The People v. Shawkey CA4/3

FACTS

At the time of his disappearance, Vendrick was a 71-year-old retired software systems analyst. He spent most of his career in San Jose, but in 2004, he and his wife of many years moved to Phoenix. They had two children and three grandchildren, whom Vendrick spoke to and visited regularly. Vendrick‟s family considered him to be a loving spouse, affectionate father and doting grandfather. His wife Carole described Vendrick as “always very pleasant[,] . . . hard working and wanting to help in any way that he could, but not gregarious, somewhat naïve from his . . . growing up in Indiana on a farm, [and] somewhat gullible.” As a retiree in search of extra income, Vendrick spent much of his time on the Internet pursuing multilevel marketing schemes and other financial opportunities. He wanted to prove he could be a successful businessman, but he ended up sinking hundreds of thousands of dollars into failed financial gambits. Most of that money went to Shawkey, who was described by witnesses as a large, heavy-set man, with a jovial and gregarious demeanor. In interviews with the Orange County Sherriff‟s Department (OCSD), Shawkey said he was both a friend and business partner to…