Tire Tracks, Shoe Prints and DJH's cars

[Sasquatch321]

I would say most of the above.

There is no doubt in my mind that instance C-J have happened before, but most likely in other cases.

c. Covering the fact they made some basic errors in examining the evidence.

The FBI, The BCA, and Local LE are all working together on this particular case, so really?

d. They named the wrong person a POI.

This is an opinion only.

e. They did not consult experts in forensics to evaluate the evidence, or they disregarded their advice/findings.

They have their own tire and footprint experts examining the evidence. They've consulted a lab. They have DNA testing in progress.


f. They contaminated the evidence field by walking and driving over it and allowing others to do the same.

This is an opinion only.

g. They are covering for one or more individuals.

Which one? the FBI, the BCA, or Local LE? or all of the above?

h. They are limiting their legal exposure expecting a lawsuit from one or more parties.

But there has never been any mention of a Lawsuit from anyone.

i. Concern about being vilified in the media for one or more of the above, aka career/legacy destroyer.

Which one? The FBI, the BCA, or Local LE? or all of the above?

j. Arrogance (an insulting way of thinking or behaving that comes from believing that you are better, smarter, or more important than other people).

Which one? The FBI, the BCA, or Local LE? or all of the above?

 

[shergal]

Well, on "F" we have seen video of two detectives strolling up the driveway, camera in hand. And video of LE on 3 wheelers scooting through the brush along DR's driveway and surrounding fields. Also saw pics of the footprint expert crouching inside the print field as he took pics. So I would say that is proof and not an opinion.

 

[Sasquatch321]

Well, on "F" we have seen video of two detectives strolling up the driveway, camera in hand. And video of LE on 3 wheelers scooting through the brush along DR's driveway and surrounding fields. Also saw pics of the footprint expert crouching inside the print field as he took pics. So I would say that is proof and not an opinion.

Right they contaminated the scene. Every scene becomes contaminated as it is investigated. At the same time, here is a glimpse of a new shoeprint 26 years later, here is a glimpse of tire tracks on the driveway, and here is a glimpse of Jacobs too. What was lost?

 

[Trackergd]

I like A and B but I strongly disagree against the rest. Thank you.

You asked "what can't we see and why".

I listed "potential" answers to your question.

Some may be true and others probably are not.

We each decide for ourselves.

ELOCsoul has taken new information as far as he can.

We have taken what we have as far as we can.

And so we sit twiddling our thumbs to see if SCSD does anything.

It may be a long wait.

I only have about 25 more years or so, hope they "solve" the case and find Jacob before I pass on into time.

 

[Sasquatch321]

You asked "what can't we see and why".

I listed "potential" answers to your question.

Some may be true and others probably are not.

We each decide for ourselves.

ELOCsoul has taken new information as far as he can.

We have taken what we have as far as we can.

And so we sit twiddling our thumbs to see if SCSD does anything.

It may be a long wait.

I only have about 25 more years or so, hope they "solve" the case and find Jacob before I pass on into time.

I do not like the way they are sitting on the case with all the answers either from 1989 or 2004.

 

[Trackergd]

Right they contaminated the scene. Every scene becomes contaminated as it is investigated. At the same time, here is a glimpse of a new shoeprint 26 years later, here is a glimpse of tire tracks on the driveway, and here is a glimpse of Jacobs too. What was lost?

Not always and less so with today's technology.

I have been shown pristine print fields that have been aggressively protected by LE until the SAR teams arrival, even in the 1980's.

We will not know what was lost (if anything) until LE decides to share, and they may never decide to share.

If the public and the press are not pounding on the county leaders doors and demanding answers, the keepers of the evidence can sit on their hands to their hearts content.

When there is no new news, the public loses interest quickly and moves on to the next bright and shiny object.

 

[Trackergd]

I do not like the way they are sitting on the case with all the answers either from 1989 or 2004.

None of us do. I really don't think they care what we like or don't.

One might wonder why they are sitting on their hands. I would hazard a guess that either they have something compelling and are just waiting for one more tidbit, or they have almost nothing and are afraid to look as fools. It pretty much has to be one or the other, very little ground in between.

So at what point are we ceasing to sleuth Jacob and his abductor and ending up sleuthing SCSD? Because in reality, we have been doing both.

 

[ELOCsoul]

So at what point are we ceasing to sleuth Jacob and his abductor and ending up sleuthing SCSD? Because in reality, we have been doing both.

The "free pass" that the media at large have given in this case, and other unsolved cases in Stearns County is astounding, IMO. In retrospect, naming Dan Rassier as a POI was incredibly irresponsible, neglectful, or criminal - I'm not sure which. What we all know now, they've known for 26+ years. SMH.

 

[Sasquatch321]

The "free pass" that the media at large have given in this case, and other unsolved cases in Stearns County is astounding, IMO. In retrospect, naming Dan Rassier as a POI was incredibly irresponsible, neglectful, or criminal - I'm not sure which. What we all know now, they've known for 26+ years. SMH.

