I wanted to post a few points in this thread.

First, to the op, there was also (unless I’m reading the diagram wrong) a casing found 14 ft from the car. The scaling on the sketches is not very good. Does anyone have the actual measurements of that turnout? That would be helpful.

Second, as far as people being out on foot, I can think of at least 3 that were out there on foot that night. They may have drove out there, but they were indeed walking about. At least one of them was on foot in the turnout.

As far as Owens, I don’t know what to think. The part of not remembering the gunshot until later seems weirder to me than the changing his mind on how far the cars were apart.

First, to the op, there was also (unless I’m reading the diagram wrong) a casing found 14 ft from the car. The scaling on the sketches is not very good. Does anyone have the actual measurements of that turnout? That would be helpful.

Good question. I would think it was measured by someone at some point…if even not LE.

I can tell you from having been there, as others can attest to, it is small. When you are parked there, there isn’t a whole lot of room for other cars and if one pulled in next to you it would be quite uncomfortable…especially late at night.

I wanted to post a few points in this thread.

First, to the op, there was also (unless I’m reading the diagram wrong) a casing found 14 ft from the car. The scaling on the sketches is not very good. Does anyone have the actual measurements of that turnout? That would be helpful.

Second, as far as people being out on foot, I can think of at least 3 that were out there on foot that night. They may have drove out there, but they were indeed walking about. At least one of them was on foot in the turnout.

As far as Owens, I don’t know what to think. The part of not remembering the gunshot until later seems weirder to me than the changing his mind on how far the cars were apart.

We do know about the two racoon hunters..strange enough they had been there during this evening. Ruled out, why? And..who is the third person?`

QT

The fellow name Bingo. You can’t tend sheep from the truck.

So what does Owens look like?

Craig, I just transferred a picture of Owens from our old forum to the Owens thread at this forum. It is not a picture from 1969 but much more recent. It’s the only one Morf has been able to find so far.

viewtopic.php?f=47&t=66&p=12323#p12323

Thank you – I’ll read more about him.

Some details from the Jensen/Faraday police report:

Jensen: ‘The face and head was covered with blood‘

I wonder where the blood in her face and head actually had come from?

‘He (Faraday) had been shot in the upper portion of the left ear (…). There was a large lump on his right cheek and his hair on the left side of his head was matted with blood.’

So I’d say that Z did not stand behind but rather to the left of Faraday when shooting him. It is not that important, however it shows that he rather stood in the direction of where later Jensen’s body was found instead of standing directly behind him. So to say it could be that Z walked rather around the second car clockwise instead of the other side.

‘He (Faraday) had a Timex wrist watch, chrome case and band, on his left wrist’

Hm…big hmm..

‘He held a class ring by the tips of the ring and middle fingers of his left hand.’

Well, if that’s not sort of a sign..?

Sketch of James A. Owen shows the time being ‘aprox. 11:14 PM. The police report was received by Sgt. Cunningham at 11:52 PM. As the time occurred it shows between 11:14 PM and 11:20 PM, so police did actually narrow the time frame to 6-7 minutes only.

As a weapon, a ‘J.C. Higgins Auto/Rifle’ (‘Rifle’ crossed out with ‘Pistol’ written instead), therefore an J.C. Higgins Auto/Pistol is mentioned.

Shots are mentioned as 10 shots overall, 2 in car, 5 in back of Jensen, 1 into Faraday and 2 shots unaccounted.

Vehicle used by suspect: ‘Unknown, witness observed dark car, lacking in chrome. Not large & not compact.’

This rules out any white cars at the scene. I still do favor my tan to brown Mercury Comet..

‘.22 caliber shell casings were recovered at scene.’

‘The ground was frozen solid under a reported 22 degree temperature. There were no visable fresh tire tracks leaving the scene.’

As far as I know there were tracks later measured (tire distance), no idea where I had that info from.

‘Jensen had five (5) bullet holes on the right side of her back. (…) The entry holes were in a remarkable close pattern’

Again, how did the blood get into her face and on her head? Did she touch her wounds and later her face? Three bullets left her body, one was still stuck in her dress. So at least one must have left her body somewhere to the scene. Later it is stated that 1+2+1+2 (Faraday, Jensen, Dress, Car) pellets were found. It is also stated that five casings were found by Cor. Horan and four by Sgt. Silva, so possibly only one bullet was fired into the dark. One pellet was found near Jensen’s body (presumably after leaving her body ‘in blood splattered path on her escape route’, which is weird – possibly moved accidentially by someone walking at the scene). Victims dress: ‘(…) five (5) bullet holes in back and one in front, soaked with blood’ (exiting).

‘The victim Jensen was attired in black strap shoes that were blood stained’

So I guess she indeed walked away from the car by her own, as far as she could.

‘Faraday was attired in black socks, low cut brown fruit boots, white cotton shorts, white cotton T-shirt, light blue, size 20, boys long sleeve shirt, brown corduroy trousers’

So rather two than three layers of clothing, quite normal for that temperature.

William …. witness:
‘(…) he observed a blue car, possibly a Valient, coming down the road from Benicia towards Vallejo. (…) and the car started backing up towards them. Mr. … put the car in gear and took off at a high rate of speed and the car followed him at a high rate of speed. (…) and the other car went straight ahead. The subjects were both (!) caucasians and there is no further identification on the car or the subjects.’

Two people involved about one hour earlier..

