Found Deceased FL - Madeline Soto, 13, Missing Child Alert, 13500 blk Town Loop Blvd, Orlando, 26 Feb 2024 *arrest* #14

[ttjo]

Well, he lied about it. He said to the media that the photo uploaded wasn't her body, then they had to walk it back because it absolutely was.

It was a very foolish lie to make; too many people saw the picture when it was originally posted and absolutely were not buying the BS he was selling. It made the department not only look clumsy with the evidence photos of a murdered child, but obviously liars out to protect their own behinds in a blatant way, like a young kid with chocolate all over his face earnestly insisting he didn't eat that cupcake that was on the table.

Osceola sheriff’s ‘untruthful’ statement about Madeline Soto photo lands him on Brady List. Here’s what that means

In one of his last acts as Orange-Osceola state attorney, Andrew Bain adds Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez to the Brady List.

www.clickorlando.com

MOO

Ah ok, I felt like he was attempting to do damage control, I didn't think of it as deceptive IMO a mistake, and then an attempt to cover your own a$$, not deceive people. Did they want him to say " Hey sorry folks yes that was her body, My bad"

 

[iamshadow21]

Ah ok, I felt like he was attempting to do damage control, I didn't think of it as deceptive IMO a mistake, and then an attempt to cover your own a$$, not deceive people. Did they want him to say " Hey sorry folks yes that was her body, My bad"

It would have been the best thing to do. Admit the mistake, take his lumps, and do better. People would have been furious, but they would have understood that it's easy to make a regrettable mistake with technology. Instead he went on the radio and lied about it. And then sat down and told the truth to a police department investigator five days later. I don't understand why he thought he could get away with it, but it's his own words that are hanging him, not the defense. He has nobody to blame for this situation but himself.

MOO

 

[ttjo]

It would have been the best thing to do. Admit the mistake, take his lumps, and do better. People would have been furious, but they would have understood that it's easy to make a regrettable mistake with technology. Instead he went on the radio and lied about it. And then sat down and told the truth to a police department investigator five days later. I don't understand why he thought he could get away with it, but it's his own words that are hanging him, not the defense. He has nobody to blame for this situation but himself.

MOO

I mean I get it, but I think there is such a difference between, not admitting it was maddi, or something like that Florida deputy planting drugs on people he stopped so he could get on that drug unit cant remember his name( but this is who it is to name a source).

That stuff hurts your credibility. What impact did Lopex posting that picture have on the case? and what would admitting it faster have done for him? Sure admit it to your superiors but to the public?? IDK, I feel bad that it was a mistake and the defense is pulling out all they can to fight against 1700 photos of direct evidence. I bet that Lopez never even took that picture if it was in the middle of the batch. I bet it was sent to him and saved, and then posted as part of a batch by accident. I'm not a fan of tricky players, I accept consequences but consider the intent also.
don't send me hate mail ( LOl) I just think to be put on the brady list is completely out of bounds.
The defense sure is earning its pay. 50+ motions this month, Its like they're trying to exhaust everyone before the trial.

 

[iamshadow21]

I mean I get it, but I think there is such a difference between, not admitting it was maddi, or something like that Florida deputy planting drugs on people he stopped so he could get on that drug unit cant remember his name( but this is who it is to name a source).

That stuff hurts your credibility. What impact did Lopex posting that picture have on the case? and what would admitting it faster have done for him? Sure admit it to your superiors but to the public?? IDK, I feel bad that it was a mistake and the defence is playing dirty. I guess they will pull out all they can to fight against 1700 photos of direct evidence. I bet that Lopez never even took that picture if it was in the middle of the batch. I bet it was sent to him and saved, and then posted as part of a batch by accident. I just am not a fan of dirty players. I accept consequences but consider the intent also.

It isn't the posting of it by accident that hurt his credibility, it was going to the media and lying and saying the picture wasn't a body at all. That's a choice. He could have just said no comment.

Instead, five days later, he admits to an investigator that the photo was of Madeline's body and was sent to try to match the clothing the body was wearing to what she had been reported to be wearing by her family.

