|
Post by trojanusc on May 31, 2020 20:05:48 GMT -5
Being able to return CAL Jr. to his parents, as I think Condon believed he would have been able to do, would’ve made him the greatest hero of all. Absolutely!! He would have accomplished something Lindbergh could not do himself!! Condon would get his son back for him. Could anything be more motivating than that? Also fame + money.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 31, 2020 20:16:07 GMT -5
Absolutely!! He would have accomplished something Lindbergh could not do himself!! Condon would get his son back for him. Could anything be more motivating than that? Also fame + money. A powerful combination! For sure!!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 31, 2020 20:56:04 GMT -5
Okay, so the questions that have to be answered are: 1) When said extortionists pay Condon a visit for the very first time and make him an offer he can't refuse, why doesn't he go to the police and/or CAL then? Tell them what happened, offer to do it undercover, and play it out then. Wouldn't that just make more sense? 2) Since Condon is part of the extortion gang, why didn't BRH identify him as such? Especially after Condon's identification of BRH at the trial put one of the biggest nails in his coffin. Why would BRH go to his death knowing that Condon helped cause his own death and was getting off scott-free? 3) And, yes, Gregory Coleman seriously. The Bronx Home News offered Condon as a go-between, not Condon. Are you saying it's a matter of syntax? That no matter what Condon would have written to the BHN (even if it was one of his poems), the extortionists would say, that's enough for us to involve Condon. 4) Any chance anyone can come up with some possible dialogue on how you would have approached Condon back in 1932 and offered him this deal? It would have to be something like, "Dr. Condon, you don't know me, but you can trust me. I have the Lindbergh baby and I want to make you America's greatest hero by having you return the baby to his mother's neck." Wayne, You are overworking my brain! 1) I would think that Condon would have concerns that the police might be suspicious about him if he goes and says that the kidnappers came to him for help. The authorities might not have believed him either. They might have thought he was just a mental case of some sort. Plus his ego would have dictated otherwise. Fame and money as usc said in his post. That's a powerful combination, Wayne. 2) BRH can't identify anybody because if he does he is admitting guilt. No way he is doing that! 3) Its not a matter of syntax. Nor did I imply that anything Condon wrote would suffice. The letter needed to be an appeal to the kidnappers, which it was, so they could respond to it. The letter also included the promise of protection for them which he absolutely delivered on. The letter opens the negotiations. Coleman is not a party to the extortion. 4) Sorry, Wayne. I don't do dialogue. Condon's involvement and all his actions speak for themselves.
|
|
|
Post by trojanusc on May 31, 2020 22:13:21 GMT -5
Okay, so the questions that have to be answered are: 1) When said extortionists pay Condon a visit for the very first time and make him an offer he can't refuse, why doesn't he go to the police and/or CAL then? Tell them what happened, offer to do it undercover, and play it out then. Wouldn't that just make more sense? 2) Since Condon is part of the extortion gang, why didn't BRH identify him as such? Especially after Condon's identification of BRH at the trial put one of the biggest nails in his coffin. Why would BRH go to his death knowing that Condon helped cause his own death and was getting off scott-free? 3) And, yes, Gregory Coleman seriously. The Bronx Home News offered Condon as a go-between, not Condon. Are you saying it's a matter of syntax? That no matter what Condon would have written to the BHN (even if it was one of his poems), the extortionists would say, that's enough for us to involve Condon. 4) Any chance anyone can come up with some possible dialogue on how you would have approached Condon back in 1932 and offered him this deal? It would have to be something like, "Dr. Condon, you don't know me, but you can trust me. I have the Lindbergh baby and I want to make you America's greatest hero by having you return the baby to his mother's neck." Wayne, You are overworking my brain! 1) I would think that Condon would have concerns that the police might be suspicious about him if he goes and says that the kidnappers came to him for help. The authorities might not have believed him either. They might have thought he was just a mental case of some sort. Plus his ego would have dictated otherwise. Fame and money as usc said in his post. That's a powerful combination, Wayne. 2) BRH can't identify anybody because if he does he is admitting guilt. No way he is doing that! 3) Its not a matter of syntax. Nor did I imply that anything Condon wrote would suffice. The letter needed to be an appeal to the kidnappers, which it was, so they could respond to it. The letter also included the promise of protection for them which he absolutely delivered on. The letter opens the negotiations. Coleman is not a party to the extortion. 4) Sorry, Wayne. I don't do dialogue. Condon's involvement and all his actions speak for themselves. It's very possible the extortionists had some "dirt" on Condon to use as leverage, but we know that he liked his fame. My assumption is he was approached with a deal that was almost "too good to be true," wherein he would help "return the baby to its mother's arms," thereby receiving fame and adoration, while also getting paid a commission in the process.
