ND-Dru Sjodin 2

[scandi]

Hi Everyone!

Rachael and Bailey, I agree this slimeball and poor excuse for a man has been taken care of by our taxes the better part of 30 years, I heard today, and is still being supported by the public. I think it is despicable as well.

But we have to be intelligent and look at this from another viewpoint. If our officers subjected him to torture or drugs therapy to get the truth out of him, with our approval, we would be lowered to his level and be just like him.

In making sure his rights are protected we also protect our own rights, and that is the difference between democracy and a dictatorship. We know the bottom line is we want to protect our rights to the fullest advantage for all.

Now don't you worry a bit about what's going to come around for Alohonso. For one thing, he took her across the state line. The FBI is involved in the case and they can charge him with murder and add the special circumstance of crossing the state line to give him the death penalty, which is not available normally in North Dakota.

He'll do short time in a Federal prison IMHO, and bet ya he doesn't last too long there before the inmates sock it to him!:D I also know that there are many guards like this, even in State prisons, where the guards will send guys into a cell to do a guy in. I think that is what happened to that pedaphile priest not long ago. I know for a fact this is a problem in Salem, Oregon's state prison, and LE does nothing about it. The guards there also make a lot of money selling cigarettes and drugs as well - I am still in shock to learn this about my own state.

I checked out San Quentin's death row this morning, where Scott will probably go. It is ungodly miserable. I see no luxuries there, just cold hearted agony for those behind the old mesh and iron doors.



:snowflake Scandi

[scandi]

Hi!

This afternoon of Fox I heard a report that they have found blood and hair evidence on his Mom's garage floor.

Do you think he took her there? I bet his clothes were bloody and he took them off in the garage and changed before he went into the house.

:snowflake Scandi

[Toth]

I think it was a small amount of blood in the garage such as might be from an object he removed while cleaning out the trunk.
Not from the corpse. Why bring that home?

[Casshew]

Toth.. can you be any less tactful? :rolleyes:

[starpatch]

Turbo..you asked...Where did you read about the plastic gloves. (did i skip it in the article i reported?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was in the same article.....I am sooooooooo angry.

[Yakwoman]

What really frosts my cupcakes is that AR is continuing to deny having anything to do with her disappearance - even with all this physical evidence coming out! AGRHHH!

[Doyle]

He is not like you and I Yakwoman..

His needs are the most important thing... to him that is...

More important then Dru's needs...
and now more import than Dru's family's needs.

His needs are what drives him.. Now his need is to be found not guilty so he doesn't go to prison.

He is not capable of living in society.

[mindys]

Why bring her back to the home someone asked above. Because these sicko's often will hold on to a prize, the prize - the victim, or an article of their clothing or piece of jewelry, for sometime after the crime. That was his 'safe' place, obviously no one else's.

This is just a nightmare what happened to Dru.

God Bless the searcher's and family today. Bring Her Home.

[Toth]

Originally posted by Yakwoman
What really frosts my cupcakes is that AR is continuing to deny having anything to do with her disappearance - even with all this physical evidence coming out! AGRHHH! If he admits it and reveals where the body is, he gets the death penalty. Why should he admit it? After he is convicted, he will brag about it, but not now.

[Love_Mama]

HI......just heard on the news that all of the National Guard are volunteers.
Said they didn't have any problems with getting them..... How nice.
This on Fox news.....

They started searching today. Pray!

xxxxxoooo
mama

[johnny]

Maybe if his family could convince him to tell them and they would get a reward?

[johnny]

We need to put tracking devices on these sexual offenders and have some sort of alarm system if they are near malls, schools, or places that choose to have a locater.

[Love_Mama]

Just on Fox news......last woman that Alphonso attacked was on and was asked some questions. She by the way knew him and his family. She said that all of the time she knew him he was a quiet person. She was then asked what kind of person did he act like when he attacked her. She said he became very extremely violent! She got away from him even though he had tried to knife her but the knife only went into her thigh.

Then they interviewed the judge who sent him away. He said that he had asked the judge for the most severe sentence...which would have been 20 years.
Because Alphonso had 3 more years due on another sentence, they were added to make it a total of 23 years. The prosecuting attorney felt that he would have liked to have had a much longer sentence.

Then they (She) interviewed a friend of his in Elementary school. Not necessarly a friend but someone who knew who he was. His only comment's were that Alphonso was very quiet.

I can't think of the woman's name that interviewed them. She has the show with an audience in it........

xxxxxxooo
mama

[starpatch]

Originally posted by Yakwoman
What really frosts my cupcakes is that AR is continuing to deny having anything to do with her disappearance - even with all this physical evidence coming out! AGRHHH!
Just think of all of the people braving the cold adverse conditions out there to search for Dru, all the while that dirty SOB sits snug in his warm cell...waiting for his food to be hand carried to him....:mad:
He has NO concern about any one but himself....a true sociopath!:banghead:

[Bailey1]

There is no doubt in my mind this LETCH hurt and overpowered Dru...but it still confuses me when I look at this SHORT, FAT, Balding piece of mince meat could do such a thing in the middle of afternoon (5p is not that late) AND at a mall at one of the busiest times of the year.

The question is not that he did this but how? I can only suspect he threatened her w/a knife or just bulldozed her from behind in a fatass frenzy?

Dru was just shy over 5ft but she is younger. If we learn something from this is you DON'T BARGAIN when attacked or provked..YOU ATTACK BACK AND MAKE A HUGE SCENE. That is what I tell my daughter. Knife or no knife. Only difference is if they approach quietly and ask for a bag or something..DO IT. Sometimes they just use a weapon to scare. But if they ask you to go w/them or try to use force on you....KICK ASS!

[Bailey1]

Most evil bastards like this don't expect a fight...just like they attack by "surprise" ..we should SURPRISE right back.

[starpatch]

Originally posted by Bailey1
Most evil bastards like this don't expect a fight...just like they attack by "surprise" ..we should SURPRISE right back.
You are right...I have told my daughters the same....we are all concerned if we could actually do that, though....

I think we should all put a plan in our minds, and, do our best to follow thru,

[wwwxxyyzz]

http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/news/story.jsp?floc=FF-APO-1110&idq=/ff/story/0001%2F20031212%2F145676548.htm&sc=1110

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - National Guard troops joined the search for a missing North Dakota college student Friday, lowering cameras through holes drilled in the ice-covered Red River and searching abandoned buildings and roadways.

[Toth]

I think that 5pm in that location might be rather dark and I do not know if the mall's parking lot is lit, much less brightly lit. Its cold, there might not be many people about and those who were around might well have been wearing ear muffs or face masks that cover their ears as well due to the cold weather.

It is unfortunate that she did not make her stand there, since any compliance only leads to the inevitable happening elsewhere.

