[Vision2020] Press Release

Fri Aug 26 15:58:58 PDT 2011

Well, color me wrong.  Although judging from the comments section, today's Statesman editorial was a case study in a rush to judgment, though I haven't read it......

From: deco at moscow.com
To: Vision2020 at moscow.com
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:44:14 -0700
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Press Release

Here's part of the answer:

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/08/26/1773938/university-of-idaho-releases-details.html

w.

From: Carl Westberg 
Sent: Friday, August 26, 2011 2:50 PM
To: vision2020 at moscow.com 
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Press Release

I wonder if the Idaho Statesman, on the heels of its oh so innocent 
"dear U of I students, do you feel safe?  We want to hear from you" 
questions, successfully stirring the anti U of Idaho crowd in the Treasure 
Valley, will bother to note or make mention of either the MPD press release or 
the statement and time line published on Vandal Venue today.  I would bet 
not, and if they do, you'll find it somewhere near the classified ads section, 
in a short blurb at the bottom of the page......

From: skalasz at ci.moscow.id.us
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 
2011 19:16:49 +0000
Subject: [Vision2020] Press Release

City of Moscow 
206 E Third Street
Moscow, ID 83843
Contact: Gary J. Riedner, City Supervisor
p     |  208-883-7006
e     |   griedner at ci.moscow.id.us
w    |  www.ci.moscow.id.us

PRESS 
RELEASE
HOMICIDE

August 26, 2011 (Moscow, 
Idaho) – 
The Moscow Police Department is releasing the following supplemental 
information in reference to the homicide of Kathryn M. Benoit and suicide of 
Ernesto Bustamante.  

Documents seized during the 
search of hotel room #213 at the University Inn confirm Kathryn M. Benoit and 
Ernesto Bustamante first met in the fall semester of 2010 when Kathryn M. Benoit 
was a student taking psychology 218 taught by Professor Ernesto 
Bustamante.  It was determined that by the end of the semester Kathryn M. 
Benoit and Professor Bustamante were involved in an active sexual 
relationship.  Documents seized pursuit to the warrant indicates that 
Kathryn M. Benoit filed a sexual harassment complaint with the University of 
Idaho on June 12, 2011.  In the complaint it was alleged that threats of 
violence occurred on three separate occasions where Professor Bustamante held a 
gun to her head and detailed the manner in which he would use it.  The 
first incident occurred the end of January 2011, the second incident occurred 
the week after spring break 2011, and the third incident occurred the second 
week of May 2011, which ended the relationship.  Professor Bustamante 
denied the allegations of violence and sexual harassment.  Professor 
Bustamante filed a formal complaint against Kathryn M. Benoit on July 8, 2011 in 
reference to making unfounded complaints and potential defamation of 
character.  Professor Bustamante stated the two had a close personal 
relationship sharing intimate aspects about their personal lives.

On June 10, 2011 at 3:04 p.m. 
Lt. Lehmitz received a telephone call from Kathryn M. Benoit.  This call 
was a result of the University of Idaho referring her to address safety 
concerns.  Lt. Lehmitz spoke with her advising her of basic safety 
principles and to call police if any threatening or suspicious incident(s) were 
to occur.

On July 14, 2011, the 
University of Idaho requested the Moscow Police Department participate in a 
threat assessment concerning the alleged threatening behavior of Professor 
Ernesto Bustamante relating to Kathryn M. Benoit.   As a result of the 
information gathered in the threat assessment, the Moscow Police Department 
attempted several phone contacts with Kathryn M. Benoit, leaving messages to get 
in touch with the Moscow Police Campus Division, but she did not return the 
phone calls.  The Moscow Police Department notified the University of Idaho 
that Kathryn M. Benoit was not returning phone calls.  The University of 
Idaho indicated Kathryn M. Benoit had been referred to Alternatives to Violence 
of the Palouse and that a safety plan had been discussed.  The Moscow 
Police Department was then informed by the University of Idaho that Kathryn M. 
Benoit did not want law enforcement involvement.   

