Midnight Special

Steve Huff did an exceptional job on Geraldo tonight, displaying his knowledge of the facts as regards Joseph Duncan and his criminal mind. Ian has the video here.

Ian also has the video as regards the new duct tape evidence, which, unfortunately, sounds about as promising as a lead from TJ Ward, at this point. I shouldn't take out my frustrations on Ward, but its hard to believe in a PI who reminds you of an old Bill Shatner television series.

Also from Aruba we learned that a judge from Curacao denied a motion by the defense to keep information about the investigation from the FBI. They will appeal on Monday. The interrogation of Joran Van der Sloot was said to have gone into overtime last ngiht, lasting until 6PM, or so. If that's true, it's just another sign of an approach to this investigation which I find disgraceful. Overtime? For heaven's sake, they should be working on the young man 24/7, as far as I'm concerned.

Additionally, it was speculated that the Kalpoe brothers may be brought back in for questioning after the interrogation of Joran v d Sloot is completed. Perhaps they want to try and nail Van der Sloot down to a final version and attempt to get all three to start contradicting themselves, again. If they are still involved in this, and there is no reason to believe they aren't - I have no idea why they wouldn't have been kept in custody all along.

Yes, I realize the Dutch justice system doesn't allow for it - I'm just starting to care less and less about that as I continue to watch this nightmare.

Comments

[!]

Yes it is a real nighmare indeed.
I wonder it will ever be somewhat even sloved.
Its just a sad sad case. ! :O(

[Bigfish]

[Dan wrote=Yes, I realize the Dutch justice system doesn't allow for it - I'm just starting to care less and less about that as I continue to watch this nightmare.]
I agree Dan and thanks for all of your hard work.

If I understood correctly tonight, the Kalpoe brothers will not cooperate willingly with Arubian LE and may force the athorities to re-arrest them.

What is up with that? It's either a bluff or a sign that their attorneys think that enough is enough and will not risk any further contradictory statements.

Next week should be interesting.

Bigfish

[frenchymom]

GOOD NEWS!! The Russian sub was brought to the surface and the crew SAVED!

Re: Dan's most recent NH post:
It still amazes me that these three immature teenagers have been able to allude law enforcement and not cave under interrogation... OK, I could understand one or even two holding out, but three???

Seems a bit fishy to me! as does the fact that if these three indeed harmed her, not one of them went and bragged or shared with any friends.. If they are as ego-heavy as their web sites showed, then keeping this to themselves is out of character....

YOUR THOUGHTS???

[Mulder]

not out of character - those boys are all about cunning and deceit. Trick the girl, trick the parents, trick the cops. All in a days work.

I think they have made it this far due to good legal advice. I also think the 10 days they had before being arrested helped them figure out a good strategy ... and I think early on they probably realized (as we all did) they were in good shape if no body is found.

What I can't figure out is where the hell did they put her?

[EB]

To Frenchymom who noted, "It still amazes me that these three immature teenagers have been able to allude law enforcement and not cave under interrogation... OK, I could understand one or even two holding out, but three???"
================================================
As Mark Fuhrman so aptly pointed out, the tried- and-true strategy (getting co-defendants to "roll" on each other by targeting the least culpable among them and then offering that person immunity) isn't available since Aruba has no plea bargaining or immunity deals.

Also, given the fact that 2 of the co-defendants and co-conspirators are brothers, it is doubtful that either Kalpoe will rat out the other brother. That leaves the Kalpoes as a unified voting block against Joran-- the only viable strategy left. It will be interesting to see what happens once they are brought back in and how quickly they align in implicating JVdS and PVdS.

They can't all be equally culpable; surely one of them must have played a more significant role in what happened than the others.

[MrsJimiHendrix]

GOOD NEWS!! The Russian sub was brought to the surface and the crew SAVED!

MEL ARE YOU SERIOUS!!

holy sh**!!!!

i never thought this would happen!!!

thank you for telling me this

Dan we just got some excellent news on your blog!!

thanks again mel : )

[MrsJimiHendrix]

[Dan wrote=Yes, I realize the Dutch justice system doesn't allow for it - I'm just starting to care less and less about that as I continue to watch this nightmare.]
I agree Dan and thanks for all of your hard work.

posted by bigfish

Dan

whatever you do i am staying and so are many others

take care of Dan and the rest will follow

[FloridaPatty]

Couldn't sleep.

He's 18 now and I think letting this kid rest on the weekend is a great idea. Three days with no word from anyone...his birthday last year was no doubt a celebration with family and friends out and about and this year he's starring at bars from the inside. Lots of time to think. Less priveledges than before because now Joran, you are an adult.

