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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Very informative and provocative piece, Blink. This has me inspired to visit the UVA Library Archives now to do some research, too. The genealogical aspects are fascinating. I thought that you had jumped the crime blog shark when I was first reading it, but now it’s gotten through my thick skull and is making sense. Nice job Blink et al.
Lol, thank you, I think.
O yeah, it makes sense, and there is more we will get to in II.
I cannot tell you how enthralled I was, both negatively and positively during a recent visit, and learning again, this time in person, about one of the most beautiful areas in our country and it’s lineage.
B
@Redly–totally agree and I may have been trying to say that as well btu you said it much better. lol
Liam, even still, with her own personal car, a’designated driver and two other friends in the arena, why would she need another ride??
And, where is her her original ticket?
Reading backwards here —- Grorge gets a raise! A BIG raise for his last post!!
Dr. Pepper
I am glad to see that you are posting again. Your reference to the Patricia Guardado case being like the Ann Pressly case. I believe I caught a TV segment that reported there is DNA tied to a person with a previous charge of rape, but not murder. Please use your PR skills to put a stop to the courts in Arkansas allowing bond to an accused rapest. If the TV piece is true, that makes twice in recent years that this has happened.
Could it be that the Harrington’s were asked to wait as long as possible prior to a civil lawsuit? I believe Dan Harrington actually works for the UVA system. Has anyone found a link to court records that actually has the document on-line? It would be interesting to see the actual filed document.
Since no one seems to admit knowing what happened to Morgan’s camera, Blink’s idea may be totally true about it being taken by security. Could this be the reason for her ejection? This would also mean that security was not forthcoming in turning the camera over to LE.
Hmm it might be interesting if a security presence prevented the BBP to offer Morgan a ride to her preferred destination. Talking on their comm system that there was a troublesome person on the lot. Under the guise of enforcing policy. The granny sighting comes to mind.
Did any of them remember Morgan being hasseled by guards or LE? Did she not only get ejected from the arena but from the sacred grounds of UVA as an unwanted guest? Even then the question still is if its related to the actual crime. No doubt that would be bullying and endangering a patron. Am a bit worried reading the (biased) accounts of uva students of how entitled security might feel enforcing policy.
It sounds harsh as they may have just been doing their jobs but these stones must be turned.
Can’t wait for part ll and in no way was that meant as an underhanded complement- more of a commentary on my cranial density than any shortcomings re: BOC.
I have to say that l am delighted to see A Texas Grandfather posting again as well as the other excellent posts in the past few days. We are all reinvigorated- watch out Sketch!
LOL- cranial density is a keeper.
B
redly says:
October 19, 2011 at 9:50 am:
~ snip~ Some answers to eloise’s questions. 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.
* Agreed- but that is what has been presented as evidence per LE. Somebody reported that is what occurred during that interaction. It didn’t come from Morgan, after the fact. Then the Hook reports:
Hours after the commemorative event, word was released that Mrs. Harrington, as executor of her daughter’s estate, filed suit nearly a week earlier in Roanoke against Regional Marketing Concepts Inc., aka RMC Events, the company that provided Arena security during the Metallica concert. Seeking $3.5 million, the suit alleges that the company’s action, in denying Morgan the right to return after leaving the venue, led to the incident. In comments published in the Roanoke Times, the company president, while not commenting on the suit, cites the ubiquity of such “no-reentry” policies.
*Which is why all the focus on the circumstances surrounding her departure and lack of reentry. I can see why she wouldn’t want to pay AGAIN- but why not let her show her torn ticket to prove she had had entry to start with? There are parts missing, even if WE don’t know, the Harrington’s want to know. If it is all irrelevant, good- move on to other aspects. Maybe UVA/RMC have said they are unwilling to reveal further due to ongoing investigative strategies, which may be the impetus in part to the lawsuit?
http://www.readthehook.com/101502/it-war-harringtons-renew-quest-murders-two-year-anniversary
I decided to answer my own question regarding the case filing.
It is filed in Roanoke County Circuit Court on 10-11-11. The case number is Cl1001232-00 filed as follows: Harrington, Morgan D, Est.
Harrington,Gilberte M. Adm.
