Two Weeks Before Robert Wone’s Murder…
Three years ago this week, on or about July 19, 2006, Robert began making plans to stay the night at a friend’s house in Washington, DC.
Last month Paul Duggan wrote in the Washington Post:
Earnest and meticulously efficient, Wone had planned about two weeks in advance to stay in the city that evening to introduce himself to the night-shift staff at Radio Free Asia, where he was the new general counsel. Rather than trek home late on the Metro, he had arranged to bunk at the townhouse, a mile from his office, with his old college pal Price and his friends Zaborsky and Ward, whom he had met through Price.
This shows Robert’s stay was no spur of the moment decision brought on by a long trek home.
In the early days and months after the murder speculation ran high as to why a married man decided to bunk at a friend’s home in the city, especially when a commute at that late hour would not have been onerous because traffic would have been light.
This feed the rumor mill that since Robert was married and straight, that his suppossed last minute decision had sexual undertones, especially since he was staying at the home of three gay men.
This line of thinking doesn’t stand up when the facts are considered. As Kathy Wone explained in an October 9, 2006 Washington Post article:
In July, Kathy Wone said, her husband began arranging “to take care of three things all at once” on Aug. 2. He was scheduled to be in the seminar until 9 p.m., so he figured “that night would also be a good night” to meet the 10 o’clock crew at Radio Free Asia. “As an added bonus, he thought it would be nice to spend the night” in the city with Price, who lived just a mile from the radio station.
Robert’s stay was not a spontaneous event. So much so, Kathy Wone even helped pack Robert’s bag for the evening. What is curious about the planning is that while Kathy Wone was completely aware of the plans of her spouse well in advance, Joe Price’s spouse, Victor Zaborsky, was out of the loop until the fateful day.
Victor’s statement in the original affidavit reveals:
According to Zaborsky, he had come home early from a business trip and learned Mr. Wone would be spending the night at their home.
Why was Victor only just finding out about Robert’s planned stay that day? Was it a secret? Or did somone simply forget to tell their spouse?
Dylan’s take on whether he knew Robert had been planning to stay over that night is absent from his statement.
Wouldn’t partners normally share the plans of overnight guests with each other? Joe didn’t tell Victor and Dylan never said.
And of all nights for Sarah to plan to be away.
— posted by David
So Joe had a few weeks to think about things. So his actions may not have been spur of the moment either.
David says: “Why was Victor only just finding out about Robert’s planned stay that day? Was it a secret? Or did somone simply forget to tell their spouse?”
When someone knows that something they have done or are going to do (lunch with an old ex, for example) has undertones, they sometimes “forget” to share the information with important people.
The sin of omission.
This omission is truly telling. An unusual, planned sleepover of a longtime friend would be discussed (at least noted) by any married couple or trouple, unless one member of the couple/trouple had reasons not to disclose it. Victor apparently was not fully integrated into this axis of evil. If Dylan did not know in advance about Robert’s planned stay either, then it is truly all about Joe.
What makes it stranger is that RW was more of a friend to JP AND VZ than to DW. Very strange that VZ did not know at any point that “his also friend” was staying the night…..
Yeah, Sarah was so conveniently away that night. We should find out more about that. Also, maybe Victor only claimed he found out that evening about Robert staying over so it makes it more credible that he was sleeping or that there was no premeditated conspiracy to kill Robert cuz ya know, he didn’t even know Robert was coming over so it wasn’t even a big subject – not at all -between the housemates.
Was Sarah gone that night? Do we know that for sure, or just because that’s what was claimed? More and more, I’m coming to believe that there was a fourth person involved – someone who has not yet been placed at the scene – and someone who could’ve transported the evidence away. If not Sarah, then Michael perhaps, or even an unknown entity.
DCTim – What we know about Sarah’s overnight stay at her pals’ house is in the first affidavit. She bunked with Tom and John, nearby friends, that evening.
That is, if we believe Sarah. Here’s her story in the affadavit:
“The police interviewed W-4, a female tenant who lived in a basement apartment within the residence at 1509 Swann Street. W-4 indicated that she was not present at the residence at any time on the night of August 2 or the early morning hours of August 3, 2006. W-4 indicated that she had told Price that she would be out for the evening. . . . W-4 also indicated that Price called her at 5:50 a.m. on the morning of August 2, 2006, and stated, ‘W-4, where are you? Are you still at Tom and John’s house? I’m okay, Victor’s okay, Dylan’s okay. Don’t go back to the house. I don’t have time to explain.’ Price then abruptly ended the call.”
I, for one, don’t believe Sarah’s account any more than I believe the stories that Joe, Vic and Dil told the police.
“I’m okay, Victor’s okay, Dylan’s okay. Don’t go back to the house. I don’t have time to explain.”
Yet another example of Joe’s narcissistic ways. “I’m okay.”
Not really, Joe.
Reading the text of that message again, it strikes me that if I were thinking clearly after an eventful night, I would leave a very different message for a housemate who had no idea that something major had gone down. I’d leave a message like this:
“Sarah, where are you? Are you still at Tom and John’s house? Something’s happened at the house, and I don’t think you should go back there right now. I don’t have time to explain, but I’m okay, Victor’s okay, Dylan’s okay, the house is ok.”
That is, I would start with “something happened” if my housemate didn’t know that something had happened. But Joe started with “I’m ok,” as though Sarah might have reason to believe that Joe, Victor, and/or Dylan was NOT ok after the previous night’s events.
Agree 100%.
There is so much to be said about a person’s syntax.
Just like body language, the way a person structures a sentence can reveal a lie or simply reveal when someone is trying to conceal something.
I think you’re 100% correct in that Sarah knew before that phone call that something was happening. (Whether she was at the house, I don’t know….but she heard what happened before that phone call.)
Even though I’m sure Joe said something to that effect (mentioning himself first), we can’t possibly know exactly what he said since it’s basically heresay from Sarah. She might not be stating verbatim what Joe said to her – she might not remember exactly or she might be paraphrasing.
And I do think there was a fourth person in the house that got rid of the evidence.