As to searchers, some volunteers have shown up dressed in clothing and footgear that was grossly inappropriate for the rigors they were about to endure. The National Guard volunteers are issued appropriate survival suits and sturdy footgear. Some of the territory being searched cant be traversed even by the All Terrain Vehicles commonly used by local residents.

Its rugged territory and its a short "daylight" time. Even appropriately dressed and experienced search and rescue personnel have been in for an ordeal that is not without considerable danger.

[Yakwoman]

Originally posted by Toth
I think that 5pm in that location might be rather dark and I do not know if the mall's parking lot is lit, much less brightly lit. Its cold, there might not be many people about and those who were around might well have been wearing ear muffs or face masks that cover their ears as well due to the cold weather.


Toth: You are correct about it being nearly dark here at 5 p.m. I'm also guessing that her car was parked at the far end of the JC Penny parking lot, as mall employees are encouraged to park further away so the closer spots are available for customers.

[Toth]

Originally posted by Bailey1
Most evil bastards like this don't expect a fight...just like they attack by "surprise" ..we should SURPRISE right back. Yes, I was once walking in the street to my parked car, which was second up from the intersection and as I passed the first car a young lady who was heading towards it became a bit alarmed and hurriedly tried to get into her car. I told her something like the following: ''its okay miss, I'm just heading to my car right there, but if you are ever afraid like that, don't turn your back and try to get into your car, always face any perceived threat, turning your back invites an attack from a coward, facing a threat will never make things worse."'

Women should always remember that showing fear by running half-way to a place of seeming safety is very bad, if you are not going to clearly make it to safety, stand your ground where you are!

Its often hard. One man was accosted by a thug with a pistol and did everything right: handed his wallet over immediately when told to "jack it over", turned around when told to do so, didn't stare at the thugs face. He followed all the rules properly, but when he heard the street punk pull the slide of the automatic back to jack a round up into the firing chamber, his training from his military service in Korea came back to him: "unless you can run faster than the bullet, don't run away from a man with a firearm, run toward him." Its very hard to do. You have perhaps a very slim chance in such circumstances, but if you try to "comply and hope for the best" you don't stand any chance.

[Bailey1]

Its hard no matter what you do. You get the idiots that use real weapons that "think" they won't use it and you react and they do...have heard all to many times...well I panicked when they did this or that... so you think to remain calm and not provoke them. Then you get the ones that have intent from the get/go so it's best to fight back immediately. Just tough call.

Pray to God no one should have to deal with this or find out.

[Toth]

Originally posted by Yakwoman
Ther car was parked at the far end of the JC Penny parking lot, as mall employees are encouraged to park further away so the closer spots are available for customers. Ofcourse! How could I have ignored something like that! Even if she was shopping for herself, she would still have to park at a distant location as mall security enforces the rule without regard to whether a particular employee is actually on duty. Since she was in fact working that day, clearly her car would be in a remote area of the mall.

[ronigrrl]

Toth, you said:

...training from his military service in Korea came back to him: "unless you can run faster than the bullet, don't run away from a man with a firearm, run toward him."

Can I ask the rationale behind the running toward him? Is it b/c it throws him off, or some other reason? Thanks!!

[scandi]

Yes Toth, You need to tell the 'rest of the story'! What happened top the guy after he heard the slide pull back? Lordie do, I'm waiting to hear! :D

Joyce, I so agree with you about wondering if we were accosted would we automatically have the guts to do what we knew was the right thing to avoid being killed.

Last night I read somewhere, maybe here, about how you can make a choice to die right there in the parking lot or where ever you are when accosted, or die where they take you to as their destination. So you've got to fight needless to say, as the best thing for everyone involved except for the perp, is to actually find you. Where ever you are accosted is the place you are most likely to be found. This way too they will have a much higher percentage of catching the guy sooner.




:snowflake Scandi

[starpatch]

