A Grain of Salt by Joe Cline
I haven’t had the chance to read this book yet, but for those of you who have would you please write your commentary and reviews of this book for the people of Pocomoke to read and discuss what you found to be the main points.
This book was written about the murder of a an infant child in Pocomoke City, and how this case was allegedly covered up from the very begining of the case, to such an extent that the writer of the book found himself in jail.
Please fill us all in !
Stephanie
posted on: Saturday, September 19th, 2009 @ 10:04 am
I have not read the whole book yet - just got it - there is no mention of Pocomoke anywhere in it - the author does not identify the locale at all - why is that?
posted on: Saturday, September 19th, 2009 @ 10:47 am
Maybe because he was threatened with his freedom?
Yet another trying to tell of the wrongdoings who doesn’t name names.
hmmmm
posted on: Saturday, September 19th, 2009 @ 10:58 am
Joe Cline never mentions a name, town, or anything else, that will lead the reader to Pocomoke . But if you are familier with the media coverage, what there was of it, you will know it is about a Pocomoke City resident and her family, the Pocomoke City Police Department, and our Worcester County States Attorney’s Office. Mostly the Worcester County States Attorney.
I have been asked if I believe Joe Cline is completely truthful in the telling of his book. YES, I do. I believe he started writing this story as he was going thru the investigation, which took place several years after the baby died. I believe this book was one way he could deal with everything that was transpiring through out the investigation and the pending trial.
It is an eye opening story, and if something like this can happen in this case, you know it has and is happening in other cases here in Worcester County.
I just hope that when his re-election comes up, someone (Beau Oglesby?) will run against him, and WIN!!!
posted on: Saturday, September 19th, 2009 @ 11:13 am
I find it hard to believe, but it does seem that there have been a few people “threatened” in some way to keep quiet and even coerced into putting out a lot of dis-information on the various blogs.
posted on: Saturday, September 19th, 2009 @ 11:50 am
He was never in jail. He went before a grand jury for a reported assualt that occurred from a female inmate in custody. What is the State’s Attorney supposed to do in that situation?? Ignore the plantiff because they were a prisoner? A grand jury was called and decided not to move forward. Kline was boys with the so called corrupt cheif and personally hired as a DSGT by him . So I guess they went after one of their own??
posted on: Saturday, September 19th, 2009 @ 12:18 pm
Brenda, how would one find the media coverage on this murder?
posted on: Saturday, September 19th, 2009 @ 12:43 pm
robert-Anon, where would the info on his case be found? In public recoeds somewhere I’m sure but don’t know how to get there from here.
posted on: Saturday, September 19th, 2009 @ 12:46 pm
SeaShed,
Go to Maryland Judiciary Case Search under Worcester County and Look up Christine Marie Zabel
I think that is the only place you will find any information.
posted on: Saturday, September 19th, 2009 @ 6:20 pm
I remember that happening several yrs ago but the story kind of was covered up-WTH?
posted on: Sunday, September 20th, 2009 @ 12:56 am
I am not sure what happened, all I know is that by looking at the cases, a child died and that this person was acquitted of the murder. There was another case of child abuse, I just don’t understand how a child could die and no one would be found guilty, it’s not like the child died of natural causes. The case was closed just a few years ago.
You can go to the link below
http://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/inquiry/processDisclaimer.jis and look up the cases where this Christine Marie Zabel is a defendant. She had 2 addresses, one on Sheephouse Rd. one on Market Street in Pocomoke and Little Brown Rd in Salisbury.
posted on: Sunday, September 20th, 2009 @ 6:44 pm
The autopsy was not admissable in court with the child that died. She also has another child because there is a child support case open in Wicomico County earlier this year.
posted on: Sunday, September 20th, 2009 @ 6:48 pm
I read the book this past week. I had heard rumors but wasn’t sure how true they were but this book has made me beleive that those rumors were correct. I don’t understand why Mr. Cline or someone else didn’t go over the local goverments head on this. A child was murdered and nothing was done about it. Maybe somebody should give this story and some of the other happenings here in Pocomoke to some news show like Dateline or 20/20 and let them do a investigation and blow all of these so called officals out of the water.
posted on: Monday, September 21st, 2009 @ 10:45 am
ALSOCURIOUS,
I agree with you 100%, but remember, its the States Attorney’s Office that did this, not the Pocomoke Police Dept.
