Victim: Alexis Murphy, 17, missing from Shipman, VA, 03 August 2013 - #5

[MoxieThyme]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the only confirmation that we have that LE found 1 or more of Alexis hairs coming from RAT via his attorney? If there is a news article where LE released this info, could someone please point me to it cause I sure missed it. TIA!

I believe this is correct, and if so... then again, may have been an interrogation tactic used by LE, even if true to some extent... such as they did find a hair, but lied about where... told him they found it in trailer, but actually found it in truck... or told him they found it but not where they found it, etc... just to see what he came up with.... and his story to his attorney is a response to that.... wouldnt that be great, because then... maybe... he would be sealing his fate ....oh let it be so...lease:

 

[MoxieThyme]

I'm trying to ignore real life and stay caught up here, but it isn't working out too well for me. So, excuse me if my thoughts have already been addressed...

In the previous thread there was some speculation as to why she was in his camper, with most replies fully agreeing that she would not just go hang out with him. I agree. However, for the sake of argument, let's say she was there, perhaps to buy a bit of weed... could his son have introduced the two? No, they aren't a likely pair to just hang out, but when my kids were younger I used to hear about how so&so has "cool parents" that don't care if they smoke. /eyeroll/

Ive seen that his son is 8, but also a teen, im not sure if yall hsve established the real age.

starting freshman would put him at 13-14 depending on birthday.... and on that note... lets just put a little heartfelt warmth out there for the son too.... because my God... the first day of high school is such an important milestone in one's life... and this poor child... his first day of high school... he had to leave early, because of his dad... being called/accused of abduction/serial killer/monster/this that everything (all of which I think possibly true)... but not the kids fault... I cant imagine what that must have been like for the poor boy... I have young teen boys... fresh into high school... its a trying time anyway... I feel for him.. NOT his dad... but for the little guy... just saying

 

[CluelessWonder]

They'll probably find Samantha when they find Alexis. Unfortunately, I don't think they'll find either girl. Hate to be a Debby Downer, but this guy knew what worked and probably stuck to it.

 

[forestchilde]

I'm trying to ignore real life and stay caught up here, but it isn't working out too well for me. So, excuse me if my thoughts have already been addressed...

In the previous thread there was some speculation as to why she was in his camper, with most replies fully agreeing that she would not just go hang out with him. I agree. However, for the sake of argument, let's say she was there, perhaps to buy a bit of weed... could his son have introduced the two? No, they aren't a likely pair to just hang out, but when my kids were younger I used to hear about how so&so has "cool parents" that don't care if they smoke. /eyeroll/

Ive seen that his son is 8, but also a teen, im not sure if yall hsve established the real age.

His son is apparently a freshman starting at the same school as Alexis. I've wondered if they knew each other myself - at least in passing. I doubt they hung out together though.

 

[brighidin]

I'm trying to ignore real life and stay caught up here, but it isn't working out too well for me. So, excuse me if my thoughts have already been addressed...

In the previous thread there was some speculation as to why she was in his camper, with most replies fully agreeing that she would not just go hang out with him. I agree. However, for the sake of argument, let's say she was there, perhaps to buy a bit of weed... could his son have introduced the two? No, they aren't a likely pair to just hang out, but when my kids were younger I used to hear about how so&so has "cool parents" that don't care if they smoke. /eyeroll/

Ive seen that his son is 8, but also a teen, im not sure if yall hsve established the real age.

RAT's son is a minor and is, therefore, off limits. I don't think anyone is trying to establish anything about him. In MSM, his grandmother said he just started at the high school so I'm guessing he isn't 8 but IMO he has nothing to do with this at all, not even tangentially.

 

[redmeli]

Not sure if this one was posted yet. Interesting, the attorney is former Albemarle and Greene Co. LE.

http://www.wdbj7.com/news/local/ran...ak/-/20128466/21480558/-/nhf4qfz/-/index.html

 

[margarita25]

http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/a...cle_90be04f8-6a7e-59ae-9ddf-41978b9db582.html

The above link is an interesting story on RAT's lawyer. I hope he gets along with RAT better than this previous client of his.

