Join our Walk for Mary at Marshall's Annual Night-Out Against Crime

Update, August 29, 2006- The Annual Night-Out Against Crime for the City of Marshall originally planned in August has been rescheduled for Tuesday, September 5, 2006, 7:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M. It will be held at the Brooks Fountain Circle. On hand will be the family, friends and supporters of Mary Denise Lands who continue to protest their displeasure with the way the investigation has been mishandled by the Marshall Police Department. Come out and support the family, carry a sign, and meet Clifford & Anita Marshall, Mary’s Mom and Dad. Join us as we continue to ask the questions, Where is Mary? and, When will we have justice for Mary. The family and friends will maintain a notable presence in Marshall and Battle Creek and talk about this case in the upcoming months. We plan appearances in Marshall at the Historic Home Tour, the Scarecrow Festival, the Christmas Parade and at any event where we can ask for help from the public. We would be privileged if you would join us and talk about Mary Lands and why Chief Mike Olson and the Marshall Police Department have not solved this case.

Donald Wright of Battle Creek offers comments on the Mary Lands investigation

Sunday, August 27, 2006- Response- Letter to the Editor-
Thank you for your letter Lt. Wright, but you are quite Wrong! It is interesting to note that you seem to have information that the family of Mary Denise Lands did not have related to activity on her bank records. I don't mind anyone with ties to law enforcement supporting Chief Mike Olson. However, I have never made any comments about Sheriff Al Byam and the Calhoun County Sheriff's Department because that agency never had the chance to solve this case, which they could do. My facts are accurate and my qualifications to do need to be displayed just to show that I know what I am talking about. You do need to learn the definition of defamation, whimsical or otherwise, because I would welcome such a lawsuit. From the very first day that I inquired about the Mary Lands case from people in Marshall I came to realize the blatant fear in that community not only of certain persons who may be involved in Mary's disappearance, but in the fear that so many citizens have of their own police department. We all know of the police "Blue Wall of Silence" and how pervasive it is in our society. I have accomplished inquiries to the Marshall Police Department under the Freedom of Information Act and you should do the same. What I found was appalling and it has a direct correlation to the management style of Chief Olson and the credibility of that agency. You for one should know how important it is for citizens to trust police-officers. I am correct in my facts and almost immediately the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Task Force was told by the Marshall Police Department that their resources were not needed. The family of Mary Lands is very aware that law enforcement does not release police information and we have no problem with that protocol. What we do have a problem with is when police officers lie and do not keep their word. The MPD has treated the Marshall family with total disrespect since the beginning of this case. The word empathy is not in their vocabulary. We believe that this will all come out soon when a major media brings this story to national attention. Two years ago I stated that Marshall, Michigan is a beautiful and wonderful place to live and work, but evil things can and do occur in the best of places. Something very evil occurred on March 12, 2004 and for whatever reasons that evil lingers today. However, soon the person/s responsible for the disappearance and murder of Mary Lands will be held accountable. We also believe others will also be held accountable for their failures. I have donated my time and resources to Clifford & Anita Marshall in the search for their daughter. As a licensed private investigator in Michigan I could be doing many other things but I choose to help this family. When this case is concluded I have no plans to continue in this profession. I certainly would never take on another missing persons case and I limit myself to specific cases at this time. My reward and remuneration will be to see that justice is served. I would be the first person to shake the hand of Chief Olson if he stepped up and did the right thing. Lt. Wright, Why don't you come out and join us on Tuesday, September 5, 2006 at 7:00 P.M. and meet the family of Mary Lands. We all will be there for Marshall's "Annual Night-out" asking "When will we have justice for Mary?" We will also be there in Marshall for the Historic Home Tour, the Scarecrow Festival and the Christmas Parade. We won't go away until this case is resolved. Thank you for your comments, Lt. It is discussion like this that permits our community to understand the real tragedy in Mary's case. We need more people like you.

