Morgan Harrington Case: Exploring The Musical Connections
Disclaimer– exclusive original content copyright and property of Internet Network News, LLC and Blinkoncrime.com. Reproduction of this article , ANY OF IT’S Conclusions or CONTENT, in whole or in part without proper attribution and source link is strictly prohibited without prior written permission. Charlottesville, VA– On the evening of one of the most anticipated musical events of her young 20 years, Morgan Dana Harrington, 20, disappeared from the Metallica Concert at JPJ on October 17, 2009. After months of investigative efforts involving four different law enforcement jurisdictions, Morgan’s skeletal remains were found by Anchorage Farm owner David Bass on January 26, 2010.
Upon the recovery of Morgans remains, many parallels of her life reflected her love of the musical community in general, but also, the surrounding venues she attended previously, such as bonnaroo, allgood, the rooster walk, and floydfest. 
Charlottesville is rife with heritage, musical talent, eclectic artisans and those wanting to be a part of it, nightly, across the vast bucolic landscape. As a tribute to Morgan Harrington’s love of the Indi music scene, blinkoncrime.com will explore some of the culture and artists she embraced.
The Dirty Horse 
Featuring Charlotteville’s own Christian Breeden of Biscuit Run fame…The Dirty Horse. Coincidentally, TDH played at Maya the evening of October 17, 2009. The Dirty Horse, is a fan-staple of CVille, although development plans for Biscuit Run into a State Park through it’s purchase by VDOT may make Breeden more of a Crozet staple, closer to his other residence. Members are Breeden, Ariel Vegodsky, Mike McCue and Brian Massie . 
Christian, former front man for American Dumpster and son of late acclaimed sculptor David Breeden, is a renaissance of Bohemian royalty with talents ranging from sculptor, bike builder, artist, musician, photographer and self proclaimed Junkyard Spirit conjurer. Breeden’s latest endeavor, The Equinocalypse, celebrating the melting away of Winter and “new life” promises for Spring, is the invitation of the season to party “carny style”.
Party Liberation Front Now Here is a Gig. Resist the urge to think this is pledge week. Tis not. The Pyro laced gala will also be dj’d by Richmonds’ own FunkFriar John Reinhold and Conway Jennings. While “THE JOHN” is dragging up the long bar from Richmond, you can catch a listen to his mixjo here. As far as non-harvest, middle of the woods socials go- this may be the actual farmville, but with F I R E.
Pre Sentencing Report No doubt the Cvillain, edited by bathtub shroom purveyor and recently 
convicted *man about Cville* music, eatery and libation scene, Ian Saul, will be covering the “equal night”. It is not known if he will be using the ritual to influence any sort of leniency for a light sentencing on March 31. Regardless of his pending matters which one can observe daily on his facebook, Ian manages to personally attend and cover every evenings soiree in the ville.
Bring It and Sling It 
Carcinogen friendly preffered. BYOH.. Bring your own hula. Not to be confused with bring your own hooka. I am thinking fresh aire contact-hooka will suffice. BE CREATIVE. Fire-laced, dayglo, neon, light-sticks-strung-together,
you are defined by your HOOP here and you don’t want anyone to think your a first timer. Or Not. You could certainly simply don your best minotaur frock and arrive fashionably equine. I have decided I will be attending dressed as Sukie Stackhouse, immediately following my dip in the soaking tub with my ammonium bicarbonate bath fizzies. Contributing Editor: Elizabeth Morton Images Courtesy of Klaasend
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Hey I have alot of people I need to write back today-
But first wanted to tell crimewriter- you are correct- the gun is probably a .22- The next step up in the right of passage for many men in my family… I had to call up one of my uncles and play the vid over the phone to him but he agreed with you-
Still hold by my point that the guys in the video are just immature idiots playing with a gun- any gun is not a toy and could do some serious damage if you are close enough and hit a person in the head or heart- even an air rifle-. 22′s are usually used in rabbit hunting.
Still not a scary video to me, as I have grown up with immature idiots- off putting that CB is playing with a .22 – scary if he treats all guns and all situations with guns with such immaturity-
Thanks for setting me straight Crime- and for making me call my uncle whom I haven’t had a chance to talk to in awhile- even better that we could talk about something he considers himself an expert in LOL
total amateur I love your posts!
@juliemoody
Im not sure if im reading your post right, but I doubt Blink is directly on the tail of CB
@Jen
I would be very suprised if that gentleman hasn’t received a lot of unwanted scrutiny
@Fish
Not an available option.
total amateur says:
March 14, 2010 at 12:06 am
Actually, I wanted to mention an older press conference I reviewed the other night. Lt. Rader states that Morgan told her friends she would find a ride from “friends around Charlottesville.”
—-
Right, TA. I was noticing that at some point this statement seems to have morphed into ‘she told her friends she would HH home’ (paraphrase) and I’m not sure how that happened- did I miss something? Telling her friends she would find a ride home from friends she/they had around the area and telling them she was going to HH home seems like 2 very different things, to me, at least.
I still cannot wrap my head around it either way: I waited 6 months to go to a big concert. It’s a huge event. I mistakenly get shut out of the arena before it even starts- the night is *young*! And my response is oh, well, might as well GO HOME. And might as well just leave my car here and HH home? It’s not a series of thoughts that would ever have occurred to me in a similar situation! I don’t know what was normal for Morgan, not having known her, so I’m just trusting it makes sense. But sure goes against my own intuition.
Then again, like a lot of you have noticed looking through the FB and myspace sites, it’s a whole different culture these days and maybe I can’t begin to guess how kids think anymore, I just don’t know.
Chad, good to have you back.
I’m sure you and I will be in the minority but I wanted to say, yes, I have seen some of what you posted about in the metal scene. I was heavily into music- hard rock, metal, I went to tons of concerts, starting when I was pretty young. It was after I went to a concert alone that I suddenly experienced it from a different vantage point. There is a dark side. I started looking at the album covers differently and the lyrics after that and I resented it. As a woman, I began to feel angry. Do you all remember the Stones’ “Black and Blue”? They put up a billboard (in LA I think) of a woman tied to a chair, beaten black and blue, with the caption “I’m black and blue over you… and I love it.” People were incensed and forced it to be taken down but the thought remained in my mind, this is what they are willing to do for publicity, they didn’t have a problem seeing and portraying women this way.