HOW ABOUT THIS???
~~~~~~~~~~
And Tuesday, in the fourth formal search of his property, two strands of "light hair" were seized from his home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SO...WHERE DID THE HAIRS COME FROM...HIS CLOTHING?

Where was his Mom when he was so busy cleaning, and, bringing light hairs into the house??????

[starpatch]

Missing UND student: Rodriguez had three-hour window
By Steven P. Wagner
The Forum - 12/12/2003
Three hours separate the disappearance of Dru Sjodin from a Grand Forks shopping mall and the time her accused abductor reportedly arrived at his Crookston, Minn., according to Polk County Court papers released Thursday.

The missing 22-year-old University of North Dakota student was last seen leaving the Columbia Mall about 5 p.m. Nov. 22 after purchasing a purse at Marshall Field’s. Her accused kidnapper, 50-year-old Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., was placed at his Crookston home by his mother about 8:15 p.m., court papers say.

Dolores Rodriguez provided police with receipts showing her son had been shopping in Grand Forks earlier in the day, within blocks of the mall.

The search warrant records released Thursday provide the most detailed timeline to date of Rodriguez’s activities and investigators’ attempts to find Sjodin in the days following her disappearance.

Polk County Sheriff Dan Hill said authorities are struggling to determine what happened in those three hours.

“You don’t know the distance he traveled from the time of the abduction,’’ Hill said Thursday. “It’s so hard to determine. You don’t know what direction he traveled.’’

Investigators launched an investigation into Rodriguez, a twice-convicted rapist, after reviewing store surveillance videotapes and receiving tips from two men who said he was in Grand Forks that day.

On Nov. 26 they also interviewed Rodriguez, who placed himself at the mall near the time of Sjodin’s disappearance.

On Nov. 27 and Tuesday, Minnesota authorities searched Rodriguez’s Adams Street home, a utility shed on the property and his 2002 Mercury Sable. According to the records released Thursday, they confiscated several notable items including two strands of light-colored hair, blood matching Sjodin’s DNA profile, knives, latex gloves and clear speaker wire.

The records show Rodriguez cooperated with an initial search of his car Nov. 26. But later that evening, he refused a second search and stopped talking to investigators 18 minutes after being read his Miranda warning and signing a Miranda waiver.

He said he wanted a lawyer after police asked to do a full search of the interior of his automobile, according to the court papers. Nine hours later, police raided his home, seeking evidence linking him to Sjodin’s disappearance. At that time, they photographed Rodriguez’s body for signs of bruises or cuts.

During the Nov. 26 interview, investigators confronted him about his alibi -- that he was watching “Once Upon a Time in Mexico” at a theater near the mall. He told authorities the movie began between 4:30 and 4:40 p.m. and let out about between 7 and 7:30 p.m.

When investigators told him the movie was not playing in Grand Forks then, Rodriguez couldn’t explain the discrepancy, court records say.

Law enforcement and National Guard members from North Dakota and Minnesota will continue looking today for Sjodin, a Pequot Lakes, Minn., native, after earlier air, land and river-diving searches failed to lead authorities to her.

Thousands of civilian volunteers have turned up for three searches in hopes of finding Sjodin after authorities retraced the route Rodriguez told them he took home from Grand Forks nearly three weeks ago.

[starpatch]

Search warrants

The search warrants and accompanying papers unsealed in Polk County District Court show investigators and forensic scientists also confiscated these items from his home and the utility shed:

- Numerous clothes, including two caps, three jackets, a striped shirt and a pair of hiking boots

- Fiber samples from rugs and carpets in the basement

- Hairs and fibers pulled from a mop head

- Two swabs of apparent blood from the garage floor

- A rubber glove found inside a wicker basket in the basement where he lives

- Two receipts for movie rentals in August and September from Mr. Movies in Crookston, including one for “Nurse Kinky,” a pornographic film

- A brown, wallet-type purse found in a desk drawer in the basement

- A slim knife with sheath located inside a storage box in the basement

- Four receipts for purchases Nov. 22 at Hugo’s, Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart stores

Authorities towed Rodriguez’s car Nov. 27 to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension laboratory in Bemidji, Minn., for forensic testing.

At the lab, forensic scientists saw “in plain view a substance appearing to be blood on the inside of the right passenger-side rear window and on the rear seat.” Testing later positively identified the substance as blood.

Court records say that during the search of his car, investigators found:

- Three latex gloves, a spray bottle, fibers and hair inside the trunk

- Swabs of apparent blood on the interior of the rear window, rear passenger-side window and adjacent door area, the driver’s seat and frame of the passenger’s seat

- An unidentified “item of evidence” from the rear seat

- Sections of seat belts from the passenger side of the rear seat and center of rear seat


Moments of despair

More than 100 federal, state and local investigators converged on Grand Forks within days of Sjodin’s disappearance and her family, led by her father Allan Sjodin, and friends continue searching for her, committed to finding her alive.

Sjodin’s loved ones attended two court hearings for Rodriguez after authorities arrested him at his home Dec. 1 on kidnapping charges. He waived extradition from Crookston to Grand Forks two days later, when authorities drove him to jail and booked him into a cell away from the general population.

Rodriguez made his initial appearance on kidnapping charges, a Class A felony carrying up to 20 years in prison, in Grand Forks District Court on Dec. 4, where a judge set bail for him at $5 million.

He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing and arraignment in early February.

But investigators still look for pieces of the puzzle in their search for Sjodin and the time gap between her disappearance and Rodriguez arriving home more than three hours later.

Authorities started their search for Sjodin less than an hour after her roommate, Meg Murphy, called University of North Dakota police Nov. 22 to report Sjodin, by all accounts a responsible and magnetic person, failed to show for her job at the El Roco Lounge in Grand Forks.

Sjodin worked at Victoria’s Secret in the Columbia Mall until 4 p.m. that day before shopping about an hour.

Court records say a video surveillance camera recorded Sjodin leaving Marshall Field’s at 4:58 p.m. and called her boyfriend, Chris Lang, on her cell phone.

The couple talked for about four minutes when Lang heard Sjodin say something like, “OK, OK” before the call ended abruptly.

Investigators say Lang repeatedly called Sjodin’s cell phone but failed to reach her. At 7:42 p.m., he received a call from her phone but only heard static and tones.

Then Lang called Murphy and the two agreed to wait to see if Sjodin showed up for work before calling authorities. When she failed to show at 9 p.m., Murphy called UND police.

Less than an hour later, UND police called the Grand Forks Police Department to begin a “large-scale investigation” by federal and state authorities in eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.

By 11 p.m., a police officer found Sjodin’s 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass in the mall parking lot and a black nylon sheath next to it. The officer found the driver’s door locked, the passenger door unlocked, no keys and a shopping bag with a purse inside. Sjodin bought the purse at Marshall Field’s minutes before leaving the store.

Court records show investigators found speaker wire Nov. 27 in the shed at Rodriguez’s home but didn’t take it because the officer didn’t know it was the same type of “severed, two-prong, clear-coated electrical wire” found near Sjodin’s car. Authorities later searched the shed again and took the wire as evidence.

[Love_Mama]

Originally posted by ronigrrl
Toth, you said:

...training from his military service in Korea came back to him: "unless you can run faster than the bullet, don't run away from a man with a firearm, run toward him."

Can I ask the rationale behind the running toward him? Is it b/c it throws him off, or some other reason? Thanks!!

