Murder of Robert Eric Wone: Difference between revisions
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| birth_date = {{Birth date|1974|06|01}} |
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| birth_place = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S. |
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| death_date = {{Death date and given age|2006|08|02|32}} |
| death_date = {{Death date and given age|2006|08|02|32}} |
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| death_place = [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S. |
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'''Robert Eric Wone''', aged 32, was an American lawyer who was murdered in [[Washington, D.C.]], in August 2006 in the home of a college friend, Joseph Price. Wone was living in suburban [[Oakton, Virginia|Oakton]], [[Virginia]], but had been working as general counsel at [[Radio Free Asia]] in downtown Washington. He had stayed the night at the home of friends located about one mile from his office. According to police affidavits, Wone was believed to have been "restrained, incapacitated, and [[sexual assault|sexually assaulted]]" before his death. The residents of the home {{ndash}} Price, Victor Zaborsky |
'''Robert Eric Wone''', aged 32, was an American lawyer who was murdered in [[Washington, D.C.]], in August 2006 in the home of a college friend, Joseph Price. Wone was living in suburban [[Oakton, Virginia|Oakton]], [[Virginia]], but had been working as general counsel at [[Radio Free Asia]] in downtown Washington. He had stayed the night at the home of friends located about one mile from his office. According to police affidavits, Wone was believed to have been "restrained, incapacitated, and [[sexual assault|sexually assaulted]]" before his death. The residents of the home {{ndash}} Price, Victor Zaborsky and Dylan Ward {{ndash}} contended that the murder was committed by an intruder unknown to them; the trial judge found this unbelievable.<ref name="Order">{{cite web|url=http://whomurderedrobertwone.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/FINAL-ORDER-1a.pdf|first=Lynn |last=Leibovitz |title=United States v. Joseph R. Price, Victor J. Zaborsky, and Dylan M. Ward|publisher=Superior Court of the District of Columbia|date=2010-06-29}}</ref> Wone's official cause of death was attributed to the knife wounds he sustained.<ref name="cause"/> |
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Within days of the murder, [[Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia|Metropolitan Police Department]] (MPDC) alleged that the crime scene had been tampered with, but no charges were filed for over two years. In late 2008, police charged Price, Zaborsky |
Within days of the murder, the [[Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia|Metropolitan Police Department]] (MPDC) alleged that the crime scene had been tampered with, but no charges were filed for over two years. In late 2008, police charged Price, Zaborsky and Ward with [[obstruction of justice]] and [[conspiracy (crime)|conspiracy]] related to alleged [[tampering with evidence|tampering]] with the crime scene. The men were [[acquittal|acquitted]] of the charges in June 2010.<ref name="newsweek" /> No one else has been charged with Wone's killing. In November 2008 his widow, Katherine Wone, filed a [[Wrongful death claim|wrongful death]] lawsuit against Price, Zaborsky and Ward; the suit was [[legal settlement|settled]] on August 3, 2011, for an undisclosed sum and agreement. |
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== Victim == |
== Victim == |
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Robert Eric Wone (June 1, 1974 {{ndash}} August 3, 2006) was 32 years old at the time of his death.<ref name="diego" /> He was a fourth generation [[Chinese American]], born in [[Manhattan]] and raised in [[Brooklyn]], [[New York (state)|New York]].<ref name=aw /> |
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⚫ | After graduating from [[Xaverian High School]] as [[valedictorian]] of his class, Wone attended the [[College of William & Mary]] as a James Monroe Scholar. There, he met Joseph Price, then a senior, in the 1992{{ndash}}93 academic year.<ref name=aw>{{cite news|title=Break in D.C. Lawyer Murder Case|date=2008-12-16|last=Tseng|first=Judy|access-date=2009-01-01|url=http://www.asianweek.com/2008/12/16/break-in-dc-lawyer-murder-case/|work=[[Asian Week]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090129144244/http://www.asianweek.com/2008/12/16/break-in-dc-lawyer-murder-case/|archive-date=2009-01-29}}</ref> Wone and Price shared several activities, including an honor society and student government leadership positions, before Price graduated in 1993.<ref>{{cite news|title=Details of alum's murder released| last=Hilder|first=Miles| date=2008-11-21|access-date=2009-01-01| url=http://flathatnews.com/content/69543/details-alum%E2%80%99s-murder-released|publisher=[[The Flat Hat]]| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711010029/http://flathatnews.com/content/69543/details-alum%E2%80%99s-murder-released|archive-date=2011-07-11}}</ref> In September 1993, the ''[[Richmond Times-Dispatch]]'' published an opinion piece co-written by Wone, criticizing a prior ''Times-Dispatch'' article on William & Mary faculty.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Goddard|first1=Lisa| first2=Robert|last2= Wone|title=The Media Have Maligned Professors|work=[[Richmond Times Dispatch]]|page=A17| date=1993-09-30|id={{ProQuest|423510384}}}} (Registration required)</ref> Wone graduated from William & Mary in 1996, and then received his [[Juris Doctor]] degree with honors from the [[University of Pennsylvania Law School]] in 1999.<ref name="diego" /> He subsequently served as law clerk to Judge Raymond A. Jackson of the [[United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia|Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia]].<ref name=nytwedding>{{cite news|title=Weddings/Celebrations; Katherine Yu, Robert Wone|date=2003-06-08|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=2009-01-01|url= https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E1DD1F30F93BA35755C0A9659C8B63}}</ref> Wone later worked in commercial real estate law for six years as an attorney with the [[Washington, D.C.]], law firm of [[Covington & Burling]]. As part of his public service responsibilities with the firm,<ref name=cbservice>{{cite web|title=Covington & Burling Diversity Update|date=Winter 2006|publisher=[[Covington & Burling]]|access-date=2009-01-04|url=http://www.cov.com/files/upload/diversity%20update%20winter%202006.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205083415/http://www.cov.com/files/upload/Diversity%20Update%20Winter%202006.pdf|archive-date=2007-02-05|url-status=dead}}</ref> he served as [[general counsel]] for the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA).<ref name=oca>{{cite web|url=http://www.ocanational.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=382&Itemid=94|title=OCA Remembers General Counsel Robert Wone, Questions Investigation Inactivity| date=2007-08-02|last=Chu|first=Hope| access-date=2009-01-04| publisher=OCAnational.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014051754/http://ocanational.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=382&Itemid=94|archive-date=2007-10-14}}</ref> |
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On June 7, 2003, Wone married Katherine Ellen Yu, and the couple lived in [[Fairfax County, Virginia|Fairfax County]], [[Virginia]].<ref name="diego" /><ref name=nytwedding /> On June 30, 2006, about two months before he was killed, Wone left Covington & Burling and was hired as general counsel for [[Radio Free Asia]].<ref name="diego" /><ref name=rtd>{{cite news|title=Slain Lawyer a Friend to Many|last=Petkofsky|first=Andrew|work=[[Richmond Times Dispatch]]|date=2006-08-05|page=B.6|id={{ProQuest|423944518}}}} (Registration required)</ref> Wone was very active within the [[Asian American]] community, supporting organizations such as OCA and the [[Museum of Chinese in America]].<ref name=aw /> At the time of his death, he was president-elect of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association.<ref name=wpcover /> |
