I honestly do not see why people are making it a big deal. It really isn't. The big deal is Tommy and his alibi! Why didn't Tommy come out with this to LE from the beginning? Why didn't Tommy tell his mother or family about him being at the home that night? What did Tommy do that he has been hiding for 7 1/2 months?
The big deal is Tommy and his alibi and Misty and her alibi, IMO. There are four issues here.
Did Tommy tell the truth about being at the MH? Did he tell the truth about not seeing her there? Did Misty tell the truth about being there? If either of them lied, why? (OK, so we know both of them lied about something but exactly what and why?)
Tommy didn't come out with this from the beginning because
A) it was not true
B) it's true but he was covering for Misty being out
C) it's true but he was covering for Misty and himself hiding Haleigh
D) it's true but he was covering for himself (and accomplice) taking Haleigh
E) it's true but he was worried about himself getting suspected if he confessed to being there
If it's A) he must be really mad at Misty and not real bright because he inserts himself. Maybe he was faced with some clever questioning and thought he'd get a deal with the gun charges if he had some dirt on Misty.
B) seems somewhat plausible considering that he can't feel like he's got any duty to cover for her after recent developments. Again, not very bright to change his story after seven months, but if the seven months story is true I guess it's better than continuing the lies like some do.
If it's C) they need to question him a lot more since it seems he's the weaker link.
If D), they need to find out if he acted alone.
E) I'd like to know what changed his mind. Perhaps someone saw him there and he thought he'd better offer his innocent explanation before he gets recognized.
IMO we don't know that Tommy didn't tell his family. If he did the family has kept quiet until this as well and they may not want to advertize it.
The problem with Tommy did it alone theory is that it doesn't explain Misty lying. Where was she? Why did she make up a story? In the beginning she might have covered for him out of family feelings or intimidation but I doubt she'd willingly be the fall girl for anyone she's got a RO against, so she ought to have started spilling her information by now. Maybe that's what she's doing at the Orlando studios.
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