GUILTY MI - Chelsea Bruck, 22, Frenchtown Twp, 26 Oct 2014 #1

[cjharrah]

CJ Mom,

Yes, it is technically considered hearsay, but there are many variants of hearsay in Michigan and federal evidence rules. There is both admissible and inadmissible hearsay. In this case, there are many exceptions that apply to the rule of hearsay that would allow the inmate's information to be presented before a court of law. I won't get into those as they're not relevant, but if you get the go-ahead from your supervisor, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to gather information from the "inside," so to speak. You never know where a lead might come from. I'm surprised LE didn't think of this, though, I suppose in this case, they would have no rational basis to think someone who has been previously convicted and is incarcerated might have some insidious information concerning the CB case.

Source: I am a current 2nd year law student.

All of the above are JMO. I do not hold myself out to be an expert on the law in any way, shape, or form.

 

[FindHG]

Does it matter if it is hearsay when all your looking for a leads right now?

 

[cjharrah]

From my unprofessional opinion, no. However, when gathering information with which you may want to use in future prosecution, admissibility of evidence/testimony is something to be considered.

 

[FindHG]

From my unprofessional opinion, no. However, when gathering information with which you may want to use in future prosecution, admissibility of evidence is something to be considered.

From what I'm learning based on what missing persons experts, this is where LE and family interests kind of diverge. Family want their missing found no holds barred and LE wants to build a solid case the same way. It also seems that private citizens and PI's have more leeway in how they conduct searches. I know near nothing of course about it, of course, so not an expert or experienced at all.

 

[cjharrah]

My stance on this is that, of course, as a family member you're going to want your loved one home in any way possible, whether that information leads to a conviction or not. I hope and pray Chelsea is found swiftly.

 

[Stargazer34]

What if this POI is a red herring? Sorry, I typed out a long post and I lost it all, because I'm typing on my phone. Its just a thought I've had that keeps lingering so thought I would put it out there..

 

[dmc43613]

What if this POI is a red herring? Sorry, I typed out a long post and I lost it all, because I'm typing on my phone. Its just a thought I've had that keeps lingering so thought I would put it out there..

How would this help find CB? I am not sure I follow, but there has been a few posts, hearsay on FB, about some creepy guy in a black and white costume with a mask that was hanging around CB, a short black man in a white coat...so many theories.

 

[Stargazer34]

I haven't read anywhere besides here so don't really know of any theories. It just occured to me what if this POI was either a deliberate attempt to distract from looking at other people at the party or was a case of mistaken identity? I believe I read Chelsea changed at some point during the night into a sweatshirt? Was she still wearing a wig when she left? If she was wearing a sweatshirt and no wig when she left, she would have looked very different than when in her poison ivy costume. Am I right in thinking its reported she was last seen in her costume? But that conflicts with reports she changed?

 

[dmc43613]

As far as I know, she was in her costume with black yoga pants. I do not think or know for sure if the wig has been found, but I did read that the large jug with water and food coloring, that was a prop to her costume was found.

 

[FindHG]

As of the press conference yesterday, the family and LE, have not changed their stance on the POI being the person they are trying to reach, the sketch is still part of all the posters being circulated on the web and otherwise.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

During yesterday's press conference, Chelsea's family indicated that they believe their daughter/sister is being held against her will. I'm curious about why they feel this is the case as opposed to other possibilities.

 

[cluciano63]

During yesterday's press conference, Chelsea's family indicated that they believe their daughter/sister is being held against her will. I'm curious about why they feel this is the case as opposed to other possibilities.

Imo what other choice do they have? They want to believe she is alive. I think her being kidnapped and held alive is the "best" scenario they can imagine. But also, Imo, very unlikely.

 

[Kilen]

Rumors via the facebook page- Don't believe everything you read on the facebook page. I personally screencapped/forwarded the ones mentioned here to the police here when they were first posted and they were investigated. Lots of tips have been investigated not all of them were valid another popular one she was hiding out at a hotel in her hometown and applied for a job there. The security video was pulled and well other than being blonde the woman in the video had nothing in common with Chelsea, she was easily 20 years Chelsea's senior.

The police have said that they believe Chelsea is still alive at the first press conference, a very large amount of the area has been searched and no body/sign of foul play has ever been found so it seems like she was taken. If she was taken there is still a chance she is alive somewhere.
.

 

[bragi]

As far as I know, she was in her costume with black yoga pants. I do not think or know for sure if the wig has been found, but I did read that the large jug with water and food coloring, that was a prop to her costume was found.

Where did you read that? I haven't heard that.

 

[Kilen]

It was an unsubstantiated rumor from Facebook. Only one person has ever said it and a lot of other things he said have been proved to be false so take it with an extreme grain of salt.

 

[Hraefn]

Does it matter if it is hearsay when all your looking for a leads right now?

Ultimately, a lead is a lead, regardless of who it comes from or how. Ideally, a lead would be supported enough (i.e. the speaker is a first hand witness or can somehow corroborate what they say) that it would give LE probable cause to investigate further (probable cause is required for things such as search warrants, arrest warrants, etc.). But at this point, when there is no named POI or suspect, LE just needs something to get the ball rolling. A tip that lacks enough support to give probable cause can still be highly useful to LE, especially in this case!

(Juris doctor candidate 2015; this comment should not be taken as legal advice)

 

[FindHG]

Ultimately, a lead is a lead, regardless of who it comes from or how. Ideally, a lead would be supported enough (i.e. the speaker is a first hand witness or can somehow corroborate what they say) that it would give LE probable cause to investigate further (probable cause is required for things such as search warrants, arrest warrants, etc.). But at this point, when there is no named POI or suspect, LE just needs something to get the ball rolling. A tip that lacks enough support to give probable cause can still be highly useful to LE, especially in this case!

(Juris doctor candidate 2015; this comment should not be taken as legal advice)

POI exists, at this point, not a suspect, just interested in speaking with him about what he may know. You will find his sketch here.
http://findchelseabruck.com/crimestoppers-press-conference-november-24th-2014/

 

[FindHG]

Rumors via the facebook page- Don't believe everything you read on the facebook page. I personally screencapped/forwarded the ones mentioned here to the police here when they were first posted and they were investigated. Lots of tips have been investigated not all of them were valid another popular one she was hiding out at a hotel in her hometown and applied for a job there. The security video was pulled and well other than being blonde the woman in the video had nothing in common with Chelsea, she was easily 20 years Chelsea's senior.

The police have said that they believe Chelsea is still alive at the first press conference, a very large amount of the area has been searched and no body/sign of foul play has ever been found so it seems like she was taken. If she was taken there is still a chance she is alive somewhere.
.

Thank you so much, Kilen, for the information and your great efforts in keeping us informed on what's credible and what's rumors. I can't imagine that it is easy for you, with your deep personal connection to the case. I have the greatest respect and admiration for your persistent commitment.

 

[cebee]

I had not thought about the jug - if it was found, was it at the party, or in the parking area? If it was NOT found, it would seem she took it with her. If someone were forced into a vehicle, I think likely they would drop the jug. If she got in voluntarily ( maybe for a ride home ) she would likely have taken it in the car with her....

 

[Coldpizza]

Friendly reminder, the only FB page that is allowed in finding Chelsea is this one:

https://www.facebook.com/findchelseabruck

Hope that helps