Mrs. Peggie …. Witness:
‘Mrs. …. reports that at 11:00PM she was with her husband and he was checking the pipes (…). When they passed the area of the pumping station they observed the Rambler (Faraday car). At the time she saw the boy sitting in the driver’s seat and the girl leaning against his shoulder. When the lights (…) put his hands on the wheel of the car and Mrs. …. had noticed this action. When the ….’s returned a few minutes later after having turned around, subjects in the Rambler were still sitting there in this position. The car was facing East towards the field (!) at the left of the gate. When they turned around into the Marshall Ranch, Mrs. … reports they saw a red pick-up truck with wooden board sides parked in the field (!) about twenty-five feet in. At this time the car was facing out to the road. She stated there were two white male adults in the car, one of them was twenty-five to thirty years old, and had a stocking type hat or cap over his head, a three cell flashlight (!) and a hunting jacket. Mrs. … reports that they did not pass any other car at the area and only the station wagon was parked at the Pumping Station entrance (!).’

James Owen:
‘(…) at 11:20PM he drove by the location on Lake Herman Road. He states he saw two cars parked near the entrance to the pumping station. (…) The other (car) was parked to the right and abreast of the Station Wagon. The cars were about ten feet apart. (…). He definitely saw two cars, a station wagon and another vehicle, parked approximately three or four feet to the right of the station wagon. He did not see anyone in the cars or around them. He stated as he traveled approximately one quarter of a mile beyond, he thought he heard a shot. Mr. Owen further stated that just before he approached the scene, a vehicle passed him going in the opposite direction toward Vallejo (…) near Borges Ranch. (cuckoo clock was 11:00PM when he left his house)’

Mrs. Peggie ….:
‘(…) she observed a Rambler s/w parked with front end heading East, there were two Caucasian in the front seat (Jensen/Faraday). (…) She states her husband drove on to the bottom of the hill and turned into the road way on the right side, going into the Marshall Ranch. She states as the car got to the gate, she saw a tall WMA approximately 28 years dressed in dark clothing (!), standing by the gate on her husbands side of the car (the left side) approximately six feet from the car. He had a gun in his hand (!) , it had a long barrel. A red pick up with white wooden sides (!) was parked about 40 feet ahead of their car. She stated a WMA who appeared to be an old man got out of the truck and shined a flash light into their car. She states she told her husband there was a man with a gun standing by the car, to get the hell out of there. She stated the man did not say anything or point the gun at the car, he just kept staring at her. They turned around and heading East on Lake Herman road. She states the station wagon was still parked in the same spot. She states this was some time between 11:15PM and 11:18PM. They drove slowly over the Old Lake Herman Road. She states she kept looking back and she did not see the lights from the pick up truck or any other lights on the road in back of them. She states as they drove by the entrance to Humble Oil Company, she saw a long dark colored car. The guard was leaning over talking to the man who was driving the car. She states the car had a long speedometer indicator light that gave off a greenish glow (Kathleen Johns?). RO asked Mrs. … if they had a gun in their car and if she pointed it at the man standing near the gate and if she said to him my gun is bigger than yours. Mrs. … stated they did have a gun with them that night, it was a .38 special with a small barrel and it was lying in the rear seat of the car. It was unloaded and Mr. … had the shells in his pocket. (…).’

Her husband Homer:
‘Mr. …. states (…) 11:00PM – 11:20PM he was going West on Lake Herman road, he turned into the road going to the Marshall Ranch to turn around. He saw approximately 30 feet inside the road from the gate, a red pick up truck that had white wooden sides. A man was by the truck, he shined his flashlight into the … car. Mr. …. wife, Peggy who was sitting in the front seat on the passenger side, said there is a man with a gun lets get out of here. Mr. … states his wife did not say anything to the man with the gun. Mr. … states he had a .38 special on the rear seat of the car, it was unloaded. Mr. … had the shells in his pocket. Mr. … showed RO the guns he had. #1 .38 special 2” Smith & Wesson serial 55246, #2 12 gauge (!) automatic (!) shot gun (Remington) serial 248011’.

Mrs. Medeiros, former Stella Borges at 11:52 PM:
‘(…) came in from Oakland at approximately 10:50PM. (…) She states that she did not take her coat off, and glanced at the clock in the kitchen and she believes it was 11:10PM. She rode with her mother-in-law and her daughter (!) and drove casually over the 2-7/10th miles, this time the distance being established by the officers, and she arrived at the area four or five minutes later. She estimates between 11:14 and 11:15PM. Her clock is one minute fast as we had found out during this interview. She states that no cars were going in either direction while she was on the road. When she arrived at the scene, headlights picked up the car and she observed a boy and he looked like he had fallen out of the open (!) door. The girl was lying on her side facing the road. (…) She saw only one car at the scene. It looked like a Rambler, grayish in color, it had a chrome rack on the top (Faraday Rambler).’

Robert ……, WMA age 27 and Frank Gasser, Gasser Ranch:
‘(…) have been identified (…) as racoon hunters who were in the area of the Benicia Pumping Station and who have been identified by Mrs. …. (Peggy). They had their 1959 pick-up truck, Red in color, with wood side-boards, parked inside the field of the Marshall Ranch. In this interview it was learned that they were hunting in the area from 9:00PM to 11:00PM. 11:00PM was approximate, because …. looked at his watch and he knew it was in the area of 11:00PM. It could have been five minutes to the hour or ten minutes to. It took them three or four minutes possibly five minutes to get back to their truck, walking up the road on the side of the creek. They were short to rep…. (unreadable, p.22) pulled into the driveway, which was later identified as the (unreadable) car belonging to Mrs. …. They claimed that they (unreadable) they would put them at 11:00PM when they left the scene. They described the (…) Rambler (Faraday) that was parked at the gate. It was parked Southwest of where we finally found the car. (!) This discrepancy wasn’t noted at first. This was a statement as to their activity during that night. They said that when they arrived there at 9:00PM a white 4-door hardtop, a ’59 or ’60 Impala, was parked there, and also, a truck coming out of the gate. This coincides with Information from Bingo Wesher (!) that when he came out of the gate he saw the same Impala and also saw the red pick-up truck go by (!).’