Update, August 27, 2006- Letter to the Editor, by Donald Wright, to Battle Creek Enquirer
Case continues to be investigated
I have been following the Mary Lands case since the beginning. My heart goes out to the family; I too believe that she deserves justice. That said, I take great umbrage with an individual who makes public statements maligning both Chief Mike Olson and the Marshall Police Department. The letter to the editor printed Aug. 22 in the Enquirer ("Protest Wednesday in missing-woman case") is another example that does nothing positive to bring closure to this investigation. I feel compelled to respond to these "cheap shots." Mary Lands was first reported missing on a Sunday. Investigators uncovered information showing possible activity on her bank records as late as Monday, but that was found not to be the case. The Calhoun County Major Crimes Task Force was activated the very next day. This team consists of representatives from the FBI, the Michigan State Police and all of the larger law enforcement agencies in the county. Contrary to all previous information provided by this individual, the FBI and the Major Crimes Task Force were very involved. Marshall PD and the state police continue to have investigators assigned to follow up on leads. They spend a large portion of their time following these leads and adding them to the investigation. This person should know that a police agency does not release police reports on any active investigations. The Marshall Police Department certainly does not deserve to be whimsically defamed as this person's reference to having doughnuts takes precedent over an important investigation. Who is Jim Carlin and what are his qualifications for making allegations that are such tripe?
Donald Wright
Battle Creek

Update, August 22, 2006- Letter to the Editor, by Jim Carlin, to Battle Creek Enquirer
Protest Wednesday in missing-woman case
Once again, the family of Mary Denise Lands is asking for help from our community. We plan to conduct a day-long protest walk at the Criminal Justice Center in Battle Creek on Wednesday, Aug. 23, beginning at 8 a.m. Mary Lands disappeared under suspicious circumstances from an apartment she shared with her boyfriend on March 12, 2004. The Marshall Police Department initially botched this investigation and rejected the resources of the FBI and a major task force to break the case. Today, MPD continues to stumble and fumble its way through a sloppy investigation that has failed to produce arrests of the person(s) responsible for Mary's disappearance. Calhoun County has had a large amount of violent crime in the last two years and we do not fault any agency for its inability to solve crimes. The investigators of the BCPD have an extremely difficult job but at least they show effort. We adamantly do fault the Marshall Police Department and Chief Mike Olson for their incompetence and inability to solve Mary's case. This is not rocket science, and basic Police Procedure 101 could provide the answers. MPD should put away the doughnuts and do some real police work! We have the support of the Marshall community, but we need citizens throughout Calhoun County to come out and walk with us on the 23rd. Meet Mary's mother and father and see these two good people who are only trying to answer one question, "When will we have justice for Mary?"
Jim Carlin

When is someone in law enforcement going to put away the donuts and do some real police work?

Update- August 17,2006- The Marshall Police Department responded on our request to ascertain why Calhoun County Prosecutor John Hallacy refused to issue warrants against Christopher L. Pratt. That agency clearly has a letter or explanation on why our complaints had no merit and we wish to receive it. Other individuals have been charged and convicted under these statutes and we believe the complaints we signed did have merit.
The family, friends and supporters of Mary Lands continue to be disappointed in all the events related to this case. Again, we intend to express our displeasure with the manner in which the Marshall Police Department have conducted their investigation. We will conduct a day-long protest walk near the steps of the Calhoun County Criminal Justice Center at 8:00 A.M. on Wednesday, August 23, 2006.
We also plan to protest on Tuesday, September 5, 2006 at the Brooks Fountain Circle in Marshall (7:00-9:00 P.M.), which is the rescheduled date for the Marshall Police Department's, Annual Night Out. The original event previously planned for August 2nd was cancelled because of the heat. Please come out to both protest walks and help support the family of Mary Lands.

