FIRST STOP----HOUSTON

First day on road was ddeluges from Lawton to Tulsa. 2nd day deluge for 1st three hours but finally across Texas border towards Houston, sun began to shine. In Houston now, with possibility of story from ABC. If you see my car...honk and call media.....Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More than a year--Help the 15TH CARAVAN

MY HEART HURTS

Heading to Bowling Green for last chance story in Kentucky. People in cities, on road great but no media contact from multiple attempts to contact. Home for a week or so to work, replenish funds, then back out to Northeast states. Still trying to get Brittany's name on our DNA at Arrest bill that passed after eight years hard work. Starting at year 4 of fight, I asked every year thereafter. Just received email from ProTem,...too late??. 1) I asked prior to the bill being drafted this year but somehow the Assistant didn't ask until too late. 2)I didn't do these 8 years for the name on the bill but it hurts they didn't think of it anyway. ..**Yes the law being passed is most important, but over years I watched at least 5 of my "family" of murdered children get a)their murder nationally publicized, then solved and their murdered child's name on their States law. I am only human and want that legacy for my child...And now I sit here with 1 story in 1.5 weeks........152000 miles and 152 stories but no national overage, no solving and now no name on law.........my heart hurts

HOPE, LIKE FOOD IS NEEDED TO LIVE, IS NEEDED TO SURVIVE THE LOSS OF A CHILD.........

Sunrise again meets my mourning as I begin to pack up and move on from New Orleans.


I try not to be sad and I fully iunderstand why all this occurs but it doesn't make it any easier to be alone on the road, alone when I am home and not be able to find a way to achieve this mostly on my own for the last 10 years.



At the same time, I will never be able to repay those few people who have been there again and again.
The greatest recharge comes from when I am on the road. It is people passing me on the road,showing thumbs up, who talk to me at rest stops, the reporters who do find our story compelling to their communities, you all are the ones who give me strength to go on.
 But heading towards the decade anniversary in under 3 weeks, being out on the road for almost a week and only 2 strories, no responses at all from the 40 emails sent to various media in both New Orleans and Baton Rogue (these same emails have given us 14-16 STORIES ON PAST CARAVANS.


At 10 years, the primary detective has retired, community media friends, who have followed us for years in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, as most reporters do, have moved on. My CARAVAN TO CATCH A KILLER tours have gone from 2 times a year to 1 time a year due to what I can afford.


The time out becomes more costly while getting fewer stories,




Trying to organize the balloon release at the Capitol on 10/4/14 the 10th anniversary. Trying to get volunteers for the "Walk with Brit on Rt 66; Diminish the risk--needing 4-5 days of drivers driving the WRAP behind me, other needs. So far the usual 2-3 say they will.


I have never been able to draw many and not sure why, haven't been able to raise a reward fund etc. It seems now even less volunteers to help with events. When I am around people, they seem to be compelled to help.......................then I stand alone.


But usually I vent like this and move on.... and that is what I am doing,


IF YOU SEE US ON THE ROAD...PLEASE HONK, TELL YOUR LOCAL NEWS YOU SAW US.
IF YOU KNOW HOW TO EMAIL, LET NATIONAL NEWS KNOW YOU SAW THIS. IF NATIONAL NEWS COULD SHARE THIS, I COULD STOP AT 103000 MILES.

WITH GRATITUDE FOR THOSE WHO DO ACKNOWLEDGE US!!

10 years......How can it be a decade

Within a few months, I face the 10th anniversary of Brittany's murder. Hopefully, the 12th CARAVAN TO CATCH A KILLER tour will begin mid September. Yet like 7 years out of the last 10, this year right before the anniversary and a CARAVAN, car problems and house pipe problems, may impac the funds to be used for the CARAVAN. Since 2007 I’ve completed 11 tours in my pink/purple "wrapped" CUBE with pictures of Brittany embedded on the butterflied background (raped/suffocated Tulsa 9/27/04), CARAVAN TO CATCH A KILLER on all sides and profile of killer on the back.


As I face a decade since her murder, behind me are 100000 miles travelled across 46 states where 126 reporters gifted us with stories about Brittany’s murder mystery, helping us ask for tips and, more so, to educate communities about laws that keep women and children at risk of the same fate as Brittany.


A decade since someone raped and suffocated her after he either broke in to her 2nd story apartment (next to the high school she graduated from )or was waiting for her to fall asleep. A decade since the crime scene DNA started being compared to suspect DNA, now over 3000 Oklahoma suspects and probably half a million in CODIS.


