[semaj]

"Why did it take the hospital almost a year to get a positive ID on the guy?"

From the article it can be inferred that the man was living on the street. He was "selling stuff" on the street. He may not have had any ID.

[jz638]

...Family members said they believed Sims was "selling things"...

By "things" (with sinister looking quotes added), does the author mean drugs or stolen goods?

[rogercolleridge]

From the article it can be inferred that the man was living on the street. He was "selling stuff" on the street. He may not have had any ID.

Yup. I wonder what their relationship was pre-911. And also what his mental state was before then.