Erika Megan Sharpton Murder: Suspect Match Identified In CODIS Warrants Immediate Arrest Or Public Warning- DA Says Wait
Erika Megan Sharpton, called Megan by her family and friends set out the evening of July 1 to interview for a new job on her only day off.
At 24, Megan was committed to her education in her nursing program and she was anxious to secure a position in line with her studies and gain some relevant experience.
Facebook Photo
Megan’s partially charred remains were discovered by a motorist at 1:18AM the morning of July 2, 2012 while observing what he thought was a holiday brush fire. Megan was doused with gasoline and set ablaze very shortly before.
Mercifully, she was deceased by that time and investigators believe she met her end somewhere else. The reporter of the grass fire who backed up twice into the gravel pull off area for a closer look identity has not been released.
Finding Megan was the start of the discovery of a deadly lure by a man who is no stranger to the law, and investigators know his identity.
Speaking on the sole condition of anonymity, a source has confirmed to www.blinkoncrime.com that Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Franklin County Sheriffs Department (FCSD) and law enforcement personnel from surrounding Coffee and Bedford counties have identified a suspect based on a forensic match to evidence found at the scene.
The starry and promising young woman who used to donate items and volunteer for programs that support the underprivileged and homeless was beaten, sexually assaulted and burned from her nude waist down. While several reports of her cause of death indicate blunt force trauma, investigators have not released additional details that would likely only be known to the suspect.
S. Christina Stoy, Editor In Chief, reached Kelly Hale Sharpton earlier today and asked the bereaved mother if she had been given the information about a DNA match to a suspect.
..”The FCPD has asked that we do not discuss any of the case sensitive details publicly so I cannot address your question directly. I will say that I met with the prosecutor Michael Taylor and expressed my great concern that an arrest be made immediately based on information I was told. He declined and I showed him a picture of Megan and I and told him he could not allow this to happen to someone else and this was Megan’s way of stopping this and I am frustrated with the decision to wait for an indictment of the man who murdered my child. Chief Fuller and Det Chris Guess have been a phenomenal support and I trust them without reservation and I believe they are equally frustrated..”
Megan had two star tattoos on her neck to honor her siblings, as well as three others. She had refused a potential job offer last Fall because her sister was expecting and she was concerned that she would have to leave immediately if she were to go into labor.
When Megan’s mother Kelly saw a post on facebook about the woman found at the base of the bridge had star tattoos, she immediately knew it was her child.
Megan fought her attacker like a banshee. A t 5’9″ banshee was no match.
On July 2nd in the afternoon, Meg’s 1995 red mustang was found in the middle of three forked bridge road in Bedford county TN. It was approximately 15 miles from where her remains were located.
Her neon pink purse, complete with her normal belongings, cards and cash was located in a creek off Fletcher Rd- apparently tossed from the bridge five miles from the Awalt bridge. A grandfather spending time with his two grandchildren discovered it and upon returning home googled the drivers license information to find a phone number for Megan. The good Samaritan was shocked to learn her fate and immediately called Franklin County Investigators.
Her keys, phone, birks, pants and undergarments have not been recovered.
As is usual and customary, police have interviewed the registered sex offenders in the area and have not commented on those results.
Editors at www.blinkoncrime.com have learned that one such individual lives within a few acres of the Awalt bridge location whose family also owns property in close proximity to the purse finding.
Will this be a situation that leads to a known and very dangerous predator who was allowed community supervision after an entire life of crime and felony convictions that include aggravated and sexual offenses?
Is their multiple family members with similar backgrounds living in the same home? Did someone familiar with LE technique intentionally try to point a finger at a fellow RSO?
He is in the system, he is dangerous, the public is at risk.
In my first analysis of this case, with few details, I though t it possible that it may be connected to missing Darden nursing student Holly Bobo as well as that of Michaela “Mickey” Shunick. Holly has been missing since April 2011 and Mickey was located deceased last month after her killer, Brandon Lavergne, led investigators to her body following a plea agreement.