A decade since the lead detective, Jeff Felton and post his retirement (still works on it), Eddie Majors, began their never tiring work that still keeps the case from turning cold. Even so, the mystery remains unsolved.


  Within this decade, 8 years ago LAMAR Advertising began the 4-year rotation around sites in Tulsa, of their donated billboard. Within this decade, 7 years ago, reporters across the US began to tell Brittany’s story as ‘the girl next door.” Not because I, the grieving mother, was travelling thousands of miles, self funded and by myself but because reporters understood her murder could happen to anyone as long as there are at least 24 States that refuse to take DNA at Arrest. They helped me raise community awareness regarding risks of waiting to take DNA until conviction and how this allows dangerous people to live within our communities until convicted and how the majority of the crimes that need DNA to help solve, are the violent crimes where 90 % of the victims are women and 9 % are children. Within this decade, 7 years ago (10/7/07), through unbelievable gifts from FELLARS and Midwest Wraps, of a WRAP for my RAV 4 and in 2011, a WRAP for my Nissan Cube,. the 1st CARAVAN TO CATHC A KILLER tour began. Now, these self-funded missions of love have now visited visit 115 cities across 46 states. and allowed me to meet community members, reporters, local law enforcement, DAs, lawmakers, as well as thousands met on highways in-between. The thumbs up as people drove by or hugs at rest stops, each experience gave me courage to carry on. A decade since Brittany’s murder, since she was abruptly taken from my life.


My breath escapes me at the passed time. Even with my success of local news stories, my now, one time a year CARAVAN has only given us exposure to 1/100000 of people national news might reach.


, When a parent loses a child, a cavern opens inside their heart that beats in irregular mourning. To quiet a sense of imploding, my CARAVANs give me breath beyond the never-ending loss. What more can a mother do..

breathe............

Trying to breath. Working towards 10th anniversary of Brittany's murder/burial, to be able to be able to afford the 12th CARAVAN TO CATCH A KILLER tour for anniversary & starting organizing my WALK WITH BRIT ON RT 666 TO DIMINISH RISK-a walk from Tulsa murder site to Capitol of Oklahoma to publicize need to pass Oklahoma's DNA at Arrest law after 6 years----but 1) Car is acting up-may be 2nd transmission,like last year's is dying--so may need new trans then 2) plumbers came today to find why upstairs tankless was not heating, why pipes in sinks back up from upstairs/downstairs toilets. RESULTS(a) tankless water heater may be wrong size,so might need new larger one--meaning rewiring-etc which warrenty might not cover (b) checking pipes, tried to find outside drain pipe--NOT.. If house doesn't have one, warrenty company won't let them rod pipes, and then they won't address problem so warrenty won't cover. This means if roots have blocked the pipe, I will have to pay for deconstruct and new system........really.......really....really

My heart

I wish I understood...why my wrapped pink purple SUV, my travels, my daughter's story, my attempt to save other daughter's is turned away from by national news, even when it is stuck in front of their face. Again someone goes out of their way, selfless, with empassioned heart, amid their own story being told on an ID show, to try to get the producers to recognize our story... My heart fluttered that once agin, this time, direct contact might get our story told.. But so far, not even an intial co...ntact. My heart hurts. We hit the 10th anniversary of burying her on her 19th birthday on 10-4-04. Now after 7 years,( through the unbelievable gift of my wraps, from Fellers and Midwest Wraps), of criss-crossing the country across 48 states, pushing our story to at least 2-3 of each state passed through as part of the 100000 miles I have carved through on my CARAVAN TO CATCH A KILLER TOURs, almost always self funded in order to get 120 reporters to share her story in hopes of tips, warning communities about laws that put our women and children at risk.




But those cities do not match even 1/10000 of what national news would cover. I gladly put myself in debt each year but each year the story gets older, the car breaks down more and more. I've gladly spent the 60-80000 but in these later years, things like transmissions dying, house falling aprt, sale and buying of house troublesome it gets harder. I have no partner to assist, no funding from any source, so last summer on my 11th CARAVAN- $ 6000 to travel 13000 miles for only 6 stories for the 3 weeks of travel hurt me financially all right after my trans broke down. Earlier eyars I spent the same but got 10-16 stories.. And all these years, I have yet to hear of anyone else doing this for their murdered loved one....isn't that enough... Brittany needs her murder solved, people need to fully understand DNA

Driving forward with tears in eyes, exhausted, feeling a bit defeated. Please send fax, email, mail national news while I am on the road. Beg them to help share our story

My 1st story came quick in Neb Of course Car was in shop for half a day in Sioux Falls so not a lot of time to drive around! Been in Rapid City and went to Mt Rushmore. Reaction in City has been great but again no story. People have aasked me how I do my CARAVAN TO CATCH A KILLER torus. I thought I would post the process here. Each time I go out I usually work 8-10 hours a day on getting the story out. I usually get 13-16 stories a CARAVAN.


