I wonder about the GBI. After listening to a prior podcast about their stonewalling regarding missing teacher Tara Grinstead, from Tenderfoot Studios, I got the impression that the state agency was a bit clumsy and backwards.
Then, in The Officer's Wife, when I heard the recorded phone interview between local investigative journalist, Sheila Mathews, and GBI agent Chris DeMarco, I just thought that DeMarco was "off". He appears to sound clueless, defensive, and mostly, incredibly bureaucratic. Aside from his inability to articulate anything coherent about the very pointed facts Mathews raises with him, almost as if he can't connect the dots in his head, it's quite apparent he doesn't give a hoot about the case, other than the minimum public responsibility he has to answer his phone and to quell waves before they cause him and/or his employer, further damage.
Later, I learned he (in essence) threatened Mathews about her recording the conversation, which is not only her right (in GA), but probably her duty. While I haven't yet heard that portion of the recording, the quoted text on 11 Alive makes it look like he finally has an interest (or passion) about *something*, but it sure wasn't about the investigation that he and his team (supposedly) spent months on.
I don't know. All speculation from me, of course. But between both Grinstead and Boynton, you get the impression that the GBI isn't exactly a threat to crime anywhere if there is any gray areas in a case that need deep analysis. I imagine that attitude comes from the top, as it does in most companies and agencies, and can't be easily shaken. I'm sure there are some good people at GBI, probably frustrated too, but there seems to be systemic issues that are jeapordizing timely and proper handling of cases.
DeMarco might have some personal matters ongoing that just make him stand out as a dud, or maybe he was just caught a few times having an 'off' day. Or maybe he just lost his passion long ago and it's just a job for him. Nothing wrong with any of that. But it's certainly unfair to people who need answers and closure. You would think he could at least redeem himself and really get a solid push for results that satisfy many of the unanswered questions. Then, maybe he could take an early retirement with some honor.
Much more to examine on this case. It's barely been half-touched, as near as I can tell.