Found Deceased CO - Shanann Watts (34), Celeste"Cece" (3) and Bella (4), Frederick, 13 Aug 2018 *Arrest* #35

[molly1255]

It was stated that he put them in the oil barrels to cover up the smell. I would also assume he thought it was a pretty good place to hide them. Jmo

I remember reading that, too. I wonder if this was something LE thought, or if it was something CW actually stated.

I think CW thought the tanks were a heck of a good place. Perhaps experts in LE know of other cases where a crude oil tank was used, and/or absent a confession in this case, would have thought to look in the tanks because of CW's job and his GPS. IDK.

 

[gitana1]

You would have to pass the Bar Exam in the state in which you were to practice.

No. That's not true. There's a process to be a "pro hac vice" attorney in a different state. It's fairly simple. Hold on and I will find the rule in Colorado.

@DexterMorgan. Look at section 205.3:

https://www.courts.state.co.us/userfiles/file/Court_Probation/Supreme_Court/Rule_Changes/2014/2014(09) clean.PDF

 

[molly1255]

Yes. He absolutely could have. But it appears he didn't. Thankfully.

Thank you! I'm glad he talked, too.

 

[MassGuy]

Yes. I have wondered if he said tearfully to a family member, ' I don't know, I can't even believe it, but I must have lost my mind, and killed them...' and maybe the family member said 'are you sure it was YOU that killed them?' ...

That story came from somewhere, and I’m not convinced it was from him.

It’s clear that he was going to claim that his family was missing, either because SW took the kids and split, or because they were taken by some unknown party.

I’m leaning towards the former, as I can’t think of another reason for claiming that they “had an emotional conversation.”

I’d really have loved to be a fly on the wall during the conversation between CW and his father, just before his “confession.”

 

[katydid23]

I remember reading that, too. I wonder if this was something LE thought, or if it was something CW actually stated.

I think CW thought the tanks were a heck of a good place. Perhaps experts in LE know of other cases where a crude oil tank was used, and/or absent a confession in this case, would have thought to look in the tanks because of CW's job and his GPS. IDK.

I think LE would have absolutely looked there any way because of that pesky GPS...oh, and that sheet, blowing in the wind. Good thing he was sloppy.

 

[MsBetsy]

So I understand, could CW have refused to make any statements until after he had counsel and had his attorney present?

I'm totally ignorant about how this kind of thing works, fortunately!

That's what I am wondering. Could he have made incriminating statements before a lawyer was present, especially after he mentioned he wanted to speak to a lawyer, and thats why LE could not include it in the adfidavit? Is it really true that all questioning comes to a halt once a lawyer is mentioned, like in the movies?

 

[NuttMegg]

I’d really have loved to be a fly on the wall during the conversation between CW and his father, just before his “confession.”

Can you imagine what that wall would have looked like if all of us "would be flies on the wall" could have been there!

 

[MassGuy]

I think LE would have absolutely looked there any way because of that pesky GPS...oh, and that sheet, blowing in the wind. Good thing he was sloppy.

I think the only reason he “confessed,” was because he saw the writing in the wall.

As soon as LE showed him that drone footage of the dump site, and that stray bedsheet, he was backed into a corner.

He had to control the narrative, in order to give himself a shot at freedom.

I think the evidence will destroy his ridiculous scenario.

Nice try though, CW!

 

[gitana1]

Yet Jodi Arias as Casey Anthony both did not...

Oh they can try to later change their story. But besides the freak case of casey anthony, it typically won't fly.

 

[DexterMorgan]

No. That's not true. There's a process to be a "pro hac vice" attorney in a different state. It's fairly simple. Hold on and I will find the rule in Colorado.

@DexterMorgan. Look at section 205.3:

https://www.courts.state.co.us/userfiles/file/Court_Probation/Supreme_Court/Rule_Changes/2014/2014(09) clean.PDF

Ok Thanks. @gitana1

 

[MsBetsy]

Is that what was being referenced? The poster said that he originally admitted to killing his wife & children then changed his story.

He changed his story quite a few times.

