Tuesday 14th April

[aproudmom]

video talking about her saying it was a accident
http://www.kcra.com/video/19181739/index.html

[Themis]

Oh yes I know. I bet they have the evidence to prove it too. I think she lured her there with a promise of letting her help decorate for Easter. She'd probably been planning it for some time beforehand.

She knew no one would be at the church and at the house she knew there was too much threat of possible interruption.
I T A. Especially since, IIRC, Melissa was gone only about one hour, according to her grandmother who was back at the mobile home.
[JMO * Themis]

[~jomomma~]

Maybe someone in her family went to the salon and she wanted the same thing done too. :smile: She was a beautiful little girl, in both the older and newer pictures.

wow, in this one, it has 2008-2009 on it. that would be this school years pic, right? so i guess it's not as old as i was thinking! what a beautiful little girl.

http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm166/crankycrankerson/Sandra%20Cantu/?action=view&current=SANDRACANTU2.jpg

[Ice Cycle]

Sorry CJ. We are going to disagree here. If I had a child that hurt another in school I wouldn't be telling the school personal about the wonders of my child. I would be talking taking him or her by the ear and letting them know it was wrong. These parents that want to defend their kin that have done such horrors are responsible too. They are responsible for playing into sick behavior and pushing it under the carpet.

No, I would not be reporting to the press the wonders of my child. I might ask for prayers and forgiveness for him or her. But excuses? Save it.

Yes but their is a difference in a child doing something bad in school than being in the National headlines for murder. Though most people would correct their child they would want to find out if they were guilty or not but keep in mind this is not a child but a 28 year old woman. Control over young children is alot easier than over adult children.
Plus it is only nature that parents will go to their child's defense when the whole world is against them, I think they just want to give her the benefit of the doubt, doesn't mean they approve or let alone condone or will eventually not alienate in their own way. I think she was probably raised right and if these charges are true then something went way wrong along the way that she obviously kept from them and maybe that just can't yet come to grips with that. Most normal people can comprehend this so I am sure it is at the least equally as hard for the parents to.

[oodi]

not sure oodi
you think she broke more today? I had seen the church many times just not from that angle..and it looked to have a camper in the lot so that threw me off...

According to the KCRA report, she spoke to investigators more today, which I found very strange. I'm surprised her atty would allow that... unless there is some kind of plea in the works to avoid the death penalty.

[aproudmom]

aww she used that lawyer in her other case...so she knew her already

[meadowlark]

not sure oodi
you think she broke more today? I had seen the church many times just not from that angle..and it looked to have a camper in the lot so that threw me off...


did you see a camper? was it white by any chance?

[aproudmom]

According to the KCRA report, she spoke to investigators more today, which I found very strange. I'm surprised her atty would allow that... unless there is some kind of plea in the works to avoid the death penalty.

well she knows this lawyer it is her PD in her other case and as we know she can talk if she wants to..maybe to save her from the DP...or perhaps so she does not look as bad I don't know but nothing these days would surprise me....jmo

[aproudmom]

did you see a camper? was it white by any chance?

I think would have to go back and look

[sunstar]

wow, in this one, it has 2008-2009 on it. that would be this school years pic, right? so i guess it's not as old as i was thinking! what a beautiful little girl.

http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm166/crankycrankerson/Sandra%20Cantu/?action=view&current=SANDRACANTU2.jpg

I'm glad you found the date on it ~ I was kind of thinking it might be this year's school photo, because she looks the same age as the most recent photos. Yes, she was very beautiful!!

[aproudmom]

wow, in this one, it has 2008-2009 on it. that would be this school years pic, right? so i guess it's not as old as i was thinking! what a beautiful little girl.

http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm166/crankycrankerson/Sandra%20Cantu/?action=view&current=SANDRACANTU2.jpg

so sweet so hard to look at..

[Ice Cycle]

No way that is way to much lighter sorry I disagree..and it is not summer when she is out playing in a pool nah don't think so.my kids hair lighten also in the summer but have you not seen just how dark her hair was...jmo

Well my Daughters stayed light sometimes through most of the winter, I think some children's hair is finer than others and lighten easier. But I have pictures of myself that my hair appears dark brown almost black when it was actually a medium to light brown, not dyed at the time and have seen others that showed the same way. Pictures don't always tell the story. It might not be but I find it hard to believe her Mom was letting her get her hair dyed at that age.

[sunstar]

According to the KCRA report, she spoke to investigators more today, which I found very strange. I'm surprised her atty would allow that... unless there is some kind of plea in the works to avoid the death penalty.

