1. The Case of the Murdered Mayor
Unit 2 Project

2. Case Overview Victim: Robert Burlington, Mayor of Allenville
Body was discovered in an abandoned cabin near Lake Larson, outside of Allenville on September 20
It appears Robert was bludgeoned with a tire iron which was left near the scene
It is unknown whether Robert was targeted for a personal or political reason

3. Background Info – Mayor Robert Burlington
Born and raised in Allenville
Left for college, married, and returned to town
Worked as a financial consultant at an investment firm in town
Narrowly won the election in 2016 over the previous mayor, Timothy Taylor

4. Background Info – Since the Election
Robert supports the new industrial park on the site of Lake Larson Park (rumor has it – he has been bribed!)
The park, surrounding forest, and some local homes/farms would be destroyed in order to create the industrial park
Concerned citizens started a petition to stop the industrial park project and investigate the mayor for corruption
Bullied the town council to push the industrial park plan
A vote was scheduled for September 16
At the most recent council meeting (September 14), the mayor got into a heated argument with opponents including Councilman Carl Covington and scientist Pam Preston
Police and neighbors have heard many heated arguments between Robert and his wife Nicole, most recently the night of the council meeting on September 14

5. Background Info – What Happened?
Nicole Burlington reported her husband missing on September 15
Robert Burlington’s car was found on an isolated road near Lake Larson on September 20
Blood and keys were found in the ignition
Tire tracks nearby
Tire tracks led to an abandoned cabin nearby
Signs of a struggle inside
Body of Robert Burlington was found inside

6. The Suspects Carl Covington Senior-ranking town council member
Responsible for leading the council vote
Has expressed concerns that the council vote is being rushed because Mayor Burlington is being bribed by businessmen
Police have been called to council meetings 3 times in the last month due to heated arguments between Burlington and Cunningham

7. The Suspects Matthew Maloy
A local veterinarian and an animal-right activist
Veterinary practice would be displaced by the new industrial park; he uses parts of the Lake Larson Park to allow his patients space to exercise and recover from procedures
Opposes the decision to replace Lake Larson Park with an industrial park
Co-creator of a petition (with Vic Velto) to stop the industrial park process and investigate Mayor Burlington for corruption

8. The Suspects Pam Preston
An environmental scientist who has been studying Lake Larson and the surrounding ecosystem
Opposes the decision to replace Lake Larson Park with an industrial park
Had a rocky romantic relationship with Mayor Burlington before he was married and still holds a grudge

9. The Suspects Timothy Taylor
The former mayor (lost re-election to Robert Burlington)
Became a sheep farmer after losing the election
Sheep farm is near Lake Larson and will be destroyed if the park is replaced with the industrial park

10. The Suspects
Vic Velto
A businessman invested in the recreation sports in Lake Larson area
Is deep in debt due to his recent investments and will go bankrupt if Lake Larson park is replaced
Co-creator of a petition (with Matthew Maloy) to stop the industrial park process and investigate Mayor Burlington for corruption

11. The Suspects Nicole Burlington Robert Burlington’s wife
Has never been happy in the small town of Allenville and has always wanted her husband to move away with her
Was heard having a heated argument with Robert the night before he disappeared – witnesses were not sure what the argument was about
Was seen the day after Robert disappeared wearing a new fur coat and driving a new luxury car
Has been taking sailing lessons on Lake Larson from Vic Velto

12. Crime Scene 1: Lake Larson Woods
Car found in the woods near Lake Larson
Car key found in the car
Blood on front seat of the car
A tire iron with blood in the woods near the car
Tire tracks nearby lead to a cabin in the woods

13. Crime Scene 2: Empty Cabin
Shattered glass
Scattered and broken furniture
Body of Robert Burlington
A single bullet hole in the chest
A large wound on the back of his head

14. Evidence Collected
Blood Evidence: from the victim, the victim’s car, the cabin floor, the tire iron, and the six suspects
Hair Evidence: from the victim’s clothing, the victim’s car, the cabin floor and the six suspects’ vehicles
Fingerprint Evidence: from the victim, a piece of broken glass in the cabin, a bloodstained piece of wood in the cabin, the tire iron, and the six suspects

15. Evidence Collected
Impression Evidence: photo of the tire impression at the cabin crime scene and the photo of the tires of vehicles belonging to the six suspects
Entomological Evidence: insect larvae (i.e., maggots) from the victim’s head and chest wound sites
Entomology = study of insects
Insect larvae can help determine time of death

16. Final Report to the District Attorney
Written report (essay format)
A summary of all of the evidence collected (include tables as well as written descriptions)
Explanation of HOW you collected/analyzed the evidence and WHAT you learned from it
Your primary suspect(s) and why
Explain what you think happened (tell the story)
Is there any information you still need?