Originally published September 28, 2011 at 3:47 PM | Page modified September 28, 2011 at 7:54 PM
U. S. Attorney General Eric Holder asked for the public's help Wednesday in solving the decade-old slaying of Seattle-based federal prosecutor Thomas Wales, putting his imprint on one the FBI's biggest cases.
"Tom was a dedicated public servant, a committed advocate, and a loving father and friend. Although this case remains unsolved, and Tom's killer remains unknown, our resolve to uncover the truth ... has never been stronger."
Wales' daughter, Amy, 32, read an emotional letter to her father. "There are people out there who know who killed you," she said. She appealed to them to come forward.
Holder traveled to Seattle specifically to appeal for public help in solving the homicide ? a demonstration that the Department of Justice still is keen to find Wales' killers.
It didn't always appear to be the case.
The Oct. 11, 2001, shooting in Seattle's Queen Anne neighborhood was overshadowed by the 9/11 attacks, and the case did not receive the attention many in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle thought appropriate. It took a push by Wales' colleagues and a new U.S. attorney for the case to be assigned the status it has now.
However, while the investigation now holds what the bureau calls "major case status" ? including dedicated staffing, funding and a name, "SEPROM" (an acronym for Seattle Prosecutor Murder) ? it stalled not long after Wales, 49, was found, gravely wounded, at the computer in his basement after neighbors heard gunshots.
Holder came to town Wednesday, according to the case agents, to make sure the case remains in the public eye.
There remains a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Greg Fowler, the special inspector from the FBI's Portland office now overseeing the investigation, said the agents are convinced that someone, somewhere, has a piece of information that will crack the case. That someone might not even know they know it, he said.
The bureau, in consultation with forensic psychologists, believe that memory could be jogged by focusing on the time frame ? the memorable weeks and months after the Sept. 11 attacks.
"The example that Tom set throughout his life, and the uncertainty surrounding his death, must not ? and will not ? be forgotten," Holder said. "And, today, his work ? to advance the cause of justice and to protect public safety ? is now ours to carry forward."
Mike Carter: 206-464-3706 or mcarter@seattletimes.com
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