Page 146 - CFDI Guide

up. No other investigation, including a neighborhood canvas or background of the alleged victim, were

conducted.

The defendant was being held, with a bond so high that it was equivalent to without bond, for several
months. Independent investigation revealed that there were significant inconsistencies in the alleged

victim’s description of events and not being as described after visiting the scene and determining the
actual layout.

Investigation included a complete neighborhood canvas of the defendant's neighbors and neighbors of the

alleged victim, as well as additional neighbors that were suggested to be contacted. In addition, a
background of the alleged victim was conducted. The additional neighbor interviews confirmed reports

found in the alleged victim's background - including reports of domestic violence, reports of her own
sexually provocative behavior and advances, and activities of the night and morning in question that were

not consistent with her reports at the time of the incident or following. Based on this new information,
presented by the defense attorney to the prosecuting attorney, the assigned detective conducted

additional interviews of the alleged victim and neighbors.

As a result of this information, a new bond hearing was requested and held. The bond was reduced to an
amount that allowed the defendant to post bail and return to work. Within a short period of time

following reporting the findings from these interviews, the prosecuting attorney offered to dismiss all

charges for a plea to misdemeanor harassment with time served and probation.

The defendant accepted the offer of a non-sex assault misdemeanor.

Suspicious Death - Independent Investigation (Expert Consultation)
Our agency was retained by the family to review the official investigation and provide a determination of

the Manner of Death; the Cause of Death - Gunshot Wound to the head was not disputed. Assignments
included to review the official records, reports and photographs and provide an opinion as to the fatal

events. At question was the if the decedent committed suicide as reported. Provided for review were over
one hundred photographs, and several dozen pages of reports, records, and statements. The decedent

was found supine in his bed, with both hands clenched and in a semi-pugilistic position. A semi-automatic
handgun was next to his left side, in the blanket. A contact gunshot wound was determined near the left

temple, and exit at the right ear lobe. His identification had been removed from his wallet and placed on
the kitchen counter, next to a note initially thought to be a suicide note but determined to be from his

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