----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Olson
To: jcarlin@justinianlaw.com
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 4:20 PM
Subject: Complaints against Christopher Pratt
Sir,
I reviewed the email you sent to Deputy Chief Pehrson regarding the disposition of the investigation involving Christopher Pratt. As investigators, my officers collected the facts of your allegations and the documentation regarding the lease. The information was reduced to writing and then a warrant request was sent to Prosecutor Hallacy. After reviewing the information, Prosecutor Hallacy determined it to be a civil matter revolving around the lease of the apartment.
Regarding the formal reply from the Prosecutor that you referred to in your email, that is not the customary manner in which notification is made. In nearly every case that I am aware of, the Prosecutor responds to the investigating agency informing them of his decision regarding the case. The law enforcement agency then makes contact with the complainants and informs them of the decision. As I am sure you know, the Calhoun County Prosecutor's Office reviews well over 6000 complaints annually and they simply don't have the resources to individually notify the complainants. That is not to say that Prosecutor Hallacy is not responsive. In fact, I find him to be just the opposite. He has met with Clifford and Anita in the past and continues to be willing to meet with them. He has provided his knowledge, experience, and guidance on this case and I feel fortunate to work with him.
If you have further questions or I can be of further assistance, please contact me.

Michael C. Olson,
Public Safety Director
Marshall Police & Fire
323 West Michigan Avenue
Marshall, MI 49068
Office: 269-781-2596
Fax: 269-781-6414
Email: molson@cityofmarshall.com

----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Carlin, Justinian Investigative Services
To: Deputy Chief Brett Pehrson, Marshall Police Department
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2006 6:37 PM
Subject: Fw: complaints against Christopher Pratt
Deputy Chief Pehrson,
Officer Kelly called me this afternoon and related the decision by Mr. Hallacy not to prosecute Mr. Pratt in our complaints. He read from Mr. Hallacy's letter that this was a civil matter related to the lease. Officer Kelly stated that if I request the information under FOIA I could obtain the decision.
As you may know, I did so with Mr. Pratt's original complaint and had to pay $24.00 for 24 pages of the material.
As the complainants, I feel that Mr. & Mrs. Marshall and myself should receive the formal reply of the prosecutor and his reasons for not going forward.
It would be appreciated if those materials and Mr. Hallacy's decision be sent to each of us as this is something out of the scope of FOIA since we were the victims.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
Jim Carlin

The annual "Night Out" Walk for Mary was a great success, but it seems that the Marshall Police can't take the heat

Update- August 2, 2006 Once again the family, friends and supporters walked in peaceful protest for Mary Denise Lands. Despite a request from the Chief of Police that the annual "Night Out" was not appropriate for such a demonstration, it was held with a huge response. It is ironic that the only time the police chief shows up at the Marshall home is to dissuade the family from some public awareness efforts for their daughter. If that agency had spent as much time working on the investigation in 2004 the case would have been solved by now. It appears that the chief of police is trying to also play the part of a politician, however he fails miserably in both jobs. The good people of Marshall stopped and once again offered support and hundreds honked their horns for Mary during the 3-hour walk in front of the Marshall Police Department. We are asking that the case be turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and that a grand jury be convened to bring the person/s responsible to justice for Mary's disappearance.As usual our group was friendly, dignified and lawful respecting the rights of all. We believe that "Night Out Against Crime" was an outstanding opportunity to continue the public awareness efforts in Mary's case. Many of the residents who stopped asked about why "Night Out" events were not being held? A dispatcher later told a resident that it had been cancelled because of the weather. The function was to be held under trees at the Circle Fountain but evidently the police department could not handle the heat. We all had a pleasant evening and the heat was not a problem. Why is that agency so keen on not wanting their residents to view a legitimate demonstration on behalf of Mary Lands? What are they trying to hide? Why don't they want to solve the crimes involving Mary's disappearance and murder. We are only asking that the mishandled criminal investigation be turned over to an agency having the ability, resources and desire to prosecute Mary's case. Annual "Night Out" has been rescheduled for Tuesday, September 5, 2006 and we will be back. There are also other events for the late Summer and Fall in Marshall where we will continue to walk with our signs that ask the question, When will we have justice for Mary?

