Morgan Harrington Murder: Coincidences or Clues ?
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North Garden, VA– Morgan Harrington, the 20 year old fair-haired, radiant beauty, was brutally murdered after disappearing from the John Paul Jones arena the evening of October 17, 2009.
Morgans remains were recovered the morning of January 26, 2010 in a hayfield on Anchorage Farm, owned by David and Nancy Bass.
Since Morgan was found by Mr. Bass that blackest of days in January, there has been rampant speculation about her last hours and how she ended up in the creek bed of total strangers.
A sequence of events and incidents in the days and hours preceding and following the January 26, 2010, discovery of Morgan Harrington’s skeletal remains on Anchorage Farm continues to attract attention from pundits and volunteers dedicated to Morgan’s cause.
Although naysayers point to a lack of a viable connection, and police have disavowed a link, others say emergency services runs to a nearby fire and also other responses which are not supported by publicly available documentation has led to calls for more complete disclosure to eliminate any connection or chance of prank calls to misdirect or busy first responders.
The editors of www.blinkoncrime.com present a series of events occurring in Albemarle County, VA that pose the question:
What the Hell is going on and what does it have to do with Morgan Harrington’s murder?
The Monsoons of Albemarle County …. PD
Ok, maybe I meant “The monsoor”. Karl Monsoor that is.
Former Officer Karl Monsoor had been tugging on the shirtail of ACPD for years before he finally left with pocketfuls of sunshine. Almost 500 G’s.
It is not my intention to be glib, it is my intention to say that as one of the youngest police departments in the country, enacted in 1983, this tank needed algeacide before this past March.
Death By Cop.. January 1, 2010
Colby Eppard, described by some as a cross between Gomer Pyle and cool hand luke, had the rawest of deals growing up in Greene County.
According to his foster-mommy-aunt, Tammy Harlow Cox, Colby was hit by a car at a very young age and suffered a brain injury that apparently served to shape his future of home upheavel and juvenile detention facilities.
Ms. Cox, to whom Colby Eppard was entrusted for a time as a foster parent, is no stranger to the judicial system. Tammy was arrested for admittedly having sex with 3 High School seniors athletes on the Varsity Football Team, where her own sons attended. The same school Colby elected to leave without his diploma.
Colby’s family recalls better times, and I don’t think anyone believes this is the last we have heard of this case.
Specifically under VA statute, Greene County Captain Randall Snead was out of his jurisdiction, both when he was called about Colby stealing the patrol car and the fact that he was in North Garden, Albemarle County, looking for it. It would seem the Greene County Roster could accommodate a deputy vs. a captain to respond, no? Keep in mind, EVERY responding officer was put on desk duty pending the investigation, through at least February 9th, 2010.
While the attorney for the Commonwealth, Denise Lunsford has cleared all officers from all participating counties involved, none of the dash cams have been released despite requests through The Freedom of Information Act..
According to Ms. Lunsford, in an incident that spanned almost 70 miles and over 2 and a half hours where traffic was rerouted and stringers were used, Colby Eppard was allegedly wielding the 20 gauge Greene County Issue out the windows, not one LEO attempted to engage or respond to Eppard in an effort to get him to pull over, or negotiate his surrender at any time.
In fact, according to statements from Snead, Albemarle Deputies Fields and Marden, they were all in place on the south junction of 20 “in the event” he went that way, yet, they did not block traffic until after the stinger caused Eppard to crash.
My biggest question regarding this incident is: Did anyone ask Colby Eppard why he would take the truck and 2 rifles on New Years day ending up in Albemarle County?
Was it related to a New Years Eve occurrance of a friend, family member or associate of his? After Sgt. Hutchinson loses Eppard near the Nelson line, the next time he is seen is parked on Green Creek Rd, back in Albemarle.
What route did he take from 29 South to end up there? Was he seeking Red Hill Road where the overdose call came in to EMS the night before?
By all accounts he was a troubled young man with challenges throughout his young 18 years.
Additionally corroborated by those that knew him, he was never violent to anyone. There were over 6 Law Enforcement Officers from 4 different jurisdictions this man encountered before he hit just below Carters Bridge; 14 by the time the stolen vehicle ended up in the ditch.
Not one of them spoke or attempted to speak to Colby Wade Eppard at anytime he was on the police radio for over 2 hours. Was there an order given not to?
How is it that not one officer responded to Eppards threats, which were even being monitored by the media at this point in an effort to have a peaceful result to this situation?
Did Eppard have a cell phone with him and have the records been checked?
Did he call anyone, like Amber Rogers, his off-again girlfriend of 3 years? His brother Courtney or any of his friends?
In the preliminary release by the Virginia State Police, it stated Eppard returned to his crashed 2006 Ford Ranger truck prior to stealing the unmarked Green Cty car. If he were attempting to have a police stand off, why would he not take the two rifles he brought with him? He left his guns behind.
It also states in the report that Eppard is seen on the video from the STOLEN police car retrieving the shotgun from the trunk and loading it, how is that possible considering all the cameras are dash mounted?
Can someone explain to me how the officers have been cleared, but the footage of both Eppards actions and their responses, the very evidence of the incident cannot be released? One of the officers involved, Caleb Marden, was fired for reasons nobody is willing to comment on.
There is only ONE way that is legal; if is part of an ONGOING investigation.
So what investigation is it an active part of?
(Editors note: If Mr. Eppard put ANYONE’s safety at risk through his actions, in the end, I say what happened to him was done to protect others, which I support. That said, as it was not so long ago a Virginia Conservation Officer was indicted for the involuntary manslaughter of a 16 year old kid whose girlfriend he was trying to grab out of his moving car, and later had the charges dismissed, I think it is worthy of conversation.)
Byrd Watching DungSmoke – January 22, 2010
James Byrd Gunn, resident or squatter at 5027 Stoney Point Rd, Barboursville, VA owned by Piedmont Manor Land Trust, was busted for possession of Marijuana with intent to deliver, and possession of a firearm as a felon.
TODAY, Mr. Big Gunn is on the Run-Run. He was indicted on both counts Monday and declared a fugitive this afternoon.
CR10000107-00 GUNN, JAMES BYRD POSSESS MARIJUANA W/INTENT 06/07/2010 Active
CR10000169-00 GUNN, JAMES BYRD FELON W/ A FIREARM 04/08/2010 Fugitive
In a SEPERATE arrest on January 23rd, 2010, Jeremy Manning– Smith 
(JMS) with the cool 144 acre pad in Keswick, also indicted on 4/5/2010 , may turn to the fivefold plan to help him out. JMS keeps a cool $55K recession-proof wad around for emergencies. Mr. Manning-Smith is a long time composter, although he never really states what he is growing.
Lisa Powers, copperworks and the fivefold planners say burn the dung. They are pals, although I doubt she is securing his bond.
Cash Runs OUT.. January 24th, 2010
Jason Todd Cash, with NO CHARGES OR WARRANTS PENDING allegedly tries to kill a cop when he is stopped in Nelson Cty in a vehicle registered to someone in Buckingham County. Remind you of anyone? He ran from the scene, leaving the vehicle and eluded police on foot.
The vehicle was impounded. He apparently is driving on a revoked license, which county has that occurred in? We will get back to J-money.
NON Garden Party…. January 25th
At approximately 10PM on the evening of January 25, Albemarle County Fire and rescue services responds to a call at the 37 acre farm of award winning gardening and horticulture experts John Sauer and his wife Cathy Clary. It is listed as a tactical incident rescue and as of March 24, 2010 is still an open incident. What was it? Who or what needed rescuing?
Mr. Sauer is the long-time gardner for Carr’s Hill, the residence of the President of UVA. Carr’s Hill was the former site of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity until 2003 when it was moved by the city to it’s current location on Culbreth. Ms. Clary is a horticulture proffessor at UVA, and most recently taught a home landscaping course which included a field trip the afternoon of Saturday October 17, 2009.
The Sauers are also members of Piedmont Landscaping Association, which is open to anyone in the landscaping field and the Virginia Cooperative Extension.