Hit it Monday relentless, bring in the brothers and let Joran see them bring in the brothers. No talking to Daddy either. I still believe the one brother will roll. I sense he is soft at heart and is capable of telling the truth.

[nancy]

Did anyone else see Jug on Fox tonight? He seemed kind of mellow or maybe he's just tired. Also Beth has been wearing black the past few nights. Could this be a sign that she thinks Natalee's remains will be found soon?

[frenchymom]

Hello MrsJimi!! Hope you and the fellow blogmates are doing well tonight!

CNN and FOX have now both reported that the sub has been brought up! CNN says this occurred at around 11:20ET. (If I were more computer savvy I could connect the link, but sorry..not my forte'!)

EB>>> Thanks for the perspective, I see the point on them being brothers, etc.

[Mrs. Sir Paul(((AG)))]

Steve did a great job tonight. Had no idea he was sleuthing the Duncan connection in So. California. Impressive.

[birmingham dog]

Pray for Natalee, and that the focus will again be directed to finding Natalee.

http://birminghamscene.com/graphics/images/mbhs_yellow_ribbon1.jpg

Yellow Ribbons from Home....

guyWdog

[AkekoaHoAlethia]

BigFish

you wrote:
"If I understood correctly tonight, the Kalpoe brothers will not cooperate willingly with Arubian LE and may force the authorities to re-arrest them.
What is up with that?"
Posted by: Bigfish | August 7, 2005 12:29 AM

Yes that is what I understood as well.

I think this is a principal most people recognize, and I firmly believe in (especially since I've tried it many times from both angles!). If the truth is favorable, men readily speak it; if unfavorable, they try to hide it. This states the main reason people want to keep evidence hidden. It may tend to incriminate them!

No one hides evidence that shows their inocence....

This is one of the main reasons I have personally concluded, along with most who are more knowledgeable of the truths that ARE known, including, but not limited to, the Aruban prosecutor and Natalee's parents, that there is no reason for any of them to, IN FACT, refuse to tell the plain, simple, single, straight forward story of their activities with Natalee from the moment she was in the car with them until they last saw her - which, according to all logical conclusions, was when she was either no longer determining her own fate or sadly, no longer breathing......

[NC greenbean]

Well,Praise God in His infinite mercy for allowing those sailors to be rescued-I'm always up for good news:) I was outside enjoying the cool evening here and I missed the news. My take on Joran & his rep. and not bragging is this: How do we know he hasn't bragged? If I was his friend/acqaintance/fellow student, I'd be alittle afraid to repeat any info he threw my way-he doesn't strike me(no pun intended)as the type of person you'de want to cross:o I just hope and pray that some type of resolution can be found-her family needs some peace and some closure to this nightmare. NC greenbean

[frenchymom]

Good point Greenbean...

I just hope this situation ends in the near future. I have no doubt from Beth's interviews that while she "hopes beyond hope" that Natalee is alive, she realizes that is likely not the case. Sometimes when I see here hesitate to answer a question or look up at Jug before she answers, it breaks my heart. You just know she's breaking on the inside, despite the strong showing on the outside.

Mel

[AkekoaHoAlethia]

FloridaPatty - bring in the brothers and let Joran see them ---- I'm praying for that !
nancy - Beth has been wearing black the past few nights - I thought the same???

guyWdog = Pray for Natalee = I'm all for it....

NC greenbean == pray that some type of resolution ... praying for that too...

frenchymom == It breaks my heart too...

[Rose]

Let's just hope that now that Joran is 18 and won't be allowed as many visits with his parents, maybe he'll start to forget some of his dad's coaching and gradually start to crack a little.

Above all, no matter what the outcome, I pray for Natallee's famiy and their unimaginable suffering. Anyone who is experiencing this kind of limbo with a missing family member is going through something most of us will never be able to fathom.

I doubt if very many are pinning much on the new piece of duct tape - that would be a miracle, but I'm not holding my breath.

[clintcarter]

DAN,
No more discussion about running a news blog?

[morristhepat]

Yes! This is good news for a change. The seven submarine sailors are safe.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050807/D8BQPDI00.html

[Jack in Southern California]

DAN WROTE:
The interrogation of Joran Van der Sloot was said to have gone into overtime last ngiht, lasting until 6PM, or so. If that's true, it's just another sign of an approach to this investigation which I find disgraceful. Overtime? For heaven's sake, they should be working on the young man 24/7, as far as I'm concerned.

