Morgan Harrington Case: Separating Fact From Fiction Part I
Charlottesville, VA– Just passing the month mark, the disappearance of Morgan Harrington from the John Paul Jones Area located on the UVA campus, leaves us with more questions than answers.
The lack of clarity and verifiable, factual accounts regarding the day Morgan seemed to vanish is staggering.
In an attempt to sift through the garble and streamline information to progress her case; we visit the list of inconsistencies.
The Purse And Cell
I am at an utter loss as from what I can tell, there is a report of a purse S T O L E N from a vehicle from the Park section of the lot minutes after Morgan is allegedly seen at the opposite end of the campus. This appears to occur at 9:30PM, however the report indicates the theft occurs at 5:38 PM.
This call status ends up suspended, but when? Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a UVAPD insider expressed shock when I called it to their attention. “That almost never happens” I was told.
Could it be connected to what happened to Morgan? 
Could this call to Campus Police be the reason they are asking if anyone knows if she borrowed someone else’s cell? If that call came directly from a blue box phone, it dials directly to UVAPD.
Do they suspect this was Morgan?
Adding to the above obvious confusion, Morgan’s purse was not found in the Lanigan Lot as stated. Included in the UVAPD’ s own logs, it was found in the CAGE lot, which is on the opposite side of Copley Rd than the Lanigan Lot and accessible for parking only by athletes and UVA Athletics Donors such as season ticket holders.
According to Corrine Geller, VSP, they lose contact with Morgan, based on sightings and cell phone activity at that exact time; 9:30 PM. According to Gil Harrington, Morgans’s mom, there is some texting to an undisclosed individual that ceases at 9:20 with no further activity on her phone.
We know that Morgan interacted with UVA basketball players in this area, which through their spokesperson, refuse to comment on exactly which players were involved.
Newspaper Delivery Lady “Parson”
“I know what I saw,” says Norma Parson, a newspaper delivery woman who believes she saw Morgan– or an incredible lookalike— coming out of a room on UVA’s West Lawn at 3:45am October 18, six hours after the last confirmed sighting on Copeley Bridge.
“She was tall and thin,” says Parson, who says the woman’s high black boots had heels making her appear taller than Morgan’s reported height of 5’6&Prime and that she wasn’t wearing the black hose or tights police have described.
“I thought, ‘What’s she doing out here dressed like that,’” Parson recalls. When she learned of Harrington’s disappearance two days later and saw photographs of heavy mascara- and eyeliner-wearing Morgan, “I knew immediately it was the same girl I saw,” says Parsons, who credits art training for teaching her to examine facial details— even those she sees in passing. “I never had a moment’s doubt,” she insists.
Ms. Parsons seems to be somewhat upset that LE is not taking her tip seriously. Could it be that in the interest of disclosure if you have a relative working in the art department on staff of “The Hook” it is good to lead with that information if your concerned about credibility. I am not implying Ms. Parson does not believe her statement, but readers should be made aware if someone is an employee of their paper.
To be Contined in Part II
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Blink, LE hasn’t given her family any clue as to how Morgan got outside? Wow. Yet LE states that she tried re-entry at multiple points? Surely, in her attempts to get in, she gave some explanation/excuse to the attendants, true or not. Or, if she was possibly escorted out, then that would be known.
But there hasn’t been a LE statement recently that THEY don’t know how or why she got outside, has there? Or did I miss that?
Sounds like LE may also be withholding info from the family.
Thanks Momof3 and observer.
I know most of you have some theories out there on this case. I would like to share my opinion of a possible theory, and allow me to explain below. I do understand that It is common that LE, as in most of these types of cases, do run muliple “parallel investgative venues and/or suspects, as I’m sure they are in this case, meaning that they are not focusing on (1) particular theory so to speak, but all possible scenarios.
Also I have done a little reading on the internet based on your posting the suggested “6 hats of thinking, and “lateral thinking”, by Dr. Edward de Bono. Thank you for sharing. Interesting stuff!
I know that this is a very distasteful, disheartning and a uncomfortable topic for all of us. However, this is a unfortunate probabilty in this case, and does deserve merit in the realm of possibilities. I mean, in no way any disrespect to the Harrington family, or any readers out there reading this post. This is reality. An old axiom in Psychology is “Past behavior is the best predictor for future behavior”.
