TX - Terri 'Missy' Bevers, 45, killed in church/suspect in SWAT gear, Midlothian, 18 Apr 2016 #45

[moslym3]

Maybe. But I always thought the notion of the suspect spending time in the kitchen was assumed by police based on what they found in the kitchen. The killer seems dry in the video so it’s possible they found towels the killer used to dry off. And it is a kitchen, so maybe the killer had a late night snack of pizza rolls.

I sure would love to know if there was evidence that SP had a snack or rummaged through the kitchen curious looking for the costco sized oreo box.
Because someone that breaks into a church in the middle of the night on any serious type of mission isn't going to get distracted by opening up the fridges, cabinets in the kitchen, would they? They would proceed immediately on with their business, right? Even a burglar would quickly check for laptops, tablets and cash boxes in the building before coming back to check the freezer for bagel bites. (lol)

My opinions.

 

[SteveS]

Even a burglar would quickly check for laptops, tablets and cash boxes in the building before coming back to check the freezer for bagel bites. (lol)

My opinions.

LOL Not to mention, stopping for a leisurely snack potentially leaves DNA evidence everywhere.

But you're right, if we are being given the idea that this perp was showing to be organized and focused as he went through the building in a sequential way, then it seems really unlikely that once he's "on the clock" by being in the building illegally, he'd be the type to stop to rummage for food before getting to the task.

 

[DeDee]

I remember these discussions from years ago.

What never made sense to me was why a perp would plan such a slow laborious getaway, all the while wearing or carrying very identifiable and bulky clothing, including a very odd and visually striking head covering. Any number of people could have seen him at any point in that long trek (and, to where? a further exit setup would have been needed from there).

In the same amount of time it would take to get through muddy woods and across the creek swelled by rain, they could have been to Ft Worth, or Ennis, or halfway to Waco or Oklahoma, by using a car. Long gone. In addition, walking through muddy areas leaves a trail of tracks and footprints, whereas a car driving down a concrete road does not.

I do believe the tools and firearm were left behind at the Church so all SP had was what he was wearing.

I am not where I can link google earth for you to show you how simple the trek along N Prong Creek would be or else it would have been deemed impracticable.

It's dark and raining. Who's going to see SP at 3am or 4:30am? It is nearly desolate along the creek. I do hope LE searched diligently for prints or tracks along this path.

In particular, parking at the corner of that street bc it forms a deep grassy V when the two streets meet. It is within the V that SP can walk or tiptoe to his vehicle or to the creek; whichever SP needs.

Another reason for escaping this way is that it may be very near SPs residence. Truth is we don't know where SP resides. Why can't SP live along N Prong Creek or in Waxahachie just as easily as in Arlington or Fort Worth?

If the Creek is in SPs backyard, then SP simply opens the gate to enter SPs own backyard. Either sides of the backyard are wooden fences so no one sees him do this.

SP could be in bed pretending to snooze when the family begins to waken on Monday morning to the news about Missy's murder.

If the killer's residence is within a mile of where SP parked, for example, when using this theory, then he's closer to home than if SP was departing by exiting onto Hwy 287 while trying not to be seen wearing a balaclava when driving for half a gazillion miles.

 

[DeDee]

What I find of interest in SP entering the kitchen door and remaining within the kitchen for some amount of time is this:

SP enters the room to discover he's in the kitchen. That is, unless he's like one of us and checked out the place online before breaking and entering. Regardless, SP finds himself in a room with two wooden doors. One wooden door in the kitchen leads into the Northern Hallway marked Room 7. The other door leads SP inside Room 8 which houses extra chairs and equipment, spare objects, etal.

SP could have entered Room 8 from the kitchen. Then, entered the Northern Hallway at that point, by way of the door within Room 8. Room 8 also opens into the Northern Hallway or maybe SP never entered Room 8 but I think SP took a peek.

If SP busies himself checking out the immediate surroundings, then time spent meandering in the kitchen is understandable since, theoretically, SP immediately had access to 2 interior rooms by entering in that particular location.

 

[SteveS]

I do believe the tools and firearm were left behind at the Church so all SP had was what he was wearing.

I am not where I can link google earth for you to show you how simple the trek along N Prong Creek would be or else it would have been deemed impracticable.

It's dark and raining. Who's going to see SP at 3am or 4:30am? It is nearly desolate along the creek. I do hope LE searched diligently for prints or tracks along this path.

We have no reason to believe perp left anything behind at the church.

I have seen the terrain on google. The path you describe is more than 2 miles (maybe 3) to the closest exit point. In the rain, through the mud, through a swelled creek, slogging your way. You are definitely carrying all sorts of crap. And you have to do it both ways. When you get to the church, you are drenched and have mud all over you. Did you fall at times in the slick muddy clay-based soil? How come we don't see mud all over the costume and shoes?

Then after your robbery which turns into murder, you have to do it all over again.

