Historic Route 66). An article written by Jeanine Cummins stated Yes, the police likely did beat Reginald Clemons and When those cops put their hands on Reginald Clemons, they didnt just violate him; they violated the justice that Julie and Robin deserve (Cummins, 2015). I found no evidence that this occurred. I walk the bridge often with my dog. These concerns were overridden in our minds as we went on a weekday morning and there few people around other than some people fishing. That being said, it doesnt appear he was given medical treatment at a hospital that could have assisted in gathering the evidence of injuries. Shocking and at times infuriating, this is the well articulated telling of a story that is both harrowing and frightening. 66 which we have being doing in sections for a couple years. Gray showed the other group how to climb down a manhole cover on the bridge down to the pier. 1975 - Bridge demolition is planned, but with the low value of scrap steel at the time, tearing down the structure is determined to not be cost effective. American Classic 2011-2023. Julie and Robin Kerry, may you forever be remembered for all that you did and stood for. The other three defendants were sentenced to death. Coordinates: 384538N 901035W / . Brilliant stop, easy to find and park on the Illinois side. In December 2017, Clemons admitted his guilt in court and pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of rape and one count of first-degree robbery and was sentenced to five consecutive terms of life in prison. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Saint Louis Police Department
All four defendants confessed to the crime, and their stories were consistent with Thomas's version of events, but three of them later recanted. According to Tom Cummins testimony, one of the men forced him to lay down on his stomach and keep his head down while he listened to the cries of Robin and Julie as they were sexually assaulted by the other three men (State V. Clemons, 1997). From every source Ive found, Thomas Cummins was eager to save his cousins and provide any information the authorities needed. Today, you can walk over the bridge (it's about a mile round-trip). They have the parking lot barricaded due to a lot of cars getting broken into. 314-231-1212. GPS is accurate in getting you there. The bridge is named after an un-navigable portion of the river caused by a large outcropping of bedrock exposed in the river channel. The girls were both very idealistic and forward thinking with brilliantly bright futures. ", Reginald Clemons was awarded a new trial in 2015. The bridge is one mile long, making it one of the longest pedestrian biking/walking bridges in the world. A photograph of Julie is posted with this case summary. Fate intervened and ultimately, in 1999, the bridge was reopened, not to vehicle traffic, but to pedestrian traffic through . Construction of the Chain of Rocks Bridge began in 1927 with an estimated cost of $1,250,000. You jolt awake, causing rapid changes in your body. The young women were pushed to their deaths, and Cummins was forced to jump, but survived. (Cummins, 2004). Macmillan Children's Books. Really nice view from the bridge. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Gray continued to protest his innocence saying that although he was at the bridge at the time, he was smoking cannabis in a nearby car. While on the bridge, they had a brief conversation with Clemons and the three other defendants. The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge spans one of the most scenic areas of the Mississippi River. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Pin-connected, 10-panel Pratt through truss. In 2017, DNA evidence proved he was an active participant in the crimes. She also states he, unknowingly, had a fractured hip. per adult. I forgive those who have hardened their hearts to the truth and I pray they ask forgiveness, for they know not what they do. The Sinister Story Behind The Chain Of Rocks Bridge In Missouri Will Give You Chills A journey along Route 66 in Missouri leads to a plethora of fascinating sites - from the old-school Route 66 Drive-In Theatre in Carthage to Meramec Caverns in Sullivan. Before the bridge, there were the towers. We were out of the car for a good 30 minutes taking pictures and never had any issues. Whitney Curtis for The New York Times. She is of Lebanese and Puerto Rican descent. You jolt awake, causing rapid changes in your body. The flashlight was quickly identified as being stolen by Antonio Richardson, a sixteen-year-old with a checkered past. (Donald, 2017). Marlin A. Hes on the road to being sorry and that. The bridge had beautifully