Attny. Arther Strickland
Defendant: Regional Marketing Concepts (RMC)
The actual document has not been made available on-line.
Hello Centva-native away. I really never left the site. Until this latest development of the lawsuit on Morgan’s behalf, I felt like we were going around and around so I posted on the other articles by Blink. I am hopeful that this step by Morgan’s mother will result in substantial progress.
Thank you for looking this up and posting this ATG- there has been no response, it is possible it is not accessible online until then, or without requesting a copy at the clerk. Will update.
B
Correction on the case number, pressed the submit button too soon.
It is CL11001232-00
hello everyone
thank you susanm for looking into other cemeteries in the area-
I may not be getting this, but the problem was not that Morgan was an adult, nor was it that she may or may not have been drinking or other-
Nor is the problem that her friends didnt drop everything and run to her aid-
The problem, as I see it, and as I understand, The Harringtons see it, is that Morgan Harrington was injured INSIDE the arena – she was not helped- she was denied reentry- we have heard many different stories regarding Morgans departure from the arena- and none of them add up- remember out of the gate it was established she tried to re-enter “multiple” times- at different doors- then now, it has become she exited and immediately wanted reentry and was told to buy another ticker… yet her time outside is unaccounted for… as is her ticket and her camera ect.
The Harringtons have been unable to get the complete truth about what “encounters” their daughter had that night with security, parking attendants, door men/ticket takers, ect.
Morgan Harrington had a visible injury- ON her face- Whether it was a simple abrasion or whether it was more, such as a concussion or other, is the point-
She was injured and upon coming in contact with Security personnel NOTHING was done by those who were PAID to ensure the SAFETY and WELL BEING of patrons-
Seeing how an injury was visible, IMO it is asinine to simply dismiss Morgan Harrington as an unruly, drunk, obnoxious, “erratic”, under the influence patron, and send her on her way, into the cold without her keys without help.
Ask yourselves if Morgan Harrington were your daughter, student, sister, niece- would you not want the answers to what happened to her- and why? If not for Morgan then for the next girl, who is in need of help, and refused reentry? Why and how did security measures fail?
Why did they not call the drunk tank police, the emts, the friends, between sets- imagine if over the PA system a call had went out: will the friends of Morgan Harrington please report to the nurses station- or to the door- ect-
We have read many accounts of many people describing Morgan Harrington as in need of help, crying, injured, wobbily, erratic- strange. Many people recognized she needed help, and offered her help, yet security did not- the only people that were paid to help.
We have watched many you tube videos and looked at countless photo streams of patrons who had cameras, and phones, and video from that concert. If Morgan Harrington’s camera was confiscated, why not theirs, if she was ejected why not them? If she was ejected for drinking- why wasnt her id checked and police called?- as she was clearly acting strange right? She left and kicked a patron, and she WAS injured from falls inside the arena…
We have heard accounts of the many security personnel out that night in force- even from a newsman that was there that night…the lot attendants the security inside- yet not one of these paid individuals who must have which encountered Morgan (ticket taker ect) did their duty either calling LE or her friends or the EMTs- If not why not?
CLEARLY she was in need of help right? Whether or not she wanted it- she was a patron described by many as exhibiting signs of being a danger to herself or others- due to her injuries and behaviors.
So why question The Harringtons wanting answers by suing- shouldnt we all want the answers, so something like this never happens again?
AJMO
I haven’t posted on here in ages…
Blink, yesterday morning on the way to work I heard a report on WAMU that there were several abduction attempts targeting high school girls in Vienna, VA and two sexual assaults targeting women in Herndon, VA. The first attempted abduction occurred on Oct. 11, the sexual assaults occurred later that day, and another attempted abduction took place on Oct. 14. In both of the sexual assault cases the man approached the lone women and identified himself as a police officer. Currently, police aren’t linking the attempted abductions with the sexual assaults and are searching for one or more suspects. They do have descriptions of the vehicles. The suspect(s) was described as being early-20s to mid-30s, with short black hair, and of Asian or Hispanic ethnicity.
