 Taxicab number 912. License plate Y17413.
Click to enlarge photograph.
Aerial view of murder scene on Google Maps
The Paul Stine murder was to become the fifth and final confirmed murder by the Zodiac Killer, although this is believed by many to be a highly unlikely supposition, based upon future unsolved crimes bearing hallmarks of the killer and his claim in the Exorcist Letter on January 29th 1974 to have killed at least 37 people. Paul Stine (29) resided at 1842 Fell Street (aerial view), street view, San Francisco at the time of his murder. On 11th October 1969 it is widely stated that a man requisitioned a taxicab close to the corner of Mason and Geary Street, but it is highly likely the taxicab was summoned close to the Westin St Francis Hotel, situated in Union Square in the bustling theater district of San Francisco between 9.35 pm and 9.45 pm. This journey however would be his last, because unfortunately for Paul Stine this passenger had murder on his mind. Paul Stine had arrived for work earlier that evening at the Yellow Cab Company at approximately 8.45 pm, taking a fare from Pier 64 to the San Francisco Air Terminal.
 Click to enlarge photograph
His most likely route thereafter was US Route 101 taking him back to the busy theater intersection of Mason and Geary, where he probably felt he was likely to pick up an unscheduled fare. At this point the assistant traffic manager of the Yellow Cab Co, Leroy Sweet instructed Paul Stine of a regular pick-up at 500 9th Avenue. This was the last contact with Paul Stine. Twelve to thirteen minutes later he was to be killed. Responding officers would later notice the taxicab meter read $6.25 at 10.46 pm, allowing them to calculate and backtrack that Paul Stine had most likely picked up his second fare somewhere in the vicinity of the Mason and Geary intersection, corroborating where Leroy Sweet sent the last radio dispatch to Paul Stine. In fact there is good evidence to believe the Zodiac Killer entered the taxicab outside the Westin St. Francis Hotel situated on Powell and Geary Streets on Union Square.
 Click photo to enter Washington and Cherry
The taxi driver had logged in Washington and Maple as the destination on his way bill/trip sheet, but had pulled up just shy of the intersection of Washington and Cherry Streets at 9.55 pm, adjacent to the 3898 Washington Street residence in the wealthy district of Presidio Heights, where his passenger drew a gun and shot Paul Stine to the right side of his head, killing him instantly. From a house on the opposite side of the street three teenage eyewitnesses saw the unfolding events of that night, as the killer removed a rear section of the victim's shirt, as well as wiping down various parts of the taxicab, including the driver side compartment, and upon leaving the vehicle the exterior right front passenger and external driver side door handles. Soon after the teenagers rang the police, recorded at 9.58 pm, however crossed wires or misinterpretation of the telephone call meant that the radio operator had unfortunately informed patrolmen to look out for a black male, which would ultimately benefit the murderer a few short minutes later, and what would turn out the be the best chance ever of capturing the elusive Zodiac Killer.
From their vantage point of 50/60 feet away the three teenagers described the suspect to the police dispatcher as "A white male, 25-30 years old, 5'8" to 5'9", stocky build, reddish-brown hair worn in a crew cut, heavy rimmed glasses and dark clothing," but the false description unfortunately gave the Zodiac Killer a lucky break, from which he took full advantage. 
So when police scouring the area, observed a heavyset white male, approximately 5'10'' in height, 35-45 years and 180 to 200 lbs, walking near the intersection of Jackson and Maple Street, no alarm bells rang, and the Zodiac Killer dissolved into the night.
According to eyewitnesses the Zodiac after exiting the cab walked to Cherry Street, headed north to Jackson Street, before turning right and heading east towards the Jackson and Maple Street intersection. Two patrolmen on duty that night, were Donald Fouke (image) and Eric Zelms. They had been covering the Eastern Richmond district and were traveling northbound on Presidio Avenue, having just passed Washington Street when they received a broadcast of what was thought at the time to be an assault and robbery on a taxicab driver near the Washington and Cherry intersection. The two officers proceeded on towards Jackson Street, turned west and were just approaching the intersection of Jackson and Maple when Donald Fouke noticed a white male sporting a crew cut, wearing a three quarter length navy blue jacket with an elastic waist, rust colored or brown pleated trousers and tan engineering style footwear. The man was on the north side of the street.just shy of the intersection.  Click to enlarge photograph
In a second version of events that night, Donald Fouke recalled the white male entering a stairwell, believed to be 3712 Jackson Street. Although this observation in the 2007 documentary 'This is the Zodiac Speaking' is contradictory to his memorandum in the November of 1969, stating the unknown white male to be approaching the intersection of Jackson and Maple, without mention of the stairwell incident. His memorandum stated "I respectfully wish to report the following, that responding to the area of Cherry and Washington Streets a suspect fitting the description of the Zodiac Killer was observed by officer Fouke walking in an easterly direction on Jackson Street and then turn north on Maple Street." November 12th 1969.
