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.

[Partisan Hack]

Did the police say that the other little girl who was there and saw him and gave a postive ID on this guy as the perp?

No, they did not.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

"Causes me to wonder how much the Smart's bungled their case "
My thoughts exactly.The mother of this little girl did not immediately call in the neighbors, like the Smarts and Ramsey's did. I am so sick of the dirtbags of the world being allowed to skate on their crimes and continuing to prey on society, again and again. I hope that we are entering a new era of law and order-in memory of the innocents lost.

[MinuteGal]

"Can they do a rush job on DNA?"

No, but forensic expert Dr. Baden said tonight that it's a strong possibility that Avila's DNA profile might have been in the local LE data bank from his last molestation arrest.

Since he was acquitted of that prior charge, the profile would have been expunged from federal or state records, but may have remained and have been on hand in those of the local enforcement agency.

Leni

[Nachum]

Sh#t!

[SandyEgo]

--your response made me feel better, as I, too, thought I was watching a re-run of an academy award dinner....your post brought me back to the initial emotional response...where they vowed to find the killer...and did. And they SHOULD be rewarded and congratulated for that... dammit...gawd knows it's big news when they don't.

[I-couldnt-make-this-stuff-up!]

Absolutely!

[Vidalia]

..."OK. Fine. As long as it's available on national TV, AND all convicted pedophiles are required to watch..."

How about being participants?

[cynwoody]

A Cigar cutter would work. Hooah

Only $97.50.

[Vidalia]

How much do they cost and where may one get one?

Whoops, I forgot, if we gotta ask the price...

[Partisan Hack]

It's okay. The artist sketch compared to his photo tells the whole story. I don't even think they'll put him in a line-up. It's too risky to base your case on an ID by a 5 year old.

[swheats]

I've thought from the very beginning the father was involved some how. To think he had so many felons working for him seems strange also. I backed off of that belief for a while listening to Hannity. I have to fall back to my first thought since there has been no convictions.

[DB]

We still have the death penalty here in California. I have little doubt the perp will die of unnatural causes. I can only hope he meets his end prior to his appeals running out for his execution.

[muggs]

Check your county sheriff's website. There are often links at many of the sheriffs websites.

[Nachum]

Agreed. However, it would have given a greater level of satisfaction to some, just to know.

[eeriegeno]

I agree that the 'high fiving' was way overdone. It's my understanding that the perp's girlfriend turned him in. Not a mention of that? In other words, it seems that the law enforcement folks in Orange County had the culprit handed to them and are taking credit for their super-sleuthing to catch him?

[muggs]

See post 93 to Semper911.

[I-couldnt-make-this-stuff-up!]

I feel like it's up to us to keep an eye on these creeps in each community by whatever means necessary. Because the laws will keep protecting them and they will always be lurking around our children, so maybe we need to be more on the offense and think prevention. Nowadays it's not that hard to watch a person, if you know what I mean. There could be a watch group that shares info on each predator. This may sound bizarre, but I'm actually serious.

[DB]

I'm sorry but this guy being caught is absolutely a reason to celebrate. As far as evidence goes there likely is a ton of evidence and at this point it is none our business what evidence they have. There will soon come a time when it will be properly released.

[swheats]

I hope that we are entering a new era of law and order-in memory of the innocents lost.

I honestly believe we are. It begins at the top. During Clinton's 8 years he wasn't concerned about apprehending criminals. He was a criminal. I don't mean to take this to a political level, but there's no way around the fact that whatever character that is the leader determines the direction of those who follow.