Found Deceased MD - Rachel Morin, 37, left for walk on Ma & Pa Trail 6pm, car found at Williams St entrance, Bel Air, 5 Aug 2023

[PommyMommy]

From the New York Post
"Meanwhile, Rachel’s family has enlisted nationally renowned criminal defense attorney Joseph Murtha to represent them as they ask for privacy during this difficult time."

So ... I wonder if some of our legal folks can help me understand why Rachel's family would enlist the services of a criminal defense attorney.

Noting:

Tobin said on Facebook that Morin had been missing since 7 p.m., and he and her children began looking for her around 9 p.m. He then made an official report to police around midnight.

“She’s been missing since 7 p.m., she went on a hike and me and the kids have been trying to find her since 9,” Tobin wrote in a now-deleted Facebook comment.

Facebook users speculated Tobin — who has publicly admitted to being in recovery — may have been at an AA meeting at the Mann House at the time Morin disappeared.

When contacted by The Post, the Mann House said it had “no comment” regarding Tobin’s association or whereabouts at its establishment, which is in line with protocol to protect the privacy of its attendees.

 

[iluvmua]

I wonder what dating sites she was on as well

 

[Dhighsmith]

Interesting, hopefully this nets LE some fruitful eyewitnesses who have something valuable to say. Though you would have thought they would have came forward by now.

Kind of poorly written. At first I thought they were all together in a group, but that doesn’t make sense.

IMO, this could easily be a random crime of opportunity, not someone known to Rachel. It could have started as a sexual attack, but she put up a ferocious fight.

Little levity- during all the bickering on LE release of info on community safety, a person posted that they watch the First 48 show and know how investigations are handled so not to worry.

 

[iQuill]

Now I'm further confused ... this article in the NY Post states:

"Tobin, who has since made his social media pages private, also revealed in a now-deleted comment he dropped her off at her home shortly before 5 p.m."

This is the first I've heard/seen this MSM. All other info/media/comments until now say he was watching her kids when she left home for the Ma and Pa Trail at 6:00 PM.

It's so difficult to trust the reporting, MSM or otherwise. I'm sticking with statements by LE.
MOO

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Where is the information regarding the family coming down on the boyfriend? I seem to have missed that, can you share? Thanks @imstilla.grandma

It was information posted in the early days before Rachel was found. I can’t find the articles now, I’m sorry, too many days have gone by. I could hear their aggravation in their words. It was my impression.

 

[iQuill]

It was information posted in the early days before Rachel was found. I can’t find the articles now, I’m sorry, too many days have gone by. I could hear their aggravation in their words. It was my impression.

Thank you grandma ... I'm not surprised ... they must be frantic to know who is responsible. MOO

 

[Snoopster]

I'm just catching up on this case regarding the past couple of days' updates.
<modsnip> seems to love the attention. That doesn't mean that he doesn't know something about Rachel's body being found, but he really should stop talking. Some people just need attention and it makes them feel good about themselves. I won't blame him because I don't think he knows that speaking to the media can hurt the case and he seems to be basking in his moment in the sun. But, yeah, he should stop talking. We don't really know how much of what he is saying is true.

Since it seems that Rachel's body was found fairly close to where she parked off William Street (based on potentially unreliable info from the interview guy, but it also makes sense because that area is quite wooded), the perp could have been:

- someone who followed her to the trail. i.e. someone that knew her, or knew of her (ongoing stalker)
- someone watching the trailhead from the residential area and Rachel caught their eye. (Do we know if Rachel did this walk frequently?)
- someone who was waiting in the woods for an 'appropriate' victim

 

[iluvmua]

I'm just catching up on this case regarding the past couple of days' updates.
<modsnip> seems to love the attention. That doesn't mean that he doesn't know something about Rachel's body being found, but he really should stop talking. Some people just need attention and it makes them feel good about themselves. I won't blame him because I don't think he knows that speaking to the media can hurt the case and he seems to be basking in his moment in the sun. But, yeah, he should stop talking. We don't really know how much of what he is saying is true.

