Category Archives: Uncategorized

September 17, 2023 · 2:08 pm

Plans to demolish 1122 King Road again on hold

While the trial of alleged murderer Bryan Kohberger will not kick off Oct. 2 as had originally been planned, it does not mean things are not happening behind the scenes.

Recently, the University of Idaho announced for a second time that it would not tear down the home where four students were murdered on Nov. 13, 2022.

Kaylee Goncalves, Maddie Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were slain in the home in the early morning hours of Nov. 13 last year in a crime that has gained worldwide attention.

With this second announcement that the home will remain standing for now, it gives pause to think about the pros and cons of such a decision by the school who owns the home.

On the con side, students and others in the area will be reminded of the tragedy as the home continues to stand.

It also means 24/ security will continue at the residence to keep people out. Sadly, some people would try to more than likely break in and/or damage the property.

On the plus side, the biggest piece of evidence in this crime remains there.

Yes, the home does not look or feel inside like it did when the murders took place last fall.

According to reports, some of the walls and floorboards were removed by authorities. Chemicals used to treat this bio-hazard site also would take a toll on the integrity of the home inside.

Even with all that to think about, I absolutely support keeping the home up until the trial ends.

Should a jury request to see the inside of the home, it of course is up to the judge in the case to grant such a request.

Yes, you can argue that the changes to the home since the murders would present a jury with a different setting. Even with that in mind, a jury could gain more insight into the case by walking around the inside of the home if for nothing else than to see its layout.

You can look at thousands of pictures, dozens of videos etc. taken by authorities inside the home since the murders and it is still NOT the same as being on location for your own eyes and ears. I know if I was on that jury I’d absolutely request to see the layout for myself.

As we moved forward to an eventual trial, hopefully university officials stick to their word and keep the home standing.

Kudos to the security staff protecting the home from those who’d look to do something that most of us would never think of doing.

It is one thing to drive or walk by and snap a picture or two, shoot a video etc. of the home as opposed to trying to desecrate the location where four young lives were savagely taken.

With that to think about, do you support university officials and their choice to leave the home standing for now?

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September 3, 2023 · 1:37 pm

Do you believe all you see and hear on social media?

As we are coming up on the sad 10-month anniversary soon of the killing of four University of Idaho students, one can’t help but feel a little overwhelmed with all they have seen and heard on social media.

Sites like YouTube have been full of rumors, theories and more as to what happened to Kaylee Goncalves, Maddie Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin in the early hours of Nov. 13, 2022 at 1122 King Road.

One such rumor I saw recently was that three of the four victims were tortured and killed elsewhere, then brought to their final resting place in the home. The allegations said only Mogen was in fact killed in the home.

I’ve also seen reports on YouTube that the four were killed because as part of a drug operation that had gone south. Mogen is alleged to have flushed thousands of drugs down a toilet and thus ticked off those running the operation.

If you spend time on YouTube or Tik Tok, you can also discover that some allege there are underground tunnels all over Moscow, including one at the home where the four were discovered dead. This then leads to allegations that drugs were running through such tunnels and so on.

Honestly, with the gag order in place all these months, it of course fuels speculation of all kinds on social sites.

Some have stated that defendant Bryan Kohberger was an informant and got caught up in a drug case gone really bad. Others will tell you that BK followed all three female victims on social media and was stalking at least one of them. Both claims have never been verified by authorities…. so just more chatter to fuel speculation.

At the end of the day, my theory is drugs were involved but not to the level of some highly organized cartel. No college student is likely going to be taken out by a well-run cartel because they allegedly flushed some drugs down a toilet.

More likely, I think drugs to some degree played a role in the four being killed. If that is true, it of course may well come as a shock to the parents grieving the loss of their loved ones.

Last; when all is said and done, we may find out this senseless tragedy was the result of a fight involving frat boys and it spilled over to 1122 King Road.

While pretty much anything is possible at this point, take time to think things through no matter which side of the guilty/not guilty side you find yourself on involving the defendant.

So, what do you think truly went on in the early morning hours of Nov. 13 that took four young lives?

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August 30, 2023 · 9:15 pm

What should be Kohberger’s biggest concern?

