GUILTY TX - Christina Morris, 23, Plano, 30 August 2014 - #39 *Arrest*

[Eileen730]

Their priorities are not the same as yours. LE will not risk anything at all that might help EA get away with an abduction and murder. The case has not yet been tried. Their #1 priority is to get EA locked up for good where he can never again prey on an innocent victim, and finding Christina (while a high priority) is not as important at this point since they believe she was murdered by EA long ago.

So with all due respect to the family and those who want to find Christina, all they do stays close to the vest. I doubt you'll ever see a map or know where they are looking, unless you help them search.

BBM
What do u mean by this?

I would really love to see how much of an area has been searched?

Has nothing at all to do with my PRIORITIES!

 

[SteveS]

Their priorities are not the same as yours. LE will not risk anything at all that might help EA get away with an abduction and murder. The case has not yet been tried. Their #1 priority is to get EA locked up for good where he can never again prey on an innocent victim, and finding Christina (while a high priority) is not as important at this point since they believe she was murdered by EA long ago.

BBM
What do u mean by this?

I would really love to see how much of an area has been searched?

Has nothing at all to do with my PRIORITIES!

With all due respect, you're missing my point. You have an idle curiosity to see where searches have happened. I get that. It's normal. We all wonder.

But my point is, LE doesn't care about my curiosity or yours. Nor should they, I might add. They only care (and rightly so) about getting a conviction that locks away EA for good where he can never prey on an innocent victim again.

So as I see it, they're never going to publish maps showing where searches have already occurred, lest it help EA and his helpers somehow. While that doesn't assuage our curiosity, it's the wise route to take. They have a perp to convict, and at this point that's all that matters.

 

[BaeMomma]

Well, someone has been charged with the murder of Ashley Pegram in SC based on blood in the trunk, despite no body being found. Makes me wonder why LE does things so differently in different places! I assume they have far more blood and DNA evidence in Ashley's case. I'm using tapatalk app so I can't link the WS post on her, sorry!

I'd refer to SteveS post earlier about how they "might/could" lay these charges out AFTER the AK conviction is in stone and he's put away. No rush in a murder charge, but they do have a time limit on AK charge and his "speedy trial" right.

 

[BaeMomma]

They can charge him with aggravated kidnapping, for now, which can carry a long sentence and they believe they can win. They can add murder when they are ready.

<3 thank you logical thinker

 

[BaeMomma]

Defendant's get a speedy trial when they ask for one, I believe.

Well they have to ask for one (which he did-recently) but the prosecution explained to the judge how the shop vac was needing to be forensically reviewed (I believe 3 months they asked for) along with other possibilities that would delay the prosecutions argument for a delay to November....the judge agreed to this request to delay so therefore, BAM that's "reasonable" for this postponement of time. Yet, still allowing a speedy trial according to our bill of rights.

 

[TCMom]

I check in on this thread everyday, but I stopped posting long ago for the reasons you stated. I've noticed that those of us who were here since day one are no longer posting either. It's a shame, but it happens.
I just want Christina found. :rose'

I'm still here too. Been here since the beginning and spent several days searching. I've had to take a break from searching because family life had to be my priority. I still think about Christina every day.

Unfortunately there's just not that much "new" to talk about. The weather here has been unreal. I was just mentioning to my husband that I think the flooding of local areas may lend itself to finding her. I had a chill run down my spine about 5:15 driving home from work today - almost a premonition like feeling about her being found. I can only hope she's found soon. :-(

Eta: my profile picture on FB has been set to the Team Christina 'heart' for months now. I just can't bring myself to change it. Not sure when I'll be able to.

 

[margarita25]

I'm still here too. Been here since the beginning and spent several days searching. I've had to take a break from searching because family life had to be my priority. I still think about Christina every day.

Unfortunately there's just not that much "new" to talk about. The weather here has been unreal. I was just mentioning to my husband that I think the flooding of local areas may lend itself to finding her. I had a chill run down my spine about 5:15 driving home from work today - almost a premonition like feeling about her being found. I can only hope she's found soon. :-(

Eta: my profile picture on FB has been set to the Team Christina 'heart' for months now. I just can't bring myself to change it. Not sure when I'll be able to.

