A MURDER FOUR BLOCKS WEST

5/30/2018

Using the Zodiac Killer's own words in the November 9th 1969 'Bus Bomb' letter, we can track his alleged movements that night like a form of global positioning system. After the meeting with Officer Donald Fouke on Jackson Street, he stated
"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." According to the Zodiac, this placed him entering the park adjacent to Spruce Street (detailed in the October 12th 1969 San Francisco Chronicle article). Dog units were pressed into the search at this location, again described by Zodiac, apparently hiding in the dense foliage adjacent to Laurel Street, just two blocks east of Julius Khan playground. This is where the story will change from previous articles on this site.

Had the Zodiac Killer traveled via the safety of the park to reach his vehicle parked somewhere along Pacific Avenue or West Pacific Avenue? He probably hadn't banked on the three teenagers spotting him, or the encounter with Officer Donald Fouke and Eric Zelms, as well as the early response of motorcycles and dog units bearing down on his position. He escaped into the park and by his account, traveled approximately two blocks east to the area of the park opposite Laurel Street: "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." This, according to the 'Bus Bomb' letter claims, was his last known location. Was he waiting for an opportune moment to dash out of cover and across the road, to enter his vehicle parked yards away. How do we know his vehicle was parked here? Because this location may have had relevance to the entry on the taxicab trip sheet.

This location, by the intersection of Laurel Street and Pacific Avenue, is the area being described by Zodiac in the letter, when he stated "The dogs never came with in 2 blocks of me + they were to the west." They were congregated by Julius Khan playground. Why though, would a killer park his vehicle four blocks east and two blocks north of the crime scene, greatly increasing the risk of being stopped and questioned. His journey from the crime scene to this location would be 0.4 miles - at least 8 or 9 minutes walking time. This doesn't make a lot of sense. But a murder, at or close to the intersection of Washington and Laurel, would leave just 620 feet to reach his vehicle, parked close to his last known location. If we marry up the details given by the October 13th 1969 police sketch with his last known location, then his escape route from this intended destination of Washington and Laurel would make far more sense. It is a direct route towards the park.

Wording on the October 13th 1969 sketch

It has been long believed the Paul Stine taxicab trip sheet gave a destination of Washington and Maple, and for whatever reason Zodiac traveled a block further. Yet, the details on the police sketch clearly state 'Washington and Laurel'. Are we to believe the police cannot read the trip sheet correctly and made such a glaring error, or are we to believe the trip sheet actually gave the destination of Washington and Laurel, and the details accompanying the Zodiac sketch are correct?

The taxicab rule book stated that "Drivers of taxicabs and sedans shall keep an accurate waybill specifically setting forth the time of hire and discharge, the number of passengers, the origin and destination and the charges authorized and made for each trip."
Since nobody, including investigators, appear certain of exactly where the taxicab picked up Zodiac, we can probably conclude that Paul Stine didn't write down the origin of the fare - only the destination. In the History Channel docudrama 'Hunting the Zodiac,' Lieutenant Tom Bruton, an SFPD homicide investigator, recalled that the destination given in the trip sheet was Washington and Laurel, not Washington and Maple. So, why have we come to believe over the years that the trip sheet stated such a destination?

Keith Power authored an article entitled 'Astrologer Joins Hunt for Killer' in the San Francisco Chronicle on October 17th 1969, just six days after the murder, quoting "When he was picked up by the cab driver about 9:30 pm Saturday at Geary and Mason Streets, Stine noted the destination on his way bill (trip sheet) as Washington and Maple Streets."
How did Keith Power seemingly get hold of this information, to which no one else has been able to ascertain. It appears he may have been told this information by somebody connected to law enforcement, or just assumed the trip sheet noted Washington and Maple.

