Xcaliber & Sandy:
I emailed Chief Diaz of RPD, and asked him if RPD has subjected Bates Case evidence to recent DNA scrutiny. I mentioned that evidence considered unusable for DNA analysis a few years ago might now provide valuable clues. In a none-too-subtle dig, I said that it was common knowledge "Bob Barnett" (I used his real name) has been ruled out by DNA analysis, and that Chief Diaz might be surprised by the level of expertise shown by many of our members who may have ideas that might help solve "this half-century old homicide that has stained RPD’s reputation."
Dag

Thank you Dag, lets hope that something will come from your request. Even knowing if they have compared their DNA to SFPD DNA would be nice to know. As well as doing a test to get hair and eye color of her killer.

Now that there has been huge advances in touch DNA, why not test for that on the letters, unless too many hands have touched those letters? Forensics is what will bring these cases to a close.

Dag, did you get a reply yet?

marienbad: Chief Diaz emailed nary a word in reply, nor called or wrote me. Surprised, I was not. Every few years I give RPD a shot, hoping that young blood has replaced the geezers who insist that "Bob Barnett" killed Cheri Jo. No luck so far.

If that’s the case he should be ashamed of himself.

You took the time to compose a thoughtful message to him – he doesn’t have to respond to the specifics, but at the minimum he needs to acknowledge that he received it.

If he’s not prepared to respond to the public, he shouldn’t list his email address on his ‘Office of the Chief of Police’ page — and he shouldn’t be the Chief of Police.

While I agree it would be the respectful thing to do, I don’t see the Chief having the time to return emails like that. Find the detective in charge of her case and hound him/her until you get a reply. Seems like you didn’t mention Zodiac…at least I hope not.

If you’re a public servant and your email contact is listed on your website, SOMETHING needs to come back to the sender acknowledging the email didn’t go into cyberspace.

If you’re a public servant and your email contact is listed on your website, SOMETHING needs to come back to the sender acknowledging the email didn’t go into cyberspace.

I agree, it should…but, I deal with this stuff everyday. It is rude and upsetting, but…reality.

Nah, may be reality but we can’t accept it from our public servants.

Nah, may be reality but we can’t accept it from our public servants.

So what is the solution? Keep emailing, calling, or do nothing.