Ongoing FR Analysis: Jack Wheeler Murder

cnn.com ^ | January 9, 2011 | Susan Candiotti and Ross Levitt

[Albion Wilde]

Wilmington, Delaware (CNN) -- Police have found homicide victim John Wheeler's cell phone, according to a taxi driver who was interviewed by investigators this week.

Athel Scott told CNN National Correspondent Susan Candiotti that police told him they found the cab driver's number in the phone of Wheeler, the former Pentagon official who was found dead in a Delaware landfill. He said investigators wanted to know how his number got there. Scott... says he told the police he didn't have any idea.

"I never got a call from the man. I don't know him... He's never been in my cab. I don't know how my number got in his cellphone," Scott says he told police...

[Sacajaweau]

A couple of things from the article:

This attorney said he had met Wheeler once before in 2009 but doesn't give the circumstances.

Connelly said it is possible that Jack was looking for him...but then says..naw...He didn't have an appointment...And I haven't been hired by the family.

He qualifies further...He wasn't working for the family at the time...(I wouldn't bet on that)

An important point, Connelly's main office is in PHILADELPHIA. The office in Wilmington opened on June 1, 2010.

One other thing: The Wheeler family had originally hired a DC Lawyer in the present case and that lawyer opted out.

His wife apparently did not take his name....

I don't know what to think...seems like something is/was just not right between him and his wife. He didn't call her after being hurt??

[Sacajaweau]

$25,000 is the same amount that the VERY, VERY, WEALTHY Klyce family put up when Kathrine Klyce's sister was killed. It did produce a snitch and the killer wasa family member.

Like I said, we're creatures of habit...

[Sacajaweau]

Katherine Klyce's Political Contributions

Citizens for Biden

Obama

I just plugged in her name and came up with a few sites.

[hoosiermama]

It was NOT a family member. Her son was not charged. Get your facts straight!

...The News also notes that Klyce's sister, Emily Klyce Fisher, a wealthy socialite in Memphis, was murdered in 1995. She was stabbed 50 times, apparently by friends of her son, a cocaine addict, who were looking for a supposed secret safe in the home.

[Sacajaweau]

Yeh...I was on my way back to correct it. I also found that the Turner guy associated with that case was eligible for release in the fall of 2010. Wonder if that happened.

[hoosiermama]

The complete story of his SIL murder:

http://www.memphismagazine.com/gyrobase/Magazine/Content?oid=oid%3A1341503

[smoothsailing]

FAMILY STATEMENT

"We are grateful for the outpouring of sympathy and concern we have received over the past few weeks and for the efforts of the law enforcement authorities to uncover the circumstances surrounding Jack's death. We have suffered a heartbreaking loss, and not knowing how Jack died amplifies the devastation we feel. Our hope in offering this reward is to encourage anyone who may have helpful information to come forward so that justice can be served."

[Abby4116]

Mr. Connolly is admitted to practice in Delaware only and before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.

http://www.morganlewis.com/bios/cconnolly

[blueplum]

I don’t see anything unusual about the Azudze guy other than he lied like a rug over how long it took him to get to 273/9, or, he pulled thru the parking lot too fast for Wheeler to get out of wherever he was waiting (deli/postoffice/bank/pharm) and flag him.

Even if Azuzde had seen Wheeler’s picture on tv, he wouldn’t have recognized him - he didn’t pick him up. Azuzde was ticked he missed the fare - probably figured another cab had scooped him - “male” would have been in his pickup notes along with the specific call-back number. Wheeler’s voice would have been distinctive from say, a young Amish.

The only reason I brought him back up was that the only thing he can offer is what number/phone Wheeler used to call him at “4 or 5pm”.

He never made it to my list of suspects.

[Sacajaweau]

Thinking out loud...

It's a local story about a man and a cab. No picture necessary.

It's a Danny DiVito moment...

It's not like it happened in another State.

Every cabbie knew that Plaza.

All the cabbies were buzzing...but no one said boo...the cops had to approach them...

