The Missoulian
- A 58-year-old fugitive who was featured
last year on the television show “America's
Most Wanted” appeared Tuesday in a Missoula
courtroom and accepted charges that he shot
and killed his girlfriend here in 1985.
Robert Thomas Chickene entered Alford pleas
to felony counts of deliberate homicide and
evidence tampering, and pleaded guilty to a
third charge of tampering with government
documents in order to obtain a false
identity. An Alford plea has the same effect
as a guilty plea, and is comparable to a
plea of no contest.
According to typewritten charging papers
filed 24 years ago by a now-retired Missoula
prosecutor, Chickene shot his live-in
girlfriend, Paula Rodriguez, then wrapped
her in a tarp and dumped the body on the
outskirts of town.
At the time of the slaying, Chickene had
been living under a false identity because
of other run-ins with the law, the records
state, including mail fraud in Las Vegas.
When Rodriguez found out about his criminal
history, she threatened to expose him.
In November 1985, a vacationing police
officer from Spokane found the body along
Petty Creek, west of Missoula. Rodriguez had
been shot twice at close range with a
.38-caliber bullet.
Chickene was arrested last September near
San Antonio, where he'd been living under an
alias. He remains in custody at the Missoula
County jail pending a sentencing hearing
June 30.
Wearing orange jail scrubs and handcuffs,
Chickene appeared Tuesday before 4th
Judicial District Judge Robert L. “Dusty”
Deschamps III for what was supposed to be a
trial scheduling conference. However,
Chickene's attorney, public defender Ed
Sheehy, announced that he had reached a plea
bargain with prosecutors. The agreement
calls for a sentence of 25 years in the
Montana State Prison for the murder charge,
and 10 years on each of the remaining
counts, to run concurrently.
“In view of the circumstantial evidence the
state has gathered in this case, and due to
the cost to the state and the condition of
my health, I think it is in my best interest
to enter Alford pleas of guilty,” Chickene
said during the court hearing, reading from
a piece of notebook paper.
While Deschamps told Chickene his concern
for the state and the taxpayers was noble,
he said the defendant should only change his
plea if he believes it's in his best
interest.
“It's likely that, given your age, you will
not live through this sentence,” Deschamps
said.
Chief Deputy County Attorney Kirsten Pabst
said the victim's mother is supportive of
the plea agreement.
“This family has been agonizing under a
blanket of uncertainty for almost 25 years
and certainly welcomes the opportunity to
close this chapter and begin the healing
process,” Pabst said. “If the agreed upon
sentence is imposed, justice will be
served.”
Pabst said the age of the evidence, the
state of technology in 1985, the
availability of witnesses - several have
since died - and the need for certainty for
the family were all factors in the plea
agreement.
Chickene was arrested after authorities
responded to reports of drug use at a
trailer park near San Antonio. Neighbors
said the resident of the suspect trailer was
at a nearby pawn shop. Police responded and
found Chickene, who provided officers with a
name that he obtained using someone else's
birth certificate. He was taken into custody
and fingerprinted, revealing his true
identity and fugitive status.
Police say Chickene maintained ties to
several outlaw motorcycle gangs, including
the Bandidos, the Brothers and the Gypsy
Jokers.
Before an agreement was reached in the case,
Sheehy filed a motion to suppress evidence
born out of search warrants executed on
Chickene's home in 1985.
According to the motion, a Spokane detective
told Missoula authorities that a “reliable
informant” had provided information that
“Bob Chickene told another biker that he
killed his old lady Paula and hid her body
in the Alberton area under a tarp.”
Authorities went to Chickene's Missoula home
and found him patching bullet holes and
replacing sections of carpet. By the end of
the month, Chickene had moved out of the
house and was living with a friend. He fled
town shortly thereafter, and didn't turn up
for 23 years, save for a 1998 arrest in
which his true identity was never
discovered.
Famed 'biker bird' Spyke snatched off her
perch -
Tampabay.com - Tampa
Bay's best-known and, possibly, most
accomplished bird is missing.
Its owner, Mike Mularz, says someone stole
the macaw named Spyke from outside a St.
Petersburg auto shop where he works as a
mechanic.
He's desperate for her return.
"That's my child,'' he said. "I've never had
kids and I've never been married. She's my
lifetime companion.''
Mularz, 45, was getting ready to leave work
about 6:40 p.m. Monday when he set Spyke on
a car parked in front of Dan's Auto Service
and went into an adjoining minimart to
change clothes. In the four minutes he was
inside, Spyke, who can't fly, disappeared.
A bird hunt is on. Mularz is seeking
information about a man seen on surveillance
tape buying a pack of Marlboro Ultra Lights
at the Citgo Quikmart around the time Spyke
went missing.