Lavergne is now serving a life sentence for the murder of Liz Pate in 1999 and Shunick.
Lavergne has every preliminary indicator he could be a serial and he has ties to the disappearance of Spring Texas teen Ali Lowitzer. He was interviewed at length while incarcerated in previous missing women’s cases years ago- he was on the radar for someone as at least capable of such atrocity but he would kill at least one more woman that we know of before his final lock up.
Investigators were not fortunate enough to have a CODIS match in that case.
What’s the hold up exactly? I might opine to all those hesitant prosecutors out there- an interim victim because you do not want the next CSI effect theory acquittal on your watch is not ok. It will be on your permanent record and if that is not enough of a motivator imagine yourself on Nancy Grace explaining your “rationale.” Or worse, to another grief saturated parent.
Arrest now, indict later-
This is a local. This is someone who knows enough about the area and it’s boundaries to plop three different crime scenes in 3 different counties.
He brought petral to light up the 4th in an entirely sadistic way and someone with that knack for overt display is not going to fade to black .
With no evidence that Ms. Sharpton was attacked at the scene where her car was found abandoned in the middle of the road and a hand drawn map to nowhere inside, the assumption this may be a disorganized offender escalation pattern by some trigger is a strong possibility.
Keeping in mind from a forensic standpoint that in an open atmosphere, it is nearly impossible to burn a human body before detection and in this case very little actually was.
The assumption that the suspect was nearby and felt he would be away from the scene quickly should be a consideration.
Megan’s car, purse and remains were all placed in areas of certain immediate detection when the dense wooded areas just yards away would have provided the cover and secrecy needed to stall her recovery to date.
This crime is the work of a dangerous and psychopathic killer who had every intention of being acknowledged as such.
This monster treated this child as a human flare- waiting to present to a grand jury in a case like this is irresponsible in my not so humble opinion.
He is in the system, he is dangerous, the public is at risk. Arrest now indict later.
Franklin County Chief Tim Fuller did not return a request for comment at the time of this publication.
Kristin Helm, PIO Tenesee Bureau of Investigation declined to comment on a case where they are assisting and not the lead agency.
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Megan’s mom says:
“Kelly says:
July 25, 2012 at 8:19 am
Holly and Megan never knew each other. Holly lives about 2 hours away from where we do. There are some coincidences and similarities and if they are connected, time will tell us that. As of right now, they don’t have any real connection. Chris (her boyfriend) was a work at a very public place and it’s been verified he was there from 6p-12a. He is a very quiet person and is devistated. He has been very co-operative with law enforcement and us. They are working the phone records and it is more difficult since Meg’s phone can’t be located. I paid for her cell so they have access to her full account… I gave them the log in info and any and all permission to access her records that I could. I don’t really know how she got the referral. She told me a friend from school gave it to her. They have asked all her friends and none recall giving her the lead. Meg might have told me that tho because she knows I would “lose it” if she put an add on craigslist or something… She was 24 years old and very independent. She had sat for people before and really enjoyed caring for elderly people. She loved to listen to them and was very patient and kind to them. Some of her past employers insisted she go on vacation with them because she cared for them so well. She got to see some places she never would have without those jobs. Meg lived her life wide open. Accepting, living, learning… she took everything in and nothing for granted. We continue to be grateful for the efforts of law enforcement and are convinced of their complete dedication to resolving this. It all just takes time. I wish it took an hour like CSI on tv and they had those cool little screens that pop up the killers face from one tiny print somewhere, but that’s not how it works. Thank you all for your support and compassion for Megan. She was and always will be my shiny star. Such a gift to get to be her mother….I miss her.”
http://niecey456.com/2012/07/23/megan-sharptons-murder-still-unsolved-a-mothers-plea-nancy-grace/
Re Employer record on Tennessee’s sex offender listing.
Click on Details, Employer and sometimes there is an address.
In Clayton’s case, the address is in Jackson and is a 468 sf house.
I’m feeling slimey, for some reason.
