Wild Turkey Disappearance Spurs Witch Hunt

``There is a persistent rumor that someone in our neighborhood recently shot a family of five wild turkeys who have roamed about the neighborhood for the past several years. . . . People in this neighborhood are shocked and appalled."

The letter went on to outline that it was a crime to hunt turkeys and to fire a gun within town limits. ``Virtually all of the neighbors know about this unlawful act and hereby wish everyone to understand that turkeys are always welcome in our neighborhood; turkey killers are not."

One hundred and three neighbors signed the letter. Among them, teachers, doctors, engineers. Though it was widely understood who was suspected, no one confronted the woman or her boyfriend.

``Of course, she would just deny it," Post said.

Then last week a neighbor, Tom Fenn, brought over an e-mail from Post asking him if he had witnessed the turkey ``assassination."

``I daresay that you have the most immediate knowledge of this horrific act," she wrote, according to a copy of the e-mail in Osborne's possession. ``I know it's uncomfortable to witness against your next door neighbor's friend -- especially since you probably didn't actually eye-witness it. However . . ."