Taylor Behl: Ben Fawley Talking To Police

h/t T and M -

Two new stories up on Ben Fawley, suspect in the Taylor Behl case:

"He made a statement," Collins said in a phone interview. "He has been wanting to talk to the police. He was pretty frantic yesterday [Wednesday] to talk to the police. I advised him not to talk, and he didn't take my advice," said Collins, who was present during the interview.

Collins has previously described Fawley as suffering from a severe bipolar disorder for which he receives a monthly Social Security disability check.

The lawyer refused to discuss the details of what Fawley told investigators, saying only that his client "wanted to talk to the police in an attempt to resolve the issues surrounding Taylor Behl.

"I think he's going to help them resolve what happened," said Collins, declining further comment.

Also a story on line re previously posted breaking news:

A witness is putting suspect Ben Fawley in New Kent County shortly after the VCU Freshman disappeared.

For the first time, wer'e learning that a gas station attendant places Ben Fawley in New Kent County in a car that fits the description of Taylor Behl's car in the hours following her disappearance. This information comes to 8 news from a source close to the investigation.

Comments

[error404]

With regards to the gas station attendant's description: I am wary of giving credibility to hearsay of this nature from 'potential' witnesses, for if there was ever a case where LE would be relying on back-up from witnesses who do not personally know Fawley, this would be one of them.

Circumstantial evidence alone does not give 'them' the verdict they want reached, nor does any of it pin him to the crime scene.

I remain cynical and open-minded until further notice...

[chance]

Hmmmmm. Lets see: 38 year old loser with no job who is also a psychotic criminal with a childlike fixation on skulls and fire with a skateboard collection....Yeah I see how all these teenage girls are attracted to him. Man, what's not to like? This type of shit always amazes me!!

[error404]

chance - I suspect your 'impression' of Fawley may also have been that of certain people working in LE...

I know plenty of teens, (and adults who are emotionally immature for that matter), who collect objects that some might perceive to be bizarre, skulls, road signs, license plates, driftwood, tiles, car emblems, skateboards, skateboard decks, graffitti art on bricks... and so forth.

None of the teens or people that I know are either psychotic or potential murderers.

They're just regular people from all walks of life either studying, holding down careers or regular jobs, or yes, even unemployed.

IMO Fawley wasn't a grown man trying to lure young girls into any kind of trap, he was simply emotionally immature. I know plenty of 30 plus old men who have never evolved beyond the emotional age of 16, this doesn't make them psychotic or a danger to society.

It seems to me that it's okay for fifty/sixty year old plus hollywood movie stars to date and bed women barely out of their teens - but not men like Ben Fawley.

I certainly am not qualified in the fields of Psychology or Psychiatry to make an assessment of Ben Fawley's emotional or mental make-up.

I wonder how many of the people who are commenting or analysing Ben Fawley's character and psyche on their web journals are.

[bull]

Also, how many of the people who are commenting and analysing are qualified in the field of Botany. Yet, somehow we can tell when an apple is bad.

[error404]

"Also, how many of the people who are commenting and analysing are qualified in the field of Botany. Yet, somehow we can tell when an apple is bad."

Yes - but how 'bad'?

A little battered and bruised around the edges or rotten to the core?

[p]

Holy crap! I just heard this on the radio, that he gave a jailhouse statement to police on Wednesday evening. I thought he seemed the type that if he knew something, he couldn't hold it in. I'm sure we all want it resolved.

[bull]

Whether you like the guy or not, this case will be made on the best facts that can be collected. If he is tried and found guilty, then how bad the apple is becomes important in the sentencing.

Who besides Fawley have been mentioned here possible suspects? Ben's circle of friends or I guess you should say acquaintances(Cino, Erin, Delano, etal), the three skateboarders, Jessie Schultz, Jake the boyfriend, Matt Behl the father - hard to believe no one has mentioned the mother as a suspect, and a unknown random killer.

