When folks ask me who's the best investigator I ever knew, I always say his name was Young. That gets a laugh, then I explain. Harold Young. Since it's possible we're related, both coming from the same neck of the woods, we call each other Cuz.
Cuz worked for the CCSO, eventually heading Homicide. He once ran for Sheriff and did very well against the machine. His downfall was that he was too good a cop, too diligent.
Harold has fantastic intuitive skills. I remember one case in which a child had been abducted and its possible location was a large section of woods. While everyone meandered around, Cuz just walked in, went straight to the child and made the rescue. When asked how he did it, he shrugged, said, "Don't know, just knew where she was."
He's so honest and personable that folks he has sent to prison consider him a friend. There would have been no limit to his accomplishments if it hadn't been for the Benson case.
This was Naples biggest case ever. Three major books were written about it. At one time a movie was in the works. It involved the tobacco rich Bensons and a greedy son who blew up his mother and nephew and disfigured his sister with two car bombs.
As an ironic aside, Steven Benson had researched the murders until he thought it was a perfect crime. Read books on bombs, concocted alibis, the works. His gigantic ego led him to believe no one would figure it out. I was working in the office that day, and asked a rookie who'd been at the scene what was going on. He said, "Some A-Hole blew up his mother." One of our least experienced cops knew at first glance who was guilty. Perfect crime. Right.
Still, proving it was another matter. But Cuz worked tirelessly, found where Steven bought the bomb casing, discovered the motive, and had a good case. The State, however, was reluctant to prosecute. Since this was high profile, they wanted a slam dunk. Benson would have high-priced defense lawyers, there would be national exposure, a loss would be embarrassing. So, satisfied they didn't yet have enough evidence, they sat on it longer than Cuz could tolerate. A highly contentious pushing and shoving match ensued. When the smoke cleared, the State had successfully prosecuted the case, Benson was in prison--where we pray he's regularly bent over by the other inmates--and Cuz was out of work.
It was one of those you don't mess with Mother Nature things. His totally unwarranted firing was a dramatic loss to local law enforcement that has never been filled.
Harold's now a private investigator. Again, probably the best.
Cuz worked for the CCSO, eventually heading Homicide. He once ran for Sheriff and did very well against the machine. His downfall was that he was too good a cop, too diligent.
Harold has fantastic intuitive skills. I remember one case in which a child had been abducted and its possible location was a large section of woods. While everyone meandered around, Cuz just walked in, went straight to the child and made the rescue. When asked how he did it, he shrugged, said, "Don't know, just knew where she was."
He's so honest and personable that folks he has sent to prison consider him a friend. There would have been no limit to his accomplishments if it hadn't been for the Benson case.
This was Naples biggest case ever. Three major books were written about it. At one time a movie was in the works. It involved the tobacco rich Bensons and a greedy son who blew up his mother and nephew and disfigured his sister with two car bombs.
As an ironic aside, Steven Benson had researched the murders until he thought it was a perfect crime. Read books on bombs, concocted alibis, the works. His gigantic ego led him to believe no one would figure it out. I was working in the office that day, and asked a rookie who'd been at the scene what was going on. He said, "Some A-Hole blew up his mother." One of our least experienced cops knew at first glance who was guilty. Perfect crime. Right.
Still, proving it was another matter. But Cuz worked tirelessly, found where Steven bought the bomb casing, discovered the motive, and had a good case. The State, however, was reluctant to prosecute. Since this was high profile, they wanted a slam dunk. Benson would have high-priced defense lawyers, there would be national exposure, a loss would be embarrassing. So, satisfied they didn't yet have enough evidence, they sat on it longer than Cuz could tolerate. A highly contentious pushing and shoving match ensued. When the smoke cleared, the State had successfully prosecuted the case, Benson was in prison--where we pray he's regularly bent over by the other inmates--and Cuz was out of work.
It was one of those you don't mess with Mother Nature things. His totally unwarranted firing was a dramatic loss to local law enforcement that has never been filled.
Harold's now a private investigator. Again, probably the best.
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