O.T., sorry, just wanted to say, yes, I think I understand some of what you are saying. I still love a lot of the music and listen to it but I’m choosy and I just don’t feel comfortable in the live crowd anymore. JMHO of course!! But I wish that, as women, we demanded better than this.
Blink, I made it perfectly clear in my response to Mom3.0 that
I didn’t believe music killed Morgan or anyone else.
See my quote below.
I did say, that to me, violence is NOT artistic expression.
Why the response?
“Do I think attending Lamb of God, Gojira and Metallica on Oct 17th caused a psycho to run out and kill Morgan? No, but I do think that music has a great impact on kids/young adults-both positive AND negative! I don’t think we can overlook that.”
Heh?
That was not my response, I think we all reached our common ground on the issue.
Did I miss something?
B
suz- agreed….. and it makes me so mad!
I think that one of the reasons Farmer Bass checked his fences was that he may have been prepping for a proposed upcoming search of his property.
Dr Harrington mentioned 29 south as an area of interest prior to the discovery of Morgan and this was later noted to be a location for an upcoming search.
with AF as private property, permission would be needed or search warrant. It does not sound to me like search warrant so ….. Farmer Bass just was checking around not just to see what fences were still up but so maybe he would be “prepared” for the search.
OH = and I hope the burnt side of the grilled cheese is not noticed by my toddler!
lots of interesting posts today
Hi Gifter3,
Thank you for your response. You made some very good points, I agree we have to do something about violence becoming so prevalent in our society. I However disagree that music, books, or video games lead to people becoming violent in real life.
I was not defending violence anywhere with a broad brush and certainly not in bands- one of my points was that taking one song or one case of tragic death or murder and tying it to the music this person liked is oversimplifying the problem and is wrong- as many of these bands have a myriad of different songs, albums ect that talk of love or other things. Its all in the mind and sickness of the killer.
For every case that can be found where the assailant or victim (suicide) was a metal fan, there are thousands upon thousands of others where the killer was your average every day smo, who was your quiet, unassuming, helpful neighbor who listened to Muzak or your well to do social climber, well liked Doctor, lawyer teacher minister- none of them metal fans or horror fans or Edgar Allen Poe fans.
My friend- I was defending all artists expressions- Stephen King wrote a book early in his career, under his pen name Richard Bach entitled,Rage- The story is about a student,Charlie Decker, a senior, who one day decides to bring a gun to school and shoot a teacher,Mrs. Underwood. He also shoots another teacher who unsuspectingly walks into Mrs. Underwood’s room.
The police surround the high school, Charlie takes his fellow students hostage, he forces them to admit to their shortcomings and apologize to the students they’ve “wronged” in a sort of maniacal dark take upon John Hughes’ The Breakfast Club, although it was a precursor. It’s only Charlie’s locker padlock that was left in his pocket that saves him from being killed by the police that surround the school.
After The Columbine shooting King removed the book from print. It was found in the locker of one of the killers. There had been many other school shootings before Columbine, and more after it. These killings had nothing to do with Mr. King’s book as well,it was never read by any of the assailants.
My point is, Mr. King didn’t want to be blamed, nor did he want some sicko to read his words and think that he condoned these actions- even though the book was in no way saying -shoot shoot get the gun-
Just because this book had a character in it who chose to carry out his deranged plot with a gun, it is somehow blamed for Columbine- Who know’s if the killers actually read the book, if they did, they certainly twisted it to their own sickness. Carrie, another book written by King, is about a teen girl who is tormented in highschool and has a psychological break then kills everyone at the school dance- everyone not only her tormentors- in this book there is no happy ending and no apologies- but since her weapon of choice was her mind- (she had special powers) this book of Kings remains on the shelf- Where as we have lost another book, Rage- with a moral to live by, because its character’s choice of weapon was a gun- and some tortured soul that may or may not have read it and possibly saw it as a guide- -
These shootings, and the violence continues, bullying continues, because the children who kill or bully need help- they are not predisposed to violence, but they need help dealing with situations and people where they feel they have no recourse or control-They have a psychological problem and have never been taught to deal with issues in a positive manner, they feel helpless. Bullies and bullied alike.
I agree violent acts, words and pictures should not be seen by children- That is my job as a parent to watch my childrens’ intake -it is also my job as a parent to watch my childrens’ mental or psychological well being- that is the most important thing- not the violence they may see , a car wreck, a fight at school ,a police arrest on tv, or a murder scene on the news- but how they are interpreting it- is the key and whether or not as a parent I recognize my child is a bully or is being bullied- and whether or not the school is aware of any problems. It is my duty to watch for problems and help my children learn coping skills that do not include violent thoughts or deeds. It is my job to help my children interpret positively a book, movie, song or work of art-
Everyone needs an outlet, whether it be through song, writing, reading, sports ect. If we as parents see our children becoming obsessed with something-that is not healthy- whether it be a puppylove, a band, a game, sad and depressing authors, art, books music, especially those with violence. It is our job as parents to step in and get them the help they need psychological or otherwise. If we choose to push our concerns under the rug and blame their behavior on a video game, a book or cd then IMO we are just looking for a way to let ourselves off the hook for a psychological problem they may have that we, nor they are to be blamed for, but that can not be healed unless given the proper care.
Don’t worry Gifter, I am all ready in the middle with you- violence promotes violence- we need to make sure people understand violence is never a real world alternative to anything. But writing, or reading, listening or playing the music is not the cause of the problem nor a sign of a problem- If we take responsibility for ourselves, our children and our community as a whole, than we can all differentiate between fiction and nonfiction.
Peace, My friend Momo
Oops; I lied; here I go again, posting when I said earlier that I’d cease and desist for a bit. (But, but….Mooooom….my chores are doooone now….:)))
TO: Amateur: I’m sorry I missed that you were actually comically making any “connection” betweeen J2K and I. (I’m sometimes a bit dense that way; just ask B–she’ll stipulate that as fact:))) Seriously, though…I think one of the biggest downsides to written/on-line communication is that it fails to convey all the essential non-verbals that truly hold the key and help to telegraph an author’s intent. Anyway, no worries; I feel safe in speaking for J2K (who can always be counted on to speak so eloquently for herself) when I say we love you, and we know you love us as well:))) But on a more serious note:….