Two questions:

How many of the suspects knew how to get to or even knew where Diggs was? Unless you think it that somehow Taylor ending up in Diggs was an just a coincidence, the killer had to have been to Diggs before. Of all the possible suspects, how many have been to Diggs - Fawley, Erin, probably Cino and a couple of his buddies. You've already knocked the list down to a handfull. Do you think the cooking skateboarders and Jessie, would be friends with the intellectuals in Ben's group. Probably not and as someone said it is hard to board on sand.

Of the remaining suspects who know how to get to Diggs, how many saw Taylor on September 5? Just on these two questions, you can almost say who had a hand in this and it doesn't look good for Ben.

[trish]

Bull "The great processor of elimination" lol just joshing well put
trish

[bull]

I did pick the name for a reason and it has nothing to do with cows in the breeding shed.

[raven]

everyone who knows erin... and alot of people who know ben.... know about digs... if this was a frame up job... you have to take into acccount that the framer took ben's personaliity into the framing... if he was framed it was by someone who knew him and knew his habits.... both the good ones and the bad ones...

ben's scent and prints were not found in taylors car... this seems like an important detail to me... no video tape, but a month ago the gas station attendant saw him alone in taylors car...well thats hard to swollow, i've never been a gas station attendant but i find it unlikely they frequently have photographic memoriies which remember all people gassing up, their vehicles and if they did, would they remember if they were alone or not? however, so many people have made up their mind allready that it was ben, if a gas station attendant DID see ben...buying gas for a stranger who picked him up posibly.... then how does the ind put it togeether.... or maybe the gas station attendant just fantisized the whole thing.... it happends... i mean he didnt come foreward until 2 weeks after ben had been in the news daily... but very shortly after the body was identified.

we honestly cant make this judgement without real evidence... there is no real evidence here.

i've said for weeks i didnt think ben did it, but i think/thought he knows something...

well now he's going to the police... his lawyer said not to ... thats interesting, but it doesnt implicate ben in murder...

i think people who acuse ANYONE of ANY crime, before there is eviidence should be ashamed of themselves, ESPECIALY since this rantint and raving has lead to the harrassment of skulz' children... those are two WONDERFUL kids btw...

[bull]

It is very unfortunate that Ben's kids are being harassed, but whether we say Ben is guilty or not I doubt has anything to do with the harrassment. This is now national news and Ben is showing up everywhere - and kids today seem more meaner to other kids than they did in the past.

We have no idea what forensic evidence they found in the Taylor's car. If you have a link to anything, let us know.

Gas station attendant will be torn up in court if there is a trial. If the prosecution has to use the attendant, they don't have much of a case.

Who do you think framed him and why?

If Ben if innocent and has hard evidence about the case, why wouldn't he come forward earlier. Would he be that loyal to a friend, does he like the notoriety that much and would he put his kids through the harrassment?

[trish]

Raven.....for starters I do not believe for one minute any of the people here save a few would do anything to harass bens children ,in fact we have extended sympathy/ empathy to folks here claiming to be his relatives after all giulty or innocent his family did not ask for this. 2nd how do we know whos scent was picked up in the car all we know is that in a 12 day period a scent was put (for lack of words) in Taylors car and same scent ended up in the home of a richmond resident kin to Jesse Shultz.Im quite sure none of us speak K-9 and if someone does I beg they ask the dog exactly what he smelled.3rd often people who work the late shift at gas stations see less people than those who work days. I may be wrong here also but Im not sure we know the attendant took two weeks after to claim he saw ben we have just learned about it. Im sure law enforcement kmows way more than citizens and long before.I for one do not feel bad for stating my opinion here the circumstances/coincidences flying around bf are hinky and I believe guilty or not he is a predator I just dont belive the world was out to get ben everytime he was convicted for a crime or served restraining orders.

[AJ]

The gas station attendant has no credibility.

Fawley is a criminal, has bipolar disorder, collects things, and lives on disability payments. He is also emotionally stunted and thus attracted to much younger people.

I agree with Chance that there's nothing for teen girls to see in Fawley. I also agree with Error404 that the facts I've mentioned doesn't make Fawley a murderer.

