I keep going back to the MT comment regarding the fact that she was 'cleaning the house (referring to 80MS) and not cleaning Jennifer'. Initially I thought this might have been an english/spanish translation issue but I don't think this is the issue here with this particular statement at all.
Graphic - so please scroll and roll if you are uncomfortable
We've discussed before that MT is an accomplished spear fishing person. I have some familiarity with aspects of fishing and hunting and so understand phrases such as cleaning and dressing but wasn't as familiar with the spear fishing process to know if its the same or different.
Turns out, spear fishing is not all that different other than the tool used to fish (a spear vs a rod). The fact is that as with regular fishing the phrase in english and in spanish for preparing the fish to eat is referred to as 'cleaning'. As in english there are different words in spanish for scaling and gutting etc. but the basic process by most is still referred to as 'cleaning' and this does include 'gutting' and 'deheading' by most people in common usage.
We have no way of knowing if MT's statement is true here when she refers to, "cleaning Jennifer" but what I do believe might have some truth to it is an awareness on the part of MT that 'cleaning' of JFd did occur. Odd thing IMO to admit to LE don't you think?
Here is a very simple video that explains what MT with her level of expertise as a spear fisher person would be able to do:
Spearfishing: Kill a fish underwater & gut it
Speculation about knife:
The more I kept thinking about fishing and its tools and accessories, I wondered if there was any connection between fishing/hunting and the infamous knife from Albany Avenue that was discussed by DA/HC.
The more I thought about that knife which I believe was described to be a retractable blade, the more I thought it could very easily have been part of any spear fishing kit such as one that MT might have.
Originally I thought the size of the knife might have been small for a hunting kit but given that we don't really have anything from LE about the knife or anything much to go on other than the description from DA its hard to say if the knife would have been large enough for hunting larger animals such as deer. But, it seems like the knife could easily have been used to 'clean' smaller animals with no issue too.
I just wanted to put this information out here to think about as a possible clarification for the ongoing 'word salad' that has been seen from MT in AW1-3.
MT is rarely specific about much IMO in her verbal descriptions in the AWs, but I do think her use of the word 'cleaning' was descriptive and did have meaning to her based on her experience. A person without fishing and hunting experience most likely IMO would never use the word 'cleaning' when referring to a human being. But I believe MT used this word specifically to refer to a deceased JFD and I further believe she very coldly and with absence of emotion or connection said what she said and that she was simply thinking of the body of the deceased no differently from a fish that she had just spear hunted that was dead.
Here is some other information about the kill types employed in spear fishing and about which MT would have experience:
Quote from about video article:
There are three good and quick ways to kill the fish quickly.
Underwater it is not possible to hit the fish in the head to
stun it, but over water you should always give it a strong blow between the eyes.
- Gills cut You stack the knife through the gill cover and cut through the gill matter. The fish dies quickly and bleeds. It is important that you cut through at least one whole gill arch, it just scratched the gills, it means a prolonged suffering for the fish
- Heart Strike This requires a sharp and sharp knife. You sting the fish in the middle between the pectoral fins, a little backwards. If you hit right, blood will come out immediately and the fish will die after a few seconds.
- Spine section The spine is cut short behind the head and the fish dies instantly. A subsequent gillcut ensures the bleeding of the fish.
It's interesting that in this case each of the co-conspirators have various knowledge of hunting, fishing and tanning.
Curious.
MOO