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.
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“The lawsuit also alleges that RMC Events personnel should have known that Morgan Harrington had “suffered an injury to her face” after leaving her seat in the arena to go to the restroom because the injury had been reported to event staff.”
http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/299828
——-
Her injury was reported to ‘event staff’. Now we’re getting somewhere.
2 4 1
Blink is On Dana tonight discussing Morgans case:
http://scaredmonkeysradio.com/2011/10/18/the-dana-pretzer-show-tuesday-october-18-2011-with-robin-sax-pat-brown-and-blink-from-blink-on-crime/
so the “ticket taker” was really security? It was security that saw Morgan leave through the door of the arena.
it has always been my thought that if DNA was recovered from the TShirt, it could have been planted by someone to frame someone else. Suspicious how it showed up on a bush and all. I hope they’re closing in on her killer(s). I’m so proud of the Harringtons.
Chouva, excellent points. Everyone wants this killer caught but quite frankly I fail to see at this time how a $3.5M judgement against someone enforcing a known policy is going to help catch this guy. A number of people could have acted differently and we would not be discussing this here, especially Morgan. She was caught up in the perfect evil storm.
I completely agree with educating young people and encouraging safety and I think the Harrington’s are doing a wonderful job in this endeavor. However the lesson should be self responsibility, not the all too typical blame game.
Al, with all due respect, I do not believe that the Harringtons filing suit has anything at all to do with the “blame game.” Nor do I think that the suit is being filed as a punishment or for a way to obtain money. It has been two long dreadful years for the Harrington family–waiting for justice for their daughter. They have received no answers and partial answers and misinformation regarding why their daughter was not allowed back into the arena when she was injured and in obvious distress. I cannot help but feel that this is their only recourse and a desperate attempt to get the answers that they so deserve. RMC has made no comment throughout the course of this case; if required by law, they will have to provide answers. I would certainly do the same if God forbid, I was in their shoes.
Chouva
I am a little perplexed about you post. Do you honestly think that the Harrington’s are afraid of exposure of some behavior that may not be in the best light regarding Morgan?
As a parent and grandparent, I can believe that it is the last thing they would worry about. Morgan was abducted and murdered. They want some answers and the perp or perps aprehended and removed from society. As long as that perp or perps are out and about others are in danger.
This lawsuite IMO is a good means to push the people at the venue and LE to get busy and tell the whole truth, find the killer(s) and close the case.
Hello Blink,
You wrote on October 17, 2011 @ 2:04 pm in response to Amy regarding the Metallica shirt: “Amy-Morgan was not in posession of her Metallica shirt, or Amy’s when she left the JPJ, both are accounted for, she could not have been wearing it, and was not, when it was recovered” B
~Somewhat confused here…was it a Pantera shirt that was recovered by LE up on 15th Street? Did they ever release whether or not DNA was found on the recovered shirt?
~Also I’m thinking that Morgan’s signs of loss of inhibition and unusual behaviors would consistent with substance use rather than concussion. I’m wondering if one would have a head injury rather than a blow to the chin with a concussion.
~I enjoy hearing you on the Scare Monkey Radio. It’s nice to hear a voice to link with the words!
~Night Night, All!
I am glad others are writing down the concerns with the DNA and Sketch. To understand this we need to agree about 1 thing:
1. Was the shirt planted?
2. Was the identical DNA found on Morgan s body
3. What is the source of DNA (I assume organical like blood) and how much of a decay time does that have. It may be impossible to be found so many months later.
I don t think the shirt was a random find and I dont think Morgan was picked up HH by a random driver (RV lot was a crime scene which was not secured) and I do think there is at least 1 other person involved.
So the conclusion could be that the DNA was MEANT to be found as obvious as the purse/phone/tshirt.
This lawsuit will unravel many things not in the least that the wording by LE of certain people/events was intended to protect people from public scrutiny. For instance the word ticket taker, if this was all just security why negate the importance of their job? Basically doorman/gatekeeper security. Curtsy duo comes to mind too and maybe Kickee?
