Morgan Harrington Murder: A Security Check On Security- Why Did It Fail?

Moramysara

Charlottesville, VA-

On the afternoon of October 17, 2009, Morgan Harrington and three of her friends drove to John Paul Jones Arena, located on the University of Virginia campus, to attend a long-anticipated Metallica concert. Following an apparent fall and chin injury occurring around the time she was visiting the ladies room, Morgan ended up outside the arena and attempted to gain re-entry to the venue.


How and why she got there comes in at a baffling second only compared to what happened to her next.


Nine months ago Dr. Dan and Gil Harrington, Morgan’s parents were notified their daughter was missing which is when their nightmare began.


On November 5, 2009, the day before a search which was organized at the request of the Harrington’s was to commence, a vintage black Pantera t-shirt placed on a bush in front of an apartment complex at the intersection near 15th Street and Grady Ave.  was located by a nearby resident.


While this discovery was not released publicly, Charlottesville PD knew immediately it belonged to Morgan Harrington. Sara Snead, one of the friends that accompanied Morgan to the concert, immediately confirmed the distinct vintage design that compelled Morgan to borrow the t-shirt from her a week before the show.


Subsequently, DNA analysis confirmed the t-shirt was indeed the same one Morgan was wearing the night she disappeared.


On January 26, 2010 the remains of Morgan Harrington were discovered by David Bass, owner of Anchorage Farm, located in Albemarle County. Although her cause of death has not been released, her manner of death has been classified as a homicide by the Virginia State Police.


Dan and Gil Harrington marked the nine-month anniversary of Morgan’s disappearance from her memorial on Copeley Bridge 4 days ago.

Gil Harrington’s impassioned statement made it clear that her family’s mission is to prevent what happened to Morgan from happening to another victim and their goal is to educate young women about safety and personal security.


On July 1st, based upon an article posted on blinkoncrime.com inside sources confirmed a forensic link between Morgan’s homicide and a Fairfax County Case. Research on this case indicates it was a violent sexual assault that happened in 2005. The victim assisted in the sketch of a man police wish to interview in connection with both the Fairfax assault as well as the apparent abduction and murder of Morgan Harrington. .

FairfaxAgeProgress

What did it mean to the investigation and to the parents of young women in Charlottesville? We have a serial offender on the loose in multiple jurisdictions and an immediate need to beef up personal security.


As our very vulnerable student body returns to campus next month, blinkoncrime.com provides a glimpse at current conditions.


Unregulated Regulations In Security

The 2004 General Assembly, through House Joint Resolution (HJR122), requested the Virginia State Crime Commission to study safety at Virginia’s institutions of higher education. As a result, DCJS created the Office of Campus Policing and Security (OCPS) to address the law requiring minimum training and employment standards for campus security officers.


Campus Security Regulations for Institutions of Higher Education in the State of Virginia, fall under the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Private Security Services Advisory Board. Below is an excerpt of the unapproved draft meeting notes of their quarterly meeting held December 8, 2009; the first and only since Morgan’s disappearance from JPJ.


The issue of safety and security on college campuses was addressed in a 2006 Crime Commission Study on Campus Safety. This study resulted in the statutory requirements under Code of Virginia (Code) §9.1-102 (49).


College populations represent a large concentration of students between the ages of 18-25 years with limited supervision and life experience. In terms of homeland security, campuses are identified as “soft targets” and are frequently targeted by domestic and foreign terrorists. Campuses also house volatile materials and research facilities that are also targeted by radical elements in society. Campuses host large stadium events and concerts that are potential targets for terrorism and riots. Most campuses also have facilities that are open to the public and are relatively difficult to secure and lockdown.   Campus Security Officers are primary first responders to incidents of crime and violence on campus.


Although UVA campus security officers require a certification provided by DCJS, there are ZERO regulatory standards for certification. It was NOT until Morgan Harrington disappeared from the grounds of the JPJ Arena that emergency regulations were sought from Governor Bob McDonnell.


How does a woman on the campus of a University that provides it’s very own Police Department in addition to event security simply vanish without a trace?


By the time Morgan ends up in a hay field 7 miles away, she has passed through 3 different law enforcement jurisdictions and a slew of private campus and event security agencies and personnel.  While private security regulations fall under the umbrella of the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, they also require a judicial amendment only if and when they are approved via “emergency” status by the Governor.


Who’s Looking Out For The Kids, Exactly?

As the safety on campus study showed, our college age kids are at their most vulnerable in the University setting.  Out from under the watchful eye of Mom and Dad and wading through the rich culture and nightlife of downtown Charlottesville, students face a host of potential safety risks.


In fact, during the very development of this article, I received an alert from UVA security that a UVA student was sexually assaulted in the area of Roosevelt Boulevard. While I commend the swift response and warning from UVA PD chief Michael Gibson, I can’t help but wonder if a similar alert upon learning Morgan disappeared from the UVA/JPJ campus would have made a difference for her.


