Veronica Jefferson Case

[SarcasticBella]

I just watched this case yesterday. For those of you needing a reminder, this was the girl who had recently begun working in DC and was living in Arlington, VA. Her license plate read "Miss VLJ"

She was found raped and murdered behind an elementary school. In 2015, her killer was executed.

What angered me so much about this case is the police officer they interviewed. The cop saw Veronica in her vehicle the night she was murdered, being driven by a man.

The cop pulls up to a stop sign, and Veronica's car pulls up to a stop sign coming from the opposite direction. Upon her car making a right turn, the driver hits the curb badly. As the officer follows them, he can see the car is swerving.

The car pulls over to the side, and Veronica gets out then leans down to talk to the driver.

The officer explains that "He saw nothing illegal, got tired of waiting, and pulled around them. Looking back, I wish I could have found something to stop them for."

Now, I'm not saying he could have prevented her murder, but how is jumping a curb and swerving, not grounds for pulling over?? At the very least he could have pulled them on suspicion of drunk driving.

The episode made me very angry, feeling that officer could have and should have done more that night.

[LooksLikeCRicci]

Originally Posted by SarcasticBella

I just watched this case yesterday. For those of you needing a reminder, this was the girl who had recently begun working in DC and was living in Arlington, VA. Her license plate read "Miss VLJ"

She was found raped and murdered behind an elementary school. In 2015, her killer was executed.

What angered me so much about this case is the police officer they interviewed. The cop saw Veronica in her vehicle the night she was murdered, being driven by a man.

The cop pulls up to a stop sign, and Veronica's car pulls up to a stop sign coming from the opposite direction. Upon her car making a right turn, the driver hits the curb badly. As the officer follows them, he can see the car is swerving.

The car pulls over to the side, and Veronica gets out then leans down to talk to the driver.

The officer explains that "He saw nothing illegal, got tired of waiting, and pulled around them. Looking back, I wish I could have found something to stop them for."

Now, I'm not saying he could have prevented her murder, but how is jumping a curb and swerving, not grounds for pulling over?? At the very least he could have pulled them on suspicion of drunk driving.

The episode made me very angry, feeling that officer could have and should have done more that night.

I totally feel your rage. Unfortunately, the officer had no way of knowing what was going to ultimately happen to Veronica.

[asmitty]

Originally Posted by SarcasticBella

I just watched this case yesterday. For those of you needing a reminder, this was the girl who had recently begun working in DC and was living in Arlington, VA. Her license plate read "Miss VLJ"

She was found raped and murdered behind an elementary school. In 2015, her killer was executed.

What angered me so much about this case is the police officer they interviewed. The cop saw Veronica in her vehicle the night she was murdered, being driven by a man.

The cop pulls up to a stop sign, and Veronica's car pulls up to a stop sign coming from the opposite direction. Upon her car making a right turn, the driver hits the curb badly. As the officer follows them, he can see the car is swerving.

The car pulls over to the side, and Veronica gets out then leans down to talk to the driver.

The officer explains that "He saw nothing illegal, got tired of waiting, and pulled around them. Looking back, I wish I could have found something to stop them for."

Now, I'm not saying he could have prevented her murder, but how is jumping a curb and swerving, not grounds for pulling over?? At the very least he could have pulled them on suspicion of drunk driving.

The episode made me very angry, feeling that officer could have and should have done more that night.

I also understand your anger. You are correct that jumping the curb and swerving could have meant drunk driving. But he also saw evidence (the car pulling over and Veronica getting out) that the erratic driving was due to a couple having an argument in the car.

[SarcasticBella]

Very true. He just mentioned that it seemed they were having a heated discussion. And, of course, hindsight is always 20/20. I guess I just felt like if it were me, with my luck, I would have been pulled over.

[JannTosh]

One weird thing is that the guy witnesses said was harassing Veronica was a black male but it was later revealed she was killed by a Hispanic man. So who was the black male?

[asmitty]

Originally Posted by JannTosh

One weird thing is that the guy witnesses said was harassing Veronica was a black male but it was later revealed she was killed by a Hispanic man. So who was the black male?

Probably just some guy who thought she was cute and was trying to "pick her up." (I don't think people still use that phrase, but I was going for the lingo of the time when it happened)

[TheCars1986]

The re-enactment shows the cop is in his personal vehicle, and not a cruiser. He says he was on his way to work in his interview. Probably why he couldn't do anything. He wasn't on duty yet. I do think that he was mistaken about the night he saw the car though.

[DALLASTEXAN!!]

Originally Posted by JannTosh

One weird thing is that the guy witnesses said was harassing Veronica was a black male but it was later revealed she was killed by a Hispanic man. So who was the black male?

It's possible that there was a different person seen talking to her. In later showings stack mentions that the DNA samples obtained were likely from an African American male. The suspect sketch of the person looked very identical of prieto as well. It could of been the same person.

[asmitty]

Originally Posted by TheCars1986

I do think that he was mistaken about the night he saw the car though.

That's an excellent point and a distinct possibility. If he really saw her with her killer and she managed to get out of the car, why did she then lean down to talk to him. It just doesn't make sense that he saw her with her killer unless she didn't know how much danger she was in.

[SarcasticBella]

Originally Posted by TheCars1986

The re-enactment shows the cop is in his personal vehicle, and not a cruiser. He says he was on his way to work in his interview. Probably why he couldn't do anything. He wasn't on duty yet. I do think that he was mistaken about the night he saw the car though.

Ahh, I missed the fact that he was off duty. That helps me understand things better, thank you!