Hi folks, newbie here, I had a specific question in regards to the letters, especially the pre-Berryessa letters.
Were any published in the newspaper, and I don’t mean text, but the actual photo of the letters? I ask this wondering if anyone could have possibly copied the writing style prior to Graysmith’s book. I tend to get in a wormhole when I try and find a specific answer on this and figured I would just ask those who know more than me outright than continuing to be sidetracked with further questions.
It seems that especially with the two letters (the Vallejo and the Chronicle) that contained code, only the code was published as per his request. Does anyone know the first time the actual letters were published, as in, reproduced for public view and not just the text or the code? I would really like to hammer down that connection that seems obvious between the writing style of the letters and the writing on the car door at Lake Berryessa. If the letters themselves were published its always possible someone could have faked the writing- not that I think that’s likely- but as we all do I just want to study each and every piece here and be sure in my own mind as I wander through this case. I appreciate all replies.
A copy of Zodiac’s first letter was published in the Vallejo Times Herald. Should be on August 2nd or 3rd. That was the only writing, other than the cipher, published before Lake B.
Zam and Sandy found those articles, I don’t know if they got transferred over from the old site to here, and I didn’t see a date on that one.
I know that other writing was published as well, but offhand I don’t know how many were and which one’s weren’t. That’s a question I’ve wanted to know for awhile, but I don’t have an organized collection of articles and listings, so it would take some time to go through all that to get an exact number.
thanks, ducking, I am going to continue to search around to see if I can’t find more info on this. I would really like to isolate that for myself, despite the fact that I feel its pretty obvious that the writing on the car door matched those confirmed letters. But there is that sliver of a chance, especially being that Berryessa was such an anomaly in terms of the hood and the greater risk he seemed to be taking….
Just at a glance he uses the word "Vallejo" in his first letter and it’s on the car door, but it is not a direct lift/copy. Interestingly enough he doesn’t say "Zodiac" in that one, just his sign, and just the sign and no name are on the door. But I’m pretty sure that the name "Zodiac" had been revealed in the press already.
This same exact conversation has just taken place. The search function will really help you.
Here is the thread we were recently discussing it: viewtopic.php?f=29&t=806&start=80
A link to the Vallejo Newspapers:
viewtopic.php?f=94&t=165
A link to all S.F. Chronicle articles:
viewtopic.php?f=94&t=1193
“…they may be dealing with one or more ersatz Zodiacs–other psychotics eager to get into the act, or perhaps even other murderers eager to lay their crimes at the real Zodiac’s doorstep.“ L.A. Times, 1969
This same exact conversation has just taken place. The search function will really help you.
Here is the thread we were recently discussing it: http://zodiackillersite.com/viewtopic.p … 6&start=80
A link to the Vallejo Newspapers:
http://zodiackillersite.com/viewtopic.php?f=94&t=165A link to all S.F. Chronicle articles:
http://zodiackillersite.com/viewtopic.php?f=94&t=1193
Thanks tahoe. BTW, are you the same Tahoe that discovered that Tim Holt comic? 
That made my jaw drop open. I was using some Tim Holt comics in my work a few years ago- I’m a video artist- and spent alot of time on that comic site. I have been wandering round there fanatically again since that bit was discovered. If that had been me finding something like that, I don’t know how long it would have taken me to stop jumping up and down. As it was I sat with an open mouth for about a full minute. Some flies probably flew in there. Great find.
Yep. I think I might have caught a fly or two myself. 
“…they may be dealing with one or more ersatz Zodiacs–other psychotics eager to get into the act, or perhaps even other murderers eager to lay their crimes at the real Zodiac’s doorstep.“ L.A. Times, 1969
