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Judge says kidnapping suspect’s property stays put

By WTOP Staff

LYNNE TUOHY
Associated Press

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A judge has ordered investigators to leave in place a trailer and a large storage container belonging to a man charged with kidnapping a 14-year-old girl who disappeared while walking home from school but returned home nine months later.

Nathaniel Kibby is charged with kidnapping Abigail Hernandez on Oct. 9 and holding her against her will. Abigail, a student at Kennett High School in Conway, returned home on July 20, but investigators have not revealed details of how she went missing or how she returned.

Prosecutors wanted to move the trailer and the storage container from Kibby’s property in Gorham, about 30 miles north of Conway, to a secure location to ward off damage and intruders. They also cited the costs of posting a 24-hour guard or fencing at what they refer to as a crime scene.

Kibby’s lawyers say moving the trailer and container would deprive them of their chance to investigate what neighbors and others could see and hear on the property and to photograph and diagram the scene.

Judge Pamela Albee ruled Friday the property will remain where it is until Kibby’s lawyers can investigate and prepare a defense strategy. She also sealed search warrants turned over to Kibby’s lawyers to expedite their investigation.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Jane Young argued at a hearing on Wednesday that the 34-year-old Kibby owns the trailer but not the land it’s on and that the landlord could move the property if Kibby doesn’t pay his rent. The judge ordered the state to pay the rent for now.

Kibby was arrested on July 28 and is being held on $1 million bond. He missed the Aug. 1 payment.

The judge also flatly rejected the state’s suggestion that defense counsel share the cost of a round-the-clock police guard or fencing around the property.

“This is simply not a viable option,” the judge wrote.

Defense attorney Jesse Friedman said he is happy with the ruling “for the time being.” He would not comment on when he would likely be able to get full access to photograph and diagram the property.

Young did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Kibby’s defense team was permitted to visit the property twice but was not allowed to take notes or photographs, the judge wrote. The state has had “unfettered access” to the property since a search warrant was issued the day Kibby was arrested, she added.

The judge said she would revisit the state’s bid to move the trailer and the container after the defense has had a “meaningful opportunity” to conduct its investigation.

While Abigail was missing, her friends released a video and letters pleading for her return. The community rallied around her family, holding vigils, helping to search for her and printing posters seeking information. Residents who searched and prayed that she would return have been looking for answers about where she was and how she got back home.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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