Two Years Cold-Morgan Harrington Murder: Two Women, Two Locations, Too Long
Girl In The Hayfield
Morgan Dana Harrington was the ingenue of artist and adjunct professor at Virginia Tech, Jane Lillian Vance.
She was scheduled to travel with her to Nepal in the Spring of 2010 while continuing to pursue her Education degree in her third year as a Hokie.
Morgan would not make that trip, and Vance would complete her latest work in her former students honor, last week.
With her Mother Gil’s help, albeit posthumously, Morgan is indeed educating children; the underprivileged children of Zambia. In April, 2010, Gil Harrington carried some of her beloved daughter’s ashes during the Orphan Medical Network International (OMNI) pilgrimage to Zambia. After raising donations for the Morgan Harrington Educational Wing, Morgan’s ashes were mixed with the concrete foundation of the school bearing her name.
At 5’6” , with breck-girl locks and eyes like briolette faceted tourmaline’s, Morgan was a stunning beauty.
Behind her neon smile was the burgeoning sophistication of a girl beyond her years and peers.
This gilded lily stood out.
On the grounds of the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia while attending a Metallica concert with her friends, unfortunately, she also caught the eye of a dangerous predator. The cost of admission to the events that followed, would be her life.
Devoid of her ticket to return inside the presumed safety of the venue and old friends, Morgan scored the unwilling and unalterable ticket to the cross-hairs of a Medium Build, 6’ African American sexual sadist who has likely spent the last four years honing his skills.
“Sketch” was interrupted by a passerby during a vicious beating and sexual assault in Fairfax on September 24, 2005. His DNA is linked to both victims.
Lights, Cameras, 400 Blue Phones
According to JPJ and UVA security guidelines, all hired security must be law enforcement.
In addition to the regularly scheduled patrol assignments of UVA PD, events such as the Metallica concert required additional security posts which were hired via a security request when the date was booked. Although additional UVA officers were working the night of October 17, there has never been a statement regarding any observations from that evening on their behalf by Melissa Fielding, Investigative Lieutenant.
However, in a private meeting that included UVA PD staff, shortly after Morgan’s disappearance, an attendee speaking to www.blinkoncrime.com on the condition of anonymity, told me he heard Fielding tell someone openly that Harrington’s car never left Harrisonburg, or JMU, and that it was a different friends car that was driven to the arena and hers had been accounted for.
In response to another UVA PD staffer loudly offering that he heard that Morgan was behaving “obnoxiously” during the trip to JPJ, which resulted in a tiff between the friends and the reason she ultimately left the concert, Fielding snapped “That was still no reason to leave her.”
When pressed as to why she thought they still believed Morgan’s car was not a factor when Lt Rader of the Virginia State Police (VSP) and Dr. Harrington, Morgan’s Father, both confirmed her car was the vehicle the foursome traveled in, she repeated that information was incorrect with no further explanation. While VSP was leading the investigation at this point, it certainly still begs the question as to why the original agency tasked with her disappearance, and still assisting, would have such important misinformation circulating in an active investigation and ongoing search.
According to the Office of the Executive Vice President of UVA, UVAPD security personnel are also responsible for surveillance on grounds. The central monitoring area, which is linked to the security cameras in several lots and public areas, is located in the central parking garage. There is no information available on the storage medium of recorded footage from the cameras, and requests for information were deferred to VSP.
The University of Virginia uses technology to improve security on Grounds. University Police install video cameras in several parking lots and public areas. Additional cameras may be installed in the future. Security cameras will be connected to a central control room operated by the Police Department in the new Central Grounds Parking Garage. The purpose for using the cameras is to reduce incidents of crime while limiting the need to expand the Police Department.
VSP is not discussing the specificity of what they have or do not have regarding footage supplied by JPJ/UVA.
With the exception of course that out of everything that has “been supplied to them”, there are no images of Morgan whatsoever.
Stationed inside the arena, is UVA PD security, non-police event security run by RMC Events, security staff employed directly by Metallica, UVA facilities management personnel, and contracted vendors to both JPJ and UVA. Firemarshall, zoning, and University guidelines also require EMT attendance.
Invisible As The Web In a Spiders Belly- Marge Piercy
Morgan asked her friend and roommate Amy Melvin to accompany her to the restroom at approximately 8:20PM.
Because of an earlier spat and lingering tension, Amy declined and Morgan left her seat alone.
Earlier, Morgan attempted to diffuse the matter upon entrance to John Paul Jones Arena in a conciliatory gesture, by purchasing a Metallica T-shirt for Amy. Amy reciprocated.
When Morgan climbed between the seats to make her way to the restroom, it was the last time Amy Melvin, Sarah Snead and Dan Cassagne would see their friend alive.
Morgan’s friends treating her like a vexatious afterthought did not aid the situation in the least.
A fellow Metallica fan sitting in the general area of Morgan and her friends, whose name is being intentionally withheld as a potential witness in this case, both observed and interacted with her until she left her seat; he assumed, for a drink.
He said during the Lamb of God set, Morgan changed her seat in the middle, and characterized her as very friendly, but “erratic” and repeatedly asked he and his companions for a sip of their non-alcoholic beverages.
In his opinion, Morgan exhibited signs of being under some sort of influence, was definitely overheated and parched.
A few minutes later, another witness claimed to be online with Morgan at the concession stand where she purchased a soda.
Shortly after this exchange, Morgan is seen dabbing a wound on her chin in the ladies room. Witnesses in a different area of seating believe they saw a woman matching Morgan’s description fall on the steps to the immediate right of their seats, and was not carrying a drink at the time.
After Amy and Sarah left their seats to look for Morgan when she failed to return, Sarah phoned Morgan on her cell at 8:48PM .