Interestingly enough, there were several fire alarm activations on the UVA campus on this same day. Faulkner House reported a residential fire around 4:10 am.
Threes Company, Four is Combustible..Jan 26th
Sometime after 10PM, the residential fire at 3323 Sutherland Rd breaks out.
This would be the fire that is still an OPEN INCIDENT.
This fire,as you can see, was no curling-iron-left-on.
It allegedly started after the residents were asleep, although they had all apparently packed their belongings and were on a month to month lease, 2 had already moved out.
In fact, according to Peruvian vacationer and dog owner of Blanca, the pit bull that perished in the blaze, he was not aware of the fire until days after the fact because he was with friends in Peru.
Convenient, if you ask me, as he has a previous weed distribution and subsequent traffic charge in December 2009.
Meet new pup to the left. In fairness to fair-weather k9’s of America, he was only asking for dog-sitting, and not on the lease. Choose your kenneling wisely people.
The residential fire at the 3000 block of Sutherland Rd has some issues. For starters, you have the first press release regarding the possible accidental fire since as far back as 2003 before a cause determination has been made.
Additionally the release itself appears to have missed the fact that approximately 2 hours after the last apparatus departs, there is an additional call back to the property requiring 12 responders within minutes of the discovery of Morgan Harrington’s remains. They may have literally passed each other on Route 29; they definitely would have heard the dispatcher.
The former owner of the Sutherland property is buried on Anchorage Farm. A relative of the current owners has hunted the Anchorage Farm property.
The band in the image on the left is pictured practicing in the Sutherland home.
A firefighter, whose identity blinkoncrime is choosing to withhold, who fought the fire, without sleeping took an impromptu trip to New Jersey with his ..”aunt, uncle, cousin, his cousins uncle and a friend..” at 10:23PM January 27th, driving straight through without stopping and returned to North Garden by 1:45PM January 28th. Through his own facebook postings, he spends the bulk of his time when he is not volunteering for the North Garden Fire Department at his cousins; a Toco Hill address also listed as the home for a recently released registered sex offender.
Retired Greene Sheriff Takes His Own Life.. January 28
There is no evidence to suggest that William “Willie” Linwood Morris’s suicide has anything in common with the Morgan Harrington’s case directly, with the exception that there are obviously folks that knew him as well as other individuals being discussed. I have spoken with a family member, and an individual who has known him for twenty years and by those accounts Willie was in deep discomfort from the tinnicus he suffered from.
He took care of every detail prior to ending his life behind the barn on his farm in Stanardsville, VA, including withdrawing the cash for his own funeral.
Willie Morris was found by Captain Randall Snead, who was allegedly supposed to be on desk duty until the Eppard case investigation was completed. According to Commonwealth Attorney Denise Lunsford, that was not completed until February 9, 2010, almost 2 weeks later.
Cash is Busted on a Tip.. March 19
Not long out of Nelson County jail for a non-violent offense, Jason Todd Cash is being held in Albemarle County jail since his arrest around 1am the morning of Friday March 19.
One has to wonder if the tip about where Jmoney was hanging out on Secretary Sand Rd from his kin in Amherst.
Clint Cash, a registered sex offender was arrested in December on a felony parole violation and is facing some heavy time . His wife Donna, had just pled guilty to a misdemeanor the day before the tip came in regarding JT Cash’s whereabouts and received a suspended sentence.
Jason Cash was apprehended with help from Bink, the new Albemarle County k9 when the house he was staying in on Secretary Sands was raided and he attempted to stay hidden inside.
What are Coincidences… What are clues?
The aforementioned volunteer for NGVFD lives in same stretch of Secretary Sands Rd.
Yet another relative of Jason Cash, a registered Sex Offender, shares an employer with the cousin of “volunteer”, and volunteer; specializing in outdoor landscape lighting.
Colby Eppard was stopped in the area of Green Creek Rd that is a large parcel of land owned by Cash family member.
As far as making allegations in this report, there are none. The investigation of the events contained herein are entirely based on public information and witness accounts.
I have come to the conclusion that while we cannot say specifically which one of the issues discussed directly relate to the murder of Morgan Harrington, a primary or secondary scene integral to the investigation of same, and the hunt for her killer(s), but I do believe the incidents need to explored fully in a public forum.
Jason Mateos and Elizabeth Morton contributing editors to this report.
Blinkoncrime.com posters justice for morgan and juliemooly contributed research credits.
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total amateur – re: BB players
(TA noted:) “I’m asking about the BBplayers because they were some of the last people to see Morgan Harrington alive, moments before she was last seen, and yards from where her purse was found. Yet, they are constantly disregarded. … All the focus is always on everything and everybody EXCEPT them. So I want to know WHY. Do they have rock-solid alibis for their whereabouts following 9:30 pm on October 17th, 2009? Is there some other reason they are constantly discounted?”
I’d say it’s not so much that the players have been “discounted,” but that they were questioned, apparently answered acceptably (providing LE with info on MH’s state of mind and perhaps what she was after – likely a ride, imo), and their alibis were vetted. As those in-the-know here have noted, no one is truly cleared in this type of investigation until all the arrests are made related to the crime; that said – and with a nod to the locality of where she was found – I’d say LE regards the BB players as important witnesses that helped establish MH’s timeline… and that is all.
Now, one head-scratcher that has been brought up around here as of late is whether the BB players WERE the Boys in Black. Personally, I think there were at least two separate groups of individuals Morgan encountered during her trek from the arena to Copeley Road (and one was the players leaving practice ay UHall), but her specific interactions with anyone other than the (publicly) unnamed BB players has not been confirmed or denied by LE, so… who knows? (besides LE, that is)
fish – re: In Her Shoes (9:32 p.m., April 21)
Firstly, fish, glad you were not taken out by some foul food. Secondly, that was quite a comeback post. If I may, there are a few points therein I’d like to address:
“… I walked in Morgan’s shoes, covered that ground and came back and did it again. Give me the answer why she was outside in the first place. As far as I see it what went on inside is clearly why things started to unravel on the outside! … What took her outside of The John Paul Jones Arena and ping-ponging across those lots and over that bridge?”
From my view of the case thus far (which I’m trying to keep at 30,000 feet), everything that happened up until the point MH was shot out of the arena and subsequently ping-ponged toward her disappearance is relevant – but only in regard to her state of mind, her possible injury, and her intentions/intended destination once she realized she could not get back into the concert.
Various statements from LE indicate, to me, that she was highly intoxicated and out-of-sorts by 8:20 p.m., and by 9 p.m. had become so agitated with her situation that she thought, “*F* it,” and decided to make her way back to JMU… clearly not thinking rationally.
I don’t think the person she texted came to get her, and I think it’s important to note that LE and the Harringtons have repeatedly stated that she made no other calls after her 8:48 interaction with SS. This closes the box around Cville’s direct vicinity and residents. Thus, an individual/group of locals she randomly encountered in the lots or along the road between 9 p.m. and 9:30 put her on a trajectory toward her tragic fate. In short, I’m with LE in stating that I’m only concerned with what happened once she left the arena alone.
And this view speaks to your next point, fish:
“It absolutely boggles my mind that if he/they are not that smart and Morgan’s death was an out of control moment of rage…why then cannot the incrediable minds of the Virginia State Police and the extended law community figure this one out???…”
Why? I submit: *Because* of the random nature of her interaction with the perp(s) that night and the spontanaity of the crime.
If a typical murder investigation starts with those closest to the victim and moves outward as POIs are duly vetted, once LE gets to the distant outskirts of Knowns and tips into the vast abyss of Unknowns, the case gets a lot more difficult to solve – and prove.
Speaking of Unknowns otherwise known to the AC community…
B – this is hollering back a few days, but: Did you note a B. Dawson in Yonder distance for a particular reason…?
Never.
It was a leftover from one of the disgruntled.
B
What is the current status of the ball players?
Why the plethora of info on multiple band members, farmers, and sex offenders, but a shroud of secrecy around the ball players?
They were some of the last KNOWN people to see Morgan alive.
Why have they not spoken or been allowed to?