Understanding the perpertrator mind what makes them tick…., and the way that their mind is “wired”, is paramount to working a case like this. There have been interviews with serial killers by investigators, psychatrists, LE……to try to understand their minds, and how they think. This data is obviously helpful to help solve future serial cases, and for us all to understand the serial killer. Please let me know your opinions. I’m just throwing this out there.
The serial rapist/abductor/killer scenario would have certain “elements” present for it to lead itself to a the “serial” theory. The serial theory could support the possibly of 2 purported venues in which LE may be investigating. The serial killer, and possible “sex trafficking”.
IMO, I am thinking that the few established facts/evidence that LE has, might be speaking “loudly”. Although LE has very few, few clues to go on, I will start there.
1) The phone- without battery- this does indicate that this is part of disabling the victim.
2) The purse- again the purse was found, this indicates possible disabling of the victim, as well as a possible indication there was struggle.
3) No trace of Morgan. This in itself is powerful evidence. This evidence Indicates strategic planning(impulsive or premedidated), and this clearly is execution of a succesfull abuction. This would require a certain amount of “criminal experience” to be able to abduct, disable, and vanish with Morgan.
There are 6-7 sub types of serial killers. I could be possible that the Morgan is the victim of a “lust’ serial killer (sexually motivated), The “gain” serial abductor/killer (financially motivated) , or even possibly the ‘thrill” or “power” abductor/serial killer.
****Serial killers have klled at least (3) people.
Serial killers kill within 14 days of previous abduction/ or murder.
Serial killers are white male caucasion between the age of 25-35 on average.
Serial killers have on the average above average IQ’s. 105-120. Ted Bundy’s IQ was 140. Which is
considered genious level.
Note- based on common characteristics of studies based on interviews with serial killers, Ie, Ted Bundy and Jeffery Dahmer( homosexual serial killer), amongst others, a common denominator was they confessed that they were addicted
to pornography.
apologize for my spelling in above post. I believe I must have a blonde spell check.
#84 Observer—Your reference to the six hats of thinking is very interesting. What makes this case so difficult (for the public) is that there are very few facts for “white hat” (i.e. factual) thinking. A purse, a phone and a missing woman.
I too am convinced of the following events as Observer stated them, except for #5:
1. MH came to and entered JPJ.
2. MH exited JPJ.
3. MH walked around outside for a period of time.
4. MH entered a vehicle.
5. MH left the CV area.
Do we know that she left the CV area? Is the Sheetz siting a confirmed siting? (I’m assuming that by CV you mean Charlottesville).
My gut (“red hat” on) tells me that:
1. she did not intend to end up outside the arena
2. that after futile attempts to re-enter the arena she made a choice/decision to head somewhere else—call it a Change of Plan. I find it interesting that her trajectory takes her directly southwest as if she has a clear destination in mind.
If her destination was within Charlottesville I imagine she probably could have asked for a ride from one of the athletes who would have possibly obliged. But if her destination was outside of Charlottesville then it supports the account that they left the lot with her behind. At the point she continues on her trajectory ultimately getting into a car which promised a ride to her destination.
Without knowing what the athletes talked to her about, what calls & texts she made, etc. (in other words, the stuff that LE knows that the public does not) it is very difficult to progress from this point.
On a side note, Blink: on the six hats wiki page I found a link to Malcolm Gladwell’s “blink thinking: mental processes that work rapidly and automatically from relatively little information.” Cool, huh?! Is this the inspiration for your name?
Blink biscuit for Mosaic, it is the very same. Fascinating read and a mantra of sorts.
B
C’mon, Chad. We were just starting to like you.
Now you must beg our Blinkness to delete that most unfortunate post!
Good luck with that!
Ouch word girl! I don’t make it a habit of begging though, so blink can delete is so chooses. Prob have read to many novels.
Word girl-Blink
I know, its an ugly post. Perhaps I have my black hat on. I guess with no new information….perhaps we are all feeling a little frustrated. I do def apologize to Blink, and readers if my post was offensive, it was not intended to be and for thinking the worst. I know LE is doing all they can do, have heavy hearts, and I know LE is attempting to figure out what has happened to Morgan. Blink, please delete if you deem my post inapproprpiate.