Morgan was clearly upset as she told Sarah she was refused any option of re-entry by security, but did not reveal why she went outside the arena in the first place.
This account conflicts with that provided by lead investigator, Agent Dino Cappuzzo, of the Virginia State Police, who commented during last years walk through on Anchorage Farm that a ticket-taker informed Morgan she would need to repurchase a ticket in order to return to the concert after she indicated that her ticket was “in pieces at the bottom of her purse.”
Morgan had the means to purchase another ticket. What she did not have, was her red digital Kodak camera she was digging for when she first exited the arena, and not a shred of her Metallica ticket has ever been found.
Concession Confessions- The Deadly Kind
Think a concession connection is far-fetched? Tell that to Inna Budnytska.
Michael Lee Jones, former concession employee for Centerplate and then Ovations, used his position as a traveling contract food service employee to prey on his victims. Mr. Jones worked at a ball field in Norfolk, VA for 12 years.
While it is assumed any other reported assaults with a DNA sample he was involved with would come to light, 84% of stranger rapes go unreported statistically speaking, there are likely unreported assaults.
Jones has no known direct connection to Morgan’s case, but the parallel of access to grounds in some of his crimes and therefore victims at the venue he was working, is investigative 101.
Without the tenacity of retired Long Island cop turned- investigator Ken Brennan, and the equal ability to be open to civilian assistance by Miami Detective Allen Foote, Jones would be free right now.
Mike Jones would not have been caught in this case, or the other cases, and would likely have raped and assaulted other victims.
Unlike Inna’s case, without the benefit of video in Morgan Harrington’s disappearance, witness accounts of her time and movement throughout the JPJ arena and subsequent grounds make witness interviews invaluable.
It is abundantly clear that VSP, profiling experts and analysis of the topography of the700 acre Anchorage Farm indicate whoever is responsible for placing Morgan there, was intimately familiar with the property.
In fact, Lt. Joseph Rader, believes her recovery location as chosen by her killer, is the “most important aspect of this investigation… People of North Garden, this will mean something to you.” ”
People in the Anchorage Farm area, you know what goes on there, you know the history,” said Rader. “You know who comes in and out of the vicinity and you might not realize it but you probably have some information for us that you don’t even think is important.”
In an earlier article, published shortly after Harrington’s remains were found, we reported the most recent activity of the land and it’s owners David and Nancy Bass. During the time of Morgan’s disappearance, the farm house, or the home on the Va historical register occupied at the time by the Bass’s daughter Jenny, was undergoing renovations to its hvac.
A carpenter working for Mr. Bass during the Summer of 2009 recalled stopping a black male driving a black jeep on the back of the Bass property and was told he was David Bass’s brother.
While the farm’s renovations, rezoning and subsequent withdrawal from a previous taxation commitment was compelling reading, it did not produce any leads and The Bass family did not recognize the image of sketch when shown in July 2010. Perhaps the historic property needed more history.
Time For Loud- Not Enshroud
If Anchorage Farm holds the key to revealing Morgan’s killer or killers, what other secrets does it hold?
Plenty, and they lead right back to a time in Virginia history that rips the scab off of a fairly fresh wound for many generations, and back to The University of Virginia.
In the 1740’s, Albemarle county, which was formed from Goochland and Louisa counties, was a vast frontier largely owned by Peter Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson’s father, and Col. Charles Lewis, brother of Robert, grandfather of Meriwether Lewis.
Courtesy of Legends Of Lewis
The men opened two plantations near each other, and produced three generations of one or more first cousin marriages between the two families.
Both families amassed great wealth over the years through slaves and land, but as the eighteenth century drew to a close, through a series of farming failures and poor plantation oversight, the Lewis family fell on extremely hard times.
Charles Lewis sold everything he had with the exception of the North Garden property which he gave to sons Randolph, Lilburne and Isham.
The Lewis plantation later named Anchorage Farm by the White family, would remain with Lewis family members through 1846.
In 1808, with looming debt, resentful neighbors and and little cash to parleigh into prospects, Lilburne and Randolph decided to immigrate to Kentucky, the popular new destination for those in crisis, leaving Isham, and a few aunts to toil what is now known as Anchorage Farm.
With remaining slaves in tow, the Lewis family traveled by barge to their new home “ Rocky Hill”.
Three family members would die in the first eighteen months, and the worst was yet to come.
In the Fall of 1808, Isham Lewis traveled to Rocky Hill to pay his respects to his recently deceased older brother Randolf, announcing his plans for an indefinite stay.
Isham was widely known for his less than gentlemanly status and his reunion with brother Lilburne, who by this time had spiraled into a deep depression treated with ardent spirits.
Thomas Jefferson’s nephews Isham and Lilburne forged the unholy alliance that would eliminate the possibility of a Lewis dynasty in Kentucky, forever.
The fuse igniting the transformation of Rocky Hill to Rocky Horror was lit.
A teenage slave named George, who traveled with the Lewis family from Albemarle three years earlier, ran off for a few days in December allegedly due to Lilburne’s treatment of him.
Fueling the alcoholism and depression, Lilburne’s new wife Letitia Griffin Lewis was pregnant with James Griffin Lewis, the couple’s first child together.
On December 15, 1811 George was asked by Lilburne to fetch a pitcher of water believed to belong to his beloved Mother Lucy. He broke it and returned to the plantation, met by the homicidal rage of the Lewis brothers while all the slaves were made to bear witness, lest they had any ideas such behaviors would be tolerated.
Lilburne and Isham drug young George to the main house, gathered all the slaves to watch, and Lilburne buried an axe in George’s neck to the horror of all.
