Today’s post is not about a day in the history of Morgan’s investigation, it is just about a plain old day right from the start as I just left a store and witnessed something that is just not fair – to all the victims of peeping toms and stalkers, and whatever other individual names there are for, “offenses against the person”.
This incident I saw is off the record, so I won’t name names or even the store I was at, but it went like this…a single police officer arrives, the officer goes to a back office, there is a person waiting that is put in handcuffs. This is the first thing the officer does! And after a brief conversation, the officer takes the person to the squad car, actually it’s Colorado, so it’s an SUV, but this person is taken away to jail, bye-bye.
I honestly did not know what was going on, so I found out. And while this may be obvious to some, it turns out that this person was observed shoplifting, and was detained while the police were called, and came to arrest the person. It is not a common occurrence, but this is how it is handled when it does happen.
On my drive home, I became emotional about this simple observation of mine. Because Morgan, one evening, went against everything she had been told to do, and stopped her car, while being followed by her stalker, to get out and be able to positively identify him, as this had been a sticking point up until then. Morgan wanted it over, and she wanted to be sure that it was him.
But when we called the Garfield Sheriff’s Department, they did not arrest him, did not even go search him out and talk to him or question him, Morgan got the big “nothing.” Of course he would have denied it. I mean do they ever really admit it? The person in the store was in cuffs as they were advised of their rights, before they spoke a word.
Morgan encountered her stalker at an intersection numerous times on her way home from a class, which always ended at differing times, but within 10 or 15 minutes either way of the intended end time. These incidents were reported to Detective Glassmire sometimes one at a time, or sometimes more than one at a time. The detective said there was a trailer park somewhere back in the direction the suspect was coming from, and “surmised” K.V.G. “might” live there. So the detective said it was probably always just a chance meeting. My grandmother would have said, “bologna!”
I have to ask, have you ever made left turns at an intersection at random times, and found yourself saying – hey, there’s so and so again, making a left turn at the same time as me, we are going to meet right in the middle, and darn if he isn’t staring me down again, what a coincidence! Sorry, not possible…I have made that left turn easily over a hundred times, and never have seen him there once, let alone making a turn on the same light cycle as me, and even more remotely meeting in the middle of the intersection. Morgan makes the left turn seven times, and it happens six and that’s mere coincidence, I don’t think so. I have been assured that the statistical probability of this happening just by coincidence is off the charts. To think that this would not have taken surveillance, and precise timing to achieve, is pure fantasy.
Those encounters, just at the intersection alone, were not by chance, and as a part of Morgan’s stalking case meet the elements of stalking, where the state of Colorado, by legislative decree;
Recognizes the seriousness posed by stalking, and adopts the provisions of this part 6 with the goal of encouraging, and authorizing effective intervention before stalking can escalate into behavior that has even more serious consequences.
In case you want to read all about it – here is the link at the end of the paragraph. If you or someone you know, even thinks they are being stalked or has ever wanted to know what the State of Colorado believes should happen when stalking is suspected, it is very informative, and illuminating, and I can guarantee you the Sheriff’s Department never really discussed any of this with us, and oh how I wish they had – Colorado Stalking law .
So this person at the store is cuffed, and led away on a phone call, for a misdemeanor offense, but when the Sheriff’s are called about Morgan’s stalker, which is a felony case, and told that this happened, here he is, and, nothing… here he is again, and nothing… here he is again, and nothing again. Now she’s dead, the eyewitness is gone. It is not fair for the victims of stalking. And yes, I made the calls, because Morgan was, a) shaking like a leaf, b) crying, or, c) both, and yes, she did tell the officers in her own words when they arrived at our house. But the real question is the time when Morgan stopped the car, unlocked the door, and got out of the car, in order to positively identify K.V.G., when she knew she was being followed home one time, did she set off the events that led to her death? Was she now the only eyewitness, the one thing he can not have? I have never thought about this before, but now I have to really wonder.
So many of the stalking victims I talk to are so upset because, a) they feel as if they are not believed, b) the police won’t do anything to stop it or, c) both. If the legislative branch goes to all the trouble to draft and pass a law against stalking, and even calls it an, “extraordinary risk crime”, where does law enforcement get off reducing it to a nothing where the suspect isn’t even interviewed when identified, and then when I ask the detective 5 months after Morgan’s murder if he had ever been to the suspects new house, it actually turns out they never even knew where he lived after he moved out of our neighborhood.
How on earth can the Sheriffs report that they enforced that part of the statue that reads, “a peace officer shall have a duty to respond as soon as reasonably possible to a report of stalking, and to cooperate with the alleged victim in investigating the report”? This is a mystery to me.
