ZODIAC CIPHERS
RICHARD GRINELL, COVENTRY, ENGLAND
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BEFORE AND AFTER THE RADETICH MURDER

9/14/2016

 
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On June 19th 1970, Sgt Richard Radetich was gunned down by three shots from a .38 caliber revolver at point blank range through the driver side window of his vehicle, while in the process of serving a parking ticket. He was sat in his police car near 643 Waller Street, San Francisco in the Lower Haight District when he sustained life threatening injuries and subsequently died 15 hours later. Local residents heard a vehicle speeding away from the area, unfortunately however, the number of assailants present at the crime scene is unknown. The parking ticket Richard Radetich had just written, was for a 1965 Oldsmobile bereft of 1970 license tags, albeit, Police Chief Alfred J. Nelder at the time said they had no reason to suspect the owner of this vehicle to be a participant in the commission of the murder. Detectives suspect the killer or killers pulled their vehicle alongside the officer's police car, and without exiting their vehicle, fired through the closed window, shattering the glass and fatefully striking Richard Radetich in the head. ​

A short distance from the crime scene (0.3 miles), a gas station attendant recalled seeing a white Cadillac racing down Oak Street and entering Divisadero Street. Officer Radetich's murder shocked the local community, as he left behind a wife, Nancy, and his eight-month-old daughter Janine. Seven days later, a letter from the Zodiac Killer arrived at the San Francisco Chronicle that suggested he may have been the responsible - stating that he "shot a man sitting in a parked car with a .38".  But was the Zodiac Killer the murderer or was it an attempt to lay claim to somebody else's crime? Two violent groups operating in the early 70s needed little prompting to come forward and admit their crimes, despite this however, neither the 'Black Liberation Army' or the 'Weather Underground' ever admitted any involvement in the Richard Radetich murder. So was the Zodiac Killer the murderer of Richard Radetich?

On April 20th 1970, two months before this murder, the Zodiac Killer mailed his 13-Symbol cipher to the San Francisco Chronicle and proclaimed "I hope you do not think that I was the one who wiped out that blue meannie with a bomb at the cop station. Even though I talked about killing school children with one. It just wouldn't doo to move in on someone else's teritory.  But there is more glory in killing a cop than a cid because a cop can shoot back.  I have killed ten people to date. It would have been a lot more except that my bus bomb was a dud.  I was swamped out by the rain we had a while back". The Zodiac Killer was referencing the murder of Sgt Brian McDonnell (44) on February 16th 1970, who was killed by a bomb packed with fence staples, planted on the window ledge of the 1899 Waller Street Park Police Station in Upper Haight, San Francisco. It seemed strange that the Zodiac Killer would deny this murder, stating "It just wouldn't doo to move in on someone else's teritory"- because this murder took place in Upper Haight, less than 2 miles from the Richard Radetich murder in Lower Haight, to which he was intimating a link.  

PictureClick for Dragon Card and Button letter.
Two months after the Brian McDonnell murder and eight days after his previous correspondence, the Zodiac Killer mailed the 'Dragon' card on April 28th 1970, depicting what appears to be characters from a novel by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. The novel featured Don Quixote and his horse Rocinante, along with his squire Sancho Panza, perched on a nameless donkey, who both embark on a mission to restore chivalry.

The Zodiac Killer wrote on the face of the card "I hope you enjoy yourselves when I have my Blast". Was this postcard chosen for a specific reason - a case of Zodiac rubbing salt into the wounds of the San Francisco Police Department by bringing up the suggestion of another impending bomb? The 1899 Waller Street Police Station and location of the murder of Sgt Brian McDonnell is situated on the boundary of the San Francisco Golden Gate Park and in close proximity to the memorial statue of Miguel de Cervantes featuring Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. So, was this card really just a random choice, or was the Zodiac Killer simply 'needling the blue pigs' with the threat of another blast in that location?
Furthermore, standing outside the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, just opposite the Miguel de Cervantes statue, is a memorial to Robert Emmet, an Irish nationalist. Robert Emmet the hippie was suggested as a solution to the indecipherable 18 characters at the foot of the Zodiac's 408 cipher.
   
Then came the 'Button' letter on June 26th 1970, hinting at the murder of Richard Radetich, despite earlier protestations it wouldn't do to move in on somebody else's territory. The murders in Upper and Lower Haight, and the Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra statue, mentioned in these three correspondences by the Zodiac Killer, are all contained within a 2 mile radius.
Shortly after the murder of Richard Radetich a white Cadillac was spotted speeding north on Divisadero Street from Oak Street. In a previous article it was reasoned that the Zodiac Killer shortly after the murder of Paul Stine entered the Presidio Park and made his escape eastwards into the Cow Hollow region. A murderer heading northbound on Divisadero Street is on a direct collision course with the Cow Hollow region. Divisadero Street terminates at Marina Boulevard on San Francisco's northern edge. 

