But Lee was also apparently fond of fine clothes, and was always very well-dressed, friends said.

And Cassidy wrote that much of the money can be traced to Lee's purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue, Barney's The Andover Shop and Eddie Bauer.

"It's fairly safe to say that he was not living by meager means," says Malcolm A. Heinicke '93, a friend of Lee who lived in Eliot House.

"He was definitely a class act," Heinicke says. "Or at least, so we thought."

In addition to his extravagant clothing and stereo purchases, Lee was a regular customer at Leavitt and Peirce, a local tobacco store where he often bought cigars, friends say.

David A. Aronberg '93 roomed with Lee when they were first-years in Pennypacker but says he didn't have much contact with Lee after that.

Aronberg says Lee didn't spend an unusually large amount of money when they were first-years.

"He spent money," Aronberg says. "But I don't think he spent more than anyone else. It wasn't outrageous--it wasn't like anything that would catch your eye."

So where did a middle-class kid from Tenafly, New Jersey, suddenly get the money to live such a lavish lifestyle?

Friends say Lee claimed to have received a large inheritance from a wealthy relative at some point during his time in Eliot House.

Also during his upperclass years, Lee began working part-time at The Andover Shop. He usually received about $200 per week, according to owner Charlie Davidson.

"If true..."

The attorneys for Lee and Sword aren't giving any hints about how they'll defend their clients.

Lee's attorney, James W. Lawson, has refused to answer any questions, including queries about specific defense tactics he might employ.

And Canty has not returned numerous phone calls.