MN - Jacob Wetterling, 11, St. Joseph, 22 Oct 1989 - #13

[Dave K]

1. We don't know if there were 'entry' tracks and 'exit' tracks. But a good assumption is that there were both....otherwise LE would not have pursued the vehicle theory. And we don't have enough graphic info as every single picture seems to be cropped.
2. If there is only 1 set of tracks, i.e. 'entry' tracks then the vehicle entered from the pavement of 91st (16th) proceeded east 120 feet, parked, then started again but never to emerge again(unless it drove cross country?). This would mean the vehicle was stored on site that night. If LE never checked the outbuildings then it could conceivably be a farm vehicle. If it was indeed DR's personal vehicle then it's logical that LE would have been able to match those tire tracks with the 'fresh' track. But the 'fresh' track remained a mystery.
3. Kevin's tracks: I have trouble with these tracks because so much hinges upon their verification and their presence can swing the case either way. I also have trouble with LE not being able to identify these tracks...they were produced from brand new tires purchased locally. IMO it begs the question, if there were other tracks then those other tracks must have been old enough to eliminate them....which begs another question: how old is old enough? DR stated that he had a music lesson that morning(10-22-1989)...given the location of the farm I assume the student was dropped off in a car. Then, he also states a crazy driver sped through the farmstead in the afternoon and then later near the time of the abduction another vehicle went through the farmstead. Beyond that, Kevin then added his tracks to the mix. Now how long does it take a tire track to disseminate or fade? IDK...but depending upon weather conditions I've seen in my area tracks that will last a long long time if it doesn't rain. We know the weather conditions were warm + dry that day and the driveway a mix of gravel + sand thus impressionable intermittently. We also know that people tend to drive in roughly the same locations favoring the well travelled path....but I doubt all of these cars would have followed the same EXACT path....thus there should be tracks which are of latest time on top of older tracks. So IMHO, LE would have been able to decipher any tracks made by vehicles on the farm thus eliminating them first and proceeding from there. There's a video in shergal's bucket showing 2 LE officers walking east looking at the driveway....I assumed they were following tracks from the point of Jacob's last known scent + footprint and proceeding east to the turnaround in the farmstead. DR himself said there was a myriad of tracks in the turnaround and that LE had driven(or the horses had walked) all over them....yet he did the same the day after the abduction. I'm not saying anything conclusively one way or the other....but I would sure like to know if that track shown in the pictures matches Kevin's girlfriend's Grand Prix.

I have a lot of the same, similar thoughts, concerns. There's so many unknowns and basically with LE's insistence that they can and will not share information, photos, etc, and/or, answer questions, our unknown's are somewhat basically unknowable! It's very aggravating. And, the cropping of all the pics. We don't have one pic which so much shows the corresponding tire print of the one that we have been viewing. And, the 'whole "Kevin" scenario' what to make of that. Trying to get perspective from the available photos is pathetic. I'm going to be trying to think of some way to clarify, verify some of the stuff that's holding me up; and, it may be a while, if in fact, I can get any clarification.

 

[Trackergd]

I have a lot of the same, similar thoughts, concerns. There's so many unknowns and basically with LE's insistence that they can and will not share information, photos, etc, and/or, answer questions, our unknown's are somewhat basically unknowable! It's very aggravating. And, the cropping of all the pics. We don't have one pic which so much shows the corresponding tire print of the one that we have been viewing. And, the 'whole "Kevin" scenario' what to make of that. Trying to get perspective from the available photos is pathetic. I'm going to be trying to think of some way to clarify, verify some of the stuff that's holding me up; and, it may be a while, if in fact, I can get any clarification.

View attachment 66130

Mund is holding an aeresol can and appears to be spraying a track. This is an older method of using a "fixing agent" to hold loose soil together for the application of plaster where there is concern that the granular makeup of the soil could be affected/moved by the weight of the plaster. It was also sprayed on the plaster cast after it was removed from the track and the dirt cleaned off to preserve the cast. There were a lot of methods used over the years to take casts of tracks including spray wax, dental stone (like plaster of paris but harder), liquid rubber and even liquid sulphur for tracks in snow.