Or maybe someone else involved somehow? :shrug:

[aproudmom]

did you see a camper? was it white by any chance?

here it is
http://www.kcra.com/image/19181300/detail.html

[Themis]

Oh yes I know. I bet they have the evidence to prove it too. I think she lured her there with a promise of letting her help decorate for Easter. She'd probably been planning it for some time beforehand.
She knew no one would be at the church and at the house she knew there was too much threat of possible interruption.
<bolding is mine>
Yep ... lured little Sandra who earlier wanted to go to the movies but did not have enough money.
That little tyke was just looking for something fun to do.:sad:
[JMO * Themis]

[GentleBreeze]

She started crying when the judge talked about the charges, but she cried the MOST at mention of HER OWN NAME. I think she's shocked and totally saddened at finding herself caught finally. She's been doing this for a long time I believe.

I totally agree, Adalena. A pedophile just doesn't start raping little children with foreign objects and molesting them at 28 years of age. I think she has abused children before and they are too afraid or ashamed to come forward. And I am not so sure if her own child wasn't one of them. I wonder if they slept together in the same bed at GP and GMs home?

imo

[oodi]

Or maybe someone else involved somehow? :shrug:


I doubt it. I think this case must be very unique, and that is why the FBI Behavioral Science Unit is so interested. I don't think it would be so "unique" if she was working with another person(s).

[dinojen]

aww she used that lawyer in her other case...so she knew her already


I don't think this is the same PD.. because the woman atty that was with her today just met her today and had no time to talk to her prior to today's appearance. I think the one that was with her today at her arraignment is going to be her PD now though.

[~jomomma~]

Are you of hispanic descent? Their hair doesn't lighten in the sun.

This child had hispanic black hair, as does her mother and brother, and before she went missing it was almost blonde. It was cosmetically bleached.

look at this one....then take a look at the next couple on the page to view. it looks like they were cropped (probly to put on her missing flier). the the next couple pics are alot darker than the original photo.

http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm166/crankycrankerson/Sandra%20Cantu/?action=view&current=SANDRACANTU2.jpg

[aproudmom]

Or maybe someone else involved somehow? :shrug:

they say no

[oodi]

Are you of hispanic descent? Their hair doesn't lighten in the sun.

This child had hispanic black hair, as does her mother and brother, and before she went missing it was almost blonde. It was cosmetically bleached.

Three of my four children are half hispanic, and their hair lightens in the sun. Some to the point of being blonde, and one even has blue eyes.

[Riverwalk!]

I don't think this is the same PD.. because the woman atty that was with her today just met her today and had no time to talk to her prior to today's appearance. I think the one that was with her today at her arraignment is going to be her PD now though.

It's the same PD that she used in the Target theft case

http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_12133412

[meadowlark]

According to the KCRA report, she spoke to investigators more today, which I found very strange. I'm surprised her atty would allow that... unless there is some kind of plea in the works to avoid the death penalty.

She might as well say it was an accident, I had said she should have said that in the beginning, she would not have all these other charges piled on her had she had. I don't think this is all she is going to say. This case is going to get very bizarre or it will all be hushed up somehow.

so, what are they going to do, let her tell them everything about everything and let her plead to some "accidental death" charge?

Boy that is going over like a lead balloon! Do they believe the public is going for that? What about Sandra's family, how would they explain that to them?

Maybe the outcome of her talking will explain it all? This is going to be a crazy crazy case.

[oodi]

I don't think this is the same PD.. because the woman atty that was with her today just met her today and had no time to talk to her prior to today's appearance. I think the one that was with her today at her arraignment is going to be her PD now though.

The report I heard said the PD today was the same PD that was handling her theft case.

[GentleBreeze]

I T A. Especially since, IIRC, Melissa was gone only about one hour, according to her grandmother who was back at the mobile home.
[JMO * Themis]

It sure didn't take her long to abandon Sandra's little body in that pond did it?:sad:

[meadowlark]

I think would have to go back and look


I'll gladly go look if someone can tell me where ? was it in an article or a video? or what, I don't mind searching for things.

[playnice]

I doubt it. I think this case must be very unique, and that is why the FBI Behavioral Science Unit is so interested. I don't think it would be so "unique" if she was working with another person(s).

I dont think anyone else was involved either. My brain just cannot grasp how she could have done this horrible crime and I do not feel sorry for her tears. She was enjoying her games with the media. Was she dropping clues thinking she had outsmarted LE? She was crying today because she realized how serious these charges are and she will never be out of jail again.I do feel sorry for her family and her daughter. She just wrecked all their lives as well as destroying Sandras life and her family's. I cant understand what these people are thinking when they commit these horrible crimes.

[sunstar]

I doubt it. I think this case must be very unique, and that is why the FBI Behavioral Science Unit is so interested. I don't think it would be so "unique" if she was working with another person(s).