Eloc,

How can you flat out say naming DR was wrong when none of the search warrants are public and there is testing of blood or whatever still unspoken for?

 

[Sasquatch321]

Today I want to thank our resident tracker (TrackerGD), for having the ability to see there at least might be some testing and information happening from the third dig at the rassier farm. It's become an unpopular idea, but tracker has proven he is a professional by acknowledging it. Thank you for your time.

 

[Trackergd]

Eloc,

How can you flat out say naming DR was wrong when none of the search warrants are public and there is testing of blood or whatever still unspoken for?

If you think SCSD has something on DR, why do you think they are not talking? I seriously doubt they are waiting for advances in technology.

If you remember, I personally called SCSD and offered to evaluate the print field photographs, casts etc for them, even offered to give them my credentials and references (including the FBI one). They declined. Short and terse.

A. They have something and are waiting for just the right moment. B. It's smoke and mirrors. Which?

 

[Sasquatch321]

If you think SCSD has something on DR, why do you think they are not talking? I seriously doubt they are waiting for advances in technology.

If you remember, I personally called SCSD and offered to evaluate the print field photographs, casts etc for them, even offered to give them my credentials and references (including the FBI one). They declined. Short and terse.

A. They have something and are waiting for just the right moment. B. It's smoke and mirrors. Which?

Because DR tricked them pretty good, it became very difficult and complicated after that. Now theyre testing things 26 years old instead of days weeks or months. This is in my opinion and Im still open to being convinced Heinrich was there.

 

[ELOCsoul]

Eloc,

How can you flat out say naming DR was wrong when none of the search warrants are public and there is testing of blood or whatever still unspoken for?

Again, the privacy of the search warrants and the "waiting for testing" are simply crutches that LE is leaning on.

When you look at the basic facts of the case, as we know them now more fully than ever, it's pretty clear that LE botched the case when it comes to DR:

1. Heinrich was a suspect in the Paynesville cases, so he ceased his operation in town.
2. When Jared was abducted, Paynesville police told Stearns that Heinrich was the guy.
3. Jared described Heinrich's cat to a "T", save for the luggage rack, which may have been removed.
4. When Jacob was taken, Paynesville police told Stearns that Heinrich was the guy.
5. LE made an immediate link between Jared, Jacob, and Paynesville cases because of the groping of genitals.
6. Jared knew DR and knows there is no way he was the perp in his case
7. After learning that they should look at Heinrich, the find tire treads and shoe prints in the driveway that correspond in size and design to the shoes and tires owned by Heinrich. The blah, blah, blah, about not being perfect match is based solely on what courts will accept as evidence vs. circumstantial evidence.
8. Heinrich was linked to Jared 100% conclusively.
9. In sum, the circumstantial evidence against Heinrich is very, very strong.
10. A big obstacle to charges against Heinrich in Jacob's case, IMO, is that the Paynesville victims, and Jared, and Hart's victim's all got together and compared notes. They pretty much convinced each other that Duane Hart was guilty of all these crimes, via the unintended consequences of Joy Baker's efforts to speak to these victims. By the way, Stearns LE hated that these people were all comparing notes, and actually asked them to stop for these very reasons. The case against Heinrich would be severely tainted because Heinrich's defense team would have a field day if they put any of these victims on the stand. All IMO.

 

[Sasquatch321]

Again, the privacy of the search warrants and the "waiting for testing" are simply crutches that LE is leaning on.

When you look at the basic facts of the case, as we know them now more fully than ever, it's pretty clear that LE botched the case when it comes to DR:

1. Heinrich was a suspect in the Paynesville cases, so he ceased his operation in town.
2. When Jared was abducted, Paynesville police told Stearns that Heinrich was the guy.
3. Jared described Heinrich's cat to a "T", save for the luggage rack, which may have been removed.
4. When Jacob was taken, Paynesville police told Stearns that Heinrich was the guy.
5. LE made an immediate link between Jared, Jacob, and Paynesville cases because of the groping of genitals.
6. Jared knew DR and knows there is no way he was the perp in his case
7. After learning that they should look at Heinrich, the find tire treads and shoe prints in the driveway that correspond in size and design to the shoes and tires owned by Heinrich. The blah, blah, blah, about not being perfect match is based solely on what courts will accept as evidence vs. circumstantial evidence.
8. Heinrich was linked to Jared 100% conclusively.
9. In sum, the circumstantial evidence against Heinrich is very, very strong.
10. A big obstacle to charges against Heinrich in Jacob's case, IMO, is that the Paynesville victims, and Jared, and Hart's victim's all got together and compared notes. They pretty much convinced each other that Duane Hart was guilty of all these crimes, via the unintended consequences of Joy Baker's efforts to speak to these victims. By the way, Stearns LE hated that these people were all comparing notes, and actually asked them to stop for these very reasons. The case against Heinrich would be severely tainted because Heinrich's defense team would have a field day if they put any of these victims on the stand. All IMO.

