I heard about this case years ago. This guy was as vile as they come, and the people he hurt were denied justice. I feel no sympathy for him.

@DaisyLee1963

3 жыл бұрын

Agreed. And I have nothing but disgust at the law enforcement who enabled him for years before the town finally got rid of him. And that lawyer of his was terrible, too.

@carolnahigian9518

3 жыл бұрын

they made theWorld a Better Place.

@mamacito1795

3 жыл бұрын

100 % agree. I dont believe in vigilantism but I think if you were protecting someone and the aggressor gets hurt its fair. I dont think thats imputing wrong motives either. I think its entirely reasonable to believe Ken would have killed the shop owner given his past behaviour. In fact I believe it would've been negligent if the towns people had not acted to stop him. Why should an innocent man suffer because the law favors criminals?

@SjofnBM1989

3 жыл бұрын

Right that town did absolutely exactly what they needed to do

@BruceLeroyUK

3 жыл бұрын

Indeed

I do think that sheriff read the room: "Hey, everyone, just so you know, WE are not going to do anything, so whatever you do, 'DO NOT' go to the bar right now [gives address of bar] and ABSOLUTELY 'DO NOT' take justice into your own hands. Byeeeeeeeeeeee" *drives away quickly*

@anonymousstrangeness7348

3 жыл бұрын

😀 😂 😂 😂 😆 😜 😌 👍

@jobrownsmith116

3 жыл бұрын

😂🤣.

@Matt-fs1yy

3 жыл бұрын

And definitely DO NOT encourage anyone who decides to take the law into his own hands to wipe down their rifles, dismantle them with blowtorches, and dump them in dry wells on their farms.

@Somegirl811

3 жыл бұрын

Haha 🤣

@cas4040

3 жыл бұрын

I thought the same thing. I’m sure he had enough of the guy too.

"He burned down [twelve-year-old] Trina's house and shot the family dog in order to convince Trina's parents to allow her to marry him." If that had been my dog and my daughter he would have died that day.

@austingoyne3039

2 жыл бұрын

Right. I’m thinking justice should’ve happened to Rex McElroy much sooner

@AndrewPureMI

2 жыл бұрын

Right but the world we live in today "nobody" believes in the death penelty let alone standing up for YOURE HOME let alone YOUR DAUGHTER!!!! We live in a world of cowards these days!!!!

@daithipol

2 жыл бұрын

@Andrew PureMI what is so brave about murdering a c*nt? I think the death penalty is backward medieval shit but I will defend my home and family in real time.That being said I wouldn't shed too many tears about this bollix. There is a fine line between murder and getting your defence in early.

@jamesbowman6925

2 жыл бұрын

@John M Reported to KZread and law enforcement.

@lisakullack4055

2 жыл бұрын

Yep

As a child of the vigilantes' growing up in Skidmore I had the safest and quietest childhood growing up. These members of our community knew the only way to keep us the children safe was to get rid of the one threat that kept hurting everyone around them. People fail to mention he literally sat outside the school playground during school hours trying to give rides home to very young girls. The towns people are not scary or threatening. They are extremely open people who rally around each other in support. If someone passed you should expect an over abundance of food to show up. Outside chores to mysteriously be done for you. This town has blood smears but no more than any other town across America or any other city in any other country.

@devildriven4413

Жыл бұрын

I respect that.

@rodbrock4759

Жыл бұрын

Skidmore is a great town. Only thing wrong is the bully live 25 years or so too long.

@Ken-fh4jc

8 ай бұрын

I don’t think anyone thinks it is a bad town or the people are bad people. Good hardworking Americans who assumed justice would be served. When it wasn’t, they did what had to be done. I don’t normally like vigilante justice but there are exceptions to every rule.

@southrules

4 күн бұрын

@@rodbrock475943 years ago dead

I've researched this case quite a bit in the last few years. They tried their best to get justice through the legal system. But in my honest opinion after exhausting every legal avenue they were left with no choice.

@feleciaclemons5074

3 жыл бұрын

Exactly!!!

@BeckBeckGo

3 жыл бұрын

And who is going to give a toss about getting any justice for him? It really was the perfect crime. He was a useless troglodyte pedophile who threatened everyone, and pretty much spent his life in the eye of a neverending tantrum. Nobody cares about that person. Nor should they.

@georgehart8879

3 жыл бұрын

Once Ken moved from years of stealing to arson endangering a family twice and to attempted murder (in which it's a miracle the man didn't die), it was time to get rid on him. When the sheriff left, they knew they had to get rid of him one way or another. Everyone in that crowd wanted him dead. They were all relieved when he was actually dead. Justice was served.

@JohnMcMahon.

3 жыл бұрын

Justice was done, in my opinion.

@greenbeagle13

3 жыл бұрын

Agree with you. They tried to hit through the right channels - didn’t work, they did what they had to do. Job well done 👍

Ken: *gets murdered* The town: y'all hear sumthin?

@anonymousadult

3 жыл бұрын

I didn’t hear a thing

@sandylocke9975

3 жыл бұрын

🦗 crickets 🦗

@feleciaclemons5074

3 жыл бұрын

@@sandylocke9975 even the crickets didn't hear or see anything.

@Johnny-sj9sj

3 жыл бұрын

Nope 🙂

@maureeningleston1501

3 жыл бұрын

Hahahaha. I suppose I shouldn't laugh !!..............BUT I WILL.

It’s really incredible that the community let him live so long. The sheriff and courts ought to be ashamed of themselves for continually releasing him. Such cowardice.

@Ken-fh4jc

8 ай бұрын

Because they were good people who just assumed justice would be served. When it wasn’t, oh well.