Imagining a perp who lived in the closest street by that route, who has that much desire to go do a robbery or murder at the church that night, those odds are microscopic. How many people live on one of those closest streets (that aren't close)? Few.

Then again, that is almost the ONLY type of person that works in that scenario. If not, how do they know that route in the dark, in the rain, in the middle of nowhere, to get to the church? Why do they pick it? Where do they leave a car to be unnoticed?

 

[SteveS]

What I find of interest in SP entering the kitchen door and remaining within the kitchen for some amount of time is this:

You're right, there had to be "some" time, because (as you have envisioned) they had to walk from the kitchen door, through the connector to room 8, and then out into the hall from room 8, and that takes "some" number of seconds.

But whether they used the minimum number of seconds needed, or whether they used more, we have been given no hint - and it's very possible that LE hasn't seen any hint of actual activity in the kitchen and doesn't know anything about that time interval either.

 

[BoyThatsWeird]

I’ve been looking into a certain angle but I’m not having any luck. I have been searching for arrests for impersonating an officer in Texas. Part of the reason it’s hard to look into is because it’s way more common than I thought. I’ve found dozens of stories of impersonating an officer arrests where the perpetrators are dressed in head to toe LE gear similar to this case. Again, I haven’t gotten anywhere but thought I’d throw it out there in case anyone remembers a story that fits the bill.

 

[DeDee]

We have no reason to believe perp left anything behind at the church.

<snip>

So, you think SP walked out with the church's hammer? What about the firearm reported by the FBI?

 

[Gumshoe Stories]

What I find of interest in SP entering the kitchen door and remaining within the kitchen for some amount of time is this:
View attachment 291825
SP enters the room to discover he's in the kitchen. That is, unless he's like one of us and checked out the place online before breaking and entering. Regardless, SP finds himself in a room with two wooden doors. One wooden door in the kitchen leads into the Northern Hallway marked Room 7. The other door leads SP inside Room 8 which houses extra chairs and equipment, spare objects, etal.

SP could have entered Room 8 from the kitchen. Then, entered the Northern Hallway at that point, by way of the door within Room 8. Room 8 also opens into the Northern Hallway or maybe SP never entered Room 8 but I think SP took a peek.

If SP busies himself checking out the immediate surroundings, then time spent meandering in the kitchen is understandable since, theoretically, SP immediately had access to 2 interior rooms by entering in that particular location.

The kitchen and Room 7 are synonymous. And Room 8 is not a storage room. It’s their dining room and is called Connection Cafe. The killer Broke into the kitchen, then entered into room 8 through an internal connecting door. Then they emerged from room 8 into the hallway.

The gun was not recovered at the church.

 

[SteveS]

I do believe the tools and firearm were left behind at the Church so all SP had was what he was wearing.

So, you think SP walked out with the church's hammer? What about the firearm reported by the FBI?
View attachment 291845

If you believe that perp's "tools" were items he found at the church (which is what it seems you are saying), and that he used them and left them there, I don't buy that. IMO the perp brought what he needed/used, and left with whatever he came with. I haven't seen anything definitive that would say otherwise.

If we have been told he found a church hammer and used it (as you seem to imply), I guess I missed that.

But I believe he left with whatever he came with, and that he didn't come empty-handed by any means. How did he get in the building in the first place, if he came empty-handed?

The same would apply to the gun he used, of course. Brought it with him, took it with him when he left.

 

[Itsapuzzle]

I noticed Texas are like these. One was introduced in 2009 and 1 in 2012. BUT now that you say New Mexico..... the first 2 letters on that do resemble NM more than Texas.

Thanks Piccolo, yeah, probably not a chilli on the number plate now I see those ones.

Spontaneous question re the number plate, has anyone been able to confirm any letters in the State name? Any photos clearly showing a letter? Also, the sticker on the window, has anyone been able to confirm what that says with a photo, per chance, indicating Texas? I'm still obsessing over watching the footage .... I need to stop

 

[Mistree]

I want to add that because we can see the light standards at the far left (they are in the parking lot on the west side of the church) it is possible, but I can't say with certainty, that a vehicle entering or exiting with lights on could be seen if the SWFA camera were capturing at the time. If MPD has such a sequence I would think MPD would have mentioned it in the same warrant where they mention the witness seeing an SUV as it would have corroborated the witness. So, it could be the case that an SUV leaving was not caught by SWFA cameras and there is only the witness' word or the witness saw that vehicle at a different time or date or both.

Jethro,
Hypothetically if the “SUV” had their lights turned off would t it make it harder to be seen from say SWFA?
Edit: meaning turned off from the church parking lot.

 

[Jethro4WS]

Jethro,
Hypothetically if the “SUV” had their lights turned off would t it make it harder to be seen from say SWFA?
Edit: meaning turned off from the church parking lot.

Without lights on it would be extremely unlikely to make out anything at that distance in the dark. But keep in mind that stepping on the brakes would cause light to occur and that should stand out.