Somebody, using the taxicab meter-reading at 10:46 pm, backtracked to calculate the origin of the taxicab, and this, coupled with the statement by Zodiac of "I am the murderer of the taxi driver over by Washington St and Maple St last night," may be the reason it was concluded that this was Zodiac's intended destination, and what was written on the trip sheet. Keith Power stated "he was picked up by the cab driver about 9:30 pm Saturday at Geary and Mason Streets", despite the fact this has not been definitively proven. If this isn't fact, then we can argue, neither is the Washington and Maple destination. If Keith Power had seen the trip sheet and it stated Mason and Geary, why have police been attempting to discover the origin of the taxicab journey down the years. Furthermore, and one must reiterate this fact - why would the Zodiac Killer travel to either Washington and Maple or Washington and Cherry, many blocks away from his final claimed location, two blocks east of Julius Khan playground? This fact alone, must shed doubt on whether the trip sheet ever read Washington and Maple, and the Zodiac Killer at the last minute changed his plans to travel one block further. If this were true, its never been made public.
However, this still doesn't answer the question of why a killer who intended to murder a taxicab driver by Washington and Laurel, ended up four blocks west of his original destination.

Officers Donald Fouke and Armond Pelissetti (and probably more police) were patrolling the Richmond District area the night of October 11th 1969. Donald Fouke stated in the 2007 Zodiac documentary "My regular partner was off. I don't recall the reason why he was not working that night. However, Eric Zelms was assigned as my partner that night. We were patrolling the eastern side of the Richmond district, going northbound on Presidio Avenue. We had passed Washington Street when a broadcast came in of a shooting at Cherry and Washington Street." Could it be as simple as Zodiac, who was determined to follow through on murder that night, was approaching the intersection of Washington and Laurel in the taxicab of Paul Stine, when he saw a police vehicle in the vicinity, and decided to travel several blocks further in order to reach a safe distance or buffer zone to commit his murderous plan. This would ultimately leave him detached from his vehicle, necessitating the need to backtrack along Jackson Street, past Donald Fouke's approaching police vehicle and toward Laurel Street. The taxicab traveled four blocks east past Laurel Street, and Zodiac walked back four blocks west to Laurel Street. In effect, a complete waste of time. This lends credence to a Zodiac Killer, whose initial intended destination was the intersection of Washington and Laurel, corroborated by the 'Wanted Poster' and Lieutenant Tom Bruton of the San Francisco Police Department.

The Zodiac stated "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" and "The car drivers should have just parked their cars and sat there quietly waiting for me to come out of cover." But they didn't - and Zodiac was away into the night.

23 Comments

Drew

5/31/2018 11:29:21 am

Very compelling deductions Richard! I think if a trip sheet was recovered that we would know for sure, but then again there must be a reason they haven't released more information about this whole affair. Calculating how many screw-ups could plausibly have been made by SFPD regarding this crime and what elements are likely holdbacks is maddening. Reporters of course made errors covering the case as well. Even though police state that the keys were taken the paper still reported that the car was left with the engine on. I think Powers could easily have made the trip sheet assumption based on the first letter and that the taxi dispatcher Leroy Sweet could have been the actual source of the Laurel Street claim. The confusion brings to mind the Sep 30 cabbie abduction with virtually identical perceived pick-up (Fairmont hotel) and drop-off (Wash&Locust, then continued to Arguello) locations. It could be a coincidence or Zodiac could have gotten the idea from a news story about the earlier abduction. Because of the Fouke sighting without blood I have been convinced that the Zodiac rode in the back, but whether police believed otherwise for reasons beyond the Robbins' testimonies of what they saw after the attack or not we can't really be certain, but in the earlier crime the abductor rode in the front. So many potential parallels it is hard to ignore. Definitely a puzzler!

