I really have parallel efforts going on at the same time, and have had for quite a while. First is the search for justice for Morgan Jennifer (Steve always called her MJ), which ends up being far more frustrating, angering, and convoluted than I ever could have imagined. If it were not for the unending assistance of those truly interested in solving a crime I don’t know what I would have done, honestly!
The second is the basis, the core of justice. The search for truth – I always say that the truth never changes, which is a primal belief of mine, that also will never change. For the truth is elusive when there is a price for revealing it. In Morgan’s stalking there were of course guilty parties. Perhaps the same party(s) responsible for the string of stalking and peeping tom incidents in that rather confined area dating back at least four years.
It boggles my mind that this could go on for so long and be a complete mystery to the Garfield Sheriffs Department when they are the ones responding to the incidents as they are called in. There is a reason for that, and I am trying not to allow it to be a concern of mine at the moment, so I am very aware of it, but I try to put it on my back burner for now, and it is very hard to do. Knowing all these people now who were also victims of peeping toms and terrorization, seeing how it is still a fresh wound for them even after years makes me really want to scream at someone sometimes.
So, largely with Steve’s help I focus on the truth of what happened to Morgan. The guilty parties will never be willing to tell the truth, that is obvious, and just for starters if they did it would be a confession, something they seek to avoid at all costs. And if you think you have gotten away with it, well then maintaining silence on a few key facts, becomes all so important.
So therein lies the problem for the perpetrators, the truth must never come out, and if it should, go immediately to plan B, deny, deny, deny. But they do not just stop there, the perps go on the offensive and attack anyone that is simply thinking, hey this does not quite add up, maybe it should be looked into, maybe, just maybe, Morgan’s case deserves at least a little more looking into. Verbalize just that single thought and, “Katie bar the door,” you are fair game for whatever may be slung your way, and it seems that it will.
Furthering this is a disturbing trend for the perp to go to the courts and sue the victim(s) of the crime. It has become such a problem that states around the country have already or are enacting laws to prevent this from happening. Just google criminals suing victims, I read about a man up on a roof (not his roof of course) and he fell through the skylight. Then it became not, what was he doing over the skylight, peeping tom perhaps? And basically instead he sued for the skylight not supporting his weight and allowing him to fall through and get hurt, no mention of caught in the act, or what were you doing up there anyway? To me it is more than crazy, it’s criminal. But somehow that’s redundant, isn’t it?
Steve and I were the recipients of frivolous prosecution. A TRO based on the fear that my blog was creating. Our attorney suggested that they just not read it, if it caused them any fear at all. Along this trail of justice, I removed first the names of the scared parties, and I refused to allow any of these distractions or negative energies affect me or slow me down.
I want to point out that I have been asked a few times by people to take their name out of the blog and replace it with their initials, modify a picture that revealed something they would have wished was not, and every time I have said no problem and done it. I also have a page on Morgan’s website (that this blog is a part of) that clearly explains if you feel that there is any inaccuracy you find please bring it to my attention and I will deal with it. Nobody has ever clicked that link to report an inaccuracy. I would be naïve to think that I might get a few now, so fair warning, if you complain using twelve different names, all from the same IP address, I have a spam button and I will press it, that is if it hasn’t already been pressed in your honor, your second of harassment.
Now, back to the course of justice for Morgan, after removing all the names of the scared parties that was not enough. I then had to remove all their initials and they became question marks. Now just so there is no doubt one of these people, Brooke Harris was another prime suspect of the detectives very soon after they began to investigate, and soon after if it was her or Keenan Vanginkel that was the ringleader, it took time for the detectives to sort them out.
Another of the “frightened” people admitted to one of his clients that the Sheriffs used to think he was the stalker, but that now they knew it was his daughter’s ex-boyfriend. Luckily for Morgan, this client felt that a truth like that had to be shared, not hidden at all costs.
If fact all parties seeking this TRO, to be followed by a permanent restraining order, had some documented involvement in Morgan’s stalking. After she was killed they, “clammed up”, as they say. Resorting to the now famous, “where’s the proof”? I guess the fact that even her father is telling people that the Sheriffs used to think it was him, but now they know its her ex-boyfriend conveniently escapes her, along with the fact that in most solved murders the perp is not caught at the scene with murder with weapon in hand. They are apprehended after investigation, many times extensive, slow, and agonizing investigation. And Morgan knows that however long her investigation for the truth takes – Steve and I are all in.
I firmly believe that wherever she is now, Morgan also knows that we intend to help however many victims we can, avoid the peeping toms, the stalkers, and the horrific murderers that lurk and ply their trade without conscience, terrorizing so many innocent victims, for years and years in some cases. And I also firmly believe that Morgan is very happy and thankful that Steve and I do this.
So as this trail of justice wound to an end, the counsel for those seeking a TRO suddenly recused himself from the case. And then eventually it was dismissed completely. In the end, they wanted my blog taken down because their names were in it – but their names are in it because they were a part of the events that unfolded, part of the truth, and it never changes. My neighbor who sells fabulous wines, and tried so hard to help us, as the crime was ongoing, doesn’t mind if I put her name in when it was she that saw something I talked about, or her very macho dog, that barked his heart out to warn us, and tried his best to help protect Morgan. Is it just me or is it obvious that when some have such a problem with their name associated with something they said or did – there might be a reason? Just an observation here.
I don’t think I ever spoke a word in our first court experience, but if I had, I would have said that I am really not trying to frighten anyone with Morgan’s blog about her stalking and murder. I am telling the truth, and some of it comes after painstaking work over a long period of time. Little ends are still falling into place and this is day 477 of Morgan’s murder investigation. Like I said Steve and I are all in, we didn’t choose this, but now we fight for our little girl.
On March 22, 2011 Morgan sent me the following Facebook message:
I miss my youngest baby, Morgan – it seems too cruel that her life was stolen from her. She was the sweetest person I have ever been around in my whole life, and I miss her with all my heart!
Many years ago, almost in a different life it seems, Steve was involved in a little investigation. A simple case of being in the right place at the right time to his thinking, not the wrong place at the wrong time as some suggested at the time to him. Steve asked me if it bothered me that he was involved, and it could conceivably cause some danger for us. Without a seconds thought I told him that, “if you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem”. Then the bonehead told me that was good, because he was going to do it either way, but it was great I had said that to him.
Now it is so wonderfully refreshing that along the search for truth for my dearest daughter Morgan Jennifer, I have met people who embrace this thought, that – if you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem, and they have shared that little part of the truth they know. And so many others have spent their time to do what they are best at, and find truth for Morgan where I lack the years of training and expertise they have, and would have otherwise never known about Morgan’s stalking and murder. For all of these people I am eternally grateful. It is what helps shape the world into a better place for us all, and I hope, that even if it’s somewhere deep inside of us, we all know it.