I'm sorry.....HE was in Korea? He's only fifty.......

xxxxxxxoooo
mama

[ronigrrl]

I think he was speaking of another man who had been in Korea :-P

[railbird]

Originally posted by Yakwoman
I saw his victim from 23 years ago on TV last night. She said that he approached her with a knife and said "Get in the car or I'll kill you." He probably did the same thing with Dru.


Very likely and Dru's disappearance is a reason one should never, if at all possible, allow themselves to be removed from the first crime scene. You may risk injury but imagine what you risk if you are taken off to a secluded place. Imagine the terror!

My heart goes out to her family and it's unfortunate but as often as these things happen, it could be any of us or our loved ones!

[IndyGal]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by starpatch
Search warrants

Court records say that during the search of his car, investigators found:


....- An unidentified “item of evidence” from the rear seat


By 11 p.m., a police officer found Sjodin’s 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass in the mall parking lot and a black nylon sheath next to it. The officer found the driver’s door locked, the passenger door unlocked, no keys and a shopping bag with a purse inside. Sjodin bought the purse at Marshall Field’s minutes before leaving the store.




I am not quite sure how this quote thing works so bare with me....these two paragraphs lead me to believe that the police did not find Dru's purse, car keys or cell phone in her car, which means that she still had them with her. Could it be that her car keys or cell phone could be the that was recovered from the rear seat of AR's car?...maybe the keys slipped down in the seat and he was not aware of it.[B]unidentified "item of evidence"

[IndyGal]

Geesh! I really messed that up...:blushing:

that last part was suppose to say....I wonder if the car keys or the cell phone could have been the "unidentified item of evidence" that police found in the back seat of AR's car...

Sorry about that

[starpatch]

http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=46095

[Casshew]

I wonder why they use the term "unidentified" ?

:dontknow:

Why not just say what it is?

Cass...

[turbosleuthing]

Very interesting article.

I will dwell on it at a later date..............I'm sooooooo sleepy.

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4265485.html

[Trino]

As far as Dru going with the perp from the mall and not screaming or fighting, consider that she may not have been able to scream or fight. It sounds like speaker wire found near her car was a match to wire found at Rodriguez's home. If the perp grabbed her from behind and put the wire around her neck, she may have lost consciousness within seconds, depending on the force he used. I don't understand the connection between the knife and the speaker wire and how the perp could have used both. But, LE hasn't found blood at the mall scene.

[Toth]

For all we know, he may not care much if they are still alive or not. I just assumed he would want her while she was alive.
Wire around her throat in the parking lot? He may not have relaxed the pressure in time.

[ronigrrl]

Originally posted by ronigrrl
Toth, you said:

...training from his military service in Korea came back to him: "unless you can run faster than the bullet, don't run away from a man with a firearm, run toward him."

Can I ask the rationale behind the running toward him? Is it b/c it throws him off, or some other reason? Thanks!!

Toth can you elaborate?

[Toth]

Run toward danger, not away from it.

The man who was being rellieved of his wallet at gunpoint and heard the robber jack a shell up into the chamber knew the robber was about to shoot. The victim had the choice of foolishly trying to run away from danger and somehow hope that he would be able to run faster than the bullet or he could turn and confront the attacker, close the distance between them and take his chances. Running away from a man who has a firearm rarely puts you in a safer condition. Sure he may miss and maybe you will zig when he thought you were going to zag but you are not going to be running faster than the bullets, so why run away? Run towards him and eliminate the threat. You can die attacking or you can die retreating. Attacking is better.

[johnny]

Possibly the speaker wire was for tying her up and securing her.........sounds like he intended to keep her for awhile.........also it wouldn't look as odd for him to be buying speaker wire versus rope (being he's a Class three sex offender) Wonder what gauge of wire it was, as in automotive or home....another thought is since the speaker wire is plastic coated, blood wouldn't adhere to the wire and also if he throws her in the river tied to something heavy the wire would last virtually forever!

The other item found which was unidentified sounds more like something that they weren't sure of its origin, identity or that it may implicate an accomplice (I don't believe he had someone with him but offenders to tend to flock together while in prison and once they get out)

[Love_Mama]

Good morning all! I was reading the Finddru...website this morning and came upon something I'd like to share. A few of the poster's were talking about what kind of weapon, so to speak (including guns) that we women could use to protect ourselves. Here is one of the posts........that I think I liked the
best. I"m going to check today to see who sells these. I'll get back with price's later.
xxxxxoo
mama

Dru's website: http://www.finddru.com/


Posted by Kathyann......on Dru's website

I have one of the Personal Alarm Systems that the other post mentioned. I bought it after I lost a friend. I have had it for 5 years now. It is on my key ring and it is painfully loud!!! It is small and has never malfunctioned. I have only used it once in the 5 years I have had it. I was leaving a nightclub about 2 years ago. My car was parked near the front, so I thought that I was safe to leave alone. A man tried to get into my car as I was shutting the door and I pulled the alarm. It was so loud that the door man came running and the guy ran off. You can definitely tell it is not a car alarm.

I don't find this gives me a false sense of security, I still stay aware, but there are times when you are just going to be alone or be vulnerable, that is life. We don't always have our guard up. This is a really easy option for added security.

The alarm looks like a short pen, with the grip material on the outside and when you pull it apart. WOW, I mean loud!! When I used it I was a bit confused and trying to push the guy out of the car and I was still able to use the alarm. So I can attest that it worked in this case.

I just wanted to share this because I read the posts about knives, pepper spray and so forth. I really think that in the moment pepper spray would be hard to use, find and easy to forget, your keys are usually always with you.

The alarm just says PAS on it, it is not marked other than that. I don't have the box anymore, but I bought it at an electronics store. I am sure they are still being sold and you can find various versions as the other girl mentioned that her grandmother gave one to her. Just an idea, I am glad that I had it!!!

[Trino]

I don't think that Rodriguez had an accomplice, since I doubt that he had any friends or even acquaintances. It sounds like all his interaction - probably very little at at that - was with his mother and sister. How could they have felt safe around him?

While I don't know his mother and sister, you have to feel sorry for them living/working in this community.

[wwwxxyyzz]

Mama,

My uncle is a police officer and he has always told me that women should carry two things...pepper spray and an alarm. (like the one you mentioned) He's seen too many things so he is very protective of the ladies in his family. :)

I have to say the alarm is amazingly loud and has such a weird sound that you can't help but notice it. Good to have.

The other thing my uncle said is for women to use whatever they can to NOT leave point A. He says throw your shopping bags at them, poke em with your keys, kick em in the knee, groin, anywhere to cause pain. He said if you can get a punch in the throat take it and take it hard. The pain is severe and will give a few seconds to RUN! He just said no matter what make noise and lots of it...most perps don't like noisy victims. So his phrase is "go down fighting". He said Kira if you leave point A and he gets you to point B...you'll never be seen alive again.

So invest in the alarms...they're worth it.

Prayers for Dru~

[Elle Kaye]

