...And (worldly) Injustice for All
EVEN WHEN LIFE DOES NOT MAKE SENSE, GOD HAS NOT LOST CONTROL OF OUR
LIVES. HE WANTS US TO TRUST HIM. HIS PRESENCE IS VERY NEAR.
"Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand." PSALM 73:23
For Jill Behrman, May 31, 2000 was a typical morning. She woke up, ate, and prepared for a
morning bike ride. She had always loved bike riding, though she had not ridden much since the
prior fall, when she went on a trip with the Decycles. She met many others who enjoyed the
sport on this trip, and continued to ride with them after the trip. After college started though, her
time was more limited. She had also loaned her bike out to a friend of her brothers during the
school year, and he was very slow in returning it. She had recently gotten a position at the
student rec center, and with no car.. her bike was her means of transportation to and from work.
She was to leave to go to a summer camp the following Monday, so she had been out recently
getting back in shape on her bike. She spoke with her mom that morning, and her mom asked
her to mow the grass. She had to work at noon that day, so her time was limited. Her mom
asked her to maybe at least mow the front yard, and if she needed a ride to work, call her. She
logged off of her computer at 9:32.
She was said to be seen by a friend south of town, about 4 miles from her house at 9:45a.m. No
one has seen her since. About 30 to 45 minutes after that sighting, Someone spotted her bike
about 15 miles away, dumped along a country road.
It appears she left the house in a hurry. Lights were left on, the door was unlocked, a radio was
playing in her bedroom. She left a box of cereal in the hallway upstairs. Her backpack with her
personal belongings and her work clothes was left in the middle of the floor by the back door.
Her parents claim that it is not usual for Jill to leave the house this way, though it is possible.
Jill was a 19-year-old sophomore at Indiana University in her hometown of Bloomington. She
was a very fit, muscular, weight-lifter who supervised the weight room at the IU Sports Recreation
Services Center. Jill was the ideal daughter, by anyone's standards. She was energetic,
cheerful, and very responsible. And that's why, when later that day, she did not show up for a
planned lunch with her dad and her grandparents, her family began to worry. They discovered
she did not show up for work, either. That evening, knowing Jill did not ride her bike at night, the
family called the police, and went out looking for her. The nightmare was only beginning for
them. She would not just not come home without telling them. She was not like that, at the least
she would call.
Two days later, Jill's bike was discovered in a farmer's field, miles away from her regular route.
Jill's father immediately went to the scene. He thought it was really strange because that
was in an area that was in the opposite part of the county from where she had been
riding. Her father himself said that the family felt certain that whatever happened, her
bike would have been hauled up to that area and either pitched or dumped in that
spot. A typical place for her to have ridden that morning would be more like what is referred to
as the "waterworks" route. It took her south of her house to the Bloomington waterworks station
by the lake. This also would make sense would her last known sighting.
The police began asking people in the area if they had seen anything that day. They went all
directions. One lady remembered being run off the road by someone driving erratically had
Lampkins Ridge road. Another girl said that she had seen Jill around 9:45 on Harrell Road.
After checking on the south side where Jill was last seen, the police went to the area where the
bike was found. The also checked with people at different residences in that area. One house
that the police went to, was that of John Myers II. His residence was over a mile from where the
bike was located. He was outside weed eating his yard the day they came by. They asked the
same questions of him as everyone else that particular day. He had not noticed anything
unusual that he could recall. They questioned everyone who had any information as a
precaution. The even questioned the man that actually stopped and picked the bike up from
along the road. They took samples from his truck, and had him submit to dna samples. They
did the same with the person who found the walkman a few days alter at the church parking lot.
They did it of co workers, family, various others.... This was nothing unusual, to be looked into
for having some type of link. At this time, all of these people were also cleared and not charged
with anything.
Immediately the community pitched in to help find Jill. The Behrmans are a classic American
family with high standards and outstanding morals. This was not suppose to be happening to
them, to her, to the community. Everyone wanted to find Jill and bring her home safely. There
were thousands of tips, many suspects, but no evidence pointing to any person particular.
Hours upon hours were spent searching and questioning.
The FBI was called in, after many man hours and research, they developed a theory: Jill was
riding along, then stopped for a drink of water. At that point, a truck hit Jill. The driver then threw
Jill and her bike in the back of the truck, and later discarded the bike in the farmer's field. This
particular theory was later confessed to by an acquaintance of the man that had been a primary
suspect. A girl gave a very detailed account of how they had hit Jill with a truck they were in
after being out all night "partying".
