Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Tuesday, August 14, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 1, Column 7 - By Ben Albert

MYSTERY SHROUDS AIRMAN’S MURDER ADC Soldier Shot in Car

Sheriff Norman Short and his men and Camp Carson military police were searching today for clues to the identity of the man who brutally shot to death Sergeant Martin A. Bursey at 2 o’clock this morning, two miles from the Broadmoor Hotel. Sergeant Bursey, 20, a member of Headquarters Squadron, Air Defense Command, was a night-time limousine driver for the Broadmoor Hotel since June and was transporting Mr. and Mrs. H.S. Chase of Des Moines back to the hotel when the murder occurred. According to Sheriff Short, the limousine was hailed by the occupant of a passing car and told to pull over to the curb. Sergeant Bursey and his passengers apparently thought they were being hailed by the police and promptly pulled over. A man stepped out of the other car and walked around to the driver’s side of Sergeant Bursey’s limousine and with no warning shot Sergeant Bursey though the left temple. Sheriff Short said the assailant used a .22-caliber rifle. The murderer then ordered Mr. and Mrs. Chase out of the car and forced them to lie in a ditch beside the road. He stole $260 from Mrs. Chase’s purse before making his getaway. After the murderer had gone, Mr. and Mrs. Chase got back into the limousine and drove back to the hotel, from where they notified police. The Joss Ambulance Service was called and rushed Sergeant Bursey to the Camp Carson Hospital, where he died while being examined at 3:06 a.m. Sheriff Short said the two passengers were able to give only a “fair description” of the slayer. They were too afraid for their own lives, he said, to be able to give a close description. Robbery Motive The sheriff said there was no doubt “about the motive being robbery.” Sergeant Bursey, a native of West Chazy, New York, is survived by his wife, Mrs. Eleanor Bursey, who lived with him here at 1204 North Cooper Street. The sergeant had been her since January when the Air Defense Command was activated at Ent Air Force Base. He was on duty in the office of the air adjutant general headquarters, ADC. According to Sheriff Short, Mr. and Mrs. Chase were in hysterical condition after three hours of questioning early this morning and were unavailable for comment. The body of Sergeant Bursey was still at Camp Carson Hospital this afternoon where it will undergo an autopsy. Funeral arrangements will be postponed until the conclusion of a coroner’s inquest.

Tuesday, August 14, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page A1, Column 8 - By W.G. Hutchinson

HOLDUP KILLS TAXI DRIVER Slayer Takes $300 From Cab Passenger

Stopped by an automobile that pulled up at his left side as he drove toward Broadmoor with two passengers, an Air Defense Command sergeant working at night as a taxicab driver was shot through the left temple and wounded fatally between 2:15 and 2:30 a.m. today on state highway 122, the Broadmoor road, about 300 yards west of state highway 115, the Cañon City road. The sergeant was Martin Adolphus Bursey, 20, of 453 Ridgewood Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, stationed at ADC headquarters since the installation was set up last January. Sergeant and Mrs. Bursey's home here has been at 1204 North Cooper Avenue. Bursey died at Camp Carson hospital soon after the shooting and the robbing of Hal S. Chase, 24 Foster Street, Des Moines, Iowa, of $300, a passenger in the taxicab who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Dorothy Chase. The couple were returning to the hotel after an evening that included dinner at Candlelight Inn, 3800 North Nevada Avenue; a visit to the Rocky Mountain Kennel Club race track, and a later dinner at the House of Oscar, 3008 North Nevada Avenue, with an acquaintance they knew only as Lew, according to a report by Walter H. Luther and Carl O. Nestler, Camp Carson criminal investigation department agents, who were summoned when it was learned the cab driver was a soldier. TAXI PASSENGERS UNDER DOCTOR'S CARE Semi-hysterical after their experience of seeing a man slain and of being robbed, Mr. and Mrs. Chase were under a doctor's care this morning and unable to repeat a first-hand account of what happened after telling their story to investigating officers. The CID report said the Chases who have been vacationing several days at the Broadmoor hotel, engaged the taxicab for the evening Monday, and first went to Candlelight Inn for dinner. Finishing their dinner, they went to the dog race track, the report said, Chase winning a considerable amount of money.

Prepared by: Page 1 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Returning to Candlelight Inn, Chase inquired whether Mrs. Chase had left a cigarette case there, and then the couple were driven by Bursey to the House of Oscar, where they met "Lew," with whom they became acquainted at the race track and who had invited them to the night club for a late dinner, the CID officers reported. DISPLAYED WINNINGS AT NIGHT CLUB While eating, Chase reportedly took his money out of his pockets and counted it on the table, saying he had gone to the race track with $400 and was $500 winner as he then had $900. Re-entering the taxicab driven by Bursey, the Chases started back to the hotel, and as the cab traveled along the Broadmoor road about 300 yards west of state highway 115 a four-day Chrysler sedan, black in color, pulled up at the left side. A man in the car ordered the taxicab to stop, and then stopped the car diagonally across the left front of the cab. "What's coming off here?" Bursey asked. At that instant, the Chases told the investigating officers, Bursey was shot through the left temple by the man who had approached the cab with a rifle in his hands. PASSENGER ROBBED AS DRIVER LIES DYING With Bursey dying, the stickup asked Chase for his money, and Chase gave him what he had in one pocket -- about $300. Mrs. Chase hid her jewelry behind the cushion of the rear seat where she and her husband were sitting. Next, the stickup ordered the Chases to get out of the right side of the car and into the borrow pit at the north side of the road. Jumping back into his car, the stickup made a fast U-turn and sped back toward the state highway 115 and U.S. highway 85-87, which intersect south of the city. The Chases said they remained in the ditch about three minutes and then returned to the taxicab. They found Bursey behind the steering wheel with his body slumped over to the right. Getting into the driver's seat beside Bursey while Mrs. Chase got into the rear seat, Chase drove the cab to the entrance of the Broadmoor hotel, about a mile and a half distance. Informed of what had happened, employees of the hotel summoned Sheriff Norman Short and Deputy Sheriff Norman Short, Jr. Bursey was take to Camp Carson Army hospital from the hotel by the Joss Ambulance company and died while being examined by doctors. The car driven by the murderer was reported a 1949 or 1950 model Chrysler and was occupied by one or two men. Near the scene of the shooting, officers found a .22-long rifle shell. The Chases described the killer as about 5 feet 7 or 8 inches tall, weighing about 140 pounds, slender in build and with blond curly hair and wearing a beige colored suit with a striped T-shirt. He was bareheaded, they said. Sergeant Bursey was born November 27, 1930, and was the son of Adolphus Joseph and Elizabeth Ann Bursey of route 1, West Chazy, New York. He came to Colorado Springs with the Air Defense Command headquarters when they were moved here from Mitchell Air force Base, New York, last January, and was assigned to the air adjutant general's office SHERIFF PROBES GAMBLING REPORT Sheriff Norman Short said that while at the dog track Chase, a prominent Des Monies investment broker, had been invited to a poker or crap game at the House of Oscar, according to his statement. Sheriff Short investigated the House of Oscar this morning. The management declared that if there had been a game there it did not know anything about it. The sheriff said he had received no other report of a game there Monday night and that it was at the dog track that Chase said he had made his winnings. He said that the House of Oscar had been watched recently, but that no gambling had been detected there. A Chrysler car was reported stolen at Woodland Park Monday night while parked near the Hadley garage. It was described as a light gray one, while Chase and his wife described the car, believed by them to be a Chrysler in which the killer of Bursey drove alongside the taxicab as a black one. He said that gray car could have appeared to them at night as a dark one, but that he had found no evidence to connect the stolen car with the one that the killer drove. The investigation of the theft of the car in Woodland Park this morning had not been completed.

Wednesday, August 15, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 1, Column 4 - By Bill Totten

3 Suspects Considered In Slaying

Two reluctant eye-witnesses to a murder will arrive back in Colorado Springs Thursday morning to view three Camp Carson soldiers -- suspects in the Tuesday morning fatal shooting of Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, part-time cab driver. Sheriff Norman Short said the three soldiers were picked up by the Army’s CID after they were involved in an accident in Manitou Springs shortly after the shooting of Bursey. He did not identify them. Evidence Links Suspects

Prepared by: Page 2 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

One of the soldiers was wearing clothing similar to that believed worn by the killer of Bursey, and the car involved in the accident answered the description of the car he used. The Army’s public information office said this morning the soldiers had been released today but would be picked up again when the eye-witnesses to the shooting return to Colorado Springs. Mr. and Mrs. Hal C. Chase of Des Moines, Iowa, who were passengers in Bursey’s Broadmoor cab at the time of the shooting, left Colorado Springs at 1:50 p.m. Tuesday by their private plane for Des Moines after being told by deputy sheriffs to remain here as material witnesses. In a telephone conversation with Chase this morning. Short told him he and Mrs. Chase would have to return to this city “or I’ll have to come after you.” After being promised protection, Chase agreed to return. He and Mrs. Chase will arrive Thursday morning. “Somebody might want to ‘plug’ me. I want protection,” Short quoted Chase as saying. Deputy Sheriff Norman Short, Jr., who is handling the investigation of the case, said the Chases were able to give a more accurate description of the hold-up man who ordered Bursey to stop his cab on Lake Avenue in the early hours Tuesday, then, without a word, shot the driver with a .22-caliber rifle. Short, Jr., said the killer was described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighted 135 to 145 pounds and had wavy hair. He was wearing a T-sweater with a 2½ inch stripe around it at chest level and a brown coat. He was said to be driving a dark colored pre-war sedan, probably a Chrysler product. Mrs. Chase, Short said, thought it was a 1939 Plymouth. Possibly that more than one man was involved in the murder was voiced by Mrs. Chase Tuesday. She told Short she thought there was a face at the right rear window of the car which ordered Bursey to stop. Furthermore, the killer alighted from the car too soon after it stopped to have been driving it. Short added that the gunman, after the shooting, was extremely nervous and that the car drove slowly and deliberately away from the scene, made a U-turn on Lake Avenue without “burning rubber.” “These facts,” Short said, “would indicate that the man driving the car and the man who did the shooting were different people.” The story of incidents leading to the shooting were changed to some extent Tuesday by Mr. and Mrs. Chase after they had time to “think it out,” according to Short. They told Short they hired Bursey early in the evening to take them to the dog racetrack where they remained until the last race at 11 p.m. At the racetrack Chase met a Luke Turner who was standing in line at the ticket windows and they struck up a conversation which ended with Turner inviting the Chases to the House of Oscar restaurant later. Chase said he stopped briefly at the Candlelight Inn across from the dog track, to inquire about a cigarette lighter he thought he had left there the night before while having dinner. Money in Plain Sight The couple arrived at the House of Oscar at 11:30 where they had “quite a few drinks.” While there they counted their racetrack winnings in plain sight of many persons. “I guess I invited trouble,” Short quoted Chase as saying. Chase gave Mrs. Chase $100 which she put in her purse. He placed $220 in a money clip and $520 in the breast pocket of his coat. While at the House of Oscar Turner invited the couple to participate in “gambling games” in the basement but they refused. Meanwhile Bursey was waiting in the cab outside the night club. When the couple left, at approximately 1:55 a.m., they entered the wrong cab, also owned by the Broadmoor. The driver helped them find their own cab in which Bursey was sleeping. At 2:15, shortly after the cab had turned off U.S. Highway 85-87 onto Lake Avenue, a car pulled alongside and ordered Bursey to stop. A man carrying a .22-caliber rifle got out and walked toward the cab as Bursey and shot from the hip, the bullet entering Bursey’s head at the temple. He slumped over in his seat. Bursey died 45 minutes later. The gunman then opened the back door and asked for “all the money you have.” Chase said he threw out the money clip containing the $220. The bandit then said: “Come on. I know you have more.” Mrs. Chase gave him her purse containing the $100. When the man seemed angry, Chase pleaded with him not to shoot and the bandit told them to “pile out and get down in the ditch.” He told them not to move until he was gone. The couple waited several minutes, then returned to the car. Chase slid Bursey over in the front seat and drove the cab to the Broadmoor Hotel. Sheriff Short said he learned this morning that Chase is a wealthy and prominent citizen of Des Moines and the owner of a thriving automobile finance company there. Two men were being held today by Chief “Dad” Bruce who was brought into the case, for questioning in the shooting. Robert Cassinetti, 35, was arrested Tuesday evening by Detectives Oren Boling and Cameron Westcott at 3008 North Nevada Avenue. The officers found a bolt action .22 rifle under the front seat of his black Buick sedan and also uncovered a .38 Colt’s automatic. Cassinetti was identified by Chief Bruce as the husband of a singer at the House of Oscar. Tony Sayle Meader, 29, was arrested at 187A Roswell Road, Route L. The chief described him as “a hanger-on” at the House of Oscar.

Prepared by: Page 3 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Wednesday, August 15, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page A1, Column 7

Three Men Held for Questioning In Murder of Taxicab Driver .22-Caliber Rifle Found In Car of One Suspect

Three men were held in city jail today for questioning as city police, the sheriff's office and military authorities pushed an investigation into the slaying of Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, 20, part-time taxicab driver, and the robbing of a prominent Des Moines, Iowa, couple on the road leading from state highway 1115 to Broadmoor early Tuesday morning. Held in city jail were Lew Turner, 54, identified by Police Chief I.B. Bruce as a gambler from Fort Worth who had been "steering" people to gamble games at the House of Oscar, 3008 North Nevada Avenue; Robert John Cassinetti, 35, who has been living at the House of Oscar and from whose car police recovered a .22-caliber rifle and a .32-caliber automatic pistol, and Tony Sayle Meador, 29, Roswell, held in an investigation into a rifle missing from the Bill Garrett home, Roswell, in which Cassinetti formerly lived. The three were arrested Tuesday night after Police Chief Bruce entered the investigation at the request of Air Defense Command headquarters, where Sergeant Bursey was stationed, and the Broadmoor Hotel company, by whom the soldier was employed as a part-time taxicab driver. THREE CAMP CARSON SOLDIERS RELEASED Three soldiers were questioned this morning by military authorities at Camp Carson but were released. Their names were not announced. Cassinetti, whose wife is a singer at the House of Oscar, where Mr. and Mrs. Hal S. Chase II, prominent Des Moines couple dined and where Chase counted his $900 on a table shortly before the taxicab driven by Bursey was arrested at 7:30 p.m. by Police Officers Oren Boling and Cameron Westcott. Bruce said the rifle, a Stevens bolt-action .22-caliber weapon, was found under the front seat of Cassinetti's car, a black Buick parked at the rear of the House of Oscar. The .32-caliber Colt automatic pistol was found in a front door pocket, Bruce said. Both guns were empty. Bruce said Cassinetti and Turner were questioned Tuesday by Sheriff Norman Short and that he had interrogated Cassinetti Tuesday night, "but didn't get anything." Turner was arrested at 11:10 p.m. by Undersheriff Fred C. Williams and Deputy Earl Booth at 3143 West Colorado Avenue, where he has been living. Bruce said Turner has been "steering" people to such games as craps and poker. Sergeant Bursey was shot through the left temple by a stickup who drove up at the left side of his taxicab and ordered Bursey to stop. The .22-caliber bullet was recovered from Bursey's head during an autopsy at Camp Carson Army hospital after Bursey died while being examined by physicians. The autopsy showed the bullet after entering the left temple, went through the sphenoid and ethmoid, bony structures in the skull, and through the right temple bone, lodging in the right temple. The bony structures and right temple bone were fractured and the bullet badly smashed. DEATH BULLET SAID "POSSIBLY .22-SHORT" Camp Carson said the bullet "possibly was a .22-short." After Bursey was shot, the stickup robbed the Chases and ordered them from the taxicab and into a borrow pit at the north side of the road. Chase drove the taxicab to the Broadmoor hotel after the stickup jumped into his car, made a U-turn and sped away toward state highway 115 and U.S. highway 85-87, which intersect a short distance from the holdup murder. The Chases were reported under a doctor's care Tuesday morning at the Broadmoor hotel, but soon after 1 p.m. checked out of the hotel and returned to Des Moines in their own plane from Peterson field. They told Des Moines newsmen they were "lucky to be alive" and that the gunman missed $800 which Chase had in an inside coat pocket. During a late dinner at the House of Oscar, Chase counted his money, saying he had $900 and had won $500 at the Rocky Mountain Kennel Club track, which he had visited a short time before. He reportedly gave the gunman $300 when his money was demanded. CHASES SCHEDULED TO RETURN TO SPRINGS The news dispatch said the Chases were scheduled to return here as "material witnesses" in the case, but said they were unable to identify two suspects picked up by Sheriff Short. Chase, 37, is president of the Chase Finance Company and Chase Investment Company, both of Des Moines. He formerly held the Iowa golf championship. His wife, Mrs. Dorothy Chase, is prominent in Junior league activities in Des Moines. She is the former Dorothy Sexauer Baker of Des Moines and Brookings, South Dakota. The couple were married last may in Chicago.