He ordered another slave to dismember him and threatened all that If anyone had any similar notions to his, they would receive a duplicate fate.
Fate, in fact, would make an appearance shortly in the form of an earthquake, which made George’s remains accessible to the family dog, ultimately discovered by a neighbor and reported to police.
Isham and Lilburne were indicted and freed on bond. The brothers formed a suicide pact and headed for the Rocky Hill cemetery where Lilburne ended up shooting himself in the chest while showing Isham how to release the flint lock.
Isham fled only to be captured a few days later and jailed for assisting in his brothers suicide.
Letitia, now a widow, fled Kentucky in fear with her newborn son.
Mysteriously, Isham garnered his freedom anyway, through an assisted jail-break.
He disappeared, was believed to live under an alias, marry and was allegedly killed in the battle of New Orleans in 1815.
His remains were never positively identified.
Brother to Dragons, indeed.
In his eventual biography of Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson eluded to the explorer and Governor of Louisiana’s familial afflictions with mental illness following his suicide. A memoir of an escaped slave, written by Francis Frederick, is believed to depict the treatment of the slaves owned by Thomas Jefferson Randolph, with whom Thomas Jefferson and family resided and attended the adjacent school as a child.
In this period, Virginia was the largest destination for slaves from the Bight of Biafra on the West side of the African coast, and the natives spoke patois.
The extended Lewis family owned plantations on Buck Island, Red Hill Depot, and Monteagle, which is believed to be the former name of the Lewis Plantation.
Committed at a time and place where it was illegal to murder a slave, George’s story is definitely an anomaly due to the horrific murder becoming known publicly.
Thomas Jefferson is believed to have owned about 200 slaves; a combination of in inheritance from his Father Peter, his wife’s very prominent family the Rudolphs, and through sale.
His father Peter and he were also very close to the William Cabell family of Tuckahoe, one of the largest slave owners in Albemarle, and relatives of Samuel Cabell, murdered for “taking up” with a former slave and living openly with her and their children.
Could the current Albemarle descendants from either side of the family tree shed any light on family legends that might lead sketch to dump Morgan Harrington’s remains on the former Lewis plantation? Have they even been asked?
There is no shortage of information today about slave masters and plantation owners producing offspring of mixed race.
In the case of Morgan Harrington’s murder, there is a forensic DNA link to an African American male, also linked to a brutal rape and assault years earlier, who by VSP’s own confirmation, possesses the navigational prowess of an individual who was comfortable traversing an area of the farm unreachable by vehicle as much as 1000 feet away, in the dark. He is local, period.
Is the paradox of Morgan’s recovery in the hollows of a historic slave plantation while her legacy enriches the lives of African children that will gain educational opportunities previously not possible, in her honor, be enough to stimulate the concscious of someone who has the answers?
To be continued: Morgan Harrington Murder Part II: Two Years Cold- Two Women, Two Locations, Too Long.
*Investigative Analysis of Morgan’s last known activity in the lot of JPJ and Copely Bridge
*Independent investigation of adherence to UVA/JPJ background policy for employees and contractors
*Investigative Analysis of new evidence
Contributing Editors: Jason Mateos, Jacqueline Beaufort, Madeline Tanner, Klaasend
Image Credits: Harrington Family, As Credited.
Related Posts
Related Posts:
784 Comments
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
Harrington’s purse, with her identification and cell phone inside, was found the following day in an overflow parking lot near the arena, police said. A friend had driven Harrington’s car to the concert, she said, and was still in possession of the car keys when they got separated.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/02/04/…ex.html?hpt=T2
@ Eloise says:
October 17, 2011 at 3:37 pm
My pleasure sweet friendy…and it’s so good to see you!
@ Saramom,
You’re so welcome. I’m feeling very encouraged that justice will be found. Bitter sweet as it is, we know it can’t bring her back. It won’t ever bring closure, but this mutha is being watched on one level or another!
As I start writing this, it’s 8h46. 2 years ago, Morgan was about to speak to her friend for the very last time.
I haven’t posted here for ages. More than a year, perhaps. Never felt like I had anything remotly interesting to say. I have been coming here pretty much every day, though, to read those who have. There are some very caring and bright posters here. Good job, y’all.
As I finish writing this, it’s 8h57. Who knows exactly what Morgan was doing and with whom, at this hour, 2 years ago? All I know is that there are many, many people who pray everyday that whoever is responsible for this will be taken off the streets. I am certainly one of them. Until then, I just want you all to know that my daily prayers are with the Harringtons and with everyone who is helping them getting through their unimaginable loss. Be strong… Marie
PS: Great new piece, Blink.
Thanks Blink for answering my questions and I do understand about the ones you can’t answer. I was certain that they had taken Morgan’s car, but I guess when I read the part about Ms. Felding saying it never left JMU, it caught me off guard.
Also, the artwork on this piece is breathtaking.
Blink, I’m at my Dad’s tonight, so my IP is different. He requires 24/7 care now, so I spend every minute possible with him.
My thoughts have been with Dan, Gil and Alex on this sad anniversary. May justice come soon for them and may they be blessed with peace and comfort.
Thank you Josie, and prayers for your Dad
B
Saramom
Thanks for the link to the announcement of the lawsuit by Gil Harrington. This was a long time coming. A civil suit with big bucks involved against the events company and the possibility of others being included will IMO shake some information out of some people who have been less than forthcoming.
Redly
Thanks for sharing the e-mail from the university and you thoughts on the ecstasy connection. This e-mail at least brings the potential danger to the attention of all students and provides some places where help could be obtained. I hope the university will continue such a policy of reminder e-mails to the students.
