Joel Patrick Courtney

Kim said that he couldn't have been in the area of Brooke's abduction, as she was snatched between 10 and 11 a.m. on May 24. He has recorded proof that he executed a computer stock transaction at 11:14 a.m. He was also videotaped by security cameras at 12:30 p.m. buying a laptop with his father at Circuit City in Tigard.

Authorities challenged this flimsy alibi, saying not only did he have time to get from Corvallis back to Tigard in time, but that anyone could have executed that stock trade for him, as it was made from his sister's computer.

With a clear eye toward the Wilberger case, Kim was arrested on the underwear theft charges in Multnomah County, and his bail set at $10 million. Investigators in Benton, Washington and Yamhill counties, where the other colleges are located, pursued similar charges against him. Yamhill county eventually set his bail for $4 million, $1 million in Washington county, and $100,000 in Benton county.

The shadow of Brooke Wilberger hung like a shroud over his head.