Posted on 02/27/2016 11:40:59 AM PST by Ray76
There being disjointed and scant details regarding the events surrounding the death of Justice Scalia, I've gathered information from various reports and assembled it here.
Background
Cibolo Creek Ranch is a 30,000-acre ranch near Marfa, Texas
The resort sits in the middle of the Chihuahua Desert, 15 miles from Mexico, at the foot of the jagged Chinati Mountains
The nearest town is Shafter, Texas, population 11
Cibolo Creek Ranch is a luxury 33-room resort with a private airstrip about 4 miles from the main office, rooms cost from $395 to $800 per night
John Poindexter, a Houston businessman owns the Cibolo Creek Ranch
Houston-born millionaire John Poindexter, a Vietnam veteran and self-published military historian, bought and restored the antebellum forts spread over 30,000 acres to become luxury accommodations. Since the 1990s, Poindexter has kept a private home on the ranch
Justice Scalia and the other guests were staying at the ranch free for the weekend.
Poindexter said that "once [Scalia's] presence was even a potential [for the quail trip], we did all we possibly could do attract him here."
_____
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3446321/Inside-30-000-acre-West-Texas-resort-Scalia-died-counts-Mick-Jagger-Bruce-Willis-Jerry-Hall-Julia-Roberts-previous-guests.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/15/us/ranch-owner-recalls-finding-justice-antonin-scalias-body.html?_r=0
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/texas-tv-station-scalia-died-of-a-heart-attack/2016/02/14/938e2170-d332-11e5-9823-02b905009f99_story.html
http://www.wsar.com/national/16f6aff794995c2f21c257ed8a2cd0bb
Timeline
Friday Feb 12, 2016
Scalia and an unnamed friend from Washington, D.C. arrived at the Cibolo Ranch around noon Friday by chartered aircraft traveling through Houston for a private party with about 40 people. [1][2][3][6]
Later that day, Scalia went out with the group to hunt blue quail. But "he did not exert himself," Poindexter said. "He got out of the hunting vehicle and walked around some." [4]
The quail hunting group, including Scalia, had a "jolly lunch," and in the afternoon, some guests hunted quail, but Scalia just observed, Poindexter said. [5]
Poindexter said he sat a few seats away from Scalia at dinner, where the justice seemed "animated" and a "delightful guest." [5]
Around 9 PM, after a cocktail reception and dinner, Justice Scalia told Mr. Poindexter that he was going to turn in for the night, and went to the property's presidential suite.[7]
Scalia went to bed early. But Poindexter said that didn't seem unusual: All of the guests were tired from traveling to the remote ranch, as well as the day's other activities. Everyone was in bed by 10 PM, he said. Scalia's behavior, Poindexter said, "was entirely natural and normal." [4]
Poindexter says Scalia was his "usual, personable self." [8]
Scalia seemed tired that night, but Poindexter said he was not concerned about his health. [5]
In the day leading up to his death, Justice Scalia was "very congenial, very convivial," Mr. Poindexter said. [7]
Saturday Feb 13, 2016
The next morning, Justice Scalia did not appear for breakfast. Poindexter at first thought he might be sleeping late, but eventually he grew concerned and went to look for him.
At 8:30 AM Scalia did not respond to a knock at the door of his suite. John B. Poindexter, the property's owner, was not alarmed. "I knocked on the door loudly," said Mr. Poindexter. "I had him in a very large room - a suite - and I thought he might be in the bathroom." Scalia's room was an expansive suite called the "El Presidente."
Just after 11 AM, Mr. Poindexter and a friend of Justice Scalia's tried the door again, again to no answer. They entered the room, and it took no medical training, Mr. Poindexter said, to recognize that Justice Scalia was dead. [2] [7]
Scalia was "stone cold" and had no pulse, Poindexter said. His hands were on his chest and he seemed "relaxed," Poindexter said. [1]
Mr. Poindexter called a hospital and, without identifying Justice Scalia, reported what had happened. A hospital official, Mr. Poindexter said, assessed that it would be impossible to resuscitate Justice Scalia, and ranch officials contacted the United States Marshals Service. [2] [7]
Poindexter and the friend called the emergency room, and the local sheriff and several U.S. Marshals came to the scene, he said. [1]
After discovery of the body around 11:00 AM the Justice of the Peace was contacted.
