Why didnt Doug Cooper get called to testify in the Echols/Baldwin trial? John Mark Byers gave the Kershaw knife to him. He gave a statement about it -
www.wm3.org/html/evidence...tement.jpg
STATEMENT OF: Doug Cooper
DATE: 1/25/94 PAGE: 1
ADDRESS: P.O. Box 257
PHONE #:
DOB: 6/15/61 M W WORK PLACE:
CASE FILE #
COMPLAINT #
On Dec 19, 1993 Doug Cooper received a hunting-knife from Mr. Mark Byers at Mr. Byers home during the late afternoon/early evening. The knife had a dark synthetic handle which the blade folded into (total length of the knife unfolded was approx 9 inches) Mr. Cooper presented the knife to Mr. Joseph Berlinger & Mr. Bruce Sinfosky who in turn reported it to HBO upon being informed HBO demanded the knife be returned to West Memphis Police, upon this request Mr. Cooper transfered custody of the knife to Berlinger & Sinfosky whom then sent the knife via Federal Express to Inspector Gary Gitchell in West Memphis.
I have written this statement consisting of 1 page(s), and I affirm to the truth and accuracy of the facts contained therein. [next sentence scratched out]
This statement was completed at 12:45 PM., on the 24th day of January 1994. WITNESS :Inspector Gary Gitchell [illegible] Signature of person giving voluntary statement
=================
and so did Joe and Bruce -www.wm3.org/html/evidence...tement.jpg
www.wm3.org/html/evidence...fsky_b.jpg
Im no cryptographer, but the handwriting at the top of Coopers statement does not look like the writing in the body of the statement.
The writing at the top is small, controlled, with a slight right, even, slant. It has upper and lower case letters. The writing farther down is messy, and all in capitol block letters, with an uneven slant both right and left. Why was it written in the third person? What are the words crossed out at the bottom? The first 3 words are The above statement... but thats all I can make out. Joe and Bruces statements have consistent writing style. Also, the time and date are the same for all three statements, but Doug Coopers was changed at the top to 1-25-94, but the bottom wasnt.
Im assuming Cooper talked to Gitchell on the phone, than came in the next day to sign the statement. My question is, was it written for him? Its very different from the notes Gitchell took of their conversation.
These are much more interesting.
www.wm3.org/html/evidence...notes1.jpg
===============
525-5491
1-24-94 - Room 751 Ramada Inn #1
Memphis, TN
Doug Cooper-Interview
Rec. knife on Sunday 12-19-93 late afternoon from Mark Byers while at his residence.
knife-folding type hunting knife-serrated(?) edge blade
blade about 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 inches folding into handle.
Handle- composite type-black in color
Said by: Byers
If I liked or appreciated knives - was filming all day- I had been asleep on his couch.
He left and came back with knife, took knife out. I want to give you something(?)
Byers - I want to keep it in your car
Told him I didnt want the gift, couldnt understand why he gave it to me.
#2
He said it was sharp. Cut a piece of paper.
Its between us.
We have something between us. I want you to think of me if you should ever use it.
Safety-protection.
Stay maybe - 1/2 hour - 45 minutes then left.
Took knife back to NY with me. Could tell the knife had been used(?) for a while. Looked like a serrated(?) blade. Cut leg off a deer in November.
I had suspicions & my colleagues brought it to attention of HBO-Documentary production.
Our poss made known to them. They advised the knife be turned over to police. I gave verbal permission for the (illegible) person.
Joe Bruce & Joe together mailed the knife to
#3
Inspector Gitchell.
( Federal Express )
Shown as Gitchell sending & Gitchell receiving in order to protect our identity.
We videotaped the poss of knife poss of Fed Ex slip.
=========
After Doug Cooper returned to NY and talked to the producers of Paradise Lost and HBO, they insisted it be turned over. The producers videotaped themselves with the knife and the Fed Ex label they used to ship it back.
