WhatRealyHappened

2200 Argument breaks out between Dave Stebbins and Chris and Matt Benoit. Argument is over Erin Whalen. Ends up in street with several witnesses. Ryan and Brandy remain upstairs at party. Jared Gilkenson is with Dave. Rob McCaffery and John Jones go up on roof of garage to get away from fights have a smoke and finish their beers. Ron and Chris Harding come out to street to break up fight. Ron tackles Matt Benoit since he was the loudest and most upset. Ron Harding tells everyone to get back in the house and tells Dave to get his friends and leave. Jared goes upstairs to get Ryan, Brandy and Rob Comeau. Rob decides to stay.

2220 Ryan, Brandy, Dave and Jared get in their car to leave. Erin Whalen is upset over treatment from Matt Benoit and asks them to give her and girlfriend a ride home. Brandy tells Erin they will pick her up at Christy's market. They drive away. Brandy is in the drivers seat, Dave is in the front passenger seat, Ryan and Jared are in the back. They drive around the block to get back on Prospect street and head towards Rt. 12 and Plainfield. Matt Benoit stays outside and begins walking around looking for Erin.

22?? Officer Wolfburg of Plainfield Police is the first officer on scene, he states that Ron Harding informs him that Dave Stebbins shot Rob McCaffery. Next officer on the scene also reported same statements from several partygoers who he could not identify. Officers are telling people in the street to go home.

22?? Matt Benoit runs home to call 911 and tell parents. Parents go over to party to see what is going on. Mr. Paul Benoit sees Bobby Latour leaving the scene quickly. Bobby is white as a ghost and upset. Paul asks him what is going on. Latour tells him he just saw Dave Stebbins shoot someone. Paul asks why he is leaving, and Bobby states that he and the police don't get along to well. Josh Lovely, Geremiah Giles and Josh Griffin decide to drive to Plainfield to get Dave Stebbins and kick his ass.

22?? Ryan and Brandy drop Dave and Jared off at Stebbins house in Plainfield. Matt Benoit enters Taverniers home and asks to use phone to call 911. Calls Stebbins house yelling and threatening. Hangs up and leaves. Dave S. *69s. Lady answers and Dave yells and swears at her for calling them. Tavernier reports phone call to officer Tyrell out on the street. Brandy and Ryan head back towards Moosup to pick up Erin Whalen and friend and Rob Comeau. As they are driving down Dow Road headed for Rt. 12 a car with Lovely, Giles, and Griffin sees them and turns around to follow them. They flash their lights and pull them over in the Mobil Mart on Rt. 12. Brandy and Ryan get out of the car to see what they want. The three boys get out and ask where Dave is. Brandy tells them home in bed and asks what is going on. The three tell Ryan and Brandy that Rob McCaffery has been shot at the party and everyone thinks it was Dave that did it. Brandy says there is no way, Dave is home. Brandy and Ryan proceed toward Moosup and the party to see what is going on and to get their friends.

2250 Ryan and Brandy stop at Christys to see if Erin is there, she is not. Brandy buys gum and Ryan talks to a couple of friends getting gas. The friends asks Ryan what is going on at the party, they saw ambulance and police. Ryan told him he did not know they were going up to find out.

23?? Brandy parks in front of Hang Out and tells Ryan to stay in car she is going in to find out what is going on. Ryan leaves car and heads toward the party. As he approaches Ron Harding at the corner of Prospect and Allen, Harding is speaking with Officer Tyrell, and starts yelling that Ryan is one of them and pointing at Ryan. Ryan yells back that we didn't do anything, why are you blaming us. Shouting match continues and Ryan repeats over and over. Police tell Ryan to leave the scene. He is drunk and belligerent telling them he didn't have to leave and wants to know why they are being blamed for shooting. Ryan walks back towards Hang Out for a short time then returns to the corner of Prospect and Allen and shouting match continues. Police warn Ryan to leave the areas or he will be arrested. He tells them to go ahead and arrest him he didn't do anything. They arrest Ryan for disorderly conduct and take him to the station.

0130 0400 State Police Major Crime Squad investigators David LeBlanc and Richard Bedard attempt to get a statement from Ryan. Arguments between Ryan and them break out during interviews in which they are accusing Ryan of the shooting. They finally take a statement at 0345. Take a Gunpowder Residue Test from Ryans hands. Tests later come back negative for GSR. They ask him if he is willing to submit to lie detector test, he agrees. Test is not run.

