Ep 129 Roger Wheeler pt 2

Last week, Jess started us down the rabbit hole that was Roger Wheeler’s unalving…The investigation into his death identified three potential motives: armed robbery, kidnapping/extortion, and the most likely scenario of a contract killing. The police quickly dismissed robbery since Wheeler had significant cash and credit cards still on him. The detectives at the scene, including Michael Huff, arrived amid heavy traffic to find Wheeler fatally shot in his Cadillac. Initial theories suggested that a robbery had gone wrong, but evidence soon indicated a professional hit: a single bullet wound, the calm demeanor of the killer, and the absence of fingerprints on the shell casings pointed to a calculated execution rather than a random crime. The detectives found links between Wheeler's murder and organized crime, particularly involving the Dixie Mafia and two suspects, Patrick Early and Dennis Bates Fletcher, known for their criminal connections.

As the investigation progressed, the focus shifted to the Winter Hill Gang, an Irish mob based in Boston with a long history of organized crime activities, including extortion and murder. Detective Huff traveled to Boston to gather information about potential connections between the gang and Wheeler's ownership of World Jai Alai. The gang, notorious under the leadership of James "Whitey" Bulger, was characterized by its ruthlessness and enforced loyalty through violence. Bulger's criminal rise mirrored that of his associate Stephen Flemmi, who was also an FBI informant, complicating the investigation further. Despite extensive efforts to connect the Winter Hill Gang to Wheeler's murder, leads continually turned cold, leaving the case shrouded in uncertainty.

Join us for part 2 of the Roger Wheeler case!

Sources:

• Oklahoma's Most Notorious Cases Vol. 2 - Kent Frates

• Voices of Oklahoma Podcast

• Fox23News

• Gangland Wire.com

• Wikipedia - Roger Wheeler - Background Info

• Wikipedia - Winter Hill Gang

• News Channel 6

• News Channel 8

• Golf Digest.com

• The Mob Museum.com