Mularz has distributed fliers with a still
shot from the tape, as well as a photo of
Spyke, asking anyone with information to
call him. Mularz is convinced the man in the
photo knows something. As of Wednesday, St.
Petersburg police had no suspects.
The thief "thinks he just stole a parrot. He
doesn't realize he's stolen a bird known
from here to Canada,'' said Tim Frazier, a
bird lover helping in the search.
In a place where pirates are king, the
16-year-old blue and gold macaw stands out
like royalty. She's a fixture at the annual
Gasparilla party and Renaissance Festivals,
posing for photos and kissing passersby.
"Spyke has more friends than I do,'' he
said.
Those in motorcycle circles call her the
"biker bird.'' Poker runs. Biker fests. She
shows up at them all, usually perched on the
handlebars of Mularz's Harley.
Spyke has full run of Mularz's Largo house
and enclosed pool area. Though her wings
aren't clipped, she never learned to fly,
Mularz said, because she has spent her life
in captivity. A bird cage collects dust out
back.
They ride his motorcycle almost every day.
She loves the breeze in her feathers, he
says. In the car, she hangs her head out the
window like a dog.
Four years ago, Spyke started writing a
column for Born to Ride, a magazine out of
Brandon distributed to 25,000 motorcycle
fans statewide. Spyke the Riding & Writing
Parrot describes Spyke and Mike's
adventures. Here's a take from the current
issue:
After a few days of beating the streets and
working the bird thing, Mike decides to take
an evening off and hit the bars in Ybor. … A
few of our friends show up and soon I'm
popping the tops of many Bud cans.
Her beak comes in handy.
Debbie Galletti, who owns the magazine with
her husband, Ron, said Spyke has a strong
following. As strange as may it sound, she
considers the bird part of the staff.
"The bird has a personality,'' she said.
"You can tell when it's not having a good
day or if it's happy.''
Mularz figures Spkye must be confused and
afraid away from home. They've been almost
inseparable since she was 2 weeks out of the
egg.
Mularz looked forward to growing old
together. Parrots like Spyke can live to be
80. Now he isn't sure.
Spyke is microchipped and has a blue
breeder's band on her leg with the initials
MD PF507. Mularz has called local
veterinarians and pet stores on the chance
someone might hear or see something.
Friends remain hopeful.
"She's too famous of a bird not to get
found,'' Frazier said.
Biker dies of injuries -
Windsor Star - A
Lakeshore motorcyclist who was struck by a
car earlier this month has died.
Essex County OPP announced Wednesday morning
that Gregory Hardy, 55, passed away in
hospital as a result of the injuries he
suffered in an accident on May 3.
Hardy and his 51-year-old wife were riding a
black 2005 Yamaha motorcycle east on County
Road 46 in Lakeshore.
Around 1:40 p.m. a beige 1999 Chrysler
Intrepid went south through the intersection
and struck Hardy and his wife on their
motorcycle.
Hardy and his wife were rushed to Hotel-Dieu
Grace Hospital. They were both considered in
critical condition.
The driver of the Chrysler, 22-year-old
Melissa Anne Sharpe, was charged with
careless driving and failing to remain at
the scene of an accident.
Motorcycle driver dies after accident
in Ottawa County -
Joplin Globe - A Quapaw, Okla., man
died late Tuesday after he was injured when
his motorcycle collided with a farm tractor
at 4:26 p.m. Tuesday on a county road about
10 miles east of Miami in Ottawa County,
according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Curtis Hayden Wyatt, 26, was flown by
medical helicopter to Freeman Hospital West
in Joplin, the state patrol said. He died
about 10 p.m. at the hospital, authorities
said.
Wyatt’s northbound motorcycle crested a hill
and ran into the rear of a northbound
tractor driven by Rex Alan Randall, 57, of
Baxter Springs, Kan., the patrol said.
n A Billings man was injured in a motorcycle
accident at 1 p.m. Wednesday on Route T,
five miles north of Marionville in Lawrence
County, according to the Missouri State
Highway Patrol.
Kenneth A. Legan, 40, was taken by ambulance
to Cox Medical Center South in Springfield,
the patrol said.
Legan’s northbound motorcycle skidded off
the road on a curve and overturned, the
patrol said.
n A Carthage man was injured in a
two-vehicle accident at 8:40 a.m. Wednesday
on Interstate 44, five miles east of Joplin
in Jasper County, the state patrol said.
Steven T. Armstrong, 36, was taken to St.
John’s Regional Health Center in
Springfield, the patrol said.
Armstrong, who was driving a westbound car,
attempted to make a left turn onto an
emergency crossover of the median when his
car was struck in the rear by a vehicle
driven by Donald B. Meckem, 51, of Lebanon,
Mo., the patrol said.
