STATS-OF THDTAN) ) ) 18 THU ake sureetoig cour -ORIMINAL. “DIVISt0N,- TARE COUNTY, IyDtANA? COUNTY. OF aR CAUSE NO¥ oRi7H-280 DATE: May 6, 1974 APPEARANGES JAMES. C.K TpROI 25 Ce RIMROUER, ue Pesto Gi TOKONER'S VERDICT aoe STATE OF INDIANA ) 4, coun wee} : 1, DR. ALEXANDER S. WILLIAMS, Coroner of said County on the 244 gay of | Jamuary wid, n Gary County of Lake, State of tndlana, held an sagest £5 0€ inquiry OF 60 Inguie Ine the manner of death of: Leonard F, Wisk ‘who wes found pronounged dead on arrival at Methodist Hospital, Gary andcame so BES —deathon the ?8FE_— day of. December ww? Atte having examined the vagy or L#0MAFA F, Wick and bear the evidence, Ido find ang he decessd came to hi death as a-esult ofbullet wound of right chest with magaive internal hemorrhage. [DESCRIPTION OF BODY; Color-- White. Sex--Male. Age--69 years. Color of hair on scalp-~ Gray, Color of eyes--Brown. Height--5'll". Weight--200 Ibs. approx. 'A Post: Mortem Examination was performed by W.P. Loh, M.D., Coroner's Pathologist, VERDICT; An inquiry into the death of Leouard F, Wick, 2131 West Oth Avene, Gary, Indians, Feveals he was pronounced dead on arrival at Methodist Hospital, Gary, on December 23, 1972 at 12:45 P.M, He was brought to the hospital after having been shot in his home by Rufus ‘Avecheart, 1841 Taf Street, Gary, at approximately 12:30 P.M., above date. Upon arrival at the scene, investigating officere were met by Lourine Wick, wife of the deceased, same addrest ‘who related the following story: her husband had responded to a knock at the front door where there were two male negroes holding a gift wrapped package. These two youths stated the package was for Mr. Wick, but Mr. Wiek became suspicious and attempted to close the door. ‘The two men forced their way into the home, grabbed Mr. Wick, and began striking him on top of his head with « gun, ‘They kept repeating they wanted their money, so Mr. Wick walked to a dresser pretending to get them money, but instead produced a f.. Several shots were Hired afterwhieh the two men ran into the bathroom. Mr. Wick was oleeding profusely when he murabled be had been shot and then fell to the floor. The two men kicked out the bathroom window and fled on foot, Officers found one apent slug lying on the kitchen cabinet, just below bullet hole in the wall, They also observed a .45 calubur automatic pistol in the hand of Mr. Wick. ‘This gun had a full clip and had not been fired. A .38 eslibur, chrome: plated Harrison and Richardson revolver was found on the floor of the dining room. ‘The gun wes in a cocked position and contained three spent rounds and two live rounds. Mrs. Wick stated she had never Been thie gun before, ‘The other youth in question was brought into the police station on Decem- ber 24, 1072 and identified as Albert Clark, 549 Virginia Street, Gery, Albert first denied the crime in question and then laler related generally the scme story as Mrs. Wick adding the robbery was Rufus! idea and it wae Rufus who possessed the gun end shot Mr. Wick. A Blood ‘cohol Test taken on the deceased revealed e negative reading. An analysis of blood taken on the deceased and examined for the presents of barbiturstes and other dangerous drugs revealed ‘a trace of phenobarbital was detected.