Also the BBP, what about them did they give the same silent treatment when asked about what happened that night?
about the civil suit – as a party (plaintiff or defendant) you can find out quite a bit of knowledge through the process known as “discovery.” There are civil procedure rules governing the process. It is assumed that the attorney for the insurance company for the defendant will be entirely forthcoming in answering and responding to the Harriigtons’ attys.’ discovery requests – maybe not without a lot of court involvement though (that’s the way insurance companies play it).
Frankly, I am surprised that the Harringtons did not file their suit much earlier and proceed to discovery. I am assuming that their atty. had valid reasons – perhaps he/she was only retained recently.
I do not believe that the Harringtons are looking for the money (of course, the atty. is because that is how he/she is going to get paid on a contingency fee basis). I think they are going down this avenue to “discover” as much information as possible.
I can see one such anticipated request for production of documents and things: Identify and supply all recorded video from whatever source of the event of 10-17-2009 from 8:30 PM to the end of the event, etc., including video of the surrounding premises. Now, actually receiving that may be an eye opener. This will take a long time and the insurance co. lawyer will stall and fight such requests tooth and nail, but, eventually, the insurance co. and its lawyer will have to turn it over if it exists, or explain why it doesn’t exist. Sometimes you get into “spoilation” of evidence (lost, forgotten, or destroyed). Upon proper motion, typically courts take a dim view of this.
Well, good luck to the Harringtons in “discovering” what they can.
Found an article on the Hook website about RMC security and complaints about how they enforce policy. Ofcourse this is not about the non-drinking rule itself but how it could relate to Morgan. At least at the football games it seemed routine to search for use of alcohol. It still could be she was ejected for alcohol use:
http://www.readthehook.com/73572/uva-football-unwelcoming-say-these-beverage-toting-fans
People who go to the bathroom ARE routinely searched at Scott Stadium for fear they will drink in the stalls.
No joke.
Yogi – isn’t it time for you to tell the other brown shirts about all the disrespectful behavior on this board?
Sidd Finch December 1st, 2008 | 5:42pm
Intimidating students on purpose, swaggering through the crowd with HANDS ON GUNS – not on holster by the way, but on the guns themselves.
Again, who hires these security people – they are the ones who should be called on the carpet and forced to explain themselves. Who is this Dan Schmitt? And what is RMC Events? Why do we have a Richmond company overseeing security at a University event in Charlottesville?
Schmitt is certainly one thing – he sounds like a very plausible defendant.
To my knowledge nobody except UVA PD or any LE hired as security is allowed to carry a gun on grounds.
RMC is instructed to call LE security if there is any violation.
B
Blink i was too soon in posting please also just put down the link for protection of your site also. No names etc.
Interesting tho this is one year befor the Metallica concert
about attitude towards patrons:
also ‘ umbrellas and backpacks with multiple pockets’ are in the list of prohibited items. Bascially they can quote policy on numerous things to eject someone.
december 2008:
I can assure you that the RMC crowd of yellow-jacketed folks absolutely have gotten worse in their overreactions to non-threatening behavior by patrons. At one game earlier this year a young coed was smoking a cigarette, a violation of the rules no doubt. It took a team of 4 RMC staff to close in on her from different directions and confront her with a very “forceful” physical attitude.
Like I said before I have my doubt Sketch is the perp especially since now it appears DNA found on the tshirt matches Sketch, but as far as what has been disclosed, not on the body. Was DNA found on or near the body? Is it completely inconceivable that the tshirt was planted as was the DNA? I’m just thinking outside the …
Any other connections with a forensic link are not being released at this time.
What are the chances the DNA of a suspected wanted for the brutal assault in 2005 ends up on the shirt of a murdered girl missing from her remains?
B
there appears to be a possible connection,to the cemetery where patricia guardado was found . if it is the odd fellows or zion cemetery,it is an african american cemetery, and a lewis clark is buried there ,and imo could possibly be an african offspring of lewis clark milieu http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GScid=54738&GRid=13023971& http://arkansasgravestones.org/view.php?id=137187 or a really weird coincidence
There are a few cemetaries containing slaves and descendants in Albemarle and surrounding counties.
Daughters of Mt. Zion, Mount Eagle, etc.
B
notice the birthdate would more than likely be her death date.
