Tulsa World: Kastner's many claims eventually collapsed

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Kastner's many claims eventually collapsed
His stories, and his behavior, started shifting, his principal says.

CHARGED
John Kastner: A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 25 on charges he killed his wife, Lori, in June.

By GINNIE GRAHAM World Staff Writer
Published: 7/28/2008 2:06 AM
Last Modified: 7/28/2008 2:23 AM

His stories, and his behavior, started shifting, his principal says.

It was about mid-December when Webster High School's principal started seeing some changes in English teacher and coach John Kastner.

Kastner began having over-the-top reactions to people and situations that irritated him. His stories about money he planned to donate began shifting. He announced he was probably going to be deaf within a year.

"At that point I thought 'too much drama, too much coincidence,' " said Principal Phil Garland. "And his behavior to me started to indicate that something was different, too, in this. A lot of drama was happening, and a lot of stories were coming together.

"When I was open-minded before and skeptical, I became more skeptical and less open-minded. I had the possibility in my head that things were not being presented as they really were."

Kastner has been charged in June 25 shooting death of his wife, Lori Kastner. She died from a gunshot wound to the head while she slept in their home on the 3800 block of South Union Avenue. He has pleaded not guilty and has a preliminary hearing set for Aug. 25.

Chief Public Defender Pete Silva said representatives from his office have interviewed Kastner but would not say what type of defense is being considered.

"I will not talk about my case with you," Silva said.

A police affidavit alleges a pattern of lying by Kastner, including that he was a member of the Israeli military, son of a wealthy inventor

and connected to a large Israel-based nonprofit organization called the "713 Corporation," which does not exist.

The affidavit claims that Kastner had convinced his wife to quit her job as a judicial assistant at the state Supreme Court to take a job at the nonprofit. It alleges he bought a gun about a month before the shooting, test fired the weapon the day before the murder and had crime scene investigation literature in his home.

'Skeptical by nature'

The shooting and subsequent arrest stunned students, teachers, friends and residents in the west Tulsa community.

Kastner, known as "Coach K," was a popular teacher known for the high bar he set for students academically.

"He was definitely respected because he put a lot into the job, and kids knew that he cared," Garland said. "He was intelligent, intellectual. It has surprised me the things that have come out because they don't seem very intelligent."

Since Kastner's arrest, students have written in online blogs and made comments on news stories indicating that Kastner made other claims, such as training with Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong and being in a car bombing in March 1978 in Israel that killed his fiancee and left him scarred.

Kastner told Garland about the Israel bombing and living in a kibbutz, an Israeli communal settlement.

"It was presented to me in a way that was plausible it could happen," Garland said.

Garland said he confirmed that Kastner did live in a kibbutz. The Tulsa Jewish Federation has previously stated that Kastner is not Jewish, although his wife converted a few years ago and his children are Jewish.

"At least part of the story that seemed outlandish to those of us in America was true," Garland said. "The stories he told weren't things that were in need of testing out. I'm skeptical by nature and remained a skeptic of him and his stories all along. Over time, these kinds of stories tend to come down on people. It hadn't, so I kept an open mind."

Before holiday break, Kastner told Garland that a local philanthropist was going to make a large grant to boost academic programs. Kastner did not name the philanthropist.

About February, Kastner revised his story. He said he had come into an inheritance from a trust fund when he turned 50 last October and was planning to create a foundation, Garland said.

The money was from an invention his father created, possibly related to shipping, and he implied his father was dead, Garland said. Kastner also indicated that his wife came from a wealthy family, Garland said.

Kastner's father is a retired pilot and lives in the Tulsa area. Neither his family nor Lori Kastner's family has granted interviews.

Kastner proposed a three-year plan to donate $2.3 million for athletic programs, Garland said. A meeting was set up for June 20 for Garland to meet a woman who was to lead the foundation. He canceled the meeting.

"All of a sudden a falsehood that he was promoting had a deadline," Garland said. "It had to come to fruition at some point or not. None of those others did. Those were all things from the past."