Remember, Billy Burke sent a copy of the tape recording of McDermott and Stephanie to the Worcester County States’s Attorney, who then contacted McDermott and informed him of the tape. A copy was also sent to the Attorney General’s Office at the same time, yet they never responded.
If it is the Attorney General’s Office that would be contacted about the State’s Attorney’s Office, would they even bother? Or, are they just as bad as our State’s Attorney?
Will Billy Burke get a fair trial because of our State’s Attorney’s Office, I don’t think so.
I say, we need to get a new Worcester County State’s Attorney when the next election comes up.
Remember, the State’s Attorney decides if, when and how a case goes to court.
posted on: Monday, September 21st, 2009 @ 4:06 pm
Brenda: I guess you have a real problem with the State’s Attorney but you are giving out false information. The original case was handled and bobbled by a Lt. at the PPD. DSGT Kline found the error and went ahead with the charges. The State tried the case. The State’s Attorney never contacted McD about the tapes. MCD contacted their office to report being a victim of a crime. He was advised to contat PPD if a crime had occurred who recived a warrant and probable cause from a Judge and a court commissioner. If you don’t like the SA and want Beau thats fine you have every right to your opinion. Just don’t go spreading misinformation for political purposes.
posted on: Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 @ 10:01 am
Anon,
I believe McD himself said he had been contacted by the SA’s office.
posted on: Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 @ 10:59 am
Scott Mitchell monitors the Tattler, he testified he heard the snippet recording and called Mike and Mike called Joel.
After Billy had already sent it to Joel and to the Attorney General Doug Gansler, and to Martin O’malley
posted on: Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 @ 11:53 am
Anon,
First of all, McDermott said himself, he had been contacted by the State’s Attorney.
As for political purposes, the only purpose I have is to see justice done. In this case, there was no justice done for this baby.
Furthermore, the case would never have been re-opened if the social worker had not felt it warrented it. That is where Joe Cline came in.
Also, I do believe Beau Oglesby would make a better State’s Attorney for Worcester County, and yes that is my opinion.
posted on: Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 @ 3:38 pm
This post is courtesy of SUZ, from blinkoncrime.com, I thought you would find interesting:
Hey, Blink, this is probably a good ruling for you to know about (it’s one for the GOOD guys!)..
snip
(09-22) 12:14 PDT MORGAN HILL — A South Bay lawyer wasn’t acting as a Peeping Tom or a member of the paparazzi when he hired an investigator to stake out a Morgan Hill official in an unsuccessful search for evidence of a suspected romantic affair, a state appeals court says.
Instead, attorney Bruce Tichinin was exercising a citizen’s right to look into possible government wrongdoing, and can sue the city of Morgan Hill for allegedly retaliating against him by denouncing his actions, the appellate panel in San Jose said Monday.
Tichinin’s lawyer said the ruling by the Sixth District Court of Appeal should be good news for anyone, including the media, who is trying to find out what public officials are up to.
“You’re (constitutionally) protected when you lawfully gather evidence,” said attorney Steven Fink. “You can fight city hall sometimes.”
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/22/BA4719QGN3.DTL&tsp=1
posted on: Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 @ 6:35 pm
Why would the State’s Attorney care either way about the wire taping and why would he care enough to alert McDermott? What does Todd have against the Burkes? McDermott contacted Mr. Todd to do an investigation after he realized his conversation was posted online. McDermott wanted to save his butt once he realized he was caught making stupid comments. Mr. Todd I’m sure just wanted to stay out of the whole thing. He had nothing to gain by doing the investigation whereas McDermott had everything to gain from having the comments removed and from getting the Burkes in trouble. It was McDermott’s idea not Todd. Todd was just doing his job.
posted on: Thursday, September 24th, 2009 @ 9:57 pm
If Todd was doing his job, why has’nt Mcdermott been arrested?
posted on: Friday, September 25th, 2009 @ 8:02 am
Anon (lame name, but no disrespect)-
You do realize Mr. Todd was the prosector in the case against Christine Zabel, correct? Have you read this book?
