<p>Sally, I’m not even sure a case needs to be solved to feel a police department has done a good job. There are many cases that are never solved and it is not for lack of trying. I’m sure the police and FBI want nothing more than to solve the disappearance of Hannah. I really hope they can but even if they can’t, I would not ever think their efforts have been a failure. There are clearly people working tirelessly on this and I personally applaud them .</p>
<p>Flossy, you have no inside knowledge of the case so no need to try to “prove it to me.” But thanks anyway.</p>
<p>As I have said, if this is the guy, I will be very glad he is off the streets and gets what he deserves. Hannah and her family deserve justice. I would just prefer to wait until we know more.</p>
<p>sevmom, police work tirelessly on lots of cases–some of which get solved and some don’t. They don’t always get the recognition they deserve. In any event, I am glad Hannah’s case finally seems to be moving forward. It has been a long time.</p>
<p>Well, you’re asking me questions in a weirdly challenging way. All I said was I am impressed by the police chief.and have a lot of confidence in the way they’re conducting this investigation. This forum is very odd, sometimes. They’re being careful to protect an eventual successful prosecution. Omg, it’s been 10 days.</p>
<p>Hyperbole and innuendo from the usual suspects. Sigh and eye roll.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>In what way are these questions “weirdly challenging”?</p>
<p>Nope, not playing tonight.</p>
<p>For a small college town C’Ville has a surprising number of unusual crimes.</p>
<p>Charlottesville is a significant jobs center; the university, the hospital etc. It also has wealth. Wealth attracts criminals.</p>
<p>Flossy, no one wants to “play” with you. Seriously.</p>
<p>barrons, I agree–and that is why I hope the FBI is looking at connections to other crimes against young women over the past few years. It’s troubling.</p>
<p>I’m sure they are… And, ten days after the kidnapping or whatever they have a suspect and they have evidence. Cheers. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/charlottesville-police-chief-leads-emotional-forceful-search-for-missing-u-va-student/2014/09/23/0b6b5ed2-42a8-11e4-b47c-f5889e061e5f_story.html”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/charlottesville-police-chief-leads-emotional-forceful-search-for-missing-u-va-student/2014/09/23/0b6b5ed2-42a8-11e4-b47c-f5889e061e5f_story.html</a></p>
<p>Barrons:…“For a small college town C’Ville has a surprising number of unusual crimes…”</p>
<p>I know! It has been something discussed in my family for the past ten years or so. There seem to be a lot of rapes. My mother was from there and one of my grandfathers was mayor years ago. I was pretty shocked to read about the gang activity last winter. I gather there is still a lot of investigation going on about that.</p>
<p>I don’t think this guy is a suspect in the Alexis Murphy homicide. She has not been found but Randy Allen Taylor was on video with her; she left a carwash and followed him in her car. He lived in a 16’ travel trailer and police found broken fingernails and her DNA in the trailer. Those are the highlights from the trial that I recall. He left a bar with another girl who went missing a few months before. I’m satisfied they have the right man in that case. </p>
<p>There have been quite a few “white slavery” prosecutions in VA in the past couple of years and some have pointed to gang activity. </p>
<p>Flossy above was more or less quoting briefly from the statement the police chief made Tuesday afternoon. The prosecutor now feels they have sufficient evidence to charge Mr. Matthew with abduction with intent to defile:</p>
<p>§ 18.2-48. Abduction with intent to extort money or for immoral purpose. </p>
<p>Abduction (i) of any person with the intent to extort money or pecuniary benefit, (ii) of any person with intent to defile such person, (iii) of any child under sixteen years of age for the purpose of concubinage or prostitution, (iv) of any person for the purpose of prostitution, or (v) of any minor for the purpose of manufacturing child pornography shall be punishable as a Class 2 felony. If the sentence imposed for a violation of (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v) includes a term of confinement less than life imprisonment, the judge shall impose, in addition to any active sentence, a suspended sentence of no less than 40 years. This suspended sentence shall be suspended for the remainder of the defendant’s life subject to revocation by the court. </p>
<p>As for there not being many African American serial killers I submit Timothy Wilson Spencer, the first DNA conviction in the U.S.</p>
<p><a href=“Timothy Wilson Spencer - Wikipedia”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Wilson_Spencer</a></p>
<p>I’m not calling Mr. Matthew a serial killer. He may be innocent. He may have partied with her and she could have overdosed on drugs or alcohol. But fleeing makes him look guilty. </p>
<p>Re the WP article: Longo does seem to be a passionate police chief. I’m not sure whether that’s good or bad. The comments suggest he has not been effective in pursuing sexual assault cases. We’ll see how it goes with this one.</p>
<p>Osprey, is it 18.2.48 or 18.2.47? I know googling the phrase takes one to “with intent to extort money or for immoral purpose.” But .47 is “defile,” slightly different. I thought I saw the charge yesterday, but don’t see it now.</p>
<p>I just can’t understand why why why she was out alone that night. I just hope my Ds actually hear me & my H when we talk to them about staying safe.</p>
<p>My D is now frightened afraid of cabs. This is not good. She needs cabs very much. And, I agree LF “intent to defile” is an interesting charge. Also, re #293, I’m wondering what would happen on here if I were to start commenting on the comments section. Good grief.</p>
<p>That is very convincing evidence, Osprey. (re Alexis Murphy)</p>
<p>A person who has consistently impressed me in all this is Morgan Harrington’s mother. She is very thoughtful and well-spoken, and seems to have true generosity of spirit.</p>
<p>Women are in general more vulnerable but young men need to be cautious too. There have been rather mysterious disappearances of young men as well over the years. I hope everybody is staying safe, adopting the buddy system. Sexual assault is the main issue, and women are more likely to experience that. But armed robberies are another problem when you’re out and about alone, and both men and women are vulnerable to that.</p>
<p>Sevmom, totally agree. Doesn’t matter what your age or gender is, going out alone, specially as a pedestrian, in the wee hours in almost any city is not safe. Going out alone and getting impaired is just crazy.</p>