Post by billthom56 on Mar 29, 2021 18:23:10 GMT
1. Well-produced, though there was quite a bit of repetition and, as mentioned in the podcasts, it would have been nice to know about all the potentially missing cash in the 4th set of homicides. It was interesting to see the differing perspectives of Coombs and O'Connell. If nothing else, it was a good reminder that legal vs investigative standards for admissibility of "similar transactions" are not the same. It was also nice to see them all being upfront about the inherent limitations of doing any comparative analysis without access to autopsy and police reports. The "reconstructions" were interesting, at least from the standpoint of getting a better sense of the locations. I had mixed feelings about Dr. Pettler's analysis. She came across 10 times more credible (to me at least) in the podcasts than in the TV show.
2. That said, I think the series served as more of an introduction to the cases than as a real vehicle for analysis. Just too many unknowns, but hopefully, it will trigger some tips.
3. FWIW, I'm pretty skeptical about the 4th incident(Phelps and Lauer) being part of the series. The scene of the initial abduction is drastically different in terms of its lack of isolation, there's the potential for a significant financial motive, there seems to be much less effort in disposing of trace evidence (though authorities and circumstances apparently screwed that up as much as anything), I don't see any kind of "moral enforcer" element, and I get the feeling that the duo was tricked or forced to drive from one rest stop to another (in the opposite direction) or even all the way down to the old logging road before they were forced to leave their vehicle. Nothing about this really feels similar to me. It feels like a much more elaborate "set-up" which would reinforce the likelihood of a killer who was personally familiar with them and a financial motive.
4. Looks to me like these cases will eventually be solved, if at all, by DNA, but it's probably going to take a lot more background work than in many others since there are probably multiple sources - none of which are "obviously" tied to the killer(s).
5. Still, an excellent production and one that should keep the case alive for some time to come.
Zebra:
Excellent observations on the "Lover's Lane Murders" series-- I wish we had included more case detail and less recaps and endless cutting back to the crime scene photos. We dropped the wallet thread, which was very important in Phelps/Lauer as Daniel's wallet and the $6-800 in cash went missing.
For what it is worth, I think Phelps/Lauer on I-64 is most likely not related to the other Colonial Parkway Murders. It is quite possible that some of the Colonial Parkway Murders may tie in with Brian Pettinger and Laure Ann Powell's homicides in 1988, which bracket the April Call/Hailey disappearance.
Thanks
Bill Thomas
