6:00 Samantha Runnion Press Conference... Live thread.

[Partisan Hack]

The Sherriff just said that he is 100% certain that Alejandro Avila is the man that kidnapped, raped, and murdered Samantha.

[McLynnan]

Initially I thought the same thing about the back patting, etc., but after a while realized most of those men looked positively wrung out from this ordeal. Whatever this monster did to Samantha shook law enforcement to the core.

[Shermy]

Check out the "Neighbors Speak" video (middle left link) via the second link at Post 28. Worth viewing.

[sweetliberty]

"Why have any tolerance for rape and murder of children ?"

We began having tolerance for rape and child murder in this country when rape was used as the original excuse to legitimize the murder of unborn children. It has been downhill from there. We do not place any sacred value on human life in this society any longer and unless and until this changes, the evil will continue to grow and thrive.

[Just another Joe]

Well, they did say that there was an abundance of physical evidence at the scene.

If that's the case, with a statement like that, I'd say that they most likely have their man.

[Palladin]

Hey, PH, they deserve all the kudos and props. They did a magnificent job of taking this bastard off the street before he could kill again. No wonder they are on a high. Wonderful wonderful police work.

Compare them with Dinse and his Merry Men. The Smart case will soon be in its second month. No sketch; a description that has changed several times; a truckload of red herrings; and public announcements that get more bizarre every day.

[Partisan Hack]

Aparently the "pose" is what got to them.

KFI reported that she was on her back, arms extended, and legs spread -- bent at the knees. Sorry to be so graphic, but it's enough to break any man.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Go here to see an article on a GPS TRACKING BRACELET FOR CHILDREN:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/719287/posts

[jackbill]

They spent nearly a half an hour patting each other on the back...hugging each other and self glorifying. Whats up with that? No evidence, no assurances....just back patting...kind of weird. How does America know if this is the guy? Then, the sherrif says..oh, yeah we're %100 sure this is the guy..good nite and God bless all of us who are paid to do our jobs...and then come on national t.v. and congratulate ourselves...how ridiculous...there's a little girl that was just brutally murdered and they're high fiving each other for doing their jobs...stoopid.

I couldn't agree with you more. Just a damned bunch of bureaucrats getting their face time. What in the hell do they think they are being paid for?

The most egregious aspect of this "photo op" was the fact that not one of these damned bureaucrats gave one ounce of credit to the traumatized 5 year old playmate of Samantha who not only gave them the description of the car that they should look for, but she came up with an uncanny resemblence to the perp. I doubt that one in ten adults could have done as good a job. This little girl, who lost her friend, is the single most person responsible for solving this case.

[Partisan Hack]

Compare them with Dinse and his Merry Men. The Smart case will soon be in its second month. No sketch; a description that has changed several times; a truckload of red herrings; and public announcements that get more bizarre every day.

Agreed. Release the Smart 911 tape!

[altura]

The number of convicted sex offenders living out in society is mind boggling.

Just go to the website and check out your own community. There is one, actually there are now two ... in my neighborhood. They even sent out a postcard to nearby residents warning them of the second one.

Why can't they convict these people? I think it's because the main witnesses are children, who are too traumatized to make good witnesses. It's especially horrible because these people are KNOWN repeaters. They NEVER don't repeat.

[goodieD]

EXACTLY! Why do we have to live as prisoners while scum runs free to do as they please? This is what the criminals rights crowd has wrought. Liberals should be forced to live in communities with the predators they so love.

[Vidalia]

How about a slow rotisserie fry, with just a touch of Emeril's "BANG" mix of habanero sauce?

[cynwoody]

For whomever does this perversion...

Yep. Time to put the 'capital' back in capital punishment. Maximize the deterrent effect, consistent with the Eighth Amendment!

[Catspaw]

I think the DNA testing has just started. But I think it's something else.

Serial killers like taking tokens of their victims. I suspect that Avila had kept a piece of clothing or another item--like jewelry--of Samanthas. If Mom could ID it, it'd tie him to Samantha.

I'm listening to a rerun of Sheriff Carona talking about Samantha and talking to Avila. He's one of the finest law enforcement officers I've seen. He reminds me of the sheriff in the Susan Smith case.

[swheats]

Causes me to wonder how much the Smart's bungled their case in having so much confusion around the sister giving any information right away about their suspect. After listening to the live press conference and how the 5yr old was able to describe the suspect. Made all the difference.

[tall_tex]

If you do not pat your self on the back, maybe no one will. Politics, is alive and well. If he is as good as he tells us he is... New job "Director of FBI, ATF, SS (Secret Service), or CIA. He sounds realistic in his coments. He will go a long way. Why does he need all those stars on your uniform? Maybe Trafficant will loan him a hair piece. How long can you do live TV with out going to the bathroom? Inquiring minds want to know. Hooah!!!

[TomGuy]

Since Samantha disappeared, I've seen over a half-dozen posts on FR and TV news about other near abductions. I fear this set off a rash of other attempts. It is a sad commentary on our society in general. Michael Savage was saying we need to return to "deterrent" punishments and that is the only way to dissuade future perps. I have to agree. We need to get some backbone as a society and start making examples out of criminals and terrorists. Socialized rehabilitation does not work. This perp reportedly was released a few years ago on a previous charge, involving sexual assault with under-14 girls.

[Samwise]

Someone once said that in Hell you experience all the pain you have inflicted on others. Indeed, this beast has Hell to pay.