Richard

5/31/2018 12:30:22 pm

Yes Drew, there were reports police visited Nob Hill and the Fairmont Hotel on more than one occasion. I often return to Harvey Hines' 120 page report stating "In looking at an area map of San Francisco, I found 217 Eddy Street appeared to only be two to three blocks from where Paul Stine picked up the Zodiac on October 11, 1969. I then called Inspector Dave Toschi at the SFPD and got more details on the Stine Killing. Toschi said that they had determined that the killer had called for a cab using the public payphone located at Union Square. Toschi said the cab then picked the killer up and drove to the corner of Washington and Cherry Streets."
If this were true, then Leroy Sweet would definitely know the correct pick up area and destination. I wonder if this was kept under wraps.
The earlier crime, as you know by the description, wasn't Zodiac, but I agree could have been an inspiration for the crime- passing it off as a routine robbery until the 'great reveal' on October 13th.

Drew

6/1/2018 03:55:17 pm

If Toschi had to "determine" the pick up location that suggests to me that more investigation was necessary than an initial dialogue with Sweet. If Sweet didn't have all or any information about the fare then Stine must have written Laurel or near the park but not the pickup and Zodiac chose not to take the sheet. Stine could have left this and passenger number to complete later if the traffic at Union Square was hectic or if his passenger was in a hurry or just pointed a gun at him.

Somehow police must have had confirmation that a phone call was placed. Considering such information as fact could probably only come from Sweet. If a tipster near the payphone had provided information even if it seemed to jibe with the distance the cab traveled they still couldn't be positive, but Hines quote makes Toschi seem pretty certain.

Carl Karas link

5/31/2018 07:41:45 pm

I wonder if there's any actual record of what Toschi may have thought about this mess of an investigation?

On another note: I've applied Gematria to 'tit willo' in the Exorcist Letter: applying it just to the modified word willo, repeated 3 times. Turns out it's 666. I've read back thru your Exorcist articles- not sure if you caught it Richard. It makes sense what with the comparison between the movie and the light opera. Perhaps he's saying in a hundred years or so we might just understand him. Hopefully we will never laugh

Richard

6/1/2018 03:10:19 am

Cheers Carl for the information. A hundred years may be the case, as I don't believe this latest round of DNA testing is going anywhere. Det Poyser stated at the beginning of May that they had sent off confirmed Zodiac letters months ago. From months, I take as at least three. That would be the beginning of February. Here we are four months later twiddling our fingers. Multiplying small DNA samples using polymerase chain reaction doesn't take anywhere near this time, even if you were testing 10 letters.
"PCR, then, begins with a segment of DNA from a sample that is placed in a tube with the reagents listed above. The solution is heated to at least 94 C (201.2 F); this heat breaks the hydrogen bonds that allow complementary DNA strands to form, so only single strands exist in the mixture (this is termed denaturation of double stranded DNA).

The mixture is allowed to cool to about 54 C (129.2 F). At this temperature, the DNA primers and DNA polymerase bind to individual single stranded DNA (this is termed annealing of the DNA). Because the building blocks are in excess (high concentration) in the mixture, the polymerase uses them to make new complementary strands of DNA (termed extension of the DNA) and this process is more rapid at 72 C (161.6 F). This process creates a new double-stranded DNA molecule from each of the single strands of the original molecule.

This cycle is repeated about 40 times in a machine termed a thermal cycler that automatically repeats the heating-cooling cycles, with the amount of each DNA sequence doubling each time the heating-cooling cycle is completed. What initially was a single short segment of DNA can be amplified to about 100 billion copies after 40 doubling cycles."
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/pcr_polymerase_chain_reaction_test/article_em.htm#how_is_pcr_polymerase_chain_reaction_done

The harsh reality, is that this latest round of optimism will again be nothing more than smoke and mirrors. If any viable DNA was present, then we would have the results in relatively short time- that a full DNA fingerprint has been achieved. They have already laid their cards on the table to any 'living Zodiac' by announcing a similar route to the GSK. Hiding the fact that they have achieved a full profile would achieve little now. I hope I'm wrong, but I suggest this latest optimism is about to fall flat on its face. Any results would certainly be in after four months. The fact there is nothing is telling.

