GretaWire: Dompig on Greta’s Interview, “these things don’t mean anything to us.”

From todays GretaWire comes the following disturbing and puzzling statements from Gerald Dompig. As Greta Van Susteren states, I to can only hope this was misquoted. If not this just proves what has been the problem with this investigation from the outset. There is no shame in asking for help when one is not experienced in handling a situation. It is better than the alternative and that is what exists today and what is described as the Natalee Holloway investigation.

So now direct statements of a suspect when answering questions in an interview whereas the individual most likely, or we should say hopefully, has been interrogated with the same cannot be used. Seems that the ALE wants to use nothing derogatory to Joran Van der Sloot in this investigation. “We have a serious investigation.” If you had searched the Van der Sloot property one might have been able to have said this. At this point I am not so sure.

However, we to like Greta have to believe that Gerald Dompig did watch and has looked at the interviews. If not, all, both Americans and Arubans should be scratching their heads.

If I were the Aruban police, I would take our two-hour plus interview and compare it to all the other statements given in the case by Joran and others. I would look for inconsistencies — not insignificant ones due to time and memory issues, but big ones that undermine credibility. Likewise I would look for consistences and evidence which might corroborate what Joran said to us in the unedited interview. My goal would be to determine if Joran was lying or telling the truth.

I received an e-mail over the weekend from a known and reliable source who said that Aruban Deputy Police Chief Dompig said he had not watched Joran’s unedited interview with us and said, [lifted quote from the e-mail to me] “these things don’t mean anything to us. We have a serious investigation. We wouldn’t use it in the investigation. Aruban courts will not use it.” If this is indeed Dompig’s view, it is a flawed investigative one and should alarm Arubans and anyone else interested in finding out what happened to Natalee. Our interview should be important to Dompig — it will tell him for certain whether Joran is lying (if it establishes inconsistencies with previous Joran declarations and evidence in police custody) or telling the truth (in which case they need to change the direction of their investigation.)

I hope the e-mail I received with Dompig’s quote is wrong — a misquote. If not, this is serious. It would suggest to me that ego is getting in the way. I hope I am dead wrong on this. This is an important investigation. I am hoping that Dompig is just making those statements publicly to distract (in other words for a good investigative reason) but behind the scenes is studying the Joran interview carefully. My guess is that he IS studying the interview. This would be extremely basic investigation — Investigation 101.
(GretaWire)

Natalee Holloway Legacy casts doubt on Spring Break and Scrutiny for Aruba

Destination Under Scrutiny – Aruba – One Happy Island?

One of the legacies of the mishandled case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway:

But, not to second guess Island Officials, I do think that Aruba misjudged the media attention and did not effectively present the efforts undertaken there to provide a full picture of their response to the still unfolding unfortunate situation. This is an extremely sensitive issue in Aruba, and the situation goes beyond normal “Damage Control” for Destinations beset with natural disasters, such as hurricanes and tsunamis. One incident, one individual continues to roil the once gentle waters.

It is very easy to become embroiled in the debate on whether or not the Holloway case has been handled appropriately in a legal fashion. Beyond the media frenzy and the political sensibilities (US versus a sovereign entity and even the Alabama boycott), the net result is that the story has “legs”, and, Aruba, as a Destination, will continue to be affected. And, we, the Consumer, are left buffeted by the media wind, therefore, becoming very circumspect with a travel decision.

It is a shame Aruba was not at the forefront with a strategic Crisis Management focus. Millions are spent on Brand Marketing, but their reputation has been tarnished. A first rate publicist or Public Relations Firm should have been retained as the “story” rocketed. Catch up and changing perception are tough assignments! The response will be debated for years. I am still curious about Aruban effort to date.
(Hospitality Net)

Safety on minds of students, parents as spring break nears

At night, Murphy and her friends will go clubbing. Though having fun is their No. 1 priority, being safe also is high on their lists.

“Always have someone with you,” Murphy said. “Never let go of your drink. Always know, if someone’s leaving, where they’re going and how long they’ll be gone.”
(Wasau Daily Herald)

Spring break safety

“You have to think that incidents like Natalee Holloway raise your consciousness about what you’ve been teaching your children,” psychotherapist Carla Trusty-Smith says. “It’s unfortunate that something like this tells us we can never be too careful.”
(Burlington Free Press)