I'm in agreement with you Spellbound regarding she was the only victim of the alleged sexual abuse. At some point, Julia was able to end the abuse, she moved to Grandmother's home and finally there is distance. From the affadavit we have learned that JT was angry that Julia was dating interracially. Was that a slap in his face? Julia had a date Saturdaynight. Sunday night/early am she is murdered. We know there was a phone call between the two. Was it about working? He also tells us she told him, "I love you, Daddy." Anyone else find that preposterous? I think JT had been seething because she had gotten out from under this thumb. He was seething because she was dating interracially. Was that one more slap in the face of this very controlling man? Something was said in that last phone call. I'd bet on it. Regarding the scene, I think it may have been all staged. The gloves, the attempt to make it look ransacked. The panties were taken due to possible evidence. He takes what he bound her with, what he used to cut off her clothes, and whoopsies, drops the gloves in front of the bathroom door. I disagree with Trojan that it would have been difficult to overpower her. I believe JT knew exactlly how to get control of her quickly. There was very little of a struggle. Two small abrasions on her elbow. It happened quickly and was over fast. So she is found facedown in the tub with her phone under her. The ultimate act of control. Cause he's the boss and he shuts her up for the last time.
Forgive me Trojan.
It does appear that way by the divide within the family but I wonder when did it start. The reason I ask is Julie has a twin sister and Julie never told her what went on especially if she was young when it started is questionable. How did JT manage to keep this behavior away from others? Did anyone notice JT giving Julie special attention? Did he take her alone out of the sight of others when he wanted to punish her? When he ran errands did he always want Julie to go with him? This part here reminds me so much of a movie where one sister finally spoken up about sexual abuse to a school teacher and no one in the family believed her. The oldest sister had let their father move in with her since he had to leave his home after the arrest. The oldest sister had a son and was married. It was only when she walked in on her father who had been alone with her son and realized by her son's reaction he had been sexually abused did she do the right thing. She originally denied the claims and sided with the father. It turned out the father had abused the older sister as well but she ran from it and had denied the abuse until being faced with it again through her sister's claim and the father's arrest.
It took her son being a victim before she did the right thing for her own sister.
That's a scary thought because who is going to do the right thing for Julie before it's too late for another victim?
Indeed she was making moves to distance herself from something. Some do stop or attempt to stop abuse cycles that are not healthy and are wrong. Though it could also depend on the type of abuse and the sexual hunger for Julie was something the killer knew it could not be overcome. Someone wanted Julie gone because she had already left that person but they also wanted that one last time with her because she wasn't going to be around anymore and that person very well knew it. If I can't have you, no one else will either is one message I see.
While it could be true it sounds more like something Julie would say to Trojan with one word changed. Honestly, I never believed that when I first saw it. "Oh Grandpa! I love you!" or "I love you, Grandpa!", yes but her saying that to JT, not so much. I try so hard to not think of JT as guilty but when I see things like that my instincts ruffle.
Your post is pretty spot on. This appears as an attack by silent control because one look at any of Julie's pictures shows a woman with spunk. I just don't see how she would have put up with this without a swift unexpected attack. The killer didn't want to let her go while alive so better she was dead to end it. This could be how the killer in their thoughts justified the actions.
Just my thoughts and opinions.