A simple Google of “Charlottesville security” produces the front page for HH Security Services, Inc, a local private security and bail bonding firm.  I am no expert but isn’t it a bit odd to claim to protect one’s security and then bond out someone that may threaten it in the first place?


Who is vetting the security that is responsible for ensuring safety?


While HH Security or it’s employees have no known ties whatsoever to the Harrington case, it is a prime example of the weakness of current security regulations, involving students and private events, 6 years in the making.


RoderickHoward1At H & H Security Services, Inc. we specialize in Private Investigation, Private Security both armed and unarmed as well as fast efficient Civil Process Service.  Our full-time professional agents are well trained, well equipped, well informed, and discreet.? Owner Rod Howard is a native of Charlottesville and central Virginia, where he’s been a well respected business owner for over twenty years. H & H Security Services, Inc. is his vehicle in his effort to help serve and protect the community he grew up in. Over the years he’s assembled a team of certified and experienced personnel who share his commitment to the safety of the community.


HH Bail

HH Security, in a business journal ad, claims to hire members of law enforcement and be very well connected with various police departments and security agencies for nightclubs, special events and home security checks as well in 2007.


HH Security is the security firm of choice for Club 216, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Rivals, which are bars frequently visited by UVA students and athletes.


Roderick M Howard, owner of HH Security and H&H Car detailing maintains active licenses issued through the VA Dept of Criminal Justice Services for private security and as a bailbondsman.


While blinkoncrime editors were researching this piece, a review of Albemarle County Court records show Roderick Howard was arrested for felony rape in 1993, subsequently indicted for same and a year later on the first day of trial, pled guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery whereby he was sentenced to 12 months, 11 of which were suspended and two years unsupervised probation.

Howard was also arrested a few times for felony bad checks; both cases ended nolle prosequi.


How can an accused rapist and convicted sexual batterer hold a dual license in the private security sector as well as two classifications of firearms, all of which is monitored by the VADCJS? It is specifically stated in the regulations regarding moral turpitude AND sexual battery that the VADCJS MAY DENY an applicant on those grounds.


According to Mr. Howard’s own advertisement, he has been in the security industry since 1989. Would that mean he was employed in the security field when he was arrested for rape?


Shockingly, It may be perfectly legal. Although the administrative statute for licensure prohibits granting a license to someone with a misdemeanor sexual battery conviction, if Howard divulged the crime in his application and requested a waiver from the director at the time, it is possible one was granted.


Blinkoncrime.com spoke to Lisa McGee, Regulatory Program Manager for DCJS, private security advisory committee:


“…there is a code in the statute that allows the potential for both an individual convicted of a felony and the outlined misdemeanors exceptions contained therein to obtain a director’s waiver. Two felonies we would never even consider are rape and murder, but dependent upon the criminal offense, the circumstances and the length of time that has transpired with a clean record, the verbiage in the statute would allow an applicant to at least request a waiver for our consideration…”  Lisa McGee

Ms. McGee was not able to address Mr. Howard’s file specifically, citing privacy laws, but she was able to verify that Mr. Howard’s registration with the agency is current.


There are however, some discrepancies in the press release written to announce the “restructuring” of both companies, announced October 19th.

HH pressr

For starters, there was only a name change to Mr. Howard’s business, which actually took place prior to the October 19 release date, in May, 2009.


These are not two separate businesses. In fact, the bailbondsman license issued to Mr. Howard’s agent, Anthony Halstead, leads back to Accelerated Bail Bonds, which is not a listed entity in the state of Virginia or listed as a fictitious name for H&H Security Services.


I would be willing to wager that the police departments that allow off duty security employment with this firm would appreciate some clarification on both the personnel and licensing issues.

There has been no arrest in the homicide of Morgan Harrington. In a statement released by Corrine Geller, PR manager for the Virginia State Police, VSP has received approximately 100 significant leads from the release of the sketch of the alleged perpetrator of the 2005 Fairfax County sex assault.


Dan and Gil Harrington will be meeting with new University of Virginia President, Teresa Sullivan, next month to address safety and security issues on campus.

“..People think it cannot happen to them, IT CAN– Dan Harrington.”

Editors Note: I am not a resident of Virginia. However, I think the interest of the safety of our children is a National one. Any person that is placed in a position of public trust, most especially those that come into contact with our vulnerable students, should be REQUIRED to disclose past convictions that would negate them that position without some sort of subjective “pass”.  How can we know-TRULY KNOW the level of presumed safety if we really aren’t aware of the backgrounds of those in charge of it?


Blinkoncrime.com editors Jason Mateos, Elizabeth Morton and Madeline Tanner contributed to this report

Images by Klaasend

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2,469 Comments

  1. Eloise says:

    Thanks Mom3.0. I just like to know I am going in the right direction. I easily get distracted and can get off track.

