# Friend is an in-home tutor, uncovers murder plot. \[What to do?\] **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 22, 2009, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926 "2009-04-22T01:41:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926/1 "2009-04-22T01:41:22Z")
Friend tutors kids who for health reasons cannot attend class. She has been tutoring this kid with leukemia for a semester or two, and the family includes a grandmother and a mother of the kid. The mother is around 30 and is dating a man 30 years her senior, they call him “uncle”. So today, grandma comes to my friend in an agitated state and tells friend that “uncle” asked her to poison her daughter. The bunch of them, “uncle” included just got back from a “Make a Wish” tour in Hawaii, and “uncle” acted like an ass, being center of attention, etc. Friend met “uncle” once and was totally creeped out by him. “Uncle” also made demands to do a lot of repairs on the house while they were in Hawaii, which were performed. Friend suspects that uncle wants to do away with mommy, send granny back to Guyana (they are immigrants, possibly of questionable legal status) and somehow get the house for himself. Grandma has tried to tell Mommy of this and the daughter won’t listen. Friend is beside herself. She no longer feels safe going to the house, but does not want to stop tutoring the kid, she feels it is her responsibility. It seems she has a mandatory reporting requirement under child welfare here, and should relate this to her supervisor ASAP, and I suggested she contact police with this information as well. Friend has been drinking tonight and is very freaked out and indecisive, hopefully in the morning she will see her obligations clearly. What say you guys? Any suggestions about what she needs to do? What can the police do, etc.? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926/2 "2009-04-22T01:46:20Z")
Moved thread from General Questions to In My Humble Opinion. Edited original title, which was: “Friend is an in-home tutor for Long Island school district, uncovers murder plot.” **Gfactor** General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926/3 "2009-04-22T01:56:21Z")
IANA anything resembling authority or qualified advice giver. I’d certainly advise friend to write everything down and file it with the local authorities. Possibly they would ask around daughter and uncle and at the least scare him off his intended path. Worse case is that daughter does wind up dead and the police have a clue where to start. Cold comfort indeed, but better than nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926/4 "2009-04-22T02:06:03Z")
Well, if something DOES happen and the police find out that Friend had prior knowledge she could be charged with a crime. ---
**Author:** ![Disney\_Fan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7993a0/32.png) [@Disney\_Fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disney_Fan)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926/5 "2009-04-22T02:06:26Z")
Why aren’t you calling the authorities? This is not the forum (IMO) for this issue. This is for law enforcement. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926/6 "2009-04-22T02:23:16Z")
> [@ghardester](#): > > Well, if something DOES happen and the police find out that Friend had prior knowledge she could be charged with a crime. Accessory before the fact? She talked to a cop and he said to keep mum, the cops would just think she is crazy and besides, there is nothing they can do based on hearsay. > [@](#): > > Why aren’t you calling the authorities? This is not the forum (IMO) for this issue. This is for law enforcement. Well, I am 3000 miles away, and from me this is third hand. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926/7 "2009-04-22T02:35:01Z")
Well **Stan** , You know better than anybody how “moronic” cops are so let’s keep them out of it. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926/8 "2009-04-22T02:37:46Z")
> [@SHAKES](#): > > Well **Stan** , You know better than anybody how “moronic” cops are so let’s keep them out of it. Yes, and this is another example. Her officer friend told her to keep mum. Cops show up with body bags and report forms after the damage has been done, more often than not. Of what use are they? In this situation, not much it seems, unless someone can tell me differently. ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926/9 "2009-04-22T03:28:32Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > Accessory before the fact? She talked to a cop and he said to keep mum, the cops would just think she is crazy and besides, there is nothing they can do based on hearsay. Cops do things on tips all the time. All the time. I have no idea what you’re talking about. As a public school teacher, I’d guess that your friend’s career is on the line, _right now._ Mandatory reporter means mandatory. I don’t know the exact language, but I’ll bet the district is willing to interpret a direct murderous threat against the mother as a dangerous situation for the child which should be reported. Remember that telling the administration is not fulfillment of reporting. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926/10 "2009-04-22T03:30:58Z")
> [@Cardinal](#): > > Cops do things on tips all the time. All the time. I have no idea what you’re talking about. > > As a public school teacher, I’d guess that your friend’s career is on the line, _right now._ Mandatory reporter means mandatory. I don’t know the exact language, but I’ll bet the district is willing to interpret a direct murderous threat against the mother as a dangerous situation for the child which should be reported. Remember that telling the administration is not fulfillment of reporting. As I read the requirement, it pertains to “abuse” and “neglect”. The child is well cared for and not abused, so it seems to be a gray area here. ---
**Author:** ![tjcoop3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/47e85d/32.png) [@tjcoop3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tjcoop3)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926/11 "2009-04-22T03:38:26Z")
> [@Cardinal](#): > > Cops do things on tips all the time. All the time. I have no idea what you’re talking about. > > As a public school teacher, I’d guess that your friend’s career is on the line, _right now._ Mandatory reporter means mandatory. I don’t know the exact language, but I’ll bet the district is willing to interpret a direct murderous threat against the mother as a dangerous situation for the child which should be reported. Remember that telling the administration is not fulfillment of reporting. Is the tutor a professional or just tutoring because of knowledge. In most states one has to be licensed to fall under the mandatory report laws. If friend is that concerned call CPS though I am not a real fan and know they can abuse their authority. The problem is if the uncle is a smooth talker and the mother is an immigrant CPS might ignore it anyway. If nothing else though it would allow for a record of a report. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926/12 "2009-04-22T03:46:51Z")
