Perhaps you all (said in deference to the thread about regional usages of the term!) would like some feedback from an experienced sleuther who is new to this particular case. I know NONE of the details of the case. Will give impressions based solely on listening to the interviews on Blog Talk Radio.
Elaine:
1.) Extremely emotional woman.
2.) Justifiably upset that her 13 year old son is missing.
3.) Extremely angry and bitter towards her ex-husband. No hesitation in accusing him of vile acts.
4.) Difficult time seeing beyond her own bitterness? Could be clouding her good judgment?
5.) Almost WANTS the father to have culpability?
6.) This woman needs therapy and support immediately.
Mark:
1.) Sounds like he is belatedly coming out of his own defensive "fog".
2.) Speaks well with a lot of what he says sounding rehearsed or programmed.
3.) In attempting to listen to how he says things as opposed to what he is actually saying, he does not exhibit the long pauses, the "umms", etc. of the known liars we have heard so often.
4.) He sounds angry about the accusations, but not particularly bitter towards Elaine. If anything, he sounds relieved to no longer be married to her.
5.) All of us know that Dr. Phil is interested in his ratings, not in providing family therapy. I wish a different venue had been chosen for national exposure.
6.) Continuously speaks of his son in the present tense, even when answering unexpected questions during a rather far-ranging interview by Tricia.
I want to give particular recognition to Tricia for conducting these interviews in an extremely sensitive and professional manner. You were certainly walking a tightrope there, Tricia, and you handled it well.
I will now be going to read up on the facts of this case. I would also like to add at this time that I don't know if anyone in this case took a polygraph, but I personally would never take one. Ever. For anything. They are highly subjective, extremely dependent on the mindset of the "operator", subject to misreading, subject to emotions, border on junk science, are not accepted by any court of law. That law enforcement agencies continue to use these tests to "rule out" or "rule in" persons of interest or suspects or whatever you want to call them, never ceases to amaze me.
Right now, I don't think either of the parents had anything to do with this. Which leaves "stranger danger". He was a small looking, blonde looking, likely troubled 13 year old. How closely have they checked the registered sex offenders, I wonder?