scarletandgrey
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult!
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Miami Ex-Official Kills Himself at Paper
By CORALIE CARLSON
MIAMI (AP) - A former city commissioner recently indicted on corruption charges fatally shot himself Wednesday in the lobby of The Miami Herald building, authorities said.
Arthur E. Teele Jr. shot himself in the head shortly after 6 p.m., police said. He had just asked a security guard if he could see columnist Jim DeFede, an acquaintance of many years, The Herald reported.
``He (Teele) said to tell DeFede to tell his wife he loves her,'' the guard said.
Miami police spokesman Delrish Moss said Teele died at 7:50 p.m. at Ryder Trauma Center. Authorities said the weapon used was a semiautomatic.
``All of us at the Miami Herald Publishing company wish to extend our sympathy to Mr. Teele's family and many friends at this difficult time,'' Miami Herald Publisher Jesus Diaz said Wednesday.
A spokesman for the city Fire-Rescue Department, Ignatius Carroll, said Teele was found with two small caliber holes in the back of his head. Initially Teele responded to questions by blinking his eyes on command, he said.
``What a tragedy it is for his family, for the community,'' City Commissioner Johnny Winton said. ``It's unbelievable. He was a fighter and I respected that part of him.''
Teele and an electrical contractor were indicted July 14 on charges of lying to get more than $20 million in contracts at Miami International Airport that were supposed to go to minority-owned businesses.
Teele, who is black, is also a former Miami-Dade County commissioner. He was convicted in March in state court of threatening a police officer as part of an unrelated corruption investigation that has yet to go to trial.
DeFede said he spoke with Teele several times Wednesday, the Herald reported.
In the longest call, about 90 minutes before the shooting, Teele spoke emotionally about his legal problems and various allegations that had been made against him, the report said.
``He was very upset,'' said DeFede, who knew Teele for 14 years.
In their last call, Teele said he was at the Herald and leaving DeFede a package, but did not sound particularly upset, DeFede said.
``I said to Art, `Well, is it urgent? Do you want me to come down there right now? Is it something I need to see tonight?''
Teele replied no, and hung up.
Diaz also said that DeFede had been fired.
``In the process of reporting the story, Executive Editor Tom Fiedler and I learned that a phone conversation with Arthur Teele had been recorded without his permission by columnist Jim DeFede. DeFede acknowledged his mistake and the Herald terminated his employment,'' Diaz said.
The Associated Press could not reach DeFede for comment.
I wonder if Filter will make a song after this guy
Miami Ex-Official Kills Himself at PaperBy CORALIE CARLSON
MIAMI (AP) - A former city commissioner recently indicted on corruption charges fatally shot himself Wednesday in the lobby of The Miami Herald building, authorities said.
Arthur E. Teele Jr. shot himself in the head shortly after 6 p.m., police said. He had just asked a security guard if he could see columnist Jim DeFede, an acquaintance of many years, The Herald reported.
``He (Teele) said to tell DeFede to tell his wife he loves her,'' the guard said.
Miami police spokesman Delrish Moss said Teele died at 7:50 p.m. at Ryder Trauma Center. Authorities said the weapon used was a semiautomatic.
``All of us at the Miami Herald Publishing company wish to extend our sympathy to Mr. Teele's family and many friends at this difficult time,'' Miami Herald Publisher Jesus Diaz said Wednesday.
A spokesman for the city Fire-Rescue Department, Ignatius Carroll, said Teele was found with two small caliber holes in the back of his head. Initially Teele responded to questions by blinking his eyes on command, he said.
``What a tragedy it is for his family, for the community,'' City Commissioner Johnny Winton said. ``It's unbelievable. He was a fighter and I respected that part of him.''
Teele and an electrical contractor were indicted July 14 on charges of lying to get more than $20 million in contracts at Miami International Airport that were supposed to go to minority-owned businesses.
Teele, who is black, is also a former Miami-Dade County commissioner. He was convicted in March in state court of threatening a police officer as part of an unrelated corruption investigation that has yet to go to trial.
DeFede said he spoke with Teele several times Wednesday, the Herald reported.
In the longest call, about 90 minutes before the shooting, Teele spoke emotionally about his legal problems and various allegations that had been made against him, the report said.
``He was very upset,'' said DeFede, who knew Teele for 14 years.
In their last call, Teele said he was at the Herald and leaving DeFede a package, but did not sound particularly upset, DeFede said.
``I said to Art, `Well, is it urgent? Do you want me to come down there right now? Is it something I need to see tonight?''
Teele replied no, and hung up.
Diaz also said that DeFede had been fired.
``In the process of reporting the story, Executive Editor Tom Fiedler and I learned that a phone conversation with Arthur Teele had been recorded without his permission by columnist Jim DeFede. DeFede acknowledged his mistake and the Herald terminated his employment,'' Diaz said.
The Associated Press could not reach DeFede for comment.
I wonder if Filter will make a song after this guy