You have to file a California public records request. California has some of the strictest public records laws in the country, and they will certainly try to stonewall legally in releasing them.
You can try, but I doubt you’d obtain them without using an attorney who specializes in FOIA.
“Murder will out, this my conclusion.”
– Geoffrey Chaucer
Why did RPD release for a tv program? Especially one that didn’t solve anything?
Yes, I’m curious how Mains got possession of the files to begin with? Was there a formal public records request done? Was he slipped them under the table by the RPD? Did the network gain possession of them somehow and then Mains got ahold of them? Lots of questions…
Think about it this way. Tom Voigt got all the Zodiac police reports (I assume legally)from multiple agencies, and he immediately posted them online. He wasn’t sued, and that was a much more high profile unsolved case.
Something is off about this whole deal…
“Murder will out, this my conclusion.”
– Geoffrey Chaucer
You can file all of the FOIA requests you want, but it won’t matter — it is solely up to the discretion of the Riverside PD whether to share info on an open homicide case.
However, if you somehow obtain a police report, crime scene pic, etc, there is absolutely no law against sharing it.
"An open homicide case"? Hah! Seems like RPD’s all but disappeared the Bates case.
You can file all of the FOIA requests you want, but it won’t matter — it is solely up to the discretion of the Riverside PD whether to share info on an open homicide case.
However, I believe that if you disagree with FOIA decisions, and you have a good case for why they are wrong, you can litigate.
Some examples:
http://foiaproject.org/case_search/
I heard or read that Sacramento DOJ requested all of the departments that had a Z crime, were asked to turn over what they had to the DOJ so that it would all be in one place. SFPD told me when I was there, that most of what they had was given to DOJ. That might be the place to request a FOIA? ( It’s worth a try)
Riverside PD (unlike many other LE agencies) does not have a direct link for public records requests. Instead, you have to go through the city government. Here is the link:
https://riversideca.gov/transparency/records/
Here is the one for the California Dept. of Justice:
https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/pra
Expect resistance. I have made lots of PRAs regarding Zodiac and have gotten a denial 10 times more than I have gotten an affirmative. It takes a knowledge of the law and your rights, and lots of patience and persistence.
Good luck!
“Murder will out, this my conclusion.”
– Geoffrey Chaucer
Yes, I’m curious how Mains got possession of the files to begin with? Was there a formal public records request done? Was he slipped them under the table by the RPD? Did the network gain possession of them somehow and then Mains got ahold of them? Lots of questions…
Think about it this way. Tom Voigt got all the Zodiac police reports (I assume legally)from multiple agencies, and he immediately posted them online. He wasn’t sued, and that was a much more high profile unsolved case.
Something is off about this whole deal…
He got them from the RPD because of his role with the History Channel documentary. I have zero doubt they second-guessed themselves almost immediately.
“…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
Yes, I’m curious how Mains got possession of the files to begin with? Was there a formal public records request done? Was he slipped them under the table by the RPD? Did the network gain possession of them somehow and then Mains got ahold of them? Lots of questions…
Think about it this way. Tom Voigt got all the Zodiac police reports (I assume legally)from multiple agencies, and he immediately posted them online. He wasn’t sued, and that was a much more high profile unsolved case.
Something is off about this whole deal…
He got them from the RPD because of his role with the History Channel documentary. I have zero doubt they second-guessed themselves almost immediately.
If this is true then he has every right to release them publicly. They could sue, but they would lose.
“Murder will out, this my conclusion.”
– Geoffrey Chaucer
I went to Nevada yrs ago to get Larry Kane’s fingerprints. It took awhile to convince the clerk why I needed them. She gave them to me, but put a large red stamp on the paper saying in so many words, if I put them on the internet or shared them without their permission, I could be arrested and pay a fine!
If Mains is telling the truth, perhaps he was given the same warning? I said "if" Mains was telling the truth, because he and his partner both lied to me!
I went to Nevada yrs ago to get Larry Kane’s fingerprints. It took awhile to convince the clerk why I needed them. She gave them to me, but put a large red stamp on the paper saying in so many words, if I put them on the internet or shared them without their permission, I could be arrested and pay a fine!
If Mains is telling the truth, perhaps he was given the same warning? I said "if" Mains was telling the truth, because he and his partner both lied to me!
What did they lie to you about Sandy?
“…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
They both told me that they would be contacting me about my information as soon as they were done with that show. Neither ever got back with me even after I sent them another message months later as a reminder!
If they were not interested in my evidence, they should have told me that instead of stringing me along. I was soooo hopeful that I would finally have someone who could help, then it was another let down, very disappointing.