On June 7, 2003, Wone married Katherine Ellen Yu, and the couple lived in [[Fairfax County, Virginia|Fairfax County]], [[Virginia]].<ref name="diego" /><ref name=nytwedding /> On June 30, 2006, about two months before he was killed, Wone left Covington & Burling and was hired as general counsel for [[Radio Free Asia]].<ref name="diego" /><ref name=rtd>{{cite news|title=Slain Lawyer a Friend to Many|last=Petkofsky|first=Andrew|work=[[Richmond Times Dispatch]]|date=2006-08-05|page=B.6|id={{ProQuest|423944518}}}} (Registration required)</ref> Wone was very active within the [[Asian American]] community, supporting organizations such as OCA and the [[Museum of Chinese in America]].<ref name=aw /> At the time of his death, he was president-elect of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association.<ref name=wpcover /> |
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== Crime == |
== Crime == |
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On August 2, 2006, Wone was fatally stabbed while staying overnight at a [[rowhouse]] on Swann Street in Washington's [[Dupont Circle]] neighborhood, owned by Price and his [[Recognition of same-sex unions in the District of Columbia|domestic partner]] Victor Zaborsky,<ref name=usatoday>{{cite news|title=Looking Straight at Gay Parents|last=Peterson|first=Karen S.|date=2004-03-09|newspaper=[[USA Today]]| access-date=2009-01-06| url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2004-03-09-gay-parents_x.htm}}</ref> where they lived with Dylan Ward as a [[polyamory|polyamorous]] family unit.<ref name="newsweek" /><ref name="acquitted">{{cite news|title=Judge rules not guilty in Wone case|first=Keith L.|last=Alexander|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]| url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/crime-scene/keith-l-alexander/wone-verdict-expected-tuesday.html| date=2019-06-29|access-date=2010-07-01}}</ref> Wone had gone to Price's residence at approximately 10:30pm after working late, as had been arranged days before.<ref name=post061008>{{cite news|title=A New Glimpse Into Night of D.C. Slaying|last=Schwartzman|first=Paul|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/08/AR2006100801061_pf.html |date=2006-10-09|access-date=2009-01-01|page=B01}}</ref> |
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Neighbors reported hearing a scream, later identified as Zaborsky's, during the 11:00pm newscast (i.e., before 11:35 PM).<ref name="post061008" /> Zaborsky made a [[9-1-1]] call at 11:49 PM and paramedics arrived five minutes later, followed by the officers of the [[Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia|Metropolitan Police Department]] (MPDC).<ref name=post061008 /> Price phoned Wone's wife, and Wone was pronounced dead at [[George Washington University Hospital]] at 12:24 AM on August 3.<ref name=post061008 /> |
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Price, Zaborsky |
Price, Zaborsky and Ward all initially spoke with the police without attorneys, and video recordings of those interviews were shown at the subsequent [[conspiracy (crime)|conspiracy]] trial.<ref name="Babay">{{cite web|last=Babay|first=Emily|title=Wone conspiracy trial could wrap up this week|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wone-conspiracy-trial-could-wrap-up-this-week|work=[[Washington Examiner]]|date=2010-06-21|access-date=2010-06-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902213643/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wone-conspiracy-trial-could-wrap-up-this-week|archive-date=2019-09-02|url-status=live}}</ref> The three men denied any involvement in Wone's death and speculated that an intruder had killed him.<ref name=post061008 /> The three also denied any sexual relationship with Wone,<ref name=aw /> and Wone's family have described him as both "[[heterosexual|straight]] and happily married".<ref name=blade1205 /> All three men attended Wone's funeral, where Price served as a [[pallbearer]].<ref name=post061008 /> Future [[United States Attorney General|U.S. Attorney General]] [[Eric Holder]], who at that time worked at Wone's former employer Covington & Burling, called Wone "a kind and gentle man" who was "killed in the most horrible of ways".<ref name=aw /> |
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== Investigation == |
== Investigation == |
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[[File:1509 Swann Street.JPG|thumb|The house where Wone was murdered at 1509 Swann St NW]] |
[[File:1509 Swann Street.JPG|thumb|The house where Wone was murdered at 1509 Swann St NW]] |
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Paramedics responding to the emergency call "found the three residents’ calm behavior unusual; none were screaming or even helping direct the paramedics".<ref name=aw /> According to Ward's attorney, detectives who interrogated the three housemates on the night of the |
Paramedics responding to the emergency call "found the three residents’ calm behavior unusual; none were screaming or even helping direct the paramedics".<ref name=aw /> According to Ward's attorney, detectives who interrogated the three housemates on the night of the killing informed them that they were the main suspects in the case, and asked many sexually charged, accusatory questions.<ref name=wtop20081125>{{cite news|title=A third not-guilty plea in D.C. lawyer death|work=[[WTOP-FM]]|date=2008-11-25|access-date=2009-01-06|url=http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=25&sid=1525831|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011123117/http://wtopnews.com/?nid=25|archive-date=2007-10-11|url-status=dead}}</ref> Three days after the killing, the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit of the MPDC were called in, but unit head Sgt. Brett Parson declined to discuss the unit's involvement.<ref name=advocate>{{cite magazine|title=Murder in D.C.|last=Cook|first=Gretchen|magazine=[[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]]|date=2006-10-10|page=39}}</ref> Within two weeks of the murder, police publicly alleged that the crime scene had been [[tampering with evidence|tampered with]].<ref name=wp060816>{{cite news|title=Police Say Crime Scene Was Altered in NW Killing|last1=Klein|first1=Allison|first2=Henri E. |last2=Cauvin|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=2006-08-16|page=B.1|id={{ProQuest|410039969}}}} (Registration required)</ref> Investigators spent more than three weeks examining the Swann Street rowhouse in detail, "removing flooring, pieces of walls, a chunk of staircase, the washing machine, even [[sink trap]]s".<ref name=post061008 /> Allegations that the area around Wone's body had been cleaned were revealed in an [[affidavit]] in support of a search warrant for Price's offices at the D.C. law firm of [[Arent Fox]].<ref name=wp060816 /> |
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=== Burglary === |
=== Burglary === |
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Three months after Wone's death, Price's brother Michael and an accomplice named Phelps Collins [[burglary|burgled]] the Swann Street |
Three months after Wone's death, Price's brother Michael and an accomplice named Phelps Collins [[burglary|burgled]] the Swann Street rowhouse; they took more than $7,000 of electronic equipment.<ref name=post070805>{{cite news|title=Year Later, Lawyer's Slaying Still Shrouded in Mystery| last=Klein|first=Allison|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=2007-08-05|access-date=2009-01-04|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/04/AR2007080401332.html}}</ref><ref name=blade0808 /> Two individuals, including Price's brother,<ref name=law1>{{cite news|title=A Year Later, Police Still Don't Know Who Killed D.C. Lawyer| last=Palazzolo| first=Joe|work=[[ALM (company)|Law.com]]|date=2007-08-09|access-date=2009-01-04|url= http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1186563716143}}</ref> were charged with the burglary, but those charges were later dropped.<ref name=blade0808 /> In 2007, the MPDC revealed that they had been preparing to make an arrest in the Wone murder case in 2006, but that the burglary had derailed those plans.<ref name=blade0808 /> Police have not revealed the name of the arrest target, nor the charge(s) that would have been filed.<ref name=blade0808 /> |