The day before I get to a city (usually my last day at the previous city) I developed a pattern of going to TV station, newspaper and radio websites, reading about the reporters, producers, specific reporters/ media who report on things like our story or something in bio gives me a hook to use-- that is usually 3+ hrs of writing. Like on my drive to Rapid City, I stopped at every rest stop and a number of small towns. After I arrive in a city, if no one has contacted me, I usually send out more to Editors Anchors News Directors ,etc. In every city, even before I get a story, sometimes if or as part of story,I go to the Police station, sherrifs, State police, sometimes the chamber, victim advocates, I drive around the city and park in public places--at least 4-5 hrs exposure. I was all over Sioux Falls and even went to Mt Rushmore. I get great responses along the highway, in town, at these sites. For two years having more than a year inbetween without Britty's story being out there, decreases the probability that it is heard by someone who knows something. I have been asking for help from facebook friends to at least send emails, fax to National news because if the CARAVAN dies all the years of getting her story out on my own will die also. I guess I am begging for help On the road, at hotels, even this time people say they have never seen something like my SUV before and they are surprised NAtional news has not picked it up. My CARAVANs get may 1/10000 of the people that national news does. AND if National even considers it, they will only do that if I am on the road. I will only be out for about 2 more weeks If you email me I can send you an email you can tweek. You can snail mail or fax. It won't cost you money, very little time. email me at therapoet@aol.com. Or you can post this to all your friends, get some of them. If not the email then even an onslaught of "why are you not doing a story on the CARAVAN" If not for me, then for Britty. I week and 1 story. I am feeling a bit discouraged. I guess I am packing the car and heading to Fargo..I don't mind this solitary journey....when it is working...................................

Handing it over

Am trying to hand it over. WHat will be will be . Sitting in a very friendly Nissan dealership in Sioux Falls SD. Have had alot of recognition in the city but no media responses yet. Of cpourse could be in shop over weekend which would kill me, spending money on hotel and unable to get exosure to the story. Part of me is angry, Yes angry. I really don't ask for alot. EVen cut CARAVAN TO CATCH A KILLER tours down to once a year. And now this. I don't ask for money and do most of this on my own funds, often going into debt. But thatis always OK when we are getting the story out and helping to save other lives. But god I haven't been out even a whole week and now the cost of hotels and this with the car feels so unfair. I know it isn't about being fair. It is just happens but this has affected so much.... and all that the transmission affected prior to the CARAVAN, as many know, I came to accept--that the cost of the transmission ate up the money I was to use for getting a place nearer to the new job so I wouldn't have to commute 4 hours a day,then when my son's car was totaled by someone who t-boned him, the cost of the transmission took away my ability to help him if he has to get a new car and it took away money from the CARAVAN. But I decided to find a way to fund it. Now that I am on it and not even a full week out my car is in the shop and I will soon find whether I can even drive it any more. Really.......god I am tired

LETTER TO MY DAUGHTER - YOUR LIFE IS NOT FORGOTTEN

 

I MISS YOU MY DANCING PONY PRINCESS......................

YOUR DARK EYES ALWAYS HELD THE DEPTH OF YOUR CARING FOR OTHERS. EYES FRAMED BY CURLS FALLING LIGHTLY BESIDE YOUR ANGEL SHAPED FACE.

YOU WERE AN ANGEL AMONG US, DESTINED TO GO SO FAR.......I WILL TAKE YOU AS FAR AS I CAN

NEEDING A GUARDIAN ANGEL TO HELP ME BREATHE THROUGH THIS

Survived this past Tuesday,in 100 degree heat, after car broke down on highway and I waited 2 hrs for towing---as all sped by at 80mph. Survived last 4 days stuck at house with 106 degree heat making it hard to walk anywhere, survived finding out my CVT Nissan Transmission is gone, must be replaced...total prob $3500+. I'll survive not getting a car rental for a week cause too damn expensive. I have accepted the path after Britty's murder is done w/o someone in my life and that I don't have nor can seem to raise money for a foundation in her name.

What is hardest to take is that what little I can afford to do for Britty, often right before I do it (like a fund raiser event, another CARAVAN) something big like having to replace a transmission on a relatively young car that has a CVT transmission which is just starting to show problems in cars that are older than 2-3 years, occurs and puts me so in debt that the one little thing I am able to do in honor of her, gets affected.

