing. Its around 2 hours away from Skidmore. Roadhouse looks like this in its basic plot and conclusion. They use their size and weapons as intimidation so they dont have physical altercations that shows their lack of ability to be a real bad ass. Agreed. Also, it should be noted that the other movie that came out in the 1980s about this story was told from Trena McElroys point of view rather than that of the townspeople. Hmmm. Im going to repeat that so you can hear it again. People dont just do it, unless they are already murderers, etc. What I want to know, is WHO were the officials who let him walk every time and WHY? 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. They are absolutes and when all else fails to destroy evil, then it falls to the individual to do whatever is necessary. McElroy was charged with assault with intent to kill. , I met Jeff in the fall of 1984. Once they got ahold of this story they sucked the life out of that town. My grandparents farmhouse mysteriously burnt down while they were away in the early 80s. Things happen in small town America, but 1 in a million catch the attention of the media so it seems like an isolated incident. It was a credible threat as he had already shot 2 innocent people. "Ken McElroy married for the first time at age 18, and moved briefly to . I am good friends with a nephew of Kens. A 12 year old girl Id raped and terrorized by a grown man and not even her parents protected her. No matter what we see on the outside, Im sure the wounds still remain and run very deep. You stand up to a bully you strip him of his power. He wasnt nearly as mean as portrayed in the movie. A few months later McElroy was killed and I saw his picture through various news outlets and realized who the guy in the Timeout was. You could write a great survival book about her to help victims of domestic violence. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. facts known about the Ken McElroy shooting. And I call he to imply there is some sort collective evil there. When I met him his demeanor was exactly like you described in your book. Thanks again for writing the book. Circling the wagons doesnt help anyone. Its part of life to reflect on your youthful stupidity and take personal responsibility for the awful choices you made as a youthand try to understand why you attracted such a horrible person into your life and what you had to learn from it. Do any of the haters actually know how someone, especially a young person, can be influenced and manipulated into doing things that is wrong? On occasion, such people will be prosecuted and even imprisoned or disbarred. A few stiff sentences, and Dan would have been forgotten, as he deserved to be. You know what would be really interesting would be both you and him meeting in July like we talked about. Does no one stand up to him? Good and evil are not social constructs. Do you know where it can be found? They really do not need their memories spoiled by the memories of the rest of the world. Anyone find out why the judge was so lacking? Well so did BILLIONS of other humans and they didnt turn into serial killers. She tried to get away from him more then once , t so true .she will answer 4 her deeds on judgement day 4 what she did 2 the townspeople but if they say she turned her life around thats good heaven ..HERESSSSSSSSS TRENA, Mp? A judge aint gonna do anything, Caitlin, and I thought I told you to shut your clown whore mouth! Millions upon millions of people endure the exact same problems in early life and dont go through life as a fearsome criminal that the thug was. Ive been there. The world needs more true American men like the ones that killed this POS, She was a victim just like so many others. I can happily say that she seems to be living a fulfilling and normal life and is a very responsible, contributing member of society. It is very sad but true that someone should have stood trial. It was an act of self-defense. I feel like the townspeople were just fed up and tired of being held hostage and terrorized in their own community. You have to remember people were terrorized and held captive in their own town. She did not let her past define her. The law is the law and no one should exploit loop holes in order to ensure someone does not pay for their crimes. Appalling. Kenneth Rex McElroy "Bully" Murder AS her daughter Tami listens, Trena McElroy retells how she watched her husband's life shot away by a man she and her attorney describe as a vigilante gunman. [4], McElroy fathered more than 10 children with different women. Yes, Del Clement was only a few years older than Trena. In 1981, vigilantes in Skidmore, Mo., took justice into their own hands and killed town bully Ken Rex McElroy but no one was charged with the crime. Kind of a nobody saw a thing situation. They had 10 children. As I understood it, the jurors did not hear any information because the charges were dismissed on a technicality. I would have proudly stood behind the trigger that day back then and would do so now. its been said that she moved on & found God and happiness later in life that she had changed . I think I know the answer to this, but the other children of Sally and Ken all know now that he was there father, correct? Plain and simple, Trena was a victim here she was 12 years old when Ken Rex got his hands on her. "Thank god he's dead. Courts and their officers failed Dan McElroy when they didnt just keep him in jail. He appeared in a local bar, the D&G Tavern, armed with an M1 Garand rifle and bayonet, and later threatened to kill Bowenkamp. Ive read al about Ken, always armed with a gun, burning hones! I'd read In Broad Daylight a long time ago. I read a few blogs last night , it looks like alot of people just quote your book, does anyone live on his property now? 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. i am happy that she did get to move on and live a happy life. By all account, Ken was wary, if not scared, of going to jail. I wanted to feel bad for her after all she endured as a child but too much just doesnt really come together. Any woman who protects a child rapist and a sociopath is a waste of space and then made money on her husbands disgusting deeds. That might have been the St. Joe case, where he pulled a gun on a couple, and right before trial they backed out. With that kind of love, she began to see how wrong things were when she was with him, but she was a child and children will do as they are told when beatings are involved! You arent afraid of the man himself, but what he is capable of doing behind your back. Honestly the person I have the biggest problem with is the defense attorney for McElroy. Their rights were ignored completely. I dont have any sympathy for Trena, however. May this sweey woman RIP, and she was to young!! Im curious, also, as to where that thugs house once stood. Good riddance. 