Morgan Harrington Murder: A Security Check On Security- Why Did It Fail?
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. .
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.
At 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 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.
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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Correction to above- not live terms, should be life terms. Also the end of the next sentence should read “it was not because there was any kind of a public cover up.”
The likelihood that the perp(s) know AF is quite apparent, but I think it is possible that there may be connected to Blandemar Farm as well. Perhaps their familiarity with AF is through a legitimate connection with Blandemar Farm, a lawful connection that does not exist with AF.
Sdandy, re MJH, you’re so right. I was thinking of her hospital work before the founding of the MJH.
Minnie Penney,
Wow! Thanks for letting me know the info about Cedar Creek! Sorry about your thumb injury. It reminds me of the time I had 1st and 2nd grade boys in Bible School and we built little tool holders for their dads for Father’s Day. We painted a piece of wood and then nailed strips of leather to it to hold the tools. The little boys loved hammering! This dumb blonde held the nails.
I’d like to clarify what I meant by my original comment once more. As I said there, my comment wasn’t about Thomas Jefferson; it was about generalizations about my community.
“I respect you as well, but I have to tell you that what I referenced about Mr. Jefferson and Sally Hemings is a substantiated fact, not a dig. My point in saying it was to open the minds that I seemed to be observing thinking that a black suspect will only have black friends or travel in racially specific circles.”
The above paragraph is Blink’s quote. This is what I was talking about. The fact that Blink thinks it is necessary to tell her readers that a black person might have friends of another color in this day and age in Charlottesville. That is a speaking to the generalization about Charlottesville and Albemarle that says we are still in the 19th century somewhere, and that was why I brought up the remark.
However, what I also questioned about bringing up Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings in that respect had nothing to do with denying what relationship they might have had. It was the relationship they didn’t have. Blink used that example to show that Sketch may have had friends of another color, as she said above. But, Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, if friends, certainly had a strange relationship. He owned her. He owned someone who was probably half sister to his wife. So, as far as I was concerned that relationship doesn’t really show friendship. It does show that there are many people here who have culturally and racially diverse roots, however, and I do think that Blink’s comment makes that point well.
I am not blind to what went on in my hometown in the past, nor am I blind to what is going on now. If anyone had read my post on Norma Parson on FM they would know that I took UVA to task for not telling all. That doesn’t exactly sound like denial of the murder that happened here. I have been to Red Hill and talked to many, many people and distributed many flyers. My sister lives there. In my mind, there is a connection to Red Hill and I have my particular ideas on who it is also. But, since the sketch came out and the circumstances surrounding that sketch have come to light, we have to open our eyes to the fact that this may be some individual who may have acted alone and may be very smart. He might not have any relationship to Charlottesville. We have to explore all possibilities.
The exact quote about the mafia was: “This is sounding like organized crime to me. A little mafia in Charlottesville, who think they run the place.”
I don’t think Susan meant “mafia” in the way it is generally known. I don’t think she meant anything offensive by it. But there are those who are going to see this remark and take it somewhere else and repeat it as “Charlottesville is run by a mafia.” Believe me. I have been reading about this case since the beginning. You would be surprised how people take one little unsubstantiated remark, reprint it as though they know it is true and then it flies like wild fire. I felt someone who might read that should also read that while there may be groups of “miscreants” (I like that word too) who would like to have a lot of influence in Charlottesville, they don’t run Charlottesville or even come close to that. I’d like both sides to be seen.
Blink, I think the posters here have done great things for this case. While these generalizations and quotes bothered me, they didn’t really offend me greatly. I felt, however, that just seeing those quotes and generalizations, without someone else saying, “I live here, and that is not completely accurate,” there is a certain slant and some people will believe it because no one says otherwise. I simply wanted to present the other side to it. I hope people will keep an open mind about Charlottesville and Albemarle. It is not perfect. There are people who have said horribly cruel things about Morgan Harrington and her family. Then there are people who are working as hard as they can to help the Harrington family. It is diverse.
Thank you for letting me have my say, Blink. I hope people will take it in the spirit in which it was intended. As I said in my other post, I have utmost respect for Blink and what she is doing for missing persons cases. It takes a special person to keep that up day after day. Peace to all and may we find this monster SOON.
Well said duannah.
B
@MsL: “The mafia poster then used the term “gang”.
Actually, MsL, I said “I do not believe the term “gang” is appropriate here because gangs are usually open about their affiliations.”
I do not understand your agenda here, in misquoting me.
Why is it that you think I am against Charlottesville? I AM NOT. I think Charlottesville is one of the best places in OUR Commonwealth.
I love Charlottesville. I am not against Charlottesville. Maybe my children will want to go to UVA, I do not know, but I do know I want it to be a safe place.
Do not continue to misquote me.
I do not understand the reasons for that.
I only want Morgans Killer(s) to be found, and prosecuted.
