Found Deceased KY - Savannah Spurlock, 22, left 'The Other Bar' with 2 men, Richmond, 4 Jan 2019 #6 *Arrest*

[oceanblueeyes]

BBM

Help me to understand this.

Is it your opinion that at this time, LE and the prosecution doesn't have enough evidence to present their case to the GJ and the hearing was delayed in order to give them more time to collect evidence or did you actually read that somewhere?

Hi Joe!

I clearly said it is my opinion.

I base that opinion on following cases like this one for almost four decades now. Plus I have served on a GJ myself.

Hope this helps.

Jmho

 

[flashy09]

So many following Savannah's case have been long time followers of cases like this one. So it's odd to me to see some think the DA will not be able to prove guilt in this case.

This is not the only case where these same circumstances happened. There have been several cases sadly where a woman left a bar with someone, then went missing, and months later their remains were found.

In some of those cases the condition of the victim's remains could not determine how they were murdered. Yet, none of that prevented the murderer from being arrested, charged, and convicted.

Imo, so even if the ME cant determine what caused her murder it will not prevent justice from being served.

Although I suspect she was in better condition than we may think since they were able to ID Savannah by her tattoo.

Imo, DS will be charged with killing Savannah. The DA will build this case on an overwhelming amount of weighty CE.

CE cases are the least likely cases to ever be overturned on appeal. The USSC has long took the position that CE is powerful evidence, and even more so than direct evidence cases.

I have no doubt the police will be able to link all of the evidence together showing DS killed Savannah then tried to cover it up just like countless other murderers have tried to do.

Jmho

I totally agree and have been surprised on this thread with all the discussion about 2% outside chances. Not that it isn't ok to hash everything out, but this case seems pretty cut and dried. There actually is a LOT of publicly known evidence already and I am sure LE has tons more.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

I think it is still yet to be seen what evidence is on the rug. One of our local searchers that was at the hearing said that the picture of the rug seemed to indicate staining of some kind. She speculates blood, but that is just speculation at this point.

In terms of the Grand Jury meeting, we were told that they have 60 days from the preliminary hearing to meet on his current charges. The hearing was July 15. That would be mid-September deadline.

Morning Marie!

Thank you for giving us information.

Do you know in KY if they first must hold another preliminary hearing on additional charges or can additional possible charges be presented to this jury? Tia!

The reason I asked is in my state the meeting GJ can bring further charges when the evidence is presented where they believe more charges are warranted.

You have been such a valuable asset to all of us here, and in the most stressful time of your life.

It shows what an amazing courageous strong advocate you are for Savannah. I know she would be very proud of the support she has been given. Bless you all.

Jmho

 

[Joe Friday]

Imo, DS will be charged with killing Savannah. The DA will build this case on an overwhelming amount of weighty CE.

CE cases are the least likely cases to ever be overturned on appeal. The USSC has long took the position that CE is powerful evidence, and even more so than direct evidence cases.

I have no doubt the police will be able to link all of the evidence together showing DS killed Savannah then tried to cover it up just like countless other murderers have tried to do.

Jmho

SFSBM & BBM

Do you have a link to the USSC position on how they view circumstantial evidence?

TIA

 

[oceanblueeyes]

SFSBM & BBM

Do you have a link to the USSC position on how they view circumstantial evidence?

TIA

I'm on my cell phone, and havent learned how to do links yet.

Just do a Google search on USSC and circumstantial evidence and there are several opinions to pick from.

Almost all trials now consist of CE cases. We just had two high profile CE trials discussed here recently. Daron Wints, and Charles Merritt's death penalty trial where both were convicted. DW received LWOP, and CMs jury recommended death.

I did just read that under KY law only a GJ can indict on any felony offenses.

I had mentioned that before because many states have that same rule, and top felony charges can only be handed down from a GJ indictment. Seems KY also has this same rule in place.

When I return home I will link this link I found about the GJ, and the USSC rulings about the weight of CE if you havent located it by then.

Imoo

 

[Momof4RN]

I'm on my cell phone, and havent learned how to do links yet.

Just do a Google search on USSC and circumstantial evidence and there are several opinions to pick from.