When I heard this story, I obviously thought of Morgan. I also thought of the sexual assault case linked to Morgan’s by DNA– an assault which also occurred in Fairfax, VA. I’m wondering if there is any chance, however small, that these cases are all connected?
Perhaps I am watching too much TV, but would a bad guy re-offend around the same date that a previous crime has been committed, especially if it was a crime in which he achieved his desired outcome (the killing of his sexually assaulted victim)? While the suspect in the most recent incidents was described as being Asian or Hispanic, is it possible that Morgan’s killer– who you say is identified by his DNA as being of African American descent– could be visually confused for being Asian or Hispanic?
I know that the chances of this being the same person are incredibly small, but I can only hope that this potential connection could lead to new developments in Morgan’s case.
Here’s a link to the radio story:
http://wamu.org/news/morning_edition/11/10/18/fairfax_police_looking_for_suspect_in_abduction_attempts
where’s mary, the geneaology is so fascinating. is sketch mixed? whats with the skin fade around his hairline, i once said, in the sketch .his eyes seem un-solid colored. it is so likely illegitimate slave relatives of these “great” historic families were denied their heritage ,and bragging rights ,due to to the illegitimacy and race. i also wonder did slaves also marry first cousins. i wonder about the “hypochondrical affection”; is that an early term for bi polar?is it from spawning from first cousins, it seemed to run in the family. the slave of william clark ,york http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_%28explorer%29 is a great history too,no offspring where attributed to him ,hard to believe,what is sad,is that he contibuted to america ,yet there is no grave for him and no body ,no dna to test for off spring, i wonder if he was murdered by clark. ,would his offspring be named clark since clark was his owner.would it really be that common for a slave to be named lewis clark in 1875,in that area of meriwhether,lewis ,clark plantation and not be related.
(It’s me, Ms B…on my phone). Bravo, Mom3. I share in your opinions! 241
@ATG: Unfortunately, Virginia does not yet have an online filing system as is found in federal courts. There is an online system that allows the public to see case status information but not copies of the documents filed. That website is courts.state.va.us.
In general, state agencies, including universities, enjoy significant protection from civil liability based on the doctrine of sovereign immunity, which is alive and well in Virginia (more so than many other states). In addition, the “relation-back” doctrine will not help the Harringtons to add defendants to this case following the deadline for filing based on the statute of limitations except in very limited circumstances. So, I think it is unlikely that we will see additional defendants unless there is a significant discovery of new (i.e., heretofore unknown and unsuspected) facts upon which claims against new defendants could be based. Relying on that doctrine is not a comfortable position for most lawyers so we usually err on adding defendants based upon allegations made “on information and belief” rather than allowing the statute of limitations to pass.
To me, the most interesting choice made by the Harringtons and their lawyer was to file in Roanoke instead of Charlottesville. I will be curious to see if the defendant files a motion to change venue although generally venue is the plaintiff’s choice in Virginia. Normally, you would expect to file where the incident giving rise to the litigation occurred because of witness availability, access to information, etc. I expect the choice is based on the anticipation that if the case remains in Roanoke, there is a likelihood of more favorable rulings in terms of discovery, obtaining information that may be protected because of the ongoing investigation, and ultimately a more sympathetic jury pool.
B…..Regarding the Granny witness possibly seeing camera confiscation: After said struggle, girl initially went back in direction of arena… but then ultimately followed along with male in direction OPPOSITE of arena. If male was RMC employee who had confiscated Morgan’s camera, his ultimate direction would have been back TOWARDS the arena. This scenario may not have involved Morgan, but if it did, I do not believe RMC and camera were the impetus.
B- while doing all of your lineage research, you didn’t by chance have the opportunity to see if there’s any data/record or anything that shows VSP’s success rate in murder, rape cases…?
I am very curious to know how many unsolved/cold cases they haven’t been able to solve.
There is no verifiable data, no, outside of the equation of there are x amount of mp cases, and x amount of mp cases that resulted in x amount of homicides and x amount of those resulted in x amount of criminal apprehensions.
So, in short, it is very, very low.
MP cases are very unique in their approach, investigative strategy and protocol, they are not staffed or trained specifically in this area.