MY COMMENT: Joran v/d Sloot is under no obligation whatsoever to respond to any questions posed by the "authorities." Were I his attorney I would emphasize that to my client at every point and moment possible.

The authorities at this point have to be grasping for every straw possible to attempt to collect a suficient body of "evidence" so that on Sept. 4th they can continue to hold Joran. At some point, however, Joran's rights will prevail. He is innocent until proven guilty.

Sadly, Natalee's mystery may always remain so.

[lee]

steve huff does do an excellant job.....i just made an entry on his message board re: Jennifer short.....a young girl was nabbed from her home, at night, and her two parents murdered basically while they slept.....Jennifer found several months later under a bridge...don't know if she was raped, and not sure the method of death....parents were shot with a 22....

[angelaberdine]

DAN WROTE:
The interrogation of Joran Van der Sloot was said to have gone into overtime last ngiht, lasting until 6PM, or so. If that's true, it's just another sign of an approach to this investigation which I find disgraceful. Overtime? For heaven's sake, they should be working on the young man 24/7, as far as I'm concerned.

MY COMMENT: Joran v/d Sloot is under no obligation whatsoever to respond to any questions posed by the "authorities." Were I his attorney I would emphasize that to my client at every point and moment possible.

The authorities at this point have to be grasping for every straw possible to attempt to collect a suficient body of "evidence" so that on Sept. 4th they can continue to hold Joran. At some point, however, Joran's rights will prevail. He is innocent until proven guilty.

Sadly, Natalee's mystery may always remain so.

Posted by: Jack in Southern California | August 7, 2005 03:49 AM

Really, no mystery and no obligation to kill Natalee. Wonder why he did it? Was he so concerned that she would awaken from the first dosing of XTC that he had to give her a fatal dose?

[Kay]

Dan your friend did an excellent job on TV last night! If you talk to him let him know we are all proud of him and keep up the good work! These perverts need putting away and putting away for good so they can't hurt anymore innocent children!

[Big Pappy]

No one hides evidence that shows their innocence....

Posted by: AkekoaHoAlethia | August 7, 2005 01:39 AM

A very good point Akeko :)

[mona]

Still beleive the Twittys and the Holloways should return to the USA. It's all too clear the corruption and incompetence in Aruba. My moneys still on Paulus confessing....his birthday present to Joran.

[joan]

Frenchymom--My thoughts on why these 3 teens have not caved under interrogation are that they have not been aggressively interrogated. Also cannot understand why Kalpoes are not still held--what about lying,obstructing, etc. i am not clear as to the rules there.

[mona]

Someone should test the blonde hair on the duct tape against Anita 's hair. wouldnt be surprised to find a match there.

[Roy]

Still beleive the Twittys and the Holloways should return to the USA. It's all too clear the corruption and incompetence in Aruba. My moneys still on Paulus confessing....his birthday present to Joran.

Posted by: mona | August 7, 2005 10:41 AM

Mona, get back under your rock!

[mona]

Mona, get back under your rock!

Posted by: Roy | August 7, 2005 10:

Only if you promise to get back in your HOLE

[Jack in Southern California]

ANGELABERDINE wrote on August 7, 2005 06:22 AM:

"Really, no mystery and no obligation to kill Natalee. Wonder why he did it? Was he so concerned that she would awaken from the first dosing of XTC that he had to give her a fatal dose?"
_________________________

Alas, Angel, you thus make the assumption -- contrary to the law -- that "he did it."

Until he is proven guilty, Joran v/d Sloot is most lily-pure innocent.
If I snub this concept, then I breach the very rules (law) that I would hope would bring justice to this matter.

[minnesota dad]

I know how to solve this whole cover-up.

1) Declare JVDS, PVDS, and the Kalpoe Brothers Enemy Combatants.
2) Take them to Guantanamo.
3) If they are non-cooperative at Gitmo, fly them over to Egypt or Morroco for some interrogation (there are no rules in these countries - you answer or die).

While we are at it...perhaps we should include Van der Stratten and the others.

I believe that under this scenario...we would have answers within 24 hours. md

[mariaK]

Dan,
I just fired off an e-mail to my Senator (George Allen) because I think that Steve Huff deserves at least a letter of commendation. I'm thinking sending a note to national Sheriff's and Police associations also to suggest a commendation. Someone needs to recognize OFFICIALLY the tremendously powerful work that this man is willing to do in what I'm certain is his limited spare time.
Do you have any other suggestions?

