Prepare yourself for aN exclusive and fascinating journey through the criminal mind! What Goes Through the Mind of a Death Row Inmate? By Dr. Bill Kimberlin Death is inevitable. There is no escaping it. We are all going to die at some point; some will just die sooner than others. Death is one of those few “constants” that we all have to deal with throughout our life.

Louise Bundy wipes away a tear as she tells her son Ted: ‘You will always be my precious son.’ He was executed minutes later. (Credit: Associated Press)

Have you ever wondered For many, this is all they how you would die? Or ever really think about. even thought about how You see, the people that your life may end? The I talk to are all death row people that I interview inmates who have been on a regular basis think sent to a prison within about these very ques- a prison where they are tions day in and day out. condemned to die. For some, these thoughts become all consuming. Not too many people can say the exact manner of executing a person death they are going to changes from month experience or the exact to month and state to date of their eventual de- state. In reality, they may parture from this world never really know un- but for those who have til the time comes as to been sentenced to die for what drugs will be ad- their actions, they can. In ministered to them in fact, they will eventually order to end their life. hold in their own hands, a piece of paper that will A select few may choose tell them the exact time such options as the elec- and date that their life tric chair or the firing will be taken. Depending squad in order to gain on the state they reside more media attention in, they may even get to but it has been my experi- make a choice as to the ence over the past decade manner of death. An op- of dealing with inmates tion, if you will, on how on death row, if they have they wish the state to pro- to be executed, then they ceed in murdering them. want to go in a way that Most will elect to have is as painless as possible, their life to be taken by an unlike the way they took unknown combination the lives of their victims. of lethal drugs that will be administered through It was Elizabeth Kubler- their veins until they are Ross who first discovered dead. I say “unknown” that when people are con- drugs because of the way fronting their own death, the laws are written in they tend to go through this country, the types different stages before of drugs used in the le- coming to teams with it. thal injection method of Denial, Anger, Bargaining A death chamber in Texas. (Credit: Getty Images) for extra time, Depression, apart from those who and finally Acceptance. may be terminally ill She outlined these stages awaiting their death is back in 1970 and mostly the danger that can be for those who were fac- associated with the stag- ing death based on a ter- es they may go through. minal illness of some sort People who are termi- or just reaching the end nally ill may pray for extra of their normal life expec- time in order to see their tancy. In 2016, much of son or daughter graduate this still remains true to or get married. People form even on death row. suffering from a terminal illness may get mad at I have seen first-hand; God or their higher pow- condemned inmates go er because they feel like through these very stag- they have been cheated es before they depart this out of life. For the con- world. The one thing that demned inmate, they may lash out on their an- rational thought process ger towards anyone they by any standard but then come in contact with. again, most of these guys They feel that the state did not end up on death is just as guilty as they row based on rational are for putting them to thoughts to begin with. death since “every mur- der is a sin” in their eyes. So, what goes through An inmate awaiting their the minds of these con- final execution date may demned killers before bargain for extra time by they are put to death? killing one more person. This question is not as I have stood next to an easy to answer as many inmate set to die in less would think. In Ohio, than a week and his idea where I have spent the of “buying more time” majority of my time re- was be to kill the very next searching on death row, person he comes into there is a lot that goes on contact with since the during the last 30 days state would then have to of the inmate’s life. Af- try them for another mur- ter exhausting all of their der and therefore post- appeals in the court sys- pone their scheduled ex- tem, which may take up- ecution date. The major wards of 18-20 years, and problem with this theory after they have been giv- was the fact that I was the en a number of so-called ONLY person with him at “Phantom-Dates” which the time! This was one of are really just dates set the few times that I have down for the record to re- ever really feared for my flect, and after they have life while being on death gone in front of the clem- row with countless in- ency board to ask for mer- mates at any given time. cy, only then does reality A death Row cell in Florida (Credit: Florida Department of Cor- rections) seem to set in. ing preventative care for diabetes, mental health, Approximately 30 days and so on. before their final execu- tion date is set, the con- I have one inmate who demned inmate is moved has had surgery to re- from their normal death move cancer, given che- row pod where they have motherapy, radiation been able to enjoy such therapy, and around the amenities as; cable tele- clock care for years. All in vision, handheld video order to put him to death games, food commis- and all at the expense of sary, outside recreation taxpayers in the State of time, working on various Ohio. But that is a differ- arts and crafts, and en- ent debate to be had at joying being out of their another time. cells for the majority of the day along with near- The last 30 days of life ly unrestricted visitation for the condemned in- from family and friends, mate may very well be to now a segregated part the worst 30 days of of death row where they their entire sentence. It are placed on what is is during this time that known as “suicide watch”. they are “forced”, if you In Ohio, it seems that the will, to think about their state will go through ex- own impending death. It traordinary measures to is now when they must keep the condemned sit and think about their inmate alive in order to own final arrangements. execute them. While on Who will claim their death row, the inmates body, where will they be receive any and all neces- buried, what happens to sary medical care includ- them after death, and will it hurt? It is during this be laid to rest accord- time period where the ing to the families wish- inmate must sit down es. Many however will and decide what to do not have the luxury of a with their worldly pos- funeral but instead will sessions. The life they have to have their body have collected over the claimed by the state in past 2 or more decades which they will be buried behind bars that fits into on prison grounds. There an 8x10 cell must now be are also decisions to be given to someone. Usual- made as to what their ly, close friends they have last meal will be, who will become attached to on witness their execution, death row over the years. and what will be their They actually put a lot of final words. For most, thought into this process even though these can because it makes them be trying on them psy- feel more human. To be chologically, it is still the able to leave something easiest part of their final behind of themselves days. It takes their minds to someone gives them off of what is really going some sort of sense of be- through their minds, the longing. They must also uncertainty. contact any family mem- bers, if there are any left Sitting down with these that are either alive or inmates as their days on willing to talk to them, earth draw to an end is to see about funeral ar- mentally exhausting. Lis- rangements. A few of the tening to them tell me lucky ones will be able to who gets what when have their family receive they die or what they their body following the have chosen for their last execution and they will meal and why is easy to discuss. In fact, from a psychological viewpoint, I find it fascinating to hear why they have come to the de- cisions that they have concerning their last meal or their final statement. It tells me a lot about whom they were or who they have become since arriving on death row. In Ohio, the condemned inmate still gets to choose just about whatever they want for their last meal as long as it is within reason. Some will put great thought into this to maybe relive hap- pier days in childhood where they will ask for ice cream, cake, and other comfort foods they miss and will allow them to go back in time when life was perhaps better. Others may be more modest and just ask for something they haven’t had since being convicted of their crimes such as pizza or spaghetti.

