Crescat scientia; Vita Excolatur
Thousands have visited this site; hundreds have gone the extra mile by researching, studying, analyzing and investing considerable time and energy towards the common goal of deciphering the puzzle of the untimely death of Robert Wone, a fine young man and a promising attorney.
University of Chicago
Their names are familiar to the regular readers and case insiders alike. Some of these sages have been here since the launch while others have joined more recently.
This is a large family that grows larger by the week and we’re grateful to all who follow the case and have enlisted in the mission.
We’re sad to report that we lost an important member of the family in the past several days. We bid a fond and tearful farewell to Chilaw79.
As a key member of the wmrw in-house counsel, Chilaw’s contributions here were voluminous. Always ready with smart insight on any new developments in the case, Chilaw made this site better in both the comments section and more often than not offline, schooling us on what it all means and what to expect.
In Chilaw’s final comment on these pages, from just a few days ago, we were offered wise words on how to stay positive and focused on the task ahead, the indefatigable and dogged pursuit of justice:
“Best wishes for the new year. I have not been at this for four years; I have no idea whether I could do this for four years, but I can understand a certain weariness, aggravated, in part, from the glacial pace at which justice moves.
As a lawyer, I believe that helping to determine who murdered Robert Wone and the role the defendants played (if any) is worthwhile. One very promising young lawyer is dead and another has seen his career fall apart.
This crime has caused ripples that reach whole families and institutions. Who knows what good Robert Wone would have done with his life? Always make time for your friends and family… When you feel weary, take a break. Others will carry on.”
Others will carry on.
Our deepest and most heartfelt condolences go out to Chilaw’s loved ones and we sincerely thank them for sharing their remarkably kind, patient and generous family member with ours.
Crescat scientia; Vita Excolatur: Let knowledge grow from more to more; and so be human life enriched.
-Doug, Michael, David and Craig
My heartfelt condolences to Chilaw’s family and loved ones. Such a loss to us all.
Assuming for one moment that anyone in ChiLaw79’s extended family reads this post and the comments that will most certainly follow, ChiLaw is admired and her comments appreciated. Her final words on this site are eerily prescient and at the same time so valuable.
I have been lucky enough to benefit from her insights, her humor and her good will.
And her comment is so right – life is precious and we must embrace all of it. She quite clearly never knew Robert Wone, except she quite clearly shared ideals and vision with him.
Adieu, ChiLaw79.
Respectfully,
Meto
Always intelligent, always fair, always insightful, Chilaw79 will be sorely missed here.
My thoughts and prayers are with Chilaw’s family and loved ones.
Peace be with you Chilaw. We will miss you. Thank you for all your posts. To Chilaw’s family – I am sorry for your loss.
A suggestion: just spent an hour searching “chilaw” on this site and re-reading many of her wonderful insightful posts. Would highly recommend it.
chilaw79 on 09/07/2010 at 11:16 PM
Perhaps, there are more cases “upstairs” to be resolved. God loves you very much, chilaw79,…and I will never forget you…”my walking law library.”
How dreadful, and what a loss to us certainly, to her family and friends undoubtedly and to this world of course. God speed, Chilaw.
I will very much miss Chilaw’s insights. If I may ask, was she ill or did she suffer an accident? I had no idea.
From reading her (seemingly) last post
chilaw79 on 09/07/2010 at 11:16 PM
I didn’t see it coming either…wish I had sensed something. I’m still in shock! May I also ask, the Eds (don’t have to reply if it is not appropriate)?
“Winter, slumbering in the open air, wears on his smiling face a dream of spring”
Peace be with you, Chilaw.
I am devastated. When scrolling through the dozens of comments on this site, I always stopped on chilaw’s. So smart, well-reasoned and so well articulated. Her (I didn’t know chilaw was a she!) loss will be deeply felt here. My sincerest condolences to her family.
As a fellow attorney, I so appreciated your valued comments chilaw; you informed us all. In the darkness of death, follow the unmistakable light until you rest in the peace you deserve.
Rest easy, ChiLaw.
This is just the sort of reaction I had expected and this is a good sendoff for our pal.
Judge Brook Hedge just announced a status hearing for tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 16 @ 1:30pm in room 517. Case and trial scheduling matters are to be addressed.
