Morgan Harrington Murder: Coincidences or Clues ?

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1. Frank Speaker says:

   April 23, 2010 at 8:18 pm

   Mom — BTW i forgot to respond to your swipe about soft headed me being manipulated on a jury . Fact is i have lots of experience in adjudicating Federal Law in my country . I have lots of experience of reviewing all sides of cases from those with or without legal representation,dispelling my personal opinions, dispensing wheat from the chaff so to speak coming up with timely decisions .No problem of recusing myself ,never fazed me for an instant . My decisions usually held up under appeal in the upper bell curve of my peers . I was often used as a fixer ,where i had to go to different areas and clean up others’ case backlogs . I hate to be off topic here but in the British System people are allowed time out to respond to personal attacks . Cheers all ..

   FS-

   Are you indicating your a barrister?
   B
2. zeusrocks says:

   April 23, 2010 at 8:27 pm

   SadieBlue says:
   April 23, 2010 at 2:38 pm

   For those who say they do not blame the victims, but then go on to say that unacceptable attire sometimes causes a BG to strike-guess what? Yeah, you just blamed a victim! Sorry if that offends you, but I’m with Fish, Skyler, Mom 3.0, Word Girl, etc., etc., who believe that YOU NEVER BLAME THE VICTIM-period!

   What you have done, with your thoughts, like so many before you, is effectively say to rapists everywhere >If someone is dressed, even a little provocatively, go for it, and you will probably get off scot free<!

   So when you say that a person does have to be careful about their attire, how do you equate that to what goes into play when a Nun is raped? Or how about a 3 month old baby girl in a diaper, or a five year old boy wearing jeans and a tee shirt, or a 79 year old lady in her robe, or a 55 year old woman in a business suit, or a 25 year old disabled man in shorts and shirt, or a 23 year old woman in a Burka, or a 15 year old boy in his swim trunks? Anyplace, anytime, anyone, is how a rapist or murderer thinks. They are evil monsters (not animals, animals are beautiful and we need to stop comparing them to vile humans!)

   Please, please keep in mind, constantly, that the Bad Guys are most likely reading these forums. Do you really want to give them more power? Do you really want the signal to go out to them that it’s okay, in certain circumstances to take advantage of other people? Or that, at the very least, it is somewhat understandable? I don’t think so.

   Again, as so many have stated on here before. I do not give a crap if a person is running down a deserted road, stark naked, waving handfuls of porn mags, drunk and drugged off their ass-THEY DO NOT DESERVE TO BE RAPED or hurt in any way! STOP telling the misfits of society that they MAY have a right to attack a person in that condition, because it then leads to attacking little girls in swimsuits and little boys in diapers, old ladies in nursing homes (we have a Seattle, WA man charged with just that crime right now, against a poor, elderly lady with Alzheimers, who he raped!)

   I had this same discussion with my 40 year old niece and she feels like some of you, that if you put yourself into certain situations you have put yourself at risk. So if a young woman chooses to take a walk, in her neighborhood, at dusk-she should understand she might get attacked says my niece. I call BS on that, because then, when in the hell is it safe, for women especially, to do ANYTHING?

   Are we supposed to just sit around and stay in our houses? Are we supposed to send men out to do things for us? Oh, that’s right, they might get attacked too! So, no one is safe, no where, and at no time? What’s fair about that?

   What we HAVE to do is get much tougher laws on the books. We HAVE to TAKE BACK THE NIGHT, and the morning, afternoon, and evening too! We have to stop giving criminals the rights, and victims the finger! One rape= jail for life, one molestation=jail for life, one rape and murder=death penalty, (or jail for life for those too conservative or squeemish for the death penalty)! This is simple people, it needs to be done yesterday. And we ALL have to get behind it!

   What we SHOULD be telling the misfits of society is that we are on to you! We WILL help make the laws unbreakable and painful for you! We WILL always be watching for you and keeping track of your sorry butts! We WILL TAKE BACK EVERY HOUR OF EVERY DAY from you and your kind! We WILL not ever give up, EVER, until you are all locked away or put down for good.

   I WILL not EVER put the blame on a victim-EVER-please join me.
3. Observer says:

   April 23, 2010 at 8:55 pm

   TO: Mom3.0: You did a (not-surprisingly-and-absolutely) stellar job of explaining the dynamics of rape in your 4/23/10, 2:44am post. I cannot thank you enough for educating readers here as you’ve done. Kudos x 12 to you! [If you haven’t considered it earlier, please do consider volunteering at your local rape crisis center, as your contributions there would prove equally invaluable!]

   TO: Mr. Speaker: As mentioned in a post some threads ago, I am a woman “of a certain age” (read: “seasoned”) and respectfully take issue with your earlier assertion that women who are posting here who are of the same generation as I are somehow misleading younger women. One might discern from your post that you believe that, based upon their attire, young women may somehow be responsible if a crime is perpetrated against them…and that we are somehow leading them astray to believe otherwise.

   While I am in complete agreement that women–all women–need to be cognizant of the fact that sexual predators think neither fairly nor rationally, to place the onus of–or any–responsibility for an assault on the rape survivor by virtue of their attire is reprehensible. To assign or imply guilt in this regard is a defense attorney’s dream–and a rape survivor’s nightmare.

   Rapists exhibit a remarkable lack of impulse control (which serves as no excuse for their behavior) and are consumed by an overwhelming need to assert power and control over others who they perceive to be weaker, vulnerable targets.

   Remember: rape is not about sex; sex is the merely the assailant’s vehicle. An over-arching lust for power–ironically due to an innate and deep-seated fear of powerlessness–is just one of the factors that leads an individual to commit rape.

   FWIW, like dew in her 4/22, 10:27pm post, I too neither “spout nor indulge in Kool-Aid”, TYVM. [Ok, perhaps I do admittedly “spout”-off a bit (guilty as charged, Your Honor)...but I assure you that Kool-Aid is far-and-away not this seasoned woman’s beverage-of-choice.]

   TO: skyler: You stated: “I know it’s not a popular theory w/ everyone, but I don’t believe there is any type of “cover up” on behalf of UVA — simply because a crime occurs on UVA property, doesn’t mean that UVA is responsible for the prevention or commission of that crime, or that UVA can reasonably expect that a crime of this nature is going to be committed, and they failed to take actions to prevent it. So I don’t think UVA is pushing to have Morgan’s last known sighting on Copeley as opposed to the RV parking lot.”

   Thank you (again), skyler. Thank you for articulating so well my own sentiments.

   I’ve understandably been perceived on occasion as having taken a posture of defense of UVA simply by virtue of my work and very strong affiliation here at what I believe to be a fine institution; however, I’m neither myopic nor naïve. I’ve seen politics up-close-and-personal at this university. [Truth-be-told, I subsist on a daily diet of same.] That said, I’ve tried to be as objective as possible as I’ve asserted my belief that there has been no cover-up on the part of UVA authorities. I appreciate and respect that many may challenge that assertion; however, I remain firm in the belief that you’ve described so well above, skyler.
4. J2K says:

   April 23, 2010 at 8:57 pm

   C-ville -

   (“Regarding why the BB players have not come forward to the public or the media to tell their side of the story…”)

   C (btw, some great posts on here as of late), I think the question is two-fold: why didn’t they come forward when it was first News that MH was missing, and why haven’t they come forth and “told their accounts” publicly since they were essentially identified as persons who spoke with her that night and have been questioned by police as to such.

   To the latter, I think it’s fairly obvious – they “told their accounts” to LE, which effectively (and per Geller) added a critical notch to Morgan’s timeline and possibly offered insight into her state of mind. As this remains an ongoing investigation – and those investigating it already know the BBers’ accounts of their interaction, and have for some time – I don’t find it suspicious or perplexing that these guys have yet to hold a press conference or sit down with Nancy Grace to offer their eye-witness testimony to the achingly curious portion of the public consumed with (or simply following) this case.