Susan
This is just my opinion, but sometimes when crimes are not solved it can lead to people wondering if there is a coverup going on….Maybe it is the bad taste of the infamous Watergate case. I was addicted to the hearings and would rush home from work every day. I think the it bit into the American perception of who and what we are – we began to doubt what we were told. The Ozzie and Harriet days were over. But even before then….a Friday in Dallas, November 1963. The World never seemed safe again and we began to doubt what we were told. As a nation we were never quite the same. But, younger generations come and maybe the word coverup will not conjure the same feelings. Maybe.
47.susan says:
August 22, 2010 at 9:53 am
SUSAN: wrt your above comment re miscreant, I am with you on all points, and have been since early on. Not sure if I am simply holding onto my own first theory, but this person has not left my suspicion for one day. I am wondering, do you suspect he is perp #1? (murderer,) or perp#2 (helper?)
I, too, keep wondering why he is not yet incarcerated on some other charge.
localcvillegirl, I think some long time posters have disappeared or stopped posting because there is little else to say with what is known. I do feel compelled to post when I feel some comments are just out and out not correct orseem to be placing blame based only on a theory or what ifs. Morgan died at the hands of a very evil person or persons. IMO, that gives no one the right to point even a veiled finger without justification. I posted at the very beginning, I know what rumors can do to a person’s life. I was very young, but I saw it first hand when a family member was accused and found guilty in the eyes of his neighbors, friends and even some family members. It made absolutely no difference to these people that there was never any evidence to link him to the crime. Because they thought he was or could be guilty, he was guilty in their minds. A man who had never been in trouble or harmed anyone in his life was judged in the public arena of a small town without the benefit of a trial. Why was he suspected? He knew the victim of the crime well, was reclusive and kept to himself, as some said, a little strange. To his dying day, there were people who viewed him with an accusatory eye. I want Morgan’s killer to be found. I live in this town, if he’s here, someone I know could be his next victim. I don’t want anyone to be his next victim. I also don’t want some innocent person’s memory or life tainted by baseless rumors. If anyone has a basis for finger pointing that could lead to a killer, have at it. Otherwise, please consider words carefully before putting them out there for everyone to read. A person’s reputation, once questioned, is not easy to restore.
Blink may also given us a little hint…LE may have a prime suspect in the cross hairs but not enough evidence to convict yet.
Hi guys,
I just wanted to comment that I too live in Va, but I grew up in NY, two very different lands. I recently realized I have been in Va longer than NY and that was sad. But, I wanted to say I have never felt any animosity toward any Albemarlian ( made up word). I think our anxiety is toward the uncaptured perps. Logic tells us to focus on the area where the crime ocurred. Other than Fairfax, we have not had any other tips to lead us elsewhere. I would hope you locals dont allow these arm pit hairs to cause you any dismay with the otherwise beautiful community you live in. If you do,they win again. Just think about it, if everyone was on the same page, they would eventually become powerless. This miscreats are connected by blood, friendship and or favor.
Love the convo about the tracking on AF. Clearly if it is not Mr. Bass, he has frequent visitors. He may have been oblivious. You know going to bed at 9pm, getting up at 5am, not what schedule our perps follow IMO.
Does anyone think there could be a possibility that one of the unofficial security pesons decided to apprehend Morgan for what appeared to be intoxication, and that is how she was nabbed? I am not sure I think that, though something someone said made me ponder that. Or, our kickee may have made a report to the on site security of an aggresive young lady,…he did say he reported, though not to the real police.
Just thoughts. Hope everyone is having nice Sunday, it is pouring at my house.
I remember early on the reference to Cheesy Jump Suit and never new to whom it was in reference. Is it RSO-21 or is it EMT Facebook creator(or
Someone else)?
Knew I meant
@messimamm: I think miscreant #1 is the first contact with Morgan. Because he is about the same age. I also think he is the one with the primary idea for the location, and for watching Mr. Bass. Because he was likely the closest on a daily basis. I am almost thinking that the fire tells us more about who it was than anything else at this point, because miscreant #1 would have presumably been in the best position to judge how close in days the tractor was getting to the back fence corner. The fire seems like it was timed just right.
I think a vehicle has been mentioned in Morgan’s mother’s blog, such as if it were a vehicle accident she would be looking to forgive…..(if it had been an accident, not a homicide.)
Also, Jenny Bass had a poem about being surrounded by suspects in a world where water tastes like gasoline but love is in the air….
Makes me think of a vehicle situation.
Also, the idea that Texas Grandad mentioned about the tire tracks, makes me think of off road vehicles, those big trucks.
So I am beginning to think a vehicle was involved in some capacity.
I think all of the miscreants were under the influence of something, on a weekend night, with nothing else to do.