I didn’t think it was heresay if the statement came directly from the person to whom it was said.
Bea? Themis?
Before Miss Malaprops sees this……..hearsay.
Ditto 100%.
It would be hearsay if JP was not a defendant. The statement is admissible as the statement of a party-opponent. Of course Sarah can be grilled about how accurate her recall is (at trial) or was the time of her statement to police (if she were to testify differently). Now if a cop tried to testify to what Sarah said it would be inadmissible.
When I was doing trial work, I almost always objected when a prosecutor moved to admit a police report or affidavit or even when an officer took his reports and notes to the stand and looked at them while testifying. There are evidentiary rules regarding when a witness may use a writing to refresh his recollection, the idea being that witnesses should testify from memory.
What is hearsay and what is not is standard bar exam fare and can get convoluted so often it’s better to just ask is it admissible and, if so, for what purpose.
To clarify, the statements would be admissible against Joe as statements of a party-opponent, but not admissible against the other two on that ground. Now if the statements were made in furtherance of a conspiracy to obstruct justice, they would be admissible against all three as statements of a co-conspirator in furtherance of the conspiracy, which assumes that the conspiracy is ongoing at the time the statements are made. I know it seems obvious but many attorneys are clueless on this issue. Generally, by the time that co-conspirators are interviewed by police the “conspiracy” is over because the “cover up” of the conspiracy or the substantive offense generally is not considered part of the conspiracy itself. This case is a little different though, and the government will try to show that the police interviews were part of an ongoing conspiracy to obstruct justice.
The evidentiary issues in this case are fascinating and will be a huge area of contention at trial. I would not be surprised to see a published appellate opinion dealing with one or more evidentiary issues if one or more of the three should be convicted.
There likely will be multiple motions in limine filed.
But Robert was certainly not OK and Joe made no mention of that when he called Sarah the morning after.
And we have every reason to believe Sarah knew Robert pretty well, at least judging by some of the pics we’ve seen.
Cold. Callous. Self-centered. Me me me me me me me me me me……
In which case my short phone call to my housemate might sound like this if I’m Joe, and if Sarah doesn’t know anything at all yet:
“Sarah, where are you? Are you still at Tom and John’s house? Something happened to Robert while he was staying with us last night. I don’t have time to explain, but I don’t think you should go back to the house right now. I’m okay, Victor’s okay, Dylan’s okay.”
If someone had called her earlier to let her know about Robert, would Sarah have a reason to conceal that earlier call?
In other words, I think there are three possible purposes for Joe’s call to Sarah:
1. For Joe to tell Sarah that so far, he, Victor and Dylan are ok in dealing with the police.
2. Foe Joe to tell Sarah that something terrible happened to Robert/at the house and that she should avoid going home.
3. For Joe to tell/ask Sarah something else that he didn’t get to say because he had to hang up. (Or he did actually tell/ask her, and she’s lying about that part of the conversation.)
From Sarah’s statement to the police, #2 seems unlikely because of the ordering of Joe’s statements, and because he didn’t mention that something had happened to their mutual friend Robert. This suggests to me that Sarah already knew. So how did she know? Was she there at the house, or had someone told her about it before Joe’s call?
And was Joe’s phone call to communicate #1 or #3 above, or both? I have no idea.
It’s really strange that all of them continually fail to acknowledge that something terrible has happened to RW. Even if I was Sarah, I would question why the status of RW was not mentioned and that would concern me….but it didn’t — and the only thing that explains it is that she knew. How is the question. First hand – assisted with the evidence. Or was told – likely by Michael.
Agree. The whole phone call stinks of CYA and bogus “legitimacy” – he had to call her or it would be odd that he didn’t ‘warn’ her. But in CYA mode, he didn’t think through what to say to include the very salient “OMG, Robert was murdered last night – I’ll tell you more later – but just don’t go back to the house.”
More “front-end” questions arise:
When did Sarah tell Joe of her own sleepover plans for August 2? Why would she as a simple tenant tell him as landlord about her social rounds in the neighborhood? Was her notifying of Joe before or after the scheduling of Robert’s visit? Did she tell long-time pal Victor, too, of her upcoming stay, or was he left out of the loop (again)?
Pics? I’ve been away for the last month or so … Do we have pictures of Sarah? I haven’t seen those yet. Where would I find them?
Ex Swann – We’ve seen a couple pics of her but we’re unable to share them. Yet. Welcome back.
How about an artist’s rendering? LOL
And, watercolor portraits of Tom and John would be an added bonus; Cubist interpretations of that couple will not do, however.
Even if only in broad strokes.
DCTIM
I thought the same as you until I was advised
by doctor friend that Wone was probably
killed “post mortem” which would have
resulted in less blood for clean up.
Wone’s death would most likely have resulted
from a ketamine overdose. When Robert did
not awaken, Joseph and Ward in a panic may
have stabbed Robert to make it appear as if he
was killed on purpose by an intruder rather
than through accident by Joseph and Ward.
If I had been Sarah I would have found out what the hell was going on in my home. Wonder if she just settled for Joe’s story, everyone is okay but don’t go to the house, and left it at that. When did she speak with Joe again to find out what was happening? When did she return to her “home”? What was her reaction to Robert’s death? How come she has joined the threesome and not spoken to the press? None of it adds up…
Even if Sarah was not implicated in the killing or
cover up, the fag hag might have protected the
only men in her life who loved her.
Didn’t she end up eating at the Cosi with the boys early the next morning (before Dylan was released and didn’t feel up to joining them)? So how did we get from Joe’s VERY self-serving call and Sarah’s statement that she needn’t speak with the police (because Joe said they have her info to contact her) to have her dining on eggs and coffee? Methinks her recollection of the phone call with Joe was just “fake confirmation” that she was away all night and knew nothing. I would have someone who know Tom and John actually push them on whether THEY’RE willing to do time to support Sarah’s contention that she was with them.
FYI, CD, you’re right that Sarah’s testimony about what Joe told her is admissible. It’s technically ‘hearsay’ in that she heard him say it, but her knowledge is a first hand account of what he told HER, not for the truth of what was said.
