Friday, November 15, 2013
Thursday, November 14, 2013
A Draft Dodger, or the Zodiac Killer?
Just when I thought i had exhausted all hopes of obtaining any more previously unreleased questioned documents from the Zodiac case, I was pleasantly surprised when I found a letter in my mailbox from the Department of Justice. The mailing contained a previously unreleased document that I had last requested several months ago, after not successfully receiving it in the past. The letter/postcard had been postmarked from the San Francisco Bay area, and mailed to the Rochester, NY Draft Board in March, 1968.
The letter itself was filled with misspelled words, references to using drugs, and odd drawings. Like many of Zodiac's mailings, the document included two stamps. Not much is known about this letter, who wrote it, or how & why it made it's way into questioned Zodiac case documents, especially because it was authored and mailed to the Draft Board in March, 1968 Nine months before the first confirmed Zodiac murders, and almost a year and a half before the first confirmed letter written by Zodiac was received by the press.
You can view more opinions, and ideas about the letter here-
http://www.zodiackillersite.com/viewtopic.php?f=78&t=1086
So far, opinions and thoughts about the letter are mixed, some similarities noted as well as some differences too.
The letter itself was filled with misspelled words, references to using drugs, and odd drawings. Like many of Zodiac's mailings, the document included two stamps. Not much is known about this letter, who wrote it, or how & why it made it's way into questioned Zodiac case documents, especially because it was authored and mailed to the Draft Board in March, 1968 Nine months before the first confirmed Zodiac murders, and almost a year and a half before the first confirmed letter written by Zodiac was received by the press.
You can view more opinions, and ideas about the letter here-
http://www.zodiackillersite.com/viewtopic.php?f=78&t=1086
So far, opinions and thoughts about the letter are mixed, some similarities noted as well as some differences too.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Paul Stine, 44 Years Later
Tomorrow, 10/11/13, marks the 44th Anniversary of the Zodiac Killer's murder of San Francisco Cab driver, Paul Stine. Usually, anniversaries are a reminder of good events, and memorable times,but in the Zodiac case, the opposite is true.
Paul Stine picked up Zodiac somewhere in the theater disctrict in SF, and entered the destination in his log book as Washington & Maple, but for some unknown reason, wound up at Washington & Cherry instead. When he put the car in park, Zodiac shot him point blank in the head, killing Stine instantly. Zodiac then got out of the car, and opened up the passenger door and proceeded to tend to something in the front seat, ultimately taking Stine's wallet & keys. At this time, some kids in a house across the street saw the aftermath of the shooting, and saw Zodiac himself, who appeared to be wiping down something around the cab. Zodiac then walked off around the corner, and out of site. The kids called police, thinking the cabbie had merely been robbed or beaten up.
Patrol cars quickly swarmed the sorrounding streets and area,and not long after, a police dispatcher put out a description of the perp, as an NMA(negro male adult). But that description was somehow a mistake,and in reality, the perp was white,stocky, had a crewcut style haircut,and black horned rim glasses. Before the correction was made over the radio however, two police officers driving down nearby Jackson St, saw just such a man. They claim that they slowed down, took a good look at him, and since they were looking for a black male, they continued on. It was only a moment or two later that the Zodiac's description was corrected and broadcast over the police radio, and it was only then that the Officers realized that they had just seen the Zodiac. They went back, but he had now vanished into the night, probably in the wooded area sorrounding the military base, the Presidio. At the time of the murder, police had no idea that they were looking for the infamous Zodiac killer, and thought the attack was the result of a robbery gone wrong. All of that would change two days later.
On October 13, two days later, the Zodiac mailed a letter to the SF Chronicle detailing Stine's murder, and even including a bloody piece of Stine's shirt as proof he was the killer. Zodiac would also write that he actually was pulled over by police as he escaped on foot, and questioned. Police to this very day,deny that Zodiac was ever stopped by them. Although he was never caught, the infamous Zodiac sketch was the result of the police officer's, as well as the eye witness description of Zodiac.