On July 24th 1970, the Zodiac Killer would claim his involvement in the abduction of Kathleen Johns just west of Modesto, California - a crime that has also gone unsolved - despite the claims of Kathleen Johns it was indeed the Zodiac Killer. The contradictions and connections between the '13 Symbol' cipher, 'Dragon' card and 'Button' letter are there for all to see - but did the Zodiac Killer ever take the unlikely step from 'needling the blue pigs' to killing them?

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ChrisF
9/14/2016 11:11:37 am

Larry Hargis, age 27, another Yellow Cab Driver was killed by gun shots on Thursday, June 25, 1970, on Galopago street, in Spring Valley, California.
It doesn't seem sporting just to pull up to a police car and shoot a officer. Then again Zodica was never the sporting type.

Richard
9/14/2016 02:56:17 pm

This happened 1 1/2 months later https://www.sjpd.org/InsideSJPD/Fallen/Huerta.html?cacheID=04272015

Phillips 66
9/16/2016 11:57:02 am

Interesting stuff Richard! BTW I noticed that there is an address from Darlene Ferrin's address book that is 2 blocks from the murder scene of Radetich 973 Haight. Probably just a coincidence.

Richard
9/16/2016 01:53:03 pm

Might be, but interesting nonetheless. Can you place a link to the address book here if possible.

Phillips 66
9/17/2016 09:30:44 am

http://www.zodiackiller.com/DeeBook14.html

Alex Lewis
9/17/2016 10:31:16 pm

For Me, and this is purely My opinion, Z would never go after a cop. It's not because He is too cowardly I don't mean either. I mean He wouldn't kill cops because He knows that His Status, Wealth and Standing in a community will not mean jack shit to Police if and when you kill a cop. Police are a band of Brothers, and kill a cop, and you've killed "One of our Own" serving cops will say.

It's always struck Me as strange and odd, yet telling, that after the Police Station Bombing that killed a cop, He writes to declare this was absolutely nothing to do with Him, even though He talked of killing cops.

" I hope you do not think that I was the one who wiped out that blue meannie with a bomb at the cop station. Even though I talked about killing school children with one." Says Zodiac.

Why deny responsibility when Nobody has accused? He doesn't write to deny all responsibility when He's directly accused of other crimes. Why this Cop Station Bombing? He hates cops according to His propaganda. "City Pig Police Cop" He calls Tosh. Is armed when Fouke and Zelms stop Him, yet no shoot-out commences.

It's like the writer knows where to draw the line and doesn't want them thinking He took out on of their own.

Alex Lewis
9/17/2016 10:43:18 pm

If Zodiac shot a cop in His car with a .38 then He'd have said that's what He did.

"I shot a man sitting in a parked car with a .38" He in no way means to imply this was a cop. Killing a Pig Cop would be something to announce as an Achievement. He enjoys needling them, so killing One to write and brag of it, well what better way to get the cops absolutely enraged?

He doesn't mean this guy He claims to have shot was a cop, if He did mean this, He wouldn't Hint or Imply, He'd directly declare as such. He doesn't because He knows this takes it to another level.
If you notice, the denial of " I hope you do not think that I was the one who wiped out that blue meannie with a bomb at the cop station." comes directly after He asks how much money they have on His head. He knows the bounty for a cop killer goes from Be on the Lookout to Be in A Shootout!

Phillips 66
9/17/2016 11:13:03 pm

Alex -Though your argument against Z's involvement is logical we can only speculate about what Z would and wouldn't do. We don't know his motivations or fully understand how his disinformation tactics worked. I certainly wouldn't rule it out just because he didn't say it was a cop. I think it was pretty obvious who he was talking about. If he actually did it or not is another matter.

Alex Lewis
9/18/2016 12:50:51 am

"Alex -Though your argument against Z's involvement is logical we can only speculate about what Z would and wouldn't do. We don't know his motivations "

Absolutely agree Philip, that's why I began this statement with the sentence: "For Me, and this is purely My opinion, Z would never go after a cop."

Never said I knew anything as statement if fact, on the contrary, stated this was a matter of simple opinion.

Phillips 66
9/18/2016 09:09:39 am

So you did Alex. Ha ha. Sorry.

Alex Lewis
9/18/2016 06:12:52 pm

No problem, no need to apologize. If and when I am writing on anything to do with Z from a personal point of view, My own perspective as I see it or My opinion, I'll always make sure that I say that's exactly what I'm doing. Likewise, if I am talking of a fact known and not in dispute like "Zodiac abandoned the Cab on foot along Cherry Street" then I'll say exactly that. If the facts are not clear and known such as where He went after He got down to or near the residence of 3712 then it obviously moves to the realm of peronal perspectives and opinion and when I do form an opinion and offer it,again, I will have ground or a basis to reach that conclusion or form that opinion, at least 9 times out of 10 anyway.