Almost all trials now consist of CE cases. We just had two high profile CE trials discussed here recently. Daron Wints, and Charles Merritt's death penalty trial where both were convicted. DW received LWOP, and CMs jury recommended death.

I did just read that under KY law only a GJ can indict on any felony offenses.

I had mentioned that before because many states have that same rule, and top felony charges can only be handed down from a GJ indictment. Seems KY also has this same rule in place.

When I return home I will link this link I found about the GJ, and the USSC rulings about the weight of CE if you havent located it by then.

Imoo

I was just thinking of Daron Wints trial this am with all the discussion about DS possibly not being the sole person responsible. Great example of how it doesn’t matter if He is the only one or others were involved. He can still be found guilty of the crimes he will eventually stand trial for wether he is the only one charged or not. A lot of people believed Wints had company yet he is the only one who was ever charged, stood trial, and thankfully found guilty. Didn’t follow that case here on WS but did follow it as it hit very close to home for me.

 

[bwt42]

I'm not as confident as some that they have enough evidence to convict. If no COD or MOD, and all they have is he buried her, I think defense could raise plenty of reasonable doubts. There may be more evidence. We just don't know.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

I was just thinking of Daron Wints trial this am with all the discussion about DS possibly not being the sole person responsible. Great example of how it doesn’t matter if He is the only one or others were involved. He can still be found guilty of the crimes he will eventually stand trial for wether he is the only one charged or not. A lot of people believed Wints had company yet he is the only one who was ever charged, stood trial, and thankfully found guilty. Didn’t follow that case here on WS but did follow it as it hit very close to home for me.

Thank you. I followed both cases very closely.

Both DTs tried the tired old defense strategy of SODDI. Both failed miserably. Wint tried to blame his 2 brothers. Merritt tried to blame Dan Kavannah. In the end, neither DT had any evidence to show their juries they were involved. They merely thought the jurors would accept totally unsupported assumptions, and false allegations even though they were more or less asking the jurors to let their guilty client walk free even though all of the overwhelming evidence pointed to the defendants only.

Imo, jurors have become very wise about the unethical practices DTs try to pull in murder trials in recent years.

Rightfully so, the jurors expect irrefutable evidence to be presented by DTs instead of mere allegations of trying to smear another innocent person/s who had no involvement at all in what happened to the victim/s.

I wouldn't be surprised if DSs DT went with the same defense strategy route. It's a very commonly used defense.

If this becomes a murder case the state will be fully prepared to refute any allegations made by the DT. Imo

I believe the evidence will show the actual killing of Savannah was carried out by DS only.

Now if the other 2 sexually assaulted Savannah knowing she wasn't in the right frame of mind to give legal consent they should be held fully accountable too. Anyone who perpetrated any criminal offenses against Savannah should be charged with those offenses. Imo

I imagine before it's over one of the other 2 men may decide to be a witness for the state especially if they have been told they may face charges of their own.

We don't know if the video really exists, but if it does all three could be in deep legal trouble on that evidence alone.

If they did say she was so intoxicated she couldnt even speak English, that admission is very damaging for it shows they all knew of her mental state, and they all knew she was in no mental shape to legally consent to anything. Imo, that constitutes sexual assault which is a felony.

So this case is far from its conclusions. It's just the beginning. Once the victim is located is when the ongoing investigation kicks into high gear.

Jmho

 

[rsd1200]

I will be so glad when the GJ meets about DPs case.

I still believe the reason for the delay is LE is uncovering much more damaging evidence against him to bring additional charges.

Imo, the assumptions against Savannah who is the victim has no place here.

Once the GJ meets, and indictments are handed down it will show how badly Savannah was victimized by DP, and possibly by others who took advantage of her while knowing she was in a vulnerable state, but didn't give a da*n.

Until then, my thoughts, and prayers remain with Marie, and all who loves Savannah.

May justice be served for every single illegal act that was done to this dead young mother who had her entire life before her until she wound up thrown in a grave, bound, and naked by DP.

Jmho

This is in a region where courts move slowly. We don't get in much of a rush. Whether that's good or bad, it depends

 

[jULIA_bEE]

This is in a region where courts move slowly. We don't get in much of a rush. Whether that's good or bad, it depends

Sometimes I think it just feels slower than average because so little is released until the process starts. Our sunshine laws aren’t as friendly as other states when it comes to public record.