landscaped approaches. Reggie was raised with a solid home life filled with morals, values, and religion. Before the murder trials began, the body of Julie Kerry was found in Caruthersville, Missouri on the bank of the Mississippi River about three weeks after the murder (The Charley Project). One assailant told Tom to jump in or they would shoot him. Chain of Rocks Bridge, 1929. It wasnt long before the men continued walking west and the Kerry sisters and Tom walking east. This is the victims stories. [Photo of Robin Kerry (left) and Julie Kerry (right) from St. Louis Post Dispatch]. On this date in 1929, the new $2.5 million dollar Chain of Rocks Bridge opened. This case made me cry multiple times while reading the book "A Rip In Heaven" by Jeanine Cummins. Julie was an inspiring writer and poet. The body of Julie Kerry was found three weeks later near Caruthersville, Missouri; the body of Robin Kerry was not found. This case made me cry multiple times while reading the book "A Rip In Heaven" by Jeanine Cummins. ", Police initially refused to believe Thomas Cummins' version of the events. Gray was executed in October 2005. The two Kerry sisters then were pushed, and Cummins jumped as instructed. St. Louis Public Radio | The canal bridge is a one-way bridge with a traffic light at each end and an eight foot bike late. His conviction was for being a part of the group of four men involved in the murders. The Chain of Rocks bridge was part of historic Route 66 which we have being doing in sections for a couple years. Investigators theorized that Julie had accidentally fallen off the bridge while resisting Thomas's sexual advances, and Robin jumped in to save her, and both of them drowned. During his sentencing, Ginny Kerry, the girls mother, stated that Clemons admitted to the crimes and apologized to her twice. Its abandonment led to it falling into disrepair and the city toyed with the idea of blowing the bridge up for practice demolition teams. There are a few times of the year that they open for events and have security on the Missouri side. The three, Robin, Julie, and Tom, headed out to the bridge and began to walk towards Illinois, searching for the poem. They wanted to change the world. Robin was pushed second. During the day, the bridge is scenic, but must have been a little eerie in the middle of the night. Marlin Gray was executed by the State of Missouri on October 26th, 2005. The Chain of Rocks Bridge had been built in 1929 as a toll bridge across the Mississippi River and became the most famous crossing for Route 66. (Currier, 2018). 01:02:21 - Julie and Robin Kerry were sisters who were beautiful, kind, creative, artistic, and involved in social causes. On April. Reginald Clemons pleads guilty to murder in Old Chain of Rocks Bridge case Joel Currier Dec 19, 2017 0 1 of 3 Reginald Clemons during a hearing on Sept. 17, 2012, in court in St. Louis.. Although technically not off-the-beaten-path (its right next to the interstate) it takes a little maneuvering to get to. Show Talk Radio 49, Ep Clear & Convincing - Episode 31 - Chain of Rocks Bridge Murders - Sep 24, 2019 . I could not find an article about the parole hearing, but to the best of my research Clemons remains in prison. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Plackards provide a look at the history of the bridge and the legendary Route 66 which once crossed the Mississippi River at this point. Details of Disappearance Robin was last seen on the Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri at 11:25 p.m. on April 5, 1991. A similar situation would be drifting off in a class and then being called on by the teacher. Thanks for all our attendees! The two sisters were raped and then murdered by a group of four males, who also attempted to murder the sisters' cousin. There's so much to see and to do along the famous route that it makes a fun road trip. Im relieved that hes never going to get out of prison, and I am somewhat happy for the family that this is over, Joyce said in an interview. (Cummins, 2004). The Chain of Rocks Bridge spans the Mississippi River on the north edge of St. Louis, Missouri. We recommend going to the bridge, but be careful about valuables in your car and use your best judgment, the benefits outweigh the risks. Call me jaded, but the victimization of Antonio Richardson just isn't working for me. Available for purchase at: A Rip in Heaven: Cummins, Jeanine: 0767685540039: Amazon.com: Books, The Charley Project (2019) Robin Ann Kerry; Retrieved at: Robin Ann Kerry The Charley Project, NPR (2005) Supreme Court Ends Death Penalty for Juveniles; Nina Totenberg, NPR; Retrieved at: Supreme Court Ends Death Penalty