For his last meal, serial killer John Wayne Gacy requested 12 fried shrimp, a bucket of original recipe KFC, french fries, and a pound of strawberries. (Credit: Henry Hargreaves) One of the inmates I was condemning the state for witness to, chose to or- doing this to them. Still, der a T-bone steak as rare others may try to send a as they would allow so he message of remorse that could see the blood com- usually falls on deaf ears ing out of it which would to those who are there to remind him of his vic- witness something they tim’s blood when he took have waited what must his life. Needless to say, seem like a lifetime to he was never remorse- see, the death of the per- ful of his actions and in son responsible for taking fact, talked about killing the life of their loved one. others even on the day In the end, it has been my of his execution. When experience with everyone it comes to their last I have worked with, be- statement, that moment fore the warden buttons when the warden asks that top suit coat button them if they have any fi- signaling to the execu- nal words before they tioner to commence the die, this too differs from execution, whatever that inmate to inmate. Some inmate has thought they will try to stay strong and were going to say never stay defiant to the end. really happens. Whether They never want to show it is due to nerves, lack of a sign of weakness to the memory or just the very victims’ family members thought of these will be who are there to watch the last words ever spoken them breathe in their last from their lips, the per- breadth. Some will try to son strapped to the table come up with a lengthy has never said to those in statement trying to jus- attendance what he has tify their own actions told me the days before, while at the same time, what he intended to say. Normalcy is what these the death chamber and condemned inmates looking into their eyes as seek towards the end, they step up onto the ta- what they get is solitude. ble to be strapped down They have the same ques- by the execution team is tions that perhaps you or like looking at a deer in I would when it comes headlights. There is this right down to it. Do I think look in their eyes that one there is a heaven and if so never forgets. will they get there? What do I think happens after The night before they death? During their final have said their final good- days on death row before byes to those left in their they are transferred to life. They have eaten the the death cell and even- last meal ever to be con- tually to the death cham- sumed on this planet ber, they are filled with and now they are being questions. Questions I forced to die. Their eyes am not capable of nor tell it all. The fear, the anx- qualified to answer and I iety, the uncertainty are tell them just that. I ex- all too obvious. The blank plain to them that there look they give you as they are things in life that we stare through the glass are never meant to un- that separates the wit- derstand. I don’t pretend nesses from them is truly to know the answers and mesmerizing. It is a look I don’t make things up for that lets you see into their them to feel better about mind for the last time. themselves. They respect They may have been a me for my honesty. monster up until the time they were strapped down Seeing the condemned but the moments before inmate being led into they take their final gasp of air, they are in fear. Then just like that, it’s over. My “view to a kill” has ended and the person strapped to the death bed, their existence no longer matters. Those who’ve gathered in support of this execution can now try to heal and move on while others ques- tion its necessity. The uncertainties remain.

