Tommy Croslin Attorney: Haleigh Strangled
Art Harris on Nancy Grace, HLN, August 20, 2010
From Bald Truth Staff, (c) www.artharris.com, all rights reserved
Out of the chute, Nancy Grace quizzed us on Misty Croslin’s brother saying he believes Haleigh was strangled.
GRACE: Bombshell tonight. A lawyer for Misty Croslin`s brother reveals COD — cause of death. He says little Haleigh was strangled.
GRACE: As the public now demanding a public hanging for Misty Croslin, do we finally know the true COD — cause of death? Out to Art Harris, investigative journalist, Artharris.com. Art, what do we know tonight?
ART HARRIS, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST: Nancy, for the first time, Tommy Croslin has revealed the cause of death, says that the night he was at the trailer, his cousin Joe strangled Haleigh. That`s what his lawyer says Tommy Croslin, his client, told police in April. Now, it`s just coming out officially by his lawyer, but that raises a whole new — a whole new chapter…
GRACE: Hold on. Put Harris up! It raises a whole new what?
HARRIS: It raises — it opens a whole new chapter, Nancy, in this…
GRACE: Well, I`ll tell you…
HARRIS: … in this very sad tale.
GRACE: … what it raises to me, a big red flag that he`s waited this long to tell it, if it`s the truth! That`s what I don`t get about this whole bunch. They`re all, in my mind, lying. And another thing. What can you tell me about the allegation that Misty Croslin slept every night with a gun under her pillow?
OK, you know what? I will analyze that with a shrink later.
HARRIS: I can tell you, Nancy, that…
GRACE: But assuming it`s true, why didn`t she shoot the hell out of the guy that was hurting the baby?
HARRIS: Well, Nancy, I`m going to report on Artharris.com, Misty slept with this pistol under her pillow. But that night, she didn`t have it. She told her grandmother, Flora Hollars, and her lawyer that had she had it, she would have shot Tommy, and that would have been…
GRACE: Oh, really. Why that night…
HARRIS: Well, if you believe that…
GRACE: … Art? Why that night of all nights? What was different about that night?
HARRIS: Well, that night — apparently, Ronald had gotten his guns out of the trailer. Once his pistol had been stolen by cousin Joe. That was the story the family told me. And then Joe got it…
GRACE: Now, I`m worried about you. I`m worried about you, Art, because I really think, after all the stories you`ve covered, the big reporter with “The Washington Post,” blah, blah, I think you`re starting to believe these people! I really think you`re buying into their BS!
HARRIS: Nancy, you know, since you don`t have the criminal lawyers or defense lawyers here, I`ve got to tell you what they said on the record. Now, that`s — that`s for your viewers. This is what they are saying, the key suspects are saying, Nancy. And it`s going to be a very important turn of events. Werter — Jim Werter says he didn`t — you know, he didn`t let Tommy speak any further to investigators because he didn`t get a proffer of immunity. He thinks that Tommy might have revealed more.
GRACE: Hey, so now, still with no proffer of immunity, he just blurts it out? That doesn`t make sense. That doesn`t make sense, especially for the lawyer. I could see an inmate behind bars blurting something out, not thinking. But the lawyer to blurt it out when he says he didn`t say it before because he didn`t have immunity for his client, but now he blabs it to a reporter? Uh-uh! No! Something smells.
And another thing, Art Harris. Let`s nail it down. If this is the COD — cause of death — when did the strangling happen?
HARRIS: It would have happened, according to Tommy, right at the trailer after he busts in. Misty reports that Joe manhandles her sexually, gropes her, then looks for the — can`t find the machine gun he`s there to try to steal, grabs Haleigh. She hears her screaming, and then there`s silence, Nancy, and…
GRACE: So you`re saying right then, before she leaves the home. And so…
HARRIS: Before she leaves the home…
GRACE: … Tommy Croslin says after he strangles the baby, he just rides shotgun? He just hops in the van and goes along?
HARRIS: And he holds the door.
GRACE: Who wants to be in a car with a dead body?
HARRIS: He holds the door, Nancy, and that`s…
GRACE: OK, right there — you know what? I almost can`t take it anymore because it`s such BS. If I didn`t want to find out what happened to Haleigh, I wouldn`t even hear it. But everything they say, Art, leads us to another clue. So you`re right, we do have to report it. We do have to find out about it because in the end, we`re going to piece this thing together.
August 22nd, 2010 at 2:45 am
I STILL SAY THEY OUGHT TO HANG THE WHOLE HEE HAW BUNCH!