Well, it was just a guess why she might still be talking ~ assuming she is. :smile: MOO

[~jomomma~]

I dont think anyone else was involved either. My brain just cannot grasp how she could have done this horrible crime and I do not feel sorry for her tears. She was enjoying her games with the media. Was she dropping clues thinking she had outsmarted LE? She was crying today because she realized how serious these charges are and she will never be out of jail again.I do feel sorry for her family and her daughter. She just wrecked all their lives as well as destroying Sandras life and her family's. I cant understand what these people are thinking when they commit these horrible crimes.

she even showed up at one of the vigils!! :flamemad:

[crazydazy]

This child had hispanic black hair, as does her mother and brother, and before she went missing it was almost blonde. It was cosmetically bleached.[/QUOTE]

It may not have been bleached..my daughter now has med brown hair but it was very dark when she was younger. When she was about 8 or 9, I had given myself a body wave and had some left over and she begged me to give her " curly hair too" so i gave her a mini body wave and it lightened her hair to about the lighter shade of Sandra's. A possibility maybe?

[sunstar]

I don't think this is the same PD.. because the woman atty that was with her today just met her today and had no time to talk to her prior to today's appearance. I think the one that was with her today at her arraignment is going to be her PD now though.

That's what I understood too, and why she asked the judge to continue until Apr. 24 for the plea. I've seen that happen before when an attorney hasn't had a chance to even talk to their client. MOO

[aproudmom]

I don't think this is the same PD.. because the woman atty that was with her today just met her today and had no time to talk to her prior to today's appearance. I think the one that was with her today at her arraignment is going to be her PD now though.

go to 4:03 she was her PD
ok well the report was wrong then just listened to it..
http://www.kcra.com/video/19181739/index.html
says she told them a accident



here is the one for the new search warrants
http://www.kcra.com/video/19181357/index.html
the note is the reason for the new searches??

[oodi]

She might as well say it was an accident, I had said she should have said that in the beginning, she would not have all these other charges piled on her had she had. I don't think this is all she is going to say. This case is going to get very bizarre or it will all be hushed up somehow.

so, what are they going to do, let her tell them everything about everything and let her plead to some "accidental death" charge?

Boy that is going over like a lead balloon! Do they believe the public is going for that? What about Sandra's family, how would they explain that to them?

Maybe the outcome of her talking will explain it all? This is going to be a crazy crazy case.

Apparently, there is already some sort of documentation about mental health issues, which is why she was required to go to the mental health clinic. I'm wondering if there won't be some sort of "insanity" defense. Especially after hearing her atty today ask the judge about adjustments to her medications.

[meadowlark]

here it is
http://www.kcra.com/image/19181300/detail.html

thank you !!!!!!!

edit, well went and looked, but that is not the one I am looking for, but thank you for looking it up.

if anyone sees a white camper/not trailer, or a box van type container white with trailer/camper siding, please let me know thanx

[playnice]

she even showed up at one of the vigils!! :flamemad:

How could she even look at Sandra's family and see their pain and heartache and go about like it was just another day? :cursing:

[ginky41]

Or maybe someone else involved somehow? :shrug:

They are still saying they believe she acted alone.

[aproudmom]

That's what I understood too, and why she asked the judge to continue until Apr. 24 for the plea. I've seen that happen before when an attorney hasn't had a chance to even talk to their client. MOO

they say it in this video at 4:03 she was her lawyer in a case earlier..
http://www.kcra.com/video/19181739/index.html

[playnice]

Apparently, there is already some sort of documentation about mental health issues, which is why she was required to go to the mental health clinic. I'm wondering if there won't be some sort of "insanity" defense. Especially after hearing her atty today ask the judge about adjustments to her medications.

I think they will use that defense too. I hope it doesnt work.

[playnice]

they say it in this video at 4:03 she was her lawyer in a case earlier..
http://www.kcra.com/video/19181739/index.html

I think I heard on one of the shows on CNN that she was supposed to be in court this Fri for the theft charges? If I heard right will they still have her appear?

[dinojen]

go to 4:03 she was her PD
ok well the report was wrong then just listened to it..
http://www.kcra.com/video/19181739/index.html
says she told them a accident



here is the one for the new search warrants
http://www.kcra.com/video/19181357/index.html
the note is the reason for the new searches??

I don't get it... where are her attorney's.. why are they allowing her to speak to the media... I don't get it...

[oodi]

I'll gladly go look if someone can tell me where ? was it in an article or a video? or what, I don't mind searching for things.

I don't remember seeing anything like that, other than the link aproudmom posted. The only vehicles I remember seeing were LE vehicles.

[playnice]

A criminal complaint says she was jailed in Los Angeles County on a property theft conviction in 2006 and that she attempted to steal from a store in November 2008. According to the complaint, she is on probation in San Joaquin County and is due back in court April 17.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/04/11/california.girl.arrest/

Found the answer to one of my questions. Will she still have to go?

[oodi]

I don't get it... where are her attorney's.. why are they allowing her to speak to the media... I don't get it...

I don't think she is speaking to media, she's speaking to LE. And that's what I said... why are her attys letting her speak to them... unless there's a plea deal in the works.

