No Ride Home: Alonzo Brooks - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

drew790 · 07-01-2020, 11:23 PM

What was everyone's take on this one?

Do you think he was the victim of a hate crime? Stored for weeks and his body dumped or in the creek the whole time?

I admit I struggled with this one on first viewing and I need to give it a rewatch. To parrot what I said in another thread, it felt like the show was a lot more cautious this time around of potential lawsuits and didn't really present a lot of theories or information unless they could be proven. Like, what was said at the party? Who said what? What was looked into with these people? All we got was a vague "they lawyered up and didn't have to take lie detector tests" so the whole episode becomes about a search for a body and not really about the mystery itself.

danmanx · 07-01-2020, 11:30 PM

Yup! I was convinced again that it was accidental and then, AGAIN, at the end, some members of the party "lawyered up".

I really don't like that because it's held to the end....

Anyway, yes, racially motivated murder. Why the **** [sorry, but i have to] did the friends LEAVE HIM THERE????! You never leave your buddy in a dangerous environment! NEVER. Also, that poor family finds the body and not the police? Jesus, that must've been awkward. My heart went out to them. I don't think this one will ever be sorted out because of the condition of the body.

I felt bad that the family was jumping to conclusions about body placement, etc....but when you think about it, if they didn't go out and find the body themselves....

Who would've?

And when?

Very disturbing.

drew790 · 07-01-2020, 11:32 PM

Indeed

comicbookwriter · 07-02-2020, 10:51 AM

Shocked I never heard of this case but I'm glad it was featured.

Here's my thoughts:

1) Why the hell did his friends leave him behind? The only Black dude in a spot in the middle of nowhere where there had already been a racially tense situation. No real friend would have left him there.

2) Anytime a body is found after an extensive search (part of me questions HOW extensive it actually was the first time) there's always the possibility that the body was placed there after being stored elsewhere.

3) Feels somewhat similar to Tara Calico in the sense that there could be a connection to law enforcement in the area. Chances are the sheriff and other authorities are aware who was at the party that night know exactly who might have attacked Alonzo. Often in cases involving Black victims, there's less of an incentive for the majority-white investigators to follow through.

4) There's clear evidence of foul play but there's some administrative interference. Reminds me of the Arkansas investigation of the boys on the tracks. I wonder who is really involved with the death of Alonzo.

CBW

TripleG · 07-02-2020, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danmanx

Anyway, yes, racially motivated murder. Why the **** [sorry, but i have to] did the friends LEAVE HIM THERE????!

I can tell you exactly why they left him there.

Its the same reason any dude would be left by his buddies at a party. Having been witness to the situation many times, its as simple as it gets.

There was a girl and Alonzo was certain he had a shot, and the friends left him there to seal the deal.

That's what goes on at parties. Guys hit on girls. And I guarantee you they thought Alonzo was going to hook up with a lady and decided to leave him to his own devices. He might have even told them to go without him so he could possibly get a chance to go home with the lady.

They allude to it during the segment even though its never directly stated, but I guarantee you that's what happened. I've seen it happen too many times myself.

drew790 · 07-02-2020, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comicbookwriter

Shocked I never heard of this case but I'm glad it was featured.

Here's my thoughts:

1) Why the hell did his friends leave him behind? The only Black dude in a spot in the middle of nowhere where there had already been a racially tense situation. No real friend would have left him there.

2) Anytime a body is found after an extensive search (part of me questions HOW extensive it actually was the first time) there's always the possibility that the body was placed there after being stored elsewhere.

3) Feels somewhat similar to Tara Calico in the sense that there could be a connection to law enforcement in the area. Chances are the sheriff and other authorities are aware who was at the party that night know exactly who might have attacked Alonzo. Often in cases involving Black victims, there's less of an incentive for the majority-white investigators to follow through.

4) There's clear evidence of foul play but there's some administrative interference. Reminds me of the Arkansas investigation of the boys on the tracks. I wonder who is really involved with the death of Alonzo.

CBW

And this is where I need to watch it again. I had the impression they hadn't searched that area and it was those two white women who were like "you guys need to look by that white shed" and "we finally did" or something and then they found him.

pardilia · 07-02-2020, 08:56 PM

What stuck out to me in this episode is they didn't even give the last name for the friend who actually left Alonzo behind. The first pair left, the guy he came with got lost and the third friend was supposed to make sure Alonzo got home.

I think it was definitely racially motivated and he was hidden in a freezer for a bit. They threw away some personal items to be found immediately to make it look like he was drunk and wandered off. Wait for the short investigation to be over and dump the body when the investigation appears over.

It's also an age where you're young, naive, and think bad things are things that happen to other people, not you.

