THE FLAGLER TRIBUNE
Bunnell, Florida
Thursday, August 13, 1981SERVICES SET TODAY FOR YOUNG GUNSHOT VICTIM
By Carl Laundrie of the TribuneGraveside services were scheduled at 10 a.m. today at Espanola Cemetery for John Charles Wesley III, 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Wesley Jr. of County Road 305, Bunnell.
Wesley died Sunday in St. Vincent's Medical Center in Jacksonville as a result of a gunshot wound to the head received early last Thursday morning outside the Palm Coast home of his former girlfriend, Odette DoCouto.
Wesley, who was described by friends of the family as the "All American Boy," was a 1981 graduate of Flagler Palm Coast High School and a member of the varsity football team.
According to friends, Wesley and Phillip Tuccio III and a juvenile went to the DoCouto home at 1 Farmbrook Lane in Palm Coast and were attempting to awaken the DoCouto girl by tapping on her bedroom window.
Antonio DoCouto, 62, Odette's father, told officers he was awakened by sounds outside his home early last Thursday morning and after looking out the window and seeing nothing he went outside and spotted two figures behind a tree near his kitchen window.
He told officers he fired a shot and then chased one of the figures to a black pickup truck and fired another shot as the truck sped away.
At that time, DoCouto said he was unaware that Wesley lay mortally wounded near the side of his home. DoCouto told deputies he returned to where he spotted the two figures and heard Wesley gasping for breath and called to his wife to bring a flashlight.
When Sheriff's Deputy Jackie Phillips and Investigator Grady Prather arrived on the scene, DoCouto told them Wesley had fallen from the roof.
Deputies sent for an ambulance.
When it arrived, rescue personnel told the deputies Wesley was suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head.
According to the report filed by Deputy Phillips, DoCouto was questioned about a gun and produced a 25- caliber, silver-plated automatic pistol from his pocket.
Meanwhile, sheriff's deputies spotted a black 1975 Chevrolet pickup truck and stopped the vehicle about a mile from the scene. Tuccio and the juvenile told the deputies they were about to return to the scene and search for Wesley.
They said a man stepped out from behind the house and without warning fired on Tuccio and Wesley and fired again at the truck hitting the driver’s door as the youths sped away.
Tuccio told police he and Wesley were attempting to awaken John's former girlfriend, Odette, while the juvenile waited in the truck.
Tuccio said DoCouto stepped out from behind the house and fired at them without warning. Tuccio said he fled and he and the juvenile circled the area looking for Wesley.
Both Tuccio and the juvenile were arrested at the scene. DoCouto signed a complaint against the two youths accusing them of attempted burglary of his home.
DoCouto was charged the next day with attempted manslaughter. The charge was changed to manslaughter upon the death of Wesley. He was freed on $5,000 bond.
Sheriff Dan Bennett said DoCouto appeared at the county jail two days prior to the incident and filed a complaint stating that someone had stolen gas from his car.
"The reason we did not arrest DoCouto at the scene was because it was a delicate situation and definitely a tragedy. We wanted to get all the information on the case before we made a decision," Bennett said.
The blond-haired, blue-eyed, Wesley was a well-known member of Flagler Palm Coast High School’s Class of 1981. Wesley was known for his prowess on the football field where he played offensive tight end and several other positions.
Wesley garnered a long list of trophies for his ability on the field including being named to the second All-State team as defensive back.
He also was noted for his quick action off the field. Nicknamed "crazy man" by his classmates, Wesley was mentioned in the news columns more than a year ago for his quick action when a small girl was bitten by a snake.
The youth spent the last year helping his father construct the family home off County Road 305.
"We will all miss him, but we are glad for the time we had him," his father, "Jack" Wesley said.
The Wesley family agreed to donate the youth's eyes and kidneys. "He would have wanted it that way," the elder Wesley said.
An account to assist the family with medical bills has been set up at Ellis First National Bank of Flagler County.
The services for the youth today are to be conducted by Elder Ray Heaton and the Rev. Shelton Brooks.
In addition to his parents, the youth is survived by a sister, Jennifer, and a brother, James, both at home; his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Wesley Sr. of Ormond Beach, and his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. I.T. Dooley of Holly Hill.
