CARBONDALE, Ill. — On March 24, 2012, Molly Marie Young, 21, was shot to death in her former boyfriend’s apartment in the 500 block of North Westridge Drive.
Richie Minton, who had been heavily drinking, called Young around 3:00 a.m., insisting he needed her help. Young had not been drinking.
Young was shot in the head sometime after she arrived at Minton’s apartment. Minton happened to own the handgun, a .45 semiautomatic 1911, used in the killing.
Minton’s roommate, Wesley Romack, made the 911 call at 9:02 a.m., several hours after Young’s death. However, Minton took the phone from a nervous Romack and spoke to the dispatcher who he knew. Minton did not sound intoxicated on the call.
Minton had two six-inch long scratches on his side, which he claimed must have happened during his CPR attempt on Molly under his arm.
Sure, Jan.
For whatever reason, Carbondale PD immediately handed the investigation over to the Illinois State Police, most likely due to a conflict of interest.
The police report showed investigators conducted gunshot residue tests on Minton, Romack, and Young’s hands. The results were negative for all three of them. Allegedly.
So what’s the kicker of this case? Well, the police never charged Minton or Romack with any crime.
Why do you ask? Minton is a former telecommunicator with the Carbondale Police Department. He was employed there at the time of the shooting. He is also the son of a longtime Franklin County Sheriff’s deputy.
Minton had already lawyered up when the ISP arrived that morning to investigate. Seven, count them, SEVEN individuals came forward to independent investigators saying the CPD was at the scene much earlier than when Romack made the 911 call. Some people believe this is a significant police cover-up.
Young’s death has not been ruled a suicide or homicide, only “suspicious.” There was not enough evidence to show homicide or suicide. Give me a break.
During the coroner’s inquest, it was revealed that Young had been depressed and had threatened suicide in text messages to Minton and Romack. Dark journal entries were also mentioned, but some were over two years old.
It’s worth noting that anyone could have sent those messages, specifically Minton.
In August 2013, Jackson County State’s Attorney, Mike Carr, announced NO charges would be filed, and he closed the case.
Carr is part of the cover-up, no doubt.
On June 30, 2014, Molly’s father, Larry, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Richie Minton.
You can help support justice for Molly by visiting her Facebook group.
UPDATE: Richie Minton is an emergency dispatcher for the St. Louis Fire Department. He’s been working there since his arrest for drunk driving in December 2014. He’s a man now and goes by Richard. Ha! Hey, fire chief, you have a killer working for you. Are you going to protect him, too? Can you imagine dialing 911 and a murderer is the one who is supposed to help you?
Last updated March 2023