David Duer lists his employer’s address at Bail Bonds Solutions, 415 Church St. Nashville
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=415+Church+Street,+Nashville,+TN&hl=en&sll=35.339214,-86.214352&sspn=0.056713,0.106945&oq=415+church+stre&t=h&hnear=415+Church+St,+Nashville,+Tennessee+37219&z=16
I have the Duer Collier family tree, if needed.
JWT doesn’t show an owned/operated vehicle.
CET does:
00317706
C.E.T.
PONATIC
GRA
2 DR
GREEN
1995
XXXX Redacted by WG
TN
One report said that Megan worked as a waitress as well as at a nursing home. Does anyone know at which restaurant she worked? I’m wondering if she may have met someone at the restaurant who gave her the job tip or even directly requested to interview her for a position.
I do Yamato Japanese Steakhouse.
B
LOL, I should research first and ask later, the restaurant is Yamato’s.
Yamato Restaurant is (according to Google) two minutes away from where this RSO works. The restaurant also is right by the Tullahoma high school. Wonder if this guy likes sushi?
http://www.tbi.tn.gov/sorint/SOREmplAdr.aspx?hctid=00271205
Restaurant is six minutes from his listed “home address” and also six minutes from his “secondary address”. Does anyone know what constitutes a “secondary address” for these guys? Their parents, or say sibling’s home where they could hang their hats? If they have these two addresses, are both addresses subject to parole officer searches on occasion? I’ve never seen this double address stuff before.
T. Ruth says:
August 26, 2012 at 12:32 pm
and this guy?
http://www.tbi.tn.gov/fugitives/documents/USTN_BeckStephen.UPDATED.pdf
___________
So, this guy is charged with 38 counts of sex offenses against children in two counties in August 2010, he’s released on bond and set to appear almost a year later in July 2011?
WTH did they think he was going to do?
This has to change. Anyone with numerous counts of SO against children, especially if there is more than one child who suffered at their hands, should not be released back into the community and a more streamlined court system needs to be in place for these kinds of offenses. One year before he’s tried is ridiculous. Gives them entirely too much time to reoffend or plan an escape.
I have never seen such lax bail and probation rules of RSO’s ever before. Their are 3 RSO’s who have rape convictions less than a year ago and are on probation.
B
Slow- I have a thing about craiglist, I call it the criminal candy store, lol. Not secure.
However, for certain items, makes sense if one can maintain security. In this case, I would request a phone scan/shot a valid DL, and go from there. Difficult to answer you more directly in this format.
B
The county criminal justice system, meaning the courts and district attorneys and staff are doing some strange things regarding the law. LE may be making arrests and then being dismayed when the court does not do it’s job.
This is the type of corruption that I was referencing on my original post. The people of the county are going to have to come together to put a stop to this behavior.
Drug and alcohol money can compromise the system. If the judge is elected and has been on the job for eight years or more, he or she needs to be removed.
It appears that this young woman was doing all the proper things to make her life better. Willing to work two jobs to get ahead. Unfortunately, evil sometimes wins and families pay the price with their loved ones.
This angers me. She was a kind and good young woman on the cusp of her calling. She was ambushed and I have no greater loathing or contempt for some skeeve criminal to take advantage of that.
She did pay the price, as are her family and loved ones. While I know there is a greater plan in this, at times, I am stricken to see the depravity.
B
This guy has a 2003 arrest for sexual battery. (Rape was dropped, see second link below for circumstances.) According to the first link he attends the same college as Megan and he works(ed) just down the street from the restaurant where Megan did. (3 minutes) There seems to be multiple businesses at that address, at least one of which is medical oriented. Just thinking about Megan’s mom saying that the job tip came from one of her student friends.
http://www.tbi.tn.gov/sorint/sor_Details.aspx?htid=00369527
http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/OPINIONS/tcca/PDF/054/parsleycOPN.pdf
I sure hope they’ve checked this person out.
T. Ruth, thx for the court document; what a joke: 7 months jail, 3 years probation for burglary and sexual battery. His psychological profile indicated he was “high-moderate risk for re-offense.” (page 2, last line.)
