tomkat: I know you check into the thread pretty regularly and there is something I've been wanting to ask you about -- and, of course, anybody else who can comment is welcome.
I know you have told us you are a landlord and, though I don't recall you ever saying you've dealt with multi-unit/apartment types of things that might employ a master key system, still thought you might have some knowledge/thoughts on the keys listed as items taken in the Warrant Two search of SM's apartment.
On page 72 of the pdf document of the defense motions at this link:
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/540762-mcdaniel-defense-motions-351-pages.html#wgt=rcntnews
is the return listing of items taken in that search. The keys are identified this way:
I'm assuming WalMart and Georgia are the "names" on the key blanks the keys were made on. Now what I am thinking is that the WalMart key is probably the key said to be to Lauren's apartment, and the Georgia key is the one said to be the master key --'cause I'm thinking that, with a legitimate master key system, you probably can't just run down to WalMart, hand over a master key and say "Copy that for me please." (Of course, I could be plain wrong about all this, but this is my starting point.)
What I'm wondering is whether you know anything about the "Georgia" imprint, what company or whatever that is, whether it is one connected to "master key" or other special security systems ordinarily -- anything you know that might be a clue as to whether that key (if I'm right that the "Georgia" one is the "master key" found) would be likely to be one legitimately made for the apartment complex, and thus lost/stolen/misplaced/whatever, or a "homemade" one. (I'm also wondering if "Georgia" is the complete name on the blank or an abbreviation of something longer -- have searched online and can't find any sure answer to my questions about this label.)
We still don't know whether the "master key" is a "real" one made through normal channels or one of those knock-off masters -- I forget what they're called, but the possibility of such was discussed early on, I think, in Lauren's threads, and as I remember it's not hard to find online how it's done. If I'm remembering correctly, a person attempting to make one would need (a)
any key fitting any
one lock in the complex that a master key will unlock (Lauren's key or Stephen's own key, for example) and (b) an appropriate kind of "master" blank. (And then some tools, a little skill and some time, IIRC.) So I wonder -- how hard would it be to get the right kind of blank, are they hard to come by because of what they are intended for, etc.
I know that we saw reported on macon.com a bit ago about the civil action against the apartment complex being settled out of court -- and landlord BB was still saying no "real" master key had gone missing, while the other side was claiming one had (was lost while BB was gardening or something, IIRC).
So, does the "Georgia" imprint ring any bells for you? I know I haven't expressed my question/s all that clearly, but you kind of see what I'm wondering about?