JLM: What Do We Know About Him? - #2

[Pacific2011]

In reply to Post #377:

Your idea is a good one and cetainly worth consideration IMO. Bipolar disorder is the first -- actually only -- psychiatric disorder to come to my mind.

 

[dotr]

Wondering if the Jekyll and Hyde- like personality shift JM seems to display,
occurs after the excitement of a football game and drinking alcohol? imo.

 

[Spicer2000]

No one wants to be pitied. Everyone wants to be accepted on the same level as everyone else. Sometimes there is a self-fulfilling prophecy --people behave as they are labeled: "Well, they call me Lenny, so I guess I must be the friend that everybody holds at a distance." I can see this perceived pity as causing a lot of resentment, and building rage. It may have contributed to his mindset later. (By the way, I am NOT trying to excuse JM's behavior. If he's the perp, and it appears that way, there is no justification. And no one created this..no one except JM.)

Do you feel comfortable sharing any insights?

The whole "Lenny" reference is something that I've only heard since he was identified as a POI. It's not like we read OMaM in high school and everybody thought that LJ was Lenny-like. I know it's probably unbelievable (because I would never have believed that Ted Bundy could be as likeable as he supposedly was), but he really WAS everyone's friend -- not just an acquaintance and not just a sports "hero." He was our friend.

That being said, I DO think that so much emphasis was placed on his athletic ability as a young man that, when that was taken away from him, he had nothing left to truly define him -- his entire raison d'etre disappeared in an instant and I think he became really lost in life.

On a more general note -- I'd like to say I have been wonderfully surprised at the welcome I've received here. I've been lurking for a few weeks now and have been impressed with the rational thought expressed here -- as opposed to the lynch mob mentality I've seen other places. So thanks, everyone!

 

[FindHG]

The whole "Lenny" reference is something that I've only heard since he was identified as a POI. It's not like we read OMaM in high school and everybody thought that LJ was Lenny-like. I know it's probably unbelievable (because I would never have believed that Ted Bundy could be as likeable as he supposedly was), but he really WAS everyone's friend -- not just an acquaintance and not just a sports "hero." He was our friend.

That being said, I DO think that so much emphasis was placed on his athletic ability as a young man that, when that was taken away from him, he had nothing left to truly define him -- his entire raison d'etre disappeared in an instant and I think he became really lost in life.

On a more general note -- I'd like to say I have been wonderfully surprised at the welcome I've received here. I've been lurking for a few weeks now and have been impressed with the rational thought expressed here -- as opposed to the lynch mob mentality I've seen other places. So thanks, everyone!

I'm grateful to you. It's much harder for you, but you and those like you, who have helped, made every minute of effort worth it. For me it's, about as much peace for all as possible. It's so re-assuring to get a real first hand impression. I do think that will hopefully help a lot. Thanks, again.

 

[Aeronomy]

Wondering if the Jekyll and Hyde- like personality shift JM seems to display,
occurs after the excitement of a football game and drinking alcohol? imo.

Or even triggered with the start of each season of his could-have/would-have been football career.

 

[MtnLaur]

The whole "Lenny" reference is something that I've only heard since he was identified as a POI. It's not like we read OMaM in high school and everybody thought that LJ was Lenny-like. I know it's probably unbelievable (because I would never have believed that Ted Bundy could be as likeable as he supposedly was), but he really WAS everyone's friend -- not just an acquaintance and not just a sports "hero." He was our friend.

That being said, I DO think that so much emphasis was placed on his athletic ability as a young man that, when that was taken away from him, he had nothing left to truly define him -- his entire raison d'etre disappeared in an instant and I think he became really lost in life.

On a more general note -- I'd like to say I have been wonderfully surprised at the welcome I've received here. I've been lurking for a few weeks now and have been impressed with the rational thought expressed here -- as opposed to the lynch mob mentality I've seen other places. So thanks, everyone!