Blink, you’ve said that Meg’s victimology doesn’t show her making risky choices, but that she was friendly and non-judgemental to all.
She knew something of this elderly dementia patient who needed care and was willing to go out at sundown on rural roads to discuss a job possibility.
If the person with the job offer was involved, that would be a little too obvious to the police, yes? But complicit in luring her out is not easy to prove–unless his phone records tie with the bad guys? Even then, the links don’t seem that solid.
DNA at the crime scenes is all we’ve got?
No, I was being intentionally vague about the DNA origin and placement for investigative reasons. It is tied to the sexual assault.
I can say much more post arrest. This is a solid case and should not be waiting for indictment.
B
Does Tennessee use the GJ system? I know some no longer do. If this evidence was brought before the GJ did they issue a true bill? If so, then what’s the hold up?
********
Yes, Word Girl, when I read that, it really ticked me off. His own statements in that document make me sick. Talking about how it was all okay, because his victim wasn’t screaming at him, because she was soft spoken and such a nice girl???? WTF? She had scratches, bruises and things were knocked around the room. This man should NOT be walking around on streets. He is in complete denial of his evil deeds. His response reminds me of Phillip Garrido’s responses in the Katie Calloway trial. IMO he is just a time bomb waiting to go off at the right opportunity, or who knows, maybe he already has.
Yep. That’s the sociopath. It’s never their fault, regardless of the destruction at their feet.
I agree Word Girl. People who behave towards others as sociopaths and physcopaths need to be found as early as possible and removed from society.
I am really upset at the county justice system. They need a good housecleaning. This whole area has some major problems with corruption. Maybe this case will wake up the good people and they can begin to make the needed changes.
I am beginning to wonder if I need to take a look at the political climate pre-election here. It is my understanding that subsequent meetings have NOT changed the DA’s mind if you can believe that.
B
Yes, I can believe the DA is giving this case the run around. He needs to be investigated. The very light sentences of these RSO’s and probation into the community is IMO a definate danger to community safety.
One of the major problems with the criminal justice systems around the country is just plain burnout. Dealing with the lowest level of human behavior day after day is stressful. Sometimes the criminals get more consideration in a court than do the victims.
Blink et al, I just spoke with a man who is visiting the west coast from Tennessee. He confirms that there is a bit of the Old Appalacian
‘spirit’ up in them thar hills. Many educated and upstanding people, as some locals have attested, but there is always the criminal element.
He felt his state had strong DUI laws and was strict with sex offenders. I told him I’m seeing a few that slipped the strict. He’s friends with a prosecutor in the state so I hope Meg’s cause will be carried a bit farther upon his return.
It’s been almost a week since Blink’s article was posted about Megan and the judicial situation in Tennessee. I cannot fathom why an arrest has not been made and that they allow a murderer roam the streets. Waitng in good faith for an arrest SOON!
@Word Girl says:
August 29, 2012 at 6:40 pm
I want to THANK YOU for putting that ‘bug’ in his ear …
Hoping it’s the ‘push from person/s in the know to get that DA off his a**’ …
– Megan deserves justice.
Cindy, the DA was asked again if he would indict and he said “no, wait” for some reason we don’t know at this time. It’s now 8 weeks without an arrest, although some suspects have been tipped off that they are being closely investigated.
That doesn’t sound like a smart plan to me. This painful waiting, this agony of seeking justice–I just have to lift that up to a higher power because it seems beyond any control.
But, OT, another wife-killer is finally indicted. Dr. Martin MacNeill of Utah lamely found his wife dead in a bathtub (oh, wait, that was after he allowed his six-year-old daughter ‘discover’ her) and had claimed his brother had died in a bathtub accident as well.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/27/dr-martin-macneill-charged-wifes-murder_n_1834886.html
Lots of psycho-sociopaths around. Are they born or are they made?
and two months since Megan was last seen alive… he’s still out there. And Megan… is still dead.
