WRITTEN IN BLOOD

1/11/2016

"To prove that I am the Zodiac, Ask the Vallejo cop about my electric gun sight which I used to start my collecting of slaves". In the previous article we examined the identity of the Vallejo cop in the November 9th 1969 Bus Bomb letter and concluded it was almost certainly Vallejo Police Chief Jack E. Stiltz he was referring to. The Zodiac Killer was highlighting the Debut of Zodiac letter - hand delivered to the San Francisco Examiner on August 4th 1969, where he replied to Chief Jack E.. Stiltz and supplied him with extra details, confirming he was both the letter writer and killer of David Faraday, Betty Lou Jensen and Darlene Ferrin. The Zodiac seemed to avidly follow his story in the newspapers and often would be compelled to reply.

On this occasion we will look at the possible inspiration behind the Zodiac Killer's choice of correspondence, when he mailed the Dripping Pen card' and 340 cipher on November 8th 1969. We will consider that the answer, in all probability, lies in the text of the newspaper articles in the run up to the Dripping Pen card. Depicted on the card is a pen that appears to be dripping blood, with the accompanying message "Sorry I haven't written, but I just washed my pen..." On the inside of the card, the Zodiac added his own wording "This is the Zodiac speaking, I though you would nead a good laugh before you hear the bad news, you won't get the news for a while yet. PS Could you print this new cipher in your frunt page ? I get aufully lonely when I am ignored, so lonely I could do my Thing".

Three weeks earlier, Paul Avery ran an article in the San Francisco Chronicle on October 18th 1969, entitled Zodiac Called a Clumsy Criminal. Well, I suppose washing your pen is a fairly clumsy thing to do. The following day, on October 19th 1969, the San Francisco Sunday Examiner ran an appeal addressed directly to the Zodiac Killer, entitled Message to the Zodiac Killer. It is possible the Zodiac Killer read both these articles and replied in kind. In the first appeal on October 18th Attorney General Thomas C. Lynch implored Zodiac to turn himself in, stating
"We will see that he gets help and all his rights are protected. He is obviously an intelligent individual. He knows that eventually he will be taken into custody, so it would be best that he give himself up, before tragedy is written in blood".

This card may have been the Zodiac Killer's response. The Zodiac Killer was fond of tragedy, mailing a blood soaked piece of Paul Stine's shirt in the Bus Bomb letter the following day, according to the October 12th 1969 San Francisco Chronicle article, entitled I've Killed Seven, the Zodiac Claims. In the article it states "As proof the letters were from the true Zodiac and not an impostor, the maps murderer enclosed another portion of the piece of shirt he tore off the body of San Francisco taxicab driver Paul Stine, his victim last October 11th". A clear statement that the murder of Paul Stine was indeed the work of the Zodiac Killer and was "written in blood"'.

After the 'Clumsy Criminal' article by Paul Avery, a second appeal was authored by the San Francisco Chronicle the following day on October 19th 1969 entitled Message to the Zodiac Killer. The article stated "Police say you are intelligent. If you are, then listen to reason. You are being hunted everywhere in the state, and nation. You are alone in this world. You can share your secrets with no one. No friend can help you. You are as much a victim of your crimes as those whose lives you snuffed out. You cannot walk the streets a free man. There is no safety for you anywhere".

Well, maybe this was the Zodiac Killer's second response, contained within the same Dripping Pen card, and delivered with a sense of irony: "I get aufully lonely when I am ignored, so lonely I could do my Thing".

Secret P-Al=ex

1/16/2016 12:10:38 am

Rich there is something I have concluded from the post-Oct 11 Z letters and Chronicle Outburst by Chief Lee.

Now I know that this idea will be dismissed by most out of hand as conspiratorial in nature but that's fine with me because I am not tying to preach a sermon to convert any one to my way of seeing something or my opinion.That said, Here's what I see running through the letters after Stines killing. . .

When Chief Lee and Boatful Insult thrower are playing their Chronicle Game to see who can throw the more damaging insults at the other, Lee and His opponent do, at times, seem to speak as two people each knowing the other's identity.

Lee said "He's clumsy and allowed Himself to be observed by several witnesses. . . "

Well I think He's acknowledging the positive ID incident here and He knows who He is now.
"A possible latent Homosexual. . ." Lee issues of his opponent straight out of nowhere. Lee seems to know this comment will need to be justified and so we hear that rather odd, non sense making speech about An offender stabbing the victims at Lake B, stabbing them in a homosexual manner..... whatever the fk that means!
He doesn't mean Camp either, nor did Hartnell make any references to camp extrovert stabber and said the exact opposite actually but Lee seems to have His reason to make this comment now and basing it on something, not the 'Pattern of stab wounds on Victim suggests the attacker way a raging homosexual' load of faff.