She gave details that were so convincing, the authorities decided to drain Salt Creek, as this is
where it was reported they had placed Jill. The water was so murky they were unable to find
anything. The decision was made to drain Salt Creek. It was a tremendous effort, with more than
a million gallons of water pumped out. Divers were sent into the creek, Mr. Behrman was right
there. He was very encouraged to find Jill and let justice be served.
They did find items that gave her story credibility. They found a plastic piece of sheeting that
was reported to have been used to wrap Jill's body in. They also found bungee cords, that were
reported to have held the plastic around Jill. They found a black handled knife as well, that had
been reported as a weapon to kill Jill with. This was looking much more like a crime scene than
a "theory". It was a tremendous effort, with more than a million gallons of water pumped out.
But police found no remains, although there were various other items that gave the story
credibility, the plastic sheeting even had cuts in it correlating with what she had said of them
stabbing her after wrapped her up in it. No sign of Jill or any of her remains though.
One other theory thought they had was that perhaps it was all an accident and the person was
fearful to come forward. They also suspected foul play of some sort. Many theories were put
out and many leads were obtained. The only facts anyone had to go by was the sighting of Jill
on the south side of town and the logging off of her computer. Even with the 1000's of leads,
there was no sign of Jill, the search continued without any new developments for nearly two
years. Her parents never gave up though. They were determined to come to a conclusion,
regardless of what the conclusion was. They fought with everything they had.
The story from the girl that claimed to have been with others when they hit Jill with their truck,
followed almost exactly the theory police had developed. She also passed a lie detector test
that this was a true account. The man she named had previous abduction and rape charges
against him. He also was known to borrow a truck belonging to his girlfriend's dad. A person
who had shared a cell with this suspect previously claimed that the suspect told him he was not
worried about them finding a body in the creek. He knew it was not here, he had moved it, and
scattered it in a remote place on a hillside.
Finally. In March, 2003, a hunter was out scouting locations for the upcoming turkey season
when he stumbled over some bones in a remote wooded area. He realized they were human
remains. He reported this and soon dental records identified the remains as those of Jill
Behrman. When this news was told to the woman who gave the detailed account of dumping
her in Salt Creek, the woman was shocked. She didn't believe it was Jill. Mr. and Mrs.
Behrman were notified at their home. It was dreaded, yet needed news. They could now have a
memorial for her and honor her as she deserved. The community had hoped with them, prayed
with them, searched with them... and now, they would mourn with them.
After 34 long months, Jill had at last been found. Only 52 % of the bones were found. Many of
her hand and foot bones were missing. Other personal items were found, including some
earrings. The earrings have never been ID'd, though Jill had gotten her ears pierced a few
months prior to this. The anthropologist determined that the bones could have been placed
there anytime between 2000 and 2002. He could not determine if she was killed at the sight or
not. He could not determine how she was killed. Only the ground under the skull showed any
signs of decomposition. A possible fore stock of a gun was found near the area of the bones.
Many pellets were found as well, near the skull. They were determined to be #8 shot. The piece
that made it possible to identify this as Jill, was a bridge the dentist had made for her a few years
earlier. The bridge was found about 3cm beneath the soil. # 16 shot was recovered in that area
as well. That was the only item found beneath the soil. I might note that the bones were
scattered around on a hillside (which was told prior to them being found to a cell mate). It took a
recovery team a week to collect what they did find.
Meanwhile...
This particular time frame was period in which things were going fairly smooth, and John needed
someone to talk to. He confided to his grandmother that alot of things were not right in his life.
He had done many things wrong. He went on to tell her that if the police knew everything he had
done, he would be put away for a long time. She encouraged John to confess what was
bothering him. He did not tell her anything specific, just that he needed some time alone. The
conversation ended friendly and John never did tell his grandmother the details of what was
bothering him.
In December 2004 John's grandmother has been thinking of the comments he made to her. It is
weighing on her mind that she should report this. She has no facts of anything, but her mind
has been racing. She contacts former Monroe County Prosecutor Carl Salzman. They had
gone to church together nearly seven years prior to this. She tells him about the comment her
grandson made to her. She has been thinking it over and now feels it could have something to
do with Jill Behrman, though they were not discussing that when they talked. She doesn't know
for sure, but feels compelled to mention it. Her bike had been found near his trailer, He had
been questioned previously. She also reported that he told her his dad had taken this
information to the grave with him. Carl Salzman in turn, passes this information on to ISP lead
investigator, Mr. Lang, who was desperate to solve this crime. She meets with Detective Lang at
MCL cafeteria.