 

[NuttMegg]

Yes. I have wondered if he said tearfully to a family member, ' I don't know, I can't even believe it, but I must have lost my mind, and killed them...' and maybe the family member said 'are you sure it was YOU that killed them?' ...

Absolutely. Until the trial or additional information comes out, I'm going to think the refining of his story, to best suit a legal outcome for him, came from someone on the outside who had opportunity to consult good lawyers for that crucial couple day period, and who conveyed that defense scheme to him. Someone.

 

[Best of What's Around]

That story came from somewhere, and I’m not convinced it was from him.

It’s clear that he was going to claim that his family was missing, either because SW took the kids and split, or because they were taken by some unknown party. I’m leaning towards the former, as I can’t think of another reason for claiming that they “had an emotional conversation.”

I’d really have loved to be a fly on the wall during the conversation between CW and his father, just before his “confession.”

I agree. I also think the most likely reason for the reporting in the news that he confessed to all is because it was likely sourced something to the effect of "he confessed and told them where the bodies are" - and that was run to mean he confessed to all because it would be a logical assumption. Just a thought.

 

[mtnlites]

Can you imagine what that wall would have looked like if all of us flies could have been there!

They'd a had to use that sticky tape that hangs from the ceiling to get rid of us.

 

[WildWest]

What if he tightly rolled each child up in a sheet or plastic bag? Would that work to get a body through the hole? I don't think we know if the children were bound or wrapped in anything, do we? We're just assuming they were free floating in the oil.

I shudder to wonder if he already practiced it.

I wonder why he put each child in a separate container. It was a lot of extra work. Or for that matter, put them in the oil tanks at all. He dumped SW's body, why not just leave the kids there as well?

I don't think that he planned out the disposal very well. Seems disorganized to me. I think that he fantasized about killing his family, and something set him off, who knows what...and the reality of the actual follow through was extremely sloppy, and rather frantic.

I've been wondering if there were liquid level sensors in the tank, the contents were valuable. Maybe 2 bodies in one tank would trip the sensor alarm?

 

[gitana1]

That's what I am wondering. Could he have made incriminating statements before a lawyer was present, especially after he mentioned he wanted to speak to a lawyer, and thats why LE could not include it in the adfidavit? Is it really true that all questioning comes to a halt once a lawyer is mentioned, like in the movies?

Yes. It all comes to a halt. But f they volunteer info after that without being questioned, it comes in. They've just waived the right to remain silent.

But it appears clear to me at least that he didn't ask for an attorney, then confess to killing his whole family after further interrogation, then say he would tell the truth and waive the fifth if he could talk to his dad, etc.

 

[katydid23]

Absolutely. Until the trial or additional information comes out, I'm going to think the refining of his story, to best suit a legal outcome for him, came from someone on the outside who had opportunity to consult good lawyers for that crucial couple day period, and who conveyed that defense scheme to him. Someone.

The 'actively strangling' component sounds like legal advice, to me.

 

[MsBetsy]

I remember reading that, too. I wonder if this was something LE thought, or if it was something CW actually stated.

I think CW thought the tanks were a heck of a good place. Perhaps experts in LE know of other cases where a crude oil tank was used, and/or absent a confession in this case, would have thought to look in the tanks because of CW's job and his GPS. IDK.

Right, and he would have had some sort of control over them, if he was assigned to them. Jmo

 

[NuttMegg]

I shudder to wonder if he already practiced it.

I've been wondering if there were liquid level sensors in the tank, the contents were valuable. Maybe 2 bodies in one tank would trip the sensor alarm?

A knowledgeable poster elaborated on the sensors after communicating, IIRC, with family members in the industry. Poster even gave us a model/description of the sensors used, and emphasized that the levels were closely monitored. About a week ago.

 

[MassGuy]

I agree. I also think the most likely reason for the reporting in the news that he confessed to all is because it was likely sourced something to the effect of "he confessed and told them where the bodies are" - and that was run to mean he confessed to all because it would be a logical assumption. Just a thought.

Yeah. I have probably 20 news apps on my phone that provide notifications.

In a rush to get the story out, and because headlines don’t contain the details, those notifications said something to the effect of “Colorado Father Confesses to Murder, Leads Law Enforcement to Bodies.”

The clarity came later.