@southrules

4 күн бұрын

White people…

They put down a rabid dog the authorities kept releasing from his cage. I’d call it self defence if I was on the jury.

@bcatblues725

Жыл бұрын

He shot two men one that was 70 in the neck. Nobody was helping these people protect themselves, so they took care of it, before someone in their family got shot again.

" McElroy's murder ... was the gift that keeps on giving and the townspeople were in a generous mood." 🤣🤣🤣 This one is an uber-Grande!

@JustDr.S

3 жыл бұрын

Ikr? There were so many jokes in this one, it was hard to pick a favorite!🤣 Dr. G is the best!

@bellasmom2597

3 жыл бұрын

That wasn't murder it was public service.

@sciencenate

3 жыл бұрын

This was my favorite as well

@harrycatful

3 жыл бұрын

Yeees was gonna quote this myself but you got there first😂😂😂

@GlennaVan

Жыл бұрын

@@JustDr.S LOL - not jokes, sarcastic observations. I love his dry humor.

Dale Clements died of liver failure, presumably from everybody in that town volunteering to buy him a drink

@MsKK909

3 жыл бұрын

LOL!! Good one!

@AlphaMom55

2 жыл бұрын

🤣🤣😍

@katetruthseeker2758

2 жыл бұрын

That’s exactly what happened I think!

@janneplanman6433

2 жыл бұрын

🤭😊

@dprcontracting6299

2 жыл бұрын

ha ha ha nice one!

Had a similar situation in Wisconsin back in the early 70's. A local scum bag got out of jail, moved back in with his scum bag father, and was stealing farm equipment, tools, log splitters etc. he was seen selling the stuff at a swap meet several counties away. He talked his way out of it by saying he had just bought the stuff from another vendor on that day. A week later, a group of men snuck up on the farm house one night and fired 55 rounds from deer rifles through the front of his house. No one got hurt, miraculously, but he got the message, and left.

That’s really sad that Trina fought for Rex after he died. I can’t imagine how messed up she must’ve been after years of abuse and chaos.

Why? Because they had no other choice. This is a matter of a town standing their ground against the town's relentless, psycho bully. If this town collectively committed a crime in this case, it is for once one that I approve of. They murdered the human equivalent of the bubonic plague.

@KytexEdits

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah if this guy was going around town threatning people and then ALSO being released on bail, getting his gun, violating his conditions and then ONCE AGAIN being released I'd also have no hope in the police/justice system. I'd be fucking terrified.

@kam0406

3 жыл бұрын

Exactly. These people were absolutely driven to it.

@bcvids9

3 жыл бұрын

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

@GyroLamb

3 жыл бұрын

this guy was not a bully, i think of bullying as like someone who is a troublemaker, but more in a picking fights kind of way, i think killing animals and arson and shooting people goes beyond bullying.

@JohnDoe-zw8vx

3 жыл бұрын

@@GyroLamb same. He is a dangerous criminal and psychopath.

Dr. Grande, Missouri girl here, I can tell you one thing- That sheriff left town because he knew very well what was going to happen. He all as much gave his blessing. He was whistling on his way down the road.

@headishome8452

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, we definitely are the "Show me " state!!

@shelleyc0828

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, you are!!

@thor9563

2 жыл бұрын

Not exactly 'Walking Tall'. Mebee he deputized the town.

@sunnydlite-t8b

2 жыл бұрын

Who gives a shit. His lack of balls and doing his job allowed much of this shit to go on to begin with.

@Bambino_60

2 жыл бұрын

@@sunnydlite-t8b exactly

My cousin lived in Skidmore for a period of time while working as a farmhand. He said a number of people told law enforcement that when the shooting started, they dove under the pool table in the bar. Law enforcement concluded it must be the biggest pool table in the world.

@rodbrock4759

Жыл бұрын

In my hometown he would have never made it to town.

My dad came from a family of 15 kids. Not only did all of those kids grow up to be excellent parents, but every single one of them had good jobs, we're hard-working, some put themselves through college, they are all good people, none with any criminal history.. My point is that even though there was 15 kids in the family, it was a very close knit family, no they didn't get all the one-on-one attention they needed from each of their parents, but they all had each other, and not a single one ever got any trouble with the law, or become killers because of mommy or daddy issues..

"He burned down Trina's house and shot the family dog to convince her parents to allow her to marry him." Anybody else have to listen to that twice?

@juliofoolio2982

3 жыл бұрын

It happened twice, once to marry him and once when she left him.

@leonieromanes7265

3 жыл бұрын

He shot the family's dog.

@amandastakeonit7402

3 жыл бұрын

Nope. I have heard several podcasts on it. There's a lot more to the story, including a lot of child rape, physical abuse and as it shows some of his wives (several lived with him at once) seemed to have Stockholm syndrome. They were terrified, if they tried to get away, he would hunt them down, I think there was a few he no longer wanted he let go or kicked out. The rest kind of developed the mentality, "Welp, if ya can't beat 'em, join 'em!". Jurors, attorneys and judges alike were threatened and blackmailed by him. He was a scary guy! Vigilante law came a callin'!

@pollypockets508

3 жыл бұрын

It's crazy that she sued for wrongful death when the town basically saved her from an abuser.

@myjourneyintorecoveryandwe9488

3 жыл бұрын

It's like Richard Kuklinski stabbed his wife to make her go out with him

When you aren't a sadist and psychopath, it is hard to imagine what a sadist and psychopath can and will do with glee. In this case, the townspeople were literally outgunned until they did the justice system's job themselves. I'm not a death penalty supporter, but like the townspeople, I would never have cooperated with the cops. Where were they when the town needed them?

@leonieromanes7265

3 жыл бұрын

I feel he left them with no choice.