 

[zee007]

Thanks Piccolo, yeah, probably not a chilli on the number plate now I see those ones.

Spontaneous question re the number plate, has anyone been able to confirm any letters in the State name? Any photos clearly showing a letter? Also, the sticker on the window, has anyone been able to confirm what that says with a photo, per chance, indicating Texas? I'm still obsessing over watching the footage .... I need to stop

These were the best images I could get of the license plate:

Here are the best images I could get for the license plate. These images are snapped from around 40 seconds into the footage from here:

I used the Microsoft Photos app and applied the "Zeke" and "Vanilla" filters. Tried to get some plate recognition algorithms to see if they can decipher the plate number but no luck so far.

Texas Licence plates by year:

Vehicle registration plates of Texas - Wikipedia

Now lets for argument sake, assume that the plates of the Altima are standard Texas license plates. If we look at the history of Texas license plates we can see the following:

Current Design, The Texas Classic (Issued from June 2012. The first license plate in the country to feature two, high-visibility security threads embedded into the plate sheeting):

Lone Star Texas (Issued from June 2009. The first license plate to use full colour and full-plate graphics):

Source: License Plates | TxDMV.gov

Now, keep in mind that the Altima is most likely a 2010-2012 model and compare the images I have quoted to these license plates. To me, the plates in the CCTV images look like the Texas classic design (plain white background, black text with no colourisation). I can't see any features of the Lone Star Texas plate in those images.

If it is the case that it is the Texas classic design, does this mean that we are most likely dealing with a 2012 model Altima (assuming the plates haven't been replaced)? Does anyone know any other state plates that may share the same design as the Texas classic?

 

[Piccolo 0x]

These were the best images I could get of the license plate:

Agreed, this has to be the black and white Texas classic plate. ( out of comparing it to New Mexico and the 2 Texas ones )

 

[moslym3]

Without lights on it would be extremely unlikely to make out anything at that distance in the dark. But keep in mind that stepping on the brakes would cause light to occur and that should stand out.

I do think that decelerating on the highway to turn right into the church would be visible on SWFA cams, right?

 

[Lorenathered]

I am playing a bit of catch-up so I apologize for being behind. I just have a tiny nitpick first, as an IT Specialist of 20+ years I can say that flash drives and external hard drives are not the same thing and the terms are not interchangeable. Having read down through all the theories and refreshing my memory of the case, what Gumshoe is laying out is what seems most plausible to me. The odds of that car just happening to "case" a building on the same night/morning are too small for me. I plan on going through the video with my software and seeing what I can capture and enhance. IMO that car and that outfit are big clues I want to focus on.

 

[SteveS]

I do think that decelerating on the highway to turn right into the church would be visible on SWFA cams, right?

Most likely. But hard to be sure, since there's a big tree that obscures the cam's view of the highway in front of the church as well as the driveway.

Of course if a vehicle came to the church from the other direction, it's not going to be seen entering at all.

If you can at least get a hint of cars entering from the east, whatever video they have MIGHT have been able to tell them what direction the perp came from, although not necessarily when they came and went.

 

[Razz]

SP had to know the movements MB would make that morning. How did they know she would be working out inside the church, in the center hallway (where, according to police) SP was last seen going to and subsequently the video (that no one has seen due to the sensitive nature and out of respect and concern for MB's family) where MB was viewed walking to the area SP was last seen?

SP knew that was where she would be headed as well as knowing she would be alone. IMO, SP would have known she would be carrying equipment for the class knowing she would not be able to respond quickly when she came around the corner.

This was someone who KNEW all these circumstances and acted accordingly.
It was planned for that early morning.
But why that particular morning:

I just don't see this being someone who didn't know the layout of the church or who didn't know her habits on a rainy morning. SP knew when and exactly where. Who in that small circle would know all this?

 

[SteveS]

I am playing a bit of catch-up so I apologize for being behind. I just have a tiny nitpick first, as an IT Specialist of 20+ years I can say that flash drives and external hard drives are not the same thing and the terms are not interchangeable.

Thanks, but I'm going to nitpick back. While technically you are correct, in real life such a distinction is not necessarily made. It depends on who you are talking to, and how THEY word things.

That's relevant when we are talking about what LE obtained. I have actually supplied security footage to LE before, and they did use the terms interchangeably. In fact, they asked that I bring them footage "on a hard drive" and when I inquired as to exactly what sort of HD they had in mind, they followed up by talking of a USB/flash drive just big enough to hold the footage as to what they meant. That imprecise terminology was used with me by multiple people who were LE detectives, and it's also the easiest, most cost-efficient way to grab and move footage from a DVR to share with someone. Thumb drives are available in multiple TB sizes, so that's not an issue either.

So I would suggest it could have been either. Speaking of an external hard drive makes it sound more significant, I guess, vs speaking of a thumb drive, but in practical terms its the same either way, of course - footage being shared on a storage device.