TN TN - Rhonda Daugherty, 49, LaFollette, 2 Dec 2014 - *L. Vann guilty*

[shefner]

So they have enough evidence to convince a grand jury that Vann is responsible, while all along lying to the public about whether the cases were even connected.

This press conference reminds me of a Seinfeld episode...........a press conference "about nothing".

This is already taking on the look and the feel of the Holly Bobo case........tight lipped about everything and no progress being made.

They issue warrants on hunches and rumors. Like some famous legal scholar said one time, "you could get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich". The Holly Bobo case is in tatters due to this exact type of "investigation".

The TBI wouldn't even accept any reporter questions at the conference explaining any of this. I assume they must have some kind of evidence to back up the grand jury indictment, but I wouldn't really count on it. An indictment means absolutely nothing without the evidence to convict come court day. I think this is just a ploy to try and trump the robbery charges in South Carolina with murder charges in Tennessee. We all have a "hunch" that Vann is responsible for this, any reasonable person would come to that conclusion, and most of us already have.

They still haven't found her body, and unless they are going to start searching private property, they probably aren't going to. Lonnie Vann knew that area like the back of his hand, having grown up there and lived there his entire life. These TBI boys aren't even locals to that area, therefore they have no idea where to even start looking.

Unless that body found in Knoxville today was her, I don't know why they are doing this out of left field all of a sudden.

I DETEST the tactics of the TBI. Why not work with the public? We could be their friends....

 

[bragi]

So they have enough evidence to convince a grand jury that Vann is responsible, while all along lying to the public about whether the cases were even connected.

This press conference reminds me of a Seinfeld episode...........a press conference "about nothing".

This is already taking on the look and the feel of the Holly Bobo case........tight lipped about everything and no progress being made.

They issue warrants on hunches and rumors. Like some famous legal scholar said one time, "you could get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich". The Holly Bobo case is in tatters due to this exact type of "investigation".

The TBI wouldn't even accept any reporter questions at the conference explaining any of this. I assume they must have some kind of evidence to back up the grand jury indictment, but I wouldn't really count on it. An indictment means absolutely nothing without the evidence to convict come court day. I think this is just a ploy to try and trump the robbery charges in South Carolina with murder charges in Tennessee. We all have a "hunch" that Vann is responsible for this, any reasonable person would come to that conclusion, and most of us already have.

They still haven't found her body, and unless they are going to start searching private property, they probably aren't going to. Lonnie Vann knew that area like the back of his hand, having grown up there and lived there his entire life. These TBI boys aren't even locals to that area, therefore they have no idea where to even start looking.

Unless that body found in Knoxville today was her, I don't know why they are doing this out of left field all of a sudden.

None of us have the information the police have. To get a grand jury to approve an indictment, sufficient evidence has to be presented to convince the jurors that a trial is warranted. I wouldn't be surprised if LE knew it was him from day one, and has had evidence for a long time now.

LE is under no obligation to reveal everything they know. Why would they just announce all of their suspicions and evidence to the public? So Vann could get a head start?

This facts in this case are clear. <modsnip>

 

[jeanne8]

All I can say is there is evidence , and one of the TBI agents is a local but with connections to the Vann's . Not much help as far as I am concerned . TBI is still being pretty close mouthed about everything. Today being her dad's funeral I thought it was bad form to do all this today , could have waited another day.

 

[Knox]

None of us have the information the police have. To get a grand jury to approve an indictment, sufficient evidence has to be presented to convince the jurors that a trial is warranted. I wouldn't be surprised if LE knew it was him from day one, and has had evidence for a long time now.

LE is under no obligation to reveal everything they know. Why would they just announce all of their suspicions and evidence to the public? So Vann could get a head start?

This facts in this case are clear. Don't stir ****.

Rhonda went Missing December 2
Vann robbed the couple in Campbell County and went on the run December 5
Vann was arrested in SC on December 12

That's a pretty tight timeline. Your comment regarding a head start doesn't make sense? After he bailed they should have immediately put the info out to the public, along with the armed robbery case.

