Posted on 08/25/2002 5:31:16 PM PDT by COB1
About three months ago, under the advice of the Texas Attorney General's office, I wrote a registered letter to Joyce M. Carter of the Medical Examiner's Office of Harris County in Houston, Texas, requesting the coroner's report on Herbert Paul Meadows, known to us as CHIEF Negotiator, who died in a fire at his house on October 4, 2001.
That report along with the Houston Fire Department's report on the investigation of that fire has finally arrived.
Without going into the technical aspects of the autopsy report, CHIEF Negotiator's death was ruled as accidental due to smoke inhalation.
NOW FOR THE REST OF THE STORY:
From the Arson Bureau's report:
"The fire originated at floor level approximately 4 feet west of the east wall adjacent to the south wall in the formal dining area. At this point the sheetrock on the south wall shows calcination along the south wall approximately 6 feet in length in the area below the southeast window. This suggests an area of intense burning and high heat.
The wood wall base trim at the area of origin was deeply charred by the fire. A wooden dining set of 4 wooden chairs and a wooden table were almost completely consumed by the fire. Small charred pieces of the table and chairs were all that remained.
The fire was very intense in the dining room area and spread to the adjacent rooms to the east, west and north. These rooms sustained high heat and fire damage from the fire spread. The fire consumed wooden doors separating the dining room from the kitchen and family room. Burn patterns were consistent with a fire moving from the dining room area into the adjacent rooms."
These next pics I took through the window shown by the arrow:
Continuing with the Arson Bureau's report:
"Investigators observed that the north side garage entry door was kicked open and that a partial shoe print was found on the door. This investigator was unable to determine if the door was forced by firefighters or was forced prior to the fire."[italics and bold mine]
------------------------- From the Arson Bureau's report:
-------------------------
"Captain ------ of L-36 told Investigator ------ that he found the deceased Herbert Paul Meadows lying in a fetal position, with his head against the west wall in the bathroom near the den. Firefighters dragged the victim to the driveway where he was pronounced dead by paramedics of Squad 40."
--------------------------
"Engineer ------- of L-36 reported that he observed two tripped electrical breakers when he shut off the electrical power."
-------------------------
Investigator ------- went to St. Lukes Emergency Room to interview --------(Mrs.) Meadows who is the wife of the deceased. --------(Mrs.) Meadows was transported by H.F.D. ambulance after the fire. -------(Mrs.) Meadows was treated for smoke inhalation and had been medicated by the hospital but she was able to relate details of the fire.
(Mrs.) Meadows told investigators that she and her husband Herbert watched a late night T.V. show and then she had went to bed while her husband Herbert had went into the den to work on the computer.
Mrs. Meadows stated that she was in bed about 10 minutes as was not asleep when she heard a 'noise or crash'. Mrs. Meadows said the sound 'was like something going through a window'. These sounds came from the other side of the house where her husband was working. This sound was followed by loud screams. (sic)'Was like something going through a window!' She described the sounds made by her husband as 'like I never heard him scream in my life!'
-----(Mrs.) Meadows reported she ran down the hall toward the dining area and was stopped by the thick black smoke in the kitchen area. ----- (Mrs. Meadows) yelled at her husband and asked him if (sic) see needed to call '911'! (Mrs. Meadows) stated that she heard a 'muffled' 'yes!' and then lost contact with Herbert Meadows. (Mrs. Meadows) told investigator that she smelled a 'bar-b-que' type odor like 'when you light a fire with charcoal lighter fluid'. (Mrs. Meadows) attempted to call for help on a phone in the house but she reported the phone was dead. (sic) Meadows went outside in the front yard and yelled for help.
------------------
From notes of the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office:
"Arson inv. reveals no..(crossed out).. flammable fluids"
"The investigators.. (crossed out).. smelled gas at scene"
"Not sure if they are ruling arson or not"
But Mrs. Chief believes he was murdered. How could she even start to heal until the murderer is caught?
I would never rest until it was resolved.
For what it's worth, this is just an opinion. An opinion on an opinion and discussion forum.
