AP sources: Suicide eyed in Ky. census worker case

[jtrockville]

Investigators probing the death of a Kentucky census worker found hanging from a tree with the word "fed" scrawled on his chest increasingly doubt he was killed because of his government job and are pursuing the possibility he committed suicide, law enforcement officials told The Associated Press.

...

The officials said investigators continue to look closely at suicide as a possible cause of Sparkman's death for a number of reasons. There were no defensive wounds on Sparkman's body, and while his hands were bound with duct-tape, they were still somewhat mobile, suggesting he could have manipulated the rope, the officials said.

...

Jerry Weaver, one of the people who found the body during a gathering at a family cemetery, remained certain the death was a homicide. Weaver told The Associated Press this week that he recalled Sparkman's hands being close together.

...

Sparkman's body has been released for cremation...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091105/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_census_worker_hanged

Suicide?

[PDJane]

1. Oh, sure

he was involuntarily suicided by the Department of Altered Health Status.

Sure. Right. Pardon me if I think that smells of Eau de Cover Up.

[REP]

2. Writing on the body usually indicates a 'crime' staged by the 'victim'

Not saying that that's the case here, but it usually is the case that when writing is found on the victim, it is the victim who has placed it there to make it look as though an attack of some sort occurred.

[The Traveler]

3. The writing itself

should provide clear evidence of "self decoration". Most of us don't have much practice writing on our own chests ... I imagine a handwriting analyst could make such a determination with relative ease.

Trav

[REP]

4. Actually, no - bodies make for terrible handwriting specimens

Again, I'm not saying I know what happened or even have a good guess; just pointing out the writing on the body is consistent with a fictitious attack.

[The Traveler]

5. I haven't a good guess either

Forensics and such are not my in my skill set. Still, I think things like slope of letters and such would give a clue. But, I must insist, I am only speculating.

Trav

[Occulus]

7. Could you cite that, please?

I have never heard that.

[merh]

25. Tell the Leno LaBianca that.

BTW, do you have a link to something that supports your position?

[era veteran]

6. Time for FBI to quit dithering

KSP & local Clay Co are investigating. He was a census worker at his job. Why won't the FBI step in? Suicide my ass. I hope his family does not cremate until the investigation of the investigation is over. RIP

[jtrockville]

8. His body should have been released to the feds.

If I were his family, I wouldn't have any idea how/where to store a body such that evidence could be preserved.

How long has it been? Seems a fed takeover is way past-due.

[Junkdrawer]

9. Predictable and predicted...

Officials kept the death quiet for 10 days...I'm guessing it will be ruled a suicide..
Politically inconvenient for high profile Republicans to have it be a "homicide".

His family will not only lose their breadwinner, but also his insurance. So sad.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=6616893#6616994

[jtrockville]

10. Wow, I didn't even think about the insurance implications.

What an injustice.

[Statistical]

21. Virtually all life insurance covers suicide except on new policies.

That is just to avoid you taking out a 500 million dollar policy day before you off yourself.

[anonymous171]

24. Obviously defending someone. nt

[ShortnFiery]

11. This is so wrong. Corruption from top to bottom. n/t

[malaise]

12. Plueeeeeeeeeez

That was no suicide.

[mmonk]

13. I'm one that is usually suspicious of "coincidences".

Especially when death is involved. Especially when I hear crazy hate speech everyday.

[Junkdrawer]

14. And Michele "Census = Internment Camps" Bachmann is getting more bold...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6940925

[nc4bo]

18. Don't we have a census in 2010?

That would be more than enough reason to squash a census taker's murder if you ask me. I know I'd certainly think twice about walking through neighborhoods and knocking on doors if I knew there was a bulls eye on my back.

[peekaloo]

15. His Obit was in the local paper yesterday.

Mr. Sparkman was originally from this area. His mother asks that no media be present for the service.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theledger/obituary.aspx?n=william-e-sparkman-bill&pid=135464542

[csziggy]

26. Oh my - I did not realize he was from Mulberry

If his dad worked in the phosphate industry, my dad probably knew him. (I'm originally from Bartow and my parents still live there.)

[Hepburn]

16. Please....

...they cannot be THAT stupid. But apparently they are!

:wow:

[EOTE]

30. Stupid? Or corrupt? NT.

[old mark]

17. Obviously a suicide - I'm sure there are hundreds of nude bound hangings

in the outdoors every year, we just don't hear about them because they are so common. This type of suicide is usually committed by people who are happy, with no problems in life.

He wrote "Fed" to indicate he had just had lunch.

Who is worse in this - the locals or the FBI?

mark

[mmonk]

20. LOL.

"He wrote "Fed" to indicate he had just had lunch"

Priceless in the face of this tragedy.

[old mark]

23. I just can't imagine anybody looking at this and thinking "suicide" -

The obvious lies and police coverup is just contemptable.

mark

[tuckessee]

27. That's why they looked long and hard at it.

What motive do the Feds and local & state police have to lie and cover this up?

There is no incentive for it. It would make more sense for them to lie and turn an embarrassing suicide into a murder because it might result in more funding and/or police powers.

As hard as it is for the politcal opportunists & agitators to believe, the cops have it right on this case.

[old mark]

29. I don't believe they ever did look at it at all. I think they had

knowledge of who did it from the beginning and just don't want the true reasons/persons to come out.

mark

[Soylent Brice]

28. "He wrote "Fed" to indicate he had just had lunch."

fucking A, right?!?

[KittyWampus]

19. Where is the Federal Govt in this?

[rucky]

22. Read: Snowjob eyed in KY census worker case.

[Nikki Stone1]

31. Bullshit.

Just bullshit.