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Richard Grinell, Coventry, England
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IN THE SHADOWS OF THE COLLEGE

10/18/2017

 
In the aftermath of the Cheri Jo Bates murder in Riverside on October 30th 1966 a library reconstruction was performed on November 13th 1966, with fingerprints and hair samples taken from the attendees to compare to crime scene evidence. How many college students and personnel were ultimately screened can only be speculated, but it was likely extensive. But who on the fringes of Riverside City College slipped through the net. Riverside College was undergoing extensive renovation at the time and was likely a hub of activity, that included contractors employed for this very task. Who could travel unhindered around the college campus, with access to buildings usually considered off limits? The murder was committed at the end of October, with the Bates letters mailed on April 30th 1967. We are looking at a period of 6 months, before the Zodiac Killer disappeared and apparently resurfaced in Benicia just over one and a half years later. If the Zodiac Killer was responsible for the events in Riverside, then it is conceivable that if he worked around or within the Riverside City College campus, he took his profession with him when he resumed his murderous activities in northern California. The focus of our killer seemed to centralize around the Riverside College campus. We shall therefore look at some key bullet points. 
PictureIn the side corridor of the library annex. Conditions were so congested at the RCC Library (then located in the Quadrangle’s room 144) that the adjoining northern corridor of the Quad was enclosed and turned into a study room to somewhat alleviate overcrowding. This area remained enclosed until the 1980s when it was returned to its original look. Not believed to be Cheri Jo Bates.in the photograph. Click the image for enhanced look at the woman in the photograph.
#1. Cheri Jo Bates arrived at the campus shortly after 6:00 pm,  but screams were heard from the alleyway circa 10:30 pm. What  happened during this time period is unknown, but the killer specifically targeted Cheri Jo Bates Volkswagen Beetle and may have remained on site for upwards of four hours. Does this suggest he was comfortable in these surroundings and could travel around the campus largely unnoticed? Did the killer have access to a building in the vicinity of the library annex? Was he able to approach Cheri Jo Bates, only because he was familiar to her, yet he wasn't a close friend or fellow student?

#2. The two buildings either side of the crime scene were unoccupied. Would a killer lure a woman into this particular alleyway and commit a brutal attack, lasting possibly a minute or more, if he thought that these dwellings were inhabited by potential eyewitnesses - or even park his vehicle nearby? This goes to the very heart of whether this perpetrator knew the status of these two buildings and the area he was operating in. Knowing in advance that nobody was overlooking the crime scene was seemingly fundamental to his escape from justice.

#3. A Timex watch was ripped from the murderer's wrist during the struggle. It carried white flecks of paint. Did this belong to a worker, or somebody who was involved in the renovation of the campus facilities. 

#4. Here is a little background on the Riverside City College library: "The library is located on the Terracina Avenue side of the Quadrangle. Its collection included more than 35,000 books, 400 current periodicals and newspapers, 1,950 reels of microfilm and 2,000 pamphlets. Its indoor and outdoor facilities could accommodate 225 students. The library staff, included five professional librarians, who offered students and faculty individual assistance. The services of the College Library were available to students and residents of the area without charge. Students had free access to any of the books and magazines in the collection and were encouraged to use the library for their recreational reading as well as for academic pursuits. The circulation period was flexible and was determined by the demand for the material in question. Usual loans were for three weeks, but shorter periods may have been required for assigned reading in limited materials. Longer loans could be made upon request. Borrowers were held responsible for any library materials which were lost or damaged while in their care. Hours of service were: Monday through Thursday 7:45 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.; Friday 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 1:00 - 5:00; 6:00 - 9:00 p.m".   

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Did the killer have access to the library facilities outside of hours - somewhere he could write unhindered on the library desktop, without fear that his unsavory poem could link him back to any murderous deeds he may commit? If the Riverside Desktop Poem was a precursor to the murder of Cheri Jo Bates, then an absence of onlookers would be preferential.

#5. The murderer of Cheri Jo Bates may equally have used other facilities from the library. The 'Confession' letters mailed by the killer on November 29th 1966 were several generation copies: "A photocopying machine, where students could secure 8 1/2 X 11 inch black and white copy of printed or typed material, was available at the library for ten cents".
Photocopying an admission of murder in public may have been perilous, unless you could access a machine in relative obscurity, such as a library during closing times.

#6. The photocopying machine would have been acquired by the college library in respect to the paper likely used by the college, staff and students alike. The three Bates letters mailed on April 30th 1967 measured 8 1/2 X 11 inches, identical to the size offered by the photocopier in the library. 