Since it seems that Rachel's body was found fairly close to where she parked off William Street (based on potentially unreliable info from the interview guy, but it also makes sense because that area is quite wooded), the perp could have been:

- someone who followed her to the trail. i.e. someone that knew her, or knew of her (ongoing stalker)
- someone watching the trailhead from the residential area and Rachel caught their eye. (Do we know if Rachel did this walk frequently?)
- someone who was waiting in the woods for an 'appropriate' victim

Yes she was regular from what locals have said about seeing her on the trail

 

[Florida2022]

I do find some of this...eyebrow raising, let's call it. There's an underlying presumption by him that she is deceased. She is "tucked away"... why would he think that? Why couldn't she simply be injured? She's running, sprains an ankle. She leaves her car there, goes to meet someone in their car on the downlow. Lots of possibilities.

As others pointed out, it's possible he's created a narrative to paint himself as the hero, the expert SAR who outsearched police as a way to gain publicity for himself.

The alternative...well. I'll leave that to LE.

Me too!! The fact that he also said

I do find some of this...eyebrow raising, let's call it. There's an underlying presumption by him that she is deceased. She is "tucked away"... why would he think that? Why couldn't she simply be injured? She's running, sprains an ankle. She leaves her car there, goes to meet someone in their car on the downlow. Lots of possibilities.

As others pointed out, it's possible he's created a narrative to paint himself as the hero, the expert SAR who outsearched police as a way to gain publicity for himself.

The alternative...well. I'll leave that to LE.

I agree too! I think it’s also weird how he said he had visions!! That she was near there. It’s just way to weird.

 

[thefragile7393]

From the New York Post
"Meanwhile, Rachel’s family has enlisted nationally renowned criminal defense attorney Joseph Murtha to represent them as they ask for privacy during this difficult time."

So ... I wonder if some of our legal folks can help me understand why Rachel's family would enlist the services of a criminal defense attorney.

CYA. In case they try to turn around and pin it on them.

 

[Jurisprudence]

How do we know that? LE could very well have witnesses who saw her (and aren't running their mouths to the news media). MOO

True. Very true. Usually these witnesses speak up to local media before LE (who is otherwise busy investigating the scene) gets to them and asks them to stop. That's why I thought this but you are right. There could be witnesses or even trail camera footage that shows her there.

Edit: And, just as I typed this there is a report of potential witnesses. I'm late so I'm guessing you all know this. 5 people walking with their dog?

Is Independent approved source?

Police reveal ‘potential witnesses’ on hiking trail where Rachel Morin was killed

The individuals who were on the Ma & Pa Trail between 6pm and 7.30pm were described as being three men, two women and two dogs or two men, three women and two dogs

www.independent.co.uk

jmo

 

[iluvmua]

True. Very true. Usually these witnesses speak up to local media before LE (who is otherwise busy investigating the scene) gets to them and asks them to stop. That's why I thought this but you are right. There could be witnesses or even trail camera footage that shows her there.

Edit: And, just as I typed this there is a report of potential witnesses. I'm late so I'm guessing you all know this. 5 people walking with their dog?

jmo

It makes me wonder why they haven't told him to stop bc people including Nancy Grace are taking what he has been saying as fact

 

[ch_13]

From the New York Post
"Meanwhile, Rachel’s family has enlisted nationally renowned criminal defense attorney Joseph Murtha to represent them as they ask for privacy during this difficult time."

So ... I wonder if some of our legal folks can help me understand why Rachel's family would enlist the services of a criminal defense attorney.

I'm not an attorney, but I don't think it's terribly unusual for the family of the victim to want a lawyer to act as a spokesman, coordinate with the police and the DA, deal with press inquiries, etc. And it's unlikely there are many attorneys that specialize only in representing victim's families, so if they want one with experience in criminal law they would need to hire a defense attorney.