Wow--thank you, Spicer, for your perspective. It really helps a lot. I can absolutely see how losing his sports identity (as huge as it was) left him like a ship without a port. Hope you remain with us--I'm a newbie, too. All rational perspectives are important, and yes, this is an amazing site with admirable people who value rational thought.

 

[FindHG]

That being said, I DO think that so much emphasis was placed on his athletic ability as a young man that, when that was taken away from him, he had nothing left to truly define him -- his entire raison d'etre disappeared in an instant and I think he became really lost in life.

While you get verified (which I guess will take a minute, so I'm going to assume the best in you anyway), may I ask you some questions? And as you wish on the answers.

There's been so much floating out there about him based on anon sources, who weren't that close to the situation, as you say. I've been shamelessly speculating and just thinking in every direction possible, and one of the things I read was that he was kicked off the cheer-leading team for groping a girl. Do you think that could be true?

 

[Priester]

JLM as Lenny... IDK, does this look like Lenny?

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=60293&d=1412042684

 

[goldie finch]

JLM as Lenny... IDK, does this look like Lenny?

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=60293&d=1412042684

OMG that is a brutal picture, particularly in light of what we know. He looks very much like the victim's police artist's drawing to me now that I see him frowning.
Very creepy picture.

 

[Spicer2000]

While you get verified (which I guess will take a minute, so I'm going to assume the best in you anyway), may I ask you some questions? And as you wish on the answers.

There's been so much floating out there about him based on anon sources, who weren't that close to the situation, as you say. I've been shamelessly speculating and just thinking in every direction possible, and one of the things I read was that he was kicked off the cheer-leading team for groping a girl. Do you think that could be true?

I saw that, too -- not sure if it was on here or elsewhere. I've never heard that before, although I can ask a few friends and see if it was true.

 

[human]

I saw that, too -- not sure if it was on here or elsewhere. I've never heard that before, although I can ask a few friends and see if it was true.

That would be great!

Did he have a girlfriend in HS?

Did he have best friends he hung around with?

Did he have a job in HS?

 

[FindHG]

I saw that, too -- not sure if it was on here or elsewhere. I've never heard that before, although I can ask a few friends and see if it was true.

As you wish. I don't want to put you in a difficult spot. Yes, do please bat this around with them if at all possible.

The reason I'm asking, is that at some point, I think he may have learned to become real good at hiding his true-self or the part that gets off on that sort of thing. From the information provided by foxfire about SKs, it sounds like whatever mental illness issues he may have had, whatever happened to him, whatever he learned or taught himself, whenever that switch flipped for him from thought to action, to repercussions, anger, and then progression, may have been during in his youth. As foxfire explains, SK's have a place, a moment, a process that they may keep trying to recreate with every victim.

I'm trying to grasp at what, when, where that may have been, to get a clue. If somebody asked me that about somebody I went to HS with, even best friends, I'd be clueless at first. Then I tried going through remembering my friends. To see if I could remember the remarkable things that happened to them that helps me understand them now and stay close. All amazing people I'm humbled to have as friends, of course. And memories started flooding out, after a moment of not having a clue. Okay, so lots of giggles and cringes ensued. As you speak with your friends, and they review the boy, the football star, or the man they knew, please if anything strikes a bell about what an event, a place, an conversation, anything that may mean something, please consider sharing that here, privately with the mods if that is easier, with LE, whatever works.

Thanks, and sorry for my long-winded clunky approach.

 

[Spicer2000]

That would be great!

Did he have a girlfriend in HS?

Did he have best friends he hung around with?

Did he have a job in HS?

I don't remember him having a girlfriend, but we ran in different social circles outside of school, so he could've and I just didn't know.

Yes, he definitely had a core group of best friends -- I believe they've stayed close to this day.

No idea about the job, sorry!

 

[Spicer2000]

How did he get by academically? Any impressions?

You're so erudite, well expressed. Sounds like you had good teachers there.

He was...not the best student. I think he probably tried (that is just IMO, as I never had a single class with him...or at least not that I remember), but my suspicion is that he definitely had some major learning disabilities.

I know many of his teachers still remember him to this day as a "great kid," if, albeit, not the brightest.