The floods indeed could unearth her, if she's been buried. Amy Ahonen was found after the floods, and I had the same feeling/thoughts about her beforehand. Jmo

 

[pappa rob]

The floods indeed could unearth her, if she's been buried. Amy Ahonen was found after the floods, and I had the same feeling/thoughts about her beforehand. Jmo

Not only the flooding, but then again all the searchers looking for the other unfortunate missing there. Texas and water don't mix well.. I, praying for all the missing there.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

Their priorities are not the same as yours.

LE will not risk anything at all that might help EA get away with an abduction and murder. The case has not yet been tried. Their #1 priority is to get EA locked up for good where he can never again prey on an innocent victim, and finding Christina (while a high priority) is not as important at this point since they believe she was murdered by EA long ago.

So with all due respect to the family and those who want to find Christina, all they do stays close to the vest. I doubt you'll ever see a map or know where they are looking, unless you help them search.

I disagree and I would go so far as to say LE would probably disagree with your assessment of their priorities, too. Finding Christina Morris is their #1 priority! They have him behind bars and they know they have a case against him. However, there is no doubt in my mind they would much prefer to have her body to charge him with First Degree Murder along with the Agg. Kidnapping charge. Finding her is definitely their #1 not EA. smh

That being said, his trial isn't why they are not sharing the search sites with the public. It is S.O.P. for various reasons, but they are not worried about messing up the Agg. Kidnapping case by releasing such info.

 

[heather.scissorhands]

I disagree and I would go so far as to say LE would probably disagree with your assessment of their priorities, too. Finding Christina Morris is their #1 priority! They have him behind bars and they know they have a case against him. However, there is no doubt in my mind they would much prefer to have her body to charge him with First Degree Murder along with the Agg. Kidnapping charge. Finding her is definitely their #1 not EA. smh

That being said, his trial isn't why they are not sharing the search sites with the public. It is S.O.P. for various reasons, but they are not worried about messing up the Agg. Kidnapping case by releasing such info.

I agree 100%. I can't imagine anything they would want more than finding her. Without a weapon and a body, the case is just not as strong. They absolutely know it is in their best interest to find her.

The only person it helps if they don't find her is EA. IMO

 

[SteveS]

I'm not saying everyone wouldn't rather find her, than not. But ...

1 It's not as if "publishing a map" is some sort of magic bullet that guarantees she will be found, or even adds an aid in a search. Searches are already mapped and coordinated. It's just a curiosity thing for those playing along at home.

2 Which is a higher priority right now - to get a conviction of EA where he will be locked up and never be able to do this to someone else, or to satisfy curiosity by publishing a map that EA's defense might find helpful in escaping conviction somehow? Certainly it's the former.

3 And we have to understand that the family already has the map. They know where they have searched, and they coordinate the searches. If you want to search, they'll welcome the help and make sure you search where it may help. This gives them some measure of control, which really helps the ultimate goal.

4 For the murder charge, they would certainly benefit from having a body. But for the AK case they are preparing for, to get him locked up for good? I'm not convinced it helps. It muddies the waters of a currently simple narrative.

The top priority right now is to win the case and lock EA up for good, where he can't abduct and murder another innocent victim - bird in the hand stuff. Get the AK conviction first, then muddy the waters later.

 

[heather.scissorhands]

I don't care about whether they publish the searches or not. I do not agree with your assessment of the priorities of LE. It seems like the waters are already pretty muddy since you are correlating those two thoughts.

And a body and a weapon will most definitely still strengthen their AK case, so I just do not get where you are coming from at all.

 

[frisson]

I don't care about whether they publish the searches or not. I do not agree with your assessment of the priorities of LE. It seems like the waters are already pretty muddy since you are correlating those two thoughts.

And a body and a weapon will most definitely still strengthen their AK case, so I just do not get where you are coming from at all.

Thank you, logical thinker.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

I'm not saying everyone wouldn't rather find her, than not. But ...

