2009.03.13 ~ The Today Show *REVISIT*

[lonetraveler]

There is a world of difference between this arrogant, angry, stoned acting Ron Cummings than the crying, sniveling Ron Cummings who was on the Maury show with Teresa Neves and the new baby doll. This video was about a month after Haleigh's disappearance and I guess he had not had all of the practice and coaching that he has had since this one.

 

[lonetraveler]

I'm really not trying to pick on RC. Those who support him please know that as your mod, I will support your opinions.

With that said, however, I was also intrigued by RC quickly dismissing Jr's account of the man in black. They said he never told them about it and it was made up by Geraldo and Crystal. I don't remember Crystal and Geraldo being friends? Was there any kind of relationship between them that anyone remembers?

:waitasec: You know, I've never figured this one out. Wouldn't it make sense if you were saying that your daughter was kidnapped that Jr.'s statement would become major important. Why throw out the kidnapping story to cover your butt then you totally dismiss your son's account of seeing a someone dressed in black taking your sister away? Was this a major screwup or what? If the two of them (Ron and Misty) are trying to cover their behinds, they should have jumped on Jr.'s story like white on rice. ETA: Same thing with insisting that the door was locked. If you are going with the story that someone kidnapped your daughter, then don't insist that the door was locked, KWIM?

 

[1Chump]

I'm really not trying to pick on RC. Those who support him please know that as your mod, I will support your opinions.

With that said, however, I was also intrigued by RC quickly dismissing Jr's account of the man in black. They said he never told them about it and it was made up by Geraldo and Crystal. I don't remember Crystal and Geraldo being friends? Was there any kind of relationship between them that anyone remembers?

IMO, it wasn't about Junior but trying to discredit Geraldo and Crystal. The two people who dared to suggest that Ron was anything other than a great father/guy. The two people who were suggesting he knew more than he was saying. The two people who were making him look bad.

I think Ron felt if he admitted anything they said might be true, people would not see them as liars. However, if they would go so far to lie about what Junior saw, they would lie to mkae him look bad.

BTW, I also think he knew Junior did not see anyone in black because Junior was not there...just my opinion.

 

[lorann]

Devil's advocate: they are very unsofisticated, not use to the big city and national TV. Poor couple just been through a horrifyiing experience. Brought MIL on their paid for honeymoon.

Reality: they did not have all of their answers memorized to spontaneously answer what was thrown at them. As the interviews went on in time, they were more easily questioned and able to answer, even when their answers changed. Ron appeared angry from the very beginning when questioned because he just wants to make statements and not have his word disputed. The less you talk, the less mistakes you make. Maybe this interview was what made him avoid talking to LE for months.

 

[1Chump]

Ronald did try to bail Misty out once. When Misty was talking about why she walked out of questioning, she said that a new guy was being rude and accussed her of lying. Meredith started to say something and Ron talked over her to make a point that was "after she passed her lie detector test." Then Misty agreed.

It was just like the Greta interview when Greta asks Misty about her LDT, Ron jumps in and says he passed the test with flying colors as Misty says that they were told to not discuss it. Then Misty says she passed.

I find it interesting that both interviews, Ron coaches Misty to say that she passed her LDT to Misty is the focus to move away from any questios of Misty's story.

The other thing that really struck me is when asked about the marriage, Ron starts to talk about it even how when Haleigh gets home they will have a bigger, better weddding. Then he says but that it taking the focus off Haleigh.

Ron is then asked if he understands why people are asking questions about his personal life, he starts his spiel. He says his personal life is his personal life. No one needs to know anything about his personal life. His personal life is not anyone else's business. He goes to work and supports his family. I thought he was going to stop after that statement but then he starts in again about how his personal life and how his personal life should not be on National TV, Nation TV should be about his daughter.

IMO, he was trying to hard to convince people that his personal life had nothing to do with Haleigh. As the saying goes "thouest dost protest too much."

