THE TAXICAB METER READING

12/15/2017

These are the taxicab fares dated April 18th 1969:
'Rates for Taxicabs and Sedans. The rates of fare for taxicabs and sedans shall be as follows: Fifty-five Cents (55c) for the first one-fifth mile or "flag": Ten Cents (10c) for each additional one-fifth mile or fraction thereof: Ten Cents (10c) for each one and one fourth minutes of waiting or traffic delay time. Drivers of taxicabs and sedans shall keep an accurate waybill specifically setting forth the time of hire and discharge, the number of passengers, the origin and destination and the charges authorized and made for each trip.
(Amended Ord. 234-69; App, 4/18/69)'

The History Channel docudrama on the Zodiac Killer calculated the approximate area that Paul Stine picked up the Zodiac Killer on October 11th 1969, and explained that it was likely somewhere near the theater district in San Francisco. Here are the calculations.

The police report stated that Paul Stine's taxicab meter read $6.25 at exactly 10:46 pm. So using the taxicab meter charges above, we can backtrack and calculate the approximate pick-up point from the last known movements of Paul Stine heading back from San Francisco International Airport. The time of the murder was specified as 9:55 pm, so by the time the meter was read at 10:46 pm, the meter had been running idle for 51 minutes. We know that it's 10c for each one and one fourth minutes (1.25) of waiting or traffic delay time. So we can discover the charge the idle taxicab ran up for these 51 minutes. (51 divided by 1.25) = 40.8. Multiplied by 10c = 4 dollars and 8 cents. The investigators deducted this from the $6.25 to give us $2.17. This calculation however, did not include any idle time en route from the proposed theater district to the intersection of Washington and Cherry. But we shall assume it negligible, as they have done. We know it is 55c for the first one-fifth mile. So the taxicab meter would be operating effectively from $2.17 minus 55c thereafter ($2.17 minus 55c) = $1.62. So to calculate the distance traveled we have to use the taxicab meter charges of 10c for each additional one-fifth mile or fraction thereof.

$1.62 divided by 10c = 16.2 miles. But it is for one-fifth of a mile, so 16.2 divided by 5 = 3.24 miles traveling distance. But again, this is not factoring in any delays en route, in accordance with the History Channel calculations. The crucial part is the 55c for the first one-fifth mile or "flag." The taxicab should be reading 55c after one-fifth of mile (0.2 miles) is achieved. Therefore, this should be added on to the 3.24 miles, to give us 3.44 miles traveling distance. This would, without any delays en route (not factored in by the History Channel), take us a little further away from Washington and Cherry. The calculations to consider, is whether the taxicab meter started from 55c at the "flag" or 55c after one-fifth mile distance. If it started at one-fifth distance, then without further idle time, as portrayed by the docudrama, the taxicab of Paul Stine would not have picked up Paul Stine at the intersection of Mason and Geary Streets, which is 3.0 miles from Washington and Cherry, assuming he traveled by the quickest and shortest route. The Westin St Francis Hotel in Union Square is approximately 3.1 miles.

But allowing for a small amount of idle time en route, possibly one or two minutes, we would have to deduct approximately 10 or 20 cents that was available for the taxicab to be in motion, thereby effectively reducing the distance traveled (one or two one-fifths of a mile). Going on the lower estimate, the distance traveled would therefore be closer to 3.24 miles again.
Without any or negligible idle time en route, the distance traveled would be 3.44 miles, based on a meter clocking up 55 cents after one-fifth mile distance. A distance of 3.4 miles east of Washington and Cherry, would take the taxicab into the Financial District of San Francisco. If Paul Stine had taken Highway 101 and Interstate 80 back from the San Francisco International Airport, he could have headed to this general area. Your opinions, or any corrections to this analysis would be welcome.

Ray Jenkins

12/15/2017 05:10:52 am

Yes it seems like it was only a short trip. I often wonder what communication, if any, took place between Z and Paul Stine that night? Was Z actually intending to travel elsewhere to kill someone else? Or was he just prowling about the streets randomly looking for a victim? Did Stine say or do something that might have made him shoot him suddenly? Or did Z tell him he was going to kill him prior to pulling the trigger? Why did Z take a small amount of money? Was this a trophy or an attempt to temporarily throw off the suspicion of the authorities until he had a chance to escape and send off a boastful letter? Was he the individual who left behind a pair of gloves, and if so, for what purpose? Sadly, we may never know the answer to most of these questions.

