Even his racketeering conviction was related to his attempts to get rich off mining claims. He was charged and convicted in a neighboring rural county under the racketeering statute, which carried a mandatory minimum 16 year sentence. That is overkill for what he did.
In any event, I hope you read the interview with Sheriff Bob, who knew Blanning for 40 years. Last night on the local news, his neighbors and landlady were interviewed. They were shocked. He was a nice guy, used to bring them their morning papers. Blanning's brother, on the other hand, was not shocked. He saw the mental deterioration developing in recent years, and his bitterness.
Braudis and others point out another side of Blanning:
Despite his obvious flaws, Braudis and others remembered him as a good man.
“He could be the life of a party,” Braudis said. “He was a witty and intelligent man. He was a womanizer — he had six or seven ex-wives. He was fun. And if you needed help, he would be there.”
His actions were hurtful, no question about it. But he wasn't just some ex-con domestic terrorist as some news outlets have portrayed him.
“He traumatized a lot of people with the potential of explosions,” Braudis said. “But I don’t think he would have ever wished actual harm to other people.”
Braudis saw Blanning in Denver a few months ago:
Blanning was showing Braudis rock samples and maps and pointing out where all the silver was in Aspen. “He still always believed there were millions of tons of high-grade sliver ore in the Roaring Fork Valley,” Braudis said. “He held onto that dream until it slipped out of his fingers last night.”
Update: 1/2/09, 4:30 pm
A letter from Blanning to Bob Braudis has been found in Blannings' jeep (the car he killed himself in):
Bob Braudis -
Guess I’m in your jurisdiction hands now.
Sorry — I did a hellacious lot of on my two projects as see in my office. Just did not luck out.
My angle left me. Here, at least, I go close to Stephen.
I came loaded for bear as you will see. I was going to do just as the bomb notes. Could have done some serious damage. Oh — well. Too tired — to the bone. The only bad part is the hurt to some good friends in Denver who you will probably pick up on.
Please don’t let the Gestapo f*ck their lives. It was all me.
Try to find a good author to study my story. The main point of doing the killing was to make a statement and make sure I’m remembered, but it seems I’ve done that.
There’s a cartoon in my office “Too Many People” and I know I had a wonderful life until Mik (sic) Ireland and JE got me. God knows I would love to have cut off Irelands (sic) and Chip McCrory (sic) balls off before skinning them.[Note: Ireland is Aspen's Mayor and a former reporter who angered Blanning; JE is former Judge J.E. DeVilbiss, who sentenced Blanning to 16 years, retired and then served on the Aspen City Council, he died a few months ago; McCory is a former Aspen prosecutor.]
Five years of work down the tubes. I came so close and it was so very interesting. Tell the Gestapo to go the “C” drive on my office computer, then to “Master” folder and you will see what I mean.
Addendum to Last Will and Testament which was on the envelope. If it shows up. I appoint Malcolm Sewell Denver Attorney my executor and you Robert Braudis and Art Daly heirs to all personal records and property, including Great Wonder, LLC, which Gordon Thompson has had nothing to do with in any way. I put his name on the LLC. The records are in the office. Also all books rights, too.[Note, Art Daly is an Aspen Attorney.]
All the mining property and binders, books, records, maps and anything related goes to Kurt Hollberg and Mr Plum of Gunnison True Value family. My body shot and the ongoing black depression has mush of my mind lately.
All rights to the maps, data, records relating to what I call the “Star High” project go to Central City and Fortune Valley Casino. Master/Projects. Copes of the Master Folder go to any person or organization that wants a copy for study.
I wandered around for hours this afternoon. God knows I have a long history — Aspen School — Air Force Nuclear Weapons — Ski Patrol & Instructor ASC Sundeck/Gondola mining claim. More varied deeds and property, etc recorded, etc that(sic) most anyone.
Some (illegible — possibly Caddilac)came up to near the Silver Brick and I had to move. Not shure (sic) where you will find me. Will/should be interesting to hear everyone tales (stories) about me.
Always has been interesting that life in prison is better than death.
They have me. Good bye.
Witness and Attested,
James C. Blanning