As we await the trial of Idaho 4 murder suspect Bryan Kohberger, what should be his biggest concern?

From getting a fair trial to the evidence against him, there is no doubt a lot on the plate for lead defense attorney Anne Taylor and her team.

With that in mind, what do you think should be Kohberger’s biggest concern once we finally get to trial?

Among the concerns I see:

  • Getting a fair trial in first place – Assuming the trial is held in Moscow and not moved to Boise or elsewhere, can BK get a fair trial at the end of the day? While one would like to think so, one may also have some doubts. I support cameras in the courtroom, feeling they will not have a negative impact on things. I do have some concerns that there is a cover-up of some sorts going on and BK may end up being the fall guy at the end of the day.
  • Trace DNA evidence on sheath – There is much talk even all these months later about the trace DNA evidence reportedly discovered on the knife sheath in the bed of victim Maddie Mogen. Is it legit or was it in fact planted? I have no doubt that the defense team will bring in their own DNA experts to refute anything the prosecution puts out there related to DNA. Let’s not forget this was a party house and countless males were there less than a month before the murders took place and one or more there when at least two of the bodies were found. It is safe to say that home was a walking biological lab with all the people in and out of there before and after the killings.
  • Vehicle reported in the area – Much has been made of BK’s white Elantra supposedly being near 1122 King Road on the day of the murders. Unless there is a clear photo of BK behind the wheel and/or of his license plate taken, it is all speculation to me. Then again, much of this case has to do with speculation.
  • Cell phone pings – It has also been reported numerous times that BK’s phone pinged in the area of 1122 King Road home on countless occasions. Allegations that he turned the phone off around 2:47 a.m. and it did not come back on until after the four students were murdered of course looks bad. Even with that in mind, cell phone pings even in the driveway of the home or the street do not equal proof one took part in murder.
  • He allegedly followed one or more victims on social media – How many times have we heard that the suspect followed one or more of the three deceased females on social media? While that has never been verified, what if he did in fact follow one or more of the victims? How many people do you follow on social media? Chances are the number may be rather high and chances are a fair number of them are of the opposite sex. In no way does that equal you murdering any of them. Also keep in mind BK and the 3 victims were within 10 years of age of one another. He may well have met one or more of them out and about, at a house party at 1122 King Road etc. The social media link is way overblown in my mind.

As we eventually do get to trial, circumstantial evidence could pile up and make it difficult for BK to escape a guilty conviction.

On the flip side of the coin, the state needs to prove beyond a reasonable doubt they have the right killer.

IMO, they have not done so to date and will need some very convincing evidence to do so for this man to be convicted and possibly get the death penalty.

If you were defending BK, what would worry you most?

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August 29, 2023 · 9:28 pm

Do you question the narrative?

With no Idaho 4 trial starting Oct. 2 (trial was postponed to a date and time to be announced), it is a good opportunity to look back at the tragic Nov. 13, 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students.

So, how comfortable are you with the narrative from the Moscow Police Department and others in a position of power?

While I bought into the stalker theory early on, I moved away from it months ago.

Why would someone like myself who has three-plus decades of reporter experience and has followed countless high-profile crime cases question the police narrative?

Guys like Ted Bundy, Danny Rolling and other notorious serial killers sadly made their mark by killing young women. Some of those women were killed in college settings. So, isn’t it possible that defendant Bryan Kohberger was trying to be just like them?

Sure, while Kohberger could have been infatuated with one or more of the three victims, such a scenario seems less plausible if you put emotions aside and think things over.

Any of the victims could have been easily kidnapped at a time and choosing of Kohberger’s.

The idea that the Washington State University teaching assistant would just waltz into 1122 King Road in the middle of the night because he was infatuated with Kaylee, Maddie or Xana seems a stretch at this point. Why risk being caught, potentially getting the bleep beaten out of you etc. when kidnapping them while on the way to/from school, walking or jogging, at the store etc. would be so much easier?

Even with a gag order in place. I’ve also got trouble with no full autopsy report being released, no toxicology report on the four victims, no 9-1-1 call let out after nine months and so on. Putting such information out there for the public is not going jeopardize BK’s chance to have a fair trial.