But on the heels of that mental exercise, while I was driving home came really good news, and on a Sunday good news of this magnitude is unusual. A very big piece of Morgan’s case came together today, in what began as an innocent long shot idea for Steve almost a year ago.
To explain I have to share that when Morgan’s case goes to court I have been forewarned that the admissible part will be a most excruciating exercise in hair-splitting. I really don’t completely understand it all, but I do understand excruciating, in fact I talked about it yesterday.
The good news is there is a narrow stream that will undoubtedly survive all challenges and anything within that stream has become very exciting to me. My excitement stems from something I can’t tell you all just yet, but trust me, just knowing it exists has Morgan smiling, I’m sure. It is laboratory evidence, and it connects quite a few dots in a way that I really could not have foreseen. So a big quiet thanks to those out there who spent their time and made this happen, and you know who you are!
And I apologize for getting so excited over something I can’t tell anyone, but I just could not help myself. And I keep smiling, even in what seems to be the darkest hour, because if Morgan could do it, than I certainly can too…and we know there is light at the end of this really long tunnel we have been in.
Many states have passed tough stalking laws, but it seems most law enforcement either doesn’t believe it is real or doesn’t really know how to handle it.
My daughter’s roommate is being stalked right now, by an ex-boyfriend. He emailed her boss a lot of lies about her trying to get her fired, sends her threatening texts- things like “do you feel safe right now?” even though she never responds. He has threatened her dog, threatened her- he will scream and curse at her on voice mail and then call right back and leave another telling her how much he loves her and wants her back. He mixed paint thinner and gas and poured it on her new car in her driveway one night. She has a detective assigned that pretty much blows her off, the det. will make an appointment to meet with her and not show up, not return phone calls, etc. She tried to complain to the detective about his unprofessional behavior and he told her it is hard for him to take it serious when women usually don’t stick with charging/go back to X, on and on excuses. She went to court to get a restraining order and they didn’t give her one, she met with the DA and he said the texts and voice mails alone were not enough, the guy had not hurt her (YET) and told her she could have a hearing with a judge to try to get a restraining order. Then the DA told her not to bring up the car damage at restraining order hearing because she had NO PROOF her X did it. Car damage is considered still under investigation…though X texted her something that mentioned her car the morning it happened. After 3 weeks of runaround she finally got a restraining order. Meanwhile she is armed with pepper spray and a baseball bat, and has started firearms training- she lives in total terror. She and my daughter are in the process of moving and will of course try to keep him from finding out where she lives…so frustrating. It is hard to believe if you haven’t seen it but law enforcement/ courts DON’T take it serious, many people don’t believe in it…
God Bless You for what you are doing, which is bringing attention to this horrible crime, I know it has to be really hard for you and your family after all you have been through but people MUST be educated and you are reaching many people.
Thank you Tammy for your support – has your daughter and her roommate looked into the victims relocation in their state? Before they move please try to get them to call (the victim’s rights act includes protection via helping you to hide your location, utilities, mail, etc. so the stalker can not find you when you move). Every state should have some form of this – search your state for the victims rights office. This guy sounds like he is already showing violent tendencies, and I wouldn’t take any chances.
I know she has contacted some sort of support help as you suggested, there is very little where they live though it is a city, not a small town and there should be more available. She and my daughter have taken all precautions to keep him from finding out where they are moving but I know I will not feel she is safe unless he is locked up.
I have no doubt her life is in grave danger. The main reason law enforcement is giving her for her getting the run around from them and the court is because during her relationship with her X there was no violence, no police calls on record. He was one of those men that was “too good to be true” and he gradually became controlling; she saw where it was headed and broke it off with him, then he became a stalker. Law enforcement does not seem to understand stalking, and really does not understand that there are different types. The only thing law enforcement has actually done in her case is take reports, and they did step up patrolling by her house for about a week after the car incident.
Somehow we really need to get law enforcement/courts to wake up on this issue. As you posted above it is much easier to get a shoplifter arrested than a stalker.
I’m glad you have good news, Toni. I still have hope.
God Bless
wow, Toni, I’m glad you have some news that makes you happy!!! I can’t wait unitl you can share it with us!!!!!
I actually can’t wait either – it’s so hard to hold back. But I guess I need to learn that things have to happen in a certain order so for now mums the word. But I can share some other good news, 2 stalking victims that have been staying in touch with me have had there stalkers finally thrown in jail recently and are awaiting trial. So happy for them, as one girl describes it this is the first time she can walk through town and not be frightened. Things are getting better.
