Tulsa World: Tragedy puzzles friends

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Tragedy puzzles friends

VICTIM
Lori Kastner: She was described by former bosses and co-workers as having a brilliant legal mind.

By GINNIE GRAHAM World Staff Writer
Published: 7/6/2008 3:28 AM
Last Modified: 7/8/2008 3:23 PM

Many don't see how the couple they knew ended with Lori Kastner's killing.

John Kastner did not seem unstable or unloving, but recent actions indicate a man on the verge of a breakdown, according to close friends and associates.

People who knew Kastner are dissecting conversations, swapping information and questioning everything he did.

A police affidavit spells out Kastner's unraveling. And in the past two months, he had outbursts about his supervisors and made promises he couldn't keep.

The former Webster High School teacher and coach is charged with first-degree murder in the June 25 shooting death of his wife, Lori. She was asleep when she died.

"I am totally in shock and saddened and don't know what happened," said Ernie Jones, who was the Webster athletic director when Kastner was hired. "I'm having trouble with this."

Most of those close to the couple do not want to speak publicly, citing concerns for their children and family. But the stories they tell are consistent.

The Kastners were a solid, loving couple who excelled in their careers, were devoted to their children and often mended and adopted stray animals.

But another side of John Kastner is emerging.

He told his wife more than a decade ago that he was a member of the Israeli special forces, recently claimed to have access to millions of dollars and gave an impromptu speech at a school event criticizing his bosses and promising large donations.

"This is truly a bizarre case," said a person who knew the couple when they met. "Lori is the last person who would get into this situation; John Kastner, too. The John Kastner that I knew would never do this. There is a lot of groping and looking for clues right now."

'At least that's what he told me'

Kastner and Lori became an item in 1983 when John was the news editor for the University of Tulsa's campus newspaper, The Collegian. Lori worked as an occasional writer at the urging of her best friend.

Kastner came to Tulsa after graduating from high school in Pennsylvania and earning a bachelor's degree from Colgate University in New York, where he said he ran cross country.

His father moved to Owasso after retiring as a commercial pilot, and John Kastner followed. His mother died in the 1980s, according to friends.

He told fellow students he divided his time between New York and Tulsa. He went to TU for a master's degree in accounting, which he said he earned with a 3.5 grade point average, according to his job application with Tulsa Public Schools.

"He said he went to the Middle East and was a world traveler. At least that's what he told me," said a friend who knew Kastner as a student at TU.

Lori graduated from Owasso High School in 1981 and was studying management information systems when she met Kastner.

The two were married on May 7, 1985, by a Presbyterian minister.

Lori became an academic star while attending the TU Law School while Kastner worked as an accountant. He later gave up accounting to become a teacher. According to his job application, he had a 3.8 grade point average while earning his teaching certification.

"That didn't surprise me because he was always social-justice minded," said a close friend of Kastner's. "He was a big sports fan and read a lot. He was very intelligent and a voracious reader."

At Webster, Kastner became a well-known and respected teacher. He is known as "Coach K."

In 1997, he went through training to offer the school's first Advanced Placement English literature course and was one of the coaches of the year for the Oklahoma Coaches Association in 1993.

"It seemed like he wanted to make a difference," Jones said. "He just said he wanted to teach and make a contribution."

Kastner trained Jones to finish the Tulsa Run in less than one hour. Kastner cut out the Tulsa World photo of the starting line, circling the two among the hundreds of runners.

"I still have that hanging on my wall," said Jones. "He was a very conservative and quiet individual. He wasn't a person who would boast or make many comments, but he wasn't rude or unfriendly."

Jones said Kastner was an impressive coach and took on other school responsibilities.

"He was very intelligent as a coach," Jones said. "He knew training procedure and didn't waste your time. He has an incredible knowledge of the sport of track and running. I would have him work with footballers to improve their form and running."

Jones and several of Kastner's friends say they were surprised at his appearance when he was arrested.

"The guy being portrayed is not the same individual I knew," Jones said. "He also used to always have close-cut hair and was thinner. I just can't imagine this other guy we are hearing about."

County Commissioner Randi Miller said Kastner coached her son in wrestling and football and taught him history. She has known Kastner for about three years.

"The times that I had spoken to him, he was a very intelligent, likeable person," Miller said. "I don't know how someone that is of sound mind would ever get caught up in that sort of stuff.

"No one ever believed that this could have happened. I guess you never know what goes on in the minds of people."

The couple moved near Webster in June 2004 and lived in a house with a taxable value of about $91,000, according to land records.