How many men would walk away from a young woman in distress, a beautiful one at that? If these guys were coming out of practice sober and she was impaired, why did they let her wander off into the darkness alone? Surely a sober man could have sensed the dangers that lurked.
Local, I don’t think your train of thought is scattered at all — in fact, it makes perfect sense.
According to county website and building permit issuances, Blandemar is still under construction and property being bought and sold — that little strip of land that separates Morgan’s Field from Blandemar is less than the length of my driveway —
going back to the day of her discovery, Mr. Bass said that area of the farm is not accessible via car, backed up by pictures of LE/forensic van parked to a certain distance, and LE walking to the field site — Oct 17th had rained and rained hard for at least a few mins. in that area — because I got soaked in it — at the time of that heavy rain, Morgan was still alive — if a car had driven in from the Red Hill gates, those tracks would be obvious in the field and on the roadway —
If someone was working on one of the empty houses in Blandemar in the construction phase, or if they were a hired hand — ie, who cuts your grass ? One neighbor tells another — or even a resident of one of those houses — it’s an easy “walk and toss” — I hate saying that — to dump her body, yet still keep an eye on the general area, as opposed to her body specifically — may have had prior knowledge that Mr. Bass only has that field cut in spring and in august — plenty of time for her to decompose —
maybe Suz’s lone wolf theory is right !
The bookkeeper had Morgan with the BIB around a “vehicle” in the RV lot. Did she ever specify the make?
#
elf says:
April 22, 2010 at 2:41 pm
What is the current status of the ball players?
Why the plethora of info on multiple band members, farmers, and sex offenders, but a shroud of secrecy around the ball players?
They were some of the last KNOWN people to see Morgan alive.
Why have they not spoken or been allowed to?
How many men would walk away from a young woman in distress, a beautiful one at that? If these guys were coming out of practice sober and she was impaired, why did they let her wander off into the darkness alone? Surely a sober man could have sensed the dangers that lurked.
________________________________________________
Elf,
I haven’t heard one word from LE about any band members, farmers or sex offenders. They are not treating the BB players any differently from anyone else publicly (except actually confirmed that they were witnesses — more info than they gave one anyone else, including people who were actually driving with morgan that night). I am not sure we know if she was in distress or not — or if she just seemed like any other buzzed college kid. Also, I am not sure we know if they let her wander off into the darkness alone. She may have been with the 4 boys in black and she certainly was in a well lit arena parking lot with police around, multiple blue phones she could have used for help and her own car. You will see lots of people walking around that area on their own or together; its not like she was stumbling around in the Bronx or something. Unfortunately, a tragedy occurred.
DeeDee, I think you ask some great questions — and if you don’t mind, I’ll give you my two cents’ and not sure it’s worth that —
you ask >>DeeDee says:
April 21, 2010 at 1:41 pm
I have some questions regarding Morgan Harrington’s body being found.
1. How did her body decompose so quickly, isn’t three months a very short time for a body to completely decompose. I mean really how was it skeletal so quickly.
2. I think the house fire with the grad students to be very suspicious.
What is the final report or is there one and just how far away in miles or yards or whatever was it from Morgan’s body?
3. I think the landowner just happening upon skeletal remains is suspicious. Sorry but if it was skeletal it couldn’t have been easily recognizable. Very odd.
1) November was extremely hot in Va.and hot in Nov. especially in the Cvlle area — usually w/ the fall frost, it kills off insects, but due to the warm temps, there were insects hatching and swarming — plus, it depends on the person’s body fat content — Morgan was very thin — Morgan was not buried, but left out in the open — probably in the moist, leafy treeline in the perimeter of the field — the Hardware River, which is basically a free-flowing creek w/ very deep banks — runs nearby, causing the air to be more humid, increasing decomp — to summarize, it can take insects alone about 3 weeks from body to skeleton — not including animal predation — Morgan’s skeleton was not found intact — indicating animal predation.
this is from wikipedia:
Exposed to the elements
A dead body that is exposed to the open elements, such as water and air, will decompose more quickly and attract much more insect activity than a body that is buried or confined in special protective gear or artifacts. This is due, in part, to the limited number of insects that can penetrate a coffin and the lower temperatures under soil.
[edit] Media for bacterial growth
Similarly, a submerged body is shielded from air-living organisms; however, it is exposed to a new set of waterborne breakdown agents such as the bountiful water life and marinal bacteria.
[edit] Ambient temperature
Ultimately, the rate of bacterial decomposition acting on the tissue will depend upon the temperature of the surroundings. Colder temperatures decrease the rate of decomposition while warmer temperatures increase it.
Assuming this body is unfound and untouched, insects arrive to the scene very quickly as they are really sensitive to the smell of decomposition. Flies will lay eggs in skin openings and in entrances to the body; nose, ears and mouth. Maggots will hatch and start eating the decomposing flesh
2) — Sutherland is about 4 miles south from Red Hill Road and AF
3) — Morgan’s discovery by Mr. Bass — I swear, an act of God or the result of prayer for that girl’s remains to be found. I used to be suspicious of her discovery, as well — but I have learned first hand info that now changes my mind — I have a picture of a decomposing deer taken on the banks of the Hardware River of AF. I would not have noticed the deer at all if not for the tuffs of fur resting on the top of the surrounding foot-tall grass which I am assuming vulchers or other birds while pecking at the flesh pulled out the fur. It’s my understanding grass in that back pasture was at least knee-high — that area is full of deer and other wildlife — I witnesses it first hand i Feb, and took pictures and posted a link to those pix here — Mr Bass was methodically checking the fences along the perimeter of the farm while he had a work crew on site cleaning up storm debris from the severe storm the previous weekend. He did not make a “beeline” for the back end, he started at the front of the farm and was driving along the fence line on his tractor. The tractor caused him to be sitting high up where he was able to look down and noticed a portion of a skull, which he assumed to be a deer — got closer and realized it was human — hopped off the tractor so as not to disturbed the scene and made a “beeline” for the house as fast as he could — remember, he is nearly 70.
If you found a human skull in your backyard, what would you do ? (third person you, not you personally, DeeDee) I don’t know what I’d do because I would have dropped down dead beside it, the shock would be so great.
I’ve changed my mind about a lot of this lately. I really feel we are over-thinking all of this and giving way too much credit to the murderer(s). About the boots, Morgan’s boots were not found w/ her body by either LE or Mr. Bass — somebody above asked that question.
I believe somehow Morgan hooked up w/ a person(s) of her own volition — willingly got into their vehicle (for what reason we may never know) — to murder her was not their initial intent — somehow things escalated and probably in a fit of rage Morgan was murdered —
I saw a show last night where a real-life victim was saying she evicted someone from her apt., threw his duffle bag down the flight of stairs, which enraged him. He came upstairs and destroyed everything in her apt., threw her up against the wall and almost killed her.
The person(s) panicked, went to a place they knew and disposed of the body and has disassociated himself (themselves) from this act and gone on about their daily business.
The money reward is not enough of a draw for a confession — and if it was a lone person — they have not shared that info w/ anyone.
sorry this got so long …
To any of the Central VA residents who may be avoiding making that tip call because you don’t think X could have done something like this, please think again. It’s easy to assume that a friend couldn’t be responsible but someone is. If you have some lingering doubts, please pick up the phone and call.
My wife came home from work yesterday and told me an unbelievable story. One of her coworkers told her that her brother and his best friend had gone camping on Friday night. While they were out in the woods, they were surrounded by a ton of LE who handcuffed and arrested the friend. It turns out that his DNA was found on the body of a victim who was raped and murdered in Raleigh. The friend and brother were absolutely shocked as they had known this kid since he was 10 years old.
The point is, don’t try to talk yourself into thinking “there is no way he would do this”. People aren’t always as they seem. If you have an inkling that this person could be involved, do the right thing and call the tip line.
Blink, you mentioned above that a certain person was not considered a suspect. How many “suspects” do we have at this point?
I said “not suspect” vs. not a suspect, or someone to be suspicious of.
To my knowledge there are no named suspects.
