A WALK IN THE PARK

6/29/2016

Officer Donald Fouke

One thing we know for certain is that Zodiac after exiting the taxicab of Paul Stine headed north up Cherry Street, after which the facts become a little clouded - although we are fairly certain that patrolmen Donald Fouke and Eric Zelms 'encountered' the Zodiac on the north side of Jackson Street. From this point on we have conflicting accounts of that night, notably Donald Fouke, stating in the 2007 Zodiac documentary that Zodiac was climbing some steps to enter the residence of 3712 Jackson Street. The other, in his memorandum, has Zodiac turning north into Maple Street. However, he seems to also back the latter up in the 2007 documentary just after meeting Officer Armond Pelissetti at the top of Cherry Street and being updated on the suspect being a white male adult, recalling "We turned around to get to the Presidio, and my reasoning on that, was because turning down Maple would lead through the Presidio wall directly into Julius Kahn playground, which had a lot of foliage. So we turned and went down looking for the alleged suspect in the area of Julius Khan playground. Nothing was observed".

The distance from the steps at 3712 Jackson Street to the corner of Maple Street is 98 feet, so if both accounts were to have happened, then the patrol car would have to be stationary or near to it. A version of events could be argued where Donald Fouke is approaching Zodiac in his patrol car, spots the suspect, who in turn feigns to enter a residence. Donald Fouke then pulls up and questions the man, who directs them away with a story. As the patrol car pulls away a certain distance, the suspect re-enters the sidewalk thus catching the police officers attention in their rear view mirror as he proceeds onward towards the corner of Maple. This is the only way both accounts can be justified.

This encounter at 3712 Jackson Street would have occurred 862 meters from the point Donald Fouke received the initial broadcast at 9:58 pm on Presidio Avenue, taking approximately 1 minute duration, traveling at 30 mph. This means the Zodiac left the crime scene at 9:56 pm, taking 3 minutes to reach 3712 Jackson Street, something he confirmed in the 'Bus Bomb' letter mailed a month later. It has been previously noted that Donald Fouke could not have turned directly south along Cherry after this encounter with Zodiac, because in doing so he would arrive at the top of Cherry to meet Armond Pelissetti in approximately 70-80 seconds (possibly closer to 2 minutes had he stopped Zodiac), and something that was unattainable by Pelissetti from his accounts after arriving at the crime scene. Armond Pelissetti needed at least 3-4 minutes to achieve this meeting with Donald Fouke, a feat only achievable if Donald Fouke took a diversion.

In the 1989 Crimes of the Century documentary he gives us a clue, stating "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". This account tallies nicely with his 2007 documentary account of "We turned around to get to the Presidio, and my reasoning on that, was because turning down Maple would lead through the Presidio wall directly into Julius Kahn playground, which had a lot of foliage. So we turned and went down looking for the alleged suspect in the area of Julius Kahn playground. Nothing was observed". The only difference, in that the events described in the first statement would have to have occurred before the meeting with Armond Pelissetti. However, what was his reasoning in heading to Arguello Boulevard, away from the crime scene he was supposed to be heading towards. Either he had been directed there by Zodiac, or he had acted on impulse, his suspicions aroused after seeing the suspect change direction, heading from the stairwell into Maple St after he pulled away in his patrol car. But this detour towards the Julius Kahn playground is important, regarding the sighting of a man 'running into the Julius Kahn playground' after the murder of Paul Stine and reported in the October 12th 1969 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle - but not for the reasons you may think.

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This article details the 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 Kahn 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".

This account, coupled with the San Francisco Chronicle article and Donald Fouke's directional movements that night of "we turned and went down looking for the alleged suspect in the area of Julius Kahn playground. Nothing was observed", appears to center the focus squarely over Julius Kahn playground. Even the Zodiac Killer alluded to entering the park at Spruce Street, when he remarked in the 'Bus Bomb' letter "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". But how did it come to pass that possibly several neighbors happened to spot the Zodiac Killer entering the playground at just gone 10.00 pm at night, with their curtains likely drawn? Well, Officer Donald Fouke may be responsible for the sighting, even though he observed nothing.

