ZODIAC CIPHERS
RICHARD GRINELL, COVENTRY, ENGLAND
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THE CONFESSION LETTER

11/3/2013

 
PictureCheri Josephine Bates
The murder of Cheri Jo Bates outside the Riverside City College library on October 30th 1966 may have been the day the Zodiac Killer, under this moniker, started his campaign of terror. However, it would be at least one month before his typed 'Confession' letter surfaced on November 29th 1966 with the threat of more to come. Five months later, on April 30th 1967, a further three letters sent to the Riverside Police, Riverside Press Enterprise and more chillingly, Cheri Jo Bates father, suggested that this killer was not going to stop anytime soon. At least two of the three April 30th Bates letters were signed off with what looked like a Z symbol, but at this juncture the authorities were a long way from finding out that this may have been the very beginnings of the infamous Zodiac Killer - the 'calm' before the storm of Lake Herman Road and beyond.

What, if anything, lies within the 'Confession' letter to suggest this declaration of murder was in any way related to the other crimes that began on December 20th 1968, just over two years later. It has been previously pointed out, that the author of the 'Confession' letter used the wording "She squirmed and shook as I choaked her. And her lips twiched". This having striking similarities to the 'Little List' letter mailed by the Zodiac Killer mailed on July 26th 1970, in which he stated "Some I shall tie over ant hills and watch them scream + twich and squirm." But more apparent, is the egocentric nature displayed in the 'Confession' letter, that he maintains throughout his correspondence to the authorities, right through to the Exorcist Letter mailed on January 29th 1974, revealing character patterns of his own unique writing style. In the 'Confession' letter his extreme use of the word 'I' appears no less than 19 times, along with his use of 'me', 'my' or 'mine' a further 12 times in this short letter comprising of 423 words. So, in total, a reference to himself appears no less than 31 times. That is 7.33% of the time, or once every 14 words - and something we were going to get accustomed to over the following eight years.

The 'Bus Bomb' letter, 'Little List' letter and 'Melvin Belli' letter are further examples of the Zodiac Killer's compunction to constantly refer to himself as the focus of attention within his writings. In the Melvin Belli Letter this occurs 16 times within the body of text, containing 134 words (11.94% of the letter). The 'Little List' letter contains 12 in 178 words (10.07% of the letter) and the 'Bus Bomb' letter is equally high in frequency.   

When the 408 cipher was solved in a matter of days by Donald Gene and Bettye June Harden, the author revealed his 'Most Dangerous Game', believed to have been inspired from a book authored by Richard Connell and published on January 19th 1924. The short story describes a hunter, who disillusioned with tracking down animals, turns to the more thrilling experience of hunting humans instead.

This early 'Confession' letter may have been the precursor to the 408 cipher and the early thought processes of a man soon to become the Zodiac Killer, when he typed  "I am not insane. but that will not stop the game" and "I am stalking  your girls now".
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In the 'Dripping Pen' card and 340 cipher the Zodiac Killer appeared to hand us a chronological timeline of his murders. He refers to December, July, August, September and October = 7. If indeed it was chronological, then five murders would be accounted for, leaving two murders in August unexplained.          
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The Zodiac Killer mailed the 'Los Angeles' letter on March 13th 1971 and claimed "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." This may or may not be the case, but the murder of Cheri Jo Bates on October 30th 1966 is a crime, that in many respects, has the hallmark of the Zodiac Killer stamped all over it.
Richard Smith
1/3/2015 11:15:23 pm

Richard L Chartrand was 'blown to bits' in his Cadillac August 27, 1968. Backing out of his SKYLAND, ZEPHYR COVE, NV 89448 home.

He definitely had more than one enemy and the 'Mob' is at the top of everyone's list. He has never been included in the Z cases why?...he knew Larry Kane and Bruce Davis and several other Lake Tahoe connected Z suspects

WHY?...because he was killed in NEVADA any other suspected Z killing been done in NEVADA?

In the 'day' the MOB forbid any murdering to be done in the State of Nevada

Richard
1/4/2015 12:25:10 am

A HUGE safe found hidden away in an old casino could help police finally crack the 1968 murder of former casino boss.
Richard Chartrand was blown up in his South Lake Tahoe, NV neighborhood by a sophisticated bomb but his killers were never caught.
It's current owner, attorney Mike Laub said last Thursday crews discovered a secret four foot safe behind the walls, completely sealed off.
http://coldcaseusa.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/could-safe-crack-1968-richard-chartrand.html

Robin Smith
1/4/2015 06:06:08 am

....current owner, attorney Mike Laub is the son of Attorney Mel Laub and brother of Mel's law partner Joe Laub. Laub and Laub are also currently practicing but N0t the same company as Mike Laub.

Mel Laub was a 'player' in South Lake Tahoe in the day and :) N0t trying to be mysterious...but they are all still practicing attorneys:)

Dirt link
9/23/2017 09:11:11 pm

Mel Laub was a goof and the only playing he did, was with himself.

Robin Smith
1/7/2015 01:07:31 am

Since my ex (that would necessarily include me at the time) was banned from the Barney's property from the day of the "bomb blast"...by Richard's Mother Betty Chartrand who lived in SKYLAND also...I can N0t say personally about any safe found after that date.

I can however, speak personally to anything and everything, up to that date (Aug 27, 1968) and from personal experience I can safely say there was N0thing SECRET about Richard in any safe in that casiN0.

Richard
1/4/2015 12:27:21 am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A hidden safe that was discovered during the renovation of the former Bill's Lake Tahoe Casino building last month has been opened, but the Oprah Winfrey Network has the right to release what was found.