It is beyond comprehension how a codis match does not warrant immediate arrest for this crime.
B
I’ve read several times that Megan’s boyfriend “holds a very public position”.
Are we talking government here? I’m just wondering if this has anything to do with the delay. Not saying he had anything to do with it, but is it possible that he was the “cause” of it? IOW, is it possible this crime was done as a threat to him, or in retaliation to him and possibly others? Does anyone actually know who her boyfriend is and/or what he does for a living?
Maybe the DA is waiting for the codis-matched perp to lead him to another body or another suspect. Clearly he is waiting on something. Just trying to remain hopeful.
Is it possible that the codis hit was only a partial match and LE is looking at relatives?
No, he is dead on.
But excellent question T. Ruth.
B
OT, sorry, but glad to see George Huguely got 23 years for Yeardley Love’s murder. Being a spoiled rich boy didn’t work for him this time…
Plus the Love family is suing for more than $29 million in damages from the state and university officials and filed a lawsuit against George himself.
RIP Yeardley….
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/30/13571569-former-uva-lacrosse-player-huguely-gets-23-years-in-death-of-ex-girlfriend-yeardley-love?lite
I cannot comprehend what this poor girl was subjected to and how her family are coping. There is simply no punishment sufficient enough for an animal such as the one that did this to Megan. Somebody is gonna get this guy and if it`s not the police first I hope he gets all that`s coming to him. They`re coming…
Thanks for the report on Yeardly Zeus.
Depending on how the parole system works in Virginia, this guy could get out of prison in fifteen years. Way too soon. He should have been charged with first degree murder and spent five years on death row and then sent to meet his maker.
The referenced article was totally wrong about the instrument of death. The trial proved that the wall played no part in her death.The drunken bully beat her to death with his fists and then stole the computer to cover up the motive.
ATG, the Washington Post’s opinion writer (one of them) didn’t think George’s apology meant much:
“I’m so sorry for your loss.” That platitude was the best that George Huguely V could muster this week as he finally addressed the grieving family of the woman he murdered.
I should not have been surprised by those empty words of sympathy from Huguely as he was sentenced to 23 years for murdering Yeardley Love. After all, someone who would kick in a door, assault a woman he supposedly cared about and then leave her to die in her own blood is not a man of either great sensitivity or introspection.”
Opinion is continued http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/post/george-huguelys-insulting-words-of-sympathy/2012/08/31/a2b3e796-f38b-11e1-adc6-87dfa8eff430_blog.html
The judge sentenced Huguely to 3 fewer years than the Prosecution requested and 2 fewer than the Charlottesville jury suggested when they convicted him in February of 2nd-degree murder and grand larceny (for the computer theft).
However the resulting sentence yesterday was much longer than the 14 years his family and attorney requested.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/george-huguely-vs-family-asks-for-leniency/2012/08/29/2e1bf19c-f21b-11e1-adc6-87dfa8eff430_story.html
The sentencing memo from the Huguely family and his attorney says that since he is from such a great family, he is most likely to succeed! And become a valuable member of society! His attorneys added that he had a ‘negligent criminal record.”
My fury is only dampened by my sadness in seeing the Huguely family so pathetically in denial about their alcoholic condition, which smokescreened their lack of vision in raising a child who predictably murdered a beautiful girl full of promise.
This one was a disaster waiting to happen and I can only hope that Yeardly and George’s friends and family will be much quicker to spot and defeat abuse if they ever see it happening.
Oh, and Georgie could be out at age 40 as ATG said. I doubt that 15 years can change that early parenting and crazy entitlement.
Work and family has had me so busy, I have no had the time to be on here like I used to be.
Certain cases “hit” me. Morgan was one, Caylee was one, Haylee, Holly, now this one.
So, if am I understanding all correctly, there is a DNA match, a firm DNA match, and the arrest has not been made yet, pending an indictment. WTF is that? Why in the world would LE leave him on the streets? I am not understanding (though I have been scanning the posts to get caught up, so not reading as in depth as I normally would).