But his suspicions were not aroused, as the radio operator had issued the misleading description, so he continued along Jackson Street to Cherry Street and headed south towards the scene of the crime. It was at this point at the top of Cherry that Donald Fouke and Eric Zelms were flagged down by Armond Pelissetti, another patrolman, who was the first respondent to the crime scene. In the 2007 Zodiac documentary Donald Fouke recalled "He stopped us and said that he was looking for the white male that had just gone down the street. There was a little conversation about what the initial description was and he said no he was a white male, I then used a slang term and said oh that was the suspect."  Click to enlarge photograph
When both officers received the original police broadcast their first instincts were to head to the Washington and Cherry crime scene, however something may have changed. Many people say memories become blurred with time, so we will head backwards to the 'Crime of the Century' documentary eighteen years prior to the film documentary, in 1989, and see what Donald Fouke stated here.It should in theory be a little more accurate. Here is the important section of this documentary where Donald Fouke outlines how the events unfolded that night. https://youtu.be/_A3kD-j25jQ?t=57s
He stated "We proceeded on Jackson Street towards Arguello continuing our search, as we arrived at Arguello Street the description of the suspect was changed to a white male adult, believing this suspect was possibly the one involved in the shooting we entered the Presidio of San Francisco and conducted a search on West Pacific Avenue, the opposite side of the wall and the last direction we observed the suspect going, we did not find the suspect."  Click to enlarge photograph
Clearly the two accounts differ markedly and from the standpoint of common sense, turning southbound on Cherry seemed the correct course of action, after all he was responding to the crime scene at Washington and Cherry and Donald Fouke was unaware at this point in time that Armond Pelissetti had responded to the crime scene before him. So what was he doing, as he claimed in the 1989 'Crimes of the Century' documentary, heading towards Arguello Boulevard and West Pacific Avenue, away from the crime scene. The weight of evidence, in particular the timeline suggests Donald Fouke, whether he stopped and spoke to Zodiac or not, traveled on to Arguello Boulevard and east on West Pacific Avenue towards the Julius Khan playground, before returning to meet Armond Pelissetti at the north end of Cherry Street. The question has always been asked, did the Zodiac Killer direct Donald Fouke and Eric Zelms this way, or did they act on a suspicion, having seen the lone male on Jackson Street head up Maple Street and possibly into the Presidio park area.
 Generated composite. Click to enlarge.
Whatever the exact order of events, it was concluded the killer may have taken refuge in the wooded area of the Julius Kahn Playground. Despite an extensive search of the locale, nothing came to light despite the killer bragging in a later communication that he was indeed hiding in the park and that "two cops pulled a goof". See Bus Bomb Letter.
Armond Pelissetti and his partner Frank Peda also on duty that night responded "red light and siren" to the crime scene. The two officers were close by and reacted traveling west on Washington Street, parking on the intersection of Washington and Cherry. Armond Pelissetti exited his vehicle and noticed three teenagers approaching the scene, so he ushered the kids back across the street to the alcove of their residence. At this point he was of the understanding he was looking for a negro male adult suspect. He went over to the taxicab and observed Paul Stine lying slumped over the front passenger seat with his head resting on the floorboard of the passenger side and was 99.9% certain he was dead.  Click to enlarge photograph
It is then he retook the description of the suspect. In the 2007 'This is the Zodiac Speaking' documentary he stated "it was then I was told it was a white male, I couldn't get to the radio fast enough at that point to let everybody else know. The kids had told me whoever had done this crime had left the cab, went out the door and seemed to be wiping the cab down and reaching into the cab and ambling or walking down Cherry Street in a northerly direction, kind of towards the Presidio. I walked that way myself, I did not run because there are innumerable alcoves and parked cars, so I went down following every technique I knew so I didn't get my head blown off.". He proceeded to walk up Cherry Street searching for the suspect (met Donald Fouke) and then continued east along Jackson Street up to the Jackson/Maple intersection where he observed a man walking a dog.