After the meeting with Zodiac at 3712 Jackson Street, the journey westwards for Donald Fouke to Arguello Boulevard and eastwards along West Pacific Avenue to Julius Kahn playground is 810 meters (1/2 mile), taking approximately 1 minute traveling at 30 mph. For Zodiac, the journey eastwards to Spruce Street from 3712 Jackson Street is 180 meters (0.112 miles). So, assuming he picked up his walking speed to 4 mph after giving Donald Fouke and Eric Zelms the runaround, he would arrive somewhere in the vicinity of the Jackson and Spruce intersection in 1 minute 40 seconds. Assuming Donald Fouke and Eric Zelms arrived in 1 minute and performed a cursory inspection of the Julius Kahn playground and vicinity, then turned around, the Zodiac Killer would be just arriving as they were leaving. Once the patrol car had headed into the distance, Zodiac seized the opportunity of retreat into the playground and 'dense foliage'.

Click to enter Google Maps street view

Unfortunately for Zodiac, the local residents and neighbors had been alerted to the commotion just outside their residences (possibly by the red light and siren of the patrol car) and may have likely peered out of the windows. A short time later the Zodiac makes his move, only to be spotted by several key witnesses: "Later reports indicated someone was seen running into Julius Kahn playground in the Presidio, and all seven dog units were pressed into the search".

If this sighting is correct, detailing a near perfect description of the killer, then this opens up further avenues, but unfortunately closes others. It would appear to suggest it highly improbable for Zodiac to have parked a getaway vehicle somewhere close to the Jackson/Maple or Jackson/Spruce intersection. Why would a killer in urgent need to flee the area, bypass his vehicle in preference to hiding in the vicinity of Julius Kahn playground? Furthermore, a vehicle parked exposed further down Jackson Street even more of a stretch and seemingly of greater risk. On the other hand, a vehicle or residence located to the east of the Presidio Park is not without merit, with the park providing the cover of dense foliage and a distinct barrier of separation from the locale of the crime scene and search area - that fanned out across the park from north to south, and west to east.

The options appeared limited. The Zodiac, had he entered the park, would naturally move away from the activity, that included the search dogs barking: "The detectives heard from neighbors that a stocky figure was seen dashing across Julius Kahn 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". The Zodiac would goad the police on November 9th 1969 with the claim that "The dogs never came with in 2 blocks of me + they were to the west." Had this been the truth, the Zodiac had clearly moved in an easterly direction after entering the park, moving down to somewhere opposite Laurel Street or beyond - and to an area of very dense coverage. See here.

It is highly unlikely the Zodiac Killer remained in the park for long, with the search (he knew) was intensifying, and the dog units had been deployed with his options narrowing. There may be one final clue as to his exit strategy and direction, as he continued eastwards towards Presidio Boulevard. In the 'Bus Bomb' letter mailed on November 9th 1969, he would say one last thing about his excursion into the park, stating "then the motor cicles went by about 150 ft away going from south to north west". It is only supposition (as is the entirety of this analysis), but had he arrived close to Presidio Boulevard at this juncture, waiting for his moment to escape the Presidio into the Cow Hollow region on the eastern fringes, it can be seen here on Google Maps, that the motorcycles circling the park perimeter would be approximately "150 ft away going from south to north west". They pass by and the Zodiac is gone.

The only question left to ask is; was this improvisation on behalf of the Zodiac Killer, triggered by the three teenagers sighting and subsequent close shave with Donald Fouke and Eric Zelms, or was this escape route planned in advance? The answer as yet is undetermined, but it reminds me of youtube/4OAFtr-ciQE?t=7m37s .

'The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist. And like that he's gone'.

Greg H.

6/30/2016 10:18:18 pm

Here's an unconventional angle to this that, if nothing else, can serve the role of 'devil's advocate'...
Remember in "Zodiac Speaking" how wildly different the accounts of Fouke and Pellisetti are? Pellisetti says that Fouke told him he spoke to the person of interest while Fouke "emphatically" denies this to be the case. Pellisetti then goes on to state that he doesn't believe the person Fouke saw (spoke to?) walking along the street was Zodiac. Pellisetti, who saw the crime scene up close and personal, says there was a massive amount of blood and that the area where the man walking was observed was extremely well-lit and blood would have been evident on his clothing.

