I remember reading somewhere that at least one person in a nearby residence heard the gunshot that killed Stine. Has this ever been firmly established? I tried looking for the article again but can’t find it.

First I’ve heard of it. Would be interesting to read what was said even if it was just speculative reporting.

Sure seems like I remember reading something about that too. Can’t remember where I read about it. And if it was "unofficial"….who knows…

Maybe Zodiac used a silencer? If his plan was always to shoot Paul at the intersection (weather it was W’ton & Maple or W’ton & Cherry doesn’t really make a difference) then it’s reasonable that he would have took steps in order not to draw attention to himself. This theory is also backed up by the fact that witnesses saw Zodiac calmly wiping down the cab, leaning over Paul to tear his shirt, exiting and then wiping down the exterior before casually walking off down Cherry St. If Zodiac’s gun had been fired without a silencer and made a very loud noise, i doubt he’d be so casual in and around the cab in the minutes after the gun had been fired. Also, the teen witnesses reported that they did not hear a report, but just happened, by chance, to look out of the window and see the crime seconds after Zodiac had shot Paul.

One theory I did head somewhere claimed that Zodiac had actually shot Paul at Washington & Maple (Zodiac’s original destination), then after pushing Paul’s dying body aside, drove to Washington & Cherry st. This, the writer explained, was done so that anyone hearing the gun shot at W’ton & Maple and looked out to see what was going on, would have just seen a taxi driving by and assume it may have backfired. He then drove to W’ton & Cherry where he proceeded to rip Paul shirt, wipe away evidence, and could take his time. Whilst on the fact of it, this may seem to make sense and accout for a lack of gunfire heard, it ignored other obvious elements that do not make any sense at all. Firstly, why would Zodiac shoot Paul at W & M street, then drive a full block further knowing that he’s now got to double back and walk an extra block on the street to reach the Presidio and thus, vastly increasing his risk and chance of capture. Why wouldn’t he shoot Paul at Spruce Street, the intersection before Maple Street, then drive the one extra block and arrive right at Maple and his intended location, the presidio?