A Douglas County Sheriff's Office investigator was present at the opening of the safe Wednesday, but did not find anything relevant to an investigation, wrote Sgt. Jim Halsey in an e-mail.
http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20110915/NEWS/110919916

Richard
1/4/2015 12:30:06 am

Sgt. Don Johnson said officers served a warrant on Dorm Lee Cavnar, 24, of South Lake Tahoe, charging first-degree murder in the death of Richard L. Chartrand, 42 Chartrand was torn to pieces when the bomb exploded as he sat behind the wheel of his luxury car in front of his house in Zephyr Cove, Nev , across the lake from here The explosion littered the lawns of Chartrand's expensive home and others set among tall pine trees along the south shore of the Sierra lake. A hole was torn in the street- . i No one else was injured. Sheriff George Byers of Douglas County said the bomb was under Ihe floorboard. "We have no evidence that this was a gangland-type assassination," said Deputy Dist Ally Ted Stokes. Chairman Frank Johnson of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, who lives across the street and heard "the tremendously loud blast," said Char trand has been involved in corporate disputes in the gaming industry But Dr T C. Harper of Reno, one of Chartrand's partners at Barney's Casino, said the disputes ended two years ago when Chartrand became general manager.
http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/54225203/

Robin Smith
1/7/2015 12:47:27 am

Chartrand has been involved in corporate disputes in the gaming industry But Dr T C Harper of ReN0, one of Chartrand's partners at Barney's CasiN0, said the disputes ended two years ago when Chartrand became general manager.

LOL OH REALLY LOL

STAY tuned for the REST of the REAL STORY!

Robin Smith
2/7/2015 02:58:45 am

The back story on this Chartrand/O'Malia Barney's Club at Stateline Douglas Nevada is really filthy!...the Sheriff?? George Byers?? Go ahead, look that guy up.

Requirements for Sheriff's deputy in Douglas County Nevada under George Byers was, "the discretion of the Sheriff.". This is aN0ther name for GOON SQUAD.

Harvey's CasiN0 had their own GOON SQUAD and when the SAHARA TAHOE opened they had their own GOON SQUAD.

From 1960 till Chartrand was blown up backing (the bomb was designed to go off when the car was put in drive) his Cadillac out of his SKYLAND ZEPHYR COVE, NEVADA home.

There was all out war between Chartrand and O'Malia till that bomb went off.

Robin Smith
1/4/2015 02:42:11 am

I remember Dr Harper.

Dr Harper was the 10 point holder that got Barney O'Malia thrown out of Barney's and got Dick (Richard L Chartrand) put in charge.

Dick, a used car salesman from FresN0, Ca, used to fly 'gambling junkets' to Hawthorne, Nev (El Capitan Club) owned by Woody Loftin and Barney O'Malia.

1960 Barney and Dick made an agreement to own and operate a casiN0 at Stateline, Douglas County, Nevada called Barney's Club.

I was working at Barney's when Dick was blown up.

Robin Smith
1/7/2015 01:23:33 am

DoN0t worry!...the card rooms in RIVERSIDE,Ca play big in this entire scenario!

Bruce Davis, Larry Kane, Dr Charles L Hollingsworth AND

William Oriay aka "Frenchy" better kN0wn as Blackie when he was a deserter from the French Foreign Legion in Tobruk and became ...oh yeah...it gets better Las Vegas

Frenchy lived in one of the motels next to Donna Lass and drove a RED CAMERO...he played poker at the SAHARA TAHOE and BARNEYS .

Michael Laub
6/26/2015 05:08:11 pm

I have solved the mystery as to why and who called in the hit

Dirt link
11/8/2016 06:49:11 pm

Robin- I knew Frenchy well and in fact he came to Santa Cruz and stayed with me before passing. He always claimed to have info re the Chartrand's bombing, but I had my doubts ?? Just sayin.

Michael Laub
6/26/2015 05:12:03 pm

Robin call me at 775 745 6339

Robin Smith
10/5/2015 04:49:56 am

Mike call me at 530-541-1155

Matt Allen
1/14/2016 04:49:30 pm

Robin. My name is Matt Allen. I am the son of Billie Allen who worked for Dick at the time. Im sure you knew my father. I have some questions i hope you can help me answer. if you could, please call me at 951-581-1904 if you could help me. I really appreciate it.

Robin Smith
2/23/2016 08:47:53 am

Matt...feel free to call me at 530-541-1155

Robin Smith
2/23/2016 08:51:44 am

Michael...call me or e-mail [email protected]

Matt...call me or e-mail [email protected]

Dirt link
11/8/2016 06:43:38 pm

I've been in and out of Tahoe for about 54 years and I can share this story re the Chartrand's bomb case-
About 2 weeks before the bomb in Chartrand's driveway in Skyland went off, a friend of mine that worked at Barneys, was told to drive out to the SLT airport and pickup a couple guys. Turned out to be three very rough looking guys and when they got to Barneys, one of them waited downstairs, one outside Dicks office and one went in for a quick meeting which lasted about 5 minutes. They then got back in the car and back out to the airport- Think I remember they were from Detroit.
Word I always heard was Chartrand's had some silent partners that weren't very happy ??

scout
9/23/2017 02:19:42 pm

ZODIAC KILLER did this job and I know the knife use

Luke
11/15/2017 04:42:06 pm

"Dick used to put a $100 dollar bill in my pocket each night I arrived at work. He told me he would call in 20 minutes and if the call didn't come..."


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