 

[Gracenote]

I remember seeing this early on and thinking "Oh man, something is so wrong here". The agonizing (to me) pause when Misty searches for help in answering the question. Ron's anger and arrogance. The total lack of feeling or communication between them. I don't expect them to make out on camera but maybe a "Honey, didn't you say before that you were confused about some things?" or something kind from Ron. It radiated bad, bad stuff to me. And it was more a defensive move rather than an attempt to discuss what happened one more time and ask for help in finding Haleigh.

I would love to know how things were behind the scenes and what the crew and Meridith have to say about the newlyweds.

Also, and I know some disagree, I think the rush for the wedding was to get those "exclusive" videos and photos for NBC and thus to make a lot of money.

 

[dodie20]

IMO, it wasn't about Junior but trying to discredit Geraldo and Crystal. The two people who dared to suggest that Ron was anything other than a great father/guy. The two people who were suggesting he knew more than he was saying. The two people who were making him look bad.

I think Ron felt if he admitted anything they said might be true, people would not see them as liars. However, if they would go so far to lie about what Junior saw, they would lie to mkae him look bad.

BTW, I also think he knew Junior did not see anyone in black because Junior was not there...just my opinion.

Even though I believe this account, I think it's possible that he either got his days mixed up, or he confused it with the incident where a black man went with Ron to get Amber's child.

 

[KSH352]

Whoa! I'd never thought of it that way before! I always thought she was looking at him out of fear to respond, like she didn't want him to get mad and she was scared of him. :doh: Now I don't know what to think. Thanks for weighing in!

IMO I believe she was thinking " I forgot what I was supposed to say as she looked up at him" then she looked again expecting some help for RC. So being the kind and understanding new hubby that he was he just let her take the fall. IMO

 

[azwriter]

We need a transcript. I've started one out. Everybody please feel free to add, correct and continue this one. The double question marks are where I wasn't sure what they say.

Ronald and Misty Cummings are with us exclusively this morning. Good morning to you both. Thank you for joining us.
(Misty's gaze shifts, blinking, RC looks down, neither smiles in greeting or says anything that I can hear).
Ronald, your daughter Haleigh disappeared a little more than a month ago and since then you have spoken to the media, taken polygraph tests, both of you have, (Misty nods and swallows) opened up your home, what was your home, to us to see where Haleigh lived, to get a better sense of her - none of that could have been easy for either one of you, so why did you wanna come here today, what are you hoping to accomplish, Ronald?

(They stare steadily on Meredith, jaw set, but he looks down when answering.)
RC: To get the focus back on my daughter is missing, my five year old girl is gone (nods) and I wanna find her.

Why do you think the focus has changed, you said get the focus back on her.

RC: I think it changed to my personal life, and being married and everything else when they should be focusing on my five year old daughter. (showing Haleigh's pics, not him)

Do you think the police have done an adequate job searching for her, Ronald, are you comfortable with the job they have done so far? (His leg moving, looks down again)

RC: So far.

Meredith: ??

RC: Yes.

Meredith: Have they said anything to you about any possible leads at all?
(RC looks down, shakes head, mouth moves in a downward motion).
Meredith: Nothing. Uh, Michelle just referenced your son, your four year old son and the fact that he said that somebody, a man dressed in black, had taken Haleigh out of the, the trailer the night she disappeared. (RC's knee movement continues, Misty has her hands in between her thighs, RC arms crossed) Did he say anything to either one of you? Misty you were there at the time, did he say anything to you at the time?

Misty: Uhhuh.

Meredith: Nothing.

Misty: No

RC: Me either. I'm thinking this is just some of that garbage that Geraldo and Crystal, her mother, have made up (?? here he says something else too ??)
Meredith: Oh you don't even believe that Ronald Jr. said this at all?
RC: (shrug, jaw shifts up) I don't know. I wasn't at home, I was at work.

This last shrug unfailingly makes me feel he knows something. He dodges the question and seems a bit smug to me while mentioning his alibi. But his alibi has nothing to do with what the reporter asked him. She doesn't inquire whether he saw a man in black take Haleigh that night, she asks if he believes that Jr said this at some point later.