Have we seen pictures of Sarah? I don’t recall.
I’m still wondering if Victor came home from the business trip early as in a couple of hours or if he was not scheduled to be home that evening at all.
I’d love a pic too. We know her job but I haven’t seen a photo (though the descriptions of her is that she’s a ‘big’ girl who has many gay male friends). As for Victor, we know that he was home “unexpectedly early” – don’t know if that means was supposed to arrive the next day, though I’m sure the DA has those records (cancelled plane trips, or if not a flight, then work agenda records). My GUESS is that he wasn’t supposed to come home that night at all – and I’ve not foreclosed the possibility that he came home AFTER whatever-happened-to-Robert and walked into the ‘scene’ (though if there are work records, it seems an odd thing to lie about, that he was already asleep when Robert arrived). And then there’s the speculation that if he DID come home early (wasn’t supposed to be home until very late or the next day) then perhaps he went to bed because he wanted no part of whatever he suspected (or was told) was likely to happen between Joe-n-Dylan and poor Robert. Maybe he hoped that they’d come to their senses, or maybe he figured that Robert would say ‘no’ and that would be the end of it – so much, unfortunately, is left to speculation.
Bea, you say that “as for Victor, we know that he was home ‘unexpectedly early.'” How do we know that? Who said so?
Hi John. I know two of three, possibly all three, said so in their affidavits – and given that this is one that can be fact-checked, I presume it to be true. Joe knows better than to lie about something you’re easily caught in.
Bea, what was/is Sarah’s job/profession? I could not find it in the legal documents.
Clio – We’ve got a bit of a Sarah profile that’s been drafted. Hopefully we can post it in the next week or so.
Thanks, Craig — I cannot wait to find out more about this confidante to so many confirmed bachelors in the District.
BEA
Given your generally charitable view of Victor,
do you think that it is possible that Zaborsky arrived home early and that he: 1) chatted w
Price, Ward and Wone in kitchen and then Zzz went tired to bed; 2) was awakened by S&M activities and went Zzz back to sleep; 3) was awakened by unusual sounds from below and went to check them out; 4) was awakened by Price for purpose of putting on good public relations front when calling the EMS?
Yup – the business trip details can be checked up on to a certain degree but overall, isn’t it interesting how many things that we “know” about the case all come from one of the three! There just really is so LITTLE that can be objectively confirmed/denied from the time Robert called his wife until the 911 call was made.
“W-4 also indicated that Price called her at 5:50 a.m. on the morning of August 2, 2006, and stated, ‘W-4, where are you? Are you still at Tom and John’s house? I’m okay, Victor’s okay, Dylan’s okay. Don’t go back to the house. I don’t have time to explain.’ Price then abruptly ended the call.”
I believe Sarah was asked to stay away, had been asked to stay away on other occasions, and understood that it was because the “boys” were “going to play.” I don’t believe she took part in the clean-up. I believe Michael was called in for that duty.
But that call … Clearly Joe called when he could sneak it in (he was still in the interview process). It is not clear whether he left a message or actually talked with Sarah. I doubt that a “big” girl, who lived close to work, would be up at 5:50. She was however present for the debriefing on the hill at 8:00ish. My phone goes off at 11:00 and back on at 8:00 … unless I’m expecting an important call.
According to Sarah, Joe first asked “Where are you?” at 5:50 in the morning. He never asks her how she is but rather where she is. Thinking she was up at that hour? Thinking she might be walking to 1509 to clean up for work? Thinking that she most certainly should be available and waiting to take his call??
He states, “I’m okay, Victor’s okay, Dylan’s okay.” What does he mean? Our boys had been separated since about 12:15. How did he know/could he know what was being said in other rooms with other investigators? Joe clearly knew that after 5.5 hours of speaking with investigators, things weren’t really going too swell on his end.
Tom and John, 1509 Swann and work are all reasonably close to one another. If I were Sarah, after hearing the message, I would have showered for work (couldn’t go home), dressed and walked by 1509 to see what was up … unless I had talked to Michael … at some point between midnight and, say, 7:00.
I’m curious to know who Tom and John are … AND I’m curious to know what Michael HAS SAID concerning that evening/morning. Anybody?
When did Micheal find out about the “events” at 1509? He and Sarah (and others?) were on the hill for the “coffee/debriefing” early. That’s a lot of last-minute conversation/negotiation/logistics for morning rush-hour in Washington. With Michael living in Silver Spring? When did Sarah make the decision to call work and say I’ll be in later? I’m assuming Michael didn’t have a work conflict …
ESD
I suspect Wone was killed “post mortem” (see my other posts on this subject). If true, minimal loss of blood would have relieved Sarah and/or Mike
of need to participate in resulting limited cleanup.
I do find the “coincidence” that Sarah happened to be out the evening Robert was murdered a little odd.
I have also wondered … Could it be possible the sleep-over was planned because they boys intended on doing drugs together? I know RW’s sexuality has been addressed. But could he have been a willing participant in drug use?
(Hope this isn’t going too far…)
Not again.
I agree with CD – no need to cast aspersions on Robert Wone. The reason for him being there should be accepted ‘as is’. The reasons I state this (1) he’s no longer around to defend himself, (2) nothing “untoward” has any basis in facts offered by anyone, and (3) even if he was “into” drugs or sex, neither would suggest he consented to being suffocated and then stabbed to death. I suggest that we let this part rest.
As for Sarah, I too find it very ‘convenient’ that she was ‘away’ that night – personally, I suspect that her night ‘away’ occurred right before 11:49 pm. Yes, she did stay at Tom and John’s, but I’m guessing the chimes which the boys spoke of was her departure (with a bag full of ‘stuff’).
Bea,
I have a vision in my mind of sara drving around dupont circle with tom petty’s american girl turned up high on the radio (just like catherine martin in silence of the lambs — “was she a big ole fat girl?”). in the back seat is a duffle bag she was told to through in the potomac in exchange for a quart of ben and jerry’s chubby hubby. “and sleep at tom and john’s”, ordered the bossy bottom. isn’t this warm, l’il dyl?
even more convenient that victor was also not supposed to be there.
