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Question
QUESTION: Many years ago a friend of mine was murdered. He was shot from behind in the head. The shooter was supposedly about ten feet away. At the time of the shooting my friend was sitting in a chair unaware of what was about to happen. From time to time due circumstances surrounding the case, I can't help but wonder how much of the crime was staged. In other words I wonder if my friend didn't end up in a witness protection program. My question is, at the time my friend was shot, he was tightly holding a lighter in his hand, how likely is it that he would have fallen forward and to the side and died still tightly gripping that lighter?
ANSWER: Jane,
I am not sure what you mean by "I wonder if my friend didn't end up in a witness protection program".
Its impossible for me to speculate about whether your friend would have fallen forward or not. There are a lot of variables that would go into that such as his position before the shot was fired and what caliber gun was used.
I am guessing that you are second guessing the findings of the police and/or the medical examiner ten years later?
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Sorry I wasn't very clear before. The reports say that my friend fell forward and then to the side. I am not disputing that. What I am curious about is how after being shot in the head was he able to hold onto a lighter the entire time. It's almost as if the lighter was placed in his hand after the shooting. I was just wondering ballistics wise, what the chances are someone would actually be able to hold onto a lighter after being shot in the head and then collapsing to their death?
I can't imagine what the reasoning would be for the shooter to place a lighter in the hand of a person that he has just killed. Most likely the hand muscles of the deceased contracted at the moment of death thus the lighter in his hand.
Is this an open or closed homicide case?
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 9 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you! I don't think the shooter placed the lighter in his hand as much as I think maybe the police did. As I said I often wonder if my friend didn't end up in a witness protection program, thus perhaps his death was staged. The case is currently in the courts, the verdict has been given and the two men charged are awaiting sentencing. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Jack Toomey
Expertise
U.S.: I am an expert in this category for the purpose of giving young people an idea what the hiring process involves for the position of police officer. I am getting a flood of questions from young people who are being influenced by unrealistic television shows. I'd ask you to consider that when you watch police shows on television that they are NOT realistic and most of what you see does not happen in real life. Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. I am NOT a probation officer so I cannot answer questions about probation and parole matters. I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience.I worked in a variety of assignments including investigations, homicide, sex crimes, runaway investigations, missing persons, and fraud.I also dealt with the general public during that time giving a wide range of advice on matters such as domestic disputes, problem solving, teenage problems, civil/criminal matters, and dealing with the mentally ill. I am available to give sound and reasonable advice which can solve most problems. Please do not ask me to do homework questions or online interviews. Young people should not rely on the Internet for interviews. Local police officers are normally very agreeable to assist students with interviews and surveys.
Experience
Worked as a police officer/detective for 26 years.
Graduate of the University of Maryland.B.S. in Law Enforcement.Attended numerous schools and training courses involving investigations, interviewing, interrogations, crime detection, domestic violence, and others. Recognized in court as an expert witness.
Received numerous awards during my police career for expert investigations. Handled the most sensitive and confidential investigations. In 1999 I won an award for my work with high school students while working in my new career in a large suburban high school.
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