Katie’s Cousin Makes His Mark
![Katies_Revengex[1].jpg](http://www.crimerant.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/Katies_Revengex[1].jpg "Katies_Revengex[1].jpg")
I love a prison tattoo as much as the next person.
Which is not at all.
But the one that’s been making the rounds the past couple months has got my attention once again. It’s a veritable work of art, I’d say.
Katie’s Revenge is the scraggly moniker now etched across the forehead of child killer Tony Stockelman. It was put there by the cousin of Katie Collman, a fourth grader, murdered back in January 2005.
Kidnapped. Raped. Murdered. As if I needed to elaborate the horror endured by a little girl.
Now the confessed killer is crying about a little ink.
This is jail house justice, of course, but not of the shank-kind. This one actually had a purpose, and an impact.
Here’s a snip from the AP, coming out of Columbus, Indiana today:
COLUMBUS, Ind. (AP) — An inmate accused of forcibly tattooing a slain 10-year-old girl’s name onto her killer’s forehead in an Indiana prison was the victim’s cousin, a family friend said.
Jared Harris, 22, is a cousin of Katlyn “Katie” Collman, family friend and spokesman Terry Gray confirmed to The Republic newspaper. He said he did not believe they knew each other well.
Harris, 22, who is serving time on a burglary conviction at Wabash Valley state prison in Carlisle, has been charged with battery and is accused of tattooing “KATIE’S REVENGE” across Anthony Ray Stockelman’s forehead.
Harri
s told prison officials the attack was in revenge, according to an affidavit.
Stockelman is serving a life sentence after pleading guilty to abducting, molesting and killing the girl.
The affidavit said that prison officials transferred Harris to the same prison wing as Stockelman on Sept. 19, three days before the attack, and that Harris subsequently threatened Stockelman’s life several times.
Harris slipped into the open cell Stockelman shared with another prisoner on Sept. 22 and, when Stockelman returned, Harris closed the locking cell door, according to the affidavit.
Stockelman told investigators that Harris put his right hand around his throat and told him, “I’m either gonna stick you and leave you bleeding or I’m gonna tattoo you.” After applying the tattoo using a makeshift tattoo gun, Harris discarded the device in a trash can, he told investigators.
Personally, I’d like to see the tattoo stay where it is for awhile. News reports indicate tonight, however, that the state will pay to have the ink removed. I hope Indiana takes its sweet time. I’d like Tony to live with Katie on his mind for the rest of his life.
Literally.
[Several people have blogged on this, but I want to acknowledge a MySpace friend, fellow author T.E. Oliver, who reminded me of this story in a brief post he made last night. And to the very thoughtful -- and well-connected Lilo of the always reliable and very readable www.lostinlimaohio.blogspot.com. Lilo sent me a better image of the tattoo this a.m.]
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:43 am
Lilo was the first blogger to write about this, she was the one to show the first pics. She probably won’t see this as she’s away for a little while though.
My thoughts are that I’d like to see every child molester/murderer branded on their forehead, so that they will forever be seen for what they are.
RIP Katie.
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:57 am
So, the state is going to pay to have the ink removed? Why am I not surprised?
I must admit that when I first saw the picture, I was thrilled. Does that make me horrible?
I agree with Kim that every child molester/murderer ought to be branded for life.
November 3rd, 2006 at 6:03 am
The state is going to pay to have the ink removed? What a waste of taxpayer money!
November 3rd, 2006 at 6:03 am
I say leave it on his forehead.
November 3rd, 2006 at 6:13 am
How in the he– are inmates allowed needles and ink to tatoo each other??? Unbelieveable!
November 3rd, 2006 at 7:00 am
I think the tattoo should stay. In fact I think EVERY child molester/rapist/sex offender should be branded on the forehead.
As for the state removing it…why?? Do they remove any other inmates tat? Don’t answer that. I probably don’t want to hear the answer.I say let him live and die with it. It’s more than he deserves.
November 3rd, 2006 at 7:28 am
Oh… I’d like every child molester to be branded alright. But it wouldn’t be with ink. It would be with a very sharp object and it would be below the belt. They are truly the SCUM of this earth. It could be a whole new medical field dedicated just to that. Maybe someone could come up with a fitting guillotine just for the procedure. Give it a cute name like “Say Bye to the Boys”.
November 3rd, 2006 at 7:32 am
Take it off???? No, leave it there and do the same with every other animal (sorry, animals!) who thinks that it’s OK to rape and murder. Fiz.
November 3rd, 2006 at 8:17 am
Uh, Leah. Please tell me you live in a cave or something.
Prison tattoos are as old as prisons.
November 3rd, 2006 at 8:20 am
I am so sick and tired of watching our justice system coddle and wring their hands over these murderers and rapists rights. They should have NO rights. He should feel lucky he is even being fed. Was he worried about Katlyns rights when he raped her, murdered her and discarded her like a piece of trash? And where did the other inmate get the tat needle – who cares. Stop wasting time and tax payer money trying to figure out who is carrying vigilante justice out in the jail. Start spending time and money on keeping these scum off our streets and away from our children. An excellent example of our poor justice system – just say Duncan.