Like Scott the cabbie said as he threw up his arms "That's all I know".

[fatima]

Thanks for the ping Albion Wilde.This is getting a lot of coverage on our local news.

[blueplum]

where Wheeler reportedly asked for train fare before abruptly departing.

poetic license or new information? did partner refuse to lend him fare?:

a) 8:42pm, has fare, had over an hour to make it to Front street Amtrak:
http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak# wilmington, de to philadelphia, pa - any thursday -
Departs 10:20pm, arrives 10:41pm, $25, 198 Northwest regional;
Departs 11:36pm arrives 11;59pm, $25, 66 Northeast Regional. Business seats add $13

b) refused fare - went to look for car again, perhaps emergency funds/CC in car.

[Sacajaweau]

He could have gone back home. He could have called his wife or kids. He could have called a buddy. He could have called the cops.

Why was he still hanging in Downtown Wilmington 26 hours later???

The only thing I can think of is that he knew where he was robbed and was going back to see if he could find his briefcase.

So if he calls no one, it doesn't make the news or the police radio and doesn't alert the thugs who realized that the man they robbed wasn't an ordinary man.

Yes, the hoods were right where they were when they robbed him....8 mintutes from Nemours. Jack easily recognized them. Said he just wanted his briefcase.

Was Jack packing??

[hoosiermama]

. He could have called his wife or kids. He could have called a buddy. He could have called the cops.

He did call a family member on the morning of 29th. Very possible he didn't call after that because he didn't have a phone. It was stolen with his briefcase...and according to you taken all the way back to his neighbors house. (Theft came closer to home not in Wilmington)

[Sacajaweau]

Of course I'm talking about after he was robbed.

Hell, I've stopped a garbage truck and used the dude's cell phone to call my crew. We're talking 24 hours of no communication.

Where did he sleep on the night of the 29th?? Did they ever tell us where he drank coffee at 8 AM on the 30th??

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/01/31/general-us-federal-official-landfill_8285016.html

Associated Press
Family of slain defense consultant denied info
By RANDALL CHASE , 01.31.11, 08:09 PM EST

---

A different slant.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

A month after his death, these are the top 3 articles usually appearing in a google search:

Advanced search
About 6,570,000 results (0.05 seconds) 
Search Results
“We May Never Know” How John Wheeler Died - The Early Show - CBS News
Jan 8, 2011 ... The Early Show: “We May Never Know” How John Wheeler Died - Expert: Authorities May Have Been Hasty Declaring Death of Ex-Presidential Aide ...
www.cbsnews.com/stories/.../main7225804.shtml - Cached - Add to iGoogle

John Wheeler’s Death: His Vietnam Demons - Newsweek
Jan 15, 2011 ... The former Pentagon official was seen hours before his death disoriented and disheveled.
www.newsweek.com/.../john-wheeler-s-death-his-vietnam-demons.html - Cached

Police Recover John Wheeler’s Cell Phone in Neighbor’s House - ABC ...
Jan 7, 2011 ... Police are continuing their efforts to talk to Wheeler’s friends and associates, and are asking for the public’s help.
abcnews.go.com/US/police-recover-jack-wheelers-cell-phone.../story?id...

Not implying anything, merely an observation.

[blueplum]

there's another possibility...post acute stress reaction (which would also cause a whole-body exhaustion) :
http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_health_consequences_of_stress_000031_3.htm

“Effect of Acute Stress on Memory and Concentration. Studies indicate that the immediate effect of acute stress impairs short-term memory, particularly verbal memory.”

http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/adrenal.htm#aftermath

[blueplum]

(police said he had apparently been sleeping in the Nemours building on the night of the 29th)

“Wheeler apparently spent time Thursday sleeping in the Nemours building before he was last seen alive “ http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2011/01/06/wheeler-super-bloodshot-eyes/

[hoosiermama]

...Wheeler walked into a Wilmington, Delaware sandwich shop less than 24 hours before he was killed and had “super bloodshot eyes,” according to the person who sold him coffee. The clerk, who did not want to be identified...