 

[Ifollowthis]

I wish I knew for sure why the police searched the wood pile first. There had to be a reason and at that point in time they had to be working in initial reactions and some times first gut feelings are the best.

 

[shergal]

Here are a couple videos which show the driveway and LE working on it. Not sure if they will help at all.

At the very beginning of this video there is a shot of the guy in the plaid shirt with the camera - probably right while he was taking the pics? There was a shot of him on one site walking east down the driveway holding his camera, with another LE who was walking in the grass on the south side of the drive.

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/...est-goes-through-day-of-wetterling-abduction/

This video was produced by KARE 11 back in 2009 on the 20th anniversary of Jacob's abduction, it shows abduction scene and the driveway.

http://www.kare11.com/video/47393243001/1/20-years-later---Hope-remains-for-Jacobs-return

 

[thenotebook]

In that first video above...how do you think they got the footage of the tan Monte Carlo that is shown? Like is that a "file photo" that WCCO happened to find to illustrate the description, or is that an actual photo of a car that was possibly searched in relation to the case that WCCO obtained from police?

 

[Sasquatch321]

For the next 14 years, investigators did not focus on Rassier. Instead, their priority was to find a car that had left a tire track on the Rassier’s driveway.

In 2004, investigators got their big break. A man came forward and said he had driven down the driveway that night. Investigators quickly ruled him out and the investigation took a dramatic turn: Investigators concluded Jacob’s kidnapper had been on foot.

Rassier was again called in for questioning. A BCA agent asked him to confess.


http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/0...ing-abduction/

 

[Dave K]

In that first video above...how do you think they got the footage of the tan Monte Carlo that is shown? Like is that a "file photo" that WCCO happened to find to illustrate the description, or is that an actual photo of a car that was possibly searched in relation to the case that WCCO obtained from police?

It says in the video, "He insists the key to the case is a tan car similar to this one, likely a Monte Carlo," and they're showing the picture; just a picture of a Monte Carlo that looks like the one he described. Then he goes on to describe how a car like that sped into his driveway (and turned around) the afternoon of the abduction; and how he thinks that whoever was driving that car, that afternoon is responsible for the abduction. So, basically, that particular car is just being used as an illustration.

 

[ThePhantom]

Just a meandering thought on a meandering day --- take no offense all for none is meant -- but I truly believe that if this group right here on the Wetterling board had *all* the facts and I mean all ...you would have this case solved -- and it wouldn't take you too long. No conflicts of interest, no community entanglements, no lawyerly interference nor corruption nor interference of any kind -- just you, the file and the facts -- you would have it solved.

To all who celebrate Christmas I'm wishing you a Very Merry Christmas and to everyone -- blessings for a New Year of good health, old dreams fulfilled and new dreams that blossom with hope. "Alas! there is no instinct like the heart..." ~Lord Byron

 

[Sasquatch321]

Just a meandering thought on a meandering day --- take no offense all for none is meant -- but I truly believe that if this group right here on the Wetterling board had *all* the facts and I mean all ...you would have this case solved -- and it wouldn't take you too long. No conflicts of interest, no community entanglements, no lawyerly interference nor corruption nor interference of any kind -- just you, the file and the facts -- you would have it solved.

To all who celebrate Christmas I'm wishing you a Very Merry Christmas and to everyone -- blessings for a New Year of good health, old dreams fulfilled and new dreams that blossom with hope. "Alas! there is no instinct like the heart..." ~Lord Byron

The pictures we have been studying certainly tells the story, I cant completely figure it out, but I believe LE has. You render the same thoughts as me in the last couple days.

 

[human]

I am having a new idea on this. I do not think DR did Jared.

We have indication that he was playing in a band that night. For how long? Was he sick that night? Did he actually show up? Is this simply something HE has stated?

