Sproket,
I purchased the story online and it was very good.  I still have some nagging problems with how Sherri was murdered and John Reuten's behavior.  I agree with Nels that although he does not believe John had anything to do with it, he knows more than what he has shared and is covering his own ass.  Let's start with Stephanie showing up to John and Sherri's condo to ask John to wax her skis.  This doesn't make sense for a woman to be so balsy as to go to her ex-lover's condo knowing that he is engaged to be married not knowing what John's reaction would be unless she and John had been in contact with each other.  She did it to intimidate Sherri and hopefully cause problems between the two of them so that maybe the marriage wouldn't take place and she knew John was guilty of being in contact with her.  So he appeased her to keep Stephanie from spilling the beans even though he knew that Sherri did not like it one bit. He was in a predicament.  Although I believe he loved Sherri, I think he was addicted to Stephanie sexually.  Maybe he and Sherri had more of a conventional sex life but Stephanie was more of a wild one in the bedroom.  After the marriage, contact with Stephanie continues at some point.  Stephanie steps it up with Sherri and shows up and threatens her.  She figures Johns doesn't know because he never mentions it, and of course Sherri had not said anything to John because she does not believe that John will support her in getting rid of her.  Sherri begins to have suspicions that someting isn't right and her fears are that John and Stephanie may be hooking up.  She had mentioned to someone, Jayne maybe, that how convenient, John leaves and she leaves around the same time and usually on a Monday she is works and has lectures at times.  I believe that Monday that she was murdered she decided she would stay home in case something was up. Ironically that may have been the case. Here is a scenario of how it could have happened.  John and Stephanie planned to get together that Monday at the condo after Sherri would leave because he knew she had this lecture and Stephanie had taken some Mondays off.  Sherri surprises him Monday morning by telling him she doesn't really want to go in to work that she dreaded doing the lecture but she wasn't sure yet.  Now he is reeling, I better cover myself in case Stephanie calls so he turns off the answering machine in case she calls.  He needs to get to a phone to let Stephanie know not to come over that Sherri stayed at home today.  He gets in touch and tells Stephanie.  Now Stephanie knows Sherri is home and she starts thinking this is my opportunity to get rid of Sherri.  She knows John will never leave Sherri and the only way for her to have John is if Sherri is dead.  So she puts her plan into place.  She leaves her car a few miles from the condo and jogs the distance to their condo.  She knows the gated code because John gave it to her.  She has her gun in her fanny pack and puts her gloves on and picks the lock and goes into the condo.  She confronts Sherri and the fight ensues.  She kills Sherri and then proceeds to stage a burglary.  She takes Sherri's car and goes back to where she left her car and leaves Sherri's car there.  John has no idea this happened so he called several times for Sherri but never get a hold of her.  When he is questioned about anyone he drops the ex girlfriend info to the cops but never gives a name.  He doesn't want that pursued because one, he doesn't think Stephanie would do something so horrendous but he has a secret and if that came out his shame would ve revealed how he was cheating and possibly how it could look that maybe it was conspired to kill Sherri.  So he keeps it to himself and does not push the issue with the police nor support Nels in his endeavors to look into Stephanie.  He moves away and does not contact Stephanie for a long time.  Stephanie does not pursue it either as she needs to lie low.  They get together again years later but it never goes anywhere to Stephanie's dismay.  But she knows the truth, she murdered Sherri.  Not until 23 years later did the secret come out and John is reeling, Sherri died at the hands of Stephanie and he is racked with guilt because of the involvement he had with her.  John does not give any interviews with anyone which I think is odd. His behavior to me is of someone who holds a secret.  This is my take on it.  I could be totally wrong but there are just some things that don't add up otherwise.
Jayne Engebretson Weiandt

The impact statements from the Rasmussen family are truly heart felt.  John's is heart wrenching and he loved her deeply.  He seems to be a special man and I can see why Sherri married him.  Sherri was very luck to have had a friend in Jayne Goldberg who still grieves for her friend.  Thank you Sprocket for your dedication and hard work on this case.  I would have never known all the details of this trial had it not be for you to share it with us.  You are truly special and a talented writer.  I will be looking forward to Matthew McGough's book.  Do you think there could be any possibility of a movie on this?  I can see Mark Harman as John Reutten. 

Jayne Engebretson Weiandt

Jayne Weiandt

Shannon said it well!  It infuriates me that Overland would sink so low as to try to point the finger at John for this horrific crime. I an only imagine that it was his client's persuation that it wasn't me! It must have been John!  It's disgusting!  I am praying that the jury will convict this malicious woman and the Rasmussens and Ruettens will have some justice for SHERRI.  I am no pins and needles and I know I am going to cry when the verdict comes out that SL is guilty!! It will be an emotional moment for everyone.

Jayne E.

Sproket,
I have been thinking about the injuries on Sherri's wrists which is believed to be consistent with the rope.  I believe they are more consistent with handcuffs.  On one wrist she had 2 linear lines and the other one.  If you look at handcuffs this would be more consistent.  Which if that was true, then that places SL even more as a suspect and circumstantial evidence. Who else would have handcuffs than a police offer?  It's too bad that wasn't looked at. It would be alot quicker for SL to have used handcuffs on Sherri, more than likely in the stairwell. Maybe the rope was used around her ankles to keep her from kicking.  Would like to know your thoughts.  I can't say enough about your writing and dedication to reporting without pay.  God Bless you Sproket!

Jayne E.

Sproket,
I do not know John Reutten, I did know Sherri.  I agree that he should not be judged for what he did or not do.  Clearly he loved Sherri very much and was traumatized by her death.  I cannot imagine having to come home and see the gruesome scene of your wife lying on the floor dead with all her injuries and already in rigimortis.  As far as contacting Lazarus or seeing her later, in his mind she was not guilty and it was inconceivable to think that.  She was someone he knew well, went to school with, socialized with many of his friends, and became lovers.  They had a history.  I am sure it is very difficult for him going through this trial now knowing that this woman he had this kind of history with is the one who killed his wife!  At least this is what the DNA is stating and its hard to not believe even after 20 plus years that the DNA is reliable.  If that were the case, people who have been released from jail after serving many years and DNA being tested from crimes when DNA was not used and are found to be innocent, then wouldn't a verdict of not guilty based on unreliabilty affect everyone else because of crimes with DNA dating back 20 years?  I hope I am making sense.  I hope we see justice in this case and my heart goes out to the Rasmussens and John.

Jayne E.

Sproket,
I just love reading your descriptions of everyone and your unique way of writing.  Its like a mystery novel unfolding and you decribe all of the characters involved.  You keep me waiting anxiously for the next tid bit of information.  I'm a fan! 

Jayne E.

Sproket,
Does anyone know how tall Stephanie is?  Also, I was wondering if anything has been said about what time Sherri would have gone to work if she had not called in.  If it was typically early in the morning, I'm thinking that Lazarus would have known John and Sherri's routines by staking them out.  She waited for John to leave and then went in the condo before she thought Sherri would leave. It just happened to be a fluke that she called in to work.  If she hadn't someone may have gone to her home or John would have been called that she hadn't showed up to work.  Also, her sister Teresa testified that she left a message for Sherri.  I'm wondering if the police checked her answering machine what time that was.  Would like to know what you think.

Jayne E.