Prepared by: Page 4 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

SHORT ORDERS WITNESSES RETURN Short talked to Chase over the telephone this morning and told him that he and Mrs. Chase, the only witnesses to the murder would have to return to Colorado Springs. Short was given assurance by Chase that they would be back here today or Thursday, by plane or train. "They showed a lack of co-operation in this investigation of a murder," Short said. "We are picking up suspects and they are the only witnesses to the killing and so the only ones who might identify the killer." Short said Cassinetti was taken by his officers to the Broadmoor hotel for the Chases to look at before they left and that they said he was not the man who had shot Bursey. He said they said that the killer of Bursey had wavy hair, whereas Cassinetti is nearly bald. Short said, however, that Mr. and Mrs. Chase first said that the man who shot Bursey did not wear a hat and later said that they may have been mistaken and that he might have worn a hat. The three released suspects at Camp Carson Bruce said can be brought back for Mr. and Mrs. Chase to see when they arrive. They were at the sheriff's office Tuesday afternoon and were questioned there. Manitou Springs police officers Tuesday afternoon took three juveniles who had been picked up there, one having a .22- caliber rifle, to the sheriff's office for questioning, but Short after talking with them said not one of them could have had anything to do with the killing. He said they were Texas boys who were camping out and that they had brought the rifle along with them. Sheriff Short also was notified by the state highway patrol that two youths were held at Littleton for questioning. They had been picked up by state highway patrolmen on highway 85 near Littleton on description. Sheriff Short said he had asked Undersheriff McDaniel at Littleton to question them and that this had been done and they had been cleared and released. DRIVER WHO SAW KILLER'S CAR SOUGHT Short learned this morning that while the killer of Bursey was making a U-turn on the Broadmoor road to head back to highway 115 a car was driven by headed west, and slowed up to enable the killer to make the turn. This was while Mr. and Mrs. Chase were lying in a borrow pit at the side of the road as the holdup had commanded them to do after killing Bursey and robbing them. 'We are very desirous of learning the identity of the driver of this car would notify me at once information on that score," said Short. "It may be that the driver of this car or passengers who may have been in it can give us a more exact description of the killer's car than we now have, and perhaps even a better description of the man that we have. It would have been between 2 and 2:30 a.m. Tuesday that this car was driven by while the killer was making a turn to drive east to get away from the scene of the holdup and murder. It would be very helpful if the driver of the car would notify me at once, in order that I may talk to him." The only description of the murderer of Bursey that the sheriff had from the Chases is that he appeared to be about 30 years old, had wavy hair, either did not wear a hat wore a brown coat and a sweater with horizontal stripes about two and a half inches wide. No indication of the color of the sweater is had and nothing as to the holdup's tone of voice or other identifying characteristics.

Thursday, August 16, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 1, Column 1 - By Bill Totten

Police Name 2 Top Suspects’ in Gun Death

Robert John Case, alias Cassinetti, 36, and his common-in-law wife, Betty Jane Vinci, alias many names, 28, are identified this morning by Police Chief I.B. Bruce as the “top suspects” in the Tuesday morning murder of Sergeant Martin Bursey. Case has been in custody since Tuesday afternoon. His wife was picked up this morning at the couple’s apartment at the House of Oscar, where she was employed as a singer, after Chief Bruce received information concerning the pair’s background. Long Police Record Chief Bruce said Case had a criminal record dating back to 1938 and including such crimes as robbery, burglary, jail break and assault. Case told Bruce Wednesday the only time he was ever in trouble was for draft evasion. The woman also has a minor criminal record which includes vagrancy and gambling. Bruce said Case answers the general description of the killer of Sergeant Bursey. Furthermore, a striped T-shirt similar to one being seen worn by the killer, was found at the Case apartment. A .22-caliber rifle was found in Case’s black 1949 Buick sedan. In the chamber were .22 rifle bullets of the same make as one found at the scene of the murder. Assistant Chief of Police Earl Boatright and Detective Oren Boling this morning found five .22-caliber shells of the same make as that which killed Sergeant Bursey in a pocket of a pair of trousers owned by Case. The find was made at the Case apartment which was searched this morning by the officers. Neither Suspect Talks Chief Bruce interrogated the couple this morning but neither admitted knowledge of the crime. They were to be viewed at noon by Mr. and Mrs. Hal Chase of Des Moines, Iowa, who were robbed of $320 by the man who shot Sergeant Bursey.

Prepared by: Page 5 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

The Chases arrived in the city this morning aboard the (Rock Island) Rocket. They had left for their Des Moines home Tuesday afternoon claiming they did not know they were supposed to remain here as material witnesses. Chief Bruce talked to the woman suspect for 1½ hours this morning. She denied knowing the whereabouts of her husband between midnight Monday and 2:30 a.m. Tuesday but thought he was “around the House of Oscar.” She told the chief they went to the Ranch Cafe in downtown Colorado Springs after she finished work. Supporting Evidence “I know we were there at 2:50 a.m.,” she said. “I remember looking at a clock.” She said Case was “very drunk” at the time and she was arguing with him about his condition. Bruce said the woman told him Case gave her $125 Tuesday morning with which to make a payment on their automobile. She told Chief Bruce her husband claimed to have won the money at the dog track Monday night. The only admissions made by Case to Chief Bruce this morning were in regard to his criminal record.

Thursday, August 16, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page A1, Column 8

Murder Clews Said 'Promising' Police Quiz Suspect and Woman Friend

"It looks like we might have something." Thus did Police Chief I.B. Bruce sum up this morning's investigation by police into the murder of Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, 20, early Tuesday morning on the Broadmoor road, during which he questioned Robert John Case, 36, alias Robert John Cassinetti, and Mrs. Ted W. Peacock, 28, alias Tanya Betty Cassinetti, singer at the House of Oscar, and ordered rounded up clothing belonging to Case, including a striped T-shirt. Hal S. Chase II, Des Moines, Iowa, investment broker, a passenger with Mrs. Chase in Bursey's taxicab when it was stopped between 2 and 2:30 a.m. Tuesday en route to the Broadmoor hotel, said the stickup man was wearing a striped T- shirt, but said he was unable to distinguish the colors because he is color-blind. The striped T-shirt, discovered among the dirty laundry at the House of Oscar apartment occupied by Case and Mrs. Peacock, has a gray top and a dark blue bottom, separated by several half-inch red stripes. STORIES DIFFER ON STRIPED SHIRT Questioned this morning, Case and Mrs. Peacock both denied Case was wearing the striped T-shirt Monday night. Bill Harfert, proprietor of the House of Oscar night club told Bruce that Case had been wearing the T-shirt that night. Mrs. Peacock declared she had put the T-shirt in a bag of dirty laundry and put the bag in a black Buick sedan owned jointly by Case and Mrs. Peacock under the name of Cassinetti. She asserted Case was wearing a chartreuse colored T-shirt, gray slacks, a brown coat and a brown hat Monday night. When questioned this morning Case, taken from a city jail cell, was wearing gray pants and the chartreuse-colored shirt. A search of the night club apartment produced another pair of gray pants with chalk stripes, a second pair of slacks, a checked cost and a brown hat. The search was made by Assistant Police Chief Earl Boatright and Detective Oren Boling, who reported half a dozen a .22- long caliber rifle bullets were found in the pocket of a pair of brown slacks hanging in a closet. Also found in the apartment and taken to police headquarters were a box of .38-caliber bullets, two boxes of .32-caliber bullets and a quantity of loose bullets, among them some .22-short and .22-long shells. Police recovered a .22-caliber rifle and a .32-caliber automatic pistol Tuesday from the Case, or Cassinetti, car, parked at the rear of the night club, but Bruce said this morning that police were hunting for another rifle. The second rifle, he said, was stolen from the home of Bill Garrett, Roswell, formerly occupied by Case. This weapon, like the first, Bruce said, was a Stevens. The Buick car was taken to police headquarters this morning by Boatright and Boling after they finished searching the apartment at the night club. COUPLE AT CAFÉ EARLY TUESDAY MORNING Bruce said that Mrs. Peacock and Case went to the Ranch café, 128 South Nevada Avenue, about 2:50 a.m. Tuesday, Case denying he had been away from the House of Oscar Monday night or Tuesday morning before going to the restaurant. Mrs. Peacock said she didn't know whether he had left the night club but didn't believe he had. She said when they went to the café Case was intoxicated and that she upbraided him. Case declared, she told Bruce, that he was celebrating winning $125 at the Rocky Mountain Kennel Club dog racing track north of Colorado Springs. Case was questioned after Mrs. Peacock had been interrogated and told Bruce he had won $118 at the race track and had given the money to Mrs. Peacock when he was arrested Wednesday. Mrs. Peacock told Bruce during questioning that she had paid $93 on a loan on the Buick automobile, and this morning Boatright and Boling found a receipt in the apartment for that amount given by the Securities Credit Corporation, 210 East Pikes Peak Avenue.

Prepared by: Page 6 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Also, recovered at the apartment was a book of blank checks and check stubs used by Case when he managed the Rodeo Court, 3024 North Nevada Avenue, in May, this year. Bruce said that Case was broke when he went to the dog race track Monday night. CASE HAS LONG POLICE RECORD When questioned Wednesday, Bruce said, Case denied having a police record except for draft evasion in Louisville, Kentucky, his home town. This morning, however, Bruce received a copy of Case's police record from Deputy Sheriff Carl Jacobson of Adams county, of which Brighton is the county seat, and the record showed Case had been in trouble with authorities since 1928, when he served 19 months in the Indiana Industrial school at Terre Haute, during which time he escaped once. The record showed he served 17 months at the school starting in 1931 for burglary; 90 days in jail at Terre Haute late in October, 1932, for second degree burglary; 90 days in jail at Green Castle, Indiana, in late 1932 and early 1933 for petit larceny; 3 to 10 years in the Indiana reformatory at Pendleton starting in 1933 for burglary; was returned to the state reformatory after being arrested April 6, 1937, in Terre Haute for possession of a revolver and parole violation; returned to the Indiana in December, 1938, after breaking jail in Indianapolis; sentenced to 10 to 25 years in the state penitentiary at Michigan City, Indiana, in June, 1939, for burglary (sentence commuted by governor December 12, 1939); received at the Indiana penitentiary December 10, 1949, for second commitment on a 10 to 25 year term for robbery, a charge filed September 20, 1945; and arrested and find $50 in Brighton, Colorado, in October, 1950, for carrying a concealed weapon. Case first used the name of Cassinetti, the police record showed, when he was sent to the Indiana reformatory in December, 1938, for breaking jail. Case told Bruce this morning he was born April 24, 1915, in Louisville. He said he attended schools in Louisville, attended the University of Indiana three years. Mrs. Peacock said she was born December 24, 1923, in Oakland, attended Alameda (California) High school and was a dancer and a singer. She said she met Case in December, 1949, in Rawlins, Wyoming, and the two went to Denver. She said she and Case came to Colorado Springs five months ago and took over the management of the Rodeo Court, but had moved to the House of Oscar apartment a week ago after staying at the Savoy Hotel. "I know nothing of Cassinetti's moves Monday night, but he was around the club," Mrs. Peacock was quoted by Bruce as saying. Bruce said Mrs. Peacock told him she has a 10-year-old daughter but that she does not know where the girl is. Her mother, she said, lives somewhere in California, but Mrs. Peacock said she does not know the town. Bruce said Mrs. Peacock had been picked up in Marysville, California, for vagrancy and later in Reno, Nevada. He said she told him that Case had worked in Denver as a hotel and tavern manager and as a cook, using the name of Cassinetti. She said she and Case are not married. Mrs. Peacock's police record, also received by Bruce from the deputy sheriff at Brighton, showed her arrest in Marysville, California, January 2, 1943, for vagrancy, and in Reno as a gambler in September, 1944. It showed her using the name of Canya LaMora in Reno. TEXAN RELEASED AFTER QUESTIONING Lew Turner of Fort Worth, held overnight by police, was released Wednesday after being questioned by Bruce, who said Turner had been "steering" people to gambling games in the basement at the night club. Turner told him, Bruce said, that he met Mr. and Mrs. Chase at the dog racing park and invited them to the House of Oscar. He said that he invited the Des Moines couple to the gaming room, Bruce said, and that Chase was willing to go but Mrs. Chase was not. "Turner said he was a pretty good judge of character and that he would have taken Chase's check for $1,000 any time," Bruce said. "He said he knew from his clothes, etc., that Chase was a man of means." Also, arrested for investigation Tuesday by Bruce was Tony Meador, 29, Roswell, but Bruce said Meador would be released today. Meador was held during investigation into the reported theft of the rifle from the Garrett home. A test shot of Case's .22-caliber rifle made late this morning by Detective Oren Boling showed that the rifle has a different firing pin than the rifle that fired the shell found at the scene of the Bursey murder. The test showed also that the firing pin in the rifle fired this morning has greater force than that of the rifle supposedly used in the murder.

Thursday, August 16, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page A1, Column 5

Murder Witnesses Return to Aid In Probe Despite Fear for Lives

When the Rock Island Rocket arrived at the D & R.G.W. station this morning, from it stepped Mr. and Mrs. Hal S. Chase, II, of Des Moines, Iowa, who fearful for their lives, had run out of officers investigating the early Tuesday holdup and murder of Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, part-time Broadmoor taxi driver, by leaving Tuesday afternoon to fly home in their private plane. "We have come back to co-operate in every way we can in clearing up this murder," said Chase. "That is all we could do."

Prepared by: Page 7 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

It was disclosed by Sheriff Norman Short that Mr. and Mrs. Chase had left hurriedly before viewing all of the suspects that had been picked up because they feared the murderer might shoot them as being the only ones who could identify him. Sheriff Short telephoned Chase in Des Moines that he and his wife would have protection while here, and when the couple stepped from the train Sheriff Short was there to meet them and deputy sheriffs were on the platform to escort them back to the Broadmoor hotel, where they had been staying. Now that they are back in Colorado Springs, the investigation is moving along swiftly today. For a second time they are to view Robert John Cassinetti, 35, whose wife is a singer at the House of Oscar and who lives in the rear of that Supper club, where Chase was displaying a large sum of money on the table at which he sat shortly before the holdup in which Bursey was killed. When they view him this time he will be wearing a striped T-shirt which officers say they found in his effects. When he was viewed before he wore a phosphorescent yellow T-shirt, Deputy Sheriff Norman Short, Jr., said this morning, and said he had no striped one. The Chases on that occasion said that he could not be the man. When the Chases previously cleared him he was released, but he was arrested by Police Chief I.B. Bruce to come into the investigation of the murder. Short said he asked Bruce to come into the case and that he did so at his request after Short had asked Mayor Harry Blunt if Bruce might do so. One of the first acts of Bruce was to arrest Cassinetti, in whose car, a black Buick, was found a .22-caliber rifle and a pistol. The rifle was underneath the front seat. It was a .22-caliber bullet that killed Bursey, an autopsy shows, and Sheriff Short has a .22-long shell which was picked up at the place of the murder on the Broadmoor road a short distance west of highway 115. Chase is afflicted with color blindness and can distinguish only certain colors. He said this morning that the sweater the holdup wore had appeared to him as buff and blue, with wide horizontal stripes. Chase this morning gave a vivid account of the holdup and shooting of Bursey. MORE "the murderer came at us with the rifle in his hand," he said and Bursey asked 'What is going on here?' With that the murderer, without a word fired the shot that killed Bursey. He just pointed the gun at him and blewie! "Then he told us to put our money on the floor of the car in which we were riding. I tossed the clip of money I had there. 'Come, come,' he said. 'I know you've got more than that.' "Mrs. Chase dropped her purse on the floor of the car. "The holdup then ordered us to lie down in the back of the car. "Oh, no," I said. "He could easily have killed us, which he would have done, if we hadn't done as he ordered. "Don't kill us," I said. "That would do you no good. We have kiddies." "Thereupon he told us to go over into the ditch and to stay for five minutes. We walked over to the ditch and he jumped in the car he had driven up beside the one we were in and making a U-turn, drove back to highway 115. We saw the other car come by going west that the sheriff is seeking the driver of thinking that he may have noticed the holdup closely. The two cars came very close together as they passed." Chase had previously told Deputy Sheriffs Norman Short, Jr., Jack McLennen and others that he and Mrs. Chase were in the ditch by the side of the road only a very short time before they reentered the taxicab, a Broadmoor Cadillac used for that purpose, and drove to the Broadmoor hotel to give the alarm. Bursey, his hold on the wheel relaxed, had slumped over into a position largely on the right side of the front seat. Chase told Norman Short, Jr., that he had $800 on his person when he left the dog track after making heavy winnings and stopping at the Candle Light Inn to see if he could find a cigarette lighter he thought he had lost there Saturday night, when on to the House of Oscar, where he was sorting out the money in five, 10 and 20-dollar bills on the table. The amount in the clip he threw on the floor of the car and $100 that was in his wife's purse he said amounted to $260. The rest of the money was in other pockets of his clothing and the holdup did not get it. Asked today as to the holdup's voice he said: "I would say it was medium, neither high nor low. He did not talk with any accent. I would say that his manner of speech was mid-western or western. He said very little. He did not swear." It was reported this morning that the hammer of the .22-rifle that was found underneath the seat of Cassinetti's car is not one that makes a mark like the one on the rim of the shell that Sheriff Short has which was picked up at the scene of the murder. It was also said this morning that the rifle found in Cassinetti's car is not an automatic one that would have ejected the shell after the shot that killed Bursey. But it is explained that if the murderer was a hunter he would probably have himself ejected the shell as soon as he had shot; to be ready for another shot quickly.