And, his friends were white and sounded like they were used to Alonzo talking back to people who had racist words to say - so they thought he could handle himself. Rural racists are more comfortable/able to back up their words - and they all likely had little experience to know that. His older brother talking about "not feeling safe there" made total sense to me - and it makes sense to me that Alonzo might have thought it was sketchy, but not deadly - you drink, people talk friendly but they're not you're friend. And that's experience/wisdom that Alonzo and his friends might not have had yet.

It also seemed like the friends who were interviewed would have forced Alonzo to leave with them. Who knows about the one who purposefully left him behind.

atomicfizz · 07-03-2020, 06:25 PM

I think it was an accident that he was left there. Taking multiple cars led to confusion. I don't know why the last ones at the party didn't get him after the guy who got lost called them, but I think it was a case of ineffective communication between people who were drinking. Everyone thought someone else had him. I'm sure they feel terrible for it.

I also think it was some kind of hate crime. I usually don't get into what I call "conspiracy theories" but there is definitely something off here. I hope his family and friends can get answers. I think people at the party know what happened, now it's just a matter if anyone will talk.

Fletch · 07-04-2020, 02:01 AM

Am I the only one who thinks the family should have the body exhumed and examined by a different FP? The one who actually did the examination and was featured seemed a little suspect to me - I’m curious to see what Michael Baden, Cyril Wecht or Mary Case would have to say about this case.

RaidenKhan · 07-04-2020, 02:52 AM

Totally agree. That was maybe the most frustrating thing of all. Really, you can’t tell if the body had been outside for a full month or not? Or if it had been frozen? The episode was weirdly noncommittal on the state of decomposition. He had no neck tissue left, but his color looked completely normal? I felt like I was taking crazy pills.

Fletch · 07-04-2020, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaidenKhan

Totally agree. That was maybe the most frustrating thing of all. Really, you can’t tell if the body had been outside for a full month or not? Or if it had been frozen? The episode was weirdly noncommittal on the state of decomposition. He had no neck tissue left, but his color looked completely normal? I felt like I was taking crazy pills.

Yeah, I was pretty shocked that the family would have just taken his findings and not looked into getting a second autopsy performed, given their insistence that he was murdered.

Jediknight1823 · 07-04-2020, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idyla

What stuck out to me in this episode is they didn't even give the last name for the friend who actually left Alonzo behind. The first pair left, the guy he came with got lost and the third friend was supposed to make sure Alonzo got home.

I think it was definitely racially motivated and he was hidden in a freezer for a bit. They threw away some personal items to be found immediately to make it look like he was drunk and wandered off. Wait for the short investigation to be over and dump the body when the investigation appears over.

It's also an age where you're young, naive, and think bad things are things that happen to other people, not you.

And, his friends were white and sounded like they were used to Alonzo talking back to people who had racist words to say - so they thought he could handle himself. Rural racists are more comfortable/able to back up their words - and they all likely had little experience to know that. His older brother talking about "not feeling safe there" made total sense to me - and it makes sense to me that Alonzo might have thought it was sketchy, but not deadly - you drink, people talk friendly but they're not you're friend. And that's experience/wisdom that Alonzo and his friends might not have had yet.

It also seemed like the friends who were interviewed would have forced Alonzo to leave with them. Who knows about the one who purposefully left him behind.

Yeah, I don't think the friends had anything to do with Alonzo's murder. I think they were all naive about the racism that exists.

If you check out Reddit, there's a link to a blog, and in the comments one family's name keeps coming up as the ones responsible.

pardilia · 07-04-2020, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fletch

Yeah, I was pretty shocked that the family would have just taken his findings and not looked into getting a second autopsy performed, given their insistence that he was murdered.

That costs a LOT of money - most of those second autopsies in OG UM were paid for by UM. They also saw the condition of the body themselves - they might agree that due to state of the remains, they're unlikely to gain any new info from a second autopsy.

Fletch · 07-04-2020, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idyla

That costs a LOT of money - most of those second autopsies in OG UM were paid for by UM. They also saw the condition of the body themselves - they might agree that due to state of the remains, they're unlikely to gain any new info from a second autopsy.

True, I wonder if they ever thought about it after the initial autopsy... but then again, overall cost very well could have been an issue. It just seems to be given the circumstances/findings it would have been a given to at least look into proceeding with one.

Necco · 07-05-2020, 05:38 AM

Obviously if his friends thought this was going to happen they wouldn’t have left him. It’s easy as adults for us to say “don’t leave your friends behind” but when you’re a young adult and you think you’re invincible and you don’t have a fully formed prefrontal cortex you don’t always think things through. I think they blame themselves enough for everyone.

07-01-2020, 11:23 PM	#1
drew790 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 17, 2017 Posts: 847	No Ride Home: Alonzo Brooks What was everyone's take on this one? Do you think he was the victim of a hate crime? Stored for weeks and his body dumped or in the creek the whole time? I admit I struggled with this one on first viewing and I need to give it a rewatch. To parrot what I said in another thread, it felt like the show was a lot more cautious this time around of potential lawsuits and didn't really present a lot of theories or information unless they could be proven. Like, what was said at the party? Who said what? What was looked into with these people? All we got was a vague "they lawyered up and didn't have to take lie detector tests" so the whole episode becomes about a search for a body and not really about the mystery itself.