Robert M. …. (as above):
‘He states that he went to the Gasser Ranch at approximately 6:00PM. They sat around awhile (…) arrived in the area of the pump station around 9:00PM. They parked the car about 25 feet inside of the Marshall Ranch property off the road. They walked the creek towards the pump station. They had the dogs loose and they treed either a cat or a racoon in the area of the Dotta Ranch (!). While they were there they saw some sort of activity up there, all the lights were on, but they were a little distance away and couldn’t tell what the activity was. The dogs treed a racoon in an oak tree near the Pump station. The racoon was shot with a long barrell .22 revolver. This revolver was examined and had been eliminated by shell casings of the suspected (?) weapon. …. remembers looking at his watch and he rememberst that it was in the area of 11:00PM, possibly five or ten minutes before and they headed back towards the car. He said it took them about 10 minutes to walk back to the truck. He was at the truck about a total of 5 minutes and a car came in, that has been identified as Mrs. …’s, it drove in, turned around and drove back in the opposite direction towards Benicia, again (?). He states that approximately 5 minutes later they drove in his truck a ’59 Chevrolet, red in color, with white wood sideboards, cattle guards, on the sides. They drove tihs truck back to the Gasser Ranch heading towards Benicia and they passed the car. …. insists that the Rambler was parked on the bank. That would be on the South side. He did not see any person in the car. He estimates he left the area between 11:00PM and 11:15PM. He remained at the Gasser’s house about an hour and then left out through Highway #21, through the Jamison Canyon and headed home, arriving about 12:30AM. He was aked if he had an rifle. He stated that he had a automatic rifle. The RO advised him of his constitutional rights at this time. Due to the fact that he was in the area and he did have a rifle which he claimed he didn’t have with him that night. He was given a receipt for that rifle. The rifle was tested in the S/O by Rangemaster George Parks. (…) of George Parks this rifle has been eliminated as a suspected weapon. ….. states that Mr. Gasser does have an automatic rifle but that he doesn’t have it at the house. He suggested that we call or see a gentleman by the name of Harlan …. who lived at …06 Hargus Avenue. It is possible that the gun is there, because Gasser does not leave his guns at the ranch because of recent thefts. ….’s car has the California license # D-26024.’

Bingo Wesher:
‘(…) arrived at the scene while the RO’s were rechecking the area. He was questioned (…) was checking his sheep at approximately 10:00PM and he observed a White Chevrolet, Impala Sedan, parked by the South fence of the entrance to the pumping station. He also observed a Red Ford P/U with wood side boards in the area. The pick-up was later identified as the one Frank Gasser and Bob … were riding in. Mr. Wesher did not see the Nash Rambler (Faraday).’

The white Chevy appears to be unrelated to the case, imo (10:00PM) or might have been Faraday’s white Rambler.

Mrs. Peggy …. again:
‘(…) states that she left Sacramento between 10:00PM and 10:15PM. Her husband was driving. He travels the speed limit or less. She estimates that she arrived in the Benicia area, off of Highway #21, at approximately 11:00PM. They drove the 3 or 4 miles at a slow rate of speed, while he checked the pipes and equipment along the side of the road. She described the location of the car as the front facing the fence, the rear section of the station wagon facing directly West towards Vallejo. Mrs. … was asked to check the clock in her car. It was found at this time to be 7 nminutes fast. This would help to establish her arrival time closer to 11:00 o’clock than 11:15PM.’

Helen, age 18, Vallejo on 12/23/68:
‘Miss … reports that she and her boy-friend, a sailor, were driving on Lake Herman Road. They passed the area of the Pumping Station, she recognized the Rambler and the victims, Betty Lou Jensen and David Faraday. Stated that when she went by about 10:15PM the car was facing in towards the gate (!) and when she returned about 15 minutes later after having gone to the end of the road and then came back, the car was turned around and the front was facing the field, a little to the side. There is some conflict in this statement and Miss … has consented to bring ther boy-friend to the office to clarify the actual position of the car. The first time she stated when she called, that the car was backed in. Noting this discrepancy, the RO contacted her by telephone on this date 12/28/68 at 12:00 noon (later?).’

Rangemaster George Parks:
‘(…) eliminated as suspected weapons: Marlin automatic rifle, property of Robert …; Remington automatic rifle, Model 550-1, property of James …; Ruger automatic rifle, SN 138577, property of James A. …’

Sharon, student at Hogan High, one of Mrs. Jensen’s best friends:
‘She (…) relates that Betty Lou and David came to her house at approximately 8:20PM on Friday. They remained there until 9:00PM. She stated she walked to the car with them. They did not state to her where they were going. Sharon attended a party (!) at 254 Frisby Street (!) from 10:30 PM until 1:10AM. (…) Sharon relates that Betty Lou went with Ricky ….. from December 1st until December 14th, when she met David at the Pythian Castle. Ricky and Betty never went out but they talked together around the school grounds. To her knowledge he never drove a car or possessed a gun.’

