Very thoughtful post. When I try to think if I would do a sit down in this situation, I always end up at the word "why". CM's family has maintained all along that all they wanted with the first round of protests was for EA to come out an talk to them. I'm not defending EA, but think about it for a second. If you are EA or his family and people are standing in front of your house blatantly accusing you of lying and asking you what you did with their daughter, even without legal counsel it doesn't seem like a good idea. I firmly believe he knows something but what if he really has no idea what ultimately happened to her or where she is? What is he or his family going to say to CM's family? "I'm sorry for what happened to Christina, but we don't know where your daughter is". With what we have seen so far in this case, does anyone honestly feel that would satisfy CM's family? There are signs out there calling him a murderer and he hasn't even been formally charged much less convicted for AK. There is NO WAY his attorney is going to allow EA to talk with them or will he be sharing any information he knows. That's his job. I cannot imagine the frustration CM's family must feel and I'm not sure I'd have much patience for the system if I were in their shoes to be honest. That said, IMO, CM's family is already sure they know what happened and who did it. Nothing the Arochi's are going to say to them privately is going to change their mind or alter the course of this case. Further, if some silver bullet information was shared behind closed doors, there is no guarantee it wouldn't be on the 6:00 news that evening or released with the desired spin. Stuff like that can actually hurt a case in a BIG way.
I have so much empathy for CM and her family, I really do. But they need to be smart about their approach. Yes, it is legal and all of that, but the bottom line is this is the second round of protests and they are no closer to knowing where CM is or what happened to her. Eventually you hit a point of diminishing returns. Sadly, I think they are there and no amount of picketing is going to change that. Again, JMO.
If I were EA's family, I'd invite Christina's family in and tell them that I'm so sorry for what happened to Christina and if EA is involved, that is something that will torment me every day. It would be heartfelt and true.
And if I were Christina's family and EA's family did that - I wouldn't be protesting anymore.
I think that's what people with a conscience would do.