|
I never could have imagined that the human body and mind could tolerate such immense torture. I never would have imagined that Renee and I could withstand two years of knowing that Morgan is gone, yet not knowing why. The sense of loss each morning is equal to that of November 9, 2019, when we received notification, and the anger and frustration with a broken criminal justice system compounds daily. Inconceivable and injust, that’s how I would describe it. Hunter Wells is still awaiting his trial date for the charges of Felony Death by Motor Vehicle, Involuntary Manslaughter, Felony Serious Injury by Motor Vehicle, DUI, Reckless Driving, Unregistered Vehicle, etc., blah, blah, blah. The Marine Corps got rid of this shitbag as quickly as possible following Morgan’s death, faster than I have ever seen someone processed out, so he has been hanging out at home with his family, living a life as though nothing happened. He’s driving around, hanging with friends, going out at night, playing with his daughter, all the good stuff. He’s also still clinging to his right to remain silent, knowing that if the truth comes out, he will be facing charges of kidnapping and felony murder. What a coward! Meanwhile, kicking back in Big Sky Country is Charles Cornwall, AKA shitbag #2. Cornwall was medically retired from the Marine Corps in January, 2021, due to injuries received in the crash. Poor thing! There was a “Line of Duty” investigation done by Cornwall’s command at Camp Lejeune, regarding his actions on the night Morgan was killed. It reads like the investigation was conducted by a third grader. Cornwall spent 23 days in a NC hospital following the crash, then returned to his home in MT for additional recovery and physical therapy. While at home, Cornwall was interviewed OVER THE PHONE by his own Lieutenant! Of course, Cornwall was nothing but brave and honest during this interview and stated that he could not recall the crash, but knew that he had not been drinking (underage), he was not driving, and that he was securely buckled into the front passenger seat. It’s all bullshit! If the third grade Lt. had read the NCSHP crash report, which he attached to his own investigative report, he would have seen that Cornwall lied about wearing a seatbelt and where he had been sitting in the truck. Also, a quick check with civilian investigators would have revealed that Cornwall had consumed three shots of Jack Daniels and two 20oz beers within an hour and twenty minutes at Applebee’s, purchased using a stolen ID card. He may also have been interested to learn that a gun belonging to Cornwall was found at the crash site. But, instead, the determination of the investigator was that Cornwall was a victim of a crash that he could not have prevented, therefore, recommended that he be medically retired with full military benefits. Excuse me while I vomit! Morgan’s name did not appear in this report. No mention of a young girl losing her life; a young girl with no ties to either of the men. Completely ignored was the fact that this truck was traveling in excess of 90mph on a dead end road in a remote area. Oddly enough though, Cornwall’s injuries, as reported by Vidant Medical Center, were listed in this Line of Duty Investigation Report; a couple fractured ribs, broken left wrist and pelvic bone, lacerated liver, ruptured spleen and a few other things, none of which I could care less about. The report did not include a head injury of any magnitude. This leads us to a bigger source of shit and corruption. The Onslow County District Attorney’s Office, specifically, Assistant DA Caroline Wahoff, who has been “protecting” Charles Cornwall for nearly two years saying things like, “ he suffered a traumatic brain injury”, and “he cannot recall the crash, the day(s) before the crash and several months after the crash”, or “he’s lucky to be alive”. My thought is, “you’re god damned right he’s lucky to be alive, now let’s find out what he CAN remember”. The act of assuming someone else’s identity in order to violate the law (purchase alcohol while under age) is a Class G Felony in North Carolina. When Renee and I suggested that Cornwall be arrested for this infraction, just so civilian investigators could use it as leverage, we were told by Ms. Wahoff that they wouldn’t do that because Cornwall is a cooperating witness in the trial against Wells on the Felony Serious Injury by Motor Vehicle charge. Huh? So, Ms. Wahoff has repeatedly told us that she believes Cornwall cannot remember anything that happened on November 8, 2019. That sounds like an ideal candidate to testify, under oath, about the events of that night. Cornwall has submitted to two interviews over the past six months, both conducted by agents working directly on behalf of The Estate of Morgan Patten. Though he has not confessed to being involved in her kidnapping and murder, he has made dozens, if not hundreds of conflicting statements about what he can and cannot remember, his relationship with Wells and even the gun (his gun) found at the crash. We have relayed these discrepancies to the OCDA’s office, on the rare occasion that they will speak with us, and to date, they refuse to expand the scope of investigation. Ms. Wahoff is quite content prosecuting Wells for what happened at 1385 White Oak River Road, Maysville, North Carolina, but thus far, has no interest in learning why(s). Why was Morgan’s bill at Applebee’s unpaid? Why did nobody at Applebee’s see her leave? Why was the truck doing 93mph on a dead end road in Maysville? Why did the truck leave the road in the first place, prior to entering the curve? Why were the brakes never applied after leaving the roadway? Why did Morgan have DNA from two subjects embedded under her fingernails? Why was there a gun in the truck? Why did Wells tell officers that he would “tell the story” after he spoke to an attorney, then invoke his right to remain silent immediately once he did receive a court appointed attorney? Why does Cornwall change his story every time he is confronted? And the list goes on. It’s exhausting! Meanwhile, I forgot to mention that Cornwall is trying to land a career in law enforcement back in Montana. Great! Just Fucking Great! Renee and I owe a LOT to the many friends who have tolerated our impatience throughout this horrific ordeal, and the many supporters who believe in our mission. Thank you all! We love you Mouse, and exhausting as it is, we will never stop fighting to get justice for you! ❤️ 
