BY WILLIAM A. WEATHERS
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A 50-year-old Madisonville man was found shot to death in St. Louis early Tuesday, hours after attending a Cardinals baseball game in hopes of seeing Mark McGwire hit a home run.
Michael Caposela, of the 4900 block of Kelsch Lane, was found shot to death about 5 a.m. Tuesday in a street in the city's downtown riverfront area, St. Louis police said.
"The victim was shot three times in the upper torso," police spokesman Richard Wilkes said Tuesday. "He was found with his ID, wallet, money and hotel key."
No arrests in the slaying had been made as of late Tuesday.
Relatives in Cincinnati said the Mr. Caposela and a friend traveled to St. Louis for a chance to see Mr. McGwire hit another record-breaking home run at Busch Stadium.
Mr. Caposela had also planned to visit his uncle, whom he had not seen in about 10 years.
"The victim arrived in St. Louis Monday afternoon and attended a baseball game Monday night," Mr. Wilkes said. "In the late inning the deceased decided to go to (a) gambling boat."
The victim's friend, who accompanied him to the gambling boat, told police Mr. Caposela never returned to their hotel.
The location where the victim's body was found was "several blocks from the gambling boat," police said.
Cathy Caposela of Forest Park, a cousin of Mr. Caposela, described him as "a happy-go-lucky guy who had never been in any trouble -- just a good guy." Mr. Caposela, who was a bachelor, grew up in Mount Adams, she said.
"I think he probably went up to see McGwire, and since he was going to be in St. Louis, he was going to see his uncle," the victim's cousin said.
But the victim's uncle, Frank Caposela of St. Louis, said he did not find out his nephew was in town until he saw a Tuesday evening news report.
Mr. Caposela, who was "very upset" about his nephew's death, said he wasn't aware he was coming to St. Louis.
"I watched the game on TV," Mr. Caposela said. "I wish he had let me know he was coming. I may have joined him."
Mr. Caposela, who moved to St. Louis from Cincinnati five years ago, said that the last time he talked to his nephew he was working as a clerk in hardware store in Newtown.