I have always thought that someone sliped Morgan a drug such as ecstasy and combined with the fall and very possible concussion was all it took to make her an easy target. A fall on the chin could very well have put Morgan into a state where she was able to function on one level, such as picking herself up and going to the restroom, but not on a level where she could not make good decisions such as not leaving the arena.
The camera may have been taken from her by someone who left the arena and she was trying to follow them to get it back. I have no idea of the type of camera she owned. A cannon one shot or a similar camera is not worth chasing, but a Nikon with an expensive lens can cost between five hundred and a thousand dollars or more.
I am just amazed at the historical and genilogical information that Blink and team were able to put together. The implication that the death of the slave George could be the reason Morgan was placed on AF after two centuries means someone is certainly holding a grudge against the owners of the farm.
ATG-
Thanks for the kind words, I can’t say specifically that George Lewis ( I cannot bear to call him slave George and as we know for the most part slaves took the surname of their masters) murder was the impetus for Morgan’s placement on AF, but as sure as I breathe out carbon dioxide, I know that at the end of this case, there will be a historic, and genealogical/familial connection to this land.
The investigation of Morgan’s case needs boots on the ground, and they have not worked North Garden OR UVA/JPJ as they need to.
I could cite many examples of this from locals that have trusted me with examples should it become necessary.
He needs to be caught yesterday, or can you image the tension that is about to ensue over a lawsuit?
Nobody is going to want to pay out millions, if they can get someone to take $150K to do the right thing anyway. It is time.
B
I am expriencing a huge sigh of relief!!
Tonight is the two year anniversary of beautiful young Morgan Harringtons’ abduction and murder after exiting a Metallica concert in Virginia and being refused re entry. The fact that a young 20 year old girl was separated from her friends, left alone and vulnerable, and subsequently vanished into thin air outside a huge public venue has always incensed me. Gil Harrington , Morgans’ mother has never given up on her precious daughter, and advocates with her husband Dan Harrington on behalf of all present and future victims of violent abductions and murders.More power to Gil Harrington, for filing this case. thus, forcing the spotlight back onto the organizations and individuals, that contributed to a domino effect of negligent actions that further placed Morgan at risk and ultimately a victim of rape and murder.At last we will hear testimony in court from everyone involved and eye witnesses.
Brilliant piece dearest Blink!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do.
This gives us all hope !! Thank you Gil , you are a brilliant ,smart and spiritual person. A true warrior!! Morgan will be proud of her mum and dad!! 241.
Justice fror Morgan I believe will come in the end.
Hugs to you friendly
B
Saramom,
Thanks for posting about the $3.5 million dollar lawsuit the Gil Harrington has filed against the JPJ Arena’s security company. Seriously hope that was a typo. $35 million seems more appropriate.
With only $3.5 million at stake the arena might want to settle out of court to keep the video recordings and/or the behavior of their people under wraps. Hope Gil calls them on it and insists on seeing all of the evidence. Go Gil!!!!!
lizzy- if you need any help in that area let me know, I have some pull depending upon the “establishment”
B
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/14/darrell-gibson-house-of-b_n_321023.html ,maybe this is what happened to morgan’s camera.the sg didnt want his picture taken.
Thank you Blink for answering my questions, your reply did help me understand- i must admit I never thought of the media…
I have long ago let any animosity (for lack of a better word) towards the friends go– I agree with you and others who believe that they live with their decisions everday and how those decisions may have inadvertently aided in Morgans plight. My prayers are with them, as they make their way in the world, without the companionship of their friend Morgan.
My questions centered around who was behind the continuing assertions as it might have a direct bearing on why things were handled the way they were- by those in authority. Add to that, why so much still didnt make sense IRT interactions ect.
I hope everyone understands where I was coming from- it makes sense that the friends told the story of their night as best as they remembered it ( with a dash of self protection ect thrown in) as I imagine it is hard to recall details, when at the time, nothing really mattered, and then to come to the stark reality that each and every detail may matter a great deal…
The shirts- thank you for answering my question- I am happy to know that we can rule out the shirt as a concern-being that it is accounted for-
Thank you for answering the question regarding any argument containing no crying, yelling ect, and that according to the friends Morgan and they only drank…
I would have to say then, that her behaviors seem rather odd- I wonder if someone did add something to a drink in which she left unattended or perhaps “shared” – would this have been at the concert or at the party before (was there a party before?) or perhaps in the lot/or the line before entering the arena?
D. G and his party described Morgan as bubbly and friendly and eager to get on with her night- was she exhibiting the behaviors of being under the influence then? Was she parched, or overheated or thirsty prior to entering the arena/ The friends (according to the meeting) said she was “obnoxious” on the car ride over- was she already under the influence then? what does obnoxious even mean?
We know she talked to her “poppa” at 2:30- so it seems she was fine then…
I do not know too much about x how long does one “roll” from one hit?
You wrote of Morgans trip to the concession stand and her trip to buy a shirt…Did Morgan buy the drink, and if so, was it non alcoholic? How does drinking effect ones “high” on x?
IDK- but it seems that whatever Morgan had, it effected her for quite some time- or did it? Considering she fell twice in the arena… and her fall may have sent poor Morgan into a concuss state ect.
I am glad that Morgans mom has filed suit- I hope that Gils decision will add her in getting the answers that have been “lost”, and I can only hope that it leads to further resolutions to Morgans case.
AJMO
I agree.
There is no doubt in my mind that RMC is the first shot over the bow, and that every legal remedy the Harrington’s seek is appropriate to discovering what happened to Morgan, and the potential punitive issues associated with that.
I had someone send me some Saber posts, for such an outstanding institution academically, they should invite those graduates to post on occasion, lol. WOW.
B
Thank you to everyone for sharing your thoughts. its great to see some long ago posters.