Officials reveal Harley Bike Week numbers
- HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - The numbers are
in for this year's Harley Davidson Bike Week
and the number of motorcycle accidents is
down by one-third.
This year, according to an Horry County
Emergency Operation Command report, there
were 43 motorcycle accidents. Three people
died in those accidents.
In 2008, according to an Horry County
After-Action Report on the rally, Horry
County Fire Rescue responded to 135
motorcycle accidents. Officials say that's
three times the number of accidents that
happened this year.
The 2008 After-Action Report also shows
three people died during Bike week in 2008.
Myrtle Beach Police have not yet released
their final numbers of tickets and accidents
during bike week. Capt. David Knipes says it
was definitely a quiet rally.
Knipes says their focus now is preparing for
the Atlantic Beach Bike Fest this upcoming
weekend.
"We don't know exactly what's gonna happen,
so we're prepared. We've got the same
schedule as far as days off canceled, 12
hour shifts, additional personnel, and
additional coverage along ocean boulevard,"
explained Knipes.
Horry County police say they will also have
additional patrols for this weekend.
Man T-bones car on motorcycle; dies
Monday - HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - The
2009 Harley Bike Week has claimed its third
victim after a man T-boned a vehicle while
on his motorcycle last Wednesday.
According to the South Carolina Highway
Patrol, Lee Manness, 73, of Robbins, NC, was
wearing a helmet at the time of the accident
that occurred at the intersection of
Highways 17 and 22.
Manness, officials say, was taken to the
Grand Strand Regional Medical Center where
he later died from injuries sustained in the
accident.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is
continuing to investigate the incident.
Robbie Knievel to jump at ROT -
Examiner.com - ROT
Rally organizers today announced a
monumental addition to the 2009 events
line-up: daredevil motorcycle rider Robbie
Knievel will perform a death-defying jump in
front of the Texas capitol.
"Kaptain" Robbie Knievel, son of legendary
stuntman "Evel" Knievel, is slated to
attempt a jump over three 45 foot semi's in
front of the capitol building. The jump is
set for 11 PM on Friday, June 12.
Organizers said they expect more than
250,000 people to turn out for the event,
which is expected to be telecast on national
TV.
The rally will also be giving away two
Knievel Custom Cycles on Saturday June 13th.
Knievel's website reports that, to date,
Robbie has successfully completed over 250
professional jumps, including 20 world
records. His career has been highlighted by
the Caesars Palace Fountain jump in 1989,
the building-to-building jump in 1999 and
the Grand Canyon in 2000.
Pueblo Motorcycle Rider Dies -
KKTV 11 News - A
motorcycle rider hit by a pickup truck in
Pueblo by a teenager without a license has
passed away at a Denver hospital.
Officials at St. Anthony Central tell 11
News Gregory Robinson, 56, died early
Wednesday morning.
Robinson was injured in the accident May 13
at 8th and Glendale in Pueblo. Police say he
wasn't wearing a helmet when his bike
collided with the truck. He suffered serious
head injuries.
The teen driving the truck was 15, and
didn't have a license to drive. No word yet
on if he faces charges.
Police: Drunk Firefighter Crashed
Motorcycle Into Patrol Car -
WLWT - CINCINNATI
-- A Cincinnati firefighter was injured
Wednesday morning after crashing his
motorcycle into a state trooper's patrol
car.
State troopers said Nathaniel Griffith Jr.,
30, was attempting to enter northbound
Interstate 75 from Sharon Road when he
slammed into the back of the patrol car.
Griffith was wearing a helmet and suffered
minor abrasions to his leg, and he was taken
to Bethesda North Hospital for treatment.
Troopers said Griffith had been drinking
prior to the crash, and he will be charged
with operating a vehicle under the
influence.
Trooper Christina Hayes, who was inside the
patrol car that was struck, was not injured
in the crash.
Watch Fire Ride will benefit US troops -
The Post-Standard -
Syracuse.com - The second annual
Watch Fire Ride fundraiser for U.S. troops
is 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The ride will
take place before the Watch Fire that's held
every year near the state Fairgrounds.
Organized by Geddes Town Councilor Manny
Falcone, the ride starts with a brief prayer
at 4:30 p.m. at the Watch Fire site. Those
who can't ride a motorcycle can be picked up
at the Lakeside Fire Department at 5:30 p.m.
There is a $10 donation, per motorcycle or
vehicle, with the money going to Vietnam
Veterans of America, Chapter 103, and its
efforts to support the troops.
Participants will travel to the Veterans
Cemetery and the soldiers' monument in
Clinton Square. They will drive past the
Onondaga County War Memorial before heading
back to the Lakeside Fire Department or the
Watch Fire site.
The Watch Fire is a way for people to
properly retire their worn-out U.S. flags
while honoring war veterans. Food will be
available at a minimal cost.
