Why do they ALL end up looking almost EXACTLY like this, anyway? Is it the liberal equivalent of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, or what...? :)
Posted on 01/19/2006 5:19:45 AM PST by Graybeard58
His last hours in the Coconino County Jail were taken up with writing letters to friends.
Then, he put his last will and testament, written in jail a week earlier, into a manila envelope and scribbled a note to have it delivered to his attorney.
The next day, Dec. 22, 2005, Prescott resident William C. Rodgers, 40, was found dead in his cell, suffocated with plastic bags. Investigators are convinced the death was a suicide.
Why did he do it? He appears to have left no clue.
Coconino County Sheriff's Office detectives seized Rodgers' letters and will for the investigation. None of the letters or will makes any statements of suicide, nor do they make any specific mention of any of the crimes of which the government suspects him, according to sheriff's officials.
They do, however, provide insight into Rodgers' politics, with one letter referring to the U.S. as a "repressive, neo-colonial empire," and one signed "For a healthier planet."
Rodgers was indicted in early December by a federal grand jury on the charge that he and another person set fire to a U.S. Department of Agriculture building in Olympia, Wash., on June 21, 1998. Estimated damage was more than $1 million.
During hearings held in Flagstaff following Rodgers' arrest, federal prosecutors also alleged Rodgers was involved in at least six acts of ecoterrorism associated with the Animal Liberation Front and the Earth Liberation Front. Called a "mastermind" of some of the arsons by prosecutors, Rodgers was alleged to be involved in the 1998 arson of a ski resort in Vail, Colo., that caused more than $12 million in damage. No indictments or formal charges were attached to the allegations.
Rodgers was one of six people arrested throughout the country, including the arrest of one woman in Flagstaff (see related story). A search of his store and residence allegedly turned up explosives and manuals on how to make bombs. He was scheduled to be transported to Washington state to face the charges on the morning his body was found at the county jail.
NO WORD OF SUICIDE
At least two of the inmates told detectives that Rodgers was concerned about being extradited to Washington state.
Several mentioned that Rodgers had read a newspaper report of himself and became quiet and withdrawn.
One inmate told detectives that he asked Rodgers what was wrong. He stated that Rodgers told him, "Things have gotten worse."
Rodgers spent the rest of Dec. 21 writing letters and watching television. The lights in the jail were turned off at 10 p.m.
Detectives seized the letters, and they also seized the envelope addressed to Rodgers' Flagstaff attorney, David Barrow.
Detectives stated that Barrow gave permission for the opening of the envelope. In the envelope were more letters and Rodgers' will, which was dated Dec. 15, 2005.
Lt. Rex Gilliland said the letters were of a personal nature to friends.
"His letters made no specific intentions of suicide, but he did include a last will and testament," Gilliland said.
He added that no specific reference to any of the crimes Rodgers was suspected of was made in the letters.
Of the five letters in evidence, Gilliland said one was a letter from a supporter, who wanted to help raise money for Rodgers' defense. Two were letters from Rodgers to his girlfriend in Prescott. Two more were letters sent from Rodgers to supporters.
Rodgers signed one of the letters, "For a healthier planet," Gilliland said.
Two of the letters mentioned prosecutors attempting to demonize him, and that his stay in jail reminded him that he lived in a "repressive, neo-colonial empire," Gilliland said. Rodgers also mentioned that it was extremely important work for people to refuse to testify in front of federal grand juries and that solidarity will make the government back down.
Rodgers' home was attached to the Catalyst InfoShop bookstore in Prescott. The Catalyst, according to its Web site, "is a volunteer-run space dedicated to environmental action and social justice."
The shop strives to create a sense of community and promote "grassroots activism."
The Catalyst and residence were searched by federal investigators. A federal agent testified in Flagstaff that agents alleged to have found a box of explosive components as well as literature on how to make bombs and other bomb components. The explosive components mentioned included timers, sponges and relighting candles.
Friends of Rodgers, of whom there were many, characterized him as a kind, compassionate man dedicated to social service, community building and non-violence.
Gilliland said the case will remain open pending the final autopsy results and toxicology tests.
Rodgers' attorney, David Barrow, said Rodgers' body was released to his parents and brother. His wishes were to be cremated, Barrow said.
And the parents met with Rodgers' supporters in Prescott.
"They are planning at some point, to have a memorial service in Prescott," Barrow said. No specific date has been set.
NO SIGNS OF STRUGGLE
According to sheriff's office reports of the investigation into Rodgers' death, the detention officer on duty at the jail last observed Rodgers sleeping in his cell bunk between 4:53 a.m. and 4:59 a.m. The jail lights were turned on at 5 a.m. The detention officer went about other work-related duties. At 6 a.m., the detention officer began feeding the inmates in the C-pod, where Rodgers' cell, in which he was housed alone, was located.
When Rodgers did not appear for breakfast, the detention officer called out to Rodgers. One of the inmates in the pod told the detention officer that he thought Rodgers was dead.
The detention officer went to Rodgers' cell to investigate. There he found Rodgers in the bed, under a cover. Rodgers had a plastic bag from the commissary on his head.
Detention staff attempted cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. The inmates in the pod were locked down. After medical staff pronounced Rodgers dead, the room was sealed.
The first detective on the scene noted in his report that the cell did not appear to have any signs of struggle.
The detective later stated, "In looking closer at his body, I did not find any signs of a struggle or injuries."
Inmates in the unit were strip searched. Then, they were isolated from each other and interviewed.
I seem to have misplaced my tiny violin.
I'm trying to feel something here..... Nope. My give-a-damn is busted.
Hayduke would have never done this!
This can't be true. These guys refuse to use paper or plastic bags,canvas or burlap, sure, but not plastic. This is a sure sign of murder.
It's a neo-imperalist plot to rid the earth of terrorists.
Can't leave behind something you've never had to begin with.
I guess grass roots activism, compassion and non-violence are new liberal buzzwords for arson.
Yay!!!
More oxygen for ME!!!
LOL!
I think he would have chosen recycled paper....
Why do they ALL end up looking almost EXACTLY like this, anyway? Is it the liberal equivalent of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, or what...? :)
Because they're psychically invested in being non-conformists. :)
"Rodgers was indicted in early December by a federal grand jury on the charge that he and another person set fire to a U.S. Department of Agriculture building in Olympia, Wash., on June 21, 1998.
...
Friends of Rodgers, of whom there were many, characterized him as ... dedicated to ... non-violence."
Hmmm, I don't think arson is included in the civil disobedience options of non-violence. Obviously, Mr. Rodger's friends are pretty clueless.
Recycle him.
Well how selfish of him to give up on the earth like that- the planet needed him fighting for it. What was he thinking....
At the very least you'd think he'd have set himself on fire since he liked burning things!
Nothing personal against beards, but my reaction to this style sported by this degenerate is a "male?" attempt to duplicate the female genitalia pubic hair.
snif...snif...another weirdo returns to dust...snif...snif!
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