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Despite the years that have passed, Bender’s work makes it still
possible to capture Kilgore.
Another ongoing search in which Bender has been involved is for
bail jumper, Frank Matthews. Matthews was the leader of a
violent international drug operation, importing heroin and cocaine,
and allegedly ordering several murders. The U.S. Marshals have
searched for him since 1973. Matthews was last seen in Brooklyn
Federal Court in1973, where he posted $325,000 in bail.
Allegedly, he could have left the U.S. with as much as $20 million in
cash.
Bender's rendition of Matthews tries to capture the man's pride and
arrogance -- a man who has gotten away with his crimes for four
decades. Bender believes that this attitude would register in
his face.
In a recent appeal by the task force, which also offered a reward,
Bender urged anyone familiar with the human counterpart to the
sculpted bust to contact law enforcement.
“You never know what lies beneath,” he warned.
****
Bender’s dream is typical of many in detective work: he wants to
create a crime television show. But Bender’s video vision is
far different than that of a typical producer. He wants the viewer to
sense that they are in a maze and that the viewer will see different
images from all angles of a crime. Essentially, Bender wants the
public to see and think as he does.
Most of all though, Bender wants others to know that the world is
not nearly as safe and tranquil as it often seems. He wants people to
abandon their torpor, to be roused occasionally from their comfort to
appreciate what they have.
“Freedom is something we always have to work for. We don't
own it,” Bender said. “We're caretakers and we have to constantly
keep working on it.”
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| Life-like busts that Frank
Bender creates (the author) |
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