Published: 08/25/2007
Witness in raccoon mutilation case finds home ransacked By Mike Stucka Staff writer
SALEM - The lead witness in Salem's raccoon mutilation case returned home yesterday afternoon to find his apartment ransacked, with valuables - including his crystal balls - gone.
Salem police are investigating the break-in at the home of Richard Watson and said yesterday they didn't know if it was linked to the allegations against Watson's former roommate, Sharon Graham, and an associate, Frederick Purtz.
Graham was released on bail yesterday, said Salem police Lt. Conrad Prosniewski, the department's spokesman.
"Of course, it raises your eyebrows because it's coincidental with the main suspect being released," he said. "But as far as her being connected right now, I can't answer that because the incident's too fresh."
Watson said he doesn't know who broke into his apartment at 100 Bridge St.
"I feel that it is in retaliation, though, of me coming forward," he said. "It's very hard to say who could have done it. I don't know, the police don't know. It's all under investigation."
Graham, who describes herself as a Wiccan high priestess, and Purtz face charges of malicious destruction of property and littering in connection with the May mutilation, which left parts of a disemboweled and decapitated raccoon on the doorsteps of two Salem psychic shops.
Graham is also charged with intimidating a witness, because she allegedly told Watson to keep quiet about the incident, "or she would make him pay." Watson took out a restraining order against Graham on Wednesday.
They live in the same building, in different apartments. Watson - who says he is also a Wiccan - used to be Graham's roommate but said he kicked her out of the apartment after the raccoon incident earlier this summer. She moved in with Purtz, who lives in another apartment in the same building.
Watson said the break-in happened between 6 p.m. Thursday and 1:30 p.m. yesterday. Among the items stolen, he said, were "crystal balls, jewelry, money and valuables left from my grandfather who just passed away last month."
Salem police reported vandals had also knocked over flower pots and a patio table and then threw dirt and flowers into Watson's apartment. A front driveway side window was also broken.
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