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=== Lack of progress === |
=== Lack of progress === |
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In August 2007, ''[[The Washington Post]]'' reported the frustration of Wone's widow |
In August 2007, ''[[The Washington Post]]'' reported the frustration of Wone's widow with the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation Laboratory|FBI crime lab]]: "It has been trying at times as we continue to wait for the FBI to complete their analysis of all the samples that were taken."<ref name=post070805 /> Over one year, the case had been transferred to three separate prosecutors, earning it "[[Vagabond (person)|vagabond]] status" in the [[United States Attorney|U.S. Attorneys']] office.<ref name=law1 /> Wone's widow retained the services of attorney Holder to peruse the case. On the first anniversary of Wone's death, she held a press conference to appeal for public assistance in finding the killer, her first public comment on the case.<ref name=post070805 /><ref name=examiner /> During the press conference, Holder publicly pleaded with Price, Zaborsky and Ward to provide additional information, saying, "You need to ask yourself, 'Have I provided police with all the information I know?'"<ref name=examiner>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wones-wife-pleads-for-killer-to-reveal-himself|title=Wone's wife pleads for killer to reveal himself |first=Scott |last=McCabe |date=2007-08-07|work=[[Washington Examiner]]|access-date=2019-09-02}}</ref><ref name=wapost>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/06/AR2007080600773.html |title=Lawyer's Wife Pleads for Killer to Step Forward|date=2007-08-06|page=B04|access-date=2009-02-08|last=Klein|first=Allison|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> Interested parties, such as the OCA, used the first anniversary of Wone's death to criticize what they deemed police inaction in the investigation.<ref name=oca /> In contrast to the first anniversary of Wone's murder, there was no press conference on the second anniversary, and neither the Wone family nor police made any statements to the press.<ref name=blade0808 /> |
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=== Arrests and charges === |
=== Arrests and charges === |
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In October 2008, an [[obstruction of justice]] charge was filed against |
In October 2008, an [[obstruction of justice]] charge was filed against Ward, who had since moved to [[Miami-Dade County, Florida|Miami-Dade County]], [[Florida]], and was living in a home owned by Price.<ref name=washblade /> In November 2008, Price and Zaborsky were arrested and also charged with obstruction of justice.<ref name=blade1205 /> All three men were later released pending trial, but subject to electronic monitoring and [[curfew]]s.<ref name=blade1205 /> On December 19, 2008, additional charges of [[conspiracy (crime)|conspiracy]] were filed against all three men.<ref name="newsweek" /> During the same hearing, the electronic monitoring and curfew restrictions for the three defendants were ended and prosecutors announced the possibility that charges related to tampering with evidence could be filed in the future.<ref name="newsweek">{{cite web |url=https://www.newsweek.com/who-killed-robert-wone-joe-price-victor-zaborsky-dylan-ward-missing-detail-jared-p-scott-1786056 |title=Robert Wone Murder Case is Missing 'Huge' Detail, Doc Director Says |last=Simons |first=Roxy |date=March 7, 2023 |website=Newsweek |access-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307180413/https://www.newsweek.com/who-killed-robert-wone-joe-price-victor-zaborsky-dylan-ward-missing-detail-jared-p-scott-1786056 |archive-date=March 7, 2023}}</ref><ref name=aba>{{cite news|title=Prosecutor Seeks More Charges in Case of Murdered D.C. Area Attorney|last=Neil|first=Martha|date=2008-12-22|publisher=[[American Bar Association|ABA]] Journal|access-date=2009-01-02|url= http://abajournal.com/news/prosecutor_seeks_more_charges_in_case_of_murdered_d.c._area_attorney/}}</ref> |
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The affidavit filed by authorities supporting the arrest warrant for Ward showed that investigators had concluded the men were not telling the truth about what happened. The report states, "The evidence demonstrates that Robert Wone was restrained, incapacitated, [[sexual assault|sexually assaulted]], and murdered inside 1509 Swann Street",<ref name=washblade>{{cite news |url=http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=22079 |title=Police say Wone was drugged, sexually assaulted before murder |first=Lou|last=Chibbaro Jr. |work=[[Washington Blade]] |date=2008-10-20 |access-date=2009-01-01}}</ref> and there exists "overwhelming evidence, far in excess of [[probable cause]]" that Price, Zaborsky |
The affidavit filed by authorities supporting the arrest warrant for Ward showed that investigators had concluded the men were not telling the truth about what happened. The report states, "The evidence demonstrates that Robert Wone was restrained, incapacitated, [[sexual assault|sexually assaulted]], and murdered inside 1509 Swann Street",<ref name=washblade>{{cite news |url=http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=22079 |title=Police say Wone was drugged, sexually assaulted before murder |first=Lou|last=Chibbaro Jr. |work=[[Washington Blade]] |date=2008-10-20 |access-date=2009-01-01}}</ref> and there exists "overwhelming evidence, far in excess of [[probable cause]]" that Price, Zaborsky and Ward had "obstructed justice by altering and orchestrating the crime scene, planting evidence, delaying the reporting of the murder to the authorities, and lying to the police about the true circumstances of the murder".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202425723647 |title=Arrest Made in Murder of Washington Lawyer |first1=Joe|last1=Palazzolo|first2=Mike |last2=Scarcella |date=2008-11-03 |publisher=[[ALM (company)|Law.com]] |access-date=2009-01-01}}</ref> Lawyers for the three accused men have called the affidavit "speculation, innuendo, assumptions, and irrelevant inflammatory comments" and maintain their clients' innocence.<ref name=blade1205>{{cite news|title=Gay Defendants Blast officials in Wone Case: Police Accused of Spreading 'Inflammatory Comments' |work=[[Washington Blade]] |date=2008-12-05 |access-date=2009-01-01 |first=Lou |last=Chibbaro Jr. |url=http://www.washingtonblade.com/2008/12-5/news/localnews/13684.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207023603/http://www.washingtonblade.com/2008/12-5/news/localnews/13684.cfm |archive-date=2008-12-07 }}</ref> Price and Zaborsky were domestic partners,<ref name=blade0808 /> and the affidavit alleges that Price had previously had a sexual relationship with Ward.<ref name=washblade /> Washington attorney Dale Sanders opined that the release of the extensively detailed affidavit was intended to turn one of the housemates, presumably Ward, against the others, and hypothesized that it indicated prosecutors lacked sufficient evidence to charge any of the housemates with additional crimes without the cooperation of a witness.<ref name=washblade/> |
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Officials believe that a knife from the kitchen had been smeared with blood and placed near the body, while a duplicate of the knife that was missing from a set found in Ward's bedroom would have been more consistent with the wounds to Wone's body. The autopsy revealed evidence of some degree of [[suffocation]], perhaps by a pillow, and puncture marks on his neck, chest, foot |