   To the former – i.e., why they did not initially come forth prior to being identified by other witnesses – well, those are details I’m quite certain LE is aware of, having surely asked them about it, and obviously none of these players have been arrested for hindering the investigation or whatever. That said, while many of us were following the story in its initial days, I don’t think it’s too Out There to suggest that these dudes may not have even been aware they were some of the last known individuals to be seen with a missing young woman – they may not have even known anyone was missing after that concert.

   I never underestimate the power of people – particularly young ones – to be oblivious to current events… even those centered in their own community. I can think of ample (shocking) examples from my own life, but I try not to judge as, personally, I have always been a news junky.

   Point being, we don’t have the first clue what these athletes conveyed to LE upon being questioned – all we know is that none of them have been arrested, and there are no (known) suspects in this case. I think that earns them the benefit of the doubt… albeit, for now.
5. MsLAL says:

   April 23, 2010 at 9:10 pm

   Hello all,

   Today was bridge day for me. I finally visited the Copely Road bridge, Morgan’s memorial, the RV lot, JPJ arena and parking lot. Didn’t make U-Hall lot, the main campus or lawn. But, took some pictures, and the link is here

   http://gallery.me.com/redmeli#100008

   It views best in slideshow mode. Please let me know if you are unable to view…it is supposed to work in all browsers, but you never know.

   I didn’t stay long, was on way to a meeting, but boy, being up close and personal with the location makes a big difference in the way things are perceived. I would encourage anyone who is within driving distance to make the voyage if possible. Didn’t visit the AF area. Next trip. I was traveling solo today, and just wasn’t quite ready for that.

   Just skimming through posts, can see that lots of good information and refocusing is going on today.

   About the bridge. The mementos to Morgan are lovely and so heartfelt. Sky, your rock is precious. My rock, well, it’s unadorned, but it came from a special place by the creek. It has an unusual cut to it, and when the sun hits it just right, there are wee bits of glitter. Has an edginess to it that seems to befit Morgan.

   That bridge, I can only imagine it would be difficult to pick someone up on it without causing an accident if there were much traffic on it. It rises in the middle, and a driver coming from either direction is sort of blind until they hit the middle of the rise. If there was very light traffic, a car might have stopped without getting suddenly rear-ended, but it is just difficult to imagine. There is no place to pull over on the bridge itself.

   RV lot is amazingly close to the bridge. I was imagining that it was a bit of a walk, but it’s not. You come out of the RV lot, take a right, and the bridge begins maybe 10-20 yards. I’m not a great judge of distance, and was in a bit of a rush, but it’s close.

   The RV lot made the biggest impression on me, in terms of visualizing a kidnapping taking place there. It is covered on 2 sides by heavy trees and vegetation, to the extent you can’t really see the bridge well from inside the lot, and vice versa. One side is the chain link fence around the ball field, with a row of port-o-johns, obscuring the view from the field. The only clear view of the lot is when you are right in front of the gate leading in, and for a few yards beyond the entrance. The lot itself is just grass and dirt. There are no lines or boundaries to establish parking spaces, so I imagine people just pile in and park however they want. There are a couple of big trees right in the middle of it, and they provide a good amount of cover. With that parking lot even semi-full, it would be hard for someone on the road to see what was going on back there. It’s maybe a half-block from the entrance to JPJ, so it’s an easy walk, even in boots with heels.

   While in the RV lot, my starkest impression was how overgrown all the trees and vegetation are that surround it. Even the lot in front of JPJ, and surrounding lots, had trees that were overgrown and needed pruning to improve visibility and the overall look of the place. I didn’t go on the main campus, but from what I remember, it is fairly nicely maintained. But, I am used to college campuses that are meticulously manicured, with lots of open space, and it just appeared to me that this part of the campus is neglected, and poses some security issues. As an adult, I used to go walk the track where I ran the 600-yard dash as a kid, and the vegetation was all grown up around the perimeter. One evening a man came out of those trees, heading straight for me, and I knew immediately he had been watching me, and waiting for me to reach the back corner. I high-tailed it to the car, but was jolted, and never walked there again. The RV lot gave me the same kind of feeling. Not meaning to be critical, as I know funds are tight, but that area needs some maintenance. I didn’t see any lighting, and no blue phones. They may have been there, but to me they weren’t obvious. That part of the campus just left me with the impression you get when you drive by a nice old home where the owner has not kept up with the yard maintenance. It’s shadowy and dark, and you just want to get in there with some power tools and open the place up and let in some light.

   The arena itself was surprising. Not as large as I had imagined it, at least from the side I was on. Wish I had taken picture of it. The plaza in front of it is small, but open, and my gut feeling is that if there were 40 people milling around on the sidewalk around 8:48 pm, 20 of them had to have noticed Morgan, especially if her behavior was in any way odd. If there were only two security people out there, they had to have seen her. The area is just compact, and I could have stood on one side of the plaza and clearly observed the goings-on on the other end of it, unless there were throngs of people out there, which by that time of the evening, I don’t see how there could have been. Maybe Sky or someone can comment on that. Anyway, seeing it kind of gave me hope that there are more witnesses that we’re not aware of. Maybe the most credible witness accounts have been tightly held.

   While walking the bridge area, I encountered a couple of people in passing. One innocuous fellow, a couple of female joggers, and one strange bird, who, when I looked in his eyes, I realized there was no one home. Reflecting on that, I realize that an open college campus is a place where many different characters can and do converge, and to most people, go unnoticed.

   One more thing, there is another bank at the corner of Copely and Ivy (?). BB&T is right across the street from Suntrust. If Morgan was heading to an ATM, it could have been either. I just wonder if surveillance cameras were checked at both banks. Probably so, just interesting we only heard reference to the one bank, and even that has not been really confirmed.

   Just thoughts on my short time in C-Ville. It’s a big campus, very much intertwined with the city itself. Easier for me now to picture how something bad could go down in that particular area (between RV lot and 29/Ivy) with seemingly no one noticing. The city provides a lot of background noise that makes it easier for people to blend in and their activities not stand out. Makes me think there might be much more mischief going down that flies under the radar. Maybe it’s convenient for it to be that way. I dunno, just a strange dynamic I can’t quite put my finger on.

   MsLAL-

   Your pics are gorgeous. Truly.

   I thank you. I also want to say I SOOO Heart Sky for starting the Morgan Rocks campaign.

   Spectacular.

   Proud Blinkma-
   B
6. Joey says:

   April 23, 2010 at 9:14 pm

   Redly: This afternoon I was passing by Barracks Road Shopping Center on Barracks Road between the North and South wings. I looked out the driver’s side window and there in front of Kroger were 4 BIB. They were obviously students because others were around them. They were all wearing black T-shirts and shorts. Freaked me out after reading about MH here on BOC.
7. Minnie Penney says:

   April 23, 2010 at 9:23 pm

   Lakelover so sorry to hear about your daughter. I hope the perps were convicted and sent to prison and hope the jailor lost the keys to their cells….hope your daughter is recovering.
8. Kim says:

   April 23, 2010 at 9:55 pm

   I have to say, maybe I’m more cynical…and my personality is different than most… but I’ve went over Franks Speakers latest postings and personally, as a woman, didn’t get offended. I’m trying to see what is being commented on, but I can’t figure it out. I will say this, there are alot of very very kind-hearted people her that are easily touched and express themselves/emotions very well. On the other hand there are people like me that are just .. never mind. I don’t want to insinuate anything. Please please, those that were offended by him, don’t be offended by my statement. Not directed at anyone and I just wanted to express that. jmo
9. MsLAL says:

   April 23, 2010 at 10:39 pm

   Redly, I agree. Black t-shirts. Not necessarily black from head to toe.

