06/04/2007: "Checking Finger Prints, But 10K Could Solve Case"

Evidence in the grave desecration case on Orcas is being checked for finger prints. Sheriff Bill Cumming said that evidence from the scene is being analyzed for clues to who may have committed the crime, but that simply having the prints will not help unless there is a matching set in the national records. On the other hand -so to speak- if they are not able to match a print to a data base, it will be helpful to be able to match the prints to suspects.

Speaking of suspects, Cumming said that he believes the $10,000.00 reward may cause someone to come forward with information. And that it is important to publicize the reward. In the meantime, Ken Schramm of KOMO-4 has indicated an interest in coming to the island to install more flags on the graves, and to help focus attention on the case.

In a column, Mr. Schram stated that “I plan on going to Woodlawn Cemetery around the 4th of July to put new flags on the graves of those veterans.” And then went along to invite others to join him: “I'm hoping some people 'like me' will want to come along…. As we get closer to the 4th of July, I’ll contact everyone who’s indicated they want to participate with the specifics of when we’ll head out there and where we can meet up.”

However not everyone likes the idea: one member of the cemetery district on Orcas said that “we do not need anymore publicity”, indicating that what has occurred has only brought negative publicly to San Juan County.

With some luck -and a $10,000.00 reward- maybe the case will be solved before the 4th of July.
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