I'll Be Watching You (42 page)

I

It was a rainy Saturday morning when I met the Rodriguez family at Rosa’s home (Carmen’s mother) in Hartford, Connecticut. Luz and Sonia and Petra and several of Carmen’s brothers and friends and her son and grandchild and Kathy Perez, Carmen’s niece, were there to greet me. I sat on a comfortable couch in the living room, with a large photograph of Carmen hanging on the wall in back of me, as if she were there, too, watching over all of us. Talking for hours, I asked Luz at one point about Carmen’s favorite meal. She called it
“bacalaito”
and explained. Then she yelled in Spanish to her mother, who was in the kitchen cooking. It seemed Rosa was cooking from the time I arrived to the time I left.

A moment later, Rosa came out with a plate of
bacalaito;
she had just happened to be cooking it that day. “My mother,” Luz said, “says you can’t know what Carmen loved until you’ve eaten it yourself.”

I’ll never forget that day and the subsequent interviews I conducted with this smart, lovely, and loving family, who had accepted me (and trusted me with Carmen’s story) as if I were one of their own. I especially wanted to say thank you to Luz for being so outspoken and honest and always willing to answer my questions. Luz and her family are tremendous people.

II

Mary Ellen Renard is one of the most courageous women I’ve met. What she went through at the hands of Ned Snelgrove would have led most into a life of hell—especially considering the road Mary Ellen traveled before she met Ned. But Mary Ellen was able to pull herself out of it all, stay positive, and get the help she needed. I commend her for opening up to me about her life and telling me her incredible story of survival. In addition, Diana Jansen, Mary Ellen’s daughter, was equally helpful. I appreciate her honesty, integrity, and guts to speak out about her past. Likewise, the discussions I had with Barbara Delaney about her family and sister Karen Osmun were incredibly useful. I thank Barbara for her candor and sincerity—not to mention all the documents she willingly handed over.

David Zagaja was as helpful as any prosecutor with a case on appeal could have been. He was always kind and generous with his time. I thank Mr. Zagaja for the interviews and direction. In addition, all of the detectives and investigators involved in the case that I spoke to were always open and willing. Hartford Superior Court clerk Anthony D’Addeo was extremely considerate with his time and helpful with documents and photographs.

Everyone in Hopkinton, Rhode Island, was courteous and kind to me as I asked tough questions, especially Detective McDonald and Hopkinton police chief John Scuncio. Also, Mr. McDonald’s secretary, Lorraine Serio, was accommodating in collecting documents connected to the case and getting them to me.

Whenever you do a book like this, with so many people involved, it’s hard to thank each and every person. There were dozens, literally, who helped me create this work of nonfiction. And each and every person that helped has my utmost respect and praise.

Lastly, the usual suspects: my family, my editor, Michaela Hamilton, and my business manager. Thank you for all you do. Also, copy editor Stephanie Finnegan’s work was exceptional on this project.

III

This book is dedicated to my readers because I have come to learn throughout the years that they are the most important part of what I do—and I am grateful and humbled by having so many. My deepest appreciation goes out to every reader.

Truly.

IV

Curtain.

Newly divorced, 44-year-old Mary Ellen Renard was brutally attacked during the summer of 1987 and nearly died from multiple stab wounds.
(Photo courtesy of Mary Ellen Renard)

Mary Ellen with her daughters.
(Photo courtesy of Mary Ellen Renard)

Twenty-six-year-old Rutgers graduate Edwin “Ned” Fales Snelgrove was arrested on August 3, 1987, for attempted murder and aggravated sexual assault.
(Photo courtesy of the Bergen County, New Jersey Sheriff’s Office)

Karen Osmun was a vivacious, happy child.
(Photo courtesy of Barbara Delaney)

During her senior year in 1982, animal science major Karen Osmun was a popular honors student at Rutgers University.
(Photo courtesy of the Cook College/Rutgers yearbook)

Karen grew into a beautiful young woman and dreamed of working with animals.
(Photo courtesy of the Cook College/Rutgers yearbook)

Karen dated Edwin Snelgrove
(below)
while at Rutgers.
(Photo courtesy of the Cook College/Rutgers yearbook)

Snelgrove, a business science major, was a member of the Alpha Zeta National Honor fraternity at Rutgers.
(Photo courtesy of the Cook College/Rutgers yearbook)