I love the internet, it is a huge repository of information, if you know where to look! It is also a huge garbage dump of disinformation. Sometimes it is hard to pull the pebbles of truth from the sea of flotsam and jetsam that is everywhere. That has been especially true in the two Florida cases of Haleigh Cummings and Caylee Anthony.
Journalism is unbiased? Rubbish, journalism is a very biased business. These two cases are prime examples of that. I will be the first to stand in line as a journalist with a slant. My slant might be slightly different. I have no favorites, no pets, I hate them all.
The people involved with the Haleigh Cummings case represent all that is bad in society. I would not entertain any of the Croslin, Cummings, or Sheffield family in a woodshed. They are living proof that Darwin got it wrong. Evolution he claimed was about natural selection of the best traits in an animal. These people don’t have any best traits, in fact it is hard to find a least worse trait. There likely is only one killer, but they are all guilty of something. This case makes Agatha Christie’s opus Murder On The Orient Express look amateurish.
The Caylee Anthony case is little better. We have yet another group of disreputable people espousing rubbish at every opportunity. The latest defence team move by Jose Baez, getting judge Strickland to remove himself from the case is a fine example. This action will likely mean yet more delays in getting justice for a dead two year old. It is my guess that we will put a man on Mars before this trial gets started.
So yes, I am biased. I hate them all. There are however some people that are more objective than most journalists. I was given an anonymous tip late yesterday, it suggested that I look at a particular web site run by one Seamus O Riley.
I did, I suspect that Seamus O Riley might be a nom de Guerre, but I will leave that up to the reader to decide. What I did find was a wealth of well reasoned articles on both cases.I am pretty sure that I have talked to Seamus before, either that or he has a twin brother!
Everyone wants answers in the Haleigh Cummings and Caylee Anthony cases. I’d like everyone to take a look at http://www.seamusoriley.blogspot.com/ and give me some feedback. There is a lot of food for thought on this site.
Simon Barrett
18 users commented in " Haleigh Cummings & Caylee Anthony – Some Critical Thinking "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackSeems to be a very familiar topic concerning language imo.
In regards to the question as to why some might consider Grammie Hollars as intelligent, well it could very possibly be an intentional misnomer, however, any signs of intelligence coming from that family at this point in time might be like adding a few drops of water to a drought stricken briar patch and being hopeful for any signs of normal healthy roots.
…Just saying.
Interesting talk about the sexual abuse in the family. My mind keeps going back to what Cobra said about Tommy and Misty having sex.
A few thoughts relating to the Haleigh investigation.
I have heard from many people that Misty could not have done any laundry the night of Haleigh’s disappearance due to there not being any laundry soap. Has anyone ever been poor, or simply run out of laundry soap and used alternatives? Like shampoo, dish soap, body wash – and in a severe pinch just water? I find it more interesting to note that if she did do laundry that night why? I don’t buy the “pee on blanket” routine. Given how tired and upset Misty was, if she did do laundry that night, the real question might be what evidence was she trying to remove? Did anyone smell the supposedly washed blanket, or forensically analysis it? Was there any evidence of bleach or hydrogen peroxide usage in the house that night? Those items remove evidence.
The story about Joe looking for the assault rifle, and then when unable to locate it, supposedly taking his revenge by harming Haleigh can be checked out as well. I would think that there would be a pattern of movement as to where his palm and fingerprints are found, that demonstrates someone is looking for something, and if found, ought not to be there. That would give credence to the idea that Joe was part of Haleigh’s disappearance, vs. his claim that he is completely innocent. At the least, it might show criminal behavior that could also initiate an investigation that would put heat on him. He seems friable under pressure, and maybe a stint in jail would open him up, just like Tommy and Misty. On the other hand, it might help demonstrate his innocence, and how others are trying to make him the scapegoat. Either way, I’d think it would shed light on the situation.
Also, have the police ever verified and done a polygraph on the Cummings grandma to verify her story of having seen Haleigh in the evening? If not maybe they should, as a way to verify Haleigh was alive after her father went to work.
I assume Jr. was questioned. Even at his young age, he could verify that Haleigh was alive into the late evening. He could also probably have described people unknown to him that came over, by what clothes they wore, hair color, or shade, how many were there, and how many times people came over and left. If there were any fights, screaming or laughter. And maybe when they were there, if a TV show was on- what it was, therefore tying down the time somewhat.
Anybody have answers to these thoughts? If not, maybe these are things the police, lawyers, investigators should be aware of?