It’s an awkward time for many, but we hope that some readers can turn out for what should be a short session. Maybe afterward we can grab a rootbeer and toast to our dear departed friend and mentor.
Dear Craig:
Is that an official/unofficial request for a gathering.
if so, I’m there.
Why the heck not. Official, unofficial or otherwise. If it was happening on a Friday it would be easier to lounge around afterwards, but let’s make the most of it.
IIRC, at the last civil staus hearing, none of the defendants showed, but at least two of us will be there tomorrow.
I’m in!
No Cutom Made Suit, though.
Chi Law wouldn’t have supported it. 🙂
When I hear such things, I can’t stop myself for resenting the unfair way death chooses its victims. My thoughts are with the family and friends of one of our dearest and best.
Chilaw79 had much to say – always reasoned, always reasonable. I raise my coffee mug to Chilaw and ask others to tip toward the screen when the pang hits. Godspeed, Chilaw, fellow traveler.
Absolutely S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G!
Her last comment was in relation to my posting about distancing ourselves from WMRW to regain control of our lives.
I took her advice well. That night, I reinvested in my relationship with James, left WMRW behind for an evening, and took the break she recommended.
I was then very aware, that she not only was NOT online with us in recent days, but, that she didn’t respond to my following comment about his/her gender. Still uncertain, but, Bea stated she was a woman.
Someone else stated she was a law library and she was. I learned a lot from her.
Even when I was over all the legal discussion, she used humor to get her points across. It helped.
I’ll miss you Chi Law, whether you were a man or a woman.
chilaw79 on 09/03/2010 at 6:52 PM posted “The Three of Us” from Hallmark Moments
but this one is for you, chilaw79, “my walking law library” …
You are here and warm
But I could look away and you’d be gone …
Cause we live in a time
When paintings have no color, words don’t rhyme
And that’s why I’ve travelled far …
no trace, no sign … like a sentimental … gentle wind …
Chilaw’s loss will be deeply felt – not only for her vast legal knowledge, but for the kind and graceful way in which she imparted it to those unschooled in the law. I had always suspected from her screen name that she was a 1979 graduate of the University of Chicago law school. Now I want to believe that the 79 signified her age and that she lived a long and fulfilling life. Go in peace, Chilaw.
This is such sad news. Chilaw, you will be greatly missed! And thank you so much for your ability to provide explanantions with patience and diplomacy.
True but I’ll be damned if I ever figure out WTF estoppel is. 🙂 Hugs 2U FCH.
In the final scene of the Broadway musical “Camelot,” Arthur is talking to Pellinore and he describes each of us as being just a single drop in the vast ocean of humanity and emphasizes that “some of them really do sparkle.” Chilaw is one of those who really did sparkle beautifully in this vast ocean and she illuminated others with her counsel and wisdom.
This is devastating news. I bet many people on this site never participated in this way on a blog before; I hadn’t. But you realize there are people behind these screen names who become people you trust, listen to, and value.
Chilaw was an invaluable part of this WMRW “family.” Like everyone here who posted in response to this news, I was privileged to have learned from her and to have communicated with her. I’m always amazed and inspired by people who share their knowledge so freely and Chilaw did that.
I agree with what Jeana said and Bill, and others, and Bruce I did go back and read some of Chi’s posts and thank goodness they will remain here to guide newcomers to this site and others who need to refresh their memories of what “estoppel” and other terms mean.
May you rest in peace, Chilaw79. Thank you for all you shared with us.
Chilaw’s last post, and Craig’s tribute to her–beautiful.
Rest in Peace, dear Chilaw – how you will be missed by one and all.
You now know the answer to all of the world’s mysteries, past and present. And the answer to the mystery that brought us all together. No doubt Robert has embraced you warmly.
God’s blessing and peace for you.
I just want to take a moment to express sympathy and regards to the family of Chilaw79.
On several occasions Chilaw79 was kind enough and patient enough to respond to my posts and answer my questions. I cannot tell you how much I appreciated Chilaw79’s thoughtful, informative answers.
We hardly knew you and now you are gone. Chilaw79 will be truly missed.
Regards
Not exactly news you get over fast.
Chi Law has consumed me all day.
At first, I didn’t process she passed away. I assumed she moved away from WMRW and told the editors so.
