Analysis

The Evidence Versus the State

Why was a pacifist who was threatening himself and no-one else in a bid for sanctuary shot to death in a church by police on December 2nd, 2001, and why did the state under Howard Dean respond with an elaborate deception? The answers to these questions are not obvious, but the scale of the cover-up has become increasingly apparent. A reading of the selected evidence thus far released by the state reveals a fascinating divide between the easily reconciled versions of events recalled by the 18 church eyewitnesses on one hand, and the official version of events presented in Sorrell's report on the other. A careful reading of the report in light of the evidence reveals it to be a meticulously constructed facade, clearly designed to mislead the reader while avoiding, for the most part, making statements that can be proven false.

Here is analysis about a variety of topics relating to the shooting, including: the still unanswered questions about December 2nd; the known evidence and what it reveals; the conduct of the official investigation; and other ramifications of the killing. A more organized presentation of this and other analysis of Sorrell's report can be found in the analysis part of the Justice for Woody Report, whose contents are published here.

Analysis Topics

• Why Woody?
  • Woody's Sanctuary Request - why Woody went to the ASUUC
  • Was Woody Threatened?
• Unanswered Questions - the list continues to grow.
  • The original list - as published in the Brattleboro Reformer
  • a longer list posted on the precursor to this website around December 20th
  • a comprehensive list posted on this website around January 15th
  • report card on how the AG report addressed those questions
  • current list of Unanswered Questions post-Woodward Shooting Report
• Analysis of Evidence - eyewitness and forensic evidence.
  • Shooting was unprovoked. - eyewitness evidence
  • Woody was shot after falling - eyewitness and forensic evidence.
  • Officials put words in Woody's mouth.
  • Woody was needlessly killed
• State Investigation was marred by failures
  • Investigators have conflicts of interest.
    • conflicts of interest: Dan Davis
    • conflicts of interest: Attorney General's Office
  • Shooters' statements were contaminated.
  • Critical evidence disappeared.
  • Investigators avoided questions essential to the central issue.
  • Sloppy procedures preclude verification of results.
• Sorrell's investigation is fatally flawed.
  • apparent biases
  • internal inconsistencies
  • implausibility of the shooting theory
  • use of dissembling language
  • attempts to Discredit witnesses
  • misrepresentation of facts
  • omission of facts
  • examination of 'DETAILED FINDINGS OF FACT'
  • inadequacy of scope
• Disrespect for the living, then the dead
  • Insults to Woody's friends and family
  • press misrepresentations
• A credible official response is needed.