Join our Walk for Mary, "America's Night Out Against Crime"

On Tuesday, August 1, 2006 communities throughout the United States will be celebrating "Annual Night Out Against Crime." It is a national program to demonstrate how citizens can play a vital role in assisting their police departments through joint crime, drug and violence prevention.
The Marshall Police Department will hold their event from 7:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M. at the Brooks Fountain Circle.
The family, friends and supporters of Mary Lands will also be on hand in front of the police department for a protest demonstration handing out literature about Mary's disappearance. It will be similar to the highly successful protest that was conducted over the long Memorial Day weekend.
We will carry protest signs asking that the Federal Bureau of Investigation take over the primary investigation of Mary's case from the Marshall Police Department. It has been nearly 29 months since Mary Lands disappeared and that investigation was mishandled by the local police department from its initial stages. We all would like to promote anti-crime efforts in our neighborhoods, but we also need to demand thorough and complete investigations of any crimes that are ongoing. There are too many murders and violent crimes in Calhoun County and law enforcement barely has enough time to investigate current offenses much less older cases. When criminals realize they will be held accountable for their actions, that in itself will reduce crime and violence.
Please join the family of Mary Marshall Lands during our protest walk and carry a sign.
For two years we have been asking, Where is Mary? We continue to also ask, When will we have justice for Mary?

Jim Carlin

Marshall Police Department Release FOIA Request Concerning Charges of Home Invasion.

The Marshall Police Department today finally released a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request that I filed concerning a complaint by Chris Pratt, the former boy-friend of Mary Denise Lands. In the complaint Mr. Pratt alleges that Mary's parent's, Clifford & Anita Marshall, the leasing manager of the apartment complex where she once resided, and I broke into the apartment and stole property. After an investigation by the Marshall Police Department a warrant request was then submitted to Calhoun County Prosecutor John Hallacy. They cited crimes including Home Invasion, Burglary-Forced Entry, and Theft. After a review of the complaint and the investigation by the Marshall Police Department the Calhoun County Prosecutor declined to issue any warrants in this case.
The 24 pages of documents clearly indicate that during the first three hours of this investigation the Marshall Police Department was fully aware that no crime had occurred, however on June 20, 2006 they still requested that Mr. & Mrs. Marshall come into the police department for an interrogation. Upon arriving and being advised they were the subjects of a criminal investigation the Marshall's were asked to waive their rights under Miranda. They then declined to speak with any officer without their attorney present and departed. For the first time in my life on the previous day, I also had to invoke my rights under Miranda and refused to speak with any officer without an attorney being present.
This is just more documentation that Chief Mike Olson and the Marshall Police Department continue to utilize harassment and intimidation against the family and I because we have been highly critical of their mishandling of Mary's case. Any individual in law enforcement would have immediately recognized after speaking with the leasing manager that the claims by Mr. Pratt were not only unfounded, but also totally false. He failed to pay rent and was considered a "skip" by management yet after giving permission to Mr. Marshall to take a few small items from his former vacant apartment he signed a complaint that the property was stolen. These were small items once possessed by their daughter which were abandoned by Mr. Pratt after he vacated the premises. How can an individual be a suspect of a home invasion when the premises were vacant and unoccupied, and Mr. Pratt had no legal standing to even be there himself? It will be interesting to see how quickly the Marshall Police Department might seek a warrant request against Mr. Pratt for filing a false police report.
On July 12th Mary Lands will have been missing for 28 months. If the Marshall Police Department would have aggressively pursued the person/s responsible for Mary's disappearance as they did against her parents for an alleged Home Invasion the case could have been solved two years ago. They continue to display their incompetence and these keystone-kops antics by members of any police department are a total disgrace. Where is the leadership and professionalism of the police management in this agency? Their actions display just how truly incompetent they really are in the performance of their sworn duties. With this type of attitude it is no wonder that the Marshall Police Department cannot solve Mary's case. Barney Fife wouldn't have ever even considered these frivolous charges against the parents of a woman who is missing and now presumed murdered. Chief Olson and some members of his department continue to demonstrate that they have absolutely no empathy or respect for the family.. Their sole objective today is not to solve the Mary Lands case, but to make the family go away and forget that it ever happened. Mr. Olson, that will never occur and you need to wake up and do the job for which you are being paid. You receive a salary of $65,352,00, and are supposed to be Marshall Police Department's top cop, After all your years on the job, try to be one!
Jim Carlin

Even under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the intimidation continues....