B
6.skyler says:
April 22, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Sky: wrt the above post, would you exclude the possibility of a serial killer in same scenerio?
Regarding the bball players:
I really don’t think there is any involvement here. Total Amateur asked why they were so hush hush and hadn’t come forward. I believe the reason is the new coaching staff coming in at the same time. I don’t believe it would be unusual for any University or coaching staff to put a muzzle on student athletes to make sure they aren’t wrapped up constantly doing public interviews. Bennett most likely wanted to make sure that as he was starting his new job, he had the focus of his players and they were not speaking with the media. Just my thoughts.
I seriously doubt they were the BIB. There were only 4 white players on the team and one of them was 6’9′. The others were all over 6 feet. IF all 4 were together, I think the description would have noted the huge height difference between Morgan and Sherrill, the tallest player. And if it were some of the other players, then the discription most likely would have said “she was with 4 black guys wearing all black”. Again, just my .02.
The players leaving late in the season had nothing to do with this either, imo. Landesburg didn’t have the grades and was kicked off the team so he’s entering the NBA draft. Baker (or maybe Scott – can’t remember which) left for family reasons. And my opinion is Jeff Jones left for a fresh start. He was a very prized recruit who never lived up to potential at UVa and he was recruited by Leito’s staff. It’s not unusual to see players transfer because they don’t fit the style of the new staff. I know the bball players might be the last to see her alive but I REALLY doubt there is any involvement here.
Some folks had asked about former hoops player jamil tucker’s status. I had not heard previously but am now told that he is expected to get his degree from UVA this spring but not to be back on the team next year. Happy for him if this turns out to be the case.
J2K re: head scratcher
I agree that there HAD to be two separate groups. For one, as far as we’re told… the accountant described white males as the BIB, and I think it’s a reasonable conclusion that the BBplayers height alone would have made them stand out. The part that makes me scratch my head, is the timing of the events. If Morgan was seen by the accountant leaving the immediate arena area at 9:05, then again in the RV lot at approximately 9:15, how is it that the limo driver alledgedly saw this interaction with the BBplayers somewhere mid-way, but did not see the BIB? Obviously, they couldn’t have just disappeared for ten minutes. Morgan must have separated from the BIB at some point. I believe other witness reports have stated that Morgan was trailing along behind other people, but not really “in” a group. So where did the BIB go? Did they just continue on unnoticed by either the limo driver AND the BBplayers? Possible. But if Morgan was following the BIB’s closely enough to be noticed (reportedly interacting with them per accountant), in order for her to have passed the BBplayers close enough to start a conversation- the BBplayers MUST have at least caught a glimpse of them. She would have had to stop or change course along with the BBplayers, as the BIB continued on, in order for the limo driver to not see the BIB. The only other way I can think of for this to play out is for the BIB to have been getting into a vehicle during their walk, then drove down to the RV lot before Morgan’s BBplayer interaction took place. Morgan then would have parted ways with the BBplayers, and walked down to the RV lot and be back with the BIB in the 10 minutes it took for said accountant to have seen them together again.
So what is my point? I’m hoping that either the BBplayers and/or the limo driver got a look at the BIB… or possibly the vehicle they got into. I believe it’s highly probable.
My next question would be: What was the reason Morgan separated from this group to interact with the BBplayers? Something must have started the conversation. Did the BBplayers cat-call Morgan over to them, thus causing her “separation” from the BIB? If this was the case, the BBplayers MUST have seen them. Or did she approach them? Why was the interaction so brief? It must have lasted only a couple of minutes in order for her to make it to the RV lot in time to be seen by the accountant. This doesn’t leave much time or separation from the BIB for them to not have been seen near her by either the BBplayers or limo driver.
I have always believed that the BIB are the key to solving this case, if not the perpetrators themselves. The more people who saw them, or their vehicle, the better. If they have not come forward to LE, it’s a fair conclusion to infer some measure of involvement, or direct knowledge, on their part.
Excellent post, Skyler… Five Stars
Ooooopppss – sorry for the double post – actually, you deserve ten stars ! !
Blink — I was looking for some feedback on my post of 20 Apr @ 10.54 , i thought the dumpster angle as regards to the T-Shirt was interesting and was curious in what others thought . I know it goes counter to your theory but either theory is just that at this point . Like Ragdoll i am afraid your system of holding posts in suspended mode and putting them up a few days later way back a few pages loses them in the shuffle . I know you are maxed out in many cases and i am not meaning add to that work load , but i thought i was on topic and relevent . Thanks !
I thought the last line was questionable, but hav at it
B
If I was investigating this with LE’s knowledge, I’d map out:
-the location of the accountant’s first sighting
-the location of the limo driver
-the location of the BBplayers interaction
Using the limo drivers and the BBplayers accounts, I would then know whether or not they had seen the BIB. If they did, you may get a description. If they didn’t, then you could track down approximately where Morgan was last with the BIB in the lot before separating. From this, you could possibly figure out the area where they were parked IF they indeed got into a vehicle. Then, you would have to make a public plea to anyone who might have been parked in that area of the Uhall lot during the concert. Perhaps someone noticed who was parked next to them…and that there was no car there, or a different one, when they departed. Perhaps they saw 4 BIB parking next to them upon their arrival to the concert, and could provide a description of them or a vehicle make.
Ofcourse, memories fade and this would have been more effective if done soon after Morgan’s disappearance.
total amateur – re: The BIB
My speculative hunch is that MH was determined to get a ride back to JMU. If that was her (albeit irrational) goal, she may have walked across Massie and part of the way to the RV lot with the BIB (per the bookkeeper witness) – perhaps breaking off from that group to stop at her car in the UHall Lot to see if she could access something therein (thus the reports of her seen walking seemingly alone in that lot).
If the bookkeeper’s account is to be believed, MH then re-joined (at approx 9:10-9:15) the BIB group, perhaps to smoke/etc., around their vehicle in the RV lot. It stands to reason she may have asked them for a ride to Harrisonburg, and they declined her request (but invited her to stay in the area and party with them?)…
Still determined to high-tail it away from Cville and get back to JMU, she leaves the boys upon seeing the BB players heading their way, “approaching” them to again ask for a lift. At that point, the BIB could have entered their vehicle – thus, when the BB players left MH in the RV lot, she appeared “alone.”
If she then made her way to Copeley Road by skirting up the embankment onto the bridge, the BIB may have been driving by her toward the Ivy Lane intersection (as the rain began to come down harder?) and she, giving up on getting a ride to JMU by that point, flagged their car down (appearing to hitch-hike?) to get shelter from the weather/take ‘em up on the offer to hang out.
Again with the plumbing of the minutia, timing-wise. But such a scenario (or something similar) would account for said “ping-ponging” through the lots toward the roadway, where she almost immediately disappeared after flagging down a – perhaps familiar – vehicle.
skyler- how hard would you say it was raining around 9:30 p.m. that night?
Skyler — Again congratulate you on your prose and conclusion regarding Mr Bass . That is the position i took here from the get go and was severly attacked here from all quarters for defending the innocent . I also felt it was one lone con artist who did all this . This case screams out for the need for women in the prime target age group for rape/murder to be cognisant of the fact that preditors don’t think fair or rational . A professional expert could better explain their dysfunctional evil . The barn door needs closed and kept closed . For every life saved by defensive precautions the less heart broken tragedy .Young women mainly mid teen to mid twenties need to be aware and taught all aspects of street profing .
total,
The basketball players were parked in the RV Lot/Lannigan Field parking lot. That is the lot they park in when there is an event at JPJ from what I understand. According to what has been released, they had “limited interaction” with Morgan and she was still in the lot when they got in their cars and left. The official VSP release does not say “alone” I don’t think. So: 1)She was seen by the bookkeeper walking into the RV Lot with the white guys (we know only from media reports) and 2)She has been confirmed (by both VSP and UVa) to have been in the RV Lot having limited interaction with the BB players. I have drawn the conclusion that Morgan was in the RV Lot and had “limited interaction” with the BB players. I don’t doubt the bookkeeper because we know that Morgan WAS in the lot. But I do have to wonder why VSP has never put out a description of the vehicle or the BIB. Which leads me to believe LE KNOWS who they are (hopefully)(if in fact they exist).