I don't think I will ever understand why he chose a taxi driver. Perhaps he was really more at home on the outskirts and in the country? The city may have been a less familiar place to him, but he also wanted to prove that he could kill someone in the city and get away with it. Perhaps this explains why he took a taxi, which also begs the question whether he had hired other cabs earlier to get from one destination to the other. I can certainly understand why he chose the Presidio, as the name is semantically similar to Paradise. But I wonder if he had really intended to look for people walking alone on quiet streets or in a park, but finding nobody he chose the taxi driver? But it does seem rather out of his prior M.O. in which he was the individual in control of the car and to some extent the entire situation. As a passenger and then on foot in a big city, he had made himself extremely vulnerable to both sighting and capture.

Idle speculation is about all I can offer.

Richard

12/15/2017 05:55:13 am

On October 2nd 1969 Captain Townsend made the ill thought out comment (not unusual in the day) that Zodiac "must get his sex gratification from the act of killing." Zodiac, assuming he was heterosexual, could possibly have attempted to refute this claim, by murdering a lone male, effectively. in his mind, discrediting this notion. It had already been stated he had more anger for the women rather than the males, of course totally unfounded by any of the available evidence- so it wouldn't be surprising that he possibly reacted to this. Nine days later he shot Paul Stine. On October 18th 1969 Paul Avery ran a piece in the San Francisco Chronicle describing the Zodiac Killer as a 'latent homosexual'. Under the banner Zodiac-Portrait of the Killer he stated "The killer of five who calls himself 'Zodiac' is a clumsy criminal, a liar and possibly a latent homosexual." This again is a totally misguided comment, not unusual for the day, but it could easily have prompted Zodiac to kill a member of the LGBT community to prove the opposite. To me anyway, these were reckless and irresponsible comments by law enforcement, that were more likely to agitate the killer further, rather than a more productive approach, by encouraging and stroking his ego, to send in more communications and ciphers. In other words, encourage the killer to use his mind rather than his weapon. and no doubt a tactic used in modern policing techniques. Remember BTK and the floppy disc and the dialogue before his capture- they gained his trust, rather than chucking labels of sexual thoughts around.

John

12/15/2017 06:30:45 am

I've always had a gut feeling that the Zodiac killer was a "Big City" guy who killed in remote areas to throw law enforcement off his trail. Personally I believe that the Zodiac killer lived in San Francisco. The Paul Stine killing shows us that he knew the city and was comfortable enough to commit a murder. The reason he killed Paul Stine? Simple: Big Headlines. A "Big City" murder gets national attention. For the Zodiac killer it was akin to seeing his name on the theater marquee surrounded by bright lights. In his mind the media and law enforcement were not giving him the "respect" he believed he deserved.

Ray Jenkins

12/15/2017 02:34:28 pm

Funny, I have always had a gut feeling that he was exactly the opposite. A small town guy who had a massive ego and massive aspirations that made him seem like he was very world-wise. In actual fact he may not have been. The fact that he managed to maintain his anonymity is perhaps more suggestive of a loner who lived somewhat "off the grid" than someone who lots of people knew and interacted with. Also basements were very rare in the city, but perhaps there were a few scattered about the countryside, in places where people lived a bit more off the grid in the old days and were therefore more prone to require extra space for storage. I see the Zodiac as very much the "nature boy", although this was perhaps moreso in his childhood than in his adult life, and he was seeking a return to the things he knew and liked the best. I always see the Stine killing as his greatest blunder, which he tried to rectify and validate in his follow-up correspondence, even to the point of telling complete porkies about it.

However I agree entirely about your comments below regarding the importance of the symbolism.

Alex Lewis

12/22/2017 04:09:00 pm

I am personally confident that what Harvey Hines states in his report is 100% accurate in that not only did Zodiac call a cab from the payphone in downtown Union Square, but as HH implies, SFPD Homicide Division knew this info all too well but, as is standard in all serious crimes, the Dpt. opted not to make this detail public for purpose of dismissing those who confess falsely.