Now, check out Zodiac's letter from Oct. 13, '69..Notice how it's very brief. In effect, the only potentially meaningful sentence he offers is this: "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."

Now if you read the police report from the night of Stine's murder, nothing at all is even mentioned about the police employing motorcycles.
My argument here is that if this factoid about "motorcicles" spoken by Zodiac is wrong, the entire premise of him being seen on Jackson St. and hiding out in the park is also moot and Pellisetti is correct about Fouke seeing someone, but not Zodiac.

Is it possible that Zodiac, when he resumed his communications at month later in November, had read enough newspaper articles about the night 10/11/69 to be able to fill in the details--regarding dogs, fire trucks, 2 blocks, 150 ft. and so on--and essentially invent the chain of events he describes in the Nov. 9th letter?

The answer to this question, for me, is yes - but with one exception. It was Zodiac who relates the story about his encounter with the police on Jackson Street, which is then--at least in part--corroborated by Fouke's scratch three days later, on Nov. 12.

But here's the rub I'm thinking of..What if Zodiac was already in his car, or lurking somewhere else, and only *observed* the police blaring down Jackson and speeding past an anonymous man walking along the north side of the street?..After a month to ponder it over, he could have used this as a convenient device to embellish the narrative of him misleading the police and police searching the park in vain to find him, etc. etc..All to make them look especially bad, of course...

This tale of events is rather unlikely, but you have to admit there are some holes in the conventional explanation of this night. Why does Zodiac talk about motorcylces when there is nothing contained in the police report about them? Why does it take him a month to come forward about details of the night in question? How do seven world-class police dogs not sniff him out in the park or just outside its perimeter? (I've watched enough episodes of "Cops" to know that you don't fool these animals, their detection abilities are uncanny)..

Peillisetti testifies there was a huge amount of blood at the murder scene that would have covered the killer - why does Pellisetti believe Zodiac was not the man seen on Jackson?

I'm just saying, there remains the possibility that Zodiac had already gotten into his car when all this was hysteria was unfolding. He could have had a first-hand view of some of it from his driver-side window, just before heading off to the Golden Gate Bridge--then waking early the next day to read what was being said in the Sunday morning first edition...

fasdf

7/3/2016 03:31:26 am

How about zodiac actually was the one who told about the "running man" to the cops like in his letter? I'd keep the "authority" out of this equation because alot of the reports are flawed

Richard

7/1/2016 12:45:13 am

"Now if you read the police report from the night of Stine's murder, nothing at all is even mentioned about the police employing motorcycles."
I suppose the answer to this, is that many things were not covered in the police report. The log book indicating a Washington and Maple directive, the bullet casing, the gloves, the black male adult, the 8 year old sighting, the man seen on Jackson Street. My only credible answer is that indicating they searched the park was all that was needed, saying we searched the park with motorcycles is a moot point, like saying we walked up Cherry St using our legs. I guess any rapid response operation involves many forms of police vehicle and is par for the course.