That's just as essential and/or important, if not more so, than almost anything. There is nothing I can think of more dismissive in the credibility of a persons theory if when they are asked what they base that conclusion/idea/theory or concept on, that person replies with "Errr, don't really know....Nothing really"

If I said to you "Zodiac worked as a Financial Investor from an Office on Stockton St near the Intersection of O'Farrel and you, quite rightly, asked Me "Why do you believe that, what evidence or known facts lead you to this conclusion and I said "Well that is great Question, and the answer to it is. . ."Nothing. That's right, don't raise an eyebrow at Me, the reason I have concluded this is Z place of Employment is based on Him hailing Paul down in that area of 'The Financial District' and alas.....Must work with Finances."

If I said that to I would expect you to interrupt Me to ask Me am I making a deliberate effort to be this stupid and illogical or is it something that comes natural? Then regardless of what I say, me and My theory of outstanding credibility should be Dismissed.

Anyway, what's your basic theory, assumptions and such if you have any, such as a suspect you think stands above the others and so on?

Phillips 66
9/18/2016 09:26:55 pm

Well put Alex. I have just scene so many ideas get shot down in forums and written off by people saying Z wouldn't do that, doesn't sound like Z to me etc. I think we should all keep open mind, which clearly you do.

Hmmm. I'll have to fight myself to not spew out all the data I have collected on POI. I've been quietly gathering for a few years. I have not participated in any forums. I just read them and keep to my own little agenda. He is still alive and I am not sure enough of his guilt that I want to publicly point the finger at him. That being said, if you look at the link I posted above....

Part of what fascinates me about this case is the coincidences that make suspects appear to be guilty. Zynchronicity. It's hard to believe for example that Kane wasn't involved in Donna Lass's disappearance. Mostly because he working in the same buildings as her in two different cities. It's certainly not a home run, but it's interesting. Yet he probably isn't a murderer, just as Allen is likely not a murderer. From a distance though, with just the kind of dark and mysterious facts that are dug up on person when they are suspected in murder, anyone with a shady past and few secrets can appear to be Z.

If you were to add up the number of coincidences and suspicious behaviour my POI looks pretty... well, suspicious. But it may well be that has something to hide but is not Z. If you know what I mean.

Phillips 66
9/18/2016 09:40:50 pm

Shit. I just googled you Alex, I didn't know Kane was your guy. I was just picking a random example. Please don't take offence. I do think Kane is a very interesting suspect and worthy of investigation. I'm going to read through your site again. :)

lczctm
9/19/2016 12:32:30 pm

Recently I have begun to do a lot of reading on the Zodiac Killer. Haven't taken my eyes off of a computer screen just because of how interested I am, and how much I wanna learn. I would love to checkout your websites.

Alex Lewis
9/27/2016 03:13:12 pm

Kane is not My Guy as in 'I won't listen to anything that isn't Kane' or whatever, and I wrote that site on Kane from a perspective of: "Of the top 4 or 5 suspects ie, Allen, Marshall, Gaik, Kane and Mr X, the One that stands out for Me as Most Likely is, Lawrence Kane.

I say toward the end of the page I don't know, nor claim Kane 'IS' the Zodiac, and that the site is a compilation of facts and evidence that relate to Kane and also the circumstantial links that connect Him & Zodiac.

I don't get insulted if and when someone decides they don't agree with Me, they are free to tell Me My theory is complete crap if they wish, I got quite thick skin believe it or not lol.

Alex Lewis
9/27/2016 03:49:36 pm

"Shit. I just googled you Alex, I didn't know Kane was your guy. I was just picking a random example. Please don't take offence."

Philips 66: Why would I take offence? You are allowed to have your own opinion on Kane you know and if you think He's worst suspect of all ever put forward then, you can have such an opinion and say it.

It will take much more than that for Me to be offended P, and even if I am offended at something You may say, My being offended is not relevant at all. You have the right to say whatever you like.

To quote the Late Great Hitch: "People often tell Me they are offended at something I said and say it as if it should matter to Me. "

Bottom line is, the freedom of speech must include the right to offend. Now this doesn't mean I can or will say things to deliberately offend, not at all. It comes with a common sense approach. I often us this example:

I am offended each and every day because Jeremy Kyle is given TV Air time to voice His hypocritical, holier than tho BS. I can't stand the Man and His arrogance offends Me along with His ugly Face but complaining to ITV TV Studio demanding He and His show be axed and never shown again won't get Me very far and upon ITV Discovering I have become offended at Jeremy Kyle likely advise Me : "Switch off then Sir, or over to another channel. You being offended is no valid reason for us to pull one of our highest ratings shows off air. Good-Bye"

KB
7/18/2020 12:21:48 pm

If you are into statement analysis (and I'm not sure I am) then I shot a man with a .38" is about as direct as it comes, so it would be true. .


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    The Zodiac Killer may have given us the answer almost word-for-word when he wrote PS. The Mt. Diablo Code concerns Radians & # inches along the radians. The code solution identified was Estimate: Four Radians and Five Inches To read more, click the image.
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