[MoonFlwr]

Wow! It's over 1 000 posts on this thread. We should probably start a new one!

[Riverwalk!]

I think her attorney was appointed today.

And I was impressed with her, really. I've seen megabucks attorneys who aren't as pleasant and appealing as this assigned public defender is.

Same attorney that she used in the Target case.

http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_12133412

Enlarge and scroll down and it also lists the doctors that were to examine her.

[playnice]

I think her attorney was appointed today.

And I was impressed with her, really. I've seen megabucks attorneys who aren't as pleasant and appealing as this assigned public defender is.

I liked her too. (Someone had to represent the evil). Gosh I bet she has no clue how her life is fixing to change with this being high profile.

[meadowlark]

Apparently, there is already some sort of documentation about mental health issues, which is why she was required to go to the mental health clinic. I'm wondering if there won't be some sort of "insanity" defense. Especially after hearing her atty today ask the judge about adjustments to her medications.

well I am hoping they don't suspend all court proceedings and ship her off to the mental institution. It happens. ugh... then you never hear another word ugh.

[dinojen]

I don't think she is speaking to media, she's speaking to LE. And that's what I said... why are her attys letting her speak to them... unless there's a plea deal in the works.

I don't care if it's LE or the media... who is there to protect her rights...

OK.. I know she is charged with some horrific crimes..but she still needs to be represented...

I still say something is really hinky in this whole deal...something doesn't make sense...

Not defending MH...but I don't know... something just isn't fitting..

JMHO

[sunstar]

they say it in this video at 4:03 she was her lawyer in a case earlier..
http://www.kcra.com/video/19181739/index.html

oh, thanks! I wonder if this lawyer will continue to represent her or has tried murder cases where the DP might be sought?

[playnice]

I wondered today when they didnt enter a plea if her attorney needs time to see what Melissa has told LE.

[~jomomma~]

off to bed! see ya tomorrow!



:rose: for sweet Sandra

[oodi]

I don't care if it's LE or the media... who is there to protect her rights...

OK.. I know she is charged with some horrific crimes..but she still needs to be represented...

I still say something is really hinky in this whole deal...something doesn't make sense...

Not defending MH...but I don't know... something just isn't fitting..

JMHO

That's why I'm thinking plea deal.

[playnice]

That's why I'm thinking plea deal.

If they read her rights twice and she still continued talking and confessed her attorney may be trying to cut a plea deal. I think if they are guilty that might be the best way for them to go. They may get less time that way than a trial with a guilty verdict.

[Mamie]

I think what he is saying is what haunts so ........I pray to God that Sandra was dead when MH did this to her because I dont think her mama would be able to live with knowing Sandra was alive when the rape happened.......knowing that rage and the terror that Sandra was feeling.......I dont think I could live knowing that.....IMO

I might be mistaken but I think they more or less established it happened while she was alive, otherwise it would have termed differently and not rape. JMO

[meadowlark]

A criminal complaint says she was jailed in Los Angeles County on a property theft conviction in 2006 and that she attempted to steal from a store in November 2008. According to the complaint, she is on probation in San Joaquin County and is due back in court April 17.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/04/11/california.girl.arrest/

Found the answer to one of my questions. Will she still have to go?

I am sure she will still go. She's also on probation so now she will mostly likely have a probation violation for being arrested. They could postpone it and then after the other is done drop everything in the interest of justice. I have seen a lot of people go to prison and still have a county charge pending and still have to come back and do time on that and also still be on probation. I am sure her attorney can get this all postponed and then dropped if they want to. But the probation hold makes sure there is no bail hearing approved, she would not be going anywhere anyway with a probation hold.

Will be interesting what they decide to do

[dinojen]

If they read her rights twice and she still continued talking and confessed her attorney may be trying to cut a plea deal.

Not so sure about a plea deal if she is telling her family she is innocent.. at least that is what she told her grandmother.

For some reason I think we are headed for more bomb shells... for some reason...guess we will see in the weeks ahead.. something just isn't right IMO

[sunstar]

off to bed! see ya tomorrow!



:rose: for sweet Sandra

Me too. Good night everybody! :seeya:


:rose: for Sandra

[doctor_J]

well I am hoping they don't suspend all court proceedings and ship her off to the mental institution. It happens. ugh... then you never hear another word ugh.

When has this ever happened? Even at trial, the insanity defense rarely works, usually when someone is obviously psychotic, John Hinckley, John David Chapman, John Bardo, for example. Never heard of someone being shipped "off to the mental institution" without a trial and 12 people agreeing they were insane. Even then, they almost never get out.

