Coyote and Magpie

About the Book

Coyote and Magpie reexamines the murder charge and, often under difficult conditions, collects information that will be used during a new trial. Involved in the quest for new information and eventual justice are Deputy Sheriff Lenny Craig and citizen Delmar Mentis, who take the reader along with them as they investigate every aspect of the crime that they believe was committed by Irana Dubliski. As evidence is collected, Deputy Craig and Delmar Mentis convince Sheriff Chester Overman and Judge Wolfe that the ultimate sentence be given to Irana Dubliski. Debts due from certain legislators enable the law enforcement group to carry out an unusual punishment at the old, vacated prison. Strange legal and quasi legal machinations are not uncommon in Wyoming, and although this is a purely fictional possibility, that very possibility of using the old prison during an actual case was discussed in 1992. What will Deputy Craig and Delmar Mentis achieve in their investigation and court room drama? What event awaits the defendant Irana Dubliski at the old prison? We shall see as Coyote and Magpie is read.

About the Author

Duane Shillinger grew up on the Crow Indian Reservation near Wyola and Lodge Grass, Montana. Life on the reservation was difficult with meager amounts of money for his parents to provide for the basic needs of the family members. Duane attended an Indian school at Wyola and achieved poorly in the multi-cultural environment. His mother, acutely aware of the poor academic achievement, found it possible for the family to move to Sheridan, Wyoming where Duane was exposed to new opportunities. After graduating from high school, Duane enlisted in the United States Navy and was assigned to a communication station for the Sixth Fleet in North Africa. Later, Duane was assigned to several ships where he served as a radioman. He very much enjoyed using Morse Code as a means to send messages. Once out of the Navy Duane attended the Sheridan Community College and then graduated from the University of Wyoming, majoring in social work and psychology. In 1967 Duane was employed at the Wyoming State Penitentiary as a counselor and was eventually appointed as Deputy Warden; and, in 1979, Governor Edward Herschler appointed Duane to serve as Warden of the prison. After nearly thirty (30) years’ service at the prison, Duane retired and he and his wife, Darlene, located in the small community of Ryan Park, a summer and retirement home located above Saratoga, Wyoming. It was at Ryan Park that Duane was inspired by the environment and sometimes the clash of residents to try his hand at writing a mystery novel. His book, MOST UNCOMMON EVENTS AT RYAN PARK, left two (2) characters believing that Irana Dubliski was wrongly released from the charge of murdering her husband.