"But here's the rub I'm thinking of..What if Zodiac was already in his car, or lurking somewhere else, and only *observed* the police blaring down Jackson and speeding past an anonymous man walking along the north side of the street?"
Then wouldn't we have to also assume this man was Zodiac's identical twin, only slightly older and heavier and had Fouke sped past this man why didn't he head to the crime scene immediately as he should of, instead of heading towards Arguello. Had he performed this action of turning immediately down Cherry, he would have met Pelissetti at the crime scene, which he didn't. Also for Zodiac (in his car) to see this anonymous man get spotted by the police car, we have to ask, who was the mystery man of almost identical description to Fouke's memorandum and the description given by the teenagers that was heading into the park. We would be assuming identical triplets. The killer described by the teenagers just happened to look like the anonymous man, who in turn just happened to look like the man running into Julius Khan playground.
Unfortunately Gregory there are a lot of holes, that we are all desperately trying to fill with a logical timeline. You said "All to make them look especially bad, of course...", I think they did that all by themselves. Of course they likely withheld facts that night to corroborate any future contact by the killer, but the claim they never stopped Zodiac is an outright lie. Like I said before the two officers received the initial dispatch at 9.58, the journey to the top of Cherry for Fouke is 90 seconds max. If anybody can get Pelissetti here to meet Fouke in 90 seconds I'm all ears.
The Robbins kids thought it was an assault or robbery, they said they saw the man wiping down various parts of the cab and had the victim's head partially in his lap. I'll ask you this Gregory- do you believe Zodiac, no matter insane or not, would look at Paul Stine bleeding copiously from a gushing head wound and say "right i'll put this chap's head in my lap and get smothered in blood". If you take 99% of murders, including serial killers, not many deliberately roll around in the blood when they don't have to, and Zodiac didn't. My opinion, is that Pelissetti is totally wrong, just because the front passenger well was covered in blood, doesn't mean Zodiac was. I believe he had little to no blood on him, because nothing he did in the taxicab necessitated this.

Greg H.

7/1/2016 11:56:27 pm

"Like I said before the two officers received the initial dispatch at 9.58, the journey to the top of Cherry for Fouke is 90 seconds max. If anybody can get Pelissetti here to meet Fouke in 90 seconds I'm all ears."

But what I'm confused is whether they got this new description in real time. Pellisetti could have radioed it a minute or two earlier but it took a short time before Fouke could have received it. For some reason, at least to stay consistent with Fouke's story, he didn't get the information until he met Pellisetti at the intersection. I've speculated before that if he had his sirens on, the radio may not necessarily have been audible. Or they could have just had tunnel vision and realized they were en route to a murder scene nearby and were solely focused on the moment / business at hand, being on guard for a possible armed and dangerous suspect prowling the streets. Perhaps not stellar police work, but when they're rushing and their adrenaline is pumping, oversights happen more easily...

On fb you say: "This means when Fouke met Pelissetti, he must have been updated 60 seconds ago, meaning he knew the suspect was white before he even reached Zodiac."

But if he already knew this, why or how could he be so easily led astray by Zodiac?..If you now know the perp is white and the same approx. age as the man you are--we'll concede--now speaking with, how do you allow him to so smoothly misdirect you?

I have said that it was actually sound police work on Fouke's part for him to drive the length of Jackson to Arguello because there was no way of knowing which direction the suspect turned at the top of Cherry. For me this doesn't necessitate Zodiac directing him toward the end of the boulevard.

You say: "If Pelissetti proceeded cautiously up Cherry and took 90 seconds or even 2 minutes, then Fouke got the amended update a long time before he even reached the Jackson/Maple intersection. But we believe this not to be the case. So the only answer appears to be the Arguello story that rectifies this conundrum."

All I can figure is that a) they didn't get the new dispatch in real time b) they were sirening it and speeding to the murder scene, using extreme caution, and didn't hear or pay attention to the new broadcast.
It's difficult to believe that if they knew the suspect was WMA they'd just bypass Zodiac or fall for his ploy.
I do see your points regarding the amended description and so forth.

The confusion may lie here: In "Crimes of the Century Fouke" says "as we arrived at Arguello" the suspect description changed. Even if he received this in real time from Pellisetti, he had to then take time (not long, of course) to turn around and drive back toward Cherry, giving Pellisetti a little more time to make his way up Cherry. But for all we know, Pellisetti could have communicated with Fouke and told him to wait at the intersection, as he (Pellisetti) would arrive there shortly. And moreover, perhaps they didn't meet at the actual intersection -- what if Fouke turned down Cherry and met him halfway?
There are little discrepancies and jumbled communications (i.e. in "Crimes" Fouke says, or implies, that from Arguello they then conducted a search along W. Pacific Ave.)
I think at times the people involved were patching together old memories and were speaking in generalities rather than precise details. We'll never truly know the objective truth of what happened. We have only subjective interpretations from which to speculate. The question ultimately may come down to who we choose to trust.