I cant and won't believe that Harvey would and did say that in his report, naming Dave Toschi as the Insp. that told Him this, if it was not true because Harvey took that report and presented it to Several Law Agencies any of which could & likely would have read this remark and picked up the phone to have this statement confirmed by Toschi, or any Detective involved in The Z the Investigation. Harvey would know this and if it was not accurate and true then any number of Officials could and would discover this by simply making an enquiry into HH's report.

If it was not true, Hines knows his entire report is now to be discredited or not taken as fact at face value and if anyone suggests He would risk this to invent a scenario of a telephoning Zodiac for no good reason to further his own case. . . . I cannot and will not accept that.

Rubislaw 32 link

12/15/2017 06:34:17 am

I see suspect that your calculations are ''as good as it gets'',in inference that we might be able to make,in respect of the meter reading.

It comes down to where Zodiac was initially picked up....and what chances were/are there of police finding eye witness accounts to this occurrence.

However much we look for possible alternatives,I believe that we always to seem to return to the Theatre district,and the vicinity of Union Square,in particular.

The main reason,I think is,because of the very time that audiences were starting to spill out of the Theatres.This is something that Zodiac ''factored in'' in his planning.So that he would maximise the chance of not being noticed,when ''hiring'' his ''prospective kill''.

I believe that part of Zodiac's planning,for this ''execution'' would have been to ''set out'' similar Saturdays prior,going through a similar itinerary....and at a similar time of day.

Ray Jenkins

12/15/2017 02:42:04 pm

"I see suspect that your calculations are ''as good as it gets'',in inference that we might be able to make,in respect of the meter reading."

I don't understand what you mean Rubislaw.

One thing few peopple have considered is whether or not the Zodiac did want to be seen or not. Perhaps he saw the lights in the window and could tell there was a gathering of people or party going on. So he stopped there deliberately and did the deed, knowing full well that he would be seen by someone. From a dark street, if you looked up to a window, you would easily see the faces of people staring out. But for those in the building, looking down on to a darkened street it would have been very difficult to make out much detail of the culprit. Then if the Zodiac had been wearing a disguise of some kind, had his hair cut and dyed differently, and was wearing glasses, it is certainly worth pondering that he may have been "looking completely different" to his everyday self... AND wanting a few people to witness his "alternative" appearance. That way the witness testimonies depict a man who show little resemblance to his actual appearance.

Rubislaw 32 link

12/15/2017 03:23:40 pm

'' as good as it gets '' [?].

Given the tariff charges,outlined in the conditions of a city taxi licence.

One noticeable one,is a 10 cent charge,for ''waiting time'' in traffic.In other words,the taxi,with engine running,in a stationary position,waiting to extricate itself from its surrounding vehicles.

In almost,if not all books and reports,on the Paul Stine murder,indicate the probability that,Zodiac first hired Stine's taxi,in the Theatre district of the city,at the precise time that there was an audience spillage,on to the streets,from the Theatres closing their shows,for the night.

This,on a Saturday night,would have been the start of the busiest two hours,of the whole week,for taxi drivers.The taxi's would at times,be bumper to bumper and,having picked passengers,a taxi may well have had difficulty in extricating itself,in order to make good,the ride,for their customer [s].

Hence,in this scenario...75 seconds = 10cents,150 seconds = 20cents....etc in waiting time....with the taxi,quite obviously going nowhere,for an increment on the meter.

Richards assessment,therefore....because no one knows for sure...is : '' as good as is gets ''.

Richard

12/15/2017 06:58:55 am

Yes, you are probably correct Rubislaw in regards to the theater district. I do however, like to occasionally rip up everything we have been told as fact, when in reality it's just widely held supposition and start from the beginning. We were told at Lake Herman Road that the couple both exited the passenger side door of the Rambler and the other doors were all locked. But in the photographs both passenger and driver doors are open. Why would police gain access to David Faraday's ignition keys, open the driver side door and then take photographs of the vehicle. Both bodies were outside the vehicle. Surely, once the ambulance had left, they would have then taken photographs of the vehicle before tampering with the scene. What police officer would say, "let's open the driver side door first". What would be the purpose. Don't you tow the vehicle away for closer examination. If somebody could find an official document stating that the three doors were locked on police arrival at the scene, that would be of help. If they were, why open the driver side either from the inside or with the key, then take the photographs.
In both these pictures the front doors are open.