It was respectful, all good
B
what are the odds of her “catching” a ride home (she didnt have her keys)i’d have to doubt thats what exactly was said in the phone call,also why would they be waiting for her and saying we’re missin one (as per dee)and waiting around a minute for her if she had definitly said i’ll get a ride home. if i were her i wouldve headed to the student center if not the restaurant for hot cocoa,wonder what was the simple assault that occured 943pm 17th at jpj(as per vspuva crime log)
chad, but LE says the purse showed no signs of a struggle. I wonder why they say that. They also don’t seem to make much of the missing battery. It’s all just frustrating. I wish they would cough up some details.
there’s also the possibility of the random(someone she doesnt know)stranger (perp looking for oppurtunity)that couldve blind slided struck and dragged her into a vehicle,the purse couldve been ripped in he struggle and been unfindable quickly in the dark or not seen,so left behind. that would mean either cage lot or lanigan field would be scene of crime and bridge story and thumb out isnt true,or she COULDVE been on the bridge changed her mind and walked back to arena to wait for friends thru cage lot toward arena and perp struck.
Hey, chad – I read Word Girl’s post & thought she was joking about your “blonde spell check” comment.
I have been thinking about several facts of Morgan’s story.
The fact that LE is not concerned about the missing battery.
The fact that LE is now looking for people who may have lent Morgan their phone.
The fact that in the first reports of Morgan’s disappearance Amanda M. is quoted as saying Morgan’s purse was found the next day and her car
was still in the lot. According to Amanda’s first account she also said -Morgan wouldn’t abandon her friends there-
I’ve also been thinking about some other comments that were made:
(paraphrasing)
We would have never done it if we knew this could happen. SS
Everyone assumed she would be coming back. AM
I have a theory. Its kinda long…. Please let me now what you guys think…
Her friends removed the battery on her phone as a joke sometime before going to the bathroom. That could be the reason LE is not concerned about it missing. They know who had it and the story behind why. Hence SS comment -We wouldn’t have done it if….
This also would explain why they know now that Morgan used someone else’s phone, because hers was sans battery the whole time. LE was told early on that Morgan told her friends through cell communication that she would get a ride.
Also, regarding Amanda saying -the car was still in the lot-Morgan wouldn’t abandon her friends- and everyone assumed she would be coming back- maybe the friends story to Amanda is that Morgan had her keys… maybe this was also part of the joke keeping her keys and that is why in the beginning there was so much confusion to who had the keys and what car they drove.
Maybe after the joke Morgan broke down in the bathroom crying… she went looking for her friends in their seats couldn’t find them so she kept looking for them…including back at the car… only to find they were not there and she was now locked out.
Or maybe she also didn’t have her ticket stub and security wouldn’t let her go back to her seat. She couldn’t call her friends, she didn’t have a battery and she was kicked out of the arena because security thought she was lying about having a ticket.
Hey kids,
I was just joking. Thx, M. I’m not always good at fleshing out my comments.
I was relating back to my post to Blink that many on this site were Born to be Blonde! (born to be wild, get it?)
Sorry Chad to upset you. You are a wonderful, intuitive thinker. I’m glad you write from your heart.
We all learn from every poster here. And there are a damn lot of them.
For me, it doesn’t matter if a post is structured well, organized, numbered, etc., as I find a lot of information and food for thought in some of those ‘off the hip’ comments.
Of course, I love and heart-quicken to see Blink’s bold face. And I brace myself for the astute writers and thinkers like Observer, Pam, mouse, westside, kleat, others…If I didn’t mention your name in the list, it’s only because I count you all as equals and am honored to be writing and thinking among you.
Don’t let my silly comments get in the way. We have work to do.
WG
If MH was thrown out of the arena, and her judgement was impaired for whatever reason, and she subsequently met her demise through any sort of misadventure, JPJ Arena, the Security Company, UVa, UVa police and perhaps even Metallic could be held liable. That, more than anything else, may be why no one has come forward to explain how she got out of the arena and how she tried to get back in.
I have to say, the interest and talk in here is so much better, than at findmorgan formue, I have been looking for just this type of information for weeks, blink, seem to be on the ball, great job
I origonally posted this on the UVA BB Players thread but decided to move it to this one, because quite frankly, I didn’t know which one to post it on.