0200 Police go to Stebbins and ask to see any guns in house. Police ask for and take into custody a marlin .22 cal rifle, which is later tested and does not match the bullet which killed Rob McCaffery. Dave Stebbins and Jared Gilkenson are then taken to the Plainfield Police Dept. so the state police can get statements from them. Statements are given as are GSRs from both. Tests later come back negative for Gunshot residue. Ryan, Dave and Jared's statements all coincide about departure from the party and only finding out later about the shooting.

about the same time she heard on the scanner that the ambulance was being sent to Allen St. she drove down to see what was going on. At the American Legion on Prospect she saw her son Bobby came over to the car. He was all white and looked upset and said that Dave Stebbins just shot Rob McCaffery. Bobby said there was a fight over a girl and that Dave had pointed a gun at his chin because they didn't get along. Bobby said he was standing there when Rob got shot.

0800 Dets. Graham and Gookin interview Bobby Latour. They claim his statement states that after the fight broke up he was alone in the street with Dave, Ryan and some other kid. He said Dave went to the car and got a .22 rifle and held it under his chin and threatened him. He said Dave then went back to the car handed the rifle to Ryan in the passenger seat and drove up the street. Said he saw Ryan get out of the car holding something like you wold hold a rifle and ran in between numbers 41 and 43 Allen St. He said Ryan went towards where he had seen people on the roof of a garage during the fight (funny nobody else saw the guys on the roof). He heard a pop noise and Dave Stebbins drove away. He never saw Ryan again after the pop till later when Ryan was walking down Prospect St. with a girl.

0900 Truck arrives to impound Brandys car for evidence. Ryan and Jared go home and go to bed. Brandys car is later determined to have no forensic value. There is no gunpowder residue found anywhere in the car or trunk. The car remains impounded by the Ct state police.

1000-1630 Police pick up Dave Stebbins at his house and take him to Plainfield Police station for interview with Bedard and LeBlance. This time Dave signs a statement that says Ryan got out of the car with a gun and came back saying lets get out of here I think I hit somebody. The statement said Ryan was upset about the argument Dave had with the Benoits.

1045 Dets Contre and Gookin interview Brandy Stebbins. Her statement matches statements by Ryan, Dave and Jared that were made in the early morning hours at the police station. They claim she becomes upset about her car being impounded and the interview ends (they actually threatened her with loss of her son if she did not help them out).

1300 1600 Dets Graham and Sarant (with occasional visits by Det LeBlanc) interview Jared Gilkenson in his home with his parents present. After a couple of hours of heated discussion and pressure from his parents (after they were told Ryan confessed (which was not true!)) Jared agrees to sign a statement, which implicates Ryan as the shooter. It reads much the same as the statement signed by Dave Stebbins.

2100 2430 State police execute a search warrant at the Thompson residence. The search is for guns and ammunition. Nothing is found. As detectives are leaving they note a white Nike jacket which Ryan had been wearing at the party hanging on a coat hook in the kitchen. Detectives ask for and are given written permission to take the jacket into custody as evidence. Later tests on the jacket are inconclusive. There are some elements found on the jacket which could be considered residue from a gunshot but the three elements which together make up gunshot residue are not present. The jacket is actually Ryans sisters. She had worn it on many occasions while visiting her husband on his submarine. Any elements found on the jacket most likely came from the submarine or the Thompson household.

1300 - 1700 Detectives Graham, Masson, Reif and Nault arrive at the Stebbins residence after being told Dave Stebbins wanted to recant his statement from the 19th. Graham and Masson take Brandy and her mother to the Plainfield Police Dept. for another interview. This statement is basically the same as her last. She did not see a gun in her car at anytime during the night. Dave Stebbins and his father remain at their residence with Dets Reif and Nault. Dave tells the detectives he wants to make a new statement recanting his statement against Ryan on the 19th. The detectives tell Dave he can only make minor changes to his previous statement and could only recant the entire statement in court. A minor change is made that does not effect the statement against Ryan.

2100 Jared comes to Thompson residence and asks Scott to come over to Daves house, they have something to tell him. Scott arrives to find Dave, Jared, Josh and Jed Bosker. Dave and Jared tell Scott that Ryan did not shoot Rob McCaffery but they were forced to make statements against him. Scott tells them to tell him the truth about what had happened, that the lawyer would need to know the truth in order to prepare a proper defense. They repeat that they were forced to make statements against Ryan by the police. Both boys were in tears.

900 Dets Graham and LeBlance return to Gilkensons. Jared tells them that most of the statement taken last week was true with the exception of the portion of the statement where he implicates Ryan. They tell him to "tell it to the Judge".