Friday, August 17, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 1, Column 1 - By Bill Totten

Prepared by: Page 8 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Murder ‘Suspect’ Freed After Lie-Detector Test

Modern science, and the inability of eyewitnesses to identify him, today freed Robert John Case, alias Cassinetti, of suspicion of the Tuesday morning murder of Air Force Sergeant Martin Bursey. The ex-con, held since Tuesday evening for investigation of the cold-blooded killing, was cleared by the police department’s polygraph machine this morning. According to Captain Joseph O’Donnell, the department’s “lie detector” operator, Case showed no reaction when asked questions pertinent to the murder. New Clue Suggested A possible new clue in the murder was found this morning by City Water Superintendent J.S. Nichols and his assistant, Jack McCullough. The men found a broken .22-caliber rifle in a drainage ditch near the electric sub-station in Roswell. The gun appeared to have been fired recently. Captain Higgins said the gun could not have been there more than a few days. Mr. and Mrs. Hall Chase, II, of Des Moines, Iowa, passengers in Bursey’s Broadmoor cab at the time of the killing, Thursday afternoon failed to make a positive identification after studying Case. The suspect was brought before both Mr. and Mrs. Chase in a “line-up” of nine other men of the same approximate build. Mrs. Chase declared none of the men fitted her remembrance of the killer. Mr. Chase picked out three men, including Case, who were “possibilities.” Haven’t Definite Proof When told that Case was the suspect, Chase said the voice and build were similar but declared: “I honestly cannot say he is the man.” The man who killed Sergeant Bursey had apparently followed his cab from the House of Oscar, where Mr. and Mrs. Chase stopped after an evening at the dog racing track. Chase was carrying some $900 on his person and ha displayed it freely at the night club. A total of $350 was taken from him. Chase said Thursday he was positive the man had seen he and Mrs. Chase either at the race track where Chase won considerable money, or at the House of Oscar where he counted it on a table. “He knew I had plenty of money,” Chase said, “because I first threw him my money clip containing $260. After he counted it he said ‘come-on, where’s the rest of it. I know you’re loaded.’ Then I told my wife to give him her purse. He took it without looking inside.” Police Press Search Case and his common-law wife, Betty, a singer at the House of Oscar, both of whom had been held for investigation, from the first denied knowledge of the crime. However, a preponderance of circumstantial evidence against them, particularly Case, forced investigating officers to consider them “number one” suspects. Police Chief I.B. Bruce said this morning another suspect, as yet unnamed, will be viewed by Mr. and Mrs. Chase today. “We don’t intend to stop until this case is cleared up.” the chief declared.

Friday, August 17, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page 1, Column 1

Chief Suspect in Cabbie's Murder Freed After Lie Detector Test Dozen More Men Viewed By Witnesses

Investigation into the murder of Sergeant Martin A. Bursey on the Broadmoor road early last Tuesday morning took a new turn shortly before noon today when a rifle -- a .22-caliber weapon -- was found in an irrigation ditch near an old reservoir on North Cascade Avenue. Police Chief I.B. Bruce said the gun was found by J.S. "Sid" Nichols, superintendent, and Jack McCullough of the city water department during an inspection tour about 11:30 a.m. He said the stock was broken, but was found near the rest of the gun, which he said was in shooting condition. ------Clews that appeared promising in the investigation into the murder of Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, 20, part-time taxicab driver, slain early Tuesday on the Broadmoor road, crumpled today, Police Chief I.B. Bruce reported. Robert John Case, 36 alias Robert John Cassinetti, chief suspect in the investigation, was released today after questioning Thursday and being given a "lie detector" test this morning. Released also was Mrs. Ted W. Peacock, 28, also known as Tanya Betty Cassinetti, 28, who was arrested Thursday morning and held for investigation.

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Prepared by: Page 9 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Police Chief I.B. Bruce said "two or three little things": he learned during questioning Thursday afternoon led him to the decision that Case was not the man he is seeking in the shooting of Bursey as the Air Defense Command headquarters soldier drove a taxicab toward Broadmoor with Mr. and Mrs. Hal S. Chase II, Des Moines, Iowa, as passengers. CASE UNDERGOES LIE DETECTOR TEST. Case was questioned this morning while Police Captain Joseph O'Donnell manipulated a physiograph, which records blood pressure and respiration. Through changes in blood pressure and respiration, officers are able to learn how truthful a person is in answering questions. O'Donnell was instructed in use of the machine when it was purchased in June, 1949. Bruce said that the "lie detector" test this morning was negative. "It showed that Case had no knowledge of the crime." He said.

CHASES VIEW DOZEN ADDITIONAL SUSPECTS Mr. and Mrs. Chase viewed additional suspects this morning at the courthouse, with a dozen men appearing in the lineup. From the original number, they had narrowed the number to four for further questioning at noon. Case and Mrs. Peacock were questioned at length Thursday, with a striped T-shirt found at their apartment at the House of Oscar, a night club, figuring prominently. The man who stopped Bursey's taxicab and robbed Mr. and Mrs. Chase of $260 after shooting the driver in the head was wearing a striped T-shirt, the Chases said. Two other, persons questioned in the investigation, Lew Turner, 54, Fort Worth, who ate a late snack Monday night with the Chases at the House of Oscar, and Tony Sayle Meador, 29, Roswell, living at the home of Bill Garrett, from whom a .22-- caliber rifle was stolen, were released previously. HAMMER MARKS DO NOT MATCH MURDER SHELL Following a test of a .22-caliber rifle found in Case's car, police Thursday said hammer marks on the fired shell did not match those on a shell found at the scene of the murder. The slayer used a .22-caliber rifle in the slaying. Sheriff Norman Short this morning said he might take Mr. and Mrs. Chase, who returned to Colorado Springs Thursday morning from Des Moines, to Castle Rock this afternoon to view a 17-year-old boy who was picked up Thursday night and held by Sheriff John Hammond of Douglas county. Short said Hammond told him the boy somewhat resembled the description of the holdup as given by the Chases and that he had an automatic .22-caliber rifle when taken into custody. Hammond said the boy had run away from home in Denver. Mr. and Mrs. Chase said, however, according to Short, that the man who killed Bursey and robbed them could not have been that young. Case contended that he never left the House of Oscar Monday night before he and Mrs. Peacock went to a café shortly before 3 a.m. Tuesday.

Friday, August 17, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page 13, Column 3

Sergeant Bursey's Body To Woodhaven, New York For Funeral, Burial

Accompanied by an escort from Air Defense Command headquarters, where he was stationed, the body of Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, 20, slain during a holdup early Tuesday morning on the Broadmoor road, is on its way today to Woodhaven, New York, for burial. The body left Colorado Springs at 12:45 p.m. Thursday on the Rock Island Rocket to Chicago, and was accompanied by Tech-sergeant Leslie Carpenter, funeral escort. The body was accompanied to the train by an honor guard of six from ADC and six pallbearers, all friends of Sergeant Bursey, and is due to arrive at Woodhaven Saturday morning. Sergeant Bursey will be given a complete military funeral, arrangements for which are being made by Mitchel Air Force base, New York, where he was previously stationed. The body will be buried in the family plot of Robert R. McFadden, father of Mrs. Bursey, in Woodhaven. Funeral arrangements here were made by the Remple Funeral Home, and are being handled in New York by the Walker Funeral Home. Sergeant Bursey was shot through the left temple and fatally wounded as he drove a taxicab carrying Mr. and Mrs. Hal S. Chase II, Des Moines, Iowa, to the Broadmoor hotel from the House of Oscar, night club at 3008 North Nevada Avenue, where they had dined. The Chases were robbed of $260 after Bursey was shot, the stickup speeding away toward state highway 115 in a black car. Sergeant Bursey was born November 27, 1930, and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Bursey, route 1, West Chazy, New York. He came to Colorado Springs when Air Defense Command headquarters were transferred from Mitchel Air Force Base, New York.

Prepared by: Page 10 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Besides his parents, he is survived by his wife, Mrs. Eleanor Elizabeth Bursey, who left Peterson field last night by plane, accompanied by her father, Robert R. McFadden, 453 Ridgewood Avenue, Brooklyn, New York. McFadden came to Colorado Springs Wednesday after learning of the shooting. Sergeant and Mrs. Bursey made their home here at 1204 North Cooper Avenue. He was assigned to the air adjutant general's office at ADC.

Saturday, August 18, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page 1, Column 7

Bursey Death Gun Believed Found Seven More Questioned In Murder; One Released

A rifle tentatively identified as the weapon that killed Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, 20, stationed at Air Defense Command headquarters, and the leather bag carried by Mrs. Hal S. Chase Ii, Des Moines, Iowa, were held today by police as civilian and military authorities pushed their investigation into the murder of the part-time taxicab driver and the robbing of his passengers, Mr. and Mrs. Chase, early Tuesday morning on the Broadmoor road. Police and the sheriff's office also held for questioning seven persons, including a couple from Net Air Force base who sat at a table next to the Chases Monday night at the House of Oscar, but released the owner of the gun, Bill Garrett, Roswell, after questioning. Garrett, operator of a lunch stand at 3010½ North Nevada Avenue, next to the House of Oscar supper club, was held overnight by police but was released at noon today after being given a "lie detector' test. Police Chief I.B. Bruce said Garrett was "clean" in the investigation. Booked at the county jail were Sergeant Henry Pinkerton, 33, an Ent AFB policeman, and Elizabeth Metzler, 30, of 229 East Willamette Avenue, reported employed in the air adjutant general's office at ADC, where Sergeant Bursey also was employed. Sergeant Pinkerton and Miss Metzler sat at a table adjoining the Chases when they dined late Monday night at the supper club, when Chase counted out several hundred dollars, including winnings at the Rocky Mountain Kennel Club dog racing track, according to Sheriff Norman Short. Pinkerton was said by Mr. and Mrs. Chase to resemble the gunman when he was put through a "lineup" Friday by Sheriff Short, but was not positively identified. During the lineup, Chase questioned Pinkerton as to his age, 33, and how long he had been here, and had him repeat several times: "All right, lie down in the back seat," a phrase which Chase said the holdup had used when he robbed the Des Moines couple. Pinkerton was pickup up for investigation after making a $44 payment on an automobile ahead of schedule Short said. Normally Pinkerton has been late in making the payments, Short said, but this month was early. Miss Metzler told the sheriff that she had loaned the money to Pinkerton. HOLDUP VICTIM'S BAG NEAR BROKEN RIFLE The rifle, with its stock broken, and the bag, an over-the-shoulder affair, were found near the old Denver road, which branches off North Cascade avenue, a short distance west of the Alexander Film company plant. The barrel and part of the stock were found in a drainage ditch last Tuesday morning by J.S. "Sid" Nichols, superintendent, and Jack McCullough, of the city water division, while on an inspection trip, but were not turned over to Police Chief Bruce until nearly noon Friday. Nichols told Bruce he and McCullough they did not realize the weapon was being sought. The broken stock and Mrs. Chase's bag were found inside a wire fence enclosing city transformers, when a bus load of Ent airmen were taken to search the site where the gun barrel was found. Mrs. Chase's bag was taken by the murderer after he had robbed Chase of $260. After Chase had thrown the money, in a clip, on the floor in the back of the car, the gunman had said: "Come on, I know you've got more than that." Mrs. Chase then threw her bag on the floor on instructions from her husband, who said he believed he had given other money he had to her. Five men were arrested for investigation about 4 o'clock this morning as they slept in a rooming house at 1224 North Nevada Avenue operated by Mr. and Mrs. Clarence J. Cates, Police Chief Bruce said. Names of the five were not released, however, pending further investigation. Bruce said all occupants of the rooming house were rounded up because Garrett had gone directly to the place from police headquarters after being questioned Tuesday morning, a short time after the murder-holdup. Bruce said the Cates couple was not at the house, and Garrett told Bruce this morning that the couple were personal friends, and had driven to the San Luis Valley Friday afternoon. Bruce identified the weapon found north of Colorado Springs by Nichols and McCullough as a .22-caliber Hoban, which is due to be given a ballistics test. Bursey was shot by a .22-caliber bullet fired by a gunman who said nothing before firing. The gunman, in a black car, had driven beside the taxicab, a large limousine being driven toward Broadmoor by Bursey with the Chases as passengers.

Prepared by: Page 11 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

After the murder and hold-up the stickup jumped back into his car and sped away toward state highway 115 after making a U-turn. Assistant Police Chief Boatright said tire marks at the north side of the road running into the hard-surfaced old Denver highway indicated a car had been driven into the road at a high speed and slowed down. He theorized the murderer had thrown the gun and Mrs. Chase's bag from his car and then sped on. Short said that the soldier held in the county jail probably will be put through another "lineup," but was uncertain whether this would be done today or Monday. He said they may be given a "lie detector" test at police headquarters. Police also held today another .22-caliber rifle owned by Garrett which was found in his home. His weapon is a "Leatherneck," manufactured by Harrington and Richardson. A plaster cast was made Friday by Assistant Police Chief Boatright of a footprint found near the spot the .22-caliber Hoban was found, but Boatright expressed doubt that it was made by the murderer. The footprint was north of the drainage ditch in which the gun was found and was north of a barbed-wire fence enclosing a pasture.

Sunday, August 19, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 1, Column 6 - By Bill Totten

PRESS SEARCH FOR NEW DEATH CLUES Latest Suspect Faces Lie Detector Probe

Possession of a striped T-shirt, access to the murder weapon and a tentative identification as the killer-robber has landed Clarence J. Cates, 27, in the city jail as the latest “number one” suspect in the Tuesday morning murder of Air Force Sergeant Martin Bursey. Saturday morning’s leading suspect, Sergeant Henry Pinkerton, Ent Air Base, was released at noon after he was cleared by a polygraph -- lie detector test. Cates’ wife, Mary Jane, 27, was being questioned also. In a line-up at police headquarters Saturday evening, Mr. and Mrs. Hal Chase of Des Moines, Iowa, passengers in Sergeant Bursey’s Broadmoor cab and who were robbed of approximately $360 by the killer picked Cates as the “most promising” subject out of 10 men in the group. Cates owns a striped T-shirt similar to the one worn by the murderer and admitted he was wearing it Monday night. He had access to the murder weapon owned by and allegedly stolen from William Garrett of Pikeview several weeks ago by reason of the fact that he had access to Garrett’s home, according to Police Chief I.B. Bruce. Before he was taken into Chief Bruce’s office to be viewed by Mr. and Mrs. Chase, Cates predicted they would identify him as the killer. “I had words with Case at the dog track Monday night,” Cates said. “My wife and I were sitting near the Chases in the bar and he spilled a drink on her. I called him a ‘big clumsy’ and wanted to take him on. “He’ll recognize me from the incident.” Remembers Nothing A.B. Chase said he remembered nothing of the incident and insisted he did not spill a drink on anyone and did not have words with anyone at the track. “I’m sure I would have remembered it if that had happened.” Chase declared. Cates, a veteran of 6½ years in the Army, was discharged from the service a month ago, Chief Bruce said. The chief added that it was his understanding that Cates had at one time worked for the Colorado Interstate Gas company in Laken and Hutchinson, Kansas. Since his discharge from service Cates has been operating a rooming house at 1224 North Nevada Avenue. He was taken into custody at 12:30 p.m. Saturday after his return from Trinidad, where he had gone to visit an aunt. He steadfastly denies any knowledge of the Bursey murder, claiming he and his wife went home after the race track closed at 11 p.m. Monday. “You’re a dirty liar,” he called Chase when the robbery victim identified him as the killer-robber. Chase, however, made the tentative identification before he knew Cates had access to the .22 rifle which killed Sergeant Bursey. Chief Bruce said Saturday night Cates would be held and asked to take a polygraph test today or Monday. Sergeant Bursey was shot to death and the Chases were robbed on Lake Avenue two miles east of the Broadmoor Hotel at 2:15 a.m. Tuesday, about 15 minutes after they had left the House of Oscar, where they had gone after leaving the dog track. The killer shot Sergeant Bursey without warning and took the money from the Chases, telling them to “run for the ditch and not to move for five minutes.” Chase said today he would remain in Colorado Springs until Chief Bruce tells him to leave. He and Mrs. Chase, being the only eyewitnesses to the crime, have agreed to view every suspect brought before them in an effort to solve the cold-blooded killing of the Air Force man.