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. lots of unanswered questions, just like KR no one will talk, here they have shirts that say stop snitchin, but I say if u know something tell it. He did not pick his father and thank god his father did not raise him. I learned today that Trena McElroy, Ken McElroys former wife, died on January 28, 2012. She had been just a girl, and McElroy was a monster. Back then, law enforcement tended to side with the man or ignored the situation. I figured I might not be the toughest guy around and I wasnt but I figured Id do till the toughest one got there. Oh yes, Im quite sure his lawyer knew exactly what his client was about. The town of Skidmore or maybe I should say the people that witnessed or participated in the execution, I feel may not have had too many choices. 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. DNA can and is irrefutable evidence though. Jeffery has done some amazing things in the 6+ years I have known him. Hello Mr. MacLean. I am not saying that she was right in some of her actions, but, when people are really backed up in a corner and afraid, they do things to survive and to keep the people they love (ie her family and children) safe! I find myself momentarily intimidated, in spite of what hes saying, in spite of all the good I know about him. Congratulations should have been in order after they delivered her from his wicked grasp. Everyone wants to know how he controlled a little girl and others. I live in Lawrence, Kansas which is about 90 miles from Skidmore, Missouri. 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. That human trash partner of hers wasnt worth anythinglet alone the millions she attempted to steal via the legal system. Stealing livestock, ambushing people. With all this said, my heart has always gone out to the people in Skidmore. Were all better without them. The other kids are staying well below the limelight, as far as I know. When you get into a situation that young its you really do NOT know what youre getting into to. If she later realized how brainwashed she was, did she apologize to the town and the people she sued? Classic. Previous Chapter 1 2 3 . Usually, it takes a dangerous gang and a community of people too scared to talk to get away with such behavior. She didnt have the guts/strength to stand up to McElroy. Where was the FBI? The law even puts away innocent people, and executes innocent people. Enjoy reading these comments as well. 1940 living with parents in Green, Nodaway, Missouri [2] Tony Mcelroy Head Male 50 Missouri Secondary, the authorities would have been responsible as well because laws were broken. Working with kids with emotional disabilities requires limitless patience and understanding. Skidmore is 90 minutes or more north and west of downtown Kansas Cit, Peculiar is 40 minutes south. Re-reading In Broad Daylight now. only if you are from that area could you understand what happened. During the meeting, McElroy arrived at the D&G Tavern with Trena. The case was later settled out of court by all parties for $17,600, with no one admitting guilt, for the stated reason of avoiding costly legal fees should the suit proceed. ( unlike myself) And to look into his eyes one can see alot of innocence in a grown mans eyes, For he has a gentle soul.So Harrys first impression at the airport, was not a clear picture of the man he really is. I had relatives in Fillmore, MO and found your comments of there a bit mean. I have just recently heard of this story. Trena did not profit from the movie. The I seen quote kills me. The one and only time McElroy was convicted of a crime, he shot local grocer Bo in the neck after one of his young daughters was accused of shoplifting some candy from the man's store. 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. It was probably held as evidence and then junked, The insurance company took it back, after a body shop in Maryville fixed it up. It takes a lot to reverse that type of brainwashing and Im grateful she found someone to treat her that way she truly deserved. Thanks for the answer to my question, Jeffrey. She must have been an amazing woman moving on from this. An armed McElroy quickly confronted and threatened the marshal and, when the officer called for backup, the police refused to come help. Theres no way anyone could have been convicted of anything, given the evidence of what McElroy had done to Skidmore. I am almost finished with the book, & am shocked at everything that Ken McElroy got away with! And I am sure if this man shot, bullied, stole from, and terrorized you, you would be singing a different tune. Trena did get remarried, about five years after Kens death. The dry weeks hoping the crops would make it. The Sheriff said the case was actually not mysterious at all and simply a murder among drug acquaintances. This is truly shocking its like something out of the middle ages. Cant wait to get your book. Sixteen days after Trena gave birth, both she and Alice fled to Trena's parents' house. Not surprising that one of the kids engaged in a shooting in a bar. Who was Ken Rex McElroy? I know there was a movie made about it in 1991 titled In Broad Daylight in which Brian Dennehy played the part of Ken Rex McElroy. The thug known as Ken has a few defenders just as all criminals have a few defenders. Its up to Jeffrey if he wants to share it. Sharon had children in 1961, '63, '64 and '65, and Sally in '61, '63 and '64. He had his first harem. No sympathy for KM or his wife. Ken may have done wrong is quite an understatement. Coming in waves, for each victim both of them brutally tortured. I had a fascinating interview with her, though. Thanks for the comment. Do not listen to the comments made by people who talked about what she did while married to that monster. This guy spend decades cultivating the reputation he had. Damien, you may well be right. He is all the things his father was not, god bless him! It is easier to some to stick with a deadbeat supplier of food and money and even help him with his crimes than to run away and learn a trade, go to work 8 hours daily, earn their own money and lead a non-criminal life. Im just sorry, her life started out like it did. McFadin was so good at getting McElroy off that, as Unsolved claims, rumors spread that McFaden was actually a mob lawyer. She was bullied by this devious, evil, selfish man, completely dominated, and she made mistakes. Which at the very least is what every human deserves. If they dont need to or dont KNOW they can beat everyone, they act right. 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 . 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. He stole their livelihood in many ways. Working with children who need the gift of a great teacher. He spent time in Denver with his new bride, Oleta, but returned to Missouri because he couldn't hold a job.

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