You stated “Now a question as to a statement made by Lt. Rader a while back. When asked if he thought there was a threat to the community- he seemed to dodge the question, even hinting at the contrary, IMHO. If this was a stranger abduction while either hitch-hiking or walking alone, that lead to a possible rape and murder… wouldn’t he be compelled to offer some sort of warning to the community? This is one of the indirect statements from LE that leads me to think it was someone she knew. What is your interpretation of his answer in that presser? I also just realized that he would no longer be a threat, if he was already in jail.”
You once again raise a great point, TA. If Lt. Rader appeared to dodge that question or possibly hinted at the contrary (I confess I’ll have go back and review that particular presser), you are right: he could have been telegraphing w/o saying so that he believed Morgan’s assailant was someone known to her. If, on the other hand, he believed that this was a stranger abduction, he would indeed be remiss not to caution the local community that a BG was afoot.
As said, I’ll have to go back and review that presser. [Do you happen to have the date handy? I've not kept a log but know all these are archived on-line.] My preliminary thought, though, is this: Lt. Rader by intent did not want to imply one way or the other; that is, he did not want to exclude the possibility that Morgan’s disappearance was as a result of a stanger abduction, or a person known to her. He wanted to keep all options open.
There could be a variety of reasons for his response–but more importantly, the manner of his response. Those reasons could be strategic in nature.
I do know this: Lt. Rader–nor anyone in LE–would want to be in a position to state that he believed that Morgan’s murderer was someone known to her, only to find out later (when the BG is caught) that he was not. Publicly and strategically he must keep all options open. [This is just one of many reasons why pressers are so difficult and words generally weighed so carefully; witness Rader's last presser. The LE presenter wants to telegraph certain information and is generally holding far more information that, for investigativve reasons, they cannot reveal. They want to convey certain things to certain audiences, including but not limited to: the BG, friends/family of the BG, general friends/associates of the victim, close friends of the victim, family members of said close friends, potential witnesses...to name but a few. It's an incredibly fine line that these individuals (the LE briefers) must walk--a walk that is taken neither lightly nor easily. Given that they are first human (and it's enormously difficult to hide our non-verbals), they can indeed telegraph things they do not intend to.
In Lt. Rader's case, in this presser, it's difficult to say...but you do make an excellent point, TA. [See? I contend that you're no "amateur" but instead are an astute student of criminal investigation...either that, or you've missed your calling.]
BTW and FWIW: I do not believe Morgan’s assailant is currently incarcerated, or was incarcerated following her disappearance. My sense is that Morgan’s murderer is still at-large and possibly in the wind.
I do not believe her assailants are incarcerated at this time either, but is my belief that those I was referring to earlier may have information.
B
localcvillegirl says:
March 14, 2010 at 9:34 am
I sure hope that everyone who knows this girl will prevail upon her to get her butt down to the police station and report this!
rnmom says:
March 14, 2010 at 10:56 am
I am just wondering how many random strangers, not associated with the musical biz, with intimate knowledge of AF, just happened to be on a bridge headed away from/toward JPJ around the same small window of time a BEAUTIFUL girl was there “HH”, without being noticed. I’m just saying…..
—-
I still think it is possible someone hanging around the arena or RV lot had been watching Morgan and drove after her and grabbed her when the moment was opportune.
Chad, so glad to hear that your friend survived and is recovering!
if le has spoken with someone who has admitted to picking morgan up after 9:20 ,the hitch hiking or not issue is moot. breaking or affirming the alibi,or seeing where the alibi leads is the new issue.
Respectfully, a link to that fraud will never appear here.
B
Mom3.0, Thanks for helping me get back on track with your info.
total amateur – re: The Fat Lady’s Song
(You said:) “I too love J2K and Observer, but wonder how they can always be so sure about their theory when it seems that even LE has no clue. There isn’t a whole lot about this case that makes sense, so everything is in until it’s out. And we may not know what’s out until LE makes an arrest and the fat lady sings. You can make a solid case for a hundred different scenarios. Without facts, we are all left with speculation. … Now- the inevitable questions for you both:
Why are you both suddenly SO sure this is what happened? Why have you closed your mind to other possibilities? Have you uncovered or been made aware of specific information- or has it just become your belief at this point? I will admit- the seemingly synchronized, definitive declarations are a bit curious.”
I’m going to pull an “Observer” here and defer to her excellent case (March 14 @ 3:27 p.m.) for why we tend to largely agree with one another’s perception of this crime and the circumstances surrounding it:
“Rather that being certain what happened (many pieces remain missing in this very complicated puzzle), I’m instead more inclined to believe that certain things did not happen. While I remain steadfast in certain beliefs, I repeat … my mind is not closed to other possibilities. My beliefs are based on a number of factors, including but not limited to close observation and analysis of statements made by Lt. Rader (this observation includes rapt attention to what I believe to be very important non-verbal cues and clues)…first hand knowledge of LE’s investigative techniques and strategies…strong local knowledge of the area…among myriad other things.
“… We are of like mind inasmuch as we are very linear thinkers who are proceeding with a degree of hard logic. [Some of us are just hard-wired that way. It doesn’t make us right and others wrong; far from it. (See my earlier, self-deprecating comment.] It’s perhaps more a reflection of right-brain/left-brain data processing.]”
I couldn’t have said/analyzed it better myself, so I’ll spare you all from an attempt. I will, however, elaborate on a few of your points, total am. For one, I don’t think it’s quite accurate to say that LE doesn’t seem to have much of a clue as to what happened. LE has been pretty clear on their determination of what occurred between the time MH exited the arena and was last seen on Copeley Road appearing to hitch-hike, subsequently disappearing into the night around 9:30 p.m. – now, *where* she wanted to head is certainly up for speculation, but that matters little (in my mind) because we can be pretty sure she did not end up there.
I think that over the course of multiple interviews with independent witnesses LE deuced that – against her normal form – MH was thumbing for a ride in the vicinity of Copeley at Ivy Lane, and the last time she was seen by anyone who came forth with their account was a few minutes later. In my opinion, no one actually noted her getting into a vehicle (though, it’s possible) because there would have been some sort of vehicle description released, and her entry into, say, an SUV, would be part of the timeline.