07-01-2020, 11:30 PM	#2
danmanx Unknown Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 29, 2013 Location: Independence, CA Posts: 34	Yup! I was convinced again that it was accidental and then, AGAIN, at the end, some members of the party "lawyered up". I really don't like that because it's held to the end.... Anyway, yes, racially motivated murder. Why the **** [sorry, but i have to] did the friends LEAVE HIM THERE????! You never leave your buddy in a dangerous environment! NEVER. Also, that poor family finds the body and not the police? Jesus, that must've been awkward. My heart went out to them. I don't think this one will ever be sorted out because of the condition of the body. I felt bad that the family was jumping to conclusions about body placement, etc....but when you think about it, if they didn't go out and find the body themselves.... Who would've? And when? Very disturbing.

07-01-2020, 11:32 PM	#3
drew790 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 17, 2017 Posts: 847	Indeed

07-02-2020, 10:51 AM	#4
comicbookwriter Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 15, 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 140	Shocked I never heard of this case but I'm glad it was featured. Here's my thoughts: 1) Why the hell did his friends leave him behind? The only Black dude in a spot in the middle of nowhere where there had already been a racially tense situation. No real friend would have left him there. 2) Anytime a body is found after an extensive search (part of me questions HOW extensive it actually was the first time) there's always the possibility that the body was placed there after being stored elsewhere. 3) Feels somewhat similar to Tara Calico in the sense that there could be a connection to law enforcement in the area. Chances are the sheriff and other authorities are aware who was at the party that night know exactly who might have attacked Alonzo. Often in cases involving Black victims, there's less of an incentive for the majority-white investigators to follow through. 4) There's clear evidence of foul play but there's some administrative interference. Reminds me of the Arkansas investigation of the boys on the tracks. I wonder who is really involved with the death of Alonzo. CBW

07-02-2020, 08:56 PM	#7
pardilia Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 09, 2007 Posts: 170	What stuck out to me in this episode is they didn't even give the last name for the friend who actually left Alonzo behind. The first pair left, the guy he came with got lost and the third friend was supposed to make sure Alonzo got home. I think it was definitely racially motivated and he was hidden in a freezer for a bit. They threw away some personal items to be found immediately to make it look like he was drunk and wandered off. Wait for the short investigation to be over and dump the body when the investigation appears over. It's also an age where you're young, naive, and think bad things are things that happen to other people, not you. And, his friends were white and sounded like they were used to Alonzo talking back to people who had racist words to say - so they thought he could handle himself. Rural racists are more comfortable/able to back up their words - and they all likely had little experience to know that. His older brother talking about "not feeling safe there" made total sense to me - and it makes sense to me that Alonzo might have thought it was sketchy, but not deadly - you drink, people talk friendly but they're not you're friend. And that's experience/wisdom that Alonzo and his friends might not have had yet. It also seemed like the friends who were interviewed would have forced Alonzo to leave with them. Who knows about the one who purposefully left him behind.

07-03-2020, 06:25 PM	#8
atomicfizz Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 07, 2008 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 310	I think it was an accident that he was left there. Taking multiple cars led to confusion. I don't know why the last ones at the party didn't get him after the guy who got lost called them, but I think it was a case of ineffective communication between people who were drinking. Everyone thought someone else had him. I'm sure they feel terrible for it. I also think it was some kind of hate crime. I usually don't get into what I call "conspiracy theories" but there is definitely something off here. I hope his family and friends can get answers. I think people at the party know what happened, now it's just a matter if anyone will talk.

07-04-2020, 02:01 AM	#9
Fletch Cabin fever Frequent Poster Join Date: May 10, 2002 Posts: 485	Am I the only one who thinks the family should have the body exhumed and examined by a different FP? The one who actually did the examination and was featured seemed a little suspect to me - I’m curious to see what Michael Baden, Cyril Wecht or Mary Case would have to say about this case.

07-04-2020, 02:52 AM	#10
RaidenKhan Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 21, 2017 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 72	Totally agree. That was maybe the most frustrating thing of all. Really, you can’t tell if the body had been outside for a full month or not? Or if it had been frozen? The episode was weirdly noncommittal on the state of decomposition. He had no neck tissue left, but his color looked completely normal? I felt like I was taking crazy pills.

07-05-2020, 05:38 AM	#15
Necco Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 06, 2006 Posts: 1,149	Obviously if his friends thought this was going to happen they wouldn’t have left him. It’s easy as adults for us to say “don’t leave your friends behind” but when you’re a young adult and you think you’re invincible and you don’t have a fully formed prefrontal cortex you don’t always think things through. I think they blame themselves enough for everyone.