    Does it influence anyone’s thinking of the Sutherland fire, if you thought people with intimate knowledge of water levels throughout Albemarle, were becoming excessive and in risk of ‘overflowing’?

    Lol Lol
    In Rivanna?

    You go girl. You missed your calling.
    B

  2. tracylee says:

    @Susan Ooops, I forgot. Based on the picture and description, I highly doubt the necklace comes apart to make earrings.

    Also, just saw your comment about UVA. As someone who graduated from their rival (W&M) it pains me a little to say this (LOL), but I wouldn’t count UVA out because of this. I have been around and through many college campuses I’d consider unsafe before I’d even think of any of the big VA public colleges. Esp. one like UVA where most of the undergrads live on campus.

    Unfortunately, things like this really could happen anywhere. Plus, it is possible the police know more than they’re saying. I sure hope so anyway.

  3. Tarheel says:

    23.dew says:
    August 13, 2010 at 9:36 pm

    Thank you dew. That is the link I was looking for.

  4. Eloise says:

    Well, the lightbulb has gone on for me. The brighter it gets, the more pizzed I get. I may not know the exact who or how many, but the overall contribution level is huge, even if just resources and knowledge.

    When this finally comes to fruition, the community is going to be shocked.JMO

    You got that sista. Morgan’s death is not so much a secret to some, and it is revolting.
    B

  5. Mom3.0 says:

    Eloise I know what you mean- I too can go off on a tangent- This case is so hard- so many names/associations ect that come up could be connected to other people- or have no connections at all.

    I was startled today while shopping for back to school- I looked up at the checkout and the lady in front of me was wearing a backback that could be converted into a purse- with a zipper changing one strap to two= I instantly thought of Morgan.

    I did not know Morgan and I do not know the Harringtons but its times like this that I get a clue to how hard each day, each minute can be for them.

  6. Mom3.0 says:

    Blink- speaking of going off on a tangent- My posts last night are still showing in moderation- I’m not sure if they are caught in spam or not… TIA

    Me thinks we have some new screens since or upgrade that I am not seeing, and my sincere apologies.

    They are posted now, and I am saying this through clenched teeth, because it is the equivalent of inviting someone over and not having a snack or adult beverage for a guest. I am not Southern, but I was raised like one.

    PPPPFFFTT.
    B

  7. Eloise says:

    RE the earings-

    I may have misinterpreted things, but I thought Blink was trying to say granny thought Morgan’s earings were big possibly due the necklace being so chunky. At least from her vantage point. And then I said, if she did have silver hoops, depending on the siza, a granny may have thought they were big. Hard to say, but I didnt want you Susan & Tracy, to go crazy trying to find a set.
    Lee, I am getting ready to send my girl back to school this week. First time in an apartment w/ other gals. Just had the convo about false sense of security just b/c its clean and new. Watch the stairwells outdoors etc. Trying to teach her to makes sauce and balls. ( said that for our NY/NJ friends) lol! to impress the roomies. Takes time.

    Lol Lol. We call it gravy, fwiw.
    B

  8. Eloise says:

    Really, gravy? I guess s&b are only in NY. lol

    Mom3-This case is so hard- so many names/associations ect that come up could be connected to other people- or have no connections at all.:

    Exactly, now we need to determine who was where etc. No small task.

  9. anotherB says:

    As far as I remember, there was some official source confirming that she had consumed alcohol. This means in effect that she could not ask the police for help if she was in trouble, because she would end up being charged with underage drinking. The security people at the door did not seem to be too cooperative either, so maybe not an option. If she needed help, let’s say because someone harassed her, the only people left were those who happened to be on the parking lot, paramedics and maybe firefighters. Where were the paramedics? Someone posted their logs a few days ago (apologies, can’t find it at the moment, too disorganized). They are usually parked right outside the building. I hope they were interviewed as well!

    The more I think about some of the witness statements, the more I am convinced that Morgan either had incredibly bad luck, and that all those involved reacted irresponsibly and totally outside the norm, or that some people are not telling the truth. If the girl who drove past her on the bridge didn’t care enough about her to stop the car and help her, even though she was *obviously* not OK, why did she suddenly care enough to post this on facebook, when it became public that Morgan was missing?

  10. anotherB says:

    @ Eloise August 14, 2010 at 5:07 pm

    That is certainly going to be the case.

  11. alexandra says:

    Blink, did granny get a look at the male peson in the arm lock with who we believe was Morgan? Granny said she actually spoke to him so I would imagine she knows if he is tall or short, black or white. Wouldn’t she?

  12. tracylee says:

    @Eloise True, true. And from what I’ve seen, kids don’t usually wear sets if they do have them–they like to mix it up a bit. So most likely they were just a set a silver hoops.

    This is probably totally irrelevant, but it strikes me as an odd choice to wear a big crystal necklace like this with a t-shirt just to go to a concert. We would always really dress down for things like that–especially a concert like Metallica.