That's deliberate deception. He could have chosen not to answer, and instead, he came up with a self serving lie that he obviously thought made him sound better than the clumsy cop who posted a kid's murdered body on social media. Instead, he became the clumsy cop who posted a kid's murdered body on social media and blatantly, provably lied about it to the public to try to rescue his image.

Is he the worst cop ever? Of course not. But would I side eye him as a juror if this came up in court? Absolutely. Would it change my verdict in a case with evidence this strong? Very doubtful, but I would weigh everything he said against the fact that he'd lied to the public out of selfish motivations in this actual case that's on trial. He put his ego ahead of his integrity.

MOO

 

[ttjo]

It isn't the posting of it by accident that hurt his credibility, it was going to the media and lying and saying the picture wasn't a body at all. That's a choice. He could have just said no comment.

and i guess thats whats hard to accept, I know the posting isn't the biggest issue but denying it is. I think his reason for denying it was probably pride,embarrassment scared. he was the sheriff!!. If I thought his denial was to harm the case or anyone in anyway I might think differently. but believe it was to spare himself. IDK, not trying to excuse his behavior just saying the brady thing is a bit much. I agree he could be consequenced but being put on a brady list is overkill , when this incident wouldn't reflect his credibility to me anyway. I wish he would have just gone to his superior and asked for help in doing some damage control.
Sometimes that the part about law that bothers me, its so cut and dry, So offenders can roll out a list of mitigating factors, but not the sheriff.
I guess I don't see it as ego as much as self protection. But look at the different perspectives we have, its interesting, and exactly why you can never know how a jury will think .


k I'm getting off my soap box now.

 

[LetsSolvIt]

Not far fetched, how do you explain one of Maddi's crocs in the dumpster and the other in Jenns bedroom? Just askin.

Only thing is if I remember correctly, her injuries included the Hyoid bone being broken? i cant remember the exact word they used and to do that it indicated direct pressure? I'll have to look it up again, I remember we discussed it before.

Pretty sure you are right about Hyoid bone being broken — I know I’ve read that, too — so then prob not a dog leash.

Not sure about Crocks.

 

[Seattle1]

It isn't the posting of it by accident that hurt his credibility, it was going to the media and lying and saying the picture wasn't a body at all. That's a choice. He could have just said no comment.

Instead, five days later, he admits to an investigator that the photo was of Madeline's body and was sent to try to match the clothing the body was wearing to what she had been reported to be wearing by her family.

That's deliberate deception. He could have chosen not to answer, and instead, he came up with a self serving lie that he obviously thought made him sound better than the clumsy cop who posted a kid's murdered body on social media. Instead, he became the clumsy cop who posted a kid's murdered body on social media and blatantly, provably lied about it to the public to try to rescue his image.

Is he the worst cop ever? Of course not. But would I side eye him as a juror if this came up in court? Absolutely. Would it change my verdict in a case with evidence this strong? Very doubtful, but I would weigh everything he said against the fact that he'd lied to the public out of selfish motivations in this actual case that's on trial. He put his ego ahead of his integrity.

MOO

Admittedly, I never saw this story past the Instagram post with the Lopez and his beloved Seniors that he met with regularly, and where the unidentified image was uploaded in a group of photos, and taken down within minutes.

I was not aware of the radio interview being referenced from the end of March, where it seems to me that Lopez was attempting to protect both his team and the victim by saying the image was never confirmed to be the body of MS. I believe the image was probably MS but if not confirmed from the source and meta data, would technically make the statement evasive at best-- most likely hoping that any cached images would cease circulating the same, claiming it the verified photo of MS (as click-bait does). More important, Sheriff provided the actual details to FDLE-- versus a reporter.

That ^^ said, American politics are not natural to me, but I've come to understand, and witness first hand, the games that opponents play, and how MSM is used in these instances for political advantage (Lopez was running for re-election in 2024). I've also been doing this a longtime and personally don't have an expectation that internal information during an investigation will match information exchanged with media reporters!