Kira I have to agree with you. I took a great self-defense class. The throat is one of the most vulnerable spots on the human body. If you hit it, even without tremendous force, it will cause their throat to swell and they will have a hard time catching their breath. If you hit it hard, their throat could swell shut and you can kill them. It may take a couple of minutes for the swelling to take place, but it will stop them.

You can test this by just pressing on your own throat at different spots. You can feel how it inhibits your breathing.

[wwwxxyyzz]

Elle,

Yeah it really is a vulnerable and sensitive spot on the body.
When my uncle told me about this he said just tap yourself
on the throat. So I did. Just that tap, given by myself, hurt.
So he said imagine the pain you could inflict...if you had to.
I've always remembered that. "Go for the throat."

Good advice. Thanks for the "second". :) Good info like this
hopefully will save someone's life.

Prayers for Dru~

[starpatch]

The recent news reports have had a great deal of inforrrmation.

Now we do know that Dru was in the back seat on the right side. She undoubtedly made the scartches, with a credit card, possibly, on the rear passenger window.

There was evidence taken from the rear passenger seat, cut out. Also blood evidence.

The plastic wire, that a Policeofficer over looked on the first day, and, retrieved the next day near where Dru's car was in the Mall Parking lot. It matched simailar wire in AR's garage.

Dru was seen by the security camera leaving the Mall.

Several other woman have tipped the police that prior to Dru's disappearance, they had been frightened by a man very similar to AR in various parking lots.

In the home of AR, where found, blood spots in garage, light colored hairs in the house. Blood and hair in the trunk of his Mercury Sable.

It seems as tho he had a three hour window of oppurtunity, as per his Mother. Dru was kidnapped at approx. 5:oopm, he supposedly returned home at 8:30 pm. That is if we can believe the mother.

So...how was AR able to subdue, a strong young woman?

Did he use the thin plastic covered wire around her throat?

Did he have the knife at her throat?

Why was she unable to scream or fight him off?

I am puzzled by all previous questions.

I do not believe the creep had an accomplice.

Why is the black shoe of Dru's near the river?

WHERE IS DRU?

[Toth]

You should never carry any sort of weapon unless you both know how to use it and are prepared to use it.

Alot of women will carry a pistol and in time of trouble even take it out, and yell 'stop' only to have an attacker simply take it away from them; they simply were not emotionally prepared to keep their yap shut and blow the attacker away!

That is why alot of target ranges now require as sort of a 'graduation exercise' that a female who has been shooting at a paper target for weeks must shoot at a large can of tomato juice.

[starpatch]

Wow...sorry for all the mis spelling....yikes

[johnny]

The thin plastic wire is very strong and would hurt if you tried to pull against it........when I speak of someone else ...these perps many times get there ideas from others like themselves. These are the only people who will hang around them for one and many times they are more or less forced to hang around them. Think about it .....an afluent neighborhood wouldn't allow this guy to even breathe about living in there neighborhood and he also would be limited to the types of jobs he could aquire, and so would the other sexual offenders......(makes you wonder who's working on your house, yard, car, picking up your trash etc.) Remember that most abductions happen with four blocks of their homes (within your area of safety) which I'm sure Dru felt safe where her car probably was parked every day.

I'll post the FBI information about these profiles once I find them.

Retrospective profiles are amazing on how they narrow in on these freaks.

[Love_Mama]

Hi guys it's me mama. I posted earlier about getting a personal alarm so I've done some major searching on the internet and phoning local stores to see what is available and get all the prices. Size was important so was looking for something that you could put on your keychain which you usually have when you out....in your car......or of course you could also use when walking.

The prices for what I was looking for ranged from $14.00 to $59.00. THe one's that I just ordered were $16.95 with free Priority Mailing and no State Tax for me in CA. They are in Kentucky. I bought six and they should be here next week. I can't think of a better Christmas present for us girls in the family. The gentleman I spoke to let me hear the alarm. Very LOUD!
Take ordinary batteries too.

Here's the description and web site for for the personal alarms I got.

http://www.yoursecurity.us/palarm.htm

KeyChain Personal Alarm
KA1



Flashes with 125db Alarm
Remote Reset Switch, Keeps Attacker from Resetting
Made for Your KeyChain
Can be used as a Flashlight
Best 2 Deterrents in 1
Price is $16.99 Delivered via Priority Mail
--------

xxxxxoooo
mama

:santa: :santa: :snowflake :snowflake :christmas :christmas :santahat: :santahat: :snowflake :snowflake

[starpatch]

Originally posted by Love_Mama
Hi guys it's me mama. I posted earlier about getting a personal alarm so I've done some major searching on the internet and phoning local stores to see what is available and get all the prices. Size was important so was looking for something that you could put on your keychain which you usually have when you out....in your car......or of course you could also use when walking.

The prices for what I was looking for ranged from $14.00 to $59.00. THe one's that I just ordered were $16.95 with free Priority Mailing and no State Tax for me in CA. They are in Kentucky. I bought six and they should be here next week. I can't think of a better Christmas present for us girls in the family. The gentleman I spoke to let me hear the alarm. Very LOUD!
Take ordinary batteries too.

Here's the description and web site for for the personal alarms I got.

http://www.yoursecurity.us/palarm.htm

KeyChain Personal Alarm
KA1



Flashes with 125db Alarm
Remote Reset Switch, Keeps Attacker from Resetting
Made for Your KeyChain
Can be used as a Flashlight
Best 2 Deterrents in 1
Price is $16.99 Delivered via Priority Mail
--------

xxxxxoooo
mama

Thanks so much MaMa...I just pulled up the website...will order for the girls in my family, just like you did!
Thanks so much for the posting

:santa: :santa: :snowflake :snowflake :christmas :christmas :santahat: :santahat: :snowflake :snowflake :bigthumb:

[Toth]

The search for Dru Sjodin has officially ended.
Nothing has been found but the shoe.
No use to exposing searchers to further ordeals and risks.

[alpharee]

They also have those keychain alarms at Radio Shack for $9.99. They are sold out online but they say you can get them at your local store. We have them here at our Radio Shack.
______________________________________________

Simple and effective personal protection! Carry this personal alarm with you at all times to deter attackers!

Features:
• Easy-to-use—just pull the keyring from the egg to activate the piercing 140db alarm
• Smooth design fits comfortably in your hand
• Cool blue transparent case
• Includes battery

Here is the link:

Personal Keychain Alarm (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F002%5F005%5F003%5F000&product%5Fid=49%2D428)

[MissMisty]

Originally posted by Toth
The search for Dru Sjodin has officially ended.
Nothing has been found but the shoe.
No use to exposing searchers to further ordeals and risks.

Toth--
You heard this on CNN or Fox? That is very sad news. I can't imagine how cold it is there...I have no doubt she is deceased. Apparently, he did a real good job of hiding the body. :boohoo:
Misty

[Toth]

The Official search in North Dakota ended a bit earlier than scheduled. The river is frozen solid, the snow is deep, the temperature is very cold, daylight is short, the risks are high and there is hope only in the hearts of the family, no one else. I know the sheriff made comments about her being dead that the family did not like to hear, but one must remember, he is not there to be popular or say encouraging platitudes.
Although officially the search in Minnesota will conclude at noon Sunday, the only activities scheduled appear to be equipment retrieval, and other administrative activities.

[Imon128]

Sad news. It's like a confirmation that she's gone forever, in a way. I have a feeling, though, that there will still be some 'unofficial' searches going on by some people who won't give up.

[Toth]