As for Josepha Murtha, he's a pretty well-known attorney in Maryland. Back in the 90s, he represented Linda Tripp.

 

[makeadifference]

AUG 10, 2023

Maryland police dispute claims of how slain mom was found

Harford County Sheriff’s Office told NewsNation that Gabriszeski didn’t find or witness Morin’s body.

www.newsnationnow.com

[...]

... the Harford County Sheriff’s Office told NewsNation that Gabriszeski didn’t find or even see Morin’s body.

“He had no first-hand knowledge of the crime scene. At this time, we do not want to offer him any more notoriety. Additionally, continued discussion can hurt the investigation. To us, it is clear he has provided differing information to different news stations and our investigators. Based on our information, he would not have any first-hand knowledge of the crime scene.”

Former homicide detective Fil Waters joined NewsNation’s “Banfield” to discuss the homicide investigation.

“There are many times where, for whatever reasons, people want to insert themselves into one of these high profile homicides,” Waters said.

“And he may be one of those people, if it was, in fact, his stepdaughter that found Rachel, and detailed to him what she saw. Then he’s given to embellishment, exaggeration and so forth and so on. ,,, He wants to bring attention to himself. Therefore, he’s going to be saying much more than perhaps the facts actually are.”

[...]

Credit to @Dre who called this perfectly upthread.

 

[makeadifference]

I'm not expecting any movement in the case towards an arrest until DNA evidence is processed, which may take some time.

JMO

Are you supposing that the motive is sexual assault?

 

[Puzzles8]

Now I'm further confused ... this article in the NY Post states:

"Tobin, who has since made his social media pages private, also revealed in a now-deleted comment he dropped her off at her home shortly before 5 p.m."

This is the first I've heard/seen this MSM. All other info/media/comments until now say he was watching her kids when she left home for the Ma and Pa Trail at 6:00 PM.

It's so difficult to trust the reporting, MSM or otherwise. I'm sticking with statements by LE.
MOO

I wonder when the last time anyone (other than family) last saw her that day?

JMO

 

[Puzzles8]

Are you supposing that the motive is sexual assault?

DNA can be found even if the motive was not SA, under fingernails, strands of hair etc.

I think the fact she was found naked certainly includes the possibility of sexual assault as a motive.

JMO

 

[Jurisprudence]

MD - Mariame Toure Sylla, 59, left home to take a walk at 8pm, normally returns, Greenbelt, 29 July 2023 *arrest*

Police searching for Prince George's County teacher reported missing over weekend - FOX 5 DC Police say Mariame Toure Sylla, 59, was last seen around 8 p.m. in the 6500 block of Lake Park Drive in Greenbelt on July 29 when her son says she left home to take a walk. Greenbelt police closed...

www.websleuths.com

Greenbelt Teacher Missing 9 Days, No Tie To Rachel Morin Case: Greenbelt Police

A beloved Greenbelt teacher remains missing, but the police chief says her disappearance isn't related to Rachel Morin's death in Bel Air.

patch.com

Greenbelt Police Chief Richard Bowers reiterated there are no indications Sylla's disappearance is connected to the weekend slaying of Rachel Morin in Bel Air.

Maybe, it becomes important to know, although not related.

Okay, a lot of there are "no connection"s as many of us wonder "What is going on in Maryland?"

jmo

 

[Jurisprudence]

My hunch at this point is it was a stranger attack.

My opinion, subject to change as we learn more.

jmo

Seems from LE's change in direction they might be thinking this too now. There has been a shift in how they've characterized this to the community.

jmo

 

[Jurisprudence]

I agree with that, but if it wasn’t premeditated, they may have run out of the park after dragging her into the tunnel, unable to think clearly enough about what to do next. That is, like if it was someone who ran with her, and then they got into an argument and things went badly, unexpectedly.

Or rage.

jmo