Paul, you will never sell the skeptics, no point in trying.

But Norse, you bring up "if Riverside wasn’t z" . But what if he was? If he was, Ross becomes a very important Suspect, as he is the ONLY one linked to inside the library. Also, you debate whether or not Sherwood is wrong, but there’s a possibility that you are wrong

Absolutely, I could easily be wrong.

And I don’t expect anyone to change their opinions based on my skepticism. But the latter is hardly unique – it’s shared by many people who are both brighter and more knowledgeable about the case than yours truly.

Ross is – actually – a decent suspect in the Bates case. I’ve never said otherwise.

But as long as there is reason to doubt whether Z had anything to do with Riverside, I can’t embrace a theory which is based on a person’s connection to that crime alone. In terms of what is compelling about Ross, Riverside is all there is. The composite is…what? A bonus of some kind – it’s not compelling in itself.

I’m not saying I’m right – I never have. I’m just trying to explain why I’m skeptical. It’s actually based on something – it’s not just contrariness for kicks.

I’d have to disagree, somebody that looks identical to the sketch and was in that RCC Library needs to be put under the microscope. That includes anybody else in that Library besides Ross who is identical to the sketch, not that I expect there will ever be another person linked to the library that matches that sketch to a T

Sure – and I’m not saying Ross shouldn’t be put under the microscope. You’ve done just that – and I respect your efforts in that regard very much.

This is about pros and cons, though – and the recent debates on here have been about whether the skepticism or criticism displayed in this section is…reasonable or unreasonable.

If you’re 100% convinced that Z did Riverside, then I can understand that the skepticism seems unwarranted. But not everybody is convinced – and that has to be respected too, as far as I’m concerned. Reasonable doubt, as doranchak very rightly suggested above – that’s the key term.

As for the composite – we can argue all day about that, I guess. There’s a basic question which can be asked about that composite – but I’ll ask it in a separate thread rather than here.

The recent Ratter reporters interview with Ross’s brother and him saying Ross was by his memory in a Santa Clara insane asylum during the zodiac killings timeline kind of puts it to rest don’t you think .
the pictures of Ross compared to the PH sketch look close except for the shape of the head that is different .

The recent Ratter reporters interview with Ross’s brother and him saying Ross was by his memory in a Santa Clara insane asylum during the zodiac killings timeline kind of puts it to rest don’t you think.

"The brother… said he couldn’t give specific dates, but believed his brother was institutionalized at the Agnews Insane Asylum in Santa Clara when the Zodiac was going on his murder spree."

Doesn’t exactly put it to rest for me.

The recent Ratter reporters interview with Ross’s brother and him saying Ross was by his memory in a Santa Clara insane asylum during the zodiac killings timeline kind of puts it to rest don’t you think.

"The brother… said he couldn’t give specific dates, but believed his brother was institutionalized at the Agnews Insane Asylum in Santa Clara when the Zodiac was going on his murder spree."

Doesn’t exactly put it to rest for me.

Yeah, definitely doesn’t put it to rest. The issue is, his Brother Jon was supposedly away in another state during the Z murders,and came back after they stopped. If he wants to put it to rest, he knows how to reach me with something definitive.

The recent Ratter reporters interview with Ross’s brother and him saying Ross was by his memory in a Santa Clara insane asylum during the zodiac killings timeline kind of puts it to rest don’t you think.

"The brother… said he couldn’t give specific dates, but believed his brother was institutionalized at the Agnews Insane Asylum in Santa Clara when the Zodiac was going on his murder spree."

Doesn’t exactly put it to rest for me.

Yeah, definitely doesn’t put it to rest. The issue is, his Brother Jon was supposedly away in another state during the Z murders,and came back after they stopped. If he wants to put it to rest, he knows how to reach me with something definitive.

As was his brother Tim right? (not sure)

As was his brother Tim right? (not sure)

I don’t know Tim’s full timeline. Katz said he went to Canada to avoid the war. If so, perhaps he came back 71-72??? Also, I think Seagull said that he and Bonnie were not married all that long, not sure how long, but I think Seagull may know. Katz’s quote was,"Tim told me that he was SURE his Brother was the Zodiac".

Now, obviously, this is 2nd hand info, BUT, Katz’s info has been on point. So, big question, if Katz is correct, what did Tim have or know, that made him SURE Ross was Zodiac??