Minnie Penney has piqued my interest because I have asked who was attending the practice and she has indicated girlfriends, coaches’ wives, etc. And now that C-ville (I hope that’s right) has mentioned that most of the bar and wait staff in Charlottesville wear all black, I have to wonder if any of them stopped off at Cavalier practice before heading to work.
I agree (and have stated repeatedly) that the two groups are crucial to the case. I really wish one of the BB players would come forward and give a statement about what Morgan said or what state of mind she was in when they talked to her. Corinne Geller has said VSP “leaves it up to them” whether they want to talk or not.
Nicely done, Sky—and thanks for a nod to the lone wolf theory! You too, Mista Speakah.
Do we know for a fact that the 4 MIB/BIB (one in the same) have not been identified and eliminated as suspects by LE? If they are unknowns, then I agree, they could possibly be the solution to this mystery.
I have to agree with several others, Skyler’s recent post, IMO is fantastic and right on target.
I’m also in agreement with HokieHi about the BB players not being the mystery MIB/BIB. I believe the Richmond accountant did identify the guys she saw with Morgan as being white. If I remember correctly, Blink commented to a poster that only 2 of the players who talked to Morgan in the parking lot are still on the team. I do not believe any of the players who have recently announced they will not be returning are white. I think one white player did transfer, but that was before the beginning of this current school year. I would guess the players who talked to Morgan were the easiest witnesses to track down even if they didn’t contact LE themselves. After all they were part of a group comprised of only 15 members as opposed to 1000′s of concert goers. I would also guess that they were questioned quite vigorously and thoroughly because LE did have to go to the athletic department to identify them.
And total,
FWIW, it is my belief that Morgan was walking in the general direction of the BB players as early as leaving JPJ itself. The regular practice facilities for the Cavaliers are actually inside JPJ. There was respectful disagreement here a long time ago about whether or not that particular practice was at JPJ or UHall (and I have to agree it was probably UHall because of the noise) but I’ve never heard absolute confirmation one way or the other. In other words, I do not believe Morgan’s first contact with the BB players was when they entered the RV lot. That is interesting to me because if that’s the case, they have a much better picture of Morgan, her state of mind, the BIB she was walking with across Copeley and the description of their vehicle than just “hey, how ya doin’” as they get into their cars.
My question now is: Could the BIB have been bartenders/wait staff from downtown who had actually attended the basketball practice instead of the concert?
J2K: AHHHH! Random. I want to agree but let me have a minute.
So if inside is really insignificant because she was intoxicated the ok, she found herself outside. Got it. But what about that isn’t significant? Could we or JPJA learn from this. Why yes, we could.
Tell us that the UVA bblayers found her drunk and didn’t want anything to do with her. They were afraid, Ok. Conduct unbecoming!
Tell me that everyone that saw her just wanted this 120 pound girl to just go away. A sad society that night, indeed.
To bad the friends weren’t there for her. Wait, do we get to ask if they were shitfaced! Or just the victim of murder?
If it is random then why the need to keep everything silent and yes, I believe and understand that many things must be kept that way. Catch the bag guy first!
Nobody agrees with this more than me!
But why no specific incidents, names, friends’ comments, uva bbplayers interaction, BIB?, etc… Why couldn’t they have come out with a, for lack of better word, BETTER account of Morgan? Why not of what she had on specifically. Her friends knew and yet nothing. The necklace and camera, boots. And no photos? Anywhere?
Such confusion and lack of information.
Power play between jurisdictions, agencies? Mess ups?
How could any of us help!?
We couldn’t and that is why some of us are so distraught over this.
But they sure were quick to come out and dispell any connections between an old sheriff that makes his own decision to end his life and Morgan Harrington well, who was given her death sentence.
VSP would need to hit every water cooler in the tri-state area to tell people that.
People just talk, that’s what we do.
But Why the need? Lots of crap goes down on the water cooler web!
Lots of names, information, theories, questions, etc…
Most put out there by people themselves for all of us to digest. (yikes! no pun there as I’m now on antibiotics for the foul food)
***Morgan ends up on a plot of land that somebody knew about.
Somebody! Remember the locationx3 comment.
Random? Hmmmm, not sure.
Pull the four hunters, Bass let use his land, back in, maybe they now remember seeing a wackjob roaming the back 40!
Pull the Cville Bike Club in and see if they remember anything at all on their trikes to and fro.
What about the tree cameras.
Cold cases are cold for a reason.
We need to beat the dead horse again!
Or this will be shelved for another LEO to pick up and solve in another 40 years but wait, there is a back log on those in the state of VA. We don’t even know who the Rt. 29 stalker is.
*If this is random and VSP have no idea, then the t-shirt is nothing more than found by a passerby, laid on top of bushes like a hubcap, and Morgan was assaulted inside of a vehicle and dropped at the place where he maybe had worked a side job for pay under the table.
Reinterview every farmhand in the area.
Pull in any and all RSOs.
Reinterview everyone that saw Morgan that night. Memories will fade and lives will go on. Hear me, I speak the truth.
Including her friends; Amy, Sarah, Dan.
Dave & party from NJ. Facebook Wayne.
Couple who saw her fall inside.
Courteney Stuart fess up “Kickee”.
Bookkeeper, Grandma, Newspaper lady.
And then hit up;
T-shirt guy, Blaine.
Belle Morte drummer, B. Shores.
Who else?
Oh yea, the girlfriends/wives/mistresses?
Should we pray he is gone from the area and then what should I feel if he is in someone elses??
Prayers are not going to work when he slams another girl into a vehicle and ends her life.
No I’m thinkin’ he’s right here in front of our faces and the VSP know it. Just can’t quite pin the tail on the ass, because somebody is coverin’ for somebody.
No, Morgan knew of that UGLY FACE she accepted that ride from. She just did not know how UGLY he or his friends were about to become.
Sky, suz, frank and J:
But, I’m gonna try to understand the random lone wolf and it possibly could be, but what throws me off of this is the L3 request. Such an odd place to put her. Drive this and there are dozens of other places he could have tossed her out. And, if lone wolf, then where is the WARNING, WILL ROBINSON, WARNING to the community???
There was none. Just e-mail alert to UVA community.
This specific lone wolf knew of that specific lone field.
J2K, thanks for your concerns about the gastric upset. I’m better but girl, that was one bad hamburger. I’d do it again if it means meeting those I met. The only thing I would change is being able to have that girl standing on that bridge with me.
If ever a girl needed a friend, she is one!
B, Mom3.0: Thanks for the get well soon wishes, too.
A clink of Pepto to you!
I’m sure all the local RSO’s have been looked by LE, but the two younger ones – EMH and DLS have garnered the most attention here. But does anyone know much about a guy named Stuart Gibson? He’s a 42 yr old violent RSO from NG and the VSP website lists his employer as New Age Lawn Care, which imo is very interesting.
Back many years ago, I did date a bb player – He was like six-five and I was five-two … I used to go to his practices and there were coaches wives there along with other players girl friends. That was another reason I thought Morgan might have approached them if there were other women around she might have felt more comfortable about asking for a ride. I guess if she asked for a ride to Roanoke they likely declined. I don’t know…maybe she didn’t ask for a ride. Were the BB players the ones who saw her on the bridge or was that the newspaper lady? This is just my guess, but maybe LE has asked all the witnesses not to talk about the investigation at this time.
What was the accountant doing to be around that length of time to see Morgan at 9:05 and again at 9:15?
Minnie Penney,
The only named person who saw Morgan hitchhiking that I know of is Maggie Voth (UVa) who posted on Facebook. VSP stated they had, I think, numerous witnesses who saw her hitchhiking. I think this site was for the most part very disbelieving of the hitchhiking when that first came out. I looked at Maggie Voth’s facebook page and remember thinking “That is some undercover cop”.
BTW, I bet ya’ll made a cute couple! (You and your BB player!).