Great. I'm sure our experienced RAT will know about this maneuver and try this delay tactic.

From the above link:
"Hogshire indicated he did not believe the issue was serious enough to find new attorneys to represent Bowles, a move that will delay the trial by several months. But after clearing the courtroom to talk with Bowles and Hallahan in private, the judge changed his mind.
“I believe the attorney-client relationship in this instance has deteriorated to the point that it cannot be restored,” Hogshire said. “I think that a new attorney will have to get into the case and investigate it.”
Hogshire said the case will have to be delayed until one, or more, attorneys can be appointed and begin researching the case.
“I’m going to treat this request as a waiver of the defendant’s right to a speedy trial,” Hogshire said, noting that the change comes at Bowles’ request. “I’m going to try and get competent counsel working and get this to trial as soon as possible, but this is a murder case. It may take time.”

 

[forestchilde]

Of course; sorry, I probably didn't make this clear enough, it was just to address the speculation that the simple fact that a search warrant was issued would mean there's much more evidence than we know of.

AFTER executing the warrant there's quite a chance, especially considering RAT's lawyer's comment about hair.

Which brings me to another question: If AM had hair extensions, could it be possible that LE found some hair, but if it's only extensions, it would not contain AM's DNA? There seem to be various methods to apply extensions, would it be possible to lose only those, without some of the own hair?

If you scroll right up there is a helpful post on extensions and how they work. =)

 

[margarita25]

His son is apparently a freshman starting at the same school as Alexis. I've wondered if they knew each other myself - at least in passing. I doubt they hung out together though.

Hmmmmmmm....:waitasec:

 

[floridamomma]

They'll probably find Samantha when they find Alexis. Unfortunately, I don't think they'll find either girl. Hate to be a Debby Downer, but this guy knew what worked and probably stuck to it.

dumb question: are there sinkholes up there?

 

[floridamomma]

RAT's son is a minor and is, therefore, off limits. I don't think anyone is trying to establish anything about him. In MSM, his grandmother said he just started at the high school so I'm guessing he isn't 8 but IMO he has nothing to do with this at all, not even tangentially.

I certainly was not sleuthing him, just trying to think of how they could have met, if they did.

sorry.

 

[popsicle]

starting freshman would put him at 13-14 depending on birthday.... and on that note... lets just put a little heartfelt warmth out there for the son too.... because my God... the first day of high school is such an important milestone in one's life... and this poor child... his first day of high school... he had to leave early, because of his dad... being called/accused of abduction/serial killer/monster/this that everything (all of which I think possibly true)... but not the kids fault... I cant imagine what that must have been like for the poor boy... I have young teen boys... fresh into high school... its a trying time anyway... I feel for him.. NOT his dad... but for the little guy... just saying

Being a Freshman, he could be as old as 14 going on 15, don't you think?

 

[margarita25]

This is from the previous thread so I was't able to quote it properly. This was written by bsublime?-my apologies if I'm incorrect.

There are multiple ways to weave your hair:
Sewn in: Your hair is cornrowed and the wefted/track extensions are sewn to the cornrow using thick thread and a curved needle. The needle goes through the cornrow, not the scalp lol. Usually the majority of your hair is cornrowed with only a small portion of the top, and possibly the edges left out to blend with the extensions for a more natural look.

Glued in: The hair is left free and parted, hair bond is placed on the weft of the extensions and placed on the scalp until dry. Another way is to cornrow the natural hair and bond the extensions to the parts of the exposed scalp between the cornrows. Once again, the top/front and/or the perimeter of the natural hair is left out for blending. There is also a way to bond the extensions by cornrowing all or most of the natural hair, and a stocking cap or 2 is placed over all of the cornrows(to protect the hair) and the wefts are glued down to the cap using hair glue/bond.