I had a few postings in the cue, asking the politically incorrect questions about her departure and decided to hold off until I read more postings to get a better handle.
It didn’t take too long to determine, that Chi Law in fact, might have passed away.
It was so sudden from her last post 7 days ago, it just didn’t make sense.
Then, I feared she was one of the, “Mystery,” murder stories in the press.
I re-read the posting several times and made the assumption we lost her life.
Then at 7:30pm, 9+ hours later, the headline hit me. “A Death in the Family.”
We lost Chi Law.
I then Googled her.
What did I learn?
Chi Law is, “Chicago Law.”
I then reviewed her responses to my posting when I was asked to speak to the employment prospects for the Swann 3. Chi Law referenced, “Chicago Law.”
“Thirty years ago in Chicago, litigation partners often had a drink (or two) at lunch at the club.”
Yep.
Chi Law was Chicago law. For some reason, I was thought she was at Georgetown. Then, again, I was confused about her/his gender, as well.
I was curious as to what, “Crescat scientia; Vita Excolatur,” meant, so I googled it and got “ Let knowledge grow from more to more; and so be human life enriched.” The reference was to Chicago Law. Did I see the tagline Craig gave the emblem on the posting?
As I’ve often said before, I am not that quick. 🙂
I look forward to meeting folks on Thursday afternoon and I’m bringing name tags for our screen names.
Today, is probably the first time I read and studied every post. Fortunately, there have been only 30 up until now and not over 300.
I would be curious if the editors had any hard science on how many times Chi Law posted on this site. Assuming, she has been here since Day one, I bet it’s around 3,000 times.
We would be elated to hear from her family and friends. I’m sure she made them nuts with this blog.
Chi Law, you made a difference.
We should all review Chi Law’s responses to our previous posts.
Right after the criminal verdict, I was hell bent on pursuing the prosecution with a formal complaint.
I asked the lawyers to assist me with the language.
Clearly, based on everyone’s response, it was bad idea. Some folks were hard on me and misinterpreted what I was saying.
I then went back online and stated that my intent was misunderstood. Chi Law immediately responded wit the following:
Chilaw79 on 07/06/2010 at 11:03 AM
Lighten up a bit; this is a long process.
People understood your frustration with the prosecution. Sometimes the Internet is an imperfect medium for communication. You do not see that something is being said with a wink or a nod.
My own reticence at being labeled a “senior poster” was intended to reflect the fact that, unlike you and many others, I have not been following the case for four years. I defer to those who have.
Thanks for taking the time to express yourself. My regards to you.
She/he was a trooper.
Coming back now to read over everyone’s tributes, I realized that when I saw the feed title “a death in the family” my first thought was that one of the trio had died. How poignant to realize now that the family has become THIS family, which I think is a real tribute to all of you who keep Robert’s memory alive and the quest for justice alive as well, which has trumped whatever pathetic family may have started bringing these people together. Chilaw was one of the matriarchs of this family and I have to say again how much I will miss her.
Dear Gina:
Thank yo0u for the posting.
I wanted to say the same thing in my last post and when I went to key it in, I forgot what I wanted to say.
In keeping with Craig’s comments;
“This is just the sort of reaction I had expected and this is a good sendoff for our pal.”
These editors really did create a family, here.
I’m very impressed with everyone’s warm remarks.
I can’t help but wonder what the plaintiff and defendants think.
How dreadful that this news is! (I’m just finding this out: even a muse has to work in this economy.) Chilaw was a wonderful orchid in our electronic bouquet of learned and spirited commentators: he/she will be sorely missed! Her wit enlivened dreary legal minutiae; her sagacity was never ponderous or poisonous. Adieu, Chilaw, and aloha to your presence, if only in your archived posts, too!
Even Culuket may send a fruit basket to the Editors here, but that IS hoping against hope!
Very sad news. My sincere condolences.
Shocked and very sad…Chilaw was the first poster who welcomed my simple comments on this blog and she answered my few questions in a way that I understood “lawyer talk”. I know that Chilaw was a good person and will be missed by multitudes.
How was her death reported and what were the circumstances?
Rest in Peace…and now she knows WMRW.