The Ranch is within Precinct 2, Justice of the Peace Juanita Bishop was out of town and duty devolved to the Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1, David Beebe. Beebe was going to a candidate forum in Alpine and was also unavailable. Neither Bishop nor Beebe knew the deceased was Justice Scalia. J.P. Bishop then contacted County Judge Cinderella Guevara. [10]
Presidio County Sheriff Danny Dominguez called County Judge Cinderela Guevera on her mobile phone after lunch. "He says, 'Judge, I'm at Cibolo Creek Ranch, and a Supreme Court Justice has just passed away, and I need someone here immediately. Both justices of the peace are out of town at this time,'" Guevara recounted to WFAA. "I said, 'Sheriff, what did you say? Which Supreme Court Justice died at Cibolo Creek Ranch?' And the phone went dead, because our connection was very bad," she explained. Cell phone service is spotty in far West Texas. There's no service at the ranch where Scalia passed away. Guevara said Dmoinguez called back repeatedly for 20 minutes, at the mercy of cell service. [6] [9]
Guevara said she pronounced Scalia dead over the phone at 1:52 p.m. on Saturday. [9]
She planned to drive to the ranch - about 30 minutes south of Marfa - but returned when a U.S. Marshal told her by phone: "It's not necessary for you to come, judge. If you're asking for an autopsy, that's what we need to clarify." [9]
Sheriff Dominguez and his deputies were the first local law enforcement officers to arrive [11]
Asked why Judge Gonzalez felt able to issue a death certificate stating Scalia died of natural causes without seeing the body or an autopsy carried out, Sheriff Dominguez says: "If there's no suspicious circumstances, then that is allowed under Texas law." "She made that decision after speaking with me and after making calls to his doctor and his family." [11]
Justice Scalia's personal doctor called Judge Guevera at 8 PM Saturday night.[9] Guevara said she talked to Scalia's doctor in Washington, D.C.[15]
[Sheriff Dominguez's statement that Judge Guevera was able to issue a death certificate based on what Scalia's doctor said is obviously false. Guevera spoke with the doctor six hours after declaring Scalia died of "natural causes", the physician consultation did not inform her decisions]
The body arrived at El Paso at either 2:30 AM or 3:30 AM Sunday Feb 14, 2016.[13][14] The trip to El Paso took three hours.[8] Which indicates a departure time of either 11:30 PM Saturday or 12:30 AM Sunday
Once at El Paso the Sunset Funeral Home embalmed Scalia's remains.[14]
Summarized Timeline
Scalia and an unnamed friend arrive at Ranch around noon Friday, Feb 12, 2016
Between noon Friday and 9 PM there was a "jolly lunch", a quail hunt, a cocktail reception, and dinner.
After dinner Scalia left for his room around 9 PM
Scalia did not appear for breakfast Saturday morning
At 8:30 AM Poindexter knocks on door of Scalia's suite, the knock goes unanswered
Shortly after 11:00 AM Poindexter and Scalia's friend enter room and discover body
Poindexter calls hospital, "hospital officials" assess that resuscitation would be impossible
"Ranch officials" call U.S. Marshals
In the three hours between 11:00 AM Saturday and 1:52 PM Saturday in addition to U.S. Marshals, County Judge Cinderella Guevara and Sheriff Dominguez become involved, culminating in Judge Guevara pronouncing Scalia dead at 1:52
The U.S. Marshal Service, the Presidio County sheriff and the FBI were involved in the investigation. Officials with the law enforcement agencies declined to comment. [12]
_____
[1] http://www.wsar.com/national/16f6aff794995c2f21c257ed8a2cd0bb
[2] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/texas-tv-station-scalia-died-of-a-heart-attack/2016/02/14/938e2170-d332-11e5-9823-02b905009f99_story.html
[3] http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/us-world/article/Senior-Associate-Justice-Antonin-Scalia-found-6828930.php
[4] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/texas-tv-station-scalia-died-of-a-heart-attack/2016/02/14/938e2170-d332-11e5-9823-02b905009f99_story.html
[5] [10] http://www.wsar.com/national/16f6aff794995c2f21c257ed8a2cd0bb
[6] http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/texas-news/scalia-to-have-autopsy-in-texas-according-to-state-law/42898331
[7] http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/15/us/ranch-owner-recalls-finding-justice-antonin-scalias-body.html?_r=0
[8] http://woodtv.com/2016/02/14/scalias-body-at-funeral-home-after-3-hour-procession/
[9] http://www.11alive.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/02/14/official-scalia-died-heart-attack/80376442/
[10] http://marfapublicradio.org/blog/pronouncing-a-supreme-court-justice-dead-in-west-texas/
[11] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3449999/Sheriff-911-caller-wouldnt-say-person-died-Scalia.html
[12] http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-02-13/supreme-court-justice-antonin-scalia-found-dead-west-texas-ranch
[13] http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/body-of-supreme-court-justice-antonin-scalia-arrives-in-el-paso-awaits-flight-to-dc/ar-BBpufxo
[14] http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/texas-news/scalia-to-have-autopsy-in-texas-according-to-state-law/42898331
[15] http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/body-late-supreme-court-justice-antonin-scalia-arrives/story?id=36929601
Other References
U.S. Marshals Western District of Texas
2450 North Highway 118
Alpine, Texas 79830
http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/tx-w/locations/
Big Bend Regional Medical Center
2600 N Hwy 118
Alpine, TX 79830
http://www.bigbendhealthcare.com/big-bend-regional-medical-center/aboutus.aspx
Presidio County, Texas Sheriff Danny Dominguez
320 N. Highland Avenue
Marfa, Texas 79843
http://www.co.presidio.tx.us/default.aspx?Presidio_County/Sheriff
http://www.presidiocountysheriff.com/
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 49
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/CR/htm/CR.49.htm
map
http://oi68.tinypic.com/2rh8wea.jpg
Who is the friend that traveled with Scalia and discovered his body? Who are the other 40 guests?