Richard

6/1/2018 03:19:04 am

"Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is passed from a mother to her children. Fathers cannot pass on their mtDNA, only the extra genetic information on their Y chromosome. Because mtDNA only comes from the mother, it does not change very much, if at all, from generation to generation. Mutations do occur, but not very often--less frequently than once per 100 people. Therefore, a person's mtDNA is probably identical to that of his or her direct maternal ancestor a dozen generations ago, and this fact can be used to connect people across decades. For example, if a particular type of mtDNA was found primarily in Africa, then we could conclude that people from elsewhere in the world who had that type of mtDNA had a maternal ancestor from Africa."
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-do-researchers-trace/

We have mtDNA at Riverside, whether Zodiac or not.

Shawn

6/1/2018 06:59:02 pm

May 8, 2018

http://beniciaheraldonline.com/vallejo-police-submit-dna-evidence-in-zodiac-case/

Poyser said results from the lab should be expected in the next few weeks. He could not be reached for comment. The Vallejo Police Department issued a statement trying to calm speculation.

“The Zodiac case has been an open investigation for several decades in the City of Vallejo,” the department wrote. “With any open homicide investigation, Vallejo Police Detectives still follow up on new leads and continually work to identify a suspect. Over the course of this investigation, Vallejo Police Detectives have always taken advantage of emerging technologies and new advances in forensic science to assist in the identification of a suspect. Currently, we are not close to identifying a suspect, nor do we anticipate developing that information at any time in the near future.”

Richard

6/1/2018 11:45:20 pm

May 4th 2018
"Several months ago, the Vallejo Police Department sent two letters written by the Zodiac Killer to a private lab in hopes of finding his DNA on the back of the stamps or envelope flaps that may have been licked. They are expecting results soon."
https://apnews.com/ac6bb05bbe754dbfbaa57e0cfef5a878

Sacramento Bee May 2nd 2018
"He said the envelopes had been sent to the lab a few months ago, before Joseph DeAngelo, who is suspected of being the East Area Rapist, was caught after investigators used a DNA profile run though an open-source database. Poyser said he hoped the same approach could be used if a complete profile of the Zodiac is obtained."
http://www.sacbee.com/latest-news/article210320689.html

Carl Karas link

6/1/2018 06:06:39 am

I'm glad to see your focus shifting to DNA Richard. You have a knack for being able extremely complex subject matter clear to all. Where was the Riverside sample taken from? The pant leg? I believe the GSK genealogy data approach will work. I think police should be required to get a warrant tho. I put my suspect's name on a Vallejo Polce FB Zodiac post. They got back to me very quickly with a thank you which was heartening. Someone in CA thinks their grandfather did it and Solano County is apparently taking him seriously. Things are heating up. Who knows

Rubislaw 32 link

6/1/2018 01:48:57 pm

Nice try,on trying to ascertain Stine's trip sheet,by photography,Richard.

This,appearing recently,at ''Zodiackillersite''.

Your focus,probably had more to do with Stine's radio....but you dare to try.

I wonder if any of your readers know the ''system'',with regard to SF Taxi trip sheets [?].Are they,for instance,held on a clip board,and removed,at end of shift [?].

Stine's trip sheet would have had potentially valuable investigative worth,to the police.Zodiac could have absconded with the top sheet,but he elected not to....and I have my own theories about that.

I would be interested if anyone has any theories,with regard to Zodiac's presumed scar,on his right index finger.

If we accept,as officially L.E. believe,that Zodiac was responsible for the knife attacks at Lake Berryessa.....then exactly two weeks later,the murder of Paul Stine....is the scar,an old scar ?

If,Zodiac sustained the cut,at Lake Berressa.....and elected not to seek medical assistance,could it have healed sufficiently,in just two weeks,to show up as a print,on Stines cab ?

Anyone,with medical experience,have any views on this ?