Thank you Blink for the new article – yes it was worth waiting on – and I’m thrilled about the lawsuit. I’m sure it was a difficult decision for the Harringtons but looks like it’s the only way to get to the truth at this point — and really, who cares about what Morgan and ‘her party’ had done or said before the concert. We’re talking about a murdered girl here and frankly the lack of concern for Morgan that night is more disgusting to me than whether or not anybody was drunk and/or stoned.
B
I can’t begin to put into words how good your work is. To my knowledge. I don’t know of anyone who dedicates themselves to cases like this (journalistic pple)
It’s truly groundbreaking.
I need to get to know the SM ppl too, I guess.
TY for all u do. Don’t think you’ll ever know the significance/impact you’ve had here. Big.
TY kindly.
B
Edward
Ann Pressly was murdered in 2008. Morgan in 2009 while Vance in jail.
I’m from the area, I’d have been on that from the get go if it were at all possible.
I’m also working on a case (well volunteering my PR efforts) to attract national attn to Patricia Guardado’s murder.
Weirdly similar in a couple of way to Morgan. Both vanished “across the street” from campus.
UALR security under fire now. But Patty taken at 9am in the morning.
They Announced finding her body on of all days 10/17. Please check out her case when you all get a sec. So sad
I agree with all who believe the suit is about information, not money. Some comments elsewhere are just laughable for a town filled with as many bright people as Charlottesville is.
Here is the type of person I think LE is looking for. Travels with a stun gun. Who does that?
http://newsplex.com/home/headlines/Stun_Gun_Confiscated_from_Charlottesville-Albemarle_Airport_Passenger_132078098.html
Agreed.
B
“deetee says:
October 18, 2011 at 3:50 pm”
“Needs top purchase another ticket to re-enter” would be consistent with the venue policy for a voluntary (or I guess accidental) exit.
“Can’t re-enter under any terms” would be consistent only with someone removed from the venue or asked to leave for violation of policy (attempting to go backstage, disturbing others, taking photos or video when prohibited, bringing alcohol or a controlled substance, etc.), or whose behavior upon entry was indicative of intoxication, etc.
Big difference in that discrepancy. What wasn’t clear until recently was whether Morgan had the means to buy another ticket, and had left me wondering why the friends didn’t pool funds to purchase her one. Now we’ve been told she had the means.
She did lizzy. I think it is clear from the suit that Morgan was not offered that option and frankly I believe the Harrington’s were given that erroneous information because RMC was not aware that she did have the means to purchase another ticket, but that is based on the overall fact that the Harrington’s have NOT been given true and correct information about how Morgan leaves the venue, and what happened when she attempted to return.
Last nights interview, I am on about 9:38PM
http://scaredmonkeysradio.com/audio//20111018s.mp3
Dana’s commentary on Irwin, Harrington cases:
http://scaredmonkeysradio.com/
Whether one believes liability can be established or not, the ability to “lie” to the family of a murdered girl definitely has, imo.
B
There are many areas of question that are coming to light already, that to me, need further scrutiny by the powers that be.
Referencing for instance the “He’s Still Here” article from last Feb 2011. ~snip~
While some have speculated that she was lured outside, Cappuzzo revealed that a ticket taker warned Morgan about the Arena’s no re-entry policy as she prepared to exit through the main doors facing Copeley Road. Morgan acknowledged the warning, Cappuzzo says, then left anyway, where she was seen emptying the contents of her purse in an apparently unsuccessful effort to find her red Kodak digital camera, which has never been recovered. Standing in front of the Arena, witnesses also reported seeing her drop her phone, then retrieve it.
When she tried to reenter through the main entrance of the Arena, says Cappuzzo, the ticket taker asked for her ticket.
“She said, ‘It’s in pieces in my purse,’” says Cappuzzo, who says the ticket taker stopped her when it appeared she planned to dump the contents of her purse again. Told she’d need to purchase another ticket if she wanted to return, Morgan left the Arena a second time and remained in the immediate area for as long as 10 or 15 minutes, interacting with various concertgoers–- several of whom offered her assistance, which she again declined.
http://www.readthehook.com/88650/hes-still-here-and-other-revelations-harrington-case
** My questions are this:
How did the ticket taker know she was looking for her camera?