For LE to release their agreed-upon deduction that she was trying to flag down a ride gives the assertion heavy weight in that it closes the door on other possibilities. I simply can’t see investigators handicapping their accrual of leads this way, so they must have heard enough independent and believable accounts from witnesses – coupled with the bloodhound trail that ended on that bridge – to convince them MH indeed departed from the area in a vehicle that stopped for her on or off Copeley Road.
The “curious” (love that adjective!) adherence to these facets of the case that I share with the esteemed Observer – i.e., what MH was doing when she was taken off the proverbial grid – don’t seem to be in question as far as LE is concerned, so I submit tossing the HH “theory” into the mixed bag of other scenarios for what she was doing/who she was with/where she may have gone *other than bridge* before her disappearance makes sifting out what happened to her that night much more difficult — but the result is the same: she was hidden by someone in some way local to the Cville area on AF after she was killed.
The HH aspect also explains how LE seemingly hit a wall after releasing the official timeline and a few other circumstantial details — until, that is, her body was discovered, “restarting the clock” on the case. As they have seemingly established she left the original scene (JPJ) with an Unknown (or someone unknown to her previously, as there was no pre-connective communication with whomever picked her up, according to LE), I feel that LE has a continuation of their timeline hours later, with a Crucial Gap between her getting into a car/being forced into a car and when she was left in a remote treeline at the back a sprawling farm off a main road through the region.
And for the record (no pun intended), music scenes are inherently social – even if those gathered together by a band are generally anti-social in nature (or stereotyped that way). For me (and O), a seeming lack of witnesses after 9:30 p.m. speaks volumes; it means we are *not* speculating in a vacuum because we can eliminate some possibilities: namely those that involve her trying to make her way to a show in town (there’s no communication/indication that she knew of a “backup” local venue that night, despite all of the other music events we now know were going on around her), or attending said show, or partying on campus near the West Lawn or wherever until 3:30 a.m., etc.
Like everyone else posting here, I reserve the right to be wrong in this perception when the perp(s) is arrested and the facts eventually trickle out. But for now, it seems more efficient to speculate or inquire as to *who* was in a position to pick up a lone woman on/in a public road/lot that night at that time, engage in an escalating (possibly-rage-fueled) situation that led to her death, dump her body in a very specific, desolate, out-of-the-way location, and slink under the radar.
Personally, I don’t think local musicians playing in Cville or Crozet that night could be involved, logistically speaking – but, sure, perhaps it was a fan of a local band who originally planning to attend their performance when he/they encountered MH. … Though, that does little to shed light on who this person could be, right?
Total Amateur and Observer – Yes, Lt. Rader did not mention there was a threat to the community, but Dr. Harrington did.
“The parents of slain Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington described a “horrific” three months this morning and said the killer likely remains at large in the Charlottesville area.”
I certainly do admire the “breeden Children” it seems as though nothing has just been given to them. They all seem to find their niche and make it on their own. In other words, I don’t believe they’re driving flashy cars and living the high life per say. Do they occasionally get loaded? Yes. As seen CB’s Myspace entries as the descriptions in their public journal and blog pages go…
http://jenniebreeden.livejournal.com/ Just looking for insight into the family dynamics themselves. These links don’t have anything of significance relating to MH in them, again, just family dynamics which I find interesting to read and you might too as I search for acquaintances to MH.
total amatuer, Observer, et al – re: Random predator at-large?
TA – I also wanted to address your comment on Lt. Rader’s statement/dodge on whether he thought there was a threat to the female community in Cville. You noted: “He seemed to dodge the question, even hinting at the contrary, IMHO. If this was a stranger abduction while either hitch-hiking or walking alone, that lead to a possible rape and murder… wouldn’t he be compelled to offer some sort of warning to the community? This is one of the indirect statements from LE that leads me to think it was someone she knew.”
Great point, and one I’ve pondered myself in the past. That said, I think if the assailant was someone she knew directly, this case would be wrapped up and headed for trial by now. Rader has made it clear that determining the person/party responsible for this crime is about *location* as opposed to *who* she may have been with. I would think it’d be a heckuva lot easier to work off a POI who knew knew her and was in the area that night than trying to trace back to a suspect based on the site where her body was hidden.
Also, as far as the possible threat to the community this person poses, everyone may recall the kerfuffle kicked up around the time of this presser, as it was elaborated on through a follow-up comment that the “state” MH was in opened her up to being a victim. While some people were outraged at this assertion, I think LE was simply implying that a woman who is intoxicated, alone in relatively unfamiliar surroundings, and who – in not thinking clearly – is willing to puts herself in a compromising position as far as personal safety has a higher probability of becoming the victim of such a heinous crime than the community-at-large.
I don’t think they have any evidence suggesting that she was targeted in a public space where people should feel relatively safe, and forced into a vehicle – like the frightening story localcvillegirl shared; thus, they’re working under the assumption that she got into the perp(s)’s vehicle of her own volition, tragically setting herself up to be a victim by making a decision she – and most women – ordinarily would not have made under normal circumstances.
TO: Momof3, 3/14, 6:20pm: IMHO, you offered here an excellent post. Note: I take no issue with gifter’s earlier post; I simply find your arguments quite compelling.
TO: Cat: You posted a salient point made by a reporter; to wit: “The parents of slain Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington described a “horrific” three months this morning and said the killer likely remains at large in the Charlottesville area.”
I note two things above:
1. Outside of the use of the term “horrific” by the Harringtons, the above statement is from the POV of the individual reporting the story; and
2. That notwithstanding (and absent a further, direct quote from Dan and Gil Harrington), it is easy to understand why the Harringtons would imply or assume the above. [I happen to share their belief.] Their sentiment does not, however, offer any indication of whether or not they believe–or LE believes–that Morgan’s assailant was known to her.
With reference to #1 above, I (admittedly) tend to be a bit anal about quotes; that is, I tend to want to read verbatim what an individual stated rather than read the interpretation of a reporter.
[No offense intended, J2K, as I think this is your baliwick, no?]
To clarify: by no means do I mean to take you to task for the referencing the statement above (“The parents of slain Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington described a “horrific” three months this morning and said the killer likely remains at large in the Charlottesville area.”). I mean to say that I prefer to read the exact words/sentiments/verbatim quotes of an individual, e.g., the Harringtons, Lt. Rader, Morgan’s friends, witnesses, etc.
The reason for this is that I’ve witnessed far too frequently instances when a newswriter allegedly “reports” something, but the reality is that they are understandably “reporting” only within the framework of their own perspective.
