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The ex-boyfriend and suspected killer of Catherine Woods - the fresh-faced aspiring dancer from Ohio who turned to stripping to make ends meet - kept a diary where he fantasized about cutting her throat. Yoga instructor Paul Cortez, whom the police suspected shortly after Woods's murder, apparently mixed teachings from the Bhagavad Gita and his dream of trying to save Woods from a sinful life. A police source tells the Post:
"He's talking a lot about Hindi gods and people cutting off each other's heads as sacrifices," said a source familiar with the chilling diary that cops found in the home of yoga-trainer suspect Cortez, 25. "He talks about cutting her throat. It's because she won't change her ways. She won't quit her stripping, and she's living a life of sin.Now, that is what the police calls "evidence." Other evidence includes Cortez's bloody fingerpaint in Woods's apartment, video footage of him standing outside her building during the time of her murder, and various police statements Cortez made. Hmm. And the Daily News reveals that Cortez called Woods's father, the director of the Ohio State marching band, to tell him that she was stripping, after she was "drugged and almost raped" at work (or, at least, Cortez thought she was). Woods's father reportedly came to NYC, but Woods convinced him Cortez was lying."The impression is, he's freeing her from her earthly bounds that are just so distasteful to him. It implies that she would be better off dead."
...[According to another source, Cortez is] "so nuts, it's three weeks after the murder and he's still got a diary in his apartment, talking about the murder beforehand, and then talking about how bad he feels afterward — using her name."
Wikipedia on the on the Bhagavad Gita.
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pretty tacky and offensive to put up that image in relation to this story. this guy is a nut, there is nothing in the Gita that would teach such behavior
Dare I suggest that it may be inappropriate and insulting to the bereaved to rationalize doings of a sick motherfucker? All murderers and paraphiles ought to chalk up their sins to spirituality, eh?
Well, obviously Cortez is a couple sandwiches short of a picnic and sacrificing Woods is not something the Bhagavad Gita would really endorse. That's what makes the story so crazy. And might give him basis to use an insanity defense.
I agree with dingdong. Illustrating an article about a murderous yoga instructor with a Hindi icon is about as offensive as, say, associating Pat Robertson with Jesus. Neither one has anything to do with the other.
Really, I just wanted to say: I agree with dingdong.
HindU icon, you mean!
Gothamist makes a lot of insipid, if not borderline offensive, picture choices for its articles. Woman mauled by rabid pit bull? Chuck in a pic of an OMG!CUTE! pic of a pit bull puppy.
CLEARLY, A SICK AND DERANGED MAN WHO NEEDS TO BE PUT AWAY FOREVER, BUT IN HIS OWN SICK WAY, HE MUST HAVE DEEPLY LOVED HER. THERE WAS SOMETHING CLEARLY SPECIAL ABOUT THIS GIRL, HER BEAUTY, HER GRACE, HER TALENT, AND HER VIBRANCE, TO HAVE AFFECTED HIM SO DEEPLY. THIS WAS A MAN WHO HAD MUCH SUCCESS WITH WOMEN BUT CLEARLY BECAME FIXATED ON HER. HER FIRST BOYFRIEND, THE EMINEM WANNABE GANGSTA RAPPER, WHO PRESUMABLY GOT HER INTO STRIPPING SHOULD ALSO BE CHARGED FOR SPIRITUALLY MURDERING HER. THIS IS UNDOUBTEDLY ALSO A WARNING FOR EVERY PARENT FROM THE MIDWEST WHO ALLOWS THEIR DAUGHTER TO COME HERE. IF SOMEONE AS RESPECTABLE AND PURE AS CATHERINE COULD BE SEDUCED AND CORRUPTED BY THE DECADENCE HERE, ANYBODY CAN.
Uh yeah, I'm not going to POINT ANY FINGERS here, but clearly there are kindred spirits among us.
He was suspected of being a yoga teacher?
He was suspected of being a yoga teacher?
Excellent photo choice.
I'm pretty sure "Hindi" is the appropriate term used by J.
Errm..no. Krishna (pictured above) is a HindU icon. HindI is the language most HindUs speak.
being a hindu who speaks hindi, i can verify that "Anonymous" is correct..."j" and "marilyn" are incorrect
Oh yes, MIKE, because women can't make their own decisions to enter into potentially risky situations. No, no, it must the evil man behind them. They are bastions of purity! Especially from the Midwest, where all women are innocent!
PLEASE. That is absolutely ridiculous. It's well-known that many dancers who are short of "real" work in NY turn to stripping or exotic dancing for money. I'm sure she didn't need her "gangsta" Ohio boyfriend to tell her to strip.
Jesus.
Thanks for the correction, Anon. I owe U.
...but I believe my mistake qualifies me to edit the Gothamist. Hurrah! (or Hoorah!)
maybe he confused the art of fighting with a loving heart with outright murder?
this article is ridiculous and just another example of tabloid - no one here has read the entries, no one here has looked at the video footage - no one here knows anything except second or third hand information interpreted by FOX's cronies, the NYPost.
the video ID has not even been confirmed if you recall (the public tends to have a short-term memory)
being close with cases like these, you must UNDERSTAND THIS - unless you're looking at the evidence yourself and know all the details, you must remind yourself our system is INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY , but we're not interested in that anymore - "yeah, let's put this fucker away." -
well - if he's not actually the killer, will our streets be safer?
you should be disgusted with your selves...