You are every close to the scene. You actually knew "CHEIF Negotiator". It is obvious you feel a great debt to this man. Of the thousands of FreeRepublic members and posters, few are in as unique a position as you. Unfortunately, I have not been as up to date on all the events and findings as most other posters. You seem to have been there from the beginning. You're involved. As much as you'd probably like to pull yourself from the center, it's difficult. It appears not even to be an option. A man does not begin a project and leave it lie for others to continue. Quitting is not an American trait. No matter the adversities or the difficulties, a man, and an American, does not quit. I think it is fair to say that we have all had occassion to work with people whom we have felt were difficult to deal with. Such is life. Most of us deal with it. This "project" isn't about you, or "MistyCA" or anyone else. It is about a man who appears to have been greatly admired and whose thoughts and ideas were inspiring and thought provoking to uncounted FReepers. I'm not sure if "CN" would have looked well upon those who give up and go home when troubles interfere. Would he? Is that what he was about? That's a question you, and others, will need to think about. The old adage of "where there's a will, there's a way" is applicable. Ten years from now, will you and others who could finish the job and find the truth be comfortable knowing that when the time came to regroup and work together for a common good, you didn't? Take the long view of history and apply it to the goal. Make it work or leave it alone. IF you're a religious man and/or woman, decide what's right and feel comfortable knowing you can look "CN" in the eye in the next world and say "We did our best"
Just my opinion. Worth what you paid for it.
Take care.
Tell me who to e-mail, write and call and I will do it. I will tape the phone calls (legal in Texas).
So my question is...What has been "going on"?
Well, it started out with us investigating Herb's murder. I considered him my friend because he would e-mail me about who to write, e-mail, or call. He was passionate about getting HR2525 passed. As I still am.
A lot of people would get on the threads and throw out their thoughts. We all did. We had a burning rage against whomever killed Herb.
We went over and over all the articles and thought of possible suspects. We would go over and over everything again and again.
Then the threads were all pulled. I had saved a lot of them to word, so I could highlite different things. Later, someone told me how to save the web page, that was much easier.
I did tell the group that I had called Mrs. C's stepdad and asked why he had moved from the house. He told me he remarried. He still had a phone listed to him at Herb's address. I found his phone number while looking up Herb's neighbors. I wanted to talk to the man and his wife that lived across the street and the son that went in looking for Herb before the firemen got to the scene. The man held his 17 year old son's leg, in case he need to pull him out. I never did find the mans number, I suppose it is unlisted.
I had been calling and calling the office lady at the ME office. Finally she told me report was complete June24 - June 25 I sent a registered letter to her, saying what she told me to ask for.....Well, long story short I finally recieved a 12 page report, August 26.
I did not get as much as Cob did. He said he paid $30.00 for his. I paid $27.60 for mine.
I don't know how to do composites, but if you will ask me something, maybe I can answer.
Tomorrow I'm going back out to Herb's house to try to take some more pictures.
I know the man across the street whom you were calling, or at least we have talked.
Do you have something in particular that you would like to know and I'll go over and ask him.
I'm trying to reestablish contact with Mrs. Chief, and that's another reason why Misty can't be a part of this.
She won't talk to me as long as she is, no matter what Misty says.
No
Well Cob, I am sorry you feel that way, but I have enjoyed Misty sharing what she has learned with us since this has began.
I have enjoyed your posts, I was just glad to be a part of the concerned effort to track down and bring to justice the man who murdered my friend.
I am sorry you and Misty have had a falling out. I just don't want this thread pulled. Please lay off the attacks.
"Facts do not cease to exist because the are ignored". Let's find some facts.
Which family member have you been talking to?
Cob, I just want the fighting to stop and to get on with finding out who murdered my friend.
Why does it have to be either/or?
"You ain't too old. You're too mean. You'll scare the recruits.
Force Recon is romping, stomping, hell, death and destruction. The finest fighting machine the world has ever seen. We were born in a bomb crater, our mother was a grenade launcher, and our father was the devil. Each moment that I live is an additional threat upon your life.
I am a rough looking, roving soldier of the sea. I am cocky,self-centered, overbearing, and I do not know the meaning of fear. For I am fear itself. I am a green, amphibious monster made of blood and guts who rose from the sea, festering on anti-Americans throughout the globe. Whenever it may arise, and when my time comes, I will die a glorious death on the battle field, giving my life to mom, the team and the American flag.
We stole the eagle from the Air Force, the anchor from the Navy, and the rope from the Army. On the 7th day, while God rested, we over-ran his perimeter and stole the globe, and we've been running the show ever since. We live like soldiers and talk like sailors and slap the hell outta them both. Soldier by day, lover by night, drunkard by choice,
USMC 2nd Force Recon (Scout Sniper ’67 – ’73)
The recruiter wasn't impressed with my resume.
45 Posted on 10/03/2001 17:37:53 PDT by CHIEF negotiator
MAY GOD HOLD YOU IN HIS LOVING ARMS, MY FRIEND, ON WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN YOUR 54th BIRTHDAY ON THIS EARTH!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.