IN - Amanda Blackburn, 28, pregnant, murdered, Indianapolis, 10 Nov 2015 - #2

[JohnTate90210]

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/...ed-in-connection-to-death-of-amanda-blackburn

Quote: A high-ranking Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department source said Amanda Blackburn was sexually assaulted, but a spokesperson for IMPD denies that to be true at this point in their investigation.

The following statement was issued to RTV6:

"At this point in the investigation, we cannot confirm, nor do we know that Amanda Blackburn was sexually abused.

That information may change as more evidence comes in, but at this time nothing in our investigation shows that."

Lt. Richard Riddle, IMPD Spokesperson

 

[Dushi]

"At this point in the investigation, we cannot confirm, nor do we know that Amanda Blackburn was sexually abused.

That information may change as more evidence comes in, but at this time nothing in our investigation shows that."

Lt. Richard Riddle, IMPD Spokesperson

8:59 AM, Nov 19, 2015
7 mins ago ( updated)


http://www.theindychannel.com/news/...ed-in-connection-to-death-of-amanda-blackburn

 

[steelman]

Maybe she was, maybe she wasn't..........just gotta' love those conflicting media accounts.

For now I'll choose to believe she wasn't, if for no other reason than to make me feel like there is still just a tiny bit of humanity left in this world.

 

[AnaTeresa]

It's a lot like the conflicting reports we're getting about the gun that was found.

 

[DexterMorgan]

Imo. No means no.

So a person shouldn't be charged with murder if they decide to not go along with whatever plan that you may have that ends in a rape and murder.

People are allowed to say no.

Now they may be charged for the knowing and not reporting.

But they can't be charged with the actual deed if they say no to another party's intent. Jmo

 

[Peppery]

If no obvious signs of sexual assault, would the hospital perform a rape kit?

How long does it take to process a rape kit?

What would the quality of the sample be if taken several days after the rape? That's assuming it wasn't taken until she was declared brain dead but who knows.

 

[Dushi]

If no obvious signs of sexual assault, would the hospital perform a rape kit?

How long does it take to process a rape kit?

What would the quality of the sample be if taken several days after the rape? That's assuming it wasn't taken until she was declared brain dead but who knows.

I would hope that she would have been examined for sexual assault immediately, given the circumstances

 

[Peppery]

I would hope that she would have been examined for sexual assault immediately, given the circumstances

I'd hope so too, but if they were attempting to save her life (did she have surgery?) it may not have been a priority.

 

[Mindmatters]

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/...ed-in-connection-to-death-of-amanda-blackburn

Quote: A high-ranking Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department source said Amanda Blackburn was sexually assaulted, but a spokesperson for IMPD denies that to be true at this point in their investigation.

The following statement was issued to RTV6:

"At this point in the investigation, we cannot confirm, nor do we know that Amanda Blackburn was sexually abused.

That information may change as more evidence comes in, but at this time nothing in our investigation shows that."

Lt. Richard Riddle, IMPD Spokesperson

Well, from what I have discerned one thing is consistent if reporting is accurate :laughing:--the police have been somewhat tightlipped and inconsistent in their statements (at least Riddle has) which may or may not be LE strategy.

For me, it just means they are trying to keep the information they have from the public. Unfortunately, it is probably necessary in this age of social media, as well as necessary to maintain the integrity of their investigation while the perpetrator/s remain free.

 

[SapphireSteel]

The Coroner would perform a Rape Kit as part of procedure.

Being that she was shot in the head and all.

A suspicious crime so a Rape Kit is part of the deal. Or, should be. But I imagine it is for Killer Unknown.

 

[AnaTeresa]

I would hope that she would have been examined for sexual assault immediately, given the circumstances

I don't know if they would have at first - they might have been focusing on the gunshot wounds and working to try and save her. If her clothing or appearance didn't immediately make it apparent she had been sexually assaulted, I don't know if they would have jumped to that right away.

ETA: Coroners don't usually perform rape kits as we know them, and given the time that had elapsed between her injury and death, the evidence would have degraded significantly. IIRC, rape kits are supposed to be done within seventy-two hours. Rape kits are performed by Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners/Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners in the hospital setting.

 

[MJPeony]

I cannot imagine that they would not have done a rape kit on her once she arrived at the hospital. Cannot imagine. Yes, triage the serious wounds first, but the moment they saw they were gunshots (i.e. she did not fall), it would surely be standard protocol. I have no proof of this, just my understanding of what would be standard.

As for the reporting... wow. I'm amazed. Is this kind of contradictory reporting (gun yes/no... sexual assault yes/no) reporting common? It's one thing to be getting incomplete info in a case- or info that isn't fully explained. But to have this back and forth with what is being reported? IDK. Either the Indy police are some world-class strategists, or there have been a lot of poor breakdowns in communications.

 

[SapphireSteel]

I don't know if they would have at first - they might have been focusing on the gunshot wounds and working to try and save her. If her clothing or appearance didn't immediately make it apparent she had been sexually assaulted, I don't know if they would have jumped to that right away.

Here's how it goes

They focus on saving her life first (done)
Then they focus on removing life support
Amanda then (after farewells to loved ones) go straight to the Coroner for an Immediate Autopsy possibly in the same hospital or via Ambulance/morgue vehicle straight to the Coroners Office where she likely still lies
An Autopsy in a homicide almost definitely has Rape Kit as Procedure and being a major crime, it would be negligent not to

So we can all assume a rape kit was performed.

 

[Dushi]

I realize that at this time, we have no idea whether there was a sexual assault or not.
But does anyone think, if she was assaulted, that the murderer took time to redress her?
I really doubt it.
I think her state of dress or undress would tell a lot and further testing could be based on how they found her
JMO

 

[SapphireSteel]

I don't think she was sexually assaulted.

The evidence, including the Police statement, says its a false rumour.

I never did think it "fit" so until LE tell me otherwise, its a Non Sexually Motivated Murder.

 

[Dushi]

I don't think she was assaulted.

The evidence including the Police statement implies, its a false rumour.

Yes, I get that is how you feel, and I truly truly hope you are right.

 

[JohnTate90210]

The story did say the source was high ranking so not just the meter maid. Riddle's statement is carefully worded to neither confirm nor deny. It could be she hadn't been out of bed long and didn't have much clothing on to begin with. Or it could be Davey covered her for modesty sake. Or it could be they detected sexual activity that may not match the known timeline.

 

[MsMarple]

RTV6 Indianapolis ‏@rtv6 46m46 minutes ago
UPDATE: IMPD spokesperson denies evidence that #Blackburn was sexually assaulted at this point in investigation http://bit.ly/1X0IueU

[video=twitter;667443518219132928]https://twitter.com/rtv6/status/667443518219132928[/video]

I hope LE is closing in on these awful people!

 

[Peppery]

I realize that at this time, we have no idea whether there was a sexual assault or not.
But does anyone think, if she was assaulted, that the murderer took time to redress her?
I really doubt it.
I think her state of dress or undress would tell a lot and further testing could be based on how they found her
JMO

Unless she was sleeping, perhaps in a nightgown, perhaps unclothed, or maybe in the shower, when the killer happened upon her. Her husband would know what she was wearing to bed the night prior.

 

[JohnTate90210]

Back to Lone Perp + Driver and No Sexual Assault.

Well, I think the driver would be questionable, too. There's nothing indicating it wasn't just a loner either walking home or to vehicle he left a street or two away. I suspect the "high ranking" person in the PD was probably correct, though.