A Mind For Murder

Does A Beloved Professor Have A Mind For Murder?

(CBS)  In February 2005, the Ross family came to Lawrence, determined to win two things: a guilty verdict, and custody of Carmin and Tom's daughter, Ciara, who had been living with them since Murray's arrest.

After investigating for more than a year, the best piece of evidence against Murray is still his 10-hour videotaped interview with the police.

Investigators asked Murray about the day of Carmin's murder. He was seen at 8:30 a.m. when he dropped his daughter off at the babysitters and again around noon when he got her back. No one saw him in between and detectives believe that's when he drove 90 miles to Lawrence to kill Carmin.

Murray: In my mind, I can't get there and back inside the time I have available.

But Hagenbush says Murray could, because he did it: "We were able to show that Tom Murray could drive from Manhattan to Lawrence, have plenty of time to kill Carmin Ross, and return to Manhattan."

Detectives think it took Murray just a few minutes to kill Carmin - first by beating her, and then stabbing her with a knife they believe he got from her kitchen.

When the defense got a chance to speak, Irogonegaray says even though the questioning lasted 10 hours, Murray's statement proves nothing.

In fact, the state's own forensic experts, who prosecutors hope will link Murray to the crime, actually help the defense team make its case. They say that there was no DNA found at the crime scene - and only one fingerprint matching Murray's.

Then, the defense says, the evidence suggests there was more than one person at the crime scene. Police found what looked like two bloody shoeprints.

Faced with a lack of forensic evidence, the prosecution argued that Murray was the only person with a motive to kill Carmin. They believe he exploded after a mediation session just two days before the murder. Prosecutors also say that Murray had another motive - jealousy - because Lima was about to move to Lawrence.

As the state methodically works through weeks of testimony, the trial is long, and at times, difficult. "It's a numb feeling," says Danny Ross. "Because as I sit there, and I saw all the pictures, it makes me think thoughts that I don't think a human being should have to think."

Prosecutors say Murray carefully planned and cleaned up after Carmin's murder - and they next present some startling evidence explaining how an English professor could possibly know so much about murder.

After weeks of testimony, Murray's attorneys said things were going their way and that Murray was not at the scene of the crime.

That's just what Danny Ross is worried about: "If, in fact, the worst case happens and he is acquitted, then the jury is going to put him back with my granddaughter."

[mntocogirl]

I am completely appalled by the first poster''s (jabailo) comments! First & foremost there is never any justification for taking another persons life! PERIOD! Second comparing a man''s violent actions to a bull or a tiger is about as ludicrous a comparison as you could find. We are not animals sir - we are humans & thus are expected to act in a far superior manner than we expect of a bull. Additionally this man was not being held captive in this marriage - if he felt it was so terrible & he was being treated so badly then stop being such a wimp - stand up for yourself - show some pride and walk away!

[nellybean3]

I honestly cannot believe the 2 post that I just read. Clearly you are blaming this woman for her own death. Everyone are responsible for their own actions. Just like you read that she met someone and started an affair, I am sure you read that AFTER she became pregnant, her husband started treating her like ***. She met someone else, fell in love and decided to divorce her husband. SHE MOVED ON! He needed to get over it. He was upset by the fact that he no longer had control over their relationship and her life. Since he did not want to have a baby and "THEY" got pregnant, he decided he lost control - so he gained control by treating her poorly. Once she gained power over that and decided to divorce him, he decided he now wanted something to do with their daughter - just to dig at her. When she decided not to move away to California but instead move 90 miles away, he was pissed by that. You guys don''t know what he did or why she felt that she needed to move away from him. As you know, she was no longer his spouse when she decided to move Lima in with her - which is her right and her choice. And I hardly feel the ex husband was so called "pushed over the edge" and killed her because he was investigating it on the computer. You guys don''t know how her behavior was to him nor his to her - you were not there. You simply read a typed summary which spanned in real life 18 years of marriage.

[graceesmom]

This is a sad case. I feel for the family and the child of the victim. I also feel for Murray in a way. People handle emotional distress differently. I mean it must be quite a blow for someone to tell their spouse that they will be moving out to live with another person and will be taking their child with them. But Carmins father says she would have never left Murray. Well she did. She didn''t go all the way to California but she did leave and with their daughter. You know the people suffering is the families. I guess some people get ruthless when the feel that they dont really know what to do. Murray could have probably gotten custody because there was another man she was involved with. I know that some states see it that way. I hope Ciara has a wonderful life even if it is without both of her parents. A shame that her father took her mothers life. Bless her heart.

[jabailo]

So, what we have here is another O.J.

A man driven to an insane rage...but why?

If a person goes in front of a bull and waves a red cape is it any wonder they get gored? If you taunt a tiger in its cage, and it comes after you -- who is to blame.

The family and the wife in this story were completely disingenuous. Clearly, the wife was selfish. Although he was the primary bread winner as she flitted through various "careers" he seemed to stick by her. She seemed to do what she wanted, when she wanted...and when she was done with him, she cast him aside, walked all over him and shoved a new lover in his face.

It doesn''t justify murder, by really, people have to take account of what drives other people. Her behavior was that of a person who was just as cold-blooded to him as he ended up being to her.