Gitchell received it on January 8, 1994. It was sent out for testing and the 3 statements were given on Jan. 24 & 25, 1994. JMB was questioned about the knife on Jan. 26th, because:
THE WITNESS: It was at Mr. Stidham and Crow's insistence that we speak to Mr. Byers. (TR 2060) ( Gitchell Abstract E/B trial.)
When did JMB give the knife to Cooper? From the film guys statements, it was Sunday, Dec. 19th. Why is that important?
From Lisa Sakevicious trial abstract:
It is not common practice for me to (search) the homes of the victims to see if there is any items there that might possibly match questioned hairs and fibers that I find. Actually, none of this case has been common practice for me. This is the first time I ever participated in a search of Defendants' or victims' homes. (snip) On December 20, 1993, I went to the former homes of the victims, Byers and Moore.
Heres the search consent signed by JMB at 11:21am, Monday, Dec. 20th, 1993, less than 24 hours after giving Doug Cooper the Kershaw knife. www.wm3.org/html/evidence...search.jpg
In December, the Byers and Moores were not considered suspects (the Hobbs had moved by this time, so their former house was not searched). Lisa Sakevicious and Gary Gitchell did not surprise the families the week of Christmas (their 1st without their murdered children) by dropping in unannounced. Not even the WMPD would be that callous and stupid. This was arranged ahead of time. Byers KNEW they were going to search the house. Lisa Sakevicius was not a buddy, like the rest of the WMPD whod been to pool parties at the Byers home, she was a scientist who wouldnt even hear JMBs bullshit stories. She could and would bust him.
Most importantly, why didnt big alarms go off for Gitchell? A possible suspect (even if remote in Gitchells mind) in a triple homicide just happens to get rid of a knife with blood on it that matches a victim and the suspect, less than 24 hours before his home is searched (and Gitchell was there for the search, his signature is on the search consent), by giving it to a guy staying at the suspects house and specifically saying keep this in your car where the search warrant is useless. Byers gave 3 different stories about the blood on the knife in one interview. Gitchell KNOWS all this on 1/26, but does he bust Byers on any of it? No. Why the hell not?
Now the whole question of why would he give a knife to a member of the film crew? takes on new meaning. Since he was asked to consent to a search, it makes perfect sense. It got the knife out of the way, and once Cooper took it to NY, its so far away it doesnt matter anymore.
***PROBLEM #1
JMBs 1/26/94 statement:
GITCHELL: ALRIGHT WHEN DID YOU UH GAVE HIM THAT KNIFE?
BYERS: IT WAS THE LAST TIME THEY WERE DOWN HERE WHICH WAS UH, SEEM LIKE THEY WERE DOWN HERE IN NOVEMBER
From Gitchells notes of int. w/Cooper:
Rec. knife on Sunday 12-19-93 late afternoon from Mark Byers while at his residence.
*Byers is off by a month here. Gitchells response? Nada.*
***PROBLEM #2
Jmbs 1/26/94 Statement
GITCHELL: HAD YOU EVER TAKEN THAT HUNTING OR USE IT RECENTLY JUST PRIOR TO GIVING IT TO UM, WHAT DID YOU SAY HIS NAME WAS KOOK?
BYERS: I THINK KOOK, NO THAT KNIFE HAD NOT BEEN USED AT ALL, IT JUST BEEN KEPT UP, PUT IN MY DRESSER AND I DIDN'T USE IT AND THE REASON WHY WAS IS BECAUSE OF THOSE SERRATED EDGES
GITCHELL: UH-HUH
BYERS: YOU COULDN'T KEEP IT SHARP (snip), AND HE THOUGHT IT WAS NEAR (neat?) BECAUSE IT HAD A VELCRO CASE THAT YOU COULD CARRY IT ON YOUR BELT WITH, AND IT KINDA HAD A GRIP ON IT THAT FELT LIKE PACHMAYR'S ON A GUN, AND HE JUST REALLY LIKE IT AND ADMIRED IT AND I REALLY DIDN'T LIKE IT SO I GAVE IT TO HIM.