To me that is the atrocity of this crime, senseless.
messimamm says:
August 22, 2010 at 2:39 pm
47.susan says:
August 22, 2010 at 9:53 am
SUSAN: wrt your above comment re miscreant, I am with you on all points, and have been since early on. Not sure if I am simply holding onto my own first theory, but this person has not left my suspicion for one day. I am wondering, do you suspect he is perp #1? (murderer,) or perp#2 (helper?)
I, too, keep wondering why he is not yet incarcerated on some other charge.
**************************************************************
I honestly don’t think he is smart enough to be the helper. I think he is a cold blodded psychopath who needed help from someone else. Who is that someone else?
Cheesy was/is the plummer on Monnacan Trl/Rt 29.
Susan said:
Also, Jenny Bass had a poem about being surrounded by suspects in a world where water tastes like gasoline but love is in the air….
******
Do you think she may have meant the water is tainted by………..and luv is….. wrt a certain couple that is ever so loving, dovey right there in the neighborhood?
I have to say I am not as sure about cheesy as I was. He has been hauled in numerous times, and they certainly could have held him on something already. Think Casey Anthony. Though, I think the circle he travels is suspect.
Thinking cheesy, we would have to assume he is accquainted with sketch in some manner correct? That could be, I know some people he knows are for sure. It is difficult b/c he is under the radar in the world of internet. He just seems to be the obvious perp, so much so it causes me to question it. Convince me.
I wonder if the only DNA found was Shetches? Was there any other unID’d DNA found? Do they have RSO’s DNA on file? If there was more than one perp involved with this brutal murder, wouldn’t there be any other DNA from the forensic gathering at the site?
O Morgan, who did this to you? Come on Rader, bring on justice. I don’t want Oct. 17th to come around without an arrest. It’s time.
MsL
Your posts show your love of your community. My post regarding denial behavior is a general statement that was directed at Susans remarks based on my personal experience in living for a short time in many communities across the country while building industrial construction projects.
You are quite correct in that some people are able to do very evil things while living a double life that fools their families and the community. Just look at BTK for example. He was employed as an animal control officer which gave him access to neighborhoods for a long period of time. He also studied criminal justice at college so he knew how to hide his crimes. He was a deacon in his church and a scout master.
Sketch could be just such a person. We cannot know this until he is aprehended.
Susan
The trees prevented good observation of just how far the tracks extended. There was no evidence, that I could determine, of tracks extending into the area of the creek.
If the tracks extended to the North edge of the tree line, then the perp(s) had to traverse on foot the fairly clear area in crossing the creek. This is about 150 yards down the slope, across the creek and up the slope thru the fence to the point where the remains were found.
This could have possibly be accomplished on a night with a full moon without the aid of a flashlight. However, I think it was done either early in the morning just after first light or at dusk just before darkness.
The slope of the land at the creek is in the range of 3:1 and 4:1. This is considered to be a safe slope by the US Corps of Engineers and is used in the construction of boat ramps into waters they control.
I don’t believe that so called “mudders” have operated in this area. They do incredable dammage to the land so most land owners run them off very quickly. They would be most likley “mudding” on land that someone in the group owned or had permission to use.
Early on we had some information in an article by Blink regarding cameras that operated when a motion dector was activated. Could some of these cameras, set up to photograph deer movement, caught photos of the perps? Would LE hold this information and not let the public know? Absolutly! Why let the perps have a piece of information like that.
Does anyone know why the Copley bridge location was chosen for Morgan’s memorial?
deetee said 8/21/10 942p
inpart~* 2 perps, plus sketch – i tend to agree, it is at least one plus sketch in my mind. two or more, plus sketch would not surprise me. at least two plus sketch seem to be involved in abetting. one of whom ( one of the MW’s) has not posted a single post to facebook in the month since blink published this piece, when before he would post at least every 2-3 days.
*****
One of MW’s what- relative,friends? Just trying to be with you on this, can you clarify? TIA
This is to Susan….
Regarding your comment about the pitbull owning kids who had the house fire… It is sad enough that a pet of any breed lost it’s life in a fire as well as someone losing a beloved companion. Your remark about them living dangerously has no merit as you do not know them. Or do you? As Blink says, back it up. Can you? I live with five rescued pitbulls (who didn’t have a great start in life) as well as other animals. I would fight for any one of them to defend them against people who mean harm either physically or verbally. It incenses me when uniformed people make such ridiculous damning statements. SAD. This pertains to pitbulls as well as Morgan’s case. Why make such an unsubstantiated dig at someone you don’t personally know? By the way I do not live dangerously, do not smoke, do drugs, or have tattoos (but always wanted one). Not all who own pitbulls are Michael Vicks. Making statements as such is what starts rumors. So, because they had a pitbull, they must surely be miscreants, therefore they surely had a hand in Morgan’s death. And on and on and on and on. Would you feel differently about their possible role in this case if they had a yorkie or miniature pinscher? Research the book before judging by the cover please, both on pitties and conditions regarding Morgan’s death. That way innocent folks will not be condemned needlessly.