   Lakelover…thank you. Interesting information. A thought after reading this … “steroids.” Wondering if many of the athletes are on them, or if athletes naturally develop more heat-seeking hormones, or, if it’s psychological, based on our hero-worship of athletes. Would love to see the research behind this.

   HeadHurts…if understanding your post correctly…not taking away from the value of anyone’s postings, as I agree that women should be aware of danger, and of perception, particularly in societies that devalue them…

   BUT, while we’re doing public service announcements, how about we start talking to our boys, and raising them to respect women and children (and people in general) and to recognize the WRONG in sexual and physical aggression? Any time a man looks at a woman, and measures her solely on a scale of sexual suggestiveness, he needs to pinch himself. I know, it’s so ingrained in the male psyche, to alter that system is like trying to quit smoking. We know we should, but it fulfills our baser urges, and it’s just too difficult to change what so conveniently satisfies our addiction. Not sure that’s the best analogy, but you get the idea.

   I could get on a roll with this, but need to stop. But, the thought came to mind…should all women start packing heat, to protect themselves from the part of society that perceives them as potential victims, just because they are women? You never know, the next man they pass on the street might be really attracted to pop-bottle glasses, cankles, or moo-moos. I can see it now, filling out the forms for concealed carry. “Please explain your reasons for applying to carry a concealed weapon.” Answer: “I am a woman.”
10. ross says:

    April 23, 2010 at 10:56 pm

    Blink, based upon your posts of recent arrests and other events in Charlottlesville/Albemarle County would it be safe to say that in your opinion Morgan’s killer(s) do not nor have ever attended UVA?

    No. I would not make that statement, without prejudice, to any individual.
    B
11. mag603 says:

    April 23, 2010 at 11:04 pm

    Go to youtube and look at one of the hundreds of videos kids have posted about the JMU riot.

    ie..

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZGSsU3-iiY&feature=related

    I must be old because I am shocked and outraged and cannotget over the enthusiasm of the non-participants.

    LAWWWDY.

    Honestly, when I hear riot in a description, I think anarchy.

    This was an illegal neighborhood blockparty with big fire, without firefighters, yet.. SWATT

    Oye Vey. ?

    People, what will be seen in your yearbook/Facebok ??
12. zeusrocks says:

    April 23, 2010 at 11:05 pm

    Please disregard the (SadieBlue says:April 23, 2010 at 2:38 ), at the top of my 8:27 pm post. I did not mean for it to be there! Thanks!
13. MsLAL says:

    April 23, 2010 at 11:05 pm

    fawn says:
    April 23, 2010 at 6:56 pm

    …Even if our daughters make themselves an easy target with drinking or drugs, rape is never their fault. I think anyone who wants to rape an unconscious person is just one step away from wanting to rape a dead person.

    &&& Fawn, God bless you and your daughter. You touched on something with that last line. I was thinking the same thing, but hesitant to say it. Someone who would do that has issues with intimacy and empathy… sees the other person as an object, not a human.

    Hoping for justice for your daughter.
14. MsLAL says:

    April 24, 2010 at 12:34 am

    To Lakelover, in my distraction, I didn’t acknowledge your comment about your daughter’s assault and the sweeping under the rug. Once you’ve experienced that, it’s hard to overcome the injustice of it. It still happens too often on college campuses, but there are signs that light is slowly being shed on the problem, at least on my campus. And, VA Tech has recently announced an initiative to deal with the drinking culture on campus…signs of hope, if a culture of responsibility is developed and includes athletes and other protected groups.

    Re: SadieBlue…”The age range of teen to twenty something leads me to think of date or acquaintance rape. My thoughts are that inappropriate dress could be combined with inappropriate behavior, leading to poor choices which put them in a position that leads to violence against them.”

    &&&&

    SadieBlue, I think you’re right in that the twenty-something age range is a factor in many acquaintance rapes. It’s an age when we are starting to explore our independence, and, as mother nature would have it, we are at our reproductive best. Does the way we dress make us more vulnerable, or is it that we’re gaining confidence while at the same time still naive to the world around us? Are we more trusting at 20 than we are at 30, 40? Do we enter into potentially dangerous situations, unknowing, because we’re 20, and we want acceptance, and our hormones are at their peak, and we don’t yet have the gift of fear? I only venture this because, gulp, I am a survivor of acquaintance rape that happened at the age of 20. And, I was slightly pudgy then, dressed very conservatively, carried myself with integrity, no stumbling drunk, or anything like that. Just happened. Would I have been lured into that same situation when I was 30? Much less likely. At 40? Doubt it. At 46, hell no. But, one must survive being 20 to reach the age of discernment, whatever age that is. It just takes one chance encounter with one messed up perp to end that journey. This person could have easily killed me. When I looked around, his house was a veritable arsenal, every type of weapon imaginable in plain sight. By the grace of God, he let me go, even dropped me at my doorstep. “See ya later, enjoyed the ‘party.’” I sat outside, alone, and cried for hours. WTH just happened to me? How did I get in this situation? Just young, naive, in the wrong place, wrong time, wrong person, poor judgment.

    Girls today? Yes, I’ve seen them. Many are pretty trashy and provocative in their appearance, some intentionally. But, I don’t place Morgan in that category. She was fashionably but tastefully dressed, probably much more sophisticated than the perp/s that took her life. I know you’re not blaming her. Not meaning to say that. Your comments just reminded me that no matter what you look like, that late-teen, early 20′s age is an awkward time, and we may get ourselves into vulnerable situations, but not necessarily because of the way we dress or carry ourselves.
15. MsLAL says:

    April 24, 2010 at 1:37 am

    B sez…I also want to say I SOOO Heart Sky for starting the Morgan Rocks campaign.

    Spectacular.

    Proud Blinkma-
    B

    &&&&

    Yep, Sky Rocks!!
16. CW says:

    April 24, 2010 at 1:51 am

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glIYKjxi-5M
17. MsLAL says:

    April 24, 2010 at 2:47 am

    mag603 says:
    April 23, 2010 at 11:04 pm

    Go to youtube and look at one of the hundreds of videos kids have posted about the JMU riot.

    ie..

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZGSsU3-iiY&feature=related

    I must be old because I am shocked and outraged and cannotget over the enthusiasm of the non-participants.

    LAWWWDY.

    Honestly, when I hear riot in a description, I think anarchy.

    This was an illegal neighborhood blockparty with big fire, without firefighters, yet.. SWATT

    Oye Vey. ?

    People, what will be seen in your yearbook/Facebok ??

    &&&&&&

    OMG, thanks for bringing this to the forum, mag. America, this is our future. WTH?
18. C-ville says:

    April 24, 2010 at 4:09 am

    6.mary says:
    April 23, 2010 at 10:36 am
    MsL and C-ville,

    I agree wholeheartedly with you both about information and not going public with it. I just said I wished they would say something. (Selfishness on my part). I’m sure they have told everything they know to the police

    **********************************************************************

    Mary,

    I just wanted to drop a quick line to you about this because I really do read and appreciate all of what you write here and I completely understood your questioning of the BBP’s and their story. I too would love to know their whole story…lol. But as you said, it is a completely selfish wish! This is why I really wanted to make it a point not to post that as a response to anyone else’s comments.

    I had been thinking about it for a while, because we all want to know who, what, when, where and of course the why’s behind everyone’s story. And that alone is a good reason for “us” to not know some of these things…or at least a good reason for them to not go to the media.

    We have all seen how some are treated when they do tell their story, and I would not wish that on anyone who is truly just trying to offer their help and information.

    As we all say, everyone is in until they are out and the world of online sleuthing can be outright brutal in digging for information. We will pick apart anyone’s story until we know their 3rd grade teacher! And I am not saying this is a bad thing either, but it’s not always so nice for the person in the spotlight!

    Also, as J2K pointed out, LE has extensively interviewed many people and has not issued any arrests to any of these persons of “our” interest. While that may lead us to believe they may not be involved in this, there is much left to be seen in the future of this investigation. The tables may turn at any point.