Officials believe that a knife from the kitchen had been smeared with blood and placed near the body, while a duplicate of the knife that was missing from a set found in Ward's bedroom would have been more consistent with the wounds to Wone's body. The [[autopsy]] revealed evidence of some degree of [[suffocation]], perhaps by a pillow, and puncture marks on his neck, chest, foot and hand. Though no toxins were found in his blood, a lack of evidence of struggle led investigators to suspect Wone had been injected with a paralytic agent. [[Search and rescue dog#Applications|Cadaver dogs]] hit on a dryer lint trap and the patio drain, which detectives believe may be evidence that someone washed themselves in the back patio area, and dried wet clothes in the dryer.<ref name=exposessecrets>{{cite news |url=http://www.news8.net/news/stories/1008/566109.html |title='Obstruction' Affidavit Exposes Secrets of D.C. Murder Mystery |work=[[WJLA-TV]]|date=2008-10-31 |access-date=2009-01-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605191038/http://www.news8.net/news/stories/1008/566109.html|archive-date=2009-06-05|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Washington City Paper]]'' columnist Jason Cherkis reported unattributed criticism of the medical examiner's failure to test for exotic drugs and to keep a sample of Wone's blood for later testing, as well as detectives' failure to follow up on a lint trap that had attracted a cadaver dog's attention.<ref name=cherkis>{{cite news| title=Robert Wone Case: Two Possible Gaps in Police Work|last=Cherkis|first=Jason| date=2008-12-09|access-date=2009-01-01|url= http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2008/12/09/robert-wone-case-two-possible-gaps-in-police-work/ |work=[[Washington City Paper]]}}</ref> |
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Price's lawyer challenged the timing of the indictments, saying that a contemporaneous [[civil suit]] brought by Wone's family "looked unseemly" and questioned whether the prosecutors and Wone family attorneys were acting in concert.<ref name=wsj>{{cite news|title=Family of Slain Lawyer Robert Wone Sues, Alleging Cover-up| last=Forsyth|first=Jennifer| date=2008-11-26| access-date=2009-01-01| url= https://blogs.wsj.com/law/2008/11/26/family-of-slain-lawyer-robert-wone-sues-alleging-cover-up/ |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> |
Price's lawyer challenged the timing of the indictments, saying that a contemporaneous [[civil suit]] brought by Wone's family "looked unseemly" and questioned whether the prosecutors and Wone family attorneys were acting in concert.<ref name=wsj>{{cite news|title=Family of Slain Lawyer Robert Wone Sues, Alleging Cover-up| last=Forsyth|first=Jennifer| date=2008-11-26| access-date=2009-01-01| url= https://blogs.wsj.com/law/2008/11/26/family-of-slain-lawyer-robert-wone-sues-alleging-cover-up/ |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> |
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In April 2009, prosecutors disclosed that two emails had been drafted on Wone's [[BlackBerry]] "at a time when prosecutors believed Wone dead.”<ref name=blade0509>{{cite news|title=Missing e-Mails at Issue in Wone Murder: Timing of Deleted Messages Could Have Aided Defense: Attorneys|last=Chibbaro Jr.|first=Lou|work=[[Washington Blade]]| date=2009-05-01| access-date=2009-05-20|url=http://www.washblade.com/2009/5-1/news/localnews/14453.cfm}}</ref> An independent criminal law attorney noted, "The [[defense (law)|defense]] will argue that this is consistent with their claim that the murder happened quickly by an intruder and it was not a long, drawn-out effort to sexually assault Wone before he was killed, as the government is alleging."<ref name=blade0509/> Previously, a court filing indicated that the government intended to release a personal profile that Price allegedly used on ALT.com, "a sexually oriented web site specializing in [[BDSM|S&M]] practices.”<ref name=blade0509/> |
In April 2009, prosecutors disclosed that two emails had been drafted on Wone's [[BlackBerry]] "at a time when prosecutors believed Wone dead.”<ref name=blade0509>{{cite news|title=Missing e-Mails at Issue in Wone Murder: Timing of Deleted Messages Could Have Aided Defense: Attorneys|last=Chibbaro Jr.|first=Lou|work=[[Washington Blade]]| date=2009-05-01| access-date=2009-05-20|url=http://www.washblade.com/2009/5-1/news/localnews/14453.cfm}}</ref> An independent criminal law attorney noted, "The [[defense (law)|defense]] will argue that this is consistent with their claim that the murder happened quickly by an intruder and it was not a long, drawn-out effort to sexually assault Wone before he was killed, as the government is alleging."<ref name=blade0509/> Previously, a court filing indicated that the government intended to release a personal profile that Price allegedly used on ALT.com, "a sexually oriented web site specializing in [[BDSM|S&M]] practices.”<ref name=blade0509/> |
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Formal defense in the conspiracy case began on June 17, 2010, and concluded without any of the defendants testifying. On June 29, Judge [[Lynn Leibovitz]] found each of the three men not guilty of charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice |
Formal defense in the conspiracy case began on June 17, 2010, and concluded without any of the defendants testifying. On June 29, Judge [[Lynn Leibovitz]] found each of the three men not guilty of charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence.<ref name="acquitted"/> Leibovitz, in explaining her ruling for almost an hour from the bench, stated that she personally believed that the men knew who killed Wone, but was not convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that they committed the offenses with which they were charged.<ref name=acquitted /> |
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=== Civil lawsuit === |
=== Civil lawsuit === |
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On November 25, 2008, Wone's widow |
On November 25, 2008, Wone's widow filed a [[Wrongful death claim|wrongful death]] lawsuit against Price, Zaborsky and Ward, largely based on the police affidavit. The lawsuit alleged "defendants' negligent failure to rescue Robert Wone after he was injured, defendants' destruction of evidence of Robert Wone's murder, and defendants' conspiracy to destroy evidence and obstruct the police investigation into Robert Wone's murder".<ref name=blade1205 /> The suit was [[legal settlement|settled]] August 3, 2011, for an undisclosed sum and agreement.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/wone-family-settles-20-million-lawsuit-against-three-former-dc-roommates/2011/08/02/gIQAsDDvsI_story.html|title=Wone family settles $20 million lawsuit against three former D.C. roommates|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|first=Keith L. |last=Alexander|access-date=2011-08-04|date=2011-08-06}}</ref> Prior to his nomination as Attorney General, Holder advised Wone's widow on a ''[[pro bono]]'' basis.<ref name=post061008 /><ref name=sj>{{cite web|url=http://judiciary.senate.gov/resources/documents/upload/111th-Holder-Questionnaire-Public.pdf|title=Questionnaire for Eric Holder, Jr., Attorney General Nominee|publisher=[[United States Senate]] [[U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Judiciary Committee]]|access-date=2009-01-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114193930/http://judiciary.senate.gov/resources/documents/upload/111th-Holder-Questionnaire-Public.pdf|archive-date=2009-01-14|url-status=dead}} (Section 26, near end of document)</ref> |
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== Aftermath == |
== Aftermath == |
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Wone's death has proven to be one of the most mysterious homicide cases in Washington |