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​#7. "An unrelenting search had been in progress for the murder weapon, and that Tuesday detectives used a metal detector in shrubbery adjacent to the murder scene in an effort to find the knife used by the slayer. Captain Cross revealed to the news media that the autopsy showed that the murder weapon was probably a pocket knife with a 3 inch blade or less. The broadcast and published information about the knife caused the police switchboard to be flooded with calls reporting knives of similar description being found all over the city of Riverside." ​

On November 14th 1966, one day after the highly publicized library reconstruction, the police did get a call from a Riverside City College gardener: "That he had unearthed a hunting knife with his rake. The knife had apparently been buried near the murder scene. Detectives hurried to the campus and turned over the knife to the homicide detail. However, examination failed to show any evidence of dried blood on the knife blade. Also, its width did not compare with the incisions made by the stab wounds". Did the killer plant this knife to play games with the police - possibly observing them from the campus grounds as a casual onlooker? Was the murderer familiar with the routine of the college gardener, knowing he would eventually unearth the knife, or did he make a call to police, something that was withheld from the newspapers?

#8. The 'Confession' letter stated "She was young and beautiful but now she is battered and dead. She is not the first and she will not be the last. I lay awake at night thinking about my next victim. May'be she will be the beautiful blond that babysits near the little store and walks down the dark alley each evening about seven. Or may'be she will be the shapely brownette that said no when I asked her for a date in high school. But may'be it will not be either". Was the killer referring to the alleyway where Cheri Jo Bates was murdered? Could he have been present on the Riverside College campus throughout this period - perfectly visible - yet at the same time inconspicuous because of his connection to the college. What, if anything, was significant about the month delay in claiming the crime in the 'Confession' letter? Was this indicative of how close he was to the college - or was the author a hoaxer, simply reading the newspaper reports and leading us on a merry Danse Macabre.

Greg H
10/18/2017 10:51:35 pm

There is something potentially telling and significant in the fact the library closed from 5 to 6pm. Did they possibly change shifts during this hour or did the same staff remain and use the time for a dinner break? I think you have assembled some convincing evidence to establish the killer was connected fairly closely to the college. Did not know renovations were being done, and perhaps the paint spattered watch and an awareness of the unoccupied buildings suggest he was among the work crew.
What do you make Richard of the one hour closing of the library just before Cheri's arrival around 6?

Richard
10/19/2017 12:39:25 am

Here is some useful information on the library Greg, including some details of the remodelling of the college campus.
http://rccd.edu/Documents/RCC%20Countdown%202014/RCC100yr5_27_2014.pdf

It stated above that 5 professional library staff aided students. Looking at the hours of opening - Monday to Thursday we are looking at roughly 14 hours non stop opening, likely split into two shifts of 7 hours. Friday is 8 hrs 45 m, likely one shift. Sunday is a total of 7 hours, with 1 hour break. My guess is it is likely one member of staff on Sunday. There was a declining use of the library from 65 to 66, detailed in the above link.
Whether the killer was closely attached to the library in some form is by no means certain, but the reign of this particular killer, despite his bragging, was only between Oct 66 and Apr 67, lending to the idea he possibly moved from the area and took his skills elsewhere. If he was, let us say, a painter and decorator at the college, or designer, did these creative skills come to the fore during the Zodiac period. ie: the costume, cards etc. Mike Morford may be able to expand on the staff hours, but it's probably difficult information to find now, some fifty years later. But I reckon Sunday is likely one staff member.

Rubislaw 32 link
10/20/2017 05:38:06 pm

This is naturally a tough topic,which you have dealt with well,Richard.

Tough,because I think most of us are torn between the perpetrator/scribe dilemma,with regard to a ''suspected'' Zodiac.But which is he [?],or is he both [?].

All too easy to blame Riverside Police,who appear to have adopted a largely ''isolationist'' approach to solving the murder of Ms.Bates,when it has always been apparent that the FBI,and all its resources,have been available to them.

But the general gist of your article is clear,in that there appears to be compelling reasons to assume that the perpetrator/scribe had familiarity with the college's surroundings and facilities available [?].

Though I waver between Zodiac being the scribe,and both scribe and perpetrator,I have always been convinced that he attended the college as a post-graduate student,having previously graduated elsewhere.That specifically,the October-April period that you refer,accounted for part,or all of a specialized short term enrolment,of a short term course.

Outside of the college,itself,I was made aware that Robert Graysmith and A.N.Other,held student enrolment information,for that period.

I attempted to gain that information,from Mr.Graysmith,through a third party,unsuccessfully,since Mr.Graysmith has well and truly retired from the ''Zodiac arena'' [....I don't blame him [!]...].

I also tried through a personal data site,with a good standard of ethics.....who ''rumbled'' me,on the ''Riverside connection'' [....I don't blame them [!]....].

I remain convinced that Zodiac's real name is on the student enrolment list for the academic year 1966/1967.A large list,but he is on it.