While this may not be a police and/or University of Idaho coverup, something smells fishy here.

Even though Kohberger does not strike me as having the highest IQ in the world, I also do not think he’s a dummy.

So, what might officials be hiding?

Could it be that drugs were involved or even a pay-for-sex scandal involving police or university officials?

That is not to say that any of the women living in the home or those like victim Ethan Chapin visiting were bad people.

Let’s face it; some college students get mixed up in things that may have started out rather innocent. At times, they can get in over their heads. That by no means says what happened to them on Nov. 13 was in any means justified. It was NOT justified and the person/s responsible need to pay a major price.

All four victims should be with us today living some of the best years of their lives.

With that in mind, are you beginning to question the bag of goods we are being sold by MPD and U of I?

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August 26, 2023 · 1:01 pm

Should cameras be allowed in the courtroom?

Although the trial date of Oct. 2 for Idaho 4 defendant Bryan Kohberger is off, there will be a trial.

One of the big points of contention has been whether or not to allow cameras in the courtroom.

On the one hand, you have some saying cameras in the courtroom are not only a distraction, but they also can prejudice some as to their views on the defendant. It is inevitable when cameras are in the courtroom that they are going to often focus on the defendant and his counsel.

On the flip side of the coin, you can argue cameras are good for a number of reasons.

Among them:

  • Educational to the public – Having cameras in the courtroom can prove to be educational to the public. How many of us can really call ourselves experts when it comes to the judicial process? While I have some knowledge of how things work in the courtroom, I would not call myself an expert by any means. Even with 34 years in the field of journalism and having covered some courtroom events, I’d not label myself an expert in how it all works. As such, I think allowing the public to see how a trial works can be beneficial now and later down the road.
  • More likely to have transparency – While I would by no means label myself a conspiracy theorist, I do have my doubts at times how our government in general goes about doing things. That can also trickle down to the state and local governing bodies. I think to take away even a hint of doubt in if things are on the up-and-up, having cameras in the courtroom can lessen and even remove those who may say the trial is rigged to one degree or another.
  • Taxpayer dollars at work – Finally, who do you think pays the salaries of many of the people in the courtroom, the governing bodies involved etc. and makes it so they can go to work in the first place in that facility? Yes, we the taxpayers. I feel it is important that we get to see our tax dollars at work.

There are definitely arguments for and against cameras in the courtroom.

If it were up to me, EVERY trial deserving such coverage would be available to the public to view live, not via a media pool, sketch artists etc.

So, do you want cameras in the courtroom when Kohberger goes to trial or are you fine without them there?

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August 24, 2023 · 11:34 am

Kohberger waives right to speedy trial, future date to be set

When the news came out on Wednesday that the trial of Bryan Kohberger would not start on Oct. 2 as planned, was anyone all that surprised?

It had been noted for many weeks that the trial was likely not going to kick off as planned to start October. Now, we wait for notice of when the trial will get going.

With that in mind, you may have a trial starting closer to the holidays. You might also have a trial that will not get off the ground until 2024 at the earliest.

So, who might the winners and losers be from such a delay?

While it is hard to call anyone a winner or loser in such a tragic case, here are a few:

Winners

Prosecution – For prosecutors, they get more time to prepare their case. Keep in mind the burden of proof falls squarely on their shoulders. As such, they want an airtight case when the trial gets off the ground. Anything short of that runs the risk of the defendant walking free. Given there are many holes to poke in this case, the state now has more time to plug any of those holes.

Defense – It could also be viewed as a win for Kohberger and his defense team. Although if I were in his shoes I’d have gone with a speedy trial, this gives them more time to look at the DNA, surviving roommate/s potential testimony, how authorities have gone about processing this case and more. While I do think Kohberger is involved here to some degree, I highly doubt the narrative that he acted alone. This looks more like multiple people and a possible drug hit or deal gone bad to me than a simple stalker case. I will continue to state that if BK was so infatuated with one of the three female victims, he could have easily kidnapped them at a time and place where they would have been most vulnerable. Being in a home with five others and a dog is not putting you at your most vulnerable.

