The Case of the Missing Gem

Mr. Widman is one of the least popular teachers at Sells. He is constantly bragging about his rock and mineral collection. He even told Mrs. Lawrence that he owns the “Heart of the Titanic” the real diamond from the Titanic. There is a rumor that he might be involved with a crime racket that makes fake gems. Investigators are worried that one of his fellow co-workers might be out for revenge. Due to their concern for his safety, the police place a wiretap on his phone. On August 26 at 6:15 am, Widman makes a call to an unidentified public phone. Here is a transcript of that conversation:

Widman: “ I can get you a diamond. No problem. But it will cost you.” Mr./Mrs. X: “How much?” Widman: “Depends on what you are looking for… a decent size diamond usually costs about $1,000.” Mr./Ms. X: “Could I get a different kind of precious mineral?” Widman: “Any kind you want.” Mr./Ms. X: “Where can I look at the merchandise?” Widman: “Let’s meet this afternoon at 3:30 in the P.E. storage locker.”

On August 26, police grew more concerned about Mr. Widman’s safety and carefully watched the actions of the other teachers. Suspicious that something might happen, Officer Quintanilla calls a number of them to a routine security briefing at 3:00 pm. The people at the meeting include Ms Dauterman, Mrs Tucker, Mr. Jones, Mr. Sachtleben, Mrs. Chesser, and Mrs. Reeves. The teachers leave the meeting at 3:45 p.m.

Meanwhile, police report on other department members who did not attend the meeting. At 3:15, Mr. Santa-Emma and Mrs. Begley cannot be located, nor can Ms. Siegfried. Mrs. Basham and Mrs. Klestinec are having coffee in the teacher’s lounge, Mrs. Chitwood is grading papers in her office, and Mrs. Urban was in the locker room waiting to braid Ms. Siegfried’s hair, and Mr. McCauley was outside shooting basketballs. Mrs. Abraham is sitting outside in her car.

Shortly thereafter, the police sent Officer Quintanilla to the P.E. storage locker. The officer finds Mr. Widman lying unconscious on the floor. There is evidence of a struggle and there is blood on the floor surrounding Widman’s head. The room is immediately sealed off and the forensics unit is called to the scene. Meanwhile, the officer interviews eyewitness, Mr. Poorman, one of the school’s custodians. The suspect wore a white shirt and blue jeans and was above average height.

According to the forensics team, Widman appeared to have been knocked unconscious by a blow to the head from a baseball bat. The blood on the bat reveals both type A and B. Widman has blood type A. Beneath his fingernails are pieces of hair. Further investigation reveals footprints in the mud in front of the storage locker. The print is between a ten and twelve shoe size. Investigators are stunned. It would seem that Widman unknowingly made an appointment with his eventual killer. Police narrow the suspects down to those on the back of this sheet.

4 The Case of the Missing Gem

Widman: “ I can get you a diamond. No problem. But it will cost you.” Mr./Mrs. X: “How much?” Widman: “Depends on what you are looking for… a decent size diamond usually costs about $1,000.” Mr./Ms. X: “Could I get a different kind of mineral?” Widman: “Any kind you want.” Mr./Ms. X: “Where can I look at the merchandise?” Widman: “Let’s meet this afternoon at 3:30 in the P.E. storage locker.”

On August 26, police grew more concerned about Widman’s safety and carefully watches the actions of the other teachers. Suspicious that something might happen, Officer Quintanilla calls a number of them to a routine security briefing at 3:00 pm. The people at the meeting include Mrs Dauterman, Mrs. Tucker, Mr. Jones, Mr. Sachtleben, Mrs. Chesser, and Mrs. Reeves. The teachers leave the meeting at 3:45 p.m.

Meanwhile, police report on other department members who did not attend the meeting. At 3:15, Mr. Santa-Emma cannot be located nor can Ms Siegfried or Ms. Barhorst, Mrs. Basham and Mrs. Klestinec are having coffee in the teacher’s lounge, Mrs. Chitwood is grading papers in her office, and Mrs. Urban was in the locker room waiting to braid Ms. Siegfried’s hair, and Mr. McCauley was outside shooting basketballs. Mrs. Abraham is sitting outside in her car.