There is something about this that has really bothered me from the beginning. The boyfriend of the girlfriend. Why has his name been withheld from the public? As far as we know, everyone else in the car has been identified.
*I don’t neccassaraily think he is a person of interest, but maybe is considered by LE to have some connections or info with/on POI or POIs. I realize LE doesn’t submit everything to the public which is a good thing. Especially if it would interfere with their investigation.
There was a guy from NJ I think, who happened to arrive at the arena parking lot the same time as Morgan’s party. He talked about how excited she seemed to be there, and walked on ahead of the others. Also, coincidentally he happened to be leaving at the same time and noticed there were only three people in the car and none of them were Morgan. In the interview with the friend Sarah by WSLS (channel 10 Roanoke) reporter, Sarah says she was one of the two who traveled back to Harrisonburg. What happened to third person of their party? *Is it possible, since we know absolutely nothing about the boyfriend, that he lived in or around UVA and was dropped off before the two returned to Harrisonburg. Or was he one of the two that returned?
This may have already been discussed on your site and I missed it. I try to read all of your postings, but it’s possible that I missed this one.
Thanks Blink for the great job you do bringing things out. In this case it has been extremely hard to separate fact from fiction. I wonder if any of the sitings were actually Morgan or just someone fitting her description. Has it even been proven that she was there?
I trust your opinions, which is why I bring my questions here. Keep up the great work.
*Added since original post. Just throwing in some extra thoughts.
Praying that Morgan will soon be found and back home safely with her parents!
sheesh i will prob. get flamed for this but: not to be horribly negative, but I am wondering, based on some of the family’s comments that to me anyway have been kind of coming from a mindset that they think she will not be back (summarizing: we are going to have to get used to first holidays without her, etc., Morgan, are you turning into a skeleton now, too? <–from mom’s blog) that kind of said to me that the mom, at least, was already feeling she wouldn’t be back. Has anyone else thought that maybe Morgan is already deceased, they have the body, the parents are aware of this, and they are just trying to find out what in the heck happened? For instance, if the perp does not think they have the body, well, then, the perp would be thinking “i got away with it” and would be coming out of the woodwork because perp thinks she hasn’t been found?
i would be interested in anyone’s thoughts on this blog entry from Gil on http://www.findmorgan.com: “Remembered last night that the spot on the bridge where Morgan was last sighted is exactly where a dear friend careened off the sidewalk in his wheelchair and tumbled to his death several years ago. Comforts me somehow to think that he might be looking out for Morgan in that space… ” here is the link to it: http://findmorgan.com/category/family-blog
kksmom,
I don’t necessarily think they have a body, but rather evidence that she is most likely deceased.
I wonder if they found the necklace [among other things} and just released a photo of what it looks like so that the public doesn’t draw the obvious conclusion.
Word Girl…..LOL! No prob, not offended. I didn’t want to offend any family members by my theory in case they were reading the thread. I thought thats the post that you were referring to.
I really enjoy this site, and love the inquiring minds on this site. Ya’ll are great.
OK back to work.
In revisiting the “friend” theory I have a question about Morgans friend that it is speculated that this friend has lawyered up.
Can someone confirm if it is male or female friend?
In regards to the answer if it is female, is this the friend whose BB was driving Morgans car to the concert?
Sighting: Appears that LE may be looking into the Baltimore sighting. Anyone have any thoughts of merit to that tip?
**BTW moving away from platinum, going towards warm honey.
#104 mosaic: “…I find it interesting that her trajectory takes her directly southwest as if she has a clear destination in mind.”
I agree. Apparently she was familiar with the campus, so I would think it logical that if she was sure she couldn’t get back into JPJ and had two hours to burn – possibly while feeling disoriented and upset – she would try to make her way to the main campus, either looking for a party or perhaps some of her brother’s friends, maybe even a cafe she knew about.
It stands to reason (based on maps of the area) that if she was walking down Copeley Road, crossing over the RR tracks and headed toward Ivy Lane, this would likely be where she was heading, imo.