August 22nd, 2010 at 3:31 am
Art, You stick to facts, because you report something such as what the lawyer's have recently said in no way means that is you're personal opinion.Even if it were, that's your right. We would love to get a personal opinion from you on this case but it hasn't happened and isn't going to because you are a professional journalist. You inspire people to think, what sounds logical and what doesn't. You post our thoughts and theories on this case even though they may not be your own. It is true, everything they say does lead to another clue so as i said before, you are the best and as long as you and others stay on this case it will be solved. I hope you know how much you are appreciated, and keep giving us viewers the most recent developments we look to you for. Thank you Art, you're hard work hasn't gone unnoticed. Happy.
August 22nd, 2010 at 5:24 am
I agree wholeheartedly with Nancy…It's a bunch of B.S.
August 22nd, 2010 at 8:40 am
I do believe that much of what Tommy and Misty are saying is true. I have heard many people wonder how Cousin Joe could be so intimating to the point that Tommy and Misty were too scared to act in the best interest of Haleigh, but some people do intimidate and threat others to the point of the silence. I also believe that Misty and Joe were high and perhaps don't remember all the details. What we have heard now is a pretty good portrait of what, I believe, did go down in that trailer. But, I wonder how much Ronald knew and when he knew it and what was the purpose of his many phone calls to Misty. It could be Joe had already called Ronald and alerted him to potential threats or harm; wish Ronald would now be more honest. I also wish we could find Haleigh's body.
August 22nd, 2010 at 9:19 am
Happy–
so glad you are here, and appreciate your kind words. art-
August 22nd, 2010 at 10:32 am
I agree with you Happytobe…..ART is a professional and I enjoy listening to him and reading his reports!
August 22nd, 2010 at 10:51 am
Tommy and Joe were at the house a week prior.. when Ron showed off the gun..
where the kids home??
Ronald Jr.. said he saw Haleigh being carried away by a man in black ..
If cousin Joe and Tommy went to the trailer that night .. wouldnt Ronald JR. recognize them?
August 22nd, 2010 at 11:00 am
Like with most stories spun out by chronic liars, some of what Misty and Tommy say has an element of truth.
They were both there when whatever actually happened happened. A mistake, an accident, a rage filled outburst. Cousin Joe may or may not have been there but because he was in town for a planned visit it is easy to point to him as the actual perpetrator as these two scramble toward a defense of "it wasn't me". Just "innocent bystanders" caught up in the moment and physically unable to act in Haleigh's defense because of fear from Big Bad Cousin Joe.
How to explain the cinder blocks and propped open door to suggest a "kidnapping". Who did that? Cousin Joe took the time to "stage" this scene while Misty and Tommy sat by helplessly? Or did Cousin Joe return to the scene of the crime following the disposal of the body as Tommy sat in the truck since Misty suggests from her "hiding place", that she saw a black bag followed by a truck starting up and leaving the property with no mention of the back door.
As these little nuggets of truth begin to emerge even haphazardly, the scenario suggests that something occurred between Misty and Haleigh and a call was placed to Tommy for assistance. Whether Cousin Joe came along for the ride is something else but it is clear that the child was placed in a black bag, tied with yellow rope, and more than likely placed in the river. Had there been a sexual assault, it would appear that there would be some form of physical evidence in that trailer to suggest this yet LE has never admitted that it found anything to support that theory.
She may have been strangled, beaten or overdosed which would account for the lack of blood or other fluids that would indicate a struggle. Misty's story is filled with lies but somewhere within the faulty narrative the reality of that night exists. And it points to Misty and Tommy without question.
August 22nd, 2010 at 11:44 am
The center of this case has to do with drugs. I do not believe Misty or Tommy hurt Haleigh. Tommy has kids and Misty loved children. I don't believe either hurt her, other than not being able to save her from the situation. This is directly related to Ronald and Joe and their connections and dealings with drugs and the shady people who are involved in dealings like this. I do believe that Tommy and Misty are afraid – just not sure if it's Ronald they are afraid of, or Joe. Because both of them are nuts.
August 22nd, 2010 at 11:49 am
I agree Happy. I would rather hear what Art's sources say, than from some rumers.