Why did a Marshal tell Judge Gonzalez it is "not necessary for you to come, judge"? Why didn't she go to the Ranch anyway? She has a job to do. She was on her way to the Ranch and then turned around - why? "That's what we need to clarify."
Why did Scalia decide to go on this trip? It sounds like it was a last minute decision.
How could the judge determine or confirm the nature and cause of death: without an autopsy without a sample of body fluids, tissues, or organs without even viewing the body
How is a physician in Washington able to certify the cause of death of a person in Texas, CCP 49.04(a)(7)?
Was Scalia expected to live only a few more days or months? If he thought he was near death wouldn't he have stayed near his family? Wouldn't his doctor have advised him not to go to such a remote location?
Judge Gonzalez's consultation with the physician came at least six hours after her declaring the cause of death "natural" so it could not have informed her statements, decisions, and actions - yet this consultation is repeatedly trotted out to justify the lack of autopsy.
Judge Gonzalez's statements regarding her speaking with Scalia's physician are deceptive and are being used as an alibi to justify her decision to declare a cause of death based on nothing but hearsay.
And if you do all of this investigation....then what?
Obama is still going to appoint a lesbian half black, half Latino lesbian transgender midget to the court.
McConnell will hem and haw and try to run the clock out.
What you can collect and describe means nothing. Don’t you realize that?
To bad Jessica Fletcher and Columbo are gone they could lend this guy a hand
Sadly you are correct
He has a large family. He was ill. And he was on vacation with a bunch of buddies.
Let him rest in Peace.
At the same time, your inquiry is very disrespectful to his family.
This gets me so angry at liberals
All of this should have been revealed by now.
In years gone by, every reporter from every news outlet would have not rested until those questions were answered satisfactorily.
But we’re in the middle of the obama transformation, so the press is as lazy and unconcerned as can be.
No disrespect is intended. My sympathies to Justice Scalia’s family. He was a clear minded, brilliant jurist.
Judge Scalia’s death has seemed almost “other-worldly”. Not
that it would seem all that unusual for an almost 80 yr.
old man in iffy health to die suddenly; but there just
seems to be some questions his family would want answered -
but I’m no detective & don’t know them.
Friday Feb 12, 2016
Scalia's patriotism offended a treasonous communist for the last time. The druggie in our White House turned to one of his shady minions and paraphrased King Henry: "Who will rid me of this troublesome Justice?"
Hate to say it, but the man died, he had health problems, and even if an autopsy had been done, the conspiracy would continue to live, because the ME would have been in on the sordid murder.
Time to move on...nothing to see here.
I like your tagline.
You may be interested in this thread
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3401486/posts
The health care system in the USA needs improving.
Even a Supreme Court justice (or a billionaire baseball team owner) can get lousy health care.
Scalia may have been able to afford his health care, but it was obviously insufficient.
“Mr. Poindexter called a hospital and, without identifying Justice Scalia, reported what had happened. A hospital official, Mr. Poindexter said, assessed that it would be impossible to resuscitate Justice Scalia, and ranch officials contacted the United States Marshals Service.”
He fiddled around for an hour and a half before contacting the sheriff. The Marshall service has no jurisdiction here, and very little experience in such things. According to the Sheriffs report, he called the sheriff about 1230 and wouldn’t tell him anything except that it was above his level and that he had to contact the feds.
Typical elitist jackass attitude.
That Poindexter guy is dirty.
And while we are at it, I understand this trip was free and was one of many free vacations the “justices” get. If a local cop takes a cup of coffee, he’s in hack. But a supreme can fly in a private plane, to a luxury ranch, for a week of free hunting, with someone who just had a case before them and that’s just hunky dory. Not just Scalia, they all do it. Some pigs are more equal than others.
“At the same time, your inquiry is very disrespectful to his family.”
Please, this inside the beltway elite family giggles at hurt feelings. Its the stock in trade in DC.
When you assume public office, particularly at the level of The Supreme Court, you surrender part, or all, of your privacy in exchange.
Since Justice Scalia died under unusal circumstances, the public has a right to ask certain questions. Asking the name of his traveling companion is far from out of line, as they may be able to shed light on how Justice Scalia was feeling during the flight down.
Why is there testimony from only one person?
Why did they become alarmed at the failed 8:30 wake up and then not check on him for another 2.5 hours?
Why no phone service? A ritzy place like that has no satellite phone?
Why are none of the first responders told that it is a Supreme Court Justice?
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