	All times approximate or best guess 4/18/98 Party at Ron Hardings 2nd floor apt on corner of Prospect and Allen St. Moosup. Party has a total of close to 60 youths and young adults between the ages of 15 and 30 in and out all night. 2200 Argument breaks out between Dave Stebbins and Chris and Matt Benoit. Argument is over Erin Whalen. Ends up in street with several witnesses. Ryan and Brandy remain upstairs at party. Jared Gilkenson is with Dave. Rob McCaffery and John Jones go up on roof of garage to get away from fights have a smoke and finish their beers. Ron and Chris Harding come out to street to break up fight. Ron tackles Matt Benoit since he was the loudest and most upset. Ron Harding tells everyone to get back in the house and tells Dave to get his friends and leave. Jared goes upstairs to get Ryan, Brandy and Rob Comeau. Rob decides to stay. 2220 Ryan, Brandy, Dave and Jared get in their car to leave. Erin Whalen is upset over treatment from Matt Benoit and asks them to give her and girlfriend a ride home. Brandy tells Erin they will pick her up at Christy's market. They drive away. Brandy is in the drivers seat, Dave is in the front passenger seat, Ryan and Jared are in the back. They drive around the block to get back on Prospect street and head towards Rt. 12 and Plainfield. Matt Benoit stays outside and begins walking around looking for Erin. 2230 Neighbors and some party goers report hearing fire crackers going off. Bobby Latour tells party that someone is on the roof of a garage screaming that someone was shot. 2236 Several calls to 911 from party and neighbors. Neighbors report pandemonium. Teens running around neighborhood, cars departing quickly. 22?? Officer Wolfburg of Plainfield Police is the first officer on scene, he states that Ron Harding informs him that Dave Stebbins shot Rob McCaffery. Next officer on the scene also reported same statements from several partygoers who he could not identify. Officers are telling people in the street to go home. 22?? Matt Benoit runs home to call 911 and tell parents. Parents go over to party to see what is going on. Mr. Paul Benoit sees Bobby Latour leaving the scene quickly. Bobby is white as a ghost and upset. Paul asks him what is going on. Latour tells him he just saw Dave Stebbins shoot someone. Paul asks why he is leaving, and Bobby states that he and the police don't get along to well. Josh Lovely, Geremiah Giles and Josh Griffin decide to drive to Plainfield to get Dave Stebbins and kick his ass. 22?? Ryan and Brandy drop Dave and Jared off at Stebbins house in Plainfield. Matt Benoit enters Taverniers home and asks to use phone to call 911. Calls Stebbins house yelling and threatening. Hangs up and leaves. Dave S. *69s. Lady answers and Dave yells and swears at her for calling them. Tavernier reports phone call to officer Tyrell out on the street. Brandy and Ryan head back towards Moosup to pick up Erin Whalen and friend and Rob Comeau. As they are driving down Dow Road headed for Rt. 12 a car with Lovely, Giles, and Griffin sees them and turns around to follow them. They flash their lights and pull them over in the Mobil Mart on Rt. 12. Brandy and Ryan get out of the car to see what they want. The three boys get out and ask where Dave is. Brandy tells them home in bed and asks what is going on. The three tell Ryan and Brandy that Rob McCaffery has been shot at the party and everyone thinks it was Dave that did it. Brandy says there is no way, Dave is home. Brandy and Ryan proceed toward Moosup and the party to see what is going on and to get their friends. 2250 Ryan and Brandy stop at Christys to see if Erin is there, she is not. Brandy buys gum and Ryan talks to a couple of friends getting gas. The friends asks Ryan what is going on at the party, they saw ambulance and police. Ryan told him he did not know they were going up to find out. 23?? Brandy parks in front of Hang Out and tells Ryan to stay in car she is going in to find out what is going on. Ryan leaves car and heads toward the party. As he approaches Ron Harding at the corner of Prospect and Allen, Harding is speaking with Officer Tyrell, and starts yelling that Ryan is one of them and pointing at Ryan. Ryan yells back that we didn't do anything, why are you blaming us. Shouting match continues and Ryan repeats over and over. Police tell Ryan to leave the scene. He is drunk and belligerent telling them he didn't have to leave and wants to know why they are being blamed for shooting. Ryan walks back towards Hang Out for a short time then returns to the corner of Prospect and Allen and shouting match continues. Police warn Ryan to leave the areas or he will be arrested. He tells them to go ahead and arrest him he didn't do anything. They arrest Ryan for disorderly conduct and take him to the station. 23?? State Police Major Crime Squad arrives on scene. Someone tells them Dave Stebbins, Ryan Thompson, and Jared Gilkenson are involved in shooting. It is written in their note book. 04/19/98 0130 0400 State Police Major Crime Squad investigators David LeBlanc and Richard Bedard attempt to get a statement from Ryan. Arguments between Ryan and them break out during interviews in which they are accusing Ryan of the shooting. They finally take a statement at 0345. Take a Gunpowder Residue Test from Ryans hands. Tests later come back negative for GSR. They ask him if he is willing to submit to lie detector test, he agrees. Test is not run. 0200 Police go to Stebbins and ask to see any guns in house. Police ask for and take into custody a marlin .22 cal rifle, which is later tested and does not match the bullet which killed Rob McCaffery. Dave Stebbins and Jared Gilkenson are then taken to the Plainfield Police Dept. so the state police can get statements from them. Statements are given as are GSRs from both. Tests later come back negative for Gunshot residue. Ryan, Dave and Jared's statements all coincide about departure from the party and only finding out later about the shooting. 