VA - Meghan Landowski, 16, raped & murdered, Portsmouth, 10 April 2008 #1

[Littledeer]

So blink, they are crossing all their i's and dotting their t's............

and any other letters that are needed for an arrest.

Which would mean they have STRONG EVIDENCE in their hands right now....and are either waiting for the final piece or for him to make a mistake.

 

[mmmbrownies]

I cant wrap around someone so fearful of her testifying that they risk a murder charge to boot. My guess is he is smart enough to know they would come after him first. Again, I think they know who did it, they just have to connect them without margin for error.

This is what I thought too. Seems to not make any sense at all, not just risking more jail time, possibly your own life.

 

[lizzybeth]

I've wondered the same thing. It's a lot less jail time for a rape than it is for murder. Maybe he was so angry at the time that he didn't think about that. Of course with what little bit we do know it sounds like whoever did it had it all planned out. Probably knowing she would be home alone, what time her step-dad would be getting home from work, etc.

 

[Blink34]

So blink, they are crossing all their i's and dotting their t's............

and any other letters that are needed for an arrest.

Which would mean they have STRONG EVIDENCE in their hands right now....and are either waiting for the final piece or for him to make a mistake.

The fact that they have not released the crime scene and they were still onsite their yesterday concerns me- Even if there is a ton of evidence to process, which I don't believe there is, they typically do not leave a crime scene and come back unless they don't find anything of merit.

 

[Spazkat9696]

We have city water. I don't think anyone in this area has septic tanks.

Sorry about posting that I saw a police officer pulling up the cover to the water hookup. You're right it was the drain that's at the curb.

Could the person she was to testify against have someone else do it? and just for show go the police station voluntarily for questioning (thinking it will make him look innocent)?

The neighbor said there is only one person that they can think of that would want to harm her.

No septic tanks but a lot of wells my MIL has one so do several of her neighbors and she lives around the corner from where this happened

 

[mmmbrownies]

We have city water. I don't think anyone in this area has septic tanks.

Sorry about posting that I saw a police officer pulling up the cover to the water hookup. You're right it was the drain that's at the curb.

Could the person she was to testify against have someone else do it? and just for show go the police station voluntarily for questioning (thinking it will make him look innocent)?

The neighbor said there is only one person that they can think of that would want to harm her.

About 5 years ago I was looking to buy a house in this area, I talked to an older gentleman that was an agent and he said that there was just the one lot (no house) that wasn't on city water and sewer and the city wanted some oulandish price to connect it. There's since been someone buy, build and connect to it. Those that live around here probably know where I mean.

 

[philamena]

DD- I agree with your post except for the fact that SEVERAL people knew she had been molested and that she was due in court the next day.....

That's exactly why her murder is NOT a coincidence with the day she was supposed to testify.

 

[Blink34]

That's exactly why her murder is NOT a coincidence with the day she was supposed to testify.

We all agree on that, now the question becomes- why wasn't she protected? Not in an effort to place blame- but how does the answer to this question potentially help the investigation?

 

[philamena]

Blink,
You got me....Meghan should have been protected.
Especially since she was to testify at the trial.
Why in the world hasn't the sexual predator been held for something? Imo either he did it or he got someone to do it.

Found this in today's paper. If it's already been posted, please tell me and I'll delete it.
http://hamptonroads.com/2008/04/neighbors-edge-portsmouth-police-investigate-slaying

Neighbors on edge in Portsmouth as police investigate slaying

April 17, 2008
PORTSMOUTH
The crime scene tape is gone from the family home where 16-year-old Meghan Landowski was found last week. The porch now is adorned with balloons, stuffed animals and flowers left in tribute to the slain teen.
Police still are pursuing leads but have reported no breaks in the homicide case

http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?S=8165018&nav=23ii

At one point, a female detective came running down the street, yelling for another detective. It appeared they had just found a piece of evidence about a block away from the house.

Moments later, a forensic technician carried the item away in a yellow envelope. Whatever was in that envelope was clearly important to the detectives.

 

[Blink34]

phil- absolutely, the questions surrounding the why not of that are critical. Like all of you, this is a child that was abused and killed for it- I can't sleep when I see this.

 

[philamena]

I feel the same way Blink. I feel like the justice system let Meghan down...surely they should have offered her protection.
And then her friends, they must have loved her dearly, yet no one could hang out with her that day after school.
It breaks my heart too.

