LaVarr McBride, instructor in administration of justice at Penn State Beaver, Penn State New Kensington and Penn State Shenango, is the narrator of the Beaver County Times’ online program “Cold Case Beaver County.”
The monthly program began in July and explores more than 25 unsolved murders in Beaver County with the hope of solving the cases. The first episode investigated the cold case of Industry Township resident Patty Patton, age 4, who was found dead on March 21, 1956.
Viewers can follow detectives and criminologists who worked on the cases for years, sometimes decades, as they reopen files, seek new evidence, share previously unpublished photos and undisclosed facts, and provide information and insights offered by victims’ families and friends.
McBride’s interest in the show was piqued by the managing editor of the Times. The newspaper’s managers had seen previous stories about McBride and his book "Through a Convict’s Eyes: An Overlooked View of the Criminal Justice System.” With his background in criminal justice, McBride seemed a good fit to host the new show, and an audition was scheduled.
“They had me do some readings, and then I was interviewed by a consultant who does major network news shows, including sports shows on ESPN,” said McBride, who spends 10-15 hours a month editing scripts, shooting on-site locations and doing the voiceovers. “It is truly an honor to work with the folks at Beaver Times, law enforcement officials and most importantly, the victims’ survivors.”
The survivors of murder victims take precedence with McBride. Whereas cold case survivors are not a priority with the criminal justice system, they are a priority of the show. McBride provides survivors an opportunity to tell their story.
“Acknowledging these families not only helps them to feel that others do care, but that their loved ones' life is important,” said McBride, who hopes the community sees the importance of supporting these families. “It truly is amazing to see the family's reaction to the shows. It has been empowering for them.”
While the show has not solved any cases, it has brought in numerous tips from people watching the program. McBride noted that people sometimes feel guilty and want to confess to other crimes.
“I have personally taken several phone calls from folks who want to get information off their chest,” McBride said. “They share information on previous cases, including rape, murder and drugs.”
“Cold Case Beaver Country” gets some play in McBride’s classroom, although it is not officially a part of the Courts and the Prosecution Process class syllabus. The 200-level course examines the purpose and function of criminal courts in society, including prosecution, adjudication and sentencing of offenders.
“Periodically, I will show an episode if it has something to do with the content of the course,” McBride said. “It can help students understand theories or research taught in the classroom.”
The show continues to generate leads, and McBride encourages people to provide additional evidence. Anyone with information related to unsolved crimes should contact the Beaver County District Attorney Office at 724-773-8550 the Beaver County Times at 724-775-3200 or timescoldcase@timesonline.com or McBride at lavarrm@gmail.com.
To view the "Cold Case" program, visit http://www.timesonline.com/coldcase/.McBride earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice at Weber State University in Utah, and a multidisciplinary master’s degree in sociology, public administration and economics at the Utah State University. He joined the Penn State faculty in 2011 and teaches upper- and lower-level administration of justice courses and specialized courses in serial murderers, interrogation and victimology.
In addition to his teaching load, McBride is the administration of justice coordinator and internship supervisor for New Kensington, Shenango and Beaver. The three campuses share authorization to deliver the bachelor’s degree program. Courses are offered in a blended delivery at each campus via the classroom and online.
Prior to his career in academia, McBride worked as a senior probation officer for the U.S. Probation Service. His "Through a Convict’s Eyes” book was published last year by the Kendall Hunt Publishing Co. The book is a first-hand account of former prisoners who shed their pasts to become productive members of society. McBride challenges the conventional wisdom that those who have done time in prison will always be life’s failures, a belief that is often shared by the offenders themselves.
McBride co-authored the book with Eric Wicklund, a convicted felon. Wicklund was 39-years old and had spent half his adult life in prison when he was released to McBride’s supervision in 2000. After much contemplation, rumination and speculation between the two men, the supervisor-offender relationship evolved into a lifelong friendship. Since that serendipitous encounter, Wicklund has stayed out of prison for nearly 14 years.
“It was an exciting adventure to write a book with someone that I had on probation,” said McBride, who also served as a correctional officer on death row at Utah State Prison. “The fusing of the thoughts of a probation officer and a convicted felon provided a unique perspective of the current dynamic criminal justice system.”
The Rexburg, Idaho, native recently finished a second book, "Through a Victim's Eyes: Finding Their New Normal." Expected to be publish in 2015, the book is about victimology, which is the study of the relationships between victims, offenders and the criminal justice system.
A consultant for nine years, McBride has performed mediation between defense teams and victims in capital murder cases throughout the country. He continues to work with families in death penalty and violent crime cases. He addresses their needs and helps find answers to their questions.
McBride resides in Beaver Borough with his wife, Carol. They have four sons: Mitchell, who is married to Jenny and has a daughter, Charley; Justin who has a daughter, Izabelle; and Nathan and Nicholas.
For more information, contact McBride at lwm13@psu.edu.
(The original story about McBride and "Cold Case Beaver County" was published by the Penn State Beaver's Office of Campus and Community Relations. The article appeared July 31 on the campus' website, http://beaver.psu.edu/37370.htm)