Given that the investigation is kept tight lipped, investigators probably have already thought of this. Yet, on the NG show I never do hear these things addressed- other than ” there was no laundry soap so there fore laundry couldn’t have been done”.
Come on. lol
homespain,
Do you have a 2 year old? My youngest is now 5, but I can tell you that when she was 2/3 years old…she could not tell you the truth about anything from a hole in the ground. If you asked her a question like “did so-and-so come visit you today?” She’d say “YEP!” even if she hadn’t seen that person for months. Kids that age seem to frequently mix imagination with reality.
As for the piece by Seamus, it was interesting to say the least. I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if Misty had been sexually abused.
However, I never heard any interview or transcript that Grammie Hollers said Misty must have LIKED being sexually abused (if she was). Has anyone else heard that actual statement come from Grammie Hollars?
And to imagine that someone would say that and then a panel of “professionals” go on to praise Grammie for being so smart??? boggles the mind. I just can’t believe it unless I hear it for myself… Anyone have a link to this supposed interview between Jane and GH?
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1004/20/ijvm.01.html
Link to Jane and GH
HyperV…yes, Granny did say Misty “must have liked it.”
I think speech pattern and word usage is important, especially with these people. What I believe Granny was trying to say was Misty never showed any fear of JO and would even visit him.
Granny is not convinced the molestation ever happened because Misty never mentioned it to her, ever. So, she may have been trying to convey that she is not convinced it is true, but used a poor choice of words to say it.
Sorry…my 2:11 post is JMO. Certainly I do not know for certain what Granny’s thoughts are or what she is or is not convinced of.
Regarding M and T talking freely with Granny, here’s an excerpt from an article on St. Augustine.com:
——-
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Croslin Jr. had called his grandmother on Sunday but couldn’t address the contents of the conversation.
It declined to release the tapes of the phone calls, saying the content was connected to the ongoing investigation.
The office then released a statement, saying it had been inundated with phone calls about the case and was no longer able to respond to media inquiries.
Hollars also said she heard from Misty Croslin on Thursday, who gave more details about Haleigh being dropped into the river tied to a cinder block.
However, her father, Hank Croslin Sr., said Misty Croslin “didn’t tell Flo all that stuff.”
Misty Croslin’s parents said they talked with their jailed daughter Friday and were told she has not given detectives any new information.
Croslin Sr. said his daughter told him “she told the cops all she knows.”
Hollars, who has always lived in Nashville, said she visited her family in Florida occasionally but never met HaLeigh.
Hollars could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon, but Friday morning she told The Times-Union that Misty Croslin considers her both a mother and a nanny and may have told her more than she told her parents.
“She doesn’t trust them,” Hollars said.
Croslin Sr. and his wife said they spoke to their daughter and son on Friday morning.
He said Croslin Jr. said he only asked Hollars to get in touch with other family members to arrange visits. At the time Hollars was the only one in the family with money in a telephone account to pay for collect calls from jail, the elder Croslin said.
He said his son isn’t talking about the case over the phone but has denied involvement in HaLeigh’s disappearance.
“I’m not saying he doesn’t know anything,” Croslin Sr. said, adding that Hollars may have been repeating the content of letters Misty Croslin sent to her father and another brother in Massachusetts.
He also said the reward money in the case – $35,000 – might be an influence.
“The only person who knows the truth is the police and the lawyers and them,” he said.
”There likely is only one killer, but they are all guilty of something. This case makes Agatha Christie’s opus Murder On The Orient Express look amateurish”
Too True + Very Well Said!
Hypervigilent,Maybe you didn’t mean to say “do you have a 2 yo child”. Yes, and I even was one too. Wow!
There is no need to denigrate another to make your point. It would be like me saying to you- why yes, I do have a two year old. And since you brought your child up, and it’s age/development, and that it lies all the time,….hmmm. You can see where that would go.
You’re inferring all children are like yours, but not all are. And you are assuming your child at that age, with a professional would not provide honest information. I think you also underestimate your child as well. When very serious things happen children know. Professionals that work with children are able to get allot of factual information from them. Children that small do understand.
A child even that young, questioned appropriately by a professional will be able to extract information.
I won’t discuss specifics, but I remember exactly what happened in my life at the age of 2. I have adult words now to describe the same events, but transcripts demonstrate that I certainly was able to communicate quite allot of pertinent information. And I did tell the truth.
Jane,
thanks for the link.
Time allowing, I would like to look at a few things that Grammie Hallors said as well as her now famous line about Misty and Joe, her beloved grandchildren.
Peter
Regarding child interviews, besides much research, I have conducted more than 1,000 child interviews.
It is very difficult to know when a child is telling the truth.