FASCINATING
Given what I suspect were frequent S&M scenes
on part of Price and Ward, it would not seem
likely that Sarah would always be out.
Wone has no known history of drug abuse or
homosex. People do not normally “date rape RX”
themselves with Gmbh or inject themselves all
over the place with paralytic like ketamine.
Especially if one is using ketamine for the first
time. Normally, one injection of Special Kay can
make one either drowsy or intoxicated. Remote
is the likelihood that Wone could have repeatedly
injected himself to the extent revealed in autopsy.
Over the past 3 months, I have watched this website with some shock and amazement. There is a lot of incorrect speculation here and I am in a position to clarify a lot of things. My attorneys are reviewing what I can and cannot say here and as soon as I get approval, I will clarify a few things. I do know the defendats very well and things are not quite as they appear to be. If there weren’t so much misinformation, I would not bother to say anything, but the record needs to be corrected. Stay tuned.
Whatever.
. <——— grain of salt
Well?
Luca Denozza nothing.
Luca, as that insipid 1987 Suzanne Vega number goes, is apparently still living on the proverbial second floor, but “Denozza” is harder to decipher.
Always still appropriate at exciting moments like these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1Y73sPHKxw
LOOOOVE IT! Too funny Grisham!
Hi Luca – what’s the anagram of your screen name? I’d love it if your post were genuine but I suspect it’s not – here’s to hoping you prove me wrong. Cheers.
It’s sort of like when someone has a bad scene at the department store return counter…..”my attorneys will be in touch.”
I can find “anal” rp “Lance” in a potential anagram of Luca Denozza, but can’t figure the rest of it out!
Luca – We’re all ears. -Craig, editor guy
Craig,
Will you please confirm (behind the scenes) this person’s “credentials”.
I will remain a skeptic until then.
And unless this person was in the house with the defendants when the murder took place, they TOO don’t know the full story.
One more comment…unless this person is officially/legally involved (i.e., a defendant , Sarah, Tom, John, or perhaps a witness for the defense), they don’t need attorney approval to “speak” on this website. And if they did need attorney approval, I doubt seriously their attorney would condone such “testimony” via a public venue such as this.
A grain of salt. A very large grain of salt.
CD – I hope we hear more. As some old guy once said, ‘Trust but verify.”
i would have responded earlier, but i literally just received approval from my attorney to post this: luca is full of crap.
::snicker::
Unfortunately, I will not be able to share the information I originally wanted to share in an attempt to clarify some misconceptions. By way of explanation, initially I was asked to testify, then I was told my testimony would not be needed, at which point I thought I could share some information in this blog, but now I have been told my testimony is needed. So, I’ve been instructed not to speak on any issue, which I understand. I can say I will testify for one of the defendants. Sorry I cannot be of more help and only served as a tease, but it will all come out at trial.
Craig, thanks for being kind.
Hi Luca,
If you really want to clear up ‘misconceptions’ here, I don’t see why you can’t simply because you’re going to testify. No one is asking you to identify yourself or what your testimony would be, and seeing as how criminal trials don’t allow witnesses to go on endlessly about unrelated topics, nothing would stop you from posting FACTS which are in error here or first hand impressions of the defendants. Of course, too, none of us would have had an inkling that you are likely to testify had you not told us, and nothing prevents you from posting NOW under a DIFFERENT screen name if you have information to share. . .
Hmm….there are 3 types of witness…..an actual witness (someone that was there and witnessed the crime)…..an expert witness….and a character witness.
I doubt you are an actual witness. You would then be part of the crime or an alibi for it. You would have surfaced by now if you were an actual witness.
An expert witness. Doubt it, since you seem to want to clear up misconceptions about the defendants.
So that leaves character witness.
So what can you tell us…..Joe was a boy scout? Joe loved his friend? Dylan wouldn’t spank a child? Victor made great pancakes on Sunday morning after church?
I don’t give a crap if Joe et al handed out blankets to the homeless on Christmas. It doesn’t make them any less culpable for the crime that took place under their roof. The intruder theory is so unbelievable, I don’t understand why you don’t believe either.
CD, one has to have character before someone can witness it. LOL!
Perhaps, Luca may be just “the Tiger Aunt” vouching for her crestfallen nephew, but not, of course, for the “men” in her nephew’s “family.” In that case, thanks, then, for the “tease” anyway, Luca, but your Victor is the one who needs to bare it all!
Good point, Clio –
LUCA, please do your best to impress upon whichever defendant you think was “in the dark” about the murderous events to share all the information they have about that night’s events!
Bea,
Your “in the dark” comment….where does that come from?
Initially, Luca said “I do know the defendats very well and things are not quite as they appear to be.” Sounded like Luca was going to defend them all.
Now Luca says ” I can say I will testify for one of the defendants.”
So it’s gone from defending all of the defendants to one of the defendants.
But I don’t see where Luca mentions one defendant in particular being in the dark about anything.
I hope you will offer firsthand information and insights that further the investigation. I am sure there is much to learn, and I pray you are sincere. I want the truth, and I don’t judge until I hear from all sides. I welcome a balanced exchange grounded in facts. Please, share facts if you have them. Thank you.
My. I posted a few times here in the beginning, and have followed when I can since. Thanks Craig!
So many posters have so many interesting insights — it’s fascinating. When you read a few weeks worth at one time, much boils down to an almost voyeuristic analysis of the actual crime scene — the “How”. The “Why” doesn’t seem to get as much attention. New people join in with intimate insights and tantalizing tidbits of the players, but it still seems to lead to a dead end.
Robert Wone was brutally murdered, most likely involving sexual details that are difficult for the uninitiated to fully contemplate — but regardless, he is dead and three others walk free. Why? Sex gone bad seems the weakest answer. Imagine you had a bad night — drank too much — ok did some drugs — had sex and then decided to plunge a knife into the heart of an old and dear friend? The same friend who was visiting at your home and btw was asleep? No way. Does not make sense at all.