B
thanks first time- I finally listened to Blinks and dana- show just now, and strange but true- they both brought up the you- tube vids and cameras ect-
Sorry Blink I wasnt quoting you cuz I hadnt heard you yet- otherwise i would have attributed the thoughts to you both. LOL
BlackPear. l good to see you thanks for the link.
Also, I went back and reread Blinks piece and she had written about the concession stand- seems Morgan bought soda- so it was definitely nonalcoholic- sorry for missing that important tidbit.
susanm, thanks for sharing your AMC experience- I think your insights were spot on, and I believe all security people react in much the same way- as we have heard accounts of patrons being allowed back in at JPJ…could it be that all ecurity personnel were told not to allow reentry to Morgan specifically?
AJMO
oops sorry that should have read Black Pearl my apologies.
Mom3.0
You post expresses my feelings from the beginning. That is why I always thought this came from inside the arena. All the employees registered to to work that evening needed to be questioned over and over about where they were and if any had contact with Morgan.
The VSP were somehow pushed away from doing a proper search and questioning of the JPJA employees and security. Now, maybe through discovery, some of this will be accomplished.
Just after finding the filing of the law suit, I visted the site “save the next girl”. The photo slides of Morgan really showed her beauty. She did not need makeup. In fact,IMO makeup took away from her natural beauty. A light brown eye makeup and a very pale red lipstick would be all she ever needed for glamour photos.
There are links on the site to other organizations that help regarding the missing. Her mother and father are helping to build a school. I hope that Gil will put together some helpful suggestions for the safety of other young women to round out the site.
My all time fave pic of her is the one where Dr. H is kissing her on the head, and she is deep in thought, and likely enjoying the love of her Poppa, as every girl deserves and should have, imo.
B
Last nights interview, I am on about 9:38PM
http://scaredmonkeysradio.com/audio//20111018s.mp3
**if using windows media player i found blink at 34:00
Good piece.
Still praying for justice for Morgan.
Perhaps the answer to Morgan’s death lies in the beauty and historical background of this land.
I encourage those who are fascinated with the history of the area (I have a deep appreciate for American history, being Canadian) to search, read, learn up about the area. I have a spiritual feeling that a calling to those who love this land, it’s rich history and lineage is no accident. Understanding the roots of slavery, lifestyle of the times and the area itself may lead us to the real DNA of the killer. It may help us understand how the killer thinks, why he chose Morgan, and of course, think outside the box of ‘who’ he is. In some sick way, his chosing this spot as Morgan’s last moments of life could be symbolic; an offering to the land and ancestors. Bi-racial is a possibility. A hatred or anger towards young white females may be a predisposition may have passed on from generation to generation (I believe in cell memory, hence, deja vu…but that’s just my silly opinion). His family background may be rich and who knows of the stories shared within his family. He could be someone his loved ones would never suspect of committing such attrocities.
It sounds hokey, but I gotta tell y’all….these are NOT thoughts I’m manifesting from free thinking. First, I’m not that clever and certainly don’t possess anything remotely linked to psychic tendencies, although I did have a premonition once I would crave a Big Mac in the very near future. I’m 1 for 1.
I do believe in devine inspiration. Seek and ye shall find.
2 4 1 my shiny friends XO
Late night commentary:
‘Just want you all to know that I am lifting you up in your research and your efforts in to write clearly and expressively. Thank you for it all.
Our BlinkTank is getting refueled. Constantly!
Justice for Morgan and for all of us.
Love,
WG
Love you back and appreciate the support as always, WG
B
oops…can’t ever catch all the typos!
Love ya! WG
mom3.0 I also share your opinions but have learned first hand that sometimes people just don’t care. Security (or sometimes rent-a-cops) tend to get a larger than life attitude (again not saying ALL security) and will refuse re-entry. JMO but I think at some point in the evening someone thought they could exercise authority and things went wrong. I may just be bitter….
Once again, I am not getting it…why would descendants of slaves 200 years ago want to place a body on a farm where their descendants lived? Our family has stories passed down generations about native American Indian relatives that were violent, yet it makes no sense for me to harbor anger over family so far removed, I never had opportunity to meet. Help me out here..
Also Blink, have you seen photos of all security personnel involved that night? Do we think Scetch worked the concert in some capacity or do we think someone delivered Morgan to Scetch?