 Click to enlarge photograph
This person however did not fit the description of the suspect, appearing older and thinner, along with the fact Armond Pelissetti also noticed the evident absence of any blood spatter on the man's attire. Armond Pelissetti questioned the man on whether he had noticed anyone on his travels or seen any suspicious activity, but the dog walker was unable to provide any assistance and the trail went cold. Armond Pelissetti returned to the crime scene, shortly thereafter an ambulance arrived and pronounced Paul Stine expired at 10.10 pm. Incidentally the photographs of Paul Stine shown on this page, do not show his glasses present on his face as some people have suggested. The reason being; they cannot be observed on the body of Paul Stine. See here (view with caution).
 Click to enlarge photograph
Inspector Krake organised specialized dog units to make a sweep of the Presidio Park, in alliance with the military police headquarters of the San Francisco Presidio, accompanied by spotlight fire trucks, however a search of the park came up empty handed, much to the amusement of Zodiac who mocked the police in a letter mailed to the San Francisco Chronicle just two days later, and again in the Bus Bomb Letter mailed on November 9th 1969. Excerpt from the Bus Bomb letter "2 cops pulled a goof abot 3 min after I left the cab. I was walking down the hill to the park when this cop car pulled up + one of them called me over + asked if I saw anyone acting suspicious or strange in the last 5 to 10 min + I said yes there was this man who was runnig by waveing a gun & the cops peeled rubber + went around the corner as I directed them + I disappeared into the park a block + a half away never to be seen again."
 Click to enlarge
One and a half blocks from the 'meeting' with Donald Fouke and Eric Zelms would have placed Zodiac entering the Julius Khan playground adjacent to Spruce Street, mentioned in an October 12th 1969 San Francisco Chronicle article entitled 'Cabbie Slain in Presidio Hts', highlighting further eyewitnesses. This article details a sighting of a man scurrying into the playground by Spruce Street, as does an account in Robert Graysmith's Zodiac book "The detectives heard from neighbors that a stocky figure was seen dashing across Julius Khan playground and into the dense undergrowth of the Presidio. The dog patrol units, seven of the best search dogs in the country, gathered at the front entrance of the Presidio and were deployed one at a time in various directions. Armstrong and Toschi considered the possibilities. Had the killer gone quickly through the dark woods and emerged from the Presidio at Richardson Avenue, and taken Highway 101 past Fort Point onto the Golden Gate Bridge and vanished into Marin County."
 Dave Toschi. Click to enlarge photograph
Meanwhile Dave Toschi and Bill Armstrong arrived at the crime scene by Washington and Cherry to spearhead the manhunt, and mobilized a search of the surrounding roads and Presidio park.
Dog units gathered at two points - by the Julius Khan playground and Arguello Boulevard, highlighted again by Zodiac in the Bus Bomb letter "Hey blue pig I was in the park -- you were useing fire trucks to mask the sound of your cruzeing prowl cars. The dogs never came with in 2 blocks of me + they were to the west + there was only 2 groups of parking about 10 min apart then the motor cicles went by about 150 ft away going from south to north west."  Click to enlarge photograph
Fingerprints were taken from various parts of the taxicab, including the door handles, however the most significant find was bloodied prints retrieved from the door post between the driver side door and left rear passenger door. These fingerprints are believed to be from the Zodiac Killer, but what circumstances arose for him to have touched this particular section of the taxicab is not yet determined. Evidence throughout the case, including handwriting analysis, points to the fact the Zodiac Killer was right-handed, consistent with a shot to the right side of Paul Stine's head from the rear of the taxicab.