There's a difference between 17 or 19 and "barely out of their teens". Fawley dated 17 and 19 (at 38); 60-yr-old H-wood celebs date women "barely out of their teens".

[trish]

hey bull does it also strike you as odd that there are alot of people closly scrutinzed in this that made no mention of a missing friend in journals in the days following sept 5 I for one would of been beating the streets and away from my journal or atleast mentioning my friend insted of meaningless drivel about, well all the stuff i say posted...thats just me and I know people mourn, worry and express every emotion in their own way but I just figured we would of seen at least a mention or 2.also yesterday i saw a strange post by bf dated apx may 5 2005 about unquote I did something stupid and started the fire and got stuck inside with all the strange rambling it could VERY WELL BE METAPHORIC (avoiding attacks lol) but biozarre all the same if you didnt see it I will try to track and post

[Cosmic Mojo]

>>>ben's scent and prints were not found in taylors car...
>>>Posted by: raven | Oct 14, 2005 10:28:26 AM

We don't know that at all.
Naysayers were saying there's no evidence and now that we have an eye witness putting Fawley in New Kent on the 5th, all of a sudden they scramble with other excuses.

Face it, there's an eye witness now. Fawley's a unique enough character that one could remember seeing him. I've worked retail before and I know that I DID remember customers and the last time they were in my store. Coupled with the credit card record, that rock solid evidence.

[Cosmic Mojo]

>> I am wary of giving credibility to hearsay of this nature from 'potential' witnesses

That's not hearsay. Hearsay is when a witness relays something another person told them.
This witness is swearing to what HE personally saw. Very credible, especially when partnered with the credit card record.

[Kev]

Thank you Trish....I've been reading these post for weeks and I just cant believe these people are still taking up for this scumbag....wake up already

[Midwest anon]

Here's a thought-
Often when police suspect more than one person in a murder, etc., they'll cut a deal with whomever they have in custody. Something like, "you won't go to the gas chamber if you tell us who else was involved." If the crime is heinous enough, that suspect may even get immunity-Ben may have been made an offer he coudn't refuse. We might see more than one arrest this week.
MHO

[Rick]

Raven: No one here has said a word about Ben's family. He has taken a beating and some vigilantes would have already hanged him because of his haircut, but no one has said a word about his family or his upbringing.It is very unfortunate that children have to suffer because some adults never grew up. Also, most of us have held out for "innocent until proven guilty", only a few have him under the jail already. It may be best to draw conclusions a bit more slowly.

I posted this on another page earlier. Eyewitnesses are notoriously unreliable.

How very interesting this ID by the quick shop clerk. Here's a life story: When Michael Jordan's (yeah, that one) father was murdered several years ago a store clerk near me said Mr. J filled his Caddy there the day his car was found on I-95. Now, this store is over twenty miles from where the Jordan's lived at the time. Their home was 1/4 mile, less than 3 blocks from I-40. From there it is about an hour to I-95 and less than a hundred yards off of the interstate to where the car was found. With me so far?
Why in heavens name would Mr. J drive over 20 miles out of his way to fill up? He wasn't going to Myrtle Beach and it would have taken him almost two hours to get to I-95 going that way on a then 2 lane road. Also, if he took the latter direction. Why would he turn his car back to the direction from where he came to take a nap?
Point is, the sweet old lady only thought she saw Mr. Jordan that day. He was rememberable and did not mind letting anyone know who his son was. She would have been able to make a more positive ID had he stopped in. Not to mention that he would have passed over a dozen gas stations coming this way.
OH BTW, I know they have a credit card receipt in Va. to go with the eye witness testimony

[AJ]

The gas station attendant has no cred. He comes out with the "I remember" story AFTER it's in the news that BF's cc was used there, AFTER TB's body is found, and a MONTH AFTER the date the cc was used....and he's credible? Because he's swearing he's an eyewitness? No dice unless there's video from the gas station's cameras.

[AJ]

And what physical traits would BF have had that night that would have been "memorable" to the attendant? Did BF go inside, or stay in the car? Either way, if he didn't say anything and didn't cause a commotion, then there wasn't anything to make him stand out.