    I suppose they’ve looked into whether she and her friends had other plans that evening? Or who might have given her the necklace–in case she was wearing it because she knew she was going to see that person?

  13. A Texas Grandfather says:

    Susan

    Your guy is 6′-2″ as a high school sophmore. If he is still growing, he may make it to 6′-4″ or more. I have one that continued to grow until he was twenty-three, finally topping out at 6′-41/2″. Not many would want to mess with a guy that big. When he works with me he makes my tongue hang out pretty quickly.

    The problem at UVA is a lack of adequate lighting around the buildings and parking lots, a campus police department that may be understaffed and trained and must report to the administration. An administration that in the past appears to have chosen to ignore the fact that serious crime occurs on their campus. This is common to a lot of campusus around the country. It is sad, but true.

    Maybe the publicity of the Harrinton and Love cases will finally make them realize that their reputation is dependent on them doing the right thing and not sweeping it under a rug in order to save their “good” reputation.

    Blink

    You have discovered that the VSP crime lab is 6 to 8 months behind on processing DNA. Is this a good estimate or is it on the low end? How many certified labs do they operate? How many cases do they normally process in a month? Are they unable to hire qualified people or pay for them?

    This is where LE gets it all wrong. They need to be able to go to the media and ask the people for help. They need to come clean about their operations. I am sure that the people of Virginia would help them with donated money or any other thing that they need if they only knew.

    I didn’t say it on the post regarding the radio interview, so I’ll say it now. Your voice is very good and you organize your thoughts in a clear manner. Remember I am an engineer as well as a professional musician so I listen carefully to voices and musical sounds.

    Thank you kind sir.
    I fear the number I quoted is actually on Tier 1 or priority cases.
    B

  14. alexandra says:

    thanks anotherb, I didn’t know Maggie Voth was a friend of Morgans.

  15. alexandra says:

    Blink, is kickee anybody we would be familiar with? Security?

  16. Word Girl says:

    Blink,
    This has always been a question:
    “I do not believe Morgan’s friends knew initially how she got outside the arena, fwiw.
    B”

    It seems we heard she was told to “not get drunk at that party,” which indicates sarah, at least, knew she was going outside the arena.

    Yea or nay?

    I cant confirm that, no. What I will say is that VSP is of the opinion Morgan did not have her ticket with her when she ended up outside.
    B

  17. Eloise says:

    I cant confirm that, no. What I will say is that VSP is of the opinion Morgan did not have her ticket with her when she ended up outside.
    B

    *****
    Well, hmmm…

    Not sure what you are trying to say here. Having her ticket shouldn’t have mattered. But, why didnt she have her ticket? They havent recovered it, someone had it in their purse/pocket, she dropped her stuff frequently. She wasn’t planning on going anywhere to begin with. That’s a thinker.

  18. Eloise says:

    Morgan’s brother Alex gave her the necklace.

  19. Josie says:

    IBE, I don’t know if this helps or not. There is a beautiful little rural town called Meadowview very close to the Holston. It’s located in SW VA between the Indian named town of Chilhowie and Abingdon, where Emory and Henry University is located.

  20. MsL says:

    If your child wants to attend UVA and you feel leery because of Morgan’s death, or the murder of Yeardley Love, I have a couple of suggestions. Before making such an important decision, compare the criminal history and security of all schools your child has on his/her short list, AND the criminal history of the surrounding communities. There are very few if any college campuses that are completely isolated from the surrounding communities. Colleges are not fenced, gated enclaves. Bad people attend almost any school, and bad people will come on campus with absolutely no connection to the academic community. It’s very possible your child will spend most of his/her free time in the community and not on the grounds of the school. Get a complete understanding of security measures taken on grounds to protect your child. The University of Virginia doesn’t use only “security.” There is a fully functioning full-time police department. It’s my understanding these sworn officers must have the same qualifications and training as officers on the force for the City of Charlottesville and County of Albemarle. Be fully informed about the requirements and qualifications for LE at all schools your child plans to attend. Inquire if private firms are used for building security and get the names of these private firms. Do your own research on these firms. Ask if the University is provided with information about any criminal background for the security firms’ staff. It’s possible this information is not available to the schools because of privacy concerns, but as a parent, certainly make the effort to inquire. When touring schools, ask to see where your first-year student will live. Ask about security at the dorms. If your child is going to live in the community, don’t let your child pick his/her apartment without your input. After all, you’ll probably be paying the rent. Visit the building, be sure the exterior door of the apartment has a good deadbolt lock. I questioned at one time why Morgan would have felt the need for an interior deadbolt on her bedroom. I understand now, especially after Yeardley’s death, the importance of a deadbolt lock on private bedrooms. I would also want the interior doors to e strong and not easily broken through. Someone gave the piece of advice, try to never have your child in a ground floor apartment. Very, very good advice. It’s surprising how many attempted and successful assaults occur because people leave their ground floor windows open.