There must have been more than one motivation to abuse and then kill RW. Lust? Desire?Corruption? Jealousy? Fear? Control? Non-Control? Why? Robert Wone seems like the type of person who would have kindly and comfortably dismissed an unwanted sexual advance. They didn’t have to kill him. He was wearing his mouth-guard for God’s sake. So sad.
RIP RW
Dude, just be careful whose homes you sleep over in is the first of many lessons you ought to know.
Hi Laura,
I don’t think what’s been written can be boiled down to thinking the defendant(s) just stabbed him because they were high, or because they were having crazy sex and were high – I agree it’s more complicated than that. A lot of people have drug-fueled sex and nothing terrible happens. Granted, there’s a lot of speculation about the trio, a lot of guesses about evidence (or lack thereof) but if I had to guess, I’d say that Joe didn’t just “come on” to Robert – he/Dylan pushed Robert until it was rape, and then he/they killed him to cover their actions. The horror is beyond comprehension. Because the cover-up appears (to me) to include a bizarre change in plans (clean as part of moving Robert’s body elsewhere, then do a turnaround and pretend it was an intruder) and I suspect that that was as a result of a scream, because Victor said no, or because the drugs wore off a bit and he/they realized moving the body was its own set of problems of nightmarish proportions. Easier to remain silent and FORCE the DA to make a case than to be caught red-handed transporting a dead man. I always think of a line from the ex-convict in the film “Body Heat” when he tells his former lawyer who is considering murder:
“I got a serious question for you – what the f*** are you doing? I want you to see if this sounds familiar: any time you try a decent crime, you got fifty ways you’re gonna f*** up. If you think of twenty-five of them, then you’re a genius … and you ain’t no genius. You remember who told me that?”
And the lawyer nods ‘yes’.
How is more important than why. You don’t need to prove motive, but you have to prove how it happened…..or reasonably prove it.
I was wondering, do you even have to have a motive? I mean, if the death was unintentional, there really isn’t a motive, is there? I do believe the death was unintentional.
And just thinking a little more about the drug usage…
Regarding crystal meth, there is a pretty big distinction, among guys who PnP, between those who simply snort, smoke, hot rail or booty bump (you probably don’t want to know if you don’t already) and those who slam (inject). Once you cross the line into slamming, it often goes downhill very quickly. I have seen guys who only snorted meth do so for many years and were able to maintain a fairly functional lifestyle.
That said, Joe and Dylan must have had syringes around the house, and unless someone there is diabetic or on injectable HIV meds, I don’t think they would have syringes if they weren’t injecting meth. Most “normal” people, even guys who pap just a little, are not comfortable around needles and wouldn’t keep a few spares around just for shits and giggles. From what I recall reading in other areas of this site and in the WP articles, the injection sites on Roberts body appear to be all intramuscular and not intravenous…which leads me to believe he was NOT a willing pap participant with the boys. If he had been, he would either have had marks on his veins from shooting crystal, or would have simply snorted or smoked the crystal, and then would have either snorted or drank the K or G. Most guys do NOT recreationally inject K (you cannot not inject G to the best of my knowledge….at least I never did) unless they are already shooting crystal meth….most guys snort it, or drink it, in the case of G.
The fact that Robert had only non-intravenous injection sites pretty much proves to me that he was given drugs against his will. I think they drugged his drink with G as soon as he got there, and then shot him up with perhaps K after he was already subdued.
I do not think the death was intentional; I believe there was panic after Dylan and Joe though Robert was dead. I also believe the three knife marks are significant; and that they illustrate the solidarity of the three men (as discussed elsewhere on this site).
Anyway, just my thoughts. I apologize if this has all been discussed before, or if the affidavits (which I DO plan to read closely this weekend) say otherwise about Robert’s needle marks.
Also, I am trying to reconnect with a guy I used to know during my using that worked at the Crew Club around the time of Robert’s death. I think the guy is now in recovery and am anxious to pick his brain for any additional info in Dylan (those front desk clerks at places like the Crew Club know EVERYTHING that goes on there. Of course, I will share any dirty little details I acquire…:-)
Former – This is all very welcome and appreciated. Thanks loads.
Interesting post, FormerC.
A couple of comments…
You said: “unless someone there is diabetic or on injectable HIV meds.” It has been said that Michael, Joe’s brother, has AIDS.
and
“I also believe the three knife marks are significant; and that they illustrate the solidarity of the three men.”
Because the angles of the 3 wounds were so nearly identical and consistent, I find it difficult be believe that each man stabbed Robert. They would have been holding the knifes uniquely.
I’ve often thought that perhaps Dylan stabbed him once (in the stomach), and that not being sufficient, Joe stabbed him twice in the chest. And in the heart for good measure. (After unsuccessfully suffocating him.) But again, given the evidence, it’s hard to believe more than one person could have stabbed him and made such identical wounds.
Maybe the were both holding the knife at the same time?
talking about grasping for straws, lol.
When you’re talking things people do behind closed doors……..anything is possible.
Reply to Crackho’s comments: I agree with your theory – very plausible and would explain the quickness that this all seemed to occur. One additional thought: Is there any evidence that the three slits were analyzed to see if they seemed to be done by the same person (sometimes they can if it’s left handed/right or if there’s more pressure applied or if it’s slanted in a certain way)? This would also certainly explain the intense solidarity by the 3 that most of us are pretty baffled by…….
Perplexed, the knife wounds were thoroughly examined by the Medical Examiner during the autopsy.