Minnie Penney do you remember where you were and what you were doing on Nov. 3, 1963? I was standing in our draftng room working with one of our design draftsmen on a piping design. He was listening to the radio broadcast from Dallas of the parade. We heard all the shots.
Many of us have friends of different races. Do we socialize on a regular basis. Some do and some don’t.
One of my black friends is Dr. Rod Paige, the secretary of education during the first term of George Bush. He was head of the Department of Education at Texas Southern University and President of the Houston Independent School Board. The school district was searching for a new superintendent and some on the board wanted him to take the job. He didn’t have all the Texas Certifications to qualify for the job. They were having a difficult time finding someone with the right set of experience. It was me that encouraged him to throw his “hat in the ring” because I knew that he could do the job well.
He did such a good job that Bush chose him for the Secretary. He was NOT the author of “No Child left behind”, but because of politics he had to take credit for it.
All you local people in Charlottesville had better get ready for the media coverage of the Huguley arraingment in October. They will likley spend some time on the Harrington case and may even venture into the area of the UVA victums of rape site on the internet. Some of these people will go out of their way to paint an ugly picture with their stories.
Ok, I think I am ready now. A self-imposed moment of silence. I was at a loss. I will try to get my sentiment across, my emotions out, and to connect with you all who could not be there.
As a wise wordy woman once said:
“FISH HAPPENS”.
Yes, it did and well, here it is.
Again, in all my fragmented tragic-glory.
Da Ja Vue
First and foremost, I want to thank Eloise for asking if I was there…on Copeley.
I was.
I did not know what to say about it. I have AGONIZED about saying anything at all. Should I? It is personal.
It was hollowed ground and a sacred chance meeting.
It touched me to the very core of my being, my heart and my soul.
One does not need to experience the reality of a loss, to realize the depth of that pain.
Sit with me, I will share.
Share, so you understand, not to make you sad or hand me pity.
I will not and would not ever want that.
I thought that when I pulled up, there would be throngs of people.
There were not.
I thought I would be able to sneak in at supersonic speed, stay to the back and when the right moment came upon me, I could place those little rocks for MsL’s little ones, TexasGrand and his wife, and the necklace my own kid wanted to leave for Morgan as a birthday present.
I could not.
See, there was a rather tall, tired and pained-look of a man coming my way.
I shrunk to the side of that bridge so fast!!! My back against that railing she most probably stood at and you know what?
All I could eeeeeeekkk out was meek “hello”.
Hello? Oh God, how lame was that?!!!
Not…I’m so sorry for your loss or let me try to help again or really anything profound.
Just my air gasping from my chest.
I had lost my gift of gab. My words. My committment.
He smiled and walked right past.
My sister and best friend, I just knew were rolling over, you know where. I was a coward! I just stood and did nothing. Tears streamed down my face, hidden only by sunglasses. Then, as if, an angel touched my shoulder; a woman asked if I was OK.
I told her I was. I lied.
She then pulled out a photo of her 15 year old daughter.
Beautiful girl, beautiful smile.
Beautiful Mother.
I shared my 15 year old.
Beautiful girl, beautiful smile.
Grief-stricken, dazed Mother.
I just didn’t realize that I would not be lost in a crowd. Kinda like “Where’s Waldo”. I didn’t want to be picked out. Then cripe, the cameras were right there. I tried to look official. Like I knew what the hell I was doing. I was shaking in heels that I only wore for Blink On Crime.
“Her mother’s heels she can chuck to the ceiling, at a moment’s notice”. I remember this too.
Anyway, this kind woman, told me she was mentored by none other than Mrs. Harrington, herself. She then introduced me to a kind gentleman standing on that bridge. Although I’m a stoic one, we hugged.
Jeeze, why did I go alone?
But, I was gonna be ok.
ConcernedMom is right, those butterflies were everywhere.
They were kind, kind Charlottesville citizens.
This, no one needs to doubt. People just do not know how to handle what comes in the months and yes, even years after traumatic death.
I chose to hold it close. Live it and breathe it. Some of us, must.
It was then standing and wondering what it was I was suppose to do next? A petite, blonde wearing blue jeans was inches away.
I introduced myself. No, not as fish but my real name.
She deserved to know.
She works so diligently. So tirelessly.
I promised her something and I intend to keep that promise.
See, when I give you my word, I mean it. Always have.
Monica Caison, is indeed a Gift from God!
(I guess there are a few out here like that. Blink!)
But, if there ever was a moment I was going to place my gifts, it was now. I thanked Monica for her drive, her committment, HER sleepless nights.
I turned and walked back up that bridge. I was as good as gold.
And cripe, there he was again!
The green shirt, the imposing height, the father.