 

[Blink34]

More than anything, for me, I am haunted by the preventableness of almost every facet of the pain in her life. In part I want someone to pay for it, and secondly I want what happened to her to matter...
To not be in vain-

 

[MeoW333]

This is probably a stupid question. But if someone flushed something down the toilet, wouldn't it go through the "sewer/water" pipe?? Could LE have had some idea or checking to see if there had been something flushed away???

I wondered the same thing about something being flushed down and the storm drain.. i wonder what was in the yellow envelope they found?
If Meghan had borrowed some mac & cheese from the next door neighbor, maybe it was one of the microwavable or a kraft box of it (one serving type). Meghan telling the neighbor she might be back over, seems Meghan's way of giving herself an "out" to leave her house and be with her neighbor if she got more scared again. I think it is very possible the perp maybe have been hiding somewhere in her house even before she came home from school (maybe a basement or attic?).

 

[lizzybeth]

I wonder why they even decided to look down that particular storm drain being as it was a block away. I don't know if maybe there was something visible from the street, they got a tip or what.

It really concerns me that no one has been arrested and they're asking for help on the crime line. It almost makes me think they don't know who murdered Meghan.

 

[Taximom]

So what happened the next day with that court case?

 

[KatK]

I wonder why they even decided to look down that particular storm drain being as it was a block away. I don't know if maybe there was something visible from the street, they got a tip or what.

I think they were just doing basic "check the area" sweeps, they knew the murderer wouldn't carry the weapon too far at that time of day, so they were checking nearby to find where it was disposed of.

 

[Chicogirl36]

I think they were just doing basic "check the area" sweeps, they knew the murderer wouldn't carry the weapon too far at that time of day, so they were checking nearby to find where it was disposed of.

I agree Kat, but SOMETHING (as lizzy said) had to lead them to it. IMO, if you drop an envelope down a sewer drain, it would fall so far, the naked eye woudnt see it. It is especially complexing since they already "thought" they had their man. I will bet you a $ that either he or an aquaintance of his knew what was up. I dont think he would be dumb enough to do that, but then again, look at all the dumb criminals we hve read on WS!

Also, as I dont know military law, would he have been allowed to be on active duty pending trial? I know that we are all innocent until proven guilty, but doesnt a CO have the power to remove him from his duties? I may be WAY off, so excuse my ignorance on military laws.

 

[Chicogirl36]

So what happened the next day with that court case?

Taximom- I havent heard anything about it. I would assume it would be post-poned seeing as the star witness is dead. Also, have we ever figured out if he is Navy or Marines? I have seen both in printed ads.

OT- I love your siggy about Dr Phil- had to share that one w/ DH

 

[Blink34]

I wonder why they even decided to look down that particular storm drain being as it was a block away. I don't know if maybe there was something visible from the street, they got a tip or what.

It really concerns me that no one has been arrested and they're asking for help on the crime line. It almost makes me think they don't know who murdered Meghan.

Im guessing that they perhpap hit on an area of a sink or toilet with a positive read for blood on a swab, or found aomething in the draincatch in the house. If I am not mistaken, the "frenzy" of the CSI started in the house and migrated to the storm drain- is that correct?

I said it the other day- if this molestation case was truly a factor, it very well may fall under the crawford ruling allowing the perp the right to cross exam, without a witness , that can't happen and the case could be dismissed. However, I am not a JAG or do I know the boundaries of military law. I would think the only way this stayed in tribunal is if the offense occurred on base-does anyone know if when they picked up the unsub if he lived on base or his address? We can look it up through property records

 

[Chicogirl36]

Im guessing that they perhpap hit on an area of a sink or toilet with a positive read for blood on a swab, or found aomething in the draincatch in the house. If I am not mistaken, the "frenzy" of the CSI started in the house and migrated to the storm drain- is that correct?

I said it the other day- if this molestation case was truly a factor, it very well may fall under the crawford ruling allowing the perp the right to cross exam, without a witness , that can't happen and the case could be dismissed. However, I am not a JAG or do I know the boundaries of military law. I would think the only way this stayed in tribunal is if the offense occurred on base-does anyone know if when they picked up the unsub if he lived on base or his address? We can look it up through property records

I did read that when the offense took place, he lived on base. I have also read that with all of the publicity, he moved off base, therefore the joint task force with NCIS and SWAT. I will try and find the links.