J. Wood AKA Mr. Mantis, Manatee, etc. [Archive] - Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community

daisy7

08-22-2009, 12:57 PM

Jr. described him as part of the group that wanted Bud Billings "whacked." In the investigative reports, he is labeled as "role unknown," instead of witness or suspect.

I think he deserves his own thread. His very bizarre statement begins at page 25 of the below .pdf:

http://media2.fox10tv.com/billings/PublicRecord2.pdf

After learning from this case that confessions are exempt from being released under Sunshine, I wonder why almost all of page 30 of the .pdf has been blanked out?

And, LE apparently thought he was the Zaxby's guy?

Sanddollar14

08-22-2009, 01:15 PM

Daisy I was wondering why most of pg 30 was gone also. I never thought about a confession. I suspect he would not confess that he has ever done anything. I am sure that he would not be able to remember.

lexus116

08-22-2009, 01:47 PM

And, LE apparently thought he was the Zaxby's guy?

The guy that was seen with Wiggins at Zaxby's definitely isn't Jerry. I'm not sure why the police thought that.

pinkinablueworld

08-22-2009, 02:00 PM

Daisy,
Thanks for starting this thread. I didn't know how to do that, but he is my vote for one of the most bizarre characters in this horrendous escapade.

daisy7

08-22-2009, 02:11 PM

Daisy,
Thanks for starting this thread. I didn't know how to do that, but he is my vote for one of the most bizarre characters in this horrendous escapade.

To start a thread, just go to the main page of this forum

Byrd and Melanie Billings - Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community

Scroll down to the bottom and click the "New Thread" button on the left-hand side of the page.

daisy7

08-22-2009, 02:14 PM

The guy that was seen with Wiggins at Zaxby's definitely isn't Jerry. I'm not sure why the police thought that.

I don't have the quote exactly, but they said the heard this from the newspaper. Could have just been from a comment on PNJ?

Hope you're looking out for that yellow jeep around town, like I am:)

Gene

08-22-2009, 06:46 PM

RiverPirate

08-22-2009, 07:37 PM

Lets start with the facts we know:

* Worked in the auto industry (as what?)
* Invested money in LPG's karate studio (why would he do that?)
* Took Karate lessons from Poff's studio
* Started a couple of businesses PHOENIX COACHES and MANTIS FUNDING CORPORATION
* Has known LPG 15 years.
* Long-time friend of Hugh Wiggins (longer than he's known LPG)
* Don Asper is son-in-law
* Divorced Monica Ann Wood (Monica Ann Quinlan) in 1998.
* 2 arrests for domestic violence in SR county.

Do we know anything else?

* Serious medical issues that require in home nurse.
* He's racist to the point he ran an old friend off his property for bringing black men to his hose.

Sanddollar14

08-22-2009, 09:39 PM

Lets start with the facts we know:

* Worked in the auto industry (as what?)
* Invested money in LPG's karate studio (why would he do that?)
* Took Karate lessons from Poff's studio
* Started a couple of businesses PHOENIX COACHES and MANTIS FUNDING CORPORATION
* Has known LPG 15 years.
* Long-time friend of Hugh Wiggins (longer than he's known LPG)
* Don Asper is son-in-law
* Divorced Monica Ann Wood (Monica Ann Quinlan) in 1998.
* 2 arrests for domestic violence in SR county.

Do we know anything else?

* has memory problems "possibly selective memory"
* such a good friend of LPG jr that he invests in the karate studio, but starts a company to protect himself from LPG jr's debts, knowing that LPG jr will not pay his bills

RiverPirate

08-23-2009, 11:28 AM

I have been reading different statements in the transcripts that he is now passed away but I can't find anything online that verifies this fact.

Passed Away. As in dead, of death? I looked in the on line obits and nothing there. His statement to the Sheriff was July 30th.

Miss Muffet

08-23-2009, 11:35 AM

Where exactly did Jerry Woods live? Which town?

RiverPirate

08-23-2009, 11:51 AM

Where exactly did Jerry Woods live? Which town?

Gukf Breeze, FL.

Miss Muffet

08-23-2009, 11:52 AM

It is possible that the Mantis in the transcript isn't Jerry Wood, right?

