<Archive Obituary> R. Budd Dwyer (January 22nd 1987)
Bill Schenley
Photo: http://www.spongobongo.com/dddr66.jpg
FROM: The New York Times (January 23rd 1987) ~
By William K. Stevens, Special to the Times
R. Budd Dwyer, the Pennsylvania State Treasurer, whose conviction for
bribery last month jolted the state's Republican Party, shot and
killed himself today at a news conference in his office in Harrisburg,
the state capital.
For half an hour he protested that he was innocent and criticized some
people who had been connected with his conviction, and included news
organizations that had reported it.
Then, red-faced and sweating, Mr. Dwyer drew a .357 Magnum revolver
from a manila envelope. He warned everyone to stay away to avoid being
hurt. Several reporters ducked for cover. Others tried to dissuade
him.
Before anyone could reach Mr. Dwyer, he put the barrel of the pistol
in his mouth and pulled the trigger. He was pronounced dead half an
hour later, at 11:31 A.M. Wife Suggested for His Post
In a letter delivered later to Gov. Robert P. Casey, a Democrat who
was inaugurated Tuesday, Mr. Dwyer, who was 47 years old, said he
regretted that ''the 'justice' system did not function properly in my
case,'' and asked that Mr. Casey consider appointing his wife, Joanne
Dwyer, as interim Treasurer.
Mr. Dwyer and a former state Republican chairman, Robert B. Asher,
were found guilty last month of 11 Federal charges stemming from the
Pennsylvania Treasury Department's 1984 decision to award a $4.6
million contract to a California computer concern without taking bids.
Two of the company's officials testified that they had won the
contract by offering a $300,000 payoff to Mr. Dwyer. One testified
that Mr. Asher found out about the offer and ordered the money
diverted to the Republican State Committee.
The convictions in Federal District Court in Williamsport, Pa.,
resulted from an investigation that might affect the Republican
Party's state hierarchy and widen a shift of power to the Democrats.
Republicans held the Governor's office for 16 of the last 24 years
before Mr. Casey, a Democrat, was elected to succeed Dick Thornburgh,
a Republican. Interim Appointment at Issue
Mr. Dwyer, who faced up to 55 years in prison, was to have been
sentenced in Williamsport Friday. After that, according to a ruling by
State Attorney General LeRoy S. Zimmerman, he would have been
automatically removed from office. Consequently, maneuvering over whom
Mr. Casey would appoint to fill out the unexpired second term of four
years had begun.
A regular election for the Treasurer's post is to be held in 1988, and
Mr. Casey has been sparring with leaders of the Republican-controlled
State Senate over interim appointment. A two-thirds vote of the Senate
is necessary for confirmation.
Mr. Casey is said to want to appoint a strong Democrat who could run
for a full term as Treasurer next year, thus widening Democratic
influence at the top of the state government. Republican Senate
leaders say the voters elected a Republican and are entitled to a
Republican serving out the term.
Some compromise is expected since Mr. Casey is trying to win Senate
cooperation for his programs, including an economic development plan.
The Governor's office had no immediate comment on Mr. Dwyer's request
that his wife be appointed. A Resignation Was Expected
All political speculation faded, however, at least for the time being,
after what happened at the news conference. Governor Casey said in a
statement that he and his wife ''are profoundly shocked and
saddened,'' and that ''Mrs. Dwyer and her children are in our
prayers.'' Mr. Dwyer leaves two children, Rob and Deedee.
Capitol reporters had thought Mr. Dwyer had called the news conference
to announce his resignation.
At the conference, according to some who attended it, Mr. Dwyer made a
long, rambling statement. He criticized Acting United States Attorney
James West, who prosecuted him; former Governor Thornburgh, with whom
he had been at odds, and Federal District Judge Malcolm Muir, who
presided at his trial. 'A Crime I Did Not Commit'
Mr. Dywer said the judge had a history of imposing ''medieval
sentences.'' He said he was ''being punished for a crime I did not
commit.''
And he urged that the death penalty be repealed, saying that what had
happened to him made him certain that innocent people had been
convicted and executed. He apologized for voting several times as a
state legislator for the death penalty.
He called three aides to his side and handed each a sealed envelope.
One contained instructions for funeral arrangements. One was Mr.
Dwyer's organ-donor card. One was the letter to Governor Casey.
''By the time you receive this letter,'' it read, in part, ''the
office of State Treasurer of Pennsylvania will be vacant. I stress to
you that I did not resign but was State Treasurer of Pennsylvania to
the end.'' 'Budd - Don't Do It!'
The letter expressed confidence that Mr. Casey ''will be the great
Governor that Pennsylvania needs at this time in our history.'' Saying
there apparently was precedent for a spouse succeeding a spouse, Mr.
Dwyer recommended his wife of 23 years as his successor. He termed her
''very talented, personable, organized and hard-working.''
As he drew the revolver, witnesses said, he warned people to stay away
because ''this will hurt someone.''
''Budd - don't do it!'' a reporter shouted. ''Budd! Budd! Budd!''
another shouted.
''I should have run and grabbed him when he pulled out the envelope,''
said Fred Cusick, a reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer. ''I knew
that was it.''
---
Photos: http://fusionanomaly.net/rbudddwyer.jpg
http://www.nndb.com/people/204/000102895/bud-dwyer-1-sized.jpg
deb...@comcast.net
Shot".
Brad Ferguson
<stra...@ma.rr.com> wrote:
> ''By the time you receive this letter,'' it read, in part, ''the
> office of State Treasurer of Pennsylvania will be vacant. I stress to
> you that I did not resign but was State Treasurer of Pennsylvania to
> the end.''
This was Dwyer's whole point. He wanted his wife and kids to get his
benefits, which they wouldn't if he resigned or was convicted. IIRC
there was a brief fight over the benefits, but eventually the family
got them. They were worth more than a million. (Dwyer had gone broke
defending himself in court.)
BTW, inevitably, someone always brings up Christine Chubbuck whenever
Budd Dwyer is mentioned. Here's a Washington Post article about her
suicide. It's by Sally Quinn, from 1974:
http://www.manship2.lsu.edu/perkins/Handouts/chubbucknew.pdf
deb...@comcast.net
changed since 1974.
Brad Ferguson
<deb...@comcast.net> wrote:
> Chubbock's mother calls her a spinster- at 29! Shows how times have
> changed since 1974.
That was not a typical sentiment in 1974. In fact, the word "spinster"
had long since gone out of favor. I think Chubbuck's mom needed to
have some screws tightened.
The Kentucky Wizard
> Official Calls In Press And Kills Himself
>
> Photo: http://www.spongobongo.com/dddr66.jpg
>
> FROM: The New York Times (January 23rd 1987) ~
> By William K. Stevens, Special to the Times
>
> R. Budd Dwyer, the Pennsylvania State Treasurer, whose conviction for
> bribery last month jolted the state's Republican Party, shot and
> killed himself today at a news conference in his office in Harrisburg,
> the state capital.
>
> Photos: http://fusionanomaly.net/rbudddwyer.jpg
>
> http://www.nndb.com/people/204/000102895/bud-dwyer-1-sized.jpg
There used to be video of his televised suicide on various internet sites. I
suppose it can still be found somewhere online if someone wanted to see it
bad enough.
© The Wiz ®
«¤»¥«¤»¥«¤»