My question to you Richard, is whether you think Fouke had gotten the new description before seeing Zodiac on Jackson, assessed and spoke to the killer, presumed him not the guy, and was steered away by virtue of Zodiac's misdirection about a man waving a gun down the street?

Richard

7/2/2016 03:57:28 am

"I have said that it was actually sound police work on Fouke's part for him to drive the length of Jackson to Arguello because there was no way of knowing which direction the suspect turned at the top of Cherry. For me this doesn't necessitate Zodiac directing him toward the end of the boulevard."

Now this is a simple and perfect answer. Donald Fouke passes Zodiac with a BMA adult in his mind. As he arrives at the top of Cherry, that takes approximately 60 seconds to navigate, a quick cursory glance and the fact 60 seconds has exceeded, realizing he has passed no black male, makes the only logical assumption left to continue on Jackson towards Arguello. He gets the update to a WMA, remembers the white man heading into Maple. He now considers this man may have been entering the Presidio park via the dividing wall, so swings round to West Pacific Avenue and searches the area of Julius Khan playground. Finds nothing. He then returns to Cherry and bumps into Pelissetti. This timeline is now spot on. The difference you have stated is we are assuming that Donald Fouke knew that Zodiac turned east on Jackson. If he was unaware of this fact, indeed his decision to travel onwards towards Arguello shows initiative. From the Robbins kids later recollections they point out to Pelissetti Zodiac turning east on Jackson, after all remember Pelissetti himself chose east, but whether this info from the kids was relayed to Fouke is of course questionable. This Gregory at least gives a logical reason why Fouke could have headed to Arguello without the intervention of Zodiac. I still believe Fouke stopped Zodiac for other reasons, but putting these aside, your reply is a good one, after all the police report countersigned by Pelissetti did only state, "suspect last seen heading north on Cherry", not heading east on Jackson.

Richard

7/2/2016 04:13:46 am

I've never been sure of this BMA claim, but if we assume it was correct, no I never ever thought Donald Fouke got the amended description before he ran into Zodiac. I was using a timeline in reverse to show that Fouke had to have taken the diversion to West Pacific Avenue, as opposed to heading directly to Cherry. You see now Donald Fouke gets the amended description by Arguello, does a cursory search of the park and arrives back in 2 to 3 minutes to Cherry. Now Pelissetti has plenty of time to do his stuff at the crime scene and proceed cautiously up Cherry to meet Fouke. This is the only scenario that works by time. And according to the 1989 documentary this is exactly what Fouke did. I was only trying to dispel the myth that Fouke travelled directly to Cherry, as he said in the 2007 documentary, which is virtually impossible. In fact the only way this could have been possible, is if Donald Fouke had stopped Zodiac, and had tea and crumpets and a game of 'I Spy' with him.

Richard

7/1/2016 01:36:52 am

Also when Fouke did the Crimes of the Century documentary in 1989, 18 years before the 2007 documentary, he was still a relatively young man. If we use memory as an excuse I would argue that the 1989 interview is the fresher version. He stated he was heading towards Arguello when he received the update to a white male. Well Pelissetti stated he was the one who issued the update after rechecking the teenagers description at the crime scene. So my argument is that Donald Fouke therefore had no reason really to suspect the man he just passed near Maple, he wasn't black, so what was his reasoning to gallivant up Jackson to Arguello. The only logical answer I can glean from this, is that he was directed there by a 3rd party. ie;Zodiac. Often people dismiss this, but what I would like is a credible alternative to explain this. Fouke cannot get the update from Pelissetti at the top of Cherry as he said in the 2007 documentary, and get the update by Arguello in 1989 documentary, it cannot be both.
The dogs do have an uncanny ability to detect scent, but there are no reports of them picking up scent in Cherry, Jackson or the park, the latter alluded to by Inspector Martin Lee. I cannot answer that, if we assume that they didn't pick up scent in Cherry or Jackson, then logically they aren't going to pick up scent in the park. Maybe they did pick up scent and guided the handlers across the park eastwards, but Zodiac certainly isn't going to stand still, he would inevitably distance himself from the search. Martin Lee said "a mouse couldn't of escaped their attention", but this only suggests they never found Zodiac. If this is Martin Lee's contention, that Zodiac was a liar and he didn't enter the park, why no mention of a trail detected and followed on Jackson, where we know Zodiac was. It is my guess, as Zodiac wasn't smothered in blood, the dogs simply failed to pick up a scent, had they, then the trail suddenly stopped, it may have possibly indicated a vehicle exit strategy.
Had Zodiac used his car somewhere near Jackson and Maple, we have to totally ignore the Julius Khan sighting as meaningless or incorrect. All we know is that Keith Power's San Francisco Chronicle article on October 12th 1969, because of the near identical description of a man to the others, carries some merit. The same merit we apply to the Fouke description and the three teenagers. I have yet to see any report or eyewitness mention a suspicious vehicle, a man seen entering a vehicle, a man peering through the window of his vehicle, but I have read two accounts of a man seen dashing into the Julius Khan playground. Now I can choose to dismiss both of these accounts in favour of Zodiac immediately leaving the scene in a vehicle, or remaining at the scene in his car and observing the unfolding drama, for which there is not one shred of evidence or eyewitness testimony, I prefer to go with the playground incident that likely initiated the search of the park in the first place.

