While most eyes were on the beach observing the then three suspects visit there yesterday, another investigative team was visiting Paul(us) v d Sloot where the v d Sloot family is staying with friends. Reliable sources confirm he is not seen as cleared in the ongoing investigation. It was suggested that the prosecutor wants to be sure they have ample evidence to hold onto him in the event of a possible re-arrest.
With the focus shifting away from Satish and Deepak Kalpoe, some close to the investigation are looking more closely at the role of Paul(us) v d Sloot in whatever crimes may have taken place.
One unconfirmed report suggests the Dutch Ministry of Justice has formally requested the resignation of the elder Van der Sloot.
Additionally, Satish and Deepak are said to be co-operating with authorities, at least to the extent that they may testify in any pending trial; however, it was not been made clear if their statements will damage a presumed defense on behalf of Paul(us) and / or Joran v d Sloot, or support it.
Public relations efforts of some on the island to turn the focus away from Aruba and back toward America, more specifically Alabama seem to be gaining traction among the general population.
Various reports are emerging of things getting "ugly" between the press and Aruban passers by, with some claiming that while many islanders first seemed to be focusing their anger at the Van der Sloot family, they are now more than ever blaming America and American media for bringing this trouble to their shores.
When the Mother of the Kalpoe brothers appeared in front of the court house, some locals were urging her to speak only in the local dialect and ignore the American press. Most of any demonstrations in front of the court house seemed aimed at the media.
More and more rumors of an out of control group of high school students from the United States, with one of their party responsible for any potential crime are circulating ever more widely through portions of the general population. It seems an increasingly frustrated and basically friendly island population is looking for somewhere to focus their frustration through blame.
While there are conflicting reports as to the level of drugs and street crime on the island, for every source that suggests levels are very high, still other reliable sources suggest it actually seems lower than most other Caribbean tourist destinations. That wasn't the case as regards Carlos and Charlies.
Located in a part of town some have described as "seedy," observations from today suggest it is very much business as usual with what appeared to be several underage individuals hanging out and partying. One objective source indicated his observations gave him the impression that "hitting on female American tourists" seems to be an activity still very much associated with the night spot.
Other individuals report that the family of Natalee Holloway appears to be managing the media reasonably well and is reaching out to the press and maintaining contact to foster support in the event that they find it necessary to start "naming names" as far as what they might know of what is happening, or has happened behind the scenes of the five week long investigation.
It was reported to me that some members of the Holloway/Twitty family are increasingly convinced that they must keep and possibly even increase pressure on the Aruban authorities if they are to ever get answers to what happened to Natalee Holloway. That needs to be balanced with the earlier report that the investigation is on going and authorities are indicating that there is progress that can be made.
No time frame was suggested for a possible re-arrest of Paul(us) v d Sloot. And it was not described as an absolute certainty at this time.
This post is also available at Blogger News Network.
The Alabama kids can try and cover-up but they were out of control. The other hotel guest said they were in the casino bathrooms vomiting. So it was not "drinking responsibly" as they stated. And to think 130 parents are so stupid as to sent 18 yo to an island vacation of drinking, and gambling is just asking for trouble. Spoiled rich kids, that is what killed Natalee. Too much money, no street sense. Best way to prepare for adulthood is to have a job at McDonalds, real world. Too much shelter, too much money, Something Bad Happens when Mommy is not nearby.
Posted by: too much money | Tuesday, July 05, 2005 at 09:25 PM
Nat ran away...with headcases for parents like Beth and Jugg (what the hell kind of name is that anyway?) wouldn't you take off at 18? I like the real father anyway, he has personality unlike JuggHead. Beth has to live with the fact that she let her little girl go off like that. What kind of mother is that?
Posted by: Edward | Wednesday, July 06, 2005 at 02:22 AM
Thank you Dan, for this site and your dedication to it.
I have read research that states (paraphrasing here) for each "huge disaster" to even occur, an average of 5 to 6 smaller foul-ups happen first. On any given day, one or two of these same slip-ups may occur, but for the main disaster to happen, they all need to occur at the same time. Applying this principle to the NH situation, it seems to me that not one particular "event" resulted in her disappearance. It wasn't her parents allowing her to go on vacation, it wasn't American teens going wild in Island bars, it wasn't being trusting and hanging out with who you think is a new friend, etc... it was a series of events resulting in this tragedy. (All of the above mentioned I have done myself without even considering the possibility of inviting harm to myself. I just like to think I was naive.) Those of us hoping that there will soon be a resolution to her disappearance don't do any good blaming her parents, the type of area she comes from or any one thing. It was a series of unfortunate events.
Joanie19067
PS: But I do feel comfortable throwing some blame toward JVderSloot & father.
Posted by: Joanie19067 | Thursday, July 07, 2005 at 01:56 AM
Fact is if this would have happened in the US it would:
Be already out of the news...
Be put down as just a crime...
I could go on and explain why we europeans have this justice system
and such laws we have...but it just has no meaning in this forum.
Kind regards,
Peter
Posted by: Dutch spectator | Friday, July 08, 2005 at 07:09 AM