August 22nd, 2010 at 1:04 pm
It was sooooo good 2 see you on Nancy's (oooops! Nancy Grace's Show), I LOVE your tag line, ART HARRIS
, "I can you this…"!!!! I use 2 think that Nancy could almost walk on H20, well almost, but when she started gettin' on you, ART HARRIS 
, I see her a bit differently. When she went off on ya' sayig, "WAIT a minute, WAIT a minute!"~~~ I don't mind it when she gets on that HUGE alex sanchez, but Nancy gettin' on you, ART HARRIS 
NO! NO! NO! Thank you 4 allllllll your fantastic investigating!! I just can't believe that the "hillbilly bunch" have NOT cracked, they ARE allllllll dumber than 1/2 of a door nail!!!!! BlessingS 2 you!! Lizzie
August 22nd, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Hey Artie the One Man Party
,I don’t comment much, I do have many places where I read the updates and the comments of others. And this place is like no other. I like your reports. How you respond to your readers, watch your on-air reports, and how you come to your responses. It is your good reporting, and professionalism that bring me and so many others here and to the other outlets that have you giving a solid and true account of the news in this case.
There are posters who come here to get information and the posters are polite, have clear opinions and sound theories. Even if they aren’t in agreement or not possible or if they are a “newbie”, there is enough respect for you and each other not to attack and make less of what the truth is- a girl is gone and a crime was committed. I think we take this case a little more seriously here than at other sites, where the moderator/reporter/yawn has to shut the whole comment page down because of the children who can’t control themselves.
Or investigators who fancy themselves as an oracle and go by fictional names. He might as well put next to statement analysis- and psychic, cause his unwarranted attacks in print can be turned around by his OWN method and reveal his true intentions. My little sister has the same software he has, maybe she’ll get on the sunday show over there and use her insurance policy experience to help those columbo watching morons solve this case. Please!
You Art, are a gentleman, you report the truth, report the facts, and have a roll with the punches good humor that we here all love and respect you for. Know that.
A crime was committed the night Haleigh went missing. The players in this are all skilled liars but not smart criminals. Smart criminals stay out of jail. They will lie some more. And we may never know what really happened. But I do believe that the truth comes out. Sometimes later than sooner. I think that the longer misty and tommy are behind bars faced with a buttload of prison time the reality of what went on that night will come to light. These two weren’t speaking until months behind bars, and now we are hearing more lies based on truths. Why tell us now Haleigh was screaming and put in black bag misty? Why didn’t you tell LE that on the 911 call? No, I don’t buy the scary cousin joe story. She is a liar. They all are, and they aren’t suffering for their lies and lives of trash. Haleigh is. She is always will be the only victim here.
August 22nd, 2010 at 6:22 pm
I'm confused. Is lying to 911 a crime? Why didn't Misty just say Tommy killed my boyfriend's child? Why all the lies?
August 22nd, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Please note that granma Flo said that Tommy or both of the guys came back to dispose of the body. This could be important "slip" in this all mess.__My theory is: Misty didn't want to look after children. When Ronald was leaving for work he gave or told Misty to give kids some drugs to get them sleep/ It was not a first time that Ron did it. Especially when there was not any girlfriend to stay in the trailer. This time it killed the child. Ron made aliby for himself, told Misty to say she doesn't know anything she was sleeping (easy for her not to confuse anything). Tommy or T. and Joe disposed of the body. T.C. was affraid that someone saw him there at night, so he said that he was at the trailer, but there was no one inside (or they slept?) I would say that R. mother knows, perhaps grandma who saod that she saw children having supper was not telling the truth covering for Ron
August 22nd, 2010 at 8:41 pm
i believe misty :/
August 22nd, 2010 at 11:49 pm
Thanks Art, and i appreciate your kind words too. It's not by accident you are the one people go to when they want the most recent news on this case. You're hard work is where the news comes from and you are who they call when they want unbiased reporting for the viewers. I'm not going anywhere, why go elsewhere when the best is right here?
August 23rd, 2010 at 3:03 am
I sometimes think Ronald had a sneaking suspicion that something was going to happen, like getting robbed again, but to put trust in a 17 yr old girlfriend whos probably lit half the time is downright beyond stupid especially when we hear she slept with a gun.
Personally, if this story is true, I think the only who was intimidated was probably Joe Overstreet. It’s only been days seen the latest story really blew wide open, but no word yet if Joe has been brought in as a suspect or an accomplice. That sort of shows me that maybe he’s not as guilty as them drug infused glow worms make him out to be. He’s already been questioned and probably brow beaten by LE and the FBI. I can’t see ALL of these punks buffaloing everybody in LE.
Good to see you back on Nancys show, Art. I always look forward to you reporting on this story. Just wish Nancy would be a little more quiet when someone else has the floor. You Rock, Mr. Harris!