LE does this all the time, they could have just said he was a POI in a missing person's case. Do you realize what a danger he was to the public at this point? LV was twisting off in a major way. He went from transporting and trying to take liberties with a minor; to kidnapping & murder, and TWO armed robberies. Thank God no one else was hurt!!

IMO, if the TBI were not involved, the CCSO would have released information on her case. Goins apologized to the media at PC for their silence ...

What facts are you referring to?

 

[steelman]

Here are a few basic questions that could have been addressed yesterday.

Do you have direct evidence that Lonnie Vann abducted Rhonda, yes or no ?

Do you have direct evidence that Lonnie Vann murdered Rhonda, yes or no ?

Two questions, two answers. That would be enough to make me rest easier.

Instead, we get "the grand jury decided to indict Vann". ....... Based on what, rumors, emotions, common sense ?

The point being, if the evidence were strong enough, they wouldn't need the grand jury to decide anything. They would have just pressed murder and kidnapping charges on Vann themselves, like most police departments do. This seems like a very convenient "out" for LE if this thing unravels, they can blame it on the grand jury and the judge that issued the warrant.

 

[m_brown]

Rhonda went Missing December 2
Vann robbed the couple in Campbell County and went on the run December 5
Vann was arrested in SC on December 12

That's a pretty tight timeline. Your comment regarding a head start doesn't make sense? After he bailed they should have immediately put the info out to the public, along with the armed robbery case.

LE does this all the time, they could have just said he was a POI in a missing person's case. Do you realize what a danger he was to the public at this point? LV was twisting off in a major way. He went from transporting and trying to take liberties with a minor; to kidnapping & murder, and TWO armed robberies. Thank God no one else was hurt!!

IMO, if the TBI were not involved, the CCSO would have released information on her case. Goins apologized to the media at PC for their silence ...

What facts are you referring to?

Knox, I agree with you. BBM. He very much was a danger to the public at this time. However, I am wondering if perhaps they didn't want to link him to Rhonda so as not to escalate his actions even further. Linking him publicly to a missing person case may have made him even more desperate.

Although, since he has been in custody since Dec. 12, I do not understand why they haven't released more information since that date.

 

[jeanne8]

I have to believe they where waiting on DNA evidence from the crime lab. As for the comment earlier about giving Mr. Vann a head start I think the poster meant that if LE tells what evidence they have his defense will have a head start trying to come up with a plausible excuse for said evidence . Thanks to all for your kind words at this very difficult time, they are greatly appreciated.

 

[Knox]

Yes, I see now what the poster was saying, sorry bragi. I was cognitively impaired from lack of sleep yesterday ...

http://slide.ly/view/9c97fd5560b1aa40d8cdf79bf5465f22?utm_source=Fb_ORG_Share
Beautiful tribute to Rhonda, tissue alert.

 

[jeanne8]

Lonnie Vann released from S.C. , can't wait to get him back here.

HC12141439639 View Photo VANN, LONNIE LEE
JACKSONBORO, TN 37757 AMERICAN (US) MALE 11/25/1970
44 12/14/2014 8:28:00 PM 1/9/2015 11:52:00 AM
ARMED ROBBERY, ROBBERY WHILE ARMED OR ALLEGEDLY ARMED W/ DEADLY WEAPON - $75,000.00
BURGLARY 1ST DEGREE - Disposed - NO BAIL SET
POSSESSION OF A WEAPON DURING VIOLENT CRIME - Disposed - $10,000.00
FUGITIVE - Disposed - NO BAIL SET
SALE OR DELIVERY OF PISTOL TO, AND POSSESSION BY, CERTAIN PERSONS UNLAWFUL - Disposed - $25,000.00

 

[Knox]

Vann, 44, was extradited late Friday from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where authorities say he fled last month after killing Rhonda Daugherty, 49.

He was booked and processed at the Campbell County Jail. But according to Chief Deputy Aaron Evans of the Sheriff's Department, Vann will be held for "safety reasons and conflict" at the Knox County Detention Facility.

