This is an interesting unsolved triple-homicide in Oakland reported the same time as the Brenda Kaye Merchant murder (RG’s #45).
I found a link via the Albert Brown Mortuary where the murder took place (I used to live a block from here):
http://oaklandwiki.org/Albert_Brown_Mortuary
The article is from the Lodi News Sentinel on Feb 2, 1974:
maybe this was solved?
Michael S. Jackson was arrested and charged with these crimes. This was the last article I found ("Michael Jackson" is not an easy search target 
) from Daily Review April 3, 1974:
Apparently, Michael S. Jackson was convicted (and is still in prison?) of the triple-murder, in addition to a rape in Berkeley. Just a snippet so you can sleep at night:
Michael Steven Jackson was convicted and sentenced in California State Prison, (he) mentioned that he had the intention to steal formaldehyde vials (presumably to produce LSD?)
QT
*ZODIACHRONOLOGY*
Michael Steven Jackson was convicted and sentenced in California State Prison, (he) mentioned that he had the intention to steal formaldehyde vials (presumably to produce LSD?)
QT
oh, is that what its made of ? interesting…