Washington & Cherry, the scene of the murder of Paul Stine
Zodiac Killer Victim, Paul Stine
Paul Stine picked up Zodiac somewhere in the theater disctrict in SF, and entered the destination in his log book as Washington & Maple, but for some unknown reason, wound up at Washington & Cherry instead. When he put the car in park, Zodiac shot him point blank in the head, killing Stine instantly. Zodiac then got out of the car, and opened up the passenger door and proceeded to tend to something in the front seat, ultimately taking Stine's wallet & keys. At this time, some kids in a house across the street saw the aftermath of the shooting, and saw Zodiac himself, who appeared to be wiping down something around the cab. Zodiac then walked off around the corner, and out of site. The kids called police, thinking the cabbie had merely been robbed or beaten up.
Patrol cars quickly swarmed the sorrounding streets and area,and not long after, a police dispatcher put out a description of the perp, as an NMA(negro male adult). But that description was somehow a mistake,and in reality, the perp was white,stocky, had a crewcut style haircut,and black horned rim glasses. Before the correction was made over the radio however, two police officers driving down nearby Jackson St, saw just such a man. They claim that they slowed down, took a good look at him, and since they were looking for a black male, they continued on. It was only a moment or two later that the Zodiac's description was corrected and broadcast over the police radio, and it was only then that the Officers realized that they had just seen the Zodiac. They went back, but he had now vanished into the night, probably in the wooded area sorrounding the military base, the Presidio. At the time of the murder, police had no idea that they were looking for the infamous Zodiac killer, and thought the attack was the result of a robbery gone wrong. All of that would change two days later.
On October 13, two days later, the Zodiac mailed a letter to the SF Chronicle detailing Stine's murder, and even including a bloody piece of Stine's shirt as proof he was the killer. Zodiac would also write that he actually was pulled over by police as he escaped on foot, and questioned. Police to this very day,deny that Zodiac was ever stopped by them. Although he was never caught, the infamous Zodiac sketch was the result of the police officer's, as well as the eye witness description of Zodiac.
Paul Stine's Cab, and the aftermath of his murder
Friday, September 27, 2013
44 Years Ago Today
It was 44 years ago today that the Zodiac Killer attacked a young couple, Cecelia Shepard, and Bryan Hartnell, at Lake Berryessain Napa, CA.
He appeared suddenly out of nowhere, and quickly walked up to the young couple as they were enjoying a quiet moment and a beautiful view of the Lake. Zodiac wearing a hood,and carrying a handgun,possibly a .45, ordered them to stay calm,and told them that he was an escaped convict from Deer Lodge, MT. He said that he was simply going to take their money, and car so that he could flee to Mexico. The couple cooperated, and he forced Cecelia to tie up Bryan using pre-cut lengths of plastic clothesline that he had brought with him. He then tied up Cecelia. After the couple was tied and bound, Zodiac put his gun away, but their ordeal was just beginning.
Zodiac pulled out a knife and savagely stabbed the couple repeatedly many times. Then, after his frenzied attack, he simply walked off. Before he left, he scrawled a taunting note on Bryan's car door, leaving no doubt that the 'Zodiac' was responsible for this attack. Bryan managed to survive, but Cecelia died two days later in the hospital. Zodiac was never caught, but there are clues from the scene that may lead to his identity.
First, he mentioned 'DeerLodge' MT. But police quickly verified that no prisoners had recently escaped from the prison. Why did Zodiac lie about that if he was about to kill them? Maybe he had ties to that area? Next, we have the writing on the Victim's car door, it's quite likely that this is Zodiac's true,every day undisguised writing. Somebody may recognize it. Lastly, a sketch was made of a man seen in the area of the attacks shortly before the attack. He was acting oddly, and watching a group of sun bathing girls. His clothes closely matched the outfit Zodiac was wearing in his attack that day. The sketch describes a man in his late 20's. After the attack, Zodiac defiantly called police in Napa to claim the attack. "I am the one that did it", he told Officer Dave Slaight, who had taken the call. Slaight,as well asHartnell,both described the Zodiac's voice as possibly being in his early 20's, or sounding "like a student's voice". The sketch of the mystery man seen by the girls showed a man in his late 20's or early 30's, and a sketch made a month later of Zodiac after his San Francisco attack showed a man 25 -35, but was ammended to show a man 35-45. The sketches do not resemble each other, and neither sketch has lead to Zodiac being identified.
