Feb 14, 2006

The Other Suspect

Well, spent the afternoon testifying in a murder trial.  The story goes something like: man finds out his wife is cheating on him; then man finds wife's boyfriend; man proceeds to ventilate boyfriend with a .38.  Actually a very touching love story, being that it's Valentine's Day and all; however, I think it would have been better if the man just punched the boyfriend in the nose, but I guess I'm not a romantic. 

It all started a year or so ago.  I had been up all night investigating a shooting (victim was not quite dead), where some kid, sporting a red sweatshirt, took umbrage to another kid wearing a blue bandana.  The kids probably broke out into a chorus line dance of "Jets and Sharks" from Westside Story.  It ended with 'da homie break'n out a duece-duece and bust'n a cap on da slob.'  Oxford Rules would translate: "An individual pulled a .22 caliber automatic and shot an opposing gang member."  Anyway, we were not getting very far with the investigation; it was 8:00 in the morning and we were all tired. 

A front lobby clerk came running back to me holding a sack.  He handed it to me and said, "There is a guy standing out front who said he shot someone; he told me this is the gun, and he is here to turn himself in!"  Oh boy!  the "bust'n a cap homie" walked right to us!  Obviously this kid was intimidated by our relentless pursuit over the past few hours, frightened beyond all reason by the skill and professionalism of lead investigator, Detective Dave! 

I locked up the gun and went out to arrest the kid; however, no one was in the lobby except an older (50's) man.  I looked at the clerk, who was trying to hide behind a pillar.  He whispered, "That's him," indicating the older guy.  I shook him down and took him back to find out what went on. 

It turns out that this was just some guy who shot his wife's boyfriend, but in a different city.  That city had an arrest warrant for him, but he decided to turn himself in at our PD, not because we impressed him, but because his sister lived nearby and he wanted to drop off his car at her place before he went to jail.  So much for skill and investigatory prowess. 

We never did solve the gang shooting, maybe the kid was TOO frightened by the skill and....  never mind.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think you could make a living as a stand-up comic.  And it would be a much safer job.

Anonymous said...

I must admit, out of all the Valentine stories I have read today, you had the most interesting one. Happy Valentine's Day!

Anonymous said...

What I want to know is what has happened to Det. Mendoza?  You are very quiet about him these days!!

Anonymous said...

Ah, true love!

Anonymous said...

never a dull day for you, I'm sure.

betty

Anonymous said...

I guess some days you just feel to old and tired to make the cops chase you.  Forget all the drama and call it a day, turn yourself in......  Now, about the kids....
Jackie

Anonymous said...

I once had a male patient who was shot by the angry husband as the patient was in the actual act of doing the husband's wife.   The entrance wound was under the guy's left buttock and the exit was just above his buttock.  I like touching Valentine's stories too.

Anonymous said...

I'm teaching linguistics (to teachers) and want to pull the homie line and it's translation for my class. Hope it's okay.

Anonymous said...

Lovely Valentine Romance - A punch on the Nose should have been enough - but I guess I'm not romantic either....bet you thought your Luck had changed when the Kid gave himself up...(but it wasn't the kid) but some guy from another city  only dropping his car off at his sisters - How sensible of him not to leave it on the road because for sure someone would have Stolen it...I'm sure he was impressed with you Guys LOL....Ally
http://journals.aol.co.uk/ally123130585918/Lifewithally

Anonymous said...

You guys ever thought of opening up a drive-thru confession line?

"Do you want fries with that?"

Anonymous said...

Hi there, I cam across your blog today and really enjoyed it, very entertaining entries! I love true crime stories and you tell them in such a humorous, fun tongue-in-cheek way. I've linked your blog on my own and have set up an email alert for your new entries. :-)

- Raven

Anonymous said...

was the guy a jet or a shark?

Anonymous said...

Yep your line of work doesn't let you get too much of a big head does it? But good work anyway!!!! lol........ http://journals.aol.com/shayshaydc/Golfaholic
Sharon:)

Anonymous said...

Wow...can't get any easier than that! Let us know what gets as far as time. I take it guy died? How ventilated was he? HA! Too bad OJ wasn't such a man to do so...but then that is just my opinion! Do you watch Boston Legal...hysterical how Denny wanted Alan to shoot him when his quality of health fails! Ha!