For more information about the ride, call
Falcone at 575-1858 or e-mail him at
toro00909@verizon.net .
Zanesville woman flown after motorcycle
crash - The
Newark Advocate - BOWLING GREEN
TOWNSHIP — A Zanesville woman was flown to
Grant Medical Center on Wednesday evening
after a motorcycle crash on U.S. 40 west of
Brownsville.
Deborah Degarmo, 45, was traveling east on
U.S. 40 when her motorcycle struck a deer
and went off the road, an Ohio Highway
Patrol spokeswoman said.
The Licking Township Fire Department and the
patrol were on the scene of the crash, which
was reported near the intersection of U.S.
40 and Midland Oil Road around 8:30 p.m.
Degarmo was flown to Grant with injuries
that were not life-threatening, the patrol
spokeswoman said.
A hospital spokeswoman said Degarmo was in
the emergency room there late Wednesday.
Additional information was not available
late Wednesday.
Teddy Bear Ride to aid abuse victims -
Hilton Head Island
Packet - The
Beaufort County Teddy Bear Ride to benefit
Children's Advocacy and Victims of Domestic
Violence leaves at 11:30 a.m. Saturday from
the Bi-Lo Shopping Center in Port Royal.
Sponsored by the Blue Knights International
Motorcycle Club, the event is a nine-mile
escorted parade that ends at the Beaufort
County Courthouse where the bears will be
collected. All bears collected will be
donated to law enforcement, paramedics and
fire departments to carry in their emergency
vehicles and give to children when they
arrive at the scene. Rain date is Sunday.
Details: 843-252-6319.
Hollister motorcyclist badly hurt in
accident - News-Leader.com -
A Hollister man was seriously injured this
morning in Taney County when he was thrown
from his motorcycle, the Missouri Highway
Patrol said.
The accident happened on Missouri 176 at
Sundown Lane when a 1997 Dodge pickup driven
by Dwight Bear, 74, of Rockaway Beach pulled
into the path of a 2002 Harley Davidson
motorcycle driven by John Burns, 54, of
Hollister, the patrol’s report said. The
motorcycle then ran off the road.
Burns suffered serious injuries and was
taken to Skaggs Regional Medical Center in
Branson, the patrol said. Burns reportedly
was not wearing a helmet.
People's Burn Foundation presents First
annual "Ride for Brave Hearts" -
Indianapolis Star - Children
attending Brave Hearts camp will roll into
the Happy Hollow Campground with a few extra
friends leading the way this year. The first
annual "Ride for Brave Hearts" Motorcycle
Rally is slated for Sunday, June 7, 2009
with motorcycle riders escorting the
chartered bus carrying campers from
Indianapolis to the Mann's Harley Davidson
dealership in Edinburgh. A smaller
pre-determined group of riders will then
continue to escort the bus to "Brave Hearts
Burn Camp" from Mann's dealership to the
camp located near Nashville, IN.
"PBF is excited about our first annual
motorcycle rally and ride to benefit our
organization as we launch our Campaign for
Brave Hearts fundraising initiatives," said
Jim Shaffer, PBF's Executive Director. "In
the past few years we have had various
groups escort our bus with campers to our
'Brave Hearts Burn Camp' so this year we
decided to create a formal event to expand
the group based on interest we have
received."
Advertisement
Brave Heart campers consist of children who
have survived devastating burn injuries.
While attending camp the children have the
opportunity to not only enjoy typical
activities found at any summer camp, but are
also able to be around others their age who
share similar emotional issues as a result
of their burn injury and scarring. In this
therapeutic environment the children are
able to feel more comfortable about
themselves while working to heal from the
traumas they've experienced.
The "Ride for Brave Hearts" rally is
scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the
parking lot adjacent to PBF's offices at
2506 Willowbrook Parkway, north of 46th
Street and east off Keystone Avenue. The
rally will include registration confirmation
and activities to include a commemorative
t-shirt, wrist bracelet, food, beverages,
and entertainment.
At 1 p.m. sharp, riders/passengers will head
down Keystone Avenue to I-70 West to
downtown Indianapolis and south on I-65,
with a ride of approximately 1.5 hours to
Mann's Harley-Davidson off Exit 76B in
Edinburgh, adjacent to the Edinburgh Premium
Outlets stores. Snacks, beverages, and a
drawing will be conducted.
"Not only will the rally support Brave
Hearts Camp, but efforts to assist victims
of fire and burn injury and education
initiatives," said Shaffer. "It will provide
a great day for our kids headed to camp, as
well as participants in the rally and ride."
Deadline for receipt of registrations in the
PBF offices is May 29.
For more information, contact the People's
Burn Foundation at (317) 803-2876.
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