This is why quotes from people are where I tend to hang my hat–along with an opportunity (if possible/available) to watch the individual as they are making their statements. This probably comes from so many suspect, victim and witness interviews, where later transcripts cannot begin to telegraph the affect of the speaker.
Again, it’s back to those niggling non-verbals…
Apologies for the long-windedness above (so what else isn’t new, asks B:)))) In closing and FWIW, I believe exactly as the Harrington’s do: Morgan’s murderer remains at large in the Charlottesville area.
One of the key questions–at least to my mind–is whether or not Morgan’s murder was at the hand of a first-time offender who was not otherwise predisposed to murder. This clearly makes him no less guilty; rather, it shines some light on the profile of the assailant.
Hi All,
I just wanted to respond to a couple of posters. I feel like I have been on here all day!
First I want to address my friend momo: I certainly didn’t mean to come acros as flippant at all in my post to you. The Gift of fear is an excellent Book to read, and can give further insights to my post. No, Music did Not kill Morgan Harrington, ( as Gifter and Blink so duly noted) nor did the Music venue of Oct 17th, stimulate a psycho fan to nab Morgan, abduct her, and eventually kill her.
Collectively, many variables in a disturbed person (or not ) life can induce a person towards violence to harm, and murder someone.
I was not discounting the artistic and the angle of what positive things Music can do for people.
However, with the heavy Metal, as in any other genre of Music, when violence, murder, blood and gore abound in the lyrics, and the presentation, it can affect people in different ways. Particularily a disturbed mentally ill individual.
I am a music lover myself, as I know you are too. I do apologize if my post was over the top.
Georgie: OMG! I am flattered that you would use my name and Tipper Gore in the same sentence!
I apolly to you as well, if my post offended you in any way. I so agree with you that even the mentally ill are and should be held accountable for any acts of violence that they have inflicted on anyone, and that includes murder. I hope that I didn’t mislead you into thinking I was preaching that I was blaming a hard rock band.
I believe that parents and all indviduals without question, need to held accountable for their actions. If the heavy Metal Music is influencing an individual in a nefarious way, it then becomes a matter of choice of that person to commit evil acts.
I would respond to your talking to dogs and the bible comments within your post, but I’m not sure how to respond to that?
Observer: Thanks for the warm welcome back! I wish you safe a fun travels for you! I am hoping that you will have better weather served up for you than we had. We were 50 50 with the rain and sun.
Hopefully when you return, there will more progress in the case. Let’s hope!
Gifter: Excellent points in your posts. Thank you for posting on BOC the feed of violence through many forms not only music, but videos, horrorcore, and other forms of explicit type of mediuems that are exposed and re exposed to our children daily. Very well said and well written. Thank you!
Bluewillow, Total amatuer, acho, Phyl, Mosiac, Lynn, Gifter, Suz, and even Momo:
Sorry if I missed anyone, but thank you for grasping what I was attempting to say in my long winded rambling post and accepting my post as a perspective, and also as thought provking, to be aware/ concerned about the violence that is promoted through various venues such as in in music and movies.
Phyl: Thank you for that info on the brain, and the effects that drugs does and can have on the brain. Both Psychologically and Physiologically. I’m in my mid 40′s and I am still trying to navigate!
@J2K
“Personally, I don’t think local musicians playing in Cville or Crozet that night could be involved, logistically speaking – but, sure, perhaps it was a fan of a local band who originally planning to attend their performance when he/they encountered MH. … Though, that does little to shed light on who this person could be, right?”
I totally agree. Even if someone is very well organized, and knows the venue, it takes at least an hour before a gig to set everything up, sort out the schedule, talk to the landlord and so on, and half an hour to pack afterwards. Before the gig, he would also be in touch with the others to coordinate, and he would, in the back of his head, focus on the performance. It does actually take up quite a lot of intellectual energy!
After the gig, once everything is packed, one would have all sorts of expensive equipment in the car, possibly also instruments, scores, clothes, make up etc., and most importantly, this would be the end of a working day. It is easy to listen to music, but performing involves far more energy and effort.
Most importantly, if someone from a band, or also a soloist doesn’t show up, or if he is in an agitated and confused state, there is no gig, and quite a number of people would notice.
I just don’t see our bad guy in such a setting. In my view, he isn’t talented enough for that, and he didn’t have any appointments for this night, other than showing up at home at some time.
Moreover, to me the point is rather that she was on a university campus. Music was secondary. It was about education, looks and her disoriented state. And that she willingly got into his car.
I wish all Moms were as intelligent, caring, and
responsible as the moms here. Unfortunately I deal
with many mothers who’d rather smoke crack and prefer
to let society deal with their children. A sad but very real
situation, day in and day out.
Morgan was seen crying in the bathroon IIRC before she got locked out of the arena. I don’t think she was crying because she fell down. Maybe she was crying because she realized she had been drugged? Maybe someone hurt her feelings or insulted her. Whatever the reason she was crying, she wound up murdered that night. How could so many people say they saw her HH if they didn’t see her get in to a car? I hope and pray VSP has this under wraps and arrest the low lifes that murdered Morgan. I wish VSP could/would release more information so we could help them at this point. J4M
Hi Chad I am glad that we can disagree and still be buds. That is important to me. As I have stated many times before, I value every poster here and think that every posters perspectives are important and need to be heard.
I know it sounds weird, but I do look at everyone who posts here as part of my extended family, lurkers included, especially those I have come to know and love thru their posts- you, Gifter, Total, Fish ect and thru our disagreements- I learn the most from those I do not agree with all the time-
So I want to say thanks for your response and even though we disagree with one another, I have learned alot from your post. You are right, I have not read The Gift of fear.It is on my todo list. I am sorry to disappoint you.
You wrote: Mom, if you have not read the gift of Fear, perhaps you should, before you criticize his writings, or down play his statistics on how heavy metal music *can* ( operative word here) affect young adults, particularily a disturbed adolesence.
Chad, although I hadn’t read The Gift of Fear when I wrote my earlier comment to you, I did read the author’s statistics and points that you posted in your comment. I am not criticizing him, whether he be a 3 time presidential appointee, or just a simple man. I was disagreeing with his accounts that you sited- Ozzy’s Suicide Solution, Eddie, GNR ect.-please click on the links I provided
I agree that a person with physiological problems *can* feed their sickness with dark images music books or art -it is my belief that they do not need these to go off the deep end, and they could as easily find some other form of expression to twist and feed their sickness.