If that was the case, it begs several considerations:
1. If she told the BB players her dilemma and that she was heading to the campus, why did they leave without giving her a ride? (Was she incoherent or sending up red flags about her condition?)
2. I’m not acclimated with the lay of the land surrounding JPJ, but it appears that making it to the main campus would have been quite a trek on foot – one that perhaps she thought she could make upon the initial outset (again assuming she was possibly under the influence or suffering through a concussion), but then realized how long and dark Ivy Lane was once she started walking it. Based on Ivy Lane’s proximity to the Cage Lot, she could have decided to circle back, cutting through the Cage Lot to return to the JPJ area…becoming separated from her purse/phone, and disappearing on the way.
Does anyone familiar with the area know if this is a feasible scenario as far as her movements that night, or am I way off? I’ve just been struggling with where the h*ll she could have been going so determinedly in the cold mist, and it sort of clicked when I saw the map. It would also make sense that, if she was headed for/down Ivy Lane, she may have tried to flag students down for a ride to campus.
Thoughts?
has her car been searched? what about the cars of any “friends”?
momof3: i can see your scenario being plausible.
if she was trying to head to main part of campus, she went the wrong way and could not have intended to walk in the direction she did if her intention was to get to the lawn or the corner. its an easy walk to the lawn or corner from JPJ
To Momof3 #112: “Or maybe she also didn’t have her ticket stub and security wouldn’t let her go back to her seat. She couldn’t call her friends, she didn’t have a battery and she was kicked out of the arena because security thought she was lying about having a ticket.”
Even if MH did have her ticket stub with her when she exited JPJ, she would not by JPJ policy have been allowed back into the arena once she left. Re-entry is denied to everyone, regardless of whether or not they have their ticket stub with them. This is standard operating procedure for large concert venues and events, and is not specific to JPJ.
To Ashley Wilkes #115, Re: “If MH was thrown out of the arena, and her (sic) judgement was impaired for whatever reason, and she subsequently met her demise through any sort of misadventure, JPJ Arena, the Security Company, UVa, UVa police and perhaps even Metallic could be held liable.”
Unless it could be proved that JPJ, UVA, UVAPD, or Metallica were somehow summarily at fault, there would be no implied liability. Given that the arena posts clearly their no re-admittance policy, both inside the arena and on the concert holders’ ticket stubs, they are released of liability unless or until it could be shown that their own policy was somehow grossly negligent and/or caused or contributed directly to MH’s disappearance and whatever subsequent events that followed. The key term here is “contributory negligence” and is the defense that would successfully be mounted by any of the parties mentioned above.
In Wiki’s simplest terms: “Contributory negligence” is a common law defense to a claim based on negligence, an action in tort. It applies to cases where a plaintiff has, through his own negligence, contributed to the harm he suffered.”
J2K #121: “I’m not acclimated with the lay of the land surrounding JPJ, but it appears that making it to the main campus would have been quite a trek on foot – one that perhaps she thought she could make upon the initial outset (again assuming she was possibly under the influence or suffering through a concussion), but then realized how long and dark Ivy Lane was once she started walking it. Based on Ivy Lane’s proximity to the Cage Lot, she could have decided to circle back, cutting through the Cage Lot to return to the JPJ area…becoming separated from her purse/phone, and disappearing on the way.”
Walking from JPJ to the main (“Central”) Grounds might be a bit of a trek; however, it’s not one that would be especially daunting, especially for a student. That said, you may be right that MH perhaps first thought about this but later reconsidered; however, I do not believe she may have reconsidered because Ivy Rd. is long and dark. On the contrary, once you enter Ivy Rd. (taking a left off of Copeley, towards Central Grounds), the BB&T bank is on your left, as is the Cavalier Diner, the 7-11, etc. Ivy Rd. headed towards Central Grounds is not long or dark. I am unaware of any practical way to cut through from Ivy Rd. and cross the RR tracks to reach the Cage to get back to JPJ. If MH made it to Ivy Rd., however, she may indeed have attempted to/been offered a ride back toward Central Grounds.