The opening remark is interesting as well. He wants to get the focus back on Haleigh being missing instead of being married, and what better way to achieve it than to visit the Today show with your newly wed bride on your honeymoon the morning after the celebration? :waitasec:

Donjets, great job of summing up your understanding of Ron's vocal answers and his physical appearance of body language. I think you have an very accurate view of Ron Cummings' role in his daughter's disappearance. jmo

 

[azwriter]

At the end of the clip when he is asked what would you say to Haleigh, he doesn't look into the camera...that tells me a lot, that plus the fact that he had to think about who to contact if you have information.

I don't quite understand his body language, during the wedding clips, he is very tense and he really looked like he could have hit Misty when she mushed the cake into his face. When I was married and said my vows I looked at my husband not the minister. There are a lot of wonky things going on here

Oh you greeneyedgirl, I'm an old woman who instantly recognizes Ron's body language at the wedding - he did not want to be there! That's a big hint how he really felt about wedding Misty.
Like at my first wedding, I should have know something was up when the groom figure fell off the wedding cake. LOL

 

[dodie20]

the way Ronald cut his eyes when he was addressing Haleigh, was weird. & the same thing when Misty was nodding affirmation @ Ron's assurance that Haleigh was crazy about her. but this could've been because of nerves & inexperience of being in front of cameras. the only real problem I have with this interview is when Misty explains why she stopped talking to police. Ron should've been pizzed & worried that the last person to see his daughter was no longer cooperating with LE. He seems to be in agreement with her, & that's a huge red flag. They should've been willing to sit down with LE anytime they asked, just in case some little before unnoticed clue came to light. it's like all Ron really wanted to do was move on with his life.

 

[MADJGNLAW]

I have been trying to find the transcripts to the Today Show and have had no luck. Here is a link that says you can get transcripts but I can't figure out how to go back to last March. Maybe someone else can give it a try?
Link to msnbc transcripts, can't find the one for the Today Show though: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3719710

I also ran across an article from the Today Show and some transcripts on JVM.

The Today Show Mar. 13, 2009 Haleigh’s father, new bride speak out By Mike Celizic http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/29674827/
TODAYshow.com contributor

Meredith Vieira asked Misty Cummings if she knows that she changed the story of the night Haleigh Cummings disappeared.

“Yeah,” the young woman said.

Vieira asked why there are inconsistencies.

“I don’t know,” she replied.

Newlyweds in New York


Vieira asked both. “Why come here?”

“To get the focus back on my daughter. My 5-year-old girl is gone and I want to find her,” Ron Cummings, replied. He complained that his marriage to the former Misty Croslin has deflected attention away from his daughter, who has been missing since early in the morning of Feb. 10.

“I think they changed to my personal life and being married and everything else and they should be focusing on my 5-year-old daughter,” Ron told Vieira.



Cummings and his bride say they’ve both taken and passed polygraph tests.
Cummings told Vieira that the lead detective in the case has told him that Misty is not a suspect either.

Detectives recently called Misty in for another interview. After being pressed about inconsistencies, she stopped the interview and refused to answer further questions.

Inconsistent interviews
Vieira asked Misty why she ended the interview.

“There was a new guy that was new to the case and I didn’t feel comfortable with him. He was just being very rude to me … He was just like being rude, like yelling and pretty much telling me I was a liar,” she said, adding that she told the lead detective on the case, John Merchant, that she would talk to him, but not to the new investigator.



The main inconsistency involves where Haleigh was sleeping on the night she disappeared. Misty had originally said the girl was sleeping with her. Yet later she said that Haleigh’s 4-year-old brother, Ron Jr., was in her bed, but that Haleigh was sleeping on a mattress on the floor of Misty’s bedroom.
Both Misty and Ron Cummings also said that reports that Ron Jr. said he saw a man dressed in black are not true. Ron Cummings accused Haleigh’s mother, Crystal Sheffield, of making that story up.