The school activities committee voted to accept the donation but did not spend it. A plan was made by coaches on how to spend the donation, but no orders were made.

"I was more mindful, but that's not unusual for me," Garland said. "I was more skeptical on this one though. I knew we didn't have it in hand. I asked to see some paperwork or meet with this person who was going to run his foundation. I had been disappointed in not getting anywhere with that. So, I was very skeptical.

"I don't want people to think we are suffering, hadn't planned right or (were) absolutely upside-down duped. No way have we lost anything financially or any other way, except emotionally."

Throughout the spring semester, Kastner was growing more upset with Garland over his administration of the athletic department. Kastner lashed out in a surprise May 13 speech at the end-of-the-year athletic banquet, in which he claimed to be an attorney and announced his donation.

Garland disciplined Kastner, who continued to promise the donation and informed the district's financial department that he planned to give money for driver's education courses.

Kastner later called a Tulsa World reporter and gave information to the Tulsa County News newspaper taking issue with the disciplinary action.

After his arrest, Kastner filled out a pauper's affidavit, dropping all claims of wealth.

It was during the spring semester when Kastner let people know he was going deaf from a medical condition and was inquiring about a trained dog to help him get around.

"You would never have thought his behavior is leading to the conclusion that something tragic may happen," Garland said. "That did not come up."

'All kinds of reactions'

Dr. Curtis Grundy, a Tulsa clinical psychologist with experience examining criminal defendants and testifying about their mental health, said people who invent stories about themselves may have conditions ranging from personality disorder to schizophrenia.

Grundy has not examined Kastner and has no connection to this case. He spoke to the Tulsa World using only hypothetical scenarios.

For someone with major mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, the person likely would not be able to function in his daily life, Grundy said.

"Many people lie in their lives, don't tell the truth or create falsehoods for many reasons," Grundy said. "If there is a habitual pattern, that may be indicative of something ingrained in their character.

"If that comes later in life or out of the blue, that will lead a mental health professional to question something significant going on with their mental health, physical or medical condition leading to the problems they are having."

When people start believing the false stories or embellishments, their loved ones should be concerned and help them contact a mental health professional.

If a person is confronted with proof that his stories are made up, the reaction could run the gamut, Grundy said. A mental health expert would need to examine a person's history and take into account factors such as violent tendencies and substance abuse, he said.

"There are all kinds of possible reactions," Grundy said. "It's very hard to predict."

The school arranged to have mental health professionals available at the school after Kastner's arrest. No students sought the grief counseling at the school.

Garland is unsure what to expect when school starts. He anticipates students behaving differently as the case plays out in court and is covered by the media.

A replacement has been chosen to teach Kastner's English courses. He may contact some staff members to see if they want to meet and talk about the Kastner case before students arrive.

"We're going to have to see what is going on with the students and the staff, too," Garland said. "Different kids will react differently. You can't treat everybody the same and can't expect everyone's method of showing or acting out their feelings to be the same."

Garland said people close to Kastner no longer believe the stories he told. For example, he no longer believes Kastner beat cancer in the mid-90s.

"They are disappointed and many feel outright duped," Garland said. "I assume now everything he told me was incorrect until I verify otherwise."

