Kenzi Snider has been arrested in connection with the murder of Jamie Penich while both were exchange students in Korea. Kenzi's friends and family do not believe the charges are true, and fear that she has been set up as a scapegoat. We ask for true justice to be served. This site has been set up by Murph (murph@commonmonkeyflower.net), a friend of Kenzi's, as a source of updates on the case.
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Friday, April 26, 2002
(sent along from Kenzi's mother):
It sounds as though Kenzi's lawyer not only does not have a copy of her confession (i.e. the only "evidence" presented against her by American authorities), but also does not have access to the extradition request (which, presumably, would contain the evidence presented by Korean authorities). Hopefully the meaning he intends by the quotation marks ("shortly") is not as bleak as the meaning I assign to such quotation marks.
Ms. Bozonie:
I have just received a formal notice that Korea has filed an
extradition request. I do not have a copy of the full request - only a
notice that it has been filed. I was promised a copy of the full packet
"shortly."
Edward H. Weis
Assistant Federal Public Defender
It sounds as though Kenzi's lawyer not only does not have a copy of her confession (i.e. the only "evidence" presented against her by American authorities), but also does not have access to the extradition request (which, presumably, would contain the evidence presented by Korean authorities). Hopefully the meaning he intends by the quotation marks ("shortly") is not as bleak as the meaning I assign to such quotation marks.
Thursday, April 25, 2002
Sounds as if there's been an extradition request made. This is not a good thing; the hope was that Korea would not act within the allotted 60 days, and lose their chance.
Date: Thu, 25 Apr 2002 18:46:36 +0000
From: *omitted*
To: *murphyr@engin.umich.edu, among others*
Subject: Kenzi Update
Dear Everyone-
Kenzi's first 60 days is coming to a close. She will be released on Monday
or Tuesday, but she is not really free. The law says one can not be held
more than 60 days without being charged. She could be picked up again at
any time, once the US State Department is finsihed with processing and/or
translating the extradition request. She must have an extradition hearing,
which will decide whether the US thinks that South Korea's request is valid.
We do not yet have a hearing date set. I will continue to keep you
posted.
Keep those prayers coming!! Thank you, Heath Bozonie (Kenzi's mom)
Sunday, April 21, 2002
Saw a production of Arthur Miller's play The Crucible last night:
And yes, this *is* the blog I meant to post this too. Think on it.
HALE: Mister, I have myself examined Tituba, Sarah Good, and numerous others that have confessed in dealing with the Devil. They have confessed it.
PROCTOR: And why not, if they must hang for denyin' it? There are them that will swear to anything before they'll hang; have you never thought of that?
And yes, this *is* the blog I meant to post this too. Think on it.
Thursday, April 18, 2002
It was pointed out to me that the link I have to her family's site, below, was broken. I've fixed it, but in fixing it put it back to a url which used to be broken (when the one I had worked). The currently working url is:
http://www.geocities.com/justice4kenzi/
But if you find that not to work, try:
http://www.geocities.com/justice4kenzi/justice.swf
http://www.geocities.com/justice4kenzi/
But if you find that not to work, try:
http://www.geocities.com/justice4kenzi/justice.swf
Monday, April 15, 2002
The unfortunate thing about being a few hundred miles away is that news travels slowly, when it's not "exciting" enough to get into the newspaper.
I did find out today that Kenzi is still being held in West Virginia and that there hasn't been any word on extradition. This is good, as apparently South Korea only has 60 days to request extradition. If they don't do it in about the next 2 weeks, then there's no chance of Kenzi being sent to South Korea. As stated already, Kenzi's ability to get a decent translator in South Korea has been seen to be limited, making defense more difficult.
I also have an address with which to send her letters. If you want to write her, e-mail me and ask for her address. I'd post it, but I'm paranoid, and this way you have to at least fake being supportive of her in order to get it.
I did find out today that Kenzi is still being held in West Virginia and that there hasn't been any word on extradition. This is good, as apparently South Korea only has 60 days to request extradition. If they don't do it in about the next 2 weeks, then there's no chance of Kenzi being sent to South Korea. As stated already, Kenzi's ability to get a decent translator in South Korea has been seen to be limited, making defense more difficult.
I also have an address with which to send her letters. If you want to write her, e-mail me and ask for her address. I'd post it, but I'm paranoid, and this way you have to at least fake being supportive of her in order to get it.
Sunday, April 14, 2002
E-mail correspondence from Jeff Gratz, regarding both this site and Kenzi's family's site:
As I responded to Mr. Gretz, that "the truth shall set you free" is what I am sincerely hoping for. The death of Jamie Penich was horrific, and I have nothing but sympathy and sorrow for those around her. My interest is not, as Mr. Gretz seems to imply, to block the progress of justice. I am interested, as is he, that justice be served properly. However, I believe strongly that actual justice will not involve finding Kenzi Snider guilty, and hope that the concept of "innocent until proven guilty" is preserved.
