Handwriting Samples: Who Penned Sullivan's Will?

 

Three handwritten sentences that decided the fate of a small fortune left behind by a deceased alleged child predator have become the center of controversy over the past several months, as investigators closed in on what they believe to be a calculated will forgery executed at the hands of bail bondsman Ray Zapata with alleged co-conspirator and attorney John Young.

The will, which Zapata allegedly witnessed on June 2 last year, was supposedly written by 77-year-old accused pedophile John Edward Sullivan, a man some have reported to have been a devout Catholic, who preferred writing on long, “grammar school” cursive strokes.

The will allegedly written by John Edward Sullivan on June 2, 2014. (Image/Court files)

Above: The will allegedly written by John Edward Sullivan on June 2, 2014. (Image/Court files) (click to enlarge)

When the will was admitted to the county for probate, Zapata and Sullivan’s criminal defense attorney John Young gave testimony vouching for its authenticity. But one local attorney wasn’t convinced, and alerted the Texas Rangers to what he believed was a forgery penned by Zapata himself. An investigation by the Texas Rangers followed.

A check written by Ray Zapata for his bail bonding company. (Image/Zapata Bail Bonds records)

Above: A check written by Ray Zapata for his bail bonding company. (Image/Zapata Bail Bonds records) (Click to Enlarge)

Documents from Zapata’s bail bonding company provide a glimpse at his penmanship, which has been analyzed against the will and determined to have likely been written by the same author by the San Angelo Police Department’s handwriting expert, Rodney Black who was summoned by the Rangers to assist.

A sample of Ray Zapata's handwriting from his employee files. (Image/Zapata Bail Bonds records)

Above: A sample of Ray Zapata's handwriting from his employee files. (Image/Zapata Bail Bonds records) (Click to Enlarge)

A sample of Sullivan’s handwriting is also on file with the county court, stemming from a civil suit in 2005 taken against one Victor Samaniego, who was some $50,160 behind on his rent at 511 S. Jefferson, a house he had been paying on as a part of a purchase contract with Sullivan, the owner of the residence.

Interestingly, it was also this Samaniego who claimed he had an interest in Sullivan’s estate almost immediately after the will was probated and Young received full control as sole beneficiary. Since Samaniego plead his case, another claimant surfaced, an alleged half sister and a victim of Sullivan's also made claims to the estate. Neither of those cases have been settled. Meanwhile, Sullivan's small fortune stashed into accounts is slowly draining and a temporary administrator has been appointed to oversee the funds. Young has also been ordered to provide a full accounting of what he did with the estate during the first seven months when he had sole possession of the money.

A letter penned by the late John Sullivan on Jan. 30, 2005. (Image/Court files)

Above: A letter penned by the late John Sullivan on Jan. 30, 2005. (Image/Court files) (Click to Enlarge)

Both Young and Zapata  have been indicted on multiple felony charges in relation to the will, however both cases are still pending in the courts.

The question remains, however: Who wrote Sullivan’s will?

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At this point shouldn't the question be, "did Mr. Sullivan really die of natural causes?" With the reputation those two have in our community, I doubt I'm the only one that thinks it all sound fishy. Given the fact that Attorney Young was not only left with all of the assets but considered a friend as well, why couldn't Mr. Sullivan be given a proper burial? Why was he cremated immediately after? I have a feeling those questions may be swept under the rug by our wonderful justice system.

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