Kastner earned about $43,000, and Lori's salary as a judicial assistant with the Oklahoma Supreme Court was about $87,000, according to public records for 2007.

'Game on'

Kastner was admonished by the school administration after a surprise speech he gave at the May 13 Webster athletic banquet. Those who attended say it was a bit rambling.

The Wednesday edition of the Tulsa County News ran excerpts of his speech:

"You all know me. I am unique," Kastner said. "True to my New York heritage, I tell you what I think; I tell you to your face; and I tell you the truth no matter the consequences. I am a Westsider. I live here, my kids go to school here, and I will probably die here. I have no aspirations to go anywhere else.

"I believe the administrators, teachers and coaches should be role models. They should actively demonstrate the behaviors they want our students to emulate. In this sense, I am following the student creed which in part says, 'Do right although you may stand alone doing so.' "

Kastner identified himself as a lawyer and certified public accountant, according to the news report.

Nothing indicates he ever attended law school.

In the speech, he promised the football coach $100,000 if he won at least five games in the fall.

"If we fail, we will tender our resignations publicly on the Monday following our last game," he said.

He also promised the principal $100,000 if attendance rose by 5 percent.

"Game on," Kastner said at the end.

He received an admonishment for the speech, and he was attempting to appeal that admonishment.

On June 20, Kastner delivered a notebook to the Tulsa County News newspaper. In it, he claimed to be an attorney, accountant and teacher, the newspaper states.

Kastner left a voice message for a reporter at the Tulsa World on June 23 saying he wanted to report instances of "cheating" on student attendance and graduation rates, as well as "illegal athletes" on sports teams.

He said he recently lost his duties as a coach and athletic director at Webster High School. School officials said he voluntarily stepped down from being co-athletic director at the school but was expected to continue teaching and coaching.

'Finest, analytical legal minds'

Lori is described by her former bosses and co-workers as having a brilliant legal mind.

Former state Supreme Court Justice Daniel Boudreau hired her in 1995 as a judicial assistant at the Court of Civil Appeals in Tulsa. The opening attracted about 80 stellar applicants, but Lori stood out.

She graduated with honors in the top 10 percent of her law class, including having the top grade in three of her classes. She was president of the TU Women's Law Caucus and received the Order of the Curule Chair, the highest honor given to a TU law student.

"She was compared to the MVP of the TU Law School," Boudreau said. "I am not overstating this to say she had one of the finest, analytical legal minds I have ever known."

A trait endearing herself to judges was her assertiveness.

"She was not deferential to me, which was a good thing," Boudreau said. "If she disagreed with me, she told me. She was always willing to speak her mind."

After Boudreau was appointed to the state Supreme Court, Lori was retained by Judge Tom Colbert. Colbert eventually replaced Boudreau on the state Supreme Court and insisted Lori be his judicial assistant.

Colbert helped arrange for Lori to work from Tulsa, which is unusual because most Supreme Court staff live in Oklahoma City and work in the office.

"Whatever disadvantages there were with her working from Tulsa were outweighed by what she could bring to the job," Boudreau said.

Lori had aspirations at one time to become a judge and had applied for an opening at the Court of Civil Appeals.

"Lori was not a mousy person by any means," said a friend and former co-worker. "She was smart and forthright."

'Noah's Ark'

Lori converted to Judaism a few years ago and had been active in the B'nai Emunah Preschool and Heritage Academy, which her children attended.

She studied every Monday with her rabbi, according to the Jewish Blog Network. Their son celebrated his bar mitzvah last year.

Kastner was not Jewish, although many people assumed he had converted with Lori, according to officials at the Tulsa Jewish Federation.

The couple had two children — 14-year-old Fraser and 10-year-old Marion — and recently adopted 18-year-old Sally. Lori helped mentor Sally during her senior year, according to an obituary.

The couple were known for saving stray animals and had at least four dogs.

"They took in strays and injured animals all the time," said a friend. "All their pets were rescued."

The rabbi described the Kastner household during her funeral services as a "Noah's Ark of dogs, cats and other animals," according to the Jewish Blog Network.

'An apparent disparity'

While no current or former co-workers would speak on the record, they say Lori told some colleagues about her husband's claims of being in the Israeli military at least a decade ago.

They say she believed his story, although police have found no truth to his claim.

Kastner also claimed he had access to millions of dollars through the "713 Corporation," an Israeli charitable foundation. Police cannot find documentation on this nonprofit's existence.

He also told school officials he was going to get money from a printing press invention his father created, according to a police affidavit.

Boudreau said the information in the police affidavit doesn't match the thoroughness Lori showed in her profession.