Update- June 26, 2006 This is the email response from Chief Mike Olson and the Marshall Police Department concerning our Freedom of Information Request about the family and I being granted permission to be in the previous residence of Mary Lands after the apartment was vacated by former boy-friend, Chris Pratt. On June 19, 2006 he evidently filed criminal complaints against us for entering the abandoned apartment, although we had permission from management.

----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Olson
To: jcarlin@justinianlaw.com
Sent: Monday, June 26, 2006 8:03 AM
Subject: FOIA Request
Sir,
I am in receipt of your FOIA request. It was forwarded to the Calhoun County Prosecutor's Office on Friday, June 23, 2006. The complaint remains under investigation and will not be released at this time.

Michael C. Olson,
Public Safety Director
Marshall Police & Fire
323 West Michigan Avenue
Marshall, MI 49068
Office: 269-781-2596
Fax: 269-781-6414
Email: molson@cityofmarshall.com

Harassment and Intimidation against the family of Mary Denise Lands

Update- June 22, 2006 On June 19, 2006 the leasing manager of the apartment complex where Mary formerly resided permitted Mr. & Mrs. Marshall and I into the unit to take photographs, video and recover a few small items abandoned there after her boy friend vacated, and had not paid any rent.
Acting on a complaint from Chris Pratt, a sergeant from the Marshall Police Department attempted to speak with me prior to a city council meeting. Mr. Marshall and I were in attendance to speak about Mary's disappearance and ask 20 questions concerning the mishandling of Mary's case. The officer came upstairs to the City Hall and requested that I accompany her to the police department for questioning. I declined to speak with her or any police-officer until my attorney was present. The Marshall Police Department then spent several hours at the vacant apartment and verified with the leasing agent that Mary's name was on the lease and, in fact, Mr. Pratt had vacated without paying his rent. One would presume that the issue was over, however on the next day the Marshall Police Department required the Marshall's to come into the Police Department and be questioned about "some criminal matters". They complied and were brought into an interrogation room. They were then informed of their Miranda Rights and they too then stated they would not speak to the police until their attorney was present. The next day, Chief Mike Olson called Mr. Marshall and said there was no problem.
This is just more of the same attitude of arrogance and incompetence within the Marshall Police Department. They knew Monday night that no crime ever occurred with us going into the empty apartment with the permission of management, and while they were present. The Marshall Police Department purposely intended to harass and intimidate the family in an attempt to have us cease our criticism of their mishandling of Mary's case.
How ironic it is that nearly 28 months after Mary disappeared that her own parents were being read their Miranda Rights just for being in her former home. One has to wonder how many times Miranda has ever been read to anyone in the actual Mary Lands case?
Thank you to the management of this great residential complex for standing up and helping the family. The community has been so supportive of the family and it is deeply appreciated. This is just another example of one of the reasons that primary jurisdiction of the Mary Lands case should be taken over by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and a grand jury.
Jim Carlin

A Father's Day Plea to Bring Home his Daughter

Detroit News- June 17, 2006
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006606170332