@TT-ww8vv

3 жыл бұрын

I blame the courts. His crimes were distinctively terrible enough to set him apart from typical antisocial lowlife, how he was ever allowed to even post bail is baffling. Why didn't they throw the book at him when they knew he was incorrigible, habitual criminal?

@SuperNuclearUnicorn

3 жыл бұрын

I'm the same as you, I'm very much against the death penalty, but also these people tried to do everything right and put up with an absurd amount of shit. They were absolute saints just putting up with what they did before they got rid of the bastard. If the justice system did its job there would be a lot more people in much better positions, including ol fuckface himself

@anonymousperson3023

3 жыл бұрын

@@SuperNuclearUnicorn the justice system does do it's job. Im sorry you dont have the patience for it though

@Fettclone1

3 жыл бұрын

I agree with the theory that the sheriff left knowing they would take matters into their own hands. The attempt at an investigation after may simply have been the pretense of due diligence to avoid more attention.

One detail you didn't include or missed is that at the town meeting before McElroy was killed, the Sheriff made a point to tell the people of the town that he would be unreachable in the time between leaving the town and getting to his office. It was obviously a wink wink nudge nudge telling the people that although he could not take any official action as Sheriff against McElroy, if something were to happen to him before the Sheriff got back to his office, it would be very hard to find enough evidence to prove who had killed him. That was the entire basis for naming the Sheriff specifically in the wrongful death lawsuit.

@jeaniechampagne8831

2 жыл бұрын

To me, this is questionable. Who would have ratted on the Sheriff? No one. There were no cell phones. Not the first time Sheriff could not be reached.

@GlennaVan

Жыл бұрын

I'm quite certain she named everyone his horrible lawyer could think of - that I how it is usually done.

@VelveteenRabbit77

Жыл бұрын

@@jeaniechampagne8831 There was a time, before cellphones.

@jturtle5318

Жыл бұрын

Yhe Sheriff admitted saying "ding dong, the witch is dead".

@VelveteenRabbit77

Жыл бұрын

@@jturtle5318 What witch?? Which sheriff the fabulous Grady Judd????

Rex taught the town a valuable lesson: No witness, no charge

@scottysmith719

Жыл бұрын

Trina

@Meela234

Жыл бұрын

​@@scottysmith719She didn't count. Never did.

@scottysmith719

Жыл бұрын

@@Meela234 I know she didn't, I was just saying his lesson wasn't effective, about leaving no witnesses, I was just pointing out they left Trina, (a witness), but the good news is they are both dead now! I will pick on a bully if I see them in action, regardless, of their physical attributes or the level of their ego, and my favorite thing, is finding an ego so bloated because of their position of authority, or title one may have, I do not like hypocrites, I usually don't even comment, unless I can make a comment that's brings one to laughter, or if they deserve to be called out, It don't bother me or phase me if I hurt their feelings when pointing out ethics and morals, but you got to be right when doing so

Sometimes there isn't a good solution, there's only an effective one.

@nightshadehelis9821

3 жыл бұрын

Damn. I like this a lot. Well said.

@NewRedYolk

3 жыл бұрын

I've heard about this case many times, and he was nothing short of a terrorist. Waiting for the law to do right would only lead to more violence and harm. The town did what it had to do, 'right' or 'wrong'. It's a sad situation all around.

@davidh6300

3 жыл бұрын

I would argue the town of Skidmore found a solution that was both good and effective.

@khathaway414

2 жыл бұрын

True very true.

@catherinedove7168

2 жыл бұрын

What does one do with a rabid skunk. What we must.

This is a wonderful American success story. The good people of a good town handed this sociopathic fool his justice when law enforcement and the legal system refused to do their jobs. Well done to the people of Skidmore, MO. Well done indeed.

@waveril5167

3 жыл бұрын

Ahh wonderfull America.. Where the legal system don't work.. So woderfull..

@gabork5055

3 жыл бұрын

@@waveril5167 I've seen, heard and experienced things first hand, it doesn't always work outside of the U.S. either. Actually it often doesn't and it's best to be prepared for that.

@waveril5167

3 жыл бұрын

@@gabork5055 Maybe.. I live in Switzerland.. Here it works really well for us. I think :)

@libertatemadvocatus1797

3 жыл бұрын

@@waveril5167 I can't speak for Switzerland, but I know there are quite a few Ken McElroy types in Canada and Australia that the law never seems to be able to do anything about.

@chazzbranigaan9354

2 жыл бұрын

@@waveril5167 ah yes Switzerland the international haven for elites accused of every crime under the sun particularly financial. What a wonderful justice system you have lol.

Mcelroy got much more kindness and mercy than he deserved

Dr. Grande, I’m from a rural town near Skidmore,Missouri and was a young adult when this happened. I know people who knew McElroy personally and one guy who hunted with him. Believe me, he got what he deserved. When the law failed to protect the community, the community did what needed to be done. Small towns take care of their own. Thank you for your analysis of this case.

Growing up in northern Missouri, the story of Skidmore became an urban legend when I was a kid. The story I always heard was that the sheriff actually whipped up the crowd before driving off, fully knowing what was about to happen. I think our parents used the story as a teaching tool. "See what can happen to bullies?"

@BeckBeckGo

3 жыл бұрын

Well… yeah. A lot of adult bullies eventually end up pissing off the wrong person.

@therealmrsruttle

3 жыл бұрын

Did it work? 😄

@sekenamcmurren2217

3 жыл бұрын

@@BeckBeckGo Facts 🗣

@paulmyers7078

3 жыл бұрын

I would bet that the sheriff, just like the towns people, breathed a sigh of relief after McElroy got his just deserts.

