HISTORY CHANNEL REVIEW-NOVEMBER 14TH 2017

11/15/2017

November 14th 2017: An interesting opening to the Zodiac Killer docudrama on the History Channel, which focused primarily on the Riverside murder of Cheri Jo Bates on October 30th 1966 and the 340 cipher mailed by the Zodiac Killer on November 8th 1969. Although punctuated throughout with the expected over dramatic 'revelations', it will indeed provide compelling viewing for most Zodiac sleuths throughout the world and hopefully invigorate new interest in the near fifty-year-old murder mystery.

The Riverside link to Zodiac has yet to be fully established, despite the obvious inferences suggested in the History Channel documentary - although certainly the place a fledgling Zodiac would most likely have made his mistakes, could a connection be definitively ascertained. This was a point emphasized in the show early on. However, as highlighted in many previous documentaries, trying to shoehorn suspects into certain aspects of the case while blindly disregarding the obvious discrepancies, is fraught with danger. After watching the first episode, it is easy to see how Ross Sullivan has captured the imagination of many, desperate to link the subject to the Riverside murder and the infamous Zodiac Killer- but there are serious drawbacks to this particular suspect.

Eyewitness recollections are notoriously unreliable, yet not one of the potential twelve eyewitnesses in the Zodiac case put Zodiac at 6'3", which is the height Ross Sullivan would have appeared wearing heeled military footwear. Michael Mageau, Bryan Hartnell, Cecelia Shepard, Dr. Clifton Rayfield, David Rayfield, the three young women, Donald Fouke and the three teenagers are key players in the Zodiac case, none of whom recollect a man of this height. Ross Sullivan was an extremely well-built individual, who would therefore had to have had a seven inch wrist, as testified by the Timex watch retrieved from the alleyway floor, only ten feet from the body of Cheri Jo Bates. The Department of Justice Report stated "Heelprints identical to those worn by Air Force personnel and a Timex wristwatch indicating the suspect had a 7" wrist circumference was found at the scene of the crime. The measurement of the heel indicated that it would have been attached to an 8 to 10 size shoe". In addition, apart from the sightings at Presidio Heights, where it's possible Zodiac donned Paul Stine's black-rimmed glasses, not one of the remaining eyewitnesses remember the possible killer wearing eyeglasses. The common assumption when considering a suspect, is to use a side-by-side comparison of the Presidio Heights sketch for likeness. The problem with this is twofold. Firstly, we cannot be sure the sketch is a perfect representation of the actual killer, and secondly, there is no evidence to suggest the Zodiac Killer wore glasses in his everyday life. Ross Sullivan 'apparently' disappeared after the Cheri Jo Bates murder, but the Riverside Police investigation was extremely thorough, fingerprinting and taking hair samples from countless people, that surely had to include Ross Sullivan had he worked at the library.

Riverside City College library staff in later years detailed how Ross Sullivan was high on their list as the murderer, an unnerving man, who wrote morbid poems. However, the correspondence also stated "A couple of years ago I had called the police to ask about our suspect and was told he had an alibi for that night".

It is important to understand the ferocity of the Cheri Jo Bates murder, in which she undoubtedly scratched her assailant. Whether Ross Sullivan 'disappeared' for two weeks or not, investigators would have still checked everybody for scratches to their arms, body and face, and fingerprinted the suspect - yet still he evaded detection. Detective Gren stated "There is a strong indication that Miss Bates scratched and clawed her murderer in the struggle for her life". They would also have taken handwriting samples. If the limited Riverside correspondence can be matched to the Zodiac Killer, then so too can the handwriting of Ross Sullivan, which clearly must have been undertaken.

The documentary stated that Ross Sullivan can be placed in Santa Cruz, situated on the northern edge of Monterey Bay. This is 125 miles south of Lake Berryessa, 96 miles south of Vallejo and 75 miles south of San Francisco. If this were the case, we then would have to assume that Ross Sullivan, despite work commitments, took a round trip of at least 150 miles or more to perpetrate four Zodiac attacks and mail fourteen letters on varying days of the week, between July 4tth 1969 and March 13th 1971. Finally implicating and drawing attention to himself and his Riverside exploits in the Los Angeles letter, stating "I do have to give them credit for stumbling across my riverside activity, but they are only finding the easy ones, there are a hell of a lot more down there". Implicating oneself in the Riverside murder of Cheri Jo Bates is not the 'genius' move of a highly intelligent individual, if you worked in the Riverside City College library and knew the victim.