    Just as important as security measures by your child’s school, be sure he/she understands that his/her personal safety begins with his/her actions. I’m linking what I think is a very good article. Not only does it give a scary picture of increased violence on or near campuses, but at the end, has an excellent list of personal safety measures.

    http://www.livesecure.org/violent-crimes-increase-on-nations-college-campuses/

  21. MsL says:

    I would also like to add, if at all possible, include a night time tour of the ground of the University. See where your child will be walking if he/she has a night class. Know how late transportation is available between the community and the grounds. Be sure there are emergency phones available in very close proximity to each other. Find out if there is a night-time escort service and know who mans that service. I don’t have college aged kids so parents who do probably can offer far more suggestions than I have from my perspective of several years down the road.

  22. Blink says:

    Dr. Harrington asked me to post this to all:

    http://findmorgan.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4329

    Please read.

    Thanks
    B

  23. Eloise says:

    Coming up as error Blink, from comcast.

    Thanks E, fixed it.
    B

  24. dew says:

    re IBE’s OT post:

    “IBE says:
    August 14, 2010 at 6:30 am”
    *******************

    IBE-

    I love a good genealogy question!!

    Meadowcreek or Meadow Creek is now part of Galax, Virginia. See this zip code reference:
    http://www.zip-codes.com/city/VA-GALAX.asp

    I found this genealogy page interesting because the writer indicated where in the census they had found family who lived in Meadow Creek:
    http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~alanwood/dbase/b49.htm

    Hope some of this might help.
    dew

  25. dew says:

    Good morning Blink

    I cannot get the link to work so that I may read the info from Dr. Harrington. May be me but thought you should know.

    thanks
    dew

  26. hondacivic says:

    21.Blink says:
    August 15, 2010 at 11:07 am
    Dr. Harrington asked me to post this to all:

    http://findmorgan.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4329
    Please read.

    Thanks
    B

    I get an error message when opening the link. Can you post the text? Thanks.

    Fixed above, thanks all.
    B

  27. fish says:

    B, should we register?
    or am I not navigating this correctly?

    I am a dorkfus.
    My bad, did not realize you had to log in to see, am working on it.
    B

  28. Sara says:

    Evidently you have to be a member of FM to read the above link. I am not; can someone post text, please. Thanks.

  29. anotherB says:

    What does the text on the FM forum say? I am not a member.

  30. Mom3.0 says:

    Blink you asked:

    A Texas Grandfather says:
    August 14, 2010 at 3:34 am

    Can I ask you or anyone else to link where you believe Morgan had a flask, and that it was confiscated?

    http://www.noisecreep.com/2009/10/21/metallica-comment-on-missing-girl/

    post by anonymous123-

    I am about 95% positive i saw this girl between 8:30 and 8:45. I was waiting with a friend by the entrance to the arena (im not sure if more than one entrance was open, we were right by the parking garage) when this girl tried to go into the show. It appeared that she didn’t have a ticket. When the people working the venue searched her pocket book they pulled a bottle of prescription pills and a flask. The people gave her the pills back but kept the flask. If any of her friends know if she had a flask and pills, i think it would confirm that this was her, and at least the timeline is a little better. I also remember she was wearing black gloves, or wrist wraps of some sort. I reported this to the Charlottesville police and told them this, but they didnt seem very interested.

  31. Mom3.0 says:

    Blink I am unable to read what Dr. Harrington asked you to post- When I click the link it asks for name and password and I do not have one? Can you please tell us what he needed us to see/read?

    Sorry, I had no idea one would need to log in to read that. I am apparently batting a thousand today, I just asked magic Klaasend for help, will be back-
    B

  32. Eloise says:

    If someone can highlight what it is Dr H wanted us to read. I forgot my password and I cant figure out how to reset, I just keep going round and round. TIA

    Lol, Hang on, will be back in a jiff.
    B

  33. alexandra says:

    so, revolting would be Morgan’s murderers and their links to VFD, Security and LE itself, and those that covered for the “good ole boys”. Scumbags. Justice must be on her way.
    I hope I’m wrong about security and LE involvement.

  34. acho says:

    25.hondacivic says:
    August 15, 2010 at 11:53 am
    21.Blink says:
    August 15, 2010 at 11:07 am
    Dr. Harrington asked me to post this to all:

    http://findmorgan.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4329
    Please read.

    Thanks
    B

    I get an error message when opening the link. Can you post the text? Thanks.

    Fixed above, thanks all.
    B
    __________________________________________

    I’m not a FM member so can’t log in to read the thread (it asks for login info), but of course I want to be able to read it if Dr Harrington thinks it’s important. Any way to give us the gist here? Many thanks.