Prepared by: Page 12 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Sunday, August 19, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page 1, Column 8

LEADING LIE DETECTOR EXPERT CALLED TO TEST NEW SUSPECT Murder Gun Owner's Friend Held by Police

Alex Gregory of Detroit, one of the leading lie detector experts of the country, is expected to arrive in Colorado Springs by noon Monday to give the test to a 27-year-old man who was released three weeks ago from the Army and who was held Saturday night for questioning in the investigation of the slaying last Tuesday morning of Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, 20, part- time taxicab driver, on the Broadmoor Road. The man was identified by Police Chief I.B. Bruce as Clarence LeRoy Cates, 1224 North Nevada Avenue, a friend of Bill Garrett of Roswell, owner of the .22-caliber Hoban rifle found near the old Denver highway north of Colorado Springs and identified Saturday as the one believed to have fired the bullet that killed Bursey. Chief Bruce talked to Cates Saturday afternoon and again Saturday night and said that Cates had agreed to take the test. He said that Cates denied any connection with the shooting, the holdup or the gun. He told Chief Bruce that he was at the dog track Monday night, but that after the last race he went home and remained there. Cates' wife also was held Saturday night, she in the county jail and he in the city jail. Bruce said he had not yet talked very much with Mrs. Cates. SUSPECT "MAY BE THE MAN," WITNESSES SAY Mr. and Mrs. Hal S. Chase of Des Moines, Iowa, only witnesses to the slaying of the Ent Air Base sergeant, viewed Cates Saturday and Chief Bruce quoted them as saying "he may be the man." Mr. and Mrs. Chase were passengers in the Broadmoor hotel car which Bursey was driving when he was shot. Cates was booked shortly after noon Saturday when he and Mrs. Cates returned from Trinidad. Garrett was released at noon Saturday by Bruce, who said the Roswell man was "clean" in the investigation. Garrett had previously reported that the .22-caliber rifle was stolen from his home. A lie detector was used as he was questioned. During the afternoon other persons being questioned in the investigation, including Sergeant Henry Pinkerton, 33, Ent Air Force Base, and Elizabeth Metzler, 30, employed at Air Defense Command headquarters, were released. Pinkerton and Miss Metzler had occupied a table at the House of Oscar supper club last Monday night near one at which sat Mr. and Mrs. Hal S. Chase, Des Moines, Iowa, who were robbed by the stickup man after he had shot Bursey and wounded him fatally after ordering Bursey's taxicab to stop. ENT SERGEANT FREED AFTER DETECTOR TEST Pinkerton was given a "lie detector" test at police headquarters and cleared by Bruce of having any connection with the case. He and Miss Metzler were ordered released. Sergeant Pinkerton Saturday night said that a statement that he had been questioned in the case because he had made a payment on his automobile ahead of schedule when he had not done so before was erroneous. "I have made only one payment late," he said, "and that was one due on July 15 which I paid on August 1. This month's payment, due August 15 was made on schedule and if those before were made on or before they were due." Short said earlier Saturday that Pinkerton had been questioned because he had made the payment this month after being late with previous payments. Miss Metzler told the sheriff she had loaned the money to Pinkerton and reiterated the statement Saturday night at the Gazette Telegraph office. FIVE ARRESTED EARLIER SET FREE Five persons routed out of bed early Saturday morning at the Cates rooming house also were released Saturday afternoon after questioning. Cates appeared at police headquarters about 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Bruce said that Cates, after returning from Trinidad, had gone to the lunch room operated by Garrett at 3010½ North Nevada Avenue, next door to the House of Oscar, and Garrett advised him that Chief Bruce wanted to talk to him. Cates was ordered held for questioning after being put through a "lineup" at police headquarters late in the afternoon during which Mr. and Mrs. Chase narrowed the men paraded before them as possible suspects from 11 to six and after Chase declared Cates resembled the man who stopped the taxicab and robbed them. Chase, nervous from the strain of the probe, said Cates' features and voice were similar to those of the gunman. During the "lineup," the six men who remained at the last were asked to pick up and inspect the gun found north of the city. Later they were recalled and asked to use another weapon in performing a "short charge" and in aiming it from the shoulder. Over and over the men were asked to repeat such phrases as: "Come on, come on, give me your money, all of it," "okay, lie down on the back seat" and "Open the door and run for the ditch." Chase said these were the phrases the gunman had used after opening the back door on the left side of the limousine taxicab in which he and Mrs. Chase were passengers. In Saturday's lineup Cates wore a light gray sports jacket, gray slacks and a sport shirt, the tops of which was light gray and the bottom dark blue and around the center of which was a wide yellow stripe. Earlier in the afternoon he told Assistant Police

Prepared by: Page 13 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Chief Earl Boatright he had been wearing the outfit Monday night and the he probably would be identified by Chase through the clothing because he had had an altercation with Chase at the Rocky Mountain Kennel club dog racing track. Boatright said Cates told him that Chase had spilled a drink on Mrs. Cates' dress while they were seated at the bar following the last race and that he had been prevented from "climbing" Chase about it by his wife. Boatright said Cates told him he had called Chase "a big clumsy." CHASE UNABLE TO RECALL QUARREL WITH CATES Asked about any altercation at the dog track, Chase later in the afternoon said he failed to recall any incident or of having spilled any liquor. Chase said he and Mrs. Chase had been sitting at the bar and that he did get up to leave for a few minutes, but did not recall for what reason. He said when he returned, a woman was sitting in his place and that he told her she was sitting in his chair and asked her to move. He said the woman had moved but that no drink was spilled. Deputy Sheriff Norman Short, Jr., who participated in the investigation at police headquarters Saturday afternoon, said Pinkerton has a tan Oldsmobile, whereas the car driven by the holdup man Tuesday morning was described by the Chases as a dark-colored sedan. Bruce said Cates owns a maroon-colored, 1950 Mercury, which was driven to police headquarters late Saturday afternoon after detectives had rounded up a quantity of Cates' clothing and taken it to headquarters. The gun identified by Bruce as the lethal weapon in the case was found Tuesday morning by S.J. "Sid" Nichols, superintendent, and Jack McCullough of the city water division while on an inspecting trip. The stock was broken off the weapon, but was recovered, along with Mrs. Chase's leather "shoulder' bag Friday inside a fence enclosing city transformers west of the Alexander Film company plant.

Monday, August 20, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 1, Column 1 - By Bill Totten

Calling Card’ Probed In Slaying of Airman

A new and possibly damaging clue has landed Robert John Case, (Cassinetti), and his common-law wife, Betty, back in jail, once again suspects in the last Tuesday morning murder of Air Force Sergeant Martin Bursey. Police Chief I.B. Bruce said the clue was found in the purse of Mrs. Hal Chase of Des Moines, who with her husband was robbed of $350 by the person who shot and killed Sergeant Bursey. Chief Bruce asked the press to cooperate in not disclosing the nature of the new evidence. “It may turn out to be just as though the killers left a calling card in Mrs. Chase’s purse,” the chief said. “Then again, it may be nothing. But I think we have something to work on now.” Lie Detector Tests Saturday night’s suspect, Clarence J. Cates, underwent two polygraph tests Sunday night with what Chief Bruce said he thought were “negative results.” Cates is still being held but Captain Earl Boatright said he may be released today, possibly after another test is made. The tests were made by one of the country’s leading polygraph experts, Alex Gregory of Detroit, Michigan, who was flown here Sunday at the expense of Charles L. Tutt, who has offered a $5000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the murderer. Chief Bruce pointed out that the engaging of Gregory was no reflection on the ability of Captain Joe O’Donnell, polygraph operator for the Colorado Springs police department. “It turned out that Captain O’Donnell was a friend of Cates,” the chief said. “O’Donnell may have been able to give a good test under those circumstances. And as long as we have Gregory here we may as well us him for awhile.” Further Questioning Chief Bruce said Cassinetti would be asked to take further lie detector tests on the possibility that “conditions” were wrong when he was tested Friday morning and cleared. He added that Mrs. Cassinetti would also be asked to submit to a test.

Monday, August 20, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page 1, Column 4

Twice-Released Man Quizzed Again in Cab Driver's Death

A man questioned twice previously and released and his feminine companion were back in jail today for further questioning in the murder last Tuesday morning of Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, 20, on the Broadmoor Road. The man is Robert John Cassinetti, 36, and the woman Mrs. Ted W. Peacock, 38, his "common law" wife. The two have been occupying an apartment at the House of Oscar, 3008 North Nevada Avenue, where Mr. and Mrs. Hal S. Chase, Des

Prepared by: Page 14 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Moines, Iowa, dined late Monday night a few hours before their taxicab driver, Sergeant Bursey, was stopped and fatally shot and they were robbed of $350. Police Chief I.B. Bruce said the couple was arrested at 1:30 o'clock this morning when they returned to their apartment and were held for "further checking." Cassinetti was questioned Tuesday by Sheriff Norman Short and was released. After Bruce was invited by Short to participate in the investigation, the police chief ordered Cassinetti arrested for questioning again. Cassinetti was released Friday, as was Mrs. Peacock, who had been picked up Thursday morning. Mrs. Peacock has been singing at the House of Oscar, using the name of Tanya Betty Cassinetti. She is 28. Cassinetti told a newsman that his correct last name is Cassinetti and not Case, although he had used that name for some years. He said his father had used the name of Case for business reasons and that he had also used it until he was 28, when he began using the family name of Cassinetti again. 'PROMISING LEADS" INDICATED BY BRUCE Meanwhile, Bruce continued investigating what he said were "promising" leads in the case, but did not say what they were. He said this morning that Mr. and Mrs. Clarence LeRoy Cates, 1224 North Nevada Avenue, friends of the owner of the weapon believed used in the slaying, probably would be released today after being held and questioned over the weekend. Cates appeared voluntarily at police headquarters after returning from Trinidad, where he and Mrs. Cates had visited an aunt. He learned Bruce wanted to question him from Bill Garrett, Roswell, owner of the gun, Garrett previously was questioned and declared "clean" in the case. Cates was questioned Sunday and again today with a "lie detector" being used. GREGORY ONE OF TOP LIE DETECTOR EXPERTS Alex Gregory of Detroit, one of the leading lie detector experts of the country, arrived here Sunday to test the 27-year-old Cates, and was participating today with police in the investigation. Gregory, the son of a lawyer, became interested in lie detectors in 1936 and joined Dr. Leonard Keeler, Chicago, noted lie detector expert, in 1944. A year later, the two were conducting tests on German prisoners of war and then tested employees at the atomic bomb plant in Trenton, New Jersey. Later Gregory returned to Chicago, where he worked two years in the criminal and personnel fields and in training examiners. He is now with the "Court of Last Resort" in Detroit, on which Earle Stanley Gardner or Dr. LeMoyne Snyder, noted criminologists serve with Gregory. Whether Cassinetti would be given another lie detector test was undetermined this morning. Cassinetti was given such a test Thursday, with Police Captain Joseph O'Donnell manipulating the machine, but was undecided this morning whether to submit to another test. Bursey's taxicab limousine was stopped between 2 and 2:30 a.m. Tuesday as Bursey drove Mr. and Mrs. Chase to the Broadmoor hotel, where they were staying, after an evening during which they visited the House of Oscar. During their dining at the supper club, Chase counted out the money he had won during the evening at the races. Bruce said the Chases were robbed of $350 after Bursey had been shot in the left front temple by a gunman who then opened the rear door of the taxicab and ordered the passengers to lie down on the back seat. Under orders of the gunman, Chase tossed a money clip holding $260 on the floor and Mrs. Chase surrendered a "shoulder" bag containing $100, was found near the broken .22-caliber rifle found about 11 a.m. Tuesday morning near an enclosure for electric transformers near the old Denver highway north of Colorado Springs. The gun was turned over to police Friday by S.J. Nichols, superintendent, and Jack McCullough of the water division, who had found it during an inspection trip. At that time, only the barrel and part of the stock had been recovered, found in a ditch outside the enclosure. A search of the area located the remainder of the broken stock and Mrs. Chase's bag inside the wire enclosure.

Tuesday, August 21, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 1, Column 6 - By Bill Totten

TWO CONFESS IN KILLING Cassinetti and Wife Relate Death Story

Robert John Cassinetti this morning verified with his signature a copy of an oral confession he made Monday night to Police Chief I.B. Bruce, admitting the he shot and killed Air Force Sergeant Martin Bursey last Tuesday morning. Cassinetti repeatedly insisted he did not intend to shoot Sergeant Bursey. “The shooting was accidental,” he declared. “I was drinking and excited. I didn’t want anybody to get hurt.” “I know I have a long criminal record but I haven’t had a ‘fall’ in 13 years. I wanted to go straight. And now this. Murder!” The swarthy accused killer insists that his common-law wife, Tanya, a former singer at the House of Oscar, had nothing to do with the crime. “I made her get into the back seat,” he declared. “She didn’t know what I was going to do. She wouldn’t have let me do it.”

Prepared by: Page 15 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

The week-long investigation ended suddenly Monday night when Mrs. Cassinetti broke down and told Chief Bruce she and her husband were responsible for the affair. She said she finished her floor show at the north end night club and went with him, she thought, to get breakfast at the Ranch Cafe. But, she said, her husband told her to lie down in the back seat as they drove through and south of Colorado Springs. She heard the car stop, then a shot, and Cassinetti got back into the car. “My God, honey,” she asked, “what have you done?” Throws Purse Back Mrs. Cassinetti said he threw he a purse and told her to empty it. Then according to her confession, he drove to the north end of the city and disposed first of Mr. Chase’s money clip then of the purse and gun. The gun was found lying in an irrigation ditch in Roswell Tuesday. The purse in the wire enclosure of the city power substation Thursday and the money clip was found under the North Nevada Avenue viaduct this morning. Mr. and Mrs. Cassinetti were first picked up three hours after the murder. They were questioned because of their connection with the House of Oscar and released Tuesday afternoon. They were picked up again Thursday. Cassinetti took and passed a lie detector test Friday and was released. New evidence and the insistence if Detective Oren Boling that they were guilty resulted in their re-arrest late Sunday night. A .22-caliber rifle purchased by Cassinetti Tuesday afternoon was the incident which eventually led to his downfall. His wife told Chief Bruce he bought the gun for an alibi. She said he was known to have a gun and since he threw away the murder weapon, which he had stolen, he bought a new one to replace it. Mrs. Cassinetti’s confession was made in the presence of Assistant District Attorney Don Higby, as was Cassinetti’s “verification” of it and further statements in regard to the killing. Both will be charged with murder by the district attorney’s office within the next few days. Sergeant Bursey was shot (he died 45 minutes later in the Camp Carson Hospital) while he was at the wheel of a Broadmoor Hotel limousine, which he drove nights for spare money. He was assigned to the headquarters of the Air Defense Command officers here. His wife survives. Mr. and Mrs. Chase were passengers in the limousine at the time of the slaying, and were robbed of a total of $350 after being forced to lie in a ditch by Cassinetti. Sheriff Norman Short and Police Chief Bruce had interviewed several suspects until this morning, including Cassinetti and his wife.

Tuesday, August 21, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page 1, Column 8 - W.G. Hutchinson

Confessions of Man and Woman Clear Up Taxi Driver's Murder 'I Was Trigger Happy,' Says Robert Cassinetti

"When I saw the money I decided to get it." The speaker was a swarthy man of average height and build, with dark brown hair and green-blue eyes. A few minutes before he had confessed orally, Police Chief I.B. Bruce said, to the slaying a week ago this morning of Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, 20-year-old part-time taxicab driver of West Chazy, New York, stationed at Air Defense Command headquarters here. The man was Robert John Cassinetti, 36-year-old unemployed cook, and today he is held in a jail cell. His confession came Monday night only two hours less than a week after the airman-cab driver was fatally wounded. A short time before his common-law wife, Tanya Betty Cassinetti, 28, had broken under questioning in Bruce's office and sobbed out that she was with the man who had done the shooting and held up Mr. and Mrs. Hal S. Chase, Des Moines, Iowa, as they were being driven back to the Broadmoor hotel, where they were staying, after an evening out. USED STOLEN RIFLE IN HOLDUP -- MURDER Bruce said Tanya Cassinetti began her story shortly after 8 p.m. Monday, and two hours later she had signed a written statement. Confronted with the statement, Cassinetti confessed, Bruce said, that he was the man who killed Bursey, using a .22-caliber rifle stolen from the car of Tony Meador, Roswell. The rifle was one owned by Bill Garrett, Roswell, at whose home Meador has been living. It was found about 11 a.m. Tuesday at the site of some city electric transformers on the old Denver highway, west of the Alexander Film company plant. Bruce said Cassinetti was to sign a written statement today. Arrested at 1:30 a.m. Monday when he and his companion returned to their quarters in a building at the rear of the House of Oscar, where she was a singer, Cassinetti maintained his innocence during questioning through the day until his administration Monday night, Bruce said. "DIDN'T MEAN TO DO IT," KILLER SAYS