"In the legal world, she didn't accept anything on face value," Boudreau said. "She was always probing and questioning. It's one of those puzzles of life. It's an apparent disparity. I just shake my head and try to understand what went on."

Lori resigned from her job in May to take a position with the "713 Corporation" and had contacted a bank about opening an international account to accept transfers of millions of dollars, according to the police affidavit.

Kastner told his family they were leaving June 25 for a trip to Israel on a private plane chartered by the nonprofit, according to the police affidavit.

Police found no such flight existed for that time and date.

World Staff Writer Lee Logan contributed to this report.

Ginnie Graham 581-8376
ginnie.graham@tulsaworld.com

John Kastner

Born Oct. 10, 1957, in Bronx, N.Y.
1976: Graduates from York Suburban High School in York, Penn.
1979: Receives a bachelor’s degree in economics from Colgate University.
1982: Graduates from the University of Tulsa with a master’s degree in accounting.
1983: Meets Lori Moon while working on the campus newspaper.
May 7, 1985: Is married to Lori by a Presbyterian minister.
June 13, 1985: The couple buys a home in Owasso.
October 1986: Opens an accounting practice in downtown Tulsa, providing tax, accounting and management services.
1990: Finishes teacher certification requirements and is hired by Tulsa Public Schools to teach and coach at Webster High School.
1994-1995: Successfully battles cancer.
June 4, 2004: Couple buys home near Webster High School in 3800 block of South Union Avenue.
May 13, 2008: Announces at a year-end athletic banquet that he would give $200,000 for winning more football games and raising school attendance. He criticizes administrators and claims to be a lawyer.
May: Lori resigns as a judicial assistant at the Oklahoma Supreme Court to work at an Israeli-connected nonprofit, a job that John had told her he had lined up. No such nonprofit is found to exist.
June 17: Buys a .22-caliber miniature revolver from Academy Sports.
June 20: Delivers a notebook to the Tulsa County News newspaper.
June 23: Leaves a voice message for a Tulsa World reporter wanting to talk about school “cheating” and “illegal athletes.”
June 24: Cancels a meeting that he had set with school officials to complete details over a donation of more than $2 million to Webster for drivers education, athletics and academics.
June 24: Test fires the new gun.
4 a.m. June 25: Lori dies from gunshots to the head, and John is shot in a finger. He blames an intruder.
June 27: Is arrested on a first-degree murder complaint about six hours before Lori’s services at B’nai Emunah congregation.
July 3: Is arraigned in Tulsa County District Court, and has a public defender appointed for him.
Sources: Police affdavit, land records, marriage license, newspaper archives and interviews with friends and co-workers By GINNIE GRAHAM World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment Observer3, T.B.D. (7/6/2008 6:31:56 AM) This man wasn't on the verge of a breakdown, it's just that all the lies he had told over the years were catching up with him. These people thought he was their friend, but they didn't know the real John Kastner, only the front he put up for them, just like a true con man. He wanted to be everyone's hero, and thought he had to lie about his background, finances, etc. to fulfill this wish. As he said in his speech, "I am unique." No one will argue with that now. Unfortunately, his brand of uniqueness ended with the murder of his wife, and two children left without parents. That's the legacy John Kastner will always be known for. That's the real John Kastner.
	Report Comment Latisha, Tulsa (7/6/2008 10:53:21 AM) Everyone needs to remember all those Perry Mason Episodes. Just because the police and newspaper declares a person guilty doesn't mean they are.
	Report Comment petrilli, (7/6/2008 11:50:35 AM) On the day the story broke, my phone rang continuously. We all knew John was responsible. That's why there aren't many people singing his praises. RIP, Lori.
	Report Comment Better Than, (7/6/2008 12:04:58 PM) This isn't Perry Mason, this is real. The guys story was so full of holes I wondered how long it would be before he took his perp walk. It didn't take long. He is a typical nutcase. One of the most digusting things, in my mind, he tried to lay blame on the 18 year old daughter. Who would blame their child for their mother's murder?
	Report Comment Graychin, Eucha (7/6/2008 3:20:36 PM) When someone's behavior goes from relatively normal to extremely bizarre like Kastner, I suspect a brain tumor. Has he been checked?
	Report Comment Coffee, please., (7/6/2008 3:22:38 PM) Did he lie about little things all his life? Were there any repercusssions to them, or were they just accepted?
