The topic of obtaining access via the kitchen door has some interesting ramifications, that I don't think were discussed at all. Again here's a picture of the resulting damage to the handle area, with perhaps the hardware having to be replaced (and at the time of the pic, already having been done).
Those ramifications are:
1 There have been many theories proposed here as to exactly how the access was obtained (bash this way or that, pry the hinges, pry hardware off, lever the door, etc). But even without knowing which of those (if any) is accurate, don't we conclude that access required far more work than a simple "smash-reach-open from the inside" quickie, as suggested early on by LE? (Maybe LE didn't tell us what they were thinking, or maybe they've amended their thinking since that early statement, or ...)
2 In that vein, did the perp come here thinking like LE did, figuring this was an easy access situation (via a "smash-reach-open from the inside" quickie) that then didn't happen?
3 Is it possible that there were multiple attempts required at this door? IOW did the perp go to the door with a hammer to bash the window, did so and then reached inside to push the bar and found it wouldn't open that way, and then had to go back to his vehicle (which I presume was parked back behind the building out of sight) for more tools?
4 If so, his path would have led down this wall (see pic below) - and might explain why the windows (the first ones down this wall) were broken. Maybe it wasn't totally random, or staging a scene, but instead a case of perp being pissed that accessing the door wasn't easy, and he was having to go back to his vehicle in the rain for more tools, and the anger had him using hammer in hand to bash in some windows as he went by. Or maybe those windows were initially considered as a possible access alternative, but then the glass was too jagged and windows too high to allow easy enough access without getting cut up.
5 Assuming there was a much more difficult access, we learn some truths.
a The use of a pry bar, and hammering things, and all that entailed, would have required some considerable strength. That might narrow some of the possibilities for the perp.
b With extended time at the door, plus perhaps a walk back to the vehicle to retrieve bigger/different tools, perp was most likely there quite a bit earlier than we have considered, with it taking quite a while to get in. Are we looking at someone who made a 3:15 arrival, perhaps, rather than 3:45?
c We are also looking at perp spending a CONSIDERABLE amount of time in heavy rain, trying to access the building, and perhaps having to walk back to vehicle at some point. Once inside, either perp was drenched from head to toe, or perp had been wearing rainproof clothing while outside.
6 Could "swat gear" have had a dual purpose as rainproof outerwear? And if so, does that limit what it might have been, or alter our thinking to know it was worn all along?
(Footnote to avoid distractions - pics are taken since the murder, and I own the copyright to them)
