MN - Jacob Wetterling, 11, St. Joseph, 22 Oct 1989 - #3

[margaret_diane]

I think DR owes people an apology for not caring about Jacob. He couldn't be bothered to not go to bed when a child was missing.

He's an athlete and there was no school the next day. He is a teacher, for goodness sake. Someone who is supposed to care about kids. It boggles the mind. It truly does.

An appology to Jacob's parents, and siblings at the very least!!

I simply cannot fathom a grownup refusing to assist a child who's life was so clearly on the line! How did sleep become more important than a human life?! I'm still very frustrated by this egocentric response he had to the entire situation!!

 

[kemo]

Margaret Diane

What do we really know about the night in question. Can you, or anyone, say with certainty that in the context of everything that was going on, it was the "expected, appropriate" thing for DR to join in the search.

If the police were encouraging people in the area to particapate in a search AT THAT TIME, and he still "refused", that might mean something. If they contacted him in order to get information and were not soliciting volunteers for a search, that would be a different matter. Often, perhaps usually, when the police are dealing with a "situation", they want people to STAY AWAY.

 

[human]

Margaret Diane

What do we really know about the night in question. Can you, or anyone, say with certainty that in the context of everything that was going on, it was the "expected, appropriate" thing for DR to join in the search.

If the police were encouraging people in the area to particapate in a search AT THAT TIME, and he still "refused", that might mean something. If they contacted him in order to get information and were not soliciting volunteers for a search, that would be a different matter. Often, perhaps usually, when the police are dealing with a "situation", they want people to STAY AWAY.

I am sure that is true. That they want people to stay away. But it was in his driveway.

I think even a person who was not a teacher would be having a breakdown instead of wanting to go to sleep. When I heard about it, I couldn't sleep for week sand I live far away.

 

[margaret_diane]

Margaret Diane

What do we really know about the night in question. Can you, or anyone, say with certainty that in the context of everything that was going on, it was the "expected, appropriate" thing for DR to join in the search.

If the police were encouraging people in the area to particapate in a search AT THAT TIME, and he still "refused", that might mean something. If they contacted him in order to get information and were not soliciting volunteers for a search, that would be a different matter. Often, perhaps usually, when the police are dealing with a "situation", they want people to STAY AWAY.

Kemo,
I found the following quote (located at: http://deathby1000papercuts.com/201...er-in-2004-news-interview-as-unnamed-suspect/).

"Quotes from the 2004 FOX 9 Report with “unnamed suspect” which indicate the “unnamed suspect” was Dan Rassier:

Reporter: Later that night he heard a commotion. It was the search, it was in his yard. He went back to bed.

Reporter: “Why would you just go back to bed if a kid had just disappeared essentially out of your yard?”

Unnamed Suspect: “I wanted to get some sleep. I mean I mean I, what was I to do? I wasn’t going to waste time”."

Straight from the horse's mouth -- he wasn't going to waste time. I don't know what LE might have asked of him that night, or in the days following the abduction. I don't know what his phsyical or emotional presentation might have been to LE that night -- but frankly, I don't care!! He has clearly indicated that it wasn't worth his time to search!! That speaks volumes to me!

If I were him, and police had asked me to STAY AWAY for any reason, I'd be shouting that fact from the rooftops! I'd like to know why he doesn't seem bothered by the fact that searching for Jacob, was not important to him?! I'd like to know if police specifically asked him not to help? Because if they did then that may change how I and others feel about him -- at least then I could say that he offered, but was told not to help! At least then his response to the situation (returning to bed) might be justified.

Where was DR in the days following the abduction? Did he assist with ANY searches for this child? It sure seems to me that the ONLY time DR assisted in this case was when it involved clearing his OWN NAME!! Its all well and good that he gave DNA, and submitted to hypnosis -- but in my view -- these efforts were very much too little too late, if he couldn't be bothered to get off his arse to help search / support police / offer ANY assistance at the time of or in the immediate days following Jacob's disappearance!!

So Kemo, with respect, I do not give a darn what the man's demeanor or presentation was that night!! What difference does it make? It doesn't change the fact that Jacob is still missing! It doesn't change the fact that DR clearly viewed helping / searching as a waste of time!!

 

[kemo]

Does anyone know if there are any records from 1989 sources of the contact between DR and the Police? What sort of a "search" did they perform? What did DR tell them? Did the police who contacted DR that night find anything suspicious about his demeanor or his "failure" to participate in a search? There is also this issue of the boxes in DR's car. Where did that come from? Did the police see them and just let him drive past without questions?

The fact that Jacob's footprints and the scent ended about 40 yards up the driveway suggests that there would have been a vehicle. It could have been DR's, some other neighbors or an out of town stranger's.

Something that has not really been addressed is the issue of the Cold Springs abduction. They had DNA and a description of the perp and his car. I would think that DR has been ruled out on that one, yet people still bring up the "coincidence" that DR worked in Cold Springs.