The "twich" and "squirm" link between the Riverside Confession letter and the Zodiac's Little List letter on July 26th 1970 could be a simple as Zodiac parroting key phrases he read in previously published articles on the Cheri Jo Bates murder. The odds of these words then matching falls to something far less statistically significant. It is still a noteworthy connection, warranting further investigation, but must be viewed with far more caution than that advocated. This is not meant to argue that Ross Sullivan should not be considered as a potential suspect in the Zodiac case, only that a necessary counterbalance is required when considering any leads in an already suspect laden case.

The five-part documentary should hopefully generate new interest in the Zodiac Killer investigation and create fresh impetus in a case now spanning five decades - and a case that is without doubt grinding under the heavy weight of expectation. The next episode will air on November 21st 2017.

27 Comments

Rubislaw 32 link

11/15/2017 04:46:34 am

An extremely fair minded,and interesting initial assessment,from you,Richard.

I have yet to view the first episode.But clearly ''Ross Sullivan'' is placed in the spotlight,as a proffered suspect [?].

There still appears to be no absolute confirmation,that Mr.Sullivan died in 1977.I wonder if any of your readers can assist,on this seemingly important detail.After all,there is a substantial amount of ''unconfirmed'' correspondence,after 1977,to consider [?].

As far as I am aware,Bryan Hartnell is simply unable to give a reasonably accurate assessment on Zodiac's height.At 6ft 8in plus,Hartnell,by his own admission,is so used to looking down on people,that he has never acquired the gift of height assessment,anyway.In addition,it is my understanding,that from the moment,that Zodiac was upon him and Cecelia,he was never able to lift himself up,from the ground,and could only judge Zodiac,from a prone position.

I would welcome any comments,to the contrary.

My inclination is that Zodiac was plagued with very poor vision,and suffered from both near and far sight problems.He probably found himself ''toying'' with bifocal spectacles and contact lenses,alike.And,fifty years ago,the technology was as good,in assisting those with ''problematic'' vision [?].

I believe that much of the quality of Zodiac's ''postage stamp alignment'' was because of his troublesome vision....and of course,trying to avoid leaving fingerprints.It's as if ,sometimes,he took ''aim'' with a stamp,''at'' an envelope,,,,as opposed to carefully placing the postage [?].

It is possible that Zodiac had exceptionally large hands,also....which would not have helped matters,in his ''physical correspondence'' [?].

A fair and good article from you,Richard,and look forward to more comments.

Richard

11/15/2017 05:40:07 am

Hi Rubislaw, I don't usually like discussing suspects or cipher theories, because I know how these particular topics are cherished by people who propose them, and discussion can become highly charged and nasty. But equally it is very important to point out the flaws in any proposal, to get a balanced view. When concerning Ross Sullivan, it is understandable that the documentary is stirring excitement in the viewer by pushing all the circumstantial evidence linking him to the case, but to get a balanced view the negatives must be shown to get an even-handed approach when considering suspects. But I understand the MNSBC approach of presenting both sides of an argument, as if on an an equal footing, is less likely to engage the viewers and create direction. Ross, having worked at the library has to be considered, but by only presenting one side of the argument, it's easy to become wrapped up in the hard sell of sensationalism. This is how Arthur Leigh Allen got projected- people looked at the circumstantial evidence that suggested he was the killer rather than creating a second column of the facts that ruled against him. The evidence now obtained such as fingerprints, DNA and handwriting is now routinely brushed aside, because the foundations built around him are so very strong. The target then becomes the validity of the science, or ways are created to circumvent it.
Hartnell stated Zodiac may have been around 6ft and the one of the three girls said 6'1", but the best eyewitnesses at Presidio Heights stated 5'8" to 5'9" and 5'10", a long way from 6'3" with shoes. I know people have tried to explain away this discrepancy if they favour Ross Sullivan, but then on the other hand they will promote the sketch as an exact likeness. You cannot have one without the other. I know from a personal standpoint, it would be far easier for me to distinguish a person's height from 50-60 feet away than create an exact likeness of furrows on the forehead, shape of eyes, nose and lips from 50 feet away in extremely dim lighting. Therefore if the sketch is an exact likeness, it's not a great leap to argue that the height is correct also, despite the elevation and the moving vehicle of Donald Fouke in a seated position.
The costume of Zodiac, the elevation of the slope and eventual prone position of Hartnell are all contributing factors in his assessment of the perpetrator's height, not withstanding his own admission he was a poor judge of height because of his own lofty frame. I did enjoy the documentary however, and nice to see fragments of new information. A new approach to the case is always welcome.