Vieira asked Misty, to revisit the events that led to her calling 911 shortly before 3:30 a.m. on Feb. 10.

“I put her to bed at 8 o’clock,” “I was washing our blankets, and after that was done, I put her blanket over her. She was sleeping when I put her blanket on her. She was in her bed, and it was about 10 o’clock. I finally laid down and went to sleep. I woke up at 3. I got up to use the bathroom, and I noticed the kitchen light was on. I walked through the kitchen, and that’s when I noticed the back door was open. So I run back to my bedroom to get my phone to call Ronald. That’s when I noticed Haleigh was gone.”Ron Cummings works a late shift and said he was just pulling in the driveway when Misty called him.
‘Nobody’s business’Vieira asked Ron Cummings why he would get married now.


“I think that my little girl would have wanted it,” he said before repeating his belief that his wedding shouldn’t be a story.

“That’s still drawing the focus off of Haleigh,” he said. “We need to be focused on Haleigh and not what I’m doing in my personal life … It’s nobody’s business what I do in my personal life. I go to work. I support my family. I don’t know what my personal life has to do with national TV. My daughter’s missing. That’s what has to do with national TV. We need to get her found.”

Vieira asked Ron Cummings if he had anything else he wanted to say.

“If you know something, please call the Crime Stoppers or any local sheriff’s office,” he said, his arms crossed tightly across his chest. “If my little girl is watching, baby, I love you.”



Read more: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/29674827/#ixzz0nZT2ErV0


Read more: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/29674827/#ixzz0nZSvDZfN

ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL

Why Different Stories of Missing Girl?; Father Says Focus Should be on Haleigh. B]
Aired March 13, 2009

"Snip" http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0903/13/ijvm.01.html

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MISTY CROSLIN, WIFE OF HALEIGH`S FATHER: There was a new guy that was new to the case, and I didn`t feel comfortable with him. He was just being very rude to me. And I told John Merchant and the state attorneys I would talk to them, but I wasn`t going to talk to.

MEREDITH VIEIRA, CO-HOST, NBC`S "THE TODAY SHOW": What was he doing?

CROSLIN: He was rude, like yelling and telling me I`m a liar.

VIEIRA: So he was accusing you of lying to him?

CROSLIN: Yes.


VIEIRA: Why were there -- help me out, Misty. Why were there inconsistencies? Why would you say one thing one time and one time the other?

CROSLIN: I don`t know.

VIEIRA: But you know you did do that?

CROSLIN: Yes.

VIEIRA: And you`re not sure why?

CROSLIN: No.

(END VIDEO CLIP)


.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VIEIRA: And, Misty, as you sit here, do you believe in your heart that they see you as a suspect?

CROSLIN: No, I don`t.

RON CUMMINGS, FATHER OF HALEIGH: I don`t either. I talked to a lead detective. His name is John Merchant.

VIEIRA: And he said?

CUMMINGS: Nope. He doesn`t think that she`s a suspect.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CROSLIN: Usually Haleigh will wake up at nighttime. She gets cramps in her legs, you know. And I have to rub her legs to get the cramps out of her legs to get her back to sleep. And, you know, she didn`t make no noise that night. I would have woke up if I heard anyone. I didn`t hear anything at all. I was really exhausted that day, you know, really exhausted when I lay down, I guess. And I just was out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD, MOTHER OF HALEIGH CUMMINGS: I just want to say thank you for everybody doing everything. Mommy loves you and your daddy loves you. We miss you. We`ll be right here. Please, bring her home. Please. We need her.

(END VIDEO CLIP)


(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VIEIRA: Your 4-year-old son and the fact that he said that somebody, a man dressed in black, had taken Haleigh out of the -- the trailer that night she disappeared. Did he tell that to either one of you? Misty, you were there at the time. Did he say anything to you at the time?

CROSLIN: Huh-uh.

VIEIRA: Nothing?