It has been considered by Zodiac enthusiasts that the killer of Paul Stine was not usual of most passengers who traveled in Stine's cab, having traveled in the front seat of the taxicab, although there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever to substantiate this hypothesis. In fact the evidence is to the contrary, because when Paul Stine's body was extricated from the taxicab by medical personnel, his A-Z street guide lying on the front passenger seat under his body was dragged out and fell onto the road (shown in the photograph above right). It is therefore most unlikely the Zodiac Killer sat on this throughout his journey from the theater district.  Paul Stine's blood soaked shirt
After the murder, the killer removed a swatch of Paul Stine's shirt, which was then mailed along with a letter to the San Francisco Chronicle two days later. The Zodiac also took the taxicab keys, along with Paul Stine's wallet. They have never been recovered.
The three witnesses, with a police sketch artist drew up a composite picture of the man they witnessed that night, then for reasons unsubstantiated, a second amended composite was released to the public, marginally older in appearance and placed alongside the original.(see here). Bill Armstrong and Dave Toschi were assigned to the case, one which undeniably left its mark on many officers who tried and ultimately failed to bring a resolution to the Zodiac enigma. Dave Toschi photograph. Two more pieces of Paul Stine's shirt were mailed to the San Francisco Chronicle. The next piece was mailed with the 'Bus Bomb' letter on November 9th 1969, and the final piece with the 'Melvin Belli' letter on December 20th 1969 (FBI document). It has been thought that only two pieces were mailed, in the October and December letters, but this is incorrect. Paul Avery, a San Francisco Chronicle reporter made a report indicating a shirt piece was mailed with the 'Dripping Pen Card', but he was one day out. Robert Graysmith, author of two Zodiac books, wrote in Zodiac Unmasked "SFPD Lab #2. Includes square of Stine's shirt. Postmark: PM 8 NOV 1969." And finally two newspaper articles and a Youtube interview also stated a third shirt piece had been mailed. http://www.zodiacciphers.com/zodiac-news/the-third-swatch.  Click to enlarge photograph
First Stine Letter and Bus Threat October 13th 1969
In the Zodiac correspondence to the San Francisco Chronicle the killer mailed the section of Paul Stine's shirt he had removed shortly after the killing as proof of his involvement, along with a further threat to kill schoolchildren stating; "I think I shall wipe out a school bus some morning, just shoot out the front tire & then pick off the kiddies as they come bouncing out." This lead to widespread fear and panic, with nobody prepared to take the threats lightly, as the Zodiac had proved himself a merciless killer. In response to this latest letter police mobilized armed guards, with the tracking of school buses, accompanied by increased surveillance in the surrounding areas.  Enhanced sketch of the Presidio Heights murderer. Click to enlarge photograph.
Second Stine Letter November 9th 1969
The Zodiac yet again alludes to the Stine murder on November 9th 1969 in seven pages of correspondence, mailed one day after his 340 Cipher was received, claiming police had stopped him moments after the killing of Paul Stine and let him on his way, stating "two cops pulled a goof." Apparently the police dispatcher had initially sent out a radio message to be on the lookout for a black male adult. See Bus Bomb Letter There would be no more chances to capture the Zodiac Killer and the mystery has now remained unresolved for nearly half a century. 
#1. Upon responding to the above location officers Peda and Pelissetti found Yellow Cab #912 parked at the northeast corner of Washington St. at the corner of Cherry St. The reportee together with two other witnesses, age 14, and age 13, same address and phone as reportee, stated that they saw the below described suspect in the front seat of the Yellow cab, mid to passenger side, with the victim slumped partially over his lap. The suspect appeared to be searching the victim's pockets. (Witnesses never heard a gun shot). The suspect then appeared to be wiping (fingerprints) on the interior of the cab, leaning over the victim to the driver's compartment. The suspect then exited the cab by the passenger side front door, also wiping with a white rag, possibly a handkerchief. The suspect then walked around the cab to the driver's side and procided to wipe the exterior of the left door area. The suspect then fled (walking) north on Cherry St. toward the Presidio on S.F. R/Os immediately checked the interior of the cab