A family member indeed. Tears flow in the suddenness and sadness of the news. Chilaw79 was far, far more than the translator of law to me. Her wisdom, experience and patience for all impressed me. She was THERE, as no one else was, in her inimitable, very careful, but not judgemental fashion. Yes, I thought she was a man, and a very enlightened one at that!
I am one of the devastated. I so looked forward to Chilaw’s comments. When the comments stopped, I thought she was taking her own advice, and taking a vacation, which she never seemed to do.
What a fine and noble human we have lost! The suddenness of her passing tells me how valuable this blog is to me, how much one person can contribute to educating others in the finest sense.
Chilaw, you beautiful soul. Loved and missed here.
I’m really stunned to read Chilaw has passed away. For me anyway, her many posts did help demystify the legal gobbledygook that often flew right over my head.
She explained the legalisms, and byzantine procedural rules in layman’s terms that we could all understand.
Even when she was chi-ding us for our sometimes irrational conclusions, it was always gently done.
My sympathy to her friends and family.
I send my deepest sympathy to Chilaw’s family. I have only been following WMRW since the verdict this summer, but it was immediately clear that Chilaw’s contributions were priority reading. What a huge loss but I am so glad we had the privilege of her wisdom and that it is still here for us to read and read again. Thank you Chilaw! I will be thinking of you tomorrow and wish I could be there with those who can who will salute you.
May I add my condolences to Chilaw’s family and friends. Chilaw was a bright light on this blog and I shall miss Chilaw. Always checked out Chilaw’s contributions. Weren’t we fortunate.
thank you for letting us know.
Too bad.
In light of the tragic news of ChiLaw’s passing, I’d like to take a moment to say thanks to my fellow contributors for the many hours we’ve shared here….each of you have personalities that shine through your words.
Here’s to ChiLaw. And to you.
CD: Let me echo those sentiments. Thanks again to all of you from all of us.
And thanks for keeping the running tally Gloria. I guess the semi-colon means mission not yet accomplished.
I am reeling with the news. I will move hell and earth to be downtown tomorrow. The last few days, I have forced myself to spend no more than 5 minutes a day, after midnight, to check in, and not to post. I have a huge project that I postponed for weeks while obsessing over WMRW and have to stay focused, with a deadline looming. I’m unnerved now, so my allocated 5 minutes are shot to hell.
A little admission: To keep the main posters straight, I’ve maintained notes on each, as they share facts about themselves and as they propose theories. Here is my running paragraph about Chilaw:
Chilaw79: Bea refers to Chi as female; lives in DC, civil attorney, studies up on DC law for this case; wants CLE credits for how much crim law sbe’s read. attended criminal trial and saw autopsy photos; very sharp on knowing the evidence; finds juncture between crim and civil law in this case fascinating – could make precedents; was mugged and changed door locks; was on jury duty in DC; credit to Mrs. Z for having class, urging Victor to give up. Sweet, always complimenting judge, lawyers, editors, etc. Not a veteran on wmrw.
Theory: drugged and incapacitated, experiment gone wrong; does not know who or how but feels all 3 know something; Dyl as unfocused with fleeting interests;
The semi-colon at the end was to record her future brilliant comments. It will remain as is because surely she’s somewhere watching over us all. It’s unique to feel so deeply sad about the loss of someone I not only never met but for whom I have NO name, face, etc.
Gloria –
Looks like we’re both pulling all-nighters tonite to meet deadlines. I’m rarely up this late, but I have to respond because your last sentence so accurately describes my own feelings. I’ve had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes since learning of Chilaw’s passing and reading all of these beautiful, heartfelt tributes.
Dear Gloria:
“It’s unique to feel so deeply sad about the loss of someone I not only never met but for whom I have NO name, face, etc.”
You foundmy language and feelings for me.
That is exactly what I’m so disconnected about.
Not only was I unsure of his/her gender, I didn’t even know her name or story.
It’s fascinating how many people can expereince the loss and be so moved by someone they never met.
A little concerned about the dossier you may have on me.
Unlike, Chi Law, I have not been as consistent.. 🙂
[could not locate the first Q, it was somewhere above Bea]
Bea on 09/11/2010 at 1:50 AM
Hi Rich,
Pretty sure ChiLaw is a woman.
Rich on 09/12/2010 at 6:52 PM
…Maybe “he/she” will surface and set the record straight.
denton on 09/12/2010 at 10:10 PM
…Not a single subject that is left unanswered. I dream one day “I want to grow up sharp like ChiLaw.”