  35. Houston Mom says:

    About schools: We chose the school for our youngest daughter just for these reasons (OUR feelings of security). She wanted to go to LSU. Well touring where her dorm was, at night – next to the athletic football( Posh up-scale townhouses … with State Troopers on all 4 sides!) player’s housing. I got scared!! She went elsewhere – - – and THAT was a mistake. Danger IS everywhere. So, carefully “listen” to where you child wants to go – then “read them the ‘right act’”!!

  36. Houston Mom says:

    PS Blink – I can’t get Dr. Harrington’s message still. It wants me to ‘log in’. I quess I can’t manage to do that?

  37. tracylee says:

    @ Eloise, thanks. She obviously wasn’t planning to see her brother that night so there goes that thought.

    There are two reasons I can think of that a young woman would return to the parking lot by herself during a concert.

    1) She decided she needed something from the car and forgot she didn’t have a key/didn’t know it was locked. But still, it would have to be something pretty darn important to go out there by yourself.

    2) She got a bee in her bonnet (did I really use that old expression?!) to go find someone she’d met earlier–someone she knew didn’t have a ticket and would be hanging out there.

    If this guy was a jerk to her, and then she couldn’t get back in, that would be upsetting enough to just decide to try to find a ride home instead of waiting for friends still inside. Esp. if she’d had something to drink.

    As far as not having her ticket–those things are easy to lose. Esp. if you’re jumping up and down and dancing or whatnot to the music. The other possibility is that one person held onto the tickets, told the ticket taker these tickets were for the 2 or 3 of them or whatever, and then got all the stubs back.

  38. Minnie Penney says:

    Yeah – I tried to register five times so I could read it and it would not let me in.

  39. Minnie Penney says:

    I click and all I get is the registration page.

  40. J.me says:

    IBE….There is/was a Meadow Creek in Albemarle County on the south side of the Riavanna River….genealogy is my hobby. My family came the same way through the Cumberland Gap in the late 1700′s. Some settled in KY and some on into SW Va.
    I will work on the Clyde’s Farm thing.

  41. J.me says:

    …sorry…Rivanna River

  42. J.me says:

    Actually IBE…I think “dew’s” Meadow Creek is what you want. SW Va….New River area etc…

  43. In Memory of Gini says:

    Blink, when I click on the link, it takes me to a sign in page. Is there a topic you can reference so those of us who are not members can read?

    TIA.

  44. susan says:

    @ MsL: I am sure your advice is good advice, but I am not a novice. I have an older child who graduated from W&M, now attending law school in another state.

    A murder case of this nature, which could have been prevented by any number of security measures, all failures, causes me grave concern about THIS system and its safeguards.

    If UVA is going to have the “attractive nuisance” of a Metallica concert, I think they should take responsibility to have thought through the safety of many angles for all of the students. Including: outside lights, return entrance policy, security videos of all areas surrounding, security called to investigate who should be re-admitted,(even if for their own safety), parking lot security in case of non-readmittance and someone has to wait in the (obviously dangerous) parking lot for the concert to be over, and uniformed police to make sure the non-re-admitted are safe, especially if they are a student traveling here from several hours away.

  45. Mom3.0 says:

    Thank you Blink and Klaasend-

    Thank you for sharing the information, Dr. Harrington

    IRT the tour- “Every Missing Person Is Somebody’s Child” such alot to say with 6 words.

  46. MarchmallowWI says:

    Thank you for the photos from klaasen, but those photos show additional information, not the same as the announcement from Dr. Harrington at the link above. (I am a member at FM, so when I clicked on the link it went straight to the post.)

    http://findmorgan.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4329

    “Morgan’s Dad

    Harringtons and CUE Center to visit the Morgan Memorial on Friday, August 20, 2010

    Dan and Gil ask you to join us on Friday, August 20, 2010 at 10:30 A.M. at the Morgan Memorial on Copeley Bridge on the North Grounds of the University of Virginia to remember Morgan Harrington. Monica Caison and the CUE Center for Missing Persons will be joining us on her “On the Road to Remember Tour” and have made the Morgan Memorial one of their stops during the CUE Center’s 10 day tour. It has now been 10 months since Morgan was taken from the North Grounds of the University of Virginia during a Metallica concert. Her body was discovered on January 28, 2010 on Anchorage Farm, six miles south of the John Paul Jones Arena. Morgan’s murderer remain at large in the Central Virginia Charlottesville/Albemarle/University of Virginia area.

    Monica Caison and the CUE Center was in the process of searching for Morgan when her body was discovered. Monica Caison has been a great resource for us and hundreds of other families who have had missing family members. The Cue Center’s “On the Road to Remember Tour” will begin in Carrboro, NC on August 19th, and end on August 28, 2010, close to 3,272 miles and ten days later in group’s hometown, Wilmington, NC. Hundreds of volunteers, families of the missing, law enforcement agencies, volunteer groups and officials will take part in various legs of the tour, which will include twenty one preplanned rally stops in ten states to promote a mixture of one hundred – nine cold cases.