CROSLIN: No.

CUMMINGS: Me either. I think this is some of the garbage that Geraldo and Crystal, the mother, has made up, but I`m just going to leave that at that.

VIEIRA: So you don`t even believe that Ronald Jr. said this at all?

CUMMINGS: I don`t know. I wasn`t at home. I was at work.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

 

[bessie]

To me the most "telling" thing about that interview is when Misty looks to Ronald for help on why she lied. I don't think she was ready for a direct question like that and Ronald just let her take the blow. IMO

That's the way I read it when I first saw the interview last year. Looking back at it now, I still see it that way.

:waitasec: You know, I've never figured this one out. Wouldn't it make sense if you were saying that your daughter was kidnapped that Jr.'s statement would become major important. Why throw out the kidnapping story to cover your butt then you totally dismiss your son's account of seeing a someone dressed in black taking your sister away? Was this a major screwup or what? If the two of them (Ron and Misty) are trying to cover their behinds, they should have jumped on Jr.'s story like white on rice. ETA: Same thing with insisting that the door was locked. If you are going with the story that someone kidnapped your daughter, then don't insist that the door was locked, KWIM?

I tend to agree with 1Chump that Ron's response might've been a way to discredit Geraldo. I have another take on it, too. Maybe Ron wanted to dismiss Jr.'s statement because it didn't tie in with the plan to make Misty/Tommy/Joe the fall guys. Same for the locked doors. Ron can tell the world that he's a responsible father who always checks the locks before he leaves his family alone because meanwhile, TN is telling the world about Misty's relative who knows how to bump locks.

 

[YellowSubmarine]

This is one of the interviews that makes Ron and Misty look so guilty, IMO. Clearly Misty was looking to Ron for answers and sometimes Ron chimed in and sometimes he didn't. Why would Misty need Ron help with those questions if Ron, himself, was not there, had nothing to do with Haleigh going missing and was not involved in the cover-up? That tells me that Misty was not fearful of revealing the truth in front of Ron...she was fearful about messing up the script. If you add this interview to the interview by Greta, where Misty is heard screwing up the script and Ron jumping in to correct her. He was correcting her on details that he would not have been known had he actually been at work when they occurred. Ron is definitely involved in this somehow.

BBM --

Yup Yup. I haven't re-watched this vid yet & can't remember if it's this one or another -- but I'm reminded of when MC was asked how far Haleigh was sleeping from her:

MC: "About 4 inches"
RC: "No"
MC: "No?"
RC: "It was about 4 feet"
MC: "Oh, well, I didn't measure"

First off -- RC wasn't there -- HOW does he know?!?! 2nd, you can't tell me someone doesn't know the difference between 4" & 4'. 3rd, when your child is missing, WHO would get snotty and say "Oh, well, I didn't measure"?!?!

This has always really bothered me.

 

[Donjeta]

Not sure but I think yours was on GVS, YellowSubmarine.

IMO the smirk on his face suggests he is delighted that MV offers him an opportunity to throw a dig at Geraldo and Crystal. "Some of the garbage" he implies that they have made up lots of other things too and people should believe none of that.

Meredith: Oh you don't even believe that Ronald Jr. said this at all?

He should be focusing more on Jr. in his answer, not just himself and his own absence from the crime scene. Some sample answers that would not have sounded odd in this context include,

"No, I don't, he's with me most of the time so I don't understand why he's never said anything to me about it if he really saw something."

"I don't know, I suppose he might have said something to the police psychologist but I wasn't with him in that interview and I don't know for sure."

"I believe he might have said it but his story has changed so many times I don't believe he saw anything. He goes along if you ask leading questions. He sleeps soundly and it takes an earthquake to wake him up."

"I don't think so. I think if he saw somebody in the house he would have been scared and woken Misty up. He's four and he sometimes repeats things that he saw on TV or in books that aren't true. The poor guy misses his sister so much."