|
|
|
Post by lightningjew on May 31, 2020 22:22:29 GMT -5
This is exactly what I'm thinking too.
|
|
|
Post by Wayne on Jun 1, 2020 9:18:59 GMT -5
How does a kidnapper walk up to Condon and convince him he has Charlie?
|
|
|
Post by lightningjew on Jun 1, 2020 9:53:29 GMT -5
They may not have needed to do much convincing. It could've been, as Michael said, that rather than being enticed, Condon was more strong-armed into participating because the kidnappers had something on him. They could've blackmailed him into writing his BHN letter, telling Condon to expect a response and, when he received it, to contact Hopewell and describe it (specifically the signature symbol).
|
|
|
Post by Wayne on Jun 1, 2020 10:29:52 GMT -5
Interesting. What's something that the kidnapper's could have known about Condon that the collective resources of the NJSP, NYPD, the FBI (or BI), the Treasury Department, and others couldn't uncover in over 4 years? There was the incident with Siegrid Bjurberg at public school No. 12 in Westchester in 1904, but that made the newspapers and Condon was called out. lindberghkidnap.proboards.com/thread/1332/17-year-old-siegrid-bjurbergWhat else could a kidnapper have on Condon that all of LE didn't?
|
|
|
Post by lightningjew on Jun 1, 2020 10:52:56 GMT -5
Yeah, it could've been something having to with the molestation charge or something the kidnappers made up and/or exaggerated, threatening to use this against Condon to ruin his reputation unless he entered into the case as their go-between and covered their tracks. And I don't know that the NJSP, NYPD, FBI, et al. wouldn't have uncovered things about Condon, but with Lindbergh running things, I think Condon was more or less protected. Bottom line, to me, it's too much of a coincidence that the kidnappers saw the Home News letter and responded to it as quickly as they did, or that they would bother responding to an offer like that at all, without some sort of pre-laid plan for this. I think Condon was either duped or blackmailed into participating prior to the Home News letter's appearance.
|
|
|
Post by Michael on Jun 1, 2020 11:44:51 GMT -5
What else could a kidnapper have on Condon that all of LE didn't? Theres so much police didn’t know about him. Even the case you mention wasn’t fully understood by many of the investigators. Clearly, there’s plenty of room for more potential victims to have existed as well as any other wrongdoing that could have existed. Just look at what we do know. But this idea cops knew everything about him is a mistake. Have you seen a full accounting of his finances? Heck, all throughout the investigation there is report after report of police going to his home looking for him. Sometimes he was there and sometimes he wasn’t? Where was he at those times he was not? Who knows! Perhaps he was talking to “old man Peretty” again.... this despite the fact the man was dead. Or maybe at the Bazzare talking to an emissary of the kidnappers again? And you’re asking what the police wouldn’t know when you should be asking what they did instead. Another point when you ask “how” one would be approached by a kidnapper. Again, that depends on who it was. We’ve got story from Condon himself about that woman. We also have the woman Silken drove to his home. How did they approach him? You see what I’m saying? What if it was Reich who introduced them? There’s so many possibilities to consider. During the time I worked for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, over the years I saw certain staff lose their jobs and get prosecuted for reasons relating to bringing in contraband. Somehow they got paid by someone on the street to do it. I often wondered, and frankly still wonder, how these people were approached. Never in my career did anyone ever approach me so I haven’t a clue in what exact way something like that would occur. So it makes no sense to me in more ways than one and yet it happened and continues to - of that I am certain. All I can say is they must have been solicited because they knew he “could” be.