@stupidhat1779

2 жыл бұрын

Good on parents for using the story that way!

Gotta admit, this is a “feel good” story.🥰

@janneplanman6433

2 жыл бұрын

I have bad qualities in my brain and acts, but I totally agree with you. There is that line between being bad and being evil.

@sherrihinton8567

2 жыл бұрын

I've been laughing at this video. It's hilarious

What you said last about Ken McElroy really "hits home" with my own experience regarding my old man --- like Ken, he was impervious to common sense or reason; he only responded positively to threats of violence and/or legal action. There are lots of Ken Rex McElroys in the world, and my cruel sadistic father was one of them.

I honestly do not think it is murder when law-abiding people exhaust all legal options against what was obviously a corrupt system in which the deceased intimidated and/or bribed witnesses.

@GlennaVan

Жыл бұрын

If that community had passed their own laws rather than having to comply with state laws and a clever (and money-hungry) lawyer, laws would have been changed to take care of this in a legal manner. Not releasing someone on bail after they have been found guilty would be a good first step!

Born, raised, and still live in North Missouri (I live less than an hour from Skidmore). This is a story that everyone here knows, and everyone knows that McElroy was asking for what came to him. He abused everyone around him and it came straight back.

@Doughboy842

2 жыл бұрын

What's Skidmore like these days? Oneday I might visit that Town out of curiosity.

@AwkwardStinkerbelle

2 жыл бұрын

I’m from about 20 miles away (live in AZ now) and haven’t been there in years but Skidmore is dead now.

There were 15 kids, of the 15 how many came out as rotten and as despicable as this one? I cannot stand bullies. Bullies leave traumatized victims in their path w/o any remorse. He got what he had coming to him. It came later than it should have, but thankfully it came. Zero pity for bullies.

@psychedelicpayroll5412

2 жыл бұрын

I bet they all moved away or changed their names.

@susanh1292

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly!

@catsberry4858

2 жыл бұрын

I'm seeing a scary trend when there are too many kids in a home resulting in neglect and dysfunction and even crime...

I think that sherif read the mood of his townspeople quite well.

The Sheriff had some nerve telling the town's folk to just simply avoid Ken. As if they were seeking interactions with him. That poor town put up with his harassment for two decades. Happy ending as far as I am concern.

My mom is from this area. Lived there when this happened. Was friends with Trena. She suffered much abuse and deserved this "vigilante justice". Hes was a sick man and deserved what he got. This is how all towns should behave. Take care of one another

@mysteryjunkie9808

3 жыл бұрын

So your mom knows who did it but isn’t talking?

@sherunswithscissors

3 жыл бұрын

Does your mom have a .22?

@elleblue07

3 жыл бұрын

XX523 325Xx - Does your Mom know why Trina/Trena decided to sue people for wrongful death though? It kinda sounds like she was defending or trying to get ‘justice’ for Ken afterwards, when she would have been forgiven for wanting to quietly move on with her life and be rid of anything to do with him. Was she an opportunist in the aftermath?

@55shocked55

3 жыл бұрын

@@mysteryjunkie9808 no she don't know she wasn't there when it happened.

@55shocked55

3 жыл бұрын

@@sherunswithscissors its Missouri who don't

Seems like the town’s people took the law in their own hands out of fear of retaliation by McElroy and knowing they would have no support from law enforcement to protect them. Incredible case, thank you for your analysis.

@mrparlanejxtra

3 жыл бұрын

Dirty Harry summed it up when he said 'pretty soon someone. gets killed because their dog pissed on someone's lawn. The point is that without fair law enforcement and justice anarchism prevails.

@gabork5055

3 жыл бұрын

I got the impression his lackeys got off easy though.

@pollypockets508

3 жыл бұрын

I think that it's more of the courts than law enforcement. They did arrest him over and over. But the courts forced them to let him go.

@margie7596

3 жыл бұрын

@@pollypockets508 thank you. Yes, that makes sense.

@ryanbales8116

2 жыл бұрын

The townspeople took the trash out.

I met him very briefly in the early 70's. He had a powerful hand shake and a powerful voice; he could have been very intimidating.

I've listened to many presentations , TV investigations, and breakdowns concerning Ken Rex McElroy. This guy terrorized that town over and over. The sheriff failed, the court system failed. The town took matters into their own hands. I don't blame them. Who else was fated to die or get shot at that maniacs hands? I am unsure what others may have done but if it was my daughter and my home Ken Rex McElroy would have had a stone with his name-birthdate-last date breathing that very day.

I’m blown away at just how prolific Dr. Grande is. The sheer volume of high quality, entertaining videos you release is truly impressive.

@anonymousstrangeness7348

3 жыл бұрын

I totally agree ☺ 👍

@wizardofahhhs759

3 жыл бұрын

Sheer

@rbrianjones

3 жыл бұрын

@@wizardofahhhs759 thx.

@infinidominion

3 жыл бұрын

I haven't even subscribed yet and youtube is like 'AND CHECK THIS ONE OUT TOO!!!!'

@shaunkilcourse8097

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah I agree

The sheriff wasn't disconnected at all - he knew that justice needed to be served. I wouldn't have seen anything that day either.

@SF-eo6xf

3 жыл бұрын

Yep, the Sheriff new what is going to happen and noone in their right mind would have stand in their way.

@gingw7333

3 жыл бұрын

Think I'd have had the overpowering urge to take a long hot bath about that time.