Richard

11/15/2017 05:41:42 am

That should say MSNBC.

Rubislaw 32 link

11/15/2017 06:32:49 am

Yes,I agree on a generally even handed approach to suspects.Possibly Ross Sullivan will receive more attention from LE.than previously believed [?].

It does appear to be the case,that Mr.Sullivan did die in 1977.

And,as has been pointed out,he could have been responsible for the murder of Ms.Bates,though actually not emerging as Zodiac,himself [?].

As I have intimated,I believe that Zodiac probably did share physical characteristics of Ross Sullivan.I'm not so sure that Sullivan had the ''brightness'' or ''worldly-ness'',to have written some of Zodiac's letters,though.

Zodiac was ''driven''....but by a vendetta [IMHO].Whereas,I see Sullivan has having mental issues,that could have been clinically diagnosed,immediately [....i.e. schizophrenia and manic depression...].

My inclination is that Zodiac was not the often touted ''5ft 8in''.He was prone to weight gain,and did not ''display'' his full height,on account of being pigeon toed....causing an inelegant and ''shuffling'' walk.

There is also the commonly observed matter of the ''big rounded face'',with Zodiac sightings.A big face tends to equate to a literal ''big head''.90% of human adults have,very close to,the same size head.So,the theory is that we are naturally programmed to judge height,to an extent,by are perception of their head.A short person,looks to have a large head,and a tall person looks to have a small head.But in actuality,they mostly all have the same size head.

So,if a tall person has actually got a large head,they look to have average height,at most.....and from not a very far away distance.

The paradox of perspective !

Zodiac was tall,slightly overweight,had a large head and large hands,but smaller than average feet,for a tall man.He was physically,immensely strong,but not overly agile and fit.

And,without the right ''optical assistance'',blind as a bat [!].

In my humble opinion.

Richard

11/15/2017 07:58:43 am

Here you go-
I watched it in the UK this morning. Tomorrow at 5pm eastern time, or 10 pm GMT or UK time. Here is the TV guide- for Thursday. Below is a free link to History Channel online. http://www.history.com/schedule?month=11&day=16&year=2017

http://nowwatchtvlive.net/history-channel-live-watch-history-channel-free/

Rubislaw 32 link

11/15/2017 08:08:32 am

Thanks for the information,Richard.

And not meaning to be ''off topic'',with Zodiac.Though,is anything ?!

Mr.Z,whoever he is,would never have passed a medical,for the military.

Richard

11/15/2017 08:27:55 am

Possibly a wannabe military man. Certainly he didn't seem the agile athletic type for a particularly active role in the military at the very least.

Lemonboy

11/15/2017 01:07:48 pm

Richard I believe that another reason that Ross Sullivan is disregarded as a suspect is that he was schizophrenic. I tend to believe that he wouldn’t be able to pull off these crimes if he was schizophrenic. I could be convinced though if he were misdiagnosed as maybe bipolar which would explain zodiacs periods of non activity. People with bipolar suffer manic episodes which I think some of zodiacs crimes could be attributed to. That being said I don’t think Sullivan was zodiac but he’s definitely an interesting suspect

Richard

11/16/2017 02:16:19 am

You are likely right. I don't like analyzing the mind of serial killers, it is fraught with danger, but bipolar fits the bill rather than schizophrenic.
Considering Ross Sullivan worked in the library, knew CJB, and aroused suspicion by staff members, he certainly has to be investigated by police, but for me there is little chance he has anything to do with either the Riverside murder or the Bay Area killings. My inkling, is that CJB was murdered by an unwanted suitor- somebody who knew her, but she didn't want to know them particularly. If we assume all her close friends and library goers were excluded via fingerprints (assuming the fingerprints retrieved were the killer's), then exclude a serial killer for now, based on the fact the percentage likelihood of being murdered by one is small by comparison to overall murders. Then tick off strangers because of the apparent targeting of her vehicle and frenzied attack, then what's remaining is a highly unhinged individual who either cannot take rejection and his advances were snubbed. An obsessive person who employs the motto "if I can't have you, nobody can." The fervour of the crime in a heavily populated campus, yet between two vacant buildings, may suggest certainly a knowledge of the campus, but not the inner circle of CJB, but somebody certainly on the fringes, somebody who police failed to identify because of the loose connection. That's my guess Lemonboy.

Greg

11/15/2017 02:19:54 pm

Agree with you on most points you've laid out Richard. But as far as placing faith in Riverside police, that they covered every base and turned over all stones, remember: they came out and said the Confession letter contained info only the killer could know, and we have found out this is clearly not true. Does this police department deserve our confidence in view of this very glaring public mistake?