Meredith, I can tell you as someone who has frequented these establishments that it is EXTREMELY rare to find such a serious aspiring performer as you would expect to if it were really a common choice for aspiring artists. the people who convinced catherine probably used that line "oh it will be easy, a lot of girls like you do it." but girls like her, a classically trained, graceful and beautiful girl from an upper middle class respectable family do not. you might find an occasional bimbo wannabe starlet or an eccentric alternative artsy type girl, but that's it. The clubs are mostly staffed by immigrants,single mothers, and assorted degenerates. Catherine probably stuck out like a sore thumb. Streetwise Strippers with whom I have spoken have told me that Woods obviously didn't belong in the profession because of her very apparant innocence and naivite. And she was pure, she spent her days in Ohio in dance schools and moved here when she was 17. presumably , haughn had been her high school sweetheart and only boyfriend. according to one of the first reports, Haughn's friend was identified as being the editor of a hip hop themed pornography magazine. so I think it is safe to assume that it was him and his crowd who encouraged the impressionable young girl to take the path she did.
and don't try to tell me that a girl that young can make an independent, informed decision to participate in something like that.
i fucking lived w/ paul when we were in college in boston! i lived w/ a murderer!!!
ik went to high school with him..we made out...he totally did it..
Paul used to bring knives to school all the time being like "Yo Im an actor, let me cut your shit off". everyone just brushed him off. Then I made out with him. He totally did it
i forgot to mention that when we did make out he did talk often about liking to cut things...i assumed he meant fruit or pie...
Listen everyone is just going tabloid crazy here. U heard it yourrself people. HIS CELL PHONE RECEPTION WASNT WORKING THAT WELL. How the hell is he gonna kill this poor girl if he cant even make a network to network phone call. Last time i checked 2+2 doesnt equal 5. He had to get in touch with his dad via EMAIL PEOPLE. EMAIL. So i dont care about all this dna evidence, video surveillance and diary confessions of exactly how he killed her in his own handwriting.U guys are missing the point. IF THE CELL PHONE SERVICE DOENST FIT, U MUST ACQUIT. And lets not forget about the kung pao chicken with dumplings he ordered from panda house. I mean cmon what else do u guys need in order to stop crusifying this poor innocent kung pao eating pilates genius. Oh and i went to high school with him too, we made out also. He totally did it.
In the beginning of the investigation it was said that Catherine fought for her life and had skin samples underneath her nails. Although Paul gave a DNA sample no mention was ever made of a positive result. The police and news media has dropped this coverage and line of investigation. Now "a" bloody fingerprint is found. No doubt Paul's fingerprints were in Catherine's apartment; they were lovers. As far as the video tapes it "appears" to be Paul. Go to the upper east side and people watch; you'd be surprised how many men look like Paul. In the case of a young Hispanic male, it is obviously "Guilty, until proven innocent".
First off there is noo way in god's name did dave haughn ever convinced catherine to become a stripper, so for those people who made those assumptions, toss those out the window. For those who know dave realize he is one of the most genuine people one has ever met. He loved her very much and from the beginning those who know dave knew he wasnt capable of commiting this haneous crime. and for those who say wanna-be gangster rapper never even heard him before, so im gonna give you all the chance to hear him to shut you all up www.myspace.com/kidd914
First off there is noo way in god's name did dave haughn ever convinced catherine to become a stripper, so for those people who made those assumptions, toss those out the window. For those who know dave realize he is one of the most genuine people one has ever met. He loved her very much and from the beginning those who know dave knew he wasnt capable of commiting this haneous crime. and for those who say wanna-be gangster rapper never even heard him before, he has more talent than many emcees out there now
I remember that **The Post**, in its Cortez diary article, explained for its typical provincial reader that the Bhagavad Gita was a book much loved by the Hare Krishna sect. That's kind of like describing the Bible as a book of interest to Jehovah's Witnesses, or the Torah as the book of choice for Zionists.
In addition to the Bhagavad Gita being the spiritual inspiration for hundreds of millions of Hindus, it has also among its admirers the likes of Thoreau, Emerson, Huxley, Jung, Hermann Hesse, George Harrison, even Albert Einstein.
In the Post articles, Cortez was variously described as "personal trainer," "rock singer," "actor," and along with all that, "yoga teacher." Anyone in New York State is legally allowed to call themselves "yoga teacher" (or "rock singer" or "actor" for that matter) without any credentials whatsoever. That he was a personal trainer employed at Equinox fitness clubs would indicate that that was the area in which he had some degree of recognized qualification.
The Post, albeit raucously entertaining, is a right-wing rag. Yoga helps people think clearly and see through lies and propaganda. Yoga helps people liberate themselves from the AMA/health insurance/pharmaceutical juggernaut. Many Christian evangelicals claim a yoga practice opens the door to demonic possession. William F. Buckley has decribed Hinduism as "a filthy religion," Pat Robertson calls it idol worship ("Hindu heathens bow to an ellyfunt-headed statue, ladies and gentlemen!").
Watch as this saga unfolds (Cortez has pled not guilty) how the Neo-Con stroking Post reinforces this most tenuous connection of a murderer to Hindu core profundities.
Just shows to go ya': the facts never get in the way of the news at the New York Post.
Jarret, perhaps Dave didn't convince Catherine to become a stripper but he sure wasn't put off by driving her to work to strip. Kinda makes you think of the actions of a pimp don't it? I guess he had that pimp kind of love for her. Funny how with all that talent you say Dave has he went back home to Ohio [with his tail between his legs] once his meal ticket was gone. [With all due respect to Catherine Woods.]