Prepared by: Page 16 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

"I was trigger happy," Cassinetti told Bruce in explaining why he had shot Bursey, employed at night as a taxicab driver by the Broadmoor hotel company. "I didn't mean to do it." Bruce said Cassinetti was standing at the bar in the House of Oscar when he noticed the Chases at a table and Chase counting out money amounting to several hundred dollars. Earlier in the evening, the Chases had been at the Rocky Mountain Kennel club dog track, only a short distance from the supper club, and the Des Moines investment broker had been a winner. Cassinetti said he left the bar about 2 a.m. Tuesday, after seeing the money and deciding to get it, and told Tanya Cassinetti to change her clothes, Bruce said. The singer was just leaving the stand after offering a number, and she changed into a brown tweed suit. The couple entered their automobile, parked at the rear of the supper club, and drove to the front, with Tanya Cassinetti in the rear seat. As Bursey drove his taxicab limousine away from the club with the Chases as his passengers, Cassinetti swung in behind with his car and followed the taxicab south on Nevada avenue. Bruce said that Cassinetti pulled up beside the taxicab as it began moving up a slight hill on the Broadmoor road before it becomes Lake avenue and ordered Bursey to stop. Bursey pulled to the north side of the road and the gunman pulled his car at an angle across the left front end of the taxicab. CAB DRIVER SHOT WITHOUT WARNING Bruce said Cassinetti did not go into detail concerning the shooting and holdup of the Chases, but the Des Moines couple said after the stickup their taxicab had been approached by a man carrying a rifle. They said Bursey was shot without warning after the cab driver asked: "What's coming off here?" The Chases said the gunman then opened the left rear door of their taxicab and demanded: "Come on, come on, give me your money -- all of it." Chase said he threw some money in a clip that he carried in a pocket on the floor. This was $260. In answer to the gunman's demand, Chase instructed his wife to throw her shoulder bag on the floor, believing it contained the rest of his money. The bag contained about $90 -- not all of the Chases money. Chase said after being instructed to lie on the floor and after protesting, the stickup said: "Okay, open the door and run for the ditch." As the Chases reached the ditch, Cassinetti backed his car and then made a U-turn to return to Nevada avenue by way of state highway 115 a short distance away, Bruce said. Tanya Cassinetti told him, Bruce said, that she had been instructed to lie down in the back seat of the Cassinetti car after her companion stopped the taxicab, and a short time later she heard a shot. She told Bruce, he said, that as they returned to Colorado Springs, both riding in the front seat, Cassinetti handed her Mrs. Chase's bag and told her to "clean it." "When you got out of the car did you cock the rifle?" Bruce asked. "I don't know what I did," Cassinetti replied, according to Bruce. "Al I know the damn thing went off." Asked again about the shooting, Cassinetti answered: "I don’t' know what happened. I don't know how the gun went off. I didn't intentionally pull the trigger." Bruce asked if Bursey slumped after being shot, and said Cassinetti answered: "No sir, I didn't even know I had hit him." Asked if he had pulled the trigger, Cassinetti said: "I must have; the man is dead." Bruce said Cassinetti told him he had only the Chase's money in his mind as he followed the taxicab limousine. Before stopping the cab, Cassinetti said he had stopped his car on the Broadmoor road, got the gun and then speeded up to catch the taxicab. DEATH GUN AND BAG THROWN INTO WEEDS Driving north on Nevada avenue to north of the city limits, Cassinetti turned west to Cascade avenue and the old Denver highway. Reaching a gravel side road, he said he stopped, got out of the car and threw the .22-caliber Hoban rifle and Mrs. Chase's leather bag to the north side of the side road. Shortly before noon Tuesday, the barrel and part of the stock of the gun were found in a ditch at the side of the road by S.J. Nichols, superintendent and Jack McCullough of the city water division, on an inspection trip. Friday afternoon, a search of the area turned up the remainder of the gun stock and Mrs. Chase's gun inside a wire fence and was broken, with the barrel falling outside the fence and the stock inside. Bruce said Cassinetti told him that after disposing of the gun, he returned to Nevada avenue and threw away a clip that held the Chases' money as he crossed the Rock Island bridge. A search by airmen this morning turned up the clip on the Rock Island right-of-way near the bridge. The clip was on the east side of the bridge. Cassinetti said he and his companion continued on to the Ranch café, 128 South Nevada Avenue, before returning to their apartment at the rear of the supper club. Bruce said Cassinetti said he was wearing a tweed sport coat, a chartreuse-colored T-shirt and a pair of gray trousers Monday night and at the time of the murder-holdup.

Prepared by: Page 17 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Following the murder-stickup, Mr. and Mrs. Chase said the attacker was wearing a striped T-shirt and later identified Cassinetti's as one similar to that on the gunman. Cassinetti and Tanya, however, under questioning last week asserted he had worn a chartreuse-colored T-shirt. CASSINETTI TAKES FULL BLAME IN KILLING Bruce said Cassinetti kept saying Monday night that he was solely responsible for the murder-holdup and that his feminine companion had no knowledge of what he intended to do. The dark-complexioned ex-convict, he said, was anxious to take the blame for what happened. "Whatever part, Tanya had in it I made her do it," Bruce quoted Cassinetti as saying. He said Tanya first knew what was happening, according to Bruce, when he fired the shot. "Did you tell her you shot a man?" "No, I don't believe I did," the chief said Cassinetti replied. Cassinetti was arrested and questioned twice before he was taken into custody a third time and confessed. The first time was last Tuesday morning, only a few hours after the murder, when Sheriff Norman Short began his investigation, and the second time was after Bruce was asked to participate late Tuesday afternoon in the investigation. Cassinetti was released last Friday, as was Tanya Cassinetti, who was arrested Thursday, after he had been given a "lie detector" test at police headquarters. After his third arrest, Cassinetti declined, however, to submit to another "lie detector" test on advice of a Denver attorney, Bruce said. Tanya Cassinetti also refused Monday to submit to a test. RIFLE PURCHASED TO SET UP ALIBI Bruce said that Cassinetti, after being questioned the first time, tried to establish an alibi for himself last Tuesday by purchasing another .22-cailber rifle, which he planted under the front seat of his black Buick car. The rifle and a .32-caliber automatic pistol were found in the car, parked behind the House of Oscar, when it was searched by detectives. Bruce said Cassinetti purchased the weapon between 1 and 2 p.m. Tuesday from a second-hand store on Colorado avenue, giving a false name and address. Picked up a second time for questioning, Cassinetti inquired several times, Bruce said, as to whether a test had been made of the second gun, which lay on a desk in Bruce's office. A test showed that this weapon was not the one that fired the shot that killed Bursey, and Bruce said at that time another ,22-caliber rifle was being sought. Police Chief Bruce said the rifle used in the killing was the one Garrett had reported missing from his home. A test showed, he said that the hammer mark on a cartridge used was the same as that on a .22-caliber shell found at the scene of the murder. Bruce said Cassinetti first said he had taken the gun from Meador's car while it was parked near Bill's lunch room, but said Cassinetti later said he had taken the weapon from Garrett's home about two weeks ago. He said Cassinetti related having used the gun in the meantime to kill a snake. Breaking of the case was the climax of an investigation in which OSI1 men from Ent Air Force base, CID2 men from Camp Carson, members of the sheriff's office Alex Gregory of Detroit, one of the country's best-known "lie detector" experts, and Mike Grant, special agent of the Santa Fe railroad, participated in addition to Colorado Springs' police department under the direction of Chief Bruce.

Tuesday, August 21, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 2, Column 1

Police List Long Criminal Records for Murder Pair

Robert John Case found guilty of the Tuesday morning slaying of Sergeant Martin Bursey, had a criminal record “from here to there,” Chief I.B. Bruce said after Case was held earlier as a suspect with his common-law wife, Tanya. Case, Alias Cassinetti, is 36 years old. His first brush with the law came when he was 14 years of age. He served 19 months in the Boys’ Industrial School at Terre Haute, Indiana, on an unknown charge, escaping once. Early Violations In 1931 he was sentenced to two years in the same institution for burglary. He served 17 months. In October, 1932, Case was given a 90-day term in the city jail at Terre Haute for second degree burglary. He served 90 days on a petty larceny conviction early in 1933 and during the remainder of that year he was convicted of drunkenness five times in Indianapolis. The state reformatory at Pendleton, Indiana, next received Case, sentence to 3 to 10 years for burglary. This was in 1933.

1 Office of Special Investigations 2 Criminal Investigation Division

Prepared by: Page 18 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Parole Violations In 1937, Case was picked up in Terre Haute, Indiana, for possession of a revolver and a parole violation and returned to the state reformatory. He broke out of the reformatory on December 27, 1938, but was captured and returned by the Indiana State Police. He received a 10 to 25-year sentence for burglary in June, 1939, and was sent to the state prison at Michigan City, Indiana, but his sentence was commuted by the governor in December. On December 10, 1949, under the name of Robert Cassinetti, Case was received at the Indiana State Prison for a second commitment of 10 to 25 years for robbery but was released a year later. His last conviction was in October, 1950, when he was convicted and fined $50 for assault at Brighton, Colorado. Case’s common-law wife, Tanya Vinci, was arrested in January, 1942, at Marysville, California, and charged with vagrancy. In 1944 she was arrested for gambling at Reno, Nevada. She was using the name “Canya LaMora.” No Charges. As Betty Vinci Canya, she was picked up for investigation at Brighton, Colorado, on October 15, 1950, but was released with no charges being filed. According to information received by Chief Bruce this morning from Carl Jacobson, deputy sheriff at Brighton, the couple was running a motel at Brighton which was a front for a house of prostitution. Since coming to Colorado Springs five months ago Case has held a variety of jobs, including the management of the Rodeo Court. He told Chief Bruce he has been a hotel clerk, a tavern manager and a cook. The woman claims to be a singer and a dancer. She told Chief Bruce she was married to a Ted W. Peacock in California but that he was not dead. She said she had a 10- year-old daughter but did not know her whereabouts.

Tuesday, August 21, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 9, Column 4

Report Misunderstood, Innocent man to Jail

There is nothing funny about a murder, or generally about a murder investigation. But one incident in connection with the solving of the murder of Sergeant Martin Bursey could be called humorous. It was the plight of one Tony Meador of Pikeview, who actually had no connection with the crime but was jailed four different times, the last time through a comedy of errors. Meador was put in jail the first time because he lived at the home of the man who owned the gun which killed Sergeant Bursey, and therefore had access to it. The second and third time Meador went to jail were for further questioning in connection with the gun. During the questioning of one suspect Sunday night, Police Chief I.B. Bruce burst into a hallway and told Detective Oren Boling to “grab Meador and throw him in jail. He was out in the alley talking to this suspect through the barred window.” Dutifully, Boling “threw Meador in jail,” then wondered if the chief was right. He talked with Assistant Chief Earl Boatright and found out what had actually happened. Meador was standing next to Boatright at the information window at police headquarters when the aforementioned suspect appeared at the bars of the city jail, some 50 feet beyond the information window. Meador, who knew the man, yelled a greeting. Somehow, the information came to Chief Bruce garbled and he ordered Meador picked up. When the matter was straightened out and Meador was released, at last, he took it in the spirit of “good clean fun.” “The next time you guys drag me down here,” he said. “I’m going to bill you for mileage.”

Tuesday, August 21, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 9, Column 5

Oren Boling Helps Solve Murder Case

The major share of the credit for the solving of the murder of Sergeant Martin Bursey last Tuesday morning goes to chubby, balding Oren E. “Coolie” Boling, Colorado Springs police force detective. Despite the “clearing” of Robert Cassinetti and his release from custody Friday when a lie detector test said he was innocent, Boling stuck to his belief that the man was guilty. “I know he did it.” said Boling. “It couldn’t be anybody else. He’s guilty and I’ll prove it.” Sunday night, while another suspect was undergoing a lie detector test, Boling told Chief I.B. Bruce: “Dad, you’ve got the wrong man in there. Cassinetti is the guy you want.” When the man taking the test was cleared, Chief Bruce said: “All right, Coolie, go get Cassinetti is the guy you want.”

Prepared by: Page 19 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

The confessions of both Cassinetti and his wife 18 hours later proved Boling was right. Said Chief Bruce Monday night: “Everybody connected with this case, Boling, Cameron Westcott, Arch Irion, “Red” Heinz, Tom Mackey, Deputy Sheriff Norman Short, Jr., the OSI and CID men, did a wonderful job. They never stopped digging. They hardly slept. But I’ll have to hand it to Coolie. He was the only one who had it right all along.”

Tuesday, August 21, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 9, Column 7

Expert Tells Why Lie Detector Test Missed

How was accused killer Robert Cassinetti able to “beat” the lie detector when he was tested by Police Captain Joe O’Donnell Friday? He didn’t beat it, according to one of the nation’s leading experts in their use. Alex Gregory of Detroit, Michigan. Gregory said this morning the test made by O’Donnell was prefect. The only trouble was, Gregory said, he wasn’t tested enough. “A subject must be in the right mood for the test,” he said. “And there are many other factors involved. That’s why I generally give at least two and often three separate tests -- to make sure I have tested him under all conditions. Captain O’Donnell knows his business. He just happened to hit, Cassinetti at the wrong time.”

Wednesday, August 22, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 1, Column 3

Inquest Set Today In Airman’s Death

A coroner’s inquest will be held at 2 p.m. today in the shooting of Air Force Sergeant Martin Bursey on the Broadmoor Road, August 14. Following the inquest, formal charges of murder are expected to be filed against Robert J. Cassinetti, 35, and his common-law wife, Tanya, 26, who admitted responsibility for the death of the airman. Bursey, who worked as a part-time cab driver for the Broadmoor Hotel, was shot and killed and his passengers, Mr. and Mrs. Hal S. Chase of Des Moines, Iowa, were robbed of $350 a few minutes after the party left the House of Oscar where Mrs. Cassinetti was employed as a singer.

Confession Ends Case Three times picked up for questioning, the Cassinettis finally confessed Monday night. Cassinetti, however, insisted that the shooting was accidental -- that he only intended to rob Mr. and Mrs. Chase. He claimed his wife was in no way responsible for the crime. He said he forced her to accompany him. The pair made their confession to Police Chief I.B. Bruce Monday night after several hours of questioning. Don Higby, assistant district attorney, said today the couple will be tried during the September term of District court which opens September 11.

Wednesday, August 22, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page 1, Column 4

Cassinetti's Common Law Wife May Testify in Trial

The possibility that Robert John Cassinetti, 36, may have a wife living in Kentucky -- which would make it possible for his common-law wife to testify at his trial for the murder of Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, 20, Tuesday morning, August 14 -- was under investigation today by the office of District Attorney James F. Quine. Under Colorado law, a wife cannot testify against her husband, but, Quine said, if it is determined Cassinetti is legally married, Tanya Betty Cassinetti, 28, his common-law wife, could be called to testify. This angle was injected into the case as a result of questioning Tanya Cassinetti on Tuesday afternoon, Quine said. Tanya Cassinetti told Assistant District Attorney Don W. Higby, that Cassinetti had been married twice and had been divorced from his first wife. She said she was not certain, Quine said, whether he was divorced from his second wife, believed living in Kentucky. Cassinetti was born in Louisville, Kentucky. With the investigation ended by a confession Monday night, Police Chief I.B. Bruce said, by Cassinetti and his feminine companion, the Bursey murder case moved toward the courts.

Prepared by: Page 20 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Following an inquest this afternoon, Cassinetti will be charged with Bursey's murder, Quine said. What charges will be filed against Tanya Cassinetti, a singer, had not been determined this morning. Quine pointed out that the singer had declared during questioning that she knew nothing of Cassinetti's plan to hold up Bursey's taxicab, in which Mr. and Mrs. Hal Chase, Des Moines, were passengers, but said she could be considered "an accessory after the fact" since she knew of the murder-holdup after it occurred. Bursey's taxicab limousine was stopped as he drove toward the Broadmoor hotel on the Broadmoor road after leaving South Nevada avenue. After Bursey was fatally wounded by a shot in the left temple, Mr. and Mrs. Chase were robbed of $350 by the gunman, who fled in his automobile, parked across the left front end of the taxicab during the murder-holdup. Police today wrapped up the weapon identified as that used in the slaying, a shell found at the scene of the crime and bullets taken from the building in which Cassinetti and his companion had been living at the rear of 3008 North Nevada avenue, and sent them to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington, D.C., for ballistics checks. This phase of the case was handled by Assistant Police Chief Earl Boatright. Among the items sent to the FBI was the smashed lead slug taken from Bursey's head during an autopsy at Camp Carson Army hospital, where the Air Defense Command airman died while being treated by doctors after the shooting. As the case moved along at a more leisurely pace today, following the intense week-long investigation into the slaying, Police Chief Bruce expressed appreciation for the work done by members of his department. "We had men working from 8 o'clock in the morning to 4 o'clock the next morning, and there wasn't a grumble out of anybody," he said.

Wednesday, August 22, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page 13, Column 3

Night Club Owner Praised for Help In Murder Probe

Telephone calls from persons refusing to identify themselves but berating him none-the-less has been the lot of Bill Harfert, who operates the House of Oscar, since Tanya Betty Cassinetti, singer at the club, and her common-law husband, Robert John Cassinetti, told their story Monday night of the killing of Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, taxicab driver. Harfert said he had received several of the calls Tuesday, and Police Chief I.B. Bruce labeled them as the work of "cranks." "We always have 'cranks' when we have such cases under investigation," Bruce said. "They're the people who write letters -- which they never sign -- and make telephone calls -- but never identify themselves." "During the investigation, which resulted in Cassinetti's confessing to the slaying of Bursey and the robbing of his passengers, Mr. and Mrs. Hal Chase of Des Moines, Harfert has cooperated with us at all times. "Harfert let our men do their work at his night club without any interference and offered the information that Cassinetti was wearing a striped T-shirt Monday night similar to that the Chases reported the gunman was wearing when he robbed them." Harfert said he had always tried to operate a place where young members of a family could be taken and that he intended continuing to do so in the future.