I thought about my own husband, who stood by me NOT ONCE but twice. He could have left, he chose not too. He held me, dried my eyes, held our children, raced me from The Met, and yes, even ID’d my best friend.
I thought, do I want to be a coward and not tell Morgan’s parents that I was there?
Do I want them to think that when I said I would meet them on that bridge, that I didn’t keep my word?
No, it was time.
Time because again, I thought about that woman who lets me sit night after night, with and without humor, with never-ending dedication, pouring out my heart and soul, coming up with the ridculous, letting me make an ass of myself and also for giving me a word of encouragement or two.
For letting us search and guiding us along the way.
The reason I sit in her office, with her name on her door.
It was then, in a BLINK of an eye, I introduced myself to;
Dr. Dan Harrington, Father of Murdered Daughter,
Morgan Dana Harrington.
How could I not? I needed to. Not for me…I’m good.
Don’t need any recogonition. I would rather not have an ounce.
Please I beg, leave me in cyber-obscurity!!!
I needed for him to know that I’ve got his daughter’s back!
I’m staying put on that bridge, in those lots, and
YES, ESPECIALLY, IN THAT FIELD!
He has my word.
I did indeed, tell him who I was.
He even so graciously introduced me to his wife.
The mother that gave birth to that girl.
The mother that I try to be everyday.
I would say a small, frail woman but there is nothing small and frail about her.
It was then my own daughter flashed in front of me. No, I did not bring her this time. She was locked up at home, with alarms out the yingyang, cans of mase and even a few cans of RAID placed around the house like Napalm. (my desceased Mother’s trick. I’m not quite sure it would work, though)
What was I thinking? I guess, maybe I’m not.
I have clipped her wings.
Maybe it was because we came so close to Morgan’s disappearance, her age and my own daughter coming of age.
Maybe it is the “Sheer Pain”, I wrote about months ago.
The sheer pain of why certain cases touch us.
Maybe it was the unbelieveable reality and relief, that finally, I could look them in their eyes and say…
“Hello, I’m fish”.
I looked for your daughter. I too, have suffered grief and the pain that continues to this day, years later.
But, I’m here for her, for you, and for that son of yours.
We all are! I wanted them to know, it will be ok.
My words did not come out making any sense though. I couldn’t even understand myself. I sounded like the teacher on a Charlie Brown cartoon. I hope they do not think I’m a nut?
Although, I did say that.
Her mother hugged me and said I…would be saying that to the wrong guy.
OH!!! Christ!!! That’s right! He’s a psychiatrist. My head was banging, my eyes tearing, my cheeks burning.
But, she made it ok! She made it good for me. Selfless and with a little, bitty bit of humor even when days are so serious and nights are so lonely. (You deeply miss them)
But, did we think she was anything other than that? No, I did not nor do I put her upon a pedestal. We are only human and it just so happens to be that she and I are pissed.
Pissed that HE is out and about.
I was just overcome with the heat, the heels, the emotions, the close proximity we were to each other on that bridge.
There was NO room! No room for error.
I needed to make my time mean something.
It was then I gave Mrs. Harrington the necklace my daughter bought. Why leave it there in secret. I didn’t even have a proper sympathy card. Only my husband’s business card. God, I am stupid. I just needed them to know that I’m not a step away from Bellevue and I can prove it. (He would tell them. lol)
It is a little rock of turquoise. My kid said it heals a person. She also said that Skyler’s rock was so pretty that she wanted something just as pretty to leave in Morgan’s memory.
I’m so, so happy her mother has it.
I’m glad that I went to Copeley. Happy to support in whatever way, I can. WE all should, you know. It’s the right thing to do.
She was not disposable. She mattered. We all do.
We all would need the same even if it all does fade away and the family is left alone and the “Casserole Brigade” is gone and the flowers faded.
I walked away from them and my few brief minutes of interaction, praying that they were not watching. I slipped those little stones for you; MsL and TexasG on top of that bridge. I could barely get down to the corner banks.
I felt like lead weights were around my ankles.
I wanted to disappear. How strange that thought was.
I made it back inside my car and cried. Cried for a girl who lost her life to such hatred, rage, extreme violence, and cried because HE thinks HE has gotten away with it.
If ever someone needed me to beg, I would!
Lt. Joseph Rader, YOU are only one man.
Do you need help, guidance, support?
Has anybody ever asked you lately? Well, I’m asking now!
Do you need anything to help solve this girl’s case?
Should I write to Governor McDonnell?
Will it help? Yes, I understand there are hundreds of missing/deceased cases out here. I know but I’m working on this one right now. I’ll try on others.
The Cassandras, the Jennifers, the Brittanees, the Haylees, the Caylees,
the little red-eyed tree frog expert, Kyron Horman.
