Several times, I think. I don't have time to get the links, but:
There was the 'find lauren' video, that had the names and photos of the key POI; the time that they gave an interview that basically said that they didn't think some of the POI had anything to do with Lauren's disappearance, but were looking for answers from others. (This is the one where the article implied they had 'cleared' people, and LE jumped in to say no one was cleared); Their Private investigator was interviewed for the Lohud video and drew attention to inconsistencies mostly in JR, CR and MB's stories (and also mentioned JW); The Spierers seem to have consistently asked for answers from these same people. They have especially expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of cooperation from JR and CR.
Neither they, nor the PI's have ever (as far as I know) mentioned or talked about wanting answers from this out of town visitor.
That's my impression, anyway.
So, I'm not saying it isn't possible that DB was around that night or may even be a POI - You're right that there were other Persons of Interest (like DR) who were considered such because they were with Lauren at some point that night and sure, he could be one of those people. But I think it's unlikely that if he were really around in those final hours, that he wouldn't be included in anyone's story, and no one would have figured this out.
All we can do is weigh out the evidence we do have, and I think that pretty consistently points to the involvement of the POI we know about, who have stories that don't add up, and also happen to have gotten lawyers right away and refuse to give LE polygraphs.
MOO.
Points well taken. However, maybe to clarify what I was trying to get at and what may not have been clear:
A)
POI that have consistently been named: JR, CR, JW, MB
DR & ZO have been named officially (although, admittedly not sure if ZO was actually named by Spierers/LE and was named only by media)
HOWEVER, I've noticed that sometimes they do NOT name when talking about specific actions ("I think you're talking about the boy who has refused to cooperate") and have remained ambiguous.
B)
I'm not sure if LE ever gave a firm number of POI. Rather, it seemed anyway, the list seemed to be on the longer end, and was changing day to day.
I can easily picture a situation where someone like DB could be visiting and between the multiple venues (5N, Smallwood, Kilroy's) that people might be aware that DB was present, but not really know/remember much else.
Honestly, the night seemed to have LS involved in a couple different groups. That makes me think that there were probably other parties happening that night too. Like, what was HT doing? What happened to the rest of the group that LS had been watching the BBall game with at Smallwood? Was watching the game at his place with roomies, or was that also a small gathering? Was ZO & co heading somewhere to party?
I just think there could be a lot of people that were present during the night and it's hard to keep track of.
However, it DID make it into people's stories that JR had a friend from his hometown visiting. In fact, it was HT's story. The lawyers of other POI have also at least insinuated that this is factual (comments acknowledging others were present at JR's) and to my knowledge, no one has denied that a visitor fitting this description was present.
I think it's fair to guess that it was likely DB simply because of his tweet placing him in the city and the clearly close relationship DB has with JR.
I bolded the "I think" in your statement because personally, I disagree. I think it is just as likely that he may have been there and, if involved, I can definitely see the boys having an interest in not wanting to explicitly place him there during those final hours. Who would be able to place him at JR's during those final hours? LS, JR, CR, and MB. One is missing and the other three are well-known POI.
I can also see him NOT being officially named because there is nothing out there (to my knowledge) that ever officially puts him into the timeline of the night. DR started the night with LS during those final important hours (I also believe he is the one who HAS satisfied the Spierer's inquiries ), ZO was on video during the altercation, CR was caught on video with her several times, MB placed himself in the timeline by saying LS assisted in placing CR to bed, & JR admitted to seeing her off.
I can DEFINITELY see how DB could be an unnamed POI. For example, JR could claim that he has no idea what DB was up to at the time OR JR could refuse to give out names (Idk the legalities of that though - can he be forced to hand over names?). Regardless, that could explain some of what the Spierers are upset about. They could have questions like, "WHO was at your party and WHAT were they doing during these important hours?" The Spierers could rightfully be skeptical because he probably would know what his friends were up to. Maybe not at the time, but he almost surely would have found out later.
Of course, a counter argument would be that JR was told or knew they were doing something that had nothing to do with LS and feels no need to share that information. That's a fair take, imo, too.
All I'm trying to say is that it seems more likely than not that DB was visiting JR. While it is certainly possible he wasn't, it just seems, given that DB is close with JR and they had plans to launch a company together (and usually, that doesn't happen overnight --> were plans forming then?) and that DB is also friends with MB. Both MB and JR live in 5N. People close to JR have been printed in media stating JR had visitors from his hometown. JR has NOT denied this (likewise, no statements from DB have ever been issued denying being there).
As for not wanting information from an out of town visitor, they've stated that only ONE friend has come forward. They do not believe JR or CR have been forthcoming or honest. One of the biggest problems in this case has been a lack of information. IMO, part of that could be they have not been forthcoming about who was present when.