All in all, I suspect that nothing will be found in this latest search yet the cloud of suspicion over DR will not clear. Sure, the case could have been handled better from day one, but it is how they are handling it now that I question. There is that little issue of "innocent until proven guilty"

 

[Mandy113]

Regarding the Cold Springs case that has come up so often ...

Does anyone have any links about the perp's description & vehicle? Also, who gave the descriptions? If I recall what I read correctly, the perp seemed concerned the victim would be able to identify him and took some precautions to prevent it. About the possible DNA evidence, are there any links which state they tested it against anyone and definitively excluded them?

Apologies if this has been addressed before & I missed it. Thanks.

 

[shergal]

Regarding the Cold Springs case that has come up so often ...

Does anyone have any links about the perp's description & vehicle? Also, who gave the descriptions? If I recall what I read correctly, the perp seemed concerned the victim would be able to identify him and took some precautions to prevent it. About the possible DNA evidence, are there any links which state they tested it against anyone and definitively excluded them?

Apologies if this has been addressed before & I missed it. Thanks.

Here's a link to the Jared story. He did identify the make of car after cops took him to several car lots,but I'm not sure if they've ever publicized the results. Jared also found the location he was assaulted at when cops drove him around. All they've said is it was near a farm with a distinctive light on the silo. They haven't said anyone was eliminated through DNA.
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=63324

 

[Trino]

Here's a link to the Jared story. He did identify the make of car after cops took him to several car lots,but I'm not sure if they've ever publicized the results. Jared also found the location he was assaulted at when cops drove him around. All they've said is it was near a farm with a distinctive light on the silo. They haven't said anyone was eliminated through DNA.
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=63324

This story does not say he identified the make of the car, only that police drove Jared around, trying to find the make/model.

 

[Mandy113]

Here's a link to the Jared story. He did identify the make of car after cops took him to several car lots,but I'm not sure if they've ever publicized the results. Jared also found the location he was assaulted at when cops drove him around. All they've said is it was near a farm with a distinctive light on the silo. They haven't said anyone was eliminated through DNA.
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=63324

Thanks for finding that link Shergal. I'm sure that's the same story I read previously. My impression after reading it again is that Jared did provide LE with some more information pertaining to his abduction. Other than the similarities noted between Jared & Jacob's cases, LE did not release any other information to the public.

 

[kemo]

In researching this case, I find in frustrating that all "sources" seem to only go back to 2004 when the case was re-opened. From blogs, (which aren't always reliable) I get the impression that there was a highly publicized "composite" of the Cold Spring Abductor and it suggested the perp was considerably older than DR would have been. Even if they never found a matching car, they must have gotten some kind of description that they could have compared to vehicles that DR would have had access to. There are several references to the victim going to the hospital for a Rape kit. DNA must have been available. Even if the Statute of Limitations on the Cold Spring case had expired, they must have retained this biological evidence because it was likely related to Jacob's case. If DR gave DNA, as he claimed, there must have been a comparison. I think we would have found out if there was a match. In addition, if the victim lived in Cold Spring and went to the local elementary school, surely he would have recognized DR, who was a teacher there.

All of this seems to support the conclusion that DR was not the Cold Springs perp.

The Charly Project web site (http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/w/wetterling_jacob.html) shows two composites. From the narrative, I get the impression that the first, with the hat, was from Cold Springs and the second was the guy seen "hanging out" at the Tom Thumb that day. (Does anyone know if this is correct?) The two composites are quite similar and definitely not DR.

None of this proves anything but will present a problem if they try to prosecute DR on Circumstantial evidence.

 

[margaret_diane]

In researching this case, I find in frustrating that all "sources" seem to only go back to 2004 when the case was re-opened. From blogs, (which aren't always reliable) I get the impression that there was a highly publicized "composite" of the Cold Spring Abductor and it suggested the perp was considerably older than DR would have been. Even if they never found a matching car, they must have gotten some kind of description that they could have compared to vehicles that DR would have had access to. There are several references to the victim going to the hospital for a Rape kit. DNA must have been available. Even if the Statute of Limitations on the Cold Spring case had expired, they must have retained this biological evidence because it was likely related to Jacob's case. If DR gave DNA, as he claimed, there must have been a comparison. I think we would have found out if there was a match. In addition, if the victim lived in Cold Spring and went to the local elementary school, surely he would have recognized DR, who was a teacher there.

All of this seems to support the conclusion that DR was not the Cold Springs perp.

The Charly Project web site (http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/w/wetterling_jacob.html) shows two composites. From the narrative, I get the impression that the first, with the hat, was from Cold Springs and the second was the guy seen "hanging out" at the Tom Thumb that day. (Does anyone know if this is correct?) The two composites are quite similar and definitely not DR.

None of this proves anything but will present a problem if they try to prosecute DR on Circumstantial evidence.