and found the victim to be slumped over the front seat with his upper torso in the passenger side, head resting on the floorboard, facing north. Ambulance was summoned, Code three, and other units were requested for an immediate search of the area. Description was obtained from reportees, whose observation point was directly across the street (50 ft.) and unobstructed. Description was broadcast and numerous units responded to institute a search of the area. P.E.H. ambulance #82 responded, steward Dousette, victim was examined and pronounced dead at 10:10 pm. Inspector Krake responded and summoned dog units and a fire department 'spotlight' vehicle to assist in the search. R/Os called for the Crime Lab, Coroner, Yellow cab officials, and a tow. Assistant traffic manager of Yellow Cab, LeRoy Sweet responded and gave reporting officers the victim's identification. Mr. Sweet further stated the last dispatch given the victim was at 9:45 pm to 500 9th Ave. apt. #1. Victim allegedly never arrived at the above location as the dispatch was reassigned to another cab at 9:58 pm. R/Os noted that the meter of the cab was running, indicating that the victim possibly picked up another fare (suspect) en route to his original assignment. (The meter read $ 6.25 at exactly 10:46 pm) A check with the Yellow Cab Co. revealed the victim arrived at work at approximately 8:45 pm and had only one fare prior, that being from Pier 64 to the Air Terminal. Sgt. Falk responded in G-10. Homicide inspectors Armstrong and Toschi responded and took charge. G-40, Lt. Kiel also responded. The military police headquarters of the Presidio of S.F. was notified and an intense search of the Julius Kahn area was made by seven dog units, other Richmond and C.P. units - to no avail. The coroner responded, Deputy Schultz and Kindred and took charge of the necessary photographs of the preserved scene - Dagitz and Kirkindal - all physical evidence was retained by crime lab for I.D. The auto, Yellow Cab #912 Calif. Lic. Y17413, was towed to the Hall, impounded for homicide for prints. Tow slip attached this report. Room 100 was notified, given descriptioon, and advised to have broadcast continuous throughout the morning as par insp Armstrong's direction. Crime lab's initial investigation showed that the victim was devoid of any U.S. Currency, nor did he have the possession of a wallet; the ignition keys for the cab were also missing.
#2. Suspect: WMA, in his early forties, 5'8'', heavy build, reddish-blond "crew-cut" hair, wearing eyeglasses, dark brown trousers, dark (navy blue or black) "Parka" jacket, dark shoes. Suspect should have many blood stains on his person and clothing, suspect may also be in possession of the keys to the Yellow Cab, possibly has wallet belonging to the victim. Suspect is armed with a gun. Last seen walking north on Cherry St. from Washington St. #3. LOSS to be determined. All property of the victim in possession of coroner. Physical evidence property retained by crime lab. Yellow Cab #912 towed to Hall for homicide for prints. #4 N/A. #5 N/A. #6 N/A. Dated 6.29 am 12th October 1969. |
Here is the 1968 Ford Galaxie taxicab used in the 2007 Zodiac movie, showing the interior and exterior of the vehicle.
http://studiofindit.com/2014/09/02/item-36037-1968-ford-galaxie-500/#jp-carousel-36039 
Trace the killer's steps through the backstreets of Presidio Heights along Washington and Cherry Streets, after the brutal slaying of taxicab driver Paul Stine. Possibly the closest police ever came to capturing the elusive Zodiac Killer.
This was believed to be the final attack by the infamous Zodiac Killer, however it is thought by many to be just the start of a long and bloody campaign. CLICK HERE.
Click to enlarge photograph
CLICK LETTER TO ENLARGE
WORDING ON THE LETTER
This is the Zodiac speaking. I am the murderer of the taxi driver over by Washington St + Maple St last night, to prove this here is a blood stained piece of his shirt. I am the same man who did in the people in the north bay area. The S.F. Police could have caught me last night if they had searched the park properly instead of holding road races with their motorcicles seeing who could make the most noise. The car drivers should have just parked their cars and sat there quietly waiting for me to come out of cover. School children make nice targets, I think I shall wipe out a school bus some morning. Just shoot out the front tire + then pick off the kiddies as they come bouncing out. 
Officer Donald Fouke
Paul Stine A Victim of Opportunity - The background, timeline and conclusions we can draw from the events of Presidio Heights, written by Michael Kelleher and presented by the hugely successful website 'The Zodiac Revisited'.