    I do trust that LE knows what they are doing with this investigation. So, even with no arrests, I am positive that they would be keeping a close watch on any persons of “their” interest.
19. suz says:

    April 24, 2010 at 4:56 am

    MsLAL, cool pix!

    Re: all the rape stuff, just a reminder that it’s only our *assumption* that Morgan was assaulted that way (undoubtedly cuz it seems like such a dreadfully common occurrence), but I’ve seen lots of cases where killers just kill. With the condition of her remains, I wonder if the M.E. knows for sure
20. Sparkling says:

    April 24, 2010 at 6:56 am

    Hi All:

    Eloise says:
    April 23, 2010 at 11:22 am
    This may be nothing, but has anyone else noticed that each time we look at a myspace page re: Morgan, that this guy named “Tom” is a friend on most pages? I was like why do I kno

    In answer to Eloise’s question, yes Tom will show up on thousands of My Space Pages because he works for it and designs web pages for the My Space members. When the novice doesn’t have a clue as to where to begin with their “Space”, up steps Tom and solves all your questions.

    I learned this when my daughter first started up her site, prior to “Facebook” becoming her number one page site.

    Regarding the RSO that hasn’t been re-registered, J.W. Mattox, as an aside I find it interesting it appears he was thirteen (13)years old when he as convicted in 2002. That would make it appear to me like two thirteen year olds got caught up in experimenting with something very dangerous, and one will have this stigma attached for his lifetime. The registration roles don’t tell the whole stories but they do include some pertinent info. Sad baggage to have to carry for ones entire adult life when you royally screwed up at 13,,,,just a child.

    I wish they would break down the offenders into different sub-sections, from the least offensive to worst offensive convictions. It would certainly make it a lot simpler to navigate the registeries.

    JMHO…..still Sparkling !

    http://www.homefacts.com/offender-detail/VA794/Johnathan-Wayne-Mattox.html
21. ode says:

    April 24, 2010 at 8:39 am

    Just a short story of my first rape. I was 16. I was home from school sick. A boy/man I had met recently that had graduated from a different high school than I was going to showed up at my house. My parents were not home. I let him in which was against my parents rules. I went back to my bedroom to change out of my robe and jammies into something more respectable. Remember I was sick, no makeup, hair a mess, I am sure I did not look my best. Before I could turn around there he was in my bedroom. A fight began. I was no match and he quickly overpowered me. I tried to reach my princess phone on my headboard and he grabbed the receiver and ripped it from me. All I could get a hold of was the base of the phone. I remember hitting him with it repeatedly and the clang of the bell inside each time it hit him. The actual rape took only seconds. It was the fight that got him off. I never told anyone. I could not tell my parents. I blamed myself for letting him in. I had had sex with my long term boyfriend. I could not have told my parents that. I was so confused that I took that rape, tied it up in a neat little box and buried it somewhere in my mind and I kid you not forgot about it for many years. This happened in 1970. When the memories came back I knew it really was not my fault. Interestingly side note. Several years later when my parents put the house up for sale the Realtor that was showing our house was raped in our house. A man had made an appointment to meet her and look at the house. She was by herself. She was raped, tied up and left there but she lived thank God. That house must have had some bad karma.
22. MsL says:

    April 24, 2010 at 9:23 am

    Joey, I do hope you are exaggerating. Seeing 4 guys, dressed in black t-shirts and shorts in a town with a population of about 40,000, surrounded by a county of, I don’t know, maybe 60,000+, part of a state with population in the millions, part of a country with population in the 100′s of millions and you are freaked out by 4 guys who maybe were dressed in the same colors as people seen with Morgan Harrington? I’m not really making fun of what you said, but it does point out the difficulty involved in finding and identifying 4 unknown men, dressed in clothes that males, and even females, wear everyday. Hopefully, if these individuals read any of the publicity surrounding Morgan’s disappearance and subsequent discovery of her remains, they came forward and identified themselves. If not, with only the description of 4 (perhaps white) men dressed in black to work with, it would seem to me that LE had a very difficult task at hand. Blink seems to believe they have been identified. If so, I don’t know whether that is good or bad news. It could be that one of the best possibilities of solving this mystery actually provided no useful information.

    Just as a topic of interest, two of the biggest spring events will be occurring in Charlottesville this weekend. One, the Dogwood Festival Parade, and the other the Foxfield races. One very family oriented, one not so much since there’s a history of excessive drinking. I’ll let everyone guess which description applies to which event. Joey could very well have seen members of a marching band or other participants here for the parade. The parade is not a huge draw for far away participants, but I think some do use it as an opportunity to visit this very historical town. Hey, maybe they were looking for the famous Mt. Chipotle. For those who aren’t local, this new Charlottesville landmark is located in the South wing of the Barracks Road shopping center. It started out as a HUGE pile of snow cleaned up from the parking area around Old Navy, Harris Teeter, and the Mexican restaurant of the same name, Chipotle. Someone even planted an American flag at the top at one time. Guess it had been successfully scaled. I think one of the University Engineering schools took wagers on when it would finally melt away as a fund raiser. Here we are, late April and the infamous mountain is little more than a big, dirty looking hill. Hard to tell now from the dirt and gravel that there is snow underneath, but it’s still there, slowly melting away. One more example that while Charlottesville might like to think of itself as a sophisticated college town, at heart we still have a lot of the small town.
23. acho says:

    April 24, 2010 at 9:39 am

    MsLAL -

    Thank you for all those pics and your impressions. I agree about the RV lot; to me, it looks pretty much the same as in the days of U-Hall. Silly me: I figured all had been improved with the construction of JPJA.

    Back in the 1990s, when I regularly went to U-Hall for games, we would park behind Foods of All Nations, right by the RR tracks (see pic of parked cars there below). Pretty common to do so at that time.

    http://tiny.cc/qfa1p

    I later heard that behind Foods was a hugely popular spot for vagrants (understandable given RR tracks + fancy-foods store dumpsters). IIRC this topic was discussed early in Morgan’s case, and I want to raise it again after looking at MsLAL’s photos.

    I agree it’s possible this was a random act, although I generally think Morgan was acquainted — even due to a meeting earlier the same day/evening — with the people who drove her away. I just want to hear

    (a) whether behind Foods is still a largely unpatrolled area where vagrants hang out

    and

    (b) whether people attending JPJA events still park and walk from there.

    A dangerous combo if yes to both. When we parked back there, we never saw anyone other than people heading to U-Hall for games, but at odd times of the night, who knows. I *think* I read that searches canvassed that area.

    On yesterday’s drug arrests: I see some discrepancy in news stories’ spelling of the younger one’s name and his own spelling and nickname, FWIW.

    Yes, it is Dakoda, with a D.
    B
24. Roxie says:

    April 24, 2010 at 10:57 am

    more food for thought since we are still circling at 30,000:

    http://helpforveterans.blogspot.com/

    Thanks to ALL of our Veterans
    Posted by Melissa Obrien at http://www.stopmilitaryrape.org

    Did you know?

    • One in seven servicewomen will experience sexual assault while serving in the military.
    • Over 90% of all females that report a sexual assault are discharge from the military. The majority are discharged against their wishes as a result most victims afraid to report the rape and continue working side by side with their perpetrator putting them at risk for repeat attacks.
    • 80 percent of rapes are never reported – making it the most under-documented crime in the military.
    •Reports of false rape allegations are less than .05%. Since fiscal year 2000 there was no reported cases of false allegations.
    • 181 out of 2,212 reports of military sexual assaults, or 8 percent, were referred to court martial. By comparison 40 percent of those arrested in the civilian world on such charges are prosecuted.
    • According to the Department of Defense’s own statistics 74-85% of soldiers convicted of rape or sexual assault leave the military with honorable discharges (meaning the rape conviction does not appear on their record!)
    •A woman who signs up to protect her country is more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire”- Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA)
    •A 2007 study has shown that 23 percent of Coast Guard cadets said they would not report other cadets who commit sexual assault, while 65 percent say they would allow personal loyalty to impact their decision to report sexual assault.
25. Dan Harrington says:

    April 24, 2010 at 11:00 am

    Blink,this is a post that I placed on the http://www.findmorgan.com website. It is in response to discussion about the media. I continue to have frustration that media and police in Charlottesville minimize the fact a killer is at large.