[meadowlark]

When has this ever happened? Even at trial, the insanity defense rarely works, usually when someone is obviously psychotic, John Hinckley, John David Chapman, John Bardo, for example. Never heard of someone being shipped "off to the mental institution" without a trial and 12 people agreeing they were insane. Even then, they almost never get out.


try perry monroe for one

[Themis]

You got me! That's the kicker right there. Proves she has no feelings for anyone but herself. Hide the body then lie to FBI. um huh.
Yep, Melissa can:
* attend the 2nd vigil for Sandra
* text Sandra's mother
* lure Sandra to the church (probably with the promise of helping to decorate)
* concoct lies to Connie Lawless about the suitcase, her keys, her phone
* rape with a foreign object
* murder Sandra and put her in the big suitcase with wheels
*drive to the dumping spot
* put suitcase in irrigation pond

And we are to believe it was (1) an accident, (2) she has problem with her medications, (3) she is insane, (4) overtaken by sudden rage ???

Sure sounds to me at this point that this was planned with malice aforethought and malice after the fact towards Sandra's mother.
[JMO * Themis]

[oodi]

Not so sure about a plea deal if she is telling her family she is innocent.. at least that is what she told her grandmother.

For some reason I think we are headed for more bomb shells... for some reason...guess we will see in the weeks ahead.. something just isn't right IMO

I hadn't heard about her telling her family she was innocent. Was that yesterday, when the family finally got to see her? Was it before the new charges were announced? I'm wondering if there is any correlation there.

[oodi]

Do we need to start a new thread? We're way over 1000.

[Themis]

I don't think she is speaking to media, she's speaking to LE. And that's what I said... why are her attys letting her speak to them... unless there's a plea deal in the works.
But, Oodie, her attorney can tell Melissa not to speak to anyone about anything, and her attorney can tell LE not to question Melissa about anything without the attorney being present ... BUT if Melissa makes the overture and willingly, freely chooses to talk to LE then what is to stop her? Know what I mean?
[JMO * Themis)

[dinojen]

I hadn't heard about her telling her family she was innocent. Was that yesterday, when the family finally got to see her? Was it before the new charges were announced? I'm wondering if there is any correlation there.

I heard it on the local news tonite or today after the arraignment, that that is what she was telling her family...:confused:

Hey I'm not defending her.. but there is just something that isn't fitting in this case IMO. If they can prove beyond a reasonable doubt she did it ... fine... but something just isn't fitting for me.. I don't even know what it is.. but something is off... IMHO

Or just call me naive... but something doesn't make sense....

[tinkerbell]

I heard it on the local news tonite or today after the arraignment, that that is what she was telling her family...:confused:

Hey I'm not defending her.. but there is just something that isn't fitting in this case IMO. If they can prove beyond a reasonable doubt she did it ... fine... but something just isn't fitting for me.. I don't even know what it is.. but something is off... IMHO

Or just call me naive... but something doesn't make sense....

I agree, dinojen; something feels amiss to me too...

moo

[doctor_J]

try perry monroe for one

Perry Monroe was so psychotic (schizophrenia) he was found to be unfit to even stand trial.

[tv4me]

I can't believe Sandra is the only one she attacked. Hopefuly, she is the only one to end up dead. I bet we find out there are lots of other children she has molested in the past. I hope they come forward.

[meadowlark]

Perry Monroe was so psychotic (schizophrenia) he was found to be unfit to even stand trial.

and that can't happen to someone else?

If they so choose this can happen to her also. I'm not saying she "IS" not fit to stand trial, I am saying they CAN have this happen.

And what makes you think PM was really that psychotic? not that I want to discuss that case, I don't, but we really don't know what caused all that to happen. It can happen again if someone so chooses it to. That is my point in this. Not that she is unfit to stand trial, but that someone says she is and they go along with it.

many cases are whatever they wish them to be, not what they really are.

[aproudmom]

I think I heard on one of the shows on CNN that she was supposed to be in court this Fri for the theft charges? If I heard right will they still have her appear?

yeah and that was the PD in that case she was due in court 4 petty theft
IIRC that is the one she was suppose to be there for..

[oodi]

But, Oodie, her attorney can tell Melissa not to speak to anyone about anything, and her attorney can tell LE not to question Melissa about anything without the attorney being present ... BUT if Melissa makes the overture and willingly, freely chooses to talk to LE then what is to stop her? Know what I mean?
[JMO * Themis)

You could be right, Themis. She didn't hesitate to talk before she had an atty. I guess only time will tell on that one.

[tinkerbell]

If they don't have compelling evidence against her I'll be surprised.

Maybe more women commit this crime than had previously been thought. FBI profilers got BTK wrong. That's one reason they couldn't catch him. He hid in plain sight because he broke the mold for profiling, period.

I don't doubt the evidence against MH; it speaks for itself, IMHO. I just think that perhaps the evidence might have not have spoken it's last words...

Adalena935, would you like to start a new thread?

moo

[Themis]

Prefer no new thread ....

Personally, I am for keeping this thread till a morning one is started for Wednesday.
Reason is to keep the flow of continuity going here.
It is almost midnight on the east coast, people have left and more will be signing off soon.
[JMO * Themis]

[AmndaRcknwth]

FBI crimes against children specialty team got this wrong?