So it is hard to accept that the 11th (prob last) CARAVAN (using what little money I have) is now being impacted by the transmission expense and having not been done in over a year, now because of this cost, may not be able to do for another year.

CARAVANs are not just for Brittany. They are also for me. It is the one time a year I focus on Britty's murder mystery, share facts across US ; the only time it really gets national. I get so many emotional gifts from people while on the road, that it makes coming back to things like the job I have had since her murder easier. Things have been done at work that people say I should sue about but I can't waste energy on that. I have a new job that I will hopefully be going to yet vicious attacks made in secret by a few very sick people who work in the Mental health field have taken their toll as I clear my name each time they do these secret attempts.  I just need to be back on the road a bit to remind me of the general kindness of people.

 It hurts my heart each time I think of now having to wait another year--will make 2 years to do a CARAVAN...I am her voice...Those who know our history know how hard I fight and also how hard things seem to keep hitting... Don't know.. it makes it hard, for a bit, to breathe. ... Of course I will get past it...because I can't change what is. But I try so hard to pay it forward, to do things for others, to do this mostly on my own funding. And it seems (even though I know it is just bad timing) that each time I really need something like being able to do the CARAVAN, then I get hit with something so big like a transmission breakdown that I can do nothing but roll with the punches.  I am tired but I won't give up. I know I just have to accept this solitary road (having sat home 4 days and even after asking for help to get out a bit or to a store (in small country town not near transportation) , there has been little assistance. I am a kind person who rarely asks for help so not sure what keeps people away

IF YOU CARE ABOUT LOVED ONES, ABOUT OKLAHOMANS, READ ALL OF THIS!

                                      DNA AT ARREST PROTECTS & SAVES LIVES!

MAKE SB618 OKLAHOMA’S DNA AT ARREST LAW

               DECIDE FROM FACTS, NOT FALSE FEARS.

  

DNA IS PRIMARILY NEEDED TO SOLVE VIOLENT CRIMES, OF WHICH

90% OF VICTIMS ARE WOMEN, 9% CHILDREN! 

   

IN 2012, AFTER BEING ARRESTED IN COLORADO, ROBERT BRUCE’S DNA, MATCHED TO DNA FOUND AT 19 VICTIMS’ CRIME SCENES IN CLEVELAND COUNTY, OK AND 6 IN EDMOND (CRIMES FROM 1986 TO 2006)

 

 

BRITTANY PHILLIPS, MY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER,

MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN MURDERED (A PREVENTABLE CRIME)

IF OKLAHOMA TOOK DNA AT ARREST DURING HER LIFE!

10-4-85 TO 10-4-04

    2000 SUSPECTS ' DNA HAVE  BEEN COMPARED TO HER KILLER’S DNA  

LEFT AT CRIME SCENE!

NONE HAVE MATCHED!

 

***PREVENTABLES CRIMES-A VIOLENT OFFENDER IS ARRESTED NUMEROUS TIMES, FOR MINOR CRIMES BUT BECAUSE DNA IS NOT TAKEN AT ARREST, NEVER HAS THEIR DNA COMPARED TO UNSOLVED/COLD CASES

 UNTIL AND ONLY IF THE PERSON GETS CONVICTED,

USUALLY AFTER 10-20 YEARS OF DOING CRIMES***.

THIS IS SHOWS WHAT IS SENT TO CODIS

NUMBERS, NOT THE PHYSICAL DNA SAMPLE

        Lab XYZ       (these letters represent the state lab’s code)

       0012152  (this is a Code for the case number-NAME OF THE PERSON IS NOT SENT        06,09,11,12,10,10,22,24,9.3,10,08,09 These 2 lines are the codes representing the 14

      14,14,15,17,17,22,25,12,12,9,10,09,13   pieces analyzed (from the thousands a person has)

      kzzz- (This code represents the specific analyst who did the work)

      These “profiles” (not the sample) are uploaded to CODIS, our national DNA database.

***COURTS CAN’T CONVICT BY ONLY DNA—DNA IS AN INVESTIGATIVE TOOL-OTHER STRONG, ADDITIVE EVIDENCE MUST PROVE GUILT***

 

******DNA AT ARREST LESSENS NUMBER OF REPEAT OFFENDERS BY IDENTIFYING CRIMINALS EARLY IN THEIR CAREERS! ***DNA AT ARREST LOWERS NUMBER OF COLD/UNSOLVED CRIMES, AS A SUSPECT’S DNA SAMPLE IS TAKEN AND MATCHES TO DNA FROM A CRIME SCENE BECAUSE RAPIST, OTHER VIOLENT OFFENDERS OFTEN GET ARRESTED FOR 10-20 YEARS BEFORE CONVICTION.