In reviewing this case, and considering that DR has been named as a POI in this matter, it occurs to me that LE might now believe (or be fishing to find out) if perhaps there were TWO people (or more?) involved in Jacob's case. I have read that LE took DNA from the boy named Jared following his attack (however, this was a comment made on a blog, and therefore I cannot consider it to be an "official source"). I do not recall reading any information from "official" sources such as LE or media reports from newspapers which support the idea of DNA being collected in the Jared case.

With that in mind, and given that DR has indicated he has provided a DNA sample to LE, then one has to consider that perhaps the two cases could still be connected -- perhaps DR provided assistance or hid the perp from LE's view following Jacob's abduction? Perhaps he has more information than he has given to date regarding either case?

Police haven't confirmed him as a suspect - but they have named him as a POI. Person of Interest. It doesn't necessarily mean they think he committed the abduction! It COULD just mean they think he was involved on SOME level, and are trying to proove THAT point.

 

[Trino]

http://www.startribune.com/video/?vid=64688382&elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycU9PhDcU5PhDco8P77jyPhU

I presume many posters have seen this video re: Aaron Larson, Jacob's friend who was with him the night of the abduction. Still, it's good to review it.

In the video check out the artist's drawings of the abductor. He seems much older than DR would have been in 1989.

 

[buffetoflies]

Unnamed Suspect: “I wanted to get some sleep. I mean I mean I, what was I to do? I wasn’t going to waste time”."[/B][/I]

Whoa Bessie!!!! Hold on!!! He stuttered? That there is a sure sign of guilt! Lets bring him on in, lock `em up and throw away the key!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL :loser:

 

[kemo]

I ran across the attached article from with a video from 2004 that is clip is particularly telling. (http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/interview-with-wetterling-neighbor-in-2004-fox-9-report-june-30-2010)

This might explain the origin of the current status of the case.

In the video we hear the story of Kevin and the screw-up that may have de-railed the investigation for 15 years; there are also a few clips from an interview with DR. In it, he says the police knocked on his door and he told them about the car turning around in the driveway and the left. Later, he heard them searching in his yard, but he didn't feel there was any reason to go outside and help. He says he went back to sleep. He also mentions that LE made no effort to search his home or otherwise check him out as a suspect. As an example, he said that when he left the next morning, he had some large boxes in the car and the police saw them but never checked. He also says that "they could have searched my home that night and cleared this whole thing up". It is clear to me that he intended to mean that HE would have been CLEARED that night if the police had done their job. One could infer from this that JACOB would have been FOUND THAT NIGHT if the police had done their job.

A few shot snippets from a much longer interview like this are hardly sufficient to draw any conclusions about his guilt or innocence. I didn't find anything he said particularly strange or "hinkey" but I suspect that had he consulted a lawyer first, he would have come across better, or perhaps never have given the interview at all.

Once LE realized that Kevin had been to the scene, they could no longer be certain that a vehicle had been used in the abduction. DR's statement that he saw a car in his driveway could mean that 1) he save the perp 2) he saw Kevin 3) he made it up to divert attention from himself.

The boys don't remember seeing a car but that doesn't mean there wasn't one there. It was dark, a car parked 40 yards up the driveway would not have been all that noticeable and as they ran away through the trees they were hardly paying attention.

I agree that if you go on the assumption that there was no car, DR becomes the prime suspect. It would be a long way for anyone else to go. Still, I don't see any reason to "rule out" the possibility of a perp with a car.

 

[margaret_diane]

Whoa Bessie!!!! Hold on!!! He stuttered? That there is a sure sign of guilt! Lets bring him on in, lock `em up and throw away the key!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL :loser:

I'm not saying whether he is guilty or innocent as I do not know one way or the other. I posted the quote in question to demonstrate that DR's own comments indicated that searching would have been a waste of time! Guilty or not -- his attitude and response to the situation (going to bed) are very interesting!

 

[Mom who cares]

Quiet here suddenly

Bump

 

[Trino]

Quiet here suddenly
Bump

Well, it seems that DR hasn't accosted any of his students, and the sheriff hasn't come up with anything, so there's not much to say.

 

[Mom who cares]

You're right and the silence is deafening.

 

[concentric]

I know some of you are also interested in the case of missing Joshua Guimond and since I occasionally go to his website and check the postings, I just found out that Josh's grandpa, Bob Guimond, will be on the radio Sept. 18 to discuss his case. See details at the link below. It is a limited range broadcast though. Those of you who live in the MN/WI area will be able to listen to it.

http://www.findjoshua.com/

 

[Shay]

Tonight is a parent-only meeting at the school. It's not about DR, they have this every year to discuss many topics. But I'm guessing it will be brought up.

I asked one of my kids how he liked music this year (he hated it last year) and he said it was fun and Mr. BeBop was very nice. I have not had the chance to meet him yet.

There is a very sick first-grader who is in the hospital. I think many people in our school community are focusing all their energy on supporting this family.