November 3rd, 2006 at 9:27 am
Wow, I can’t believe the State of Indiana is going to waste their budget on this. I think the tattoo should stay as a reminder for him as to what he did to his victim. I agree with Tiffany, murderers and rapist should lose their rights the minute they are convicted.
November 3rd, 2006 at 9:56 am
(I’m sort of back KimPossible)
Oddly enough, tax payers won’t be paying for the removal anymore, as a doctor has stepped forward and volunteered to remove it at no cost. (http://www.ketv.com/news/10188298/detail.html)
However, if you want something to still be outraged about, you should know that the guard who exposed this entire story was fired. In fact, within days of the story breaking, he was let go because of it. That’s before they were finished with the investigation of who who had done this and how it happened.
November 3rd, 2006 at 10:24 am
The damned doctor only wants publicity, and the poor guard! No-one except prisoners has rights any more. There’s a policeman being put through the wringer over here because he shot an armed bank raider. Last year he also shot an illegal immigrant at the height of the terrorist alert due to the subway bombings . He was warned twice to stop, but he ran and then jumped the ticket barrier. The way the press and the BBC are going on, you’d think he was a serial killer!!! We don’t arm our police, but we do have armed response units, and the poor guy was doing his job, and doing it properly, but you wouldn’t know that from the media reaction! Fiz.
November 3rd, 2006 at 10:46 am
I wish the tat could be left on him… I am sorry that the guard got fired for telling about what happened. I don’t understand why it was wrong for him to do that. Do they have to keep everything secret or something?
November 3rd, 2006 at 10:47 am
I agree. Leave it. If only all child molesters or killers could be branded the same way. I used to work for a company that helped people get back on their feet from jail, homelessness, and low income. They would help them get a resume made, interview techniques, and in most cases job placement. You would never THINK that some of the people I was interacting with were child molesters. I had NO idea. As soon as I was told by a coworker that was watching over him I distanced myself.
He looked like your average joe. Once a molester, always a molester.
November 3rd, 2006 at 11:56 am
Go ahead and remove the tat – by cutting it out. Don’t bother to give him anything to deaden the pain.
November 3rd, 2006 at 12:00 pm
Gee, Nona, I hate it when you hold back.
November 3rd, 2006 at 4:22 pm
I think I just blew my image. Maybe that was my evil twin, Mona.
November 3rd, 2006 at 4:27 pm
LOL!
November 3rd, 2006 at 7:42 pm
With all of the tattoos in prison (and not all could be voluntary), why would the state insist on removing this one? To tell you the truth, when I first read the story elsewhere, I thought the idiot tattooed himself to torment the family of the victim. Good for the cousin….I guess….wonder if his motivation was vindication for his cousin, anger about his own “victimization” in life, or a want for notoriety…..
November 3rd, 2006 at 7:42 pm
Maybe this cretin will suffer some sort of infection from the removal and die. One can only hope.
November 3rd, 2006 at 9:54 pm
Lilo – glad to see you, hope you’re well, and hope you’re recovering from your loss.
Thanks for the update. No doubt this gaurd will get another good job, do ya think?
Geez – Melissa, be easy on Leah – not all of us are up on the prison systems, nor do we all get OZ on HBO
I like the idea of branding them somewhere other than their foreheads, however, I prefer castration. Of course, branding on their foreheads is also necessary.
November 4th, 2006 at 9:48 am
They should remove it like in the old days. Taking it off layer by layer. Instead of just lasering.
November 5th, 2006 at 1:58 pm
Even if it IS removed physically….it will NEVER BE REMOVED MENTALLY….and for that, Katie’s cousin….you get a standing ‘O’ from me!
November 6th, 2006 at 10:21 am
Lilo, thanks for the new information about the volunteer doctor.I am happy the taxpayers are not paying for the Tatoo removal.
However, I agree with Fiona, this doctor just volunteered to remove the tatoo just to get his 5 minutes claim to fame. It never ceases to amaze me the extent that some people will go through to achieve this fame at any price.
November 7th, 2006 at 12:17 pm
They should forcibly tattoo his forehead every day, until the impression can be read on the back side of his skull.
November 7th, 2006 at 12:31 pm
I never thought about the doctor volunteering to help just for the media attention, but I think Fiona is correct with her thougths on that. Isn\’t it funny how low people will go just to get their names in the paper? Jeesh.
November 7th, 2006 at 1:20 pm
Omg, Bloo, you are so funny. Thanks for the laugh.
June 19th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
ya bloo, your hilarious and they should just leave the brand on his head he deserves it anyway
November 9th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
The state is going to pay to remove his tattoo… what about him paying for removing an innocent child from this Earth? He’s not the victim here. I think this scum bag deserves every last bit of humility given as he was not merciful with his actions. Let him rot.