Where is the camera? Where is the ticket? How did they know it was in pieces in her purse? Why did article indicate she was trying to dump her purse for the ‘second time’, when was the ‘first time’?
Did she offer to purchase another ticket- was denied- thus causing her to becoming erratic?
I also have always wondered, questioned, suspected, any of those will do- whether Morgan was asked to leave- being that she was unruly per article here? That might be a good reason for refusal of re-entry and all the inconsistent stories related to that. But that is purely IMO.
I surely hope this filing produces answers to these questions and more for the Harrington’s. I wish more people understood why it is they were compelled to do such a thing and that I believe anyway, it has no monetary value to them.
Excellent Questions E-
throwing out my potential theory for consideration here:
Anyone think it possible that the Granny sighting was Morgan and a security person, going after her camera and then confiscating it?
B
I wouldn’t hold my breath for any discovery bombshells.
Normally, a negligence case is filed a few days before the statute of limitations kicks in in order for the defendant to _forget_ as much as possible about the case. From what I have read from and about the Harrington’s, I don’t think that is the case here. I suspect that they attempted to be cooperative with all involved as long as possible; but, if they had not filed at this time they would be forever barred from filing suit.
There is an active homicide investigation going on, and LE is not just going to turn over everything they have to an ambulance chaser. To the extent that any testimony is related to the criminal case, participants will be able to “take the fifth” (which is normally not possible in a civil case). Much of the material may already be in the possession of LE already. The Harrington’s and their lawyers may not be able to obtain this information, and the Harrington’s cannot authorize its release (Morgan’s murder was a crime against “the people” not the Harrington’s).
This lawsuit will creep through the courts very slowly, if at all. This will progress similarly to the Horman divorce in Oregon, where everything seems to have been put on hold pending the criminal case.
There is a pending statute amendment that might make that a lot harder for VSP to do, the burden would become theirs to prove case-sensitivity as it relates to her murder, and that nexis would be awfully tough without a suspect tied to it.
B
“chouva says:
October 18, 2011 at 6:08 pm
…i would think the group with the least amount of concern is JPJ or the security company.”
The truth is that any attack on Morgan by the RMH’s insurance lawyers will be viewed as an attack on Morgan by UVa. UVa would not be able to give away freshman (first-year) slots to their school or keep the students they have. UVa has no option except to pressure a settlement and reimburse RMH’s insurance agent the 3.5 million.
Would it be unkind to point out that UVa still has not reassured the public they have the security situation under control at the JPJ Arena?
Some answers to eloise’s questions.
The article says “where she was seen emptying the contents of her purse in an apparently unsuccessful effort to find her red Kodak digital camera.” This was the “first time” she allegedly dumped her purse.
The ticket taker did not “know” her ticket was in pieces in her purse. What the article says is that morgan said that was where her ticket was. She was presumably trying to explain to the ticket taker why she couldn’t produce her ticket. She may have been lying or she may have been telling the truth.
Don’t know how the ticket taker knew she was looking for her camera. It may have been obvious. It is certainly possible morgan told him or her, “Look, I lost my camera. I need to go back in to find it.”
Other stuff.
How does the filing of the lawsuit show she was not told she would need to buy another ticket to get back in? Maybe she did not want to do that. Even if you could take everything a lawyer says in a Complaint as accurate (which you should never do), has anyone read the Complaint/Petition and seen that allegation in there (speaking of which, why hasn’t a media outlet gone to the courthouse and obtained a copy of the filing yet and made it available — frustrating)? If she had been told she could not come back in without buying a new ticket (as she had not only left in violation of the policy but now allegedly couldn’t even produce her ticket), would that have meant the lawsuit would not have been filed?
RMC isn’t UVA. There will be no impact on UVA should RMC try to defend itself fairly in the lawsuit. UVA had about 23,000 applications last year for about 7,000 spots. Regardless, finding out about morgan’s and her friends’ actions that night and hers in the past is not an attack on morgan. It is trying to figure out what likely happened. Frankly, I think it is something the majority of the general public who have heard about the case want to know more about, not less, to try to understand how this could have happened to morgan and they hope this info comes out. I don’t expect it to come out though, as I think the depositions/discovery responses on these issues will be sealed at the estate’s request.