Losers

Family of the victims – The biggest losers by far are the families of Kaylee Goncalves, Maddie Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. They must endure this case dragging on for potentially many more months. Since so few of us have lost children in such a horrific manner, it is hard to rap your head around what they must be going through on a daily basis.

University of Idaho – Let us be honest in noting murder is bad for business when you are a university or college. As a result, the University of Idaho gets to stay in the limelight for months to come. Safe to say that is the last thing school officials want. It also means the home at 1122 King Road that they now own could be up for many more months to come. I have said from early on that it should stay up until the trial finishes. Tearing it down before the trial starts could be something the state ultimately regrets if Kohberger walks.

As we move forward with the Idaho 4 case, know that this tragedy is not going away anytime soon.

With that in mind, were you surprised the trial date of Oct. 2 got pushed back and if yes why is that?

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August 14, 2023 · 9:56 pm

Would you convict Kohberger today if on the jury?

While we are still a ways out from the trial of alleged Idaho 4 murderer Bryan Kohberger, the anticipation is nonetheless building.

With that in mind, where do you stand when it comes to Kohberger and his innocence or guilt?

For some people, they pretty much convicted Kohberger within days of his arrest late last year in Pennsylvania. For others, they believe in innocent until proven guilty. As such, they take a more measured approach to his allegedly being the murderer.

So, do you think the evidence is strong enough as of today to convict Kohberger? If yes, what stands out most for you?

In the event you do not think there is enough concrete evidence to convict him, why do you think that way?

On the he’s guilty side, you can argue the touch DNA evidence found on the knife sheath in victim Maddie Mogen’s bedroom by her body is quite convincing.

One might also argue that Kohberger’s reported driving by the home multiple times is the sign of a stalker. His “alibi” that he was out driving the night/morning of the killings will certainly ramp up suspicions that he is involved.

Finally, his cell phone reportedly being turned off during the time frame given for the four victims being killed screams strange.

On the flip side of the coin, those thinking he is innocent will point to several things.

For one, even if his cell phone did ping near 1122 King Road, it does NOT place him inside the home at the time of the killings.

Second, there has been no credible evidence to support remarks that Kohberger stalked any of the victims on social media.

Also, where is video of HIM fleeing the scene following the killings? If it is out there and conclusively shows him and not simply a white vehicle, I’ve not seen it.

Lastly, if the killings were as gruesome as the Moscow Police Department and other authorities seem to indicate, where is the blood trail leading out of the home?

Folks will no doubt continue to argue back-and-forth of his guilt or innocence.

If you had to vote with your fellow 11 jurors today, would you find him guilty or innocent?

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August 10, 2023 · 10:04 pm

The absurdities of the Idaho 4 case

Even though it has been some nine months since the slayings of four University of Idaho students in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022, the theories, verbal online attacks and more continue.

More notable are some of the perceived absurdities of this case that has grabbed the attention of not only many people nationwide, but also a fair amount around the globe.

With that in mind, we take a few moments to point out some of the perceived absurdities of the case to date.

Among them:

  • Alleged murderer Bryan Kohberger was stalking one or more of the victims – If you take a few moments to put aside the negative feelings you might have towards the defendant, stop for a minute and think about the stalking allegation. Would someone who was supposedly stalking one or more young women take a chance on spending time with them, kidnapping them or even harming them with multiple people in a home? Yet, that is what the individual would have faced if he indeed was at 1122 King Road in the early morning hours of Nov. 13. We know of at least four people in the home and possibly six if you count the two surviving roommates both in fact being there. We believe according to the PCA that Dylan Mortensen was there. Not so much is known about Bethany Funke’s whereabouts early that morning. Now, would you take your chances grabbing or killing one of the young women inside the home with all those people and a dog there in the middle of the night? Odds are most would say no. They’d wait to get the victim when most vulnerable. Kidnapping her going to or from class, out on a jog, going to or from a store etc. makes much more sense.
  • The killer wore a mask due to COVID – This has to be one of the more absurd claims I have heard for months. Hello! Do y’all remember the videos taken last summer when Moscow Police Department sent officers to the home related to noise complaints from neighbors? The videos are quite accessible on You Tube. With that in mind, watch one or both videos and tell me how many of the students wore masks due to COVID. If too busy to watch the videos, let me inform you that ZERO students on the videos wore masks. So, the killer is going to wear a mask at 4 ish in the morning while moving about because they’re scared of COVID? C’mon people…. use commonsense.
  • Drugs are totally out of the question – While many of the Kohberger haters live and breathe the stalker theory, other people think differently. One common thought is that drugs played a role in the tragic deaths of the Idaho 4. That by no means says that 1122 King Road was a big drug distribution center or was taking in a lot of drugs for the tenants there. What it does say is that drug usage or selling them is a possibility. Many people will tell you the residence was known as the party house to various neighbors and others on campus. Hey, many of us had our fun times in college and did not do drugs. That may in fact be the case here. Having said that, one would be naive to think that drugs are not at least a possibility here. Newsflash! Some college students buy and sell drugs. When you have family members with rap sheets due to drugs, one must explore the possibility that drugs were in play. If so, it by no means is an excuse to kill four young adults with their worlds ahead of them.
  • All Facebook discussion groups are legit – If you do a search of Facebook groups devoting their pages to the Idaho 4 murders, you will find a number of them. While most talk exclusively about the case at hand, some go off script more than occasionally. One in particular, University of Idaho Murders – Case Discussion, has turned into the local bullying and comedy store for all intents and purposes. The group admin AKA Alina Smith appears to turn a blind eye to anyone saying or demonstrating a lot of hatred towards Mr. Kohberger. Given surviving roommates Mortensen and Funke are key figures in this case, you’d think it would be okay to discuss them. Try doing that with any regularity on the site and you will be shown the door more times than not. Meantime, posting what are supposedly funny memes of BK, wishing him death etc. are perfectly fine. Hell, you can be a Realtor posing as a “legal expert” and talk about urinary issues. While there are some quality people in that particular group you can in fact have a healthy and adult debate with, they are few and far between. And if they have 222k members as they claim to, I have oceanfront property in Nebraska to sell you. Many are more than likely bots and countless duplicate accounts, many of which belong to the head honchos.

As we inch closer to a scheduled Oct. 2 trial date in Moscow, things will undoubtedly get a little more absurd in the process.

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August 9, 2023 · 9:48 pm

What is one question you’d ask Kohberger?

If things stay on schedule, we are less than two months from the trial of alleged killer Bryan Kohberger.

The Pennsylvania native is charged with one count of burglary and four counts of murder (all felonies). This of course is for the killings of University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, Maddie Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. Now, whether or not Kohberger did it is of course the million dollar question.

To those who are quite convinced he did, you wonder why they’d even want a trial at this point.

To others honoring the court system and innocent until proven guilty, they have questions about his arrest and subsequent charges.

Speaking of questions, if you had the chance to sit down and ask the defendant one question, any thoughts on what it may be?

As a journalist for more than 30 years, I’d have a page full of them.

Among the ones that come to mind sooner than later:

  • Did you kill the 4 students?
  • If you did kill them, how did you manage to do so alone in under 15 minutes? That is covering two floors, presumably in dark conditions, meeting some resistance, not leaving a major trail of blood out the door of 1122 King Road. Also, how were you able to dispose of the murder weapon if in fact you are responsible for their deaths?
  • If you did kill them, why not go after survivor Dylan Mortensen on the second floor? Do you think or know if the other survivor, Bethany Funke, was home at the time of the killings? It would seem you’d want to eliminate any possible witnesses.
  • If you did kill them, what was the motive?
  • Did you go out for a late night/early morning drive before the approximate time of the murders?
  • If you were at 1122 King Road on Nov. 13, 2022, had you ever been there before?
  • Did you have any kind of social media contact with one or more of the victims prior to Nov. 13?
  • Did you ever dine at the Mad Greek on Main Street where both Mogen and Kernodle worked part-time?
  • Had you ever bought drugs from or sold drugs to any of the tenants at 1122 King Road? If yes, were you allegedly there on Nov. 13 to buy or sell and things got out of hand?
  • If you are responsible for the 4 deaths, did you have help? That is outside help or one or more people with knowledge of the inside of the home?
  • Would you know how to scrub a car clean of any DNA, hair, fibers etc.?
  • What did you do between the dates of the deaths (yes, you allegedly killed them as you are innocent until proven guilty) and your arrest some six or so weeks later?
  • Did/do you have a close relationship with your parents and siblings? If yes, have you talked to them in recent weeks?
  • If you could talk to any of the four families who’ve lost their loved ones, what would you say to them?
  • Do you think you can get a fair trial in Moscow, Idaho?
  • How confident are you in lead defense attorney Anne Taylor fighting for you?
  • If you’re not the killer, who do you think might have done it? Any chance this could have been a drug hit involving any of the frats or sororities or someone upset with Maddie’s step-mom or Xana’s mom?
  • What one message would you like to convey to the public?

