pertinent towns and counties if there are any on here. Why can’t they just release everything on this case? I know, sort of a naive question perhaps, but can’t we just convince them to let it go? Spent quite a few years studying the Kennedy assassination and I could understand all the different reasons the investigative and intelligence agencies of the U.S. not releasing so much stuff. So many different reasons. Some practical, some ruses, some probably ridiculous and just bureaucratic slowness, and some probably not even imagined by many, including myself.
Here’s what really sucks about the sich-ee-ayshun. All of these jurisdictions say "it’s an open case and we have an investigator assigned to the case." I gotta call BS on this. Now maybe some of you who are closer to the area and have been investigating this thing a bit more thoroughly than I have and have been in touch with some of these folks will tell me I’m wrong on this perception, but from the outside looking in that seems to be a bunch of lip service and hogwash. Sure they may have someone’s name actually on record as the lead investigator on this case, but I’d be willing to bet they spend about as much time and resources on it as Chad spends on developing concepts of naval warfare. In fact, I bet whoever these jurisdictions have "investigating" this case spend more time avoiding any new input on the case (not that there’s a whole lot of it) than they do analyzing the case. Meanwhile, out here in the private sector you’ve got tens, possibly hundreds of, and maybe even thousands of people who would absolutely devour any new info on this thing and many would give a lot of resources to follow anything being kept from the public.
Now, I’m no lawyer so maybe I don’t understand the civil law involved in some of this stuff (liable, defamation suits and such), but it just seems like they (law enforcement) could let go of some of the stuff they have.
This was not a rant and/or condemnation of law enforcement and it’s overall effectiveness or justification in any way and I don’t think most will read it that way. Just expressing a little frustration over the frequently mentioned aspect of the case involving unreleased material.
Cases that have been unsolved for decades and likely never will be solved, like the Zodiac or Cheri Jo Bates case, I personally cannot understand why they just don’t let go of all the information they hold- obviously protecting the right to anonymity of certain living individuals- which is understandable. Often you can travel onto certain police websites which ask for help in murders and disappearances, such as in the case of Donna Lass. The problem is, it has a very brief outline of the case, which we all know, and a description of the woman. If the police truly want help with a case, then expecting somebody after 50 years to help push the case forward with such limited information, when they can’t solve it with all the information, is a pretty meaningless exercise- particularly regarding the disappearance of Donna Lass.
To be honest, most of these online appeals are window dressing. Try emailing them-you never get a reply, even when you have pertinent information. They are underfunded for current cases, with a backlog of DNA testing. So it’s probably understandable that cases decades old get placed in the cobweb files.
The 55th anniversary of Domingos/Edwards is coming up. I might publish some materials that have been held back, weighing my options.
That would be good. Any latest or unearthed news on the July 5th 1970 double murder in Santa Barbara, or the February 21st 1970 Hood & Garcia murders.
That would be good. Any latest or unearthed news on the July 5th 1970 double murder in Santa Barbara, or the February 21st 1970 Hood & Garcia murders.
I’m pretty sure the DMV letter took credit for Hood/Garcia, but I haven’t gotten a look yet.
I sometimes wonder if these police departments have what they consider a solid suspect but he’s still alive. That’s the only reason I see in them holding on to the evidence, other than mule-headedness. If some of the remaining victims and family members pushed them to release their evidence, it might help. I highly doubt a single officer has lifted a finger to do any investigation on these cases in years.
The police have limited funds and not enough manpower to rake through every cold case. There are literally tens of thousands of people in America, and millions of individuals throughout the world who are highly educated, who dedicate days, months and years to crime solving, investigating and web-sleuthing, whatever you want to call it, who not only do this because they relish the challenge, but would do it for nothing- given all the allowable and available information on each crime to work with. In times of cutbacks to police departments and the officers allocated to cold case units, this is a massive and viable untapped ‘public’ resource. The alternative is to leave the case gathering dust, such as in Riverside. I cannot understand the reluctance of Riverside PD to release more information on this crime, without compromising certain individuals rights to anonymity.
Appeals to the public in cases such as the Golden State Killer are all very well, but it’s a two way street-if you want help from the citizens of America, you have to give them something in return. If cold case detectives can spot something in old files that the original investigators missed, then so can intelligent individuals not connected to law enforcement. More eyes on a case has a greater chance of resolution.
For an "amateur" to solve a stone cold case would be an embarrassment to the relevant investigating office. In RPD’s case they fixated on "Bob Barnett" at an early date, and appear to have concentrated their resources in proving him guilty rather than exploring other possibilities. I’ve wondered if my POI’s name is in Cheri’s diary among the 79 others supposedly included. Could be Sullivan’s name is found there. Who knows? Not us, obviously; and, probably, never will.
Yes why aren’t the undisclosed letters and any other evidence released immediately? Those who might recognize something are probably older if still alive. We’ve seen how many people involved with this case have passed away. Nobody is guaranteed another day.
Younger people are not apt to discover anything that hasn’t been already imo unless that person were somehow related to the Zodiac or someone connected to the case. They have interest like we older people but we elders are the ones who know the times and have possible poi’s but time is not on our side.
Anyone can meet unfortunate circumstances regardless of age so imo it is very unfair to withhold evidence that could be destroyed or lost if they should become ill or pass away.
Witholding of letters = money motivation imo$$$$
What else could the motive be other than to proclaim they discovered the letters and go after some cash?
Witholding of letters = money motivation imo$$$$
What else could the motive be other than to proclaim they discovered the letters and go after some cash?
I’m not following you. You think someone would make money by simply claiming to have Zodiac letters? Without sharing them first?
Sorry not to be clear. Wondering why anyone with letters or other evidence wouldn’t just post it along with all those already known. Only thing that came to mind is they think they can get book or movie deal and make some money with their story of discovery. Otherwise, why wait? Life is short and tomorrow promised to no one!
It’s my understanding all of these supposed unseen Zodiac letters are in possession of the police? I don’t think they could make any money from them.
It’s my understanding all of these supposed unseen Zodiac letters are in possession of the police?
That is correct.
There was something in a British tabloid about newly found letters. What could the police be waiting for? Why not immediately disclose them?