From what I'm gathering right now, IMO, seems the subject story refused to die and continued until Lopez was advised on Dec 30 that he was placed on the Brady list.

So what we know for fact is that Sheriff Lopez's Office was not lead agency on the investigation of MS case, FDLE determined posting the image by Lopez was not intentional, and Lopez received a $250 citation for violating public records laws, which seems appropriate to me for not exercising due care. It's also fact the the Bradly List is an irrevocable scarlet letter that will stick with someone for the rest of their career, and for an elected Sheriff -- most likely career ending. It's hard to find good, dedicated public servants, and I'm truly sorry if this incident ends the Sheriff's career. MOO

 

[CuriousCricket]

Maybe the sheriff should willingly give this trial a miss. The defense would crucify him on cross examination. Isn't it likely the state can get all the evidence in with other witnesses? So, the sheriff would hurt instead of help the prosecution. No, he messed up, big time, and needs to do what is best for the case.

I personally think it's amazing the defense that SS is receiving and wonder what else is in store.

 

[iamshadow21]

Maybe the sheriff should willingly give this trial a miss. The defense would crucify him on cross examination. Isn't it likely the state can get all the evidence in with other witnesses? So, the sheriff would hurt instead of help the prosecution. No, he messed up, big time, and needs to do what is best for the case.

I personally think it's amazing the defense that SS is receiving and wonder what else is in store.

The problem is that if the prosecution doesn't call him, he could potentially get called as a hostile witness by the defense, which would be disastrous. "Look what they were hiding from you!", etc.

Better that the prosecution draws the sting as best they can, if he's on the stand. Then they have some control of the bad facts.

MOO

 

[Seattle1]

Instead, five days later, he admits to an investigator that the photo was of Madeline's body and was sent to try to match the clothing the body was wearing to what she had been reported to be wearing by her family.

Respectfully, FDLE is the only party Sheriff owed the truth to! Not a reporter making an inquiry during an ongoing investigation only days old. This was already a tired subject after a mistake was made (uploaded the image to with the senior photos to Instagram). I'm not even sure MS remains had even been positively identified yet. JMO

 

[iamshadow21]

Respectfully, FDLE is the only party Sheriff owed the truth to! Not a reporter making an inquiry during an ongoing investigation only days old. This was already a tired subject after a mistake was made (uploaded the image to with the senior photos to Instagram). I'm not even sure MS remains had even been positively identified yet. JMO

He could have said no comment or declined to answer the question because it pertained to an ongoing investigation. Reporters and the public understand and accept that kind of answer as being par for the course.

Instead, he told a self serving lie. And that choice is what has marked his career and reputation irreparably.

MOO

 

[ttjo]

Admittedly, I never saw this story past the Instagram post with the Lopez and his beloved Seniors that he met with regularly, and where the unidentified image was uploaded in a group of photos, and taken down within minutes.

I was not aware of the radio interview being referenced from the end of March, where it seems to me that Lopez was attempting to protect both his team and the victim by saying the image was never confirmed to be the body of MS. I believe the image was probably MS but if not confirmed from the source and meta data, would technically make the statement evasive at best-- most likely hoping that any cached images would cease circulating the same, claiming it the verified photo of MS (as click-bait does). More important, Sheriff provided the actual details to FDLE-- versus a reporter.

That ^^ said, American politics are not natural to me, but I've come to understand, and witness first hand, the games that opponents play, and how MSM is used in these instances for political advantage (Lopez was running for re-election in 2024). I've also been doing this a longtime and personally don't have an expectation that internal information during an investigation will match information exchanged with media reporters!

From what I'm gathering right now, IMO, seems the subject story refused to die and continued until Lopez was advised on Dec 30 that he was placed on the Brady list.

