The news was sad. It was what people had feared before.
On Sunday, a body that is believed to be that of a missing woman, Gabby Petito, was found. This happened on a camping area in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Her boyfriend, who was travelling with her, disappeared, and he is now the subject of an intensive search back in
Whether or not the police or the FBI are referring to him as a suspect in Petito’s death is unimportant and simply the exchange of legally charged language. He is undoubtedly being considered a suspect by the police and the FBI. And for a good cause.
Even if Laundrie is proved innocent, if he is discovered alive, there’s a good chance he’ll be charged with her murder. However, it won’t be simple.
Proving a Murder
Guilty individuals typically act guilty. With that in mind, let’s look at what we know. Laundry showed up at his parents’ house in Florida on September 1 with Petito’s vehicle, but without her. He then refused to speak with cops who were investigating her disappearance as a missing person case. His conduct is highly suspicious. It’s evidence against him.
If someone is murdered, they will have to be convicted. This can happen if the cause of death and time of death are found. This will depend on the autopsy that is done on Tuesday. The body was most likely exposed to the weather for three weeks. It would be expected to show considerable decomposition and signs of animal predation, making matters more difficult.
However, a team of forensic entomologists might be useful. They look at insects on a corpse to determine the time of death. To put it another way, bugs have the power to tell us when someone has passed away. They can also reveal whether or not a body has been relocated from one place to another.
After determining the time of death, prosecutors must place Laundrie at or near her murder scene during that time. Witnesses, videos, and computer data tracing may all play a role. The FBI is adept at triangulating cell phone signals to recreate a person’s activities and locations.
Fleeing Is Incriminating
In the law, fleeing from police is defined as “consciousness of guilt.” It’s admissible, albeit circumstantial evidence, and it’s a potent prosecutorial weapon in obtaining a conviction. Laundrie’s decision not to speak with police during the investigation was, in his words, “reasonable.” He would have the same privilege at trial.
In fact, the judge instructs jurors that a defendant’s right to silence cannot be used against him. However, evidence of flight while under suspicion of committing a crime is inadmissible. Rather, it is proof of guilt.
Adding to that, it looks like Laundrie had both “motive and opportunity” in any murder case, as noted by a police report from Utah. According to the police report, he had a reason because he fought or argued with Petito in Utah. He had a chance because he was travelling with her at the time of her death and was seen.
Parental Culpability
If Laundrie’s parents assisted him in any manner, knowing or believing that he had murdered Petito, they might be charged with aiding and abetting or accessories after the fact. It must be proved that they intended to assist their son in escaping, hiding evidence, or avoiding the police. These are considered separate offences.
We also know that Laundrie’s parents spoke with the cops late on Friday night. They may be charged with everything from false statements to obstruction of justice to additional accessory felonies if it can be demonstrated that they weren’t completely honest or lied.
The refusal of Laundrie’s parents to communicate with Petito’s resulted in an unethical and heartless situation. It is not, however, a crime. Finally, there is a legal phrase known as “misprision of a felony.” It makes it a crime to keep information about a misdemeanour. While many states have abolished the principle, it is still illegal under federal law.
As a result, if the body is discovered on the federal ground (as it was in this case), the parents may be charged with “misprision of a felony.” That’s probably going over the top. The police need to know about a crime. The charge is only against people who are responsible for telling the government about a crime, like government or law enforcement.Law enforcement and prosecutors need to figure out the puzzle of who killed Petito. They need to find Brian Laundrie and see if he did it.
It’s impossible to ignore Gabby’s death. As a result, justice for her demands attention.
Also Read Gregg Jarrett: Brian Laundrie, Gabby Petito and the Challenges of Proving a Murder
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