Shortly thereafter, the police sent an officer to the P.E. storage locker. The officer finds Widman lying unconscious on the floor. There is evidence of a struggle and there is blood on the floor surrounding Widman’s head. The room is immediately sealed off and the forensics unit is called to the scene. Meanwhile, the officer interviews eyewitness, Mr. Poorman, one of the school’s custodians. The suspect wore a white shirt and blue jeans and was above average height.

According to the forensics team, Widman appeared to have been knocked unconscious by a blow to the head from a baseball bat. The blood on the bat reveals both type A and B. Widman has blood type A. Beneath his fingernails are pieces of hair. Further investigation reveals footprints in the mud in front of the storage locker. The print is between an eight and twelve shoe size. It was made by a person weighing more than two hundred pounds. Investigators are stunned. It would seem that Widman unknowingly made an appointment with his eventual killer. Police narrow the suspects down to those on the back of this sheet.

3 The Case of the Missing Gem

Widman: “ I can get you a diamond. No problem. But it will cost you.” Mr./Mrs. X: “How much?” Widman: “Depends on what you are looking for… a decent size diamond usually costs about $1,000.” Mr./Ms. X: “Could I get a different kind of mineral?” Widman: “Any kind you want.” Mr./Ms. X: “Where can I look at the merchandise?” Widman: “Let’s meet this afternoon at 3:30 in the P.E. storage locker.”

Meanwhile, police report on other department members who did not attend the meeting. At 3:15, Mr. Santa-Emma and Ms. Barhorst cannot be located nor can Ms. Siegfried. Mrs. Basham and Mrs. Klestinec are having coffee in the teacher’s lounge, Mrs. Chitwood is grading papers in her office, and Mrs. Urban was in the locker room waiting to braid Ms. Siegfried’s hair, and Mr. McCauley was outside shooting basketballs. Mrs. Abraham is sitting outside in her car.

According to the forensics team, Widman appeared to have been knocked unconscious by a blow to the head from a baseball bat. The blood on the bat reveals both type A and B. Widman has blood type A. Beneath his fingernails are pieces of hair. Further investigation reveals footprints in the mud in front of the storage locker. The print is between an eight and twelve shoe size. It was made by a person of greater than average weight. Investigators are stunned. It would seem that Widman unknowingly made an appointment with his eventual killer. Police narrow the suspects down to those on the back of this sheet. 2

The Case of the Missing Gem

Widman: “ I can get you a diamond. No problem. But it will cost you.” Mr./Mrs. X: “How much?” Widman: “Depends on what you are looking for… a decent size diamond usually costs about $1,000.” Mr./Ms. X: “Could I get a different kind of mineral?” Widman: “Any kind you want.” Mr./Ms. X: “Where can I look at the merchandise?” Widman: “Let’s meet this afternoon at 3:30 in the P.E. storage locker.”

Meanwhile, police report on other department members who did not attend the meeting. At 3:15, Mr. Santa-Emma and Ms. Barhorst cannot be located nor can Ms Siegfried. Mrs. Basham and Mrs. Klestinec are having coffee in the teacher’s lounge, Mrs. Chitwood is grading papers in her office, Mrs. Urban was in the locker room waiting to braid Ms. Siegfried’s hair, and Mr. McCauley was outside shooting basketballs. Mrs. Abraham is sitting outside in her car.

According to the forensics team, Widman appeared to have been knocked unconscious by a blow to the head from a baseball bat. The blood on the bat reveals both type A and B. Widman has blood type A. Beneath his fingernails are pieces of hair. Further investigation reveals footprints in the mud in front of the storage locker. The print is between an eight and twelve shoe size. Investigators are stunned. It would seem that Widman unknowingly made an appointment with his eventual killer. Police narrow the suspects down to those on the back of this sheet. Shoe Size Blood Type Height Weight Suspect? Mrs. Urban 8 A 5’9 130

Ms. Siegfried 10 B 5’8 205

Mrs. Chitwood 10 O 5’2 115

Mr. McCauley 10 B 6’1 225

Mrs. Abraham 11 AB 5’6 115

Ms. Barhorst 9 B 5’4 110

Mr. Santa- 11 B 6 210 Emma

Who committed the crime?

What “facts” (text evidence) do you have to support your idea? (HINT: You should have at least five pieces of text evidence!)