From page 5 of the Affidavit in Support of an Arrest Warrant:
“It appeared that the same size knife was used to inflict each of the three stab wounds to Mr. Wone’s torso. The first stab wound was located at the central upper chest, 15 inches below the top of the head, with the slit-like defect measuring seven-eights of an inch in length. The wound path extends through the chest wall with perforations of the bone of the sternum where it meets the cartilage of the right third rib, continues with a perforation of the front of the pericardial sac and penetration into the heart at the aortic root, proximal left anterior descending coronary artery and the left atrial appendage. The wound is 4 to 5 inches in depth. The direction of the wound is front to back, right to left, and slightly downward. The second stab wound is located at the right side of the chest, 17 inches below the top of the head and two and one-half inches to the right of the vertical midline of the body. The slit-like defect measures fifteen-sixteenths of an inch in length. The wound path extends through the chest wall with perforations of the skin and underlying muscle at the level of the right fourth intercostal space. The wound path continues with perforations of the middle lobe and the lower lobe of the right lung at the hilum. The wound is 4 to 5 inches in depth. The direction of the wound is front to back, right to left, and slightly downward. The third wound is located twenty and three-fourths inches from the top of the head at the central epigastric region of the abdomen. The slit-like defect measures thirteen-sixteenths of an inch in length. The wound path extends through the abdominal wall with perforations of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and underlying central membranous portion of the diaphragm at the level of the lower end of the sternum. The wound path continues with perforations of the small intestine, the pancreas and a single perforation of the inferior vena cava. The wound is 4 to 5 inches in depth. The direction of the wound is front to back, right to left, and slightly downward.”
I posted a while back that stab wound analysis in forensic investigations reveals that most often, a victims stab wounds are rarely “indentical”. The nature of stabbing results in stab wounds that are “willy-nilly” so to speak. Random. Different angles. Different depths. The fact that the stab wounds were so identical lead the Medical Examiner believe that they were “methodically” inflicted.
From Page 4 of the same document: “Each wound was inflicted at exactly the same angle: with the sharp edge oriented at 10o’clock and the blunt edge oriented at 4 o’clock. According to Dr. Goslinoski, thewounds appeart to have been “methodically” inflicted.”
(i.e., the knife was upside down…..hence, my believe he was placed in the bathtub/shower and while standing over him, was stabbed from behind his head )
Perplexed, this document can be found under Legal Documents at the top of the page.
I don’t know, I’m still not sold that the knife holes were necessarily done by the same person, taking into account that the body was not moving, that it was a fairly controlled enviornment. I think that the first knifer could have could have handed the “knifer” to the other and stepped aside while the second and perhaps third knifer stood in the same position occupied as the prior knifer.
Or, maybe there was an intruder and we are all crazy. NOT!
sorry for typos. its been a long day and grammar errers. its been a looong day.
My thoughts re more than one assailant, is that maybe Dylan inflicted the stomach wound. He wimped out and Joe took over. Stabbing Robert in a different location than Dylan had.
Plausible, but it’s pretty amazing that the wounds would be identical.
I too think that at least the two chest wounds were done by one person (“methodical”) and probably all three. My guess is that only one person was truly capable of the physical act of stabbing one in such a cool, collected way (no tears, very clean). I’m not saying that there was only one “murderer” – just likely (to me) that only one did the stabbing.
While I see the basis of each doing one plunge with the knife to seal the conspiracy of silence, I think it’s too Hollywood AND likely that at least one of the three would not be able to bring himself to do it even if otherwise fully complicit.
I see Joe as the one to do the stabbing, unless Dylan’s “manner” changes drastically under the influence. Joe (narcissist, sociopath, whatever) takes pride in doing “what needs to be done”.
yeah, but that doesn’t explain the methodical consistency in all other areas……I might not cut as deep, might not be as clean, etc. etc. etc.
The same depth was probably created due to the shank of the knife meeting the chest wall.
The knife at the scene was longer than the knife actually used. The blood on the blade of the knife at the scene went all the way up to the shank (where it meets the handle.) The stab wounds were not deep enough for a blade that long to be completely covered with blood.
Thank you!! This would lead me to believe that only one did it – if the findings are “accurate.” The only reason I say that is I’m suspect about the ME due to not performing other tests (tissue samples) when it seemed merited. To me, this means DW.
FC-Ho (just love your screen name, trying to give it a ‘posse’ flair!), I really appreciate what you’ve posted about understanding the drug user’s mindset. It hadn’t even occurred to me that OF COURSE (hits head with palm) who has syringes lying around? I always guessed that the number and placement of injection sites on Robert was as a result of them being without his cooperation/consent. But your explanation really helps me sort through some loose ends that just had me scratching my head.
Here’s to you connecting up with the Crew Club guy and getting more insight. I’d love to know, if you have the opportunity to ask, if Dylan’s quiet demeanor changed when in that environment and/or under the influence. My knowledge is pretty limited, but I’ve seen it even with alcohol where a mild-mannered one becomes a raging, loud fool.
Still looking, Bea…no news yet, but I am still searching. I find it really funny that among the circle of ex-tweakers that I know, even one who still lives on Swan street, no one had any first hand experiences with any of these guys, either through sex or drugs.
LAURA
As I have informed the moderators on numerous
occasions, personnaly I am more concerned with
motives than mechanics — not that I have not
commented on the latter.
You may see from my posts above, below and
elsewhere on this site that I believe: 1) Price had
unrequited love for Wone; 2) Ward had an Asian
fetish; 3) Zaborsky loved Price more than Price
loved Zaborsky; 4) Ward and Zaborsky suspected
or knew of Price’s unrequited love for Wone;
6) Zaborsky was jealous of Price’s love for Wone;
7) Ward was jealous of Price’s love for Wone;
8) Zaborsky was jealous of Ward’s physical
relationship with Price; 9) Ward was jealous of
Zaborsky’s emotional relationship with Price;
10) Ward wished to accomodate Price unrequited
love for Wone; 11) Price wished to accomodate
Ward’s fetish attraction to Wone; 12) Price liked
to direct the action; 13) Ward liked to orchestrate
the action; 14) Zaborsky liked to watch the action.
15) Wone was accepting of Price relationship w
Zaborsky; 16) Wone was ignorant of Price
relationship with Ward; 17) Wone would have
nicely declined Price sexual advance; 18) Wone
might have been frightened by Ward sexual
advance; 18) Wone trusted Zaborsky implicitly;
19) Wone was naive, innocent, happy, drug free
heterosexual who ended up in wrong place/time.