I hope you're wrong Rachel because that would be a travesty and would mean the real killer(s) went free to murder again. I think it will become evident at a preliminary hearing if they have no evidence as Nigong. Prelim is to determine if there's enough to take the case to trial.

One difference here is that Nifong was motivated politically, and that doesn't seem to enter into this.

The truth is going to be as simple and perplexing as we think. Melissa is a freak, likes to molest, has done so many times without penalty.

WANTS to get caught so she can quit because she knows it is so wrong.

I bet Sandra's death (in her mind) really was an accident... well, she went too far this time. She feels it was accidental.

I do hope more kids will tell. The trouble is, if Melissa was using narcotics to drug them, they might not even really know for sure what happened.

[meadowlark]

I don't doubt the evidence against MH; it speaks for itself, IMHO. I just think that perhaps the evidence might have not have spoken it's last words...

Adalena935, would you like to start a new thread?

moo

I think a LOT more is going to come out... or like I said, she will be MADE to shut up.

[GentleBreeze]

FBI crimes against children specialty team got this wrong?

I hope you're wrong Rachel because that would be a travesty and would mean the real killer(s) went free to murder again. I think it will become evident at a preliminary hearing if they have no evidence as Nigong. Prelim is to determine if there's enough to take the case to trial.


This DA certainly doesn't strike me as a NiFong type. I don't think the local agencies and the FBI are all wrong.

I think they have her right in their sights and she did all of it right by herself. Just because she is a female doesn't mean she isn't a deviant and a child predator.

imoo

[VC2]

I don't get it... where are her attorney's.. why are they allowing her to speak to the media... I don't get it...

I don't get it either. Also don't get allowing her to speak to LE.

Plea deal would not be on the cards until after at least one psych eval, this is to serious to not be sure she isn't criminally insane (i dont think so but it would be malpractice to not check first)

im really confused

[oodi]

I heard it on the local news tonite or today after the arraignment, that that is what she was telling her family...:confused:

Hey I'm not defending her.. but there is just something that isn't fitting in this case IMO. If they can prove beyond a reasonable doubt she did it ... fine... but something just isn't fitting for me.. I don't even know what it is.. but something is off... IMHO

Or just call me naive... but something doesn't make sense....

It's definitely a different case... in more ways than one.

[oodi]

I don't get it either. Also don't get allowing her to speak to LE.

Plea deal would not be on the cards until after at least one psych eval, this is to serious to not be sure she isn't criminally insane (i dont think so but it would be malpractice to not check first)

im really confused

She's been required to make regular visits to the mental health clinic as part of her probation.

[tinkerbell]

Okay I will, then I'll have to sign off. Themis you could bring some of the posts over to the new Wednesday thread to keep continuity. This is past 1,000.

I'm sorry, I asked before I read Themis' request to not start a new thread... :sad:

[GentleBreeze]

One difference here is that Nifong was motivated politically, and that doesn't seem to enter into this.

The truth is going to be as simple and perplexing as we think. Melissa is a freak, likes to molest, has done so many times without penalty.

WANTS to get caught so she can quit because she knows it is so wrong.

I bet Sandra's death (in her mind) really was an accident... well, she went too far this time. She feels it was accidental.

I do hope more kids will tell. The trouble is, if Melissa was using narcotics to drug them, they might not even really know for sure what happened.


ITA! Or they may be too ashamed and fearful to come forward.

She didn't just start having this perversion imo. She has secrets and she is so fearful now that all of those secrets are going to be exposed when the DA tells the jury what she did to Sandra before she murdered her.

imo

[aproudmom]

I think the reason it first came up is because so many were expecting a man SO to have been attracted to her.

I don't really care to tell you the truth I was just trying to reply to someone that said her hair was lighter due to sun..not that much..imo..poor thing I really could care less if her hair was green I just needed to back up my opinion..she is Hispanic her hair would not change that much in the winter months it was light in the x-mas pics I saw also..just me trying to say I did think her hair had been lightened but that most hairdressers wont perm or lighten hair at that age..someone ask about it and I replied then someone needed to reply and tell me hair changes so that is the only reason I posted the pics..I have kids and know their hair can be a lot lighter in the summer months....not a big deal to me Adalena..jmo:smile:

[doctor_J]

and that can't happen to someone else?

If they so choose this can happen to her also. I'm not saying she "IS" not fit to stand trial, I am saying they CAN have this happen.

And what makes you think PM was really that psychotic? not that I want to discuss that case, I don't, but we really don't know what caused all that to happen. It can happen again if someone so chooses it to. That is my point in this. Not that she is unfit to stand trial, but that someone says she is and they go along with it.

many cases are whatever they wish them to be, not what they really are.