@GlennaVan

Жыл бұрын

@@gingw7333 He did the appropriate thing - he was driving out of town as McElroy was driving into town so he could not have known what was going to happen. To accuse him of knowing would be foolish - he was not a fortune teller. Considering all that had been done and how long it had been going it, it is amazing it was not done before. The judge granting him bond after a guilty verdict was the last straw. Everyone knew he would get off once again when he appealed! However, the shopkeeper might have been dead by then. I don't look at it as them taking a life but rather saving at least one life! He had the names of everyone who signed the paper and he would likely have gone after everyone of them as he had supposedly threatened to do.

Great video as always! Though you left out all the accusations of child grooming. The woman with him in the car was a girl he had lured away from her family and kept since she was a young teen.

For a small town, Skidmore has some scary history. This case and the Bobbi Jo Stinnett case really put it on the map. I grew up not far from there, and my mom would tell my brothers and me to stay out of Skidmore.

It must have been some type of hunting accident. There was probably a deer in front of his truck and the hunter missed the deer and hit the victim.

@kathyclark8274

3 жыл бұрын

Hilarious, but sounds reasonable to me!

@stupidhat1779

2 жыл бұрын

Hunting accident or really bizarre suicide ;-)

@peggypeggy4137

2 жыл бұрын

@@stupidhat1779 McElroy committed suicide by way of really pissed off townsfolk that used hunting rifles.

@TrixieTreat

2 жыл бұрын

I heard it was the deer that shot Ken. Out for revenge.

@dyslexicboogaloo

2 жыл бұрын

@@TrixieTreat I heard that too. Rex told Trina “get in the truck dear” but the deer didn’t understand what that meant.

I don't like to see people take the law into their own hands, but I can understand why people where so scared of this man they took his life. Especially when he never seemed to have to answer for anything he ever did, including attempted murder.

@mysteryjunkie9808

3 жыл бұрын

When the Sheriff says we need to do a neighbor watch that’s when you know you need to take matter into there own hand

Is it wrong that I almost stood up and cheered when I heard that 2 people from that town shot him, and that no one tried to save him? What a great video, Dr. Grande, from beginning to end! Your knowledge coupled with your wit is unparalleled, and I just love when I see your serious face break into a smirk! 😂😂 Loved the lines "He needed a killing." And the "Mythical Monster."

Sometimes in rare circumstances an illegal action is imperative because of extreme necessity.

They did not fail to do anything. Law enforcement and the judicial system failed this entire community. They did what they were forced to do to protect their own. Made a pact with each other and took it to the grave with them.

@feleciaclemons5074

3 жыл бұрын

🤷💯

@healgoth

3 жыл бұрын

The sheriff was AT that meeting… Law enforcement ended up helping by not helping as the sheriff drove out of town after the town meeting

@dougchance8891

Жыл бұрын

freeman A town where everyone went deaf-mute and blind-all at the same time.

The sheriff knew what he was doing. He was looking at a host of upset citizens barely toeing the lynch mob line, his hands were tied as the court never backed him. He did his job informed and advised the citizenry then left knowing and not wanting to be a witness.

@bellasmom2597

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah that makes sense. He did arrest Ken several times.

The fact that no one cracked, shows a loyalty you rarely see considering how many people had to know everything.

I remember hearing about this years ago. . the town made the record of having the largest pool table in the world. Apparently 80 of the townspeople 'hid under the pooltable' when they heard the shooting and saw nothing

I read the book about the case and was amazed by the length of time his predatory crimes lasted without the justice system taking any action. When they finally got a conviction he was out on the streets the next day pending an appeal. As Mark Twain said: there are three types of assault, aggravated, felonious, and praiseworthy.

@jeremyt2212

3 жыл бұрын

With regards to the death of McElroy, I can't help being reminded of another Mark Twain quote, "I will be unable to attend the funeral, though I do approve of it."

@dyslexicboogaloo

2 жыл бұрын

I always loved Mark Twain and now that you mention it I can picture him delivering lines like that in the same droll deadpan as Dr Grande.

"The victim needed killing" is a time honored defense in American jurisprudence.

@nanakoosa1

3 жыл бұрын

hahahaha, yes

@susangray4907

3 жыл бұрын

Accurate

@BIG_FISH55

3 жыл бұрын

True. Underscores the importance of micro networks self correcting aberrant components. We can all agree that murder is wrong but also allowing murder is wrong. But sometimes the lesser of two evils must exist. Ethics is wild af sometimes 🤣

@gingw7333

3 жыл бұрын

I heard that old saying as "He wanted killing." Either way, this one ceased being a deadly threat to everyone in the county.

@Celeste-jh2lj

3 жыл бұрын

In this case he deserved it. Cops had no interest in stopping him

Hello Dr. Grande! Thanks for your thoughts on the Skidmore incident. Thoroughly enjoy the discussion. Good Luck and wishes on your publications of your books. Thanks

Your topics are informative and insightful And I have to appreciate your sense of humor thank you

'In northwest Alaska, kunlangeta "might be applied to a man who, for example, repeatedly lies and cheats and steals things and does not go hunting, and, when the other men are out of the village, takes sexual advantage of many women." The Inuits tacitly assume that kunlangeta is irremediable. And so, according to Murphy, the traditional Inuit approach to such a man was to insist he go hunting, and then, in the absence of witnesses, push him off the edge of the ice.' Martha Stout, The Sociopath Next Door

@kathyclark8274

3 жыл бұрын

Fascinating

@sarah2.017

3 жыл бұрын

There was a group of polar explorers who did something like this to one of their own, because he was stealing all their food. Either he had to "go", or all the rest of the crew would die themselves.