I have never taken ecstacy, but I have dropped acid back in the day. And as I recall, drinking alcohol dulled the effects. I preferred to drink water when “tripping”. Morgan definitely seemed to be on something. And aside from perhaps explaining her behavior and maybe that of the friends (on thier own little trips themselves), I don’t see value in identifying what she was on. No judgments from ole Twinkletoes. But it does seem to explain some of the aggressive behavior. Also, I will say it–Morgan was beautiful physically and I am sure she was accustomed to using that as a persuasive technique (grabbing a guy’s arm and saying come on to get back in the concert). Again no judgments here. I was a cutie myself back in the day and used all of my “advantages” to reach my goals. Perhaps understanding Morgan in all her youthful folly is important in understanding who gained the opportunity to harm her, how, and maybe even why.
Admiting she, like the rest of us, was an imperfect kid, does no dishonor to the wonderful child she was, imo. There is a difference between blaming the victim (never could we blame this child for what happened to her) and understanding what made the victim vulnerable to this monster predator.
I have had a really hard time forgiving the “frenemies” for abandoning Morgan, especially leaving town without her. I can tell you that even in the worst of states, I have never, ever “lost” a friend or been lost by my friends. We took care of each other. If there truly was a “designated driver”, this is even more perplexing to me. Something is not adding up.
“GeorgiaDad says:
October 19, 2011 at 8:46 am
I wouldn’t hold my breath for any discovery bombshells.There is an active homicide investigation going on, and LE is not just going to turn over everything they have to an ambulance chaser.”
Why do you think the Harrington’s lawyer is an ambulance chaser?
“To the extent that any testimony is related to the criminal case, participants will be able to “take the fifth” (which is normally not possible in a civil case).”
No, LE cannot. If directed by the judge they must answer. The judge will rule what information can legitimately be revealed and which can be withheld. The clowns running the security at the arena may plead the fifth. In which case why on earth would anyone continue to employ them?
“This lawsuit will creep through the courts very slowly, if at all.”
That’s fine. If the VSP wants to twist on a spit for more years while their incompetence is on public view so be it.
George, Blink has stated that there was some kind of friction between Morgan and her friends which obviously contributed to what happened. Do you not believe that every detail of this will not come out in a trial. Nobody is going to leave UVA nor will they run short of students enrolling.
A public concert is a public open event. It is not a police state. Had certain people acted differently on all sides we would have a totally different outcome. There is a reason for the no reentry rule which I assume is to keep people from going outside, getting ripped, then coming back in and causing trouble. Was it handled 100% correctly? Probably not in this case but at the end of the day we have adults making terribly bad decisions. we can look for facts of exactly why it happened forever but the crux of the matter is that LE knows the DNA of the killer. Without forcefully going through the AA community doing DNA tests, I’m afraid we are stuck with waiting for a break.
Btw, the C’ville police caught hell for targeting the AA community for DNA in search of a rapist a number of years ago. Some heads rolled over the racial profiling. The police are walking a very fine line in proactively searching for this pyscho.
Maybe the Harrington’s believe a suite would shake lose new leads. They obviously know more than any of us posting here. If that is the case, more power to them.
B- seems like every time you’re on SM, I find out an hour too late and miss it! Is there any way I can listen to it on my iPhone ?
In my experience, most venues have pretty much given up on banning cameras. I’m sure there are exceptions. But you can have it confiscated if you take a picture with a flash.
They just can’t enforce camera bans with the ubiquity of good cameras in cell phones. At concerts in recent years, fans are encouraged to wave their phones like candles/lighters used to be used, send fan text messages to the screens, etc.
On the other hand, I’ve been asked to drop a forgotten water bottle in my bag into a bin, and buy a new one inside.
[Admissions and ushers at our local university venues (except the football stadium) are principally staffed by mature adults. A combination of volunteers, part-time workers, and retirees earning some needed funds. They do a really great, authoritative, but kind job, imho. But I have no idea who screens and employs them. I think I'll find out.]
