Gag order issued to police in the case of Jalesa Reynold; Why isn’t her case national news?blackandmissing | March 6, 2010 at 5:47 pm | |
New developments in the search for a missing Scotland Neck teenager. Now a judge has stepped in and issued a gag order to police.
Even before nine on your side learned of the gag order, the Scotland Neck Police Department, Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, and even the SB,I refused to answer any of our questions. But on the 10th day of the missing person investigation, the teen’s family was willing to speak today more than ever.
“Just knowing God and having faith. That’s what makes us think she’s going to walk through that door in any minute,” Jalesa Reynolds’ first cousin, Adreka Wiggins, said.
As three dozen officers, deputies, and rescue crews reinitiated a ground sweep off Cemetary Road near the home where it’s believed Reynolds’ last logged onto her facebook account, her family’s optimism grew.
“This is a praying family. And we are like this in all situations and at all times—that’s why we have faith that she’s coming back safe,“ said Wiggins.
The missing teen’s mother says her daughter will come home.
“Just hoping for the best, not for the worst,“ said Reynolds’ mother, Bernice.
Divers with the Littleton Volunteer Fire Department also search the muddy waters of the Roanoke River.
It was a busy morning. Superior Court Judge Alma Hinton issued a gag order on police. Unknown to the family, they say it should quiet growing rumors.
“If the gag order is to protect some type of evidence, I say protect it or to keep something from being leaked I’m for it,” said Reynolds’ cousin, Frederick Lassiter.
Nine on your side called Judge Hinton’s office as well as the District Attorney’s office to get details about the gag order. Our calls have yet to be returned. In a conversation with Police Chief Joe Williams on Thursday, so far 60 people have been interviewed and authorities weren’t in a position to rule anyone out.
Okay, why isn’t this national news? Here are some reason why I think it should make national news:
1. A gag order? What kind of evidence do they possibly have? In the years that I’ve been researching missing person coverage, the more evidence (especially shocking evidence like a blood stained clothing) the more coverage. At least that’s one of the reasons why Chelsea King got the attention she got. Police suspect foul play in Jalesa’s case, so it can’t be good.
2. Jalesa’s character: Her family said she was very quiet and went to the library every single day to get on Facebook. She was more outgoing to those she met online than those she met offline, which can cause her to trust and meet the wrong person.
3. Police said that the day she went missing, her last known location was the house of a sex offender. (A sex offender is another reason why Chelsea King’s case got attention).
4. Another national attention “requirement” is going missing from an area where something horrible happened – like in the case of Morgan Harrington, the Virginia Tech massacre led to the media paying more attention to her case because Morgan was a student at Virginia Tech. Well, do anyone know that Scotland Neck where Jalesa is from is roughly 45 minutes from Rocky Mount (as in the Rock Mount slayings and serial killer)?
So what’s the deal? She was last seen Feb 22, 2010. The first real article on her came March 1st, indicating more than a description and that foul play is involved. Maybe a week too late. Are we too late?
Ann
this is a family member of yours i live in washington dc dorine reynolds is my mom grandaughter of roberta reynolds i pray every day
for her i remember her and from what i remember
she was a very quiet person to me and very humble
i wish it was something that i could do cause when
it comes to family i would lay my life on the line for them im very angry to find out she is gone my thoughts and prayers go out to you all please fill free to send me a email and let me know she made it please shakiiyabelove@