Toni…Stalking is definitely not viewed as anything extreme with law enforcement. I have 2 friends who are currently being stalked and all the police do is sometimes take a report. She went on 2 dates with him and didnt connect with him, so she told him that she doesnt want to go out anymore with him and he said “well whats the reason” and she said “i just dont like you like that” and he said “all the things that you’re saying are not good enough reasons”. She has changed her cell number numerous times and he keeps finding it even though finally she got a pre-paid one so he wouldn’t be able to track her, but he still seems to finds it. My other friend is a realtor and a client had contacted her for a house, and then started stalking her. He has $800 million in the bank and is literally untouchable. She keeps going to the police to file reports and make them arrest him, but they keep telling her “he has never hurt you, he just has a crush on you” She is 26 and he is in his early 60’s. So the police view this as love???
Luc I keep hearing these same type of stories over and over and it is very CLEAR to me that change has to be made. There are people now that are working on getting this problem out in films and magazines to raise awareness and I for one am going to try to make changes in the way law enforcement views this…in our state of Colorado the laws are actually on the books to show how serious this is and they instruct law enforcement to do certain things but not all law enforcement (especially where Morgan was murdered) is following those laws…this has got to change!!!
I saw you on Dr Phil show on youtube a few days ago and had to read your blog. I am deeply sorry for your loss. The circumstances surrounding her death are highly suspicious, and your pathologist said that in his comments. Dr Phil seemed to redirect his comments to try to compel him to say he has no evidence (probably for legal protection of the Dr Phil show) but it is clear the investigation was not handled well at all. You made some interesting comments about missing jewelry, broken nails, thumb print on Morgan’s forehead as if someone was forcing her head back, and burn mark like a lighter or match to see if she reacted (to assure she was dead). Along with the video of the guy, I don’t see how this can be ignored. I am not saying that it is obvious that Keenan is the perp, but there is certainly enough information to raise a reasonable suspicion to interrogate him and bring him in for questioning. I think that Brooke on the Dr Phil show seemed suspicious and a bit smug, there was no empathy at tall for the loss of your daughter. Just got a bad feeling about her. I think the room was not properly investigated and processed as a crime scene on the morning you found Morgan dead, based on your descriptions of what was going on. Did anyone check for fingerprints? What about hairs in the sheets, floor, etc? Were any windows open or unlocked? I think my main question is – what is the motive and also how did he or they get in? Everything seems to point to him, but if not him, then definitely someone in the neighborhood who knew Morgan.
I had a similar problem, though for very different reasons that lasted about 5 years. It was not nearly as serious as this, but it was enough to put me on edge. I bought a house from someone going into bankruptcy at a very good deal. The next door neighbors wanted to buy it for their sister & her husband, but I outbid them. They were pissed off and wanted revenge, or to punish me somehow (somehow it was all my fault they didnt get the house, even though they could have bid higher too).
About a year after I moved in, I would see lights shining into my bedroom window a couple of nights a week, and would find property damage around the outside, as well as theft (patio furniture, etc) on occasions. I had a 6-foot fence and flood lights, but it keep happening. Vandalism to both the front and back yard, and theft. I caught the teenage boy and his friends coming over the fence one night in the backyard as I was hiding in the bushes next the shed, and also saw them running away another night between my house and the neighbors house. The police came many times and took reports, but told me I didn’t have a positive identification so nothing was done. The teenage boys father told me he was on the township board and nothing would be done. It was only harrassment, tresspass, and property damage (never felt I was under physical threat) but 5 years of it became too distracting, distressing and wore me down emotionally. I finally moved. This was just over jealousy, sense of entitlement, and revenge that I outbid someone on a property – cant imagine if it was personal, really personal and physically risky.
This world is too full of sick people, and seems to get more like that with each decade.
The boys and their father acted the same as that BH girl and her father, but I think BH is MUCH worse and appears too smug, ignorant and sleezy. I hope you get her and her bf if they are responsible.
Most important, you have lovely and wonderful pictures of you daughter to celebrate her spirit and her life. Her life had meaning and purpose, as short lived as it was.
Thank you so much for your kind words about meaning and purpose I greatly appreciate it. There is so much about the death scene and Morgan’s body that I could go on and on but really don’t feel up to it at this time. The biggest thing I will say is that her body was moved into a different position after she was already dead, and dead bodies do not move on their own. How do I know this – because Steve and I found her in one position, and after her crime scene photos were reviewed (almost 2 years later we received them) by crime scene experts we were told she did not die in the position we found her in. There is a lot more detail to this, but won’t come out just yet…I still have to believe the State of Colorado will do the right thing and open her investigation. Take care.