Thursday, August 23, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 1, Column 1 - By Bill Totten

Official Murder Charges Filed Against Cassinetti and Wife

Assistant District Attorney Don W. Higby this morning filed charges of murder against both Robert John Cassinetti and his common-law wife, Tanya. The couple is charged with the murder August 14 of Air Force Sergeant Martin A. Bursey on Lake Avenue, two miles east of the Broadmoor Hotel. The filing of a murder charge against Mrs. Cassinetti was unexpected since her husband has insisted she had no part in the murder and the robbery of Mr. and Mrs. Hal S. Chase of Des Moines, Iowa, who were passengers in Sergeant Bursey’s Broadmoor cab at the time of the murder. The question of whether or not the woman can testify against Cassinetti entered the picture Wednesday. Higby said he was investigating a report that Cassinetti has a wife in Kentucky. If so, Higby said, the common-law marriage of the couple is invalid and she may testify. A coroner’s jury Wednesday afternoon decided that Air Force Sergeant Martin Bursey met his death “at the hands of one Robert John Cassinetti, and that the death off Bursey was felonious.” Only three witnesses testified during the short session in District Court Wednesday. Deputy Sheriff Norman Short, Jr., told the jury he was called by radio at 2:25 a.m. August 14 and told to go to the driveway of the Broadmoor hotel. “When I arrived there,” he said, “I found a Cadillac sedan in the driveway. Sergeant Bursey was lying on the front seat, bleeding. I talked to Mr. and Mrs. Chase, who were passengers in Bursey’s cab.

Prepared by: Page 21 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

“I went to the scene on Lake Avenue about two miles east of the hotel and found a large pool of blood and a .22-caliber rifle shell. “The investigation then followed.” Police Chief I.B. Bruce’s testimony consisted of just one word following the usual preliminaries. “Did Robert Cassinetti confess to you that he shot Sergeant Bursey and robbed Mr. and Mrs. Chase.” asked Higby. “Yes,” answered the chief. Final witness was Deputy County Coroner William Joss, who testified as to the cause of Sergeant Bursey’s death by a .22- caliber bullet.

Thursday, August 23, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 13, Column 5

Police Chief I.B. Bruce Happy Again

The boys at police headquarters sure wish Chief Dad Bruce could sing. Because he does it anyway. Thursday was a fine one for the Chief. First degree murder charges were being filed against Bob and Tanya Cassinetti down at the courthouse. Word had come through from Denver that because of develops here the Cassinettis were almost certain to be rapped with a house burglary there. Dad’s friend, Alex Gregory, the lie detector expert, had at long last made airline connections to Detroit, impossible to do earlier because of inclement weather. Besides, the sun was shining after a stretch of gloomy days. Dad was joyful and out of his office came the croaking notes of a happy police chief in full song. He sang in his office, he sang in the halls and when he went out on the streets, finally, he sang there, too. Amid head shaking and much tsk-tsking, the boys wondered if a voice teacher could help.

Thursday, August 23, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 13, Column 7

Cassinetti to Be Questioned About Denver Burglary

Robert J. Cassinetti, held for the August 14 murder of Air Force Sergeant martin Bursey, will be questioned today in connection with the burglary of a Denver home on October 4, 1950. Police Chief I.B. Bruce said today he had received information from the Denver police department that Cassinetti and his wife, Tanya, were believed to be the perpetrators of the burglary at the home of Hazel Daniels, 4416 Meade Street, where Cassinetti and his wife were employed as a butler and cook respectively. Missing from the Daniels home after the couple departed was $160 in cash, $530 in jewelry and $93 in miscellaneous merchandise. Included in the jewelry were three watches, several rings and necklaces and a Masonic ring and lapel pin. While investigating the murder case here, detectives wondered why Cassinetti, a Catholic, was wearing a Masonic ring.

Thursday, August 23, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page 1, Column 7

Cassinetti and Common Law Wife Charged With Murder

Robert John Cassinetti, 36-year-old unemployed cook, and his 28-year-old common law wife, Tanya Betty Cassinetti, were charged today in District court with the murder of Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, 20, shot through the head and fatally wounded early the morning of August 14 as he drove a taxicab toward the Broadmoor hotel. The joint information was filed this morning following an inquest Wednesday afternoon at which a coroner's jury found Bursey came to his death "as a result of a gunshot wound inflicted by Robert John Cassinetti." The information is returnable on the first day of the September term of the court, September 11, but this does not mean that the defendants might not be arraigned, or even tried, in this term of court if they themselves wish it and their attorney and the district attorney agree. The form of information filed in the regular statutory information that has been used for many years in Colorado and embraces first and second-degree murder and first and second-degree manslaughter.

Prepared by: Page 22 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

If the verdict of first degree-murder is brought the jury must determine whether the punishment shall be in the gas chamber at the state penitentiary or life imprisonment, and the trial must be by jury whether pleas of guilty are entered or not. The information simply reads that "Robert John Cassinetti and Tanya Cassinetti, also known as Tanya Peacock, on the 14th of August, 1951, did then and there feloniously, willfully and of their malice aforethought kill and murder one Martin A. Bursey." So far as known by officials who have been working on the case the Cassinettis have not yet retained an attorney. Endorsed as prosecuting witness on the joint information was Police Chief I.B. Bruce. Other witnesses are: John G. Campbell, Earl W. Myers, Harold G. Hodges, Johnny Carteen, Oren Boling, Bill Garrett, Cameron Westcott, John Burdell, M.J. Grant, Hal Chase, E.C. Boatright, Mrs. Hal Chase, Norman Short, Jr.; Ellen O'Connor, Dorothy Heller Hazel Bunker, Dorothy Singer, Nick Pinello, Alex Gregory, Carl Nestler, Arch Irion, William Joss, Tom Mackey, Lowell S. Thornton, Jack McCullough, J.S. Nichols, Jack McLennan. Both Cassinetti and his common-law wife, Tanya Betty Cassinetti, appeared at the inquest in District courtroom No. 2, as required by law, but neither testified. Testimony was given only by Deputy Sheriff Norman Short, Jr.; Police Chief I.B. Bruce, who "cracked" the case last Monday night and William Joss, deputy coroner. Short testified how Bursey, driving a Broadmoor taxicab limousine, was stopped on the Broadmoor road, between 2 and 2:30 a.m. August 14 and was shot through the head and how Mr. and Mrs. Hal S. Chase, Des Moines, Iowa, his passengers, were robbed of $350. He also related going to the House of Oscar, where Tanya Cassinetti was employed as a singer. During the visit, he said, he inspected the building at the rear in which Cassinettis were living. He told how the Chases had told of a gunman driving up beside the taxicab and stopping it and then coming up to the cab with a rifle in his hand. He testified the Chases told him how Bursey was shot in the head and how they were then robbed. Short said he later went to the scene of the murder-holdup and found a .22-caliber long rifle cartridge. He said an autopsy on Bursey's body after he died at 3:05 a.m. August 14 in Camp Carson Army hospital showed he had died from a .22-caliber long rifle bullet. Bruce was second to testify, and after identifying himself as Colorado Springs police chief and as having questioned the Cassinettis was asked: "Did Mr. and Mrs. Cassinetti confess to killing Sergeant Martin A. Bursey the morning of August 14?" "They did," Bruce replied. Joss testified the bullet that killed Bursey went through his left temple and came to rest in his right temple. Questioning was done by Assistant District Attorney Don W. Higby. PREVIOUS MARRIAGES OF COUPLE PROBED Higby said after the inquest that he was investigating the previous marriages of Tanya Cassinetti as well as those of Cassinetti. Both have been married twice, he said he was told by Tanya Cassinetti. Mrs. Cassinetti said one of her husbands, Ted W. Peacock, was dead, but that she was divorced from the other. She withheld divorced husband's name, Higby said, because she said she did not want to hurt him. James F. Quine, district attorney, revealed Wednesday, he was checking into Cassinetti's marriages after Mrs. Cassinetti told Higby that Cassinetti had been divorced once but had remarried. She wasn't sure, Quine said, that Cassinetti had divorced his second wife, believed in Kentucky. After the inquest and a short wait in the sheriff's office, the Cassinetti's were led back to the county jail by Undersheriff Fred C. Williams and Deputy Earl Booth. Cassinetti wore handcuffs, but his common-law wife did not. As she walked across the corridor on the second floor of the Courthouse, she dabbed at tears in her eyes with a handkerchief wadded in her right hand. REPLEVIN SUIT FILED TO RECOVER CAR A move to recover the automobile on which Cassinettis had made a loan also was started Wednesday by the Securities Credit corporation, 210 East Pikes Peak Avenue. The car was the black automobile in which Cassinetti said, according to Bruce, he followed Bursey's taxicab from the supper club, north of the city limits to the site of the murder and holdup south of here. The Chases had been dining at the House of Oscar, where Cassinetti noted Chase counting out a large amount of money on a table and decided to rob him, Bruce said. The replevin suit, filed in District court by the credit company, said the Cassinettis had obtained a $1,395 loan July 12, 1951. The loan was repayable $93 a month, and the first installment was due August 15 -- the day after Bursey was slain and the Chases robbed. Tanya Cassinetti made the first payment following the murder-holdup on the 1949 Buick four-door with money given her by Cassinetti. Police found a receipt for the payment in the couple's quarters. Bruce said Cassinetti told him Monday night when he confessed the slaying and holdup that he had $128 before the crime, but had "a little over $400 all together" when he and his companion counted their funds after the stickup. Tanya Cassinetti appeared at Wednesday inquest wearing a brown tweed suit -- presumably the same one she wore when she accompanied Cassinetti on Tuesday morning. She told Bruce that she had put on a brown tweed suit when Cassinetti instructed her to change her clothes after she finished a song at the supper club. Cassinetti wore a grey suit and a paisley sport shirt.

Prepared by: Page 23 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Members of the coroner's jury were J.B. Morrissey, R.S. Bee, L.J. Laufman, Clarence, D. Vorseller, Walter R. Brown and Frank J. Daum. Cassinetti on Tuesday was taken from the city jail, where he had been held to the county jail and is in solitary confinement there. Tanya Cassinetti is held in the women's ward of the county jail.

Thursday, August 23, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page 1, Column 7

Cassinetti Linked To House Prowling; Jewelry Recovered

Jewelry and watches stolen from a Denver home in 1950 were recovered today from the belongings of Robert John and Tanya Cassinetti, charged with the murder of Sergeant Martin A. Bursey on August 14, as authorities pushed their investigation into the past of the couple. The articles were stolen by Cassinetti from the home of Mrs. Hazel Daniels, 4416 Meade Street, Denver, between 9 p.m. October 4 and 4:45 p.m. October 6, 1950, Assistant Police Chief Early Boatright said. Recoveries were made this morning as Boatright and Deputy Sheriff Norman Short, Jr., went through the Cassinetti belongings with Tanya Cassinetti in the basement of the county jail, where the couple are held. "We'll make a 100 per cent recover on the jewelry," Boatright said, "but of course the $160 in money is gone." Boatright said Tanya Cassinetti told him she was employed at the Daniels home early in 1950 as a cook. Part of the agreement with her employer was that she and Cassinetti could live in the house. Boatright said she had left Mrs. Daniels' employ some time before Cassinetti prowled the home and took the items, valued at $783. Among the jewelry recovered this morning was a diamond wedding right set, strings of pearls, watches and diamond rings. Boatright said the Cassinettis had traded some of the jewelry at a Colorado Springs store for a large wedding set, but said Mrs. Daniels jewelry will be recovered. A report of the burglary was furnished Colorado Springs police by Lee Raedel, Denver police captain. Tanya admitted knowing of the burglary and then helped Boatright and Short sort out the stolen articles.

Sunday, August 26, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 1, Column 5

Cassinettis Face September Court Without Legal Aid

Up to Saturday, Robert John Cassinetti and his common-law wife, Tanya, held for the August 14 murder of Air Force Sergeant Martin Bursey, were still not represented by counsel. Police Chief I.B. Bruce said the couple, who were formally charged with the murder on Thursday, would probably be represented at their trial by a court-appointed attorney. The chief said several local and out of the city lawyers have talked with the pair, but thus far, none has accepted the case. Court-appointed attorneys are selected by the judge who will try the case, in this instance Judge G. Russell Miller. The Cassinettis will be tried during the September term of District Court which opens September 11.

Sunday, August 26, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 32, Column 2

Cassinetti to Be Questioned About Denver Burglary Jobs

Police Chief I.B. Bruce said Saturday two detectives of the Denver police department would arrive in Colorado Springs Monday to question Robert Cassinetti in connection with “several” Denver burglaries. Cassinetti is being held for trial here for the August 14 murder of Air Force Sergeant Martin Bursey. He has already admitted burglarizing a former employer in Denver, obtaining $10 in cash and over $500 in jewelry. Chief Bruce said Denver police want to question Cassinetti regarding a number of burglaries which occurred while Cassinetti was reportedly living in and around Denver.

Thursday, August 30, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 1, Column 1 - By Ben Albert

Prepared by: Page 24 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Cassinetti Attorneys Are Named

District Judge Russell Miller this morning appointed two attorneys to defend Robert John Cassinetti and his common-law wife Tanya, charged with murder in the first-degree for the August 14 killing of Air Force Sergeant Martin A. Bursey. Judge Miller designated John C. Young, Jr., to defend Mr. Cassinetti, and Allan F. Asher to defend Mrs. Cassinetti. An Arraignment date was set by Judge Miller for September 11, at which time the Cassinettis will file pleas of either guilty or not guilty and the trail date will be set. Flanked by Deputy Sheriff Earl Booth and Under-Sheriff Fred Williams, Robert Cassinetti sat impassive in District Court 2, while his wife, Tanya, pale; shed frequent tears during the brief proceedings. Asked by Judge Miller if they had any money or access to money. Tanya dressed in a green sweater and light blue slacks, explained they had none and that they had contacted their parents but that no money was forthcoming from that source. The two are charged with only one information, meaning that they could be tried together or separately, depending on the decision of the appointed attorneys. When Judge Miller asked Mrs. Cassinetti if she wanted the same attorney as her husband, she replied, “Yes.” However, the decision is in the hands of the attorneys who are to decide on the advisability of a separate or common trial. Several Verdicts Possible The jury, as yet unchosen, will be faced with several possible verdicts in the case. Should the jury find defendants guilty, it can impose a verdict of either murder in the first-degree, as charged, murder in the second-degree, or voluntary or involuntary manslaughter. Or they could move for acquittal. Penalty for first-degree murder demands either death or life imprisonment in hard labor. Should the verdict be second-degree murder, the penalty would be a minimum jail term of 10 years to life imprisonment. In the case of voluntary manslaughter, the penalty is from one to eight years in the penitentiary, and for involuntary manslaughter a penalty not exceeding one year in the county jail is called for. The murder of Sergeant Bursey was result of Cassinetti’s attempted robbery of Mr. and Mrs. Hal Chase of Des Moines. Sergeant Bursey, a night time Broadmoor Hotel limousine driver, was taking Mr. and Mrs. Chase back to the hotel early on the morning of August 14, when he was hailed over to the curb on lake Avenue by Cassinetti, who had pulled alongside of him in another car. Cassinetti’s intent, he said, was robbery of the Chases, not murder.

Thursday, August 30, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page A1, Column 1

Attorneys Names For Cassinettis' Murder Trial

Robert John Cassinetti, 36, and his red-haired 28-year-old common law wife, Tanya Cassinetti, jointly charged with the murder of Martin A. Bursey, 20, a soldier part-time Broadmoor taxi driver in a holdup early on the morning of August 14, were taken into the District court this morning to have legal counsel appointed for them. Judge G. Russell Miller appointed separate attorneys for them. As attorney for Cassinetti he appointed John C. Young, Jr. and as attorney for the woman Allen Asher. Neither Judge Miller not District Attorney Quine knew this morning whether there will be a joint trial or separate trials. As the case now stands September 11, the opening day of the September term of the court, is the time for the arraignment. Cassinetti and wife have no opportunity to converse with each other at the county jail where they are held and they made the most of a chance to talk this morning. As they went into the courtroom Cassinetti had his arm around the woman. He had been handcuffed, but Undersheriff Fred Williams and Deputy Sheriff Earl Booth, who had brought them from the jail, removed the handcuffs at the Courthouse. Mrs. Cassinetti was not handcuffed. She wore a green sweater and pair of gray slacks and her thick red hair fell low on her back. She seemed on the verge of tears at one time. Cassinetti was neatly dressed in a gray suit of clothes. As they were questioned by Judge Miller concerning their ability to hire legal counsel Cassinetti said the he had only $10. Asked by Judge Miller if he wished an attorney appointed for him he said, "That is all I can do." The woman had to answer like questions. She said something about having expected money to be provided for her to hire an attorney, but said it had not been and that she wished an attorney appointed for her. After the couple were led out of the courtroom they continued to sit side by side for a few minutes in the sheriff s office. Cassinetti held his wife's hand as they talked. No immediate consultation with the appointed attorneys was held. Asher was in the courtroom when appointed. Young was not.