And, to those who do not want that memorial on that bridge anymore. I even get that. My life experience taught it to me. I wrote about it. I even think Dolce did. (Don’t hold me on that). I even understand that life goes on. As it should. Nobody disagrees with that but she was taken from her life in such a violent way.
HE needs to pay for this.
Charlottesville needs for HIM to pay.
It will help heal a town.
Plain and simple.
My morning on Copeley Road Bridge, on the campus of The University of Virginia, in The City of Charlottesville, driving right through The County of Albemarle, gazing over to where she laid for 101 days, and over those Blue Ridge Mountains safe and sound, mattered in every fiber of my soul.
I truly have been blessed by a life that I never met.
I only hope that one day, I can repay those I own so much too.
Dr. and Mrs. Dan and Gil Harrington, Alex Harrington.
And most of all, to some woman with a name I can’t quite get but then again, who am I to talk! Blink on Crime.
my love, admiration, respect, and support.
some chick named fish.
p.s. duannah, MsL, localcville. I, for one, love your town and many of the people in it. I only hold a grudge against one. Ok, maybe two.
And to CyberGod-mother to that kid of mine. Strong and steady Observer, it seems that we were two ships that passed in the night. Maybe next time, maybe next time.
TexasG: Scent was on Copeley. I’ll check but I think I am a 3:1.
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and, I can think of no one better to hold my words close in spirit, near her heart, with intgrity and yes, love.
thanks that all I’ve got…for awhile.
Heart u fish.
B
Eloise says:
August 22, 2010 at 9:58 pm
deetee said 8/21/10 942p
inpart~* 2 perps, plus sketch – i tend to agree, it is at least one plus sketch in my mind. two or more, plus sketch would not surprise me. at least two plus sketch seem to be involved in abetting. one of whom ( one of the MW’s) has not posted a single post to facebook in the month since blink published this piece, when before he would post at least every 2-3 days.
*****
One of MW’s what- relative,friends? Just trying to be with you on this, can you clarify? TIA
________________________________
there is a woodson (not a waybright), fb friends with ngvff, the one that took the long ride after the fire in fact. later they joked about an electrical fire on fb. that MW has not updated his fb since blink posted this piece.
Last I checked he had not logged into his MS since October 17, 2009.
B
curious to hear more about the land dispute shootings in louisa, va this morning. involving a pit bull…
Yep, very.
B
Elf, wonderful post about pit bulls. I have to admit, I do have a fear of the animals and would not personally own one. I feel the same about Rottweilers. Some of that feeling comes from just the sheer power of the animals, but much is hearsay from bad publicity. I feel that animals, especially dogs, are much like people. People of the same nationality, race or even gender are not all exactly alike, and neither are dogs of the same breed. Some people are just bad no matter how nurturing their parents and family. The same applies to dogs. The most evil tempered dog I ever knew was a chihuahua, owned by just a wonderful, kid older woman.
Minnie Penney I found it! Sorry I missed you in school.
Parklawn Elementary on Braddock Dr. Alexandria VA (Fairfax Co) 4th grade gifted and school science chairman, Had an electronic microscope that projected up onto a screen!! “top drawer”/fun 1967-1969. No one used it but me. Couldn’t get the other teachers interested. Looked school up on internet. Bad picture but knew that the principal’s office used to be on the right. Made about $200 a month as a fully credentialed teacher. Husband Capt. in AF. Loved VA! Lived in Alexandria on Old Dominion Blvd. which was an old creek bed, south of E. Glebe Road.. think it was E, anyway towards airport Glebe Rd.E of Shirley Hwy. Back yard was all up steep hill. Beautiful in Spring… daffodils, crocus, tulips, Azalea bushes (have one now too) and loved the fall these best! Living room was on second floor with a flagstone patio out back into the hill. Lots of trees.
Love you all!! Miss VA! Justice to Morgan. Wish I could help somehow.
Oh fish… I am crying… your words, your actions
deetee, here is today’s Progress article about the Louisa shooting. If Ross is here, he may be able to give you better insight, but I don’t think this has anything at all to do with Morgan’s case. The land and property dispute seems to have something to do with a clump of trailers and some personal property at the end of a dirt road in the county. It’s mainly just an example of what county police officers everywhere have to deal with on a regular basis. This is why they will always have my respect.
http://www2.dailyprogress.com/news/2010/aug/22/3-dead-louisa-shooting-ar-466853/
proofread, proofread, MsL!- the older woman was kind, not a kid.
To all-just so it’s not misunderstood, I don’t have a blind eye for this town or the University. I know there’s bad here as well as good. Unfortunately, bad news always attracts so much more attention than good news.
TX Grandfather, I had thought about BTK as an example of someone living a double life. Remembered that he was a deacon but just couldn’t quite pull together the other details in my mind. As for being ready for the bad publicity around the Huguely trail, I don’t think there’s a great deal of worry in the general public about bad publicity. The major concern from local comments is that for some reason there will be a technicality resulting in less than justice for Yearley Love and her family. I think you will find the same is true when the person responsible for Morgan’s death is arrested and brought to trial.