There are, however, some indicators.
For the untrained, when my daughter was 5, she LOVED coworkers interviewing her! She would tell them that she had no clothes, and no food for her pony. She was an orphan but refused to give up her pony.
Sound familiar?
Her story came from a Shirly Temple movie!
One of the strongest indicators for a child’s veracity holds the same for an adult with MR or AA,
it is sensory description.
In an unlikely scenario of a sexual assault, the trained investigator stood alone as all other detectives dismissed a vitim’s charge.
Her account simply wasn’t plausible.
The trained investigator picked up on one thing:
“his hands smelled like motor oil.”
It ended up being true.
Sensory language is something that comes from memory; even for the very young, or for the limited. It is a sign of veracity, as the impact of the event left the victim with a detail that stuck out more than other things.
I notice in the jail house interview with Casey Anthony’s “pal” recently on WFTV.com was an absent of sensory description as well as no disclosure of any details that we have not heard through media.
Surely Casey would have told her friend something small, particular, and not known by media?
Also, the idea that this woman did not tell them about a chemical because she could not pronounce “chloroform” begs credibility.
thanks simon!! that sight was fantastic especially the diary analysis of casey’s actually all of the blog was great!
Perhaps I am missing something. But in regards to the Haleigh Cummings case. Who let Joe or Tommy in the house? If the back door was suppose to of been left open and blocked open by a cinder block. I understood the back door had to be opened from the inside (unless someone had a key to open the back door? As far as Casey and the her band of Circus Clowns, they also make me sick. I just find any Defense team really banking on their client so innocent. I know everyone is presumed innocence til proven guilty and deserve a fair trial. But these cases are soo messed up, with lies, dope, deceit, and some how the little girls (Caylee and Haleigh) become the victums, and murdered in horrible ways. Who is standing up for these little babies. (where is the Justice for these real victums). It appears the murderer/murderers are being treated as Public Icons and should be set free because they are soo righteous so let them go out and do what they are best at…lies, deceit, party, doper, murder, besides go out and make a mockery out of the justice system.
Oh boy…I went from initially believing Granny was speaking out in an attempt to get the reward money, to starting to believe maybe she was trying to do the right thing by passing on what she is/was being told by Misty and/or Tommy…to now thinking she’s a total fake.
My reason: She said Misty might have been jealous of Haleigh (for being Ron’s *heart*) and wanted to get rid of her for that reason. But then a few minutes later I saw another clip of her saying Misty loves kids and would never, ever harm a child.
So which is it, Granny?
I do not think she is credible (though she has probably spoken some truth here and there) and is just reiterating what she hears in the media. And I will even say I think she is enjoying her fame, content to be where she always wanted to be…on TV.
It is entirely possible that Haleigh will never get justice. It may be that the perp(s) will go to prison on drug charges and nothing else, and I will have no choice but to be satisfied with that.
UGH!
Its obvious Tommy would cover for his sister but I doubt for Joe. The rope was found in Tommys house. He was called to help Misty- I doubt the litte girl would eat oxycontin- she may have been given some to go to bed since Misty was strung out. Was Joe involved? if he was did Tommy threaten Joe to stay silent?
Wow Simon,
I usually find your articles informative, and I have read BNN every day since Haleigh Cummings went missing, and you guys stuck it out, when it seemed like nobody cared; so for that I always admired you.
However- “Hate?” You hate these people, really? This was the most pompus, hate-filled article yet. Thanks for posting the link, but I have to disagree with you on this one. I don’t care for any of the “characters” involved in this whole mess that has been the Haleigh Cummings case, but I don’t spew hate filled, self important BS. I pray for whoever is responsible for these crimes to pay for their actions, but just because they have missing teeth and aren’t educated, doesn’t mean you have the right to sit on your high horse and spread hatred. I’m sure you’re perfect Simon. Meanwhile, being a Christian I hold my judgement against people I’ve never met. They will all face the ultimate judgement one day. This article goes in the can. Thanks for the link.
Simon, I’m thrilled you could get Peter Hyatt on your show. Like you, I was intrigued with what he said when he called in last week, and he didn’t disappoint this week. Extremely fascinating stuff. So, so glad he could be on, just wish he could have had more time. How many guests were there? Fewer would be wiser to let everyone get a chance to comment. I did enjoy the show. Not long ago, I, too, compared the Haleigh Cummings case to Murder on the Orient Express. Never have there been such as array of PROBABLE suspects! Poor little child didn’t stand a chance. Thanks for a good show and for inviting Peter back. No, I’ve never met him.
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