@mamacito1795

3 жыл бұрын

I personally have no issue with this whatsoever. Living where I live where people are given state assistance housing free schooling and seeing he absolute animals who appreciate none of it and just indulge in anti social behaviour making their hard working neighbours lives hell, a couple of over indulged brat ice cubes doesnt sound like a bad idea. My only worry is they might be dug up in 10000 years and be considered representative of all humans who lived in the past 🤔

@GlasPthalocyanine

2 жыл бұрын

I've never understood why modern legal systems can't acknowledge that there will always be one person that you don't want in your family, or near your family. They are risky people to have as neighbours. They are no use to themselves and no use to anybody else.

@EricDodsonLectures

2 жыл бұрын

It's a marvelous testament to the wisdom of indigenous cultures.

I grew up in STL MO and was familiar with this case when it happened, and have watched other documentaries on it. Although I’m a city girl, it is understood that small towns have a different way of managing justice. My understanding of this case is that McElroy’s threats and harassment (which included the prosecuting atty of the county) went unchecked for many, many years. The general feeling was that he got what was coming to him, and that the shooters were protected because no one (law enforcement, etc) could not protect them, and that the town did the right thing. It sounds horrible, but I don’t blame what the townspeople did, based on my understanding of the case. Again, thank you for another interesting analysis.

@paulmyers7078

3 жыл бұрын

Very few people today have an understanding, or insight into, a situation in which an absolutely fearless psychopath has singled them out for long term terroristic harassment and death threats. The victim never knows if or when the monster will be waiting outside (or even in the home) to savage or kill them. The monster can destroy property, vandalize a vehicle, kill pets, or physically assault the victim with apparent impunity. The law cannot or will not help, witnesses will not come forward to testify, etc. The town of Skidmore had had enough of the terrorist.

@mollymollie6048

3 жыл бұрын

@@paulmyers7078 Agreed, Skidmore had had enough, and he was allowed to terrorize the whole community, including law enforcement, who I believe were too afraid of him to do anything about it. I appreciate the courage the townspeople showed in the face of a life threatening menace after exhausting every avenue to try and have him locked up for his crimes.

@melaniewood3506

3 жыл бұрын

It's called "Country justice".

Dr. Grande love all your videos. You break down these complex cases in ways that are respectful to any victims. You also add a little dry humor as needed for the really heavy topics. Have you looked into the Steven Wiggins & Erica Castro-Miles case? I'd love to get your analysis of this case!

Hello, Dr. Grande. Hope you're doing well! I remember when this happened! I read the book, too. He was a horrible person!

Amazing that decades later the town is still mum about Ken Rex. Sometimes small town justice ⚖ prevails.

@feleciaclemons5074

3 жыл бұрын

Love it!

@dianedenham5259

3 жыл бұрын

I don't think there's much left of the town, people just drifted away after what happened.

@chad3232132

3 жыл бұрын

I don't feel bad for Ken, but I do feel for his kids. In one documentary I saw them in you could see how hard life has been for them. Their dad (dirtbag as he was) was murdered and they became outcasts in the community through no fault of their own. One of his kids, now grown, literally had to watch the film demonizing his own father when he was in school.

@z54964380

3 жыл бұрын

@@chad3232132 Well his dad was a POS, like Tyrion the imp said “Never forget what you are the rest of the world will not. Wear it like armour and it can never be used to hurt you.” Actions speak louder than words, if his kids didn’t continue the family tradition of being POS ppl would eventually realize they are not like Ken.

@gingw7333

3 жыл бұрын

Not really. Small communities can be incredibly closed lips. I spent my early life and part of my adult life in them.

This is one of my favorite stories. I love it when a plan comes together. 🤣💀

@TecOneself

3 жыл бұрын

Me too lol, long story avoided to be short.

@CapitalCCapitalC

3 жыл бұрын

@@StevenE1972 💯

Thank you for this, Dr. Grande. After the "Hospitalized for Nonexistent Delusion", this video gives an appropriate uplifting feeling, which is nice.

Always interesting to see Dr Grande cover cases that you've seen other youtubers do before.

Good for them. When the law doesn't do its job, victims have no other choice than to take the law into their own hands.

@erikred8217

3 жыл бұрын

true.

@erikred8217

3 жыл бұрын

@@valerierodger7700 suuuure. that's always why. same thing happened with cosby. those silly uncooperative victims. it's all their fault. you re a good cop. we can all sleep soundly and everything is alright.

@erikred8217

3 жыл бұрын

@@valerierodger7700 yeah it's victim blaming and scapegoating. i know what what you do instead of dealing with it. i'm just sayin. lost on you I see. no surprise.

Why did he ever get bail!?!? This is exactly why people lack faith in the justice system. And sometimes take matters into their own hands. And …. In this case, I’m actually not mad about it.

@joannaw5913

3 жыл бұрын

He had quite a lot of money(proceeds from his life of crime) and was able to hire a very good lawyer.

Dr. G, this was one of your best videos yet. I’d never heard of this character but thanks for sharing.

Sir, your videos are so varied and well done. I’d sure like to thank you for that.

It sounds to me as if the sheriff read the mood at that meeting perfectly well, and THAT is why he drove out of town.

I suspect that the sheriff read the mood of that meeting perfectly, hence his immediate exit from the town.

@dianedenham5259

3 жыл бұрын

Which is why he should have stayed, called in backup, other agencies. His ongoing complacency created this. The citizens tried legal ways on numerous occasions. The sheriff & employees were cowards.

@simonesmit6708

3 жыл бұрын

@@dianedenham5259 why do you call him a coward? He had been arrested but the judiciary kept letting him go.

@dianedenham5259

3 жыл бұрын

@@simonesmit6708 : It was still the sheriff's job to deal with this man. He probably didn't want to risk getting shot himself, but it was his job to take those risks, not leave the townsfolk to their own devices. This event, the way it was handled, destroyed the soul of this town, afterward people just drifted away.