I dont know about you Anon, but some people have to do things they may not agree with to make ends meet in NY...Dave never agreed to her dancing, but it was only temporary until they caught up, its very hard for young kids to survive on their own in NY ( we all know that) ...it was either that or they were both going back to ohio....and the statement you say about 'his tail between his legs'...i find that very meaningless cause you were never put in the situation like Dave was in, his decision to move back was due to the horror that new york caused him in every aspect after this terrible situation occured. I would do the same thing if this event happend to me or anyone I know rather...so why dont you swallow your pride 'anon' and you could email me with a location so I could kick ur f*ckin ass for those bullsh*t assumptions westward80@yahoo.com
Jarret, obviously Catherine did come from a upper middle class upbringing; although her parents' judgement was impaired letting her come to New York at 17 "to make it on her own". If you know Dave, as you say you do, you know he had problems of his own at home and he came after Catherine; not to help her but to get away from his own problems and "make it" in the big city himself. Catherine was his ticket out of Ohio. I would think they both could have gone back home if life was too tough for them here; they had options. Is Ohio so bad that it's worth sacrificing your morals and jeopardizing your life? I think not. As far as your comment to resolve a disagreement with violence, isn't that the problem with our world today? Why feed into it?
I understand Catherine' desperate desire not to return to Ohio and give up her lifelone dream. she must have had the added pressure to succeed as a result of the accomplishments of her father and her family's reputation. Catherine and David had options though, they didn't have to live in the most expensive part of the city. Catherine could have continued waiting tables and teaching dance classes with david working and her parents helping out, they could have gotten by. maybe not luxuriously, but they could have survivied. if it was a money issue, I would have sold my kidney before letting such a precious girl end up where she did. I still do not believe that the decision was economic alone, someone persuaded her, someone she knew and trusted and someone very manipulative to work in such a place. A girl doesn't think on her own to go into a strip club and apply for a job, someone brought her there. If I were a member of Catherine's family, I would not rest until I found this person. let me emphathize, the nyc gentleman's clubs are horrible, horrible, horrible places. I won't go into detail, but just trust me on that one.
Anon, where are you getting all of this information, your reading into the news too much, and THAT is the problem today is people feeding into the media......To make it clear, it was a joint effort for both of them to come to NY..they both had dreams, one didnt come after the other as claimed in the news...that was far from the situation....so before you or anyone keep making these 'make believe' media bullsh*T comments, please know what you are talking about beforehand. Don't believe the hype till' you get it first hand
Jim, just read your comment. That is a major assumption to assume that someone made her go that direction. Many girls who live in the city turn to the clubs for quick money, and unfortunatly catherine is the only one in a while that this happened to. We are all aware that the clubs are not 100% safe but we all have been to them and they are not as bad as you make it seem in your statement. And it is unfortunate that she became a dancer but if you know anything of this situation we know that her murder had absolutely nothing to do with her dancing. It is just a sick kid who is very dillusional anad has a very warped mind, and he will get his turn soon
not a %100 safe? that's the understatement of the year jarret. didn't you read the report about how catherine was drugged and probably raped at one of the places she worked? that's just what we know about. do you know any other place of employment where something like that could happen? and where it would be covered up so efficiently? furthermore, I would contend that her employment did contribute to her death. It created bad karma. in a more real way, it probably was one of the reasons she chose Cortez as a mate. strippers generally gravitate towards very controlling and possessive men.
Beleive me, the clubs are that bad, you wouldn't be in a position to know that as an occassional customer. I know strippers who have danced in all the mainstream manhattan clubs and they all have told me that they wish they never had gotten into it. if you knew what I know about what goes on behind the scenes you would agree with me. I could go on for hours describing how working in the sex industry (strip clubs included) affects women pscyhologically, spiritually and physically. most dancers have to get drunk just to get through the shift.
just to give you a another quick example of how uniquely scummy the people in this industry are, when the police were investigating catherine's death, and showed her picture around in the club, they DENIED that she even worked there. for all they knew at that point, the killer could have been connected to the club in some capacity and just to cover their own behinds, they tried to deny that she even worked there.
Jim, sorry to say that I don't know how to even respond to your previous message or anymore, in the fact that anon and yourself are making assumptions as if you even knew whats going on outside what you hear in 'the media', and I could tell that by certain comments you two make for example; that she was drugged in the club, which was a statement made by the same person that is denying even committing the crime when its very obvious he is the culprit. And the statement that Catherine was with Paul because of her surroundings and needed a possessive person like Paul in her life. That is a complete assumption unless you know her character which obviously isn't the case in your part. And that the showed her picture in the club and they denied ever seeing her, that was a mistake by the way by the publications for your knowledge. And by the way Jim, I am a recent graduate from law school, and have been working at a well-established firm here in NY for quite sometime, I could honestly say for many many presentations I have completed in both my undergrad and graduate years, along with a few tests, I got fairly intoxicated to get through them.(even more intoxicated for presentations) I know many collegues of mine that did the same that are even more successful than myself. Does that make us and our industry scummy?
Jarret, why would you assume that “we all have been to them” when speaking of “gentlemen” clubs? I for one have never been to one nor do I have any desire to do so. I would think a majority of individuals would find the experience degrading. Since you’re being so honest about your need to be intoxicated to get through tests and presentations, can you tell me the name of your law firm? I certainly wouldn’t want to make the mistake of doing business with your firm in the event you’re still having issues with alcohol. That might explain your violent outburst earlier on.
Jarret, why would you assume that “we all have been to them” when speaking of “gentlemen” clubs? I for one have never been to one nor do I have any desire to do so. I would think a majority of individuals would find the experience degrading. Since you’re being so honest about your need to be intoxicated to get through tests and presentations, can you tell me the name of your law firm? I certainly wouldn’t want to make the mistake of doing business with your firm in the event you’re still having issues with alcohol. That might explain your violent outburst earlier on.