1 It's not as if "publishing a map" is some sort of magic bullet that guarantees she will be found, or even adds an aid in a search. Searches are already mapped and coordinated. It's just a curiosity thing for those playing along at home.

2 Which is a higher priority right now - to get a conviction of EA where he will be locked up and never be able to do this to someone else, or to satisfy curiosity by publishing a map that EA's defense might find helpful in escaping conviction somehow? Certainly it's the former.

3 And we have to understand that the family already has the map. They know where they have searched, and they coordinate the searches. If you want to search, they'll welcome the help and make sure you search where it may help. This gives them some measure of control, which really helps the ultimate goal.

4 For the murder charge, they would certainly benefit from having a body. But for the AK case they are preparing for, to get him locked up for good? I'm not convinced it helps. It muddies the waters of a currently simple narrative.

The top priority right now is to win the case and lock EA up for good, where he can't abduct and murder another innocent victim - bird in the hand stuff. Get the AK conviction first, then muddy the waters later.

1. Publishing a map could indeed help locate her because of so many areas of private property to be searched. It would allow the landowners to know if they could assist by checking their own area in an effort to find this woman and give others a chance to inform the landowners if they are unaware.

I highly resent this statement: "It's just a curiosity thing for those playing along at home." People have no idea what others do here. Because you may be one of those certainly does not mean the rest of us are.

2. The HIGHEST priority is to find the victim, Christina Morris! There is no reason to think after the arrest, charges being filed, and EA being held for this long to suspect they do not have enough evidence to prove at least some guilt in the Agg. Kidnapping. They want and need desperately to find their victim to prove beyond any doubt she was taken in a kidnapping and murdered. Period. Again, the trial and case against EA is NOT the reason they do not release the areas of search. I am not going to go into every reason, but it is fairly standard across the board with LE not to broadcast it.

3. If the family has LE's search map then why don't they release it? They have done things their own way and this would be something quite productive to move toward finding Christina since LE won't do it.

4. Muddies what waters?! This makes no sense. Bird in the hand...seriously?! The absolute BEST way to keep EA locked up for certain (or to move the case into the death penalty box) is to find her body. No ifs, ands, or buts...

FIND CHRISTINA MORRIS AND CHARGE HIM WITH FIRST DEGREE MURDER!! <<<THIS is their agenda!!

 

[SteveS]

SS, with all due respect I stand by my statement that there is no positive benefit to publishing a map of where they have searched, other than to satisfy curiosity of those playing along at home. :takeabow:In fact, just the opposite! To address the justifications you mentioned:

(a) The landowner excuse is just wrong, since I (and every other local landowner) already knows whether or not our land has been searched: either they asked for permission and searched, or they didn't ask and didn't search. No mystery. You don't have permission to scour non-public land without permission in Texas. Ever. (You can legally get shot, too.) (b) The family doesn't release their map of where they've searched because it would serve no beneficial purpose to do so. They already guide the searchers, and they know where they have searched. They have no desire to release info that might somehow be used to benefit EA and help him wriggle out of paying for his horrendous crimes against Christina. (c) Your assertion that maximizing the chances for a conviction is NOT a priority may be how you look at things, and is certainly an idea that EA's defense team loves, but it is not an idea that the family or LE share (and their thinking is all that really matters). Neither would ever consider doing ANYTHING to lessen the odds for the easiest conviction for the longest term, so that EA will get locked away EA for good for what he did to Christina, and where he can never prey on an innocent victim again.

Most importantly on that last point, the best route to finding Christina is not providing a map that might help EA, but just the opposite: increase the certainty that he's going to be locked away forever. If anything will get him to talk and tell where he put her, it will be a sword of doom hanging over his head, and a desire to lessen the punishment that will multiply if she's found. Keep him in the dark about everything you are doing and where you are looking, so he never knows if you are close, or what tomorrow holds.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

SS, with all due respect I stand by my statement that there is no positive benefit to publishing a map of where they have searched, other than to satisfy curiosity of those playing along at home. :takeabow:In fact, just the opposite! To address the justifications you mentioned:

