Chapter 3: Formerly Known As

To the Parole Board of Gallatin County, Montana:

I am writing to strongly urge you to deny the parole request of Edmund W. Sussman. I am not writing as one who lost a family member to his murderous rampage. You are aware of the horror of his crimes, and the families of his victims will undoubtedly be able to provide you a better view than I of the pain he inflicted, not only on those he tortured and murdered, but also on those he left behind. I am writing as someone who was once in love with Eddie Sussman and who was his wife of four years.

I am writing to warn you that whatever he may claim about his repentance and his rehabilitation, you cannot accept as truth. He is a skilled and adept liar and actor. He is deceitful and manipulative on a level decent people cannot comprehend.

I first met Mr. Sussman when I was a CSI trainee in Bozeman. He was a family practice attorney and one of his clients had been murdered. He accompanied the family to the morgue to help see about arrangements. We began a romantic relationship and eight months later her asked me to marry him. Just shy of one year from the day I first met him, we were married. I was 23 and he was 37. He was an attorney and a respected member of the community, I was sure that my mother, had she been alive, would have been proud. It would be years until I understood who he really was.

In my work life, we were tracking a serial killer who changed MOs, whose pattern was erratic and who preyed upon the good people of Bozeman over a number of years. His pace accelerated after I joined the force. In my home life, my husband was wise and insightful. Eddie was kind to me and did everything an attentive, supportive husband should. He was particularly interested in my job and the serial murder case as it often kept me from peaceful sleep. There were many nights he comforted me with a warm cup of tea and urged me to share the details of why I couldn't rest in our bed. I was careful not to share the names of families or suspects, and I thought that fulfilled the confidentiality needs of my job. But I was young, and incorrect.

I should state that until this point, my husband never struck me, or even raised his voice. He never belittled me or berated me. He treated me as if I was made of precious glass and he did everything he could to shield and protect me. But, over the course of years, I sensed there was something of it all that was a veneer. I began to suspect he was not all that I thought he was. I had moments of doubt I recall, now, in hindsight. There were moments when I thought Eddie's interest in my job was unnatural. But, I never questioned him on it. He was an older, accomplished attorney and I was a young scientist. I couldn't imagine myself winning in that argument, so I never began it. Then there was a drop of blood at a crime scene that was A/B-, and I felt a pit form in my stomach, as the blood that coursed through my husband's veins was that same rare type. The DNA was not a match to anyone in the system, but I knew Eddie was not in the system.

I slept even more poorly in my marital bed. One night while I pretended to lay asleep I sensed my husband get up, and heard his car start. I noted the time he left and the time he returned. 2:56am to 4:17am. I will never forget those times. The next day I was called to a scene 25 minutes from my house to investigate a dead body, time of death approximately 3:45am. It was that day I went to my own home and collected the DNA of my own husband to analyze in the lab. I told no one of my suspicions, a move I would later regret. The DNA matched the unknown DNA from the earlier crime scene, but I knew my evidence was inadmissible due to its collection and processing without a warrant.

It was then that I brought my suspicions to my superiors and confronted Eddie in the taped conversation that led to his arrest. If you have heard the tape you will know that when confronted Eddie admitted to seeking me out and marrying me only to keep himself continually informed on the progress of the serial investigation. You will know that I was precious to him only because I was his lifeline to knowing how close he was to being caught. You will know that was when Eddie turned his savage nature on me. But my friends and colleagues on the listening end of the wire were there to save me before the beating turned deadly.

But again, its not as his victim that I write to you. Its as someone who trusted and believed in Eddie Sussman. He is capable of believably portraying himself as something very contrary to his true nature if it serves his purpose. If he claims he is now sorry, he isn't. If he claims he is reformed, he isn't. If he claims he will never do it again, he will. Yes I was young and somewhat awestruck that a handsome older attorney would have an interest in my plain self. But I was a trained investigator and I didn't know for four years that the man I slept next to crept out of our bed to murder innocent people. We socialized with my coworkers, also trained investigators, none of whom suspected Eddie of the crimes he would later confess to. He is able to transform himself into someone you want to like and would never suspect.

I understand he is requesting leniency and re-sentancing claiming insanity, which I can assure you is a rouse. He is in full control of all his faculties. As someone who worked the crime scenes I can tell you he is calculating and determined. Those are demonstrable facts. As someone who looked into his eyes, frequently, I can tell you he is evil. Please leave this man behind bars where he belongs.

Yours sincerely,

Lindsay Monroe

(Formerly Known As Lindsay Sussman)