Joe ….., age 17:
‘Joe was interviewed at the Faraday residence, 1930 Sereno Drive. He was a personal friend of David. He states David had no enemies to his knowledge. David met Betty Lou approximately a week ago at the Pythian Castle (…). On the fatal day Friday between 5:00PM and 6:00PM, David and Betty Lou were at David (meant Dan? see below) …. home at 450 …. Street (!). They did not say where they were going that evening. When questioned about Ricky ….., Joe relates Ricky is a big talker, has no close friends, he is a bragger. He is alledged to have told a Daniel …. that he had his mothers car and was going out Friday night. … lives at 1044 ….. Avenue (!).’

Daniel, age 16, 1044 …Avenue:
‘… (Daniel) attends Hogan High School. He is acquainted with David and Betty and was at …. (David …) house Friday between 5:00PM and 6:00PM, while they were there. He observed David (Faraday) pick up Betty in the station wagon after school four or five times in the last two weeks. … alleges that on Firday afternoon 12/20/68, he walked by Ricky …’s home and Ricky was washing his mother’s maroon Grand Prix automobile (!) at the curb. Ricky had the keys and the radio was playing. … alleges that Ricky said his mother was going out tonight and he had the car. … has no knowledge of any fire ever in possession of …. He has never seen him driving an automobile. However, last summer he observed Ricky riding with Scott …. in a ’51-’54 Green Ford pick-up.’

Dan, 450 … Street:
‘… attends Hogan High School. He is acquainted with Betty and David and they were at his home playing records until 6:00PM, Friday night. They did not reveal their plans for the evening. When questioned about Ricky …., …. stated he is a big mouth, one of those kind of guys. He, …, does not like him and avoids him if possible. To his knowledge Ricky does not have a firearm. … referred the RO’s to a Scott …, who previously lived at the … residence. … now lives in a big brown house at the end of Falcon Drive (!).’

Mrs …. 926 … Avenue:
‘Mrs. … is the mother of Sharon …, Betty Lou’s friend. She relates that, in a conversation with her daughter, a subject identified as Mark …. of 137 …. Way, had spoken of an incident that had happened at the Pancake House on Tennessee Street. The story went on to say that David (Faraday) was going to turn in a subject for pushing grass (or Marijuana), and the man had threatened him. She also stated that Betty Lou had mentioned to her daughter that she was going to San Francisco. This probably is not their intention because the time element involved will not allow them to get that far in back (?). The above information will be checked out.’

Ricky Allen …., 13 yrs, 202 … Street:
‘Ricky … was identified by Betty Lou Jensen’s parents as being a person who bugged Betty Lou while she was attending school. In view of this fact he was advised of his constitutional rights. He stated that he went with Betty Lou for two weeks and talked to her on the phone many times. The last time that he talked to her was on Thursday, about 4:30PM (!). He did not attend school that day and he had inquired of what was going on in school and he wanted to know what she was doing on the weekend. On Friday, December 20th, he left school and went over to Debby ….., 747 … Avenue, Vallejo (…). His mother (…) picked him up and brought him home…he went to GallenKamp’s store between 7:00 and 7:15PM and returned back home (…). His father left about 10:55PM (!) (…) until his mother called the auto wreckers (!) after being spoken to by the RO earlier this day. Ricky further states that (…) he is not allowed out at night after 9:00PM, especially on week nights. He does not go out on week-ends. His mother has a Maroon colored Grand Prix. He does not drive it (!). States he was in trouble last summer for burglary, Mr. Patrick … is his Probation Officer. Ricky further expressed a desire to help us in any way possible. He named a Darryl ….. as a friend who lives on Cherywood, address unknown.’

Mrs. …, 202 Avenue:
‘Mrs. … is Ricky’s mother. She states that Ricky is with his father at Sylvas Auto Wreckers on Napa Road (!). Ricky (…) went to Gallenkamps to be fitted for a new pair of shoes that was to be a present from his brother-in-law. He returned home and remained home all evening. They had guests, Ricky’s father, from whom she is separated, and his dads friend Mr. Othis …. of 1121 …, who is a policeman (!) at Mare Island, and Ricky’s sister and brother-in-law. Mr. … (Ricky’s father) left at approximately 10:55PM and Mr. … (Othis) left at the conclusion of the program at 11:00PM. (…) Ricky went to bed at 11:30PM.’

Then there is a report about the Hogan School principal Mr. Lee Y. Dean and the examination of one of two lockers, Betty Lou had at school. The second, gym locker, was not examined yet due to a current lack of keys. Inside one of the lockers, a note signed by Betty Lou Jensen was found, in her typical handwriting:

‘Do you know a kid named Richard Burton? I was going with him, until two days before the installation (ad: of a social event at Pythian Castle). He still phones me, and is threatening me to keep away from Dave. He said if he’s ever close enough to Dave, he would punch him one in the teeth, I told him to leave me alone, if he knows what good him (sic).’

Ricky’s father (Burton?), 1121 … Road:
‘… went to his wife’s home between 7:00 (unreadable) … his two sons Ricky and Larry .. were already there. Mr. …. (Othis), and his son also named Ricky, arrived later. He states that Ricky received a phone call around 8:00PM. There were no calls after that time and no one came to the house while he was there. (…) Ricky does not have a gun and to Mr. …’s knowledge there is none available to him. He is not allowed to drive a car, but he is capable of driving one. (…) gave his consent to have Ricky take a Poly Graph examination. Mr … was upset about a newspaper article (!), that appeared to refer to his son, even though no names were mentioned.’