Wone's death has proven to be one of the most mysterious homicide cases in Washington history.<ref name=wpcover>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/31/AR2008103102290.html|title=Cover-Up Alleged in D.C. Killing Of Lawyer|last1=Duggan|first1=Paul|first2=Clarence|last2= Williams|date=2008-11-01|access-date=2008-12-31|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref><ref name=wpobit>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/22/AR2006082201329.html|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|title=Radio Free Asia Counsel Robert Eric Wone, 32|date=2006-08-23|access-date=2008-12-31}}</ref> The ''[[Washington Examiner]]'' listed the Wone case, in light of the arrests, as one of eight top crime stories in D.C. for 2008.<ref name=dce>{{cite news|last=McCabe|first=Scott|title=Top D.C. crime stories of 2008|date=2008-12-31|access-date=2009-01-01|url=http://www.dcexaminer.com/local/crime/Top-DC-crime-stories-of-2008-01-0109.html|work=[[Washington Examiner]]}}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The ''[[Washington Blade]]'' stated that the case "has captured the interest of the gay community because it occurred inside the home of a prominent gay male couple".<ref name=blade0808>{{cite news|title=Wone murder remains unsolved 2 years later|last=Chibbaro Jr.|first=Lou|work=[[Washington Blade]]|date=2008-08-01|access-date=2009-01-01|url= http://www.washingtonblade.com/2008/8-1/news/localnews/13021.cfm}}</ref> A story aired by local station [[WTTG]] in March 2009 highlighted a website cataloging the investigative efforts of "four [[amateur sleuth]]s who live in the neighborhood".<ref>{{cite news|date=2009-03-12|access-date=2009-04-08|last=Chavez|first=Roby|url= http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/031209_who_murdered_robert_wone |title=Who Murdered Robert Wone? New Website Explores Evidence, Theories|work=[[WTTG]] Fox DC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222031959/http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/031209_who_murdered_robert_wone |archive-date=2012-02-22}}</ref> |
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Since Wone's death, multiple organizations have established scholarships and other memorials in his name, including the Virginia Department of Social Services "Robert E. Wone Award for Exemplary Service;"<ref>{{cite web|title=AmeriCorps Members Pledge Year of Service at VCU Ceremony|date=2007-10-24|publisher=Virginia Department of Social Services| access-date=2009-01-04| url=http://www.vaservice.org/go/news/P70/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728153256/http://www.vaservice.org/go/news/P70/|archive-date=2011-07-28|url-status=dead}}</ref> the annual "Robert E. Wone Judicial Clerkship & Internship Conference," which rotates among the D.C. area law schools, including the [[Georgetown University Law Center]], the [[American University]] [[Washington College of Law]], and the [[Howard University School of Law]]; a workroom at OCA headquarters;<ref name=apaba>{{cite web|publisher=Asian Pacific American Bar Association of the Greater Washington DC Area, Inc.|url=http://www.napaba.org/uploads/napaba/APABA-DC_NL.pdf|title=OCA and Robert Wone|pages=4–5|year=2008| access-date=2009-01-04|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727110820/http://www.napaba.org/uploads/napaba/APABA-DC_NL.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-27}}</ref> the "Robert E. Wone Fellowship" of the [[Asian Pacific American Bar Association Educational Fund]];<ref>{{cite web|title=Fourth Annual Benefit Dinner|date=2007-03-20|publisher=[[Asian Pacific American Bar Association Educational Fund]]|access-date=2008-01-04|url=http://www.aefapaba.hostcentric.com/event/2007%20Program%5B1%5D.pdf| url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719120915/http://www.aefapaba.hostcentric.com/event/2007%20Program%5B1%5D.pdf|archive-date=2008-07-19}}</ref> the "Robert E. Wone Scholarship" of OCA's New Jersey Chapter; the "Robert E. Wone Memorial Trust," administered by the Community Foundation of the National Capital Region; and the "Robert E. Wone Clinical Fellowship" at the [[University of Pennsylvania Law School]], including a room in the law school's Civil Practice Clinic. On October 22, 2011, family and friends gathered at Barksdale Field at the |
Since Wone's death, multiple organizations have established scholarships and other memorials in his name, including the Virginia Department of Social Services "Robert E. Wone Award for Exemplary Service;"<ref>{{cite web|title=AmeriCorps Members Pledge Year of Service at VCU Ceremony|date=2007-10-24|publisher=Virginia Department of Social Services| access-date=2009-01-04| url=http://www.vaservice.org/go/news/P70/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728153256/http://www.vaservice.org/go/news/P70/|archive-date=2011-07-28|url-status=dead}}</ref> the annual "Robert E. Wone Judicial Clerkship & Internship Conference," which rotates among the D.C. area law schools, including the [[Georgetown University Law Center]], the [[American University]] [[Washington College of Law]], and the [[Howard University School of Law]]; a workroom at OCA headquarters;<ref name=apaba>{{cite web|publisher=Asian Pacific American Bar Association of the Greater Washington DC Area, Inc.|url=http://www.napaba.org/uploads/napaba/APABA-DC_NL.pdf|title=OCA and Robert Wone|pages=4–5|year=2008| access-date=2009-01-04|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727110820/http://www.napaba.org/uploads/napaba/APABA-DC_NL.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-27}}</ref> the "Robert E. Wone Fellowship" of the [[Asian Pacific American Bar Association Educational Fund]];<ref>{{cite web|title=Fourth Annual Benefit Dinner|date=2007-03-20|publisher=[[Asian Pacific American Bar Association Educational Fund]]|access-date=2008-01-04|url=http://www.aefapaba.hostcentric.com/event/2007%20Program%5B1%5D.pdf| url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719120915/http://www.aefapaba.hostcentric.com/event/2007%20Program%5B1%5D.pdf|archive-date=2008-07-19}}</ref> the "Robert E. Wone Scholarship" of OCA's New Jersey Chapter; the "Robert E. Wone Memorial Trust," administered by the Community Foundation of the National Capital Region; and the "Robert E. Wone Clinical Fellowship" at the [[University of Pennsylvania Law School]], including a room in the law school's Civil Practice Clinic. On October 22, 2011, family and friends gathered at Barksdale Field at the College of William & Mary to dedicate two benches and two [[Pistacia chinensis|Chinese pistache]] trees in Wone's memory. The plaques on the benches read "Rest awhile and enjoy the wonderful world around you," a reference to one of Wone's favorite songs by [[Louis Armstrong]], "[[What a Wonderful World]]." |
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A 2016 |
A 2016 ''Blade'' article by [[Lou Chibbaro Jr.]] revealed that, according to public records, Joseph Price and Dylan Ward had changed their names to Joseph Anderson and Dylan Thomas, respectively.<ref name="Blade">{{cite web | last=Chibbaro | first=Lou Jr. | title=Wone case defendants: Where are they now? | website=Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News | date=August 19, 2016 | url=https://www.washingtonblade.com/2016/08/19/wone-case-defendants-now/ | access-date=April 24, 2023}}</ref> The article states that Price had worked for Americans for Immigrant Justice, a [[Miami]]-based immigrant advocacy group, since 2013, while Ward had become a massage practitioner and [[pilates]] instructor.<ref name="Blade"/> Ward (under his new name) has been featured on the website of the "Pure Pilates" studio in [[Fort Lauderdale]] as recently as 2023.<ref>{{cite web | website=Pure Pilates | title=Men's Tower | date=November 12, 2020 | url=https://pure-pilates.net/apps/mindbody/classes/4 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012195122/https://pure-pilates.net/apps/mindbody/classes/4 | archive-date=October 12, 2022 | url-status=live | access-date=April 24, 2023}}</ref> Zaborsky did not change his name and continued to work for the [[Milk Processor Education Program]] (MilkPEP), a D.C.-based dairy and milk industry trade association where he had worked since 1995.<ref name="Blade"/> He is known to have worked for the organization as recently as 2020.<ref>{{cite web | last=Zaborsky | first=Victor | title=Milk's Olympic approach to disrupt, engage | website=Dairy Foods | date=February 17, 2020 | url=https://www.dairyfoods.com/articles/94121-milks-olympic-approach-to-disrupt-engage | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810075043/https://www.dairyfoods.com/articles/94121-milks-olympic-approach-to-disrupt-engage | archive-date=August 10, 2020 | url-status=live | access-date=April 24, 2023}}</ref> Property records at the time showed that Price and Zaborsky owned a house in [[Miami Shores, Florida|Miami Shores]], a suburb of Miami.<ref name="Blade"/> |