Ginnie Graham 581-8376
ginnie.graham@tulsaworld.com By GINNIE GRAHAM World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment thinker, (7/28/2008 9:50:45 AM) Graychin I don't think he has a brain tumor. While his brain may be different than the normal person or not...who knows. Just because someone acts irrationally doesn't mean they have a brain tumor and it isn't nice to lump all the people who do suffer from one in there with the likes of him. Besides he has been doing this for years don't you think it would have shown up before now.
	Report Comment Tim Denver, Denver (7/28/2008 10:08:01 AM) Fish, reading the ingredients listed on a cereal box makes you think of Obama.
	Report Comment 4738, (7/28/2008 10:15:44 AM) The principal at Webster should have been more intune to what was happening. When outlandish stories are told, educated people should take note. The principal is responsible for the well being of the school and faculty. He should have done something sooner if he actually felt the man was telling such outrageous lies.
	Report Comment The Lunch Lady, (7/28/2008 12:13:36 PM) The Tulsa Public Schools legal counsel might contact the principal and advise him of the wisdom of making any comment to the press about this case. Any wrongful death suit pending would put the principal and thus the school district at risk, you would think. That lady's children has an interest in her estate. Since she was an attorney, then her potential for earnings had she lived would be great. Common sense of any logical person tells you that that Mr Kastner was off the deep end and by his own words, the principal says he knew that. Exactly where that leaves the school district as far as liability is an interesting issue. Why not the deep pocket of the Tulsa Public Schools. Just a thought.
	Report Comment Fred, (7/28/2008 12:43:56 PM) Fish, What do you know about Saddam Hussein? Other than he is dead. Have you ever taken the time to read about his background in Wikipedia? Do you know why UNESCO awarded him for his work? Do you know what wonderful things he did for his country that no other Arab leader has done or will do? The world is full of Tyrants. Dick Cheney is one. But unlike Dick Cheney, most of the things that Saddam Hussein did when he was in charge of his country were good for the people. I know it is hard to read things other than your words, but Google Saddam Hussein and read about him. There was also a very nice picture of Donald Rumsfeld shaking Saddam Hussein's hand. Were you aware about the connection between the CIA,Saddam Hussein and President Kennedy? Interesting reading! The article isn't too long and I think you will understand why Barrack's parents gave him the middle name of Hussein. It would have been during the time that Saddam Hussein was doing so many wonderful things for his country. Read and find out. I promise it will be an eye-opener.
	Report Comment Fred, (7/28/2008 12:50:16 PM) Yes, the Principal should have been on top of this guy. Even the English classes that Kastner taught suffered from his lack of teaching. You saw the 20 point drop in Webster's score. You have to be on top of these poor educators.
	Report Comment not a loser, (7/28/2008 5:02:53 PM) This principal isn't there to make the school better - just himself!! Mr. Kastner wrote the Tulsa World about cheating that happened last year to improve the scores. Where is this story? The principal hated him and is glad all this happened!
	Report Comment tnt091605, (7/28/2008 6:29:18 PM) The school did nothing wrong. I would not have advised the principal to speak to the media but the school just had a teacher that was promising things. The guys own family didn't know he was making these false statements. His wife did not know and she was an attorney that quit her job. But the school was supposed to do something. I don't get your thinking!!!!!! or lack of thinking!!!!!
	Report Comment Fred, (7/28/2008 7:08:03 PM) The Lunch Lady, You are on the mark about the Principal talking to the press at this time. Bad move on his part. He had best, "gird his loins". not a loser, I have worked for Principals both excellent and lame. The excellent ones were working for the school and its learning environment. They were on top of everything. They constantly monitored and adjusted to get the best for the students and their parents who were also part of the equation, big-time. If I had started saying the things to the students and the staff that Mr. Kastner did and then to the Principle, I would have had my hand called. I would have had to find me another place to work If a good Principal is there to do a good job and get a good reputation for being a good Principal, then I might agree with your first sentence.
	Report Comment not a loser, (7/29/2008 12:38:08 AM) Fred - I know a lot of people who work there and the entire staff knows that he is just there until he can "improve" his situation. So don't comment on things you have no knowledge of.
	Report Comment RockBoston, (7/29/2008 8:10:48 AM) Hey NativeOkie I am on here all day as time allows. I work in a bank so yup I have a job. Oh let me finish this with I'm a republican to. PLease don't lump everyone into a mold that doesen't fit at all.
	Report Comment Jason, (7/29/2008 1:58:14 PM) sick 'em nativeokie....if my neighbor wants to make $135,000 a year like i do Obama's not going to take $50,0000 a year from 2 like me and give to them so he can have a bass boat like mine. i am stickin with McCain, I want a safe America. If we jerk all the troops out of Iraq and send a qtr or half to Afghanistan and the other half home.....extremist Islam'a will come to America in large scale and start with homicide bomings here...WATCH AND SEE, so long as we keep them fighting on foreign soil they will fight us there, when we come home, they will fight us at home.

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