	Report Comment webster grad, Tulsa (7/6/2008 3:41:49 PM) He has been allowed to lie for a long, long time. I found this out about 9/10 years ago. I think the former Webster principle and Stephanie Spring need to apologize to students and parents. They were told long ago that Kastner lied. The chose to believe Kastner instead of the students or the parents. We were the ones that were called liars. My son knew we believed him bcause Kastner even lied about us. So we knew a long time ago what a loser he was. What about the students that didn't have support from home? Do you know what effect this had on their lives when they were telling the truth and the teacher lied -- and they were not believed? I can imagine Kastner has screwed up lives for many years. Tulsa Public Schools -- I really do expect an apology!!!!!
	Report Comment Ignatz, Broken Bow (7/7/2008 10:03:15 AM) Latisha, you really should read the forensic investigator's affidavit supporting the warrant for this fellow's arrest to see just how looney he is. It is mind boggling that people who worked with him took his outlandish and ridiculous lies at face value for so long. Substitute "stupid" for "trusting" and you'll understand how they allowed such a delusional person to work everyday with children.
	Report Comment LauraS, Tulsa (7/7/2008 1:54:02 PM) This is such a horrible tragedy. It sounds to me like Coach K may have "Delusional Disorder, Grandiose Type". The thing about this type of delusions are that they are "nonbizarre". In other words, believable...
	Report Comment Okiebyaccident, (7/7/2008 2:56:40 PM) Everyone keeps talking about his lies. But the story says Lori quit her job to take a position with the so-called 713 Corporation. "Lori resigned from her job in May to take a position with the '713 Corporation' and had contacted a bank about opening an international account to accept transfers of millions of dollars, according to the police affidavit." Either this was a misprint or there is a lot more to this story, and to victim, than we know yet.
	Report Comment Dr. SAMP, (7/7/2008 3:14:34 PM) WOW...this story is just strange...all the way around. But I agree that TPS "has some 'plaining to do". I would also add that there is another John Kastner who may very well be an Isreali special forces agent working undercover in the U.S. - he is a science professor of some sort on the left coast. The "Coach Kastner" may have co-opted some of this other guy's identity markers. Also, I wonder about Kastner's claims of graduating from Colgate and TU. Colgate is a pretty prestigous school, but I know that it was scammed for several years by an academic charlatan. I assure you all, the amount of fraud, etc. that goes on in education at every level is scary. People lie every day, all day long about their credentials. It is an insult for those of us who truly do work hard to have to put up with these cretins. It is sinful that students are exposed to them.
	Report Comment Miss G, (7/7/2008 4:43:40 PM) webster grad of Tulsa: I'm curious to know what these mysterious lies are that you speak of...
	Report Comment webster grad, Tulsa (7/7/2008 4:53:31 PM) Miss G: It doesn't matter -- it was 9/10 years ago. I'm sure we weren't the only people lied to and about. It was brought to everyone's attention -- but they believed Kastner. Maybe he told them we would get the Israeli Special Forces after them. Just a thought. Another thought -- Why did he go to the Tulsa County News and the Tulsa World just day before the murder with accusations of cheating, etc. at Webster. Was he going to blame it on Webster or the School Board for trying to quiet him? Just wondering? Sounds a bit odd with the timing.
	Report Comment Bill_Robison, (7/7/2008 11:02:18 PM) webster grad-he made a pledge to pay thousands of dollars if the team and the attendance figures improved. So, why not discredit the numbers to get out of having to admit he didn't have the money to pay up. What is so confusing is why she quit her job to fall into his mess. She wouldn't have just taken his word for all the details. She would've insisted on talking with the "company" several times to ensure she was making a good decision. She wasn't stupid or naive and certainly wouldn't do such a thing as quit her career on a whim. In any case, who cares if he has a tumor? This "animal" should be put down. Study his "condition" in the morgue and save us taxpayers the burden of paying for any of his defects. God bless the children.
	Report Comment Miss G, (7/8/2008 9:10:05 AM) webster grad: interesting that it no longer matters...way to prove your point...
	Report Comment ddp, (7/8/2008 10:16:25 AM) I agree. Study his brain to see what defects it has...postmortum that is!
	Report Comment webster grad, Tulsa (7/8/2008 1:00:09 PM) Miss G: I don't put personal information on the internet. Sorry -- your curiosity and the need to know about my personal life are just going to have to use your imagination. There is a reason why people don't use their real names on these forums. If I told you what lies -- everyone involved would know who I was.
	Report Comment Miss G, (7/8/2008 4:50:48 PM) You're right...my apologies for asking...although alluding to an event on the internet is one step away from posting personal information... I do hereby cordially remove myself from this awkward yet entertaining internet drama...

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