Recommended Reading:

Watch Me Die is a firsthand account of Ohio’s death row and the state’s execution process unlike any other. Dr. Kimber- lin, a trained clinical psychologist and professor of psy- chology, goes beyond the prison walls and into the world of death row inmates. No bars, no shackles, and no chains. Kimberlin spends time one-on-one with some of Ohio’s worst killers to learn about their life on death row. Then he watches them die. 10 Most Popular Myths Surrounding the Zodiac Killer Case By Michael Butterfield The Zodiac killer is one of the most elu- sive and unusual serial killers in Amer- ican history. Known for his bizarre, ram- bling handwritten letters, the Zodiac sent baffling ciphers, quoted musical lyrics, taunted police and threatened to shoot school children.

Unlike most serial killers, cal comidy.” Hoax letters the Zodiac called police continued over the years to report his crimes and but the infamous Zodiac wore a hooded costumer vanished into the history featuring his chosen sym- books and a legend was bol, the crossed circle. born. The Zodiac wounded two people and killed at least Decades later, the pop- five others during the pe- ular image of the Zodiac riod between December transformed into a crim- 1968 and October 1969. inal genius and expert More letters, postcards marksman who claimed and other clues contin- dozens of victims and ued until 1971 when the escaped justice because Zodiac apparently disap- law enforcement agen- peared. In January 1974, cies refused to cooper- the San Francisco Chron- ate. This mythical Zodi- icle received another let- ac became the public ter which hinted at sui- version of the story and cide and described the the remaining confu- classic horror film The Ex- sion surrounding unan- orcist as “the best sateri- swered questions fueled ongoing speculation. Books, television documenta- ries, movies and websites provided conflicting and unreliable accounts while promoting various theo- ries and suspects. The facts were often lost as the un- solved mystery continued to fascinate and haunt the world.

The legend of the Zodiac killer is based on many pop- ular myths, but the facts tell a very different story.

Myth #1: The Zodiac was an expert marksman

The popular portrait of which included the de- the Zodiac depicts the scription “expert marks- killer as an expert marks- man” with possible mili- man. Books, television tary training. shows, and websites often cite the killer’s shooting The Zodiac shot five vic- skills as evidence that he tims in three different at- may have received some tacks. In the first shooting, military training with the killer shot one victim weapons. Author Robert in the head at point blank Graysmith wrote in his range. Another victim 1986 book Zodiac that was shot five times in the the first Zodiac crime at back as she was trying to Lake Herman Road was run away. In the second an example of “incredible attack, the killer walked marksmanship.” The tele- up to a parked car and vision crime series Amer- opened fire on the victims ica’s Most Wanted listed sitting inside. In the third details about the killer shooting, the killer shot The Lake Herman Road crime scene. (Credit: Zodiackiller.com) the victim in the head of the victim’s body at at point blank range. the morgue proved that These shootings did not the wounds actually be- demonstrate any particu- gan at the lower back lar skill with weapons be- and continued upward yond the ability to point to her right shoulder in the gun and pull the trig- a pattern which was not ger. tight but scattered.

Graysmith told readers During the shooting at that victim Betty Lou Jen- Blue Rock Springs Park, sen was shot five times the killer shot two victims “in a tight pattern in the in a parked car. Michael upper right portion of her Mageau was closest to back.” The autopsy report the gun but he survived and photographs taken despite being shot in the jaw. This shooting did not diac may have had some require any skill. Victims military training with David Faraday and Paul weapons and he may have Stine were both shot once been a skilled marksman, in the head at point blank but the evidence does range in shootings which not indicate that the kill- did not demonstrate or er was an expert or that require any special skills he had received any spe- with a weapon. The Zo- cial training.