I don't think 'most' individuals think they are degrading unless they have a bit of homosexuality in them. I believe on the contrary that 'most' men 'have' experienced strip clubs one in their past. And stating that I have a problem with alcohol is a complete assumption that is based on no facts, besides that I said I got 'a bit' intoxicated for a few presentations to let loose from talking in front of 600 people. So I will save my time and yours by 'not' naming my firm in that if you decide to retaliate because of my opinions, I will certainly lash out for defamation. So please don't assume that becuase I got buzzed a few times that I have a problem. I think you have a problem 'shocked' with making false accusations and judgements towards people, with no knowledge of who your talking too. So do yourself a favor and read my comment, but do not respond to it
I wouldn't think that the experience is necessarily degrading for the customer but to the woman who has to submit to drunken men screaming, groping and god knows what else at her as well as well as mafiosa club managers and owners who constantly try to use their power over you. women actually have to pay an upwards of $300.00 for the privilege of working at these places and can actually lose money on slow nights. jarret, how would you like it if your superiors or clients at your law firm were allowed to grab your private areas without fear of reprisal and that you had to smile and look pretty for them while they did it. (assuming they weren't pamela anderson look alikes, but fat sweaty middle aged men) I think you would probably feel like jumping out of a window if you had to put up with that everyday.
Mr. Jim, your entire comment is ludacris (sorry to say)...Going through your comment I noticed that you say strip clubs are run by mafiosos that harass their employees, I don't know about you jim, but if you were in the legal business or a judge, we would be in trouble with all the assumptions you make in your statements...just remember that (i don't know why I even have to bring it up)I would NOT allow my superiors to 'grab' or 'touch' me cause in my business thats jailtime, and the fact that these woman actually place themselves in these situations, so anything that happens to them they are WELL aware of...
Many of the dancers are not aware of what will be expected of them when they start. they get "sucked in" with false promises. Even if they are aware of what they will have to endure, so what. my point is that it's an extremely unhealthy occupation which should be avoided if there is any choice.
After all is said and done, this will prove to be a very interesting trial. In one incident Catherine calls Paul late one night for help. Apparently she was drugged at the strip joint she worked in and came to in a bathroom. She didn’t call her live-in boyfriend David for help, she called Paul. That in it self would show whom Catherine trusted to help her, Paul not David. Then the Woods family denies ever knowing Catherine was a stripper although it is a fact that Paul called the family almost a year ago to let them know what she did for a living when she was brutalized. Her father came to New York and spoke with Paul directly about this incident. The Woods claimed they thought their daughter was working in an off Broadway play. Let’s think about that for a moment, wouldn’t any parent knowing their little girl has a part in a Broadway play make an attempt to go see her on stage? Afterwards the Woods family admitted lying about not knowing what their daughter did for living. Excessive phone calls are a matter of opinion and seems such a lame excuse to pin a murder on someone. Modern technology baffles me so I would be skeptical of anyone being able to pinpoint a cell phone call to begin with. It isn’t like Paul lived a huge distance from Catherine. The yoga studio he attended and the gym he worked at were also close by to where Catherine lived. As far as video surveillance tape ever being available we all know that was a bunch of crock. Even the news media dropped it as evidence against Paul. I would think you need some pretty sophisticated equipment to see an individual in the street after 6:00pm on a dark winter’s night. In one news report you have a neighbor claiming to hear screams and a loud thud at approximately at 6:15pm and noticed Catherine's dog was out in the hallway [what ever became of that poor dog anyway?]. David claimed to have left the apartment at about 6:30pm to fetch the car. So does that mean David was in the apartment while Catherine was being killed? Where was David’s car parked that it took him twenty minutes to get back? And in that twenty minutes David never bumped into Paul? It isn’t like they don’t know each other on sight. Although it was claimed that Catherine fought for her life and there were skin samples under her nails the DNA did not match either David or Paul. Could it be at all "possible" someone other than Paul was in that apartment; especially since it was noted that the apartment door was unlocked. By all accounts Catherine's life was shrouded in mystery and deceit. Couldn't it be possible that Catherine who still lived with David and had a relationship with Paul might have had other lovers as well? Why is it that the police didn't dig a little further in their investigation? Why is it that no mention was made of a fingerprint until three weeks after the murder? It was a small studio, why did it take the police so long to find it; a single solitary fingerprint. Being that Catherine and Paul were lovers it wouldn’t surprise me Paul’s fingerprints would be in her apartment. I’ll admit a "bloody" fingerprint can be damning. But was that a blood splatter "over" a fingerprint? And we are talking about a partial fingerprint here. If this were a case tried in a federal court the fingerprint would be thrown out as evidence because it does not have enough points of identification to make it conclusive. As far as the individual claiming to be raped by Paul, the DA didn’t believe she would make a reliable witness on the stand that’s the real reason they decided not to pursue the rape allegation. The only reason the police gave any credence to her allegations to begin with was because it gave them the opportunity to fingerprint Paul and stop their investigation into Catherine’s murder. Up until then, they had absolutely nothing on Paul and they still don’t. Also, isn't it just a bit odd that this woman happens to be a close friend of Paul's bandleader? Why is it she never confided in anyone about this incident and continued to see and support the band? I think everyone is going to have to keep a scorecard on this one...
My friend above, you HAVE to stop listening to the news. Its going to corrupt your mind. If youread the previous statement from Jim, I mentioned to him that most of his info is hear'say by the media, and you bring it all up again in your 4 page statement. Please avoid the media, and this is coming from an attorney at a well credited criminal law firm. 'Doubt', your entire statement is rather ludacris to us who are more aware about the situation at hand.
Jarret, I’m sure your nine various responses to individuals to accept your opinion and try to bend them to your point of view probably took up as much space as your exaggerated claim of Doubt’s “4 page statement”. I guess as the “lawyer” you claim to be; only you can be right and have an opinion. Of course I have quite a few doubts about your character, integrity and ethics. I’m going strictly by your comments here. I am suspect of a “lawyer” that has trouble spelling, putting together a grammatically correct sentence and who advocates violence, “email me with a location so I could kick ur f*ckin ass for those bullsh*t assumptions westward80@yahoo.com”. What I do find interesting is that David Haughn recorded for Westward Productions. Could that explain your relentless defense of David at the expense of an innocent? Offering your web page for us to listen to David was pathetic. Obviously your idea of talent is also lacking. If you bother to compare, Paul is the more superior talent as can be heard on myspace.com/monolithrock. When you claim, “we know that her murder had absolutely nothing to do with her dancing”. How do “we” know that? Since you’ve claimed on more than one occasion knowing more than anyone about this case and you have acknowledged your close relationship with David, and you have sooo much first hand knowledge, where were you the night Catherine was murdered?