Miss Muffet

08-23-2009, 12:14 PM

I guess I'm really wondering if Wood aka Mantis is also Manatee. Are we sure Manetee is just a misspelling of Mantis?

flbeachkimmie

08-23-2009, 12:14 PM

Gene

08-23-2009, 12:21 PM

It is possible that the Mantis in the transcript isn't Jerry Wood, right?

Possible. but both LPG and LS say they are (or may be) the same person. LPG should know....he's known Wood 15 years.

Wise Latina

08-23-2009, 12:24 PM

Jerry lived in Gulf Breeze.

http://qpublic1.qpublic.net/cgi-bin/santarosa_display.cgi?KEY=30-2S-28-3230-00100-0350

Miss Muffet

08-23-2009, 12:41 PM

Lithium is a mood stabilizer. It doesn't change the way you think or how you react. All it does is balance the chemicals in the brain.
The most important thing about the possibility PG Jr was on lithium is the indication that he may be biopolar, manic or worse.

Gene

08-23-2009, 01:11 PM

Usually Lithium is givin to people with bipolar. IF he is bipolar, and IF he is taking lithium on a regular schedule then he should not have any serious manic attacks. There are alot of people who are bipolar and function normally as long as they take their prescribed medication. I think PG has a problem, a serious problem, but I don't think that being or possibly being bipolar is one of them...but then again I think most of the people involved in this whole scheme have a serious problem...

This is the wrong thread to discuss LPG, but lithium is probably not the only drug he was using, if he was indeed using it. One of his friends (I forget which) told police that LPG was addicted to drugs, and I am pretty sure he was not talking about lithium.

RiverPirate

08-23-2009, 01:27 PM

How is there supposed to be a discussion on this crime that involves at least 8 defendants and probably countless witnesses if somebody mentions a criminal in a thread that isn't dedicated to that particular criminal?

Gene

08-23-2009, 01:52 PM

This is the wrong thread to discuss LPG, but lithium is probably not the only drug he was using, if he was indeed using it. One of his friends (I forget which) told police that LPG was addicted to drugs, and I am pretty sure he was not talking about lithium.

Here it is, found it mentioned in Rick's Blog:

"Elsa described Gonzalez as extremely addicted to prescription meds."
http://ricksblog.biz/?p=7247

Miss Muffet

08-23-2009, 02:01 PM

Usually Lithium is givin to people with bipolar. IF he is bipolar, and IF he is taking lithium on a regular schedule then he should not have any serious manic attacks. There are alot of people who are bipolar and function normally as long as they take their prescribed medication. I think PG has a problem, a serious problem, but I don't think that being or possibly being bipolar is one of them...but then again I think most of the people involved in this whole scheme have a serious problem...
It's not uncommon for patients to take their medication improperly. And I think the fact PG Jr killed two people is a clue that he wasn't doing so.

lexus116

08-23-2009, 02:33 PM

Back to Jerry Wood... has anyone found any information to support the statement that Mr. Mantis had died? Has anyone braved to go by his house and look to see if it really is empty?

He is not deceased, and his house isn't empty. He's alive!

flbeachkimmie

08-23-2009, 03:01 PM

My apology for posting in the wrong place. That is why I hate posting anything. :)

Gene

08-23-2009, 03:14 PM

I wonder who they were refering to when they said he was deceased.

Well, I do not know all of the details, but Jerry Wood has cancer, he spoke about having his lungs scraped. He is obviouslyy quite ill and HW mentioned that he would be "taking over". It is not a large leap to guess that they were a bit ahead of the game. But Mantis is Jerry Wood. Both Lonnie Smith and LPG confirmed this. There was a police interview with Jerry Wood. He is alive.

Miss Muffet

08-23-2009, 04:52 PM

My apology for posting in the wrong place. That is why I hate posting anything. :)

Please continue posting. Don't let anyone's opinion bully you into silence. Your opinion is just as important as anyone elses.

Lindadanette

08-23-2009, 05:02 PM

I don't see anything on the Soc Sec death index to show that Jerry Wood is deceased. . . also, my contact says he's still alive. . . and he's Mantis.

