Natalee Holloway - Case Discussion Extended Thread 7

Various News Sources | 7/14/05

[TexKat]

Mountain Brook High School graduate Natalee Holloway went missing May 30 during a senior trip to Aruba. AP photo

[GarySpFc]

ABRAMS: How significant is it that they're looking at new witness statements?

GOMEZ: Well, again, we don't know the contents of those statements. But, you know, the question is, are they really incriminating towards, in this case, Joran van der Sloot. If they're not, then they may not have that big of an impact in the decision-making process.

The Scarbough report mentioned witnesses (plural) seeing Joran's actions with Natalee, including hitting her. I wonder if this is the same witness reports.

[TexKat]

GretaWire

Now for the show news... if you are reading this blog before noon, we are on a plane headed back to Aruba (search) (and hopefully dodging the tropical storm in the region.) I don't know what time my colleagues traveling with me got up, but I got up at 3:45 a.m. to catch this early flight... but fortunately I can sleep on planes. (While the lack of sleep is hard, it is not nearly as bad as what Natalee's family is going through. Hence I am not complaining... just giving you details.) We did not learn that we would be going to Aruba until about 5 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.

Our plan is to be on the ground in Aruba before the court issues its decisions on the detention of the three suspects (one is in custody, two are free.) We will learn as soon as we land where we will go — but it won't be the hotel. We won't get to check into our rooms until after our show at 11 p.m. The whole point of the trip is to get information so we go directly from the airport to our search for information. (Note that we always have the same conversation late in the day on the first day of our road trips — "Did anyone tell the hotel we are a late check in?" The answer is always no because none of us ever remembers to do so. Then we all get nervous that our rooms have been rented to others since we failed to check or notify the hotel of a late check in. As I write this I am making a mental note to call the hotel upon our arrival and give them the heads up that we won't be there until 11 p.m. — after the show.)

[Dark Skies]

It is hard to believe that Joran hit Nat or any girl in public and lived to see another day. Where I am from (the South), a man striking a woman in public would be dealt with immediately. There would be no invitation to step outside, no suggestion that he pick on someone his own size.

There would be no conversation at all. Just an immediate and overwhelming physical response.

[TexKat]

or it is a second handed mutation of the earlier story about Joran getting into a shoving match with some other MBHS student earlier in the week.

And stranger still I have read that some MB students stated that the shoving match never happened. Wierd case!!

[spectre]

Thanks, TK.

I'll BBL in time for the ruling.

sw

[PBRSTREETGANG]

For a variety of reasons (that being one), I find that hard to believe as well.

[GarySpFc]

Also, the idea that he hit her at all doesn't make any sense. He hits her in the bar, and then she happily leaves with him a few minutes later? I think this is either a case of somebody making a false witness statement just to keep Joiran locked up, or it is a second handed mutation of the earlier story about Joran getting into a shoving match with some other MBHS student earlier in the week.

I noticed the Scarbough report never said anything about hitting Natalee in the face, rather that he hit her. That said, one of her MB friends, who was there stated he couldn't imagine Natalee leaving with Joran. It was totally unlike her. The only thing which would make that feasible would be if she was slipped a roofie.

[monkeywrench]

Wrong. Money laundering is a cash business.

"NJ - In federal court in Camden, a conspiracy trial opened in which Paulk stands accused of helping lead a ruthless cocaine and heroin gang, laundering more than $1.6 million at casinos, and attacking rival drug dealers. Suspect called dealer, reformed man/Philadelphia Inquirer/John Shiffman/9.21.04 L17

" IOWA - As reported by the Des Moines Register: "Iowa drug dealers have pinpointed casinos as ideal places to quietly launder the large bills they earn selling methamphetamine, cocaine or other illegal drugs. Drug Money Laundered in Iowa Casinos/www.casinocitytimes.com/12.22.03 L23"

" NJ - Since the first casino opened in Atlantic City, the Boardwalk has attracted criminals looking to launder money. By converting illegal profits into chips - and then cashing those chips in at a booth - organized-crime members and other illegal operators easily rid themselves of stashes of incriminating evidence. "The biggest problem the Asian organized-crime groups have is laundering money," said Keith Halton, an investigator with the New Jersey State Police. "These groups deal in cash, and law enforcement is playing catch up."

" Casinos clean up money laundering/The Press of Atlantic City/PETE MCALEER/5.05.03 L31"

http://www.casinowatch.org/crime/money_laundering.html

[GarySpFc]

And stranger still I have read that some MB students stated that the shoving match never happened. Wierd case!!

You're forgetting Natalee's cousin was in a shoving match with Joran in C&C's.

[monkeywrench]

"Inhaler in her bag confirmed by Aunt. OMG - possible GHB and Inhaler is lethal."

[sissyjane]

>>Sissy, she is here to provoke us and get attention.
Its a he, I was informed last night.<<

Good morning---I'm ignoring "it" from now on......

[GarySpFc]

Wrong. Money laundering is a cash business.

I fully realize money laundering is a cash business. In the late eighties the Kansas City mob had control of the casinos in Vegas, and were using them to launder money and skimm off the top. They controled all the major casinos including CP. Money laundering involves huge amounts of money, and one person gambling would not beign to cover the cash flow involved. That was done in the money counting rooms.

[Rippersnapper]

If Sloot hit Natalee and there were witnesses, you would think that the group would have protected her more, especially in making sure she stayed with them and got her back to the hotel safely. I also can't believe she would leave or go out for the evening without her inhaler. People I know that have those take them everywhere with them. One friend even takes two. One on their person at all times and a second one in the car.

[TexKat]

You're forgetting Natalee's cousin was in a shoving match with Joran in C&C's.

No, I am not forgetting that. I did not post all MB students, I posted some MB students stated that the shoving match never happened.

[the Deejay]

I thought her bag was in her hotel room.

I have a daughter-in-law that has Asthma & she doesn't go anywhere w/out her inhaler.

[monkeywrench]

I'm not saying it was just him. Aruba is estimated to have a 1 trillion dollar money laundering operation. We have no idea how much he and his out of work father played with and lost. I'm sure there are many others just like them.

[monkeywrench]

http://www.clintonnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050616/NEWS/506160357/1001 Story and pics of a young Natalee.

[Rippersnapper]

Also, the idea that he hit her at all doesn't make any sense. He hits her in the bar, and then she happily leaves with him a few minutes later? I think this is either a case of somebody making a false witness statement just to keep Joiran locked up, or it is a second handed mutation of the earlier story about Joran getting into a shoving match with some other MBHS student earlier in the week.

Could be. I was also thinking that if he had hit her, you would think someone might have reported it to the police. I wonder if the witness is her cousin.

[GarySpFc]

No, I am not forgetting that. I did not post all MB students, I posted some MB students stated that the shoving match never happened.

And some did, including Natalee's cousin? Why would you post some MB students stated a shoving match never happened, when it clearly did?

[monkeywrench]

"Inhaler in her bag confirmed by Aunt."

In an interview. Posted on SM.