LEX LUTHOR QUESTIONED
ABOUT MURDERS

By Frank Moore

The recent massacre of several scientists in Metropolis has led detectives to the hallowed halls of Luthor Mansion, home of Smallville's most prominent young businessman, Lex Luthor.

Earlier this week, the bodies of eight science technicians were discovered brutally murdered in the basement of Metron Pharmaceuticals in Metropolis. Some of the deceased had their throats slashed, while others had been strangled. Among the dead was Dr. Lia Teng, the renowned molecular biologist tenured at Metropolis University.

According to sources close to the investigation, documents found at the scene of the crime identify Luthor as acting director of a research laboratory that had apparently been set up in the old Metron building, which was thought to be shut down for the past seven years.

Members of the Metropolis Police Department confirmed that they had presented Luthor with a search warrant for his home on grounds of multiple counts of possible homicide. But no information has yet been released on what, if anything, detectives found during their search.

Luthor's legal counsel questioned the veracity of the papers found at the murder site and emphasized that his client was not placed under arrest or charged with any wrongdoing. The attorney also pointed out that the Metron property was actually owned by Luthor's father and employer, LuthorCorp CEO Lionel Luthor.

In response, LuthorCorp spokesman Mitchell Taylor noted that the elder Lionel Luthor owned literally hundreds of properties worldwide. "As the chairman of a global conglomerate, Lionel cannot reasonably be expected to keep daily tabs on his many business holdings," Taylor stated. "That's what his executive staff is for."

At press time, Metropolis authorities have still neither released the names of any official suspects nor publicly speculated on potential motives behind the gruesome slayings. However, sources said, special agents from the FBI have now taken charge of the case, indicating that this was much more than a random local crime

JAMISON'S DAY IN COURT ARRIVES

Metropolis Eager For Details

By George "The Streak" Talmer

There are no all-pro running backs or MVP shooting guards going on trial at the Metropolis Circuit court today. But the Big Apricot does have its own celebrity trial beginning--the Donovan Jamison espionage case--and all the observers have one question on their minds, and it is not whether or not Jamison is guilty. The real mystery that will make headlines in this trial is: Who, according to the defense, is behind the whole fiasco in the first place?
Proclaiming his innocence since his indictment on espionage charges for illegally selling technological secrets to the republic of Vlatava two months ago, Jamison will finally get his day in court--and with it, the opportunity to clear his name.

"As we've said from the start, this was an unadulterated setup. My client has been at the forefront of the most groundbreaking science in the history of mankind," commented defense attorney Louis Libowsky. "His knowledge is invaluable. It's revolutionary. It will change the world. Sadly, we live in cutthroat times when corporate raiders stop at nothing to get what they want."

From the moment the indictment was handed down, Donovan Jamison, the former head of Nu-Corp Energy, has protested that someone is out to get him and that someone with enough power to force a federal indictment--to remove a Fortune 500 CEO and replace a federal judge--is behind this entire conspiracy.

Libowsky trumpeted, "This person is obviously someone who is not used to being fought back against. Donovan Jamison came to America with $50 in his pocket. He put himself through Metropolis University and earned his doctorate. He transformed himself into the world's foremost authority on physics and its applications to biological science, and he married his scientific genius with his gutsy business instincts to turn Nu-Corp into one of the most profitable firms in the world. Donovan is not just going to lay down and let this "Puppeteer" walk right over him and steal his life's work."

From the beginning, Jamison and Libowsky have claimed that this case is a set up by a mysterious figure they will only refer to as "The Puppeteer." No further details have been provided by the defense, and the prosecution categorically denies such accusations.

"We have a short list of five people that could be behind this plot; five people who need my client out of the way so that they can gain access to his private research," commented Libowsky. "Once we are through with the trial and have cleared Donovan's good name, we'll focus our energies on bringing down "The Puppeteer" and those too weak to say no to him...or her.

To read more about the Donovan Jamison story, see these archived Smallville Ledger articles:
When The Mighty Fall
Donovan Jamison Trial Set
Jamison Judge May Step Aside
Judge Quits Jamison Case
Higginson Named to Jamison Trial

DECIPHERING THE LEGACY OF EZRA SMALL
By Christopher James Beppo

Ezra Small's diary entries no longer require much preamble. Those interested in further research will soon find Small's writings gathered in one convenient location at smallville.net, where a short history of the man and his unusual legacy may be perused. Gratitude is once again given to the Ledger for allowing these excerpts to be published thus far. The interest of the public will determine the continuation of this series of articles.

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SCIENTISTS RETURN TO CAVE

By Kathy Romita

It's on again. After a long hiatus, scientists hired by Lionel Luthor have returned to conduct research at Smallville's famed--and dangerous--Kawatche caves. Construction was halted last year at the former proposed site of the LuthorCorp Corporate Plaza when Luthor's son, Lex, took over conservatorship after members of the Kawatche Tribe, who claimed to have owned the site for over 500 years, protested the demolition of the ancient, sacred caves.

Located near Miller's Bend, the caves and the ground above them hosted several tragic events last year. First, an above ground explosion killed Plaza construction foreman Dan Hammond. Then, a teenaged boy, Travis George, leaped 30 feet to his death during a rave party held inside the cavern. And famed cryptographer Fredrick

Walden, author of Deciphering the Mysteries of Hieroglyphics, was found in a catatonic state in the underground archeological wonder while studying the cryptic paintings that cover the walls. Walden recovered but was later killed in an unrelated accident. After these incidents, conservatorship was taken away from Lex Luthor and awarded to Lionel Luthor.

The elder Luthor briefly conducted research and then halted it. But recently, the scaffolding, the eerie lights illuminating the once darkened cave openings and the men and women in white lab coats with carbon dating equipment and other research tools have returned. Now that Mr. Luthor has reinstated the scientific study underground, perhaps The Mane and his staff would do well to ask the blessing of the Kawatche people instead of suffering their curse.