Zapata's Accused Accomplice Aces Polygraph

“No Deception Indicated” is printed in bold below a series of five questions posed in two recent polygraph examinations, during which attorney John Young denied allegations of forgery and perjury as relates to the handwritten will of his deceased client, John Edward Sullivan.

The polygraphs, which were conducted by former DPS Sergeant Donald Clendennen on April 7 in his Round Rock office, specifically ask whether Young intentionally gave false testimony about Sullivan’s will, and whether he forged or conspired to forge the handwritten document.

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Above: John Edward Sullivan was found dead in his residence on June 4, 2014. (Contributed Photo/TGCJ)

To each question, Young answered “no,” passing both tests, which were conducted in two separate format, the report states. Clendennen’s report has now been submitted to the 119^th District Court along with a request that the defense be permitted to submit the results to the trial jury as evidence.

According to the polygraph report, defendant John Young contacted Clendennen on April 3 and requested the examinations, roughly a week after he and San Angelo bail bondsman Ray Zapata were indicted on four felony charges apiece, one of which alleges that Young perjured himself during a probate hearing before Judge Ben Nolen on June 16, 2014, when he testified before the court that he believed the handwriting of the will was Sullivan’s.

Four days after making initial contact, Young showed up for his appointment and explained in a pre-test interview what had happened immediately following his client’s death.

“Mr. Young said that sometime after Mr. Sullivan’s death he was contacted by Ray Zapata…and was advised of Mr. Sullivan’s death,” Clendennen’s report reads. “Mr. Young said Mr. Zapata called him several times after finding Mr. Sullivan’s body, as Mr. Zapata appeared to be ‘shaken up’ and unsure what to do.”

The report continues to state that Young was later contacted by civil attorney Chris Hartman, who confirmed Sullivan’s death and informed Young that a will had been discovered that included him as a beneficiary.

“Mr. Young said that Mr. Sullivan had never mentioned a will,” Clendennen reported. “When questioned about the Will, Mr. Young asserted that he had no knowledge of the Will prior to Mr. Hartman telling him about its existence. Mr. Young adamantly denied forging the Will or using any force, coercion, threats, promises or conspiring with anyone to forge the Will.”

The test results and the attached motion to determine admissibility of polygraph examination results was filed with the 119th District Court by Young's attorney, Daniel Hurley, on June 25. The judge has yet to set a hearing on the matter.

More on the Zapata, Sullivan and Young saga here.