Bonnie L Bartlett remarried in Alameda County June 14, 1969. Since she was not with Tim when Zodiac became known as Zodiac, after BRS and the letters started, she may not have known that Tim thought that Ross could have been Zodiac. According to Gerald Katz Bonnie did know Cheri and she would have known Ross because he was Tim’s brother.

Bonnie L Bartlett remarried in Alameda County June 14, 1969. Since she was not with Tim when Zodiac became known as Zodiac, after BRS and the letters started, she may not have known that Tim thought that Ross could have been Zodiac. According to Gerald Katz Bonnie did know Cheri and she would have known Ross because he was Tim’s brother.

Thanks Deb. So our best source of info is Tim, and he is dead. Bonnie may not know anything, and she is apparently not willing to talk either way. Jon is not willing to talk. So we are stuck in neutral. Barring some forthcoming witness or info, we may stay stuck in neutral. It’s going to take somebody on this forum perhaps, that can go to RCC Library or to UC Santa Cruz Library and poke around.

Joann Bailey stated that Ross had a poem published in one of RCC publications(school paper perhaps). She also stated he marked or wrote in books for the Library using a stylus, or white marker of some sort?? Perhaps, there are clues still to find there?

Bonnie could still have some valuable information about Cheri and whether or not Cheri knew Ross. She could also have some valuable info about Ross and the whole Sullivan family dynamic.

Bonnie could still have some valuable information about Cheri and whether or not Cheri knew Ross. She could also have some valuable info about Ross and the whole Sullivan family dynamic.

True, I wish she was open to speaking about it

Bonnie L Bartlett remarried in Alameda County June 14, 1969. Since she was not with Tim when Zodiac became known as Zodiac, after BRS and the letters started, she may not have known that Tim thought that Ross could have been Zodiac. According to Gerald Katz Bonnie did know Cheri and she would have known Ross because he was Tim’s brother.

Thanks Deb. So our best source of info is Tim, and he is dead. Bonnie may not know anything, and she is apparently not willing to talk either way. Jon is not willing to talk. So we are stuck in neutral. Barring some forthcoming witness or info, we may stay stuck in neutral. It’s going to take somebody on this forum perhaps, that can go to RCC Library or to UC Santa Cruz Library and poke around.

Joann Bailey stated that Ross had a poem published in one of RCC publications(school paper perhaps). She also stated he marked or wrote in books for the Library using a stylus, or white marker of some sort?? Perhaps, there are clues still to find there?

I can go to RCC and poke around for you. What all would you want? I’ve also had another user ask me to go look for something at RCC. Maybe I can take advice/requests before I go. Just LMK.

Thanks PP.

There were school newspapers published by the school, and supposedly, Ross had at least one poem published. Maybe you could find some of these papers. Also, a long shot, but perhaps you could look into his school record(I don’t think they will give you access). Lastly, any pics or writing for Ross would be great. The RCC Library is a great place to ask around for clues or speak to old timers. Although Ross hasn’t been there in almost 50 years, he was a fixture there for at least 5 years. Maybe you can get chummy with some Library people there. Always great to have somebody in the area willing to dig a bit, thanks

Pro: "Size 10 1/2 Wing Walker shoe prints were recovered from the scene, indicating a suspect weighing more than 210 pounds." At the Lake Baryessa attack. Ross is more than 210 pounds.

Pro: The Zodiac mentions at Lake Baryessa attack that he escaped prison. Ross is said to have often bragged about escaping from San Bernardino Mental Institution.

Pro: Since Ross is capable of escaping from mental institutions, the likelihood of him having escaped from a mental institution after is quite high. Therefore, any accounts (rumored or documented) of him having been admitted into any institutions have to be checked against any possibility that he escaped that institution after.

Pro: Ross’s death certificate lists his residence as where he passed away. Therefore, we know Ross was not hospitalized in 1977 and May not have been prior to that when he made his way up to Santa Cruz.

Thanks PP.

There were school newspapers published by the school, and supposedly, Ross had at least one poem published. Maybe you could find some of these papers. Also, a long shot, but perhaps you could look into his school record(I don’t think they will give you access). Lastly, any pics or writing for Ross would be great. The RCC Library is a great place to ask around for clues or speak to old timers. Although Ross hasn’t been there in almost 50 years, he was a fixture there for at least 5 years. Maybe you can get chummy with some Library people there. Always great to have somebody in the area willing to dig a bit, thanks

Will do. Will be in the area very soon. Anyone else feel free to throw me ideas for my trip to RCC.