[meteorite-list] Moon Rocks Theft Also Involved Invaluable Journals

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:22:33 2004
Message-ID: <200306031605.JAA09870_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://www.local6.com/orlpn/news/stories/news-224453120030603-050610.html

Witness: Moon Rocks Theft Also Involved Invaluable Journals
Associated Press
June 3, 2003

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The theft of a collection of moon rocks and meteorites last summer
also involved 33 years of hand-written notes by a top NASA scientist studying the origins
of the universe, a federal jury was told Monday. The disappearance of the six green
cloth-bound journals came out as a trial over the break-in at the Johnson Space Center in
Houston got under way in Orlando.

On trial is Gordon McWhorter, 27, who is accused of arranging the sale of the stolen items
for Thad Roberts, a once-promising science student and aspiring astronaut from the
University of Utah.

Roberts, 26, and two others pleaded guilty to burglary. Roberts is to testify Tuesday
against his old friend.

The stolen items were recovered July 20 at a local hotel after undercover FBI agents used
e-mails to negotiate their purchase.

The writer of the missing journals, Everett K. Gibson Jr., described what was stolen as
samples from each of the six Apollo lunar missions and pieces of what may be the most
scientifically important rock in the world - a Martian meteorite found in 1984 in Antartica
that Gibson said show signs of the possibility of life on Mars.

The meteorite and more than 30 clear vials containing 101.5 grams of moon rocks are
displayed in court in a green-and-gray fishing tackle box the burglars bought to carry the
specimens aften taking them from Gibson's safe.

Gibson testified via videotape because he was on assignment in London.

The specimens were stolen July 15 by Roberts and two other NASA interns.

One, Tiffany Fowler, testified Monday about the theft and their arrests. The third intern,
Shae Lynn Saur, 19, is on the government's witness list for the trial.

Roberts was portrayed in testimony elicited by defense attorney Daniel F. Daly of Tampa
as a charismatic thrill seeker who persuaded Fowler and Saur to commit a crime that was
totally out of character for the two college honor students.
Received on Tue 03 Jun 2003 12:05:33 PM PDT