VA - Hannah Elizabeth Graham, 18, Charlottesville, 13 Sept 2014 - #13

[bestill]

I must have missed something: did JM hire an attorney? Does someone have a link, please? Thanks.

It was said on here that he family hired an attorney, the one JM met with on Saturday. I don't have his name, but it's several pages back.

 

[Clover1099]

I want JLM to have the best attorney around, so that there is less chance a conviction would be appealed or overturned.

I would rather be represented by someone who wasn't cozy with LE, like the lawyer in the Casey Anthony case. The value of having a former prosecutor as a defense attorney is (1) knowledge of the mistakes LE is prone to make (technicalities as someone earlier pointed out), and (2) rapport with those working for the other side. That just gets you a better deal, not necessarily a better advocate.

 

[Lava]

It was said on here that he family hired an attorney, the one JM met with on Saturday. I don't have his name, but it's several pages back.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local...36f-11e4-b437-1a7368204804_story.html?hpid=z2

Matthew has hired an attorney, Charlottesville lawyer James L. Camblos III, who said he met with Matthew on Saturday after Matthew voluntarily went to the Charlottesville police station and briefly spoke with police. Camblos declined to discuss the case or his client when contacted Tuesday night.

 

[jamicat]

I hope so. If he knows where she is, I hope they come to an agreement whereby her body is found and a fair sentence is agreed to for him by both sides. I think it would be a much better outcome for her family than not knowing, and having to go through a trial.

In the Alexis Murphy case, her body is still not found. The convicted perp has offered info on the body if his sentence is lowered, an offer that the DA and family have firmly declined. He still maintains innocence of the murder though caught in a multitude of bold face lies, but says he knows where someone else likely ditched the body and will "deal" out that info. Her family feel it's a better oucome not knowing and for him to get the heaviest sentence possible as given to him.

The attorney for JM seems skilled in this area and could probably strike the best deal for him. Since JM has not spoken to LE much and not at all for the record, and no body has been found, it may well be a tough case for the DA to win, and a deal might be the best way to go. BUt the bulk of the evidence has not yet been released from forensics. Soil from the tire, and other people who may have been recalcitrant to speak up may come forth now. Cell phone records are also yet to be completely folllowed up. LE may find Hannah on their own.

 

[oldwindow]

Oh. I didn't follow that case so I don't know the facts, but I thought they were also pointing to the comments of her in floral leggings and the pic of her at the gas station has her in floral leggings.

Added: and I believe RT said he took a cab back after dumping her car. Another possible connection to JM?

NO, not same cab driver, that cab was driver white. Can everyone please stop this fb rumor mills here it not needed. thank you

 

[katiewonders]

Thanks bestill & lava!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local...36f-11e4-b437-1a7368204804_story.html?hpid=z2

 

[Eileen730]

Can I post a link on this Lawyer?
I can see why they chose this guy!

 

[Clover1099]

Exactly - any decent, ethical attorney would arrange to have their client turn themselves in, of course with the attorney being present.

Of course they would and no doubt he is doing just that.

 

[bogart64]

I must have missed something: did JM hire an attorney? Does someone have a link, please? Thanks.

Yes apparently he has hired a former prosecutor

 

[Tuckersmom]

It is possible that he has already turned himself in or they are in the process of coordinating it..with all of the media attention this has gotten, I a sure it will be a well executed plan to get him to the pd without the media's eye (though I am sure many of us would like the media there when he makes the perp walk)

 

[MuddyTires]

As someone pointed out, it doesn't appear 100% clear whether the attorney is rep'ing the family or JM. It's possible he's rep'ing the family in connection with the police questioning them about JM's whereabouts and for advice on how they can best help JM given the circumstances. It sounds most likely that he's been retained on behalf of JM, but I haven't seen that confirmed by the family or the attorney yet. In fact, in the one article, it said Camblos declined to discuss the case or his "client."

Also, assuming he is representing JM and is able to talk to him (directly or indirectly), just because Camblos will suggest that JM turn himself in, doesn't mean JM will listen or agree.

 

[dotr]

Where is Hannah this fine morning, all her classmates are at school, where she should be right now.
The thought of her all by herself somewhere, just waiting to be found, is so sad.
Hope today will be the day this sweet, young woman, will get to go home.

 

[bestill]

Does anyone have a twitter account for LJ/JM? I'm sure he had one.

 

[IzzyBlanche]

Well, so much for the theory that JM/his family couldn't afford an attorney. I bet this one doesn't come cheap.

Unless he's working the case pro bono, of course.

 

[sds71]

Do you think the original lawyer JM spoke to told him to get out of town until the forensics came back?
Or until he could hire a lawyer

 

[Waddles]

Do you think the original lawyer JM spoke to told him to get out of town until the forensics came back?
Or until he could hire a lawyer

Isn't it the same lawyer?

 

[bakerlady]

Well, so much for the theory that JM/his family couldn't afford an attorney. I bet this one doesn't come cheap.

Unless he's working the case pro bono, of course.

I'm going out on a limb and saying this guy is looking for fame and it will be pro bono. JMO.

 

[MrPalomar]

INTENT=INTEND?
Because you can=That you will?

That word bothers me. Intent to defile, like saying because he wants to be with her he will. idk Not saying he is or isn't guilty I just don't like it when the police can make up stuff to get or hold you. jmo idk

You're leaving out the all-important first part of the crime that he's been charge with, which is "abduction with intent to defile."

He's not been charged because he intended to defile someone. He's been charged with abducting someone. The rest just explains the motivation for the alleged abduction.