Richard

11/16/2017 01:56:41 am

I actually agree with the guy in the documentary when he said that Riverside Police keeping their information under wraps, and are still doing so, hasn't and won't move the case forward. The police were incorrect in claiming details in the Confession letter were only known to the killer- so as you stated Greg, this is a big oversight. The middle wire is the distributor lead- this can be found in any car manual. They also made a mistake revealing all aspects of the crime, including the tampering of the vehicle. Something significant such as this should have been held back. To me though, the claims by the Confession letter cannot be verified by the timeline ie; following CJB out of the library-then killing her. One thing I was glad to see was that the article I wrote in September and backed up by the docudrama, confirmed my contention that CJB vehicle was parked 30 yards east of the library annex, not 75 yards west of the alleyway claimed in Robert Graysmith's book. That's not boasting- but just goes to show, that when looking at any of the crime scenes it pays to completely wipe the last 50 years of widely held views of any crime scene away, and begin with a fresh slate. That is why I now don't believe Zodiac parked his vehicle behind Bryan Hartnell's anymore- the evidence points away from this premise.
As I pointed out somewhere else, CJB told 2 friends she was going to the library that Sunday to meet her boyfriend- the police I believe wrongly thought they were mistaken because Dennis Highland was in San Francisco. I enjoyed the docudrama, but it did make unfounded claims, inferring the boot prints matched the Berryessa crime scene, they completely overlooked the fact nobody stated Zodiac was 6'3" and morbidly obese, and played on the narrative CJB was in the library that night, when we only know she was in the library at most, early evening. They even stated Zodiac was some form of genius, when the facts simply refute this. He was extremely lucky-and that is the bottom line.

Karen Fowler

11/15/2017 04:20:56 pm

I’m confused. Who said Hartnell was 6’8”?

Rubislaw 32 link

11/15/2017 05:00:14 pm

It is well documented,and 6ft 8in is a minimum estimate.

I sympathise with your comments,''Greg''.

For every unsolved case,over time,the inevitable ''mistakes'' will be claimed to have been,or ''are'',made [?].

Official documentation indicates that talks were held between Napa County Sheriff,Earl Randol,and Captain David Townsend,of the Riverside Police,exactly one year before Paul Avery received the ''Slow Boat to China'' letter,as a ''tip off''.

So,the Riverside police could have sought extra resources and assistance from Federal LE,after three years of failure on the Bates case....as opposed to four.

What is apparent is,that the Riverside Police saw outside ''assistance'',as ''interference''.

Observing,in a historical context,at the time,the ''very large'' L.A.P.D. were in bed with the FBI,in an orchestrated fight against,what was perceived as,''Black Nationalism''.

It is always possible that the Riverside Police....effectively a provincial police force,in the vicinity of Los Angeles,wanted no part of either help,from the FBI or L.A.P.D. .....given possibly perceived controversial associations with either [?].

Such are political ''circumstances'',sometimes,in history.

Whatever the truth of the matter,the Riverside Police hung on to an ''isolationist'' approach to solving the Bates case.

And,as is self evident,failed in their efforts,to bring Cheri Jo's killer,to justice.

Rubislaw 32 link

11/16/2017 07:13:48 am

Stranger than fiction :

It is becoming apparent that one criticism of the new series was that the History channel had misinformed some viewers of the first episode's scheduled transmission time.

Certain viewers tuning in,found themselves enduring an episode of the second series of ''The Curse of Oak Island'',before the Zodiac Killer docudrama was transmitted.

In addition,that the inevitable commercial breaks,included regular reminder promotions of further ''The Curse of Oak Island'' episodes,that are to run ''side by side'',the remaining Zodiac Killer episodes.

Perhaps coincidentally,''The Curse of Oak Island'' is an opening feature of Rubislaw 32's solution to Zodiac's ''340'' cipher.A complete,and accountable solution that,has been submitted to the FBI's Cryptanalysis and Racketeering Unit,The Crown Prosecution Service,in Edinburgh,Scotland,and,as a gift to The San Francisco Chronicle whom,were the original recipients of the ''340'',48 years ago.

An extract from Rubislaw 32's solution is : ''....case talk,part audio,is ''Curse of Oak Island''...''.

But,if any readers wish to view the solution in full,it is freely available to see at zodiackillermystery.freeforums.net

Subliminal messaging [?].

Possibly.

Brickbats are welcome,but not encouraged.