It does not name names, but some brief research in the Maryland judiciary site spells out the who is who.
So this is very bizarre: a somewhat similar set of circumstances for Christy L Freeman:
http://www.wusa9.com/printfullstory.aspx?storyid=63104
4 different sets of tiny human remains found in her house dated back 3 years.
Her statement:
http://www.mdcoastdispatch.com/article.php?cid=30&id=1429
Coverage claiming she denied the pregnancy in the first place, and where they found the other remains in and around the house.
Just throwing this out objectively, in this situation, it looks like he tried to make this case stick. Why would someone keep in their home what they found?
Warning last link on the side of gruesome info.
posted on: Friday, September 25th, 2009 @ 11:59 am
Arrested for what?
posted on: Friday, September 25th, 2009 @ 12:24 pm
Dear Anons.
While I believe that you have interesting contributions to make to our ongoing discussions, it is our policy not to accept Anonymous comments.
Please pick a name and use a real email address. One of our Anonymous posters is using a proxy server with a fake email address, and we simply cannot accept these posts.
Recently, we have expeireinced many commentors posting under different screen names, yet having the same IP address.
The matter at hand is so serious that I believe that if we have something to say we can put our names to it.
Thank you for your understanding and I look forward to your continued participation.
posted on: Friday, September 25th, 2009 @ 1:58 pm
mcdermott made more than stupid comments, he made incriminating comments. he is sworn to uphold the law not break the law.
posted on: Friday, September 25th, 2009 @ 9:03 pm
Why dont you people get a real life….she was aquitted of all charges for a reason and it was not coruption.
The girl and her family went through enough CRAP when this was going on cant you GET A LIFE and worry about your own lives.
and BREANDA: you are not a cop, an investigator or a states attorney so what gives you the right to plaster someones name on the internet like this
posted on: Saturday, September 26th, 2009 @ 6:21 pm
To Brenda fucking Ward leave my family alone or I will be making a trip back to pocomoke to have a word with you…..And I think you have the fucked up family with a son that KILLS hisself over a girl GET Fucking Real and grow the FUCK UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PS. Sciencew you put my family out there like this maybe we should look at your problems!!!!
posted on: Saturday, September 26th, 2009 @ 7:08 pm
I have not read the book as of this date, but all I want to say, is this. I know two members of this family that you all are talking about, and it just irks me that after three years, that this would be brought up again. Don’t you all think that this family has been through enough. This person was aquitted of the charges, and that should be enough. I don’t live in pc, but I have for one read and heard enough about it. This family is trying to get on with their lives and they don’t need to be judged again. I agree with Concerned person, what gives you all the right to plaster someone’s name on the internet and start judging people. That is wrong, I do know about what happened, and let me tell you I feel for the family 100%. This is so wrong and it is disgusting the way you all just go and start judging people alll over again.
posted on: Saturday, September 26th, 2009 @ 7:57 pm
I just glanced over the posts to this string. I see the name Christine Marie (that was my daughters name too) but I dont see any other family members names, in fact, its mostly about McDermott and Joel Todd. You want to see a family whose names are being drug through the mud, slide on over to the darkside of the hate mongers site. I havent been there in a long time, but I hear they are having fun at our expense. I wonder if they would be brave enough to come out from behind the safety of their computor screen and say these things to my face. I wonder if they know that one day they will have to give an account for every word they say. I will have to explain why I said all those bad things about Mcdermott. I think its pretty clear why I dislike McDermott, basicly, he let Christine’s murderers get away.
To whom much is given, much is required. Mcdermott was given authority to enforce the law and the powers of arrest. He chose to think Christine was not worth his time, that she was a sponge on society as he put it, to my wife, on the phone , as she cried.
Can you imagine how low a person has to be to do that. So you see, anything can happen in p-city, and I question everything.
posted on: Saturday, September 26th, 2009 @ 10:52 pm
All I can say is that there are so many ‘PUBLIC LIES’ being ‘plastered’ by one or two commenters with a HUGE agenda (they are posting anonymously and pretending to be multiple people) at another place that will remain unnamed about Christine’s family and supporters and Christine herself. Its quite obvious by their agenda who they are . . . yet the slime and filth that passes thru these cowards keyboards is unmatched virtually anywhere on the net. The one thing they can’t stand - is to be ignored at that site. But for the sake of everyone involved - the best thing from this point on would be to IGNORE them forever.
