I’m still stuck on Kading’s lack of response to Skips question about whether they had evidence that CM wasn’t where he said he was (at home) that night. I feel like it definitely implied that they did have evidence.
Now following that trail, I can honestly only think of one reason why CM wouldn't have been at home. Feels like the key to this case to be honest.
Also Tom had a strict curfew that he had never once broken before and his actions seemed to indicate that he was following them that night. At 11:26 he leaves his friends and says he is going home, he stops to get gas a few minutes later. At this point theres about a half hour until his curfew. Not really enough time to meet up with someone or go anywhere, by the time he arrived he would have to leave. And if he was meeting up with a friend or whoever he almost definitely would've texted them, and we know he did not text anyone at this time. To me it seems the logical and by far the most likely conclusion was that his next move was that he went home. There’s not really any evidence that he went elsewhere nor did he seemingly have any motive to.
Now what happened at home I have no idea. A suicide is certainly a possibility. Perhaps it was an accident, an argument that got out of hand. Who knows.
My general point being:
1. Tom’s most likely and logical next move after getting gas would be to return home as it was almost his curfew and he always followed it.
2. There is now uncertainty regarding CM’s whereabouts for most of the night. Perhaps the OAG has evidence to back this up.
3. PM and CM both independently indicated deception on the question on whether they knew where Tom’s body was.
4. The phone was found in pristine condition the day of the search. PM would likely have been one of the few people who knew about the location of the search ahead of time.
5. PM’s polygraph indicated deception when asked if she had possessed the phone after his disappearance.
6. TM refused to take a polygraph
Now the counterpoint for me at least, when I hear Penny say she has no involvement in what happened, I believe her, I honestly do. But at the same time I have to acknowledge that by far the most likely scenario is that he returned home that night and something took place there.
Another poster mentioned the friend that was at home with Tucker the night of the disappearance. I would love to hear what he has to say.
Nick217 .... Very good post and excellent job in laying out the logic. I think that line of thought is the primary theory that is being considered by OAG investigators. At least it appears so at this point.
Just my thoughts .....
I realize that OAG has much more evidence and information than is available to the general public; therefor they have more pieces to the puzzle. I sincerely hope that the available evidence is being properly interpreted. That being said, I think back to the two cases in Texas of Michael Morton and Greg Kelly. In both of those cases investigators became so focused on a “storyline” or primary theory that they ignored other important evidence that was
available to them during the investigations. The result was that those two men spent years in prison before each finally being exonerated by that “overlooked” evidence. Thankfully, it was efforts by an OAG special prosecutor who helped exonerate one; it was an investigation on the part of a Texas Ranger that helped exonerate the other.
I too have considered that line of logic but there are some other factors that I simply cannot wrap my mind around or make fit the “happened at home theory/family involved theory”.
1. Behaviors over a period of time as well as Motive, Means, & Opportunity. It would take a complex monumentally planned effort in a
short timeframe to successfully pull off such a task as coordinating such a coverup while a number of others were present or nearby during the initial search. The behavior of the Brown/Meek family does not appear to reflect that they are involved in such a manner, IMO. The family has obviously paid well into six-figures $$$ for Klein’s services while continuing to be available for interviews and statements as well as numerous other efforts to learn more information on a consistent basis for the past 5 or so years. The determination and emotion in PM’s voice tells a story of a genuinely distraught mother. IMO, a person would have to be callous to not see that. I don’t believe the “actor” theory for a moment. Some may say that behavioral reaction does not matter to an investigation …. oh, but it does.
I don’t recall any mention of the friend (TR) who was at the house that night. He would be a direct witness to actions and responses by all present.
The family has been a strong proponent for a special investigative Grand Jury, even to the point of recently conducting a demonstration in front of the Gray County courthouse.
(I don’t believe that I would be trying to intensify the investigation if I were guilty.)
When the phone was found during the October 14, 2017 search, PM stated numerous times that she did not believe the phone that was found belonged to Tom. The phone that was found was reported to be Rose Gold colored. Tom’s phone was Gold colored.
(at the time, Apple produced Rose Gold (pinkish) and Gold as two of the color options.) Over a period of months and until the FBI verified the phone as Tom’s, PM repeatedly publicly stated that the phone could not be Tom’s phone because Tom’s phone was
Gold colored.
Several have commented that the October 14, 2017 search area was known only to a few (LE, VFD, Klein staff). In actuality, virtually everybody in Canadian knew where the search would take place. Word spreads fast in a small town. Lake Marvin Road had been at the center of discussions for months. Tom’s backpack had been found in January 2017 along Lake Marvin Road. It is where everybody in Canadian goes to hike, fish, picnic, party, etc. It is the local recreational “migration route” of sorts. In addition, the roughly 125 volunteers were instructed prior to October 14 to meet at the beginning of Lake Marvin Road. The location for the search was not a secret.
2. For approximately a 2 year period LE “local” investigators appeared to focus their primary theory toward run-away. Their theory was that Tom was living incognito in another city and was periodically communicating with family and friends. Activity on a number of cell phones belonging to family and friends was being monitored. However, during this period other evidence was apparently not being taken into consideration. Evidence such as items found scattered along Lake Marvin Road as well as the spent cartridge casing found in the vehicle. Then, on January 9, 2019 Tom’s remains were found at a point on Lake Marvin Road approximately 10 miles from where the Durango was abandoned. The “run-away” theory was dead. Investigators had spent most of 2 years following the wrong trail while apparently discounting other evidence.
Polygraphs are used as a tool to develop “talking points” for the follow-up interrogation. Results are based on machine responses to a series of questions that are compared to a series of control questions. It is my understanding that they can provide misleading results and therefor cannot be admitted as evidence in court. While a polygraph may indicate an irregular response to a question, the machine cannot determine WHY that response occurred. Sometimes the response is due to guilt or deception but other times the response may be due to other factors not related to guilt. Results are interpretive. IMO, I am not sure what to make of the polygraph results for PM, CM, or NL. Each would have a lot of emotion and apprehension involved.
3. Information regarding the skull facial bone fractures were only recently released. It obviously would take a significant amount of force to inflict that damage. Possibly an impact with some instrument or forceful kicks to the area. Then, there is the spent 25 caliber casing found in the Durango
and the small holster found with other items that were scattered along Lake Marvin Road. Evidence of that nature, IMO dramatically lowers the likelihood that members of this particular family were involved.
I hope portions of this post do not come across as anti-LE. I am strongly pro-LE. I like nothing more than to see a thief, murderer or rapist brought to justice. I have had friends in law enforcement over the years and have a relative who served years as a Texas Ranger before retiring. From my early years, I had some limited experience before following an opportunity in another career path.
IMO, the Tom Brown case was compromised long before the OAG became involved. OAG was tasked with an uphill challenge to leave no so stone unturned. As OAG investigator Smyth reportedly stated, to make something logical of an illogical situation. Things are sometimes not as they appear. I just hope that with all evidence available thusfar, OAG is able to begin turning the illogical into logical but I am becoming concerned that the case is becoming cold.