Richard

6/1/2018 02:38:26 pm

I've always believed it very likely Zodiac cut his right hand and possibly scarred it at Riverside. But putting that attack aside, the Berryessa attack was certainly capable of causing self injury. We know he was right-handed from the gun holstered on the right side.
The reason I thought that image may have been the trip sheet, because it was white in a backdrop of black and logically the trip sheet would have been placed next to the radio for convenience. It also has an uneven edge, so I considered it may be paper. Assuming the trip sheet was still in the taxicab at the time the photographs were taken, then it had to be somewhere. I don't know if what I've circled is the trip sheet, but it was my best guess Rubislaw.

Richard

6/1/2018 03:01:50 pm

Investigators have never categorically stated the trip sheet said Washington and Maple, however, the closest we've ever got to a destination from the police, was Washington and Laurel on the police sketch. Keith Power, a journalist, said Washington and Maple in the newspaper, but this wasn't corroborated by police, and as such we should question his source. Has it just been assumed as Washington and Maple because this is what Zodiac said. Although if we are being truly honest, Zodiac never stated his destination was Washington and Maple, or the murder was committed there. Zodiac stated "over by", and Washington and Cherry is "over by" Washington and Maple. I only brought this topic up because it has long been assumed this is the destination the trip sheet said, but Zodiac's last known location was, by his account, in the park opposite Laurel Street, more in line with the information on the police sketch. Paul Stine was supposed to fill in the number of passengers, origin and destination of the trip, however, he seemingly only filled in the destination. This lends weight to the idea that Zodiac was an unscheduled pick up, likely from Union Square, possibly immediately after Stine got the 500 9th Avenue dispatch from Leroy Sweet. Knowing he already was on the 'clock' so to speak, Stine may have hurriedly entered just the destination of Zodiac, before pulling off. He maybe was going to fill in the rest later. Nevertheless, I find it odd that the police report could make such a massive blunder on a sketch that was likely to be reproduced 100's of times. Furthermore, the sketch also stated Washington and Laurel area, or area near park or Presidio. This could suggest that Zodiac may have wanted to travel up Laurel- after all, it's a bit vague.

Rubislaw 32 link

6/1/2018 03:16:48 pm

Yes,Richard,I suspect we are on the same wavelength,with the scar.

If Zodiac had sustained the cut at Lake Berryessa,the finger would probably still have a plaster on it,by the time of Presidio [?].Particularly,if Zodiac was ''self-administering'' to it.

I thought it was a great effort,on ascertaining the trip sheet,by you.

If someone knows a regular ''system'',employed by SF Taxi drivers,it would be good to hear from them.

Also,if anyone knows why,all the major newspapers,apart from the ones owned by the Hearst Corporation,in the ''Texas triangle'' of Waco,San Antonio and Houston...are not allowing themselves to be contacted,by internet users from Western Europe......it would be good to hear from them also.

I have my own theories.....of course [!].

Rubislaw 32 link

6/1/2018 03:24:48 pm

Your thoughts on the trip sheet and potential destinations,''of intent'',are of interest,also,Richard.

I certainly go along with your suggestion that Zodiac's pick up,was probably not scheduled.

Richard

6/2/2018 02:05:57 am

Also noteworthy, is that if the October 13th sketch details of Washington and Laurel were incorrect, then they had five days to correct this mistake on publication of the revised 18th October sketch, but they didn't.

Shawn

6/2/2018 05:03:26 am

Speaking of Sketches....Some people thinking Earl Van Best Jr. is a dead ringer for the finalized sketch derived from the Paul Stine murder.

Gary Stewart has a cut a deal for a Documentary and Movie based on his book. "The Most Dangerous Animal of All"

https://deadline.com/2018/05/zodiac-killer-most-dangerous-animal-of-all-gary-l-stewart-campfire-entertainment-ross-dinerstein-1202400219/

Rubislaw 32 link

6/2/2018 06:33:35 am

That's really interesting,Richard.Regardless of where,precisely,Zodiac kept a [presumed] getaway car....it could certainly be the case that ''Washington and Laurel'' is the last entry,in Stine's trip sheet.