Does HE know who Jared's abductor is and he is providing an alibi for himself so no one will be looking at him? Is HE friends with the abductor of Jared?

 

[thenotebook]

I am having a new idea on this. I do not think DR did Jared.

We have indication that he was playing in a band that night. For how long? Was he sick that night? Did he actually show up? Is this simply something HE has stated?

Does HE know who Jared's abductor is and he is providing an alibi for himself so no one will be looking at him? Is HE friends with the abductor of Jared?

Jared stated several months ago in the public section on Joy's blog that he dismissed DR as his abductor. So...not sure why this is a new idea.

 

[Cappuccino]

Jared stated several months ago in the public section on Joy's blog that he dismissed DR as his abductor. So...not sure why this is a new idea.

I firmly believe that Jared and Jacob were abducted by the same person, so if Jared dismisses DR as his abductor then that's a big plus in DR's favour. There's also the fact that DR has been teaching for decades, and not a single person has ever accused him of anything. If he was that way inclined you would think at least one past pupil would have appeared at this stage to say so.

 

[Trino]

I firmly believe that Jared and Jacob were abducted by the same person, so if Jared dismisses DR as his abductor then that's a big plus in DR's favour. There's also the fact that DR has been teaching for decades, and not a single person has ever accused him of anything. If he was that way inclined you would think at least one past pupil would have appeared at this stage to say so.

Or an adult, which has not happened.

 

[Cappuccino]

Your efforts are appreciated, but if someone were planning an abduction or even doing one on the spur of the moment, would they park or even drive into a driveway?

Yes, I think they probably would. My theory of this crime has always been that someone saw the boys on their journey to the Tom Thumb store and lay in wait for them coming back, so I think that person would hide his car up the driveway because he would know that there would be two witnesses. He'd taken steps to hide his face, so I think he would have hidden his car too.

 

[chaplain1]

Or an adult, which has not happened.

Don't think DR is socially nimble enough to groom victims or have a relationship.

 

[Cappuccino]

Don't think DR is socially nimble enough to groom victims or have a relationship.

In one of the earlier threads on this a parent of one of his pupils posted and according to her he's really popular with the children he teaches. They all call him Mr Be Bop and seem to universally like him.

 

[ThePhantom]

The part about the perpetrator in Jacob's abduction having a raspy voice --- I can't recall if Jared made the same observation about the man who assaulted him? Anyone know? What is the consensus thus far with regard to whether Jacob and Jared's assailants are the same? I'm not sure.

 

[Cappuccino]

The part about the perpetrator in Jacob's abduction having a raspy voice --- I can't recall if Jared made the same observation about the man who assaulted him? Anyone know? What is the consensus thus far with regard to whether Jacob and Jared's assailants are the same? I'm not sure.

I think its too much of a coincidence - the crimes happened in the same area, approx 9 months apart, victims were both young boys around the same age, both snatched on a lonely country road, and telling the boys to run and not look back or they would be shot. I feel 99% sure its the same person.

 

[Trino]

Yes, I think they probably would. My theory of this crime has always been that someone saw the boys on their journey to the Tom Thumb store and lay in wait for them coming back, so I think that person would hide his car up the driveway because he would know that there would be two witnesses. He'd taken steps to hide his face, so I think he would have hidden his car too.

I just don't think many would. What about parking on the grass nearby or elsewhere on grass? I have not read where this was suspect.

 

[Cappuccino]

I just don't think many would. What about parking on the grass nearby or elsewhere on grass? I have not read where this was suspect.

The car would have been seen if he'd done that. I think if you wanted to hide the car from anyone cycling along the road you would turn into a laneway and park the car, then walk down the road and wait. And I'm pretty sure that back in 1989 anyone who drove into that road from the Tom Thumb direction, the first turn off they would reach would have been the Rassier driveway. Hence it would make sense for the crime to happen there.

As for DR himself, I think he's a huge red herring and I don't think he had anything to do with the crime. My gut feeling about him is that he reminds me of Chris Jeffries...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Joanna_Yeates

MOO.