The TRUTH will prevail sooner or later. You have to ask yourself - why would someone post exactly the opposite of what common sense tells you should be so? Only one reason. ANIMALS!
posted on: Sunday, September 27th, 2009 @ 1:53 am
I for one am not reading over there anymore. I too can assume who has a personal agenda to spread such down right lies. Instead of posting under different names they can just post as Anon’s now. They put words in our mouths and feel like we should get over Christine’s murder. I wish I could get over it, but that is hard to do when we have no closure and wonder where they dumped her body, and her killers are free as a bird. That was until he was arrested for arson and burglary in TN. It’s one thing to lose a loved one. It’s another to be searching for her and getting kicked in the process. They can carry on conversations with themselves, but anyone who knows us knows they are FOS and out to hurt the progress on finding Christine. To all my family and friends, I love you and don’t stress the handful of people who have come up with these fictitious ideas of who we are and our purpose here.
posted on: Sunday, September 27th, 2009 @ 11:50 am
I agree don’t read over there anymore. It just drives you crazy when they spread rumors and ignore reason as if they are in high school.
posted on: Sunday, September 27th, 2009 @ 12:24 pm
To concerned friend
If you have not read this book you should not pass judgement either. I know this family too and I also did want to believe the rumors. But I can’t help but think that a child was murdered and no one paid the price for it. Why don’t you read the book and if there are any untruths in it caome back and let us know. Better yet why doesn’t the family make a post and tell thier side of the story.
posted on: Monday, September 28th, 2009 @ 11:12 am
ALSOCURIOUS,
Two of the family members have posted here most recently, and are the same two who called me. One of the sister’s was screaming and yelling so much, I had to ask her several times to repeat what she had said. The brother was much calmer but was also furious. They have accused me of slander because I put a name to the book, and that no one would have known who or where the book was refering to until I put a name to it.
Both mentioned to me, about how would I feel if someone went on the internet and talked about my son’s death. To be honest, I wouldn’t mind, then maybe the case would be re-opened and we could find out what really happened.
The brother also mentioned twice in the conversation, about slitting the throat of the pom puppy I am selling to his parents and giving it back to me.
posted on: Monday, September 28th, 2009 @ 4:53 pm
The story line of his book does not state that the officer was caught lying on the stand. The judge in this case questioned the officer several times on why his story kept changing on the stand, from that of his original report that the States Att: had. If anyone does not believe this check out the transcripts. He does not state why he got fired from the police dept: nor does he state he was only a dispatcher in PG co.. I believe that in his own mind that she was guilty, but the judge did not see it that way, halfway thru the trial the judge dismissed the case because of his conflicting stories. The officer involved is a legend in his own mind. This book should be listed as fiction. As far as Brenda Wards comments we all know that she likes to be in the center of attention.After 25 years in law enforcement I have learned that dealing with some people is like herding cattle, the only differance is cattle are smarter
posted on: Monday, September 28th, 2009 @ 5:12 pm
Major,
Perhaps you could tell us who murdered that child, or perhaps after 25 years in law enforcement all you can do is herd cattle.
posted on: Monday, September 28th, 2009 @ 5:57 pm
Concerned-
There is a dead child. Respectfully, wth are you talking about, after 3 years why bring it up? I will tell you why- because her stepfather is running for sheriff, which btw, is a P U B L I C O F F I C E, er go, FUNDED PUBLICLY, er go, open to PUBLIC SRUTINY.