August 23rd, 2010 at 2:39 pm
As far as any evidence of a sexual assault, keep in mind that Misty went into a big explanation as to why she did laundry that night, apparently with no laundry soap in the house. If one wanted to get rid of physical evidence bad enough they could use dish soap. I'm not saying that's what happened, i have no way of knowing for sure, but just as Cindy Anthony did "laundry" when she found the pants in Casey's trunk which destroyed physical evidence, it's possible Misty or Joe did the same thing with sheets or something else. Just b/c she said it was a soiled sheet doesn't mean there wasn't more than a sheet or that it was really a sheet she washed. All i know is she wanted it out there that she washed something, but was her explanation of what and why the truth? Maybe, maybe not. She or 'they" could have been getting rid of evidence for all we know.
August 23rd, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Hey Art,
Noticed that this article was written by your staff. But, the exchange between NG and you, was typical, you trying to get very intesting facts about this latest news, and her interrupting, and trying to put down your fact. Why can't people realize, the difference between facts and supposition. But, good for you, you stuck in there, and got what you wanted to say, said!
Stay Calm, Take good Care, and catch me on the Flip!
Luv ya
SpikedLemon
August 23rd, 2010 at 4:15 pm
I’m trying to figure out how so many lengthy comments are getting through. Mine are sometimes half as long and i get the message to shorten it. I appreciate reading all comments so it’s not that, i just don’t know how they get past the message to make them shorter, no biggie tho, just wondering.
i know mine don’t post if t hey are too long…you can cut in half and post in two parts…
August 24th, 2010 at 10:17 am
I still say KUDO's to Art for going on the NG show!! You must have the patience of a Saint!!
I watch because I believe your information. I don't twist and turn things. I listen to what you have to say.
That said, my theory is still the same. Misty killed the little girl on accident, called her brother for help and he got rid of the body. Joe wasn't involved. If he was, he wouldn't be walking around.
Misty can't come clean nor can her brother. They would rather sit on drug charges than murder charges.
August 24th, 2010 at 10:18 am
I think Ron knows Misty was involved in Haleigh's death. He has to.
Apparently he didn't care enough to stay away from her.
August 24th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
If this were the truth Misty would have told Ron,and Ron would have went after Overstreet. I dont believe for a second that Misty and Tommy were in imidated by that little puke, and I KNOW Ron wasnt. This is a B.S story. I would bet everything I have that Ron was involved. Ron being an abusive, woman beating, Druggie would have beat the truth out of Misty if he really didnt know what happenend to his daughter. I could see if at the begining he gave her the benefit of the doubt, but after she failed not 1 not 2 not 3 but 4 polly test. B.S the only one intimidating these ppl is Ron. Him and Misty were back together when the drug bust happenend she called him babe in one of the sting videos. There is no way in HELL he believes she has no knowledge or involvment. He's not the kind of guy that say " but I love her" Hes the kind of guy that tried to crush her unborn baby that he thought she was carrying, and then kicked her to the curb. Hes a
August 24th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
heartless bastard. Even his Mom act like shes under his control. Hes got something to do with this. Misty being the dumb nieve little girl that she is Is covering for Him. And so is her dip shit Brother. I think Tommy is keeping his seceret because Tommy and Joe are the ones who disposed of the body for Ron, That makes them accessories to the murder. Tommy knows he will get less time if he never touched the body and was so high he didnt really even realize what was going on. And that he had no choice but to go to the river to dump the body because he was being threatenend. But if ppl knew he and Joe did this for Ron at there own will hes screwed because thats accessory. Overstreet IMO is no better than the rest of them, but he didnt do this he just helped clean up the mess. He needs to go down with the rest of them. But Ron father of the year he needs to FRY! Sorry for babbling. LOL
August 25th, 2010 at 11:57 am
My thoughts exactly. I hope they rot in jail
August 25th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Ron passed the poly. Misty and Tommy failed. Joe, who knows? According to his grandmother he failed, but how would she know? Ron screwed up majorly but I don;t believe for a second that he harmed Haliegh. And by the way, Haliegh & Ron Jr were seen eating supper after Ron went to work by Ron's grandmother who dropped off the laundry.
August 25th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Tommy and Misty's lawyers are teaming up to blame Joe. I'm sure this mystery is much simpler than it seems. My guess is Misty lost it and knocked her out and Tommy came over to clean it up. Remember that even after Tommy told this story to LE before his sentencing, he failed the poly again!!