Oh I'm sure, but remember: experienced personnel in rugged military vehicles wearing sub-zero survival suits are standing down. So as it gets darker and colder, what are poorly dressed and ill-equipped volunteers going to do when their vehicles can't even traverse the ruggd terrain?

I would imagine she was dead within one hour and disposed of within two hours. He has no friends so where could he take her?
If she were still alive, it would be to his advantage to talk to the cops when he was arrested. He went 24 years without sex, or atleast without sex with a woman. He didn't engage in any foreplay and he didn't engage in any cuddling afterwards. He did what he wanted and then he disposed of the evidence.

[Imon128]

True, but a little hope by the ones not dressed for the weather, is better than no hope, IMO. Also, I imagine the LE will always have their eyes on the lookout, too. Maybe I'm just wishful thinking?

[Silver Dollar]

Originally posted by Love_Mama
<snip>

http://www.yoursecurity.us/palarm.htm


--------

xxxxxoooo
mama



Oh Love Mama, I went to the site last night and ordered some for my family too. Thanks!

The light is on for you, Dru.

[Love_Mama]

Originally posted by alpharee
They also have those keychain alarms at Radio Shack for $9.99. They are sold out online but they say you can get them at your local store. We have them here at our Radio Shack.
______________________________________________

Simple and effective personal protection! Carry this personal alarm with you at all times to deter attackers!

Features:
• Easy-to-use—just pull the keyring from the egg to activate the piercing 140db alarm
• Smooth design fits comfortably in your hand
• Cool blue transparent case
• Includes battery

Here is the link:

Personal Keychain Alarm (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F002%5F005%5F003%5F000&product%5Fid=49%2D428)

Alpharee.....I saw those too...however the one's that I got have a hidden disarming switch..meaning unless you knew how to disarm it....no one else could turn it off. And....the light also flashes when it's triggered.

xxxxxooo
mama

[MissMisty]

Originally posted by Toth
I would imagine she was dead within one hour and disposed of within two hours. He has no friends so where could he take her? If she were still alive, it would be to his advantage to talk to the cops when he was arrested. He went 24 years without sex, or atleast without sex with a woman. He didn't engage in any foreplay and he didn't engage in any cuddling afterwards. He did what he wanted and then he disposed of the evidence.

Toth--
I totally agree with you, but where the hell is the body? He couldn't be that smart to have been able to hide it so well. Lucky for him that it's so cold/frozen there...that obviously aided in hiding/disposing of the body. The body will never be found.
Misty

[Toth]

It may be found in Canada since the Red River flows north or it may be found in the Spring. The river is frozen in the area where the shoe was found. Searching in the cold, dark and dangerous conditions is futile and foolish.

[alpharee]

oh ok Mama, I'm going to order 8 of them for all the females in my family and one for my 12 year old nephew. There's a park right down the road from my sisters house and they walk to it all the time. Although they live in a small town, I'm always getting on to my sister for letting them walk there. (They are 10 and 12)
She says I'm just paranoid and maybe I am but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I thought I was done with Christmas! But now they will have another gift that hopefully never has to be used.
Thanks again for the idea Mama, I hadn't even thought of it!

[Love_Mama]

Originally posted by alpharee
oh ok Mama, I'm going to order 8 of them for all the females in my family and one for my 12 year old nephew. There's a park right down the road from my sisters house and they walk to it all the time. Although they live in a small town, I'm always getting on to my sister for letting them walk there. (They are 10 and 12)
She says I'm just paranoid and maybe I am but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I thought I was done with Christmas! But now they will have another gift that hopefully never has to be used.
Thanks again for the idea Mama, I hadn't even thought of it!

Great alpharee......I agree with you and not your sister. The whole world has changed. My 11 yr.old grandson has a cell phone....maybe I'll pick up one of these for him too. I mean.......I live in the nicest part of San Diego, La Jolla.
THAT means' nothing! Like you said......better safe than sorry.

Do you and your sister live in the same town? Are you able to view photo's of sex offenders and get their names?

Here in California......we just go to the Police Station and get on their special computer.

Also...we have a web site where you can log in .....in San Diego and put in your address and they will show you within 3 blocks where there is a registered sex offender. Very handy! One of them lives right near my youngest son here is La Jolla but we happen to know that the guy who lives there is very rich and very gay.....and also own's our newspaper! Interesting...huh. ? He probably got caught one time! OMG.......I should write a gossip column. LOL

xxxxxooooooo
mama

[Jack]

FYI,

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20031214_1221.html


Iowa tries to protect kids from predators and the iclu is challenging that? Unbelieveable!

I thought I'd post this here since there are surely some here who's opinions are that protective laws should be strengthened in this country, in light of what has happened to Dru Sjodin. This needs the attention of people with that opinion... so they can act on it if they feel inclined.

Don't mean to rant... but it's important that people know who is supporting sexual predators.

[alpharee]

No I live in Ohio, my sister lives in Arkansas. (I moved to Ohio last year, all my family live in Arkansas)
I'm sure we have something about sex offenders, I remember looking it up once or twice before. I worked at the Police Dept in Arkansas for a few years and my "ex" (son's father) still works there and has been there for over 15 years, so I can pretty much find out what I need :D

No where is safe anymore, even the "nice" parts of town. It's a scary world.

[starpatch]

Originally posted by Jack
FYI,

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20031214_1221.html


Iowa tries to protect kids from predators and the iclu is challenging that? Unbelieveable!

I thought I'd post this here since there are surely some here who's opinions are that protective laws should be strengthened in this country, in light of what has happened to Dru Sjodin. This needs the attention of people with that opinion... so they can act on it if they feel inclined.

Don't mean to rant... but it's important that people know who is supporting sexual predators.

Jack...thanks for posting the article....I just e'ed it off to some friends.

Well, Jack, they want their right's don't ya know.

Wonder if Dru would have liked some rights on 11/22/03

[Jack]

Yep Starpatch, I'm positive Dru would have liked to have had her rights respected on 11/22/03. As would all other persons who have been assaulted, kidnapped, raped, murdered, and dumped like trash by those who only care about their own sick desires. I wonder why the civil liberties union doesn't start sueing those who let predators out of prison. Dru certainly has had her right to life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness taken away!

[scandi]

Hi Yak,

Have you heard any more locally about anything? Anything about the two light colored hairs or blood in the garage?

Do you think he brought her there before he got rid of her body, or did he just undress in the garage and his clothes were bloody wnd had her hair on them?




:snowflake Scandi

[Love_Mama]

Jack....sometime's the CLU is okay......other times they're just completly nuts and in this case.....they're out of their minds!!!
%#@#^*(&%@!#@$^&$%

xxxxxooo
mama

[Jack]

The thing is Love_Mama is that this isn't anywhere near the first time or the most outrageous lawsuit the CLU has made in favor of the rights of offenders. I tend to be very CLU negative because of the this. Wish it wasn't so. If they'd stand up and protect the rights of the average citizen against criminals who have made choices that makes them suseptable to losing their rights I'd be a supporter.

[Yakwoman]

Originally posted by scandi
Hi Yak,

Have you heard any more locally about anything? Anything about the two light colored hairs or blood in the garage?

Do you think he brought her there before he got rid of her body, or did he just undress in the garage and his clothes were bloody wnd had her hair on them?
