Hi All,
First off, thanks to everyone who contributes here. In an effort to make sense of this crime, Ive voraciously consumed virtually all of the Tori Stafford content created on websleuths. Again, many thanks.
Im in my mid-thirties, am a male and have two small daughters (both under 5). Like most across Canada, I was aware of Toris disappearance, but paid very little attention to the details. My heart broke for Toris family, and thats as far as it went for me. I was confident LE and in time the crown and the defense would take care of the situation and all guilty would receive their punishment and all innocent would be exonerated. My interest in the case would change in March 2012.
It was the week of March 12th where I began seeing snippets of TLMs testimony and March 14 or 15 when things made an irrevocable turn. While stepping on to my front porch to pick up my Globe and Mail and throw out my complimentary Toronto Star, I stopped and began reading the Stars cover story:
http://www.thestar.com/news/article...-girlfriend-admits-bludgeoning-child-to-death
I finished it on my front porch, then threw up in my garden and promptly threw the paper in the recycle bin. I struggled to get the mental images out of my mind and as a fan of news I found it tormenting to read news of any nature for fear of seeing the names of Michael Rafferty or Terri-Lynne McClintic or something as simple as Woodstock. After 10 days of a self imposed blackout I felt ready to move on and learn more about the case through newspaper columns, twitter and the London Free Press trial minutes. Those details have acted as a source of catharsis for me.
After gradually accepting the complete and utter depravity of the Toris death, I felt prepared to follow this case with an open mind. As I mentioned above I paid very little attention to the case earlier and was not aware of any gossip or speculation related to anyone involved in the trial.
When considering the charges of the accused, I simply couldnt believe they could be true. In my mind I understood the implications of TLM, but could not reconcile them with MR. It simply makes no sense, why would he do it? How could a person of similar age to me be part of an alleged kidnap, rape and murder? How could he be so stupid, did he really think he wouldnt be caught? However, if he was not involved why did he not come forward after the initial shock and horror dissipated? Failing that, why not help locate the body after his arrest? I understand his right to remain silent, but wheres the desire to clear his name? Hes 28, not 18 or 8, he must know better. How can innocent man stand by, withhold information, allow multiple levels of government to incur huge expenses, prolong the suffering of Toris extended family, create stress and panic amongst law enforcement etc
. again, why would he do it, makes no sense.
Well, day by day, witness by witness the crown conclusively implicated MR by consistently corroborating TLMs testimony. Theyve placed him in the location of the crime and most importantly they have him communicating with TLM AFTER the crime. This to me is key, because communication (verbal and non verbal) is a significant tenet of partnerships and relationships. What possible explanation could there be for MR continuing to speak with TLM after April 8? Fear? Cmon, anyone who puts fear above the life of an innocent 8 year old needs some serious help and IMO should be in jail for cowardice.
As for the defense, theyre telling us TLM listens to rap, is a criminal, microwaved a dog as a child. None of this flattering, but at the same time none of it is relevant to Tori Stafford. Unless the defense theory is that if MR went to the police, Necro, as a member of EOA would put MR in a microwave as payback.
Im not going to go into detail about the DNA, the backseat, naked but a t-shirt, the details of the kidnap, the hair dye, his dating life etc
Lost in all this is TLM and the fact she was 18. She was a child herself, one with a drug addiction and a great 8 education. Shes accepted her role and made no excuses. One thing that stands out to me (and I recognize I may be over simplifying things here) is that she demonstrated limited signs of planning to me. She reacted to things, her poor decisions and her violence were typically bred out of frustration. Her mother getting her fired broken eye for mom, inmate calling her out stompity stomp, pretty little thing wham bam
As for her being a master manipulator, that may be like saying a 3 year old is a master manipulator because they throw fits and their parents let them eat cake and watch movies. Whos to blame when that child becomes an obese 10 year old who cant read? The child or the parents? In other words, is the child a manipulator or are the parents simply lazy/disinterested?
End of the day, they each had a chance to change the course of the day, neither did.
MR had the chance to clear his name. He could have helped locate Toris body, he could have helped recover Toris clothes, the murder weapon etc
..he chose not to.
Their lives accomplishments or mistakes prior to April 8th, 2009 are completely irrelevant here. All that matters is that a child died, and eye witness testimony with corroborated evidence puts the two of them at the scene and back along with continued communication after the fact. As the crown suggested, the jury doesnt have to decide who did what, only that they acted together. I challenge anyone to dispute they acted together based on the evidence in the public domain.
Everything Ive written above is MY OPINION ONLY. I appreciate you all reading, and I hope everyone receives some level of comfort from the decision handed down from this court.
and remain that way next week when we get the verdict in! 