There is an irrefutable DNA match. Suspect has been told this.
B
The suspect has been told this? How the hell does that work?
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
It’s just us the TBI, again. Ummm, RSO, we seem to have found your DNA in this dead woman’s car, and we were just wondering how it got there?
Oh yeah, that…..well, ummmmm, she gave me a ride over to my grandma’s house and here, my grandma will vouch for me, that she dropped me off right there at their house and she was very much alive last time we saw her.
**************
Could it be Erika knew her attacker? Erika was an adult, who according to her Mom, was maybe overly trusting and friendly with everyone she met. Maybe she made the acquaintance of this RSO and had no idea of his past?
If LE has a positive DNA match, and puts it at the scene of the crime, is this RSO saying perhaps they had met before and it was congenial and maybe he has computer records or something else to prove it, coupled with an alibi of being elsewhere at the time of her death? Therefore, his DNA being in her car, (if that’s where it was found) was not necessarily an open/shut case, so LE is working on trying to bust open his alibi? IDK, just trying to think up reasons for the delay.
Whomever it is, I hope they have him covered 24/7.
Well Word Girl, the attorney for Huguely was doing what he was paid to do. This very wealthy family raised a child that was seriously flawed and then did nothing to keep him out of the mainstream of society.
Wealth does not make a good family. It takes love and consideration for the wellbeing of others to teach children how to be good people. This family does not have that ability. I hope the civil suit makes it imposible for this family to continue their flawed lifestyle.
Her boyfriend didnt hold a public position. He worked at a public place. A local (and large) retail store. He has been cleared…completely. There is no connection between him and Megan’s death.
This is out there I know, but could identical twins be involved?
Thanks, staring at the stars. If you can imagine, people here are working blind and it takes locals who know the story to correct information that floats around, especially in cyberspace.
As you know, everyone who isn’t ruled “out” is automatically “in.”
It’s just so hard to imagine why Meg’s life was ripped from her.
What is CODIS?
The FBI’s Combined DNA Index System, known as CODIS, is a software platform that blends forensic science and computer technology.
CODIS has multiple levels where DNA profiles can be stored and searched: the local level (for city and county DNA laboratories), state level and national level.
Data stored at the national level is kept in the National DNA Index System, or NDIS. At this level, an analyst can try to match a DNA profile from a local crime scene sample (also known as a forensic unknown) with an offender’s profile from across the nation to solve cases that span states.
Analysts use CODIS to search DNA profiles obtained from crime scene evidence against DNA profiles from other crime scenes and from convicted offenders and arrestees. CODIS can generate investigative leads in cases when a match is obtained. For example, if the DNA profile from a crime scene matches a sample taken from another crime scene, the cases may be linked in what is called a forensic hit. If the crime scene sample matches a convicted offender or arrestee sample, the result is called an offender hit. Hits give investigating officers valuable information that helps them focus their investigation.
At the end of 2004, CODIS contained just over 2 million offender profiles. As of June 30, 2009, according to FBI reports, more than 7 million offender profiles and 272,000 forensic profiles from crime scene samples had been uploaded to CODIS. The result has been more than 93,000 hits and more than 91,000 investigations aided nationwide.
http://www.nij.gov/journals/266/backlogs-codis.htm
January, thank you very much for the CODIS information.
The last line of this paragraph flipped my comprehension switch:
“For example, if the DNA profile from a crime scene matches a sample taken from another crime scene, the cases may be linked in what is called a forensic hit. If the crime scene sample matches a convicted offender or arrestee sample, the result is called an offender hit. Hits give investigating officers valuable information that helps them focus their investigation.”
…”Hits give investigating officers valuable information that helps them focus. their. investigation.”
They’re predicting an imminent arrest in the Karen swift case, hopefully this means somebody in tn is doing their job. I find it interesting the husband has retained Steve Farese, a serious heavy hitter defense attorney; he was one of Mary Winkler’s lawyers IIRC and is extremely high profile and doesnt come cheap.
http://m.wmctv.com/ms/p/a3/59/view.m?id=124279&storyId=19441454&news=Top%20Stories&news2=Main
Thanks MandyVZ for the update on Karen Swift. The article in the link is pretty vague about when the charges will be filed with an arrest soon thereafter.
