Fredtalk: Book on Sifrit case here..."Cruel Death"

Erika Sifrit Story: Part 1
Printer Friendly Version Reported by: Angie Koehle
Monday, Nov 9, 2009 @06:49pm EST
view largerOCEAN CITY, MARYLAND - Erika Sifrit is now 31 years old. She's still petite with a head of curls just like in her high school basketball days. The Hollidaysburg graduate likely didn't imagine back then she'd be in prison today. Transforming from the star on the court, to a star in a book.

"Other people involved told me they were fire and gasoline a wick and a bomb. In my opinion, he definitely would have killed somebody sooner or later," M. William Phelps, a true crime author, wrote in the 435 page novel 'Cruel Death'.

It's an all inclusive read, salacious yet gruesome. Full of drinking and drugs, details of the Ocean City murders and ultimately the dismemberment of the Virginia couple. Plus, newly released allegations of necrophilia and cannibalism.

"What BJ perhaps did to one of the victims, is just graphic as anything I've heard in my life. I couldn't make it up," Phelps said.

But making up some of the story is what Erika's father feels happened, not just in the book but throughout the investigation. He believes Maryland's portrayal of their daughters involvement in the 2002 murders is a real work of fiction. She was given the harsher sentence of life in prison, while her husband Benjamin got 38 years.

"She called 9-1-1 before anything happened asking for help to get unwanted visitors out of the apartment. While on the phone BJ stripped (them) And locked them in the bathroom," Mitch Grace said.

Erika's father disputes information given to the author, saying he never wiped down the Sifrit's Hollidaysburg apartment or concealed crime scene pictures. He said he certainly didnt pay the Baltimore newspaper to do an article on their daughters charmed upbringing.

"The woman had so much potential and she was given so many opportunities that other people are not given," Phelps said.

Since the books release, the Graces have endured hateful harassing phone calls both at home and at work and business at their company has plummeted. Someone called them to say "We don't accept flyers from murderers." They are criticized for supporting their only child. A woman that they believe was controlled, mentally abused and ultimately framed for murder by the man she married. Family friend and attorney Tom Dickey provides the Graces with legal advice as they push for a new trial.

"Put yourself in Mitch's shoes or Cookies. Why wouldnt you, if you believe she was lesser involved, why wouldnt you fight? Why wouldn't you, whats wrong with that," Dickey said.

He (Mitch) said to me and I wrote it the book, What if this was your daughter? I have a daughter. But its not my daughter. If it was my daughter, I hope she would be honest with me and that woman Erika was not honest with her parents. She lied to them a lot," Phelps said.

Through the Grace's eyes, she's not a liar or a murderer, she's their daugher. And the book is just a story. But as Mitch Grace said himself, "We loved her the day she was born and we'll love her till the day we die."

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