Census worker died at tree / Still not homicide

[era veteran]

Clay Co. Coroner Jim Trosper & state medical examiner Mike Wilder have confirmed Mr. Sparkman died at the tree. Even though his truck was rifled , Wilder will still not call it a homicide. As I said when this first happened the feds should go Mississippi Burning on this, the FBI is not leading this investigation. The KSP are in charge of this and maybe they have done a good job on this investigation but it's time to call this a homicide. If they can't maybe the FBI should take over. After all he was a federal employee on the job. This has perplexed me, after all time is slipping away. No ones family should have to go through this. RIP Mr. Sparkman AP/ Lexington Herald-Leader

[Judi Lynn]

1. Incomprehensible. Good point, he WAS a federal employee.

This has been outrageous.

Clay County must be the most backward area in the country.

Thanks, era veteran.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

13. Being a Fed does not automatically mean Federal jurisdiction

[Lerkfish]

2. Palin country,.... er I mean Bachman country....er I mean KKK country....

there's your answer

[Robb]

3. Why?

I mean, it's obvious to the rest of us. For the KSP to declare it a homicide is procedural at best.

I doubt they're just sitting around over there twiddling their thumbs, what with all the media attention. I would think they're being quite deliberate; if there was an advantage to the investigation to declaring now, I expect they would. They want to "win".

[snagglepuss]

9. +1

[ProgressiveProfessor]

14. I tend to agree with you

Some tests take time (this is real life, not NCIS or CSI television shows). FBI may already be consulting or actively involved. Nothing is being gained or lost at this point.

I can not see any reason that the KSP would tank this one and the media interest is not going to go away

[AlienGirl]

16. FBI is probably at least consulting--especially if there's question of local police integrity

The slowness of the information leakage suggests to me that some of the on-the-ground investigation is still ongoing--they may have come to the conclusion that this is not the work of a single murderer, and be making sure the net fills up before they start hauling it in.

I'm pulling that out of my ass, of course, based only on seeing how tightly secure investigations can be when the FBI's consulting.

Tucker

[MagickMuffin]

4. I was just thinking about Mr. Sparkman yesterday and wondering if there had been any new info

Apparently not. Just the same old news. Mr. Sparkman died at the tree :cry:

And yes you are correct era veteran, the FBI should take over the case, as the KSP seem somewhat incompetent.

[get the red out]

5. They are stalling

I just feel like they are stalling on calling it a murder to try to prevent bad press and the inevitable talk of motive.

I am not at all proud of my state regarding this.

[Mari333]

6. after reading about clay county on wickipedia, well , good lord

Solid republican county, poor as hell, and tons of officials there, all republicans, indicted for fraud...using RICO laws.
looks like ignorance run rampant, the guns god guts and glory crowd and a lot of kkk folks.
yes, the FBI should be involved, I am surprised they havent been so far.

[era veteran]

11. RICO LAWS

I've thought for over 25 years that RICO should be based in Frankfort. I know lots of other states are corrupt but this is where I live and where my people are buried. Things like this so reinforce other peoples images of Kentucky I could cry. The education system in Ky has never improved. IMHO it has worsened. This is the root reason.

[Ichingcarpenter]

7. Thank God they had this guy working on the case

Reminds me of Mississippi Burning......
That county is from the same time warp. Look at the demographics
and who and what they voted for even their electoral system is corrupt.
Time to bring in some real professional forensic investigators but I think the crime scene has already been compromised on purpose.

[malaise]

8. K & R

Time for a proper investigation.

[Barack_America]

10. What's this about his truck?

[glinda]

12. first I heard of this too

[era veteran]

15. Truck

The Lousiville Courier-Journal had this but their site won't pull it up. TPMmuckracker has it though. I don't know how to link it yet but here goes http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/10/ky_police_speculation_about_sparkman_death_has_ham.php The story is the truck rifled through and his fathers wedding ring, credit cards and a cell phone charger all stolen. ( Good the link works)