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Details of What Happened



Roanoke Virginia native, Conley Lane and Virginia Beach native, John Oliver Sutherland, were killed suddenly in a tragic car wreck on 12-11-92 at approximately 11:00pm while traveling westbound on Rt. 22.
Image of a Road

They were struck by a 7,000lb speeding Chevy pickup truck traveling eastbound and loaded with four DRINKING citizens of Jackson Hole Wyoming coming from the Yearsley Construction Co. Christmas party. Darrell Beck, David Yearsley, Wendi Yearsley (Phelps), and Heidi Anderson walked away from the collision generally uninjured. The alleged driver of the Chevy, David Yearsley, was legally intoxicated according to Wyoming State Law, with a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) of 0.11. It has been determined that the Chevy was speeding, there were four persons in the front seat, and open alcohol containers were found in the vehicle. There was practically no investigation and no charges were ever filed against the driver of the Chevy pickup where two individuals died. As a matter of record, not one of the occupants in the Yearsley vehicle ever made an official statement to police. Eyewitnesses, Daryl and Judith Erby were never interviewed. Blame was placed on the deceased driver of the Bronco II, Ollie Sutherland, without substantial evidence during the civil trial that followed several years afterwards. This event has all the makings for a television film. The famous trial lawyer, author, photographer and poet, Gerry Spence's law firm's desire not to "go against one of their own", to a highly decorated, Wyoming State Trooper and Treasure of the Wyoming State Police Association, Delane Baldwin's, direct involvement.

The senseless death of these two young men is a tragedy in itself but the calamity to our justice system that subsequently followed continues to this day. The local Jackson Hole and Teton County authorities seemingly mishandled essential evidence, followed unusual procedures, misrepresented truths, and presumably followed their own agenda after the incident. In our opinion, the manipulation of our Justice system possibly allowed the guilty parties to escape responsibility and punishment for there actions. We strongly feel that local authorities protected their own while placing blame on the deceased innocent victims. The evidence and facts presented here speak for themselves and will exonerate those currently held responsible. The facts and evidence in this case point strongly in the other direction, yet local authorities in Teton county have seemingly ignored these facts whether knowingly, or not.

The conduct and behavior of local authorities is quite unusual in this case and warrants a closer federal investigation into these subsequent questionable events. The inconsistencies as to exactly what happened are numerous and we are still looking for the answers that to this day have gone unanswered. Why did Asst. prosecuting attorney Steve Weichman's decide not to prosecute David Yearsley in the face of substantial evidence against him? Why did Mr. Weichman order only one blood sample be taken from David Yearsley and Darrell Beck? Why was Darrell Beck's blood taken at the outset if you weren't convinced he may have been driving the Yearsley vehicle? Why was the Yearsley vehicle quickly taken out of state and never seen again shortly after the incident? Why did coroner Bob Cambell misrepresent the truth to the families of the victims and tell them that Ollie had hit an OLD COUPLE? Why did Bob Cambell destroy the clothes of the deceased? Were Ollie and Conley inside the Bronco II when it was struck? Was Bob Cambell trying to hide something? Why are there no photos of the scene by state police or Sheriff's deputies directly after the event? It has been stated that the camera malfunctioned! There were many officers at the scene and only one camera?? Who took the photos of the deceased lying in the snow then?? The photos exist, they just refuse to release them. WHY?? Why did LabCorp destroy the blood samples of Darrell Beck? Why will State Farm Insurance Co. not provide us with the information they collected in this case? How could reconstructionist, Officer John Daily's report of the incident be considered accurate or unbiased when he was socially associated with Yearsley's family, and incidentally refused to sign his deposition? Why did John Daily lose his official accident reconstruction report and not find it until the day he was to testify in the civil trial? To avoid refuted expert testimony!!! Our analysis shows something quite different from John Daily's conclusions.

The civil trial against David Yearsley was held in Teton County which we feel was an unfair venue for this event. Ninth district Judge Terry Rogers allowed personal comments between jurors and the defendant's attorney Magistrate Judge Timothy Bommer that appeared to precondition jurors. Richard Wolfe was the plaintiffs attorney who admittedly stated he was unprepared for this trial and seemingly did not adequately represent his client. Why did the defendant's ( David Yearsley) wife, thank the plaintiff's attorney directly after the verdict had been read??

We will provide investigative reports paid for by Jim Lane, county court documents, Lab results, depositions from the civil trial, testimony, taped conversations and third party objective points of view and simple common sense to try and unravel this mystery. The facts and evidence show absolutely no culpability towards Ollie or Conley but rather towards the occupants of the Yearsley vehicle. We seek nothing but Justice in this matter. To "right" a "wrong" in this case.
We respectfully request a Federal Grand Jury to investigate this case so that Justice can be served.

If federal authorities would just take a few minutes to review the evidence presented on this website, we are convinced you will determine the probable injustice done here, and that this case warrants federal review. There are just too many coincidences, unusual activities and procedures on the part of local authorities, inconsistencies in the evidence, mistruths, and unsubstantiated evidence towards Conley and Ollie to let this injustice continue.

We appeal to the good and decent citizens of Jackson Wyoming to help in our cause. Any information concerning this incident, or events thereafter, that you can provide no matter how inconsequential you believe them to be, will be greatly appreciated. We are still trying to determine the location of Conley Lane's neighbor, Bruce Clark, whom may have been the last person to see Conley alive and could provide important information as to his state of mind just before the collision. Any information leading to the truth in this case will be greatly appreciated. These two young men deserve better than what authorities did to their names. Witnesses have come forward to date with valuable information that has strengthened our belief and cause to bring justice to these two boys. As a citizen of Jackson Hole, you will be appalled, no OUTRAGED, at the method in which your local elected officials conducted what little investigation there was. To this very day, we believe local officials refuse to turn over evidence in this matter. The cover up continues.
 

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