Right it all sounds good and that is about it for now. I remember a few years ago you did a write up of DR's guilt, well it still sounds fantastic to me.

 

[ELOCsoul]

Right it all sounds good and that is about it for now. I remember a few years ago you did a write up of DR's guilt, well it still sounds fantastic to me.

Your statement is highly prejudicial. What I wrote was a logical reasoning of why DR was being considered a suspect by LE. We didn't know what LE knew about Heinrich at the time, but now we do. To my recollection I have never established guilt on the part of DR, only speculation of reasons why LE thought he was involved. There was a time that DR tipped my personal list of suspects, yes.

 

[Sasquatch321]

Your statement is highly prejudicial. What I wrote was a logical reasoning of why DR was being considered a suspect by LE. We didn't know what LE knew about Heinrich at the time, but now we do. To my recollection I have never established guilt on the part of DR, only speculation of reasons why LE thought he was involved. There was a time that DR tipped my personal list of suspects, yes.

And you've done the same here with Heinrich, but noone is convinced. The Wetterlings aren't convinced and that was given as a statement from patty less than a year ago. They are relying on LE to figure out if he did or didn't do it and thats where it stands.

 

[pittsburghgirl]

While I have the deepest respect for the families of the missing and the murdered, I do not take their judgments as to who is or is not responsible as "evidence" of anything. They are too close to the crime to be objective. And in a case that has languished as long as Jacob's case, they have also been either starved of information or fed only what LE wants them to know. So on some subjects (forensics, etc.) they only know what LE has told them.

On the other hand, we have a blogger who essentially pushed LE to look again at the Paynesville cluster and Jared, and ELOCsoul who delivered them a suspect who ticks all the FBI profile boxes for this case and who looks to be in the pattern of escalation the profilers described. This is not the first nor last case in which local LE was overmatched and unprepared for a horrific crime. But the pattern, sad to say, among LE in many jurisdictions is to keep the case on ice in order not to embarrass themselves. In some cases, they know they've got the right guy and he's in prison for something else, so... (See, for example, the people languishing in prison who were involved in the Haleigh Cummings case. Who knows which of those people is responsible for that poor kid's death, but LE took the whole bunch off the board with a drug sting, and may or may not have rounded up all those involved.) The DR episode is probably an embarrassment--or else key people can't let go of their pet theory.

 

[ELOCsoul]

While I have the deepest respect for the families of the missing and the murdered, I do not take their judgments as to who is or is not responsible as "evidence" of anything. They are too close to the crime to be objective. And in a case that has languished as long as Jacob's case, they have also been either starved of information or fed only what LE wants them to know. So on some subjects (forensics, etc.) they only know what LE has told them.

This is absolutely spot-on, great post! The other problem with all this, IMO, is that the media coddled the family and catered to their wishes, making them the story rather than doing actual investigative reporting. As a rule, the media were more concerned with maintaining access than they were with reporting the news. This case should have been solved decades ago, with just a little pressure from the media.

 

[Sasquatch321]

This is absolutely spot-on, great post! The other problem with all this, IMO, is that the media coddled the family and catered to their wishes, making them the story rather than doing actual investigative reporting. As a rule, the media were more concerned with maintaining access than they were with reporting the news. This case should have been solved decades ago, with just a little pressure from the media.

Great post? Not so much, with no pun intended-

The main responsibilities are to coordinate the investigation, work on the leads and tips that are coming in, follow up on interviews and maintain contact with the Wetterling family and Wetterling foundation.”

Bechtold says the case is significant to him because he was the first officer to respond to the Wetterling call.

“On October 22nd, 1989, I was the first officer to respond to the Wetterling home when the call came out. When we knew Captain Jensen was thinking of retiring, I started working more closely with her and working with her on the case over the last 6-8 months.”



Read More: New Lead Investigator Named For Jacob Wetterling Case | http://wjon.com/new-lead-investigator-named-for-jacob-wetterling-case/?trackback=tsmclip

 

[pittsburghgirl]

This is absolutely spot-on, great post! The other problem with all this, IMO, is that the media coddled the family and catered to their wishes, making them the story rather than doing actual investigative reporting. As a rule, the media were more concerned with maintaining access than they were with reporting the news. This case should have been solved decades ago, with just a little pressure from the media.

Thanks. It is important to remember, I think, that Jacob's case was one of the early ones that got national attention. And even today, most reporters cover missing kids as a news or feature story. There is precious little investigative journalism going on even on issues of corruption. Whatever we think of national politics these days, for example, it's apparent that the news media that covers those with political power are more concerned with maintaining access than getting at the truth. I can sort of see that in crime cases, given that the media shouldn't interfere in a good investigation. But certainly, much more could be done to hold people accountable for investigative failures.

And while I am happy to make the argument that LE in Jacob's case did the best it knew how to do in the hours after the abduction, but what excuse is there for not connecting the dates from the Paynesville cluster to Jared to Jacob? Geez. A blogger and a writer/researcher did it.