Gitchells notes 1/24/94 - DCooper Int.
He said it was sharp. Cut a piece of paper.
*Byers tells Gitchell the knife cant be kept sharp, but tells Cooper its sharp and demonstrates it in front of him.*
***PROBLEM #3
Jmbs 1/26/94 Statement
RIDGE: DID YOU USE THE KNIFE?
BYERS: I NEVER USED IT, I WOULD HAVE USED IT HOPEFULLY, I WAS GOING TO USE IT FOR DEER HUNTING THAT'S ALL I DO IS DEER HUNT BUT I NEVER HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO USE IT ON A DEER.
Gitchells notes 1/24/94 - DCooper
Took knife back to NY with me. Could tell the knife had been
(illegible)(used? around?) for a while. Looked like a (illegible)(snled/srrted?) blade. Cut leg off a deer in November.
*Byers tells Gitchell its never been used, but told Cooper hed cut a leg off a deer in November*
***PROBLEM #4
JMB statement 1/26/94
BYERS: (snip) AND HE THOUGHT IT WAS NEAR (neat?) BECAUSE IT HAD A VELCRO CASE THAT YOU COULD CARRY IT ON YOUR BELT WITH, AND IT KINDA HAD A GRIP ON IT THAT FELT LIKE PACHMAYR'S ON A GUN, AND HE JUST REALLY LIKE IT AND ADMIRED IT AND I REALLY DIDN'T LIKE IT SO I GAVE IT TO HIM.
Gitchells notes 1/24/94 - DCooper
Said by: Byers
If I liked or appreciated knives - was fishing all day- I had been asleep on his couch.
He left and came back with knife, took knife out. I want to give you something.
I want to keep it in your car
Told him I didnt want the gift, couldnt understand why he gave it to me.
This is proof that JMB was trying to get the knife out of the house. Getting it into Coopers car is quick and nearly foolproof. Theres no reason to search for fibers to match from Coopers car, and no search warrant will cover Coopers car.
[edited to change "fishing" to "filming" in Gitchell's notes]
www.wm3.org/html/evidence...tement.jpg
STATEMENT OF: Doug Cooper
DATE: 1/25/94 PAGE: 1
ADDRESS: P.O. Box 257
PHONE #:
DOB: 6/15/61 M W WORK PLACE:
CASE FILE #
COMPLAINT #
On Dec 19, 1993 Doug Cooper received a hunting-knife from Mr. Mark Byers at Mr. Byers home during the late afternoon/early evening. The knife had a dark synthetic handle which the blade folded into (total length of the knife unfolded was approx 9 inches) Mr. Cooper presented the knife to Mr. Joseph Berlinger & Mr. Bruce Sinfosky who in turn reported it to HBO upon being informed HBO demanded the knife be returned to West Memphis Police, upon this request Mr. Cooper transfered custody of the knife to Berlinger & Sinfosky whom then sent the knife via Federal Express to Inspector Gary Gitchell in West Memphis.
I have written this statement consisting of 1 page(s), and I affirm to the truth and accuracy of the facts contained therein. [next sentence scratched out]
This statement was completed at 12:45 PM., on the 24th day of January 1994. WITNESS :Inspector Gary Gitchell [illegible] Signature of person giving voluntary statement
=================
and so did Joe and Bruce -www.wm3.org/html/evidence...tement.jpg
www.wm3.org/html/evidence...fsky_b.jpg
Im no cryptographer, but the handwriting at the top of Coopers statement does not look like the writing in the body of the statement.
The writing at the top is small, controlled, with a slight right, even, slant. It has upper and lower case letters. The writing farther down is messy, and all in capitol block letters, with an uneven slant both right and left. Why was it written in the third person? What are the words crossed out at the bottom? The first 3 words are The above statement... but thats all I can make out. Joe and Bruces statements have consistent writing style. Also, the time and date are the same for all three statements, but Doug Coopers was changed at the top to 1-25-94, but the bottom wasnt.
