[aspiano]

Amazing Grace.......sing slowly in a southern blues jazz style....


Amazing Grace.....how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me

I once was lost....but now...I am found.....t'was blind....but now....I see.....


When we've been there...ten thousands years....bright shining as the Sun.....

We've no less days to sing God's praise, than when we first begun......

God - we miss here on earth our brother Gary Aldridge.
Comfort his wife Jan and his church family and loved ones.
Our loss is heaven's gain.
Amen.
Art Scott, Aliso Viejo, CA

[aspiano]

I sent the following message to the Church Board at Thorington Baptist Church, Sept. 1, 2007

LU Alumni: Please pass this message on to every alumni you know.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Many of Gary's friends including hundreds of Liberty University Alumni are concerned, perplexed, disappointed as to the lack of honesty surrounding the truth of Gary's passing.

Most church congregations and boards I know of would not be scrambling to do a massive cover up as to the honest details concerning their Senior Pastor's passing.

Based on the information reported by the local Montgomery media and your local police department, there were members of the congregation present at the crime scene where Gary's body was found.

So in addition to local police and detectives and forensic specialist, church folks were present and saw the crime scene.

For some reason, rather than come clean and tell the truth to Gary's church congregation, and to your local community and to Gary's colleagues, friends and his alumni family, the church and it's board has for months now buried and hidden the truth about what was found at the crime scene, the conditions of Gary's body and other items at the crime scene.

I have received numerous emails and phone calls from other concerned members of the Montgomery community which has indicated to me that based on whatever brought about Gary's untimely demise, that some people perhaps including the local police department are just hoping that this whole matter will disappear and in essence go away.

May I encourage the members and board of Thorington Baptist Church to reach into the depths of your souls and to tell the truth about Gary's passing. Otherwise, by choosing to hide the truth you open up the doors for the memory and testimony of Brother Gary to be raked over the coals and the testimony of not only Gary but your church is rapidly becoming eroded to the point of becoming a laughing stock in your community.

I am appalled at how local mean spirited member of your own comunity in Montgomery have even lifted Gary's picture off your church website and printed awful, defamatory remarks concerning Brother Gary.

I urge your congregation and it's leadership to revisit your official stance on this matter and take the honest approach, thus stopping once and for all hedious rumors. My understanding, based on public stats, is that there are over 50 homicides in your city alone. How on God's earth is Gary's case being fully investigated?

Scripture talks so strongly about telling the Truth. In name of God, please tell the truth about Brother Gary. Simply stating that he died of accidental asphyxiation just does not cut the mustard. You can stop all the rumors and speculation by telling the truth.

The biggest mockery of Christianity is for us as Christians to lie and not tell the truth - about everything.

Sincerely,
Art Scott, Class of 1980, Liberty University


Charlie

Nice reply. You handled it perfectly.

Thanks





__________________________________

Eddie Newton

Branch Manager

BERNEY

Office Solutions

Ph: (334) 271-4750 ext 4065

Fax: (334) 213-4611

enewton@berney.com



frugal_email_bug

From: Charlie Swain [mailto:charlie@thoringtonroadbaptist.org]
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 9:30 AM
To: Bottomsoco@aol.com
Cc: 'Shirley Milton'; Eddie Newton
Subject: Brother Gary



Art,
My name is Charlie Swain. I am the Student Pastor here at Thorington Road. I certainly appreciate your concern and love for Brother Gary and what he means to our church. This may surprise you, as I'm sure you have heard more rumors than you could handle. Although the police have not filed a full public report, they have publically stated that Gary's death was not caused by any foul play. Therefore, Gary was not murdered and they are not looking for any suspects.

Of course, with that in mind, there is no reward or task force to find anyone. TRBC is relying on the Montgomery Police force to handle every aspect of the investigation. We too, are interested in the Truth, and know that all truth is God's truth. Therefore, we are more reliant on what God has for our church's future than any investigation into Gary's death.

If you are interested in giving, the Aldridge Family has set up the Gary Aldridge memorial fund here at Thorington Road. Many people have found this to be a good way to remember Brother Gary. As soon as the family decides where to allocate the funds, givers will be notified.

Thanks for your concern. As you have said, it is of utmost importance for us to seek the truth. Therefore, I would urge you to settle any rumors in your sphere of influence that may arise. Thanks for your help.