To Sue and kksmom: I do not believe LE has any evidence that MH is deceased. I do, however, believe that LE feels that, at this point, chances are greater than not that MH is no longer alive.
kksmom – re:the post by gil on the family blog. a good friend of the family who was wheelchair bound tumbled down the hillside in 1988 before there were curb cuts in the sidewalk. i read about this a few weeks ago when she mentioned it in an interview.
http://ntlsearch.bts.gov/tris/record/tris/00476989.html
from the article: “After the press conference, Morgan’s mother, Gil, remarked that her brother’s best friend in high school was Franz Stillfried. As longtime Charlottesvillians may recall, the wheelchair-bound Stillfried died in 1988 when he and his heavy motorized chair rolled down the ravine at the site of today’s John Paul Jones Arena.
“It makes me happy,” Harrington said, “that Franz might be looking over Morgan.”
link: http://www.readthehook.com/blog/index.php/2009/11/04/still-missing-ed-smart-joins-harrington-parents-new-details-emerge/
Thank you for your response Observer. I am aware of the JPJ policy regarding reentry.
Let me try to explain what I meant through a personal experience.
I went to a concert with several friends during the opening acts I went to the restroom with one of my friends upon returning to the area of our seats a security guard stopped us at the doorway to that level and asked to see our ticket stub. Luckily we had them. He told us that they were having problems with concert goers trying to move to better seats or with trying to sneak in… If this happened to Morgan maybe she no longer had her ticket stub.
Do you know if this was also a policy at JPJ or with Metallica, checking for ticket stubs after leaving your seat? Also, has your staff reported back to you regarding their trip to JPJ?
Thanks for your input Observer much appreciated.
Momof3: I’m unaware of any JPJ policy that would require checking a ticket stub after leaving a seat. Given what I saw only on the videos of the concert, I do not think that was the case for the Metallica concert–but admit that I cannot be certain). I do know that that was not the case in the multiple events I have attended at JPJ.
I’ll follow up shortly, re: the Daughtry concert.
Observer
If in fact Morgan was in the arena, and obtained or purchased alcholic-beverages such as beer from the jurisdiction venue JPJ, they would be liable for serving to an under-age individual and contributing to the condition of said under-age, would they not?
#127, 128: When I go to basketball games or concerts where I have a reserved seat, there is always an usher at the aisle checking ticket stubs to be sure I’m going to the right seat. When I go to the bathroom or to get something from concessions, I have to show my ticket stub to go back to my seat.
Maybe it depends on the event, but I’ve had my ticket checked when trying to enter a section of seats. I remember one concert in particular where I wanted to visit a friend in another section, but was not allowed to walk across a section of the floor because I did not have floor seats.
To wpgmouse #129: Excellent point; however, it would have to be conclusively determined that MH was served alcohol by the JPJ staff, as opposed to being otherwise intoxicated and/or under the influence of other self-administered substances.
Re: the Daughtry concert: I spoke with my staff member who attended the concert. Inasmuch as she is a rabid Daughtry fan and was at the venue for some hours prior to the concert, she indicated that she had ample time to view area immediately outside of the portals. She noticed no discernable video or CCTV surveillance. She did, however, point out that equipment may have been there but not easily visible to the untrained eye. She indicated that she did not look inside the lobby area when she entered JPJ to see if video equipment was there.
Observer–my point is that there is what the attorneys like to call “a vulnerability” here–maybe the barrier is high, but attorneys know that if a case goes before a jury, there is no way to tell how it will turn out, no matter what wikipedia says. So an action could be filed, and public sentiments lean heavily toward the potential plaintiffs, so a lot of judges would be inclined to let it go to trial, rather than making the world mad at them by dismissing it.
Virginia, defendants are held jointly and severally liable, which means that anyone who in found negligent in any way can be held responsible for the full amount, so all the people who had contact with Morgan could be dragged into litigation.
That’s why most attorneys would tell their clients not to draw attention to themselves, and not to say anything in public, so that there is nothing that could used against them at a later time.
If a JPJ employee either served Morgan alcohol that night , escorted her out or refused her re entry, and she is ultimately found to have perished, it isn’t going to matter who is actually liable and who isn’t.
JPJ and the university have liability insurance. The max on those policies is in the millions of dollars. If a suit is ever filed, the university or JPJ will not actually litigate the suit in a courtroom. They will quietly and wisely settle with the family for the max of their insurance policy.