P.S. Are you also perhaps a bit homophobic since you claim, “I don't think 'most' individuals think they [strip clubs] are degrading unless they have a bit of homosexuality in them"?
Are you Paul's attorney or significant other?? I am convinced you are one of the two, Or possibly a former band member, but even they state that Paul wasn't very talented overall.
Jarret, as I’m sure you are aware, “former band members” can be extremely jealous, defensive and outright hostile when they’re in the midst of recording and something beyond their control puts a check on all their dreams. What do you do when so much time, effort and money has been used into putting down tracks that are perfection and your lead singer has been taken away from you? Comments in anger might have been made knocking Paul’s talent but anyone actually seeing him perform and sing knows it’s all a lie.
I think musical talent is probably irrelevant in this whole case. I'm sure that Paul as well as David both are talented individuals. doubt, or shall I call you mr. everhard, what is your opinion about paul's own diary where he fantasizes about cutting off catherine's head? was that forged? according to the media reports, catherine only told her parents that she was in a small off broadway production. not a big deal for a girl who was highly accomplished and not enough to merit her parents making a trip to new york to see her. when did catherine's parents admit to lying about their knowledge of catherine's employment?
Reading an individual’s personal diary, can be opened to many different interpretations. Obviously the prosecution is going with their interpretation of Paul’s diary to fit their case against him and presenting it as fact to the media. Paul will have to wait until his day in court to give his interpretation of his own diary and hope public opinion has not been so tainted against him as not to believe him instead. I believe that no matter how small a part Catherine claimed she had in an off Broadway production, her parents knew this was her life’s dream to be on stage in New York. I would think her parents would have been there front row center and with roses to present her if they truly believed her claim. To claim it was “not a big deal for a girl who was highly accomplished…to merit her parents making a trip…” diminishes the accomplishments of those individuals that have come before her and performed on the stage through their own personal sacrifices and hard work. No doubt, although Paul confronted the Woods family regarding Catherine’s lifestyle as a stripper, it was an embarrassment to them and they coped with the truth by not acknowledging it. So it stands to reason why they would have lied to the police and the media when asked if they knew their daughter was a stripper. Unfortunately, in denying their knowledge they have portrayed Paul as a liar. Although now the Woods have admitted to lying about their knowledge of their daughter’s lifestyle and admitted to coming to New York at Paul’s call none of this has been publicly acknowledged through the media – as of yet…
no single piece of evidence is dambing alone, but when you look at the totality of evidence,
(bloody fingerpring, camera footage, false statements to police, cell phone global positioning(accurate enough to pinpoint to the block where calls are made) and the diary of paul stating his desire to do exactly what was done to catherine, he is certainly guilty. believe me, if not for this evidence, i would be quite inclined to believe other possibilties.
no single piece of evidence is dambing alone, but when you look at the totality of evidence,
(bloody fingerpring, camera footage, false statements to police, cell phone global positioning(accurate enough to pinpoint to the block where calls are made) and the diary of paul stating his desire to do exactly what was done to catherine, he is certainly guilty. believe me, if not for this evidence, i would be quite inclined to believe other possibilties.
Paul's corner, do you have children? If yo udid, then its easy to say that if a stranger (who looks like paul) attempted to explain to you that your daughter was a stripper. As a father I would not acknowledge it. Not that Mr. Woods was embarrased, but the fact that paul isnt a credible source to him, and the instinct as parents not to think your kid is in the wrong (especially coming from catherine's background from what I read in the NY times).....and the evidence is very strong to me, I believe he should be put away forever
one more thing, as far as Mr. Woods coming to new york at paul's call, to me that is just hear/ say. It could just be another strange event occuring in Paul's demented head.
If camera footage existed it would have been revealed by now but it has not. I doubt the number of phone calls made in the immediate area as claimed because I would think that David being out and about getting the car would have noticed him yet he did not. If Paul did mention Catherine’s murder in his diary was that written after she was murdered and he was trying to make sense of what happened to her? Those who know him know he takes solace in writing. Since there has to be a bad guy in all this the prosecution and media has decided Paul is it and the town folks are now itching for a lynching. For those who know him, there’s more good and compassion in him than all the horrible things that is being said about him. Now he’s even having his looks degraded [jim your right]. Paul is actually a very attractive individual and made a much handsomer couple with Catherine than she ever did with David.
48 Hours will be doing a piece on Paul’s case in the near future [ Saturday, May 6th ] and no, they haven’t pronounced him guilty like the rest of you.
free paul u r just a complete jerkoff...r u serious in your statement...the only comment you made that actually made sense was about his diary being written after....and to me that is a setup for an insanity defense....and as far as david seeing him....do you live in NYC?? you think you would recognize someone you NEVER met in a crowd of thousands of people you retard?? and yes, I am a friend of david's, so your saying that the man (Paul) who so far factually murdered catherine makes a good couple?? damn you really r a demented freak like your boy Cortez
- and Adonai your right they havent found him guilty but its a matter of time...and I will know the moment it happens...and howww did you hear bout this 48 hr story??
Idiot, David knows Paul and has spoken to him face to face so yes, he would recognize him. You obviously aren't as close a friend as you thought...
Why is it that people who do not know Paul personally condemns him because of what was printed in the newspaper and when anyone tries to defend him, even those who claim to know him, it’s scoffed as hearsay?