@simonesmit6708

3 жыл бұрын

@@dianedenham5259 I ran across this story several years ago. The sherriff had arrested him multiple times. He kept getting released due to his family and friends lying for him also many of the town folk would not testify against him. There was nothing the sherriff could do other than commit murder to stop him as he wouldn't resist arrest. His family is untimately responsible as they profited from his thieving. And his girlfriends/wives were also in on the crimes or suffered from Stockholm syndrome. Yes lots of things should have been done but the sherriff just walked away from a no win situation.

@dianedenham5259

3 жыл бұрын

@@simonesmit6708 : point taken ✌️

Excellent summary and analysis, it is so much easier to understand the case after this video. Thank you for the video.

Excellent episode! I remember when this happened and appreciated your analysis.

This is the story of a small town that came together around one principle: that they really hated Ken.

@reneet5858

3 жыл бұрын

They didn't just hate him. They were sick to death of living in fear all of the time. He targeted many more people than just a couple of them.

@ScottishAnnie

2 жыл бұрын

@@reneet5858 yes I think it would be more fear, anger & justice

@susanh1292

2 жыл бұрын

Wouldn't you hate him too?

I am very familiar with this case. I watched a documentary about the town's history which revealed a lot of the townsfolk way of thinking. The town is isolated from other towns. The residents weren't given much choice because the law didn't take care of the problem. There is an old saying in the hollows of the Appalachians where residents take care of legal matters in their own way. "He needed killin'"

@claudiamiller7730

3 жыл бұрын

Based on that history…I can think of one special person I would like to send to Appalachia to face their special brand of justice…because JUSTICE MATTERS…

@AwkwardStinkerbelle

2 жыл бұрын

Skidmore is about 10 miles from Maryville, home to Northwest Missouri State University and less than 50 miles from St. Joseph, which has a population of around 75,000. Not exactly isolated.

Could this get any better? A very enjoyable listen. Great job. Thank you for the laughs.

Such a satisfying case this Dr. Grande.. justice, at times, is so sweet

The sheriff gave them a warning before driving out of town.... umm I have an inkling that the sheriff knew exactly what was going to happen.

@colt4667

3 жыл бұрын

The Sheriff gave a suggestion disguised as a warning.

@pollypockets508

3 жыл бұрын

I bet he didn't agree with the court's horrible decisions.

The only crime here is that the town waited as long as they did to act...

@kingayy9267

3 жыл бұрын

They were civilised people; violence wasn't the first "solution" they jumped to.

@austingoyne3039

2 жыл бұрын

@@kingayy9267 after the law fails twice to contain such a dangerous sociopath, I’d say it’s time for the alternative

@EricDodsonLectures

2 жыл бұрын

@@kingayy9267 ... Civilized people are also willing to defend themselves against the predations of unrestrained barbarism -- as opposed to letting it continue indefinitely.

Thanks for your analysis Dr. Grande! Great story, I haven't heard of this one before. I enjoy your humor Dr. Grande. TFS :)

It was more self defense on the peoples part. They dispensed justice in the only way open to them.

@tonyrhoton6613

Жыл бұрын

Shooting anyone in the back isn't justice its a coward that does this he died of liver trouble from being a drunk he paid a slow death even if they would have shot in cold blood at least do it 2 his face that whole town was a bunch of cowards scard 2 fight him rip. The king of skid more

Reminds me of a case in my country here in Central America. An Italian murdered a homeless person with mental issues because he was traspassing and "ruining his plants". The police didn't do anything so a couple of guys killed the Italian and nobody reported the case until the embassy found out. As of right now the guys are free since apparently everyone hated the guy.

"The lone fir in the field withers away. A bitter man loved by none, how can he last long?" -Viking Proverb.

@maryfreebed9886

3 жыл бұрын

I don't think bitter is a very good description of Ken. If he was, that was the least of it. To be a lone fir tree is more descriptive of an autistic person who quietly goes about their business and doesn't do any harm.

Great analogy. One of the most interesting stories and probably one of the best movies I've ever seen.

Dr. Grande please do a follow up video covering the other, more recent major crimes that have occurred in Skidmore, MO.

Kind of funny how local bars and restaurants never charged Dale Clemons for a drink or a meal since McElroy was killed🤔 Wonder why?

@jalsbrook4475

2 жыл бұрын

Because he deserves a medal. Free meals and drinks is the next best thing

@AwkwardStinkerbelle

2 жыл бұрын

Del Clement

@jhoskins5630

2 жыл бұрын

Funny thing, Del, not Dale, owned the D&G, the ONLY bar in town.

If anyone wants to read more about this story, “In Broad Daylight” is a fascinating and horrifying read.

@chad3232132

3 жыл бұрын

The documentary No One Saw a Thing was also very good. Slow at times, but it covered the broader history of Skidmore and long list of crazy incidents that have happened in that town. I don't even think the McElroy vigilante killing was the craziest. You also have the woman whose baby was ripped out of her womb, the Branson Perry vanishing, and the lynching of Raymond Gunn all happening in or near the same small town.

@sherunswithscissors

3 жыл бұрын

@@chad3232132 -YIKES 😬.

@chad3232132

3 жыл бұрын

@@sherunswithscissors Also crazy is that Branson Perry who vanished from his home without a trace and Bobbie Jo Stinnett who was murdered and her baby cut out of her womb were cousins yet both crimes entirely unrelated. While nobody has ever been arrested in the Branson Perry case, literally everyone including police are 99%+ sure he was involved in drugs or knew too much and was abducted and murdered because of it. Meth was huge in that area when he vanished and there was a house nearby where it was manufactured. Police are almost positive they even know who did it but have never been able to get enough evidence or find his body, which they suspect was moved or destroyed at some point.