|
|
|
Post by Wayne on Jun 1, 2020 12:30:50 GMT -5
Yeah, it could've been something having to with the molestation charge or something the kidnappers made up and/or exaggerated, threatening to use this against Condon to ruin his reputation unless he entered into the case as their go-between and covered their tracks. And I don't know that the NJSP, NYPD, FBI, et al. wouldn't have uncovered things about Condon, but with Lindbergh running things, I think Condon was more or less protected. Bottom line, to me, it's too much of a coincidence that the kidnappers saw the Home News letter and responded to it as quickly as they did, or that they would bother responding to an offer like that at all, without some sort of pre-laid plan for this. I think Condon was either duped or blackmailed into participating prior to the Home News letter's appearance. Okay, this is beginning to make sense. Let me see if I've got the facts straight -- First, the extortionists blackmail Condon into joining their scheme using something against him that only they have found and something the collective investigative resources of the NJSP, the NYPD, the FBI are unable to uncover. Then, after blackmailing Condon they appeal to his sense of fame and fortune and offer him $20,000 after they've blackmailed him into the plot with something so damaging that he can't refuse. That is one magnanimously altruistic gang, huh?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2020 12:59:38 GMT -5
Let me see if I've got the facts straight -- First, the extortionists blackmail Condon into joining their scheme using something against him that only they have found and something the collective investigative resources of the NJSP, the NYPD, the FBI are unable to uncover. So I am getting confused here. Where is the Condon was blackmailed into doing this coming from? Condon always claimed that he was brought into the extortion because #2 man knew him. It was CJ who Condon said was brought in because they had something on him (CJ). Is Condon actually Cemetery John?
|
|
|
Post by Wayne on Jun 1, 2020 13:23:30 GMT -5
They could've blackmailed him into writing his BHN letter, telling Condon to expect a response and, when he received it, to contact Hopewell and describe it (specifically the signature symbol). Amy, It's in the thread stating one of the ways that Condon might have become involved in the extortion gang. All I'm asking is how was Condon originally integrated into the gang.
|
|
|
Post by lightningjew on Jun 1, 2020 14:53:43 GMT -5
What I'm suggesting is that the kidnappers either A) somehow blackmailed Condon into participation and used the fact that there was now another person in the gang to jack up the ransom by $20K, OR B) they enticed Condon into participation with the promise of $20K and that he could play the hero in placing the baby in Anne Lindbergh's arms when the time came. The kidnappers could've used "hard" tactics (A) or a "soft" approach (B). Up till now, I've leaned towards 'B', but Michael got me thinking about 'A' as another strong possibility. Either way though, however he was approached or integrated into the gang, Condon was brought in as a pawn to get the $50-$70K--as someone who Lindbergh would've had no choice but to give that money to, to then pass on to the kidnappers and then cover their tracks. To know Condon would do a good job of this, the kidnappers (at least one of them) would've had to somehow know Condon and be familiar with his expert skills as a BS artist. Condon said CJ claimed one of the kidnappers did know him, after all, which could very well have been true. What seems clear, as Michael has pointed out, is that Condon lied a lot, but also mixed lies with the truth.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2020 20:39:07 GMT -5
It is true that Condon did mix lies with truth. So I guess what it comes down to is we just pick what we think the real reason must be because there is no other way to know?
If Condon is being blackmailed into participating, there is no reason to pay him anything or even offer it. Who pays a person they are blackmailing? So who is the $20,000 for then that ransom note #2 said was needed to pay an additional person being brought into the gang?
|
|
|
Post by lightningjew on Jun 1, 2020 21:31:31 GMT -5
Right, there's no real way to know for sure how, but, bottom line, it certainly looks like Condon was pulled into this by the kidnappers. In terms of exactly how it happened, if we go with the first option ('A'), bringing in another person (Condon) was just an excuse to jack the ransom up by $20K--more money for the kidnappers, not for Condon. If he was brought in by way of option 'B', then I think that the $20K was supposed to be his cut.
|
|
|
Post by Wayne on Jun 1, 2020 22:12:12 GMT -5
It is true that Condon did mix lies with truth. So I guess what it comes down to is we just pick what we think the real reason must be because there is no other way to know? If Condon is being blackmailed into participating, there is no reason to pay him anything or even offer it. Who pays a person they are blackmailing? So who is the $20,000 for then that ransom note #2 said was needed to pay an additional person being brought into the gang? Hi Amy, This is exactly why I started this friendly dialogue regarding Condon's involvement. If Condon was involved with the extortion gang, what was the timeline, the sequence of events, the moment the gang met Condon and convinced him to write the BHN letter? Also, I don't really think you can quote anything in the ransom notes as factual. If you believe the kidnappers' claim that they needed an extra person, do you also believe the claim in the same note that Charlie was alive and well and enjoying Anne's printed diet? You can't believe anything the kidnappers' wrote in the notes. Charlies was not well. Charlie was not being taken care of. Charlie was not on the Boad Nelly.