Myth #2: The Zodiac crime scenes form a giant radian angle

a map of the Bay area the zodiac killer sent to the san fran cisco chronicle. (Credit: Zodiackillerfacts.com) - In June 1970, a Zodiac ern California. Penn wrote letter included a code that he drew a radian on which was accompa- a map of the Bay Area, nied by a map of the Bay with the apex centered Area with a crossed cir- on the peak of Mt. Diablo, cle drawn over the peak one leg of the angle fixed of Mt. Diablo. In another on the crime scene at letter, the Zodiac wrote, Blue Rock Springs Park “The Mt. Diablo code con- and the other leg fixed cerns radians & # inch- on the location of the last es along the radians.” In known Zodiac murder in 1980, amateur sleuth Ga- San Francisco. Accord- reth Penn claimed that ing to Penn, these crime the Zodiac crime scenes scenes formed one radi- formed a giant “radian” an. angle on the surface of the earth. A radian is an angle val- ued between 57 and 58 In his book Times 17, Penn degrees, or, 57.296, de- wrote that his father had fined as “an angle sub- worked for the California tended by an arc of a cir- Department of Justice cle equal in length to the and told him about an radius of a circle.” The ra- unpublished clue from dian is the usual unit of the so-called “Mt. Diablo measurement in higher letter.” Penn wrote that mathematics, however, the letter suggested that in applications of math- authorities would find ematics to surveying “something interesting” and navigation, the de- if they placed a radian gree is more common- on Mount Diablo, located ly used. The term “radi- in Contra Costa County, an” is a contraction of east of Berkeley in North- the words “radius-angle.” The Zodiac wrote that his only other “Zodiac” crime code and map concerned scene visible on this “radians,” meaning more map is the intersection than one radian. In math- of Washington & Cherry ematics, radians are not Streets in San Francisco, always measured in full scene of the murder of units; rather, radians can cab driver Paul Stine on be measured in any nu- October 11, 1969. If the merical value. The Zodi- Zodiac’s map, code and ac’s clues do not concern radians clues pertained to a radian, but more than Blue Rock Springs Park, one radian, as in “radians.” the Zodiac’s map would Penn’s single radian theo- be of little assistance in ry also fails to account for deciphering his clues. A the Zodiac’s instructions killer who wanted the regarding the Mt. Diab- map to assist someone in lo map and code radians finding a location would and a number of inches most likely select a map along the radians. which included that lo- cation. The Zodiac’s map illus- trated the Bay area, in- cluding San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, and the southern portion of Vallejo. The border of this map falls just north of Lake Herman Road, which is clearly visible at the top. Blue Rock Springs Park, not visible on this map, would appear just above The July 26th, 1970, Zodiac’s let- its northern border. The ter. (Credit: Zodiackillerfacts.com) None of the Zodiac letters ers. Other amateur included the suggestion sleuths later adapted the that authorities would radian myth to suit their find “something interest- own theories. In his book ing” if they placed a ra- Most Evil, retired Los An- dian on the peak of Mt. geles police detective Diablo. Penn incorrectly Steve Hodel used the ra- stated that the shooting dian theory to support took place at the Blue his claim that his father Rock Springs golf course was responsible for the but the crime occurred Zodiac crimes, the Black across the street from Dahlia murder, the Chi- the golf course at the cago “Lipstick” killings, parking lot of Blue Rock and many other unsolved Springs Park. Penn incor- crimes. Dennis Kaufman rectly measured his radi- also used the radian myth an when using the incor- to accuse his stepfather. rect location of the golf Another amateur sleuth course. The correct loca- later claimed that Gareth tions form an angle mea- Penn was responsible for sured at approximately the Zodiac crimes. 60 degrees, far more than a radian. According to Gareth Penn’s locations, mea- Penn’s theory, the peak surements and conclu- of Mt. Diablo, the crime sions were incorrect, and scene in San Francisco the crime scenes did not and the crime scene in form a radian, but his ra- Vallejo all formed a ra- dian claim was repeated dian angle between 57 in popular books by crime and 58 degrees, but the author Colin Wilson and correct measurement endorsed by many oth- proves that the angle formed by these locations ng geographic locations is at least 60 degrees. The on a map, but the facts Zodiac’s map and radian debunk Gareth Penn’s ra- clues may concern a geo- dian theory. metric construction usi-

