C  o n f i d e n t i a l o r n e r   The 31st Songwriters Hall of Fame: (Above) Paul McCartney with new girlfriend, Heather Mills; (above) James Brown (right) teaches Paul McCartney (left) how to dance as Hansen and Brian Wilson look on; Christopher Reeves & Bruce Villanche. Photos: Steve Azzara Puerto Rican Day Parade (top): Don King, (left) Hillary Clinton, (above) Jimmy Smits, (bottom left) Rosie Perez. Photos: Ira Cohen

Wendy's Whispers

Sources tell NYConfidential that the May 24 massacre at a Wendy’s restaurant in Flushing, Queens, was a "classic act," the "random act of a pair of social misfits, impossible to predict – or prevent."

Those close to the investigation said that the prime suspect, John Taylor, is a "dark spirit," who would have destroyed anyone or anything who came between himself and the cash he sought that night. The public outcry for additional beat cops won’t stop this type of crime from occurring anywhere – at any time.

"People are saying that the murders might have been avoided if there was a cop nearby who checked on the restaurant at closing time," the sources said.

"All that would have accomplished in this incident would have been to add a murder victim," the sources said. "Taylor wouldn’t have been bothered by the sight of a uniformed officer. He would have bound and shot the cop in the freezer along with the others."

Taylor and his sidekick, Craig Godineaux, are scheduled to appear in Queens Criminal Court on Monday, June 26. Word has leaked through
cracks in the walls on Rikers Island that Taylor is "very angry" over his circumstances.

Godineaux has reportedly taken to walking the
floor in his "secure" cell. He keeps worrying about the death penalty. And since he’s only allowed outside his lockup (as is Taylor) for one hour each day, Godineaux "paces constantly" during the remaining 23 hours, jailhouse sources said.

Taylor, on the other hand, shows no signs of remorse, we are told. "He bitches about his meals, a lack of female companionship, and being handcuffed," jailers said. "But there is no remorse, no sorrow, no regret for loss of life – including his own."

The sources said Taylor speaks about the death penalty often – laughing off the idea that anyone would ever sentence him to death.

Hanging with Hillary

What could be more New York than deli food? First, U.S. Senatorial hopeful Rick Lazio sampled the pastrami at a NYC deli and now his opponent First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton sipped a Diet Black Cherry Soda at a Ben’s Kosher Deli on Long Island. In between sips, Clinton proffered opinions on varied topics including George W. Bush, capital punishment and the Microsoft anti-trust case.

Of soon-to-be official GOP Prez candidate Bush: he’s affable and relaxed. It’s the people around him that are scary.

She saw the rationale for capital punishment in cases like the Oklahoma bombing, but found a recent study noting that a high potential of inmates on death row may in fact be not guilty, was more than enough reason to give one pause.

While first saying she was not an anti-trust specialist, Clinton then displayed a knowledge of the Microsoft case that would impress any lawyer working on the case, noting that the case itself was not sparked by the government but by Microsoft competitors.

Talking so much was maybe why she had to take her half a pastrami sandwich to go.

Confidentially New York . . .

E-MAIL your items to: NYConf@NewsCommunications.com

NYConfidential by Michael Schenkler with: Tom Allon, Steve Azzara, Peter Catapano, Ira Cohen, Richard Fasanella, Tamara Hartman, Barbara Jarvie, Mike Nussbaum, Dee Richard.