[leeza]

Minnesota Dad: That is exactly the vigilante, lynch-mob mentality that the American (and Aruban and Dutch) legal system is designed to prevent. YOU (and others) may think the short-term benefits are worth it to lose the "innocent until proven guilty" and "equal protection" ideals of CIVILIZED legal systems, but you are sadly mistaken. I believe under "this scenario" you would get chaos. No less an expert than Senator John McCain has said repeatedly that the "answers" obtained through these methods are not meaningful.
This is a good lesson in knowing the legal systems on the areas in which we live and travel.

[Kat_Gram]

The duct tape probably is nothing, but maybe they could request the DNA of Joran and Satish and get it.
I am intersted in Deepak's car. I know it was taken away, but they didn't have the cadaver dogs there at that time. The Arubans do not have the technology that the FBI has. The car is a crime scene if it is true about the kidnapping laws.
There was something that Jug had said that he was sorry that on the first night, the first encounter with Deepak & Joran that the didn't make them open the trunk.
I find it hard to believe that there is no evidence of anything in that car. I know they had 10 days clean up time but all they need is one drop of Nat's blood in that car. In the trunk or anything that is in the trunk.

The dogs are there...use them.

I think that this week is going to be a make or break week with Joran and the Kalpoes and what they have all said in their statements. I see no reason why the Kalpoes cannot be compelled legally to be re interviewed. They would not know what new little details he has added on or changed. Satish failed Grade 12, he seemed close to a breaking point when they let him out of jail. If he can't be broken, then the people doing the questioning should look for new careers.

[Augusta]

The
Lynch-mob mentality
is uncalled for.

[Susie]

I think at this point, a lynch-mob mentallity is about all's thats left. Where, in all of the rest of the world, is a murder investigation left to the family to do. How many times has it been said that no police officer's or any representative from the Aruban Gov. has been at the dump?? That is being done by Texas Equa-search, the Monsur's and Natalee's family. I have to say, that at this point, the Arubans themselves couldnt pay me to come to their island. Common Cival Liberties are denied, safety is a foriegn language, and a dependable, honest, and educated justice system doesnt even excist!! How safe could anybody feel on that island after this. My family doesnt have a million dollars and the contacts that Natalees apperently has. I guess if it would have been me or a billion other Americans like me, it would have been swept under the rug and just a distant memory by now. I say "more power to the Holloway-Twitty family". Its time for Aruba's "paradise" to be seen for what it really is. And if gambling isnt allowed by children under the age of 18, why then was Joran in a casino with his father gambling and drinking?? But, wait a minute, the mother talked of Jorans wings and his halo. It must have just been a look-a-like with "Daddy Sloot". He's just as guilty as the rest of them though and I wouldnt count out the mother by any means. Lets not forget, she lied too!!!!

[Paulo]

Hiya Everyone!

Just a couple of things:

leeza, I really admire your intellect, word-smithing, and insight. But please lighten up a little bit. If you start believing every word of what's being stated here you are going to go crazy.

Kat Gram: TOTALLY agree with your entire post. Well stated. As far as Deepak's vehicle: I have been espousing for 2 months now--take it apart--literally.

If anyone has ever taken apart those little "puddle jumpers" there are more places to search than what appears to the eye. I've been screaming about taking off the inside door panels. Reason:

There is plastic window liner that must be punctured to access the inside window workings. I, for one, believe Natalee got sick in that car. I also don't think she made it completely out of the window. Therefore, between the dash board, door panels, window wells, and especially the inner lining of the ceiling, if she got sick evidence will be there. DNA evidence.

Kat Gram further: I don't think that the arrest made that much difference in Satish Kalpoe failing the 12th grade. It takes a lot to fail. Serioulsy, one nearly has to work at it; I'd like to see the previous semesters report cards.

More importantly, I think they should serve an Attorney Summons to Answer or line up some Depositions for further questioning of the head master of the school. He's in deep.

Paulo

[shylock]

Re: Susie "Where, in all of the rest of the world, is a murder investigation left to the family to do"

Everyday this case becomes more outrageous - from Trappenburg's condescending remarks,the LE's refusal to direct the polis(not to mention her choice of vacation time),the government's threats to the few witnesses that come forward,the lapse of a permit for TES to search the landfill, the endless phony "tips".We MUST keep the pressure on Dutch and U.S. govt. authorities to override this joke of an "investigation" The clock is ticking.

[Kat_Gram]

Paulo;
I think that they should take the car apart in Quantico and give it back to Deepak in a box.