0530 Det. Graham interviews Bobby Latours mother, Sheila Jendrewski. She said that about the same time she heard on the scanner that the ambulance was being sent to Allen St. she drove down to see what was going on. At the American Legion on Prospect she saw her son Bobby came over to the car. He was all white and looked upset and said that Dave Stebbins just shot Rob McCaffery. Bobby said there was a fight over a girl and that Dave had pointed a gun at his chin because they didn't get along. Bobby said he was standing there when Rob got shot. 0800 Dets. Graham and Gookin interview Bobby Latour. They claim his statement states that after the fight broke up he was alone in the street with Dave, Ryan and some other kid. He said Dave went to the car and got a .22 rifle and held it under his chin and threatened him. He said Dave then went back to the car handed the rifle to Ryan in the passenger seat and drove up the street. Said he saw Ryan get out of the car holding something like you wold hold a rifle and ran in between numbers 41 and 43 Allen St. He said Ryan went towards where he had seen people on the roof of a garage during the fight (funny nobody else saw the guys on the roof). He heard a pop noise and Dave Stebbins drove away. He never saw Ryan again after the pop till later when Ryan was walking down Prospect St. with a girl. 0900 Truck arrives to impound Brandys car for evidence. Ryan and Jared go home and go to bed. Brandys car is later determined to have no forensic value. There is no gunpowder residue found anywhere in the car or trunk. The car remains impounded by the Ct state police. 1000-1630 Police pick up Dave Stebbins at his house and take him to Plainfield Police station for interview with Bedard and LeBlance. This time Dave signs a statement that says Ryan got out of the car with a gun and came back saying lets get out of here I think I hit somebody. The statement said Ryan was upset about the argument Dave had with the Benoits. 1045 Dets Contre and Gookin interview Brandy Stebbins. Her statement matches statements by Ryan, Dave and Jared that were made in the early morning hours at the police station. They claim she becomes upset about her car being impounded and the interview ends (they actually threatened her with loss of her son if she did not help them out). 1300 1600 Dets Graham and Sarant (with occasional visits by Det LeBlanc) interview Jared Gilkenson in his home with his parents present. After a couple of hours of heated discussion and pressure from his parents (after they were told Ryan confessed (which was not true!)) Jared agrees to sign a statement, which implicates Ryan as the shooter. It reads much the same as the statement signed by Dave Stebbins. 1700 Dave Stebbins tells his Uncle the police made him sign a statement against Ryan and the statement wasn't the truth. 2100 2430 State police execute a search warrant at the Thompson residence. The search is for guns and ammunition. Nothing is found. As detectives are leaving they note a white Nike jacket which Ryan had been wearing at the party hanging on a coat hook in the kitchen. Detectives ask for and are given written permission to take the jacket into custody as evidence. Later tests on the jacket are inconclusive. There are some elements found on the jacket which could be considered residue from a gunshot but the three elements which together make up gunshot residue are not present. The jacket is actually Ryans sisters. She had worn it on many occasions while visiting her husband on his submarine. Any elements found on the jacket most likely came from the submarine or the Thompson household. 4/20/98 1110 Ryan Thompson arrested for manslaughter. 1300 - 1700 Detectives Graham, Masson, Reif and Nault arrive at the Stebbins residence after being told Dave Stebbins wanted to recant his statement from the 19th. Graham and Masson take Brandy and her mother to the Plainfield Police Dept. for another interview. This statement is basically the same as her last. She did not see a gun in her car at anytime during the night. Dave Stebbins and his father remain at their residence with Dets Reif and Nault. Dave tells the detectives he wants to make a new statement recanting his statement against Ryan on the 19th. The detectives tell Dave he can only make minor changes to his previous statement and could only recant the entire statement in court. A minor change is made that does not effect the statement against Ryan. 4/21/98 Ryan arraigned at Willimantic. Charge changed from manslaughter to murder. 4/22/98 2100 Jared comes to Thompson residence and asks Scott to come over to Daves house, they have something to tell him. Scott arrives to find Dave, Jared, Josh and Jed Bosker. Dave and Jared tell Scott that Ryan did not shoot Rob McCaffery but they were forced to make statements against him. Scott tells them to tell him the truth about what had happened, that the lawyer would need to know the truth in order to prepare a proper defense. They repeat that they were forced to make statements against Ryan by the police. Both boys were in tears. 4/22/98 4/27/98 Gilkenson's repeatedly attempt to get police to come back to interview Jared so he can recant his statement. 4/28/98 900 Dets Graham and LeBlance return to Gilkensons. Jared tells them that most of the statement taken last week was true with the exception of the portion of the statement where he implicates Ryan. They tell him to "tell it to the Judge".