Riehl World View

Taylor Behl Investigation: Hi Res Lake Photos

See here. Please contact authorities if you can identify this lake.

Taylor Behl Investigators Seek Help Identifying Pond

Looks like they still don't have enough of what they need to convict Ben Fawley.

MATHEWS -- Two mysterious photographs of a peaceful looking pond surrounded by woods are the latest development in the death of college freshman Taylor Behl.

The task force investigating the death of the 17-year-old girl - whose remains were found Oct. 5 in a remote wooded area of Mathews County - wants the public to help investigators locate the pond shown in the photographs.

Best Line Of The Holiday

From the Mother of Taylor Behl, Janet Pelasara, when Greta asked her if she wanted the death penalty for suspect Ben Fawley. In essence, death's too good for Ben Fawley, I want him to be loved to death in prison.

Damn, I like that woman's style.

Taylor Behl Discussion

Taylor Behl Murder Case Facing Obstacles

It's impossible to read today's Times Dispatch story by Jim Nolan on the Taylor Behl case without realizing that murder charges against suspect Ben Fawley may not be that easy to support.

Sources close to the investigation are now saying they won't present evidence before a Grand Jury until January and it seems they are looking hard to make a circumstantial case against Fawley for murder.

That is far from impossible and many such cases based on circumstantial evidence do succeed. But it is far from a lock. The best thing prosecutors may have going for them is the venue and previous press coverage.

As frustrating as it may be for followers of the case - it is becoming increasingly clear as to the reasoning behind the gag order. The way in which the media coverage was going against Fawley, it would have been easy for his lawyers to mount a challenge based upon his ability to get a fair trial.

It's a layman's guess, but when, or if it does go to trial, it's likely that a jury will be instructed to disregard a great deal about Fawley that they may have heard, or read. Also, given his length of incarceration and likely number of interrogations, one might conclude a confession of some kind is out of the question.

Followers of the recently reported Natalee Holloway case would do well to take note of precisely how difficult is the job of any law enforcement agency tasked with bringing charges in a major crime under any contemporary system of justice. The Behl case is in the states, getting full co-operation from her friends, has a body and an admission of causing death - and prosecutors still don't have enough evidence to bring a murder charge.

full story here

Taylor Behl: Some VCU Perspective

This is an interesting read from Scott Bass. Apparently some of the TV talking heads have irritated more than just the Aruban PD.

Don’t ask about Taylor Marie Behl. It’s off-limits. Lt. Mike O’Berry would love to set the record straight, detail everything his Virginia Commonwealth University Police Department did to locate Behl, the pretty 17-year-old freshman who disappeared Sept. 5 and sparked a national made-for-cable-TV drama. He and a few others would love a shot at Nancy Grace, the brash CNN talk-show host who repeatedly lambasted campus cops for waiting “eleven long days” to turn the investigation over to the true blue, the Richmond Police.

“They sat on it for eleven days before law enforcement came in and took it over!” Grace shrieked Sept. 19 on CNN, emasculating the 76-member campus police force.

h/t Cindi 

Taylor Behl

While there was no specific date or charge given, reports tonight suggest authorities will take evidence before a Grand Jury in the Taylor Behl case to seek an indictment.

Behl's mother, Janet Pelasara, told News4 that prosecutors plan to take evidence in front of the grand jury and seek an indictment. The prosecutors believe charges will be forthcoming.

Taylor Behl Not Murdered?

I'm thinking this may be the result of some confusion. A reliable source emailed to say they heard on NBC local channel five that someone was suggesting perhaps Taylor Behl wasn't murdered. There was to be a televised report at 5 PM. I'm wondering if it was actually referring to a possible challenge in proving murder due to the story below.

VIENNA, Va. -- The cause of death of 17-year-old VCU student Taylor Behl may never be determined.

Taylor Behl Discussion

Taylor Behl Discussion Thread

Taylor Behl: Gun Charges On Fawley May Be Dropped

h/t to reader T. Local channel 8 is said to have reported that prosecutors may drop firearms possession charges against suspect Ben Fawley to clear the way to conduct further discussions in the Taylor Behl murder case.

I'm unable to confirm report through other surces at this time.