|
|
|
Post by lightningjew on Jun 1, 2020 23:26:03 GMT -5
If I can offer my own answer, I think it probably went something like this: Prior to March 1, the kidnappers decided among themselves that they would blackmail Lindbergh into paying the $50K "ransom". On March 2 or 3, one of the kidnappers--an acquaintance of Condon's--approached him, either blackmailing or enticing Condon into being the go-between in the Lindbergh kidnapping. Condon agreed and it was settled that he and the kidnappers would "establish" contact with each other through The Bronx Home News. On March 4, the kidnappers wrote and mailed a letter to Lindbergh, talking about having to now "bring another person to it" and raising the "ransom" by $20K (this note arrived in Hopewell on March 6). Condon wrote his BHN letter on March 7 and it appeared in the paper on March 8. The kidnappers immediately mailed their response with the unique signature symbol that would legitimize Condon as being in touch with the right people. Condon received that letter on the night of March 9, called Hopewell, and made it up there by the early hours of March 10.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2020 6:49:39 GMT -5
If Condon was involved with the extortion gang, what was the timeline, the sequence of events, the moment the gang met Condon and convinced him to write the BHN letter? Also, I don't really think you can quote anything in the ransom notes as factual. If you believe the kidnappers' claim that they needed an extra person, do you also believe the claim in the same note that Charlie was alive and well and enjoying Anne's printed diet? You can't believe anything the kidnappers' wrote in the notes. Charlies was not well. Charlie was not being taken care of. Charlie was not on the Boad Nelly. Well, Wayne, if what you say is true, and we cannot believe anything said in those notes, then Condon was never brought in after the kidnapping as the go-between. They don't need to add an additional person. This must mean that Condon has been involved with this from the beginning. So he wasn't blackmailed either. He wasn't forced to write that Bronx Home News appeal. Condon lies just like the notes do. There is no reason to believe he was forced into doing anything. Everything he did was part of the plan from the very beginning. Of course those are lies about Charlie. I never thought they were anything else. Kidnappers lie about the child being alive so you can get the ransom money. So this is a real kidnapping then and not about CAL wanting Charlie out of the picture? CAL is actually trying to save his son's life after all?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2020 6:55:40 GMT -5
Michael,
If the additional $20.000 asked for in ransom note number 2 is not about bringing in a go-between, this would make Walsh wrong about that money being for Condon. Do you believe Walsh was wrong about that money and Condon being the reason for that increase?
|
|
|
Post by Michael on Jun 2, 2020 7:06:13 GMT -5
Michael, If the additional $20.000 asked for in ransom note number 2 is not about bringing in a go-between, this would make Walsh wrong about that money being for Condon. Do you believe Walsh was wrong about that money and Condon being the reason for that increase? I agree with Walsh and Keaten. It's like the letter Condon wrote... It doesn't matter what was exactly written in it because it was done for that purpose regardless. Of course I'm not trying to steer anyone away from the idea that it was not. Everything needs to be explored but that's where I'm at on it. I see what Wayne is trying to accomplish so I hope I'm not interfering but I find it impossible not to inject my thoughts.... Condon was the perfect guy to approach. What we do know reveals why. He's committed a crime against a child (there's probably MANY more that we do not know about), he finds himself in possession of a "lost" (stolen) purse and creates a situation where the Captain refuses to dock the ship until its returned. Then true "Jafsie" mode kicks in. He's the guy the culprit turned the purse over to! Sound familiar? And by the way, does anyone believe that? So instead of the scoundrel (POOF) he becomes the hero. And all this for $300. So we see evidence in his past that he is willing to commit crimes of both natures. We also know he is a monumental liar. During the course of his entire involvement he's lying to protect the extortionists as well as himself. Police were on to him. Unfortunately, the jealousy and uncooperative behavior among the different agencies created an environment for him to thrive. If united instead of worrying about who would get credit for the crime's solution, they wouldn't have allowed this man to escape the proper methods which would have ended this thing - to the point where I'm sure none of us would be here today discussing any of it. The facts we do know make it crystal clear that Condon is in the extortion up to his neck. How and exactly why he decided to get involved has many possibilities. Reasons "why" someone decided to participate includes "leverage" (blackmail), pressure/threat of violence, and reward. Sometimes one, two, or all three are used to bring someone in. As I've suggested to Joe, all three could have been employed - or not. But "sweetening" the deal by cutting him in is a smart thing to do. Once he accepts the terms, he's now cemented into the crime and a full participant in the extortion for reasons outside of fear. So regardless if he is afraid, that's no longer an excuse for his involvement. Again, there's always counter arguments to be made involving any number of possibilities. But this idea that he was "innocent" or a "dupe" just isn't supported by what we know about him as well as what we know actually occurred. I get Wayne's original point where he blames Lindbergh for the removal of the 20K. CAL certainly did not argue or seem upset at the suggestion and went along with it so he definitely shares in the blame. Most especially since he knew about the value those $50s had in tracking down these people AS WELL AS his original position that the serials would not be recorded. However, it was Condon who claimed to have negotiated this money out of the Ransom. While its clear to me that he made up this entire exchange with CJ, it still shows it was his idea because he's lying about how it came about.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2020 7:35:59 GMT -5
