MI - Updates On Stanley Case-2008

[the bumblebug]

Chicagogirl36
You know I kind of wonder if there isn't another option. Could law enforcement have realized their hunches were wrong and not collect incriminating evidence because they really didn't want him found guilty.
Just a thought (IMO). The reason I added this one is because the Stanley's both testified that there had been no violence, fights, arguments etc. the night before Erin's death. If they really wanted to nail him they certainly had their chance since James was the only other person supposedly in the house that night. Just to ad a little more, Mr. Stanley said he usually slept across the hall from Erin and James' bedroom with the door open. Mrs. Stanley said she fell asleep that night in another room. Both admitted to drinking the night before at the brown jug tavern in town. Mrs. Stanley said Mr. Stanley drank 10 beers at the tavern where they stayed for between one to one and half hours. Mr. Stanley said he only drank two or three beers. Mrs. Stanley said she drank one white Russian before she left for the tavern and three white Russians while she was there.

If anyone out there can get your hands on the probable cause affidavit and read it, I think you will ask yourself where is the probable cause. I didn't find anything that explained why the defendant should be any more of a suspect than anyone else inside or outside the house.

I sincerely hope that a local person can attend the next session of the hearing and report what was actually said. We need more of this type of information. The facts need to be posted to forums like this one.

 

[Taximom]

I hope you caught my "if", bumblebug. Truly, I don't want anything to happen to James IF he is innocent. If he's guilty and gets away with it, it's a shame.

ETA: I also appreciate your info and updates. There certainly isn't much being printed.

 

[Chicogirl36]

Chicagogirl36
You know I kind of wonder if there isn't another option. Could law enforcement have realized their hunches were wrong and not collect incriminating evidence because they really didn't want him found guilty.
Just a thought (IMO). The reason I added this one is because the Stanley's both testified that there had been no violence, fights, arguments etc. the night before Erin's death. If they really wanted to nail him they certainly had their chance since James was the only other person supposedly in the house that night. Just to ad a little more, Mr. Stanley said he usually slept across the hall from Erin and James' bedroom with the door open. Mrs. Stanley said she fell asleep that night in another room. Both admitted to drinking the night before at the brown jug tavern in town. Mrs. Stanley said Mr. Stanley drank 10 beers at the tavern where they stayed for between one to one and half hours. Mr. Stanley said he only drank two or three beers. Mrs. Stanley said she drank one white Russian before she left for the tavern and three white Russians while she was there.

If anyone out there can get your hands on the probable cause affidavit and read it, I think you will ask yourself where is the probable cause. I didn't find anything that explained why the defendant should be any more of a suspect than anyone else inside or outside the house.

I sincerely hope that a local person can attend the next session of the hearing and report what was actually said. We need more of this type of information. The facts need to be posted to forums like this one.

WOW- there are more twists and turns than a rollercoaster! That sure is a lot of alcohol consumed in a short period of time, plus, IIRC, they had a few drinks before they went to the bar-they should have been knocked out pretty good with that amount- IMO, but Im not a big drinker either.
I dont understand about what you are saying about LE not collecting on purpose? Maybe I am reading it wrong, it is a Monday and I am blonde...lol.:crazy: You would think they would want as much as possible to back up their arrest and make their case. They had to know at the time of arrest that they screwed up BIG time, and from the news printed in that area, there sure isnt a public outcry for justice! It kind of seems like the community forgot about this tragedy. I do agree BB, we definitely need more info.

 

[the bumblebug]

Chicogirl36
I kind of tossed that comment out there tongue in cheek. My only real point was to point out that there are about as many stories out there as there are people who can make them up. It will be interesting to see what stories the witnesses bring to next session of the bond hearing. I certainly now realize that my attempt at describing something so confusing that approaches what we might call "the theater of the absurd" didn't carry its intended meaning. Sometimes that happens when we lose site of the reality that surrounds a unique event. I think from now on, I'll stay closer to the facts as we know them or as they were testified to be in court. I am not at all trying to say that anybody did anything improper. I think we can all remember when we have moved quickly moved into a forest in search for some trees. Chicogirl36: and others: I not only couldn't find the trees I got lost in them. I do hope there will someone else at the next bond hearing session to keep us all straight. I don't expect much from the local media in the way of solid reporting. Have a good day and let us pray for all involved.

 

[pooky169]

http://palitem.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080411/NEWS01/804110302


http://palitem.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080411/UPDATES/80411030


Latest updates on the case.
Not alot to go on but hopefully things start going a lil quicker.
I agree that is is a weak case I see James being able to get bail. They don't have enough concrete evidence. I wish I could post more but not alot happening.

 

[the bumblebug]

I just posted what seems to have happened at today's bond hearing on the Pal-Item forum about this case. They have two forum articles close together so you might want to check both of them. I think I posted different items on each. Have a good Day.

 

[Littledeer]

Glad to see you around bumblebug. Was getting worried about you.

 

[the bumblebug]

Littledeer
As far as I know next week they will have a Pre-trial hearing in chambers. I expect a break after that perhaps until early or mid May when the trial is scheduled to start. I will be on vacation next week but will return before the beginning of May.

