Burial of the Dead

CY PRES - Transcript of Notes

TRANSCRIPT OF NOTES:

DETECTIVE MARK MORASKI

Re: Emma Kost-O’Neal

DEATH/homicide/suicide/natural causes ??

Vic: 70, rich, widow. Emma K-O’Neal

Husband was Tommy O. Man about town, drinker, party man, war hero (Korea – Bronze star), skirt chaser, Yale

Emma K-O – heiress of Kost retail fortune. Bought, financed and supported Tommy’s funeral biz.

Also estab Kost-O’Neal Charitable Trust Foundation. Knew Audrey Hepburn. Did good work in 3rd World countries and Soviet bloc post break-up.

Bad news: Trust has been mismanaged for years by elderly college acquaintance – Attny Calvin Stevens.

(NB: see Ann Dillon, law school classmate, now paralegal for C. Stevens)

This is the 2nd official investigation

(cold case file) (6 mos. Sept-Apr)

Case re-opened at instigation/specific request of Cal Stevens by way of DA James Reis (as per AG Somers)

C. Stevens pestered the AG’s office. (Thomas Somers Jr. )

(check family connection: Stevens and Somers) – law firm? Stevens & Somers?

Cal Stevens accuses Bobby Sullivan, discounts coroner’s findings.

Accusations re: Bobby Sullivan, also made by Manny Whitman, victim’s great-niece.

Concerns about Sullivan taking under the will. Shares in funeral biz he’s managed for years. (Motive?) Insurance? Key man policy. High 7 figures.

Check following:

Sullivan and Tommy O’Neal; “father/son” relationship

Sullivan and Emma KO; strained relations

Sullivan and Manny Whitman; “enemies”

Sullivan and Matthew Wyman (Manny W’s boyfriend); ??? kid’s a question mark

Sullivan and Louis LaPorta, Officer. Boyhood friends?? Age difference. They “go back”

Talmadge is balking at assignment, pain in the ass- (boyhood friend of B. Sullivan)-

Talmadge and I drive to State Hospital to interview Matthew Wyman. 2nd time. Questions re: night of murder, dinner at Cal Stevens’ house. Birthday party for Emma Kost-O’Neal.

Obtain roster of all present. Cal Stevens.;

Emma Kost;

Matt Wyman;

Yale Doc?;

Deacon Leavitt;

Coop Johnson;

Ann Dillon

Why was Manny Whitman absent??

And who is Deacon Leavitt, aka the Amazing Levon? What was he doing there? Why was he there?

2nd interview: Matthew Wyman -

State Hospital: run-down industrial area near Meriton, Wyman’s hometown.

Dr. Lehman, Wyman’s doctor/shrink advises against (prohibits) interview of Wyman at this time. Dr. L states that MW has had a significant break brought on by trauma associated with some unknown event experienced in recent past. Source of trauma – either unknown to Dr. L or protected by Doc/Patient privilege. Occurred at Mrs. O’Neal’s house on Punter’s Pond.

Dr. Lehman’s assistant – Dr. Martha Wurtzel (sp?) – pretty blonde exchange student from Fribourg – accent – German? French? – Swiss –

After Dr. Lehman leaves room she buttonholes me: Says Matthew Wyman is a genius. Talented, troubled, but not mad. Breaks off when Dr. Lehman returns to escort us out of building.

Call next week re: Matthew Wyman’s progress.

Talmadge: “Fucking place ain’t a hospital; it’s a fuckin’ cinder-block.”

Wyman’s parents have spared no cost for his well-being – not.

What is family situation? Relevant to this case? Probably not.

See: brother – Brian Wyman.

Wyman spends most days in crafts room. Unresponsive. Works in silence with clay, etc. In first interview at station identified himself as a sculptor/artist.

Talmadge to set up morning interview with Bobby Sullivan – tomorrow, or day after.