Zodiac: To prove I am the Zodiac...!
Now when Z says this Rich you can't not see the tone running though it or it's clearly intended implication. Zodiac seems to be aware that some refused t believe 'He' the person they know, is th"e Zodiac and seems to say "I know, shocked and disbelief at Me being responsible to a point some reduse to believe it.....well, to prove that it is Me, to prove that I AM the Zodiac....."

Finally, "By the way, it could get rather messy if you try to bluff me"

Well this comment I have tried to look at from all angles to decipher it's meaning and who it's meant for and why and there is nothing at all I can see that wouldallow Z to say this if Lee and several other have no idea who He is.

Zodiac seems to be hinting here for me that yes they now know who He is and as such, whether police don't arrest him due to this man's own Social Standing/prominence or it's going to shame and disgrace their own Agency if His identity were to get out, either way, odiac seems to know He and they have some recently discovered agreement or promise of such and He is just letting them know, by the way, if you bk on this little thing we agreed and kick my door in, you know how messy I can make things for you if you do such a thing.

Another thing I didn't know or had forgot Rich is The Cop in 'Hunting The Zodiac' Documentary statement "We now believe He may be wearing face make-up"

If ever Eric's widows Claim echo's like a trumpet blast in a valley. . . "He told me He and Don spoke to a White Man that night and did so face to face."

Alex

1/16/2016 12:31:49 am

Lee also made an observation in the Chronicle that Paul Avery writes: "Boasts made by Zodiac in connection with the three other cases in Napa and Solano counties have also turned out to be lies, investigators say."

Well no wonder Lee is The top dog of the Inspector's! This comment was issued on Octber 18, 1969 exactly 7 days after Z kills paul, 2 of which they had no Idea Zodiac was responsible and so in 5 days, Lee has determined the truth about three other so called Z attacks and found they are not by His hand. How u do that Martin, please explain???

Avery offers on behalf of Lee: "These mistakes, as well as others police won't elaborate on, show Zodiac not to be the master criminal he apparently considers himself. "

Won't elaborate on mistakes they know He made Rich., but cannot declare what significant mistakes He made that they are aware of.

I would suggest that police Dpt's always do, always have, and likely always will use a suspect's mistakes against Him in the best and most likely to be successful way, that being, release to public because if I drop a Blue Adidas cap while running from a scene the first things cops are going to do after discovering it splash it all over TV because someone will likely know a guy, from a certain area and of certain age range who owns that cap.

He made some mistakes that could lead to His identity being discovered.....we wouldn't want to go public and have an entire community of people to possibly recognize this evidence, we'll keep this to ourselves and render it useless.

Alex Lewis

1/16/2016 02:58:36 am

"but I don't believe they knew who Zodiac was, no matter how influential he was, their constant failures to apprehend the Zodiac"

Fair enough, but how many serial killers have you seen that just decided, literally overnight, they are not goinfg to kill anymore and especially killers who seem, as you said, in an absolute euphoria at getting attention in the form of Front pages. You said it yourelf Rich, His making a mockery of LE Agencies was what He seemed to live for and was having an absolute blast doing so and then, one day, Z woke up & decided "I shall no longer announce to anyone when I kill. . . "

It's like the stereotypical Heroin addict that can't live without their fix and have done so for a prolonged time period, they don't just decide one day to not do the drug anymore because they simply can't. They crave that drug and will do almost anything to get it. Killer, serials specifically, are no different and many make no secret of it and tell Law Enforcement 'You let me out of this prison today, the first thing I will do is kill again.'

And this I can almost say I know as a certainty....

Lets say tomorrow a TV Station comes along and offers the LAPD to pay to have all DNA samples cross checked against each other in the unsolved cold case referred to as 'The Original Night Stalker' case, then offered to pay for any tests comparison against a particular suspect.....I guarantee you Richard the LAPD would snap CNN's right arm off at such n offer in times of lay offs and cut backs.

SFPD, "Well thank you Mystert-Quest for such a financially burden relieving offer!.....Of which we will decline and say thanks, but have the middle finger..."

