Baby Kate Kops Decide She is Dead. Change Focus of Investigation

[XLFD]

Due to the findings of a jury, the local investigators of Baby Kate are changing her status from a missing person who was unlawfully imprisoned to someone who was murdered.  Does that mean they will now ignore any leads in this case that presumes Baby Kate is still alive?  The public will never know, as this declaration ends with:  "No other information or comments related to this investigation will be released by any police agency prior to the arraignment of the responsible party on the appropriate charges."  Incredible-- the FOIA has just been overruled. 

I see this as a declaration that our local law enforcement officers want to avoid established protocols and any actions beyond trying to prove Sean Phillips "more" guilty.  It sure saves them the problem of having to investigate anything anymore concerning this case.

 

Phillips case now a 'homicide investigation'
PUBLIC -
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
The following statement was issued by Ludington Police Chief Mark Barnett, Mason County Sheriff Jeff Fiers and First Lt. Kevin Leavitt, commander of the Hart post of the Michigan State Police:
...
“Based upon the finding of guilt by a jury of his peers, Sean Michael Phillips has been sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison for the unlawful imprisonment of his daughter — Katherine Phillips.

“The investigation into the whereabouts of ‘Baby Kate’ by the Ludington Police Department, the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation is officially transitioning into a homicide investigation.

“Speculation during the first 10 months of the investigation that ‘Baby Kate’ was given to someone else is not supported by the evidence.

“Previous speculation as to the involvement of the mother, Ariel Courtland, in the disappearance of Katherine Phillips is also not supported by the evidence. Extensive investigation into Ms. Courtland has been conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies. It has been concluded by investigators, and through judicial proceedings, that she did not have the time, means, or motive necessary, or that she has any knowledge of Baby Kate’s whereabouts.

“It is our belief that the evidence considered by the 12 men and women during the unlawful imprisonment trial, along with new evidence and information being developed, will result in the issuance of additional charges.

“Investigators are convinced that one individual, Sean Michael Phillips, knows the location of Katherine’s body.

“Investigators remain focused and intent on providing justice for ‘Baby Kate.’ Whether or not Sean Phillips participates in that effort remains his decision alone.

“No other information or comments related to this investigation will be released by any police agency prior to the arraignment of the responsible party on the appropriate charges.”

[XLFD]

I hope the Baby Katers on Facebook can get the full transcript of the Phillips trial and share it.  This note still confuses the heck out of me, and I'd like to get the full context of its relevance.  I don't think it's technically a noose or a smoking gun, but it did help the prosecution poison the water for Phillips, as this note did not indicate or enhance the strength of the crime they were prosecuting.

[In Dulci Jubilo]

The note was definitely damaging, and in his interview, the jury foreman said they felt the note was a confession.   This is one of the grounds for appeal too, and I'm wondering if defense had no explanation for it for that very reason.   As an aside, when reading that note, it doesn't seem like a "letter of confession" at all.  It's more of a point-by-point list....with a bullet next to each item. I still wonder why Phillips was stupid enough to send a prison guard back to retrieve a note from his pocket that included such incriminating information???

[AQUAMAN]

Does anyone have the exact contents/script of this note? Or at least a paraphrase of it? This may sound foolish but bear with me a moment: let's say the young erratic couple decided within a few months of the baby's birth they could not afford her, wanted to give her up for adoption, then after some thinking about the money situation, decided that they would sell the baby to a wanting couple ready to pay for her instead of giving up for adoption and getting basically no money. Wouldn't that explain away some of these kids actions? Like visitation by Ariel? Sean keeping closed mouth? The parents putting on a great act for the public, while working as co-conspirators in the background? Having a big bundle of cash waiting after all the smoke clears all for themselves? Couples have been said to pay upwards of $50K-$100K for the opportunity to get an infant child, without the long wait of adoption/paperwork, and getting a child of age, not an infant. Make sense to anyone else? Just wondering yet.