Maybe he wanted to do the murder near a school for shock value.

One of the nearby residents being named Coliver is somewhat interesting…

He may have worked in the near vicinity of Washington & Maple, or passed that area on the way to work. He may have entered San Francisco via the Golden Gate Bridge for his profession, hence his knowledge of the Presidio Park area and the opportunities it provided for escape, had his murder not unfolded as he had hoped. It pays to choose an area you are familiar with, when considering such an attack in a built-up area.

A grudge against the ‘great and the good’ of SF, sure, but I think it’s close to his chosen exit point. Forum user Xcaliber pointed out that Washington and Maple was a quieter intersection. There was a big empty mansion and a school there. Hitting a wealthy area was meant to humiliate the cops in my opinion, which is part of his signature.

I always wondered if it also demonstrates Zodiac’s familiarity with the Presidio, either from service or being a naval dependent.

If Zodiac was Arthur Leigh Allen, that might help explain why he would choose to kill somebody near a business called Arthur and Arthur.

If Zodiac was Arthur Leigh Allen, that might help explain why he would choose to kill somebody near a business called Arthur and Arthur.

Nobody called him Arthur.

Got to thinking, why did Z choose Washington & Maple? Could he have wanted to scare or send a message, or shock someone who lived there closeby- a boss, someone he had a gripe with, or bad deal with?
Most of the people on that block were wealthy & successful business people- attorneys & investors, etc.
I have been able to put a list together of many of the people close to that intersection. Question is, do any of these people jump out?

San Francisco Mayor’s Mansion at 34 Presidio Terrace where Mayor Joseph Alioto lived is about 5 minutes Walking distance from Washington and Cherry. About 2 blocks. Trying to shoot anyone closer to the mayor’s mansion might have been too risky.

@37.7884799,-122.4605293,541m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m19!4m18!1m10!1m1!1s0x808587301b6b6cc5:0x8ad56b1d3e042f1!2m2!1d-122.4572667!2d37.7886934!3m4!1m2!1d-122.4593664!2d37.7885023!3s0x8085873aaba20b7b:0x8d37fb402e419f85!1m5!1m1!1s0x80858724d80c3eb9:0x8377c47aea5c7601!2m2!1d-122.4609438!2d37.7885915!3e2″> https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Washing … 885915!3e2

Zodiac’s choice could possible be more utilitarian than symbolic.

Zodiac likely chose the Wash and Maple intersection ahead of time knowing that Maple Street provides a direct route north into the Presidio and provides plenty of cover in the form of trees, hedges, gardens, and shrubs. Cherry doesn’t offer as much cover for an escape. Also, the cul de sac at Maple and Jackson provides easier access to the Presidio. Cherry and Jackson has a large hill across from it which would have slowed Zodiac’s escape.

However, I think Zodiac’s plan to execute Stine at Wash and Maple was foiled by the man walking his dog at the time the cab drove up. Zodiac had to improvise and asked Stine to drive a block further west where he shot him. Zodiac then escaped north on Cherry and east on Jackson where he encountered Foulke and Zelms before hurrying north into the Presidio on Maple as he originally planned.

Simply put, Maple Street provided a better escape route into the Presidio. Now, why this neighborhood? That I have no idea. My only guess is that it was the location of the Presidio Hill School which might coincide with Zodiac’s later threat against schoolchildren.

If Zodiac was Arthur Leigh Allen, that might help explain why he would choose to kill somebody near a business called Arthur and Arthur.

Nobody called him Arthur.

If one were to believe in the comic-book theory of an evil genius dropping hints, this is a perfect way to do it. My middle name is Carl. No one calls me that. If I wanted to be an evil mastermind, I should kill employees of Carls, Jr.

The facts that no one called ALA by the name Arthur is actually a good hint that this is a clue he did it.

I surmise that it is a practical decision. The Zodiac character felt like his final act simply HAD to be in San Francisco proper in order to maximize his piblicity. It was always destined to be his last crime under the Zodiac character’s persona.

I have always considered Stine’s murder to be the one that will ultimately break the whole case. I think that the fact to join with Stine’s murder is the fact that Donna Lass worked at Letterman Hospital at the time of the Stine murder. Did she see the Zodiac character as he ambled and loped his way into the hospital? I think that fact is the one that has the greatest opportunity for connecting dots.

I have gone a block in every direction from both Wash & Maple intersection & Wash & Cherry intersection, as well as his walking route from Cherry up Jackson toward Presidio.
‘IF’ Z wanted to shock or scare someone, or knew someone in this area, or was connected to someone, their name should be on this list. There ARE some familiar names here

Here is the entire strip of Washington

Here is the entire strip of Jackson

Here is the entire strip of Maple

Here is the entire strip of Cherry