Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
High school students take a crack at solving a mystery at Homosassa Wildlife State Park where each, in his own way, is a suspect.
By PAULETTE LASH RITCHIE
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 5, 2002
HOMOSASSA -- Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park seemed particularly lively the night of the alleged crime. Nine strangely assorted individuals apparently were roaming the park in the wee hours while the creatures they supposedly came to enjoy were hidden or asleep.
An alarm sounded and the park security guard found some of the animals had been spray-painted with graffiti. This suspicious scenario was concocted by the seniors at the Academy of Environmental Science, and the juniors and sophomores were at the park Friday to try to sort out the facts to help solve this disturbing case.
The students gathered near the cougar cage to listen to Homosassa park ranger Ken Torres question the witnesses and suspects (seniors in character and dressed for their parts).
Witnesses in the case were Bill and Sweet Sue Yon (played by Steven Crosten and Stefanie Ramos), Tiki Man (Chris Rehberg), Dirty "Turkey" Sanchez (Justin Clark) and Vic Silverson (Josh Rigdon).
Wealthy Bill Yon's story is that he owns Corporation Biotech and oversees the park, providing funds wherever they are needed. His wife, Sweet Sue, is a homemaker who spends her husband's money. The Yons say they were strolling in the park around 11 p.m. looking at recent changes.
Tiki Man is a street vendor. He claims he was looking for a place to hang his hammock and went to the park just after closing time. While there, he decided to walk around and look for a place to set up a tiki hut where he could sell snow cones. "Been all around the park looking for the best location," he said.
Dirty "Turkey" Sanchez is the park security guard.
Vic Silverson is a scientist studying the sleeping habits of flamingos. He says he was on the boardwalk between 1 and 2 a.m. when the clouds cleared and he saw someone standing near the cougar cage. He thought it was the security guard, but the figure appeared smaller. "I didn't pay too much attention," he said.
Besides the witnesses there were four suspects for heinous vandalism. They were Bonifa Noxema Lopez (Maegan Mulligan) and Foxxy Cleopatra (Nicolle Newman), who work together at the Cat Walk, and newlyweds Homer and Bambi Woods (Tom Williford and Regina Martin). Homer is a plumber and Bambi is a kindergarten teacher.
Bonifa and Foxxy claim they were at the park around 1:30 a.m. because Bonifa's car broke down and they were looking for someone to help them. Homer and Bambi say they paid the Yons (who are always happy to accept money) for a honeymoon moonlight stroll in the park.
After Torres interviewed the witnesses and suspects, the student detectives were handed crime files to fill out by questioning the witnesses and suspects.
The Yons said they suspect the plumber, who, Yon said, paid $10,000 for the privilege of a night walk. "He did offer a lot of money, when he could have come during the day," Sweet Sue said.
"Yes, a rich plumber," Bill said. "You don't see that everyday!"
Bambi said she realizes she is a suspect, but said, "I guess Homer could have done it. He has anger management issues." She admits during their walk they did have an argument when she told him to get a job and her husband stormed away. "I think he was with those tramps!"
She was referring to Bonifa and Foxxy. Foxxy said the car stalled or something and said Bonifa "carried some bag into the park." She didn't want to blame Bonifa for the crime, though, she said, "cause she's my friend and all."
So, who spray painted the animals? Was it Homer, who has anger control problems? Bambi, who doesn't eat vegetables? Bonifa, who has a record of animal neglect? Foxxy, who has been arrested for vandalism and practices voodoo? Or maybe one of the witnesses is hiding something.
Academy director Lisa Merritt said the students, as part of their science research class, will spend the next few months examining the evidence to pinpoint the culprit. They will divide into groups and receive evidence packets.
They will do hair, fiber and soil analyses, as well as, artificial blood and DNA testing. They will do fingerprinting and documenting, such as examining receipts for spray paint purchases. They will uncover this state felon.
Reporter's note: The students are expected to have the name of the culprit in December. Merritt said crime investigations realistically take time. I don't know who did it, but I have my suspicions. Readers are invited to e-mail me at eduritchie@yahoo.com with your conclusions from the scant evidence presented in this story and I'll keep a tally. I'll report your conclusions and release the name of the perpetrator when I find out myself.