City
Epaper

Woman marries her brother’s killer after exchanging love letters in prison

By Lokmat English Desk | Updated: August 20, 2021 13:52 IST

Open in App
1 / 10
A woman has married a man who was convicted of killing her teen brother after she fell in love writing letters to him in prison. Forgiving Crystal Strauss got hitched to John Tiedjen, 57, earlier this month as he awaits re-trial. He was freed on bond after serving over 30 years for murdering Brian McGary back in April 1989.
2 / 10
Tiedjen admitted killing Brian, who was shot dead when he was just 18, but says he acted in self-defence and denies murder. Crystal, from Cleveland, Ohio, started writing to Tiedjen in an attempt to get closure. They quickly fell for each other and says she sees no problem with marrying the man who served three decades inside for taking her half-brother's life.
3 / 10
She told News 5: 'I love him, obviously. If I didn't love him, I would not be sitting here with him.'We'll get through this. It's going to be a challenge, there's no doubt about it.'Tiedjen, who is awaiting his re-trail late this summer, said that they are meant to be together.
4 / 10
'With all my heart I love her,' he explained to the network.'There is nobody else I think about, and I want to be with her my whole life. I wrote her a letter back and I said, 'I didn't do it'.'Tiedjen's lawyer Kimberly Corral even officiated the service. The groom was 25 years old when McGary was found dead in the apartment the two men shared. He served 32 years for the murder but has always maintained his innocence.
5 / 10
At first, the man said his pal committed suicide.But he later confessed to killing McGary in self-defence - but said he can't remember anything that happened on the night he died.
6 / 10
The victim was found dead in their apartment with a stab wound and a fatal gunshot wound to the head, according to police reports. Strauss is now understood to believe he was wrongly convinced of his murder - and will stand by him in court. Tiedjen told News 5 after the wedding that there was no physical evidence tying him to the shooting.
7 / 10
'I had no powder burns, no gunshot residue, no blood, no cuts, no scrapes, nothing on my person or me or my clothing,' he told them.
8 / 10
According to reports, McGary’s blood was found on the barrel of the rifle, suggesting he’d been shot at close range. However, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office fully believe it still has a solid case. He is due in court for a pre-trial hearing August 31.
9 / 10
10 / 10
Open in App

Related Stories

BusinessAndhra captures 25.3 pc of all proposed investments in India

NationalAndhra captures 25.3 pc of all proposed investments in India

NationalMajor administrative overhaul in Indore Municipal Corporation after water contamination tragedy

NationalRevanth Reddy spreading falsehood on Musi rejuvenation: KTR

AurangabadMass withdrawals: 554 candidates step down, 860 to continue in race

International Realted Stories

InternationalTwo teenagers killed in Amsterdam shooting, police probe underway

InternationalSouth Korea's court issues new warrant to detain ex-President Yoon for another six months

InternationalSouth Korea's Unification Minister urges North Korea to return to dialogue, end hostilities

InternationalWorld leaders express sorrow on passing of former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia

InternationalBangladesh being pushed toward destruction by radical forces: former minister Mohammad Ali Arafat