If it comes out that he did actually defile or rape or sexually abuse or do something worse to HG, then he'll be charged on that also. This first charge will still stand and it's severe enough in it's own right.

They're not just making up stuff to get a hold of him. They definitely want to get a hold of him because he is the person last known to be with a missing person, but they do feel that they have enough evidence of the crime that he's been charged with.

 

[aa9511]

It would likely be a matter of public record if LE finds this info. It would have to be provided to JM's attorney. Whether it's to JM's advantage if she were taking drugs, I don't know.

It's already out there that Hannah was under the influence of something. She was drunk. The definitive way this was said, "highly intoxicated" indicates that LE knows this pretty much for sure. She left a dinner, a party, and those there probably have told LE she was drinking a lot and was drunk when she left. UVA and LE should be meeting with all of those who were there at that get together. Whoever hosted it gave alcohol to someone underage. They let her leave alone at night KNOWING she had too much too drink. There is culpability here. But she is an adult. Over 18, and broke the laws all on her own knowingly. So there is some follow up to do here. My guess is that for right now, it's far more important to get all the info one could get from everyone and serves no good purpose to put the heat on these students and those who gave Hannah alcohol, did not call police when they saw her clearly out of it. When things settle down more, when Hannah is found, or the searches called off, these things should be addressed.

But how much good will it do? Probably none long term. Everyone on their toes now in Charlotteville but in time things will go back to the norm. I have been very interested in the Lauren Spierer case from 3 years ago, where a college co ed under the influence allegedly went off on her own and disappeared. She was clearly drunk or on drugs, probably both as she was followed on tape for a while as was Hannah,and even seen drinking at a bar. She had fake id, had already been charged before with underage drinking as were a number of her cohorts of that evening. Even as her dear, heart broken parents were there in Bloomington trying to to keep up the efforts to find her, get more info, Charlotte Spierer, the mom in the case noted seeeing other drunk, disoriented young women at the same times of the night, early evening, same locale as where Lauren disappeared, even with flyers and billboard festooned with her photos all about. I have young adult children and this has been a problem for a long time and it's not just from this generation.

But I will say, that in my day, at my college, young women were not often allowed to wander off at night drunk or on drugs in a state of confusion. Someone, a friend, a fellow student, someone there always would insist on escorting someone like that home. I don't know of a single case of this sort of thing happening with death, missing, police report. Nor do I now a single case of alcohol poisoning or death on the couch from oding at a party with no one noticing. And I now a multitude of such cases, some of people I know personally. Four of my friends have so lost their children, three while they were good students at prestigious colleges. And many more, including self, have had their kids getting in trouble with LE or school due to issues mixed with substance abuse including drinking. It's outright common.

So, absolutely, I do not think that "good", smart, successful college student or any young people, or anyone are excluded from getting into trouble of this sort. It's a tale as old as time. But what troubles me is that friends and fellow students don't seem to step up and help the person home. They knowingly let some drunk or confused person go out in the night. That is what I see as a big difference. In a number of these cases, and the Lauren Spierer one and this one are good examples, "friends" let a girl in bad shape go out alone in the dark. Didn't call campus security, did not call police. Did not get other students to help insist she stay put or escort her Just let go KNOWING she was blitzed.

So does it mater if Hannah took a certain drug or if she was just flat out drunk? it's clear she was confused. It's clear those who knew her let her leave alone in non-optimal shape. Someone offered to go with her, she declined, so that was it, instead of the person saying NO WAY should you go out in that shape alone. We need a few folks to take her home. IMO that party or dinner crowd should be getting flak, letting her go when people there, her friends and classmates KNEW she was drunk, and disoriented, serving drinks to underaged people--and she was a sophomore, they had to know she was likely underage, heck, probalby helped her get fake id if she had it as many of the kids do.

But right now the LE focus is as it should be, on getting Hannah back, locking up her perp, and finding out what happened. UVA should be addressing student conduct, but they will probably do as IU did. Focus on those things about the situation to make them look good instead of going after those who flagrently broke UVA rules on substance abuse if that is the case.

Yes, ITA and I have been thinking things along the same lines. I know from my own experience, that something really bad could have happened to me. I went to a party and am certain, looking back, that someone at the party (it was a frat party) put a date-rape drug or something like that in my drink. After that point, I have no memory of that night except fleeting memory of one guy who lived near me, who I knew but actually didn't even consider a friend, more like an acquaintance - and yet HE was the one who INSISTED on staying with me and INSISTED on walking me home and all the way inside my door to make sure I was safe. I will never forget the kindness that this good guy showed, and it shows his character and, although I have no idea where he is or what he is doing now, I have no doubt that he is doing well both personally and professionally because of his character. This one act of kindness he showed saved me from what could have been a horrible situation for me emotionally and physically.

My other friends were also there, but it was this guy who realized what terrible state I was in and who was the one who insisted he take me home. I could have told my other friends, "oh I'm fine, don't worry about me," and they probably would have let me stay as I don't think they were aware of how bad of a state I was really in. YKWIM?

So I am forever grateful to that young man.

The point is, even if the girl insists that she is "okay" and "don't worry," her friends should NEVER leave her alone. That is a lesson that I hope many young girls get from cases such as this one. Just walk the girl home and make sure she is safe in bed. This simple act can save her from a traumatic and possibly fatal experience.

 

[Skigirl]

Do you think the original lawyer JM spoke to told him to get out of town until the forensics came back?
Or until he could hire a lawyer

I think the attorney probably told him to "lie low" and "keep quiet", but doubt the attorney told him to get out of dodge. Of course I don't know that, though!