November 21st, 2007 at 10:30 pm
Dude messed up.He should of went with plan A and slit the bastards throat. Costs the state less.
March 31st, 2008 at 11:54 am
i met the tattooist in prison and i think that was the least he could do to that sho mo
April 1st, 2008 at 2:42 pm
this is only fair
October 1st, 2008 at 10:44 pm
i am a mother of 2 wonderfull children and god forbid if something like that would happen to them i would want the name removed by peeling it off of his face that piece of sh t does not deserve the right to bear that sweet childs name the good old boys of indiana should take care of it in side the walls behind the door if you know what i mean REVENGE SHOULD STAY we all know why he is there but the parents shouldnt have to see their childs name on the one who took her from them they have it hard enough with what has happend let the father and mother cut her name off of his head
December 4th, 2008 at 2:11 am
totally agree with all of you…if it has to come off then scrape it off with a blunt object. They should be stamped with something so little children can tell right away they are sicko’s
December 16th, 2008 at 9:27 am
You insignificant pieces of shit. People like you who go to websites to say things like your a mother of two children yet you wish a persons head to be cut off is just sickening. This is why people like this monster are created because the parents of our children are scumbags. This man probably gets beaten and raped and will for the rest of his life in prison and you imbeciles have the nerve to say that this horrible image of guilt should have to stay with him for the rest of his life or been painfully removed? fuck i hate america
January 7th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
jasper you idiot.
January 28th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
HELLLLL NOOO. THE STATES PAYING FOR IT TO B REMOVED???? NAAA THATZ BULL SHIT LET THAT FUCKA ROT IN JAIL 4 EVAAAAA !!!! WIT THE FUCKIN TATTOO STUPID MOTHA FUCKA!!!! THAT POOR BABBY GIRL!!!!! AWWWWWW ID FUCKIN DO MORE THAN TATTOO HIM!!!!!!!!!!
March 25th, 2009 at 7:05 am
Since when is a tattoo Katies revenge?
weak.
September 28th, 2009 at 8:26 am
I’m with Kathy Sturgeon, you rape someone you lose your penis. We might see a drop in crime rate if our punishments were harsher. I’m not saying death penalty, I’m saying start taking limbs (and members). I can tell you, if some guy raped me he’d better kill me cuz I’d cut his junk off and feed it to him in pieces.
September 28th, 2009 at 11:19 am
I am sickened and disturbed by this man’s crime. I have no sympathy for this man. I think that having his forehead forcibly tatood pales in comparison to what he did to the child. I do think that he should be able to have it removed, though.
But I am also sickened and disturbed by the reactions of the commenters on this site. Have no sympathy for this guy, sure. Believe that he should stay in prison for the rest of his life. But the violent language and imagery used by commenters here leaves me wondering about the state of America. There are those who like to say that we are a “Christian Country.” (I myself am an atheist, by the way.) But there is very very little true forgiveness out there, very few Americans who will really get into heaven of their belief systems.
September 28th, 2009 at 11:54 am
[...] forehead of child killer Tony Stockelman. It was put there by the cousin of Katie Collman, a fourth grader, murdered back in January 2005. (Link) [...]
September 29th, 2009 at 12:56 am
He should have CARVED it instead. Never Forgive. Never Forget.
September 29th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
For Jasper’s comment: there are certain crimes that “cross the line” of humanity. In my work in the corrections system, I have learned that when a person rapes and murders a child, he (yes, typically “he”) has lost his connection to human beings. Please do not judge a mother who fears this may happen to her children. We often use anger as a means to convey our innermost feelings, which are much deeper. May your find peace, Jasper.
October 4th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Maybe the state should pay to have the horrific memory of what this little girl sufferred, removed from the minds of her family and friends first and once that is done successfully then by all means, pay to have that demons forehead de-inked.
October 11th, 2009 at 1:44 am
just FYI – unless the technology has changed a lot very recently, laser tattoo removal does not remove the image itself, only the ink. In other words, while they can get rid of that dark color(to some extent, it varies), he would still have a burn scar in the shape of the design. “Katie’s Revenge” will still remain visible.
always remember, tattoos are artwork that last a lifetime
October 17th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
For the state to pay for this is ridiculous. What rights should a child molester and murderer have? That is pathetic. I can think of many ways to give him a reasonable punishment for what he did. Kudos to Katies cousin. He should have finished him off while he had the chance.
October 18th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
the best identification I have ever seen. I think we all should follow suit. this should catch on. lets brand all the ones that rape and kill.
October 25th, 2009 at 8:12 am
Well since this was started so long ago, is there an update to be had? Was it removed? Who paid for it in the end if it was? Or did someone hopefully save us all some heartache and just take this bastard out beforehand?
December 4th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
I like the guy that left that tattoo. He deserves it. Every person who has ever hurt a child should be branded for life. Maybe they might grow a conscience looking at that every time they look in a mirror. The heck with removing it its a waste of money.
December 9th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
remove it with a rusty spoon