Natalee Holloway: Report From Aruba

While there is no confirmation that the judge who must determine the short-term fate of Joran Van der Sloot has reached a decision, it does appear that any additional charges of rape against the boy may not hold up.

Earlier in the week I was informed that a previous girlfriend of the now eighteen year-old suspect may have been the basis for that charge, but it was also suggested that the charge was not accurate or able to be substantiated by the facts.

Word today from another source now suggests that was indeed the case and the girl (witness), or other members of her family are complaining about police tactics in her questioning.

As reported here and here, the facts may indicate that a Hail Mary attempt by the prosecution to come up with new evidence in a effort to hold Van der Sloot may not amount to much of anything. That does not, however, indicate that the sitting judge won't determine that the young man can be held for another thirty days while the investigation is ongoing.

The judge did meet with the primary suspect and his parents today in closed chambers prior to rendering a decision, due by September 3-4.

This post is also available at Blogger News Network.

Comments

[Shari]

Looks like after another 30 days, he'll be set free. So sad.

[AkekoaHoAlethia]

Speeding the investigation forward...
I just hope (and pray) they can find more evidence of what happened to Natalee.

Thank you Dan for they update.

[aoife24]

so sad....will she ever be found...I just wish she could be found...man whoever did this did a verrry good job of hiding her. I wonder sometimes if they were so close to finding her but missed her, like in the landfill when the holes were funnily enough filled in the day they were to be searched again and the search tem could do nothing but watch it....

[Denise]

Dan -

Are any of your sources in Aruba Scubajap?

[afmomx3]

dan new thread? need one

[Dan]

Denise, I couldnt' comment if SJ were - I can tell you that I had details of the charges being weak several days ago but opted not to go over board as I thought it may be intended to bring pressure on someone to talk. That, and nomatter how could a source, if I can have more than one it usually helps.

It's easy to miscommunicate - even being careful with one source.

[k.jeanne]

so sad....will she ever be found...Posted by: aoife24 | Aug 31, 2005 8:27:58 PM

It is indeed very sad, so hard to believe Natalee just vanished....

Sometimes these things are never solved. One that I still remember unsolved is the murder of Sen. Charles Percy's daughter, Valerie, in their home in 1964.

I hope and pray this will have closure for Beth, Dave, Jug and families.

[Denise]

Dan -

Don't know what I was thinking. Of course you cannot reveal your sources. LOL.. I suspected this new info was a tactic myself.

Come answer some questions in 162 if your not too busy!!

[Bigfish]

Thanks Dan

Bigfish

[oneyka]

Dan, if the judge met with the parents and the jerk, do you think it means the judge has told the parents his decision already, and Paul being an attorney has made a plea to the judge, I do not mean a legal plea, a father's request to let his son go because he is "so young, his future, blah blah blah, and ALL HE WANTS IS HIS KID BACK? What about justice for Natalee, THE KID was the last one to see her alive, does that mean anything to Anita Van Der Jerk? Those people are so heartless, but I do not think Big Joran has a place in the USA, he will be spotted and harrassed, hope so! Thanks.

[nlk2005fornataleeholloway]

did we ever find out if Tricia's comments were legit?

[skydiver]

It could be that this boy is innocent. He has been convicted by the news media and the girls parents. But the facts are what need to be looked at. The legal system cannot work off opinion and tv ratings.

[Kat_Gram]

Why didn't they talk to Ntalee's parents ?

Is Anita packing the kid's suitcae. I am so disappointed, I read that he was detained for another 30 days.

Was this a judge that knew Paulus ?

[Gilroy]

What evidence do the parents have to contribute?
He is going to be released, perhaps this weekend, if not, within 30 days; without more evidence there will be no prosecution.

[celene46]

Why didn't they talk to Ntalee's parents ?

Is Anita packing the kid's suitcae. I am so disappointed, I read that he was detained for another 30 days.

Was this a judge that knew Paulus ?

Judge has not decided on 30 more days, see article:
http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050831/APN/508310726&cachetime=5

[sol rosenberg]

They may as well let these kids go right now. The investigation was an abortion to begin with. BHT should take some of that reward money and hire someone to "persuade" the boys to talk.