@kathykrisko3228

3 жыл бұрын

I have that book. It goes into the never-ending litany of McElroy's escalating crimes in detail. It's astonishing. Like many people, I can't condone vigilantism; but I can understand where it came from, and it's hard to imagine another satisfactory ending in this particular case.

@chad3232132

3 жыл бұрын

@@kathykrisko3228 I think vigilantism has a place in the world, but primarily only in places that otherwise have no real system of law and order. For example, I understand a system of vigilantism in a time/place like frontier America and the "wild west" of past centuries. Another example might be in a region of the world where a civilization has collapsed and no functional government exists. Though even in scenarios like what I mentioned, vigilantism has many huge flaws. Namely that justice is at the whim of a mob of people who may have prejudices that make their justice unfair or irrational. In frontier times, minorities and/or recent immigrants were almost always killed at rates vastly greater than those from the majority groups, which were often innocent of the alleged crimes. I don't like the idea that locals murdered a man in a time and place in the United States where clear and presumably fair laws and means of enforcing those laws existed. The problem in this case is that the system failed *repeatedly* to hold a person who terrorized a town across many years accountable for his actions. It seems like the people of Skidmore were otherwise law abiding citizens who very much believed in the judicial system, but saw it fail so many times they felt they *had* to resort to vigilante justice. A town like Skidmore probably views itself as a frontier town anyway, being so rural and in an area that has only been inhabited for a little over 100 years. As much as I hate vigilantism, I feel like the people of Skidmore were actually acting in self defense given the likelihood that McElroy continue until more townspeople died.

This is my all time favorite true crime story. Thank you for covering this very interesting story.

You are fantastic, Dr. Grande. Your humor is wonderful!! Great job covering this public safety threat.

Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, and I don't say this lightly but I do not feel any great sympathy for the victim, as I have been on the receiving end of a brutal bully, but sometimes the timid people have to shout the loudest, just to survive, and I'm NOT speaking from personal experience.

@nelixsulu6201

2 жыл бұрын

Yea I get what you're saying. Hurt people hurt people & I think there was definitely a source to the madness. But dude was still a monster.

My father was born a month after Ken in July 1934 but he live many years longer. I guess not robbing or attempting to murder people added years to his life.

when i seen you had a response to this case i had to hear it........NAILED....

Great job Dr.Grande. You’re now right at one million subscribers. I’m so proud you you. You prove hard work pays off!!!!! Horrible person. Scary.

I have always enjoyed this story. Does that make me a horrific person? I mean, a community coming together to eradicate a problem...it's kind of beautiful. Thanks for your (always) interesting analysis, Dr Grande!

@hootax8980

7 ай бұрын

Nah, you're not a horrible person. After a certain point, it was clear McElroy was just going to continue his spree, murdering him was self-defense

Dr Grande someone requested this recently and I agreed with them thinking it would be very interesting, so happy the person suggested this and you listened, you really do read the comments.

@TecOneself

3 жыл бұрын

he always does! He did my request for Emma Phillipop.

@Shannon-rq2hc

3 жыл бұрын

I upvoted that comment, too! Great analysis, not diagnosis, here!

@sherunswithscissors

3 жыл бұрын

He’s magic - I just read about the duct-tapped passenger and TA-DAH there was an video! 🪄

There was a made for television movie in the early 90’s about this guy. It was called “In Broad Daylight”, and it starred Brian Dennehy as McElroy. Pretty good.

Hi Dr Todd. Love the content. I was wondering if you would consider doing a video on what innocence looks like, (being truthful) and the signs/actions associated with an innocent (truthful) person compared to that of someone who is being deceptive? Perhaps even including how polygraphs aren't effective. I know you've touched on this before in other videos, but would love a dedicated video if you have the time/opportunity. Thanks, from N.Ireland.

Because the "victim" was a disgusting bully who had it coming. We need laws and rhe law should treat everyone equally but the drawback is there is not much room for circumstances. He couldn't be stopped by the law so the town had to do it themselves. The blind robotic law then mindlessly wanted to attack the people who did what needed to be done

@tortimeese

3 жыл бұрын

The fact that the law enforcement officer got in his patrol car and left town prior to the townspeople gathering near McElroy's truck speaks volumes.

@darksiderulz52

3 жыл бұрын

Yes the law did a lot more, a whole lot more to investigate kens death, than they ever spent investigating his crimes. The fact no one except relatives of ken's would ever name anyone shows how far they had been pushed and how much they despised this man.

@darksiderulz52

3 жыл бұрын

@@valerierodger7700 I would agree 💯. Very true from what I've read.

@JustDr.S

3 жыл бұрын

@T Retano True. They were all THAT afraid of one guy? Guess they didn't want to get close enough to blind him, or do anything else. Plus, it's harder to tell who shot out of so many people. Blinding is usually up close and personal.

The court kept releasing that bully back in town, cops can't help, they can only wait until they have to arrest him again some some further crime. That whole situation was due to the judge's decisions. Even the cops were afraid of him , can't blame the regular folks for not pressing charges.

There is a time and place for everything, even vigilante justice. This was such a time.

@mackattackgameclips4648

3 ай бұрын

Sounds to me like he was tried, convicted, and sentenced by a jury of his peers 🤷‍♂️

Thank you. Great video.

He stole hogs, cattle and antiques. A true renaissance man.

people take the law in their own hands when the law has failed them I saw this as self defense you can't negotiate with terrorists

You always do a great job

Dr, Grande does not smile 😀 often, but he causes thousands to smile😍 at his quips throughout his videos. Thanks, Dr. Grande❗️❗️😍