Fused/bonded tips: This is the least likely way black women put extensions into our hair, IMO. Small bundles of keratin tipped, loose extension hair is bonded to very small portions of the natural hair at the root using a special heated tool. That is done throughout the hair leaving usually the top and edges free to blend. (A la Britney Spears a couple of years back with the choppy visible extensions)

Based on the pictures of her at Liberty, I would guess her extensions were sewn in, in one of the ways I stated above. According to other pictures of her, she changed her hairstyle pretty often and it would not be worth the 100's of dollars charged just for the fused tips to be put in, not even including the cost of the hair itself. So yes, it is very plausible that the strand of hair is Alexis' and not a strand from her extensions. Yes, weft/track extensions tend to shed, just like natural hair. The fact that at least a portion of her natural hair was left out means that the hair found is from her natural hair. JMO.

My apologies for the lengthy lesson on weaved hair. If I wasn't clear on how it works I'm more than happy to clarify!

Actually, I just remembered, Chris Rock did a whole movie about this, right? :biggrin:

 

[floridamomma]

His son is apparently a freshman starting at the same school as Alexis. I've wondered if they knew each other myself - at least in passing. I doubt they hung out together though.

yes, this! that's all i was curious about. i live in a very small town, everyone knows everyone at least a little.

 

[brighidin]

I certainly was not sleuthing him, just trying to think of how they could have met, if they did.

sorry.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to insinuate that you were. Just trying to prevent any problems re: trying to find out info on minors.

 

[forestchilde]

dumb question: are there sinkholes up there?

Yes, there are.

https://ndgishub.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=c51a0900825544b193e5204c5a965622

 

[ArianeEmory]

I'm trying to ignore real life and stay caught up here, but it isn't working out too well for me. So, excuse me if my thoughts have already been addressed...

In the previous thread there was some speculation as to why she was in his camper, with most replies fully agreeing that she would not just go hang out with him. I agree. However, for the sake of argument, let's say she was there, perhaps to buy a bit of weed... could his son have introduced the two? No, they aren't a likely pair to just hang out, but when my kids were younger I used to hear about how so&so has "cool parents" that don't care if they smoke. /eyeroll/

Ive seen that his son is 8, but also a teen, im not sure if yall hsve established the real age.

FWIW, if one reads the whole story as relayed by his attorney, he claims he met AM on a previous occasion, at a car wash where they ended up discussing pot. And then recognized each other at the gas station on that day as a result. Reading between the lines, and JMO, it sounds like he was trying to imply he was smoking--maybe it was one of those self-serve car washes? dunno--and it caused a conversation to be struck up.

Shorter version, RT has already alluded to how he previously knew her. *Not saying I necessarily think he is telling the truth*

(I've been trying to get back to one of the early links so I can quote it, but every time I try WS hangs and then I get distracted at work.)

 

[margarita25]

RAT's son is a minor and is, therefore, off limits. I don't think anyone is trying to establish anything about him. In MSM, his grandmother said he just started at the high school so I'm guessing he isn't 8 but IMO he has nothing to do with this at all, not even tangentially.

Indeed.

I do want to note that this would be another reason why Alexis might have somewhat trusted him, despite his creepiness (assuming she was led off willingly).

I think this is upstream somewhere, but has it been concretely determined / confirmed if there was any damage to either RAT's or Alexis' vehicles? TIA.

 

[MoxieThyme]

dumb question: are there sinkholes up there?

yes... but, most of the ones we have open around here are in areas that are populated... meaning, they are due to man-made causes...old pipes going under the highway etc... not naturally occurring in the forest, so much... and not commonly occurring either... around here the ground consists of heavy red clay and lots of shale, quartz, and soap stone..

 

[MoxieThyme]

Being a Freshman, he could be as old as 14 going on 15, don't you think?

maybe? i have one who is 14 going on 15 and he is sophomore this year... they could have maybe had some brief contact seeing how middle school and high school are connected, but with him being a middie, and her being a junior last year, I highly doubt it..