Prepared by: Page 25 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Wednesday, September 5, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 3, Column 6

Murder Trial Heads District Court Docket

The murder trial of Robert Cassinetti and his common-law wife, Tanya Cassinetti, will highlight the September term of District Court which open before Judge G. Russell Miller next Tuesday. Cassinetti and his wife are charged with the murder of Air Force Sergeant Martin A. Bursey on August 14. The airman was shot by Cassinetti with a .22-caliber rifle as Cassinetti was holding up a cab driven by Bursey on the Broadmoor Road. Cassinetti robbed Mr. and Mrs. Hal Chase of Des Moines, passengers in Bursey’s cab, of $360 in cash. Court-appointed attorneys named to defend the pair are John Young, Jr., and Allan Asher.

Monday, September 10, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 1, Column 4

Cassinetti and Wife face Charges Tuesday

Arraignment of Robert Cassinetti and his wife, Tanya, on charges of murder in the fatal shooting of an Ent Air Force Base sergeant will be held Tuesday. The 35-year-old Cassinetti and his 27-year-old wife will appear before District Judge G. Russell Miller. District Attorney James Quine said he will prepare to get a jury which would not be opposed to the death penalty for either the confessed killer or his wife. The night club singer confessed August 20 that she was with her husband a week earlier when he shot the 20-year-old limousine driver and robbed a Des Moines, Iowa, couple. Cassinetti’s confession followed immediately, although he claimed the murder was an accident. The pair has since admitted two robberies in Denver, police said. Both are being held in El Paso County jail without bond.

Wednesday, September 12, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 2, Column 1

DISTRICT JUDGE RULES FOR FREEDOM OF PRESS

District Judge G. Russell Miller has overruled a motion entered by attorneys for Robert and Tanya Cassinetti which attempted to restrain the press and the police from further interrogating and photographing the couple accused of the August 14 murder of Air Force Sergeant Martin Bursey. Attorneys Johns Young and Allan Asher, court-appointed lawyers, complained Tuesday morning that their clients had been subjected to continued questioning by the police department, sheriff’s office and the district attorney’s office and interviews and photographs by the newspapers since their alleged confession to the crime on August 21. Both moved the court to order the questioning ceased. Judge Miller considered the motion several hours before deciding he had no jurisdiction over the actions of the press and that the suspected couple could not be forced to talk to law enforcement authorities. Testifying in support of her attorney’s motion, Mrs. Cassinetti said Tuesday afternoon she was told by Police Chief I.B. Bruce to discuss her case in an interview with Hazel Bunker of the Free Press and a Denver Post reporter “or she might get the gas chamber.” Arraignment of the couple, scheduled for Tuesday, was postponed until next Tuesday at the request of their attorneys who said they had not had sufficient time to study the cases.

Tuesday, September 18, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 1, Column 2

Cassinetti Court Date Is Delayed

The arraignment of Robert Cassinetti and his common-law wife, Tanya, for the August 14 murder of Air Force Sergeant Martin Bursey has been delayed again, this time until October 2.

Prepared by: Page 26 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Attorneys for the pair made several motions in district court this morning before Judge G. Russell Miller, which he said would be argued September 24. One motion was a request that the defense be provided with photostatic copies of the alleged confessions made by the defendants. Henceforth, Tanya Cassinetti will be referred to in the present action as Betty Jane Cassinetti, since it developed today that Betty Jane is her real name. District Attorney James F. Quine filed a motion to amend the murder information setting forth her correct name. It also developed today that a prospective jury list of 100 names has been drawn up and the defense provided with a copy of the list. The defense was also supplied with a list of 33 prosecution witnesses. Attorney John Young, Jr. is defending Robert Cassinetti, while Allan Asher is defending Betty Jane. Both were appointed by the court.

Wednesday, September 26, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 12, Column 1 - By John Bowman

Judge Miller Denies Cassinetti Case Motion

The motion to quash the criminal information of the district attorney and to gain access to the alleged “confessions” of murder suspects Robert John Cassinetti and his common-law wife Betty Jane, was denied Tuesday afternoon by District Court Judge G. Russell Miller. Climaxing a two-day session of oratory dealing with the “constitutional rights of man,” and “precedents for allowing a man to defend himself from the dagger which most surely would be used against him,” was Judge Miller’s simple, “The motion is denied.” Cassinetti and his common-law wife Betty Jane are under arrest for the August 14 murder of Ent Air Force Base Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, killed two miles east of Broadmoor Hotel. Tuesday morning Miller “Shocked” the court-appointed attorneys John Young, Jr., who will defend Cassinetti, and Allan Asher who has been appointed to defend Betty Jane, by answering a simple “yes” to a question presented by Young whether the “court means that it will not ask the district attorney to tell us whether he will use the alleged confessions in the trial?” District Attorney James F. Quine gave no official argument during the motion, but rose to his feet several times to object to and receive and order from the court to restrain the defense from wandering off the subject before the court. Assistant District Attorney Leland Coulter gave a 15-minute, excited argument from the prosecution’s case, late Tuesday afternoon, saying “The defense conveniently overlooked passages of the cases they cited yesterday . . . They will have ample time to view the alleged documents during the trial.” After the hearing, Asher and Young claimed they were “shocked,” and “couldn’t believe (their) ears,” when the judge announced his decision. Judge Miller, in opening the Tuesday session, gave the defense until October 16, to appear for arraignment.

Thursday, October 4, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 2, Column 4

New Motion Filed by Cassinetti Attorney

Another motion to quash the information of District Attorney James F. Quine and to receive a copy, Photostat or view of the alleged “confessions” of murder suspects Robert John Cassinetti, 35, and his common-law wife Betty Jane, 27, has been filed in the District court by Cassinetti’s court-appointed defense attorney, John Young, Jr. The near identical motion that was denied last September 26 by District Judge G. Russell Miller, was different only in the words “confessions believed to be in the possession of the (local) police or sheriff,” rather than the District Attorney as was referred to in the prior motion. No argument will be given before Judge Miller, as the “same debate would only be repeated.” according to Mr. Young. The murder suspects are being held in the El Paso County Jail awaiting trial for the August 14 killing of Sergeant Martin Bursey, an Ent Air Force Base airman who had been working as chauffeur at the Broadmoor Hotel, and who was shot to death that night at the wheel of the car.

Friday, October 5, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 18, Column 1

Prepared by: Page 27 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Judge Miller Denies New Defense Motion

In less than five minutes Thursday afternoon, District Judge G. Russell Miller dented the motion presented by the court- appointed defense attorneys of murder suspects Robert John Cassinetti and his common-law wife Betty Jane, to quash the information and to view, copy or Photostats the alleged confession of the suspects. Almost a duplicate of the September 26 motion, this new move was different only in the wording “confessions believed to be in the possession of peace officers.” The earlier motion requested sight of the confessions believed to be in the possession of the district attorney’s office, who claimed he “had not seen them.” During the September 26 hearing, District Attorney James F. Quine, Jr., replied to the questions of the defense, “Do you want me to prepare your case for you?” Go ask them (Cassinetti and Betty Jane) what they did on that night. They know better than any of us.” The next step in the defense of the suspects will be in attorney Allan Asher’s motion October 16 to quash the information of the district attorney on the charges against Betty Jane, 27, who was alleged to have confessed her implicitly in the August 14 fatal shooting of Sergeant Martin Bursey, an Ent Air Force Base airman who had been working as a chauffeur at the Broadmoor Hotel, and who was shot to death that night at the wheel of the car. Mr. Asher claims the district attorney’s charges are insufficient and general, and not sufficient to hold Betty Jane.

Tuesday, October 16, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 1, Column 4

Murder Case On Cassenttis Gets 5th Delay

For the fifth time, Robert and Betty Jane Cassinetti, held for the alleged shooting August 14 of Air Force Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, appeared in court on arraignment proceedings were put off, this time until October 29. The state Supreme court, in response to a petition filed by Defense Attorneys Allan Asher and John C. Young, Jr., has requested Judge G. Russell Miller to show cause for withholding the whereabouts of the alleged confession of Robert Cassinetti. Judge Miller this morning continued arraignment under his own volition. Further Delays Possibilities of the arraignment date being dragged out still further are dependent on the two defense attorneys’ rebuttal to Judge Miller’s reasons for withholding the alleged confession. In the initial petition to the Supreme court it was the contention of the defense attorneys that they have the same rights to examine evidence against them as would a defendant in civil action. While Mr. Young, attorney for Robert Cassinetti, indicated his client would probably “have to stand mute” should the arraignment come without having inspected the alleged confession. Mr. Asher, attorney for Cassinetti’s 27-year-old common- law wife, indicated that his client would probably plead innocent of the charges.

Monday, October 29, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 1, Column 6

Cassinettis Given Delay For 6th Time

The arraignment of Robert and Betty Jane (Tanya) Cassinetti was postponed again this morning by District Judge G. Russell Miller until November 13 in a five-minute session that marked the sixth delay in the court proceedings in connection with the fatal shooting of Air Force Sergeant Martin A. Bursey. Unable to hold arraignment proceedings because of “show-cause” order to Judge Miller from the state Supreme Court as to why a defense petition should not be granted, the November 13 court-date is expected to allow time for the investigation of proceedings sent last October 25, to the high court. In an unprecedented action, the defense attorneys last week asked the Supreme Court to decide the constitutionality of the couple being denied the right to see copies of their confessions in which they allegedly admitted the murder. The Supreme Court has ordered the lower court to provide it with ten copies of the legal proceedings so far. Sporting a new, mustache, Cassinetti sat placidly with his wife before the judge in the short session this morning. The swarthy 37-year-old cook and his 27-year-old wife are charged with the killing of the Ent Air Force Base sergeant during a holdup August 14. Mrs. Cassinetti has been suffering attacks of asthma in the El Paso County Jail, her attorney claims, and her red-tinted hair is beginning to show its original darker color.

Prepared by: Page 28 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Tuesday, November 13, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 1, Column 4

CASSINETTI CASE SET FOR NOVEMBER 19

The arraignment of Robert and Betty Jane (Tanya) Cassinetti has been postponed until November 19, at which time the defense “show cause” appeal now before the state Supreme Court is expected to be ruled on. District Judge G. Russell Miller telephoned the high court Tuesday to ask about progress on the appeal, and then told the district attorney and the prisoners of the necessary delay. The Cassinettis await arraignment and trial for the August 14 murder of Air Force Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, who was killed while driving a Broadmoor Hotel limousine.

Friday, November 16, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page A1, Column 2

Knife Made of Razor Blades Found In Cassinetti's Cell

A dangerous knife, constructed of two razor blades lashed to a four-inch-long stick, was found Thursday in the county jail cell in which Robert Cassinetti was confined. Cassinetti is charged jointly with his common-law wife, Betty Jane Cassinetti, with the murder of Sergeant Martin A. Bursey in a taxicab holdup on the Broadmoor road last August. The cell where the razor blade knife was found is what is known as the "strong box." Several other men also were confined in it. Sheriff Norman Short accused Cassinetti of making the knife. Cassinetti maintained that it had been planted on him. The sheriff early in the day came to have suspicions about the knife and ordered a shakedown of the cell at 4 p.m. This was done by Undersheriff Fred Williams, Deputy Sheriff Norman Short, Jr., and Deputy Sheriff Ted Flynn. The knife, which the sheriff calls a vicious weapon, was found hidden in a crack between plates of the steel construction of the cell. The stick had been whittled and the razor blades were lashed to it with thread, in a rather neat manner. Cassinetti was immediately taken out of the strong box and put into solitary confinement where no magazine, cigarettes or anything can be passed to him. At the same time Sheriff Short ordered a trusty to be denied of all trusty privileges, following an unconfirmed report that Cassinetti had been endeavoring through him to obtain a knife from the kitchen. Mrs. Cassinetti is held in solitary confinement in a cell in the women's department of the jail for writing love letters to a trusty in jail and slipping them underneath the women's ward door as the trusty took meals up to the door to pass them through a small opening in it. This trusty also was ordered locked up in a cell by Sheriff Short. The sheriff found that the trusty, who had occupied space in the boys' department of the jail on the top floor, also had been collecting love letters from Mrs. Cassinetti which she tied to a string that the trusty, a teenage boy, lowered to a window of the women's ward. This was the third time that a sharp-edged instrument had been found in parts of the county jail to which Cassinetti had access. On one occasion attendants found a pocket knife and on another a three-inch strip of iron whetted sharp at one end. These were not found in a cell occupied by Cassinetti, but in the cell block in which he was at liberty to walk around.

Sunday, November 18, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page B1, Column 8

Cassinettis Due For Arraignment Monday Morning

Arraignment of Robert and Betty Jane Cassinetti on a charge of murder brought against them jointly, is set for 10 a.m. Monday, before District Judge G. Russell Miller. What will happen is a subject of interest. The defense has already obtained six continuances of the date of arraignment. The latest ones were because the defense attorneys went straight to the Supreme Court for a rule to show cause why the District court should not compel District Attorney James F. Quine to furnish them with copies of alleged confessions of the defendants. Judge Miller had overruled such a motion. Arraignment of the defendants had been set for last Monday, but was continued at that time because no word of a Supreme court decision had been received. Later in the day it came. The high court dismissed the action brought before it by the defendants. If the Cassinettis are arraigned Monday trial of the case may be set for November 26, as that is the day to which the jurors were excused. One hundred names were drawn from the jury wheel at the beginning of the September term, an unusually large number, as it appeared at that time that the Cassinetti trial, or trials would be the first on the criminal case docket.

Prepared by: Page 29 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

The Cassinettis are charged with the fatal shooting of Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, taxicab driver, in a holdup on the Broadmoor road last August. They told Judge Miller that they had no means with which to retain an attorney and Judge Miller appointed attorneys for them, John C. Young, Jr., for Cassinetti, and Allan Asher for his common-law wife. There has been speculation as to whether separate trials will be asked by the attorneys for the defense. They have not said what their intention is in this respect. Neither have they said what the pleas of their clients will be when arraigned. Young at one of the hearings told the court that if his client were arraigned before the defense was given a look at the alleged confessions all he could do probably was to "stand mute." Asher made no statement concerning a probable plea of the woman when she is asked to stand up and say "guilty" or "not guilty." All along the defense attorneys have waged a battle with the district attorney to be furnished copies of the alleged confessions of the pair. "Ask your clients what is in them," has been Quine's rejoinder. "I am ready to try the case any time, the sooner the better." Said Quine Saturday. Monday, at 1 a.m. also is the time set by Judge Miller to hear arguments of motions to quash the information, if there is to be such an argument. Such a motion has already been made in the woman's case. It has been supposed that one would also be made for Cassinetti, and that the argument on this question would be a joint affair. Every time anything is done in the Cassinetti case the defendants are brought into court, even if the action is merely a continuance, as this is required. Thus, they have had quite a number of trips from the county jail to the Courthouse and back, which are the only times, Sheriff Norman Short says, they see each other. Last week Cassinetti was taken out of the cell known as the "strong box," where he had the company of other prisoners, and out in a solitary cell because a vicious looking knife fashioned from two razor blades, a stick of wood and some thread was found in the cell. The week before his wife was locked up in a solitary cell in the women's department of the jail for writing love letters to a teenage trusty.

Monday, November 19, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 1, Column 1

CASSINETTI FILES INSANITY PLEA Court Orders Examination

Robert Cassinetti, held for the August 14 murder of Air Force Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, pleaded “not guilty, by reason of insanity at the time of the crime, and since the crime.” today during arraignment proceedings before District Judge G. Russell Miller. Betty Jane (Tanya) Cassinetti, held jointly with her common-law husband, Robert, in the El Paso County Jail, pleaded not guilty. Begun at 10 a.m. today, the session opened with the court-appointed attorneys, Allan F. Asher (for Betty Jane) and John Young, Jr., (for Robert Cassinetti), both presenting motions to quash the information of the district attorney. Both motions were denied. The district judge appointed the Colorado State Hospital staff at Pueblo to examine Cassinetti, and gave “not more than 30 days” as a time limit on the examination of the murder suspect’s sanity. Prior to the arraignment, both defense attorneys claimed they were not prepared for the arraignment since all they knew of the charges was what they read in the papers. Betty Jane Cassinetti entered the court this morning in tears while Robert Cassinetti was wearing an “Oregon Boot,” a heavily weighted leather boot that Sheriff Norman Short had strapped to the prisoner. The sheriff had warned last week that he was “taking no more chances with the man, after finding those knives in his cell.” Before District Attorney James Quine moved for the arraignment to begin, John Young, Jr., defense attorney, asked the judge to advise his clients on methods “not know to me, through my ignorance,” to obtain the alleged confessions made by the murder suspects to local law enforcement officials. One of the motions denied the defense was that one asking for the deposition of five persons involved in the murder case. Attorney Young asked for Police Chief I.B. Bruce, Detective Oren Boling, Sheriff Norman Short, Deputy Norman Short, Jr., and Manuel Berenbaum, Denver attorney, to be brought before the district judge and questioned on the confessions made by the murder-suspects. John Young, Sr., father of the attorney for Robert Cassinetti, applied for and received the right to jointly-defend the prisoner with his son. The senior lawyer said that “We want to get this case out of the way.”