44 years later, the case remains unsolved, and as cold as ever. Zodiac, if he alive today, may take a moment today to reflect on his attack, there is no doubt that surviving witness Bryan Hartnell, as well as Cecelia's Family will do the same. My hope is that by the 45th anniversary, police can attach a name to the serial killer known as 'Zodiac'
He appeared suddenly out of nowhere, and quickly walked up to the young couple as they were enjoying a quiet moment and a beautiful view of the Lake. Zodiac wearing a hood,and carrying a handgun,possibly a .45, ordered them to stay calm,and told them that he was an escaped convict from Deer Lodge, MT. He said that he was simply going to take their money, and car so that he could flee to Mexico. The couple cooperated, and he forced Cecelia to tie up Bryan using pre-cut lengths of plastic clothesline that he had brought with him. He then tied up Cecelia. After the couple was tied and bound, Zodiac put his gun away, but their ordeal was just beginning.
Zodiac pulled out a knife and savagely stabbed the couple repeatedly many times. Then, after his frenzied attack, he simply walked off. Before he left, he scrawled a taunting note on Bryan's car door, leaving no doubt that the 'Zodiac' was responsible for this attack. Bryan managed to survive, but Cecelia died two days later in the hospital. Zodiac was never caught, but there are clues from the scene that may lead to his identity.
First, he mentioned 'DeerLodge' MT. But police quickly verified that no prisoners had recently escaped from the prison. Why did Zodiac lie about that if he was about to kill them? Maybe he had ties to that area? Next, we have the writing on the Victim's car door, it's quite likely that this is Zodiac's true,every day undisguised writing. Somebody may recognize it. Lastly, a sketch was made of a man seen in the area of the attacks shortly before the attack. He was acting oddly, and watching a group of sun bathing girls. His clothes closely matched the outfit Zodiac was wearing in his attack that day. The sketch describes a man in his late 20's. After the attack, Zodiac defiantly called police in Napa to claim the attack. "I am the one that did it", he told Officer Dave Slaight, who had taken the call. Slaight,as well asHartnell,both described the Zodiac's voice as possibly being in his early 20's, or sounding "like a student's voice". The sketch of the mystery man seen by the girls showed a man in his late 20's or early 30's, and a sketch made a month later of Zodiac after his San Francisco attack showed a man 25 -35, but was ammended to show a man 35-45. The sketches do not resemble each other, and neither sketch has lead to Zodiac being identified.
44 years later, the case remains unsolved, and as cold as ever. Zodiac, if he alive today, may take a moment today to reflect on his attack, there is no doubt that surviving witness Bryan Hartnell, as well as Cecelia's Family will do the same. My hope is that by the 45th anniversary, police can attach a name to the serial killer known as 'Zodiac'
Shepard & Hartnell
Zodiac in his disguise
Zodiac's writing on Hartnell's Door
Sketch of the suspicious man seen by female sun bathers
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
FRED MANALLI, and why he IS a great Suspect!!!!!!
FRED MANALLI, and why he IS a great Suspect
His name came up thanks to Robert Graysmith. Almost forgotten about, a little digging produced some simply fascinating facts, and paralells between Manalli, and the Zodiac Killer.