So yes,I do believe he was attending Riverside College,as a student.

scout
10/25/2017 02:35:54 pm

THE KNIFE....YES! is a pocket knife was the present from his grandfather to ZODIAC when he get 7 years old but the real knife, never was there, not! never was buried! but guess what about the KNIFE........is hot get it, but they don't know...........only ME SCOUT PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR!.....but none one want to help me....

Rubislaw 32 link
10/25/2017 04:59:07 pm

Well,it could be,''scout'',because you have decided to behave like a pillock.

Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau [?].

In the words of Zodiac : ''I am mildly cerous'' [!].

Rubislaw 32 link
10/25/2017 05:17:45 pm

.....here's a clue to [....since mischievousness appears abundant....] ''Riverside enrolment''.

What rhymes with ''Gelding'' and ''Melding'' ?

Rubisaw 32 link
10/26/2017 06:34:36 am

Just picking up from the previous post [....and due respect to Inspector Morse's partner [?].....],can we fill in the gap,between the scribe,''Zodiac'',leaving Riverside College,with his required qualification,and re-emerging,in Northern California,the latter part of 1968 [?].

I believe that ''we'' can,but for others to take with a pinch of salt,if they wish.

With this new ''qualification'',Zodiac was off to a second continent,where a major industry was offering well paid jobs,with working conditions that would suit young men.On a ''month on - month off'' rota,Zodiac had the opportunity to explore a third continent,that had always been his dream.

But,perhaps,more to the point,his new job gave Zodiac a ''foot in the door'',of the industry,and would secure him a more ''career orientated'' position,within a year.

And by the latter half of 1968,Zodiac's return to US residency,found himself,through his work,paying more and more regular visits to the SF vicinity,and in particular,a town beginning with ''B'',where a major construction project,was ongoing.

Richard
10/26/2017 08:52:23 am

Oil- Benicia and Scotland.

Rubislaw 32 link
10/26/2017 11:13:44 am

I see,and observe many Zodiac enthusiasts,formulating their own agendas,Richard.

This is to be expected.

Through some of the posts and comments made,I have inferred that there were two sides to Zodiac's life.....Academia and the Oil Industry.

I see no reasons to believe otherwise.At that particular time,the most focused thought,among young men,in the USA,was either whether they should volunteer for their country,to fight in South East Asia,or that they should be sure to avoid such a calling.

The easiest way,for these young men to not even be faced with such a dilemma,was to acquire a reasonable education,and a ''solid'' job.

Zodiac was no different,in this respect,to millions of his generation.And,unemployed black men,was the ''demographic'',with the largest ''call up'' rate,to Vietnam.

Apart from ''the normal'' hiccups,as a young man,Zodiac essentially,achieved good academic qualifications,and secured a well paid job.And avoiding the Military.

The notion that Zodiac embraced a ''pseudo-military'' campaign of terror,as something he did in his time off,from the real military,is,I would suggest,ludicrous.

Even as a young man,he wouldn't have had the energy [!]....and a campaign,of that duration.

Zodiac was about ''reading and learning'',and the Oil Industry,to earn a good wage.

Zodiac was about ''Libraries'' and ''Fast Cars''.

Rubislaw 32 link
10/26/2017 04:08:16 pm

The answers,in order,for anyone following this ''mystery'' thread :

Welding;North Africa;Western Europe;Benicia.

That was just the start,for Zodiac.He would make his way abroad again,having enjoyed a spell of torment,at the expense of the good people of Northern California.

And,he would not be returning....apart from the odd trip to post a letter,and pretend that he was back [!].

A self-imposed exile,abroad,enjoying the life that he had read about,when growing up.

San Francisco's monster [?].For a brief spell,only.

Rubislaw 32 link
11/6/2017 12:07:28 pm

Some information on the Benicia Oil Refinery :

Owned by Valero Energy Corporation,since 2000,its construction was commissioned by Exxon,a merger of Humble Oil of Texas and Standard Oil of New Jersey.

Its actual completion date,cannot be accurately specified,but the majority of construction work took place,between 1967 and 1970....encompassing Zodiac's ''physical presence'',as history documents.

The Benicia Oil Refinery,is in the top six or seven refineries,for barrels output,in California,and Exxon would have employed a large labour force of emigre workers,as well as local,at the time of its construction.And from a variety of Oil related construction companies.

L onasch
12/1/2018 09:07:27 am

Were the 2 vacant buildings (bungalows) searched for evidence? Was she pulled into one of them early in the evening, held for a time period, and murdered later in the 10:30 PM time frame? There clearly seems to be a gap of time between 6:30 and 10:30 PM that is unaccounted. Also, is there a chance the killer attended Ramona High with Cheri Jo and was rebuffed by the popular cheerleader?


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