Update- June 17, 2006 by Clifford Marshall
Can anyone help me with questions about my daughter, Mary, who has now been missing for over 27 months? Mary was 39 years old when she disappeared from her apartment in Marshall, Michigan. She was my adult daughter, but she will always be my “baby.” These are just some of my questions and those of our family:
1. Why were non-certified civilian dog handlers permitted into the original police investigation by the Marshall Police Department, which gave the impression to ourcommunity that my Mary was just another adult runaway?
2. Why did the Marshall Police Department within the first week of Mary’s disappearance tell the Federal Bureau of Investigation that their resources and those of a task force were not needed in the case?
3. Why were family members ridiculed, embarrassed and told outright lies by the Marshall Police Department during interviews about Mary’s disappearance?
4. Why did it take 6 months for the Marshall Police Department to declare Mary a “victim of foul play?”
5. Why did it take 9 months for a search warrant to be executed at my daughter’s home?
6. Why was Jim Carlin, a man volunteering his time and experience to our family threatened with arrest simply for asking questions about Mary?
7. Why was it that 9 months later the police didn’t have any problem with Mr. Carlin working on behalf of our family on this case?
8. Why have the Marshall Police Department refused to interview Mary’s daughter as she obviously has a great deal of first-hand knowledge about her mother’s life and Mary’s relationship with her boyfriend?
9. Why was it that our family did not realize our daughter was a severely battered woman?
10. Why after 27 months have the police failed to name a suspect or at least a “person of interest” in Mary’s disappearance?
11. Why after working with the Marshall Police Department and providing information and tips to them was Jim Carlin, our private investigator, who continues to donate his time and services again threatened with arrest because he wanted to interview Mary’s daughter?
12. Why is it that Mary’s favorite winter brown leather jacket worn on the night of her disappearance was recovered at a flea market in Homer yet the Marshall Police do not seem interested in who was selling it along with many of her other personal items and property?
13. Why have the Marshall Police not done more to inquire about Mary’s boyfriend and other associates who might have information about this case?
14. Why does the Marshall Chief of Police refuse to permit the Federal Bureau of Investigation to take over primary jurisdiction of this case?
15. What is the Marshall Police Department hiding and who are they trying to protect?
16. Why is it that so many people in our community distrust the Marshall Police Department?
17. Why is it that only once in 27 months has any member of law enforcement ever visited our home to give us support? This single instance occurred for just 20 minutes last month and it was only after a plea by Jim Carlin to the Marshall Chief of Police, Mike Olson.
18. It is well known that the Calhoun County Prosecutor will not criminally charge anyone in a case without a body. Why did Mr. Hallacy state to the editor of the Marshall Chronicle he has prosecuted at least twice, but those cases cannot be verified in court records? If he has done so, why won’t he consider such a prosecution in my daughter’s case?
19. Why is it that it appears there are so many intertwining criminal activities related to Mary’s disappearance, but the Marshall Police Department can’t seem to connect the dots?
20. Why does the Marshall Police Department have such a lack of respect and compassion for our family in this unbearable tragedy?
For over two years we have been asking, “Where is Mary?”and “When will we have justice for Mary?” Please help our family in this tragedy.

Father's Day 2006

just another day searching for Mary.....

Clifford Marshall, Mary's Dad, will not be celebrating this Father's Day with the normal pleasures that most fathers enjoy on this special holiday across the country. On June 18th he will once again have a shovel in his hands and be digging ground on a piece of property in hopes of locating his daughter, a daughter that the family believes has been murdered. Although Mary was a 39 year old adult at the time of her disappearance she will always be Cliff and Anita's "baby." He will be joined by many other fathers, friends and supporters volunteering their time and energy to assist the family on Father's Day in further excavation to find Mary Denise Lands.
The Marshall Police Department have consistently lied and misled the family since March 2004 when Mary allegedly walked away from the apartment she shared with her boy-friend, Chris Pratt. He stated that on Friday, March 12, 2004 at approximately 10:00 P.M. Mary went for a walk on a cold winter evening after a minor argument. 44 hours later Mr. Pratt telephoned the family in California to report that Mary was missing.
One of the signs that was carried in front of the Marshall Police Department during a 5-day protest walk on the Memorial Day Holiday read, "Barney Fife could have solved this case" and that statement says it all. For whatever reason the local police department has not properly investigated this crime? People throughout the community have a mistrust of the department and that lack of confidence has clearly affected the investigation.
We are again asking that the Federal Bureau of Investigation be permitted to take over primary jurisdiction of this case from Chief Mike Olson and the Marshall Police Department. That department has no business conducting an investigation of this this magnitude and importance. They do not have the personnel, resources, initiative or ability to solve this case.
The family needs your help! Do whatever you can to talk about the Mary Lands case. Contact any public official, friend, neighbor, attorney, reporter, or anyone who might be in a position to assist the family in this failure of law enforcement to their job.
This week the Battle Creek Enquirer is going to publish an Open Letter from Clifford Marshall about his daughter's disappearance. For 27 months he has been asking, Where is Mary? and When will we have justice for Mary? In his letter he will now be asking many more questions.
When the article is printed in the Enquirer it will also be published on this forum.