:snowflake Scandi

Nothing new here. Toth has been doing a good job of keeping you up-to-date on the status of the search.

I really doubt that he took her to his garage. The hairs were probably in his car or on his clothes and got transfered to the garage floor.

[Love_Mama]

Originally posted by Jack
The thing is Love_Mama is that this isn't anywhere near the first time or the most outrageous lawsuit the CLU has made in favor of the rights of offenders. I tend to be very CLU negative because of the this. Wish it wasn't so. If they'd stand up and protect the rights of the average citizen against criminals who have made choices that makes them suseptable to losing their rights I'd be a supporter.

Jack...I'm old, it's not ever the 100th time. I'm getting very bored with them.
Actually, I don't think I don't have any respect for them at all.

xxxxxxxo
mama

[scandi]

Thanks Yak!

And yes, Toth is great too.:bigthumb:



:snowflake Scandi

[starpatch]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Love_Mama
Jack...I'm old, it's not ever the 100th time. I'm getting very bored with them.
Actually, I don't think I don't have any respect for them at all.

xxxxxxxo
mama

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/7488820.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp

More on sex offenders

[Angie]

Ok, you guys are going to think I'm nuts, but take one more look at the window in which we think Dru was scratching on in AR's car. When I look almost in the center of those scratches I can see what appears to be Dru's eyes, it's eerie, please look before you say i'm crazy.

[Imon128]

The longer this goes without finding her, the more difficult it is to keep the faith. There isn't any perfect crime they say, so perhaps time will help nail the nasty who did something to her. If she's alive, I pray she keeps strong. :-(

[Up2theminute]

Officials End Searches for Missing Student
Mon Dec 15, 8:12 AM ET Add U.S. National - AP to My Yahoo!



GRAND FORKS, N.D. - National Guardsmen were sent home after what authorities called their final large-scale searches failed to turn up any sign of missing college student Dru Sjodin over the weekend.

Yahoo News - Associated Press (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&ncid=519&e=3&u=/ap/20031215/ap_on_re_us/missing_student_1)

[Silver Dollar]

Originally posted by Angie
Ok, you guys are going to think I'm nuts, but take one more look at the window in which we think Dru was scratching on in AR's car. When I look almost in the center of those scratches I can see what appears to be Dru's eyes, it's eerie, please look before you say i'm crazy.

Angie, you have the link? TIA

[Angie]

you can find it under finddru.com, click on news and you will see pictures of his car, click on the one that shows the right side view with the scratches on the rear window, freaked me out. I've been back there a few times again today just to make sure I wasnt loosing it, but I swear it's eerie.
finddru.com

[starpatch]

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4267641.html

[Trino]

I know this board is reserved for Dru, but I just want to comment on Iowa/CLU.

Right now there is a former Iowa college wrestler who received 10 years for sexual contact. It seems he was at a party and got high/drunk. There was no penetration, only touching. There is no excuse for his behavior. But, he was found guilty, and the judge's hands were tied because Iowa law says 10 years. It was a first offense. When he comes out, he will need to register as a sex offender.

Should he be considered a sexual predator like Rodriguez? It seems like Iowa has gone overboard with some things. For example, should a sexual predator never, ever be allowed to visit his parent's home? What if his parents are disabled?

Texas has a law prohibiting sex offenders inside a school. Why would a sex offender go into a school? Has this ever happened?

Some laws make sense, but others are to be questioned.

[ajt400]

Originally posted by Trino

Texas has a law prohibiting sex offenders inside a school. Why would a sex offender go into a school? Has this ever happened?

Some laws make sense, but others are to be questioned.

I can probably help you with this one, not all sex offenders register--and even if registered, not all places of employement check it out.

I think they would be trying to inhibit them from getting a job at a school, something like that

[Toth]

Registration often leads to community notification which makes landlords nervous and employers nervous thus frustrating any attempts at a normal life. Many offenders avoid the 'registration' by entering 'homeless' on the form which ofcourse makes notification impossible.

It is true that many fairly minor things, such as that guy who got drunk at a party, are over-prosecuted and treated just as harshly as someone who is clearly a pervert and a threat. Also alot of judges and juries tend to accept an accusation by a vindictive, divorcing spouse as "evidence" and many convictions are clearly based on an absurd lack of evidence of guilt. Yet these unfortunate defendants are also stigmatized.

It makes a mockery of the procedures that are designed to protect against those who are really sick and dangerous

[Toth]

Even if there had been widespread notification, it would have been meaningless: it seems it was all over for Dru Sjodin and her body was disposed of within two hours and he then drove home and cleaned his car. No amount of supervision or tracking devices would really have changed what happened, it just might have made his apprehension more swift.
One man was given a cell phone by the probation authorities and an ankle bracelet with GPS capabilities. He used the cell phone to arrange a bank robbery. The call to the bank was made on his cell phone and the GPS proved he was just across from the bank when he made it. Surveillance measures did not prevent him from committing the crime, they just made it easier to convict him of it.

[medelilah]

I just can't seem to get this abduction off my mind. I keep going over possible scenarios.
It just boggles my mind that this man abducted Dru in almost broad daylight,left all kinds of clues behind,Knife, blood,shoe
he was soooooooo sloppy and careless. and yet they can't find her!! If he was so careless in the kidnapping why wasn't he just as careless in disposing of her?
Something just doesn't pan out here. I believe he wanted to get caught and charged with kidnapping but he doesn't want a murder charge, he would rather live out his life in prison, which is all he knows.
Is there someone else involved that he passed Dru off to?
Maybe there was a plan for him to kidnap her for someone else.
God only knows what kind of people he was locked up with.
Thanks for letting me share my thoughts.

[starpatch]

Originally posted by medelilah
I just can't seem to get this abduction off my mind. I keep going over possible scenarios.
It just boggles my mind that this man abducted Dru in almost broad daylight,left all kinds of clues behind,Knife, blood,shoe
he was soooooooo sloppy and careless. and yet they can't find her!! If he was so careless in the kidnapping why wasn't he just as careless in disposing of her?
Something just doesn't pan out here. I believe he wanted to get caught and charged with kidnapping but he doesn't want a murder charge, he would rather live out his life in prison, which is all he knows.
Is there someone else involved that he passed Dru off to?
Maybe there was a plan for him to kidnap her for someone else.
God only knows what kind of people he was locked up with.
Thanks for letting me share my thoughts.

Hi, Med...I am feeling the same as you...how did he ..or what did he do with Dru....thousands of folks have been trying to hunt her down..to no avail...we all know that Ar is lite in the loafers...but, still...it is driving me nutz as well.

There that dirty thing sits, all snug as a bug,,,and, not talking....scheeeshes.........And thousands out there looking for weeks...makes me very angry
.:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[DuckFeet]

Originally posted by ajt400
I can probably help you with this one, not all sex offenders register--and even if registered, not all places of employement check it out.

I think they would be trying to inhibit them from getting a job at a school, something like that

Also-- A sex offender could be the parent of a student with legitimate cause to be on a campus. Conferences should be held at the administration office. They should not be volunteers. They should not even deliver homework to the child at school. All this can be done from the administarion office if the parent is a KNOWN sex offender. Otherwise all the children are at risk.