He was making a statement that he did not feel would come back to him directly.
B
RE:messimamm says:
October 18, 2011 at 6:07 pm
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
&&&&&&&&
I don’t disagree with you Messimamm. To me it seems to add an element of doubt that Sketch is necessarily THE killer. There are several things that come to mind. Unless the perp is taunting LE, why, if he knew his DNA was on the shirt, would he let the shirt escape his possession? It also seems that it would be useful to know the source of the DNA. If the source is ejaculate or blood, that is suggestive of direct involvement. If the source were sweat, is it possible he found the shirt, wiped his hands or sweaty face with it, tossed it, unaware of its connection to a crime victim? A stretch I know, especially since the shirt appeared to be placed in the open, but worth considering, IMO. And, not disregarding B’s reasons for her statement. There are good reasons of which we are not aware, I’m sure.
Blink,
I am horrified in watching the video of the Vanishing Russian. To think she could be removed from a public place in a suitcase sickens me. It makes me all more aware of our need to trust in our Gift of Fear.
I am also proud of the Harringtons to continue to fight the good fight, not just for Morgan, but for the Next Girl.
May justice be found for Morgan, and victims everywhere.
Thank you for your time and research and efforts to keep the story going until the day that justice is served.
After the Kickee incident and now knowing the firm attitude of security it might be possible Morgan was ejected from the parking lot also? Did they warn the BBP not to help Morgan or else?
warning highly speculative and not meant to insult specific persons:
AF
In the radio show you mentioned Morgan being at the AF party that was held a week later. At first I thought you meant she was still alive at the time and thought of the AF scroll phrase ‘ before your time you had to disappear’ . But ofcourse you meant the killers hid Morgan s body was close to where partygoers walked.
The AF scrolls show a budhist=vegetarian theme would such a family allow hunters to kill on their lands?
Music, art, lineage is there such a connection even? I agree its a very beautiful area. As a last thought people there would not care for a 150k reward. A partner in crime would feel a ‘ brotherly’ connection to the killer as in hunter/military/gang and such
Sorry for the speculations maybe it rings a bell
PS
maybe I am overdramatizing but security is having the same attitude to the parents as well as to the child: closing the doors. I think thats the real reason behind the lawsuit its the only way to get them to share. Sad that it only can happen in this way (their own language).
The no re-entry policy and not helping an injured person scares the hell out of me. I am the mom of 2- type 1 diabetic sons and I cringe to think that emts or security or LE would not help them. With blood sugar issues, diabetics can be grouchy if glucose is high or if it is low they can seem lethargic, and confused. There is a multitide of things that can cause problems, whether it is pms, migraines, etc. Between the problems with the friends, the camera and the fall I would be upset period!
Right now after reading this latest article / report / Update … I can say WoW ! What do you all say about a complete renewal of Hope !
I never gave up hope , always have clung onto it with desperation at times . I have always had a gut feeling that not one person has told the truth , the whole truth & nothing But the truth during this entire investigation ! And that to me is a crime against humanity as a whole , and most def. another crime against Morgan. If the truth is not relayed in full & out into the open, is that not akin to being an “enabler” ?
When you touched on the history of previous land owners, just last week I began reading & realizing that until about 20 yrs ago , the original landowners as well as the original landowners workers who would have been descendants of slaves with the high likelyhood of some who had the direct bloodline of Landowners + the direct bloodline of slaves , were still working the land approx 20 yrs ago. Those who were slave descendants would have viewed it as their land as well , as the homestead property & probably still lived in houses that may have skirted along the property. My doesn’t that give us many who would have come to visit relatives at these homes & also many who worked at what used to be the apple orchards ? But I can imagine someone whose father would now be in his 40′s or 50′s that basically “lived ” within the old homestead land area of Anchorage Farms.
Goodness Gracious Blink !
or should I say
Goodness ~ Gracious ~ Great Balls of Fire !
Many thanks to you once again Blink
“susanm says:
October 19, 2011 at 8:00 pm”
You inquired about slaves marrying first cousins, but I didn’t follow the reason for the question.