Charlie W. Swain
Minister of Students
Thorington Road Baptist Church
charlie@thoringtonroadbaptist.org
334.396.9376
www.trstudents.com



From: Bottomsoco@aol.com [mailto:Bottomsoco@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2007 11:57 PM
To: info@thoringtonroadbaptist.org
Subject: Gary Aldridge
I am a dear friend of your former Pastor, Gary Aldridge.

He and I graduated from Liberty University 1980.

I miss him as I am sure all your congregation does.

Is is possible to donate towards a reward fund to find the person who murdered Gary?

Have the police been able to find any suspects?

As his loving congregation I am sure you all care as much as I do that the truth is revealed.

I await your response.

Art Scott, Aliso Viejo, CA

[aspiano]

Office of the Attorney General
Troy King
1 South Union Street, Third Floor
Montgomery, AL 36130
334-242-7300
cc:
Ollie Ingram
oingram@ago.state.al.us


Dear Mr. King;

I am writing to you today concerning a dear college friend of mine, Rev. Gary Aldridge, former Senior Pastor of Thorington Road Baptist Church, Montgomery, AL.

Rev. Aldridge body was found in his home on June 24, 2007.
The details surrounding this death can be found on this link;

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/app ... 7709150320

To date the MPD has yet to release any details surrounding even if they are still investigating this death.
Local Montgomery citizens have told me this is not strange for the local police department to drop a case and hope it goes away, especially if it involved a minister or politician. Why would the DA seal Gary's autopsy and forensics report?

Is there any type of accountability in place to verify that the MPD is doing their job and working to solve this case?

I am fully aware that sometimes when there is an ongoing investigation, very little information is given out on purpose. Since this case involved a minister of a local Baptist Church, I would think that something should have revealed itself by this time.

My understanding from a close family friend is there was a relative whom was angry at Gary concerning their parents estate and the details surrounding it.

I am sure Gary's widow Jan, his church and many thousands of alumni who knew Gary and are following this case daily are desiring to know the truth. Simply telling the public that this case involved accidental aphexiation for a vibrant minister who was just in the prime of his career - simple does not cut the mustard.

Can you look into this case and let me know what is being done to find Gary's killer? Scores of friends and family just want to know the truth.

Sincerely,


Art Scott

[Sly Fox]

Keep working it, Art. And keep us in the loop.

[aspiano]

Pray for Gary's widow Jan.

[Cider Jim]

No Foul Play
Police have closed their investigation into the death of the Reverend Gary Aldridge. Authorities issued a statement yesterday and said no foul play existed in the case.

Aldridge, who was 51, was found dead in his east Montgomery home on June 24th. Police said he died of "accidental mechanical asphyxia."

Anyone know how you die of "accidental mechanical asphyxia"?

[El Scorcho]

No Foul Play
Police have closed their investigation into the death of the Reverend Gary Aldridge. Authorities issued a statement yesterday and said no foul play existed in the case.

Aldridge, who was 51, was found dead in his east Montgomery home on June 24th. Police said he died of "accidental mechanical asphyxia."

Anyone know how you die of "accidental mechanical asphyxia"?

I'm guessing you'd have to be trapped under something really heavy, or squeezed in a press of some sort.

Edit: Found this, which helped me understand a bit:

When external pressure prevents breathing by compressing the lungs and diaphragm, the term mechanical asphyxia is used. Traumatic asphyxia, positional asphyxia and "riot-crush" deaths are subtypes of mechanical asphyxia.

In traumatic asphyxia, a large mass or heavy weight presses on the victim's chest or upper body preventing breathing. Survival is surprisingly common even if there is a short loss of consciousness. More severe cases have included people pinned under a vehicle after a motorway accident or a vehicle falling or rolling onto someone attempting repairs. Traumatic asphyxia during police restraint when officers attempt to subdue someone by sitting on his chest often involves meth-amphetamine abuse and taser application, further complicating the analysis of death.

Positional asphyxia is often an accidental result of someone trapped in a position that prevents breathing. Self-imposed suspended or strapped positions with the head lowered for autoerotic benefits are examples of accidental or suicidal positional asphyxia. Many cases involve alcohol or drug intoxication.

When someone is prevented from breathing or crushed by the bodies of others during sports games and rock concerts, the asphyxial death is termed “riot-crush" for obvious reasons.

http://www.tasanet.com/tasagroup_newsro ... =35&menu=1

[olldflame]

OK, I'll be the one to come out and say it. The strong implication here is that this was a result of an autoerotic procedure gone bad, where partial asphyxiation is intentional, and is supposed to heighten the sensation. More than one person has died while doing this. The reduction in oxygen can be achieved by use of a ligature such as a tie or by breathing an inert gas. Crime shows such as L&A and CSI have covered this ad nauseum.

