Computer is last clue in Ark. Democrat's slaying

[September 23, 2008]  LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- A computer used by the gunman who killed a state Democratic Party chairman is the last clue to be investigated in the search for his motive, authorities said Monday.

Timothy Dale Johnson, 50, burst into the Arkansas party headquarters and killed Bill Gwatney on Aug. 13, then was shot and killed by police after a long chase later that day.

Little Rock Police spokesman Lt. Terry Hastings said car keys and a phone number listed on a note found at Johnson's home in Searcy did not turn up any connection between the two men.

"We have everything pretty well figured out except for the computer. ... We've found nothing so far to indicate any motive or reason," Hastings said Monday. "Right now, we've got nothing that points us in any particular direction as to why this happened."

Police did not provide specifics on the investigation of the computer, but have said that the FBI is helping.

The note with the phone number also had the name "Gwatney" on it, but police said it did not match Gwatney's home number or any cell phone number they know of for the slain chairman.

Hastings said a subpoena of the number turned up only "old stuff" that didn't pan out.

Johnson, who owned at least 16 guns, drove more than 30 miles to Gwatney's office after quitting his job at a Target over graffiti on a store wall.

Hastings said police would probably close the investigation soon into Gwatney's killing and said investigators are still awaiting the results of toxicology tests on Johnson.

Johnson's will, which he signed in 2000, was filed in court last week and leaves his estate to a nephew. Court papers say the value of his real estate and personal property was unknown.

[Associated Press; By ANDREW DeMILLO]

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