Hummingbird Well said
TGF- thanks for your thoughts
Blink, you wrote in your response:
“I know that at the end of this case, there will be a historic, and genealogical/familial connection to this land.”
Could the same be said for the Fairfax case? as IIRC it was not too far from the Jermantown cemetery:
http://www.honorfairfaxcemeteries.org/2010/04/28/jermantown-cemetery/
Again, I am not 100 % certain, as I am not a local, but following Google maps it seems close?
And what of the shirt placement- is it near other cemeteries or land that would hold a history that was important to Sketch or an accomplice/ IDK- just a thought….
Regardless, I found your research on history ect to be very informative and quite interesting and as someone said “out side of the box” and that might just be where sketch has been hiding all along.
Still processing….
AJMO
Hello Blink and Blinkers!
Blink in this piece: http://blinkoncrime.com/2009/11/10/morgan-harrington-case-lack-of-leads-frustrates-search-efforts/ you wrote: a friend of Morgan told Mr Dr Harrington that the car of Morgan was not at JpJ Arena.
I red ( and i am searching the link because it is à while ago) that Mr Dr Harrington said that according to à friend of Morgan, Morgans car never left Harrinsonburg. Blink the more i search and the more it becomes really unclear what happened with the car. You seems to say that the Car was at JpJ for me it was always the Information we had. So what is for sure fact? That the car was at Jpj in the parking lot?
Blink if i got it right we have 2 different sources of statements about the car that are controversials but the Car is Not an issue in this investatigation so why is this point so unclear?
Post above: Investigation sorry for the typo:(
Blink i red your piece another time as i see you seem with other words to ask what i asked you in my post above.
“While VSP was leading the investigation at this point, it certainly still begs the question as to why the original agency tasked with her disappearance, and still assisting, would have such important misinformation circulating in an active investigation and ongoing search.”
sorry i red to quickly first time i didn’t see that.
Blink are you in direkt contact to Morgans family as Mr Harrington posted sometimes? They have to know this for sure. This ambiguity could be resolved as quikly?
@ Mom3.0
~HUGS~
You shared your concern that perhaps she was slipped something or perhaps unknowingly drank something ‘tainted’.
I share that concern too…and the boys next to Morgan and her friends who allowed Morgan to sip from their drinks sets of bells for me. I guess we’ll never know but there’s no talk about erractic behaviour when she enters the building or when they go to their seats. When she left her seat, she was now in a ‘state’. Kinda quick, imo.
How fast could a few sips laced with whatever hit someone the size of our shiny girl?
The Hunted
by Jane Lillian Vance
The doe remembers the night–
Visits the curious earrings,
Inedible, gold,
Like the girl’s long hair,
Fallen, as velvet falls.
She accepts–like antlers–the curving ribs.
The doe remembers the drop–registers–
No predators leave their kill. Then?
What beasts deposit death,
To stumble downhill? She remembers
Their stench, and the stupid haste
In those stubble-eyes–the waste.
Switchgrass, rough thistle,
Pliant twigs, the store of this fallow hill,
Not bountiful, but enough,
In a careful search. So the doe
Climbs for food, but halts–
Remembering–to be vigilant
Here. It was this time of year. Rain,
Ticks, dying bees, the final apples,
The murder of this human doe.
_______________________
I wonder after the reflection in the sweet does eyes. What has she seen? What does she know?
Good for Gil, they never seemed interested in the concept of telling the truth. A lawsuit over millions is probably ‘ their language’.
It takes courage I do hope the family has the best ‘ law people’ etc.
You posted about that guy with the suitcase before Blink, upon seeing it again I realized how little I understand of the motivation or even why a predator risks his life to beat and rape someone. And even then remains so CALM! Very scary its like he has no sense of what he is even doing. Was he in his mind just getting rid of the body? Why else would he remove her from the hotel room? You d expect some signs of nervousness
Its OT again but it reminds me of the carelesness in the story about a Chinese 2 year old who got run over twice by a car but nobody cared to stop to see if she needed help.
With those kinda people you need another leverage than moral outrage, money or fear of prison might work or just hard proof. I do like to think ‘ our’ killer is made nervous by us and also knowing that his only rest will be behind bars where he belongs
I know from experience it is quite possible Ms Harrington took ecstasy, she displayed all the signs of being high and it usually takes between 30-60 minutes to “kick in” so it is quite possible she may have taken something before arrival at the concert, even so, this does not detract from the responsibility of the venue in providing adequate security and neither does it excuse the predator that is responsible for her murder. By all means Morgan Harrington was out with her friends trying to enjoy a concert, thats the bottom line.
While it may make somebody act strange in a way, to say the least, there is no way in hell that it would make somebody do something as out of character as hitchike, just doesn`t happen. She was lured, or snatched, no way she got into a strangers personal vehicle voluntarily, simple as.
If Morgan Harrington was ever on the bridge and got into a vehicle i`m certain in my mind that it was a vehicle that may have displayed authority of some sort, security, taxi, etc, or somebody she may have interacted with earler that night, BB players etc.
Blink i`m getting the impression that you have a good idea about a possible suspect in this case, that can only be encouraging and I feel it wont be long now before the break that`s needed comes.
I spent yesterday first looking at spiders. The spider in the picture is a garden spider (Argiope) that spins a circular web. They dine on things like bees. They spin the web and sit quietly until the prey hit the web and then strike. 2 Bees one spider, one got away but another did not. So sad.
I next spent the majority of time reading about Thomas Jefferson, Randolph Jefferson (Thomas’ brother) and Sally Hemming. I had always assumed Thomas was the father of Sally’s children but there has been speculation that Randolph, the younger brother, could have been the father. The DNA testing that was done in the last 20 years to try and determine who may have fathered the children was fascinating. It seems that some who thought they were related to Thomas Jefferson were not yet that line still believes that they are related. Did Morgan with her beautiful blond hair and her pool blue eyes reach down into the black heart of a predator that holds generation of resentment. It’s possible.