    The media’s job of giving us the latest and greatest news is tempered with the fact that their job is to focus on what sells and what is sensational. That is their business. In Morgan’s case, a “missing” girl, is more interesting than a dead one. Gil and I have had a hard time coming to grip with this reality. Our job, with all of your support, is to continue to keep Morgan’s story in the public mind and eye. It is a hard job. I cannot be objective as I live this moment-to-moment, but the public, especially in Charlottesville, should be outraged that a killer continues to walk their streets!

    I firmly agree.
    B
26. Observer says:

    April 24, 2010 at 11:41 am

    TO: MsLAL: Thank you for sharing the excellent pictures of not only Morgan’s memorial, but of the RV lot and adjacent areas, e.g., the Copeley bridge. I’m certain these pics were most helpful for readers who are unfamiliar with the area.

    TO: MsL: Given the wx (weather) here in CV this weekend Foxfield and the Dogwood Festival are probably going to draw smaller crowds. [I know I won't be at either event.] I used to attend Foxfield with my husband, picnicking far, far from the huge crowds of boisterous college students, the vast majority of whom fell (in some cases, quite literally) between mildly and wildly intoxicated.

    Re: Morgan’s rocks: Not certain why I didn’t think of this earlier (perhaps too much residual salt water on the brain) but I have several large pieces of coral I was able to bring back from my trip. [To conservationists: I did not harvest live coral; that would be abhorrent to me. Instead, these are pieces I was able to gather from nearby beaches/islands.] I think I’ll select the prettiest one (there’s green, white, and pink) and place it at Morgan’s memorial. [Sure, it's not exactly a rock, but I'm certain that Gil, Dan, Alex and most of all, Morgan, wouldn't take offense at the poetic stretch.]
27. MsLAL says:

    April 24, 2010 at 11:52 am

    Thanks, Acho and others. I was really surprised at the overgrowth in that whole section of town. Could barely see the tracks below the bridge because of it.

    Roxie, your post is interesting and sad. I’m a veteran, and the incident I relayed in previous post happened in Fayettenam. Reporting it never crossed my mind.
28. Minnie Penney says:

    April 24, 2010 at 12:26 pm

    I was twenty once…a looong time ago. I was in Rome – there were six of us-3 boys 3 girls we were on a Ferrum College trip to Europe and we earned European history credits. There were a number of retired ladys from Roanoke who accompanied us – they were not with us on Garibaldi’s birthday celebration – kind of like a Roman mardi gras thing. I had had just enough wine that I wanted to jump in the Trevi fountain – the “Three Coins in the Fountian” fountain – Amazon sells the DVD – anyway I began to ask directions to the fountain – and the Italians are so friendly and were giving directions …But..I was drinking and I got Trevi turned into “Tivoli”. Well, everybody pointed north and we started walking, and walking. The lights of Rome were behind us…way behind us. We got to a construction site with house trailers all around and a girl and her came out of a trailer and had a southern drawl – she and her Italian boyfriend were working on a construction crew . She was from Yazoo City, MS. I asked her how far to the Tivoli fountain – she knew where Tivoli was but nothing about a fountain – I told her about Three Coins and she told me that was the TREVI fountain.She said, “Tivoli is north – “It’s a ski resort in the Alps”. Ooooopppssss… there were five people ready to strangle me… We turned around and walked back to Rome. We got back about 5 am. Then we spent the day touring Hadrian’s Villa – acres and acres – it was the tour of the Zombies. But, as I said, at twenty I was bullet proof. Later that summer we got stranded in Paris in the 1966 Air Strike – sleeping on the floors at Orly. Viet Nam was not popular in Europe – I learned some French..”Je suis Canadienne” I am a Canadian. It helped.
29. Minnie Penney says:

    April 24, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    My point – left that out – is sometimes when you are twenty you think you are “bullet proof”.
30. Minnie Penney says:

    April 24, 2010 at 12:47 pm

    Now I’m in my sixties and senile and forgetful….like leaving things out of my post. We did get out of France – one of the ladies from Roanoke who had a brother who was some NATO guy. He got a flight but, there were a large group of NYC teenagers who had spent a summer in Israel. There were about thirty of them – all the boys had purchased souvenir camel saddles with bells and the girls all had tons of photos of hot guy soldiers and they were all worried about a feared war coming – it came the next year, the Six Day War, June 1967. Our plane was over loaded and we began to run out of fuel – oh cool we’re over the Atlantic and out of gas… emergency landing in Nova Scotia and then landing in NYC.
31. A Texas Grandfather says:

    April 24, 2010 at 12:47 pm

    We have develped a society of irresponsible young teenagers and those less than thirty years of age. Now we are as a society reaping the rewards of our acts.
    The only way to put a stop to this insanity is to go back to values that made this nation great. The very idea that someone male or female would NOT report bad behavior is beyond comprehension to me and further that those in charge would think badly of the reporter is even worse.
    This young woman lost her life because of this breakdown in our society. Should she and her friends have been more careful? Without a doubt. Her father recognized this when he bought expensive tickets for four of them to attend the concert. They even had a designated driver who shirked his responsibility.
    No one is ever totally safe even when they are not impaired as was this group by the use of alcohol or drugs or possibily both.
    Young people do not live in reality because our society as a whole have given them a pass for their crazy thinking and acting.
    Just look what happens with the spring break for college or high school students. One city in Florida reported 41 rapes in a two week period and as is known for every reported rape, three or four go unreported.
    Young women need to understand that if they go to public places where large numbers of people gather as a concert or football game, there will always be preadators in the crowd looking for an opportunity to strike. The only way to prevent this is to stay within a group at all times.
    All men need to become aware that ultimately they are responsible for a good society and that their actions or lack thereof affect everything around them. If they know of people who have little respect for others, then they need to take steps to warn their family and friends about this unacceptable behavior.
32. cvillenative says:

    April 24, 2010 at 1:00 pm

    MsL says:
    April 24, 2010 at 9:23 am

    Just as a topic of interest, two of the biggest spring events will be occurring in Charlottesville this weekend. One, the Dogwood Festival Parade, and the other the Foxfield races. One very family oriented, one not so much since there’s a history of excessive drinking.

    *****

    Ahhh… Foxfield. Good times, good times… from what I recall. Someone once told me there are horses there, but I don’t believe them. I never saw any.

    I say the quadfest makes that riot look like a cribbage game.
    B
33. suz says:

    April 24, 2010 at 1:17 pm

    my friend Lauri’s GF (at the time) was raped by their sargent when they were stationed in Germany. He was a huge, powerful guy nicknamed bear; she was petite, but put up a violent struggle—lamps were broken, furniture was overturned. He did get busted down in rank and was allowed to take an honorable discharge. But during the hearing, they asked my friend how she knew it was not consensual, and Lauri said “because she’s my girlfriend”— and THEY got dishonorable discharges.

    Horrible. Sad.
    B
34. jessejane says:

    April 24, 2010 at 1:35 pm

    So is it the fire aspect of the JMU block party that is significant?
35. ConcernedBystander says:

    April 24, 2010 at 1:48 pm

    In Memory of Gini says: Officers seized more than two pounds of marijuana and 22 grams of cocaine, other drugs and a weapon, along with cash and drug paraphernalia.