The fact that the only evidence against Kenzi is a confession, which was allegedly extracted during questioning by FBI agents which did not occur in the presence of a lawyer; the fact that this confession has not been made available to the court file or to her defense; and the idea of her being extradited to Korea, where Anneloes Verwyk, the roommate of Jamie Penich, has noted that Kenzi could not get a reliable translator while being questioned by Korean officials, immediately after the murder, all lead to the conclusion that the course of justice is not being carried out as it should be. Whether Kenzi Snider is innocent or guilty, a thorough and open investigation will only assist in reaching an accurate verdict.
As for the Penich family's disbelief of Kenzi's "confession", I do not wish to say that they doubt the idea that she confessed, or that they doubt she is guilty. I merely wish to point out the fact that they accept her guilt while rejecting the explanation of the night's events that she has supposedly confessed to.
I refer to an article from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from March 2, 2002:
Penich's family can't believe she would have made sexual advances on Kenzi. Kenzi's friends can't believe she would assault another person. Both groups may be right, or both may be wrong. Neither can prove their point merely by insisting that it is so. Instead, we must both push for justice to be served.
I urge you, Mr. Gretz, to join me in asking for true justice, whether or not Kenzi is actually guilty.
to whom it may concern...
I am jamie penich's former fiance... my contact with Kenzi was a result
of trying to find answers in this case. She was more than happy to oblige
and we kept each other up to date on what was going on... We were both
looking for answers. I've found my answers (as have Jamie's family).
As far as my quotes that were pulled from emails that I had sent to Kenzi
which appear on her website, the quotes were taken out of context of the
emails and out of context with the phone calls that surrounded them. At
no point did I state any soldiers were set free or any other information
AS FACT. I was merely, and I stated this to her on several occasions,
passing along what I had heard. This came from several sources, some
newspapers, some conversations with the family, some with people
investigating the case. I claim no responsiblity for the comments other
than, as I stated before, "passing along second hand info."
Another point I must take issue with is the statement on the website that
"the family dismisses the confession as untrue". No, I believe the
confession, as do the family. We believe that is what Kenzi said. Do I
agree with the notion that Jamie made passes at Kenzi? No. And even if
she did, so what? It's a moot point. An innocent person is dead. Kenzi's
confession will be made public to the defense attorney when the time is
appropriate and within the guidelines of the law... no law is being
broken by not showing them at this point.
I also take exception to the fact that my name was used on the website. I
do not agree with your cause, I do not support it... and furthermore... I
do not wish my name to be associated with it. Period. You can take me
off your list if you wish... or don't... I will be keeping an eye on the
website as well as the weblog to see whatever else is going on... and I
will be alerting the proper authorities of the sites existance so they
can too.
Please don't take my email as hostile. I hold no hostility to anyone on
this list. Noone here has done anything wrong. I am upset that my name is
being tossed around on the site in a way that doesn't really mean squat
in the long run, all it does is draw attention away from the matter at
hand. Who CARES what I said someone told me about the case? I don't mean
anything here... the victim matters, the authorities matter and now Kenzi
matters because she made a confession. The media, the websites, the
articles, all that stuff, doesn't mean a THING at this point. Justice
will be served however it needs to be served.
the truth shall set you free
jeff gretz
As I responded to Mr. Gretz, that "the truth shall set you free" is what I am sincerely hoping for. The death of Jamie Penich was horrific, and I have nothing but sympathy and sorrow for those around her. My interest is not, as Mr. Gretz seems to imply, to block the progress of justice. I am interested, as is he, that justice be served properly. However, I believe strongly that actual justice will not involve finding Kenzi Snider guilty, and hope that the concept of "innocent until proven guilty" is preserved.
The fact that the only evidence against Kenzi is a confession, which was allegedly extracted during questioning by FBI agents which did not occur in the presence of a lawyer; the fact that this confession has not been made available to the court file or to her defense; and the idea of her being extradited to Korea, where Anneloes Verwyk, the roommate of Jamie Penich, has noted that Kenzi could not get a reliable translator while being questioned by Korean officials, immediately after the murder, all lead to the conclusion that the course of justice is not being carried out as it should be. Whether Kenzi Snider is innocent or guilty, a thorough and open investigation will only assist in reaching an accurate verdict.
As for the Penich family's disbelief of Kenzi's "confession", I do not wish to say that they doubt the idea that she confessed, or that they doubt she is guilty. I merely wish to point out the fact that they accept her guilt while rejecting the explanation of the night's events that she has supposedly confessed to.
I refer to an article from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from March 2, 2002:
That account was immediately dismissed by relatives of Penich, who was engaged to be married at the time of her death.