Sorry for meandering, but my point is, why would security be coming after her (after she’s tried to get back in) to take her phone? Almost everyone inside probably had a cell phone capable of taking pictures.
The tshirt remains baffling. By now I guess we just accept that. Where it was found, how it was displayed the silence surrounding the find (nothing in the media) and also as the only source of DNA (unconfirmed). If there was 1 item that is Iconic as being Morgan s its the infamous Pantera shirt.
The reluctance on LE s part in publishing the sketch says something too..
Even if a passer by picked it up and displayed it on the brush I doubt DNA would have survived OR the condition of the shirt would be very bad (in the mold dirt rain etc). Still curious if the shirt shows signs of being outdoors the time since Morgan was missing or was found to be kept indoors for WEEKS up to the point of being very dirty and muddy etc. The latter would certainly mean its a plant as Morgan died the same night she went missing. In any case a wealth of information
Yes … and her ticket too?
Could the dropping of her purse be because she was being asked to give up her camera? I understand her ticket has never turned up either.
Seems to me something started at the inside entrance.
I don’t believe for one moment that the ‘foyer’ or exit area was void of other people … and I think most on here ‘know’ there would be plenty of video survialance in that area and on the doors.
Who could control the video and why can’t or won’t LE get it, instead of just settling for what they were given. Sounds like Power to me.
I posted the link upthread. I am at Blink Jr school all day if anyone could post the link.
Concerning some posts thinking the before, during, and after to this crime is not important, under threat of some “Ooooh, bad things coming out” … MHO, it’s that mentality that can leave a community with waaay too many unsolved crimes. No matter what it could be, it could matter for justice, and does that mean we would love Morgan any less? —- NO.
i worked at amc theatres as a teenager,my training for box office which included the no reentry policy,was taught to be by the manager,i was touched by his compassion, he told me to use my best judjememt ,he said that there were all kinds of reasons people end up outside,ie:the movie could effect them,remind them of something unpleasant, he said some people have public restroom phobias ,some one might be pregnant, on their period ,and just need a moment,alone ,a doctor on pager ,jumps out to find a payphone and needs to come back to his date, .he said to err of the side of human,not memo.although i know a 16,000 seat concert is different,one on one dealing with an re-entry issue is human and personal.
twinkletoes — I agree almost entirely with your post. The only reason I would like to know what she was on is that it may make it easier to guess what her actions were. For example, many here have had a very hard time believing that someone like morgan would ever hitchhike despite the witness reports or would otherwise voluntarily get in a car with “sketch” because of the way they imagine she was raised/or their own personal social mores. If she were X-ing, the lessening of social inhibitions is the primary impact of that drug (one good reason why you would always want a buddy system to be in place if you were going to take that drug) and would make hitchhiking that much more understandable IMO. Also, if there was evidence she was on something but nothing indicated she intended to take it, that would be suggestive that she may have been drugged by someone and I think would obviously be important to the murder investigation.
Ok ill find it : )
“redly says:
October 19, 2011 at 9:50 am
Some answers to eloise’s questions.
RMC isn’t UVA. There will be no impact on UVA should RMC try to defend itself fairly in the lawsuit.”
Two points, RMC is very much tied to UVa and how RMC conduct themselves will most definitely reflect on UVa. As for RMC defending itself fairly, that’s fine. My response was made to the threat that RMC’s insurance company would try and smear Morgan.
twinkletoes .. great post. I, too don’t think the ‘frenemies’ actions ‘add-up’. Your reminder of a ‘designated driver’ just slammed the point home.
In Al’s comments that LE has the DNA of the killer … so just wait for a break, reeks to me of just ‘move-on’.
I’m not saying that it is not important … but, mighty damn convienent found on the eve of Morgan being found.