Richard

7/1/2016 02:07:35 am

One last thing, we know the sighting of the man running into Julius Khan playground was not from the 3 teenagers obviously, it wasn't from Donald Fouke, he never mentions this in his 1989 documentary, 2007 documentary or the memorandum. In fact he categorically states that "nothing was observed." So I can only extrapolate from this, is that there are either further eyewitnesses or the Chronicle article is blatant fabrication and dramatic license meshed from a variety of sources. However Fouke's description of the suspect arrives on November 12th, this Chronicle article was published one month earlier and tallies nicely with #2 SUSPECT in the police report, indicating a man in his early 40's, something the teenagers never stated and it must be stressed, a police report issued the following morning countersigned by Armond Pelissetti, with no mention of Donald Fouke at all. His contribution was a month in the making. If the #2 SUSPECT and the Julius Khan playground are one and the same, then this holds greater significance.

Greg H.

7/2/2016 11:01:00 am

"I'll ask you this Gregory- do you believe Zodiac, no matter insane or not, would look at Paul Stine bleeding copiously from a gushing head wound and say "right i'll put this chap's head in my lap and get smothered in blood". If you take 99% of murders, including serial killers, not many deliberately roll around in the blood when they don't have to, and Zodiac didn't"

I think it's possible all bets are off with regards to judgment calls made on the part of Zodiac. His decision to shoot a cab driver in the back of the head while on a busy residential street in San Francisco indicates that caution was not high on his list of priorities. Moreover, as we've been discussing, his escape plan certainly seems to leave a lot to be desired. Even if you do commit such an act, holy moly, get out of there fast. What we see instead is a man rather casually strolling along the boulevards with no apparent destination.
You have to seriously wonder about his mental state.
I've left open the possibility that the 3/4 length coat he was seen wearing was put on after the murder to conceal the blood he may have absorbed on his clothing below.

Here's something else I've been wondering about..Recall the news report of the man seen running down Spruce St. into the park..There could be an issue with this in the sense that Zodiac was seen to be walking with a 'lumbering gait,' 'shuffling lope' or whatever you want to call it..Are we really apt to believe that this man is hobbling along at the Maple St. intersection, but then turns on the jets a block later and is making a mad dash into the park? The guy seemed to be injured or perhaps his leg was always an issue. Quite honestly, his bad leg should have been something included in the description adjoining the composite sketch. A lot of people may resemble that sketch, but not many of them will be seen hobbling around.

One more thing..When you look at Zodiac's letter from Nov. 9th, I see a clear case of ego-inflated self-aggrandizement taking place. Here's why: not only does he brag about this miraculous feat of evading police detection while in the park, but then he has the temerity to speak haughtily about his ability to misdirect the cops away from him. I'd believe that one of these event is *possible* but no way I am buying that both of these episodes occurred as he is describing them. Zodiac had a month to think about that night. He figured he was in the clear and had gotten away with it, so his confidence grew and he figured he'd compose a letter to make himself look (and feel) especially good. The juxtaposition of these two incredible accomplishments, both of which show him one-upping the police in the span of one evening is just too much for me to accept as reality. This letter was a power trip for Zodiac.