Susan, sorry didn’t mean to misquote, when I posted, I had read your comment earlier and did not go back to re-read. I don’t have any problem with the term gang even meant to substitute the the word for your original use of mafia. Actually I wasn’t all that incensed about the term mafia. Someone else was much more concerned than I was about your use of that term. If you had read farther, perhaps you did, I went on to say there could be gang activity involved. I’m probably insulting our locals who think they are gang members, but in my opinion, there are mostly gang wannabes in Charlottesville. They don’t quite know how to be the real thing. Could well be just as dangerous as a real gang, just not as organized.
Here’s another article about the Louisa shooting.
http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/101269899.html
Again, should have proofread, this sentence should have read—-I don’t have any problem with the term gang even had you meant to substitute the word for your original use of mafia—
Fish, All’s I can say is, thank you, thank you, thank you.
I also want to make a comment about how rumors can get started with just a few words.
Johnny Gilmore-According to news reports, he died in a fire while intoxicated in his own bedroom. His bedroom door was locked from the inside. Not only was he heavily intoxicated, but he had suffered from smoke inhalation with a high carbon monoxide level in his blood. We do not live in Mayberry, we don’t have one sheriff without a gun and a Barney Fife type deputy. Heck, our police chief is even from up north. Local authorities have said the man died from an accidental fire. Have any of you ever read how long a cigarette butt can smolder in a couch or chair before coming to a full blaze. The answer is hours. Yet, at least 2 posters have seen something sinister in this man’s tragic death. He left a 75 year old father who will perhaps hear these hurtful, totally unsubstantiated hints at an involvement.
Sheriff Willie Morris-This was not a rumor started here, but shortly after his death someone locally posted that he/she had heard the sheriff’s body had been exhumed for DNA testing in connection with the death of Morgan. This man killed himself with a gun. I just do not believe his body would have had to be exhumed to recover DNA evidence, either from the barn where he died or his own residence where he had lived for many years, yet someone posted this rumor on the internet. Willie Morris left behind children and a mother who has to at least be in her 80′s to read this hurtful, totally untrue hint at an involvement.
Way, way back, someone even questioned a trailer fire and whether it could have been connected to Morgan’s death. The fire occurred weeks after Morgan’s body was located. A poor family was completely burned out of its home. A child was almost trapped inside. Yet, because so many have doubts about the Sutherland fire, it seems that for a time every fire that happened in Charlottesville was suspicious. Even a fire that happened just 3 weeks ago at Wild Wings (not Buffalo Wild Wings.)
The above are just a few examples of what I believe are poor judgment by people who give no thought to the pain their words can cause. Just my opinion and I would not censor anyone else, only ask again, please do CONSIDER what you are posting before saying something about individuals who can be easily identified regardless of whether or not you use their names. All caps for emphasis, not yelling.
@Elf:http://www.dogsbite.org/bite-fatalities-2009.htm
Wow, Texas Grandfather…. you heard the shots, sure would like to talk with you. I was in Mrs. Story’s history class, 10th grade Woodson High. The girl in front of me was a cheerleader – Connie – we had a football game and she was in her uniform. We were all upset but Connie was really upset. She was from Dallas. All the games in the area were cancelled. There was total silence in the halls – we had over 2000 kids in this school and there was silence. The PA system came on and school was closing. We were “inside the Beltway” and I think some feared that we might be vulnerable to attack – the Pentagon was just a short drive away… so yeah – I think we were seeing mushroom clouds in our minds. Papa was at the Pentagon…mama was in Richmond taking her real estate exam and Granny was home watching The Guiding Light and then Walter Cronkite came on – just as you see in JFK. Walter was trying hard not to cry. Many believed the Soviets were going to nuke us. Some time later, we learned the Russians were terrified that we were going to nuke them. Thankfully all the nukes stayed underground. I wanted Papa to build us a bomb shelter but he said no. No use – too close – we would be vaporized like Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Thank the Lord nobody hit the red button. Funny, I am so forgetful now… I have to write notes and tape them to the microwave – have dry erase calendars everywhere… but I will always remember that day. We lived near Arlington Cemetary. It was a cold windy day – we could hear the drums.
Corinne Geller on TV now. Big family shoot-out in Louisa County – three dead family and one wounded pitbull who tried to attack LE canine. A family disute since 2000 over property rights…
Opps – dispute
20.fish says:
August 23, 2010 at 1:56 am
———————————————————————-
Wow! Talk about a post with impact!
20.fish says:
August 23, 2010 at 1:56 am
———————————————————————-
Wow – what a powerful post!!
deetee says:
August 23, 2010 at 7:38 am
curious to hear more about the land dispute shootings in louisa, va this morning. involving a pit bull…
Yep, very.
