Copyright © 2001 by Andrea Egger and Paul Dunn
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever, including electronic, mechanical or any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed to:
New Horizon Press
P.O. Box 669
Far Hills, NJ 07931
Andrea Egger in collaboration with Paul Dunn
Grave Accusations: A Suspicious Death, A Husband’s Arrest, A Fight for Justice – A True Story
Cover Design: Robert Aulicino
Interior Design: Susan M. Sanderson
Library of Congress Control Number: 2001089169
ISBN-10 (eBook): 978-0-88282-524-3
New Horizon Press
2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 5 4 3 2 1
Authors’ Note
This book is based on the experiences of Paul Dunn and reflects his perceptions of the past, present and future. The personalities, events, actions and conversations portrayed within the story have been taken from his memories, extensive court documents, interviews, testimony, research, letters, personal papers, press accounts and the memories of some participants.
In an effort to safeguard the privacy of certain people, some individuals’ names and identifying characteristics have been altered. Events involving the characters happened as described. Only minor details have been changed.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Part 1 Intense Passions, Impulsive Actions
Chapter 1 Springtime
Chapter 2 “Gringo”
Chapter 3 The Green-eyed Monster
Chapter 4 All Hallows Eve
Chapter 5 A Bombshell
Chapter 6 Blood Stained Hands
Chapter 7 A Media Frenzy
Chapter 8 Rush to Judgment
Chapter 9 Truth, Lies and Lie Detectors
Chapter 10 Jailbird
Chapter 11 Purgatory
Part 2 Drawing Sides and Pointing Fingers
Chapter 12 The Grand Jury
Chapter 13 Bearing Witness
Chapter 14 Diagnosis: Murder
Chapter 15 Monica’s Daughter
Chapter 16 Psychic Detective
Chapter 17 A Lost Missile
Part 3 Defending the Truth
Chapter 18 On Trial
Chapter 19 The Mystery Woman
Chapter 20 The Children’s Nightmare Memories
Chapter 21 Technical Tension
Chapter 22 Science and Opinion
Chapter 23 A Suspicious Mistake or Two
Chapter 24 The Razor’s Edge
Chapter 25 The Defense Begins
Chapter 26 Sparring Matches
Chapter 27 Another Theory or Two
Chapter 28 To Speak or Not to Speak
Chapter 29 Homicide or Suicide?
Part 4 Triumph and Reproach
Chapter 30 Lawsuits Ad Infinitum
Chapter 31 Bittersweet Aftermath
Authors’ Notes
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Appendix 4
Appendix 5
“I’m filing battery charges against you today.”
Monica Dunn looked out the window, her perfect face hidden from her husband. Such a simple word, battery. But it could end a police officer’s career. Even one with a fifteen year record of dedication and honesty.
“What in the world are you talking about?” Paul Dunn asked, trying to hear over the resounding crunch of cereal and laughter from their four-year-old and five-year-old daughters in the nearby kitchen. Monica continued to stare out at the street as the sun glinted off her shiny, dark curls. Her carefully made-up brown eyes and delicate cheekbones radiated an energy of their own. She didn’t answer her husband. She didn’t even flash those sparkling, bedroom eyes at him.
Her back to Paul, Monica’s silence seemed to grow deafening. She finally whirled around and spoke. “Look at me. I’m bruised all over.”
She stood there only moments then strode past him toward what had been the bedroom they shared for so long before their separation two weeks ago. Now he didn’t belong. Stunned, Paul watched her hips swivel in the fitted, deep purple dress that clung to her breasts and tiny waist, snugly fitting around those luscious hips. The button-down dress accentuated every curve. Her legs swirled endlessly in high-heeled, spiked pumps. Paul remembered those pantyhose-clad legs wrapped around him during moments of abandon.
“Are you kidding? You know I never hit you,” responded Paul, his blue eyes darkening as he marched down the hall after the vision in purple.
“What are you saying, Monica?” Paul called out, desperation in every syllable. Anxiety and panic spun around in the thirty-five-year-old police officer’s head and turned his thoughts to confusion. He was answered only by a sharp click. She’s locking the bedroom door, Paul thought.
“Monica! Please let me in. We have to talk,” Paul pleaded. When there was no reply, he pounded on the door, muscles bulging underneath his sport shirt. “Please, Monica. What are you trying to do to me?” The sound of his pounding heart drowned out all other thoughts.
“You miserable bastard!”
Anger seared the air. Her words—then silence. Even in his numb state, he knew he had to do something fast. “Monica! Let me in, damn it!”
He heard a click a few seconds later. Her husky voice called out.
“Come here.”
Paul opened the door. A glance showed him the waterbed with its maroon quilt and oak headboard—and Monica. Then he saw the shotgun. He knew it was loaded, because guns were always loaded in his house. He had told Monica to keep them that way. Invoking the code of the old west, some of those he arrested became violent and threatened to pay him or his family back.
A second became a lifetime as a nightmare followed in slow motion. The shotgun, the blast, buttons exploding, blood spurting on the quilt, onto the purple dress. Monica’s body flew backwards, skimming the air like a swan then crash-landing, blood spilling onto the floor. This can’t be happening, he thought. But it was. Monica’s blood flowed