 

[Chicogirl36]

Snipped from article that pooky posted, and explains what happened today at the hearing:
SNIP:
Todays hearing was very short with only a few new items being revealed. The defense again asked Mrs. Stanley about the sequence of events that took place the day after Erin's death. He asked about the statement that she gave to the police on the day of Erin's death and she was also asked about what happened the the bed clothes that were in the bedroom where Erin, James and Alexis slept. She said that she had asked James to pick up the bottom sheet because it was wet and place it in a trash bag, She said that James placed it in the bag and the bag was later placed in a trashcan outside. She said the bag was retrieved from the trashcan a day or so later when the local police stopped by. She said the mattress was taken to the Richmond dump about one month after Erin's passing. She was asked if she had been given any instructions from the police to preserve items in the bedroom and she said she had not been asked to do so. Pretty much at this point, the defense said they had no more questions for Mrs. Stanley. The prosecution asked Mrs. Stanley about the bad lock on the door that had been discussed in an earlier session. She said to get to the bad lock one would first have to go through the garage doors or through a metal door that leads out from the garage. She further indicated that she thought the garage doors were locked as well as the small metal door that led out from the garage. Mrs. Stanley also said that her dog "Shadow" was with her when she fell asleep in the living room that evening. She described the dog as an older dog but somewhat active and attentive. She indicated that the dog did not seem to react to any unique activity after she fell asleep in the living room.
SNIP~more at link http://palitem.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080411/UPDATES/80411030

The first link on pooky's post discusses the length of the bond hearing. It is saying that it could possibly be the longest in history? It may not be THE longest, but it is certainly is in Centerville's history. I wondered the same thing, but I didnt want to sound dumb in case it was some special hearing I didnt know about and missed some info along the way
Anyhoo, any ideas on WHY it has taken so long? I am thinking that maybe the DA is getting cold feet now that all the cards have been dealt. I certainly would be embarrassed if I had to try this case. I personally think there isnt enough evidence in this case to support anything that they say. It seems Lonny and Dale's testimony has somehow helped him. I also feel that since this is such a small community, that when/if it finally does go to trial, that the community will already have a pre-conceived notion from all of this evidence being made public. It looks like Shipman will need to wipe the egg off of his face before he continues- :crazy:

One more thing- Isnt James' grandpa the only one in his family that could possibly have enough $ to post his bond? If this is true, anyone know/heard if he is willing to post bond? Since this has been such a long, and expensive case to try, would they hold this type of hearing without checking to see if he has a source of income? I dont know if that is his legal right, but since it is so rare to hold a bond hearing on a murder case, do you think they would first check to even see if it is possible to even post bond?

 

[the bumblebug]

As I understand it the initial reason the bond hearing took so long was because the court recorder had a scheduled vacation and the court did not want to bring in another that was unfamiliar with the case. The next delay occurred when Mrs. Stanley called in sick when she was scheduled to continue her testimony. I believe there is a pretrial scheduled for next week in chambers. I think also the trial is scheduled sometime in Mid May. I really suspect that this bond hearing was an opportunity for the defense to see what evidence had been collected. I would think it might be easier to prepare a case if the defendant was more readily available to help . I think another reason for the delay might have something to do with court scheduling. I suspect this since all the hearings ended up on Friday. Regarding the bail. I think James' attorney is probably working this case on his time schedule with little expectation of payment. I do know that before he took the case he was with James at his first appearance before the Judge after he had been arrested. I understand he just happened to be in the building at the time. What I am wondering about now is whether or not the local paper will summarize the bond hearing and print all the things they missed. I did noticed the reporter was in the court room.

 

[Chicogirl36]

As I understand it the initial reason the bond hearing took so long was because the court recorder had a scheduled vacation and the court did not want to bring in another that was unfamiliar with the case. The next delay occurred when Mrs. Stanley called in sick when she was scheduled to continue her testimony. I believe there is a pretrial scheduled for next week in chambers. I think also the trial is scheduled sometime in Mid May. I really suspect that this bond hearing was an opportunity for the defense to see what evidence had been collected. I would think it might be easier to prepare a case if the defendant was more readily available to help . I think another reason for the delay might have something to do with court scheduling. I suspect this since all the hearings ended up on Friday. Regarding the bail. I think James' attorney is probably working this case on his time schedule with little expectation of payment. I do know that before he took the case he was with James at his first appearance before the Judge after he had been arrested. I understand he just happened to be in the building at the time. What I am wondering about now is whether or not the local paper will summarize the bond hearing and print all the things they missed. I did noticed the reporter was in the court room.