I do believe if Morgan was trying to get a ride “home” she definitely meant JMU as that was “home” for that night.
Tarheel, IIRC, the accountant was there to pick up her son, I think, and I guess driving around to find a place to park til the end of the concert. I think she was from Richmond, and to be perfectly honest, I actually wondered at one time if she wasn’t really Skyler! Skyler’s son was at the concert and she admits to being in that general vicinity during that exact same time, turning around and going back over the bridge a couple of times. That’s how weird this case makes you think!
That’s also the reason I wanted a better picture of the entrance to the RV lot. How much could one see into that lot from Copeley without actually pulling into the lot?
Skyler, please don’t take offense. It just happened to cross my mind. Crazy, right?
TO: cvillenative: Thank you for clarifying something for readers who are unfamiliar with this area, re: the different jurisdictions and LE agencies. To expand a bit:
Charlottesville Police Dept. – responsible for a very broad scope of standard LE-related functions to include patrol/traffic, criminal investigations, SWAT, community policing, SRO (school resource officer) program, drug enforcement, etc.;
Charlottesville Sheriff’s Dept. – functions are limited to service of civil papers, courtroom security, and inmate transportation;
Albemarle County Police Dept. – functions are identical to CPD;
Albemarle County Sheriff’s Dept. – functions are identical to CSD;
UVA PD – functions are similar to the ACPD and CPD, as well as other services unique to an academic institution. Taken from the UVAPD website: “Its statutory arrest jurisdiction includes the property of the University as well as streets and sidewalks adjacent to the property. In addition, it participates in a mutual aid agreement with other local departments and a cooperative patrol agreement with the City of Charlottesville, which gives University officers jurisdiction in much of the city area surrounding the University.”
Greene County Sheriff’s Dept. – responsible for all LE functions across the county, inc. processing of civil papers, courtroom security, patrol/traffic, criminal investigations, SWAT, community policing, SRO, etc. Note: There is no Greene County PD, nor are there PDs in any of the other local counties adjacent to Albemarle, i.e., Nelson, Fluvanna, Orange, and Louisa. Each of these counties have only sheriff’s departments who are responsible for all LE activities.
Unrelated and FWIW: For the first time in some months I viewed the on-line comments in response to an article in the Hook. I noted that there is apparently another poster on the Hook who uses the same moniker as I do here on BOC – “Observer”. I am not that poster and have not posted a comment on the Hook website since Feb. 16, 2010.
TO: fish: I am suPREMEly sorry to hear about your recent bout with food poisoning. Having been a reluctant guest of both the UVA ER and the Martha Jefferson Hospital ER with the same malady on different occasions, you have my absolute sympathy. I’m glad you’re feeling better!
FWIW: Like TA, I remain ever-interested in the BIB. I have not forgotten these individuals–not for one, hot moment–nor has my interest in their potential connection waned one iota. And like HokieHi, I do not believe the BIB and the BB are the same individuals.
TO: starsky: To date LE has named no suspects or POIs.
RE: Mr. Bass: I agree completely with skyler and Frank Speaker. I have believed to a moral certainty and since the moment of Morgan’s discovery that Mr. Bass had absolutely nothing to do with Morgan’s murder. Nothing. Zero. Nada. Zippola.
TO: skyler, re: your lone wolf theory and your post “I believe somehow Morgan hooked up w/ a person(s) of her own volition — willingly got into their vehicle (for what reason we may never know) — to murder her was not their initial intent — somehow things escalated and probably in a fit of rage Morgan was murdered —”
Agreed, skyler. I cannot discount other possibilities, but I remain firm in my belief that the above is a very likely scenario indeed.
http://www.virginiasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&&DB_OEM_ID=17800&ATCLID=1178411
Here’s the link.
RE Frank Speaker April 20 1054:
Ok I’ll bite…
“Why Mr. Speaker, I do believe you want a squabble!” lol!
Re: Frank Speaker says:
April 22, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Frank Speaker,
I really find your tone insulting. While I agree women should safeguard themselves, the ‘fault’ for rape does not lie with women who were not cautious. The RAPIST is at fault! And you can preach “street proofing” and “stranger danger” but the reality is that 66% of all rapes are committed by non-strangers and 73% of all sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim. 6 in 10 rapes are committed in the home of the victim, friend, relative or neighbor. Stop blaming the victim. It is not their fault because they were not “street proofed”.
You want to reduce rapes, start by increasing penalties against rapists. Lock them up! Make them responsible. Never, ever make excuses for them.
And I also found your post of 4/20 10:54 am: “Some of the mantra Kool Aid being spouted by older women here” equally offensive. Feel free to disagree but must you be so disrespectful. Not to mention spouting stereotypes about people you do not know. And as someone who might be considered an “older women”, I am proud of the fact that I am intelligent, knowledgeable and capable. I neither spout nor do I indulge in kool aid — I am perfectly capable of rational, independent thought.
Perhaps, Frank Speaker, you need to reconsider why you feel the need to point fingers, both at victims of rape and at the women who have committed so many hours to BOC.
Don’t some think that an arrest/charges are coming soon ? The signal about the T-Shirt was really a signal from LE .LE are sure now who did it as DNA from Anchorage would also be back by now . They are letting the murderer know it has MH’s DNA on the T-shirt and consequently his DNA is there also. The T-shirt trophy was lost/misplaced by the BG or he tried to dispose of it in the nearby dumpster . A third party laid it out for someone to claim.All this time the BG thought the T-shirt would slip by as not confirmed to be MH’s . However, LE are pushing reality in his face . Putting pressure on him while monitoring his movements and communications . I think the case is solved and LE has a strategy to wring out more evidence and a confession .
Damn, Frank, I’m so glad you called attention to your previous post. I missed it the first go ’round…
Frank Speaker says:
April 20, 2010 at 10:54 am
…(dumpster diving convo, snipped out)..
…”BTW when i first started visiting this site late Jan i found three very smart posters here Observer,JoeAmerica,and NY Dude…” &&& (two males and one gender-neutral sounding poster that many thought was a man until she clarified? Or was that Enquirer? Anyhow..)
&&&&&
Sorry Blink, doesn’t look like you’re included in this “compliment” list…LOL
&&&&&
“….and yes most others i follow Blink’s rule skimming and scrolling.Some of the mantra Kool Aid being spouted by older women here though can be harmful or fatal if consumed by those females in the prime age group of rape victum ,mid teen to mid twenty . The idea that younger females can wear what they want ,do what they want whenever and wherever . That Utopian mantra is just not being realistic to street proofing and survival prudence.”
&&&&&
Well, despite the sandpaper effect of your post, I think I understand what you are saying. Don’t doubt your sincerity one bit, but you just don’t seem to understand that there is a certain type of woman that can be attractive without baring skin, and even dressed in a tater sack. Morgan was apparently like that. She didn’t do anything wrong in her choice of dress. Her downfall may have been that she got effed up, either by her own doing, or from someone slipping her something.
Your post did cause me to re-read Phyl’s post, the comment about Ecstacy, and it does make sense that if M was under the influence of the “hug drug”, she was woefully unaware of the perp/s’ intent.
There are too many factors at play in this case to focus on attire. We know there have been rape & murder victims dressed in burkas, Amish dress, homely frocks of many varieties, and diapers. Some rapists/murderers don’t need the enticement of a certain type of dress. I’m thinking statistically the meeker and less assertive a woman appears, the more her chances of being attacked. But, you’re right, some perps are no doubt stimulated by looks, and chances are that whoever did this to Morgan falls into a certain alpha-male profile.
No offense, just trying to encourage you to keep an open mind on the attire thing. It was Morgan’s vulnerable situation that put her on the perp/s’ radar, not her attire. I’m sure there were plenty other attractive, smartly dressed young women at the concert that could have been targeted if looks were the only incentive.
Just curious, what is your idea of “older women?” Given a chance to meet some of these individuals, you might be very surprised! And I’ll bet none of them drink Kool Aid…
Back to skimming and scrolling.