It's not clear when he'll face arraignment on the charges, issued Wednesday by a Campbell County grand jury.
http://www.wbir.com/story/news/crim...y-to-face-murder-kidnapping-charges/21534523/

 

[sreshowtime]

oh no no, I missed the news of the indictment...my sympathy to the family, may she be found soon, someone please think back , some little something may lead to her I hope

 

[jeanne8]

Lonnie Vann's arraignment is tomorrow morning at 8:00 Campbell County courthouse.

 

[Hraefn]

Here are a few basic questions that could have been addressed yesterday.

Do you have direct evidence that Lonnie Vann abducted Rhonda, yes or no ?

Do you have direct evidence that Lonnie Vann murdered Rhonda, yes or no ?

Two questions, two answers. That would be enough to make me rest easier.

Instead, we get "the grand jury decided to indict Vann". ....... Based on what, rumors, emotions, common sense ?

The point being, if the evidence were strong enough, they wouldn't need the grand jury to decide anything. They would have just pressed murder and kidnapping charges on Vann themselves, like most police departments do. This seems like a very convenient "out" for LE if this thing unravels, they can blame it on the grand jury and the judge that issued the warrant.

The standard of proof for an indictment (via Grand Jury) and an information (via preliminary hearing) are the exact same - probable cause to believe that a crime has occurred and probable cause that the defendant committed the crime. In a Grand Jury, the benefits are that the hearing is confidential and that the defendant (and defense counsel) are not present. The Grand Jury here would be the obvious choice given that LV was not in the state at the time (usually a defendant has to request a preliminary hearing, I'm not positive on TN laws on this issue). Also, I'm guessing they wanted the confidentiality to protect the witnesses at this early stage. And to prevent the defense from knowing all the evidence they do have against LV.

 

[wendybtn]

<modsnip>

In other events, I was trying to find some news about the remains in Knoxville, failed so far. I will see if I can't catch Mr. Vann' s hearing in the morning. Campbell County is not too far away. Poor family, community.

 

[Sparky]

<modsnip>

In other events, I was trying to find some news about the remains in Knoxville, failed so far. I will see if I can't catch Mr. Vann' s hearing in the morning. Campbell County is not too far away. Poor family, community.

Male
http://www.local8now.com/news/headl...wn-Knoxville-287821391.html?device=tablet&c=y

 

[OkieGranny]

http://www.local8now.com/home/headl...ds-not-guilty-on-murder-charge-288269741.html

Former Campbell County teacher Lonnie Vann has pleaded not guilty to charges of first degree murder, kidnapping and armed robbery...

His next court appearance is scheduled for April 13.

 

[steelman]

Lonnie Lee Vann appeared in Criminal Court this morning to be arraigned for the murder and kidnapping of Rhonda Kitts Daugherty, who has been missing since Dec. 2. Vann pleaded not guilty via a public defender and had his court date reset for spring, April 13.

http://www.1450wlaf.com/

 

[steelman]

Lonnie Lee Vann was recently extradited from Myrtle Beach South Carolina on charges of murder and kidnapping. He is currently being held at the Knoxville Detention Center on a $1 million dollar bond.

http://www.1450wlaf.com/

 

[steelman]

During his arraignment for the murder of Rhonda Kitts Daugherty, Lonnie Lee Vann hustled in and out of the courtroom, taking a brief moment to fill out paperwork for an appointed attorney before being swept out of the courtroom to be transported back to Knoxville where he is being held.

http://www.1450wlaf.com/

 

[steelman]

Campbell County School Board

The board also voted to authorize Director Donnie Poston to revoke the tenure of former teacher Lonnie Vann and to begin proceedings to have Vann&#8217;s state teaching certificate revoked. Vann, who has been indicted for the kidnapping and murder of Rhonda Daugherty, was placed on suspension without pay after he was charged last year with sexual assault on a minor.

http://www.1450wlaf.com/

Looks like Lonnie won't be able to teach school anymore....................