On another note, I tried to pull up the North Garden Fire Dept. information on line. It is under construction. Does anyone still have the names of NGFD staff?
Blink have the people sitting beside or close to Morgan, that shared their drinks with her, come forward and been interviewed?
They were interviewed by LE, but like many witnesses, when the connection to sketch was developed, they were not re-interviewed, which I cannot comprehend.
B
A drug like ecstasy will take 30-60 minutes before you start feeling anything. It of course can differ from person to person. If she were on something like that, it is far more likely that she took it intentionally though. Asking to take sips of a stranger’s soda is symptomatic of that drug, not a likely cause (as you wouldn’t do it until after you were under the effects).
There is talk of erratic behavior before she entered the building IMO. There is the argument which may or may not be unusual, but, more clearly, if you read between the lines of the kid who parked next to her group, you can see that he was describing her behavior as a little unusual and different from the others. He was being polite about it.
Redly- that is entirely your interpretation, here is his:
“She pulled up with her party and got out of her party’s car and kind of immediately engaged me and my brother and my cousin and my friend who were at the concert,” Dave Gardner, now living in New Jersey, told Lynchburg television station WDBJ.
“She did seem excited to see Metallica because she asked us who the opening act was, and when we told her, she said ‘Who cares, we’re here to see Metallica, right?’”
Gardner, who did not return the Hook’s calls, told the station he was “100 percent certain” that it was Morgan he’d spoken to and that he saw no signs of pre-concert drinking by Morgan or her friends.
This past weekend I received a voicemail on my home phone. Someone had found my daughter’s cell phone in a garden at a large university (where my daughter is a student – not in VA). Anyway – my younger daughter (12yo) said “Oh NO!” I didn’t think anything of her explanation at the time – as I hurried to call my daughter’s boyfriend to get the message to her. I assumed she’d dropped it out of her pocket (as she’d done before – twice!). But later my younger daughter said, “Mom didn’t you worry? – didn’t you worry that this was like Morgan Harrington who was taken from John Paul Jones arena and they only found her cell phone?” I didn’t even know my daughter knew of this – she was only 9/10 when it happened and I didn’t tell her about it – I guess they are talking about it as school. We’re local to C’ville. Anyway – to me it was an example of ‘ripples continuing moving’ in outward pressing bands . . . protecting and making girls think and be aware of what could happen.
it’s 10:00 A.M.? but my message in moderations says it’s 8:39 A.M.? is the clock needing a reset?
dolce
Thank you Blink. Do you have any idea if all the people that shared their drinks with Morgan stayed for the entire concert?
Is it possible for LE to receive a list of people that purchased tickets via the internet or by credit card? If so, and if they have, would it be normal procedure to contact those people, or at least the people that sat closest to Morgan’s section? Couldn’t they also be sent notices regarding Morgan’s lost camera?
This may have already been explored, but does anyone know if there are any weather station/instruments that are regularly serviced close by? Blandemar Farm Pond? By who?
http://www.findlocalweather.com/pinpoint/us/va/blandemar+farm+pond/current482453.html
A l o n g time ago, when the real estate maps were coming up, I found a reference to a old home … where the clearing in the woods are. In reading historical ‘stuff’, there was reference to The Red Teel House (?). Plots showed other White and Johnson land as well … and old, old road beds. My interest at that time was the fire Departments using old properties to practice for fires. Just as an aside — there WAS a third house just above the Historical Bass home on Anchorage Farm, razzed. I never found answers to either of these.
But, the Red Teel House (?); if – if that’s the the clearing with the double gates on the right of Red Hill Road … could, indeed, have historical ties. Just from individual experiences, someone might know of the ‘orginial’ lay of the land, and how to travel it.
PS: This is some of the most beautiful property in the world – and is historical in how America was founded and developed.
PS _ PS: Could our ‘Sketch” have white features now …., but people in the area know of his geneology?
Blink,
Yes, it is just my interpretation as indicated by the IMO and “read between the lines”. I wasn’t there.
Here is a little bit more flavor to what he said.
___________________________________________________________
One U.Va graduate who was the concert tells News 7 he remembers seeing Morgan before the concert in the parking lot.
“It was definitely her, I’m 100 percent certain of that,” says Dave Gardner.
Gardner is a 2005 U.Va grad who now works in New Jersey and came back to Charlottesville to see Metallica.
“She pulled up with her party and got out of her parties car and kind of immediately engaged me and my brother and my cousin and my friend who were at the concert,” says Gardner.
“She did seem excited to see Metallica because she asked us who the opening act was and when we told her, she said ‘Who cares, we’re here to see Metallica, right?’,” said Gardner when News7 talked to him by phone.
Gardner says Harrington was anxious to get into the arena.
“It was clear to us she wanted to get in there and no one else was in a big hurry and it was frustrating for her,” says Gardner.
“They weren’t really tailgating. There was no evidence of drinking.”
Gardner says Harrington only spoke to his group for a few minutes before heading toward the arena, but he says he remembers seeing the car after the concert without Morgan. . . .
http://articles.wdbj7.com/2009-10-22/morgan-harrington_28549179
________________________________________________
As noted, my reading of this has always been just that he thought she was a little off. It is clear (I think) that she was behaving a little differently from everyone else. Others may read it differently.
Just as an FYI, I am not planning on discussing the lawsuit unless specifically asked. I get tired of feeling like I am playing the bad guy on this site sometimes and that is not what I want my role to be.
dolce, Blink on Crime has its own time zone. My advice is just to accept it, as I have months ago, lol.