I agree with Walsh and Keaten. It's like the letter Condon wrote... It doesn't matter what was exactly written in it because it was done for that purpose regardless. Of course I'm not trying to steer anyone away from the idea that it was not. Everything needs to be explored but that's where I'm at on it. I have believed that Walsh was correct about Condon being brought in and that was what the $20,000 additional money was for, so Wayne saying that nothing in the ransom notes can be believed changes the perception about this kidnapping and especially Condon's roll. I don't believe Condon was duped either. He knew he was getting into something dangerous. I suppose it is how Condon became involved and when that is causing this confusion for me. I always thought it was after the kidnapping but how can we be sure if we can't believe what the notes say about anything.
|
|
|
Post by Michael on Jun 2, 2020 7:48:00 GMT -5
Speaking of the removal of that 20K, think about how absurd that supposed exchange actually is. Condon: Hey CJ, these are tough times so could you forego the extra 20K to give Lindy a break?
Hauptmann: (Thinking about the fact they killed the child) Sure thing, we're not greedy, and while I'm at it you keep you $1,000 too. We're going to kidnap another child later on and we'll make it up then.
CJ (If not Hauptmann): I am so sorry. My mother would be very sad. Please, the gang will smack me out, but yes, take it back to Mr. Lindbergh Doc. We trust you. (As he sobs, and Condon demands that he do the right thing while wagging a finger in his face.)
Now let's consider this one... Condon: Hey, don't take that 20K. It's made up of fifties and the Secret Service men think you'll be captured right away if the gang spends them.
Option A. Well you can't bring them back otherwise they'll know you tipped us off.
Option B. Thanks for the information. You leave that to us.
Option C. Its your cut so if you want to give it back go ahead - but you're still in this anyway. You had better make up a good excuse.
Option D. Quick, bring them back. I don't want anything to do with them!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2020 7:48:50 GMT -5
I get Wayne's original point where he blames Lindbergh for the removal of the 20K. CAL certainly did not argue or seem upset at the suggestion and went along with it so he definitely shares in the blame. Most especially since he knew about the value those $50s had in tracking down these people AS WELL AS his original position that the serials would not be recorded. However, it was Condon who claimed to have negotiated this money out of the Ransom. While its clear to me that he made up this entire exchange with CJ, it still shows it was his idea because he's lying about how it came about. I also believe that Condon made up that whole story about negotiating that ransom down. He is lying about it. That $20,000 isn't going anywhere. Condon made sure of it and Lindbergh agreed to it by removing that money from the box. I see them both keeping the promise made of protection of these criminals while providing a reason for why they came back with unpaid ransom money. They definitely share the blame here.
|
|
|
Post by Michael on Jun 2, 2020 7:57:13 GMT -5
I have believed that Walsh was correct about Condon being brought in and that was what the $20,000 additional money was for, so Wayne saying that nothing in the ransom notes can be believed changes the perception about this kidnapping and especially Condon's roll. I don't believe Condon was duped either. He knew he was getting into something dangerous. I suppose it is how Condon became involved and when that is causing this confusion for me. I always thought it was after the kidnapping but how can we be sure if we can't believe what the notes say about anything. It all depends on what your research tells you. As evidenced by our discussions, many of us armed with the same information can come to various conclusions that differ. Some slightly while others drastically at times. Since I don't believe that ransom was meant to be collected in the first place, I see the pursuit of it created the need for Condon's involvement. Prior to that what purpose would this guy serve? Let's say I'm wrong about my theory and this was a legitimate kidnapping and ransom demand. It's clear to me that Condon was an afterthought as they seemed to consider different options prior thereto. That's part of the reason I believe what I do. They aren't properly prepared for negotiations immediately after the crime. And its hard to believe they wanted to drag this out if the purpose was to receive the ransom in the first place. There's things in these notes that I do consider clues despite the fact they were designed to deceive. I look at the "Boad Nelly" note and see that as a perfect example.