Mr. Othis Leon …, 1123 … Road:
‘Mr. … is a police sergeant with the Mare Island Security force (!). He is separated from his wife and shares expenses for an apartment at the above address with Donald …. He was identified as a guest at the …’s home on 12/20/68. Mr. … stated he had received a phone call from Ricky (!) …. Accompanying him was his son, also named Ricky. (…) arrived at the …’s home about 8:05PM (…) Ricky was also there. (…) watched the movie ‘Global Affare starring Bob Hope, (channel #5 9:00PM to 10:45PM). There were no phone calls to the house and there were no visitors (!! no phone calls? !!). Left with his son five or ten minutes after the movie was over. Mr. Burton (Ricky’s father) had departed about a half hour earlier. (…) and Ricky were still at the house. Ricky had been sitting on a chair and then moved to a couch. His departure time is estimated to be between 10:50PM and 10:55PM.’

He obviously had arrived shortly after the phone call.

Mrs. Mary R. Burton, 202 … Avenue:
‘Mrs. … is the mother of Ricky … who was identified by Betty Lou’s parents as being a person who had been bugging Betty Lou at school (this information came via Dan Horan). She states that Ricky did not go out last night. (…)’

Ricky Burton (accompanied with his mother and father):
‘In a previous interview, … stated that he went to Debby ….’s (unreadable) house at 747 …. Avenue after school on Friday 12/20/68. When afronted with a statement made by Daniel … that Ricky washed his mothers car in front of his house with the radio playing. Ricky stated it could have been but he washed the car several times a week and it must have been Wednesday or Thursday that the car was washed. He denied making a statement that he was going to get the car that night. Ricky admits having taken the car on a previous (unreadable) and was found out by his mother. HE DENIES HAVING SEEN DAVID FARADAY AT SCHOOL ON FRIDAY. (…) Stated he never made any threats to David Faraday to his face. He might have told Betty Lou that he was going to tell her parents that she smoked and this only because he did not approve it (!). At this time the RO showed the English note book with the threatening note, allegedly written by Betty Lou Jensen. Ricky acknowledged that it was her handwriting. He was surprised that she had written it. He was not upset and (unreadable) it off that he could have made a remark during a telephone conversation to her.’

Ricky then comes and asked if the results of a polygraph would differ if a person was nervous. At this point he and his parents stated that he would take the examination. Later Mr. Burton called on the telephone and he stated that Ricky has added not to take the polygraph examination (!). He stated Ricky is too nervous (unreadable) he and his family know that Ricky is innocent and that he was at home at that time (!).

Dian C. …, 766 … Street:
‘Dian states she rode home from school about four times with Dave and Betty Lou. Betty Lou and Rick are good friends. DAVE TOLD HER THAT RICK SAW HIM IN THE HALLS AT SCHOOL ON FRIDAY 12/20/68, he didn’t say what time it was (!). She stated Rick … does not drive a car as far as she knows. She stated she never heard of anyone being bothered. (…) stated Betty Lou had been going with Bob …. (!) a short time before she started going with Rick. Dian stated Betty Lou never went out with Rick Burton, except to walk in the halls with Rick at school. Dian stated Betty Lou had been ignoring Rick Burton the last two weeks. She said takl to Alice …, 1481 … Avenue.’

Mr. Vincent Jensen, 123 Ridgewood Ct. (father of Betty Lou):
‘(…) She (their daughter Melodie Jobe, sister of Betty Lou Jensen) told her father that her younger sister, who was shot, had confided in her the evening before 12/20/68 that a Richard Burton had threatened her.’

Melodie Jobe, 123 Ridgewood Court:
‘(…) Betty Lou confided to her that she was afraid of Ricky Burton because Ricky had threatened to tell her parents that she smoked and that she was having dates. Said that he was going to beat Dave up. Said something about using brass knucks. Acting on her advice, Betty Lou brought David home to her parents at 8:00PM on the 20th. There he met her parents and they left with their permission to go to Hogan High School and then to a party afterwards. They were to be home sometime around 11:00PM. Melody also states that on Friday, in the afternoon, David came over to Hogan and he had words with Burton. It seems that while they were talking Mr. Grove came upon the scene unaware that anything was in progress. There was no physical conflict. Dave, realizing that he was in a school where he should not be, left without further discussion. Melody also stated that her sister used to say, ‘close the blinds, Burton is spying on me.’ In other words, she did not want to be in house with him peeking around outside (!). At the same time, Mrs. Jensen, Betty Lou’s mother was there and stated that upon several occasions she found the gate open leading to the side of the house. They, at that time, suspected that Burton might have been prowling around the house. No one ever saw him but it was suspicioned that he might have.’

Mr. & Mrs. Jensen, at 123 Ridgewood Court:
‘(…) They (David & Betty Lou) were going to a concert at Hogan and then to a party. They did not know the address (…). Mrs. Jensen gave the reporting officer a list of phone numbers (!) that Betty had in a small book. Mrs. Jensen also stated that Betty Lou wanted the curtains closed that Burton was spying. She stated that Burton called the house anytime after 3:00PM pretty near every fifteen minutes. Sometimes Betty talked to him and sometimes she cut him off. This happened many times.’

Creepy Ricky..

