Md. Courthouse Employees Hunt Ghost
Fri Aug 6, 9:27 PM ET
CHESTERTOWN, Md. - The word "ghost" is hot on the lips of Kent County Court House employees. A new $75,000 security system installed July 1 hasn't caught any criminals, but it did capture some haunting images of what appears to be a strange light "walking" in one stairwell.
"It didn't show up to the eye, but it showed up on tape," said security officer Phillip Price.
Security personnel first saw the light while looking at a surveillance tape recorded July 29, and it appeared live for more than an hour the next day.
After noticing the light, Price walked up the stairs and didn't see a thing. But downstairs, where by then a crowd of employees had gathered to watch, the video monitor revealed the strange light proceeding ahead of Price, stopping when he stopped and starting when he started.
At one point, those watching the video feed saw Price walk through the anomaly, they said. That was about the time that Price said he felt something.
"I felt a real chill, I will tell you that," Price said.
This time of year, the courthouse stairway is warm and muggy, and Price said he doesn't have much time for ghosts.
Officials are still trying to find a scientific explanation for the anomaly, such as dust spots on the camera lens or a malfunctioning battery. A digital copy of the data has been sent to Atlantic Security, the firm that installed the cameras.
Kent County Sheriff John F. Price said he doesn't believe in ghosts.
"There has to be a logical explanation," he said, adding "I'm keeping an open mind."
Employees said they have seen odd shadows and heard unexplained noises including the sound of closing doors when no one else was around.
For those who believe in the paranormal, the image on the courthouse security camera is described by the Maryland Ghost and Spirit Association as an "orb," which some believe represent the soul of a person who has died.
If that's true, there could be dozens of explanations as the courthouse has been the site of executions dating back to 1746. A 1969 expansion was also built over a forgotten 19th century cemetery.
"If it is a ghost, it's a friendly ghost," said Mark Mumford, clerk of the circuit court. "If it's a friendly ghost, it's not hurting me."
Fri Aug 6, 9:27 PM ET
CHESTERTOWN, Md. - The word "ghost" is hot on the lips of Kent County Court House employees. A new $75,000 security system installed July 1 hasn't caught any criminals, but it did capture some haunting images of what appears to be a strange light "walking" in one stairwell.
"It didn't show up to the eye, but it showed up on tape," said security officer Phillip Price.
Security personnel first saw the light while looking at a surveillance tape recorded July 29, and it appeared live for more than an hour the next day.
After noticing the light, Price walked up the stairs and didn't see a thing. But downstairs, where by then a crowd of employees had gathered to watch, the video monitor revealed the strange light proceeding ahead of Price, stopping when he stopped and starting when he started.
At one point, those watching the video feed saw Price walk through the anomaly, they said. That was about the time that Price said he felt something.
"I felt a real chill, I will tell you that," Price said.
This time of year, the courthouse stairway is warm and muggy, and Price said he doesn't have much time for ghosts.
Officials are still trying to find a scientific explanation for the anomaly, such as dust spots on the camera lens or a malfunctioning battery. A digital copy of the data has been sent to Atlantic Security, the firm that installed the cameras.
Kent County Sheriff John F. Price said he doesn't believe in ghosts.
"There has to be a logical explanation," he said, adding "I'm keeping an open mind."
Employees said they have seen odd shadows and heard unexplained noises including the sound of closing doors when no one else was around.
For those who believe in the paranormal, the image on the courthouse security camera is described by the Maryland Ghost and Spirit Association as an "orb," which some believe represent the soul of a person who has died.
If that's true, there could be dozens of explanations as the courthouse has been the site of executions dating back to 1746. A 1969 expansion was also built over a forgotten 19th century cemetery.
"If it is a ghost, it's a friendly ghost," said Mark Mumford, clerk of the circuit court. "If it's a friendly ghost, it's not hurting me."
Any pictures from that site?