You have no idea what you are talkin about...no clue.....and I will stress again, NO CLUE
-and 'just wondering', its not hear/say...it is physical evidence they have...
and to tell both of you ---I never read the papers--- my friends told me the 'gist' of what they say..but I fend it off
Idiot, thanks for the laugh. You never read the papers but you get the gist of it from your friends. Yet you know it all as far as Paul's guilt. I guess you were there when it all went down. New York definitely has more than their fair share of crazies.
Yes skeptical, I was there when my friend was getting murdered you f*ckin moron. Don't ever say that cause its plain disrespectful to even assume that with no evidence. So now your assuming that the only way one would know about the case is through the papers?? Keep being skeptical cause that is all you will ever be about life buddy, cause I could very well be closely involved with law enforcement.
just posted a preview of the 48 hours story on cbs. I just can't believe how beautiful that girl was. I know that New York is expensive, I know it's hard to live here. But there are always alternatives. there are thousands of dancers, singers, and artists who find another way. they have low cost housing for artists in the city. I hope cbs doesn't give the impression that going into sex related work is a requesite for getting into show business. I don't want to be judgemental towards catherine. she was too young to come here at 17 and have to make such decisions in the first place. 17 is a very impressionable age for a girl, and she was a victim of her morally debilitating enviroment.
as far as the 48 hours clip "not pronouncing paul guilty" I think the show was filmed before his arrest. I'm sure they will air an update showing the new evidence which came to light.
i agree with you jim, it was too early for catherine to come at 17, especially coming here to the city from a small midwest town, the pressures could really get you
When is the 48hrs episode on?
So now Idiot is "involved with law enforcement". I think he was also the "lawyer" above. Anyway, just too much conjecture going on here. Something else to keep us thinking:
48 Hours Mystery
WCBS May 06 10:00pm
Series/Talk, 60 Mins.
"Shattered Dreams"
Believe me , Pauly is as innocent as they come. It's funny how the police look only at the boyfriends and disregard investigating Catherines place of employment while just letting the trail go cold. I thought David told the police that someone at her job threatened her. You never heard anything else about it. It's also funny how the so called sexual assault victim conveniently decided not to pursue that aspect of the case. I guess she figured the truth would actually come out in court huh? You think they were under intense pressure to solve this case quickly??? The Judge should just dismiss this case without thinking twice because Pauls print (which put him in jail)and barely legible was obtained only because of the accussations of this mysteriously vanishing assault victim........
Read what I wrote above 'Enough' ...or maybe you need to read it a few times to understand what it says, I dont believe I said I 'am' involved in law enforcement...You think I would say what I do to a shmuck like you on here...lol...come on now...your very articulate in your writing from what I read 'enough', but man your an idiot
Biff, the police investigated a few men that david mentioned AND the places of employment thoroughly...But everything linked with Paul.....and the woman went to the police at because she couldn't let him get away with a murder, and they couldnt get an arrest on him....Then she decided not to pusue it because she doesnt want to 'relive' the horrible experience she had which is why she never came out earlier.... More than half of rape victims never come out, and she had nothing to gain BY telling the police a year later ...and the fingerprint is there, the calls placed near her house and the video, but the calls is assuring to me .. Several rapid calls minutes prior to her murder, then none after.....seems to coincidental .....And she didnt 'mysteriously' vanish...read up on rape biff, and you will see most are embarrassed to come out, and I woudnt blame them
There is a 60 minutes as well as a 48 hrs episode on this?? when is the 60m mintues on and time??
Biff,this is to you, As for the phone calls, I guess you weren't paying attention. Paul had connection problems with his phone remember? (He had to email his own DAD at times) But lets say his phone was working ok. Could it be at all possible the rapid calls in succession without an answer meant catherine couldn't answer because she was already DEAD?? You say prior, I say it could have been after. As for the rape victim, she already committed with an allegation so why not take it all the way then if she knew she wouldn't do that in the first place? The fingerprint? come on....besides it being a so called,"bloody and partial" print it didn't surprise me. He's been there. Paul loved her. Was it a bloody print or a smear of blood on the print? As for the video, why haven't they made it public? Could it be because it was already dark on that cold night(gets dark by 5pm) and you can't make out a building much less an individual? My gut feeling is that this David boy knows more than what he's letting on...........
Guy who wrote the comment above, so he had phone problems, the alternate signal just happened to be the one near catherine's house.....and for the phone calls, I dont think you were paying attention , even though your info is directly from media sources...but ill even play with that info they gave, which is still the half-ass truth), because he says catherine actually picked up one or two of the times and said she would call him back, but he persisted to try .... Now that would just be mere coincidence that paul's phonecalls, him on surveillance (and yes, they have that footage), all took place at the exact timeframe she was murdered ......and its not a 'partial' print, it is a clear (enough for an indictment by the grand jury) and it is located ON catherines blood, not smeared or under it...ON.... and as for David, haa...theres not a chance that kid did it...he went over and beyond cooperation to help solve the case in a manner that was never ever seen by someone who had just committed such a haneous crime .... and as for Paul, he was just needed for another quick round of questioning the third day, and he went and got a lawyer...my man....the finger is all pointing towards your boyyy
Hey biff, are we not forgetting that upon search of his establishment, they found a diary where he goes into detail how he will kill catherine...I mean to it sounds like Paul came up with that after for a setup for insanity, but if he is innocent why even go through the trouble
If Paul really wants to be honorable and truly wanted to redeem catherine's spirit, maybe he can do it by living up to what he did and sacrificing himself and letting her rest in peace. and her parents have some closure. maybe there is a chance that he can redeem his own soul and get to meet catherine again in heaven. If he keeps up his "innocence" act, he will just look like a spurned lover getting revenge and then trying to weasel out of the consequences.
