BOUNTY HUNTERS, DEATH WISHES AND INCENTIVE DEALS

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Interesting times for Colt. Three weeks ago, he starred in a surveillance video taken at a Lopez Island marina just before a boat was stolen and navigated, at night, down to the south end of Camano Island. It appeared that Colt had come home. The welcome he received was a public meeting attended by more than 200 Island County locals, three TV production trucks, and a team of Russian commando-trained fugitive recovery specialists (or, if you prefer, bounty hunters).

The most widely played soundbite from the meeting was delivered by a guy who any fans of the movie Jeremiah Johnson will remember as Del Gue, the mountain man who shaved his head so the Indians wouldn’t have a scalp to take. Camano Del said, “Most of us want him [Colt] dead!”

What only played on one of the TV reports was the resounding groans from the rest of the audience in response. No one reported that the statement was then disavowed by the organizers and the gentleman was told he was not speaking for everyone.

Mike Rocha, bail bondsman and head of the bounty hunters, promised that he and his team would be actively searching for Colt and announced he already had tips that he was sure the police don’t have. He also offered to facilitate Colt’s surrender if he wanted to turn himself in.

As of the day of the meeting, though, circumstantial evidence had Colt off Camano and onto Whidbey Island, and then off Whidbey and down to the Kitsap Penninsula, and from there points further south. No one can say for sure that Colt is still even in Washington State. For all we know, he’s heading to Mexico the hard way: 20 miles a hop.

Another strange twist in an already fascinating case came on June 3rd, when an anonymous donor offered Colt $50,000 to turn himself in through the lawyer Jim Johanson. Johanson is also offering to handle the peaceful surrender and initial court appearances for free. Colt has until tomorrow, June 8th to take them up on it.

A $9,000-or-so reward for his capture, a new website/blog http://www.catchthebarefootbandit.org/ that's dedicated to countering Colt's Facebook fandom and raising more reward money, a $50,000 signing bonus for turning himself in, a team of bounty hunters on his trail, and folks like cranky old Del Gue loadin' up their b'ar rifles…

Colt’s head must be spinning.

One thing I’m sure he’s wondering is: Who the hell can I trust? Well Colt, here’s a blast from your past: Remember Shauna Snyder from your last legal go round? She’s the PI (http://www.skepteon.com/) who worked on your defense and did a great job. She’s recently talked to several lawyers and others in the justice system about your current status and can connect you with an attorney so you get the straight scoop about all of this and help you figure out how to proceed. Give her a call at 360.331.5049 or reach her through her website.