The high priced lawyer is already making statements that point to Karen’s behavior as a reason for her death. Yes, Mr. Lawyer she was trying to get away from a possible abusive situation at home.
http://wreg.com/2012/09/03/person-of-interest-in-swift-murder-case/
Thanks, Mandy. Here’s another article on the coming arrest in the Karen Swift homicide.
Adam needs a copy editor, lol, calling the kettle metal over here
B
snip of Blink: I am beginning to wonder if I need to take a look at the political climate pre-election here. Sorry can’t nav back to url but it’s just up there.
Imo rhis hits the nail on the head. needn’t be national
election. coukd be DA itself; or a judge up for election who wants to postpone. A major donor. what party is the DA? linked to any in Congress?
What else could this be if not politics but a bribe or a blackmail?
Like I said, Farese was Mary Winkler’s attorney. That he has been retained in this case indicates to me that his client believes that the charges that will be filed will be against HIM. Their pre-emptive “strange things were going on with Ms. Swift” strike solidifies that idea for me.
LOL, blink, unfortunately, the state of news writing in Memphis is such that the copy editor frequently needs a copy editor! On air is even worse. My father is a producer, now of corporate communications, but for most of my life he did news and he started out right here in Memphis. After many, many summers in many, many newsrooms I watch the news here with my head in my hands.
Blink – could the reason for no arrest yet be that the DA is waiting to build a rock-solid murder case, and the DNA evidence can only point to part of the crime at this point?
It is my opinion it is a multiple suspect issue over multiple potential facets of the crime (s).
I realize I have to withhold the case sensitive stuff can be annoying, but you know I must, but I will say this, I have run this past both Fed officials and a prosecutor and both agreed the public safety element should be the priority given the suspect is aware.
B
Perhaps the DNA hit is not from something that proves guilt — i.e., not from dna found under the fingernails or on something obviously linked to the murder, but just in her car etc. — and the DA wants more evidence? The suspect may have tried to explain it away in a way hat they are working on disproving.
When you have LE pushing to arrest and a DA refusing, with a woman being heinously brutalized in this way, TN own statute warrants an arrest prior to an indictment. This DA is notorious for preferring plea deals over criminal prosecution, I stand by my assertion that is a flagrant problem in this area.
3 case, one state: Karen Swift, Holly Bobo and Megan Sharpton, all the same basic thing going on.
B
Any time your DA prefers plea deals rather than going to trial for criminal cases indicates he or she is either lazy or has been bought and paid for by criminal interests. At the first sign of this type of activity, the people need to make serious plans for their replacement.
I just read a report of a group in Germany that has made a big breakthrough in processing damaged or dirty DNA. This is a laboratory group that is working with very old DNA recovered from excavations.
Well I don’t think there is any evidence to conclude anyone is dirty to date, but I could agree with you that when we are dealing with such a monsterous offense, I don’t want to hear about a plea deal while someone is on the outside. The Aurora shooter comes to mind. His psychiatrist warned police 6 weeks before the incident. Haven’t we really had enough of people seeing things coming?
B
Blink, I have to ask because of your response elsewhere, could it be that the codis match should not legally be available and thus because of legality the DA is opting to not act? Does that make any sense?
It does, and no, link is “legit”.
B
The police are somewhat blocked from doing something about a potential crime involving a person under doctors care. The doctor is the one who must force the issue if a patient appears to be capable of doing harm to themselves or others. Handing off responsibility to LE is IMO a doctor that doesn’t have enough skills to effectivly do their job.
I am not saying anyone is dirty in this case. I do believe that the citizens need to investigate the DA to determine just why such behavior is happening. If they find lazyness or dirt,then action needs to be taken. For far too long the good citizens have allowed the courts and offices of criminal justice to work out of sight believing they are performing as they should.