Your truely right jim... If he 'really' loves her (and it hurts me to even use that as an example...god rest catherines soul), then he would give himself up and stop dancing around, cause when it comes out he will look worse than he already does
I guess you can explain then why Catherine fought for her life and had skin under her nails but when Paul was being initially interviewed and examined he had no scratches whatsoever on his hands, face, & body. Yep, like I said, the boy is as innocent as they come.
maybe because paul was a skilled martial artist and wrestler. he could have easily overpowered her without sustaining any wounds to himself.
It was a well done crime...So in that I would assume that Paul was wearing heavy clothing including gloves and maybe even a mask so she could identfy him....but as for people sayin he should have wounds, I wouldnt think so...she could have had skin under her nails from another instance, doesnt necessarily have to be from her fighting off an attacker (paul in this instance) ...and if (post #75) in his second to last sentence is referring to pauls friend from the show that said 'he saw pauls body'(including back) ...I could be just me but I dont usually look at my friends bodies (unless it was another female) when they r at my house that closely to recognize small scratches unless he was homosexual (kinda looked like one....so probably assuming so)...
No it wasn't from the show. It was said all along he had no scratches on him. The police searched him front to back and even took pics of him. So he was wearing gloves now. You can't have the best of both worlds. Fingerprint? gloves? which one is it? I guess only a homosexual would say something like that. You sure you're not that everhard guy?
Hello everyone, I just have to say there were two people in that room that evening (the one who commited the crime and Catherine) We shouldn't judge people if we don't have a clue on who they are. I have never seen Paul and I have no idea who he is that's why I wouldn't point my finger to him because I don't know what to believe because everything that I have heard and read is from the media. The media will hype a story just to get ratings and the paper to get sales. They all say sources ( What sources? ) We don't know if these sources really exist. Everything is hear say. Besides, I believe that if they (police) had some solid evidence on him they would have put him away just as fast as they did with the Little John case. Something fishy there. I just can't convince myself that such a horrific murder and there was only one finger print just one and not even a full finger print just partial. Come On! The police in our days just want to look good in the public eye and they'll say or do anything to say that they did their job in solving the murder. There are so many cases of people that have been wrongfully accused by the cops and served so many yrs. of their life in jail. After many yrs, than they relize that they made a wrong accusation and arrest. That's why they're being sue constantly by the person that they had wasting their life in prison. Sue away people! As for Paul, I wish him luck and I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. As our law says "Innocent until proven Guilty" .
I agree with you "No faith". After seeing the cbs special I have to question the police. Why didn't they questioned his band members? Why just ONE finger print through out that whole ordeal? The band members said they knew the supposedly diary that the cops claim they found. It's not even a diary, its a song writing journal where he wrote his lyrics. If song writers get arrested for every weird lyric that they write in their song writing journal than the jails would be full of song writers. Especially heavy metal song writers. I don't judge Catherine for the kind of work she did ( you have to do anything to survive in NY ) but It did put a big question mark in my head because it did say she worked in more than one strip joint. Who knows what kind of demented pervert person she attracted in those places. Why did she say she broke up with the dude Paul and than we saw a vid of her attending one of his performances during the time that she said she wasn't with him? (weird). Why was David so nervous during the interview? Why didn't he have any emotions when he called 911? or for that matter when he was being questioned by the police? They say men don't cry but come on now, no matter how much in shock you were in, you just found supposedly the woman you claim to love dead, in a terrible attack. He said he saw her as a mother figure....which one is it, girlfriend or mother or the one who supported him and realized his free ticket just gave him a final date on which he had to be out of her apt. ( and that day was approaching) I don't think he did it, but I think he knows a little more than what he is saying.
it wasn't that there was just one fingerprint, it's that there was one BLOODY fingerprint. obviously his fingerprints alone wouldn't have been seen noteworthy because he was her lover and had been at her house many times. diary/songwriting journal , whatever you want to call it. it refers to his desire to cut off catherine's head. (out of all things, pretty coincidental huh?
If Paul weren't guilty and had nothing to hide, he would have cooperated with the police as David did. he didn't though, he chronically lied, He claimed he was playing a gig at a club which wasn't even open that night, when in reality his band was actually having a rehearsal,which he didn't even show up to. I understand the desire to defend Paul despite the overwhelming evidence against him. He seemed like a talented, charming person who did in fact do a very commendable thing by calling catherine's father to warn him of catherine's lifestyle despite knowing that she would probably break up with him for it. you must understand though that love and hate are two powerful emotions which drive people to rash things, especially when they are as passionate as paul seemed to be.
it's ironic that though he was probably the person in New York who most cared for her he is also the one who probably killed her as well.
You obviously are oblivious to the case...they couldnt arrest him cause they cant connect him directly to the apt....they have cell phone records and video, but that still isnt enought to convince a grand jury that he was indeed inside the apt...you need physical evidence...so when they finally made the arrest for the sexual assault, they got his fingerprints and matched them....and the police sources are indeed 'real'...I didnt read much of the media, just what came directly from the police...and like I said earlier (post 77), I believe he was wearing gloves and removed them to either clean himself or remove clothing and left a print that he didnt realize was there or overlooked(cause they say whoever did it cleaned off or had a change of clothing)...and to POST 80, little do you guys know that the band members are friends with the woman who was assaulted by Paul, and that their 'meeting' as they said in the video was ACTUALLY to kick Paul out of the band because they wanted to sever ALL ties....get that....they lie and the police know, thats why they werent questioned. (they are just not credible)....and the diary, IM a musician, I dont care if its a lyric book or his bible, you talk about cutting a womans throat then it happens, to coincidental...and as for David, they actually got back together, and neither had any intentions if moving (that wasnt said anywhere...where did you get that info??) thats why 'Paul' was very upset as said in the video by both friends and family members.. and yes, when your in shock you have no emotion...hence the word: shock.....