******DNA AT ARREST LOWERS POLICE COSTS BY FEWER HOURS ON CASES.

 

26 STATES HAVE PASSED DNA AT ARREST LAWS Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont

 

  ***MANY COURTS RULED DNA IS NO DIFFFERENT THAN FINGERPRINTS***

1) The purpose is akin to that of a fingerprint". State v. Raines 857 A.2d 19, 33 (Md. 2004) FOR Anderson v. Com, Virginia Supreme Court, No. 062051, 9/14/07, FOR

2) US v. Mitchell, US Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, No. 09-4718, July 25, 2011, FOR

3) Haskell v. Brown,US District Court for Northern District of California,12/23/09, FOR

4)U.S. v. Thomas, US District Court of Western District of New York, 2/14/11, FOR

5)People v. Buza, California Court of Appeals, First District, A125542, 8/4/11,

 FOR MORE CASES ON MITCH MORRISEY, DENVER’S DA’S WEBSITE, LISTED BELOW

 

***IF YOU WANT TO MAKE AN EDUCATED DECISION-READ THESE*** http://www.dfs.virginia.gov/statistics/index.cfm 8399 HITS SINCE 1998 http://www.goccp.maryland.gov/dna/statistics.php www.sccvc.org/.../Chicagos_Study_on_Preventable_Crimes03-04-2008.pdf(chicago)

 

INFORMATIVE WEBSITES

www.DNAsaves.org

www.denverda.org/DNA/DNA_INDEX.htm

www.brittanyphillipsmurder.net

CONTACT: BRITTANY’S MOTHER Dr. Maggie Zingman 9186292317 therapoet@aol.comtherapoet@aol.com

CHANCES ARE YOU WON'T FEAR DNA AT ARREST IF YOU READ THIS!!

DNA AT ARREST SAVES LIVES, DOESN'T HURT LIVES

 

DNA WAS DESIGNED TO ONLY USE 14 PIECES OF THE THOUSANDS  UPON THOUSANDS OF PIECES OF DNA EACH PERSON HAS
 ONES THAT DONT HOLD GENETIC SECRETS!

          READ ABOUT DNA, DON'T JUST TAKE WHAT I OR SOMEONE TELLS YOU--RESEARCH IT! DO SEARCHES FOR SCIENTIFIC STUDIES ON FORENSIC DNA,

 READ TRUE, SCIENCE-BASED ARTICLES

ABOUT HOW SCIENTISTS DESIGNING THE DNA

 PROCESS OF SOLVING CRIMES,

DEVELPOPED WAYS TO MAKE IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE

 FOR ANYONE BUT LAB PEOPLE

TO EVER HAVE ACCESS TO THE DNA SAMPLE,

HOW THEY CHOSE PIECES OF DNA THAT WERE EMPTY (NO GENETIC INFO).

 THE ONLY DANGER

OF NOT TAKING DNA AT ARREST,

IS THAT THERE WILL BE INCREASED CHANCES THAT

YOU TOO WILL KNOW SOMEONE,

WHO, LIKE MY DAUGHTER,

WOULD BE ALIVE OR UNHURT

 IF DNA WAS TAKEN AT ARREST FROM THE PERSON WHO ATTACKED THEM.

IN ADDITION,DNA AT ARREST

LOWERS THE NUMBER OF COLD/UNSOLVED CRIMES.

 LOWERS THE NUMBER OF REPEAT OFFENDERS

LOWERS POLICE DEPARTMENT COSTS.

26 STATES HAVE PASSED SOME FORM OF DNA AT ARREST LAWS

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California,

Colorado, Illinois, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,

New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South

Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont
(PARDON STILL TRYING TO EDIT BLOG)

STATE // YEAR OF LAW PASSAGE// NUMBER OF HITS// REPORTED HITS 2010
1)Tennessee                           Started in 2007.              115 HITS on unidentified DNA  

2) New Mexico                       Started  2007                  160 HITS      on unidentified DNA 

3) Maryland                            Started  2011                  174 HITS    on unidentified DNA 

4) Virginia                              Started 2003                     483HITS DFS    on unidentified DNA 

5) Ohio                                    Started 2011                    132 HITS OBIon unidentified DNA 

*DNA taken the 1st time someone is arrested for a Felony Offense allows their DNA to be in a database. Then, if and only if, they leave DNA at their next crime scene, we can identify the guilty party relatively quickly.With violent offenders, this stops them at a low number of victims.