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In 2023, [[Jared P. Scott]] directed a documentary for [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] called ''Who Killed Robert Wone?'', further investigating the case. At the end of the documentary, it was confirmed that Price and Zaborsky were still together in Florida, while Ward had gotten married.<ref name="newsweek" /><ref>{{cite web | last=Tisdale | first=Jennifer | title=The Director of 'Who Killed Robert Wone?' Was Adamant About Not Retraumatizing the Victims (EXCLUSIVE) | website=Distractify | date=March 7, 2023 | url=https://www.distractify.com/p/price-zaborsky-and-ward-now | access-date=April 24, 2023}}</ref><ref name="diego">{{cite web |url=https://sdgln.com/news/2023/02/28/who-was-robert-wone-what-happened/ |title=Who Was Robert Wone? What Actually Happened To Him? |last=Palmer |first=Shone |date=February 28, 2023 |website=San Diego Local News |access-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228050234/https://sdgln.com/news/2023/02/28/who-was-robert-wone-what-happened/ |archive-date=February 28, 2023}}</ref> |
In 2023, [[Jared P. Scott]] directed a documentary for [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] called ''Who Killed Robert Wone?'', further investigating the case. At the end of the documentary, it was confirmed that Price and Zaborsky were still living together in Florida, while Ward had gotten married.<ref name="newsweek" /><ref>{{cite web | last=Tisdale | first=Jennifer | title=The Director of 'Who Killed Robert Wone?' Was Adamant About Not Retraumatizing the Victims (EXCLUSIVE) | website=Distractify | date=March 7, 2023 | url=https://www.distractify.com/p/price-zaborsky-and-ward-now | access-date=April 24, 2023}}</ref><ref name="diego">{{cite web |url=https://sdgln.com/news/2023/02/28/who-was-robert-wone-what-happened/ |title=Who Was Robert Wone? What Actually Happened To Him? |last=Palmer |first=Shone |date=February 28, 2023 |website=San Diego Local News |access-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228050234/https://sdgln.com/news/2023/02/28/who-was-robert-wone-what-happened/ |archive-date=February 28, 2023}}</ref> |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
Revision as of 23:11, 5 August 2023
Robert Eric Wone | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | (aged 32) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
Cause of death | Stabbing[1] |
Employer | Radio Free Asia |
Robert Eric Wone, aged 32, was an American lawyer who was murdered in Washington, D.C., in August 2006 in the home of a college friend, Joseph Price. Wone was living in suburban Oakton, Virginia, but had been working as general counsel at Radio Free Asia in downtown Washington. He had stayed the night at the home of friends located about one mile from his office. According to police affidavits, Wone was believed to have been "restrained, incapacitated, and sexually assaulted" before his death. The residents of the home – Price, Victor Zaborsky and Dylan Ward – contended that the murder was committed by an intruder unknown to them; the trial judge found this unbelievable.[2] Wone's official cause of death was attributed to the knife wounds he sustained.[1]
Within days of the murder, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPDC) alleged that the crime scene had been tampered with, but no charges were filed for over two years. In late 2008, police charged Price, Zaborsky and Ward with obstruction of justice and conspiracy related to alleged tampering with the crime scene. The men were acquitted of the charges in June 2010.[3] No one else has been charged with Wone's killing. In November 2008 his widow, Katherine Wone, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Price, Zaborsky and Ward; the suit was settled on August 3, 2011, for an undisclosed sum and agreement.
Victim
Robert Eric Wone (June 1, 1974 – August 3, 2006) was 32 years old at the time of his death.[4] He was a fourth generation Chinese American, born in Manhattan and raised in Brooklyn, New York.[5]
After graduating from Xaverian High School as valedictorian of his class, Wone attended the College of William & Mary as a James Monroe Scholar. There, he met Joseph Price, then a senior, in the 1992–93 academic year.[5] Wone and Price shared several activities, including an honor society and student government leadership positions, before Price graduated in 1993.[6] In September 1993, the Richmond Times-Dispatch published an opinion piece co-written by Wone, criticizing a prior Times-Dispatch article on William & Mary faculty.[7] Wone graduated from William & Mary in 1996, and then received his Juris Doctor degree with honors from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1999.[4] He subsequently served as law clerk to Judge Raymond A. Jackson of the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.[8] Wone later worked in commercial real estate law for six years as an attorney with the Washington, D.C., law firm of Covington & Burling. As part of his public service responsibilities with the firm,[9] he served as general counsel for the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA).[10]
On June 7, 2003, Wone married Katherine Ellen Yu, and the couple lived in Fairfax County, Virginia.[4][8] On June 30, 2006, about two months before he was killed, Wone left Covington & Burling and was hired as general counsel for Radio Free Asia.[4][11] Wone was very active within the Asian American community, supporting organizations such as OCA and the Museum of Chinese in America.[5] At the time of his death, he was president-elect of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association.[12]
Crime
On August 2, 2006, Wone was fatally stabbed while staying overnight at a rowhouse on Swann Street in Washington's Dupont Circle neighborhood, owned by Price and his domestic partner Victor Zaborsky,[13] where they lived with Dylan Ward as a polyamorous family unit.[3][14] Wone had gone to Price's residence at approximately 10:30pm after working late, as had been arranged days before.[15]
Neighbors reported hearing a scream, later identified as Zaborsky's, during the 11:00pm newscast (i.e., before 11:35 PM).[15] Zaborsky made a 9-1-1 call at 11:49 PM and paramedics arrived five minutes later, followed by the officers of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPDC).[15] Price phoned Wone's wife, and Wone was pronounced dead at George Washington University Hospital at 12:24 AM on August 3.[15]
Price, Zaborsky and Ward all initially spoke with the police without attorneys, and video recordings of those interviews were shown at the subsequent conspiracy trial.[16] The three men denied any involvement in Wone's death and speculated that an intruder had killed him.[15] The three also denied any sexual relationship with Wone,[5] and Wone's family have described him as both "straight and happily married".[17] All three men attended Wone's funeral, where Price served as a pallbearer.[15] Future U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who at that time worked at Wone's former employer Covington & Burling, called Wone "a kind and gentle man" who was "killed in the most horrible of ways".[5]
Investigation
Paramedics responding to the emergency call "found the three residents’ calm behavior unusual; none were screaming or even helping direct the paramedics".[5] According to Ward's attorney, detectives who interrogated the three housemates on the night of the killing informed them that they were the main suspects in the case, and asked many sexually charged, accusatory questions.[18] Three days after the killing, the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit of the MPDC were called in, but unit head Sgt. Brett Parson declined to discuss the unit's involvement.[19] Within two weeks of the murder, police publicly alleged that the crime scene had been tampered with.[20] Investigators spent more than three weeks examining the Swann Street rowhouse in detail, "removing flooring, pieces of walls, a chunk of staircase, the washing machine, even sink traps".[15] Allegations that the area around Wone's body had been cleaned were revealed in an affidavit in support of a search warrant for Price's offices at the D.C. law firm of Arent Fox.[20]
Burglary
Three months after Wone's death, Price's brother Michael and an accomplice named Phelps Collins burgled the Swann Street rowhouse; they took more than $7,000 of electronic equipment.[21][22] Two individuals, including Price's brother,[23] were charged with the burglary, but those charges were later dropped.[22] In 2007, the MPDC revealed that they had been preparing to make an arrest in the Wone murder case in 2006, but that the burglary had derailed those plans.[22] Police have not revealed the name of the arrest target, nor the charge(s) that would have been filed.[22]
