At the risk of being chastised again, I still feel the need to make a few observations on the upcoming ninth anniversary of the murder of Stacey Burns.  I appreciate the support some of my readers have shown for this blog and its mission.

For better or for worse, here are those observations gleaned from almost eight years of working with this subject. Notice, I didn’t say investigating because, as I’ve said often enough, I am not an “investigative reporter.” I am a writer who has been simply trying to find the truth.

1. I’ve wondered how a case like this could go on so long. It’s a small town; there are a limited number of possible suspects.
2. I’ve wondered where the “ongoing” case stands. Is it too much to expect that a police spokesperson might give the general public an update? Would this really interfere with or jeopardize this “ongoing” investigation? Watch the news-this is done all the time.
3. I’ve wondered what ever happened to the information I’ve supplied to the police from people who have contacted me. I know there is no requirement that police let a person who shares such information know what happened. That doesn’t mean I can’t wonder about it.
4. I’ve wondered if all eleven people who have been mentioned to me through interviews or other personal contact as potential suspects in the murder have been thoroughly investigated.[
5. I’ve wondered how many people close to the case have been reinterviewed since the early days of the investigation. Is this fruitless now because so much time has passed, and the chance for memories to fade or be jaundiced makes such an activity worthless? (Don’t tell that to a true cold case detective.)
6. I’ve wondered if, as some have said, the prosecutors in this case are the ones who are preventing it from coming to court. Is it indeed fear of letting a killer go free because “you only get one chance” which would seem a question of insufficient evidence, or is it simply a fear of losing a case which is certain to be high profile?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  This list could be much longer but it is enough for now. Does anyone else wonder about some of these same things or am I the only one?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            I’m just so sorry that the family and friends of Stacey Burns must continue to deal with this, not that a resolution will being closure. That is a fallacy, but it may bring a little well-deserved peace of mind after all this time.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Okay, those who want me to be done with this- let me have it!

Duke