As you can see, most of my above speculations are about love, lust and jealousy. Throw in Rx
and alcohol and you just may have deadly brew.
While I believe that Joseph and Dylan planned in advance the rape of Robert for which they readied
date rape drug Gmbh for Robert’s water and then ketamine paralytic for Robert’s body, I do not believe that murder was part of the original plan.
As stated elsewhere, I believe that overdose of ketaminne led Price and Ward to believe either that: 1) Wone was alive when he was dead; or 2)
Wone was dead when he was alive.
Under the first scenario, Price and Ward might
have stabbed and killed Robert out of fear that he
remembered too much.
Under the second scenario, Price and Ward might have stabbed Robert out of panic that authorities would discover that Robert had overdosed.
Personally, I believe that Robert had either: 1) rebuffed Joseph on a prior occasion, thereby frustrating Joseph’s unrequited love for Robert; or 2) rebuffed Dylan on this occasion, thereby frustrating Dylan’s unsatisfied lust for Robert.
Under the first scenario, an informed Dylan
might have wished to assist his S&M sub in
fulfilling his love for Robert.
Under the second scenario, an informed Joseph
might have wished to assist his S&M dom in
satisfying his lust for Robert.
Under first scenario, Zaborsky would not have
been involved in arranging tryst between Price
and Wone or participated in stabbing of Wone.
Under second scenario, Zaborsky would not have
been involved in arranging tryst between Ward
and Wone or participated in overdosing of Wone.
Under any scenario, Zaborsky may have
participated in clean up of evidence relating to
murder and/or cover up of account relating to
murder.
Bea says: While I see the basis of each doing one plunge with the knife to seal the conspiracy of silence, I think it’s too Hollywood AND likely that at least one of the three would not be able to bring himself to do it even if otherwise fully complicit.”
I agree 100%.
More than one just goes against the evidence the wounds present.
And Joe is, INDEED, the like character to kill his friend.
Personally, I think the key to this murder is examining the personalities of these individuals. The evidence points clearly to an “inside job,” but the finer details are based on who could and who would.
CDINDC
Please see above, below & elsewhere my analysis
of the “personalities of these individuals.”
I agree with those who believe that stabbing was
work of a single individual. Nature of wounds is
such that three would have had to be members of
the same surgical team or played one on TV!
Unlike yourself: I believe that while Price may
have directed the action, Ward did the stabbing.
I say this for two reasons: the murder weapon
was missing from culinary set in Ward’s room
and Ward had the expertise in culinary arts.
And Price never went in Dylan’s room? Give me a break.
And that’s also saying that the culinary set WAS in Dylan’s room at the time of the stabbing.
We don’t know where in the house that set was. It could have been in the bathroom for all we know and then stashed in Dylan’s room after the stabbing.
Culinary skills……..and for all we know Dylan may not have even been able to cut brisket on a bias.
CDINDC
I have no way of knowing if or when Price
went into Ward’s room. Perhaps, you
know more than I about this.
I have no way of knowing where culinary
set was at time of the murder. I do know
that investigators confirmed that it was
normally kept in Ward’s room.
Had the culinary set been moved to site of
Wone’s killing, there would have been
increased risk of getting blood on it.
Would have been even more incriminating
than the bloody bedspread for which you
are holding out hope that is faint.
I have no way of knowing the actual
cutting skills of the various roommates.
For all I know, PRICE “may not have even
been able to cut brisket on a bias.”
What I do know is that Ward had special
training not shared by Price and that the
coroner found wounds to be surgical in
nature. Thus reason for my suspicion.
Robert, the medical examiner did not say the wounds were “surgical” in nature. She said they were “methodical.”
But perhaps we should look for a surgeon instead.
You say you “have no way of knowing the actual cutting skills of the various roommates”, so WHY do you say that Dylan would have been the murdered because of his culinary skills. That’s contradictory.
CDINDC
I stand corrected: “methodical”
not “surgical.” I don’t feel need to
reread reports before every comment
At least in my case, I believe most
people get the general idea.
To some of us, it appears that the
stab wounds were made by a single
person. To others, it appears that
the wounds were made by all three.
One is free to take whatever position.
In response to your contention that
Price is the stabber, I admitted to
having incomplete knowledge and
perhaps less than you about this.
All I say is that Ward is trained in
how to use knives in a way which
might make it likely he was the
stabber.
It is also possible Price developed
some skills in how to use a knife
during his days as Eagle Scout.
For all I know, Zaborsky did most of
the wood chopping at Swann Street
house and Sarah was a Samurai?
Robert, what exactly do you mean by these comments…
“I admitted to having incomplete knowledge and perhaps less than you about this.”
and
“I have no way of knowing if or when Price went into Ward’s room. Perhaps, you know more than I about this.”
?
In reply to one of my posts
you remarked sarcastically:
“And Price never went into
Dylan’s room? Give me a
break.” My above response
indicates that I do not know
whether, when or why Price
may have entered Dylan’s
room and concede that you
may have superior knowledge
to my own on this point.
Me? Sarcastic? Never.
CD – As we later learned it was Michael Price who had experience behind the butcher counter of a suburban Maryland grocery. It proves nothing but is yet another ironic facet.
Mmmmm… Brisket.
Joe was – once again – the one skilled at bringing all parties together into a common alliance. Following on Robert’s OD, Joe’s main intellectual preoccupation was figuring out how to keep all participants completely bonded to secrecy. Joe’s hand was the driving force plunging Dylan’s knife three times into Robert’s body. But the hands of two other people were also gripping that knife. This was essential in bonding the three of them together (as we have subsequently witnessed over the past three years).
Your guess is as good as mine. I think that the stabbing, literally, was Joe’s handiwork. Dylan may have been in the room, likely supported the “decision” but was not capable of doing the deed. Though Victor was complicit in the cover-up, I suspect he was still asleep when this particular act occurred. Had he been awake, and not chock full of drugs/anger/sex like the duo, perhaps he could have talked them out of such a horrendous crime. Maybe not, though, as I suspect Joe is not easily persuaded.