Marshall Police Department return bone.....

but now there are still more questions?

Update June 9, 2006- Today, the Marshall Police Department returned a bone to the family that was recovered while digging on a suspicious area of property in Sheridan Township, Michigan. The item was turned over to a Marshall police-officer on May 6th and secured as evidence for examination. On May 8th the police reported to the family the bone was not that of a human after it was examined by a university anthropologist. After numerous requests the police returned the bone but Marshall Police failed to provide a copy of the official results to the family. Furthermore, the chain of custody noted on their own evidence envelope presents more questions than answers? The family will now attempt to conduct an independent examination of this bone and others that have been recovered. All of these excavation efforts have been done by family, friends, and supporters at their own expense and without any assistance from law enforcement. The family continues to advocate their position that the Federal Bureau of Investigation be permitted to take over primary jurisdiction of this case so that Mary can be brought home.

The Disappearance of Mary Denise Lands, March 12, 2004, Marshall, Michigan

Michigan State Police-Missing Persons Bulletin

We have all been striving for nearly 27 months to bring Mary home and to have the person/s responsible for her disappearance held accountable. We have constantly been misled and lied to by the Marshall, Michigan Police Department concerning Mary's investigation. Barney Fife of Mayberry could have solved this case yet despite all the tips and documentation provided to law enforcement no arrest has been made. If it was the daughter of the chief of police who was missing you can guarantee that the case would have been solved. For months we have been asking, Where is Mary? and When will we have justice for Mary? We now have another question, What is the Marshall Police Department trying to hide and who are they protecting?

In the June 4, 2006 weekly edition of the Marshall Chronicle there is a comment concerning the lack of criminal charges being filed in this case because no body has been recovered. It is well known within the courts and among law enforcement officials that Calhoun County Prosecutor, John Hallacy will never file charges without a body. This is one of the issues that further frustrates the family and friends of Mary Lands. In the article, Mr. Hallacy stated those decisions would be made based on available evidence and that he has prosecuted for murder at least twice in the past without a body.
I have personally researched that issue for over one year and have never been able to locate any prosecutor, defense attorney, court official or record to confirm that statement.
Mr. Hallacy, if your statement is true we would like you to cite the cases in question? Murder convictions without a corpus have been achieved by prosecutors throughout many counties in Michigan and throughout the United States. No record of any such case has been prosecuted here in Calhoun County, and we want to know why?

Where is Mary? When will we have justice for Mary?

Mary Denise Lands has now been missing for nearly twenty-seven months. In the first 6 months of her disappearance "Barney Fife of Mayberry" would have conducted a better investigation than that of the Marshall Police Department. Not much has improved. That agency today still continues to stumble and fumble in even basic investigative techniques needed to solve this crime. One question is why after two years have the police failed to make an arrest of the person/s responsible for Mary's disappearance? Other questions are why are they not even interested in trying to solve this case, and what are they trying to hide?