Something tells me that no attorney with an actual law degree is going to advise his client to litigate with the grieving parents of a beautiful young coed who were it not for the unfortunate decision of some minimum wage doorman, would still be on this earth.
Observer thanks for the update on your staff member’s observations of JPJ
Re:#117
I do not know if Morgan is still with us or not. I would like to think she is but the odds are very poor since so much time has passed. I think her parents have a feeling inside. As a mother of two teens myself there are many times I can feel my children, their spirit I guess and feel what they are doing. I think that Gil wants to hope but may have a feeling deep inside as I agree her posts show this. I pray for all of them. I did find it odd that they already took the dental records to LE. I am not sure that is standard. I would like to think that LE has things hidden but I just think they do not know. Too much is missing from this story. I really want to believe that Morgan is ok but I have this nagging feeling inside. I still pray that they find her alive.
Keep in mind, Sue, that the University can only settle if the plaintiffs agree to settle. In a lot of wrongful death lawsuits(and I’m talking about something else, not Morgan–I still hope, pray, and believe that she’ll turn up safe and sound), money is a secondary issue–the plaintiff wants to know what happened, and the only way to find out is to swear everyone in and make them answer all the questions.
Observer, of course it would have to be determined.
sue, if JPJ served or sold alcohol to “any” under age individual, that in itself is an offense, regardless of the situation.
If JPJ in this case served alcohol to an under age Morgan Harrington and it is proven to be so, I find it hard to believe that in itself would be possible to be kept under-wraps, regardless that the terms of a financial settlement, if any was pursued, would be sealed. Word would get out some how, some way. Investigations would be held, staff from the venue and affiliates, other agencies and their staff, how to keep all information and all people quiet.
I won’t go and try to second-guess what the Harringtons might or might not do, if any of the above did in fact happen. I only know what I might do, but that and I are not relevant.
Issues involving events and venues regarding the sale and use of alcohol to students and under-age individuals already exist, but would be amplified, IMO.
JPJ Arena would take center stage in the issues if it is proven that JPJ jurisdiction served alcohol to Morgan Harrington (which would also prove that she was actually there) especially given the media and public attention that has already been given to their no-entry policy in regards to a missing person.
Observer and sue, I find it hard to believe JPJ does not have captured video of Morgan Harrington if she was inside the arena or at the points of entrance.
What I don’t find hard to believe is that the equipment itself would be not readily visible to the patrons or certain staffers, for that matter.
Observer, was there not a previous issue to the inside security of JPJ and were not steps taken to improve the security?
Ashley Wilkes,
Didn’t see your post up until I finished typing my comments.
I found that to be most informative, thank you.
“Investigations would be held, staff from the venue and affiliates, other agencies and their staff, how to keep all information and all people quiet.”
I didn’t word that right.
I meant “considering” investigations would be held, staff from the venue and affiliates, other agencies and their staff, how “possible would it be” to keep all “the information” and all “these people” quiet.
True Ashley, but that would only be true in the absence of a criminal trial.
Assuming that she is found to have perished because of some negligence on the part of JPJ, and she is recovered and someone is tried for the crime, the family would have discovery of the facts via the criminal trial.
Personally, I don’t think this is going to end up being an issue anyway.
I was wondering if anyone on this blog lives in the Charlottesville area? A quick trip to the county seat and a quick records search would answer once and for all if the arena had video, and the plans for the building should show where every camera is on the outside and the inside of the building. This would be shown on the electrical specs. It would also name the contractor who did the job.
Also, if Morgan’s friends had her keys, how did she propose to get back inside her apartment? If she told the friends she would find her way back home, don’t you think at least one of them would ask how she planned to enter the apartment when she did not have keys? It is possible her buildings has a lock out service, and if someone reading this can check that out, it would be interesting to know.
Vaire
Vaire-
welcome to blinkoncrime.com. We discussed earlier where we analyzed the blue prints, Design and Bid specs for the arena as well as the security “consult” for the JPJ arena. I/we assume it is proprietary as to the style and placement of security cameras within the facility, and an excellent post by Observer on here would underscore the needs for a better solution was already being addressed by UVA. Lt. Rader of the VSP has stated there is not a discernable image of Morgan per se, on what they did recover anyway.
