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Retraction--Sex Offender's Body Burned, Beheaded
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by Michelle Says So | November 9, 2007 at 09:40 am
3010 views | 17 Recommendations | 16 comments
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SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT...MY RETRACTION:
I am retracting my statements below regarding the deceased, Daniel Sorensen. I received an email from a friend of his today in which I learned more details.
I never have a problem admitting when I am wrong and I have no qualms about saying "my bad". What I said below was a "my bad"...but that's an understatement.
Daniel Sorensen was legally considered a "sex offender" because when he was in high school he had sex with another girl who was younger, but both were in high school. The crime? They were BOTH underage.
I will admit, when I think of a "sex offender", I see a dirty old pervert molesting or raping some poor victim or a helpless child. In this case I could make an anology in my own life...I suppose my high school boyfriend could have been arrested as a "sex offender"...even though he was only 6 months older than me and in the same grade. We were both 16, and it was consensual. However, I don't think the laws in my home state are that stringent over typical high school sexual behavior.
Therefore, I am retracting what I wrote below and am focusing on WHY David Sorensen was killed. This is the latest information I have learned and collected:
Two teens have been arrested and arraigned in connection of the murder of Daniel Sorensen. Two teens Alexander James Letekemann, 18, and Jean Pierre Orlewicz, 17, have both been charged with first degree homicide and mutilation of a corpse.
No motive has been established as of yet. Investigators called it a "Thrill of the Kill" and stated it was premeditated because Sorensen was lured into Orlewicz's grandfather's garage which was already prepared with a plastic covered tarp covering the floor along with cleaning fluid to cover up evidence. Prosecutors noted that the other teen, 18-year-old Letekeman, was allegedly only involved in disposing of Sorensen's body; however, most details have not been released due to the pending investigation. There are also other persons of interest.
It was noted that Sorensen owed a small amount of money to Orlewicz, but investigators don't believe that was the motive for the killing. Only time will tell in this investigation.
Until then I apologize to the family and friends of this victim.
ORIGINAL STORY
Now, I happen to believe in vigilante justice. Not in all cases of course, but in cases like the story below. Sometimes the "justice system" can't punish sick people like this enough than what outraged citizens can do. Not that I am saying his sex offender status was the contributatory factor in his death...
Bottom line: If you are a registered sex offender you will be OSTRACIZED for life. Ever see the show "To Catch a Predator" on MSNBC with Chris Hanson? 30+ idiots who sometimes know they have fallen into a trap are caught each day just like fish swimming upstream in order to get 'laid'. This is a disease. And sometimes the severity of the disease is absolutely incurable.
So as far as acting out in vigilante justice on people like this? I say, so be it. I would turn the other cheek because I feel that those who physically hurt others, whether it be physically, sexually or emotionally deserve what they get.
Anyone see the movie or read the book "A Time to Kill"? If not, read or watch and you'll see what I mean. Try the movie or read the book "Sleepers" by Lorenzo Carcaterra as well. It is a true story, unlike John Grisham's "A Time to Kill". Another good example of vigilante justice, but which was stymied in her plot was "Eye for an Eye" with Sally Field finding revenged on her raped and murdered daughter played by the perfect psychopath Kiefer Sutherland.
Police Have Not Identified a Suspect or Motive in the Gruesome Crime
NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Nov. 9, 2007 —
Residents along a cul-de-sac told police they saw a small fire near the spot where the burned and beheaded body of a convicted sex offender was found.
Police said the fire was seen Wednesday night near Hidden Ridge Drive about 20 miles northwest of Detroit in Northville Township, the Detroit Free Press reported Thursday.
The body of Daniel Gene-Vincent Sorensen, 26, of River Rouge, was found about 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the end of the cul-de-sac by a township sewer and water department crew, according to the Free Press and The Detroit News.
He was identified by the Michigan State Police through a fingerprint taken from his burned hand. The print also revealed Sorensen had been a registered sex offender in Illinois.
Sorensen's head has not been found and a cause of death has not been released.
"Who would do something like this to my son? It's not real to me right now," said his father, Jim.
Sorenson, of River Rouge, worked as a bar bouncer, his father told WJBK-TV.
The criminal sexual conduct charge stemmed from a relationship the younger Sorenson had had with an underage girl, his father said. His sex offender status was "a cloud that hung over his head," his mother Kim told WXYZ-TV.
