Pennsylvania State Treasurer Robert Budd Dwyer died by suicide during a live televised press conference, just before he was due to be sentenced for bribery. The 47-year-old Republican pulled a revolver from a manila envelope and shot himself as stunned reporters, photographers, and aides looked on.
Suicide at press conference
Dwyer, who had been found guilty of bribery, rose to his feet before the packed conference and produced the weapon. Cries of "No, Budd. Don't do this" rang out as he pulled the trigger. Dauphin County Coroner William Bush confirmed Dwyer died instantly, with cameras capturing the harrowing act.
The previous day, the state attorney general had determined that Dwyer would forfeit his position following sentencing for awarding a state computer contract in exchange for a promised $300,000 (around $800,000 in today's terms) payment.
Final statement and suicide note
Before reaching for the gun, Dwyer spent over 20 minutes reading from a prepared statement asserting his innocence and lambasting the news media, the federal prosecutor, and US District Judge Malcolm Muir, whom he accused of having a track record of imposing harsh sentences. He faced up to 55 years behind bars and a $305,000 fine across 11 counts.
In a suicide note released after his death, Dwyer wrote: "I've repeatedly said that I'm not going to resign as state Treasurer. Please tell my story on every radio and television station and in every newspaper and magazine in the U.S. ... Please make sure that the sacrifice of my life is not in vain."
Reactions and aftermath
Dwyer's son, Rob, 21, said the family was "pretty broken up" and that his father had given no indication of what he planned to do. He revealed Dwyer had left a suicide note at home, in which he said "he'd given up hope in a country that didn't believe in innocent men."
Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer, who had served alongside Dwyer as a state senator, said he had planned to contact Dwyer after sentencing to offer support, "but in my wildest imagination I could never have expected anything like this kind of ending." State Senator Tim Shaffer, a close friend, said he was in complete shock, calling the act "totally uncharacteristic" of Dwyer.
Dwyer handed sealed envelopes to three aides shortly before his death. Treasury spokesman Greg Penny revealed his contained an organ donor card; the others held funeral arrangements and a letter to Gov. Robert Casey requesting that his wife be appointed to serve out his term. Casey spokesman Robert Grotevant confirmed the governor would not be nominating Mrs. Dwyer.
Acting US Attorney James West, who led the prosecution, described the death as "a great tragedy," adding, "I certainly stand by the case the government put in, and the jury's verdict."
For mental health support, call the Samaritans for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org.