WWMT-TV- Kalamazoo- 05/30/2006
WWMT-TV- Kalamazoo- 05/20/2006
WOOD-TV- Grand Rapids- 05/26/2006
WWMT-TV- Kalamazoo- 05/08/2006
WOOD-TV- Grand Rapids- 05/08/2006
WLNS-TV- Lansing- 05/07/2006
WOOD-TV- Grand Rapids- 05/07/2006
WWMT-TV- Kalamazoo- 05/07/2006
WXMI-TV- Grand Rapids- 05/07/2006

UPDATE- Mary Denise Lands- Join our community team to promote public awareness about the disappearance of Mary Denise Lands. We are giving away white caps that display an image of Mary Lands with the words, Where is Mary? There is no cost for them, however friends and supporters are urged to make a donation to the reward fund. By wearing a cap you will signify your support in helping to solve this mystery and building the reward fund that eventually might provide needed answers for the police and the family. Wear the cap, and each and every day ask the question, to as many people as possible, Where is Mary? Talk to your friends and neighbors about Mary's disappearance, and contact law enforcement authorities if you have any information on the case. Remember, someone can provide a vital piece of the puzzle that will solve this investigation. Something trivial and unrelated to you might be the answer to this mystery. For more information contact Jim Carlin at 269.441.7068 or email
JCarlin@BADD.org Photo-Mary Lands Cap

Update- March 30, 2006- The Memorial Day weekend traditionally signals the start of a great boating season and a summer of fun. However, this weekend was the 3rd Memorial Day that Mary Lands was not present to celebrate this holiday with her family. The investigation by the Marshall Police Department has been a total disgrace from the beginning and nothing seems to improve as we approach the 27th month since Mary disappeared from the home she shared with her boy-friend, Chris Pratt. Mr. Pratt indicated that Mary went for a walk after a minor argument at approximately 10:00 P.M. on the cold winter evening of March 12, 2004 still attired in her medical scrubs uniform with flat shoes. She reportedly took her purse, however left a cell telephone and the keys to her newly purchased Dodge Durango. 44 hours later Mr. Pratt notified her family in California that their daughter was missing.
Two weeks ago the family had to wait 52 hours before the Marshall Police Department notified us that a suspicious bone found on a property we had to dig by ourselves, was not that of a human. Only once in 27 months has any police-officer, investigator, prosecutor, victim advocate or any high ranking member of law enforcement ever visited the home of Mary's parents. This attitude demonstrates a lack of empathy and compassion and it is disrespectful to the family. On Friday, September 26th, the family, friends and supporters of Mary Denise Lands commenced a protest walk in front of the Marshall Police Department and the Brooks Memorial fountain circle over the long holiday weekend. "Clifford Marshall, Mary's Dad, Walking for his daughter"
Supporters carried signs expressing displeasure with the way this case has been handled and we are once again demanding justice for Mary. We also are asking that the Federal Bureau of Investigation be permitted to take over primary jurisdiction of this case from Chief Mike Olson and the Marshall Police Department. They do not have the personnel, resources, initiative or ability to solve this case. It was a very long hot humid 5 days for all of us, but the Marshall family is strong. At the conclusion of the 5 day walk numerous family members, friends and supporters will have volunteered approximately 400 hours of participation. We also have personally observed a gracious public display of support from citizens stopping and wishing the family their best. People were honking their horns, bringing water and food, and welcome words to a family who only wants to obtain justice for their daughter. We will continue all our efforts in search of an answer to our question, "Where is Mary?"
We fully realized that many people were away for this long weekend and enjoying the start of summer. However, the Marshall family has not been able to enjoy any happy holidays in the last two years. We have a job to do and it must be done. We will continue now, and in the future to ask, Where is Mary? and, When will we have justice for Mary?
WWMT-TV- Kalamazoo- 05/30/2006

If you have any information, please feel free to contact the family or myself.

Jim Carlin
Justinian Investigative Services
344 Clayton Avenue
Battle Creek, Michigan 49017-5218 U.S.A.

Tx- 269.441.7068
Email JCarlin@JustinianLaw.com or JCarlin@BADD.org

www.JustinianLaw.com or www.BADD.org