Police Release New Details In Dan Markel's Murder

Following up on Saturday's post, Dan Markel Deserves Justice:  Tallahassee Police Department, Investigation into Markel Murder Continues:

The Tallahassee Police Department Violent Crimes Unit, with assistance from the FBI, have been actively investigating the murder of Florida State University Law Professor Daniel Markel since his death on July 18, 2014. TPD is releasing two updates to the case, one focusing on the vehicle specifics and the other focuses on a new reward amount.

Please see the attached images of the suspect car, determined to be a 2006-2009 Toyota Prius. The color is named 'Silver Pine Mica' by Toyota and appears metallic to light green, depending on lighting. The windows of the car are dark tinted.

The vehicle has three (3) distinctive characteristics:

• A missing tow bolt cover on the driver's side front bumper.
• A black passenger side mirror housing (the driver's side mirror housing is the same color as the car body).
• A toll transponder similar to a Sunpass or E-pass in the center of the front windshield.

This vehicle may have been used to commit this crime without the owner's knowledge.

A Twenty Five Thousand Dollar ($25,000) reward is still available through Crime Stoppers for anonymous tips in this case.

An independent source is now offering a separate reward of up to One Hundred Thousand dollars ($100,000) for information provided directly to TPD that leads to an arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Daniel Markel. Information can be provided via E-mail to the Tallahassee Police Department Violent Crimes Unit or by calling 850-891-4462.

Daily Mail, New Clue in Murder of Popular Professor: Picture of Suspect's Car Released by Police on One Year Anniversary of His Mysterious Death:

In his first public comments on the murder Markel's father Phillip expressed fears the case will never be solved.

'I know nothing will bring our son back but we would like some closure,' said Phillip Markel in an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Online.

'The investigation seems to have stalled and it is just so frustrating for the family. We want to see the killer caught and brought to justice.'

Mr Markel, who lives in Toronto, Canada, said he has his own theories about who killed his son but said without firm evidence he is not willing to share them.

'It is frustrating as we are at a standstill and that means we cannot have closure and just have to live with it. That is not the best situation.

'I have my own theory who killed Dan, but I do not have the proof and am unwilling to share them.'

Some colleagues had speculated that a posting Markel wrote on his now defunct blog PrawfsBlawg.could have somehow been the key to him being targeted.

Markel was the subject of an anonymous threatening post. 

'Bullies like this need to be made radioactive,' a person wrote about Markel's comments.

'Their arrogance and imperiousness speaks for itself. All means necessary must be employed.'

Police have not said if the person who made the post has been traced.

• 10 News, New Details in FSU Law Prof's Death Investigation
• CTV News Toronto, Police Release New Clues on Anniversary of Dan Markel Murder
• KVNU, New Development in the Unsolved Murder of FSU Professor One Year Ago
• National Law Journal, Reward Spike at First Anniversary of Law Prof’s Slaying
• Tallahassee Democrat, Timeline of Events in Dan Markel Case
• Wall Street Journal Law Blog, Police Release Update in Case of Murdered Law Professor

Prior TaxProf Blog coverage:

• Details Emerge in Murder of Dan Markel
• Memorial Tributes to Dan Markel (1972-2014)
• Dan Markel's Death Remains a Mystery Seven Months After Shooting
• Dan Markel's Father Speaks To The Media For The First Time About His Son's Murder
• Remembering Dan Markel
• Dan Markel Deserves Justice