"I don't know. I wasn't at home, I was at work." just doesn't fit. It's got absolutely nothing to do with what Jr. might or might not have said. He wasn't at work when Jr. was talking about what he saw. It's extraneous information and a red flag in statement analysis.

 

[Donjeta]

Part two:

Meredith: Oh you don't even believe that Ronald Jr. said this at all?

RC: I don't know. I wasn't at home, I was at work. I can't tell you honestly. (another shrug)

MV: But you were there Misty and I know what Ronald just said that the focus has been removed from, from his daughter, the little girl that you also cared very deeply for, (Misty nods) to other people. A lot of the focus has now been on you and the police saying that you walked out of a meeting they were having with you (Misty licks her lips, RC arms crossed, body swaying, lips pursing)

MV Why what happened, to stop talking, something must have upset you.

Misty: There was a new, um, guy that was new to the case and I didn’t feel comfortable with him. He was just being very rude to me and I told John Merchant and the state attorneys that I would talk to them but I wasn't gonna talk to the other guy.

MV: What was he saying, what was he doing?

MC: He was just like being rude, like yelling and pretty much telling me I'm a liar (animated body language)

MV So he was accusing you of lying to him.

MC Yeah. (IMO she looks affronted. Hint of a smile on RC?)

MV Let me, let's go back to the...

RC. After the passed polygraphs.

MC After the passed polygraphs.

MV. And you were both, they said to you you have passed the polygraph test.

RC. Absolutely. (Misty nods, RC too)

MV. I think part of the problem has been, Misty, that there has been a certain number of inconsistencies, inconsistencies or what has been perceived as inconsistencies because you first said that Haleigh wasn't there but then you said she was on the mattress next to you. (Misty nods) This is an opportunity to clarify, you have had time to think about what happened that night. Can you walk us through one more time Misty, your best recollection of the night Haleigh disappeared?

MC I put her to bed at 8 o’clock, I was washing my blanke- our blankets, and after that was done, I put her blanket over her. She was sleeping when I put her blanket on her. ( odd sideways tongue movement to the left)

MV Was she in the bed?

MC She was in her bed.

MV In her bed.

MC. In her bed. And Junior was in the bed with me. And it was about, I don't know what time it was, about 10 o’clock. I finally laid down and went to sleep. I woke up at 3. And I noticed, I got up to use the bathroom, and I noticed the kitchen light was on. SO I walked through the kitchen, and that’s when I noticed the back door was open. So I run back to my bedroom to grab my phone to call Ronald. And that’s when I noticed Haleigh was gone.

MV So you called Ronald and then Ronald did you come home?

(Crosstalking)
MC: He...
RC: I was pulling in the driveway.

MC: He was pulling in the driveway.

MV: At shortly after three o'clock in the morning, you were saying.

RC: Yeah. (MC nods)

RC: I was pulling in the driveway, just home from my shift at work. (nods, arms still crossed, leg still moving, Misty nodding.)

MV: So why were there, help me out Misty, why were there inconsistencies, why would you say one thing one time and one time the other. (Misty elbows RC)

MC: Umm... (long pregnant pause) I don't know.

Things that I noticed writing this out:

Why does Misty hesitate saying, "um, guy"? She knows the word guy so it's not that it was a difficult-to-find expression. Was she about to say something else?

MC: He was just like being rude, like yelling and pretty much telling me I'm a liar

Wow, imagine that. Calling Misty a liar? Misty is very animated and looks disgusted talking about this treatment, IMO.

I don't know what to make of RC here. I thought I saw a microexpression with a hint of a smile when MV talks about the focus shifting on Misty and he leaves her high and dry in the inconsistencies question although she nonverbally begs for help with the elbowing(IMO) but it's RC who first brings up the passed polygraphs in her defence so if he was out to get Misty it is slightly inconsistent behavior.

She slips about the blankets. Washing my blanket, no, our blankets. The blankets mean something.

They don't show Misty all the time, but her head moves back and forth quite noticeably while she talks about Monday night, she has it tilted back some of the time and looks a bit defiant but just MOO.