* DNA taken at conviction and then put into the DNA database is more about solving old crimes rather than stopping new ones. Violent offenders, when finally convicted, and their DNA is put into a national database are matched to multiple cold and unsolved crimes from 5-20 years in the past, where that DNA sat years without a match and the vioent offender kept on doing violence. THESE CRIMES COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF DNA HAD BEEN TAKEN THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE ARRESTED.

The DNA Profile: YOUR PHYSICAL DNA IS NOT SENT TO THE NATIONAL DATABASE

A FORM WITH CODED NUMBERS IS SENT TO CODIS THE NATIONAL DATABASE--NOT YOUR HYSICAL DNA

JUST LIKE THE EXAMPLE BELOW----Lab XYZ
0012152 (case number)
06,09,11,12,10,10,22,24,9.3,10,08,09, (2 lines represent loci/factors specific to your DNA)
14,14,15,17,17,22,25,12,12,9,10,09,13
kzzz-The Analyst’s initials

The DNA profile is uploaded into CODIS, our national DNA database, without even a
name attached to it, only a case ID number, the lab’s name, and the analyst’s initials.

IT IS NOT YOUR TOTAL DNA SAMPLE THAT IS USED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT
Regions of DNA that are used for forensic analysis are usually not genes, but rather are located in those parts of the chromosomes without known functions, or if part of a gene, not in the part that produces a detectable effect (MEANING IT DOES NOT INCLUDE DNA LOCI THAT WOULD SAY YOU ARE PRONE TO DISEASES OR MENTAL ILLNESS OR EVEN TALL, SHORT, ETC- This was a primary reason for this choice has been to protect individual privacy.)(This means that these sections of the DNA do not carry the genetic codes. When a match occurs between an offender and DNA evidence collected from a crime, the law enforcement agency is notified and then, with a judge’s order, another DNA sample is taken from the identified suspect to verify the match. It is a big piece of the puzzle that can set law enforcement on the right track.

Law enforcement now has to build their case and find other evidence and witnesses. They have to determine if the suspect was even in the area of the crime. The suspect is still innocent, until proven guilty. Only a jury determines “guilty” Keep in mind that less than 6 % of our population is ever arrested for a felony. A DNA profile only identifies the suspect. People can change their
names, their appearance, even their sex. Their DNA is unique and does not change.

**Criminals tend to be repeat offenders, but don’t always get convicted, having their DNA
at Arrest increases the chances of conviction. Each conviction prevents and average of 7 to 8 future crimes.
* Kristine Crouch, Indiana CODIS Administrator of the Indiana State Police-- biological
crime scene evidence uploaded to CODIS leads to 40% of those searches yield a matching suspect. DNA at Arrest would increase the number of "Known Persons" in a DNA database thus increaseing matches National Institute of Justice to five communities (Los Angeles, Topeka, Denver, Phoenix and California's Orange County) to study the effectiveness of DNA forensics in
the investigation of property crimes. The project called The DNA Field Experiment: Cost-Effectiveness

Analysis of the Use of DNA in the Investigation of High-Volume Crimes highlighted the importance of testing the DNA profile found at burglary scene because one burglar often commits many burglaries before being caught. A summary of the study can be found at Burglars Go Bust: The DNA Field

Experiment

In November 2005, with NIJ funding, the Denver Burglary Project was started. Two years
into the project, nearly 100 prolific burglars were caught and convicted. As a result of the 100 convictions, the burglary rate in Denver dropped 26%

4TH AMENDMENT RIGHTS ARE NOT VIOLATED!!

**August 26, 2004, the appellate court overturned the lower court and ruled that the DNA Collection Act does not violate the Fourth Amendment. The court's opinion included: "The DNA
profile thus serves the purpose of increasing the efficiency and accuracy in identifying individuals within a certain class of convicted criminals. The purpose is akin to that of a fingerprint". State v. Raines 857 A.2d 19, 33 (Md. 2004).

PLEASE READ ALL THESE COURT CASES. LEARN WHY COURTS HAVE DECIDED THAT …..
DNA AT ARREST IS NOT A VIOLATION OF THE FOURTH AMENDMENT!!!
COURT CASES

READ ALL THE OTHER COURT RULINGS ON FEB'S BLOwww.facebook.com/mom.missing.brittany

FINDING MY BREATH IN ORDER TO KEEP ON

(more added most likely)

I just spent the last hour trying to get my computer to operate right. It still won't work without hiccups! Of course it decides to malfunction right after I decided to come to our website, and pledge to myself and Brittany that I will recharge, regroup, find some way finacially and emotionally to continue. I didn't want to do this"in public" on facebook (not wanting to look as if begging for support).  Here, some may find this blog, this specific one,  by chance, but it may also not be seen for days. Thus I feel good knowing I am not just speaking for an audience. I know I have to do this to get myself back on track on my ongoing mission of love and empathy to find Brittany's killer and to help protect other families from such devastating loss. I have to find some way to get back on track after such an emotional loss with our MILES OF TEARS POKER RUN as well as its' financial loss.