In Robert Graysmith's Zodiac Unmasked, the Author tried to link his suspect, Arthur Leigh Allen, to Fred Manalli, a Santa Rosa Junior College teacher who was killed in an auto accident in 1976. He mentioned that Manalli, during the mid 1960's, had lived in Riverside CA. I, and others, have found no evidence to support this claim. Riverside is a city very important to the Zodiac mystery due to the Cheri Jo Bates case (more on Bates coming to this blog later). Zodiac writing expert, Sherwood Morrill stated that letters received in the Bates case, as well as a desktop poem found in Riverside City College, were "unquestionably the work of Zodiac". If true, that is a major clue to Zodiac's identity.
Although no connection between Manalli and Riverside has been established, certain things about Manalli HAVE been that seem to line up with well between Manalli & Zodiac, almost perfectly. What follows is that material, in no special order (try to follow along as I mention a bunch of stuff that may seem to be written with no clear pattern or order)
The writing, words, phrases, etc used by both Zodiac & Manalli, is simply remarkably similar, almost as if one borrowed from the other,either that or Manalli was Zodiac. When Zodiac wrote his first confirmed letter in August, he included a 3 part cipher. When it was deciphered, part of the reveal read "slaves in Paradise". At about this time, Manalli had a short story published entitled, "Paradise, It's a nice place". Both Manalli & Zodiac connect the TH in their writings.
Next, let's examine the word 'public' as written by both. They both have an unusual 'rainbow' formation to them.
Zodiac
Manalli
Manalli
Zodiac
Zodiac
His name came up thanks to Robert Graysmith. Almost forgotten about, a little digging produced some simply fascinating facts, and paralells between Manalli, and the Zodiac Killer.
In Robert Graysmith's Zodiac Unmasked, the Author tried to link his suspect, Arthur Leigh Allen, to Fred Manalli, a Santa Rosa Junior College teacher who was killed in an auto accident in 1976. He mentioned that Manalli, during the mid 1960's, had lived in Riverside CA. I, and others, have found no evidence to support this claim. Riverside is a city very important to the Zodiac mystery due to the Cheri Jo Bates case (more on Bates coming to this blog later). Zodiac writing expert, Sherwood Morrill stated that letters received in the Bates case, as well as a desktop poem found in Riverside City College, were "unquestionably the work of Zodiac". If true, that is a major clue to Zodiac's identity.
Although no connection between Manalli and Riverside has been established, certain things about Manalli HAVE been that seem to line up with well between Manalli & Zodiac, almost perfectly. What follows is that material, in no special order (try to follow along as I mention a bunch of stuff that may seem to be written with no clear pattern or order)
The writing, words, phrases, etc used by both Zodiac & Manalli, is simply remarkably similar, almost as if one borrowed from the other,either that or Manalli was Zodiac. When Zodiac wrote his first confirmed letter in August, he included a 3 part cipher. When it was deciphered, part of the reveal read "slaves in Paradise". At about this time, Manalli had a short story published entitled, "Paradise, It's a nice place". Both Manalli & Zodiac connect the TH in their writings.
Next, let's examine the word 'public' as written by both. They both have an unusual 'rainbow' formation to them.
Next, both Zodiac & Manalli used the word Saterical(Satirical). An odd word, not frequently used:
ZodiacManalli
Both Zodiac & Manalli have the same writing habit in which they split the word 'something' into two words:
They do the same word 'splitting' with other words too,as they do with the word 'caught':
When Zodiac & Manalli write or reference numbers, they both write them as if they are a score, or with a line in front of them:
ManalliZodiac
Zodiac & Manalli share another odd writing trait, they sometimes write a half or incomplete letter w:
Zodiac was very fond of the word 'shall', as was Manalli. This was a very unusual word not used by many people as it was a word primarily used in England:
Manalli was very friendly with Author Dan Curley, and in this letter, he asks Curley about his story,'The Manhunt'.
