DISCLAIMER: The following post is only speculation based on internet research of an unsolved murder case. I am not a professional crime solver of any kind, this blog is simply a hobby and should not be used in any actual investigation.
Lindsley was born to a wealthy family in Toledo, Ohio and was raised on the Isle of Pines, an island possession of Cuba in the Caribbean Sea. She spent 20 years in New York as a model, chorus line dancer and hostess on Bud Collyer's television game show "Winner Take All". She was newly wedded to a wealthy real estate agent. She was murdered just four months after the wedding.
Lindsley had been in an ongoing feud with Alan Griffin Stanford Jr., her neighbor at 126 Marine Street. One of the concerns was the six stray dogs she took in that barked incessantly. In a transcript of an October 1973 county meeting, one of the commissioners had remarked, "I am aware you are a neighbor of the Stanfords and that y'all have had neighbor problems," to which Lindsley answered, "That's true. My life has been threatened...he threatened my life."
Lindsley had been in an ongoing feud with Alan Griffin Stanford Jr., her neighbor at 126 Marine Street. One of the concerns was the six stray dogs she took in that barked incessantly. In a transcript of an October 1973 county meeting, one of the commissioners had remarked, "I am aware you are a neighbor of the Stanfords and that y'all have had neighbor problems," to which Lindsley answered, "That's true. My life has been threatened...he threatened my life."
Between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on January 23, 1974, Lindsley was attacked on the front steps of her home at 124 Marine Street by a white middle-aged male wearing a white dress shirt and dark dress pants. According to medical examiner Dr. Arthur Schwartz, who performed the autopsy, she was struck nine times by the machete on her hand, arm and in the head. One of her fingers was severed and she was nearly decapitated.
Toward the end of the attack, an 18-year-old neighbor, Locke McCormick, heard the sounds of a commotion and went outside to look. He allegedly shouted to his mother that "Mr. Stanford is hitting Mrs. Ponsell." After the perpetrator left, the McCormicks went next door and saw Lindsley lying in a pool of blood on her porch and called 911.
Stanford was indicted and brought to trial; after two hours of jury deliberation, he was acquitted. When he was identified as a suspect, Stanford said five county employees could identify him as being in his office at the time of the murder.
But blood droplets were found in his county vehicle, a Chevrolet Impala, and a blood trail led to the wall of his property from Athalia's steps.
Critics accused the police of botching the investigation and tainting evidence. St. Augustine Police Sgt. Dominic Nicklo, now retired, said, "Jinx Lindsley was eliminated (as a suspect) immediately. He was somewhere else. We know Alan did it. We had the right guy."
These details all lead up to my theory: Lindsley was murdered by her sleazy neighbor, Stanford. The man got away with it because of a lack of justice.
Source:
http://www.constantinereport.com/st-augustine-socialite-hacked-to-death-locals-are-careful-with-talk-about-suicide-ruling/
You should read my book, Murder in St. Augustine, coming out with History Press in October.-Liz Randall
ReplyDeleteOmg! This needs to be solved!
ReplyDeleteit was definitely Alan and the police botched the investigation
ReplyDelete