You wrote from GOF Chpt 12, of a REAl person James Vance “who was obsessed with Judas Priest, attracted to the sinister,and violent nature of their music and public persona.”
Chad, the problem is that James Vance was obsessed, he was sick and he needed help. The problem was not in the music or the cover art that he took as his “Bible” There is no Judas Priest faith, They are not Gods and their music does not say they are. You quoted the GOF-
“James states it was like a marriage-intimacy, that developed over a period of time and it was until death do us part.”
Obviously the kid needed help- He stated he had been thinking this way for over a period of time-
For every poor kid or bereaved parent that says music, art, books or games contributed to a deranged state of mind, there are that many more, that write letters of thanks to their (favorite bands authors or artists- The same ones)for helping them get through a tough time in their life- that if not for the music, they would have never known that they weren’t alone in their problems.
Chad, I can see that you are very passionate in your beliefs- so am I-
I don’t believe this is about you or I. Obviously we could never be led to violence. I know you spoke of a real person. Earlier you wrote of Dr. Morton Kurlan a Palm Springs psychiatrist whose patient, John McCollum, committed suicide after listening to an Ozzy Osbourne record: “Sadomasochism, blood, and violence make big bucks for the producers of rock videos, but such things can push an emotionally suffering kid over the edge”
John Mallcolm is the kid who’s parents thought Ozzy’s song, Suicide Solution said -Get the gun Shoot shoot. He was 19 years old- He was depressed, his psychiatrist said so.
Although I agree wallowing in anything, is bad for the soul-and these bands make big bucks- so do psychiatrists- It would be just as easy for me to blame his psychiatrist for not helping him- Perhaps his parents should have sued him?- Point is, when someone is DETERMINED to end their life -no one can save them, they may stall it, but without the proper help it is inevitable.
In conclusion you wrote:
You see mom.3, perhaps this is not you, or me even. But this is a real person, a young man that blew off his face for the love of a musical band. I have more stats from Gavin de Becker on violence and music, and the intertwining if you want me to go on.
Next time, please do not give critical opinions before you have read the sources. This book is a must read.
Chad this young man, although most assuredly REAL- did not blow his face off for the love of a musical band. He blew his face off because he had access to a gun, and bullets, was depressed and obviously mentally unstable. He needed help. So did his friend, it is sad that his friend did not live to get it, I hope John did.
Chad, respectfully, I read your post, I do not believe I needed to run out and read the whole book inorder to give my opinion on the parts you sited-or on things I have personally researched- Although, I agree GOF is a must read, I do not have to take the parts of Chpt 12 that you quoted, as my gospel, because no matter how many times I read it- I will not agree. Although I can respect his and your point of view.
Thanks for reading my point of view.-Your Bud- M3
Chad,
Welcome back. thx for the update on Joseph. I was so glad to see he’d been moved to rehab.
Of the other two women shot, one is still in hospital. Good thoughts are with her. She’s fighting.
Here’s the blog if others want to follow this incredible progress.
http://josephleahy.blogspot.com/
Blink, just wanted to say thanks for allowing us to take up space debating an issue- I appreciate-
Wanted to say thanks to Alexandra and Georgie for your thoughts and thanks to those who did not agree with me
belleboyd, you are welcome
“Someone who randomly picks up a hitchhiker is markedly different (and falls under a different profile) than someone who grabs a woman in a blitz attack.”
mosaic, I’m not so sure this is true. I would
think they would do whatever works. Bundy was quite
the creative chameleon.
bluewillow, I guess it kind of depends on how you look at it. An excited, concert loving Morgan who was feeling good might have wanted to go to plan B and find another show to see after getting locked out of Metallica, but what of our upset, irrational Morgan?
The Morgan sho had been drinking, and who
somehow scraped or injured her face
may have been seen crying in the bathroom
was said to be acting irrational
left the arena
was barred from reentry
did not have her car keys
told her friends she would try to find a ride home
was possibly seen dropping her purse in the parking lot
might have ended up without a working phone and/or purse
was seen on the bridge possibly hitch hiking
THAT Morgan might have wanted nothing more than to get home where it was safe and familiar.
That’s a great point Roxie, that Mr Bass was checking his fences in preparation for a search. I always thought it a strange coincidence that Mr Bass was checking his fences the day after his SO neighbor was reregistered. The fact that a search of AF was planned makes it understandable that those two events occurred so close together as LE was focusing on that area at the time.
total amateur says on March 12 @ 7:07 p.m.
The one thing that ties people from different social backgrounds together, even more than music, is drugs. On any given Friday night, a white-collar business exec with a penchant for coke becomes best buddies with the dirtbag who sells drugs out of his shitty one-bedroom apartment. Even people who love music, and DON’T do drugs know that bands, bars, and partiers go hand and hand with an undercurrent of the drug scene. Bad people and bad things surround all aspects of the drug scene.
When I was a young buck, on more than one occasion when trying to be part of the “in” crowd- I’d be with a friend who was ok- but end up stopping somewhere or going someplace and find myself in the company of people I’d rather not be. On more than one occasion- I’ve seen things I’d wish I hadn’t- to the point of making me nervous. My point is, Morgan could have left with one person, and quickly found herself somewhere with people that she wished she wasn’t-
I believe you are right on track with this train of thought. Drugs, particularly in the music scene, bring many types of people together and I have seen from personal experience, those having a penchant for drugs, make that a priority.
Has this been discussed here?
Officers from the state police, the University of Virginia Police Department, Albemarle County Police Department and Albemarle County Sheriff’s Office searched the area, Barber said.
The search began after a phone call that described a suspicious vehicle that was in the area around the time of Harrington’s disappearance. “A vehicle looked wrong to someone,” Barber said. “It looked out of place and that made someone suspicious, so we searched the area. We’re not taking anything for granted.”
Also Wednesday, Harrington’s mother, Gil, reached out to her daughter, asking her to hold on, and asked her captor to release her.
http://www2.dailyprogress.com/cdp/news/local/crime/article/parents_plea_for_ground_search_volunteers/48497/
Another interesting article to read/reread
“Rader thinks the missing link of information leading to the case being cracked will be found in the Charlottesville area.”
http://augustafreepress.com/2009/12/30/investigator-harrington-case-not-cold/
Observer says:
March 13, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Paraphrasing here what someone else said far upthread on a related post, I believe Morgan’s abduction and murder were possibly far simpler–both in means and motive–than we might otherwise imagine.