I wonder if the familial DNA has coughed up some interesting character/s with ties to Anchorage Farm? Sounds like it to me.
Not surprised, and if they find the Slave Cemetery where some were buried, they will have more clues. Could be near the spot Morgan was placed. There must be some kind of primitive markers. An angel will point the way. Only a matter of time until everything ties to-gether.
I am so pleased about the lawsuit. About time.
I have a difficult time thinking of Morgan as Hunted. To me, Morgan
would have fought these hideous creatures with every inch of her strength. I am convinced she is still fighting them, and the next win will be hers! These cowards need to be looking over their shoulders now. The time is near.
“As for the investigation, it appears to have hit a roadblock. DNA recovered from the black t-shirt Harrington was wearing the night of the concert has been linked to a years-earlier unsolved Fairfax rape, but authorities have been unable to find the suspect.”
http://www.readthehook.com/101502/it-war-harringtons-renew-quest-murders-two-year-anniversary
———————————
Interesting, I was always under the impression that the DNA was recovered directly from the body, did it really take 8 months to identify the DNA on the shirt and make the link? If so, it would appear to be valuable time lost. 8 months is an awfully long time to jog memories if needed when perhaps the link “could have” been made sooner.
Cat, I held this all day because I consider that case sensitive information, and all of us covering Morgan’s case knew about that a year ago, and did not publish it for obvious reasons. I have been able to determine today that information is only 50% correct, so although it would not have met our standard here to release, it is now out of the bag, so to speak. Good catch on your part.
B
@John
I absolutely believe Morgan fought her attacker.
Hello Blink:
I’ve never posted before, but began following you when Morgan was abducted. Below is a link of the Harringtons at the press conference. What a strong family they are! I’m not surprised that the state police didn’t re-interview witnesses after the composite sketch came out. It’s all about a “balanced budget” in VA!
http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/132054463.html
mom3.0, when you mentioned ffv also found near a cemetary ,i thought wait i just read that too,but not ff,was it ff,or another one,ahh so,it was patricia guard ado,just found in a pond near a cemetary,sweet home,ark.
Lawsuit:
I am very interested to learn if Morgan ever really ‘ left ‘ or basically turned around and realized her mistake of going thru the wrong door. When there is either 4 seconds or 5 minutes between leaving and re entering makes a big difference in a definition of ‘leaving’ .
I am also sure some kind of supervisor came down to see what the commotion was all about it was not busy at the doors at that specific time?
Also if there was any camera it would have been pointed at those doors
As I tried to do subtlely, prior to the announcement of the suit, was present the fact that what WE and Morgan’s parents were told about her attempts to return to the arena are inacurate at best, AND this came directly from the lead investigator of her case.
What the hell does that say about everything else they and the public were told?
B
Ragdoll, I, too, hope the momentum keeps going and going and going…
Interesting to note that Mrs. Harrington filed this lawsuit 1 week ago, according to the earlier link. Yet, she did not care to comment on the suit yesterday, as it was the two year anniversary of her dear daughter’s murder. Yesterday was to be about Morgan, she said. Such strength and dignity, I have never seen. I wish the Harringtons continued strength and perseverance in their battle for justice. This mom is not to be reckoned with. She is not going away, and she will not be quiet. I hope the lawsuit puts pressure on the right people, so that she may have a modicum of peace as she continues to fight for and save the next girl.
Hi there. I think I may have posted A LONG time ago back when Morgan was still missing. I visit this site no less than two times a day, and I enjoy reading the brilliant minds at work. Please forgive as I’ve had a lot going on in my personal life, and my memory fails me in regards to my prior user name or “hat” as well as the e-mail I used on this site. I have no hidden agenda. I’ll write this log in info down, so it won’t be an issue in the future if I’ve allowed to post.
My reason for posting is simple. I feel like this case is already solved just not prosecuted. Am I the only one who feels like a certain security firm president mentioned in your prior piece IS Sketch? The resemblance is uncanny. That picture of him sitting in that security/police-looking car sends chills up my spine. His prior arrest record isn’t doing him any favors in eliminating him for my suspect pool. I hear VSP has cleared him of any involvement (heard through the grapevine not any source that has merit or one I can provide a link to)—my question is WHY? Did they at least do a DNA swab to compare to the DNA left behind by the Fairfax rapist as well as the forensic link in dear Morgan’s case?
I do not agree that anyone has been cleared officially following a DNA test, or following a request for one.
B
“It was clear to us she wanted to get in there and no one else was in a big hurry and it was frustrating for her,” says Gardner.
“They weren’t really tailgating. There was no evidence of drinking.”
**********************************************************************
I get what this young man is trying to say . . . but from someone who wasn’t *that* long ago in college myself . . . that’s the whole point, the “no evidence of drinking.” It’s cheaper and used to be, more fun to drink BEFORE going in to a show, even before getting in the car (assuming you weren’t driving).