"He was a good person ... but he had a rough life," Kim Sorenson said.
We'll see what kind of "good person" he is when his life is revealed. No one gets beheaded for being a good person with a "rough life".
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Michelle Says So
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (16)
at 09:51 on November 9th, 2007
Agreed. Have you seen Dexter, a show on Showtime? I think you would love it.
at 12:49 on November 9th, 2007
In the world we have been given by George Bush, vigilantism is praised? While I am no friend of the sex offender, ANYONE who rejoices in murder is more worthy of being ostracised by society. The ignorance of Michelle's comment shows a complete lack of understanding of the underpinnings of the laws of society which keep her safe.
The dispicable acts of a man should be punished, and sometimes aren't. That's unfortunate. The remedy is not to empower little minds to destroy civilized society. Burning and beheading may be common in Iraq, but is this the kind of world you want to live in?
The post omits any description of the nature of the sex offense. It MIGHT have been one of the many circumstances where a 19 year old has consensual sex with a 17 year old and winds up on the sex offender registry because of a man daddy. Not enough info here to tell.
What is here is a clear indication of how hysterical society has become about this issue. Nothing in a civilized society warrants beheading and burning. You are far worse that this sad perp if you do.
at 13:05 on November 9th, 2007
Well said, while his crimes might (MIGHT, the article implies it was a consentual relationship with him and a younger woman, which happens all the time and is actually legal at a much younger age in Canada) be terrible, they still don't warrant a beheading/burning.
What if he had ended up like thousands of others and turned out to be innocent of his crime?
at 13:40 on November 9th, 2007
There is nothing in the article that suggests what her age was. The fact that he is legally a sex offender is what "offends" me. As both of you are men, I am going to assume you have never been assaulted. In that case, you do not know what it is like to be a victim of a sexual assault.
I am not praising what was done, I don't rejoice in murder...but I still believe in vigilante justice AS NEEDED when the legal system doesn't do jack.
All I can say is that he must have done something pretty heinous to have been killed the way he was.
at 14:15 on November 9th, 2007
This also assumes that his murder was connected with his being a registered sex offender. Do we know this for sure?
at 15:19 on November 9th, 2007
Michelle, you are advocating vigilante justice but in the same paragraph you say you would turn the other cheek. That seems contradictory.
As for my opinion, I have been outraged at lots of crimes, including sex offenses. There ARE some sick people out there, and they should not be allowed to be free as you and me. I have even entertained thoughts of vigilante justice. However, I realize that while the justice system does fail, exacting a personal brand of justice is not the lesser of two evils.
I sincerely doubt many people would disagree with your sentiment, but the idea of vigilante justice is a slippery slope. Who decides who's guilty? Who decides the punishment? Is any attempt made to make some sort of sense of the crime, or are things just supposed to be right or wrong? While it's perfectly fine to talk about it, I hope you realize that what you're proposing isn't just.
Remember, one can never control another's actions and words, only one's own.
And for the record, Daniel Gene-Vincent Sorensen was convicted of "Criminal Sexual Conduct - Fourth Degree - Victim Between 13-16" according to Family Watchdog . A description can be read on this page, Sexual Assault Statistics - Central Michigan University.
at 15:19 on November 9th, 2007
"Somebody went a long ways making an effort to obscure the identity
of this man," said Northville Township Public Safety Director John
Werth.
Sorensen was convicted in 1998 in Illinois of criminal
sexual abuse of a teenager, according to the Illinois Sex Offender
Information Web site. He is listed on both the Michigan and Illinois
sex offender registries.
Sorensen's torso was found next to the
curb of a new street in a yet-to-be developed subdivision south of
Maybury State Park. His head is missing.
Werth said he didn't
have a motive for the slaying and has no indication the death is
related to Sorensen's status as a sex offender.
Sorensen
apparently was killed and perhaps decapitated elsewhere, before his
body was dumped near the curb. An autopsy to determine the cause of
death is set for today.
Investigators said Sorensen appeared to have suffered numerous stab wounds.
(SOURCE)
at 15:21 on November 9th, 2007
Michelle Says So, good stuff.
at 15:32 on November 9th, 2007
James-- My quote: "I would turn the other cheek."