ChiLaw – Where are you?
…no answers! …and the … gentle … wind … just … blew … her … away,…so…so far … away .. from us all …..???!!!!
I will forever look up…way…way up…to you “my Dear chilaw79.” May You Rest In Peace!
I haven’t been here very long but you don’t have to be here very long to recognise the outstanding contribution chilaw made to this website. Like others, I avidly read anything posted by chilaw and admired her erudition and wit.
She must have been a remarkable person to know and I hope her family and friends are somewhat comforted to know that her human qualities were so strong that they stood out even among the relative anonymity of a blog. I hope she’s being toasted with the sentiment “that’s our chilaw all right”. Please know that she will be sincerely missed, even by people who had limited contact with her.
I saw this news yesterday and have waited to respond because I am not sure how to put my emotions into words. It is the first time I have ever felt connected to someone on a blog, someone whose name I didn’t even know. I cannot express how much I have learned from and admired Chilaw. I believe I have learned more from her on this site than many of my law school professors, and mentors. I believe we will all see a noticeable void here in the coming weeks. My thoughts are with her family. I think most people hope that in the end they will have made a difference in somebody’s life or in someway while they share this common experience. I hope it gives Chilaw’s family some comfort in seeing how many people their loved one has touched; even without ever meeting her.
My most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Chilaw. Count me among the grateful many who learned so much from this wise, generous, and patient contributor.
I have been reading this site for some time and always appreciated ChiLaw’s comments. This is so sad and many of the prior posts sum up my feelings. RIP.
It is such a shock. Although I check this site every day, ever since the criminal trial has ended I have not posted nor have I read every post, but I always stop for Chilaw’s comments. Her insight will be missed; her wisdom will stay with us.
Rich: Thanks for the research that led you to discern that our beloved Chilaw was a ’79 alumna of Chicago Law School. May we thus conclude that she was a young woman? How very sad!
And, Rick, I loved your observation that Chilaw “now knows WMRW,” a cause for which she worked so diligently.
I don’t think graduating from law school in 1979 makes you “a young woman.” That was 31 years ago. I believe she was probably about my age, 57, not young, but certainly too young to die. She was clearly still in peak intellectual form and provided much insight and factual analysis in this forum.
Dear leo:
Did some research.
Chi Law was 55.
Whoops!
And, for the record, Rich goes on record with the following statement:
No more mystery…
Chi Law 79 was in fact a W-O-M-A-N!
And, a bright and compassionate one, too!
I am so sorry to hear this news. It is very, very sad. Surely the life of the mind continues after death; remembering Chilaw, its hard to think otherwise.
Once again I commend the editors and other members of the WMRR family for cultivating the warmth and decorum of this site.
I’m sad for ChiLaw’s family and friends. Rest in peace ChiLaw.
Who was Chilaw79? And how did the editors find out that she had passed away? Such sad news. I will miss her excellent analysis and patient explanations of the law. She helped make this site so valuable to all who desire justice for Robert.
Can anyone account for Joe Price’s whereabouts when she died?
Whoa…! Are we having another case to “get to the bottom” of it, Eds AND the WMRW’s team?
Ouch!
Dear Leo: Not to be quarrelsome, but age 55 is indeed a very “young woman;” it’s relative.
Age 55 or 57 is now the new age 35. Get with it! It’s 2010!
I wholeheartedly agree. Finally, Bruce, there is something upon which we can concur. This suspending of traditional age expectations is even increasingly true for confirmed bachelors on Capitol Hill, informed sources tell me!
I have a feeling, Dear Clio, that there is much on this blog to which we can concur.
But either way, let’s make it fun.
With your sharp eyes and trigger responsiveness, “informed sources,” and literary allusions, and with my legal frailties and tragic history of being horribly victimized but, similtaneously, frequently placing my lowest appendage firmly in my mouth…
HILARITY is assured to ensue!
Oh my – what a loss. Like all of you, I always read and enjoyed ChiLaw79’s posts. Not sure how we will get through the civil trial without her. Thank God the WMRW “legal department” is very well staffed with bright and articulate attorneys. That said, filling ChiLaw’s shoes is an impossible task. God Rest her Soul.