Chapter 9 - MELISSA'S PLAN
Melissa Mason worked as marketing director for Mason Development.
She was not on Franklin’s board.
But she was coordinating public messaging around the proposed property purchase.
Her texts showed:
frustration about neighborhood resistance,
discussion of “negative optics” around the gym,
and a desire for examples supporting redevelopment.
One week earlier:
MELISSA:
Need real stories, not just “old building.”
TYLER:
Like what?
MELISSA:
Crowding, safety, bad supervision. Anything organic.
Then on incident day:
MAKE IT LOOK UNSAFE.
What did she mean?
Melissa’s attorney said:
photograph broken equipment,
blocked exits,
general conditions.
Not:
kick a baby.
That distinction mattered.
Tyler had escalated.
Melissa may have encouraged filming and manipulation.
No evidence she ordered physical harm.
Then another text after the shove:
TYLER:
HOLY SHIT SHE ALMOST THREW A DUMBBELL LOL
MELISSA:
POST IT NOW
Then:
CUT THE FIRST PART.
That destroyed her defense.
Not because she planned the shove.
Because she knowingly asked for deceptive editing afterward.
Then Martin texted Melissa:
WHAT DID YOU DO?
She replied:
WE HAVE WHAT WE NEED.
Martin answered:
DELETE THIS.
That looked bad too.
But maybe he meant delete the conversation.
Still obstruction concern.
Then camera deletion occurred from his credentials.
Martin’s defense narrowed.
Someone in his office had used his computer.
Who?
Melissa.
Building access showed she entered Mason Development at 11:25.
Martin was at lunch off-site.
She knew his password.
Camera deletion:
May you like
11:41.
Melissa had deleted the original gym footage.