Lack of progress
In August 2007, The Washington Post reported the frustration of Wone's widow with the FBI crime lab: "It has been trying at times as we continue to wait for the FBI to complete their analysis of all the samples that were taken."[21] Over one year, the case had been transferred to three separate prosecutors, earning it "vagabond status" in the U.S. Attorneys' office.[23] Wone's widow retained the services of attorney Holder to peruse the case. On the first anniversary of Wone's death, she held a press conference to appeal for public assistance in finding the killer, her first public comment on the case.[21][24] During the press conference, Holder publicly pleaded with Price, Zaborsky and Ward to provide additional information, saying, "You need to ask yourself, 'Have I provided police with all the information I know?'"[24][25] Interested parties, such as the OCA, used the first anniversary of Wone's death to criticize what they deemed police inaction in the investigation.[10] In contrast to the first anniversary of Wone's murder, there was no press conference on the second anniversary, and neither the Wone family nor police made any statements to the press.[22]
Arrests and charges
In October 2008, an obstruction of justice charge was filed against Ward, who had since moved to Miami-Dade County, Florida, and was living in a home owned by Price.[26] In November 2008, Price and Zaborsky were arrested and also charged with obstruction of justice.[17] All three men were later released pending trial, but subject to electronic monitoring and curfews.[17] On December 19, 2008, additional charges of conspiracy were filed against all three men.[3] During the same hearing, the electronic monitoring and curfew restrictions for the three defendants were ended and prosecutors announced the possibility that charges related to tampering with evidence could be filed in the future.[3][27]
The affidavit filed by authorities supporting the arrest warrant for Ward showed that investigators had concluded the men were not telling the truth about what happened. The report states, "The evidence demonstrates that Robert Wone was restrained, incapacitated, sexually assaulted, and murdered inside 1509 Swann Street",[26] and there exists "overwhelming evidence, far in excess of probable cause" that Price, Zaborsky and Ward had "obstructed justice by altering and orchestrating the crime scene, planting evidence, delaying the reporting of the murder to the authorities, and lying to the police about the true circumstances of the murder".[28] Lawyers for the three accused men have called the affidavit "speculation, innuendo, assumptions, and irrelevant inflammatory comments" and maintain their clients' innocence.[17] Price and Zaborsky were domestic partners,[22] and the affidavit alleges that Price had previously had a sexual relationship with Ward.[26] Washington attorney Dale Sanders opined that the release of the extensively detailed affidavit was intended to turn one of the housemates, presumably Ward, against the others, and hypothesized that it indicated prosecutors lacked sufficient evidence to charge any of the housemates with additional crimes without the cooperation of a witness.[26]
Officials believe that a knife from the kitchen had been smeared with blood and placed near the body, while a duplicate of the knife that was missing from a set found in Ward's bedroom would have been more consistent with the wounds to Wone's body. The autopsy revealed evidence of some degree of suffocation, perhaps by a pillow, and puncture marks on his neck, chest, foot and hand. Though no toxins were found in his blood, a lack of evidence of struggle led investigators to suspect Wone had been injected with a paralytic agent. Cadaver dogs hit on a dryer lint trap and the patio drain, which detectives believe may be evidence that someone washed themselves in the back patio area, and dried wet clothes in the dryer.[29] Washington City Paper columnist Jason Cherkis reported unattributed criticism of the medical examiner's failure to test for exotic drugs and to keep a sample of Wone's blood for later testing, as well as detectives' failure to follow up on a lint trap that had attracted a cadaver dog's attention.[30]
Price's lawyer challenged the timing of the indictments, saying that a contemporaneous civil suit brought by Wone's family "looked unseemly" and questioned whether the prosecutors and Wone family attorneys were acting in concert.[31]
In April 2009, prosecutors disclosed that two emails had been drafted on Wone's BlackBerry "at a time when prosecutors believed Wone dead.”[32] An independent criminal law attorney noted, "The defense will argue that this is consistent with their claim that the murder happened quickly by an intruder and it was not a long, drawn-out effort to sexually assault Wone before he was killed, as the government is alleging."[32] Previously, a court filing indicated that the government intended to release a personal profile that Price allegedly used on ALT.com, "a sexually oriented web site specializing in S&M practices.”[32]
Formal defense in the conspiracy case began on June 17, 2010, and concluded without any of the defendants testifying. On June 29, Judge Lynn Leibovitz found each of the three men not guilty of charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence.[14] Leibovitz, in explaining her ruling for almost an hour from the bench, stated that she personally believed that the men knew who killed Wone, but was not convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that they committed the offenses with which they were charged.[14]
Civil lawsuit
On November 25, 2008, Wone's widow filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Price, Zaborsky and Ward, largely based on the police affidavit. The lawsuit alleged "defendants' negligent failure to rescue Robert Wone after he was injured, defendants' destruction of evidence of Robert Wone's murder, and defendants' conspiracy to destroy evidence and obstruct the police investigation into Robert Wone's murder".[17] The suit was settled August 3, 2011, for an undisclosed sum and agreement.[33] Prior to his nomination as Attorney General, Holder advised Wone's widow on a pro bono basis.[15][34]
Aftermath
Wone's death has proven to be one of the most mysterious homicide cases in Washington history.[12][35] The Washington Examiner listed the Wone case, in light of the arrests, as one of eight top crime stories in D.C. for 2008.[36] The Washington Blade stated that the case "has captured the interest of the gay community because it occurred inside the home of a prominent gay male couple".[22] A story aired by local station WTTG in March 2009 highlighted a website cataloging the investigative efforts of "four amateur sleuths who live in the neighborhood".[37]
Since Wone's death, multiple organizations have established scholarships and other memorials in his name, including the Virginia Department of Social Services "Robert E. Wone Award for Exemplary Service;"[38] the annual "Robert E. Wone Judicial Clerkship & Internship Conference," which rotates among the D.C. area law schools, including the Georgetown University Law Center, the American University Washington College of Law, and the Howard University School of Law; a workroom at OCA headquarters;[39] the "Robert E. Wone Fellowship" of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association Educational Fund;[40] the "Robert E. Wone Scholarship" of OCA's New Jersey Chapter; the "Robert E. Wone Memorial Trust," administered by the Community Foundation of the National Capital Region; and the "Robert E. Wone Clinical Fellowship" at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, including a room in the law school's Civil Practice Clinic. On October 22, 2011, family and friends gathered at Barksdale Field at the College of William & Mary to dedicate two benches and two Chinese pistache trees in Wone's memory. The plaques on the benches read "Rest awhile and enjoy the wonderful world around you," a reference to one of Wone's favorite songs by Louis Armstrong, "What a Wonderful World."