But, if my brief foray into reading about the family was correct, the Lewis brothers were the children of first cousins. So, any children that came from relationships with slaves (or rapes thereof) would likely have been of greater genetic vigor than the brothers.
Sorry I got confused on the dates between morgan and pressly. I remember they were almost to the day, a year apart.. but pressly was a year earlier then morgan.
It was the extreme violent act that made me consider it… Morgan being found with so much damage to her. Who ever attcked her was very violent.
You all are doing a great job. This case is one I think about a lot but have not researched in a long time. Once they had the DNA, I felt LE would have the guy in no time..
I am still trying to determine if Sketch DNA is in CODIS, or just the VA databases, may be an issue.
B
Blink, You may want to keep this private, but I just got confirmation that your “friend” and resident stalker is posting as truthiness with the rest of gang at (redacted by blink).
That Lembo/Ross person has now accused you of racial profiling in Morgan’s case- what is wrong with people?
Apparently that idiot does not know much about civil laws because accusing you of something like that to inspire hate, or incense a group of people is a crime in itself. It is daunting to have to read that stuff when trying to follow a case, I don’t get why anyone wastes the time, or why the Hook, a publication well liked around here,would associate with such mongers.
There is a forensic DNA link to a black male, confirmed by two different Police Depts, where a composite also stating his race was released.
As you can see from my address, I live in the area, and your work has been 100% spot on in this case, although I admit I do not follow any other cases on your site.
A trip to the UVA library would confirm every detail you put forth, and we locals already knew it, but honestly, if anyone thought that far back before your piece, I never heard about it.
If the link to the farm was easy, in my circles, we believe there would have been an arrest. For this suspect to put Morgan where he did, and likely plant evidence (shirt)in town WHEN he did, makes me feel like I wonder if whatever interviews were going on at the time started to move detectives toward Albemarle.
When I drove down 29 last Tuesday, I tried to picture much of the area as I had also just researched to see if you missed anything (sorry, I am a detail person).
I truly believe you are on to something, and if you do not feel you are being taken seriously about it, drop me an email and I will see what I can do to help.
I listed to the radio interview this morning, and I assume you will not say, but could you comment on anything as to if you have a specific suspect or suspects in mind. I just feel like you do, could also be wishful thinking. Keep at it.
Sigh. One piece of advice, don’t waste your time reading comments where the mods do not actually mod until it is like a runaway train filled with septic refuse, then erase everything.
Thanks for the kind words, and your right, as I stated previously, as did Fairfax City PD, VSP, and the Harrington’s personally, sketch is of African American descent, characterized by the word “black” on the sketch, and in the files of every LEO potentially, with any other case-sensitive info we may not be aware of.
That descriptor also included “dark complexion”, although VSP was not shy about being “hesitant” about calling the suspect black, apparently because a further genealogical study would not be possible.
ERGO.. REPEAT TO ALL… ERGO
There is a thought process that this person is of mixed racial descent, likely caucasion given the apprehension to call him “black”.
ERGO.. lol
We have this suspect, through his DNA (by the way, must be nuclear and full panel to qualify for the unsub database, period, no exceptions so they do know that he is black, determining the ratios of the other origins as it relates to supposing one’s appearance is a familial test) forensically links to two brutal attacks, one fatal.
We have a victim, discarded undetected on AF in a remote area every LEA believes is the single most important piece of evidence in this case in identifying the suspect outside of the DNA, by a black male, likely of mixed race, on a historic property that contained descendants of mixed race.
Hello? Investigative 101, your table is ready.
It is not like I said, hey got to Harris Tweeter and see if you see anyone matching the description of a dude at the deli counter that might be a rapist and report back.
O, wait, that happened, thanks to a former victim of Washington’s spotting his car at her work, at UVA.
B
In regard to Blink’s reply to Edward regarding the DNA; It is a known fact that many states have backlogs of DNA that have never been submitted to CODIS.
A real thorough search should be made in the state files for all the states surrounding Virginia.
Does RMC have other venues that they manage in other states?
No, all throughout VA, but to my knowledge they are only licensed in VA
B
Beautiful post Ragdoll.
