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http://www.wthr.com/article/tips-pour-in-after-suspect-identified-in-delphi-double-homicide)
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"We're trying to get people that were driving down the Hoosier Heartland, that were on the interstate, that were in Logansport that might have saw somebody walking, hitchhiking-- if they saw a duffle bag laying somewhere, anything. We're just reaching out for people that saw anything within that distance," Riley said.[/FONT]
From reading this, it seems that they have had a few reports from people that reported seeing someone matching the description walking in these areas, otherwise it would seem to be a random shot in the dark. The concern I have is that they are mentioning an area that spans about 50 miles or so. Of course, they aren't mentioning a specific timeframe so perhaps it has to do with consistent reports of someone matching the description walking the highway in the days prior.
Then there is the backpack. I did notice them in the videos from the helicopter wading the river in line near the site where they were supposedly found as well as south of the bridge, where someone might look for something that would have been thrown from the bridge itself or simply washed downstream. Doing this early on would imply that had reason to believe something was missing from the scene where the girls were found- clothing, belongings, murder weapon, etc. I am wondering if the girls had a backpack that was missing. In the photo of the suspect, I felt like the loop at the upper portion of his chest could be the top loop of a backpack concealed under a jacket. The jacket does appear to be tight as if he has something concealed inside it, but that picture just isn't good for much more than guessing.
There was also a witness that supposedly saw a man in the park. I'm wondering if she mentioned him having a backpack or duffle bag. It would also be interesting to know when she saw him- if it were before or after it was to have occurred.
The broad area that they are searching for witnesses is a little discouraging to me. That is about 25 miles in two directions on the Hoosier Heartland and then the interstate.
I definitely believe they have some significant evidence that they feel ties the guy to the crime that is beyond the "he was there and hasn't come forward" aspect. I also believe they may have had enough evidence from the beginning to feel this way, but wanted to catch up a bit before they put a lot of pressure on him.
Even with the suspect, this thing doesn't the feel of honing in.