I don't understand. Who are "they". Both the state and the defense have to agree the defendant is so psychotic they are unfit to understand and participate in their own defense. So who are "they" that might do this with MH.

If a defendant is found unfit, they are "shipped off" to a state mental institution (which are worse places than most prisons, imo), and at any time in the future they become fit, they have to return to stand trial.

[Ice Cycle]

Are you of hispanic descent? Their hair doesn't lighten in the sun.

This child had hispanic black hair, as does her mother and brother, and before she went missing it was almost blonde. It was cosmetically bleached.

Just saw this, to answer your question no I am not and never said I was and don't see the the need for the sarcasm as I seem to remember someone quoting the other night.
What I said was it is possible it was sun lighted since she was in CA and some pictures DO show darker than what it actually is and that is a fact but am not certain if her entire family history is Hispanic. So I do think it was possible it was not dyed but regardless I am pretty sure I am entitled to MO. Moving on.

[BitterSweet]

Sorrry being lazy.

Thank you in advance....
Why are we talking about Sandra's hair color?

BitterSweet

[meadowlark]

I don't understand. Who are "they". Both the state and the defense have to agree the defendant is so psychotic they are unfit to understand and participate in their own defense. So who are "they" that might do this with MH.

If a defendant is found unfit, they are "shipped off" to a state mental institution (which are worse places than most prisons, imo), and at any time in the future they become fit, they have to return to stand trial.
yes, it would be worse that prison and yes they do have to come back at some point to stand trial unless they never get "better and are able to stand trail", but it is a good way to get them "out of the picture for awhile". Sometimes it is just the best for everyone concerned while they do whatever they do.

they being whoever decides it is best in the interest of justice to do this.

I guess I just should not post about this stuff. LOL. Obviously people have never heard of these things I 'spose, so just consider I am wrong and have no clue what I am talking about. sorry

[doctor_J]

yes, it would be worse that prison and yes they do have to come back at some point to stand trial unless they never get "better and are able to stand trail", but it is a good way to get them "out of the picture for awhile". Sometimes it is just the best for everyone concerned while they do whatever they do.

they being whoever decides it is best in the interest of justice to do this.

I guess I just should not post about this stuff. LOL. Obviously people have never heard of these things I 'spose, so just consider I am wrong and have no clue what I am talking about. sorry

I think I understand your point now. You don't want this to get hushed up or swept under the carpet, so to speak, so that the publicity dies down as well as the outrage.

[doctor_J]

This brings up an interesting point yet again;

When I first heard her cellphone interview regarding the time she claims she supposedly had another child off to the park without the parent's permission and later the police claimed the child had narcotics in her, I began to wonder if this wasn't some strange, strange extension of Munchausen's by proxy?

Now in reading that her daughter was often sick it really makes me wonder about it.

Makes me wonder if she was obsessed with child abductions and was acting out some weird twisted fantasy in order to get this much drama going in the MHP?

This is certainly one for the books. It's about as bizarre as it gets.
I think you are right, Charlie. Something very odd with how she kept bringing the media attention back to her. And volunteering that info about the other child being drugged was just so bizzare. It's like she didn't like the fact that LE had not zeroed in on her.

[BitterSweet]

Responded to this in the Wednesday thread. :)

Again being lazy, why?
BitterSweet:confused:

[meadowlark]

I think I understand your point now. You don't want this to get hushed up or swept under the carpet, so to speak, so that the publicity dies down as well as the outrage.

exactly I don't want this hushed up and the truth not to come out. I want this stuff told. It seems too many times things are just hushed up, be it a guilty plea, plea bargain, or like I say, suspending court proceedings for so long it just goes away.

I honestly believe at this point in time there are many things they don't want to come out. This is why they are oh so quiet to begin with, which for the "case" that is good, but things should be revealed at some point, I am just hoping they are.

yes it is all about what I hope will not happen, not that I think she is not fit to stand trial, I think she is very capable of understanding exactly what happened. But sometimes in the interest of justice we just see some strange things going on. I just don't want this to be one of those times.

[cali650]

her mouth got her in trouble. But you can be a "coder" and not a smart one LOL you can be a great "coder" and a dumb criminal too.

she learned to "code" somewhere. Either someone taught her or she read a lot about sk's. Being in that area she is in and knowing how to Code, or the basics of it, she is around someone. Or she has been on crime boards watching this stuff.

I think you are on to something important here--the coding and signals. I think the object/instrument of rape and any objects found with the body will also have deep meaning.

I find her family 100% disingenuous and the insanity defense is weakened with NO COMMENTS from others about the state of mind in general of MH. Quirky is not criminally insane. That's a very steep standard. Creepy stuff has gone on in that family; family members are either heavy co-dependents or pretty delusional. I would be among those who would keep my mouth shut in shock and awe as I considered the arrest of a family member and those implications.

