Found Safe TN - MCET, 15, Abducted by Teacher, in Maury County, 13 March 2017 #16 *ARREST*

[cshea99]

I apologize if this is a dumb question but the reporter states that authorities are working to extradite him back to Tennessee so I'm wondering why are they doing that if he's facing Federal charges?

His Federal trial will be held in Tennessee.

 

[Rallibella]

a million times, this^^^^

Ah, beg to disagree. People is a celebrity entertainment website first and foremost. The article is trying to make him look sympathetic. For those who don't know about the story, that may be what they're stuck with.

 

[Ontario Mom]

Thank you for posting this. I have seen a lot of posts calling TC sister dumb, etc. I think it maybe was not a great idea for her to relay his 'take' that he has given her as to why he did what he did, because now many people seem to be taking that as though she agrees. I didn't think it seemed like that at all. She said what he did is a horrible thing, and that he has to understand his family won't take him back, etc (paraphrasing), and implied that even though he did horrible things he's still her brother and she loves him. Maybe she could have also left the latter out, but sometimes it is hard to see family for what they really are.

My uncle had an inappropriate relationship with his stepdaughter. No one realized it until years after he and her mother divorced. A switch flipped and step daughter called police on him (she was about 26 at the time, but claimed that their sexual relationship started when she was 17). We were never close with my uncle because he led a different lifestyle than the rest of the family, but it was still shocking to hear some of the details unfold. My mom was so disgusted with him, but still accepted his phone calls for about a year because she said well he's still my brother what can I do (both of their parents were dead). After about a year, probably less but I can't remember, my mom decided to stop taking his phone calls because she realized that even though biologically he was still her brother, he still had no remorse, and that's the amount of time it took for her to fully realize he was not the same person anymore that he once was; that he never would be; it was in a way like grieving a loss. Maybe he's not dead physically, but the decent person he once was sure is.

Maybe it will just take TC sister time to grieve that loss. Maybe she too is in shock that he turned out to do such horrible things. It sure does seem like he led a 'double life' before he left TN. I just feel like at this time she, too, is a victim in the situation, and we should tread lightly as far as calling her dumb etc. I don't think she supports what TC has done in the least bit. All JMO


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Well said. Thank you. I take back my previous comment of suggesting she may be as dumb as a box of rocks if she actually believes her brother's bullsnot story of just wanting to help ET.

 

[Karinna]

You watch famous lawyers will crawl out of the muddy sludge to create a team to defend this dirty old man.

uke:

 

[gitana1]

From a legal perspective, I don't think what happened here could be defined as a "kidnapping". But I absolutely think it falls under the legal definition of "abduction".

https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/abduction

Abduction: Taking a person away by means of persuasion, fraud, or force. Some jurisdictions also require that the abductee, the person abducted, be a child or that that the abductor intend to marry or defile the abductee or subject him or her to prostitution or concubinage.

Kidnapping: A crime at common law consisting of an unlawful restraint of a person's liberty by force or show of force so as to send the victim into another country. Under modern law, this crime will usually be found where the victim is taken to another location or concealed.
In some jurisdictions, kidnapping accompanied by bodily injury, sexual assault, or a demand for ransom elevates the crime to first-degree or aggravated kidnapping. Although the terms kidnapping and abduction are, at times, used interchangeably, abduction is broader, generally not requiring the threat or use of force.

ETA: Perhaps one of our attorney's could weigh in here.

Those are are general principles. Not laws. It depends on the jurisdiction how its defined.

In TN kidnapping is false imprisonment and can be accomplished by coercion. fraud or force.

http://www.helpingclients.com/Criminal-Defense/State-Crimes/Kidnapping-False-Imprisonment.shtml

http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/28/us/tennessee-teacher-manhunt-state-kidnapping-law/

The DA is being very vocal about the issues regarding this meeting Tennessee's legal requirements for a kidnapping. The initial hurdle is MCE's age. As insane as it sounds current law does allow children over the age of 12 to decide to leave their family if force and coercion aren't factors.The defense will likely make a huge deal out of this if MCE claims TC did not force her to leave or prevent her from returning if she so desired. The DA plans to counter this by treating the grooming as a form of coercion and also focusing on the fact that TC was armed.

Both the DA and MCE's father hope to get Tennessee law changed so that the age is increased to at least 16.

Simply, espeically aggravated kidnapping in TN is a more serious crime than just kidnapping. It's especially aggravated if the person is under 13. The law is clear. Nothing says a 13 year old can decide to leave their family. That's just inflammatory language used by the DA to exploit a case for political purposes.

https://kidnapping.uslegal.com/state-kidnapping-abduction-laws/tennessee-kidnappingabduction-laws/

 

[Bently]

I think Tad has his sister pegged as the one he can manipulate easiest. I suspect he figures once he gets her on his crazy train the rest of the dysfunctional family will buy tickets.