The other thing that sticks out to me is her behavior. It might not be ecstasy, but something else. I had a friend who was slipped something in a drink at a bar (it can happen in a split second, even to the most diligent of us). Her personality and demeanor completely changed. She was sort of fawning all over the guy, when we all realized what was going on (there were 4 total there that night in our group), we hustled her out of the bar post haste. She sat down on the train tracks and growled at us when we tried to move her. She threatened to eat us. We took her to the hospital where we were told “you’re all just drunk, take her home.” Well, we knew she had only had one, so we stood our ground and they finally took a look at her (we may have over-reacted a little, but we were scared). I just remember how fast it all happened. To this day we don’t know what was slipped into her drink, but whatever it was, it happened VERY fast. It took effect (and she was taller than Morgan) within minutes and it completely changed her personality. I can see, if something was taken/given to her, how it could change someone’s decision making skills. My friend would have probably gone home with that guy if we hadn’t been vigilant on taking her home.
so regarding Morgan’s attempt to re-enter, who lied?
assuming blink’s account from sarah is correct, Morgan said she was denied ANY option to re-enter. per cappuzzo, she was told she would need to purchase another ticket to re-enter.
seems like the fact was that she could not re-enter, or in all likelihood, we would not be here discussing these details. and RMC would not be looking at a lawsuit.
assuming cappuzzo is accurately relaying the information he was told, it sounds like there is at least one security/ticket-taking type staff that Morgan Morgan encountered that has provided LE with inaccurate information, in essence that she could re-enter.
a blow-up or “commotion” like kickee heard would be consistent with a final negative determination on whether or not Morgan could re-enter. it would also be consistent with her storming off and leaving the JPJ arena area. but it is not consistent with her being told she can re-enter if she purchases another ticket.
an important question then becomes, was her ticket in pieces as reported by one of the event staff? if no, this person has some explaining to do. if yes, then how the ticket got to be in pieces becomes an important question. who tore it up and created the scenario that prevented her re-entry?
i guess what i am getting at really is who told Morgan she could not re-enter-end-of-story period? yet it seems someone in an admission capacity told LE Morgan was told she needs to re-purchase a ticket.
Thank you Blink for the prayers for my Dad.
I do believe dear Gil is shaking those trees now.
Gil Harrington needs to be as tenacious as Beth Holloway in persuing the answers to who is responsible for Morgans abduction and death.
I was thinking like George, but didn’t post about the amount of the lawsuit. I do hope that the reported amount is in error. The venue probably has insurance that would pay the 3.5 million just to not be involved. Gil needs answers and a dangerous perp is still at large to prey on the community. The movement of the decimal place as George suggested would IMO make it impossible for an out of court settlement.
The lawsuit would open some doors to additional information that may lead to a suspect.
I am really disappointed in the performace of LE in this case. I think they did not put enough resources into it, including organized searches and follow up interviews. Most of what they seem to have was handed to them by others. If they call that an investigation, I feel sorry for those that depend on them for protection and solutions.
The previous paragraph is rather snarky on purpose. Gil and Dan need to bring in a private investigator to help in gathering information regarding the law suite. If that is done, additional information may be found that will lead to the perp(s).
Looking forward to the podcast tonight and the new article.
I could not help but laugh at Blink’s comment regarding the posters on the Saber site.
Some seem to never be able to express themselves in writing no matter how much they go to school. It takes a lot of reading of good prose and much, much writing to be able to really do it.
I have a person that I have been mentoring for over twenty-five years who teaches computer science at IIT. He says, if he put his students in a room with only a pencil and legal pad to take a test, most would fail. He is indicating that students depend too much on calculators and word processing software rather than learning to do it without them. One of his pet peeves is students using a calculator and accepting the result regardless of the fact that the number may not be reasonable.
Did they ever check the DNA on Curtis Vance ? “Presley”
I know it is a long shot..
wow, Blink, huge revelation about the DNA having been found on the shirt. In my estimation, this gives greater doubt to the idea that the killer is linked to the Fairfax case. After all, had the DNA been found on the body, I would say that is a much more direct link to the same individual being present at both crimes. However, the disconnect of finding his DNA “only” (I assume?) on the shirt means there is a greater possibility Morgan’s killer was NOT one and the same as the Fairfax rapist. iow: Finding DNA on the shirt only means Sketch came in contact with her shirt, not necessarily with Morgan.
Question for clarification: Was matching DNA found on Morgan’s remains? or just on the shirt?
The DNA on the shirt, and the DNA from the Fairfax attack are the same, how does this cast doubt?
B
parents should be careful with this lawsuit; if they proceed, all info becomes public; including morgans behavior, activities prior to concert, friends testimony, friends behavior before concert, possible use of alcohol or other stimulants, source of disagreement between girlfriends, friends activities after concert and morgan’s disappearance.
whole lot of “stuff” that many people may not want discussed in the public record. i would think the group with the least amount of concern is JPJ or the security company.
October 18, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Blink says: “I do not agree that anyone has been cleared officially following a DNA test, or following a request for one.
B”
____________
So there was a request for a DNA test?
and
“As for the investigation, it appears to have hit a roadblock. DNA recovered from the black t-shirt Harrington was wearing the night of the concert has been linked to a years-earlier unsolved Fairfax rape, but authorities have been unable to find the suspect.”
http://www.readthehook.com/101502/it-war-harringtons-renew-quest-murders-two-year-anniversary
Blink says: October 18, 2011 at 11:10 am
Cat, I held this all day because I consider that case sensitive information, and all of us covering Morgan’s case knew about that a year ago, and did not publish it for obvious reasons. I have been able to determine today that information is only 50% correct, so although it would not have met our standard here to release, it is now out of the bag, so to speak. Good catch on your part.
B
________
50% correct? hmmmmmmm. That could mean that they HAVE identified a suspect. Or that DNA was recovered from the t-shirt AND her body.
We are all here supporting you as you spread Morgan’s light, Gil. I hope the lawsuit helps squeeze some info out to find the monster. You have probably already saved a few girls!
2 4 1
Prosecutors said the DNA evidence also linked Vance to another attack, the rape of schoolteacher Kristen Edwards of Marianna, Ark., about 100 miles away.
He Travels … He has a pattern.. Worth looking into, especially when DNA is available.
Your response is appreciated Blink. It is also shared at least by me. TY for all you have and continue to do. I stand beside, next to and in front of, for justice for Morgan