So, given Kohberger is presumed innocent for now, what one question would you have for him if given a chance to speak?

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August 7, 2023 · 9:42 pm

Would you have called 9-1-1 if you’re Dylan?

It is easy to play Monday morning quarterback following a sporting event.

Now, imagine yourself thrust into what turned out to be a quadruple murder case.

Hopefully, none of us will ever be put into such a position where we even have to contemplate what we’d do or in hindsight had done differently.

So, most people following the Idaho 4 case by now know that surviving roommates Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke have been under a bit of a microscope since last Nov. 13 and the deaths of Kaylee Goncalves, Maddie Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.

It was Mortensen and Funke who’ve walked away at least physically unharmed from the tragic events that unfolded at 1122 King Road. How they are doing emotionally may be another whole ballgame.

Once Mortensen was done with her PCA that the Moscow Police Department then put out there, it was determined that the Boise resident and University of Idaho student came within yards of the killer. Whether that killer was Bryan Kohberger or someone else will be determined at trial.

In the meantime, one can’t but help think about Mortensen’s actions or some might say inaction as the tragedy unfolded.

It was Mortensen in the PCA claiming to have opened her second floor bedroom door three times, the third one when she spotted an individual in dark clothing and wearing a mask covering their nose and mouth.

Since she likely knew it was not Ethan, and after hearing crying coming from Kernodle’s room just down the hall, most people would have been concerned. How many times do you see a masked individual passing by you in your home betweeen 4 ish and 4:25 a.m.? I am guessing the answer is not often if at all.

Sure, we have heard the theories that Mortensen may have thought it was a frat prank, it was cold outside, or even that COVID to some degree was still going on. Yes, all reasons we were told it would have been perfectly normal for a masked individual to be roaming around your home in the wee hours of the morning.

While I do not think Mortensen nor Funke had anything to do with the killings directly, it would have made sense given the circumstances to call 911 as soon as safe to do so. While we may never know, PERHAPS a life or two could have been saved.

The key to a stabbing, gunshot wound etc. is to stop the external bleeding, keep the individual awake and provide them as much comfort as possible until EMT’s arrive on scene. PERHAPS had a 911 call been made and police arrived on scene immediately we may not be talking four deceased victims.

On the flip side of the coin, all four victims may have died quite quickly from their wounds. That is something we will rely upon the medical experts to point out when they likely get called to testify.

I keep thinking about how the commotion, a masked individual, and crying coming from Kernodle’s room should have set off alarm bells for Mortensen. Supposedly she and Funke were texting back-and-forth during the time period in question. Whether that proves to be true or simply a myth is something else the trial can hopefully clarify.

The folks who keep giving cover to the two survivors for what in fact was inaction and not actions will tell you it was a party house, college students do strange things, Mortensen was just a girl etc.

Even college party houses require some commonsense at the end of the day.

As an added point, if you’re old enough to be away from home, pay rent, take college courses etc, you are NOT a young girl. You may be a young woman but you should be able to put 2+2 together and know something is amiss given the circumstances that were in play.

At the end of the day, would you call 9-1-1 with such circumstances or supposedly climb back in bed and drift off to sleep until 11:30 the next morning as we’ve been led to believe?

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