 

[rsd1200]

Sometimes I think it just feels slower than average because so little is released until the process starts. Our sunshine laws aren’t as friendly as other states when it comes to public record.

BBM
Possible. I know a case that's not been put before the grand jury and they've been sitting in a cell for over a year now.

 

[jULIA_bEE]

BBM
Possible. I know a case that's not been put before the grand jury and they've been sitting in a cell for over a year now.

That’s sad. Every one has the right to a speedy trial, but “speedy trial” isn’t clearly defined in the constitution. I know some states have guidelines but they don’t start until someone’s actually been indicted. It’s definitely an imbalance in the system.

 

[Joe Friday]

I'm on my cell phone, and havent learned how to do links yet.

Just do a Google search on USSC and circumstantial evidence and there are several opinions to pick from.

@oceanblueeyes I did a search but didn't see anything that directly says what the USSC position is regarding circumstantial evidence.

If you could please post a link I would be grateful.

TIA

 

[Joe Friday]

I think it is still yet to be seen what evidence is on the rug. One of our local searchers that was at the hearing said that the picture of the rug seemed to indicate staining of some kind. She speculates blood, but that is just speculation at this point.

In terms of the Grand Jury meeting, we were told that they have 60 days from the preliminary hearing to meet on his current charges. The hearing was July 15. That would be mid-September deadline.

@MarieWS Have you heard any information as to if the toxicology report has been completed yet?

TIA

 

[MarieWS]

@MarieWS Have you heard any information as to if the toxicology report has been completed yet?

TIA

That has been completed. I assume things will be released after the Grand Jury meets, but I really don’t know.

 

[Joe Friday]

That has been completed. I assume things will be released after the Grand Jury meets, but I really don’t know.

Thanks, I was thinking perhaps the Grand Jury hearing was delayed until the toxicology report had been completed. But if the report has now been completed and no date has yet been reset for a GJ hearing that is likely not the case.

 

[Kittybunny]

Much of forensic evidence testing takes time due to the backlog at our nation's labs. I wouldn't take the delay in the GJ as due to a lack of evidence. The toxicology reports may be complete, but there is probably a lot of other forensic evidence they are waiting to get back. I do think the presence of the other men complicates things and certainly the defense will use that to their advantage to create reasonable doubt. The key will be to prove/demonstrate that the items that Savannah was buried with have no fingerprints, DNA, etc. of the other men that were present. However, as others have pointed out, the involvement of others does not in and of itself exclude DS from being found guilty. They are two separate issues.

I do agree with those that based on what we know of the evidence at this time there wouldn't be quite enough for me to convict where I on the jury. However, since I'm NOT on the jury, I can say that I am 99% sure that Savannah was murdered, and DS is responsible. He himself said Savannah was still alive when the other men left, and he alone was there with her. That's pretty damning.

 

[Joe Friday]

I do agree with those that based on what we know of the evidence at this time there wouldn't be quite enough for me to convict where I on the jury. However, since I'm NOT on the jury, I can say that I am 99% sure that Savannah was murdered, and DS is responsible. He himself said Savannah was still alive when the other men left, and he alone was there with her. That's pretty damning.

SFSBM
I take it you are talking about not enough evidence to convicting him of murder if you were on the jury and he were to stand trial for that charge and not his current charges.

 

[Joe Friday]

I do agree with those that based on what we know of the evidence at this time there wouldn't be quite enough for me to convict where I on the jury. However, since I'm NOT on the jury, I can say that I am 99% sure that Savannah was murdered, and DS is responsible. He himself said Savannah was still alive when the other men left, and he alone was there with her. That's pretty damning.

SFSBM
I would think the other men confirmed DS's account that she was alive when they left or at least they thought she was. Whether or not Savannah was actually in their presents when the two men physically left the house I don't believe has ever been released. Savannah may have gone to bed before the two other men left. If so the men were assuming she was alive at that time they left if that is what they told LE when interviewed. Given this scenario if Savannah died of some other means than homicide she very well could have been dead at that time. But DS and the two men thought she was alive because they had no reason to believe Savannah would die for some unknown reason.

JMO

 

[Joe Friday]

DBM