August 26th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Art, this has to be yet another crap story and if this indeed was the gospel truth why didn't these losers advise it that night to the police? Unless I see iron clad proof that Joe is the killer, I maintain he is not involved in this, as it makes no sense for him to take a child he barely knew because he wanted a gun? Now I am not saying this is far fetched considering who we are talking about here, a whole pile of low life trash, but if LE really thought Joe was involved, would he not be in the pokey too? And as usual, poor Haleigh takes a backseat to these losers and their dramas. It is almost a blessing in disguise this poor child is dead so she does not have to be raised by that low life pedophile and his skank, can you imagine what her life would be like? Probably would be knocked up at age 12 by one of Daddy's low life friends? And I knew from day one Tommy was lying through his tooth right along with his scum sister. And look at the parents!!!! Someone ought to just give them a gun and let them get it over with, why should the taxpayers of FL have to keep shelling out money to house and feed these losers, they are never gonna get it, and I am butt tired of people blaming these scumbag's actions on the drugs, one can overcome addiction, I have seen it happen!!!
August 27th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
This whole family is nuts! Art stay on this case I beleive Nancy Grace and yourself about what really happened that night! I firmly beleive…… Tell the Truth and God will set you free but these people need to rot in Jail for this poor little child who had to be scared to death that night.Thank you and GOD bless you for what you and Nancy do Kathy Cross
August 29th, 2010 at 10:20 am
They (misty and tommy) are such liar's Joe didn't kill her misty and tommy did and that whole family knows it. Joe didn't even know her why would he kill her, misty on the other hand was jelous of her, every picture i have seen of Haleigh her dad was in it with her and they were laughing and having a great time…until he met misty. How could anyone think Ronald had anything to do with that after seeing those pictures. He was a young father but he looked like he was handling it well until misty showed up. Maybe he wasn't perfect and he partied but his kids were getting along fine with christmas gifts going to school and everything, if he wouldn't have met misty i bet Haleigh would still be alive today, there is no doubt in my mind.
August 31st, 2010 at 10:31 pm
You know I think I agree with you 100%!!!! It all jibes and I believe if Ron had nothing too do with it he would have been all over those fools to find out the truth. Remember the rat he put in Tommys mailbox??? That was a warning. But now that they are all locked up I don't understand why they are keeping silent?? They need to tell the truth and see Ronald Cummings fry. Sorry Nancy but Ronald killed his little girl.
September 3rd, 2010 at 8:56 pm
What make you think Ron would have gone after Joe?. One thing you have to know about Ron, he's a coward. He didn't even make the 911 call, he let a seventeeth year old girl do his dirty work, then he cried like a little girl, yea a tough guy. The only reason he married Misty, is that he wanted her to keep her mouth shut about the relationship he had with his daughter. I think the cops know more about that. Joe is still as free as a bird only, I wonder if the cops have skelletons in their own closets. Now Teresa is mad at MIsty and is asking the public to do vigilante on her. Anyone noticed? her words….Misty should be hanged from the highest tree…..
September 5th, 2010 at 9:26 am
midnight, yep, "hanged" after she called her the best girlfriend her boy ever had, remember my interview with her? it's still on my site. Art
September 6th, 2010 at 10:29 pm
By whos grandmother???? Exactly, she could be lieing to cover up for the golden boy. Explain the 90 phone calls….He knew something. Maybe he told Misty to give her something to put her to sleep. Were going to find out sooner or later, and I wont be surprised in the least bit when we find out Ron was involved.
September 18th, 2010 at 11:05 am
Ronald Cummings smiling–does that say he was a good dad? tooo funny—Young father? Christmas gifts were at Haleighs' mother's house in the video! Going to school? RC claimed her health issue–no, he was too strung out to get her ready for school—-who partied? RC when he had Haleigh. And everything? Now we know for sure what he did in the drug sales–same as before Misty, but never convicted. It is not Misty's fault-it's Ronald Cummings' fault Haleigh is gone. Misty wasn't the drug lord, and she isn't the killer. She knows exactly what happened to that baby–she has blamed everyone but Ronald Cummings. Maybe she will tell the world about it soon.
September 18th, 2010 at 11:22 am
Sherri, You are so right. I believe that, too. I think the Father of the Year is the "one" who hurt Haleigh. jmo
July 13th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Apologies to you and others whose comments were lost in the confusion – but now found and in process of being posted – thanks for hanging in. there are dozens an dozens, maybe couple hundred who deserved to be up at the time, but I was pulled in LA at the time covering MJ and got waaaaaaay behind. better late than never. Appreciate your kind words and insight. Art