Another correction seems to be about whether she got up or noticed the kitchen light on first.

She talks about returning to "my bedroom". Is this the norm for a room shared by two children and a boyfriend? I dunno but to me, my bedroom would be a place where I usually sleep alone. A room full of kids is our bedroom at best. Did Misty sleep alone after all?

Now she's unsure what time she went to bed, but sure she woke up at 3. She used to be sure about bedtime but unsure about waking up, I think. I seen 3.

The pulling up in the driveway gets so much emphasis it seems important too. There is a gap in this version between Ronald pulling up shortly after 3 and calling 911 at 3:27.

I read that in statement analysis things like "Absolutely" and "I can't tell you honestly" are red flags.

 

[SoSueMe]

If Ron wanted to keep his personal life private, why did he hold the wedding in a backyard for all the world to see? Why did he allow the wedding to be filmed?

It has been said that RC was paid for the opportunity to film his marriage to Misty and further compensated with a honeymoon in NYC. Just what did he think they were going to do with the wedding footage?

Maybe he re-thought allowing them to film the wedding because as he stood there eating cake, volunteers were in the trenches looking for his lost daughter.

Also, who takes their mother on their honeymoon? Did Theresa give an interview on that trip? Why was SHE there?

 

[Zoe Bogart]

Thanks so much for the transcripts, Donjeta and MADJGNLAW. Very helpful, indeed. Thanks to Kimster for beginning this thread and posting the video. These things bring to the forefront why I've been highly suspicious since the first day. I don't think we can blame it on lack of education, being from a small town, growing up poor, or anything else like that. Even the uneducated can keep their stories straight when something this important happens in their lives and when they are being honest.

I agree, running with the "man in black" story would certainly have helped support their original testimonies of Haleigh being "stole". I need to revisit the theories thread..... :run:

 

[Justin Tyme]

Oh you greeneyedgirl, I'm an old woman who instantly recognizes Ron's body language at the wedding - he did not want to be there! That's a big hint how he really felt about wedding Misty.
Like at my first wedding, I should have know something was up when the groom figure fell off the wedding cake. LOL

Good call. I think that the whole wedding idea was TN's. She was set to keep MC happy at any cost. She was the one singing all the praises on MC. It was her, TN's ring. The proposal was at her, TN's birthday. She probably pulled the whole wedding thing together. IMO. Why would she do this? RC had already kicked MC out the weekend prior to her party time with WBG's. MC was high on drugs. MC didn't want to watch RC's children. TN appeared very happy at the wedding. RC appeared not so happy. So,the question is, what was TN's motivation for this. It was not to keep the enemy close. The weren't worried about JR's saftey with MC, (why?)because they know that MC didn't do it. TN was worried about keeping MC happy to keep her TN's, secrets safe. IMO.

I think that when all is said and done that the groom falling off of the cake will be more telling than you think. IMO

azwriter - Sorry, I misread, I thought that you meant the groom feel off of RC & MC's cake. Anywho, I'll still apply that the groom in THIS cake perhaps too shall fall. That's what I meant to say and am adding IMO.

 

[1Chump]

Part two:

Meredith: Oh you don't even believe that Ronald Jr. said this at all?

RC: I don't know. I wasn't at home, I was at work. I can't tell you honestly. (another shrug)

MV: But you were there Misty and I know what Ronald just said that the focus has been removed from, from his daughter, the little girl that you also cared very deeply for, (Misty nods) to other people. A lot of the focus has now been on you and the police saying that you walked out of a meeting they were having with you (Misty licks her lips, RC arms crossed, body swaying, lips pursing)

MV Why what happened, to stop talking, something must have upset you.

Misty: There was a new, um, guy that was new to the case and I didn’t feel comfortable with him. He was just being very rude to me and I told John Merchant and the state attorneys that I would talk to them but I wasn't gonna talk to the other guy.

MV: What was he saying, what was he doing?