By her comment about his family (wife) not being there for him makes me think they have already approached JC and his daughters and hopefully were rebuffed. I think Tad is in full emotional vampire mode and rounding up all the pro-Tadders he can find.

It just baffles me how the sister can say that he was just going with her to keep her safe. It is the most absurd statement! It makes me think that Tad is not the only nutter in the bunch.

I listened to the interview and she was merely relaying what he said. It was not her opinion :moo:

Perhaps there is confusion among those that read articles that think that it was her view?

:dunno:

 

[bestill]

Since he is incarcerated and has already spoken to his sister 3 times, is he already getting special privileges?

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That's what I asked earlier. Who's arranging these calls? Will we know who's representing him today?

 

[crhedBngr]

http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/28/us/tennessee-teacher-manhunt-state-kidnapping-law/

The DA is being very vocal about the issues regarding this meeting Tennessee's legal requirements for a kidnapping. The initial hurdle is MCE's age. As insane as it sounds current law does allow children over the age of 12 to decide to leave their family if force and coercion aren't factors.The defense will likely make a huge deal out of this if MCE claims TC did not force her to leave or prevent her from returning if she so desired. The DA plans to counter this by treating the grooming as a form of coercion and also focusing on the fact that TC was armed.

Both the DA and MCE's father hope to get Tennessee law changed so that the age is increased to at least 16.

Ugh. Hoping this law will be changed in the VERY near future!

 

[Karinna]

If I'm understanding the following article correctly, it is not uncommon to plead "not guilty" at arraignment then change to "guilty" down the line. "Not guilty" seems to be the norm at arraignments, in fact. (Basically, I now know that I don't have to punch a hole in a wall if TC pleads NG as this is apparently standard procedure.)

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-should-i-plead-arraignment.html

I think a plea of NG is common occurence if a case is expected to go to Trial. Otherwise a plea deal and then there is no trial.

 

[PoirotryInMotion]

Posts are generally followed by IMO or JMO. It's an opinion, not a diagnosis

Yes, and honestly...it goes without saying that all our posts (apart from quoted facts) are our opinions. But strongly worded opinions can still hurt the people who might be reading them, especially if those come across as pronouncements about flaws in their character or presumed family dynamic and history. If people are already reeling from something a loved one did, to me it seems an unnecessary adding of salt to a gaping wound. IMHO. Lots of people's lives have been turned upside down, here. And it's not necessarily anyone's fault but the actual perpetrator--TC.

 

[Irishboy]

The primary take-away from the sisters interview was showing/projecting what his defense will be against fed charges. His "intent" was to save her from harm/help her, vs. the charge he has against him which is sexual, and would label him forever also as a SO status wherever he goes for the rest of his life.

If nothing more, the sister's interview was a projection (first to the world sort of information) that told the world what he intends for his defense against the federal charges.

:moo: :cow:

And I'm sure the comments in the draft e-mails about her "body parts" were intended to help her.
Errr right.

 

[Alethea]

Exactly. She was merely quoting TC, not advocating for him. She struck me as very clear that he did a horrible thing and she was simply relating what he told her when she asked "Why." She realizes there will be consequences and isn't trying to mitigate them in any way. We also don't know what was edited out of the interview. I wish she had not agreed to be interviewed, but the media can be very persuasive. I don't see any reason to criticize her.

Completely agree. Also, the media can be very manipulative. Journalists and producers can be very pushy. Many have no qualms about exploiting people for a juicy story or exclusive. It's sad, but reality. I have always advised my clients and their friends and family to say nothing, nothing to the media. It never helps you.

 

[Kapua]

Thank you for posting this. I have seen a lot of posts calling TC sister dumb, etc. I think it maybe was not a great idea for her to relay his 'take' that he has given her as to why he did what he did, because now many people seem to be taking that as though she agrees. I didn't think it seemed like that at all. She said what he did is a horrible thing, and that he has to understand his family won't take him back, etc (paraphrasing), and implied that even though he did horrible things he's still her brother and she loves him. Maybe she could have also left the latter out, but sometimes it is hard to see family for what they really are.