for Juveniles : NPR, Donald, E. (2017) Twenty-six years later, last of four Chain of Rocks Bridge killers plead guilty; Belleville News Democrat; Retrieved at: Man sentenced for raping teen girls in 1991 near St Louis MO | Belleville News-Democrat (bnd.com), Murderpedia (2021) Antonio Richardson; Retrieved at: Antonio Richardson | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers; Reginald Clemons; Retrieved at: Reginald Clemons | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers; Marlin Gray; Retrieved at: Marlin Gray | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers, McClellan, B. He was the first to be given an execution date, March 7th, 2001. He was able to swim to shore and get help. $79.50. Donations are accepted but not expected; the site remains free-access to all. Antonio Richardson was born September 3rd, 1974. No longer open to traffic, but before it was transformed to a bike and pedestrian path, the bridge was a common hang out place for St. Louis youth and graffiti artists. The eastern end of the bridge is on Chouteau Island, (part of Madison, Illinois), while the western end is on the Missouri shoreline. Marlin Gray was born September 26th. The first, a picturesque water-intake tower designed in a Richardsonian Romanesque style, opened midriver in 1894, at the same time as the Chain of Rocks waterworks. The DNA from the condom that liked Gray also linked Clemons (Currier, 2018). Chain of Rocks Bridge! My wife, using her Google Map kung-fu, thankfully found the Illinois side entrance (we shouldve checked Trip Advisor before going!). You cross over the Chain of Rocks canal, then keep going until you hit Chouteau Park, which has signage describing old Route 66 and its use of the bridge from 1936 to 1955. Many people passionately argue that police misconduct, racism, and civil rights violations caused innocent men to be harshly punished. There are several signs around regarding this, even at the gas station on the hill which is in a relatively remote place itself. When, after a harrowing ordeal, Tom managed to escape the attackers and flag down help, he thought . His confession, as well as the recanted confessions from the other assailants, were very similar to the story of Thomas Cummins. The bridge is short and narrow, only 1 mile long by 24 feet wide, but it now carries bikes and pedestrians instead of cars across the river. Missouri parking lot is closed so go over to the Illinois side for access. Gray's execution date was set by the Missouri Supreme Court for September 26, 2005. The bridge was closed in 1967 when the new Chain of Rocks Bridge was built for I-270 just to the north of this bridge. The parking lot on the IL side (Choteau Island) is safer than the one on the MO side. Richardson was also given a death sentence, however, it was commuted to life in prison by the Supreme Court of Missouri on October 28, 2003. Sign up to receive updates about children's books, author event news, activities for storytime, games, and more! The unique bend in the middle was ordered by the government to prevent the span from hindering navigation. The bridge spans the Mississippi River at the Missouri/Illinois state line. A short time later, the men, including Clemons, approached and surrounded the cousins. This view also gets you a full length view of the bridge. He too was found guilty in 1993. This was a great photo-op. Julie and Robin Kerry went to the Chain of Rocks Bridge that April night to show their cousin a poem. The court cited his sentencing by a judge rather than a jury to be in violation of Apprendi v. New Jersey (a case that was decided long after the imposition of sentence). 100% of travelers recommend this experience. He failed a polygraph shortly after making his initial report. 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Richardson said that Cummins had said the girls had slipped off the bridge but thought the authorities would not believe this story. He never did see Robin in the water. Cummins was then robbed by the men of his belongings. In 1980 film director John Carpenter used the bridge for the film Escape from New York. On returning after 30 minutes in the car, Clemons informed him that "Man, I just robbed that guy and threw him and the girls into the river. Check out this great listen on Audible.com. Another road, just over the canal, takes you down to a fishing spot (Riverside Park) where you can get great photos of the small falls on the Mississippi (which necessitates the canal). The version given by Gray at his trial was different, and also differs from what police said that he told them in his initial interview. 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