Richard

1/16/2016 06:06:27 am

"I shall no longer announce to anyone. When I committ my murders, they shall look like routine robberies, killings of anger, + a few fake accidents, etc."
It seems strange he would no longer announce his murders, but apparently claimed his complete failure in the Modesto Abduction in the July 24th 1970 letter, where he was outsmarted by a young woman and her 10 month old infant. Hardly Zodiac's finest hour, but nevertheless claimed it, but by the same token was annoyed by police questioning his letters, such as his claim of hiding in the park. "How dare you call me a liar and a homosexual, trying to make me look stupid"....."Oh and by the way a pregnant woman with a 10 month old child escaped from me." You said Zodiac you weren't going to announce to anybody about your crimes, so why mention this failure. I don't believe Zodiac just stopped, I believe he was either incarcerated for another murder or simply died, sometime in early 1971 or 1974. Hardly any serial killers just stop by their own volition, the nearest was Dennis Rader, who's last victim was Dolores Davis in 1991 and then stopped. Then Rader began a series of 11 communications to the local media that led directly to his arrest in February 2005. But he went from December 8th 1977 to April 27th 1985 between victims and a gap between 1986-1991. Like you said Zodiac surely couldn't have resisted the temptation to carry on boasting, unless he died sometime in the early 70's, was jailed and died, or just jailed. I did find it inexcusable that the police appeared to refuse the Mystery Quest offer and needs answering. The police are either simply fed up being inundated by people, but in truth Alex I watch a lot of missing person cases where the police simply fail to act quickly enough, because they either don't share the concerns of the family members or have a time policy. I know most people probably disappear voluntarily, but in certain instances it is easier to do nothing than actually work for a living. The first 24-48 hours are crucial, but if you sit on your arse for 24 of them, often it is too late before you act.

Alex

1/16/2016 09:19:31 pm

Well it wasn't just a rather embarrassing admission that a woman who Zodiac (if responsible) took time and effort to disable Her Vehicle in a cunning planned lug nut assault got away, but it's how she claimed she was give the opportunity to do so.
Kathy claimed she seized the moment after Her abductor turns onto and starts down a freeway exit ramp and into any oncoming traffic that is exiting that Freeway.
We've all been there Rich, wait.....No we Haven't lol,

Yes BTK did manage to supress that inner demon for many years, but admitted He had photo's, things He took from victims etc and admitted He relived the crimes and even bound and gagged himself in women's clothing. Raider also told cops just after they arrested Him that they had saved a life in doing so because He had began 'Trawling' again and had selected His next Victim.

Incidentally, Gary of Green River fame had a decade long lull after meeting and marrying His wife. Dave Reihert said they were pulling at least a body a month from the river for 18 Months/2 years then all of a sudden it went from one or two a month to one ort two a year. We learned after capturing Ridgway that this coincided with His meeting & marrying His second wife. Ridgway Himself said it helped meeting and marrying a woman He saidl He loved as it was, and this is my own words and analogy now Rich, like medication to numb the symptoms of His inner illness, but didn't and couldn't cure that lllness.

Alex Lewis

1/23/2016 03:57:34 pm

I think I should maybe clarify what I mean specifically by a possible conspiracy to cover up facts and info they learned on the night of Oct 11.

SFPD Conspiracy is misrepresenting what I believe is accurate in that it wont be THE SFPD, but Homicide Division of SFPD with two, maybe three top dogs 'In the know' and Don Fouke, Armond etc.

If we are to assume the subsequent lies, misinformation and omitted details regarding what happened that night are simply down to their not wanting to look silly and admit to the WMA Encounter and stop to speak to Him then, for me, why admit even seeing a WMA that night after Zdiac claims He was stopped?

Chief of Insp. M Lee: "Z A clumsy criminal and a Liar. . ."

Well, why not call Z a liar not only about His "I was in the Park" claim but also call Him a Liar about any PD cop seeing any WMA's, calling to any WMA's, certainly never conversed with any WMAs or NMA's at all?
Why admit to half a story and thus, confirming Zodiac is correct, in seeing and/or bypassing police?

Even if the claim is 'we had erroneous BMA description' ca-faffle, this still does not excuse the cops not stopping to ascertain WMA identity or to warn Him of the imminent danger He may be in due to a looney on the loose armed with a 9mm.
No, Don see's innocent WMA walking right toward the last known general area where looney went toward with gun, and Don sails on by deciding to allow WMA to carry on into extremely high risk terrain.

"Ah but, no....He turned toward a house..."

Yeah, the quote in the Movie comes to mind uttered by Armstrong when Belli's maid says She took a call from Z but He didn't leave His return Tel. No., saying: "Yeah, He's kinda sneeky like that."

