Obviously Jim has waited long enough for a) the police to make headway in the case, b) the press to push the issue of exactly what the police have or had to consider him a suspect in the first place, and c) the general public to be outraged at both the actions of the local press and the police. So, I guess he figures enough is enough seeing his (once good) name linked to murder in any way shape or form. However, I do agree with you he needs to keep the focus on the message, promulgated and propagated by the police and the local press, and not the messenger. I've essentially told him that.
In other news, FWIW, I was in New Haven today and walked from Suzanne's apartment to the inside entrance of Phelps Gate. I took the most direct route which meant I cut across the campus and went through at least three locked gates. At a brisk pace (I walked fast on purpose), and stopping my watch to account for traffic on the three streets I needed to cross, it took 5:15. I had to take a slight detour of about 40 seconds because of construction (factored in) and I timed one traffic wait at 35 seconds (not factored in), so I'd say five minutes is the fastest she could have done it. Factor in time to walk down from her apartment upstairs, perhaps wait for people at a gate, wait for traffic, walk at a slower pace, stopping to look at a sign, etc. I'd say six minutes is probably a good estimate.
I also walked into the police substation where Suzanne returned the keys to the car she borrowed. It's a small place with what looks like a bullet proof piece of glass with a metal receptacle underneath where you can slip things in and out, like a subway token booth. You walk through the door, walk a few steps, and there's the "booth". However, unlike a token booth, the office is not manned although there are people behind doors inside that obviously monitor who comes in and out. It took about 30 seconds (guessing) for someone to appear from behind a door and greet me. I asked if this is where I had to return keys to a borrowed Yale car and he said yes. I asked if I needed to speak to anyone or if I could just slip the keys in and he said I could just slip the keys under the glass and leave. This may account why no police officer is ever quoted as having seen Suzanne that night although, dang, I forgot to ask if there was video surveillance.
- Jeff |