"There's no possible way that Jamie would ever do anything like that," said Penish's uncle, Bill Sherback, who spoke for the girl's parents at their home in Derry, Westmoreland County. "We feel Kenzi's just trying to cover her tracks any way she can and grasp at straws."
Penich's family can't believe she would have made sexual advances on Kenzi. Kenzi's friends can't believe she would assault another person. Both groups may be right, or both may be wrong. Neither can prove their point merely by insisting that it is so. Instead, we must both push for justice to be served.
I urge you, Mr. Gretz, to join me in asking for true justice, whether or not Kenzi is actually guilty.
Saturday, April 13, 2002
Some people to write to:
Senator Mark Dayton (US Senator from Minnesota, where Kenzi's family lives):
SR-346, Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, District of Columbia 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3244
Fax: (202) 228-2186
E-mail: http://dayton.senate.gov/webform.html
Senator Paul Wellstone (US Senator from MN):
136 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: 202 224-5641
Fax: 202 224-8438
E-mail: http://wellstone.senate.gov/webform.html
Senator Robert Byrd (US Senator from West Virginia, where Kenzi lives and goes to school):
311 Hart Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: 202-224-3954
Fax: 304-343-7144
E-mail: senator_byrd@byrd.senate.gov
Senator John Rockefeller IV (US Senator from WV):
531 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6472
Fax: (202) 224-7665
E-mail: senator@rockefeller.senate.gov
Find your Senator
Senator Mark Dayton (US Senator from Minnesota, where Kenzi's family lives):
SR-346, Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, District of Columbia 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3244
Fax: (202) 228-2186
E-mail: http://dayton.senate.gov/webform.html
Senator Paul Wellstone (US Senator from MN):
136 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: 202 224-5641
Fax: 202 224-8438
E-mail: http://wellstone.senate.gov/webform.html
Senator Robert Byrd (US Senator from West Virginia, where Kenzi lives and goes to school):
311 Hart Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: 202-224-3954
Fax: 304-343-7144
E-mail: senator_byrd@byrd.senate.gov
Senator John Rockefeller IV (US Senator from WV):
531 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6472
Fax: (202) 224-7665
E-mail: senator@rockefeller.senate.gov
Find your Senator
I remember a conversation from a few years ago in which Kenzi and I were discussing the commonness of names. A web search for "Richard Murphy" would turn up tens of thousands of hits, while a search for "Kenzi Snider" turned up none.
I wish it had stayed that way. When she first got home from Korea after the murder, there were a few hits in which her name was mentioned as a friend of Jamie Penich's. A web search this afternoon turns up 187, all of which look to be related to this case.
Stars and Stripes, May 24, 2001, contains the case as it stood a year ago, with the South Korean and American authorities looking for a male suspect, specifically invetigating US servicemen. The same source, cached by Google, March 5, 2002, has a new story, in which Kenzi has been accused, though apparently there exists no evidence except a confession by Kenzi--which Jamie Penich's own family decries as false.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 12, 2002, describes the trial at which Kenzi was denied bail, noting that her confession has neither been shown to her defense attorney nor attached to the public record of the trial.
Meanwhile, a story by Yahoo News/Reuters, March 2, 2002, demonstrates the non-clarity of the case. They seem to play up the story of a sexual advance, yet the account of who did what is completely opposite what the other sources say.
I wish it had stayed that way. When she first got home from Korea after the murder, there were a few hits in which her name was mentioned as a friend of Jamie Penich's. A web search this afternoon turns up 187, all of which look to be related to this case.
Stars and Stripes, May 24, 2001, contains the case as it stood a year ago, with the South Korean and American authorities looking for a male suspect, specifically invetigating US servicemen. The same source, cached by Google, March 5, 2002, has a new story, in which Kenzi has been accused, though apparently there exists no evidence except a confession by Kenzi--which Jamie Penich's own family decries as false.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 12, 2002, describes the trial at which Kenzi was denied bail, noting that her confession has neither been shown to her defense attorney nor attached to the public record of the trial.
Meanwhile, a story by Yahoo News/Reuters, March 2, 2002, demonstrates the non-clarity of the case. They seem to play up the story of a sexual advance, yet the account of who did what is completely opposite what the other sources say.
Kenzi's brother has also set up a website about Kenzi's case.
Kenzi Snider, a student at Marshall University in West Virginia and a friend of mine, has been arrested for the murder of Jamie Penich, which occurred while both were exchange students in South Korea. Kenzi has been denied bail and is facing extradition charges, and Penich's family has expressed a desire to see her executed. I, and everyone who has ever known Kenzi, find this deeply disturbing.
I have created this weblog on which to post information about the case; if you are a friend of Kenzi's and wish to add something to the site, either send it to me or ask me for access: murphyr@engin.umich.edu
I have created this weblog on which to post information about the case; if you are a friend of Kenzi's and wish to add something to the site, either send it to me or ask me for access: murphyr@engin.umich.edu