    45 year old Jonathon Eades and 22 year-old Dakota Eades were arrested.
    ——

    I’ve noticed Dakoda Eades in friends with Matt Napier – who is related to the Napiers that live next door to EMH in NG.

    Blink Biscuit. That is correct. The Napier that is co-owner of AP.
    B
36. Peggy says:

    April 24, 2010 at 2:13 pm

    “Fact is i have lots of experience in adjudicating Federal Law in my country .”

    “Federal” laws? In England?

    England is NOT a federation, England or should I say the United Kingdom is a unitary state.

    Peggy

    Yep..
    B
37. Peggy says:

    April 24, 2010 at 2:34 pm

    suz says:
    April 24, 2010 at 4:56 am

    “Re: all the rape stuff, just a reminder that it’s only our *assumption* that Morgan was assaulted that way (undoubtedly cuz it seems like such a dreadfully common occurrence), but I’ve seen lots of cases where killers just kill. With the condition of her remains, I wonder if the M.E. knows for sure”

    I thought her mother said something about Morgan being raped?

    I’ve thought the same thing, from what I’ve read the body was pretty much skeletonized–and if that’s the case I wonder how they could determine a rape actually occurred?

    Perhaps it’s b/c she was missing her shirt–which, I do think is kind of strange–b/c if no rape occurred, why take her shirt? That’s assuming she didn’t change her shirt at some point and she was indeed wearing that shirt that night.

    JMHO
    Peggy
38. CW says:

    April 24, 2010 at 2:44 pm

    Link to names and charges of those arrested at the Spring-Fest riot…
    http://breezejmu.org/2010/04/15/facing-fall-out/
39. Judi says:

    April 24, 2010 at 2:56 pm

    My definition of normal is someone who is not a sexual predator/offender, not a rapist, not a murderer, not a thief.
40. total amateur says:

    April 24, 2010 at 3:40 pm

    Blink,recently arrested DE is listed on FB as attending VCCS, which is the Virginia Community College System. PVCC, which is familiar from the former tenants of the Sutherland fire. PVCC is listed under the VCCS network of schools. Do you know if DE attended PVCC?
41. SadieBlue says:

    April 24, 2010 at 4:56 pm

    I have to reply to Zeusrocks, I feel that the posters on here are kindred spirits and I took a long time to post because I was afraid it would come out wrong and I would get attacked, but I ventured out and – bam, Zeus got me. I was trying to say something in my post, but in no way would I ever say a rape victim was asking to be raped. And to suggest a baby in a diaper was asking for it (to suggest I think that way!) is truly vile and disgusting. I can’t help but think it is important to make sure my teen daughter dresses appropriately, I think it matters in a lot of ways as to how she is perceived. I didn’t say it keeps her from being raped every day. I just think to deny others judge us based on appearance is incorrect. I also think that when women go to clubs and get drunk they open themselves up to unsavory characters, the same as when they go to a club and don’t get drunk but someone puts a drug in their drink, they are often dressed nicely in atire they don’t wear to the office. If they get attacked, many say “you should have seen how she was dressed” that is where I think that terminology comes from. That was what I was trying to say, that people make the connection whether we like it or not.

    I live in a town which is considered a spring break party town, and I absolutely hate it. And let me tell you some things, women get raped here every year, students fall off balconies and die every year, people drown cause they won’t put out the money for life guards, people drink themselves to death, and the townsfolk here don’t like it. But those in power somehow make money off of it, so every year we have to live with it, they promote it and the kids come, they get raped and they die. It’s an endless cycle. JPJ will keep doing what they do because money is more powerful than people’s lives. It is a disgusting shame.
    And Zeus – I meant no harm, please know that. I have children and love them more than life. I never wish harm to anyone and blame no one for crime but the criminals themselves regardless of the circumstances. I lost my niece a few years ago to a drowning accident and that hurts so bad, there is no one to be mad at in that situation. There is just the pain, and that is a hard thing to deal with. I think the anger is helpful in a way.
42. Mom3.0 says:

    April 24, 2010 at 7:32 pm

    Frank- Stop.
    Dr. Harrington and his wife have lamented openly about having to defend their daughters attire. They find it abhorrent that anyone would even mention Morgan’s clothing as a possible cause for Morgan’s abduction, rape and murder.

    Frank- Stop.
    You have constitently blamed all rape victims each time you bring up clothing decisions as a reason MORGAN may have attracted the eye of her rapists and murderers.

    “Those boots are definately part of the story .Very appropriate to feature them . Not being a woman i can’t imagine THE EFFECT THEY WOULD HAVE or WHO WOULD BECOME INTERESTED .It is a basicFACT that WHAT you WEAR will often DICTATE how people INTERACT with you.”

    More comments on the boots- bolded by me-

    “There will be blow ups of them and they will be trotted out by defense routinly on the drop of a hat . They may have a very direct bearing on many things .Her falling,wobbly mode,kicking,WHO SHE ATTRACTED ,HOW THEY TREATED HER,HOW SHE REACTED TO THEM ,-did she use them for a defense,was she attacked with one,did they cause her to get bogged down in grassy lawn,where are they etc.etc.etc……The WHOLE STORY could be written if one could actually put their minds by some method in those boots . The previous picture was of a lace up version of a leather gumboot style with lumberjack heel ,VERY CONSERVATIVE AND PRACTICAL. The REAL ones were the FERRARI ones . I AM NOT MAKING VALUE JUDGEMENTS- ASIF I WERE A WOMAN i would have a couple pair myself only slightly DIFFERENT STYLE (note: practical, conservative vs ferrari,)

    Conservative adj-
    Main Entry: careful
    Part of Speech: adjective
    Definition: cautious; painstaking
    Synonyms: accurate, alert, apprehensive, assiduous, attentive, chary, choosy, circumspect, concerned, conscientious, conservative, cool, deliberate, discreet, exacting, fastidious, finicky, fussy, going to great lengths, guarded, heedful, judicious, leery, meticulous, mindful, observant, particular, playing safe, precise, prim, protective, provident, prudent, punctilious, regardful, religious, rigorous, scrupulous, selfdisciplined, shy, sober, solicitous, solid, thorough, thoughtful, vigilant, wary

    *Antonyms: careless, inattentive, incautious, thoughtless, uncareful, unconcerned, unscrupulous *

    Frank -Stop.
    You worry about the young women reading here that may be wrongly advised to wear what they want and say what they want without knowing the repercussions of such actions. CLEARLY stating your opinion that something they wear or say will enivetibly lead to some sicko picking them out and taking advantage of them.

    “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 thatyounger FEMALES CAN WEAR WHAT THEY WANT ,DO WHAT THEY WANT whenand wherever . That Utopian mantra is just not being realistic to street proofing and survival prudence .”

    Frank- Stop
    Your comparison of a vast array of rape victims -babies, children, men, old, young, pretty, ect- expecting the list to include cows, and knotholes is twisted and sickening.

    “The list of possible victums is so extensively watered down i was expecting to see Mr Bass’s cows and the knot holes in his wooden fences .”

    Frank -Stop

    You have an overwhelming tendency to insert points into your responses that were never brought up by the person you are addressing as if that person was on the other side of the discussion-

    “the idea that women ask or deserve to be raped has long since been debunked . Re-debunking it after each every rape/murder is a moot point as the damage is done and actual emphasis needs placed in the area of prevention .You have quite clearly got the Utopian Kool Aid gate valve turned hard to the right . If the message doesn’t cause dangerous fatalism then the volume would surely drown . Fact is there is plenty that can be done to prevent and reduce the incidence of these crimes .”

    First, Frank, your perspective IS insinuating that women ask for or deserve to be raped. Second- I did not bring up rape prevention. So therefore in the last part of your quote you are only debating yourself.