[Kelly3]

I happen to think Natalee will found but it won't be in the near future. This case makes my stomach do flip flops. I really thought after last week this week would be exploding with news for Natalee's parents. I guess not.

[clintcarter]

Dan you raise an interesting point; the putting outof 'designed' info in hopes of securing something else. Certainly seems that the dutch system of total secrecy would lead to a practice of tailoring 'leaks' (ouch! the word makes me nervous..) for effect.

Maybe the little we know is even less than we know!

[NYMom]

I have Dutch cousins. Van Blerkems. Should I still love their sons. Some have anglisized Manashaw names. Was tht Mansur?

[RICK]

We all have a Dutch Uncle!!!! You are so lucky to have cousins as well.

[annie]

Sigh, well it isn't surprising. I think we all knew that the latest charges of rape may not hold up and we all suspected that the police were grandstanding to get a way to keep him there.

I just wish the judges there would bring in the victims into the picture. It seems that their court system is all about the "accused" and nothing about the victim. It seems that the family may have a lot of useful information they can share with the judge that isn't being presented. Perhaps it would encourage the judge to make sure that all information be explored more fully.

It is such a shame this was so poorly mishandled from the beginning. This entire case may have a completely different taste in our mouths had it been handled differently up front.

I just feel so bad for the family involved.

[CRICKET]

I find this all this a bit bizzard.. I guess a bit of a under statement. Everything that the police seem to have on these boys are shot down.
I guess it helps to have friends on the inside. If I was a parent and I had to run into road block end after road block, I would just lose it.
I think it will be a big blow to the case if JVS is set free. Because I free that he holds the key to this case. Reportly he broke down crying in court yesterday maybe the first sign of emotion let him stay a little while longer maybe then he will want to talk.

[Paulo]

Dan you raise an interesting point; the putting outof 'designed' info in hopes of securing something else. Certainly seems that the dutch system of total secrecy would lead to a practice of tailoring 'leaks' (ouch! the word makes me nervous..) for effect.
Maybe the little we know is even less than we know!
Posted by: clintcarter | Sep 1, 2005 12:01:55 AM

I have agonized over the antiquated Dutch legal system since the very start of this fiasco. Moreover, with these behind the scenes tactics going on I certainly have come to appreciate the entire system of separation of powers.

Up to this date, there is absolutely no one who could possibly convince me that a system of checks and balances exists in Aruba. On the one hand absolutely nothing is disclosed to or for the public good; and, on the other hand, since when has a judge ever met with a suspect, person detained, or whatever they call a defendant in that system?

Goodness gracious already! This person admitted to sexually assaulting a young lady; he’s admitted to leaving her “asleep” on a beach; he’s admitted to buying drinks for her; he’s admitted to killing her, although, no one seems to have a written record of his sniveling "...I can't take it anymore..." confession.

Someone help me please! Are there no charges filed (British Common Law language) for the aforementioned in Aruba? These people are biting and scratching of any sort of evidence to hold him for additional 30-days! Is it me? Or, what do you get for sexual assault in Aruba? What gives?

Here’s my complaint: There exist hard evidence of this guy involved in under aged consumption of alcohol; furthermore, there is hard evidence of this guy involved in under aged gambling. Including the above mentioned self-proclaimed acts against Natalee where is anything?

Aruban’s—hear me now! It’s not you! It’s the lack of the system installed in your country centuries ago. This guy will do it again along with his “E-Crew” gangsta brethren. Time to stand up! This is simply sickening.

Steamed, steamin’, boiling over,
Paulo

[not buying their story]

He did not admit to squat. The news, yes the same one who reported her body found three times, has said he confessed. There is no proof until LE releases any paperwork they may have.

As for the so-called sexual assault, wasn't it an ex-girlfriend? Sounds more like revenge for getting played to me. All too typical these days. Probably another of Jossy's black belts.

He bought drinks for her? Alert the media; how many men did body shots off of her? Odds are he was not the only one who bought drinks for her. Let's face it, she wasn't dogmeat.

How come people concentrate so much on Joran's alleged lies, and not Natalee's mother's? She lied from the git-go about her honor grad status (not) and her room not having beach access (pictures proved she lied.)

I think the answer is much closer to home.

[jim]

joran the tough boy will get his in time