    We hope to see you on Friday.

    Dan and Gil Harrington”

  47. Houston Mom says:

    “Morgan’s Bridge”, I like that. This tour sounds truly inspired and can help – these cases need to be solved. God Bless Morgan . God Bless Morgan . God Bless and keep Morgan.

  48. fish says:

    BOC:
    I wanted to post my most recent trip to Cville.
    I wrote it early this morning. Seems like de ja vue.
    I’m posting now.
    I feel lame. Really lame!
    I feel as if I should be doing more.
    What can I do?
    We are only as strong as our weakest link.
    I don’t want to be the weak link!

    But, here is my post from what my daughter and I experienced this weekend.

    susan:
    “Better he would be in a system which doesn;t have the tarnish of security lapses, upon lapses, and no failsafe for protecting the ones who fall into a position where they need help.”

    >>As my daughter and I sat at The Corner, we listened to another Mom, Dad, daughter and daughter’s friend talk about THE Harrington case. They got it all wrong!
    They walked over the bridge earlier.
    They are attending “THE SAFE UVA”.
    Morgan did not. ???
    I don’t know why they said that.
    As I was eavesdropping. Yikes.

    I was DISGUSTED with what they said…

    “She was at a head-banging rock concert…”
    Like this was something to be ashamed of.
    BTW, Metallica is as old as me now.
    That crowd seemed subdued compared to Metallica’s past days.

    “She ran off for sex…”
    Did they just say that, for the love of God!

    “She was drunk, on drugs, etc…”
    Tarnish and victimize her again.

    “She died from exposure…”
    Oh, no you didn’t just say that!
    Her bones broken, shattered.

    They said far worse! I’m going to spare you all.
    Oh, how judgmental people are.
    Frightening, really.
    We sat as long as we could.
    I wanted to rip their friggin’ lips off!
    I just had to turn around and set them straight.
    For Christ sake, I don’t even know anything about her case.
    I’m just some mom who searched and who sits on a website.
    Some mom; school-clothes shopping for her kid.
    Go figure…Somebody who was actually on that search and they are sitting and spewing their trash talk right behind my back!

    I shouldn’t have said a thing but I did.
    I should have had Lt. Rader sitting with me!
    OR
    At least I should have been able to say “Didn’t you hear the press conference on Friday, setting us all straight?”
    (no conference btw)

    cricket, cricket

    So, I felt the need to stand up for her. For our girl, Morgan.
    Ripped into them like no other.
    (too many childhood summers runnin’ on the real Jersey shore and it’s is called gravy!)

    “How dare you sit there and judge this girl!!!”
    and I said far worse!
    I know that all of you know my capabilities with my can of Jersey Whipass!
    Do I feel sorry that I did this?
    NO, a thousand percent NO!
    They deserved to know differently.
    They deserved to know that they are participating in that
    “SO-CALLED GROUP!”

    And it was then!
    I too, had a light bulb of a moment, Eloise!!!!
    Don’t know why I started talking to my daughter about this but I did.

    “Kid, of mine!”
    There are a group of people out there that are in the
    “SO-CALLED KNOW” of the death of Morgan Harrington.
    And yet they do nothing.

    I believe that it is those people, those cowards that law enforcement needed to grease their palms!
    No, they will not come forward even for the 150,000.
    They don’t know enough.
    Know some but just not enough to collect the reward.
    Could this be?

    Yes, I already believe LE knows this.
    Has their snitch.

    This is why I also believe that Lt. Joe Rader already has a person of interest or suspect or whatever one wants to call it.
    He has people!
    Just cannot connect Sketch!

    There is no way a group shut their traps forever.
    No way and if nothing comes of it all well, I would have to say to the family…

    Go out and talk.
    Talk till your blue in the face.
    No one is coming to help her.
    Too many behind the scene deals.
    Too many already failed her.
    The University of Virginia’s John Paul Jones Arena. Failed!
    (sorry, Lady Observer! and to my kid who thinks that UVA is just about the most beautiful place she has ever seen)

    No susan, you are not far off in feeling this way for your son. I have a kid that loves, loves, loves this campus for many reasons. Her father also loves this campus and
    YET! It is I, with the problem? The problem I say too much.

    What about who should have said something?
    The esteemed Univerity of Virginia and even RMC Events.
    Mr. Schmitt never said anything either.
    “Declined to comment!”
    Yea, there were a couple of sound bites from Casteen, yea, the sound bite from Wood but never one that stood up and took ownership.
    Maybe behind the scenes but what about their community?
    No, not ownership of her death but how about just some sense of doing the right thing? Like stopping at the scene of an accident.
    Just do the right thing, for all of us.
    I know far too late? Never too late for an apology.