I don’t know what Metallica’s rules are about cameras. From what I understand, at JPJ, that determination is made by the acts and not the venue. We take cameras to basketball games and all entertainment acts not prohibiting the taking of pictures. Video cameras are almost universally prohibited by professional acts for obvious reasons. I have to agree with Izzy, I do not believe a security type person followed Morgan into the parking lot to confiscate a camera. That is, unless Metallica has a hard set rule against photos and one of their private security saw her taking pictures. Even that I doubt, because they had not yet taken the stage. Izzy also described perfectly what we have experienced with regard to the RMC staff at JPJ. There are some youngsters (I say that as someone on the high side of 40) but most are at least my age or older. I would say that the majority who man the doors and entrances to the seating areas are retirement age earning a little extra money. I want to also say to Amy, don’t believe everything you read (with regard to comments re: the Hook article you linked.) I have NEVER seen an armed RMC staff member. The brown-shirt, gestapo type the writer was referring to was most likely from the Albemarle County Sheriff or PD, Charlottesville PD or UVA PD, even VSP. They all have a presence at the stadium on football game day. Not being a troublemaker or rule breaker, I have never seen any of these officers behave in a less than professional manner. From what I’ve observed, they only come into the stands if there is a disturbance or someone needs to be removed. With regard to the complaint about racial profiling, just as a matter of record for those who are not aware, Craig Littlepaige, the AD, is African American. I don’t mean any of this to say that there couldn’t be a security connection to Morgan’s disappearance and death. I believe she either got in a car voluntarily or was forced. Whether that was on the bridge or in the parking lot, I do not know, and I have no idea of the name of the person who took her, but I believe he was Sketch.
“Al says:
October 19, 2011 at 10:30 am
“Nobody is going to leave UVA…”
And how do you know this?
“It is not a police state.”
From their policies they seem to be running a good imitation.
“There is a reason for the no reentry rule which I assume is to keep people from going outside, getting ripped, then coming back in and causing trouble.”
And letting them buy another ticket to get back in prevents this, how?
And they can’t police the damned parking lots? Are the lots not University property also?
“…at the end of the day we have adults making terribly bad decisions.”
Which contributed to Morgan’s death.
“we can look for facts of exactly why it happened forever..”
With the Virginia State Police that appears to be a correct statement.
“but the crux of the matter is that LE knows the DNA of the killer.”
Silly me, I thought they just had DNA of someone who was involved in an earlier crime. Now it absolutely is the DNA of the killer?
@redly
I completely agree .
I want to add, I agree with a few of the posters here. Even if there is something in the hours before or during the concert, or the reason Morgan left that is less than favorable to either her or her friends, that information needs to be passed along to LE. I don’t necessarily believe that the public has any reason to know unless there is something there that could lead to the identification of some as yet unknown individual. Nothing that can come out about Morgan’s behavior can possibly harm her. The worst has happened to her, someone took her life. If there has been any effort to withhold information either to protect her memory or the actions of acquaintances, that effort, while maybe well intentioned, is misguided.
@George
That is absolutely true. There is no way for a suit regarding a breach of security to not include all levels of security Morgan came in contact with, and also Rmc adherence to policy of Jpj.
Just because right now the suit names RMC only, UVA counsel understands this is a pre-emptive effort to protect the Harrington’s options.
We should also consider the possibility that discovery or preliminary meetings might render the need to pursue legal remedy unecessary.
In his eventual biography of Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson eluded to the explorer…. I think the word should be ALLUDED to the explorer…
So could there be a ghost from the past surfacing to do this dirty deed? Strange goings-on…
Below is a post from a blog describing a Metallica concert in November 08 I found.
“They had the dumb “no cameras” signs up outside so I left mine in the car and just shot with the iPhone. Does OK up close but without a zoom, it leaves much to be desired.”
http://brandon.fuller.name/archives/2008/11/04/23.59.00/
Morgan was on a college campus, with thousands of other people, mostly her age. We all know what goes on. Morgan left the arena, then tried to get back in. The only thing that happened wrong, was her friends didn’t come to her aid. The arena has a no re-entry policy, as do most. Why? Because people go to the parking lot to get drunk, get high, have sex, steal things, whatever. I also believe the Harringtons don’t want it to get out what Morgans state was that night. She had a fight with her friends, she seems to have fallen and hurt herself, no telling what all. At this point, just come clean, tell it all, and you may get some info. Getting a big payoff is not going to bring her back, catching her killer might help. But at some point, these young folks are going to have to take responsiblity for themselves and their actions. I used to discuss these things with my 22 yr old son, but he just wanted to have fun, nothing will happen to him. Until the night I got that call, and he died in ICU 4 days later.
