AUBURN, CAYUGA COUNTY (AP) -- The day after an Action News report on a 27-year-old murder mystery, Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann issued a statement assuring the public "this case is being pursued."
On Thursday, reporter Jim Kenyon profiled the work of Auburn resident Robert Schillagi who has been investigating the Monson murder since the release of Thomas Bianco whose conviction was vacated in 1993. For years, the District Attorney's Office has claimed a jailed rapist, John Grossman is the prime suspect in the case. Schillagi claims that three hairs recovered from the body of Julie Monson could be tested for DNA, but feels authorities are not actively pursuing the cold case.
In his statement, Budelmann says since late 2007, he has been reviewing the Monson homicide. The statement does not refer to DNA tests, but says, "we are aware of the continually advancing technology available to us, as well as its limitations, and are taking advantage of them in any way available to us." Budelmann added, "due to recent reports in the news media, as law enforcement officials, we feel the need to reassure the public that this important matter has not been forgotten."
Here is the text of the news release from Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann:
For: Immediate release – December 12, 2008
Re: Cayuga County D.A. addresses Julie Monson case status
Contact person: Cayuga County D.A. Jon Budelmann
Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann issued the following statement today. There will be no further comment on the status of this investigation forthcoming.
“During my election campaign, I promised that one of the first actions I was going to take after becoming District Attorney was to initiate a complete review of the Julie Monson homicide. This process actually began in late 2007. As of January 2008 this Office began the review with the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and ultimately with the assistance of the Auburn Police Department.
Because this is an open homicide investigation, we will not comment on any specific details of the investigation. However, due to recent reports in the news media, as law enforcement officials, we feel the need to reassure the public that this important matter has not been forgotten.
Our process included, but was not limited to, reviewing all physical evidence and all case reports. We are continually assessing the value of all new information as it is received by law enforcement. We are aware of the continually advancing technology available to us, as well as its limitations, and are taking advantage of them in any way available to us.
We want the public to understand that this case is being pursued, but we will not be commenting on any specific investigative steps in this open investigation. We would invite anyone who believes they may have information regarding this homicide to contact this Office at (315) 253-1493 or Sr. Inv. David Stebbins of the NYSP Auburn (315) 255-2767.
(Copyright ©2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