They were not returning to Morgan’s apartment, they actually had her keys and her car at the arena, so it is anyone’s guess where Morgan was headed and how she might gain access when she got there. I am of the opinion Morgan may have been headed back to wherever they were prior to the concert.
B
Ashely Wilkes #133: My intent was not to imply that the judge would not allow this type of liability case to go to trial and would instead dismiss it. I was asserting the defense that would be put forth on behalf of JPJ; that is, one of contributory negligence.
I am in complete agreement with you on two points:
1. “That’s why most attorneys would tell their clients not to draw attention to themselves, and not to say anything in public, so that there is nothing that could used against them at a later time.” In a word: absolutely.
2. “…if a case goes before a jury, there is no way to tell how it will turn out…” To my mind, two words often describe a jury trial: crap shoot.
Sue #141: I am in complete agreement with your statement that “..I don’t think this is going to end up being an issue anyway.”
# Comment by chouva — November 23, 2009 @ 2:27 pm
“if she was trying to head to main part of campus, she went the wrong way and could not have intended to walk in the direction she did if her intention was to get to the lawn or the corner. its an easy walk to the lawn or corner from JPJ”
An easy walk to the Corner from JPJ? Its a LONG walk. A couple of miles.
If heading to the lawn was Morgan’s intent, she chose the least traveled route. After reaching Ivy Road/250, she would have turned left and walked through an area that has very little foot traffic that time of the night and isn’t all that well lit. The only business I can think of that would have been open before she reached the Cavalier Inn at the intersection of 29/250 (EmmetSt/Ivy Rd) is a 7Eleven. There possibly could have been some late arrivals to the concert walking from the parking garage on Ivy Road. If she crossed Ivy Road headed to dorms near Scott Stadium, she would have had quite a trek through a residential area. Also, probably not a lot of foot traffic that time of night. Many people do walk from the U-Hall/Arena parking lots on football weekends, but not something I would want to do as a young female, alone on a cold, damp night. Since it seems Morgan did have some familiarity with UVa, I find it doubtful she was trying to reach a pre-determined destination on grounds taking the route she is reported to have traveled.
MsL, based on the route she supposed took ,what do suppose it implies her intentions were?or does it not make sense?
Thank you Blink. Love the forum.
I have no idea. Being a native of the area and having traveled these streets both in daylight and at night, I certainly would not take the route she seemed to be taking if I was heading to either the Corner, the main grounds or even dorm areas. During daylight hours, it’s still not the most direct route, but at night, just to untraveled, I would feel, for safety. I have no speculation on whether that was her intent, but rather was expressing what I felt about other opinions expressed.
There are apartments, if heading left on Ivy Road toward the 25029 intersection, off street on the left side of the highway. I guess a possible theory could be that she knew someone in that area, but again, just speculation.
B – (re: response to #142) “I am of the opinion Morgan may have been headed back to wherever they were prior to the concert.”
MsL, susanm, B (re: #145-149) It’s been stated that MH phoned her dad to say she had reached Harrisonburg at 2 p.m. on Oct. 17. Let’s say she picked up her friends (which could have included some dude they know catching a ride to Charlottesville to party rather than attend the concert), and they made the 45-minute drive back down to Cville to “pre-game” prior to the show with friends who lived in a residence near the stadium (remember: MH, presumably, still had high-school pals in the area, and it’s possible that some of the Hburg crew did, too).
This is a potential explanation to why MH wasn’t driving when she and her group arrived at the JPJ – perhaps she pre-partied a little too hard. The local pre-party would also explain why she wasn’t *completely* screwed when she wasn’t allowed back in the JPJ, and why she immediately took off when all re-entry attempts failed. Her friends would have been aware of the nearby gathering she was headed back to as well, thus they held onto her keys and did not attempt to otherwise “help” her, figuring they’d see her after the show back at the party.
Taking this possibility a step further, based on B’s comment, it would stand to reason MH texted her friends she’d been pre-partying with and informed them she was heading back over, thereby making her way back to the residential area either across or along Ivy Lane. It’s also possible she got ahold of a friend at the party by using a BBall player’s phone, and he/she told her to keep walking or that they’d send someone to pick her up on the way. At some point along her route, perhaps they did. This makes it possible that the disappearance happened later in the evening, amongst friends.