[Rick]

AJ- Maybe the attendant thought Johnny Depp was filling his escort in the middle of nowhere:-)

These days, most people using a card don't go inside. There's no need for it

[trish]

well aj for starters the news report says he bought gas and several other items which answers your question about inside verses outside and I will say it again we do not know when the attendant came forward we are just now learning about it.

[bull]

Trish: Probably most of these kids want to stay out of the limelight as much as possible, I know I would. Just mentioning Taylor Behl on your livejournal guaranteed a great number of lurking strangers. Plus, most of the Richmond kids are more Ben's and Cino's friends than Taylor's.

Fire story sounds like Fawley crap to me.

[anon 2]

Well, not to mention that Fawley's attorney advised him NOT to come forward. So, whatever Fawley has to say, it just can't be good for him.

I hope something else will come of this. I hope people will take S&M, B&D, fetishism and even porno obsession a little less lightly.

Bundy, who in no way resembled Fawley on the surface, said that he felt that it was violence in porno that had influenced him. While I have never believed that was an adequate explanation, I suspect it must have had some impact. Still, he was drawn to the stuff while others find it repulsive, disturbing, nauseating. Those gut reactions aren't indicative of weakness. Those reactions are indicative of sanity. Being able to empathize with the suffering of others is what allows our species to survive. We are the only creature I know of that kills for amusement as well as many other bizaare reasons.

I am painting this in broader strokes than I should. In other words, writing in some what definitive generalizations. I am doing the best I can with words this morning.

The deeper you get into this lifestyle, the worse . . .I don't know. There's no way to tell, at least not at first, who really is sick and who is just being cool playing dress-up and sex games or who, even, is starting to fall off the edge.

It isn't a matter of age either. A twenty four year old into S&M could try a necktie around a girl's neck for the thrill "Frenzy" gave him; then, a few days later, cut and dye his hair to resemble the serial killer in that flick after stuffing the kid in a closet in a Franklin street apartment just across the hall from his and then frame a neighbor. I'm just sayin. This is fiction. Any resemblence to persons living or dead . . (What the hell is she taking about?)

It isn't just Fawley's age. It's the nature of sexual fixation. How far can you push the envelope? The more you push the envelope, the harder it is to get a thrill. People become objects: a means to an end. I am not saying everyone is sick. How are you supposed to know who is or who isn't or who isn't about to become sick? Or who is just about to make a foolish mistake.

[Rick]

Or she could have had an overdose while skateboarding on the beach

[Midwest anon]

Oh, anon 2, THANK you for writing that. I share your opinions so strongly. It's not prudish to be speculative of sexual role-playing acts that are linked to violence. It's healthy to question them. We can argue that the urges for violence and sex come from the same place in the brain (they do) and produce the same endorphins (they do). But we are an evolved civilization, with reason to say, "I can choose not to be an animal". We're not female tarantulas who kill and cannabilize their mates after intercourse. We're sentient humans, and maybe the people who get off on violence don't have that "off" switch in their minds, but it's still not an excuse.
So well said, girl.

[absynth_minded]

Here's a thought-
Often when police suspect more than one person in a murder, etc., they'll cut a deal with whomever they have in custody. Something like, "you won't go to the gas chamber if you tell us who else was involved." If the crime is heinous enough, that suspect may even get immunity-Ben may have been made an offer he coudn't refuse. We might see more than one arrest this week.
MHO

Posted by: Midwest anon | Oct 14, 2005 11:01:59 AM

I was thinking the same exact thing...

I hope something else will come of this. I hope people will take S&M, B&D, fetishism and even porno obsession a little less lightly.

Bundy, who in no way resembled Fawley on the surface, said that he felt that it was violence in porno that had influenced him. While I have never believed that was an adequate explanation, I suspect it must have had some impact. Still, he was drawn to the stuff while others find it repulsive, disturbing, nauseating. Those gut reactions aren't indicative of weakness. Those reactions are indicative of sanity. Being able to empathize with the suffering of others is what allows our species to survive. We are the only creature I know of that kills for amusement as well as many other bizaare reasons.