Im assuming Cooper talked to Gitchell on the phone, than came in the next day to sign the statement. My question is, was it written for him? Its very different from the notes Gitchell took of their conversation.
These are much more interesting.
www.wm3.org/html/evidence...notes1.jpg
===============
525-5491
1-24-94 - Room 751 Ramada Inn #1
Memphis, TN
Doug Cooper-Interview
Rec. knife on Sunday 12-19-93 late afternoon from Mark Byers while at his residence.
knife-folding type hunting knife-serrated(?) edge blade
blade about 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 inches folding into handle.
Handle- composite type-black in color
Said by: Byers
If I liked or appreciated knives - was filming all day- I had been asleep on his couch.
He left and came back with knife, took knife out. I want to give you something(?)
Byers - I want to keep it in your car
Told him I didnt want the gift, couldnt understand why he gave it to me.
#2
He said it was sharp. Cut a piece of paper.
Its between us.
We have something between us. I want you to think of me if you should ever use it.
Safety-protection.
Stay maybe - 1/2 hour - 45 minutes then left.
Took knife back to NY with me. Could tell the knife had been used(?) for a while. Looked like a serrated(?) blade. Cut leg off a deer in November.
I had suspicions & my colleagues brought it to attention of HBO-Documentary production.
Our poss made known to them. They advised the knife be turned over to police. I gave verbal permission for the (illegible) person.
Joe Bruce & Joe together mailed the knife to
#3
Inspector Gitchell.
( Federal Express )
Shown as Gitchell sending & Gitchell receiving in order to protect our identity.
We videotaped the poss of knife poss of Fed Ex slip.
=========
After Doug Cooper returned to NY and talked to the producers of Paradise Lost and HBO, they insisted it be turned over. The producers videotaped themselves with the knife and the Fed Ex label they used to ship it back.
Gitchell received it on January 8, 1994. It was sent out for testing and the 3 statements were given on Jan. 24 & 25, 1994. JMB was questioned about the knife on Jan. 26th, because:
THE WITNESS: It was at Mr. Stidham and Crow's insistence that we speak to Mr. Byers. (TR 2060) ( Gitchell Abstract E/B trial.)
When did JMB give the knife to Cooper? From the film guys statements, it was Sunday, Dec. 19th. Why is that important?
From Lisa Sakevicious trial abstract:
It is not common practice for me to (search) the homes of the victims to see if there is any items there that might possibly match questioned hairs and fibers that I find. Actually, none of this case has been common practice for me. This is the first time I ever participated in a search of Defendants' or victims' homes. (snip) On December 20, 1993, I went to the former homes of the victims, Byers and Moore.
Heres the search consent signed by JMB at 11:21am, Monday, Dec. 20th, 1993, less than 24 hours after giving Doug Cooper the Kershaw knife. www.wm3.org/html/evidence...search.jpg
In December, the Byers and Moores were not considered suspects (the Hobbs had moved by this time, so their former house was not searched). Lisa Sakevicious and Gary Gitchell did not surprise the families the week of Christmas (their 1st without their murdered children) by dropping in unannounced. Not even the WMPD would be that callous and stupid. This was arranged ahead of time. Byers KNEW they were going to search the house. Lisa Sakevicius was not a buddy, like the rest of the WMPD whod been to pool parties at the Byers home, she was a scientist who wouldnt even hear JMBs bullshit stories. She could and would bust him.
Most importantly, why didnt big alarms go off for Gitchell? A possible suspect (even if remote in Gitchells mind) in a triple homicide just happens to get rid of a knife with blood on it that matches a victim and the suspect, less than 24 hours before his home is searched (and Gitchell was there for the search, his signature is on the search consent), by giving it to a guy staying at the suspects house and specifically saying keep this in your car where the search warrant is useless. Byers gave 3 different stories about the blood on the knife in one interview. Gitchell KNOWS all this on 1/26, but does he bust Byers on any of it? No. Why the hell not?
