Wanda Evans - Trail of Blood. A Father, a Son and a Tell-Tale Crime Scene Investigation

Trail of Blood

Trail of Blood

A Father, a Son and
a Tell-tale Crime Scene Investigation

Wanda Webb Evans
in collaboration with James Dunn

New Horizon Press

Far Hills, New Jersey

Copyright 2005 Wanda Evans and James Dunn

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever, including electronic, mechanical or any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher.

Requests for permission should be addressed to:

New Horizon Press

P.O. Box 669

Far Hills, NJ 07931

Evans, Wanda and James Dunn

Trail of Blood:

A Father, a Son and a Tell-tale Crime Scene Investigation

Cover Design: Wendy Bass

Interior Design: Susan M. Sanderson

Library of Congress Control Number: 2004108086

ISBN-13 (eBook): 978-0-88282-473-4

New Horizon Press

2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 / 5 4 3 2 1

For Scott

The son he was and the man he would have become.

Authors Note

T his book is based on the experiences of James Dunn and reflects his perceptions of the past, present and future. The personalities, events, actions and conversations portrayed within the story have been taken from his memories, court documents, interviews, testimony, research, letters, personal papers, press accounts and the memories of some participants.

In an effort to safeguard the privacy of certain people, names and a few identifying characteristics have, in some cases, been changed. Events involving the characters happened as described. Only minor details have been altered.

Table of Contents

The journey I began the day I learned that my son Scott was missing would have been unbearable and fruitless if Id had to travel alone. I am grateful for those who walked with me; sometimes leading the way, sometimes following; sometimes by my side; always supporting me, comforting me, and urging me to keep going.

My thanks go to all the men and women who participated, first in the search for Scott, then in the investigation that resulted in the arrest and conviction of his murderers, and finally, in the ongoing search for his body. Of that group of dedicated experts, I pay special tribute to several, beginning with Detective Tal English of the Lubbock Police Department. Tal threw himself unstintingly into the investigation. For six years, he refused to give up, and his dedication and determination kept my hopes alive and strengthened my own determination. Former LPD Detective George White partnered with Tal, bringing to the investigation unlimited energy, vast experience and expertise.

My everlasting thanks also go to Richard Walter, the forensic psychologist who is one of the founders of the Vidocq Society. Richard provided impetus and direction at critical times when the search investigation appeared to have stalled; he became my good friend as well as my ally.

My thanks, also, to Bill Fleisher, my first contact at Vidocq, who brought Richard and me together.

Thanks to Rusty Ladd of the Lubbock County Criminal District Attorneys Office (now Judge Ladd), whose diligent efforts resulted in exacting justice for Scott.

Pam Alexander, the Director of the Lubbock Victim Assistance Services, Inc., was a lifesaver for me and for my wife, Barbara. Without her presence, her optimism, her knowledge of the Criminal Justice System, we would have been lost in that complex organization.

My longtime friend W. R. Collier provided unswerving support throughout the long ordeal. He and our mutual friend Derry Harding, who paved the way for me to assist in the investigation, have my enduring gratitude.

Without Wanda Evans, who wanted to tell our story, and did so with skill, compassion, and reverence for our family relationships, this book would not have been possible.

James Dunn

Some events in life are too excruciating to be reduced to the printed page, and for a long time, I thought this was one of those. It haunted me, though, until I knew I had to try, at least, to write the story of Jim Dunns long, agonizing ordeal. I was both pleased and challenged when Jim agreed with me, and we set our feet on the path that would lead to this book. I can only say, thank you, Jim, for sharing the story of your pain-and your courage-with me.

I echo Jims appreciation for all those who had any part in bringing his search for justice to its bittersweet conclusion. We havent yet found Scott, but we continue to believe it will happen.

In addition, thanks to Connie Teer and my sister, Nan Honeycutt, for proofreading the manuscript at every stage of preparation, and their expert advice whenever I took a wrong turn.

Wanda Webb Evans

S unday night. Jim Dunn pushed away from the desk, stretching, smoothing out the small knot that had formed between his shoulder blades. Barbara, his wife, had gone to bed an hour or so earlier, while he stayed downstairs in the office, puttering, filing, planning for work the following week. He knew the days ahead would be hectic, but he would love every minute. The idea of having their own business still seemed almost unbelievable to Jim and Barbara. Their database marketing company, Comprehensive Marketing, was almost three years old. Barbara was treasurer and Jim was president; already, they had added salespeople, even though they didnt have a place for their offices. That would come soon. They were searching for suitable office space, affordable office space, where they could continue to expand. Every day was fulfilling to them.

From another part of the house, chimes signaled the hour. Midnight. Jim couldnt help smiling as the last note faded into night. Throughout his childhood, he had been lulled to sleep at night and awakened in the morning by the sound of those notes from the grandfather clock that had stood in the living room of the little Texas farm house where he lived with his grandparents. Granddad and Ma were gone now and so the clock stood in the foyer of Jims Pennsylvania home, reminding him, on the hour and the half hour, of the years he had spent in their care and all the things he had learned from them, values that had made him the man he was today. Before going upstairs, he lingered, savoring his surroundings, savoring his life.

On the wall over his desk, a certificate framed in bronze proclaimed that James H. Dunn III had been named Distinguished Alumnus by the School of Agricultural Science at Texas Tech University. A small, warm thrill went through him every time he looked at it. His former college buddy and still his best friend, W. R. Collier, had nominated him for the honor and no one had been more surprised than Jim when he was selected. Rarely had he felt so proud and so delighted at the same time. A few years later, Jim had nominated W. R., who also won the award. W. R. still lived in Lubbock, Texas, where he was president of the citys largest locally owned bank. Even now, so many years after their graduation from Tech, their friendship was still strong.

Jims eye fell on two photographs angled toward each other on one corner of the desk. There was Barb, her blonde hair burnished by the photographers artful lighting. Their marriage of ten yearshis second marriage, actuallyhad made him happier than he ever could have dreamed possible. Facing it was an enlarged snapshot of Jim standing next to his younger son, Scott. Scott was a little taller than Jim and his below-collar length hair was blond, where Jims had been black until it turned white prematurely.

Jim Dunn sighed, truly contented. Their family had been through some rocky times in the past, but life was good today. Getting better every day, in fact. The business was going great, the marriage even better. He could not remember ever being happier. What more could a man ask for?