Hi. I'm brand new to this site and late to this discussion. I live not far from where this crime took place. I did not know the victim but identify with her on many levels. The viciousness of this attack has rocked our community, and it both chills me to the bone and breaks my heart.
Anyway, I've read through this entire thread and I want to bring up two possibilities that struck me along the way. My gut feeling the more I think about this case-- and knowing that locally one of the suspects is said to barely have two brain cells to rub together-- is leaning toward some kind of third part involvement. This may not be direct involvement (police have certainly not hinted at the possibility of another suspect out there)-- maybe it was from afar, over the internet. But I feel someone was egging this perp on and giving him tips on what to do. My reason for thinking this is partly because of all the flash drives he had (which I agree, may link him to other crimes as well).
Also, I can't entirely discount the possibility that Melissa was targeted partly for having a bi-racial son. It may have angered AP that she had been with a black guy but didn't want him. It's not like everyone in VT is enlightened and free of racist tendencies, especially if they're less educated. Plus again, with the internet it's possible to hook up with all kinds of discussions that have white supremacist leanings, adding further fuel to that fire. My reason for feeling there may have been some racism contributing to the motive is the apparent anger and viciousness of the attack-- strangulation and severe beating. I initially dismissed this possibility because they didn't touch Ty-- but now I wonder if they may have left him alone partly to point away from a hate crime (which would also qualify this as a federal crime). Don't get me wrong, I doubt the police would be able to gather enough evidence to charge this as a hate crime, and I doubt racism was the only motive, but it could have been a factor. Attacking her right in front of her child indicates no regard for him. Some locals claim this guy was so stupid and unaware he didn't even know Ty was there. But then I also heard Melissa yelled to her son to stay in his seat (although I'm not sure how anyone would know if she yelled to him unless the child somehow relayed that information). Anyway, maybe the anger was more directed at Melissa, again, for having been with a black guy but not wanting AP. I'm not sure if PP was an instigator or an equal participant, but I agree she had some major anger issues herself (and probably jealousy) to take part in this. Plus the look on her face in that first photo is chilling and even a little smug, I thought-- she looked like she had zero remorse and was just focused on denying everything.
Anyway, my feeling about someone else having a hand in this, even if not directly, is all just a gut feeling. I honestly think weve only heard the tip of the iceberg about this case, and I'm not really sure I want to know more. I hope Melissa is in a far better place now, but it saddens me to my core that her son had to see her dragged off never to return. As much as this case sickens and saddens me, I still feel the need to understand.