B
_______________________
Here you go. Sounds like a family feud over a $50,000 parcel of land but no relevance to Morgan as it has been ongoing for almost a decade. Poor deputies had to go out there 23 times since 2001 to deal with them.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_virginia_shootings;_ylt=AmgAb1e9LL4kP_080fZ7HcqGWo14;_ylu=X3oDMTNhZDk0cDFyBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwODIzL3VzX3ZpcmdpbmlhX3Nob290aW5ncwRjY29kZQNtb3N0cG9wdWxhcgRjcG9zAzMEcG9zAzMEc2VjA3luX3RvcF9zdG9yaWVzBHNsawMzZGVhZDR3b3VuZGU-
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2010/aug/23/14/loui231-ar-467023/
Article about the shootings in Louisa, it seems it was a dispute over land. Father killed his Son and Nephew.
thanks for the louisa updates everyone. a lot of details that interested me in the first few reports: land dispute, louisa, pit bull…
agree that it does not appear related now that more of the details are emerging. i guess i would just note some folks take their land disputes very seriously in central va.
Dear Fish,
Thank you for being so brave. Thank you for bringing the love of everyone on BOC, who couldn’t be on that bridge, to Gil and Dan, and Alex too.
Your message made my tears flow, but I know that it’s because I realized that the right messenger had arrived at the Copely Rd. Bridge.
Thanks also to your daughter for her special tribute of healing torquoise given to Gil.
ps – and I bet anything that you _did not_ sound like that trombone voiced teacher of Charlie Brown! I bet that your voice matches your kind heart: just beautiful.
Dang…..VA is turning into “Tombstone”…..Appomattox shooting last year killed eight family members….Now another shooting…. We need Wyatt Earp and his brothers and Doc Holliday back on the job. Oh yeah, definitely need Sam Elliott..uh..I mean Virgil Earp.
Beautiful sentiment, Diana. Yep, she is an angel FISH!
localcvillegirl thanks for remembering my ties to Louisa County. This incident happened about 10 miles by roads (5 miles as the crow flies) west from my place there. I am not familar with any of the individuals involved. I agree with you 100% though on the Louisa County Sheriff’s Department.
Oh Fish, what a post!
You painted a word picture for all of us to visualize the event on Copeley bridge. Thank you for sharing and thank you for placing the stones for us.
Not only did you share the event, but you shared all your feelings and emotions. This let all of us see how beautiful you are. I believe that Beauty comes from within and true beauty affects our actions and appearance.
I am seldom brought to tears by writing, but this did it.
MsL
Your concern about real justice for Yeardley and Morgan in the courts is one of mine as well. Our judicial system has become so skewed towards rights for the perps that the victims are being victimized a second time. We, as a people, must take steps to correct this.
Justice must once again be made blind. No longer should we tolerate a multi-tiered system where those that have wealth are treated differently.
One way is to put together a judicial watch group that lets the courts know that the people are watching what is going on. That no longer will back room agreements(plea bargans)be acceptable. This is going to put pressure on District Attorneys to really do their job.
No longer will soft sentences imposed by a sympathetic judge be acceptable and no longer will the people accept a parole system that is basically non-functional. It is better to have no parole than to let career criminals and other bad people be returned to society.
I, like Thomas Jefferson, believe in the death penalty. If one takes the life of another, then I think society should demand theirs in return. However, the death penalty is only effective if it is administered quickly. Leaving a convicted murderer on death row for years and years while endless appeals go through the courts is wrong.
With that type of system, we might as well not have such a penalty.
A person who beats a woman to death should be removed from the planet by a public hanging,so that all who believe they have the right to do such a thing have an example of what will happen to them if they do the same thing.
Fish, Dear Fish…
My shirt is soaked in tears again. I feel you felt all of us here at BOC with you and I can not think of a better person to be on that Bridge last Friday. I can still shed tears for a beautiful girl I never met. I can not wait to see Virginia some day. I do not have any bad thoughts of a place that people like the Harrington’s call home. Every community has it’s good and bad people. Virginia is now on the top of my list of places to see.
Thanks again Fish for sharing.
Fish
Your description of things placed around the house for protection of your daughter. Most women and young teens have access to hair spray. A can of hair spray can be turned into a powerful blow torch in an instant with an ignition source. This can be a kitchen match or a lighter.
You can try this out, but make certain that you get your hand out of the way so you don’t get burned. Maybe you should try this outside the first time. Light the ignition source then press the valve and let the spray begin. Feed the ignition source from the bottom.
The propellant provides most of the fuel for the flame. The hair spray material will melt and stick to a piece of clothing, skin, or any other surface it contacts. The temperature will be about 500 degrees F. No bad guy with any sense will try to attack thru this.