The Manhunt sounds like something that Zodiac would be interested in, and it is widely believed that Zodiac referenced and was influenced by a short story called, 'The Most Dangerous Game'. In 1968, Curley's story, MANHUNT, was included in a story collection along with THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME:
Studies in the short story,
New York, Holt, Rinehart and Winston [1968]
Book : Fiction : English : 3d ed
pt. 1. Basic elements of fiction -- Most dangerous game / Richard Connell ; And the rock cried out / Ray Bradbury ; The Manhunt / Daniel Curley ;
New York, Holt, Rinehart and Winston [1968]
Book : Fiction : English : 3d ed
pt. 1. Basic elements of fiction -- Most dangerous game / Richard Connell ; And the rock cried out / Ray Bradbury ; The Manhunt / Daniel Curley ;
Back to Manalli and his use of the word 'SHALL', here is one more example in which Manalli uses the word and interestingly, references Author James Joyce's well known book 'Finnegan's Wake'. This is most interesting, because in the book, Author Joyce deliberately spells many words incorrectly. Zodiac also did the same in many of his letters, and in fact, he misspelled many of the same words Joyce misspelled in his book, with the same spelling errors.
Manalli wrote this to Curley:
Zodiac would later mail this card to the press:
The paralells in the writings of Zodiac & Manalli don't seem to end. Here's another odd word used by both:
Zodiac
Manalli
Manalli wrote about dark and violent thoughts, depression,suicide,and more. In this piece, read the last line:
Now, read Zodiac's statement from his letter,the tone or message sounds similar:
Both Zodiac & Manalli refer to a letter as a 'note':
Zodiac & Manalli use even more similar phrases and word tracks:
Compare the lower case letter g between Zodiac & Manalli:
Compare the & symbols as written by Manalli & Zodiac:
Both Zodiac & Manalli use an unusual phrase:
Both Manalli & Zodiac mention 'circles of light':
In Augist, 1969, Zodiac mailed a coded message to local papers. When it was eventually decoded, one of the phrases from Zodiac was "slaves in Paradise". Around the same exact time, Manalli had a short story published called, 'Paradise,it's a nice place':
Another odd habit both Zodiac & Manalli share, notice how they both sometimes doubly dot the tops of their lower case i:
Manalli wrote many times about his own personal medical & mentals illnesses, as well as discussion of violence & suicide:
Zodiac wrote a letter in which he called himself the 'red phantom'.
Zodiac mailed a Halloween card to Reporter, Paul Avery, in which he wrote "you are DOOMED".
Last, but certainly not least of all, was a personal ad that ran in the Zodiac's favorite Newspaper. In August,1976, Fred Manalli was killed when he swerved head on into oncoming traffic, and collided with another vehicle. The very next day, a stunning, and mysterious personal ad ran in the San Francisco Chronicle:
The Ad read, "Zodiac your partner is in deep real estate, you're next. The Imperial wizard can save you. Surrender to him, or I'll terminate your case"
It could not be determined who placed the ad, or what it meant. To many people, the phrase "deep real estate", sounded alot like "6 feet under", basically that somebody was dead. The fact it ran the day after Manalli died is very interesting, and the timing is amazing. Could Manalli have placed it himself knowing he was going to commit suicide- by- auto? Was he warning somebody else, a partner perhaps? In Robert Graysmith's book, he had linked (not confirmed by anybody)Manalli to his suspect, Arthur Leigh Allen. If there was ever a case for a Zodiac 'team', maybe this ad might support it. Then again, if the ad was placed by Manalli, maybe it was part of some delusional thought process from Manalli, or maybe, the ad is simply a creepy and amazing coincidence. No matter what the case, the similarities between Zodiac & Manalli are hard to ignore. With so many common words, phrases, and similar subject matter, it's hard to dismiss the fact they seemed to be on the same plane, and thinking and discussing the same subjects.
I would challenge anybody with a Zodiac suspect, or person of interest, to put forth as compelling a writing comparison between their suspect, and Zodiac.
My Thanks to Mark (Travellerfirst), a Moderator at my web forum, for his side by side & digital examination of the Manalli letters, and to Deb (Seagull),another one of my Moderators, for obtaining some of the original letters to examine.
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