AUTOPSY AND INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS ON THE DEATH OF CHIEF NEGOTIATOR

08/23/02 | Harris County Medical Examiner's Office, Houston Fire Department Fire/Arson Investigations

[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"

[Great Dane]

I personally went to the courtroom with the old man who was nearly killed. This old man is 72, I believe. The neighbor crushed his windpipe and he had to go to the emergency room. A liberal judge that day let the neighbor walk.

This neighbor must have friends in high places, nothing else makes sense.

[COB1]

"This neighbor must have friends in high places, nothing else makes sense."

I've been saying that for a year, GD.
What really pisses me off is that I took this info to the arson investigators - the same info that I've just passed on to everyone.
It was the information that got them started!
Now I can't even get them to talk to me, and I don't know how much of this information has been checked out and how much has been discarded.
They supposedly talked to the witness I told them about who saw the gasoline pouring incident.
Their comment when I questioned them about his testimony was that "he didn't have a lot to contribute."

[COB1]

"I don't know; I'm just thinking aloud..."

Please keep doing that, my FRiend.
Right now I think the thing to do is gear up for an all out e-mail and telephone blitz.
I'll start putting together the list, and I'll post it on "Breaking News" so we can hit them hard!

[Jalapeno]

COB1,

Is there anyway to get someone on the Chronicle to write about this death?

[Great Dane]

Their comment when I questioned them about his testimony was that "he didn't have a lot to contribute."

It shouldn't matter what he has to contribute, only what his actions and priors says,

It is time for e-mails.

[COB1]

There might be, Jalapeno, but someone else might have better luck than me in doing so.
If they have a sh*t list, my name is on top.
I've told them several times to take their liberal rag and stick it where the sun don't shine.

[chadsworth]

Is is time for an all out e-mail blitz?

Let me know what you need - be glad to help!

[COB1]

To continue about the neighbor:

Mrs. Chief said that on the day of the fire, a police swat team came to the neighbor's house to evict him.
As they broke into the house, something was activated that caused them to come back out with snot running from their noses and eyes pouring water.
He came walking up the street with a woman and a piece of paper and the police left without a word to him about why he booby trapped his house.
How many of us could get by with that?
The woman was his girlfriend, and the piece of paper was a bankruptcy to prevent the eviction.

I talked to the neighbor who lived across the street from Herb.
As far as he knew, no one had been in the neighbor's house to check for evidence.

[COB1]

Thanks, chadsey!
That'll get their attention!
E-mails from California to New York!
That's what we need!

[top of the world ma]

Gail's #874

I agree with your assessment 100%, and have, since the autopsy report was published here. Even if there was no intent to kill, a death by arson, imo, has to at least be some sort of degree of manslaughter.

I think about the disposition of this case almost every day, carenot, even though I never conversed with the CHIEF online. I check the thread frequently to see if there's been any news from COB. I've offered COB every idea I can think of.

[Jalapeno]

I would think if you could compile all the information you have on the neighbor and the events of CHIEF's death, it may be interesting to someone there to research.

You obviously are convinced it was murder. If you can convince someone with the paper this, then they would have a story on someone who got away with murder....this is the type of stuff they might just run with.

I would think the other attempts on other people by the neighbor(involving fire as well), coupled with a stalled, bungled, beaurucratic investigation by HPD/Arson might peak some interest....

No idea who writes those types of articles there, but it may be worth pursuing. I'm sure some writer at the paper would let you buy him/her lunch...PEGGY O'HARE wrote the articles on the East End murders...LISA TEACHEY and RUTH RENDON wrote about the Car-Killing Dentist woman....

[Valin]

ain't no expert, but this looks like something ain't right.

You're right something seems rotten in the state of Denmark.
Accidental? I remain skeptical.

[COB1]

"I've offered COB every idea I can think of."

And they have been really appreciated!
I have pursued them to the best of my ability.
Seems like the wheels turn slowly.

[COB1]

"When a person dies in an arson fire it is MURDER."

That's what I've always thought, too, Gail, but when I asked that very question to the arson investigators, the answer was, "not necessarily."

[CounterCounterCulture]

Thanks for the ping and I and many others appreciate any pings on updates on the Chief.

Shame some twit aliented Mrs. Chief from FR. I don't need to know all the details of that.

[Texas Mom]

No one thinks about Herb now.

He is old news.

Don't count on it. I read this thread every time it comes up but don't comment because I don't have anything to add but believe me, there are probably more like me than you think.. I'm not a detective and have no idea where to begin.. I read with interest and there isn't a day goes by I don't think of Herb.. Herb is buried right down the road from me and I never drive that road and pass that cemetary that I don't get a catch in my throat and say a pray for his family and some answers as to what happened to him.

Just wanted to let you know.

[COB1]

Thanks, TM.
I knew how you felt.

I'm exhausted, folks.
I'll put the list together and post it tomorrow.
Thanks for being here.
God bless you for remembering.
Goodnight.

[ApesForEvolution]

The problem is, unfortunately, that between the alphabetocracy - the entire kingdoms/thiefdoms unto themselves known as the Eye Are Ess, Eff Bee Eye, Aay Tee Eff, etc. - who ever knows who could have put some nickel and dime thug up to the task of silencing Herb. I've followed the action here for many years and Herb's manner, articulation and persuasion regarding Fair Tax issues were very compelling and, I'm sure, very threatening to some. Whether or not he was murdered, I always assume the possibility when we are talking about a Patriot 'activist'. This case is odd, and would I to know he was murdered and by whom, an eye for an eye wouldn't be enough. I would need serious Holy Ghost restraint...

[ApesForEvolution]

This looks like a white wash job to me. What would the local interest be in burying this along with Herb? As with all stinky smells, follow the money...

[ladyinred]

For those who care, I worry about COB1's health, given the number of hours he worries about this matter. I'm sure he could use any prayers you have to spare! ;-)

We all are worried about Cobby's health for sure, and prayers are needed, however, we probably would have to worry more if he DIDN"T try to find out what happened. That would eat him alive!