MC: He was just like being rude, like yelling and pretty much telling me I'm a liar (animated body language)

MV So he was accusing you of lying to him.

MC Yeah. (IMO she looks affronted. Hint of a smile on RC?)

MV Let me, let's go back to the...

RC. After the passed polygraphs.

MC After the passed polygraphs.

MV. And you were both, they said to you you have passed the polygraph test.

RC. Absolutely. (Misty nods, RC too)

MV. I think part of the problem has been, Misty, that there has been a certain number of inconsistencies, inconsistencies or what has been perceived as inconsistencies because you first said that Haleigh wasn't there but then you said she was on the mattress next to you. (Misty nods) This is an opportunity to clarify, you have had time to think about what happened that night. Can you walk us through one more time Misty, your best recollection of the night Haleigh disappeared?

MC I put her to bed at 8 o’clock, I was washing my blanke- our blankets, and after that was done, I put her blanket over her. She was sleeping when I put her blanket on her. ( odd sideways tongue movement to the left)

MV Was she in the bed?

MC She was in her bed.

MV In her bed.

MC. In her bed. And Junior was in the bed with me. And it was about, I don't know what time it was, about 10 o’clock. I finally laid down and went to sleep. I woke up at 3. And I noticed, I got up to use the bathroom, and I noticed the kitchen light was on. SO I walked through the kitchen, and that’s when I noticed the back door was open. So I run back to my bedroom to grab my phone to call Ronald. And that’s when I noticed Haleigh was gone.

MV So you called Ronald and then Ronald did you come home?

(Crosstalking)
MC: He...
RC: I was pulling in the driveway.

MC: He was pulling in the driveway.

MV: At shortly after three o'clock in the morning, you were saying.

RC: Yeah. (MC nods)

RC: I was pulling in the driveway, just home from my shift at work. (nods, arms still crossed, leg still moving, Misty nodding.)

MV: So why were there, help me out Misty, why were there inconsistencies, why would you say one thing one time and one time the other. (Misty elbows RC)

MC: Umm... (long pregnant pause) I don't know.

Things that I noticed writing this out:

Why does Misty hesitate saying, "um, guy"? She knows the word guy so it's not that it was a difficult-to-find expression. Was she about to say something else?

MC: He was just like being rude, like yelling and pretty much telling me I'm a liar

Wow, imagine that. Calling Misty a liar? Misty is very animated and looks disgusted talking about this treatment, IMO.

I don't know what to make of RC here. I thought I saw a microexpression with a hint of a smile when MV talks about the focus shifting on Misty and he leaves her high and dry in the inconsistencies question although she nonverbally begs for help with the elbowing(IMO) but it's RC who first brings up the passed polygraphs in her defence so if he was out to get Misty it is slightly inconsistent behavior.
She slips about the blankets. Washing my blanket, no, our blankets. The blankets mean something.

They don't show Misty all the time, but her head moves back and forth quite noticeably while she talks about Monday night, she has it tilted back some of the time and looks a bit defiant but just MOO.

Another correction seems to be about whether she got up or noticed the kitchen light on first.

She talks about returning to "my bedroom". Is this the norm for a room shared by two children and a boyfriend? I dunno but to me, my bedroom would be a place where I usually sleep alone. A room full of kids is our bedroom at best. Did Misty sleep alone after all?

Now she's unsure what time she went to bed, but sure she woke up at 3. She used to be sure about bedtime but unsure about waking up, I think. I seen 3.

The pulling up in the driveway gets so much emphasis it seems important too. There is a gap in this version between Ronald pulling up shortly after 3 and calling 911 at 3:27.

I read that in statement analysis things like "Absolutely" and "I can't tell you honestly" are red flags.

I think Ron throws out the passed polygraph to move the conversation away from them. Why question Ron or Misty about what they did if they passed a poly? They would only pass a poly if they did nothing wrong.

Hence, we passed a poly so stop asking about us, we are none of your business, only Haleigh is your business, start fousing on Haleigh.