[doctor_J]

exactly I don't want this hushed up and the truth not to come out. I want this stuff told. It seems too many times things are just hushed up, be it a guilty plea, plea bargain, or like I say, suspending court proceedings for so long it just goes away.

I honestly believe at this point in time there are many things they don't want to come out. This is why they are oh so quiet to begin with, which for the "case" that is good, but things should be revealed at some point, I am just hoping they are.

yes it is all about what I hope will not happen, not that I think she is not fit to stand trial, I think she is very capable of understanding exactly what happened. But sometimes in the interest of justice we just see some strange things going on. I just don't want this to be one of those times.

And because the details in this case are so distasteful and difficult to speak about publicly the DA has to be pretty gutsy and pretty sure of the forensics just to bring these charges at this time. I could see a DA shying away from the unsavoriness of this crime. You've got all the things people don't want to think about, a very young child, a mother who is a criminal, a woman who is a pediphile, a hispanic child with a caucasian offender, a good Baptist family, a murder and rape in a church, it goes on and on..

[Squidward]

I agree with most of you, I think MH is sane enough to stand trial and pay for her actions, and I hope that she does.

I think the sexual act(s) to this child were very much premeditated and that it is also not the first time Melissa was involved in such acts. I think she did lure Sandra to that church with a sinister purpose.

I don't think the murder was planned not sure if it was an accident as she claims or if things just went too far. MH took Sandra to that church with a purpose, and I don't think it was the first time acts of that nature were committed inside that church.

Her actions following the "accident" do not show remorse IMO, only after she got caught did she feel bad, and I think it was only for herself.

IMO

[cali650]

yes, that seems to be the most likely "simple" thing, but Melissa is NOT SIMPLE thinking.
(edit)



she worked as a medical biller (right?) which would involve various codes, abbreviations and the job would be easier if these codes were logical-easy to recall. also, she left, we've heard, since she felt she was underpaid.

[meadowlark]

I think you are on to something important here--the coding and signals. I think the object/instrument of rape and any objects found with the body will also have deep meaning.

I find her family 100% disingenuous and the insanity defense is weakened with NO COMMENTS from others about the state of mind in general of SH. Quirky is not criminally insane. That's a very steep standard. Creepy stuff has gone on in that family; family members are either heavy co-dependents or pretty delusional. I would be among those who would keep my mouth shut in shock and awe as I considered the arrest of a family member and those implications.

I agree whatever she used will be a clue in itself about what is really going on here. As more is revealed it will become very obvious if this is what is going on. I have already seen enough to believe it is. It is what brought me to this case right off. I see it. Maybe it will turn out I am wrong, but I doubt it. I have seen too much of this stuff.

either she is a part of this mess or she has studied up on it. And it is very hard to code like that if you have no clue about it. I believe she has more than a clue. She's either had someone teach her or she has been on crime boards where it goes on, or she has studied some of our very cryptic serial killers. You just don't do this stuff out of the blue.

[meadowlark]

And because the details in this case are so distasteful and difficult to speak about publicly the DA has to be pretty gutsy and pretty sure of the forensics just to bring these charges at this time. I could see a DA shying away from the unsavoriness of this crime. You've got all the things people don't want to think about, a very young child, a mother who is a criminal, a woman who is a pediphile, a hispanic child with a caucasian offender, a good Baptist family, a murder and rape in a church, it goes on and on..


I believe they have a whole lot more they might want to shy away from, but Melissa just keeps bringing them up. She is the one talking about everything and tossing it out there. That note is a real doozie. Still they are not telling us what all was in that note. they might never.

they went to old river and 11th right off, they had reason to go to those areas, they didn't just decide eenie meanie minie mo to get to those areas she didn't pick tom paine slough area/whitehall for no reason, she did not misspell suitcase for no reason. and I bet if we look hard enough she picked the date out too, for some reason. I am looking for that now. And it is very possible if they had not arrested her when they did we would have had another missing and dead child within another day. It is very possible she did not mean to kill sandra "yet". but that was most likely the plan to happen at some point.

I believe LE / FEDS knew all of this from the beginning. The feds had to realize what is going on here, if not, then boy they better catch up. but I can't believe they do not know. If I can see it, how can they not. I understand they don't want this stuff out there, but come on, they aren't stopping any of it by being quiet.

[Murtle]

I think you are on to something important here--the coding and signals. I think the object/instrument of rape and any objects found with the body will also have deep meaning.

I find her family 100% disingenuous and the insanity defense is weakened with NO COMMENTS from others about the state of mind in general of MH. Quirky is not criminally insane. That's a very steep standard. Creepy stuff has gone on in that family; family members are either heavy co-dependents or pretty delusional. I would be among those who would keep my mouth shut in shock and awe as I considered the arrest of a family member and those implications.

Wow. I kind of thought that. wow

[Murtle]

Wow. I kind of thought that. wow

Not the quote stuff yet, but the other stuff.