> [@tjcoop3](#): > > Is the tutor a professional or just tutoring because of knowledge. In most states one has to be licensed to fall under the mandatory report laws. If friend is that concerned call CPS though I am not a real fan and know they can abuse their authority. > The problem is if the uncle is a smooth talker and the mother is an immigrant CPS might ignore it anyway. If nothing else though it would allow for a record of a report. She works for a public school district on Long Island ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926/13 "2009-04-22T04:35:30Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > Accessory before the fact? She talked to a cop and he said to keep mum, the cops would just think she is crazy and besides, there is nothing they can do based on hearsay. I was thinking something along this line: For example, under federal law there is a crime called “misprision” of a felony, which applies to a person who has actual knowledge of the commission of a felony and doesn’t report it to the authorities. [http://criminal.lawyers.com/Criminal-Law-Crime-Definition-FAQs.html](http://criminal.lawyers.com/Criminal-Law-Crime-Definition-FAQs.html) ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926/14 "2009-04-22T04:53:41Z")
Am I getting this right? Creepy uncle is dating woman, and asks woman’s MOTHER to kill her? No promise to pay, no threat? Just out of the blue asks mom to kill daughter? If I got this right, then I don’t believe it. The only thing that makes sense is granny has cooked up some scheme against uncle for some reason. Or granny has some scheme against friend that somhow involves turning her against uncle. Maybe granny wants friend to help her kill uncle. BTW, there’s a pretty decent old English flick called _Let’s Kill Uncle._ ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926/15 "2009-04-22T05:15:05Z")
1. Call the police. 2. Let us know how they react. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926/16 "2009-04-22T05:40:53Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Am I getting this right? Creepy uncle is dating woman, and asks woman’s MOTHER to kill her? No promise to pay, no threat? Just out of the blue asks mom to kill daughter? > > If I got this right, then I don’t believe it. The only thing that makes sense is granny has cooked up some scheme against uncle for some reason. Or granny has some scheme against friend that somhow involves turning her against uncle. Maybe granny wants friend to help her kill uncle. > > BTW, there’s a pretty decent old English flick called _Let’s Kill Uncle._ Considering the OP’s posting history as of late, I am with you 100% ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926/17 "2009-04-22T05:49:06Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Am I getting this right? Creepy uncle is dating woman, and asks woman’s MOTHER to kill her? No promise to pay, no threat? Just out of the blue asks mom to kill daughter? > > If I got this right, then I don’t believe it. The only thing that makes sense is granny has cooked up some scheme against uncle for some reason. Or Granny is going senile. Accusing people of bizarre crimes is one of the ways people get diagnosed with alzheimer’s. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926/18 "2009-04-22T07:21:40Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > Considering the OP’s posting history as of late, I am with you 100% It makes no sense to me either, FWIW, but I am not making this up. As far as my other posts, I stand behind them, as always. > [@](#): > > There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. -da Bard > [@](#): > > Or Granny is going senile. Accusing people of bizarre crimes is one of the ways people get diagnosed with alzheimer’s. Perhaps. Friend doesn’t seem to think so, but she isn’t an doctor, she is a teacher, so she isn’t really qualified to make such a diagnosis. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926/19 "2009-04-22T07:28:58Z")
> [@ghardester](#): > > I was thinking something along this line: > > For example, under federal law there is a crime called “misprision” of a felony, which applies to a person who has actual knowledge of the commission of a felony and doesn’t report it to the authorities. > > [http://criminal.lawyers.com/Criminal-Law-Crime-Definition-FAQs.html](http://criminal.lawyers.com/Criminal-Law-Crime-Definition-FAQs.html) Yeah, but has an actual felony been committed? You have to actually commit the felony. > [@](#): > > Whoever, having knowledge of the **actual commission** of a felony cognizable by a court of the United States, conceals and does not as soon as possible make known the same to some judge or other person in civil or military authority under the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both. [Cite](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misprision_of_felony) I guess asking someone to commit murder is probably a felony, so maybe it does apply. On the other hand, this is hearsay. Granny may well be lying, or senile, as has been pointed out. Friend has no certain knowledge that “uncle” really made the request. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926/20 "2009-04-22T08:38:45Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Am I getting this right? Creepy uncle is dating woman, and asks woman’s MOTHER to kill her? No promise to pay, no threat? Just out of the blue asks mom to kill daughter? > > If I got this right, then I don’t believe it. The only thing that makes sense is granny has cooked up some scheme against uncle for some reason. Or granny has some scheme against friend that somhow involves turning her against uncle. Maybe granny wants friend to help her kill uncle. > > BTW, there’s a pretty decent old English flick called _Let’s Kill Uncle._ I believe the person supposed to be killed is the child with leukemia. So it would be to ask the grandmother to kill her granddaughter. At least, it makes more sense to me this way. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-is-an-in-home-tutor-uncovers-murder-plot-what-to-do/493926.md?page=2)