Richard

1/16/2016 12:58:07 am

I don't dismiss it out of hand, but I don't believe they knew who Zodiac was, no matter how influential he was, their constant failures to apprehend the Zodiac, with his taunting letters, just ended up making them look fools and one thing we know for certain, you don't disrespect a cop. I however don't rule out Zodiac being a cop. The claim Zodiac was a homosexual because of the stabbing at Lake Berryessa by certain people is quite frankly ridiculous, you could apply this to any knife crime. I used to think when Zodiac said "To prove that I am the Zodiac, ask the Vallejo cop about my electric gun sight which I used to start my collecting of slaves." there was some kind of meeting, but it is likely as simple as "I proved to Stiltz in the Debut Letter about how I used a gun sight and gave extra details to prove I am Zodiac", and he upset they are doubting him again , refers them back to this letter.
In the Bus Bomb Letter he is arguably addressing Martin Lee, who is being dismissive of Zodiac's claims. I for one don't believe they got anywhere close to identifying him and still believe he went into the park. His tone in the Bus Bomb letter in replying specifically to the claims of Martin Lee have sparked his response. He didn't lie about the encounter with Fouke and Zelms, he was later found to be telling the truth and the police were being less than forthcoming, although belatedly did fess up. I cannot understand why he would then lie about the park, he has nothing to gain, he has reiterated it through two letters and if he wanted to make the cops look stupid he could have done it in so many other ways, other than he was innocuously gallivanting around in the park. To me it's not difficult to believe they never found the Zodiac because they simply made too many mistakes. I don't believe this crazy kooky conspiracy nonsense Alex, next you will be saying Zodiac landed at Roswell or Zodiac was your long lost uncle of Welsh ancestry. Maybe you should release a rap song "My Uncle in the Hood." Tee hee. Will you ever forgive me Reverend Alex and continue seeking the ghost of Zodiac. In all honesty Alex anything is possible, but I just believe Zodiac gave them the Mike Reid, runaround.

Alex

1/17/2016 01:09:31 am

Rich I do not entertain 'Conspiracy Theories' and the reason for this is rather straight forward and it is if and when I decide a conspiracy is in play then Conspiracy theory becomes conspiracy fact due to it being me that s saying it. So, now that you agree I am right, let us move on to assertion number 2: "Uncle Zodiac: Not very Welcome in Hill Side." Now Richard I shall now make an observation that will leave you no choice other than to concede the point. . .

Is it not simply true and accurate to suggest Richard that because nobody has conclusive and irrefutable evidence to rule said Uncle out as the Zodiac Killer it then by default position means He could have been?

Now by this point Rich I know you'll identify with Martin Lee in that He made a few Statements & remarks believing itwould shut His opponent down by verbal Knock out but you see Richard Martin discovered as you also have here that, the oppoants you & Lee face are 'too clever for them.

Now allow Me to address the absurd & completely ludicrous claim Richard that I would next be championing the Zodiac landed at Rosswell, NM!
Are you aware Richard how absurd that claim you made is? You've lost a lot of credibility Richard, everybody knows nothing landed at Roswell Richard.....It crashed Richard! Fouke says Richard in Memo that subject appeared in no hurry as ET Phone home 2 weeks before, Gait disruption clearly visible with bent forward posture and head down after His arrival on Planet incident at Roswell.

Take solace Rich in knowing that there is no shame in losing in such devastating fashion to the better man who is Welsh and been asked to appear o a podcast. I mean, you should know better, BEEP BEEP Richie, *Doing victory dance*

Thank you.

Richard

1/16/2016 01:18:31 am

I watched the 'Hunting the Zodiac' documentary again. When people claim they 'know' who Zodiac is, my first question is "why are you at a convention to discuss Zodiac. You know who he is." The conversation ends here, you cannot debate with belligerent people who know all the answers. Whatever neutral topic you discuss out comes their suspect, attempting to drill it into your head until you finally get converted, it's like the bible bashing fundamentalist who never gives up. I've said before the only way you can know who Zodiac is 100% is if you are Zodiac and if your not then you only have a theory. Tunnel vision is a dangerous game.

Richard

1/16/2016 01:25:41 am

The lady in the wheelchair "I know who Zodiac is, it's Larry Kane." OK case closed, let's all go home then, thank you. You don't know, you can't possibly know, nobody knows. You suspect it is Larry Kane gets replaced with I know it's Larry Kane. There is nothing more self righteous than somebody who is closed to discussion, because they are right and everybody else is wrong.

Alex

1/18/2016 08:53:01 am

"The lady in the wheelchair "I know who Zodiac is, it's Larry Kane."

I think, but don't quote me on it as I aint 100% sure, the wheelchair bound Woman is Darlene's other Sister. Not Pam but, umm. the other 1 who's Name I do not remember.

But yes Rich I agree with the context of what it is your saying and it seems like One in every 5 people or so will tell you they 'Know' who 'He' is/was. Now One will tell you as in the above clip, "It's 'Happy as Larry, Lawrence Kane" while another 'Knows' Zodiac was Lee Allen and then another 'Knows' it's Marshall etc etc etc and when you point out that they can't all be correct and, in fact, if any of them are actually correct it is only going to be one of them they'll tell you something like "I know! And I am that one of many whom is correct."

Alex

1/18/2016 10:03:48 am

Case and point so well put by The Hitch here Rich where He states: "Anyone who claims to 'Know' the answer is automatically out of the argument, they are claiming to 'Know' something that, by it's very definition, they simply cannot know.. .

(Should start at relevant point but just in case it does not, skip to 7:45):

https://youtu.be/J4RFoBJRkOg?t=7m45s

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