Off to dab the lidicane. LOL. This is what I’m sayin’
B
Great post Skyler and J2k but to me Fish wins the day #24/ 8/ 04 Pm 4/22/10
Sorry but I am so sick and tired of this “masquerade” it is all smoke and mirrors to me.
Feeling quite distraught about it yes! Worried for Morgans family and all young women out at night
in fact. SO much secrecy but in Blinks word NO suspect but “suspicious” individuals.
if there is no suspect, why all the cloak and dagger stance about common garden facts about Morgan,
what she was wearing, what her friends knew or did not know, what the bb players witnessed, photographs, surveillance videos the lack of.
i want to believe the lone wolf theory ( excellent post Skyler) but feel like the wool is being pulled over our collective eyes ( New Zealand expression ….lots of sheep not so many people I could go on but I am trying to behave)
Six months now and I feel pissed off!! Hate to admit it but feel yes this may not come to light for another 40 years and I most likely will be dead by then …sigh ….how can this be I ask myself.
My daughter will have to keep vigilant for me for Morgan I will make her promise.
How can a beautiful spirited girl like Morgan just disappear into thin air from a lit up full of security public place of music on a saturday night . This gut wrenching feeling I have, I pray it is leading me somewhere or should I say Morgan is leading me somewhere positive, effective, to help her or other victims, because the helplessness and hopelessness that sticks in my throat about her fate is simply intolerable and ultimately unacceptable.
Morgans warriors I salute you I have unofficially become branded with your logo
I will not rest until some sort of justice is done. Don’t know exactly how that will manifest for Morgan or her family, but until laws are changed and women and children are safe in the daylight and at night I for one will never rest. Enough already, enough!!
fish, I guess it depends what is meant by a lone wolf. I tend to mean 1) a perp acting alone who might well be 2) a stranger to Morgan. It’s counter to the prevailing theories here that Morgan must have known the person (or more commonly here, persons) who did this; acquaintances via the music scene, friends, ex-boyfriends, spurned love interests, etc.
My theory says sure it could have been those folks. Or she could have been HH on the bridge—as the witnesses say, and the last place her scent is found—and been picked up by a loner weirdo stranger (stranger to Morgan, not necessarily to cville or AF) and killed and dumped.
Frank-
First, let me say although I am sure there are many “older” women here, I find it very sad that you only think those who are men or were first thought to be men, are the smart ones. Just because posters say they are a certain gender or age doesn’t make it so, haven’t you ever heard of people on the internet lying about themselves?
People that think like you Frank, are the ones the defense side prays to be on the jury. Your thinking is wrong.
I pray you are never put in the position of having a loved one come to you and confess that they were raped Frank. I pray you never have to sit in a court room and hear the defense paint your loved one as secretly wanting it.
I hope with this post I have gained your attention. In the hopes that it will get through to you, and help change your way of thinking, I am posting some rape myths.
I truly hope you will read this and gain a completely different understanding. If I can begin to change your mind or the minds of someone reading, with some facts, perhaps there will be fewer misinformed people on jury’s to be swayed by a well prepared defense team. If not, then this is for the victims out there, that may read your words, Frank, and think that something they wore, said or did, contributed to the fact that they were a VICTIM of rape.
Myth: Only young, pretty women are assaulted.
FACT: Survivors range in age from infancy to old age, and their appearance is seldom a consideration. Assailants often choose victims who seem most vulnerable to attack: old persons, children, physically or emotionally disabled persons, substance abusers and street persons. Men are also attacked.
Myth: Women incite men to rape.
Fact: Research has found that the vast majority of rapes are planned. Rape is the responsibility of the rapist alone. Women, children and men of every age, physical type and demeanor are raped. Opportunity is the most important factor determining when a given rapist will rape.
Myth: Women “ask for it” by their dress or actions.
FACT: Rapists look for victims they perceive as vulnerable, not women who dress in a particular way. Assuming that women provoke attacks by where they are or the way they dress is victim-blaming. No person, whatever their behaviour, “deserves” to be raped.
Myth: Only “bad” women get raped.
Fact: No other crime victim is looked upon with the degree of suspicion and doubt as a victim of rape. Although there are numerous reasons why society has cast blame on the victims of rape, a major reason found in studies is that of a feeling of self protection. If one believes that the victim was responsible because she put herself in an unsafe position, such as being out late at night, drinking alcohol, dressing in a certain way, or “leading on” the rapist, then we are able to feel safer because “we wouldn’t do those things.” But, the basic fact remains that without consent, no means no, no matter what the situation or circumstances.
Myth: Rape is a crime of passion.
Fact: Rape is an act of VIOLENCE, not passion. it is an attempt to hurt and humiliate, using sex as the weapon.
Myth: Most rapes occur as a “spur of the moment” act in a dark alley by a stranger.
Fact: Rape often occurs in one’s home – be it apartment, house or dormitory. Very often the rapist is known by the victim in some way and the rape is carefully planned.
Myth: Only certain kinds of people get raped. It cannot happen to me.
FACT: Rapists act without considering their victim’s physical appearance, dress, age, race, gender, or social status. Assailants seek out victims who they perceive to be vulnerable. The Orange County Rape Crisis Center has worked with victims from infancy to ninety-two years of age and from all racial and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Myth: Rape is an impulsive, uncontrollable act of sexual gratification. Most rape are spontaneous acts of passion where the assailant cannot control him/herself.
FACT: Rape is a premeditated act of violence, not a spontaneous act of passion. 71% of rapes are planned in advance. 60% of convicted rapists were married or had regular sexual partners at the time of the assault. Men can control their sexual impulses. The vast majority of rapists are motivated by power, anger, and control, not sexual gratification.
Myth: Rape is sex.
Fact: Rape is experienced by the victims as an act of violence. It is a life-threatening experience. One out of every eight adult women has been a victim of forcible rape. (National Victim Center and Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, 1992) While sexual attraction may be influential, power, control and anger are the primary motives. Most rapists have access to a sexual partner. Gratification comes from gaining power and control and discharging anger. This gratification is only temporary, so the rapist seeks another victim.
Myth: Rapists are non-white. Rapists are lower class. Rapists are “Criminal types”.
Fact: Rapists that fit the myth are more likely to be prosecuted but a rapist can be anyone: doctor, policeman, clergyman, social worker or corporate president.
Myth: Men can’t be raped.
Fact: There were approximately 20,000 sexual assaults of males ages 12 and over in the United States in 1991. (Bureau of Justice statistics, 1992)
Myth: Incest is rare.
Fact: Incest is common and happens in every community. An estimated 77% of reported sexual abusers are parents (57% of the total being natural parents), 16% are other relatives, and 6% are non-related. In addition, males are reported to be the abusers in 60 to 95% of cases. (Thoringer, School Psychology Review, 17 (4):614-636)
Myth: Rapists are abnormal perverts; only sick or insane men are rapists.
FACT: In a study of 1300 convicted offenders, few were diagnosed as mentally or emotionally ill. Most were well-adjusted but had a greater tendency to express their anger through violence and rage.
Myth: Gang rape is rare.
FACT: In 43% of all reported cases, more than one assailant was involved.
Myth: Rape only occurs outside and at night.
Fact: Rape can and does occur anytime and anyplace. Many rapes occur during the day and in the victims’ homes.
http://www.d.umn.edu/cla/faculty/jhamlin/3925/myths.html
Blink, we have been here for six long months. There are times where I lie awake for hours at night thinking every horrible scenario possible. I know you do the same. We all do.
My question to you: What do you think we should be focusing our efforts on in your opinion?
I appreciate the question daisy. Has anyone run down the JMU riot from a few weeks back?
B
28.Tarheel says:
April 22, 2010 at 8:38 pm
What was the accountant doing to be around that length of time to see Morgan at 9:05 and again at 9:15?
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Tarheel,
she was looking for a place to park so she could get into the concert as she was a little late in arriving. The parking lots and garages around JPJ do not come close to holding the thousands of cars that would be trying to park there. Many people park miles away and walk as there are simply not enough parking places close by.
So it makes complete sense that she would be driving around the lots for 10 minutes (or longer) to find a parking space.