    BUT…
    and this is the big BUT, susan! (I know sounds funny)

    This is what they do. (please tell me it isn’t so)
    Cover up and print off new reports.
    Try to erase what was in the margins.
    Try to say it was SHE who was drunk.
    Unable to help herself or help themselves.
    After all SHE was on the BRIDGE!
    After all SHE was standing in the wrong place.
    After all SHE was “acting erratically, emotional, upset, declining help.” Yadda, yadda, yadda.

    Oh, motherlovin’ YEA, this is what will happen and is happening again.

    Why one needs, I dare say, to SUsan…SUE!

    Make them accountable.
    Make their reports known.
    Also make families begin to feel a different kind of hurt.
    Those families “in the know”.
    Trust me, one can make this happen.
    Wrongful death.
    Yes I know, no punishment but makes it hurt, none the less.

    Sorry if people disagree with me. I’m OK with that.

    Blink, I know you would never tell me to shut up. I was just joshin’ you because sometimes, like Mom3.0, I feel I jack your site.
    I never measn too!
    But, Blink, if there are all these people in the
    “Vicious Circle of Friends”,
    then really, why hasn’t one of them come forward.
    Or is it that they have and LE has a good deal of info.
    Who doesn’t want it all known????

    Prosecutor Lunsford?
    Has she been told to stall, cover, push under the rug?
    (Can I ask that?)

    And, you had said to me, LE knows how she got out of that arena.
    Can’t go back and find my post.
    I’m temporarily havin issues with that.
    So her ticket was with one of the others.
    She was going to a party? No.
    She tried to get back inside of JPJA!

    Why can’t somebody have the balls and come out and correct all of this? The ticket, the boots, the shirt, the crime.

    WHY the frick not!!!
    Information is already out here. Bad information. Incorrect information. Yet, LE is OK with THAT?
    Don’t care. Don’t want to jeopardize their case.
    What case? Sketch got away once and now twice!
    Sketch just sat there until you uncovered him.

    People talk. Even at a lunch table and get it all wrong!
    Not even close to what happened to Morgan Harrington.
    Should I just really shut up and let the misinformation, gossip, rumors, innuendos just run rampant?
    Why do I feel this need to open my trap when no one else is opening theirs?
    Are WE the only ones that keep the real timeline alive, the research alive?
    How can we do this on this site.

    How can we? No waaait!!

    How can Law Enforcment, Lt. Rader, Prosecutor Lunsford, crap, the Governor, EXPECT her father and mother to do it all on their sites?

    “The undying love of a parent, that’s how!” fish

    Still, I need someone to explain this to me?
    I know families do not stop searching.
    Trying to uncover what happened to their little girls.
    But really, why nothing.
    Come on. This……is ridiculous.

    I have been a big supporter of LE.
    I am saddened that nothing can be or will be said.

    O/T and on a side note.

    GC10010937-00 HOWELL, ERIC MICHAEL 08/17/2010 10:30 AM
    Pending Case
    Court: Albemarle County General District
    Charge: DESTROY PROPERTY
    Complainant: BRUCE MARSHALL

    TexasG, link here: http://epwsgdp1.courts.state.va.us/gdcourts/caseSearch.do

    I bring us back here because Tuesday is a big day.
    Will he show?

    Back to my heartburn-inducing lunch.
    BTW, I paid for their lunch because I “so-called” ruined theirs!
    Oh well, I told them to get over it and then wrote down…

    http://www.blinkoncrime.com

    Told them to come for a visit!
    That they just met “fish”!
    Told them her parents have websites too!
    That they should read the words of Morgan’s mother!

    My kid again, stunned to silence.
    What have I done?!
    The “search” look on her face again.
    Lt. Rader? Care to help me co-parent on this one again?
    Seems I heard it takes a village and well?

    We are all here in your village. De ja flippin’ Vue!
    Solve this case and give us all a little, itty, bitty peace of mind so we can send our kids out in the big, bad world!
    Thank you.

    BOC Contributors!
    This is the second or third time that I have opened my mouth and fought for the memory of a girl I never met.
    I know what it is like to be a victim.
    To have that loss in my family.

    Please do not remain silent if given the choice to speak up!

    ~~~~~
    And, Blink we can run off on a tangent on just about anything, anyone can throw our way. Uncover the uncoverable.

    What do you think about the silence, friend?

    The silence about the “So-called Group”?
    The silence about Reject and his friend Sketch?

    I wish that I could say I was surprised by the net of your eavesdropping prowess.

    Lots of folks come up with cerebral reasonings as to why their child could never fall prey to these sick effs.

    How absurd.

    lol at the cricket, cricket.
    B

  49. fish says:

    susan: not your first rodeo. got it.
    Then can you please tell me how to navigate the teenage years?

    MsL: Read that site you linked us too. Great information that I will take with me when the kid and I head off to college together.

    BOC and friends: Seems we all have a date on a bridge.

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