 

[Spicer2000]

briefed respectfully

His clique of friends, what were they like, generally? How were they regarded, generally? Big group?

The people I remember were all good guys -- lots of people from football and wrestling. I know he was close with a group of people from his neighborhood growing up, too.

 

[Conductor71]

The whole "Lenny" reference is something that I've only heard since he was identified as a POI. It's not like we read OMaM in high school and everybody thought that LJ was Lenny-like. I know it's probably unbelievable (because I would never have believed that Ted Bundy could be as likeable as he supposedly was), but he really WAS everyone's friend -- not just an acquaintance and not just a sports "hero." He was our friend.

That being said, I DO think that so much emphasis was placed on his athletic ability as a young man that, when that was taken away from him, he had nothing left to truly define him -- his entire raison d'etre disappeared in an instant and I think he became really lost in life.

On a more general note -- I'd like to say I have been wonderfully surprised at the welcome I've received here. I've been lurking for a few weeks now and have been impressed with the rational thought expressed here -- as opposed to the lynch mob mentality I've seen other places. So thanks, everyone!

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I can count on one hand the number of people who are extending him his right of presumed innocence. People are looking for any detail you share and will only see how it supports their belief that he is a serial murderer. I have read (hearsay) that the African American community in Cville is fairly close knit and likely know details that would help fill in the gaps. They note how JM is being treated and portrayed, so they are afraid to come forward with what they know. Can you see that as possible?

 

[Conductor71]

As you wish. I don't want to put you in a difficult spot. Yes, do please bat this around with them if at all possible.

The reason I'm asking, is that at some point, I think he may have learned to become real good at hiding his true-self or the part that gets off on that sort of thing. From the information provided by foxfire about SKs, it sounds like whatever mental illness issues he may have had, whatever happened to him, whatever he learned or taught himself, whenever that switch flipped for him from thought to action, to repercussions, anger, and then progression, may have been during in his youth. As foxfire explains, SK's have a place, a moment, a process that they may keep trying to recreate with every victim.

He stated that he was extending JM his constitutional right to due process.<modsnip>

 

[ExpectingUnicorns]

Newcomer here and am personally connected LJ. I can assure you that his girlfriend is real, that they had a long relationship, and that she wants to be left alone, as everyone can probably imagine.

Wow ~ yes. I would distance myself as far as I could from JLM in all social networks and media as possible ~ but I am certainly hopeful that she will be completely cooperative with LE.
Bless you girlfriend ~ praying that you have (and use) that key that can break this entire case open. I want you to be our heroine. I believe you hold that opportunity in your hands ~ I, for one, cannot understand why you would be more comfortable being left alone and not contributing.
Be strong, GF. it's your responsibility to help the sweet, innocent victims ~ past and present.

 

[Spicer2000]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I can count on one hand the number of people who are extending him his right of presumed innocence. People are looking for any detail you share and will only see how it supports their belief that he is a serial murderer. I have read (hearsay) that the African American community in Cville is fairly close knit and likely know details that would help fill in the gaps. They note how JM is being treated and portrayed, so they are afraid to come forward with what they know. Can you see that as possible?

Absolutely.

 

[RSC]

To be fair...I think many would be far more likely to extend him his right of presumed innocence if he had been willing to talk to LE instead of becoming a fugitive. When an 18 year old girl is missing, and the LAST KNOWN PERSON to be seen with her is unwilling to communicate with the police, a lot of us feel angry regardless of his innocence or guilt. Even if he is totally exonerated from all of this, I will still be angry that he was unwilling to help LE find this young woman.

Combine that with the video in which he does an about face to pursue Hannah, and it is really hard to pull back.

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I can count on one hand the number of people who are extending him his right of presumed innocence. People are looking for any detail you share and will only see how it supports their belief that he is a serial murderer. I have read (hearsay) that the African American community in Cville is fairly close knit and likely know details that would help fill in the gaps. They note how JM is being treated and portrayed, so they are afraid to come forward with what they know. Can you see that as possible?