They work to bring something together, but nothing fits that will tie John into this. They begin
investigating him further. They find that he once hung out with Uriah Clouse. They see that he
has a record for theft. A girlfriend has obtained a protective order against him. He has spent
time in jail. If only they can find a connection to this case. They work on it for over four
months, and then decided to talk to him. They cannot find anything tangible. The only thing
they can do is change the entire story to now have Jill to have been riding on the north side of
town. If that had happened then, She may have gone in the area where John lived, and he
could be tied in. Time wise, it just did not work our for her to have gone south as was already
determined by previous investigators, friends, and family. Though witnesses saw her south, and
her parents were sure she would have went south... New suspect, new plan... she now rode
north that day (according to Mr. Lang).
In May 2005, John goes into the jail for questioning on some stolen property. He waives his
right to a lawyer being present, doesn't really feel he needs it for this. Very quickly into the
"chat" they are having, the police begin asking about Jill, and what John knows about it, if
anything. The next thing you know they are flat out accusing him of her murder. They have no
evidence and nothing to charge him on, BUT, if they can get him to believe they do ... maybe he
will confess, thinking he is caught red handed. The thing is, John is quite adamant he had
nothing to do with any of it. John was very compliant and denied any involvement. He had
been questioned previously in 2000, due to proximity of his residence to where the bike was
found. He was never named a suspect at that time, though he felt like it. He tells them this. He
holds nothing back. In the jail house interview, they start out friendly enough and almost joking
like. When they cannot get any information from him, they start another tactic. They tell him
that his dad has given them a letter, prior to his dad dying. It states in it details of John
confessing to a crime. John denies it. They hold up an envelope up and trying to convince him.
He realizes this questioning has totally change directions and now they are basically accusing
him of having knowledge of the death of Jill Behrman. He denies this over and over. He offers
to give blood for a DNA sample, he offers to take a polygraph. He insist that he had nothing to
do with it and had no knowledge of who did. They begin badgering him, calling him a liar. They
ask him how big of a piece of the murder pie does he want?? He wants none of it. He maintains
innocence to all. They tell him he is going down. He tells them to take him, as he has nothing to
offer them. They take him and fingerprint him and take oral swabs for dna testing. They also
play the "good cop, bad cop" thing with him. another person comes in to talk to him and tells
John how Detective Lang can be a real "ass". Not to let the things he has said bother John.
This guy think John is great, he keeps building him up... telling him how great it is he has taken
responsibility for his life, how he seems very caring and helpful. Basically he is trying real hard
to just break John down. It does not work though, because John is not guilty!! He finally makes
one last plea, for himself so he does not let the department down, Jill's parents, his wife, his
family... will John please tell him what he knows about this crime. John, as he has all day, tells
him he knows nothing. The detective then begins speaking of a polygraph. He has a great
idea, the only way they can really eliminate John is for John to take a polygraph. John gets
pretty excited about this. He says, "let's do it!" He is all for it, the sooner the better. I don't
think they expected him to be so willing. They kept telling him it would show up if he was lying.
John was fine with that, said he would not be lying and would pass it with flying colors. Needless
to say, John never was offered that Polygraph. He practically begged for it to clear himself.
They had nothing in the way of murder or anything like it to keep or charge him with. They stuck
to their charges of stolen property from an event 5 years prior, and booked him. They had
nothing to keep him locked up for, so he was later released, and Lang went back to work.
March 2006 There is not enough evidence to make an indictment, so they convene a secret
grand jury to hear what they do have. They have no DNA, no physical evidence, nothing
linking John to the crime or the victim. None of the swabs or fingerprints they took from the
victim's bike, walkman, or tool case matched John's. They also did a search of his home and
vehicles, but found none of Jill's DNA in any of those places.
In a grand jury, testimony is only presented by the prosecution to determine if they might be
able to go forward. Any evidence is allowed, does not matter if it is directly related or not. After
several weeks and 90 witnesses, they allow an indictment. Information from this has still not
been released, though it has been requested several times. At the time of the indictment the
investigators were still seeking information from the public. They knew they did not have enough
evidence. They were begging for anyone to come forward. When they released the name of
the suspect, John R. Myers II, no one had anything to tie him in. As the days rolled by, people
started recalling statements he had made, things he had done... Suddenly anything this man
had ever said or done was now tied directly to Jill Behrman, and her disappearance. There was
nothing to prove him guilty though. And in our country, a man is innocent until PROVEN guilty,
right? Or is he guilty until proven innocent as the jurors on the case seemed to assume, and
even make public statements about.