8 Comments
“Her name is Morgan and she is from New Hampshire”
At 1:40 am on November 9, 2019, when Hunter Oneill Wells was first interviewed by North Carolina Highway Patrol officers, this is all he could tell them about the young woman who still lay on the ground, covered by a white sheet next to the “debris field” which had been his 2002 Chevrolet Silverado hours before. Her sweet innocent life ended as a result of his actions; along with those of his friend Charles Cornwall, yet this was all that he could come up with for information to help authorities identify the body. Her name, in fact, was Morgan Renee Patten, and yes, she was from New Hampshire, but she was much more than that. Much, much more. Morgan, as a name given to a baby girl, is of Welsh origin, and historically means “sea born” or “of the sea”. Though not important at the time of her birth in 1995, “of the sea” came to fruition in our Morgan’s life, for sure. For Renee and I, it was a beautiful, original name that sounded good rolling off the tongue, and would be difficult to alter and be used as a weapon by any elementary school bullies. We could not have predicted at the time of her birth that she would graduate high school with three other Morgans in a class of less than 100 students! Morgan Patten earned the nickname “Mouse” by being quiet and shy through her elementary and middle school years, though by high school, she had decided that standing in the back, hoping to remain unnoticed was not where she wanted to be. Nearly overnight, Morgan became a powerful advocate for herself and every living being that even remotely appeared as though they needed a bit of her strength, but the nickname stuck. The Applebee’s bartender and the waitress that brought Morgan a beer knew more about her than that. The bartender and the waitress for Christ’s sake! When interviewed, they both knew that Morgan was engaged, and had just arrived in Jacksonville to spend the weekend with her fiancé. Anybody that had ever had a conversation with Morgan lasting more than three minutes could tell you more in depth details than, “she is from New Hampshire”. Morgan Patten, Of The Sea, was an accomplished, talented and intriguing young woman, and memorable; not the kind of person that one easily forgets. She was getting ready to begin law school, and proudly mentioned it in any conversation with someone she had any interest in speaking with. At the time of her murder, Morgan’s marital engagement to Phil Brandon had been public knowledge for fifteen days. I don’t believe that she crossed paths with any human being in that three week period who did not hear all about “her Marine”, how proud of him she was and how safe and loved she felt with Phil. It is simply inconceivable that Morgan would jump in a truck with two unknown men, who also knew nothing about her, to drive out into the middle of nowhere in a strange town at 11 o’clock at night for any purpose, yet that is what Wells, Cornwall and even the criminal justice system are hanging their hats on. We have been informed by prosecutors that “kidnapping or unlawful detention is extremely hard to prove”. Obviously, the evil bastards and those whose job it is to ensure that punishment fits the crime never cared to know Morgan Patten beyond a name. Kidnapping and/or unlawful detention are extremely hard to ignore! Please share your greatest memories of Morgan. It will help keep us motivated to attain absolute justice in her honor. Thank you! ❤️ From the very first moment that I held your tiny body in my arms, the future was clear. Crystal clear. All of the dreams that I once had for my own personal satisfaction faded into the past and were replaced by a powerful ambition to ensure that you would always be okay. I believe that is the way it’s supposed to be.
I would rock you when you were restless and sleep lightly when you slept. I couldn’t wait to see your first smile, hear your first laugh, your first word, and I wanted to catch you after you took your first steps. Every milestone would be precious and the milestones would never end, only get more immense and more meaningful. I would teach you how to blow a bubble, ride a bike, catch a ball, a fish, whistle, spit, read, write and swear, when appropriate. With each accomplishment, I would help you develop a sense of pride, yet encourage perpetual modesty. As you grew older we would progress into more mature activities; shooting a gun, driving a car, protecting yourself, working hard, playing hard, exhibiting sympathy, empathy, compassion and making good choices. That’s the way it’s supposed to be, and that’s the way it was. We did all of these things. We did all of these things, and so many more, as a family. It was perfectly imperfect and I feel like we were just getting started. For years I have envisioned the day when I would walk you down the aisle, place your hand in his and take my seat next to mom. I want to celebrate your graduation from law school, passing the bar exam, attaining your dream job, conquering the world! I want grandchildren, and I want you to have the experience and fulfillment of molding them into upstanding adults. I want to help you buy your first home and then watch you build your dream home. I want to mow your lawn when your life is too busy and I want to answer your call when it gets confusing. I want to die an old man with no regrets, knowing that I did my very best with what I was given, and I want you to be strong and proud. I want you to know, Morgan Patten, that you are my greatest accomplishment, because that’s the truth, and that’s the way it’s supposed to be. |
|
RSS Feed