I've hesitated a while about putting this post out, because it's based mainly on speculation and intuition. A few days ago, I found something that made me decide to do it, and because I've learned a bit of the art of cultured discussion from CR and a few other posters (boy CR is really good at it, stays reserved where I would be shooting pumpkins like JMB), I think I will be able to cope with the backlash.
Right, I'm gonna stick my neck out and try to raise a bit of dust again. Remember, this is all my opinion.
My theory still remains that the boys were slain at S. Mcauley 1601. I've revealed bits here and there, and have noticed that a few pieces are starting to circulate. I am probably not the first person who came up with these things, and I won't be the last, but I will mention them again anyway.
I have pointed this out in previous posts, and have also pointed out what I believed was his motive.
Looking at this crime, and after a psychological assessment of his character , I think TH would only have committed this crime in surroundings where he felt comfortable. All his violent outbreaks took place in and around his home, and were all of a personal nature.
This is the main reason why the manhole theory will not stick with me, and although I think the theory is good and well worked out, it appears too extravagant for TH. Don't get me wrong, I don't dismiss the manhole theory completely, it's quite possible the manholes were used to conceal the bodies at a later stage, but I do not feel comfortable with it from a psychological point of view. I just have the feeling that something like the following would fit better.
I 've been reading Law & disorder by John Douglas, and as a follow up, I took a look at his statements at callahans. I would like to quote a couple of things I found:
Taken from pasdar exhibit 36-6
http://callahan.8k.com/hobbs_pasdar/hp_38/hp_38_6.pdf
One of the things he said here that was important for me:
What I look for in a case is precipitating factors and events leading up to the crime. The person responsible for the crime on May 5th, 1993 just didn't wake up one morning and decide today I'm going to go out and kill.
If these killings arose out of an everyday situation, how would an everyday situation look in the Hobbs family for instance. After studying things for some time , I became more and more convinced that the whole thing took place in and around the swimming pool. The main question was would the Hobbs pool have water in it at this time of year. I found a post from PH, where she was directly asked about the pool, her answer could be laid out as yes or no really.
http://thewm3.yuku.com/topic/268/The-Hobbs-Swimming-Pool
If it was an everyday situation, the weapon used in the commission of the crime would be something that was also an everyday object. Looking through some photos from the Hobbs's, I was on the look out for something that could have been used. On one photo I found some weights (I know them as dumb-bells) laid next to the couch. I thought this could be the sort of blunt heavy object that would cause the skull fractures.
Nestled in this Pasdar exhibit 36-6, I found something very interesting that fueled my theory. It was a TH statement that I had not read up to now. I have snipped the part out that I am referring to.
http://callahan.8k.com/hobbs_pasdar/hp_38/hp_38_6.pdf
My theory is based on the fact that I think the boys were swimming at the Hobbs house. This would hold up with some of the facts and rumours that exist. I think the boys would have undressed themselves (possibly in SB's room) to go swimming, CB removing his medical bracelet, SB removing his ninja watch, not needing to remove his friendship bracelet, sticking their socks in their shoes. SB in his swimming trunks, which he had available, whereas MM and CB left their underpants on, which I have often seen boys do when spontaneously swimming.
Afterwards, the socks were removed from the shoes as the shoelaces were being taken out. One shoe with a sock in it was missing (maybe the pet dog dragged it somewhere else, dogs often do this) and was later found, and then disposed of in a hurry at the discovery site. This would explain the foreign shoelace. The underpants of MM, CB were not placed at the ditch because they could possibly be connected with the swimming pool (chlor, or similar things). The large amount of blood would be highly diluted in the swimming pool (33,000 gallons of water), this would in no way be visible the next day.
And those “weighs”, they could have been in the vicinity of the pool. And honestly, if you heard the noise of three or four youngsters playing in a swimming pool over a period of time, there is lots of screaming and shouting, would any similar noise be noticeable for an unsuspecting neighbour ?
Although I am relying on a statement from TH (is that possible ?), it could have still taken place in a similar manner, even if the pool was only partly filled with rainwater, for instance.
BTW, I am totally convinced that the hogties served the purpose of dissociation on the part of TH. Once he came back down from his fit of hate/anger, he had the task of getting rid of the bodies. Making the naked bodies look like something familiar, (slaughtered animals) would certainly have made it easier for him to handle.