The Quester Files - An in depth overview of the murder of Paul Stine in Presidio Heights, with detailed crime scene analysis and photographs. In Memory of Paul Stine - Entitled 'No Justice for the Dead', Michael Butterfield writes a sincere acknowledgment to the memory of Paul Stine, often overlooked in world of Zodiac sleuthing. Paul Stine, 40 years Later - California Beat article outlining the events and the challenge laid down to the killer by Paul Stine's older brother Joe Charles Stine. Paul Holes and the Murder of Paul Stine - Written by Michael Butterfield, and examining the possibility that Paul Stine was not shot at the intersection of Washington and Cherry Streets, but one block East on Washington and Maple Streets, where the taxi driver had originally logged in as the destination. Interesting article associated with the Presidio Heights murder
http://www.sfgate.com Zodiac-called-a-clumsy-criminal 
CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE TO EXPAND
1969 Photograph from witnesses perspective at approx 60 feet.
1963 June 4th-Domingos/Edwards Murders
1966 October 30th-The Cheri Jo Bates Murder 1966 November 29th -The Confession Letter 1966 December- Riverside Desktop Poem 1967 April 30th- Bates Had to Die Letter 1968 December 20th- Lake Herman Murders 1969 July 4th-The Blue Rock Springs Attack 1969 July 31st- Vallejo Times Herald Letter and 408 Cipher Page1 (solved) 1969 July 31st- Examiner Letter and 408 Cipher Page 2 (solved) 1969 July 31st - Chronicle Letter and 408 Cipher Page 3 (solved) 1969 July 31st-The Complete 408 Cipher 1969 August 4th- Debut of Zodiac Letter 1969 September 27th- Lake Berryessa Attack 1969 October 11th- Presidio Heights Murder 1969 October 13th-The Paul Stine Letters 1969 October 22nd-Call to Chat Show 1969 November 8th- Dripping Pen Card and 340 Cipher (unsolved) 1969 November 9th-The Bus Bomb Letter 1969 November 28th- Betsy Aardsma Murder 1969 December 16th-The Fairfield Letter 1969 December 20th-The Melvin Belli Letter 1970 Feb 21st- The Hood and Garcia Murders 1970 March 22nd-The Modesto Attack 1970 April 20th-"My Name is" Letter, Cipher 3 (unsolved) and Bus Bomb Diagram 1970 April 28th-The Dragon Card 1970 June 26th-The Button Letter Cipher 4 (unsolved) and Map 1970 July 4th-The Sleeping Bag Murders 1970 July 24th-The Kathleen Johns Letter 1970 July 26th-The Little List Letter 1970 Sept 6th-The Donna Lass Disappearance 1970 October 5th-13 Hole Postcard 1970 October 27th-The Halloween Card 1971 March 13th-The Los Angeles Letter 1971 March 22nd-The Pines Card 1974 January 29th-The Exorcist Letter 1974 February 14th-The SLA Letter 1974 May 8th-The Citizen Card 1974 July 8th-The Red Phantom Letter 1974 December 27th- Christmas Card 1978 April 24th-The 1978 Letter 1987 October 28th- The 1987 Letter 1990 December-American Greetings Card 
All
13 Hole Postcard 1978 Letter 1986 Letter 1987 Letter Allan/Peyton Murders Arthur Leigh Allen Betsy Aardsma Blue Rock Springs Attack Bus Bomb Letter Button Letter Cheri Jo Bates Cipher Theories Citizen Card Confession Letter David Khan Debut Of Zodiac Letter Domingos/Edwards Murders Donald Lee Bujok Donna Lass Dragon Card Dr David Van Nuys Earl Van Best Jr Eureka Card Exorcist Letter Fairfield Letter Fingerprint Evidence General News Articles Gilbert And Sullivan Halloween Card Hood/Garcia Murders Internet Articles Kevin Robert Brooks Lake Berryessa Attack Lake Herman Road Murders Lake Tahoe Disappearance Larry Kane Los Angeles Letter Melvin Belli Letter Mike Morford (Morf13) Modesto Attack Molina/Rodriguez Murders My Name Is Letter Pines Card Possible Zodiac Attacks Possible Zodiac Letters Post An Article Here Presidio Heights Murder Radians Richard Gaikowski Rick Marshall Runic Symbols Saechao/Salee Murders Sla Letter Tamalpais Valley Attack Telegraph Avenue Incident The 340 Cipher The 408 Cipher The Little List The Mikado Thomas Horan Zodiac Letters Poll Zodiac Theories Zodiac Video |
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