Miss Muffet

08-23-2009, 05:08 PM

I guess what I'm trying to say here in a nice way and not make anyone mad...is that it is wrong to say that someone with bipolar, did not take their medicine and therefore committed a senseless murder. To say that would mean that everyone with bipolar has the same tendency... to murder their neighbor if they don't take their medicine. IF he has bipolar, then MAYBE it had something to do with the way he processed his thoughts. But there is no way we can point at an illness and say that is the reason. It didn't help, I'm sure. Now if he had other problems along with it, like say schizophrenia or something like that, then well, yea, maybe. But I don't think he has any of those problems, I think he's just a sociopath with serious issues...
JUST a sociopath? LOL

Nobody here is making a blanket statement about bipolar. All or nothing is illogical anyway. However, Lithium is used to treat more than bipolar. And the reality is some people with mental illnesses are unstable enough to become extremely dangerous. In some people, mania can present as rage.

As for Lithium, I have a member of my family who was propelled into a manic state when Lithium dosages were being adjusted. She began to speak gibberish and then proceeded to wrecked three different automobiles within an hour. That's three different automobiles she drove and wreched all three into multiple vehicles, buildings and a dumpster. When the police found her, she was walking into walls and still speaking gibberish. She is merely bipolar.

I know everyone wants to stay on topic, but some things can't be left unchallenged. Political correctness shouldn't stop a discussion about alleged information about Jr being on Lithium.

Miss Muffet

08-23-2009, 07:16 PM

This may not be the right place to ask this, but JDW claims that PG JR was prescribed Lithium recently. Do we have any other statements that I may have missed about him being prescribed psychiatric drugs?

How is there supposed to be a discussion on this crime that involves at least 8 defendants and probably countless witnesses if somebody mentions a criminal in a thread that isn't dedicated to that particular criminal?

I just noticed your post RiverPirate.

It seems that flbeachkimmie posted in this thread because the information came from JDW.

I do think the Lithium posts would be best moved to the Jr thread. I wonder if we can get a mod to move them.

It would be beneficial to see if there are any other statements about Lithium in the discovery documents.

Sciencejunkie

08-23-2009, 07:21 PM

Please continue posting. Don't let anyone's opinion bully you into silence. Your opinion is just as important as anyone elses.

IMO, I think the man meant to say Loritab, not Lithium...multiple sources here discuss PLG as using and dealing the drug.

RiverPirate

08-23-2009, 08:06 PM

I just noticed your post RiverPirate.

It seems that flbeachkimmie posted in this thread because the information came from JDW.

I do think the Lithium posts would be best moved to the Jr thread. I wonder if we can get a mod to move them.

It would be beneficial to see if there are any other statements about Lithium in the discovery documents.

OK...Maybe my post was confusing. The point I was trying to make is that with so many people involved in this case, there are going to be times that we will be discussing multiple defendants in the same thread.
This the statement I was referring to.

This is the wrong thread to discuss LPG, but lithium is probably not the only drug he was using, if he was indeed using it. One of his friends (I forget which) told police that LPG was addicted to drugs, and I am pretty sure he was not talking about lithium.

I understand why flbeachkimmie says she hates posting anything. A lot of us are new here and it's ashame you have to feel like you need to consult an owners manual to post.

Woods is the topic of this thread and in his statement to LE, he referred to LPG using lithium. Which makes the discussion re Jr and the lithium related to the topic.

Sorry my original post was so confusing Should have worded it better.

redfish

08-23-2009, 08:17 PM

OK...Maybe my post was confusing. The point I was trying to make is that with so many people involved in this case, there are going to be times that we will be discussing multiple defendants in the same thread.
This the statement I was referring to.

I understand why flbeachkimmie says she hates posting anything. A lot of us are new here and it's ashame you have to feel like you need to consult an owners manual to post.

Woods is the topic of this thread and in his statement to LE, he referred to LPG using lithium. Which makes the discussion re Jr and the lithium related to the topic.

Sorry my original post was so confusing Should have worded it better.