Meaning, I would look away and disregard the law if I saw something that I believe was in the name of justice and safety...HOWEVER just in extremely violent or sexually motivated crimes. That's what I meant.
Tell me this...if OJ got knocked off would you cry about it? That would be an example of what I would consider vigilante justice.
at 15:32 on November 9th, 2007
Here's a quote from a knowledgeable source:
OK, fine, it was from The Punisher. But I think it applies here. If someone raped, murdered, or someway else destroyed one of my family member's life I'm not so sure decapitation would be enough.
at 15:38 on November 9th, 2007
Michelle Says So, thank you for posting and starting an interesting discussion on our site; I would, however, ask that this piece be placed in the category of "Opinions" (something I'd consider for many of your pieces) as it expresses your view on the subject matter at hand. You are, of course, allowed to have your opinion and your say, but using the category of "Opinions" would better serve your work.
Please let me know if you have any questions about this.
at 15:38 on November 9th, 2007
THANK YOU BigT...now there's someone who agrees with my vantage point! :)
And I like the quote...even though it's from a movie...lol.
at 20:28 on November 9th, 2007
Michelle Says So, Good stuff.
The death of a man who committed an act when he was possibly 15 or 16 years of age and the label they gave him as a sex offender could be a relationship he had with a minor 13 to 16years of age is a quandary, at such a young age and not knowing all the facts of the offence, such as sex with a 13-17 year old? I would think the person was most likely 13-14 years of age. Court records state it was a relationship, therefore consensual. Though I am fairly sharp on Canadian Law, American Law and what certain statutes in the Michigan State in 1998 is anyone's guess.
I feel for his Mother and Father and sibling whose grief on cannot give empathy. It must be unbearable to them.
After reading this story here, I seriously doubt this murder was tied into something 10 years previous. It says he worked as a bouncer in a bar, some bars are criminal hangouts for gangs, drugs, you name it. He may have pissed someone off or was involved in criminal gang activity, that is where I would be heading for clues. Another clue is the horrendous act how they mutilated the body, these people knew him and he knew them, no dounbt about it. How I see it possibly went, is like this, take him either by force or act all friendly then they stab him first, removing his clothes second, wrapping him up, stuff him in a car or van, drive to the location where the body was found and dump the body where it is unlikely to be found right away (Construction site in a development) and then behead him and finally burn him, based on my experience in attending crime scenes means it was very, very personal and hate filled with the real possibility they did not want his identity known right away, hence taking his head with them, hard to get DNA and dental records when the head is missing, clothes are gone too! I am pretty sure the killers did not know of his previous sex offender status or they would have taken his hands as well so fingerprints would not be taken.
That is why they left his hands intact as police even with these fingerprints cannot find law abiding citizens as they are not in a police fingerprint data base, unless in confidential of classified government employees.
Most likely they will find the head and clothes buried in nearby Maybury State Park, as it is a stones throw away. That's where I would look, it is unlikely the head was burned, so tracking dogs will have one less thing to smell, especially if these items are sealed and buried in plastic.
In ending it is so hard to comment unless one has the whole story on what he may have done to deserve this, this was a recent offence, drug dealers do this to people who have transgressed them. They butcher someone as a show to others not to cross them,Vietnamese Gangs and Latino Gangs may be more likely to do this sort of crime. There are many gangs in Michigan, I think 12 of them, though a mix of races, they are small in number with asian and hispanic/latino gangs with the largest membership.
My final thought would be it is associated with the people who frequent his bar, and this based on that alone as I do not have any of his personal info, such as lifestyle etc.
But hey what do I know?
at 21:24 on November 9th, 2007
You are totally right. I was thinking about the "bouncer" job he had. Could have been a drug deal gone bad. We're talking about Detroit, here... Serious gangs...possibly a serious message to someone(s). Just the heinous nature of the crime.
I may have jumped the gun on it being related to his sex offender status, but I have a tendency to lean that way just because it always seems plausible since this sort of thing is not uncommon.
Thanks Barry! Good points and well taken!
at 21:46 on November 9th, 2007
No Problem, Michelle, some go looking for trouble as his father stated a troubled life, and when looking for it, it will certainly find You!
at 12:59 on April 10th, 2008
all i can say is i wish i would of been michelles b/f at 16 !!!!