|
|
|
Post by lightningjew on Jun 2, 2020 8:25:55 GMT -5
Let me just be clear on one thing: When I say Condon was a "dupe", I don't mean innocent; just that the kidnappers lied to him about CAL Jr. still being alive and Condon thought he was going to return the baby and make some money.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2020 8:37:48 GMT -5
It all depends on what your research tells you. As evidenced by our discussions, many of us armed with the same information can come to various conclusions that differ. Some slightly while others drastically at times. Since I don't believe that ransom was meant to be collected in the first place, I see the pursuit of it created the need for Condon's involvement. Prior to that what purpose would this guy serve? Let's say I'm wrong about my theory and this was a legitimate kidnapping and ransom demand. It's clear to me that Condon was an afterthought as they seemed to consider different options prior thereto. That's part of the reason I believe what I do. They aren't properly prepared for negotiations immediately after the crime. And its hard to believe they wanted to drag this out if the purpose was to receive the ransom in the first place. There's things in these notes that I do consider clues despite the fact they were designed to deceive. I look at the "Boad Nelly" note and see that as a perfect example. Coming to differing conclusions about things in this case is very evident and is an active element of your board, Michael. I have thought very early on (its in my early posts on this board) that this was meant to be a cold case. I thought you correct that the $50,000 was not supposed to be collected. It was never part of the plan that was originally arranged concerning Charlie's kidnapping. People were paid up front for this and at least two of those involved let their greed dictate their actions outside of the original plan. I think that is a correct assessment that they were not initially prepared to have to negotiate to obtain that money once they changed the plan. This change goes south really fast because Lindbergh doesn't open the ransom note. If he had, I think the symbol and especially the holes would have caused him to realize something else is going on here that wasn't part of the plan. Instead CAL leaves the note unopened (not what a parent would do when they find their child missing and a note in the room) and calls in LE. This is clearly reflected by what is written in note number 2. They are angry and they will now have to come up with a way to negotiate for that money and a go-between will have to be brought in. This has always made sense to me. Well said that some of the things in those notes could be clues. This should be seriously considered by researchers when evaluating those notes.
|
|
|
Post by Wayne on Jun 3, 2020 10:36:30 GMT -5
So that the consensus here is that Condon was either blackmailed into the scheme or promised fame & fortune.
Then, using either blackmail or money, the extortionists next step was to get Condon to write a letter to the Bronx Home News (not offering to be a go-between).
All well and good.
How did the extortionists know that the Bronx Home News would publish Condon's letter?
What would have happened if they hadn't published the letter?
|
|
|
Post by lightningjew on Jun 3, 2020 11:37:15 GMT -5
Condon had a long relationship and history with the BHN. He was friends with the editor and publisher, and so he knew he could get something in there pretty quickly, as he'd done many times in the past. In fact, my guess is that, with this in mind, Condon was the one to suggest that paper as a way for he and the kidnappers to establish contact in a seemingly innocent way.
|
|
|
Post by Wayne on Jun 3, 2020 12:40:28 GMT -5
Condon had a long relationship and history with the BHN. He was friends with the editor and publisher, and so he knew he could get something in there pretty quickly, as he'd done many times in the past. In fact, my guess is that, with this in mind, Condon was the one to suggest that paper as a way for he and the kidnappers to establish contact in a seemingly innocent way. All this makes sense, LJ. So the extortionists pick the best man to manipulate. One they know they can easily blackmail and/or bribe with no problem. One they knew who had a relationship with the Bronx Home News. One they knew would write a letter (or be coerced to write a letter) to the Bronx Home News without offering to be a go-between. One they knew whose letter would be published. Man, these extortionists are good! They would have beaten Bobby Fischer before he even made it to the chess table.
|
|