The killers could be Caucasian and know Sketch thru another connection (providing steroids or drugs?). All sharing a connection thru maybe AF? If the tshirt was a plant everything we know from it could be misleading
What do we think about the tshirt, extreme lucky find or? Is there a consensus even among LE? Cause I really don t know what to think.
AF (again)
Both for animals and trespassers the farm itself does not need to be important, its the slope of the mountain, forests, water etc they were familiar with. The connection could be broader. Fences are just interesting for legal purposes and to give area a label. Just saying not to exclude the neighbouring properties as ‘ familiar territory’ for the killer.
I d assume Sketch was in CODIS…
Blink..what does this mean?
Blink said (Oct 20, 12:45PM)
It is not like I said, hey got to Harris Tweeter and see if you see anyone matching the description of a dude at the deli counter that might be a rapist and report back.
O, wait, that happened, thanks to a former victim of Washington’s spotting his car at her work, at UVA.
B
http://www.nbc29.com/story/7475137/life-in-prison-washington-pleads-guilty?redirected=true
B
http://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/directories/boards/pssab.cfm
There are some reciprocity agreements that MAY be applicable here???
Also, interesting to note Schmitt’s position here.
Yes Saramom, for a PI license, but not under a general certificate received by those taking the course required to work for RMC.
I spoke with Mr. Schmitt last year and he was very cordial, but referred to the VADOJ regarding my inquiries as to how Mr. Howard received a waiver given his initial felony sex assault arrest.
B
I am still trying to determine if Sketch DNA is in CODIS, or just the VA databases, may be an issue.
B
I would not discount that thought.
What about the other rape victim of the dna suspect ? still alive ?
and there was also a witness who came upon and stopped the rape in progress. possible to contact that LE investigator to see where the dna was sent ? to what “database”
Has that already been done ?
Yes, has been done, I have been in contact with all investigators at one time or another in both cases.
The woman in the 2005 assault case is alive, yes. There are other victims, I am positive.
B
http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Counties/Albemarle/002-0734_Anchorage_2001_Final_NR.pdf
This link (you may have to copy paste)contains information related to Anchorage, the house, the cemetary, the families that lived there since the 1700s etc. I am sure former slave/tenant families would have similar last names and may still be in NG or surround. This may be another piece of the puzzle or it may not. It mentions a 20 year rental tenant (perhaps one of the relatives) I am still haunted by this murder and don’t feel truly safe in the area. I am glad about the suit the Harringtons are bringing against RMC.
Thank you for posting that link. Although we have discussed it and it is referenced in the piece, some newer readers may not have it.
The 20 year tenant, and frankly anyone living on that property since the Bass family bought it, were known immediately. That said, I also received some information fairly early that construction workers that built the main home, would camp out overnight on occasion so the foreman was assured they were ready to start very early on Monday mornings, etc.
B
Just for my curiosity, I did follow up on finding out about staffing and security for our own VERY similar venue. Absolutely all staffing is in-house, including security. University police services have a permanent station in the venue. A relatively new addition is “incident texting.” Couldn’t access the whole security plan, but the venue claims that no show has ever requested more security than they provide. Camera policy also depends on the act, but they encourage most to allow typical consumer cameras, although some require flash restrictions for safety.
All in-house security has both its pros and cons. But, I guess there aren’t too many cons of campus cops over rent-a-cops. Some dissing of both intended, based entirely upon personal experiences. I can’t really tell you much about the time when campus cops submitted blood stains for DNA analysis that turned out to be ketchup. Yeah, bail got lowered . . . Sometimes, they just need to know when to they’re over the heads and bring in outside LE, but they do NOT like to do that, do they?
dda
Thanks for the information about the on-line document. I was in hopes that we could get a look at the allegations without ordering a document from the clerk of the court.
I am quite aware of the danger of getting past a statue of limitations for adding additional parties to a suit.
Forty years ago I had a lawyer friend who used to fly airplanes with me. One saturaday afternoon while waiting for him, he handed me a copy of a suit he was filing the following monday. He had a list of allegations that included things I knew he could not prove. He explained that he only needed to prove one and further if he missed the chance to add others by limitation, he could not add them.