Rubislaw 32 link

11/16/2017 11:17:53 am

An interesting piece of trivia,just retrieved :

Who owns 50% of The History Channel ?

Answer : The Hearst Corporation

Who owns The San Francisco Chronicle

Answer : The Hearst Corporation

Alex Lewis link

11/16/2017 08:30:44 am

Hey Rich, I was a consultant for the History Channels Episode which features Suspect Kane. Beth (The Documentary Series producer) and I spoke via email and on the phone one evening for 30 minutes or so. I missed this first episode, what did you think of it?

Richard

11/16/2017 09:01:24 am

Overall I enjoyed it- despite learning nothing new, it was well presented and is welcome relief from watching 'This is the Zodiac Speaking' for the 4,000th time. I'm not an advocate of Ross Sullivan for Zodiac or Riverside, but can understand the choice, as he is the only suspect ever presented who had ties to the library and CJB. Looking forward to your Kane episode, via the Welsh valleys. Which episode is it?

Greg

11/16/2017 12:02:28 pm

That's great news Alex. I assumed from the first episode they were going to focus solely on Ross and try to build a convincing case around him. The fact that they'll turning to another suspect later suggests that in future installments they may have hit a dead end with Ross. So Richard, to your earlier point on them leaving out factors that would exclude Ross as a suspect, it could be the case they will eventually focus on why he's not ideal and shift to Kane or others. Not sure if that's good in the sense that it feels like they're just spinning our wheels and continuing the same circular suspect speculations people have been having online for years, rather than moving the case tangibly forward.
By the way, I absolutely agree with what you said regarding the guy who wants Riverside to release all their information. After 50 years what purpose is being served just allowing these files to sit in boxes and collect dust?

James Richter

11/16/2017 09:52:16 am

I see no comments regarding the stationary story (zodiac paper and ad featuring style used in zodiac card). What do you all thing about this aspect of the case? I do not recall reading about this elsewhere.

James RIchter

11/16/2017 09:53:52 am

I meant to type "stationary store" not "stationary story". Sorry about that.

Greg

11/16/2017 11:47:27 am

The stationery store angle could amount to more 'zynchronicity,' of which there is a lot, if one takes the time. They were somewhat disingenuous by implying the Mikado ad from Santa Cruz was in sync with Ross's living in said city. From what I've been able to gather, that Mikado ad ran in 1960, long before Ross ever came to Santa Cruz. The 'zodiac' stationery is a little tenuous; as the show suggested he may have decided on giving himself the moniker years earlier. The 'Bates had to die,' letter has a Z or something like a Z scribbled on the bottom of the page. 'Zodiac' stationery could mean something but there's really no way to verify. The Zodiac watch and crosshair logo is a more likely source of inspiration.
As for the Palace Stationers cross pattern design and its similarity to the Halloween Card Slaves-Paradice drawing, I think that's the most interesting of them all. They ought to be trying to find out who worked at that store and behind making these advertisements.

Andre

11/17/2017 06:37:16 pm

You can pass a military exam and, 4/10 months later, starting to show some madness. I have been in the army and I know what I am talking about.
The same way as you can wear biggest boots leaving a normal print of your foot on any surface, with enough force to not show that you are wearing a wrong size.

This case will may be closed as solved one day, but right now, is hard as it was many years ago.

larry barnes

11/21/2017 05:14:23 am

Even after decades investigators have made no progress in proving any of the old suspects were Zodiac. As far as I'm concerned they've got nothing. However, Sullivan interests me.

Tom Moen

12/17/2017 07:37:26 am

The problem seems to be that all the actual evidence seems to eliminate all the known suspects. But followers of the case won’t let them go. With so many jurisdictions involved it is hard to fathom this not being figured out.

Tom Moen

12/15/2017 04:49:53 pm

test

glen

4/19/2018 07:58:06 pm

You all should run the Zodiac's DNA through the Ancestry DNA website. While it is likely that the Zodiac didi not submit a sample to Ancestry DNA, it is likely that a few of his relatives (to the sixth degree) probably submitted a sample to this website! Find his relatives and you will find him!

glen

4/19/2018 08:12:18 pm

Sorry about the typo on this line:While it is likely that the Zodiac didi, I meant did not. Also, after submitting my DNA to Ancestry DNA, I found family and heritage I did not know I had. So, just imagine that while you may not find the Zodiac directly, you can find the family and locations that will lead you to the Zodiac.

HISTORY CHANNEL REVIEW-NOVEMBER 14TH 2017

Leave a Reply.

Archives