Thank you for clearing all that up BB- I didnt realize all of the "technical" difficulties and setbacks they have had during this. I just re-read that article, and boy , the PI sure is biased, IMO. Maybe its just me, but speaking from someone who is no legal expert, but it sounds like they are biasing any potential jurors. From reading this alone, I get the idea that they are delaying the trial due to his possible innocense/lack of evidence. Now that you explained what really happened, it shows what a mess they have on their hands. I cant believe this paper has been 'allowed' to get away with this type of reporting. I dont know, but suspect, but is the PI the only paper in Centerville? I find it hard to believe, but then I have heard stories about small town politics and government.
What a shame~

 

[the bumblebug]

Yes, the P-I is the only paper in town. I think they are part of the Gannett chain but I have never seen this type of reporting at the local level in their other papers. This is one of those cases where you have to ask yourself if its better to ask for a change of venue to get a more objective jury or keep the case in Wayne county and count of the ineptness of local law enforcement to secure an acquittal. I'm glad that I am not James' attorney...what a question. There are new posting addresses this case on forum threads in the Pal-Item. I think they address a couple of interesting topics. I think it is very interesting that the investigator apparently never prepared a statement on what kind of assistance Kelly was providing the police. The Lead Investigator testified that the police said the only help she provided was providing her password so the police could gain access to Erin's My Space page. If Kelly had thought that James was guilty, I would have thought that they would have prepared a statement...preferably a signed affidavit noting what she believed about his guilt or innocence. Additionally, I would think they would have prepared documentation describing her participation in the investigation in order to protect her and themselves. I feel reasonably sure that there are laws out there that address unauthorized access to Internet hosted web sites like "My Space"
I can't help wonder if this means that Kelly didn't think James was involved in Erin's death. Enough said

 

[the bumblebug]

I decided to post the posting that appears in the Pal-Item: Here it is:
This is in response to another poster who thought Kelly thought James was involved in her sisters death.

Freelancer
Sorry, but I think Kelly actually didn't think James was the perpetrator. The lead investigator said that Kelly's only assistance was to provide her (Kelly's) password information so he could gain access to Erin's "My Space" page. I believe the investigator said that Kelly had some kind special access to Erin's page...perhaps as an invited guest or some other category of authorized visitor. I think it is very important to note that their appears to be no record of the investigator's discussions with Kelly that spelled out exactly in what way she was helping with the investigation. I don't recall the investigator saying anything about getting access to James' "My Space" page. I believe he also said that he got access through a computer at the police station and not the one in the house. I wonder if the home computer was ever examined. I would think that if Kelly was contributing to the investigation beyond just providing her password that the police would want to have that well documented to protect both Kelly and themselves. I suspect that there are laws out there regarding gaining unauthorized access to electronic information hosted on Internet sites like "My Space". Here is my bottom line on Kelly. If Kelly knew the perpetrator or even had suspicions why is there not a statement from her telling the police whom she thought was involved or responsible for Erin's death. If I were the investigator, I assure you that I would not wait to ask that question and I would be darn sure to put Kelly's answer down on paper in the form of a signed affidavit. Wildhorses59. I hope this information obtained from bond hearing testimony addresses some of the issues you mentioned in your last two paragraphs. I think your right . I imagine that Kelly was privy to what went on in the house.

 

[the bumblebug]

I understand the trial may not be held till Sept or Oct. I suspect that more discovery is under way. I think this suggest that the defense believes somewhere out there is evidence that will show his client is not guilty. It's a shame that James has to wait this all out in Jail.

 

[pooky169]

I am hoping they are doing more testing on evidence and such as to why Erin was found dead. After all this time and all the bungled evidence and the way LE has handled this I am beginning to doubt James's guilt.
Like I said before I hope if he is innocent and LE didn't do all the necessary testing on the evidence and such I hope he isn't convicted and sent to prison on a charge he didn't commit.
My prayers to the Stanley family and Alexis.
Also more prayers to James in hopes they can find out the truth and if he isn't guilty he can be released to possibly lead a normal life with some contact with his daughter Alexis with Erin gone besides Dale and Lonny he is all she has left.

 

[Indy Gal]

I hope this man gets a fair trial. We can all see it hasnt been fair for him so far. Now if he is guilty I will eat my crow. But I really have doubted his guilt.

 

[MCDRAW]

I don't think James is guilty either. I have wondered if she might have had a seizure like her sister.

 

[HAWG]

I wanted to post since I havent been posting because I just dont know what to say. I have such mixed emotion about this. It really hurts me to think that James may go to prison for something he didnt do an then on the other hand I havent forgot the James that was so angery. I just dont know and will never know now that so many mistakes have been made. I can only hope that it comes out in the trial so that we dont have to wonder if he really did it.
I want to thank everyone for their information it is helping as much as it can. This is a very unusual situation. Thank you for being there!!!
Because they didnt do the testing on Erin that they did on Kelly we will never know if it was a sizure and that is so sad for everyone involved.

 

[deb2007]

IMO this whole case has been a complete disaster from the beginning. I have a feeling that we may never know the truth to what happened to these young, beautiful girls. They had so much to live for and so very much to give. Very sad indeed.

 

[Indiana at Heart]

I hope this man gets a fair trial. We can all see it hasnt been fair for him so far. Now if he is guilty I will eat my crow. But I really have doubted his guilt.

I too hope he gets a fair trial. This case threw me for a loop! If I was wrong about James I will say I'm sorry if he is found not guilty!


On another note. Indy how things going with you?? I'm back living in Indiana now over here in Richmond!!!