Franklin County High School
This year Franklin High School’s theme is a “Magical Mystery Tour”. We are focusing on unraveling mysteries in specific subject areas each nine weeks. We will be enjoying the magic of discovery on this journey. Science- 1 st 9 weeks English- 2 nd 9 weeks History- 3 rd 9 weeks Math- 4 th 9 weeks
Victim Marcus Mathus 28 years old Height 6’0 Weight 225 lbs. Blond hair, blue eyes School Safety Evaluator for the Mississippi Department of Education No Known Health Issues
Crime Details Marcus Mathus was found unconscious at 12:45pm on August 1, 2014 in the Franklin High School Cafeteria Pronounced dead at 1:14pm Victim had a contusion on his left temporal area and what appeared to be a small drop of blood on the right thigh area of his jeans Reportedly by himself in the teachers’ area ing safety evaluations to his supervisors Found by his coworker and girlfriend, 29 year old Whitney Wisk
Suspects: Mr. M.D. Bilbo- Principal Mr. Robert Smith (alias “Rat”)- School Resource Officer Mrs. Susan Cummins- Cafeteria Supervisor Ms. Whitney Wisk- coworker/ girlfriend
Back story: Victim traveled with Whitney Wisk for an unannounced MS State Department safety evaluation They came to insure FHS was meeting all safety laws and regulations Schools that have failed these evaluations in the past have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in state funding and administrators in charge have lost their jobs
Back story (continued): Whitney Wisk claims Mr. Bilbo, “Rat”, and Mrs. Cummins appeared nervous at the beginning of the evaluation. Ms. Wisk claims as Franklin High School continued to fail safety evaluations, the staff got visibly upset.
Back story (continued): Ms. Wisk claims Mr. Bilbo handed the victim a note. Ms. Wisk claims Mrs. Cummins went into “hysterics” when she was informed that the cafeteria failed their evaluation. Ms. Wisk claims as she left campus to pick up lunch, “Rat” entered the cafeteria.
Evidence Collected from Suspects: Mr. M.D. Bilbo- pen from desk, fingerprints, hair Mr. Robert Smith (alias “Rat”)- pen from pocket, denim pants (similar red spot claiming to be ketchup), fingerprints Mrs. Susan Cummins- container of baking soda (found on her hands and clothing), fingerprints, hair Ms. Whitney Wisk- pen from purse, contents of purse, fingerprints, hair
Evidence Collected from Scene: 1.Crumpled Note 2.Dr. Pepper (not pictured) 3.Blood on Table Corner *** 4.Unknown White Powder *** 5.Hair 6.Blood 7.Blood Droplet 8.Blood Droplet 9.Needle with clear liquid - found outside cafeteria door in garden area under a fern
Student Task: Analyze evidence in science lab classes Read scientific articles to understand significance of specific pieces of evidence Write a report on all evidence findings to explain why you think suspects are innocent or guilty Submit report to Mrs. Scarpulla by October 3 rd, 2014