[flameshaw]

Dear LU Family and Friends,

Last night Andre Coe, the reporter from the Montgomery Advertiser called me around 11 pm Alabama time to let me know that the love MPD had issued a statement concerning Gary's passing and the case was CLOSED.

I think it is very odd that it took 3 mos to investigate this and still not any real truth has been told.
For those like myself who knew Gary closely for years, we are not only saddened but perplexed.

Why are his church member sworn to secrecy? Why have all statements from the church have to be filtered and approved by their head deacon? Why are his church members not demanding the truth be told to them and others? Something is weird here.

I was told by several folks who live in Alabama that the local police department is not competent and has a history of covering up crimes and not fully investigating crime scenes, especially when it involves local politicans or ministers.

If anyone has any comments, I solicit your feedback.

My / our consolation is that Gary is in heaven and enjoying singing with the angels along with a host of many of our relatives who have gone on before.....

I just feel awful that his case was not fully investigated and I still feel firmly that Gary was murdered, perhaps by a relative who had issues against him.
Below is what the Montgomery Advertiser relased today.

Best wishes, Art Scott aspiano@aol.com Class of 1980
October 4, 2007
Police: No foul play in Aldridge's death

Police have closed their investigation into the death of the Rev. Gary Aldridge.

Detectives determined that no foul play existed in the case and therefore no crime had been committed, according to a news release from the Montgomery Police Department.

Aldridge, 51, was found dead inside his home about 10 a.m. June 24. He had served as pastor of Thorington Road Baptist Church since 1991.

Forensic results indicate Aldridge was alone at the time of his death, the police release states. A report by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences states the final pathological diagnoses for Aldridge's death as "accidental mechanical asphyxia," according to the release.

Montgomery County District Attorney Ellen Brooks had sealed the Aldridge case after an initial autopsy conducted by Dr. Stephen Boudreaux, a medical examiner, was sent to Forensic Sciences on July 13. Boudreaux's report stated Aldridge died of asphyxiation and there were no injuries to his body.
-- Staff report

If ANY church keeps secrets it will be the first time in history. There have been some leaks and there will be more, the trick is to figure out what is true and ehat is fiction. We will probably never know the real story. God bless his family and friends.

[LUconn]

I think Art is looking for someone who acutally knows that for sure, to come out and say so. Apparently, it's very hush hush because it's somewhat embarassing.

[aspiano]

(I sent this open letter to Thorington Baptist Church today - addressed to it's board)
feel free to copy and paste and send to everyone you know who knew Gary and loved him!
He was like a brother to me.

To Whom It May Concern:

Andre Coe with the Montgomery Advertiser published the article Oct. 5, 2007, revealing the truth about Gary Aldridge and how his body was found. You can read the full report and download the autopsy report at

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/app ... 7710060330

Now that the autopsy and forensics report are released and the truth is out about my friend Gary Aldridge and HOW his body was found, please let me know when the church is going to defend his character by setting up a fund to find his killer. Someone took Gary's life from him and that person needs to pay for their crime. This investigation should not be closed until Gary's killer is found.

Obviously Gary did not do this to himself. Your church and it's leadership owe this to the man whom served you so faithfully for many years. Gary's life and ministry touched so many hearts and lives, I challenge the leadership at Thorington Road Baptist Church to rise up, hire private investigators to flush out who committed this henious crime against your pastor whom you loved so much.

Obviously your local police department is inept and unprofessional and does not wish to investigate this crime the way that it should be handled. They have botched this case and dropped it.

To not fully proceed and investigate would be a sin and in your community be nothing less than hypocrisy. You owe finding Gary's murderer to Jan, his widow and his family, and for the reputation of Christianity in your community.

Please find Gary's killer.

Art Scott, Alumni, Liberty University, Class of 1980. email: aspiano@aol.com

[Cider Jim]

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/app ... 60330/1001

A Montgomery minister found in his home this summer died with his hands and feet bound behind his back and dressed in two rubberized suits, an offical autopsy showed.

The Montgomery Advertiser obtained a copy of the 13-page report on Friday, one day after District Attorney Ellen Brooks authorized its release.

The Rev. Gary Michael Aldridge was found dead June 24. Police ruled the 51-year-old pastor of Thorington Road Baptist Church was alone at the time of his death and that there was no foul play involved.

2 rubberized suits?
hands and feet bound behind his back?
no foul play involved?