Officer G. Meyring (#298 Vallejo P.D.):
‘Stated to RO that a Stan …., 14 yrs, 406 … Street, told him today that he (…) and a friend of his, a student from Solano College (!), were going towards Blue Rock Springs on Columbus Parkway and a Olds, 2-door H.T. 88 (Don) blue in color and a ’63 Chevrolet, Impala, Blue with two persons in it turned of Lake Herman road on to Columbus Parkway heading in the direction of Blue Rock Springs, this was approximately 10:30 PM Friday 12/20/68.’

Mrs. Jean L. Faraday (mother of David), 1930 Sereno Drive:
‘Mrs. Faraday stated (…) that on Friday night at 7:10PM David drove his sister Debbie to a meeting of the Rainbow girls at the Pybian Castle on Sonoma Blvd., and David came back home at 7:20PM and left againt at 7:30PM. (…) RO talked to Debbie Faraday, WFJ 16 years, sister of David. She relates (…) that he (David) was going out to Lake Herman Road that night because a bunch of the kids were going out there that night. She stated she knew who some of the kids were (!), but she could not contact them by phone now, but she would get in touch with them and let RO know later.’

Larry & Linda, 1616 … Street:
‘… is employed at Standard Oil Company at 800 West Imola Avenue in Napa, CA, on the graveyard shift (…) reports that at 2:00 this AM (12/27/68) a subject known to her as ‘Pete’ (!), who formerly lived in an apartment complex near them, came to the house (…) he said, ‘what would you do if I raped you?’ (…) he asked her if she was happy. She said she was and he said, ‘happy people piss me off’. He said that he has been fighting with his wife and has been going to Vallejo. Also, he stated, he was going back to Redding (!) because all the people are stabbing him in the back and twisting the knife (unreadable) it was in. (unreadable) not remember the last name, drove a ’52 Chevrolet coupe, blue in color. He also has a ’55 Buick that is cream and maroon. He owns a rifle and a pistol, calibers unknown. He carries a fishing knife in his pocket (!). … stated that the fellow had come to the station at 1:45AM and talked to him there, and fifteen minutes later showed up at his home at 1616 … (according to his wife). … further states that this Pete is about 28 yrs. old, 5’11”, jet black hair, acne pits on the face (Kathleen Johns!). He is a helper at Kaiser Steel (!) and is working the day shift.’

Nice guy..

Mrs. Jean …, 132 San … Court:
‘Mrs. … was hesitant to make a statement. She related however that her children, ages 18, 16, 14 and another boy who lives at the house, age 17, had made a statement that they knew who did it. (…) said that the boys had named Gary ……’

A Louis D. … 741 … Street states three days after the attack about a Latin type man who is very jealous and could be capable of doing such a thing.

Then there is a list of names, partially unreadable, on p. 59 added to the report, mainly but not all of the witnesses’ names.

Enough room for speculation, hum? While Ricky seems to have sort of a tight alibi, a Pete shows up with a dark blue and a maroon car, with weapons and a fishknife in his pocket..the only point is that this incident did not happen on 20th but 27th of December..

QT

You’ve covered alot of ground, I have made several timeline ‘projects’ before, as well. The police officially believe that Zodiac had 6 minutes to kill the couple and escape. I personally think it may be less than 6 minutes.

Out of everybody on the road that night, the three most important witnesses are the Hunters, James Owen, and Stella Borges. Everything else witnesses by everybody else, can almost be dismissed to an extent, although William Crow’s statement of being chased in a threatening fashion from the same spot earlier that night could be important.

*THE HUNTERS*
They leave at whatever time they leave, my best guess is between 11:08 and 11:14, I will go back and check my notes. They leave the scene and see the Rambler, but see no people or bodies, nothing out of the ordinary.

*James Owen*
Arrives on the scene at about 11:14 if everything is correct and he is being honest. He sees no people or bodies, and between the time the Hunters left and Owen’s arrival time, Zodiac has managed to slip right in there. Owen’s accounting, as you know, troubles me for multiple reasons. First, I think the hunters have likely just left, and Owen arrived only moments after they left. Could Z really have been that lucky as to happen upon the scene at just the exact moment to slip in and out without being seen? Talk about lucky or perfect timing. Next, Owen’s statement about hearing a shot a 1/4 mile down the road is very troubling. He drives by, and sees no people in or out of the cars, yet hears presumably, Zodiac starting to shoot within say 20-30 seconds. Where did he come from so quick? Did he sprint into action as soon as Owen passed by? Where were the kids? It just doesn’t sit well with me. Owen narrowly missed the hunters upon their departure, and narrowly misses Borges upon her arrival. How is it that Zodiac was even that much luckier to not be in the middle of the attack when Owen came by? I don’t buy it, and it nags at me.

*Stella Borges*
She comes along moments after Owen left the scene, and immediately sees the bodies and goes for help.

That’s why the actions and timing of the 3 people(sets of people)above are so important. We have a set of hunters leaving the scene, and they can vouch for each other and are an alibi for each other. They leave, and Zodiac suddenly races into the spot next to Dave, and just in time for Owen to drive by. Owen drives by, and Zodiac races out and starts shooting. Borges and her Mother in law come upon the scene, just after Owen leaves. Borges and her mother in law both verify each other’s story and are an alibi for each other.

Do you see where I am going???

