Thread: Tours at Nebraska's governor's mansion led by convicted kill

Tours at Nebraska's governor's mansion led by convicted killer

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- A convicted killer doing time for one of the most heinous murders in Nebraska history is serving his work release at the Governor's Mansion, guiding tours of the Colonial-style home and its collections of dolls, silver and other state mementos, an official said Thursday.

Timothy Haverkamp, convicted of second-degree murder in 1985 for his role in the cult-related murder of two people near Rulo, is one of several inmates working at the mansion under a decades-old arrangement with the state's work release program, Department of Corrections spokeswoman Connie Nemec said.

Nemec said Haverkamp, 45, has worked at the residence in various capacities, including giving tours. He was 24 when he began his sentence.

Nemec said inmates working at the mansion are screened by the state patrol and mansion staff to make sure the placement was appropriate.

"He would have to exhibit ... exemplary behavior and interest in programming to get to where he's employed at the mansion," she said.

Gov. Dave Heineman's spokeswoman, Jen Rae Hein, declined to comment on the story, which was first reported by the Daily Nebraskan, the student newspaper at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in its Thursday edition.

The home of the state's top public official, located south of downtown Lincoln, has been staffed by a handful of inmates for at least 40 years. Typically, they help with household chores, clean the state limousine and serve at luncheons and dinners.

It was not immediately clear how long Haverkamp has worked at the mansion, or whether he was the first or only convicted murderer to serve there or guide tours. He was not present when an Associated Press reporter went to the mansion Thursday afternoon during tour hours. Several school groups were guided by two women.

Haverkamp pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was a key witness in testifying against cult leader Michael Ryan and his son, Dennis Ryan.

The Ryans and about 20 cult members lived on a farm near Rulo. The group hated Jews and stored weapons in preparation for a final battle between good and evil.

Michael Ryan, known to cult members as the "King," ordered the murder of James Thimm because he had displeased Yahweh, their god. He is on death row for Thimm's murder and the beating death of the 5-year-old son of a cult member.

Over three days, Thimm was beaten, sexually abused, shot, stomped and partially skinned while still alive. His fingertips had been shot off on one hand.

Dennis Ryan, known as the "High Prince," was 15 when he allegedly delivered the gunshot that killed Thimm after a month of torture.

However, the younger Ryan was later released from prison after winning a new trial and being convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Dennis Ryan testified against his father at a 1997 hearing and said he was told to downplay his father's role in the killings.

Associated Press Writer Anna Jo Bratton in Lincoln contributed to this report.

On the Net:

Nebraska Governor's Mansion: http://www.lincoln.org/visiting/attract ... ansion.htm

Nebraska Department of Corrections: http://www.corrections.state.ne.us/


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I'll say it again in case you missed it

Convicted killers employed in Lincoln through work-release program

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- The convicted murderer who guides tours in the Governor's Mansion is among nine killers who work for the state or private companies in the Lincoln area.

There are about 400 Nebraska inmates employed in the community through the same work-release program, the Lincoln Journal Star reported in its Saturday editions.

The prisoner employment issue cropped up this month when the University of Nebraska-Lincoln student newspaper reported that murderer Timothy Haverkamp was hired to, among other things, guide tours of the mansion.

Corrections officials said three other killers work for the state, under the supervision of state employees, and five work for private companies.

At any given time, two to four inmates are cooking, cleaning and guiding tours at the Governor's Mansion. They were selected from hundreds of felons at the state's minimally secured Community Corrections Centers in Lincoln and Omaha.

Haverkamp was convicted in 1985 of second-degree murder in the cult killings of two people near Rulo. He's been housed in Lincoln's Community Corrections Center since 2001.

Inmates who have a history of good behavior can apply to live at one of the community corrections centers if they are within three years of release or a parole hearing.

Haverkamp is serving a 10-year to life sentence and has been eligible for parole since 1992.

Rex Richard, director of the Community Corrections Center, said those on work release get to their jobs by riding city buses, catching a ride or sometimes driving their own cars.

All inmates can earn up to four-hour passes to run personal errands or visit family.

Those on work release can also earn up to 72-hour furloughs to go home. Those on work detail, such as Haverkamp, can earn up to two 24-hour furloughs per month.

Starting pay is 38 cents an hour for mansion workers, but they can work their way up to $1.08 per hour.

The maximum pay is $3.78 a day for other jobs, which makes mansion duty quite appealing to inmates.

Prison officials said Haverkamp was thoroughly screened by prison staff, the State Patrol and mansion staff and is supervised by the State Patrol.

"The crime obviously is a consideration always, but the prison population is made up of felons," Richard said.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Dave Heineman, Jen Rae Hein, said Heineman was not aware of Haverkamp's criminal history until the Daily Nebraska ran its story.

Hein said the governor has faith in the screening of inmates, and as far as she knows, no changes to the program are being considered.

Richard said he understands why some people would be concerned about a convicted murderer escorting mansion tours -- including those of schoolchildren. Haverkamp was involved in the abuse and death of a 5-year-old boy.

But Richard and the director of the state prison system, Robert Houston, said they are unaware of problems caused by inmates who have worked at the mansion.

"They haven't stolen a towel from the mansion," Richard said. "They haven't come back with an ashtray."



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