    And although I agree with you, that much can be done to prevent rape, I never brought up the conversation. But I am happy you did, and I will help you to come up with a real world list of points to safeguard our children daughters and sons-
    Having said that, none of those points will ever be- to dress as not to attract- choose conservative boots over ferrarri ones or learn what not to say – nor will it ever point out to be sure not to lure your attacker into wanting you more- and by all means never, flirt or give any impression to a guy that you may be available as he could take that as an invitation to rape and/or murder you.

    Frank -Stop

    I value you as a contributer here. I value your insights as a landowner of 700 acres. I value your experience as a member of the farmers union. I value your insights as a father. I value your experience as an adjudicator of Federal Law in Canada for 25 years. I value the fact that you always seem to give us a differing opinion here on BOC nomatter how unpopular it might be. But we have taken up much to much time over this disagreement.

    Someone once gave us some good advice here on BOC:

    She said-
    I taught him that whenever he is faced with a conversation where it seems a person is bent on being right and not open to his idea, rather than argue, simply say:

    “You know, I had not thought of that, you could be on to something, thanks for the tip.”

    So Frank, in regards to your thought- “Young women mainly mid teen to mid twenties need to be aware and taught all aspects of street proofing .” I concur and state for the record:

    “You know, I had not thought of that, you could be on to something, thanks for the tip.”

    Please, Frank. Stop, take this very sage persons advice, simply state-

    “You know, I had not thought of that, you could be on to something, thanks for the tip.” And let’s stop debating this issue. Peace

    Frank- mom3.o has spoken, Sky and O and Judi, and blinkers et al. It’s time.
    B
43. Rose says:

    April 24, 2010 at 8:37 pm

    Hello, all! There have been many musings on rape here…many insightful and important statements. One thing I have always found interesting is the assertion that rape has nothing to do with sex…that it is about violence and control.

    No one can doubt the violence and controlling aspects, but I’m wondering, for example, what percentage of pornography involves rape/violence/control/etc. The first porn film I ever saw (as a child in the 70s from a neighbor’s stash) was a scene just like Ode’s real-life experience described above, with the difference being that of course the fictional raped woman ended up enjoying the experience.

    My point is that I think our society is very hypocritical…we say things like sex and rape aren’t related, but then we sexualize violence against women in everything from porn–mainstream to hardcore, to hollywood movies (don’t get me started re: horror films, ), to music, etc .

    Even if a young man starts out with a healthy view of women and sexuality, he is sure to be confronted with these twisted scenarios in media of all kinds.

    I believe Ted Bundy said something about this, that society would be able to get rid of him, but while pornography was alive and well the problem of violence against women would continue.

    My point here is just that I think we–the folks who are against this kind of thing–are justly keen to separate sexuality and violence, but that the two are inextricably linked in many aspects of our culture…the perps of these crimes are not displaying this behavior in a vacuum.

    If we as a culture want to say that sex and violence are not (or cannot be) related, then our media–not just our ethical beliefs–should reflect that…
44. suz says:

    April 24, 2010 at 9:53 pm

    Peggy, I think that when Gil or the Harringtons talk about Morgan being raped, they’re making the same sadly “logical” assumption that we make when we think that she was. It’s a combo of ugly probability and fear. I don’t think they know the cause of death yet, and I don’t think they know for sure if she was sexually assaulted.

    Blink, my friend’s story has a bit of a happier ending. After the sergeant got his honorable discharge and Lauri and Deb were awaiting their dishonorables, the base was having a reenlistment campaign. Apparently the base or the commander gets big kudos if they can re-up a bunch of soldiers for another term, and it’s all a numbers game (the more names on your list, the happier HQ is), so they let Lauri sign up again even though they knew she was being drummed out and why. Part of that reenlistment involves getting your picture taken shaking the hand of the base commander.

    Just so happened that the Adjutant General (or some bigwig) was coming to do a base inspection, and everyone was scrambling to make sure that everything was perfect, and Lauri basically told the commander that she was going to use that picture (among other things) of the commander reenlisting her to embarrass him in front of the AG. Long story short, yada yada yada, Lauri got honorable discharges for herself and Deb. At least it’s a bit of a silver lining; felt weird to write it was a happy ending, since Deb did endure that brutal rape (did I mention he broke some of her bones? memory fades, but I think it was arms or legs; maybe nose, too; oh, and ribs, because he was HUGE and she was tiny). That’s why it was even more ridiculous that they were trying to say it was consensual.
45. Frank Speaker says:

    April 24, 2010 at 10:47 pm

    Mom — Aren’t you’all just suffering from ” shoot the messinger syndrome” ? Don’t like the message so blame the sender . As Dr Harrington has told us he is frustrated at the lack of police and media response to a killer at large . The killer has the potential and probability to strike again . They usually target similiar type victums . Those potential victums have no idea who this person is .I am alarmed at your resistance in helping these potential victums, while he is sought out .Instead on that subject you want to constantly repeat all this false clap trap about me blaming victums .These potential victums need assistance in how to avoid this person and or how to deal with him/her/them if they are unlucky and meet up with person(X) . Constant vigilance ,thinking defensively (similiar concept as defensive driving),never put yourself in an unsafe situation ,trust your native instinct and mainly USE PLENTY OF COMMON SENSE (the latter covers a lot of ground much of which might offend the sensitive). Again I am alarmed at your folks resistance to someone advocating the use lessons learned to prevent the future from repeating the past . Cheers
46. Frank Speaker says:

    April 24, 2010 at 10:59 pm

    Mom—P.S. Mom ,as you want to regurgate the Ferrari boots perhaps you might be so bold to mention their self explanitory urban street name . Again i didn’t invent their name . Cheers
47. Observer says:

    April 25, 2010 at 12:48 am

    TO: Mr. Speaker: Please allow me if you will to clarify my position to avoid further misunderstanding.

    You state above that “The killer has the potential and probability to strike again. They usually target similiar type victums. Those potential victums have no idea who this person is.”

    Agreed on all of the above counts, as statistical analysis would easily support your assertions. I daresay (w/o speaking for them) that Mom3.0, sky, etc. would likwise agree with your statements.

    You go to say, however, that “I am alarmed at your resistance in helping these potential victums, while he is sought out.”

    I take issue with the above statement, as I do not believe that anyone here is resistant to helping potential victims avoid the individual who perpetrated this heinous crime against Morgan. No one here–I repeat, no one–wants to see another young woman walk in the shoes of dear Morgan Harrington. Rather, they would do whatever possible to help ensure that another young woman doesn’t fall prey to Morgan’s murderer.

    Readers here are far, far from resistant in the manner you describe. They are the antithesis of resistant; they are instead advocates…advocates for Morgan and any other woman who might be vulnerable to sexual assault.

    You also state “These potential victums(sic) need assistance in how to avoid this person and or how to deal with him/her/them if they are unlucky and meet up with person(X) . Constant vigilance, thinking defensively (similiar concept as defensive driving), never put yourself in an unsafe situation, trust your native instinct and mainly USE PLENTY OF COMMON SENSE…”

    Agreed again with your above statements. As I’ve mentioned in numerous posts, women of all ages and demographics are well-advised to arm themselves with knowledge of self-defense, e.g. RAD training, regardless of locale, e.g., a college campus community or inner-city neighborhood.

    In this regard, knowledge is indeed power. As you so aptly point out, vigilance, defensive posture, and common sense should rule the day; no one would challenge that concept.

    You close with “Again I am alarmed at your folks resistance to someone advocating the use lessons learned to prevent the future from repeating the past.”

    Again, unless I am woefully misunderstanding the intent of certain posters in this instance (and I may well be, but am not of that mind), respondents are not resistant at all to you or any other individual adovcating the use of lessons learned to prevent the future from the repeating the past.

    The responses directed to you have been as a result of the impression that you have laid responsibility for certain (but certainly not all) sexual crimes such as rape at the feet of the survivor by virture of certain decisions she made.

    I would submit this: a lack of judgement by any standard on the part of a victim of a sexual crime does not a defense make for an individual who would choose to commit same.