Both Zodiac & Owen manage to arrive at the scene just after the hunters leave and depart just before Borges find the bodies. Seems too perfect. Owen has no witnesses or alibi to verify what he says. The fact that both Owen & Z are at the scene at the same time, in such a short miraculous window of opportunity, and that by another miracle Z isnt in the middle of the attack when Owen drives up, it seems way too fishy for me to accept. And add to that the fact Owe nmatches up well with Zodiac to boot- Stine sketch put Zodiac at 35-45, Owen was 39. Wingwalker Air Force boots used at Berryessa, Owen was fresh out of the Air Force,Zodiac owned multiple guns and talked about hunting, Owen owned multiple guns, and was a hunter….and on and on.

Timeline

Thursday:
4:30 PM – Ricky talks with Betty Lou on the phone

Friday:
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Dian states that David told her that Ricky had seen him at the school halls (opposite to what Ricky states)
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Ricky states he went to Debby’s house
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Daniel states he saw Ricky washing his mothers car in the afternoon
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Mrs. Jensen states that Burton called the house after 3:00PM pretty near every fifteen minutes.
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Melodie Jobe states that David came over to Hogan and he had words with Burton.
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Joe states that David and Betty Lou were at David (meant Dan? see below) …. home
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Daniel confirms being with David and Betty
6:00 PM – According to her father, Betty Lou had told Melodie Jobe that a Richard Burton had threatened her sometime during the evening.
6:00 PM – Dan confirms David and Betty leaving
6:00 PM – Racoon hunter Robert goes to the Gasser ranch
7:00 PM – 7:15PM Ricky goes to the Gallenkamp store
7:10 PM – David drove his sister Debbie to a meeting of the Rainbow girls at the Pybian Castle
7:20 PM – David came back home
7:30 PM – David leaves again
8:00 PM – There is a phone call for Ricky at his house
8:00 PM – Melodie Jobe states that at this time, Betty Lou brought David home to her parents, acting on her advice
8:05 PM – Mr. Othis arrives at Ricky’s home
8:20 PM – Betty Lou and David came to Sharons house supposed to go to a party
9:00 PM – approximately, Betty Lou and David leave Sharons house
9:00 PM – Racoon hunters arrive at the pump station and observe a white 4-door hardtop, a ’59 or ’60 Impala, was parked there, and also, a truck coming out of the gate. This coincides with Information from Bingo Wesher (!) that when he came out of the gate he saw the same Impala and also saw the red pick-up truck go by (!).’
10:00 PM – Bingo Wesher observed a White Chevrolet, Impala Sedan, parked by the South fence of the entrance to the pumping station. He also observed a Red Ford P/U with wood side boards .
10:00 PM – 10:15 PM Peggie and Homer leave Sacramento
10:15 PM – Helen states that when she went by the car was facing in towards the gate (!)
10:30 PM – Sharon goes to a party
10:30 PM – Stan reports that they were going towards Blue Rock Springs on Columbus Parkway and a Olds, 2-door H.T. 88 (Don) blue in color and a ’63 Chevrolet, Impala, Blue with two persons in it turned of Lake Herman road on to Columbus Parkway heading in the direction of Blue Rock Springs
10:30 PM – Helen states when she returned about 15 min. later after having gone to the end of the road and came back, the car was turned around and the front was facing the field, a little to the side.
10:53 PM – 11:05 PM Peggie and Homer arrived in the Benicia area, off of Highway #21
10:50 PM – 10:55 PM Mr. Othis leaves the house of Ricky’s wife
10:45 PM – 10:55 PM Ricky’s father leaves the home of his exwife, with Ricky still being there (acc. to him)
10:55 PM – Ricky’s mother confirms that his father left at around 10:55 PM
11:00 PM – Mr. Othis leaves the house of Ricky’s mother
11:00 PM – 11:08 PM Peggie and Homer arrived at Lake Herman Road
11:00 PM – 11:05 PM Racoon hunters arrive at their car from hunting
11:00 PM – Racoon Hunters leave the scene. Rambler was parked at the gate. It was parked Southwest of where we finally found the car (discrepancy).
11:10 PM – Racoon hunters wait 5 minutes until they meet Peggie & Homer as they drove in, turned around and drove back in the opposite direction towards Benicia
11: 15 PM – He states that approximately 5 minutes later they drove in his truck a ’59 Chevrolet, red in color, with white wood sideboards, cattle guards, on the sides. They drove this truck back to the Gasser Ranch heading towards Benicia and they passed the car. …. insists that the Rambler was parked on the bank. That would be on the South side. He did not see any person in the car. He estimates he left the area between 11:00PM and 11:15PM.
11:13 PM – 11:14 PM Borges passes the scene no cars were going in either direction while she was on the road. When she arrived at the scene, headlights picked up the car and she observed a boy and he looked like he had fallen out of the open (!) door. The girl was lying on her side facing the road. (…) She saw only one car at the scene.
11:14 PM – Time written on James A. Owen sketch
11:14 PM – 11:20 PM Crime time according to police report
11:15 PM – 11:18 PM Peggie & Homer drive OLHR and states the station wagon still in the same spot
11:16 PM – 11:20 PM Peggie states as they drove by the entrance to Humble Oil Company, she saw a long dark colored car. The guard was leaning over talking to the man who was driving the car with greenish speedometer
11:00 PM – 11:20 PM Her husband Homer stated he was going West on Lake Herman road, he turned into the road going to the Marshall Ranch to turn around. He saw approximately 30 feet inside the road from the gate, a red pick up truck that had white wooden sides. A man was by the truck, he shined his flashlight into the car.
11:20 PM – James Owen drove by the location on Lake Herman Road. He states he saw two cars parked near the entrance to the pumping station. (…) The other (car) was parked to the right and abreast of the Station Wagon. The cars were about ten feet apart. (…). He definitely saw two cars, a station wagon and another vehicle, parked approximately three or four feet to the right of the station wagon. He did not see anyone in the cars or around them.
11:30 PM – Ricky is said to having gone to bed
11:52 PM – Time of the police reports

Saturday
12:15 AM – Racoon hunter Robert remained at the Gasser’s house about an hour and then left out through Highway #21, through the Jamison Canyon and headed home, arriving about 12:30AM.
12:30 AM – Racoon hunter Robert arrives at home.