A 2016 Blade article by Lou Chibbaro Jr. revealed that, according to public records, Joseph Price and Dylan Ward had changed their names to Joseph Anderson and Dylan Thomas, respectively.[41] The article states that Price had worked for Americans for Immigrant Justice, a Miami-based immigrant advocacy group, since 2013, while Ward had become a massage practitioner and pilates instructor.[41] Ward (under his new name) has been featured on the website of the "Pure Pilates" studio in Fort Lauderdale as recently as 2023.[42] Zaborsky did not change his name and continued to work for the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), a D.C.-based dairy and milk industry trade association where he had worked since 1995.[41] He is known to have worked for the organization as recently as 2020.[43] Property records at the time showed that Price and Zaborsky owned a house in Miami Shores, a suburb of Miami.[41]
In 2023, Jared P. Scott directed a documentary for Peacock called Who Killed Robert Wone?, further investigating the case. At the end of the documentary, it was confirmed that Price and Zaborsky were still living together in Florida, while Ward had gotten married.[3][44][4]
See also
References
- ^ a b Contreras, Cydney (2023-07-03). "The Mysterious Circumstances Of Robert Wone's Death". Oxygen.
- ^ Leibovitz, Lynn (2010-06-29). "United States v. Joseph R. Price, Victor J. Zaborsky, and Dylan M. Ward" (PDF). Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
- ^ a b c d e Simons, Roxy (March 7, 2023). "Robert Wone Murder Case is Missing 'Huge' Detail, Doc Director Says". Newsweek. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Palmer, Shone (February 28, 2023). "Who Was Robert Wone? What Actually Happened To Him?". San Diego Local News. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Tseng, Judy (2008-12-16). "Break in D.C. Lawyer Murder Case". Asian Week. Archived from the original on 2009-01-29. Retrieved 2009-01-01.
- ^ Hilder, Miles (2008-11-21). "Details of alum's murder released". The Flat Hat. Archived from the original on 2011-07-11. Retrieved 2009-01-01.
- ^ Goddard, Lisa; Wone, Robert (1993-09-30). "The Media Have Maligned Professors". Richmond Times Dispatch. p. A17. ProQuest 423510384. (Registration required)
- ^ a b "Weddings/Celebrations; Katherine Yu, Robert Wone". The New York Times. 2003-06-08. Retrieved 2009-01-01.
- ^ "Covington & Burling Diversity Update" (PDF). Covington & Burling. Winter 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-02-05. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
- ^ a b Chu, Hope (2007-08-02). "OCA Remembers General Counsel Robert Wone, Questions Investigation Inactivity". OCAnational.com. Archived from the original on 2007-10-14. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
- ^ Petkofsky, Andrew (2006-08-05). "Slain Lawyer a Friend to Many". Richmond Times Dispatch. p. B.6. ProQuest 423944518. (Registration required)
- ^ a b Duggan, Paul; Williams, Clarence (2008-11-01). "Cover-Up Alleged in D.C. Killing Of Lawyer". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-12-31.
- ^ Peterson, Karen S. (2004-03-09). "Looking Straight at Gay Parents". USA Today. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
- ^ a b c Alexander, Keith L. (2019-06-29). "Judge rules not guilty in Wone case". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Schwartzman, Paul (2006-10-09). "A New Glimpse Into Night of D.C. Slaying". The Washington Post. p. B01. Retrieved 2009-01-01.
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- ^ a b c d e Chibbaro Jr., Lou (2008-12-05). "Gay Defendants Blast officials in Wone Case: Police Accused of Spreading 'Inflammatory Comments'". Washington Blade. Archived from the original on 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2009-01-01.
- ^ "A third not-guilty plea in D.C. lawyer death". WTOP-FM. 2008-11-25. Archived from the original on 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
- ^ Cook, Gretchen (2006-10-10). "Murder in D.C.". The Advocate. p. 39.
- ^ a b Klein, Allison; Cauvin, Henri E. (2006-08-16). "Police Say Crime Scene Was Altered in NW Killing". The Washington Post. p. B.1. ProQuest 410039969. (Registration required)
- ^ a b c Klein, Allison (2007-08-05). "Year Later, Lawyer's Slaying Still Shrouded in Mystery". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
- ^ a b c d e f g Chibbaro Jr., Lou (2008-08-01). "Wone murder remains unsolved 2 years later". Washington Blade. Retrieved 2009-01-01.
- ^ a b Palazzolo, Joe (2007-08-09). "A Year Later, Police Still Don't Know Who Killed D.C. Lawyer". Law.com. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
- ^ a b McCabe, Scott (2007-08-07). "Wone's wife pleads for killer to reveal himself". Washington Examiner. Retrieved 2019-09-02.
- ^ Klein, Allison (2007-08-06). "Lawyer's Wife Pleads for Killer to Step Forward". The Washington Post. p. B04. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ a b c d Chibbaro Jr., Lou (2008-10-20). "Police say Wone was drugged, sexually assaulted before murder". Washington Blade. Retrieved 2009-01-01.
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- ^ "'Obstruction' Affidavit Exposes Secrets of D.C. Murder Mystery". WJLA-TV. 2008-10-31. Archived from the original on 2009-06-05. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
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- ^ Forsyth, Jennifer (2008-11-26). "Family of Slain Lawyer Robert Wone Sues, Alleging Cover-up". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2009-01-01.
- ^ a b c Chibbaro Jr., Lou (2009-05-01). "Missing e-Mails at Issue in Wone Murder: Timing of Deleted Messages Could Have Aided Defense: Attorneys". Washington Blade. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
- ^ Alexander, Keith L. (2011-08-06). "Wone family settles $20 million lawsuit against three former D.C. roommates". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2011-08-04.
- ^ "Questionnaire for Eric Holder, Jr., Attorney General Nominee" (PDF). United States Senate Judiciary Committee. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-01-14. Retrieved 2009-01-03. (Section 26, near end of document)
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- ^ McCabe, Scott (2008-12-31). "Top D.C. crime stories of 2008". Washington Examiner. Retrieved 2009-01-01.[permanent dead link ]
- ^ Chavez, Roby (2009-03-12). "Who Murdered Robert Wone? New Website Explores Evidence, Theories". WTTG Fox DC. Archived from the original on 2012-02-22. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
- ^ "AmeriCorps Members Pledge Year of Service at VCU Ceremony". Virginia Department of Social Services. 2007-10-24. Archived from the original on 2011-07-28. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
- ^ "OCA and Robert Wone" (PDF). Asian Pacific American Bar Association of the Greater Washington DC Area, Inc. 2008. pp. 4–5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
- ^ "Fourth Annual Benefit Dinner" (PDF). Asian Pacific American Bar Association Educational Fund. 2007-03-20. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-07-19. Retrieved 2008-01-04.
- ^ a b c d Chibbaro, Lou Jr. (August 19, 2016). "Wone case defendants: Where are they now?". Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ^ "Men's Tower". Pure Pilates. November 12, 2020. Archived from the original on October 12, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ^ Zaborsky, Victor (February 17, 2020). "Milk's Olympic approach to disrupt, engage". Dairy Foods. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ^ Tisdale, Jennifer (March 7, 2023). "The Director of 'Who Killed Robert Wone?' Was Adamant About Not Retraumatizing the Victims (EXCLUSIVE)". Distractify. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
External links
- Who Murdered Robert Wone?
- Affidavit in Support of an Arrest Warrant – Dylan Ward
- Judge Lynn Lebovitz's Verdict – Final Order 06292010