Monday, November 19, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page A1, Column 1

Prepared by: Page 30 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Cassinetti Pleads Insanity, Wife Enters Not Guilty Plea

A plea of not guilty, not guilty by reason of insanity at the time of the alleged crime and not guilty by reason of insanity sine the time of the alleged crime was entered today for Robert J. Cassinetti, one-time cook, when he was arraigned before District Judge G. Russell Miller on a charge of murdering Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, early the morning of August 4. Judge Miller ordered Cassinetti sent to the Colorado State hospital at Pueblo for 30 days' observation. Cassinetti's common-law wife, Betty Jane Cassinetti, night-club singer, charged also with Bursey's murder in a joint information, pleaded not guilty. Mrs. Cassinetti, standing erect before the court, entered her plea in a loud clear voice. Cassinetti's plea was entered by his attorney, John C. Young, Jr., who waived a reading of the information. Mrs. Cassinetti heard the information read before the pleading. Before court recessed for noon, Allan F. Asher, attorney for Mrs. Cassinetti, asked the court for permission to file a motion for a bill of particulars and a motion for separate trials. Judge Miller recessed court to 1:30 p.m. without ruling on the request. Preceding the arraignment the court heard and overruled two defense motions -- one to quash the information against the defendants and another to take depositions from law enforcement officers and a Denver attorney. The motion to quash was the second of the two motions heard by Miller. The first, presented by Young, sought to obtain depositions from Police Chief I.B. Bruce, Detective Oren Boling, Sheriff Norman Short, Jr., all of whom participated in the investigation into the slaying of Bursey, part-time taxicab driver, and Mandel Berenbaum, Denver attorney consulted by the Cassinettis while they were under investigation. Young also contended the motion should be granted on constitutional grounds. Allan F. Asher, attorney for Betty Jane Cassinetti, argued that it was mandatory that the court permit the defendants to examine the witness named. District Attorney James F. Quine declared the deadline for filing motions was October 9, but Judge Miller, after a 10-minute recess, announced that the record showed that October 9 was the deadline only for filing motions to quash. The statute under which depositions are taken, he said, permits depositions to be taken when witnesses might not be present for a trial, and he saw no reason why the witnesses named by the defense would not be present. There was some argument as to whether the motion to quash the information could be entered in view of the October 9 deadline, but Judge Miller permitted the motion to be entered when the defense said it was ready to argue the matter. Young, arguing the second motion, contended that there did not exist sufficient evidence to support the information because the alleged confessions made by Cassinetti and his common-law wife "were obtained by duress, and therefore not admissible as evidence." Young also argued that the information was not properly verified as required by state statute, that all of the defendants' efforts to discover their confessions "have been without avail" and that there did not exist a probable cause to file any information. The matter of depositions was brought up again by Young during arguing of the second motion, the attorney asking that the defendants be permitted to take depositions from the law enforcement officers and the Denver attorney as supporting evidence to the motion to quash.

Tuesday, November 20, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 1, Column 6

CASSINETTI TAKES OWN LIFE, USED BLANKET FOR ROPE Strangled Self In Cell; Found At 7:30 A.M.

Robert Cassinetti, 36-year-old suspect of the murder of an Air Force sergeant died about 1 a.m. today of self-strangulation in his solitary cell in El Paso County Jail. His slumped body, held against the cell bars by blanket strips tied around his neck was discovered shortly after 7:30 a.m. today by Jailer Vern Potter. Cassinetti had charge of murdering Sergeant Martin A. Bursey of Ent Air Force Base last August 14. He was committed for a sanity test by District Judge G. Russell Miller and was to be taken to the Colorado State Hospital this morning. Facing the same murder charge, his common-law wife, Betty Jane (Tanya) Cassinetti, was in the women’s ward of the jail at the time of the suicide. She had pleaded not guilty to the crime. Deputy Coroner William Joss, investigating the death with Sheriff Norman E. Short, set the time at about 1 a.m. and called it a “pure case of strangulation.” Cassinetti’s feet were on the floor and it was not a hanging. The murder suspect was confined to the solitary cell since last week, when for the third time a knife was found in his possession. He was last seen alive by Jailers Ray Bradshaw and Elder Seymour, who inspected the cells at 11 p.m. Monday. No one was permitted in the cell after that time under orders by Sheriff Short.

Prepared by: Page 31 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Cassinetti had torn two strips form his bed blanket, one about five inches and the other about one inch in width. Several cigarette packages, mostly empty, lay around the cell and in the corner near which his body was found lay a number of struck matches and cigarette butts. The blankets were tied to a cell bar at a crosspiece about 1” from the eight-foot ceiling Sheriff Short said that Cassinetti died “by choking himself.” since the height was not enough to get his feet off the floor. Deputy Sheriff Potter found the body when he made the breakfast rounds, beginning at 7:30 a.m. The solitary cell is on the third tier in the building. By his own hands Cassinetti ended is part of drawn-out affair which began last August 14 when Sergeant Bursey was shot at the wheel of a limousine on the cutoff road to the Broadmoor Hotel. The shooting took place along with a $350 robbery, money taken from Mr. and Mrs. Hal Chase of Des Moines, Iowa, passengers in the auto. Mrs. Cassinetti, former signer at the House of Oscar, was accused of the crime along with her husband, and the first break in the case came with her “confession” which Cassinetti admitted to Police Chief I.B. Bruce was true. Mrs. Cassinetti was informed of her husband’s death shortly after 9 a.m. today by Sheriff Short. “She didn’t say a word,” the sheriff reported, “she just sat down on her bunk and cried.” Her attorney, Allan F. Asher, talked to her briefly and ordered a doctor for her. She was given a sedative and rested this morning. District Judge G. Russell Miller, who is presiding over the present term of court, said this morning he planned to go ahead with the December 10 date for the setting of trial for Mrs. Cassinetti. The date was set Monday. A possibility that the defense may ask that the trial be set over until the January term of court was seen.

Tuesday, November 20, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 2, Column 1

36-Year-Old Cassinetti Had Checkered Career

Robert John Cassinetti was born April 24, 1915, at Louisville, Kentucky. He attended school in Terre Haute, Indiana, and was graduated from Charlton High School. While serving a sentence in the Indiana state penitentiary, Michigan City, he took a three-year pre-med extension course from the University of Indiana. He stated that he also received training as an X-ray technician. In September, 1945, he married Lorraine DeArmond at Michigan City, Indiana. They were divorced two or three years later. He married Betty Grossman in Morganfield, Kentucky, in 1948. He left her after one year and stated that he did know whether she obtained a divorce or not. Worked Dice Table He operated a laundry at Sturgis, Kentucky and from Kentucky he went to Rawlins, Wyoming, where he worked at a dice table, then later was employed at a hospital in Rawlins as an X-ray technician. While there he met Tanya McNellis. They were employed in Denver prior to coming to Colorado Springs. Cassinetti’s police record includes: 1932 arrested Terre Haute, Indiana, charge second-degree burglary and was fined $1 and costs 90 days Industrial State Farm under the name of Robert Case. 1933 as Robert Case was sentenced from 3 to 10 years Pendleton, Indiana, second-degree burglary. 1937 violation of parole returned to Indiana State Reformatory for having possession of a revolver. 1938 participated in jail break from Terre Haute. Discharged from penitentiary September 20, 1945. 1950 arrested Brighton, Colorado, fined $50 on charge of assault.

Tuesday, November 20, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page A1, Column 7

CASSINETTI COMMITS SUICIDE WITH BLANKET NOOSE IN CELL Trial-Cheating Death Climaxes Murder Case

Robert J. Cassinetti -- using two strips of material from an army blanket -- snuffed out his life this morning some three months following the murder with which he was charged. The one-time cook's death brought to an end part of the cold-blooded murder case which shocked the Pikes Peak Region. Several cigarette butts on the floor near the 36-year-old man's feet and two outside the cell told a grim tale of last-minute indecision. The olive-green strips were knotted to the bars at the top of the cell. Cassinetti was turned sideways with his head resting on the bars and his feet on the floor. Sheriff Norman Short reported that Cassinetti's knees almost touched the floor and that he could have stood up and that he could desired to. He said that death was from strangulation.

Prepared by: Page 32 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Short said Cassinetti was last seen alive at 11 p.m. Monday when shifts were changed at the jail. At that time he appeared normal. DEATH FOLLOWS INSANITY PLEA Cassinetti, who Monday plead not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of young Sergeant Martin Bursey on August 14, would have been taken to Pueblo this morning for 30-day observation at the Colorado State hospital. Following arraignment proceedings, according to Sheriff Norman Short, Cassinetti asked the sheriff if he could be taken to Pueblo this morning instead of Monday afternoon. "I agreed and didn't ask him for his reason," the sheriff declared, "But he must have been thinking of suicide at that time." However, the sheriff pointed out that during Monday's arraignment, Cassinetti "seemed to be all right." He was not despondent or morose, according to Short, and talked and joked as usual. The one-time cook was alive at 11 p.m. when the night check was made by jailers Elder Seymour and Ray Bradshaw. NO MESSAGE FOUND IN CELL Authorities this morning, searched the narrow solitary cell, where Cassinetti had been confined since last week, for a message that he may have written. However, nothing was found. The suicide victim had been placed in solitary when a crude knife made of razor blades was found in his former cell.. Authorities said Cassinetti may have been planning to use the knife to take his life. His common-law wife, Betty Jane Cassinetti, who pleaded not guilty to the murder with which she was also charged in a joint information, had not yet been notified of his death. Sheriff Short said she would be informed later by her attorney, Allan F. Asher, and Cassinetti's counsel, John C. Young, Jr. The exact time of death had not been established although Short estimated it was "probably about five hours" since the body "was half stiff." Cassinetti was charged with the cold-blooded murder of Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, 20, of West Chazy, New York, a part- time taxicab driver, on the Broadmoor road. The youthful sergeant was slain while driving a taxicab limousine in which Mr. and Mrs. Hal Chase of Des Moines, Iowa, were passengers. The two were robbed of $350 by the gunman, who confessed to fatally wounding Bursey with a shot in the left temple. NUMEROUS DELAYS MARK MURDER CASE Prosecuting of the Cassinetti case has been marked by numerous continuances and delays. Attorneys for the defendants had been attempting to secure the confessions allegedly written by the pair but lost out in the State Supreme court. Cassinetti's record also shows he served 17 months at the Terre Haute Industrial school in 1931 for burglary; 90 days in jail at Terre Haute late in October of 1932 for second-degree burglary; 90 days in jail at Green Castle, Indiana, in late 1932 and early 1933 for petit larceny; 3 to 10 years in the Indiana reformatory at Pendleton starting in 1933 for burglary. He was returned to the state reformatory after being arrested April 6, 1937 in Terre Haute for possession of a revolver and parole violation; he was returned again to Indiana reformatory in December 1938 after breaking jail in Indianapolis. He was committed a second time to the Indiana penitentiary December 10, 1949 on a 10 to 25-year term for robbery. He was arrested and fined $50 in Brighton, Colorado, in October 1950, for carrying a concealed weapon. Cassinetti had told police that he was born April 24, 1915 in Louisville, Kentucky and claimed he attended schools there and at the University of Indiana for three years.

Tuesday, November 20, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page A1, Column 7

Common-Law Mate's Suicide Shocks Betty Jane Cassinetti

Shocked and stunned, Betty Jane Cassinetti was under a doctor's care in county jail this morning, hardly able to digest the news of Robert Cassinetti's startling suicide. The news was broken to Mrs. Cassinetti by Sheriff Norman Short at 9 o'clock this morning in her cell in the northwest corner of the jail, where she has been awaiting trial since the middle of August. Sheriff Short said that Mrs. Cassinetti didn't say a word, so great was the shock. He described her as completely taken by surprise when the news was revealed. No grapevine news had reached her, Sheriff Short said, and he was the first to tell her of the death of her common-law husband. Dr. Walter Ruminson was called in by her attorney, Allan Asher, this morning, and Asher reported she was under a sedative at 11. He said she was impassive and pale in her cell and that the news "threw her for a loop." Asher said Mrs. Cassinetti could muster only wracking, dry sobs but that few tears coursed down her wan cheeks, and she was almost completely silent when he visited her. He said, however, that she was briefly hysterical before the arrival of the doctor who administrated a sedative.

Prepared by: Page 33 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

"Normally a girl of spirit," Asher said, "Mrs. Cassinetti this morning was bewildered and groping, check and hurt by the news." Dr. Ruminson reported before noon that Mrs. Cassinetti just "couldn't cry." Though she was very nervous. He said she was all right physically and reached well to the sedative he gave her. "A good cry would straighten her out somewhat," he said, "but she just can't seem to cry." Otherwise, Dr. Ruminson said, "she's taking it pretty well." Asher expressed a feeling that the death of Robert Cassinetti could materially hurt Betty Jane Cassinetti's case. He said Cassinetti was "the star witness in her case, and now she is left without any verification of her story," "There will now be no one to corroborate her story of her part in the murder and she will stand alone," Asher said. He said that he had been told the alleged confessions signed by the accused couple absolved Mrs. Cassinetti of knowing guilt.

Tuesday, November 20, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page A1, Column 5

Self-Inflicted Death Penalty Fitting Conclusion, Bruce Says

The sudden dramatic end of Robert J. Cassinetti "is going to save the commonwealth of El Paso County of a lot of money," said Police Chief I.B. "Dad" Bruce early today. "The case is brought to a beautiful conclusion," Bruce stated as he heard the news that Cassinetti, charged with murder of Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, August 14, had hanged himself in his county jail cell. "We got the death penalty, even though it was self-inflicted," Bruce continued. "Cassinetti's death came as no real surprise to me," the Police Chief remarked. "He was quite a problem and in recent talks with Sheriff Norman Short I knew that someone was getting ready to hurt someone." Several days ago a crudely made weapon was found in Cassinetti's cell. Chief Bruce maintained, "We had a beautiful case against both Cassinetti and his common-law wife, Betty Jane Cassinetti," who was also charged with the murder in a joint information, filed Monday. The three phones on the Police Chief's desk rang almost continuously Tuesday morning as news of the Cassinetti death began to spread. "Most of the persons were calling of confirmation of the incident. They just didn't believe it." Bruce said that the first he heard of the incident was about 8:30 this morning when his office was notified by a newspaper man. "The case of Robert J. Cassinetti is closed, but there is still the charge against his companion. We still have a good case," he declared. With a faint smile of satisfaction, "Dad" Bruce leaned back in his big red chair and commented: "This was just another big case." "We've had a lot of 'big' ones," he added, as he reached to answer his phone.

Tuesday, November 20, 1951 - Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph - Page A10, Column 5

Lawyer Surprised Over Cassinetti's Dramatic Suicide

"Yesterday I would never have dreamed Robert Cassinetti would take his own life," Attorney Allan Asher said this morning. Asher, who is representing Betty Jane Cassinetti in the murder trail, said he spoke with Cassinetti at length Monday after court session and, though Cassinetti "was apparently disconsolate," he seemed "okay." Asher said Cassinetti was upset over the prospects of the trial but hardly appeared suicidal. He said Cassinetti asked him to get cigarettes for him while he was in Pueblo, where he was to be taken today for observation after Monday's insanity plea. "It was unfortunate for him," Asher said, "because a fair trial was in prospect."

Wednesday, November 21, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 1, Column 8

No Plans for Cassinetti’s Burial As Yet

Arrangements have not yet been made for the burial of Robert J. Cassinetti, murder-suspect who committed suicide in El Paso County Jail Tuesday. The body is at the Law Mortuary.

Prepared by: Page 34 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn Homicide VICTIM(S): Martin Adolphus Bursey Tuesday, August 14, 1951 SUSPECT(S): Robert John Case aka: Robert John Cassinetti Mrs. Ted W. Peacock aka: Betty Jane Cassinetti

Deputy Coroner William Joss said today that the burial expense will probably be undertaken by the county. Cassinetti is known to have a father at Terre Haute, Indiana, and attempts will be made to reach him before arrangements are made. Allan F. Asher, attorney for Cassinetti’s common-law wife, Betty Jane, said this morning that he has not seen his client since Tuesday, but that she had “quieted down” and rested well Tuesday afternoon.

Sunday, November 25, 1951 - Colorado Springs Free Press - Page 1, Column 4

Cassinetti Funeral Services on Monday

Funeral services for Robert J. Cassinetti, who strangled himself Tuesday, November 20, in El Paso County Jail while awaiting trial on a first-degree murder charge, will be held at the Law Mortuary on Monday. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. The services will be private. No family members will be present as there has been no responses to inquiries sent to Terre haute, Indiana, Cassinetti’s home town. It is understood that the county will undertake the burial expense. Betty Jane Cassinetti, now in county jail facing the same murder charge, is expected to view her common-law husband’s body at the mortuary, but will probably not attend the services. Both were arrested in September and charged with the August 14 slaying of Air Force Sergeant Martin Bursey. District Attorney James F. Quine announced this week that the death of Cassinetti will not affect his plans for placing Betty Jane on trial.

Friday, December 14, 1951 - Manitou Springs Pikes Peak Journal - Page ??, Column ??

The murder trial of Betty Jane Cassinetti was delayed this week again when it was held over until the January term of district court. Mrs. Cassinetti is charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Sergeant Martin A. Bursey, Ent Air base. Mrs. Cassinetti's common-law husband, Robert, was alleged to have done the actual shooting. He committed suicide November 20 in the county jail by hanging himself.

Prepared by: Page 35 of 35 January 10, 2018 Dwight Haverkorn