(a) The landowner excuse is just wrong, since I (and every other local landowner) already knows whether or not our land has been searched: either they asked for permission and searched, or they didn't ask and didn't search. No mystery. You don't have permission to scour non-public land without permission in Texas. Ever. (You can legally get shot, too.) (b) The family doesn't release their map of where they've searched because it would serve no beneficial purpose to do so. They already guide the searchers, and they know where they have searched. They have no desire to release info that might somehow be used to benefit EA and help him wriggle out of paying for his horrendous crimes against Christina. (c) Your assertion that maximizing the chances for a conviction is NOT a priority may be how you look at things, and is certainly an idea that EA's defense team loves, but it is not an idea that the family or LE share (and their thinking is all that really matters). Neither would ever consider doing ANYTHING to lessen the odds for the easiest conviction for the longest term, so that EA will get locked away EA for good for what he did to Christina, and where he can never prey on an innocent victim again.

Most importantly on that last point, the best route to finding Christina is not providing a map that might help EA, but just the opposite: increase the certainty that he's going to be locked away forever. If anything will get him to talk and tell where he put her, it will be a sword of doom hanging over his head, and a desire to lessen the punishment that will multiply if she's found. Keep him in the dark about everything you are doing and where you are looking, so he never knows if you are close, or what tomorrow holds.

(modsnip)

Please show me where I said anyone could go on private property without permission. I am not sure how many missing person cases you have worked on prior to this one, but there are always certain protocols to follow when searching. There are also many areas never searched because either the landowner could not be found or because no one bothered to let them know about the need to look themselves. Many people in the immediate area of where she went missing are not even aware of this case. If people realized their property could hold the body of a young female victim, they would act and do something about clearing it, imo. It would make more sense to contact the local news media and schedule a day for all the landowners to search or to ask for searchers to come so as many people as possible were out looking for her. The point is to find Christina (unless it is like you said the family and LE think it could hinder this case against EA to find her too soon or whatever you all believe it is could cause him to go free?).

You didn't explain exactly how a map could in some way help him slide out from under this Agg. Kidnapping charge, but I would like to hear it. I cannot think of one thing a search map could give a defense team to enable their client to walk.

I do not care if anyone releases a map of the search areas or not. Like I said before, LE's SOP is not to release them. However, it is definitely not going to hinder this case if they did. Anyone who believes EA would incriminate himself for murder if they put a map with an X in front of him close to where he left her is sadly mistaken, imo. Sword of doom?! He has a charge of Agg. Kidnapping hanging over his head and is looking at life in prison. Why would he ever talk and risk the DP? Not going to happen if his lawyer has any smarts.

(modsnip)

 

[Seajay]

Yes, find Christina NOW!

 

[zippixx]

Respectfully to all & IMO, there are valid reasons LE/PPD have not released search areas. They are highly trained professionals & I'm not going to play "arm-chair" detective & second-guess them. Personally, I would not think it's wise to disclose search areas. What if they missed her & EA knew that? Then it's certain he will never speak. I prefer him to be "nervous".
I would imagine that right now, their #1 priority is convicting EA on the AK charge (with the facts & evidence they currently have). There is the realistic possibility that she may never be found. I'm just not sure if LE is willing to invest countless hours of manpower, time & money looking for a needle in a mountain. If CM happens to be found.. icing on the cake... & then they can pursue a possible murder charge at that time. (JMO - IMO - MOO)

 

[cluciano63]

Imo, LE can't just search blindly in such an enormous area. They need to have pings or something to go off. EA had so much time before it was even known Christina was missing. While I believe he disposed of her body within hours of taking her, it is possible he did not, or that he has since moved her. She could be anywhere. Jmo

 

[zippixx]

Imo, LE can't just search blindly in such an enormous area. They need to have pings or something to go off. EA had so much time before it was even known Christina was missing. While I believe he disposed of her body within hours of taking her, it is possible he did not, or that he has since moved her. She could be anywhere. Jmo

Agreed.. <modsnip> it is the reality of the situation. Searches cost money & unless LE has valid leads, information, etc.. they're not going to throw a dart at a map & say, "ok.. lets search that area".. (jmo)