Man Who Fingered McVeigh Stays Mum On 'John Doe #2'

San Antonio Lightning ^ | June 19, 2002 | RG Griffing

[PJ-Comix]

Witness Who Rented Ryder Truck To Oklahoma Bomber Reserves Comment On Photo Similarities Between 'Dirty Bomber' Padilla And FBI Drawing Of 'John Doe #2'

Copyright 2002 San Antonio Lightning

The man who testified that he rented the "death" truck to Timothy McVeigh has confirmed that he has seen the photo and sketch comparisons of "John Doe" and accused "Dirty Bomber" Jose Padilla (See below), but tells the Lightning that he will withhold comment for now on advice of legal counsel.

Eldon Elliott, was the owner of Elliott's Body Shop, a Ryder truck outlet in Junction City, Kansas, the day Tim McVeigh and another man rented the vehicle that carried destruction to the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City in 1995. He and two employees said there was another man with McVeigh. Those witnesses contributed to the 'John Doe' sketch below.

Authorities have since played down even the existence of the man pictured in the widely distributed FBI sketch. They have attributed it to a soldier named Todd Bunting, pictured here. Bunting was cleared of any involvement.

The Lightning reached Mr and Mrs Elliot at their home on Saturday afternoon. In an exclusive interview they said the Lightning's article (below) was the first time they had been made aware of the striking similarities between the "Doe" sketch and Padilla photo.

They viewed the items on our website during a brief conversation with the Lightning, but after seeing the pictures, the Elliots referred us to an attorney who now represents them.

Much controversy has swarmed around "John Doe #2."

Particulary disturbing to some, including Terry Nichol's defense team, was the revelation by the FBI and Justice Department that more than 3,000 documents had not been turned over to them before trial. Some of those documents apparently concerned the FBI's search for a possible " John Doe" suspect, USA Today reported at the time.

"The identity of Mr. McVeigh's primary co-conspirator, John Doe # 2, was a key issue in Mr. Nichols' trial defense and the withheld (documents) regarding the identity of that person went to the heart of " Nichols' request for reconsideration, his lawyers claimed in court documents.

The court later ruled that the missing documents would have had no effect on the outcome of the trial.

-Developing-

* * *

[PJ-Comix]

Yet another twist in this bizarre case. I wonder if Eldon Elliot was ORDERED to keep mum.

[PJ-Comix]

FYI

[PJ-Comix]

What's amazing is that a SMALL periodical took the time to find this witness and asked him for an ID on Padilla. No major periodical has yet done this. Thank God for Web journalism. It makes up for the utter laziness of the lamestream press.

[joebuck]

I agree with you semp. If he was sure that they are not the same guy, there would be no reason not to say so. My gut tells me that his refusal to comment is a tacit admission.

[Fred Mertz]

FYI

[PJ-Comix]

My gut tells me that his refusal to comment is a tacit admission.

As Howard Stern would say, "That means a YES."

[ex-Texan]

Perhaps there is another reason:

McVeigh Conspiracy?

Not that I am a believer in conspiracies myself.

[sport]

He probably wants to continue living.
Diviating from the party line [Mc Veigh acted alone]has been known to be harmful to one's health.

[hchutch]

Correct. I'm moving this to a likely match right now. (I consider Strassmeier to only be a possible).

[Poohbah]

Diviating from the party line [Mc Veigh acted alone]has been known to be harmful to one's health.

Care to name the names of those who "diviated" from the "party line," and what happened to them?

[sam_paine]

The tragedy is that any logical person cannot discount the possibility that the goobermint could/would do such a thing.

After the bungles in the 9-11 Phoenix/Minn. memos, the missed documents in the McVeigh case, the obvious turf battles between bureaucrats, it seems very plausible indeed that there were Federals involved or aware officially or otherwise of the plot, and perhaps participated, but in any event did not prevent it.

Very sad. And because Lee would not listen to Longstreet, we no longer have the option of secession!

[FR_addict]

You would think the FBI would have revisited this guy too.

[PJ-Comix]

You would think the FBI would have revisited this guy too.

My guess is that they did....recently.

[TomGuy]

It makes up for the utter laziness of the lamestream press

They don't want to know. Why not? 1995 was in the middle of the Clinton Administration. Who is the media darling? Clinton. Delving too deeply into this matter might expose a Middle East connection, thus exposing the Clinton/Reno cover-up of the atrocity. And that would not help Clinton's current efforts to spin a legacy.

[PhiKapMom]

And most likely the reason he is not talking and referring people to his lawyer.

[PhiKapMom]

Bingo! You just hit the jackpot!

[hang 'em]

Clinton would NEVER have been reelected without the OKC bombing and the anti-conservative hysteria he fanned in its wake. Remember, he blamed right wing anti-government talk radio (i.e. Rush Limbaugh) for the tragedy. It would not suprise me to find out Clinton ordered FBI chief Luis Freeh to suppress any evidence of a connection to Islamic terrorism. What's the latin phrase for "who benefits"?

[hang 'em]

surprise, surprise

[Snowy]

Suppose this guy was in with McVeigh. What would be McVeigh's motivation to keep quiet? Maybe it's obvious and I just am not awake yet....