In September 2006 The trial of State Vs. Myers begins. A jury has been chosen, and is to be
sequestered. The prosecution called over 50 witnesses. They had no direct evidence, no
physical evidence. They had statements made to others and assumptions. There was nothing
that linked John to this crime. They had no other tangible suspects either, and the crime
needed solved. John had a history of petty theft and anger issues. He had a girlfriend near
Jill's age. When they broke up, he wasn't happy about it. His grandmother was willing to testify
to a statement she heard from him that could be incriminating. A statement no one else heard,
but her. You will read in the testimony that the grandmother NEVER says he made any reference
to Jill. Actually she says that they were not discussing Jill, nor did he never mentioned Jill. The
statement is just thrown out for the jurors to chew on. This is it. Other than that statement,
which should be considered hearsay, as it was never proven.. nor the subject of the
conversation revealed... There is no evidence of this crime. It is all a "he said, she said" case.
The defense counsel basically sees no point in presenting a big defense, no case has been
proven. Even people that wanted John to be guilty, were surprised that the prosecution had no
more to their case. Word was that he should never have been indicted in the first place. The
defense even ask the judge right then to declare a mistrial based on lack of proof. The judge
replies that he feels there is a "scintilla" (which basically means "speck") of evidence, so they
are to proceed. The defense feels that there is no way at all the state has proven their case,
ESPECIALLY beyond a shadow of a doubt.
The defense makes the decision to not even put forth the defense side of things. They speak
with the family and explain that it is better to just stop and not risk anything. The state has not
proven its case, and that is where the burden lies. After two quick witnesses, the defense rest
early Friday afternoon. Closing arguments are to be held on Monday, and then deliberations.
The family is nervous, but know John is innocent. They have hired a lawyer who knows the laws
inside and out. He would not lead them wrong.
The defense feels that there is no way at all the state has proven their case, ESPECIALLY
beyond a shadow of a doubt. Actually the jury instructions stated that if a case is
presented and is based soley on circumstancial evdience it must be so conclusive
and overwhelming as to determine guilt, or the jury must declare the defendent not
guilty. (We just had the judge say there was a "scintilla" of evidence, so it is not likely this wil
lbe too conclusive or overwhelming.)
Friday evening counsel from both sides is called back in to the court by the judge. A call has
been received from a girlfriend of one of the jurors. She has been talking to her boyfriend on
the phone and has learned that the jurors have been drinking, having food fights, and watching
TV. She tells him of news coverage of the case. The judge calls for a investigation into this.
The "boyfriend" juror is let go from the jury. All others remain.
Further investigation is done on Monday, the judge feels it was ok for the drinking, TV viewing,
and horseplay that went on. He feels that with the one juror dismissed, everything is taken care
of. After closing arguments, the jury is given the case. Less than one hour later, they have
chosen a fore person, reviewed weeks of testimony, and reached a verdict. No one is able to
believe they are done already.
. With only slim circumstantial evidence, they have convicted a man of murder, and
done so in less time than it took them to drink their beers with dinner. People were
stunned. So How did the jurors come to this conclusion? According to one jurors report, he
was waiting for John to be proven innocent, and didn't feel that had happened. Very scary that
the laws our nation was founded on, can be completely turned around, and a man sent away for
not proving his innocence...............you are suppose to prove his GUILT. Another juror
commented that they did not like the way John looked. Another thought he should have shown
more emotion. Others said the grandmothers testimony convinced them, it was the link that took
John to the crime.
The Myer's family is stunned, as well. They had no idea that an innocent man could go to
prison for a murder he did not commit. They thought it had to be proven. They believed in the
justice system. They thought they didn't hear things right.... it must be a dream. Now they are
finding that it is no dream, it is a nightmare, and they just can't wake up from it. Somewhere in
the background they hear a faint voice, it is repeating ....."and injustice for all." But, it will not
end there... God does all things for a purpose. John's innocence will be brought to light, and
then we will have justice, and uncovered a huge corruption within the very forces that vow to
protect us. We pray that the true killer of Jill Behrman will be found. That is the biggest injustice
of all. She is gone, and he is still roaming the streets.
come back.... we learn more everyday about this corruption.
What an awesome Life Song Jill left through her life