    You may not be suggesting that a defense would/should/could be mounted on that basis. You may not be intending to telegraph blame on the vitim. However, to imply that a survivor of sexual assault might somehow have less personal culpability if she had not been walking alone…if she had chosen different attire…if she had demonstrated greater vigilance…if she had not put herself into an unsafe situation…these are the insinuations that lead readers to vigorous challenge and visceral reaction.

    To imply that the victim of a crime might have less culpability is to imply that they have some level of culpability to begin with.

    Therein lies the rub, I believe.

    OT: I placed today at Morgan’s memorial on Copeley a piece of green coral gathered during my recent travels. I did not paint it (I’m no artist) but left it in its natural beauty. It’s one small piece in a beautiful mosaic of memories for dear, sweet Morgan.

    Very kind friend, I can’t wait to see it.
    B
48. Mom3.0 says:

    April 25, 2010 at 12:54 am

    Rose, thank you for your posting your thoughts. There are many rapes that take place that do not involve “sex”. Sodomy can be any deviant act. Think about Sandra Cantu and her rapist/killer, Melissa Huckaby. It is about control, and inflicting pain and violence.

    I agree with you Rose, that many rapists and killers have an unnatural obsession with pornography, likely the more violent the better. I also agree that in many men’s magazines, there are depictions of women who enjoy being raped.

    Those stories of rape are not real, they are fiction. Many women have had what people would call rape fantasies. This is not about them longing to be raped, but instead longing to be free from making any conscious decision about sex, when they have been taught that “good” girls don’t. The difference between these fantasies and that of a real rape, is that the woman IS in control, she is NOT in danger and she can relax and not take responsibility for “bad” thoughts= sex.

    Observer and others, thanks for the encouragement. I am glad someone read my post and realized its merit. I am sorry Frank couldn’t. I hope it helped someone out there who needed to read it.

    This will hopefully be the last time I have to speak frankly, to Frank Speaker about this.

    Frank, yes, The killer has the potential and probability to strike again . They usually target similar type victims. Those potential victims have no idea who this person is.

    Type- Meaning possible body type, possible age range, possible same race ect.. Most assuredly meaning, women who are ALONE and in need of help/vulnerable, Hitchhiking, injured, cold, stranded=vulnerable.

    NOT meaning type-all women who choose not to wear conservative, practical boots instead opting for the Ferrari ones.

    Dr Harrington HAS told us he is frustrated at the lack of police and media response to a killer at large. But I sincerely doubt he would like a warning that simply states-

    ATTENTION: ALL WOMEN WHO WEAR FERRARI BOOTS< MINI SKIRTS ESPECIALLY BEAUTIFUL 20 SOME THINGS>

    A KILLER IS TARGETING YOU BECAUSE HE HATES THESE THINGS>OR LOVES THEM>

    ALL OTHERS FEEL FREE TO WALK ABOUT C-VILLE YOU ARE SAFE> ALONE, IN THE DARK, THE KILLER ONLY TARGETS THE TYPE OF WOMAN MENTIONED ABOVE>

    There is a rapist and killer on the loose. The public SHOULD be warned. The Campus SHOULD be warned, I believe this is what Dr. Harrington is calling for, to protect all possible victims not just those YOU feel need to be warned and fit YOUR scenario of why Morgan was attacked.

    I am alarmed at the way you twist my words to suit YOUR purpose Frank. I am not resisting helping potential victims. I am simply not for narrowing the type of potential victim that may need help, based upon YOUR opinion of what Morgan’s Killer must see in a person inorder to attack.

    Frank you wrote:

    These potential victums need assistance in how to avoid this person and or how to deal with him/her/them if they are unlucky and meet up with person(X) . Constant vigilance ,thinking defensively (similiar concept as defensive driving),never put yourself in an unsafe situation ,trust your native instinct and mainly USE PLENTY OF COMMON SENSE (the latter covers a lot of ground much of which might offend the sensitive).-

    I agree, Constant vigilance, thinking defensively, never put yourself in an unsafe situation, trust your native instinct and mainly USE PLENTY OF COMMON SENSE, will go a long way in helping to dissuade a possible attack. But your added comment of:

    *(the latter covers a lot of ground much of which might offend the sensitive).*

    First, since when is Frank not willing to offend anyone? Am I making some head way with you?

    Second, If it can save a life, saying the TRUTH based in FACTS should always take precedence over possibly offending someone. But, I think your statement, if given, will contain little facts, and mostly opinion, about dressing conservatively and not drinking kool-aid- and women keeping their clap traps shut.

    P.s
    Frank, you didn’t take your own advice, you forgot to say,

    “You know, I had not thought of that, you could be on to something, thanks for the tip.”

    Lol, seriously, your too kind and patient, I thank you.
    B
49. C-ville says:

    April 25, 2010 at 1:25 am

    47.Frank Speaker says:
    April 24, 2010 at 10:59 pm
    Mom—P.S. Mom ,as you want to regurgate the Ferrari boots perhaps you might be so bold to mention their self explanitory urban street name . Again i didn’t invent their name . Cheers
    **********************************************************************

    Frank,

    Your insistence that these boots are “F*** Me” boots is just ridiculous. The boots pictured here on BOC have a moderate heel, around 3 inches, and are conservative enough to be worn in a corporate environment. I have seen boots like these on many very respectable women, dressed in a conservative manner. Yes, these boots are nice and they can be considered sexy and feminine attire, but are far from what you are attempting to describe.

    Please do some research for pictures of real “F*** Me” boots/shoes. You will be surprised to find that the photo of the boots here on BOC are actually quite tame in comparison to what you can find out there.

    Yes, they are not Mary Janes, or Saddle Shoes. But they are hardly the 6 inch, platform, thigh high, black patent leather boots that fit in this Dominatrix/Stripper/Porn Star, “F*** Me” boots category.

    I apologize for being crude…I censored myself a little bit…lol

    I totally missed the Ferrari linkage, what a marroon I am.

    Speaker, ftlog, you got the best and the brightest on here trying to give you a fair listen.

    That is beyond ridiculous, and since I once edited a post of yours which was more specific as to what your personal choice would be, your starting to creep me out.

    If anything, I pray to God that Miss Morgan got at least a few good kicks in with her boots, and that alone might be a new good reason to wear them ladies.. WEAPONS.

    B
50. katts says:

    April 25, 2010 at 2:53 am

    Frank

    “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 victim ,mid teen to mid twenty . The IDEA that younger FEMALES CAN WEAR WHAT THEY WANT ,DO WHAT THEY WANT when and wherever . That Utopian mantra is just not being realistic to street proofing and survival prudence

    Frank, I am a (barely) a post feminist movement woman who agrees with you. When I have that same “Not as you like” conversation with my female friends of a WIDE variety of ages most are outraged
    Yet, women accept, as a form of wisdom, warning mothers against leaving their children with new boyfriends, a female behavioral restriction based on similar potentials for sexual assault and violence.

    Its not about blaming the victim’ s dress or behavior per se, but the risk of potentials currently based on the inconclusive premises of differing professionals within various disciplines with often opposing agendas, yes, agendas.

    In opposition, we do not know the potential for diffusing assaults as relative to more conservative dress and behavior. What if the potential’s huge, 50%? 10%?, 0%? What is acceptable risk as risk is inherent in the unknown, the unclear, pro or con.

    Clothing and Textiles Research Journal
    A Theoretical Analysis of Nonverbal Communication and Victim Selection for Sexual Assault www.http://ctr.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/9/4/55

    Science says men are hard wired for visual arousal. Science also knows people have various thresholds for self- regulation, for differing behaviors, whether genetically or environmentally induced , whether chronic or singular acts.

    I believe most women do not understand “street.” Several of my highly intelligent girl friends had to ask their husbands the meaning. The husbands, although white collar professionals, “knew” that meaning, its’ own statement.

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