Zodiac,perhaps realising,through possibly seeing a few pedestrians,that he required Stine to take him,further up Washington.

Then,calling his final destination : ''Washington and Maple'',when of course,it was closer to ''Washington and Cherry''....with Cherry being his initial absconding.

Judith

6/1/2018 07:00:53 pm

So I heard once that the taxi pickup was in front of the St Francis Hotel. Peter and I stayed there for our 19th wedding anniversary, we stayed on the 19th floor. I was 19 years old when we were married. We had a fancy dinner and then went and saw Phantom of the Opera at the Curran Theater. The next morning we took a Cable Car down to Fisherman's Wharf. Peter was 10 years older than me, and he looked very old for his age by then. It was near the end of our relationship, but we were happy that day. We were standing on a corner and a man came up to us and said to Peter , "you're under arrest." "For robbing the cradle" and then he laughed.
You should have seen the look on Peter's face when he told him he was under arrest.

Rubislaw 32 link

6/1/2018 07:10:54 pm

Good to see that V.P.D May 8th statement,Shawn.

The V.P.D. merely clinging to a ''technical'' legal right,to the murder of Darlene Ferrin...and hoping that no other agency,step in and cause an embarrassment,by challenging that legal right.

What a load of ''backtracking'' bull.

Rubislaw 32 link

6/2/2018 12:19:41 am

Yes,the public should be outraged at the very mention of ''private lab''.

An expectation ought to be that the law enforcement branches of ''their'' government,can afford,and indeed guarantee,the very best and most advanced means,in the fight against serious crime.

It all sounds a bit lacking in transparency,at the very least [?].

Judith

6/2/2018 09:35:22 am

So what I can tell you is that locally here the district attorney is running advertisements for the upcoming elections featuring The solving of the Golden State killer / East area rapist. And in fact there are many many crimes now that have been solved due to this work. So apparently if it behooves someone politically there would be more motivation to get this done. Having said that, the Golden State killer left multiple semen samples at crime scenes. We still don't know if there's any viable Zodiac Killer DNA. Unless they can test the mitochondrial DNA from Riverside and match it to something from the classics zodiac crimes? In other words they had a clear DNA sample from the Golden State killer. I'm not sure we have that for the Zodiac.

Shawn

6/2/2018 12:38:56 pm

GSK was nailed cause they got his DNA off the door handle of his car when he went into a Hobby Lobby store. There were 3 donors of DNA on the handle and one of them matched the GSK DNA they had collected.

The Judge wanted more definitive DNA sample from just DeAngelo so they staked out his house, went through his trash can collecting potential DNA items.

Only one item collected had what they were looking for. A piece of tissue which had definitive DNA that matched the GSK DNA.

So it appears that DNA analysis has come a long ways but has a ways to go also.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-golden-state-killer-deangelo-warrant-20180601-story.html

Rubislaw 32 link

6/2/2018 12:38:55 pm

I think that you make very pertinent points,with respect to political advantages gained,Judith.

Particularly,now that the CA DOJ,appear to have the GSK/EAR,at their mercy.They could blow it,but it looks highly unlikely that they will do so,provided they keep their focus,attention and resources on delivering a judicial ''coup de grace''.

So,matters such as the Zodiac Killer will be taking a back seat,for now,given perceived uncertainties and ''so much'' to put together [?].

I believe that the authorities do know the genetic make up of the Zodiac.But,is the quality of what is held,enough to secure a conviction ? There are considerations,such as ''indirect'' evidence,as well,like witness testimony.After all this time,that side of constructing a prosecution case,is going to look ''ropy'',at best [?].

As I have intimated before,I believe that help is on its way from cases outside the Bay Area.But,those cases are still going to be a ''wait'',and still with no absolute guarantees.

''Bay Area'' is just going to have to bide its time,bite its tongue....and wait for its turn,in the queue.

Sadly,a warped ''poetic justice'' for the debacle,of the past.

A MURDER FOUR BLOCKS WEST

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