Bea says, “Your guess work is as good as mine.”
Thanks for the very generous compliment Bea, because I’ve usually found your “guess work” to be really sound. Your dual insight into the legal process and the human condition has helped everyone sharpen their analysis of this dreadful case.
Appreciated. Not to turn this into a love-fest, but there are a few scribes here who always make me think, and you are among them. At some point, as many of the ‘group’ which would find it interesting/doable, should meet and talk in person. Being a left-coaster would likely require me to travel, but I think it would be particularly interesting.
Well, I frequent San Francisco each year, so we should make this happen. Still, to ensure that this doesn’t turn into some sort of love-fest, I’ll offer my next post slam-dunk, in-your-face as a corrective!
Oh, you two….get a room! LOL
I hope after the trial and after these awful men are convicted to, hopefully, lengthy incarcerations, we can meet and toast in celebration.
BEA
I had the pleasure of meeting the Good Gang
of Four at the recent anniversary observance
for the killing of Robert Wone.
I look forward to meeting with one or more
of these moderators on some future occasion.
I would be eager to meet with GRISHAM &/or
you should that be possible. If you are ever
on the East Coast, please let me know.
“LET’S HAVE THAT HYSTERICAL SCREAMING GUY GO UPSTAIRS ALONE, ALL BY HIMSELF, TO CALL 911.”
Really!? Can you imagine Joe dispatching Victor alone up to their 3rd floor bedroom (while he and Dylan continue to clean things up on the 2nd floor) to call into 911 and make their first public statement about their delicate situation; and trusting that Victor would tell the right story without gaffs . . . that is, if in fact Victor had just previously stumbled on a murder in his house, freaked out, screamed loudly, and then presumably quickly recovered, was well scripted, coached and rehearsed (within less than a half hour) to deliver the right lines to 911?
No, that just didn’t happen that way. Joe didn’t ask a scream’n hysterical Victor to go upstairs, out of ear shot, to report their situation to 911. That’s because Victor never screamed. He was awake and aware of what was going on in his house all evening. Indeed, the entire “intruder” story was likely advertising-guy Victor’s own creative invention.
Sometimes I wonder if Victor was upstairs, laying in bed with his fingers in his ears.
Got intruder?
I think they were already done cleaning when they dispatched VP to make the call.
JOHNG
I have put forth elsewhere mechanics of what I
think took place on fateful evening of murder. I
publicly rejected the “intruder theory” as soon as
Robert was killed (I have witnesses) and so told
Good Gang of 4 as soon as I learned of website.
As may be seen from my posts above, below and
elsewhere: I believe intruder theory would have
arisen under a scenario where Robert overdosed
on ketamine; Ward and Price stabbed Wone out
of panic to cover up the fact they caused Wone’s death through drugging. Zaborsky came later.
Along with BEA, I believe that Zaborsky was not
complicit in the acts of earlier in the evening.
Rather, I think that Victor called in to serve as PR
man for the emergency services response.
Unfortunately, Victor forgot to mention the “tag line” for this successful killing campaign: “Got ILK.”
Yes, Perplexed. I believe you are right. They were likely about to begin showering at that time.
This goes higher up in the post where you were discussing the morning after, but I can’t find the exact message where that discussion started.
Anyway, just wanted to let everyone know that Joe came into the office the morning after the RW murder, presumably right after he was at Cosi. He looked completely unrecognizable at first, and it took me awhile to actually realize it was him. His hair was very much disheveled, and he was in jeans and a t-shirt, which he never wore to work (even though we could wear jeans on Fridays). I’m not exactly sure what he was doing there, but I found it extremely ODD that he would come into the office, especially because at one point he was standing in the hall talking about all the police questioning, and attracting a small audience. I was out of earshot, but I heard later he was talking about how the police kept focusing on the “gay angle,” i.e. a threesome with Robert gone bad.
Anyway, not sure if this adds anything but it was definitely interesting to see Joe the next morning, to say the least! Isn’t the office the LAST place you would go after a good friend was murdered in your home the night before, and you had been at the police station being questioned all night long??
So Joe was “holding court” in the hallway? Oh, gawd.
I suppose the disheveled look was for the pity factor.
Yes, “holding court” is exactly what he was doing. Great way to put it, CD. Again, though, even if you felt the need to do this, wouldn’t you be talking about how horrible it was that a good friend was murdered in your home last night?? Not how you were a victim of unfair police questioning… I mean, really.
I think I would be at home. In a state of shock. Sick about things. I would probably be quite emotional.
He wanted attention. And I agree John Grisham 100%.
Exactly. Not to mention, after an all-nighter like that, I would be extremely tired (both physically and emotionally) and would honestly just want to go somewhere and sleep for a very long time.
That is disgusting. Poor RW.
EF
I wish to thank you for a very informative report
a/w/a as your observations relating thereto.
If Robert is indeed the narcissist he has been
described to be, then this might explain his
strange behavior in the office on the day
following the night of the killing.
No suprises here. If you’re a pathological narcissist, its one of the first places you would go.
I think John’s right, and it wasn’t Victor who screamed. I think it was Sarah (regardless of what she said she was that night). I’ve come to believe that there was a fourth person. She may have been away, but was called home.
Further, I think most guys, when confronted with a situation like that, would gasp or shout “Oh fuck!” or something similar, but probably not scream.
I don’t know, Victor sounded awfully girly on that 911 call. I can picture him screaming.
What about Victor’s drug use? Anyone know?
As I have said before: there is no way that three different individuals could have inflicted near identical stab wounds unless they were members of a single surgical team or played one on TV (not even a three-way trannie would work).
Given that Joe is a “control freak,” he may have supervised the team; but the expert surgeon is Dylan who had a degree in culinary arts; Victor is the squeamish onlooker who screams at the sight (or is that site) of blood!
Good point about VZ……supported by his 911 call.
It has been awhile since I have been on the blog.
Any news?
Uh… read the homepage of this blog.
Thanks. Nelly. Sorry if I did not make myself clear. I meant any of the other subsites.