Greg H.

7/2/2016 03:42:34 pm

"we have to ask, who was the mystery man of almost identical description to Fouke's memorandum and the description given by the teenagers that was heading into the park. We would be assuming identical triplets. The killer described by the teenagers just happened to look like the anonymous man, who in turn just happened to look like the man running into Julius Khan playground."

One thing about this that at least makes me wonder--In every witness report of Zodiac he is described as being roughly between 20-30 years old -- and this includes the original description, whether apocryphal or not, by the teenagers at the window who said he was 25-20. The outlier among all of these descriptions, mind you, is Donald Fouke who estimates the suspect was a good decade older. Fouke even augments the composite saying the man is older and heavier.
It's true that the clothing description by the teens and Fouke is the same. But still curious that Fouke's description of the killer's age is only one that doesn't conform to Mageau, Hartnell, the teens and even Nancy Slover & Dave Slaight's descriptions all of a young sounding voice and a man likely in his 20s..
In addition, as I said in the post above, how is the man Fouke sees hobbling along seemingly on bad legs and then a minute later running into the playground?
I do believe Fouke saw Zodiac on Jackson, but since Pellisetti said he doesn't feel this was Zodiac, I'm trying to see where this train of thought might lead. The age discrepancy cited by Fouke is the only outlier among all testimonies.

Alex Lewis

7/16/2016 11:40:48 am

"One thing about this that at least makes me wonder--In every witness report of Zodiac he is described as being roughly between 20-30 years old -- and this includes the original description"

Who gave this as Z's Approx. age? Mike Mageau, a man who forgot the killer chased them all the way to The Springs and described Z as young, stocky and jet black (curly) hair then picked out genetically Bald Headed ALA saying "I'll never forget that mans face that shot me!" No Mike, just whether He was totally bald or a mop of fuzzy black hair. .... NEXT!

Mr Hartnell: "Early to Mid 20's" He estimates. He is guessing based on sound of Offenders Voice, and never has minded admitting He never saw the Guy's Face. Bryan later appears to make a comment that counter's His Young Voice claims when He's asked to listen to the callers voice that called that show claiming to be Zodiac. Bryan said that He immediately knew it was not Him and the Real Z's voice was more mature, older sounding.

Not only is our Friend Don Fouke the only may to see Z up close, unmasked & do so under street lights but, Don's the only one who wasn't in an absolute life or death panic and above all.....Is a trained observer! He has to, for the two reasons alone above, be given precedence over and above all others. Well, I would believe so anyway, others are free to believe what they wish.

Similar guessing on the voice was also Dave Slaights estimation.

Alex Lewis

7/16/2016 11:53:28 am

In my opinion, and that's all it is, just my opinion, I'd say the answer to the various not only age estimations, but also Weight, Hair color and style (Bryan & Mike suggest it was dark & wavy, Bryan observing and wavy hair that hung down over forehead which is against logic if Fouke's Z has a widows peak hairline (receding) that was fair or light in color worn in a crew cut and these mismatches, along with others, are in my opinion more likely to be due to there being more than one offender.

If Hartnell is right and His attacker was "Overweight, bulky looking weighing 230 -- 250" and 2 weeks later Z's "Medium to heavy build" but now He's not Fat or Bulky heavy, No No as Don proclaims this New and Improved Z is Stocky and 'Barrel Chested.'

Two week diet losing 50 to 60Lbs isn't logical nor even realistically possible. So, what accounts for this? Two Offenders I'd opt for over all witnesses giving wildly differing descriptions.