Rob, my sincere condolences on the loss of your son. I just wish to clarify the Harrington’s are not in need or want of a big payoff. They are in need of the answers that will only come with legal remedy in this case.
The Harrington’s are not interested in canonizing Morgan, I don’t know how that is even a thought of readers, truly.
The fact is, if that were the case, they would certainly not be initiating litigation .
B
B
http://scaredmonkeysradio.com/audio//20111018s.mp3
Here is the link, D.P., to listen to Blink discussing the Harrington Case. I did manage to catch it live! Great job. I wish you would have had more time! A couple of things stood out to me. It seems that there is NO DOUBT that Morgan fought back, as there have been requests from LE asking folks to think back about anyone who might have unexplained injuries during the Oct 17th-09 time period. Surely ER records have been checked–just in case this monster showed up there. Blink, do you think a family member or spouse is protecting Sketch?
Again, I am blown away at being reminded how remote the location of the body drop is. LOCAL. This punk monster made NO ATTEMPT to even bury or hide Morgan-BRAZEN. What kind of personality type are we dealing with? He acted like he owned the damn property! Care to comment on the sexual sadist profile? Let’s not forget the slumber party that was occurring so close to Morgan’s “grave.”
Also, Rader retiring? Is this correct? I find this incredibly disturbing on many levels. Is this a good sign or a bad sign as far as Morgan’s case is concerned?
One more thing–absolutely mind-boggling that no offer to purchase another ticket to Metallica was made. This is not just a miscommunication; WHY did someone lie?
Anything you care to comment on would be greatly appreciated.
1. Morgan was never offered an oppty to purchase another ticket, so wherever that came from, as quoted by Agent Cappuzzo, is bunk.
2. I absolutely and unequivocally believe more than one person close to sketch has knowledge and or suspected knowledge of his involvement. Yes, I think that may also likely take the form of an alibis, before anyone asks that question.
3. Lt. Rader is scheduled to retire December 1. He is a young man for complete retirement, and no announcement as to future plans yet.
B
I imagine the BB players might have key information regarding the circumstances surrounding Morgan Harrington leaving JPJ Arena and her state of mind at that point in time, i`m sure she must have said something to them if there was any kind of drama with security. Also the friend in another city whom Morgan rang may have some information which could reveal a lot that is not in the public domain.
It is quite simply unbelievable that there is no footage of Ms Harrington on the security cameras, in the 21st century that is just not right and doesn`t sit well with me, is there no security footage at all or just none capturing Morgan?
If the security system was not working like it should have been then the person responsible for this murder had to have known this which in turn would obviously point towards security and anybody else privy to such information.
I have always considered the BB players as possible suspects but lately i`m starting to think this could even be a cop, security or a taxi driver.
redly says:
October 19, 2011 at 11:47 am
If she were X-ing, the lessening of social inhibitions is the primary impact of that drug and would make hitchhiking that much more understandable IMO.
With all due respect my friend in my opinion that is nonsense, i`ve seen people do some of the strangest things while on ecstasy but I wouldn`t think it would make somebody hitchhike, keep in mind we now know Morgan had the means to purchase a concert ticket when she found herself outside, that also tells us that she had the means to pay for a taxi and in that context hitchhiking just doesn`t make sense.
I would think that if you a owned concert venue, you would want to comply with the band/artist request for no cameras or video. Failue to comply would mean promoters won’t use your venue in the future. I would think as a security company you would strictly enforce this policy because the venue may fire you as their security company. We are talking big money here.
I would think you would enforce that policy strictly maybe even taking the camera if necessary and deleting the pics and instructing the person how to get the camera back at the end of the night. I think it’s very possible that Morgan’s camera could have been confiscated that night at some point. One question would be, how was she instructed to get it back?
In an earlier post I mentioned the issue of being proactive in the pursuit of the dna recovered. Here is a very interesting link regarding that very subject. Noted in the article are issues with the ACLU and probably other organizations when investigating cases like these.
http://www.readthehook.com/65546/familial-pain-harringtons-press-police-controversial-dna-test