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Several mentioned that Rodgers had read a newspaper report of himself and became quiet and withdrawn.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.
Agreed. He should have done this twenty years ago.
Yeah...and if heartaches were commercials, we'd all be on TV!
The article can't imagine why he killed himself?
Because he didn't want to go to prison for a number of years.
One more oxygen bandito helping to ease the load on the rain forest, the plankton, all plants, and all freedom loving patriots.
Since G*d is allegedly attached to the Ten Commandments, and since judgement is also allegedly His, one must assume judgement has been passed.
It is unlikely that any Freeper would wish to receive such a judgement.
It not is a "healthier planet".
He has removed himself.
Here's hoping the cops find and incarcerate more members of these 2 groups, who have been home-grown terrorists for a number of years.
They need to be stopped.
They do, however, provide insight into Rodgers' politics, with one letter referring to the U.S. as a "repressive, neo-colonial empire"
Why do they ALL end up looking almost EXACTLY like this, anyway? Is it the liberal equivalent of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, or what...? :) ""
It is their version of the "secret handshake"???
I think these two statements shed some light on what was happening.
"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." "
AND
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.
My Theory, he is sitting in jail with images in his head that he is going to be the next Nelson Mandella of the eco movement when he reads in the paper that it is obvious that his fellow "ECO friends" Have squeeled like a stuck pig in front of the federal grand jury evidenced by what was reported in the paper. Suddenly he figured out, he was most likely given up by his friends so that they could avoid doing 15 hard in the federal pen. I imagine people he thought he could trust stopped writting when they cut their deal. And his own "repressive Neo-colonial empire" began to crumble around his ears.
Suddenly that plastic bag hat started to look better because he couldnt live in a world where he believed his Idealistic friends...... are only idealistic to the point where it directly affects them. WHICH I will point out is the case for most leftists. THey believe hypocracy does not count as long as your mission is to "spread the message" and it is taboo to point out that they do not follow their own edicts.
I imagine most of these other people are looking around and swallowing hard because the charges they dumped on this guy will be shifted to them. Guess he is getting the last laugh..... in between gnashing his teeth.
That's a good analysis of the situation and most likely the right one.
One the other hand, maybe plastic bags should be general issue for every cell in the......well, let's not go there.
Leni
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