http://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/3810493_orig.jpg

Here, look at the top of the roof by the driver side. The door is ajar.
http://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/herman-7_orig.jpg

John

12/15/2017 08:02:43 am

I agree with Rubislaw's assessment. Furthermore, the are has "sights" that would have interested the Zodiac killer. The Native Sons of the Golden West building is located on 414 Mason Street, and the time the Theosophical Society rented a room on the 7th floor. If you look at the Theosophical Society emblem, some of the symbols are found in the ciphers: the backwards "E", the symbol that looks like the letter "Pi", the triangles, the circle, and the Whirling Cross. All of these symbols are found in some form in the ciphers. They may not look exactly alike, but they share a resemblance. Was the Zodiac killer a member? Who knows. At 405 Geary Street there was a store called "Harold's Cards & Books" and at 410 Geary Street there was a store called "Gruen's Greeting Cards." As we know, the Zodiac killer liked greeting cards. I could see the Zodiac killer frequenting the area. The area could hold some clue. Unfortunately, since the murder occurred 50 years ago, I am afraid the clues have been lost forever.

Richard

12/15/2017 08:11:33 am

Good points John, certainly the focus does lie in this area.

John

12/15/2017 09:38:27 am

Richard, if the SFPD had put two and two together, they would have taken the sketch and gone down to those two stores and asked the employees if a man resembling the sketch frequented the store. It could have generated an important lead. Maybe they did and they haven't told us.

Regarding the ciphers, I don't think what message they contain is important in solving the mystery. If we crack the ciphers we know what we are going to find: the rantings and ravings of a madman. What is important, though, are the symbols. Find the origin of the symbols then, hopefully, you might get some answers as to who this person was and what their interests were.

Rubislaw 32 link

12/15/2017 09:00:20 am

Yes,a bit of a mystery to explain what the crime scene officers actually did,once the ambulance had departed.

Just to put in the ''mix''.....because neither Faraday or Jensen survived,there is no witness account of what Zodiac precisely did,when he turned up,with malice intent.

Someone has suggested that Zodiac's intention was to convey to the couple that he represented a ''robbery'',and may have issued brief and threatening instructions to them,before the fatal shooting started.This might account for the ''passenger door'' scenario [?].

Although Mike Mageau's account of Blue Rock Springs is not considered ''set in stone'',we are fairly confident that Zodiac approached Mageau and Ferrin,with no words....and started firing,without warning.

LHR and BRS.....often they are seen,too much by perceived similarities [?].

Ray Jenkins

12/15/2017 05:25:55 pm

"What police officer would say, "let's open the driver side door first"."

We need to face some facts. The cops were often rather dumb in those days. Well enough of them do silly and blundering things even today, especially in the USA, like arrive on the scene and promptly shoot the witness dead who had just made the phone call. "Only in America!" as a friend of mine would say.

Alex Lewis

12/28/2017 12:02:25 am

Hey Rich, I spoke to Mike Butterfield on or about 22nd/23rd and I've only really now had chance to Emil Him back but I asked, and He did confirm, what Rodelli had claimed about Butterfield having spoke with Armond via telephone & whether Armond had, as Rodelli had suggested, made admissions or amendments to his story and, just prior to Xmas,.M.B replied.

He did
confirm that yes, around 9 years ago He spoke to Pelissetti who,He said, made several contradictory statements, one or Two of which he used the word 'Bazaar' in describing them and said He came away with no confidence in Armonds Story.

I've emailed Him literally an hour or two ago asking him can and will he give me the detailed specifics of A.Ps statements and will forward, with Butterfields approval, exactly what He states Pelissetti had said when I get Mike B's reply via email.

. TTFN:

. Alex.

Richard

12/28/2017 01:47:30 am

Hopefully it will shed some more light on the bullshit Alex. I always have believed AP's version of events rather than DF's. That is not saying he is 100% correct in everything he says. AP didn't believe DF encountered the Zodiac because as far as he was concerned the man wasn't covered in blood, which simply doesn't have to be the case. TTFN

Alex Lewis

12/29/2017 10:40:03 am

Yes I agree and I too, like you, have tended to accept/believe Armonds version over Don and I think its just because Armond comes across as more confident when you watch him recalling events on the 2007 documentary.

This can be a sign of a man confident because he is being honest or it could be the show of a confident and well practised Liar

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