Sorry I didn't get to this earlier. Got wrapped up in something else. So this'll be brief:
Thus far, IMHO, there have been 3 basic scenarios for the purpose of the duct tape:
1) To keep Caylee quiet should she awake from sedation
2) The method of murder
3) Post-mortem application to:
a) To stem decomp or,
b) As a psychological death mask
c) To stage a kidnapping
Without much elaboration, perhaps the Q64=>Q104=>Q63=>Q62 sequence
takes purpose #1 off the table. It appears to me the application was all-@-once, which included covering the nostrils (and speculate the eyes). IF this is correct, then, the purpose of the tape was either 2 or 3, IMHO.
BBM
Okay, I'm not quite ready to totally disregard purpose #1. fwiw, I AM ready to set my emotional reasons aside (thanks in part to a personal post #148 by okiedokietoo on the Theory #7 thread :blowkiss
. However, there are several evidentiary stumbling blocks that need to be cleared up for me.
Specifically this snippet of JWG's post (linked below) in the Theory #7 thread concerning the chloroform levels.
--respectfully snipped for emphasis
But then that final report came out telling us the positive control sample (dead-baby blanket from Montana) had
zero chloroform and that the levels found in Casey's trunk were a
million times higher than normally found with a decomposing adult.
On top of that, Dr. Vass's emails with OCSO showed he was clearly alarmed by the chloroform levels and suspected a not-so-innocent explanation.
As hard as it might be to believe, the science seems to indicate chloroform
really was used on Caylee to put her to sleep that night.
The question comes up time and again though, if chloroform were used to knock Caylee out, was it somehow spilled in the trunk? The signature is missing from the car's interior and from the white garbage bag.
The high levels are found only in the trunk. Why?
Using a not-so-new thought to tie the above together, it is probable that chloroform was applied to something that comforted Caylee as she went to sleep - the Winnie the Pooh blanket. Clearly OCSO and the FBI felt that it was applied to something that comforted her, because they tested both the car seat and her "mama" doll, :sleuth: coming up negative. I don't recall seeing a test on the blanket, but given it lay in a swamp for 6 months I doubt they'd find anything.
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If I understand it correctly, the ONLY evidence of chloroform was found in the trunk. (I know there was speculation about the syringe/Gatorade bottle, but I can't recall any confirmation :waitasec
IMO, the high levels are there for SOME reason and I find JWG's theory about the blanket very plausible. I agree that after sitting in the FL heat & swampy elements for 6 months any test would come up negative. So, unless some scientific specialist can convince me otherwise, that means nada to me. So, I need someone to explain to me why the massive chloroform levels exist in the trunk AT ALL, before I can disregard #1. I realize this thread is about the duct tape and not chloroform, so if someone can help me out and wants to post it in another thread, just give me the directions and I will follow behind.
Now, my next request is not in re. challenging any of the scenarios Bond proposed, but moreso to get clarity regarding the condition of Q104. In fact, it probably supports Bond's theory #2 and Jeff Ashton's compelling description of the SA's theory of COD. I am referring to the quote that ynot posted by JWG. I would love to hear more input. (I realize this was posted back in Oct. '09, so please advise me if your opinion has changed, JWG.)
Posted the following on the George deposition thread, but I think it should be discussed here:
Page 270 (George deposition) has an interesting question.
George is asked whether or not Caylee could pull Velcro apart. George does not know - has not seen her do it, but possible. He was also asked about manual dexterity and whether or not she was able to button / un-button things as well as snap and unsnap things.
I think I know why Ashton asked that question. Pulling Velcro apart is about as difficult as pulling duct tape off a surface, like skin. We know from the latest dump (an FBI email) that the SA is looking to do a computer 3D graphic showing the tape over Caylee's mouth and nose. I'm thinking the SA believes KC did this to suffocate Caylee.
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As to proposed scenario #3 (a) - I threw that one out the window a
long, long time ago and it is going to take a HUGE LEAP for me to be able to remotely consider that the tape was the instrument KC decided upon to use to contain the decomp fluids. Without boring everyone to death by elaborating on my reasons AGAIN, briefly: 1) I don't think decomp fluids even occurred to Casey Anthony, especially at the time she murdered Caylee (unless one of you guys can show me where she googled it
); 2) the trash bags and lined laundry bag she chose to use as a disrespectful casket served the purpose just fine, even though I doubt Casey even realized it. Oh, I could go on forever about why I don't believe this scenario is even plausible, but this post is long enough already. I'll just refer to various observations made by AZLawyer throughout several threads, quote logicalgirl's and LambChop's observations on this thread posts #418 & #419, respectively and call it a day.
But if it was done pre-decomp as the ME has declared - what killer thinks about fluids leaking immediately after the murder? That's where I keep getting stuck on this - no way would I think after I killed someone - well gee, now what to do about the fluids. Not trying to be a smart azz but honestly I wouldn't in a million years have that thought.
--respectfully snipped for subject matter
I hate to write this but upon death everything is your system purges out. The face is the least of your worries. It would have been faster to put her in a bag then sit there and tear four pieces of tape to tape over those areas. Plus ears have canals, too.
jmo
In re. 3 (b) & (c) - I dunno. It is still a stretch for me believing the tape was applied post-mortem. But, those 2 options I can remain open-minded about.