Now the whole question of why would he give a knife to a member of the film crew? takes on new meaning. Since he was asked to consent to a search, it makes perfect sense. It got the knife out of the way, and once Cooper took it to NY, its so far away it doesnt matter anymore.
***PROBLEM #1
JMBs 1/26/94 statement:
GITCHELL: ALRIGHT WHEN DID YOU UH GAVE HIM THAT KNIFE?
BYERS: IT WAS THE LAST TIME THEY WERE DOWN HERE WHICH WAS UH, SEEM LIKE THEY WERE DOWN HERE IN NOVEMBER
From Gitchells notes of int. w/Cooper:
Rec. knife on Sunday 12-19-93 late afternoon from Mark Byers while at his residence.
*Byers is off by a month here. Gitchells response? Nada.*
***PROBLEM #2
Jmbs 1/26/94 Statement
GITCHELL: HAD YOU EVER TAKEN THAT HUNTING OR USE IT RECENTLY JUST PRIOR TO GIVING IT TO UM, WHAT DID YOU SAY HIS NAME WAS KOOK?
BYERS: I THINK KOOK, NO THAT KNIFE HAD NOT BEEN USED AT ALL, IT JUST BEEN KEPT UP, PUT IN MY DRESSER AND I DIDN'T USE IT AND THE REASON WHY WAS IS BECAUSE OF THOSE SERRATED EDGES
GITCHELL: UH-HUH
BYERS: YOU COULDN'T KEEP IT SHARP (snip), AND HE THOUGHT IT WAS NEAR (neat?) BECAUSE IT HAD A VELCRO CASE THAT YOU COULD CARRY IT ON YOUR BELT WITH, AND IT KINDA HAD A GRIP ON IT THAT FELT LIKE PACHMAYR'S ON A GUN, AND HE JUST REALLY LIKE IT AND ADMIRED IT AND I REALLY DIDN'T LIKE IT SO I GAVE IT TO HIM.
Gitchells notes 1/24/94 - DCooper Int.
He said it was sharp. Cut a piece of paper.
*Byers tells Gitchell the knife cant be kept sharp, but tells Cooper its sharp and demonstrates it in front of him.*
***PROBLEM #3
Jmbs 1/26/94 Statement
RIDGE: DID YOU USE THE KNIFE?
BYERS: I NEVER USED IT, I WOULD HAVE USED IT HOPEFULLY, I WAS GOING TO USE IT FOR DEER HUNTING THAT'S ALL I DO IS DEER HUNT BUT I NEVER HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO USE IT ON A DEER.
Gitchells notes 1/24/94 - DCooper
Took knife back to NY with me. Could tell the knife had been
(illegible)(used? around?) for a while. Looked like a (illegible)(snled/srrted?) blade. Cut leg off a deer in November.
*Byers tells Gitchell its never been used, but told Cooper hed cut a leg off a deer in November*
***PROBLEM #4
JMB statement 1/26/94
BYERS: (snip) AND HE THOUGHT IT WAS NEAR (neat?) BECAUSE IT HAD A VELCRO CASE THAT YOU COULD CARRY IT ON YOUR BELT WITH, AND IT KINDA HAD A GRIP ON IT THAT FELT LIKE PACHMAYR'S ON A GUN, AND HE JUST REALLY LIKE IT AND ADMIRED IT AND I REALLY DIDN'T LIKE IT SO I GAVE IT TO HIM.
Gitchells notes 1/24/94 - DCooper
Said by: Byers
If I liked or appreciated knives - was fishing all day- I had been asleep on his couch.
He left and came back with knife, took knife out. I want to give you something.
I want to keep it in your car
Told him I didnt want the gift, couldnt understand why he gave it to me.
This is proof that JMB was trying to get the knife out of the house. Getting it into Coopers car is quick and nearly foolproof. Theres no reason to search for fibers to match from Coopers car, and no search warrant will cover Coopers car.
[edited to change "fishing" to "filming" in Gitchell's notes]