IMO I think the lithium statement is meant to be confusing!! He seemed to me to be deliberately trying to appear to be an addled, confused and desperately ill man.... no doubt he IS ill. But I doubt he is helpless OR confused!! IMO

Lindadanette

08-23-2009, 09:00 PM

A contact sent this photo of JPG and JW:
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/lindadanette/LPGJW.jpg

Sciencejunkie

08-23-2009, 09:12 PM

Thanks so much for the info, Linda! It puts to rest discussion involving the man at Zaxby's, because clearly it was not him.

Solomisskitty

08-23-2009, 09:24 PM

Lindadanette - thanks for photo!

Wonder who's behind them giving them rabbit ears?

UnderDog

08-23-2009, 09:25 PM

Maybe there were people that were led to believe Mantis was dead? I'm looking at this murder as only a "part of the plan" and not the actual goal of this "gang of thugs". It seems as though Wiggins was looking to muscle his way into the "top spot" and part of that plan was to create the impression that Mantis was effectively "dead". JMO.

lexus116

08-23-2009, 09:37 PM

Linda, you have excellent contacts!!! :)

daisy7

08-23-2009, 09:38 PM

A contact sent this photo of JPG and JW:
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/lindadanette/LPGJW.jpg

Thanks, Linda!

Does your contact happen to know if he drives a silver BMW?

Lindadanette

08-23-2009, 10:02 PM

Lindadanette - thanks for photo!

Wonder who's behind them giving them rabbit ears?

They're actually giving each other "rabbit ears" - which should put to rest any rumor that they weren't good friends - LOL

I cropped the picture to protect the innocent. . .

RiverPirate

08-24-2009, 09:01 AM

I guess I'm really wondering if Wood aka Mantis is also Manatee. Are we sure Manetee is just a misspelling of Mantis?

Jerry Wood owned the Manatee Corp. that he formed supposedly to protect his investment for when Jr. screwed up the money he loaned him, which he did.

Wood also owned Mantis Funding Corp.

It is very common in this area for people to have nick names. Sometimes they're just friendly names that you called somebody and they stick. Or, in this case it could even be looked at as a deceptive way to talk about someone.

Would be real easy for me to believe they Called Mr Wood - Mr. Manatee and Mr. Mantis, after his businesses.

babyof4

08-24-2009, 09:27 AM

There is a Jerry Wood in the sailing industry that died so maybe someone got them mixed up.

babyof4

08-24-2009, 04:39 PM

Don't really remember....sorry. Just remember coming across that info when I first heard of Jerry Wood and "googled" his name.

megamami

08-24-2009, 06:30 PM

My apology for posting in the wrong place. That is why I hate posting anything. :)

It's OK. It can get confusing when multiple people are involved.

We need everyone's help. Keep posting.

It is good to keep things organized for review but sometimes the characters become intertwined. :cool:

megamami

08-24-2009, 06:41 PM

Jerry Wood owned the Manatee Corp. that he formed supposedly to protect his investment for when Jr. screwed up the money he loaned him, which he did.

Wood also owned Mantis Funding Corp.

It is very common in this area for people to have nick names. Sometimes they're just friendly names that you called somebody and they stick. Or, in this case it could even be looked at as a deceptive way to talk about someone.

Would be real easy for me to believe they Called Mr Wood - Mr. Manatee and Mr. Mantis, after his businesses.

It is also really common for people to form LLCs (Limited Liability Corporations) to protect each individual project they are involved in. If it goes bankrupt or is sued, it is supposed to protect their personal assets and other businesses or LLCs. Only the assets in that particular LLC are available.

megamami

08-24-2009, 06:50 PM

I have not been able to read every document yet, but the ones I did, I took notes on. :)

In http://pnj.com/assets/pdf/DP140684817.PDF

I saw this:
pg 32/doc. #749, Wiggins grills Jr about Lonnie Smith; W says he is taking over for Mantis; Smith has been to Mantis’ house; can identify; others said Mantis died;

pg 33/doc 750 2 yrs ago Mantis was in the background of a meeting at his house, Wiggins was there

pg 74/doc 791 Smith says he has been in Mantis’ house in Gulf Breeze
pg 75/doc 792 Smith says Mantis is nickname, real name Jerry, Smith recognizes picture

Hope this helps.

RiverPirate

08-24-2009, 07:31 PM

Don't really remember....sorry. Just remember coming across that info when I first heard of Jerry Wood and "googled" his name.