&&&&&
We have spent so much time speculating, but I think Observer is right. It will be far simpler than we imagine. My first thought on hearing of Morgan’s disappearance – I hope she is found. My second thought – she will be found dead. There doesn’t have to be a motive, other than opportunity of wolf finding lamb, and rape turning to murder. It could have morphed into a thrill killing, especially if perp/s were on cocaine. Blood thirst is a fairly common result of cocaine abuse. Location – familiarity with general area, entrances to property, understanding that that location is rarely traversed, and need to get rid of body quickly under cover of darkness. Under the influence of drugs/adrenaline, they could have just ridden through the property to whatever remote spot they chose, for no reason other than they could. Who was going to be out in those fields on a cold rainy night after nightfall?
The perp/s could well be serial rapists/murderers in the making, but I doubt they will strike again in that area, due to publicity. We seek reason/method to the madness, but there may be none, other than violent personality finding a victim who was already the victim of unfortunate circumstances that led her to be outside, alone, wandering. We want there to be more to the story, but in most cases of abduction, we see the victim somehow isolated in a situation and becoming a victim.
Last night, I was at a musical event with my father and my girl friend from grade school. She and I are in our late 40′s now. After we were seated, she said she couldn’t remember if she locked her car, and she wanted to walk back out to the remote parking lot, in the dark. I told her I was going with her, and she looked at me like I was nuts. I looked back at her like she was nuts. I told her “it is not safe to walk anywhere alone, even on this college campus where we both attended school.” She has no real sense of danger, and I recognize that in her, having learned a lot by following cases like Morgan’s. I grabbed my father’s cane, and she and I proceeded to walk out to the car. If anyone had approached us, I would have beaten the sh*t out of them with that cane, or died trying. I always think of what I am carrying, and how it can be used to fend off an attacker. I only wish my friend would become more aware of the potential dangers that lurk out there….I’m working on it…
J2K- I clipped this from your post:
(You said:) “I too love J2K and Observer, but wonder how they can always be so sure about their theory when it seems that even LE has no clue. There isn’t a whole lot about this case that makes sense, so everything is in until it’s out. And we may not know what’s out until LE makes an arrest and the fat lady sings.
—————————-
This was NOT from my post, it was someone else. Somehow you mixed part of my post together with it. I’ve never said LE doesn’t have a clue, actually- I believe the opposite. Anyway, thanks for the response. As I said at length earlier, I respect both of your opinions- and wondered why you both suddenly seemed so confident. Perhaps you’ve felt that this was the scenario for some time, and it just stuck out to me more because you both were so adamant about it.
It seems as though some are getting discouraged. Don’t. This is a good read. The answers are out there. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Taylor_Behl
J2K- This was the post I responded to- I clipped part of localcvillegirl’s post to respond to. I see what happened now. You must have mistakenly thought it was my words. Below is her full post.
————————————
37.localcvillegirl says:
March 14, 2010 at 8:32 am
Total Am, I only have a second to check in and write, but I wanted to say that I really appreciate your posts…they are always refreshingly clear and you make such good points. And you’re just as confused as the rest of us and not afraid to say so. I too love J2K and Observer, but wonder how they can always be so sure about their theory when it seems that even LE has no clue. There isn’t a whole lot about this case that makes sense, so everything is in until it’s out. And we may not know what’s out until LE makes an arrest and the fat lady sings.
keekee says:
March 14, 2010 at 4:19 pm
total am -
i almost dropped my laptop when i got to your “for the love of…….”
heartfelt plea to blink for something, anything, just a crumb…
your frustration screams through world wide web…….feelin ya
blink says:
Lol, me too, I also like the “shut the door” reference someone came up with on here.
B
—————-
keekee and Blink, glad you saw the humor in that. When I say “For the love of GOD!”… in my head I’m thinking of how the late Chris Farley of SNL says it. Please tell me you know who Chris Farley is! ROTFL!
Check out the video below at about :28 seconds to see how I meant it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqSY-shauos
Idus Martias. The Ides of March. May today be the day!
Phyl says:
March 14, 2010 at 11:41 am
Chad –I’m with you…. He [Aaron Beck] knew how powerful your thoughts can be and how important it is to choose healthy productive thoughts – that is if you wanted to live a healthy, productive life. Aaron Beck spent a lot of time studying how one’s thoughts influence their feelings and actions which led to a very powerful therapeutic practice called Cognitive Therapy…..Unfortunately, there are many artists out there that write and sing really sick lyrics only because there’s a market for it and it makes them lots of money.
&&&&
Phyl, Thanks for pointing this out in real terms. So true. Many of these artists have capitalized on the shock value of their lyrics and there must be a specific audience they target. Unfortunately that includes the audience that already has major social/psychological/emotional/behavioral issues. From what I’ve heard in some mainstream music, the violence is subtly working its way in there, too, and many young people identify with it.
Observer, I was wondering, too, if her murderer is a first time offender. I hope the multiple perp peeps out there in Blinkland are right, because my loner weirdo might not have any dna in the system and no one to know if anything out of the ordinary happened to him that evening (like if he got home extra late, or was scratched up, etc)
I think many crimes that are solved do depend on someone telling on someone else. In my scenario, there’s no one to tell on him cuz no one else knows.
I’m worried.
total amateur – re: mea culpa
Sorry about mixing up your post with localcvillegirl’s comment *on* your post. There are so many methods of attribution on here… (what happened to good ol’-fashioned quotation marks, people?!)
: )
You’re definitely on our page, TA – much can be gleaned from what LE has and has not said. And you’re correct here, too:
“… (I) wondered why you both suddenly seemed so confident. Perhaps you’ve felt that this was the scenario for some time, and it just stuck out to me more because you both were so adamant about it.”
Yes’sir: O and I have remained fairly constant (since the get-go, really) in working our speculations and points around the official timeline. (And, btw – I’m always a fan of Amateur Night – great streams of posts, friend.)
Speaking of Great posts – Mom3.0, you have made an excellent argument for music’s limited culpability in violence. Wow. Well done, Spider!
total amatuer: Your the best. Keep it coming.