Regarding why the BB players have not come forward to the public or the media to tell their side of the story…
Just look at how everyone else gets treated when they come forward…if there is even one iota of suspicion in one person’s mind about a witness story, the public tears them to pieces.
These guys are hopeful NBA stars. The last thing any of them need in their college BB career is to be even further connected to a murder investigation and all of the public commentary that goes along with that.
I would guess that more than 50% of everyone that comments on this investigation, regarding the BB players, believes that they are in some way suspicious. Just imagine the ensuing commentary that could possibly ruin their future career options. All press is not necessarily good press.
The longer this case goes on, and the more people start to actually pay attention to the coverage that some of these witnesses have received from going public, the less likely it is that anyone will do so.
Also, we only know a handful of people’s stories from the media, but this does not mean that those are the only witnesses that contributed to the VSP timeline of what happened that night…actually, this does not even confirm that their story was even a part of the official timeline…even if they were interviewed by LE six times. And we have to remember that LE would never confirm a sighting or base an entire timeline, on one lone witness report. Many witness reports were compiled to create that timeline.
All we can really hope for from any of the 1000′s of tips and 100′s of witnesses interviewed by LE is that LE actually does know what they are doing. Just because they will never tell us who are in and who are out, they actually do have an in/out list.
Hopefully the people who do have factual information do not go the media. Hopefully they find the courage to privately and confidentially call in a tip. And hopefully it will be the tip that helps break this case.
Frank Speaker, if the cops have dna—and know who did it—how come nobody’s been dragged in for questioning, or better yet, arrest? Are the cops just enjoying this cat and mouse game so much that they can’t bear to stop sending clues and signals back and forth?
Or…do they have dna, but have no earthly idea who it belongs to? In which case the t-shirt info could be a signal of sorts so they can see if anyone’s freaking out or changing their behavior, leaving town, etc.
Or do they have NO dna, but are bluffing to make the perp think they do? (kind of like showing Misty some animal bones and saying “We’ve found Haleigh—you better fess up!”)?
If I remember correctly (I seem to say that a lot, hope I really do) the Richmond accountant and her group were late arrivals to the concert. I think she said that they were looking for a parking space in the Massie Road lot. That was when she initially saw who she thought was Morgan with the 4 MIB/BIB. They ended up back out on 29, came in on Copeley Road, across the bridge. Now I didn’t recall that she was the one who reported seeing someone resembling Morgan in the RV lot. I think she said they ultimately parked in the U-Hall parking lot. What I did find odd about both her story and the grandmother who reported seeing the young man and blond young woman arguing was that spaces were available at that hour in either the Massie Road or U-Hall lots. We always use the parking garage off of Ivy Road, but that’s because the other lots usually fill up first. I’ll say it again, if I remember correctly, the Richmond accountant said she was interviewed 4 or 5 different times, so I believe LE thought she probably did see Morgan.
Morning all,
Sigh. I share everyone’s frustration, but I also feel as if last week, we made strides, and I don’t want anyone to forget it. There *is* simplicity to be found in the wide net cast here (and, for the record, I agree that looking at Bass is distraction), but we can’t stop looking.
I guess my Pollyanna spin on what I’m reading is that some folks got incredibly uncomfortable last week, whether they were our perps or the crucial folks who know him/her/them. They read BOC this week and might believe they can breathe easier after all. That has its up shots …
But c’mon, everyone. Let go of the understandable frustration and let’s look again at the aerials from t-shirt discovery. What’s going on with all that vegetation around there? Is there a path? What’s on the other side? Where does it lead? DOES it mean DNA results are in from AF (I don’t think so), but if so, what does that say?
Let’s locate that accountant so we can figure out why, in a crowd that apparently did not notice our girl, she had all eyes on Morgan not once, but twice. If she cared about Morgan, where’d she go?
What are the familial links b/n cheesy and the other boys? Let’s nail that down. Again, if not related, we need to find out so we don’t waste any more energy. (But I believe there’s a maternal/step-maternal link that connects more of these kids than we realize.)
And, whether related to Morgan or not, I want to keep pressure on about the T family + friend trip to Jersey. I hate the exposure for this kid, but I think it’s fair to want answers, as this is about someone who fought an unresolved fire on Sutherland Rd the same morning Morgan was discovered, then crossed state lines on a middle-of-the-night run somewhere. (Never mind the possible Cash associationS.) On a personal level, I am aware of the GF and believe her to be a kind soul–so I worry.
**Who provided weed, possibly more, to those who hung out and practiced in that house?**
I may flatter myself and everyone here in finding it telling that all our questions of last week *about someone volunteering and serving Albemarle County* did not elicit a reaction, yet another site’s and community’s rumors *during the same week* about a neighboring county’s deceased sheriff (all due respect to him) got a major reaction out of VSP. This is a kid who is alive and presumably serving the community, as did the deceased sheriff … Does that say anything?
Perhaps I’m carried away, but COME ON, everyone. Lots of questions, and I am convinced the answers are out there. Keep it up!
BTW I am nowhere near old or lazy, I have way TOO much to do with my time, I do not sit for more than a minute in a armchair and would not deign to use a recliner, and I do not drink KoolAid or expect my children to (i.e., I am a critical thinker and am raising them to be). We have interesting women (and men) on BOC, and would that some of these girls would listen to us, I think they’d benefit a lot. We are music lovers and concert goers, most of us, and sadly what draws us to Morgan’s cause is not boredom or laptops and armchairs, but the shared experiences and interests we continue to enjoy, yet she CANNOT. I appreciated your words, MsLAL.
Moving on!
Bravo.
B
C-Ville, Agree, agree, agree, agree. I would never put my name in front of the public if I had any knowledge of this or any crime. I would certainly get information to the authorities, but I would never speak out in public unless what I knew needed to be presented in a court of law.
OK I’ll take the bait. What does the riot at JMU have to do with Morgan’s murder? The riot all seemed to be on film and still photo…so people could be picked out in a crowd. That would have helped in Morgan’s case. Are you thinking that if they have hundreds of photos of this riot that SOMEONE should have a photo of Morgan in Charlottesville on the 17th? I agree with that, for sure. LE raided the offices of the JMU newspaper for photos, taking away photos of things other than the riot. The ACLU will jump on that. Anything else? I’m trying really hard…I get so confused when we start thinking about seemingly random people and events. I’m trying to understand all the connections.
Fish was right there and saw it all.
Weren’t they the only news source originally to cover the small bomb that went off near campus on the 28th?
B
Oooo, realized how far back Daisygirl’s comment was…came in at 3:37 am…I was commenting on that one.
Oh the JMU newspaper? Hmmmm, so now LE will have their info. (because they may have unlawfully taken it) about the bomb on the 28th….Now this info may get hung up in the courts with everything else they took out of the newspaper offices that day.
Woman are not at fault for being raped. They are victims. The rapist is the only one at fault. The rapist is the BG. The rapist is the one with a problem or else they wouldn’t be a rapist! What is wrong with a person who tries to blame the victim? Obviously, something is very wrong with anyone who tries to move the blame off a sexual predator onto the victim.
Shoooot! We didn’t make the list…but Joe America did!!! O:
I hope I didn’t offend anyone that I hadn’t heard of Flaming Lips. I decided to google them and found that they’re named one of ’50 Bands to See Before You Die’. Also, that they did a remake in Dec. 09 of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon. Because of my ‘old age’ lol, I guess I missed out on them. I do however plan to try to find that DVD, because Pink Floyd is one of my best ever favs! Yeah, me and Pink Floyd go back a long ways.
Thanks Sky for the reply to Dee Dee. Very good info. Also, Mom3, your post on myths and facts about rapists. I read one report on the act of rape and it said that something like 71% of rapists didn’t even remember what the victim was wearing. Observer, good info about the LE departments in and around the Cville area. (I won’t hold it against you, that you made THE list).
Great job Blink and everyone on the hard work. All the Cville and NG locals, thanks.
Here’s to Frank and Joe!
Anything to do with this incident on October 17, 2009? http://breezejmu.org/2009/10/26/police-judicial-charge-breeze-reporters/