My uncle had an inappropriate relationship with his stepdaughter. No one realized it until years after he and her mother divorced. A switch flipped and step daughter called police on him (she was about 26 at the time, but claimed that their sexual relationship started when she was 17). We were never close with my uncle because he led a different lifestyle than the rest of the family, but it was still shocking to hear some of the details unfold. My mom was so disgusted with him, but still accepted his phone calls for about a year because she said well he's still my brother what can I do (both of their parents were dead). After about a year, probably less but I can't remember, my mom decided to stop taking his phone calls because she realized that even though biologically he was still her brother, he still had no remorse, and that's the amount of time it took for her to fully realize he was not the same person anymore that he once was; that he never would be; it was in a way like grieving a loss. Maybe he's not dead physically, but the decent person he once was sure is.

Maybe it will just take TC sister time to grieve that loss. Maybe she too is in shock that he turned out to do such horrible things. It sure does seem like he led a 'double life' before he left TN. I just feel like at this time she, too, is a victim in the situation, and we should tread lightly as far as calling her dumb etc. I don't think she supports what TC has done in the least bit. All JMO


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Nearly the same thing happened with a woman in my social circle whose husband molested his step-daughter. We were all stunned; the husband was so good to her, and treated her like a precious jewel. This poor woman went through hell trying to process all of the conflicting emotions, and to add insult to injury, lost her house. It's not easy to reconcile the man you thought you knew with the man who did unspeakable things. The thing that TC's sister probably should not have done is give an interview, although I know the media is relentless.

One more story and then I'll stop: A former co-worker had a son who was doing drugs and always in trouble. Then his son and his son's friend killed a couple. What did my co-worker do? He retained a lawyer for his son and went to court during the trial. In no way did my co-worker support what his son did, but he was still his son. This may be the sister's mindset.

:cow:

 

[Lilibet]

That's what I asked earlier. Who's arranging these calls? Will we know who's representing him today?

I don't know why anyone would think TC is getting special privileges. Inmates are likely allowed a certain number of phone calls and TC is using what he's allowed...and no doubt being closely monitored/recorded. Phone calls can be a gold mine for prosecutors.

I doubt he will have the same attorney today as will represent him in TN. The attorney will probably be court appointed today.
JMO

 

[Alethea]

I think a plea of NG is common occurence if a case is expected to go to Trial. Otherwise a plea deal and then there is no trial.

It takes a while to negotiate a plea deal and get everyone signed off, so it almost never happens at an initial arraignment. There are a lot of behind the scenes boxes to check!

 

[JerseyGirl]

His arraignment will take place at 2:00 p.m. PT.

http://www.crimeonline.com/2017/04/...d-cummins-50-on-way-to-federal-courtroom-now/

 

[blue22]

Yes, and honestly...it goes without saying that all our posts are our opinions. But strongly worded opinions can still hurt the people who might be reading them, especially if those come across as pronouncements about flaws in their character or presumed family dynamic and history. If people are already reeling from something a loved one did, to me it seems an unnecessary adding of salt to a gaping wound. IMHO. Lots of people's lives have been turned upside down, here. And it's not necessarily anyone's fault but the actual perpetrator--TC.

I understand what you are saying and I completely respect your opinion. I do not see experiencing codependency a character flaw. To have his actions explained away by him and believed before the kidnapping...i can't see how there isn't something completely unhealthy about is relationships. That comes back to him. Whatever they are experiencing is a result of him and how he manipulated people close to. Him. IMO, they can't be blamed for any off it. With that said, I still think there must be unhealthy dynamics in his family, resulting from his manipulation.

Basically, I don't see anything wrong with pointing it out if that's ones opinion. I respect that you disagree.

 

[Whiteorchids]

I don't know why anyone would think TC is getting special privileges. Inmates are likely allowed a certain number of phone calls and TC is using what he's allowed...and no doubt being closely monitored/recorded. Phone calls can be a gold mine for prosecutors.

I doubt he will have the same attorney today as will represent him in TN. The attorney will probably be court appointed today.
JMO

He will most likely have a public defender today or family has already retained private counsel. I wouldn't be surprised if one does it pro bono for all the media coverage this will get. Look what Casey Anthony did for Jose Baez.

 

[Lilibet]

It takes a while to negotiate a plea deal and get everyone signed off, so it almost never happens at an initial arraignment. There are a lot of behind the scenes boxes to check!

Yes, and I also think it's important to remember that it's up to the state to prove guilt. So a NG plea is a smart start to the negotiating process or eventual trial. No matter how strong the case, a defendant is innocent until proven guilty. Sadly, that can sometimes work to the advantage of someone like Casey Anthony. But I'm sure TC will spend a long time in prison no matter what he eventually pleads.
JMO

 

[Mercedes]

I listened to the interview and she was merely relaying what he said. It was not her opinion :moo:

Perhaps there is confusion among those that read articles that think that it was her view?

:dunno:

She was almost crying.