RE: Violence in the media discussions – Something to think about
I agree somewhat about what most people have been stating that violence music does not make someone kill or turn someone bad….(without quoting everyone exactly); however, I do know that bombardments of violence in video games, TV, music, the media does desensitize a person emotionally. And it happens gradually and in a way, subliminally.
If we think of just a GG and BG, we know there will always be horrendous crimes an acts occurring in life by such vile people. It has always been that way and will continue to be. But what about the person in between? The GG who his going through a particular hard time emotionally in his or her life? The GG who is teetering back and forth from GG to BG. (I think of teens, mostly because they are so young and vulnerable, but it could be anyone at any age).
Some people can be so desensitized emotionally the acts may not appear as real to him or her. They are very, very vulnerable and very much influenced by what surrounds him/her. If drugs are involved it tilts the scales even more in that direction of non emotion and possible violence. Desensitization is real.
I am not excusing emotionally unstable people who commit such acts, I am just saying that one has to be very, very careful as to what he/she is exposed to during these critical periods that could happen to anyone at any time.
If you don’t think desensitization is real, think about this. Have you ever been upset to watch a TV show that includes the death of a dog (Think of Old Yeller; Where the Red Fern Grows..and so on) Yet, when one watches a crime TV show or any show with adults being shot or beaten, we don’t think much of it. Now I am not speaking of watching horrific, slow, brutal stuff on TV, I am talking about just your local popular TV crime shows or any show (including old westerns, etc.). People are shot and killed all the time and most of us don’t blink an eye. Again, it isn’t real. Then, the real news comes on with more death, violence, etc, and we sit back and watch, get a snack, or say “how terrible..” But most of us don’t cry every time the news comes on. We are removed from it somewhat, and we have been desensitized somewhat.
Think about how many acts of violence are portrayed as entertainment or presented as news on TV daily. For some of us, (the GG), we may be a little more “down” or depressed, or no real change in our behavior at all. But for some others, it just may be THE TIPPING POINT.
JMHO as a person who has worked professionally for 30+ years with emotionally disturbed young people.
P.S. I have been on vacation in a warm location without snow for the past 2 weeks. (No news or internet.)
I will admit, it revived my spirit to be away from all media and just to receive the warm rays. As soon as I returned I went straight to BOC but was saddened to find out that NO ARREST had been made. Hopefully, it will happen soon! My heart still aches for the Harringtons and I cannot imagine their pain.
It must give them much comfort to read so many thoughtful posts and determined spirit to catch the BG(s).
I appreciate everyone here and his/her efforts and discussions. I have shared the GIFT of FEAR with 4 of my friends (after reading the book they sign it, date it, then pass it back to me.) It will go to my cousin and her teenage daughter soon. Keep up the good work everyone!
I meant to say violent music….it is late…please forgive my spelling and grammatical errors…
belleboyd – did you try to post a link that would answer Georgie’s question about the note and the weapon under the seat and you got the kibosh from Blink? I’m assuming and inferring based on her response so forgive me if I’m wrong. Her response to you made me think of an aforementioned cook. I mean kook.
Georgie- that note while interesting at first glance, was scribbled out by a guy who claims to channel dead people. He often videos himself while in the process. (he’s on youtube and is a member of the facebook group “let’s find morgan harrington’s killer” which, unfortunately, he has monopolized with his ramblings. From what little of him I can tolerate, I think it’s safe to say, he has gone even farther off the deep end then when he first started with this case.
suz – yes we would have to ask our in house experts who have poured over youtube videos and photos. I likely haven’t looked at as many as Momo/Fish/Skyler etc., but when I have sat here specifically looking for attendees clad in all black I come up with very few, if any. So, as you stated and were somehow able to state clearly for me, either the eyewitness statement was incorrect and/or reported incorrectly and these guys were dressed in black shirts and dark jeans (I agree, likely) OR (my words) this was some type of uniform or required attire. If the eyewitness statements were true and they were wearing some sort of required clothing then it should be ?easy? to identify their roles that night and follow the trail from there. I just don’t think that a group of guys would be caught dead roaming around dressed alike unless they were required to do so.
Observer- thanks for mentioning my hitchhiking post. It was a rare moment of clarity for me with respect to this case and that clarity, while fleeting, felt good.
Blink – I’ve been meaning to ask. Actually, I’ve been trying to get the courage to ask as I know you can’t really respond to private posts, but did you get the one I sent you early last week? I think it may have been the day you fell or somewhere around there. It was a short one w/names and a link for more information.
I knew you had taken a fall, but I had no idea it was THAT bad! (chin the size of a softball? facing your mortality?) I’m glad that you are taking it easy and feeling better. I can tell by your current piece on George and some of your witty responses on Morgan’s threads that you are coming back around.
Yoshi, thanks.
However, i am not sure which one your referring to, if you want to just reply with whom it was regarding, I can keep that private.
B
J2k and Total Amateur, please let me stop the bleed. It was my azz she meant to kick yesterday TA, not your’s. I saw J2K’s 7:30 post when I got in late and didn’t have the mental energy to try to correct her, but wanted to clear your good name. Very sorry, and J2K sorry that you felt you need to jump on what I said. My mistake. And I honestly don’t feel like LE “has no clue”, what I meant to infer was that it’s not very publicly apparent that they have this case all sewn up, at least here in town. People here have no idea anymore what to think, we don’t know if we’re safe, or if there is someone out there waiting to take another girl. My hope is that Morgan knew who she got in a car with, and that she had plans of some sort.
I don’t think as analytically as you do J2K, you’re a hard woman to have a conversation with, though I do really appreciate your posts for their creativity and intelligence.
Fwiw, I do not feel anyone should feel complacent about their safety in the community until there are arrests and everyone knows what they are dealing with.
B
I think I’ll give it a rest for a while and hopefully next time I log on we’ll have some real answers.
Yes, Yoshi, you are correct. Georgie asked about the scribblings and I already knew about Blink’s distaste on “cooks”… I mean kooks, so I thought I would tread lightly but I was nabbed by the Blinkster. She doesn’t miss a thing. I apologize Lady Blink.
Lol. In this case I would say kooks and cooks are both fitting. I believe they spend a fair amount of time “cooking” up schemes to bilk people.
Boils me blood I tell ya.
B