Paul Donald Colby (more commonly known as Don Colby, Donald Colby, et al.) was an ex-convict and drug dealer working in Lytton, CA. Shortly before the Lonny West murder, Colby began purchasing his drugs from Jason Taselli (whom he knew as "Leroy Pierson"). He was then introduced by drug dealer Jose Martinez to high school student Victor Simms, to whom he sold cocaine. Simms and Colby were arrested together during a drug deal at Lytton City Park. Colby confessed to his crimes, and later turned state's evidence against drug kingpin Jessie Bains. He was put into witness protection and moved to Steelton, CA, where he ran a private business. He was eventually tracked down and killed by Jessie Bains in retribution for his testimony.
Drug Dealing in Lytton[]
Donald Colby began his drug trafficking career some time before the murder of Lonny West, well before the arrival of drug kingpins Jessie Bains and Jason Taselli to Lytton in the late 80s. In 1985, Colby was arrested for assault on a police officer and possession of a controlled substance, for which he served 18 months at the California State Penitentiary. He was released on a 3-year probation in 1987, which was still active by the time of his arrest (see below).
On Jason Taselli's arrival in Lytton, Taselli began selling drugs to several local drug dealers including Donald Colby, Jose Martinez and Lonny West, as part of a bid to increase his and Bains' drug trafficking power in Lytton. Colby only knew Taselli by his alias "Leroy Pierson", and was given a contact phone number that was listed under the name "Pierson" in the LT&T records.
At some point, drug dealer Jose Martinez introduced Colby to Victor Simms, a student at Jefferson High School who had been buying from Martinez and selling at the school. Simms then began purchasing his drugs from Colby, especially after Martinez disappeared (and was probably murdered by Taselli).
Arrest[]
Shortly after officer Sonny Bonds was temporarily recruited into the Lytton Police Department's Narcotics Division, detective Laura Watts received a tip from one of her informants regarding a drug deal that was about to occur in Lytton City Park. On orders from Division head Det. Lt. James Morgan, Watts and Bonds drove to the park and set up a stake-out. Before long, Simms arrived at the scene, followed by Colby. Colby handed Simms a small bag containing cocaine, while Simms handed Colby an envelope containing his payment. The two started to argue about the price of the drugs, when detective Bonds announced his presence and ordered the pair to freeze.
Simms surrendered to Bonds on the spot, while Colby ran and was intercepted and arrested by Watts. The two were searched, discovering the drugs and money on their person. In Simms' initial questioning on the scene, he pointed out Colby as his supplier and described the nature of their relationship. Colby was initially reluctant to speak, but eventually revealed his connection to "Leroy Pierson" (Jason Taselli). Colby expressed a hope that his cooperation would be taken into account at his trial. The two were taken to Lytton City Jail, where they were incarcerated for drug trafficking, pending a trial.
Turning State's Evidence[]
Following an undercover operation at the Hotel Delphoria, drug kingpin Jessie Bains was arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including drug trafficking. The prosecution offered Colby a deal, in which he would receive a suspended sentence for his crimes and a 5 year probation, in return for testifying about Bains' drug distribution network. Colby accepted the deal, and testified against Bains, who was convicted of the charge.
Witness Protection and Murder[]
Colby was put into a witness protection program following his testimony, and moved to Steelton, CA, where he established a private business called "Colby Imports".
Some time later, Jessie Bains managed to break out of prison, and began a campaign to exact revenge against anyone who had been involved in his arrest and conviction. A list made by Bains and acquired by Homicide detective Sonny Bonds indicated his desire to eliminate Colby, among others.
Bonds discovered Colby's current location in Steelton and attempted to contact him there, to warn him of Bains' possible arrival and intent. Colby was dismissive, and would not cooperate. Bonds then contacted Steelton Police Department's Homicide Division, asking Lt. William Miller to put a tap on Colby's phone. Miller also sent an unmarked unit over to check on Colby, finding him dead from a .32 caliber bullet to the head.
Nevertheless, the phone tap records showed a call to Colby's home from Steelton's Burt Park just prior to his murder. This led detectives Bonds and Keith Robinson to the park, where Bonds tracked Bains into the city's sewer system and killed him during a shootout.
LPD Narcotics Case File (Physical)[]
Case # | N5553232 |
---|---|
Name | Donald J. Colby |
Alias | None |
Address | (As of 4/2/86) 23110 Union St Steelton, USA |
Scars/tattoos | None |
D.O.B | 2/19/48 |
Physical | White/male 5'7", black, brown, 145 lbs. |
Assigned to | Watts, Laura |
Arresting Officer | Bonds & Watts |
Arrest record | Narcotics for sale |
Convicted | 10/5/83 |
Incarcerated | None |
Location | None |
Sentence | 1 year suspended sentence 1 year probation |
Parole date | None |
Case status | Closed |
Note | |
Provided testimony in murder trial against Jessie Bains. |
LPD Narcotics Case File (Digital)[]
Case # | N5553232 |
---|---|
Name | Colby, Donald |
Alias | None |
Address | CONFIDENTIAL |
Scars/tattoos | None |
D.O.B | 2/19/48 |
Physical | White/male 5'7", black, brown, 145 lbs. |
Arrest record | Sale of narcotics |
Convicted | 10/5/83 |
Incarcerated | None |
Sentence | 1 year suspended sentence |
Parole date | None |
Probation | 1 year |
Note | |
Turned states witness provided testimony in murder trial against Jessie Bains. | |
Confidential | Subject relocated under State's witness protection program. |
Behind the scenes[]
- Colby has multiple different names in the original Police Quest. Victor Simms refers to him as "Don Colby". If Sonny calls dispatch while driving Colby and Simms to jail, he is told that Colby's full name is Paul D. Colby (alluding to "Donald" being his middle name). During the epilogue, we are told that a "Donald D. Colby" had turned state's evidence against Jessie Bains.
- In the remake, Colby's full name is "Donald P. Colby", alluding back to the original "Paul Donald Colby".
- In Police Quest II: The Vengeance, Colby's files give his full name as "Donald J. Colby".
- Records seen in Police Quest II: The Vengeance claim that Colby received a 1-year suspended sentence and 1-year probation. This contradicts the original Police Quest, where he is said to have received a 5-year probation.
- Colby's records in Police Quest II: The Vengeance completely fail to mention his previous arrest, for which he served 18 months at Foolsum State Penitentiary between 1985 and 1987. Mentioning this record would pose two serious continuity errors: First, it would mean that Colby violated a 3-year probation by selling drugs to Victor Simms, which would make it difficult if not impossible to suspend his sentence for testifying against Bains; and the dates would conflict with the timeline for PQ2, which takes place in 1988 and at least 1 year after Jessie Bains' arrest.
- The Police Quest II physical record for Colby, found at the Narcotics division office, clearly lists his new address under witness protection, information that would normally be kept more securely than that. His computer record refrains from mentioning his address at all (marking it "CONFIDENTIAL").