I am used to finacial losses, have learned to ride with them especially after Brittany's murder, especially because almost all of the 67000 miles of the 10 CARAVAN TO CATCH A KILLER tours were self funded. I have learned to roll with loss as each of my 3 other fund raising events over the last 4 years, have been hit with a car breakdown with its subsequent car rental, a disrupted ability to publicize, thus small turnouts, all which destroyed any fund raising. I have learned to live without a washer,a dryer, a hot water heater that stays working. I have learned to live without repairs to my house unless I can do it. In return I have been able to travel cross country telling Brittany's story, trying to save lives. And I am okay with this.

But my selfish mind begs "Why...what else do I have to experience after Brittany's murder...haven't I paid my dues?"

I would have been okay with a small turnout. I knew our MILES OF TEARS Poker Run, only in its 1st year, would probably not have a large crowd, probably wouldn't even make back the $500 or so I put into getting the word out, good prizes and treats.  BUT EVEN A SMALL CROWD, BY WORD OF MOUTH COULD  HELP BUILD THE REPUTATION OF WHAT THE RIDE COULD OFFER. We had great prizes, great raffle items and a small crowd would have lucked out with all the prize material.

What has been confusing to everyone who saw how much promotion we did, is that after 2 months of publicity--posters on the back of the car, posters and flyers at bike shops, gas stations, biker bars, news stories, etc; after great responses from people I met, Christine met, to have NO ONE SHOW WAS DEVASTATING.

It hurt my heart because it felt like after 8 years no one cared about Brittany story. It hurt my heart because it would limit my ability to go on a CARAVAN  in January.

ALL I CAN SAY RIGHT NOW IS I AM TRYING TO FIND A WAY BACK. THE HARDEST THING FOR ME TO ACCEPT IS THAT I REALLY DO SO MUCH OF THIS ALONE. THERE ARE A FEW LOYAL SUPPORTERS. I WOULD DIE WITHOUT THEM.  I CAN'T EXPECT OTHERS TO BE INVOLVED 24/7 BUT AFTER THE POKER RUN WEEKEND IT FELT LIKE ONLY OUR SMALL CIRCLE OF VOLUNTEERS WERE THE ONES WHO CARED-and all of them were related to Christine Badgwell, my friend and originator of the poker run idea.

I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE FACE ABOVE DOEES NOT DRAW PEOPLE IN. WHAT AM I DOING TO TAKE AWAY FROM A FACE THAT WOULD BREAK YOUR HEART?

I HAVE LEARNED TO DO SO MUCH OF THIS ALONE BUT TIMES LIKE THE PAST WEEKEND OF HER ANNIVERSARY AND POKER RUN REALLY MAKE ME MISS NOT AT LEAST HAVING SOME ARMS TO CURL INTO AND SAY...."PLEASE TAKE OVER JUST FOR A FEW MOMENTS"

I am sorry Britty. 8 years with a marker like this have knocked the wind out. I will get my breath back soon.

SOS SOS OCTOBER 6 MILES OF TEARS POKER RUN NEEDS YOUR HELP

SOS SOS SOS We thought we had a venue at the end of the Oct 6 Miles of Tears Poker Run but it has fallen through. We are still hoping for the band (s) but we are in need of a space----a filed, parking lot, stage, park, even a yard, somewhere that (hopefully) motorcycles and cars can park. We are still looking for volunteers to help with registration, card stops (for poker hand) and at the end for raffle food etc. Looking for more food donations or money to help with food costs. IF YOU KNEW BRITTANY OR HEARD OUR STORY OR WITH THE PASSING OF THE DAY OF REMEMBERANCE FOR HOMICIDE VICTIMS, THIS IS A CHNACE TO HELP. IF NOTHING ELSE DONATE YOUR TIME BY HELPING DAY OF EVENT OR HELPING US PULL THIS TOGETHER Contact me Maggie at 918 629-2317 or therapoet@aol.com
  We do have paypal on this website
You can also visit www.facebook.com/mom.missing.brittany