I really believe that the choice of Roanoke county for the site of the suit was to remove it from Albamarle county and UVA influence.
Lizzy
I can vouch for the distraction of flash units from a camera while trying to perform. If you are reading a piece of music and a flash goes off in your eyes, you are temporarly blinded. Every musical organization tries to discourage flash units. Cameras working without flash are no problem.
You are so right about so called “professional jealousy” regarding LE. They hate to admit that they are not qualified in a particular area. This takes them out of the realm of professionals IMO. It also appears that so called “rent-a-cops” and some poorly trained LE agencies cannot be distinguished one from another as to quality.
Yes susanm the genealogy is fascinating, especially the psychological aspect. One of my ancestors was supposedly shot one night around a campfire on the way home from the Civil War because he was having some sort of hissy fit. One of his descendants was my mother who suffered from schizophrenia.
Absolutely outstanding posts y’all. I’ve got a lot of thinking to do.
E
there is an unsub (unknown subject) component of CODIS.
I am not releasing any potential other DNA components to Morgan’s case outside of what was already released.
Again, I say, egregiously irresponsible to release case sensitive information, but that’s just me.
B
The Albermale County Fair was held on Aug 2009, which is in the general area and not too far from the site where Morgans remains were recovered if I am correct. I understand the fair was always a well attended and popular event. I`m wondering if any of the vendors at the fair also operated at JPJ Arena?
Blink this is a snippet of the very first comment to be posted here when you began covering this case:
Margie G. says:
November 13, 2009 at 1:03 pm
There was very poor Security OUTSIDE the JPJ Arena. I feel very angry about the Security/or lack of, and maybe the so-called “Security” person is to be blamed or involved in her fate. I feel in my gut some unexplained anger in regard to the security issues the night of the concert. I have had a lot of success in the past with gut feelings when I listen to them.
I really think there is something about the “Security” or a Security Officer that is VERY relevant to Morgan’s fate.
******
This post freaked me out.
I have to say, it is not lost on us, that after all this time, and all the hours Blinktank has spent on this case, that we continue to circle the same wagons.
We are back at the arena, and we are back at those contacts, and we knew it all along.
B
TGF, I totally agree with your thoughts.
osu- Hi great to see you, thanks for your acknowledgment of my post, and FWIW I do not think your thoughts IRT securities possible reasoning stems from any bitterness on your part. I found your points to be quite plausible, as we all know from our own life experiences that “power” and/or a uniform sometimes corrupts even the nicest of people…
connie, Hello thank you for sharing your real life concerns with us. I appreciate it very much. And I agree there are many reasons why a patron may find themselves in need of help, and there are many more reasons why these patrons could be described as unruly or drunk or other.
As a parent, I would want anyone exhibiting these behaviors to be looked at by medical personnel. Even if it turns out my son or daughter was drunk, I would expect the situation to be handled appropriately whether that means a trip to the drunk tank or a call home ect. No person whether underage or not should be left to their own devices when injured and in such a state.
ragdoll, Hugs back, good to see you here on Morgans threads.
seevillian, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts as a local much appreciated.
caralot- thanks for reposting that link-
Liam, thank you for bring that comment over, wow the very first comment- amazing…
AJMO
OH MY. I just was reading here, and then daydreaming briefly, thinking again about my limo ride. Then I recalled another wonderful experience in D.C., this one with a taxi driver who was an AA WWII veteran. He drove us around for 3 or 4 hours, and had such a good time that he didn’t want to accept any fare.
HOWEVER, what just hit me is that one of the members of my party that evening was a much respected and truly brilliant mentor. Who happens to have some pretty impressive geneaology on both sides of his family. One side of which is from the Thomas Jefferson. We spent part of that very late night contemplating Thomas Jefferson at his memorial. (Visited a landmark for the other side of his family as well, plus Arlington Cemetery as the taxi driver planned his burial there and just felt like visiting.)
The “OH MY” was because one of the greatest heartaches of my mentor’s life is his son’s mental illness, including schizophrenia.
Small world, isn’t it?
Sorry, somewhat off-topic, but maybe not so much. Just a reminder of how short the history of our country really is, and geneaology back to the civil war is not so long to carry a burden.