I saw that also. There was a Jerry Wood that founded the famous Annapolis boat shows and Sailing School. Says he died in 2003.

Lindadanette

08-24-2009, 08:41 PM

If the Sheriff's department just interviewed Jerry Wood at the end of July, he was alive during the time of the crime and an intimate of LPG Jrs. All of these guys are master liars from the sound of it. . .

lexus116

08-25-2009, 09:09 PM

daisy7

08-25-2009, 09:13 PM

I promise you he is very alive!! I saw him at Winn Dixie (grocery store) today actually. He was getting around quite well too. He certainly wasn't as frail as he made himself sound to the police.

Daisy, have you seen an old brown El Camino driving around GB? If you do, it's him!

I was at Winn Dixie today, too (this morning). I'll definitely be looking for the El Camino (gonna have to look up what the car looks like). Guess he's not the BMW guy?

daisy7

08-25-2009, 09:25 PM

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d1/74_El_Camino.jpg/250px-74_El_Camino.jpg

There's definitely not many of these in GB.

lexus116

08-25-2009, 09:39 PM

No, I don't think he's the BMW guy.

That's the El Camino. It's an ugly old car, but my husband says it's a rare vintage one. Isn't Pam's Buick a vintage collector car as well?

megamami

08-25-2009, 09:50 PM

No, I don't think he's the BMW guy.

That's the El Camino. It's an ugly old car, but my husband says it's a rare vintage one. Isn't Pam's Buick a vintage collector car as well?

Uh, ha! ... a tie possibly for PW through JW to the car industry?
Just speculatin' ... :blowkiss:

RiverPirate

08-27-2009, 03:39 AM

I promise you he is very alive!! I saw him at Winn Dixie (grocery store) today actually. He was getting around quite well too. He certainly wasn't as frail as he made himself sound to the police.

Daisy, have you seen an old brown El Camino driving around GB? If you do, it's him!

There's another old brown el-camino driver in GB also. He has been driving that thing around there since the 70's. Super nice guy.

Sciencejunkie

08-29-2009, 10:20 PM

http://qpublic1.qpublic.net/cgi-bin/santarosa_display.cgi?KEY=30-2S-28-3230-00100-0350

property appraiser still shows Jerry Wood owning the house in which he was interviewed, which is coincidentally less than a mile from Pat Poff/Gonzalez's mom's house/childhood home.

NSC

09-06-2009, 07:44 PM

NSC

10-19-2009, 04:23 PM

Oh yeah I did see the elcamino on a social networking site as well. I think this person is more important than being led to believe.

NSC

10-23-2009, 02:43 PM

I still think Jerry has more to do with this than what is meeting the "public" eye.

redfish

10-24-2009, 12:00 AM

I still think Jerry has more to do with this than what is meeting the "public" eye.

In your sluething, did you ever come up with any connection to Bud? I agree he (Jerry) is an "influential" guy, with his hands in alot of things...

NSC

02-22-2010, 10:42 PM

I think we need to keep digging here - this poor thread has up and gone - guilty myself of it.

lookin4justice

02-25-2010, 10:39 PM

NSC

03-03-2010, 03:34 PM

I would appreciate people digging on this.

Today is my birthday. I would have received a call, no matter where in the world I was. She always knew where to find me. I did not get my call today, nor will I ever again. So, for my birthday, give me the answer to the unanswered questions. Give the proof that I know is out there. Help me put my friend to rest.

I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. Melanie seemed like a one of a kind type of woman.

Help us help you!

As far as Wood is concerned - I think he is up to this to his eyeballs -- I am curious if anyone out there has anything to contribute on top of this?

Solomisskitty

03-03-2010, 10:35 PM

I am coming in on this tail end - received info from the other way around and now reading these docs.

Oh Sigh - What Martini has posted seems to be correct. Not the "nice" guy - Friends with the Poff family and Patrick for many years etc ...

Also - as I am being told supposely did a lot of pay in cash business relating to construction - so this makes sense why we can't find any of it in public records!!!!!

I agree he may be much more involved than he presents, but the Poff family is very well respected and well thought of in the community from what I understand. Could be Wood has snowed many over the years.