Posted by: anon 2 | Oct 14, 2005 11:38:17 AM

Porn, S&M, ect CAN BE a VERY dangerous tool in the hands of a "desensitized," person... this I agree.

Make no mistake about it, Bundy was a desensitized socio/psychopath and was going to kill regardless of his exposure to porn or not.

It's also important to note that Bundy changed his story more frequently than Madonna changes hairstyles, as most socio/psychos are pathological liars and will say ANYTHING to deflect blame and accountability.

[Rick]

A-M. Once again, you bring clarity. While it is very true that porn in all of it's cloaks can be harmful. The same can be said for violent movies, television and video games. Why, even the Bible has been used by the weak minded to commit murder, mayhem and slavery. You are spot on when you say "Bundy was a desensitized socio/psychopath and was going to kill regardless of his exposure to porn or not."
It is the excuse, not the reason.

[bull]

If Ben is talking, he's probably just changing or adding to his tale to as AM said "deflect blame and accountabilty"

[mmy]

I wonder if Chris Collins not wanting BF to talk to the police has more to do with the lawyer wanting to make a bigger name for himself by case going to trial versus case getting settled with a plea.

[mmy]

Rick: are you from the Richmond area? You use the expression 'spot on', a new one for me. Here we usually say 'on the mark'. Just curious as to where that expression comes from.

[Rick]

mmy
No, not from Richmond. Actually the expression "spot on" comes from the Brits. I was IMing a friend and got into their slang for a moment there. I'm back home now, saying "on the money, hits the nail on the head" ;-)

[ls]

Hmmmmm. Lets see: 38 year old loser with no job who is also a psychotic criminal with a childlike fixation on skulls and fire with a skateboard collection....Yeah I see how all these teenage girls are attracted to him. Man, what's not to like? This type of shit always amazes me!!

Posted by: chance | Oct 14, 2005 2:31:51 AM

I agree what a looser..., and girls today are just plain stupid for being attracted to guys like this.

[Krahs]

Once again - not to upset anyone's so-called apple cart. But I really believe there are too many of you (not all) giving BF the benefit of the doubt. I think it is safe to say unlike a previous poster posted - HE WAS DEFINITELY luring young women to his web. It also has become known with all his computers and contacts from same, he was talking to many people as well as getting them into his "bondage bed" - look for the link -- there is a picture of it. Sorry to say this to the more liberal folks of this group - but WAKE UP. One day it really could be your daughter. I do think you would then sing a much different tune. And I do have to say NO YOU CANNOT judge a book by it's cover. But start looking at his interests, his posts, his fetishes, etc. That is ALL FROM ONE'S HEART.

[absynth_minded]

I would like to think that the profile of BF that I have been running with since day one is pretty accurate, but I just am not sure. The only other time I remember being "clouded" was the Spotsylvania County case of the three murdered girls. That was way back in 96'.

With a seemingly "text book," sociopath like BF, if he is envolved at all, it would 99.9% be something that he was ALONE was responsible for. At the same time, I can't help but feel others were either directly involved or at the very least knew something.

[absynth_minded]

* He alone was

[absynth_minded]

Sorry to say this to the more liberal folks of this group - but WAKE UP. One day it really could be your daughter. I do think you would then sing a much different tune. And I do have to say NO YOU CANNOT judge a book by it's cover. But start looking at his interests, his posts, his fetishes, etc. That is ALL FROM ONE'S HEART.

Posted by: Krahs | Oct 14, 2005 1:10:30 PM

WTF does POLITICAL BELIEFS have to do with any of this????????

Sorry, not the time or place for that BS.

For the record, if we were to jail every person with fetishistic interests ,stunted emotional development, and mental illness, the prisons in this country would be more crowded than they already are.

[ME]

i heard witness in new kent was a SHE

i thought fawley would talk when remains were found

if he had help he will be squealing now

[bull]

It's not bad to be a one issue person, at least you know where they are coming from. Don't want to talk to them every day, though - really what's the need.