Many schools allow children to go to the bathrooms by themselves, or travel to other classrooms, library etc, without supervision. A sex offender parent enroute to deliver a forgotten sandwich could jepardize the safety of all the children. They MUST be identiufied.

[Trino]

I teach high school, and because of vouchers, students come from all over the city. When I heard about Dru, I got online and showed pictures of sex offenders to my home room students, using their zip codes. In one zip code where a female student lived there were 9 level 3 sex offenders living there - most in some sort of group house. She said her parents were always getting notices, but she found it pretty meaningless to look at pictures, since they mostly look like okay guys. She said she probably wouldn't recognize them if she saw them. So, what does notification do if it's several months before a repeat offense?

[Imon128]

In one state where I lived, the registered sex offenders hadn't even been followed up by LE. It made some news coverage and things changed!

[johnny]

Originally posted by Toth
Even if there had been widespread notification, it would have been meaningless: it seems it was all over for Dru Sjodin and her body was disposed of within two hours and he then drove home and cleaned his car. No amount of supervision or tracking devices would really have changed what happened, it just might have made his apprehension more swift.
One man was given a cell phone by the probation authorities and an ankle bracelet with GPS capabilities. He used the cell phone to arrange a bank robbery. The call to the bank was made on his cell phone and the GPS proved he was just across from the bank when he made it. Surveillance measures did not prevent him from committing the crime, they just made it easier to convict him of it.


And no amount of bars can keep all prisoners in prison, or thieves out of banks. No amount of guns and weapons can keep us safe and protected. No amount of law enforcement or laws will make everyone law abiding........and so on and so on.......

We aren't supposed to have rules, laws, and guidelines just so we can punish but instead so we can keep one another in check and so that we understand that if someone commits an act such as these that they will get caught and they will be punished accordingly (or as the law allows)

A level three sex offender should be tracked and should have all of his freedoms stripped from him (or her) as they have undoubtedly taken someone else's from them. Pity for them? Yeah I have pity for the punk sissy's, quit hiding and lurking in the shadows come out into the light and be seen.

[johnny]

Article : Kenneth Wooden on CNN

http://www.cnn.com/virtual/editions/europe/2000/roof/change.pop/frameset.exclude.html

[Imon128]

Originally posted by johnny
And no amount of bars can keep all prisoners in prison, or thieves out of banks. No amount of guns and weapons can keep us safe and protected. No amount of law enforcement or laws will make everyone law abiding........and so on and so on.......

We aren't supposed to have rules, laws, and guidelines just so we can punish but instead so we can keep one another in check and so that we understand that if someone commits an act such as these that they will get caught and they will be punished accordingly (or as the law allows)

A level three sex offender should be tracked and should have all of his freedoms stripped from him (or her) as they have undoubtedly taken someone else's from them. Pity for them? Yeah I have pity for the punk sissy's, quit hiding and lurking in the shadows come out into the light and be seen.

Good post! The last sentence is awesome...the devil loves the darkness and secrets can be very dark.

[Jack]

Originally posted by Trino
I know this board is reserved for Dru, but I just want to comment on Iowa/CLU.

Right now there is a former Iowa college wrestler who received 10 years for sexual contact. It seems he was at a party and got high/drunk. There was no penetration, only touching. There is no excuse for his behavior. But, he was found guilty, and the judge's hands were tied because Iowa law says 10 years. It was a first offense. When he comes out, he will need to register as a sex offender.

Should he be considered a sexual predator like Rodriguez? It seems like Iowa has gone overboard with some things. For example, should a sexual predator never, ever be allowed to visit his parent's home? What if his parents are disabled?

Texas has a law prohibiting sex offenders inside a school. Why would a sex offender go into a school? Has this ever happened?

Some laws make sense, but others are to be questioned.

1) Dru's story is about sexual offenders, and how she (and us) wasn't protected from then.

2) Former Iowa college wrestler should have known better than to get high and drunk and then mess with someone who didn't want his attention. First time? Maybe. Last time? Probably not if he isn't taught that he can't get away with it. Would you be so willing to forgive and forget if he got high and drunk and wiped out some innocent on the hiway? Same thing.

3) Yes, he should be. Nobody forced him to do what he did. Iowa needs to do more, just like the rest of the states. No, a sexual predator should never be allowed to visit their parent's home if it is in an are he/she is not allowed in. They can meet him elsewhere. If the parents are disabled and need a sexual offenders help to live then they can move.

4) Yippee for Texas, I guess it's true, when Texans do something they do it big! Lots of reasons an offender might go into a school, mainly that's where they can get to know their next victim. I'm sure it's happened many times.

In reference to some laws concerning sexual offenders being questionable: Let's get to the root of the problem first. If the laws that allow them to continue to be predators were changed we wouldn't need to have some of the others. Like if we kept habitual offenders locked up we wouldn't have to worry about whether they lived close to a school with easy access to children would we?

[Ghostwheel]

Originally posted by Trino
I teach high school, and because of vouchers, students come from all over the city. When I heard about Dru, I got online and showed pictures of sex offenders to my home room students, using their zip codes. In one zip code where a female student lived there were 9 level 3 sex offenders living there - most in some sort of group house. She said her parents were always getting notices, but she found it pretty meaningless to look at pictures, since they mostly look like okay guys. She said she probably wouldn't recognize them if she saw them. So, what does notification do if it's several months before a repeat offense? Not everyone is as clueless as your female student. Most people READ the notices, and don't care if they are pretty OK looking guys.

[Ghostwheel]

Originally posted by Trino
Should he be considered a sexual predator like Rodriguez? It seems like Iowa has gone overboard with some things. For example, should a sexual predator never, ever be allowed to visit his parent's home? What if his parents are disabled?
Let's see. (Me thinking out loud) He blames what he did on being drunk/high, which he had control over. Really learned a lesson, there, did he? He says it was "only touching". Any idea how far "only touching" can go? And what each person's version of "no penetration" is? I've seen men convince themselves they never had sex with a woman, when they really did. And the woman is so embarrassed, they say nothing.

Maybe 10 years is excessive, and maybe not, but if he had never gone where he shouldn't have, it wouldn't be an issue.

BTW, what if Rodriguez had started out by getting drunk and "only touching"? What would you say then? Just a thought.

Probably ought to move this to it's own thread.

[starpatch]

Originally posted by Ghostwheel
Let's see. (Me thinking out loud) He blames what he did on being drunk/high, which he had control over. Really learned a lesson, there, did he? He says it was "only touching". Any idea how far "only touching" can go? And what each person's version of "no penetration" is? I've seen men convince themselves they never had sex with a woman, when they really did. And the woman is so embarrassed, they say nothing.

Maybe 10 years is excessive, and maybe not, but if he had never gone where he shouldn't have, it wouldn't be an issue.

BTW, what if Rodriguez had started out by getting drunk and "only touching"? What would you say then? Just a thought.

Probably ought to move this to it's own thread.
I AGREE