On July 19, 2011 the 
University of Idaho notified the Moscow Police Department they were not able to 
make contact with Kathryn M. Benoit and requested that police conduct a check of 
her welfare.  Before the Moscow Police Department was able to make contact 
with Kathryn M. Benoit, the University of Idaho called the Moscow Police Campus 
Division and cancelled the welfare check request as the University of Idaho had 
made telephone contact with Kathryn M. Benoit and confirmed her welfare.

The only Moscow Police 
Department records relating to Kathryn M. Benoit indicate that she had pawned 
property on three different occasions during 2011.

The search of University Inn 
hotel room #213 on August 23, 2011 where Ernesto Bustamante was located 
recovered the following medications and weapons;   

  Clonazepam:  Used as 
  an anticonvulsant for epilepsy and as a sedative for sleep disorders. 
  Lexapro:  Used to 
  treat anxiety in adults and major depressive disorder in adults. 
  Lamotrigine:  Used in 
  the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder.  It is also used as an 
  adjunct in treating depression. 
  Alprazolam:  Used to 
  treat moderate to severe anxiety disorders. 

The above listed prescription 
medications were contained in bottles bearing his name. 

  Smith and Wesson M&P 
  .45 caliber handgun which is believed to be the weapon used to murder Kathryn 
  M. Benoit. 
  Smith and Wesson .44 
  caliber revolver which is believed to be the weapon used by Ernesto Bustamante 
  to commit suicide. 
  Springfield Armory .45 
  caliber handgun. 
  Ruger LCP .380 caliber 
  handgun. 
  Glock 9mm caliber handgun. 
  Taurus Judge .45 caliber / 
  .410 gauge handgun. 
  Additional ammunition was 
  also recovered in the hotel room for the weapons listed.

Moscow Police Department 
records indicate that Ernesto Bustamante had the following contacts:

  July 30, 2009 he was issued 
  a citation for failing to obey a blinking red traffic signal light.  He 
  plead guilty and paid a fine of $85.00. 
  March 29, 2010 he was 
  issued a citation for failing to show proof of vehicle insurance. That 
  citation was later dismissed when he provided proof of insurance to the court. 

  July 4, 2010 he was a 
  complainant in reference to a fireworks call. 
  October 24, 2010 he was 
  referenced as an ex-boyfriend in a report of a suicide attempt. He was never 
  contacted or found to be involved in this reported incident. 
  November 2, 2010 he was a 
  victim of a battery and a malicious injury to property.  The suspect was 
  cited and released for battery and malicious injury to property.  The 
  suspect pled guilty to an amended charge of disturbing the peace.  The 
  battery charge was dismissed. 
  November 30, 2010 as a 
  result of the incident of November 2, 2010 a protection order was issued 
  identifying Ernesto Bustamante as the protected person.

Ernesto Bustamante was issued 
a concealed weapons permit on March 28, 2011, expiring March 28, 2016 through 
the Latah County Sheriff’s Office.

Preliminary review of cell 
phone data dating back to July 24, 2011 indicate Kathryn M. Benoit and Ernesto 
Bustamante did not have any phone or texting contact.

Records seized during the 
course of this investigation reveal that Ernesto Bustamante had secured 
employment in the State of New Jersey and was in the process of 
relocating.  He had made arrangements to move his personal property and 
vehicle on August 24, 2011.

An autopsy of Kathryn M. 
Benoit conducted on August 23, 2011 revealed that she had been struck eleven 
(11) times with .45 caliber bullets.  

The investigation is still 
continuing with the execution of search warrants to obtain records from the 
University of Idaho and his personal vehicle that was impounded at Zeppos in 
Pullman, Washington.

###

Story Contact: Dave Lehmitz, Lieutenant
Phone: 208-883-7127
Email: dlehmitz at ci.moscow.id.us

The City of 
Moscow delivers quality municipal services while ensuring responsible use of 
resources. We anticipate and meet the needs of our diverse population in order 
to build public trust and enhance a sense of community.

======================================================= 
List services made available by First Step Internet, serving the communities of 
the Palouse since 1994. http://www.fsr.net mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com 
=======================================================

=======================================================
 List 
services made available by First Step Internet, 
 serving the 
communities of the Palouse since 1994.   

http://www.fsr.net                       

mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
=======================================================

=======================================================
 List services made available by First Step Internet, 
 serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.   
               http://www.fsr.net                       
          mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
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