^^ Good job. I think this needs it’s own thread, though.

Here’s something I want to bring up with the timeline. In the police report, it says Mrs. Medeiros lives 2.7 miles from the crime scene (checked by police officers) and that she passed no cars on the way. This always led me to believe that the culprit almost had to have left the crime scene and headed east towards Benicia as there would be way too small of a window to leave heading west without passing Mrs. Medeiros. Where is Mrs. Medeiros house? On LHR, across the street from her mom’s ranch, 2.7 miles away. Well, 2.7 miles away puts the house around the quarry at the beginning of the road. Problem is there aren’t any houses there. So I figured it’s not there anymore. No biggie. But then, I came across this article one day….

http://beniciaherald.me/the-zodiac-case/#comment-27754

That has a picture of Albert Lossado (Stella Boges’ nephew) standing in front of her old ranch house on LHR.

"So f’n what Bucky?" Right? Right. Except for that house is only 1.6 miles from the crime scene. Which opens up a couple more minutes in the time frame for the perp to head west towards Vallejo without being seen by Mrs. Medeiros. Good work by the police. I’m glad they double checked the distance.

Nice I like how this feels. Thinking wise anyhows. Perhaps others more acquainted with the timeline at LHR might like to comment.

Ricky is a proven liar. And he didn’t lie only once, but rather 2-3 times or more:

1. He claims he had not washed the car of his mother. He claims having it done on Wednesday or Thursday. However, Daniel states that he saw him washing his mother’s car, prowling around that he will be able to drive it in the evening.

2. He claims that he had not seen David at the school in the afternoon. However, Dian states that David told her – only hours before his death – that Ricky had seen him at the school halls. Melodie Jobe confirms this version, either by seeing or she had been told by Betty Lou when she gave her the advice to bring David to their parents’ home. Mr. Grove had arrived to this meeting, too.

3. Ricky states that after going to Debby’s house, his mother had picked him up and brought him home. His mother, however, states that Ricky had left school at 3:00 PM, then went to his sisters home until 4:00 PM and finally returned – one hour later – home at 5:00 PM. She claims that Ricky ‘returned’ home, not that ‘they’ returned home or that she had picked him up. Also she states that she can account for his whereabouts from 3:00 PM to 4:15 PM only ( http://www.zodiackiller.com/LHRPR43.html ).

4. Mrs. Jensen claims that Ricky had called Betty Lou every 15 minutes. Ricky however mentions that he only had inquired Betty Lou of what was going on in school one day earlier.

So Ricky had lied regarding:

– washing his mother’s car on that day (Daniel)
– being picked up by his mother at 4.00 PM and then being driven home (Mrs. Burton)
– calling Betty Lou on Thursday instead of calling on Friday every 15 minutes (Mrs. Jensen)

and are therefore three different witnesses, including his own mother, who made statements that are not complying with Ricky Burton’s statements ( http://www.zodiackiller.com/LHRPR37.html ).

He was known for bugging Betty Lou and possibly peeking through her window to the extend that Betty Lou mentioned ‘to close the curtains’.

Furthermore he had previously threatened Betty Lou Jensen and David Faraday to the extent that her sister adviced Betty Lou to take David to her parents’ home. Witnesses also report that he had threatened to beat David up with a ‘brass knuckle’.

And finally, a note of Betty Lou is found, in which she mentions that she was afraid of Richard Burton. On another occasion, Betty Lou states that Burton is ‘spying’ on her.

Finally, inspite of having mentioned to be willing to help the police, he refuses a polygraph test.

Mr. Othis, who had left Ricky’s and Mrs. Burton’s house at about 10:50 PM or 10:55 PM – 5-10 minutes after ‘Global Affairs’ movie was over (10:45 PM) – claims that Ricky had not left the room for more than a few minutes. However he and Ricky’s father had left 15-20 minutes before David and Betty Lou were actually shot.

If Ricky had left to his room – Mr. Othis mentioned that he had moved to ‘a couch’ – he had enough time to leave his room e.g. through a window or the main door. He may or may not have taken the car of his mother and/or may or may not have been picked up by someone else, to drive to Lake Herman Road to meet there at 11:00 PM.

It is possible that David or Betty Lou by themselves had arranged a meeting there, after their discussion at school had been interrupted by Mr. Grove earlier in the afternoon.

Ricky Burton, however, can not be cleared at all from the killing of Jensen/Faraday and did he even lie multiple times in the homicide case of Jensen/Faraday. If there was no written confession of a presumably older ‘Zodiac’, Ricky is a prime POI in their killing.

I do think that an investigative custody would be justified to further investigate the statements of him and his mother, Larry, Jannette and Diane, who were at the house during that night.

QT

The ONLY way Ricky killed them is if he was part of a Zodiac team. He had no way to drive all the way out there, and he certainly had no way to get out to Berryessa, and the person making the calls afterwards wasnt a teenage boy. Its highly unlikely he killed them