Jim...I agree with everything you said in your statement, besides Paul being the person that cared for her most, as said by catherines best friend in the video, Paul created a fantasy of their love, 'if he couldnt have her, noone can' ...her expressions on the video seemed to me that catherine told her things about Paul that made them laugh at his expense for being weird and looney...I think her best friend would know more info than anyone in the world about her relationships....and to me it seemed like david cared for her alot .. and as for Paul calling her father and calling her a 'drug-addict prostitute'...he's a f*ckin looney tune people
I kept up with this story throughout. I wouldnt know why Paul would go through the trouble of lying to the police the entire time with his shaky alibi, and david cooperated the entire time without obtaining an attorney(and we are talking about murder). and one thing I didnt see on here, is that someone says that Paul emailed his dad cause of phone problems, but yet he told the cops he was calling clients the entire time at his house. He is a sketchy character. And I think he is guilty
To all the detectives gonna be. I ran into this web site by accident. Everyone is entitle to their OWN opinion. But come on people, you must have to much time in your hands to be trying to solve a mystery that who knows, might not be ever solve. This guy Paul might come out of this free and clear. Besides, I'm pretty sure everyone has problems of their own to worry about, rather then other people's problem. PEACE OUT! and about.
I think that their feelings toward each other were mutual, at least at some point. Catherine obviously trusted Paul enough to call him when she was in trouble at the club. As for accusing of her being a drug addicted prostitue, I don't think paul put it quite in those terms when he called jon woods. her father said that he was very polite and articulate when he called. If he mentioned prostitution, he might have been simply exaggerating to get the urgency of the situation across. I really hope though that catherine wasn't coerced into more than dancing, and that she had the willpower to resist the drugs and crime which are very prevalent at the clubs. it would make this story even more depressing than it already is.
when I mentioned paul being the one who cared for her the most I meant out of the people whom she encountered in New York, which isnt saying that much.
This was a professional hit and the Puerto Rican kid is going to go down for it. The cops were pressured into a quick resolution so they’ll stick together on this one. None of Catherine’s or David’s family or friends knew what the two of them were into here in NY. You say David was in shock; scared is more like it. He knows more about Catherine’s murder than he’s letting on.
Goomba, this was def not a professional hit cause a fingerprint wouldnt have been left behind by a pro....its more like someone with intelligence committed the crime....and as for David looking scared or nervous, I would too if I was on national TV talkin about finding the love of my life murdered (and we all know that footage is edited, not done all in one shot)...come on now(Goomba, its ALL easier said when your not in the situation)...and ALL the evidence is leading towards Cortez: the phone calls, the video, the print, the excessive lying by Cortez to the police, what do you people find so hard to believe...Im not understandin, are all you friends with Paul?? then I may understand, but even if he WAS a friend of mine, I would still be skeptical...Kid is f*ckin crazy...just like catherine said
***And in post (85) - catherine called paul that night because she couldnt get a hold of her girlfriends and would NEVER want David to see her under those conditions (even said it in Cortez's statement), especailly doing what she did.....so Paul was her LAST resort.....cleared up
So now Paul is guilty because he got a lawyer? What kind of idiot logic is that? Paul presented himself freely to the police for questioning. The police spent 5 hours with him. Several detectives grilled him nonstop. They took pictures of his unblemished hands and had him provide a written statement. Thereafter they took Paul home and poked around a bit in his apartment. The next day the police wanted to question him further regarding his written statement so he got a lawyer. Lesson #1: Never give the police a written statement. They can take a written statement and twist it to suit their needs. Look at what the police did to Paul’s lyrics book. They claimed it was a confession. Why do you think the police didn’t even bother to talk to Paul’s band? Because the band would have ruined their “evidence”. Each and every one of you would lawyer up real quick if you were in Paul’s shoes.
A week before the 48 Hour piece aired three officers came into Paul’s cell to remove books his family and friends have mailed to him. Apparently he was over his quota. Mind you, these books are mailed to him and most are of a religious & spiritual nature. If there was a quota, anything above & beyond the quota should have been returned to the sender. Instead this gave the authorities the opportunity to send Paul to Riker’s Island from the Tombs to serve solitary confinement. Is the prosecution's case so weak they are trying to break Paul into confessing? Are they hoping something will happen to him in Riker’s so that they don’t have to prove their case? Is he being punished because his family and friends tried to plead his innocence through 48 Hours? Why is it that after 5 months the prosecution has yet to release to Paul’s lawyer all of the “supposed” evidence? Forced to serve solitary confinement because of too many books; how low are the police going to go?
1. They didnt question the band members because they are not credible, they say one thing at one point then on the 48 hrs they painted a completely different picture of paul from when they first heard that paul raped their friend...(the girl who Paul allegedly raped is his band members friend, so I would assume the defense doesnt want to question them for pauls own good)
2. If you attain a lawyer that early in questioning, you have something to hide, hence, them letting DDavid go because he cooperated fully...
3. Lyrix book/bible/diary...I dont give f*ck...he mentioned slicing catherines thoat and then it 'coincidentally' happens...come on people, have some common sense here
-----And if I were Paul I wouldnt have attained an attorney if I had nothing to hide ...
Paul Cortez is in confinement in Rikers?? or is that a joke....if this is true, we are going out for drinks.....Yager shots anyone???? wowooooooooo
Holly crap, you guys have nothing better to discuss! Get a life!
Get a life why are you here then?
I would urge everyone , regardless of where they stand on the guilt of the innocence of the accused, to contribute to catherine wood's scholarship fund at osu. maybe the dream which catherine sacrificed so much for will come true for another girl who receives this scholarship.
Thank you for the kind words Jim... I hope people contribute