Alex Lewis

7/16/2016 11:56:17 am

Sorry the above should have ended with the following:

"So, what accounts for this? Two Offenders I'd opt for over all witnesses giving wildly differing descriptions for the same One Man/Offender"

Alex Lewis

7/16/2016 11:16:20 am

"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist. And like that he's gone'"

Speaking of the art of suggestion like our Son of the Morning friend Lucifer is declared to use to get us to conclude He doth noteth existeth, there's a cracking documentary out there following One James Randi as He 'Out's' the frauds. He demonstrates how He too can offer personal psychic readings of incredible accuracy before admitting "I tell them i'm a magician and obvously I can't really speak to thre dead.....but there are many who do claim such things." He points as magician, He knows how powerful suggestion is and how suggestion is given subtly and once accepted by the Mark, you have them. Randi ended with: "Don't ever underestimate the powers of suggestion, you can and you will be fooled!"

Alex Lewis

7/16/2016 11:24:44 am

Randi gives a fine example in His live Lectures of suggestion and assumption making. He walks on stage, speaks for a few minutes and then says "For example, everyone in this room has made an assumption about me and I know this as I've given you the suggestion to assume a certain thing. You all assume I can see you, but I can't as I am not wearing my glasses. (He has what appear to be glasses on when He offers this). He then declares "Oh No, these on my face are not glasses, but just empty frames (places two fingers through the space where the lenses should be.)

He then warns "As with my empty spec Frames.... Things are not always as they may appear! In the wrong hands this type of unconscious suggestion can be deadly because you can, and you will as you have been here, be fooled by a skilled fraudster!"

Alex Lewis

7/16/2016 12:20:11 pm

Rich, I just stumbled across this 'Set of Directions' and have no Idea if it's of interest so, so second opinion needed Plz...

"nicia – all in the first twenty miles. The massive wind turbine was built here for a good reason: wind. May of the trees along the freeway and on the mountain have been sculpted by this tireless force and now look like huge Japanese bonsai. West to east is the prevailing wind direction, due to the temperature differential between the hot Central Valley and cool San Francesco Bay. It is not always windy here, however. Spring and fall are great times, with many calm days. Be sure to explore First Street in Benicia with restaurants, cafes, antique shops, galleries, and much more.

From the small town of Rockville, take Rockville Road west over the hill where the scars of a stone quarry can be seen. Turn south on Green Valley Road, which narrows to no shoulder. Continue to the I-80 freeway overcrossing where the road name changes to Lopes Road. Follow Lopes Road along the west side of Freeway 680. At mile 10.2 the Solano Wind Turbine is an impressive sight. When the wind generator is operation, the tips of the blades travel about two hundred miles an hour.

Cross Lake Herman Road and begin East Second Street at mile 15.4 with an overlook of the mothball ships at anchor in Suisun Bay (pronounced Soo-soon) to the south. Ascend a small hill overlooking the Exxon oil facility, then descend quickly, cross under Freeway 780, and enter Benicia. Turn west on Military East, then south on First Street, a short distance later. If you want to eat, explore, or rest in a shady park, continue downtown form here and rejoin the route later. If not, turn west on K Street and continue to the entrance of Benicia State Recreation Area, and drop down into the parking lot. Follow the bike path, which exits from the far end of the lot. At the end of the path, turn north on State Park Road, cross back over the 780 Freeway and continue north on Columbus Parkway toward Vallejo. Veer north again away from Springs Road (watch for this) and climb a short hill. Stay with Columbus Parkway over two more little climbs, past a golf course, and then descend to what looks like a forced entry onto I-80. Have no fear; you’re going across I-80. Just keep taking the left options, not the I-80 east or west onramps, and follow the sign for Highway 37.

Once safely across, merge right, watch for exiting traffic, and continue a bit more to Fairgrounds Drive and turn north at the signal. Stay on Fairgrounds and cross the Napa County line where the road narrows to one lane. Turn east on American Canyon Road at mile 30.2. American Canyon climbs nicely, reenters Solano County, and recrosses I-80. Turn east on McGary Road, which descends for four miles along the south side of the freeway. The wind is often out of the west, which proves cycling is not always uphill and against the wind! At Red Top Road turn east away from the freeway, descend a bit more to Lopes Road, and turn north there. After crossing the tracks, turn east into Cordelia and follow Cordelia Road to Pittman Road. Pittman changes to Suisun Valley Road on the north side of the freeway. Suisun Valley Road will lead you past the Solano County Community College and back to Rockville where a store awaits you."

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