So what we know for fact is that Sheriff Lopez's Office was not lead agency on the investigation of MS case, FDLE determined posting the image by Lopez was not intentional, and Lopez received a $250 citation for violating public records laws, which seems appropriate to me for not exercising due care. It's also fact the the Bradly List is an irrevocable scarlet letter that will stick with someone for the rest of their career, and for an elected Sheriff -- most likely career ending. It's hard to find good, dedicated public servants, and I'm truly sorry if this incident ends the Sheriff's career. MOO

you have a much better argument than me, lol, but Im with you. violating public records, fair enough, undue care, same. Brady list? seems like a stretch. Cant blame the defense for doing a thorough job I guess.
Personally, I never saw that photo at all, ever, and I wasn't that interested to find it either.

 

[ttjo]

Maybe the sheriff should willingly give this trial a miss. The defense would crucify him on cross examination. Isn't it likely the state can get all the evidence in with other witnesses? So, the sheriff would hurt instead of help the prosecution. No, he messed up, big time, and needs to do what is best for the case.

I personally think it's amazing the defense that SS is receiving and wonder what else is in store.

I did hear his defense lawyers were very good. I mean I know they're doing all they can and isn't that what a lawyer is supposed to do? Besides I don't think Lopez is a key witness anyway, Those pictures speak for themselves.

 

[Seattle1]

TIMELINE: Here’s where things stand in the Madeline Soto case 11 months later

As the investigation into Madeline Soto's death continues, News 6 provides a timeline of events stemming back to her initial disappearance.

www.clickorlando.com

 

[Gemmie]

Interesting Proposed Jury Questionnaire. I understand the importance DNA has for most crimes but why this one? With SS seen not once, not twice, but multiple times with a deceased Maddie, and all the CSAM on his phone against her, and the fact JS admits she sent them upstairs to bed together that night, never to be seen alive again.... but why would DNA matter in this case? Is to to absolutely prove he strangled her?

And it's SS/his defense asking for it. Why would it matter to them? I'd think it would matter more to the prosecutor, not the defense. Anyone have any ideas why SS and his defense finds this important, or is this simply a standard jury questionnaire and it's on all of them?

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[Wallendo]

Interesting Proposed Jury Questionnaire. I understand the importance DNA has for most crimes but why this one? With SS seen not once, not twice, but multiple times with a deceased Maddie, and all the CSAM on his phone against her, and the fact JS admits she sent them upstairs to bed together that night, never to be seen alive again.... but why would DNA matter in this case? Is to to absolutely prove he strangled her?

And it's SS/his defense asking for it. Why would it matter to them? I'd think it would matter more to the prosecutor, not the defense. Anyone have any ideas why SS and his defense finds this important, or is this simply a standard jury questionnaire and it's on all of them?

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I’m not sure how useful DNA would be in this case since it would be normal for DNA from SS and Maddie’s mom to be present (excluding semen of course). The defense could be trying to explain away some incriminating DNA at trial. Or may know/suspect that some other DNA is present that they could allege was from the “real killer”.

 

[CuriousCricket]

Interesting Proposed Jury Questionnaire. I understand the importance DNA has for most crimes but why this one? With SS seen not once, not twice, but multiple times with a deceased Maddie, and all the CSAM on his phone against her, and the fact JS admits she sent them upstairs to bed together that night, never to be seen alive again.... but why would DNA matter in this case? Is to to absolutely prove he strangled her?

And it's SS/his defense asking for it. Why would it matter to them? I'd think it would matter more to the prosecutor, not the defense. Anyone have any ideas why SS and his defense finds this important, or is this simply a standard jury questionnaire and it's on all of them?

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Look at all the areas. Wonder if they are planning an extremely complicated defense and want to have jurors who can follow it? Or will they be presenting testimony that people with specialized backgrounds would know about and influence other jurors against the defense's arguments?

The defense motions to keep the jury from hearing the victim's impact statements has me leaning toward the latter.

 

[ttjo]

Do both sides get to see the questionnaire and the answers?

 

[Tricia]

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[ttjo]

Do both sides get to see the questionnaire and the answers?

if theyre trying to stack the jury with "people with specialized backgrounds who would know about DNA analysis and influence other jurors against the defense's arguments" wouldn't the state see that and put a stop to those shenanigans?