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Police Say Crime Scene Was Altered

David Schertler, who is representing Ward, said that his client had been living in the Swann Street home for more than a year and that he was acquainted with Wone through Price.

Schertler, a former homicide chief for the U.S. attorney in the District, said Ward had nothing to do with Wone's slaying. Schertler said Ward told police that neither of the other two men was involved, either.


Three men were at home when Robert Wone was killed Aug. 2.
Three men were at home when Robert Wone was killed Aug. 2. (Mel Barnhart, Radio Free Asia - Mel Barnhart, Radio Free Asia)

Doctoring a crime scene could lead to criminal charges of obstruction of justice or accessory after the fact.

Police are trying to determine a motive in the slaying, according to a law enforcement official who did not want to be identified because the case is open.

Shortly after the killing, one of the three men told police that an intruder had broken in through the back door and killed Wone, according to the affidavit. Schertler also said the slaying was committed by an intruder.

But investigators said there were no signs of forced entry into the house, nothing was ransacked and nothing appeared to have been taken.

Morris said the three men told police they did not see an intruder or hear Wone being killed.

The FBI is helping investigators, providing technicians with expertise in blood spatter, Morris said. The agency also brought in a behavioral scientist who specializes in crime scene reconstruction.

Investigators say they are not sure Wone was killed in the second-floor guest room where he was discovered.

Price and Zaborsky were identified as a couple in a 2004 article in USA Today about gay parents. They had donated sperm to a lesbian couple, the article said. Price is general counsel to Equality Virginia, a gay rights organization.


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