[Rick]

OK you two, take a breath. Please remember that this is a blog and none of us REALLY knows anyone else. Krahs, please dont throw the "L" word out like that. It can be taken as an attack and invites counter attack.In my case, I think Rush Limbo is too far left and Hannity is a cool aid drinker if I ever saw one.
A-M: language......nuff said?

I for one have 3 daughters, all over 25 and I asure you, none would have experimented w/ S&M or had 'nekkid' pictures made. As for other teen/young adult experiments. Only an absolute idiot would claim to know their child that well. Only by grace were we able to raise 3 strong, intelligent,hard working & incredibly beautiful women. I had to run off some land sharks until I found men I could accept. They hated me for making the little boys come to my house and meet us. OK, so the jury is still out on #3. 1&2 are fine husbands and fathers. I was never so liberal, or naive to drop even my adult daughters off at any man's house to visit for a weekend, let alone one she barely knew.
Because some of us realize that EVERYONE has a little kink in their soul and are willing to overlook it as long as it only involves consenting adults. Does not mean we condone the behavior or would accept it in our own lives. There are millions into the same stuff these people were/are into. For most of them it is a bedroom game that never really gets rough and no one dies. I think it far better to try to eradicate the things that TRULY lead to low self esteem and a need to be humiliated. Rather than to attack people for their opinions.

[AJ]

"well aj for starters the news report says he bought gas and several other items which answers your question about inside verses outside and I will say it again we do not know when the attendant came forward we are just now learning about it."

But exactly what was it that made him memorable? So memorable that it took a month (of continuous media coverage) to remember him (BF)? And I agree that the public does not have all the info. I stand by my assessment of the attendant, be that a HE or a SHE.

[absynth_minded]

I'm not a big fan of this particular "L" word and feel that when most people use it they are generalizing and showing bias, not to mention inviting both politics and religion into the equation.

Any fricken way.....

I applaud you, Rick, for being a good father and being active in your daughter's lives. Their dates SHOULD have to meet "daddy" first, as will certainly be the case with my daughters, if and when I do have them.

[Netsleuth]

Who is to say this Gas station attendant just now came forward? I am of the opinion that the credit card/sighting of Fawley was discovered before the body was found and that is what lead police to re-examine the photos and eventually find Taylors body.

[blues]

>>Who is to say this Gas station attendant just now came forward?

great point. LE is making a very calculated investigation. They are going to release only information that they need help with - and by help, I mean witnesses - not investigation help.

Someone mentioned earlier that the eyewitness is unreliable. That's b.s.

And, suspects have been convicted with only circumstantial evidence - Scott Peterson for one.

[livesinmathews]

i agree with netsleuth...i was amazed that out of all of the pictures that BF had in his photo buckets...the detectives chose to come to Mathews...the gas purchase makes sense in pointing a direction...i believe there is way more evidence in place than we have a clue about!

[livesinmathews]

one more thing...gas station and convenience store workers are often trained to pay attention to the details...hence the height scale on the door of many locations!

[Rick]

blues,
It is well known that eyewitnesses are notoriously unreliable.......maybe not this particular one, but in general. You're absolutley right, this one may have come forward the instant that Fawley's picture was shown. Still the question remains: What was so memoriable about a fairly average looking guy in a really grandma average, bland, white car? Especially depending on the time of day.

One difference with Peterson is that the body was found within yards of where he claimed to be fishing........90 MILES FROM HOME

[AJ]

I have to hope you're correct, Netsleuth. Otherwise, it's doesn't look right: "the gas station attendant also told investigators he saw Fawley in a car that matches the description of Taylor Behl's white Ford Escort"--if the attendant recognized the car, why didn't he/she come forward when cops were still looking for it? And how would someone remember an average, 20s-ish looking male in an average, white, 4-door compact car after a month?

I'm still not convinced Fawley murdered anyone, but I do believe that he A) knows more than we've been told (accidental death, he panics and hides the body), B) could be directly involved (but not the murderer), and C) could have caused TB's death, but did not premeditate it.

[Rick]

A-M
Yeah, the word invites trouble and has no place here.