Mr. Brittingham better be prepared to discuss his associations, as any candidate would. No prejudice, just fact.
posted on: Monday, September 28th, 2009 @ 7:35 pm
Blink,
Sorry , but it is her uncle that is running.
posted on: Monday, September 28th, 2009 @ 7:48 pm
The last 2 comments make my comment true. The step-father is NOT running for sheriff, that would be the uncle. Read the medical report it will show that the baby died of natural causes, this was proven in court. (PUBLIC RECORD).PLease have FACTS before speaking.
posted on: Monday, September 28th, 2009 @ 7:48 pm
If the baby died of natural causes, why did this even go to court? At the risk of sounding like a dumb cow, why would anyone try to prosecute this case unless there was a lot more to it? What was the basis of their case?
posted on: Monday, September 28th, 2009 @ 8:55 pm
Major
If Mr Cline lied on the stand is that not called perjury? Was he charged as such? If not why? As someone else said if the child died of natural causes why did it ever go to court in the first place? Is it true that she was charged with abuse of her other children or is that untrue also? Does she have custudy of all her children now? Like I said before I Know some of the family involved and I never believed any of this either until I read the book and I don’t want to believe it now but I am not hearing anything here to make me think otherwise. If you know the facts please let everyone know. Why did he get fired from the PD? Was the baby shaken? Was the baby OD’d on salt? Give us the answers without resulting in name calling if you are a law officer for the last 25 years show a little self control in your responses calling people cows is a very unprofessional way for someone in your position to act.
posted on: Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 @ 10:10 am
The reason the family will not respond to the ignorance her is because you all have your opinion and thats yours they know the truth so why relive the nightmare of losing a loved one. And it was proven that the baby died of natural causes and why can’t the author of this book couldn’t even reveal his real name the mother has to relive this all the time why must you all keep cutting her down she is a good person and doesn’t deserve your insults bt apparently you all have nothing better to do I can’t wait to read this book and see all the rumors in it. but you all need to get a life and quite spreading shit you don’t know tobe facts.
posted on: Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 @ 6:20 pm
Over the past 2 years we have been looking to find Christine. In order to do that, we must uncover the reasons why murder was not a concern of the local law enforcement. When we heard of the possible cover-up of a murdered child, it was something that needed a closer look.
Nobody is hurling insults, and I will be glad to get a life when my Christine comes home to rest.
posted on: Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 @ 8:31 pm
firefly
First of all I have not cut anyone down I don’t know the girl personaly but I do know her mother and step father and I too did not want to believe what I read in the book. But you and several other people who have made posts on her behalf are not clearing up any of the untruths if that is what they are. I asked several questions in my previous post but I did not get any answers. You say the author did not use his real name if you know this for a fact then what is his real name? The best way to clear all of this up is to tell us what the truth is.
posted on: Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 @ 8:43 am
Major-
Fair Enough. Billy and Bobby Brittingham are brothers, and it was my error as to which was running for Sheriff. Regardless, while I respect your right to say that Christine Zabel was aquitted, and have read Joe’s book and am aware of there are always 3 versions of the truth scenario; there is a significant pattern emerging here, involving folks that always seem to link back to each other.
This is not an accusation, this is based on facts publicly available.
OJ was aquitted.
I am not hearing outrage about a dead child from you and that concerns me.
posted on: Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 @ 9:49 am
Brenda Hi.I dont know you but I think my husband bought a mower from y’all.Anyway,is anyone else disturbed by the guy telling Brenda he could slit the throat of an innocent puppy and return it to her?Jeez,what kind of family is THAT for a kid?Makes you wonder.Is there a history of violcence in the fam?Any of the women in an abusive relationship?Those things run in patterns.Kids die like this all the time in this country and no one cares or says anything about it and thats pathetic.Where is the outrage?It seems to me that there was not enough evidence and thats the only clear cut thing about this.
posted on: Thursday, October 8th, 2009 @ 3:05 pm
When I was asked how more information could be found on this case, I was not thinking, when I put Christy’s name to the book. I would never have caused the pain that I did, if I had, been thinking.
What he said about slitting the puppy’s throat was said in hurt and anger. If I had thought for a single minute that the pup was in any danger, I would have taken it back that night. In no way would they have allowed harm to come to the puppy.
I had all intentions of calling the grandmother, after receiving the phone calls from two of Christy’s siblings about my careless use of putting her name to the book. But after contemplating one of the phone calls, and other information, I felt it best, if I didn’t, until I cooled down.
posted on: Friday, October 9th, 2009 @ 8:41 am
I intended to sign my name in the above comment.
Brenda Ward
posted on: Friday, October 9th, 2009 @ 4:27 pm