Are the police saying Gary tied himself up and then died accidently? This makes no sense to me.

[RagingTireFire]

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/app ... 60330/1001

A Montgomery minister found in his home this summer died with his hands and feet bound behind his back and dressed in two rubberized suits, an offical autopsy showed.

The Montgomery Advertiser obtained a copy of the 13-page report on Friday, one day after District Attorney Ellen Brooks authorized its release.

The Rev. Gary Michael Aldridge was found dead June 24. Police ruled the 51-year-old pastor of Thorington Road Baptist Church was alone at the time of his death and that there was no foul play involved.

2 rubberized suits?
hands and feet bound behind his back?
no foul play involved?

Are the police saying Gary tied himself up and then died accidently? This makes no sense to me.

Rubberized usually means latex or PVC. Hands and feet bound behind the back can very easily be accomplished by the "bindee". This sounds more like a bit of fetish play gone wrong.

[El Scorcho]

I wasn't going to say it but...

Thanks, RTF.

[aspiano]

A close family friend told me last month that Gary was executor of his parents estate. His father and mother deceased and he was appointed by them to handle their affairs.

There is a sibling who was angry at the outcome of the estate and was sending Gary threatening emails, even two weeks before his passing.

The police were given copies of these and this sibling did not even attend the funeral.

Motive for killing a sibling was definetely there and whether or not the local Montgomery Police Dept. really did their job and fully exhausted all means to flush out the truth remains to be seen.

I solicit your support, prayers and response to our friend's legacy.

I am appalled that anyone on this site would degrade Gary's character and even suggest that he was involved in something foul and or immoral.

[El Scorcho]

I am appalled that anyone on this site would degrade Gary's character and even suggest that he was involved in something foul and or immoral.

We were just speculating based on the evidence presented by law enforcement. It wasn't meant to be appalling or suggestive. It was just meant to try to make sense of what was in the report. We weren't insinuating that it was factual. At least I wasn't.

[RagingTireFire]

I am appalled that anyone on this site would degrade Gary's character and even suggest that he was involved in something foul and or immoral.

I didn't know the guy so I can't make any judgements on his character. Apparently, a lot of you guys did so I'm being very careful in trying not to cast unintentional aspersions on someone you called your friend. As for "foul and or immoral", that's another debate entirely. I'm of the opinion that, so long as whatever you're into stays in your bedroom between you and your spouse alone, there's nothing immoral about it. Some would and do disagree.

I'm not going to link to it but The Smoking Gun has just posted the Aldridge autopsy report in its entirety. There are a few details that the newspaper article didn't print and understandably so. Suffice to say, the report seems to support a more unseemly and less murderous conclusion. If you were a friend of the guy, I'm sorry for your loss and I recommend that you not read the report.

[LUconn]

oh goodness. I just read the report. I guess it could be a set up but... if it's as it looks, case closed.

[Rocketfan]

oh goodness. I just read the report. I guess it could be a set up but... if it's as it looks, case closed.

Yeah i read it as well.....um do you go to that length to set something up?

[El Scorcho]

The autopsy does seem conclusive. I'm going to leave it at that.

[RagingTireFire]

Let me be clear here -- since I've already been PM'ed about the matter. My purpose in mentioning the TSG article is not out of salaciousness. However, since this thread has gone on for months demanding answers, I thought it might be appropriate to point to where some -- probably not all -- of those answers lie. Evidently, those answers aren't pretty but I do not intend to disrespect Mr. Aldridge, his family or his congregation in any way.

[El Scorcho]

For what it's worth, I completely understand your intent, RTF. I don't think it was out of line in any way, given the purpose of this thread, as you mentioned.

[JeanW]

I agree. It seems the kindest and most respectful thing we can do is to let the family and church grieve and heal in peace.

[LUconn]

I'm trying to walk on eggshells here because I don't want to get anybody real upset since somebody that was known personally has died. But if this was a case where something immoral (because I'm assuming his wife was not present since it wasn't ever mentioned) was going on, the chuch is really letting everybody down by being so hush hush and telling everybody to just let it go. This is an important issue that needs to be addressed because immorality, which is what is alledged here, is not acceptable especially from the pulpit, and it seems to be happening more and more. You can't just look the other way because it's embarassing. Although a messageboard probably isn't the best place to attack the problem. But that's my 2 cents.

[scuzdriver]

A local radio station just picked up on the story in Denver this morning. The circumstances of the death sure don't paint a good picture for Gary. Sounds like he was into some pretty sordid stuff. It's real sad.