AFTER ALL THESE YEARS..THE GIFT OF NATIONAL NEWS

I will write more tomorrow and post the HLN story. Leave it to say I am still pinching myself. After 7 years, 8 months since Brittany's murder, 3 years, 8 months since I started the CARAVAN TO CATCH A KILLER  tours, we had an national network interview on Headline News (HLN) Jane Velez Mitchel Most Wanted show. It was with the magic of kindness of heart connections with Kenny J,who connected us to Jon Leiberman (who interviewed us in May on Crimeline) and Jon's kindness of heart, connecting us with this JVM, and Jane's kindness of ehart to do our story, that Brittany's voice was heard. Yes after covering 67000 miles across 46 states where 106 reporters have so kindly shared Brittany's story to both help us get tips and also educate people about the problems with DNA and rape laws (and I would never , ever trade those local stories) after all those hours and dollars I spent on the road, JVM's show gave us the breadth of coverage across the US that I did not have enough money or years left to do!!! I hope we can keep the national momentum. I am forever in gratitude to all those that helped me make this connection--basically everyone I have met since I started the CARAVANs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Impressed with Response to the CARAVAN

This week, June 4-8th I have been in Tulsa and OKC. It appears the car is still generating interest because the last 3 days more than 500 views!!! Thank you everyone who is taking the time to check us out. The car (and I) were at Bricktown around lunch time. A friend and part of her family and I were watching the Red Dirt Procession of Dancers at the opening of the Pow Wow. WHat a show of honor for heritage, for those beyond our living realm. It just reinforced the power of memory and doing things in honor of those who have stepped from our physical connection

LAST FEW MILES.......................

Well I am in Louisville now. First thank you all for the gifts of hugs, prayers, well wishes, smiles thumbs up, donations. I will most likely be home Sunday eve.
It has been a hard road since I left the Northeast. And sadly I think my bank let me know I hit the red two days from home. It would have been a lot sooner without all the donations!!!

I went up to Erie Penn, after Hartford was silent, then Erie was silent, so went to Winston Salem....silly me forgot John E was on trial there for a mistress when he was running for resident...........................That was a week of staying a day longer at hotels hoping a story would come.

 Hit Augusta and they did a great story. Then drove to Orlando and St Pete. SAW JOSH!!!! He looks great, seems happy and keeps advancing at Apple and with his company. Hoped for a mother's day story in St. Pete where Brit was born and where she had been only 4 months prior to her murder. Stayed  long there but no story. Went to Macon and they did a great story. I will post it. Then hit Huntington WV, an area I really had not covered and 3 days no story.

Now in Louisville, THE LAST CITY  I have money to get home but overdraft charges will double every withdrawel so need to get home before all is gone.

Only in Louisvile since last eve. I hope this last city gives us a final story. My heart is breaking heading home, It would break a little less to have a closure story. Brit lived her for 2 years , visited my parents alot. She was on buses and in the airport during the 1991 United Way Campaign!!!

Thank you everyone who have made this trip what it was-- in its gifts the waves on the road, those at rest stops who hugged, shared a tear, the people donating on line, the people who emailed me that they saw me when they could have just gone on, ideas that were sent, tips and so much more!

Some of you apologized because your donations were small (in your mind) but they all helped me get to 2 days before home before my money went into the red. It would have happened much sooner without. You all have a place in my heart for everything you all did.   with love and caring Maggie-Brittany and Joshua's mom

Northeasterners you warm my heart!!!

I am in awe, deeply hubled, warmed, feel supported with all the contacts thta have come from the Yahoo website.New England Cable News NECN tends to be quality reporting, He said Tahoo has picked up many of their stories because they report on what people can identify with. I told Jack if keeps this up I could faint! 1st I get a story in a city I didnt get the last time I was there, Then it is with a News Service that is boradcast in 7? states AND THEN it gets picked up by Yahoo. Geeze Louis. What an extended gift. Then the 1st of being pulled to the side of the road for a donation, someone seeing me driving in to a town and trying to find a way to contact me before I even get to hotelOf course that just confirms I should be doing this 24/7. Then there are these new contacts..... I hope people know how much this contact means to me

ONLY IN VERMONT

10 miles from Burlington, a couple reconfirmed why I do this mission. Circling down the mountain on I-89, I looked over at a car I was passing and a man was waving something, (like money) in his hand and motioning over to the side of the road. I stopped, a woman jumped out the car, said. "We just looked you up on line. We have 19 yr old son (like Brit) who we are going to pick up in Champlain and it touched our heart, so we want to help",she gave me $20, a hug and they drove off. I started crying the minute they left, once again touched by peoples support. It also reminded me of Burlington/Vermont I knew years ago as I attended Goddard College for a year. Only in Vermont!!