MYTH #3: The Zodiac crimes were a hoax or the work of copycat killers

In his book The Annals of Unsolved Crime, famed JFK assassination re- searcher Edward J. Ep- stein wrote that the lack of any matching evidence at the Zodiac crime scenes or in the letters proved that one person could not have been responsi- ble for all four of the Zo- diac crimes and the Zo- diac letters. According to Epstein, Zodiac suspect Arthur Leigh Allen could have been responsible for the first two attacks but a copycat or copycats were Paul Stine, Victim of the responsible for the stab- zodiac killer. bing at Lake Berryessa (Credit: Zodiackillerfacts. and the murder of a cab com) driver in San Francisco. Epstein further stated flashed a bright light into that one or more persons their vehicle. Shots rang had committed the Zodi- out and Michael and Dar- ac crimes while a differ- lene were both wounded. ent person wrote the Zo- Mageau told police that diac letters. According to he did not get a good Epstein, the letter writer look at the shooter and was a journalist or a po- only caught a brief, pro- lice officer who had to file-view glimpse as the have access to police files man was walking away. and information about Vallejo detective Ed Rust the crimes. interviewed Mageau at the hospital three days Epstein’s theory worked after the shooting, and backward from the he did not believe that pre-conceived notion Mageau could identify that Arthur Leigh Allen the killer. must have been the Zo- diac and then discarded More than two decades and dismissed evidence later, retired Vallejo police which conflicted with his detective George Bawart assumptions. Epstein’s met with surviving vic- certainty of Allen’s guilt tim Michael Mageau at appeared to be based on the Ontario airport on an eyewitness identifica- August 16, 1991. Bawart tion of the suspect. displayed a collection of photographs featur- On the night of July 4, ing several men, includ- 1969, Michael Mageau ing Zodiac suspect Ar- and Darlene Ferrin were thur Leigh Allen. Mageau sitting in a car at Blue pointed to Allen’s picture Rock Springs Park when and said, “That’s him. a man appeared and That’s the man who shot me.” When asked if he The evidence did not in- was sure, Mageau point- dicate that Allen was re- ed to a photograph of sponsible for the Zodiac another man and said, crimes or the Zodiac let- “He had a face like him.” ters. Handwriting experts Mageau essentially told concluded that Allen did Bawart that Allen com- not write the letters, a mitted the crime while fingerprint believed to wearing another person’s be the Zodiac’s did not face. Police did not be- match Allen, Allen did lieve that Mageau’s iden- not match descriptions tification was reliable or provided by eyewitness- accurate. In 1969, Mageau es, Allen’s DNA did not provided a description of match DNA found on the the killer which did not envelopes used by the match Allen or his ap- Zodiac, and a palm print pearance at that time. In found on a Zodiac letter a 2007 interview, Mageau did not match Allen. A said that he hoped the police officer who report- killer would someday be edly saw the Zodiac near identified, although he a crime scene stated that had already identified Al- the man was not Allen. len as the killer and Allen had died in 1992.

Arthur Leigh Allen’s 1967 driver’s license. (Credit: Zodiackiller- facts.com) Epstein’s theory that the a piece of the victim’s third and fourth Zodiac bloodstained shirt. Hand- attacks were the work writing experts conclud- of copycats was not sup- ed that the letter was ported by evidence and written by the author of relied on many implau- the Zodiac letters. The sible scenarios. The theo- handwriting was direct- ry that the Zodiac letters ly linked to the killer, and were forged by a jour- Epstein did not present nalist or someone work- any credible evidence ing in law enforcement implicating any journal- ignored important facts ist or investigator in the about the crimes. forgery of Zodiac letters.

Several handwriting ex- perts had concluded that one person was respon- sible for the original Zo- diac letters. In the third Zodiac attack, the killer left a handwritten mes- sage on the victim’s car and a handwriting expert concluded that writer of the Zodiac letters was responsible for the car message. The boot prints of the killer led from the The bloody shirt of Paul crime scene to the mes- Stine. sage on the car door. Af- ter the fourth Zodiac at- (Credit: zodiackiller.com) tack, the killer mailed a letter accompanied by The facts indicated crimes and the letters. that the most logical Other scenarios required and plausible explana- many coincidences, con- tion was that one man spiracies, and copycat was responsible for the killers.

MYTH #4: The Zodiac crimes were linked to the Manson family

The Manson Family Leader Charles Manson arrested. (Credit: New York Post)

Charles Manson and his the family members had “family” of killers became left messages written in famous after a brutal se- blood at the crime scenes. ries of murders in South- ern California. Some of Charles Manson and oth- er family members spent Conspiracy radio host time in the San Francisco Mae Brussell speculated Bay Area, leading some to that the Manson mur- speculate that the Man- ders were part of a gov- son family was somehow ernment plot involving connected to the Zodiac brainwashing, satanic murders. cults, and the CIA. Brus- sell theorized that the A report written by De- same group of sinister partment of Justice Spe- conspirators was also re- cial Agent Mel Nicolai sponsible for Zodiac kill- stated that the Zodiac in- ings in California and the vestigation included an “Son of Sam” shootings examination of “all male in New York. members of the Charles Manson family.” SFPD In- Zodiac/Manson conspira- spector Bill Armstrong cy theorist Howard Davis traveled to Los Angeles claimed that a relative of to investigate the possi- one Manson victim had ble Zodiac/Manson con- hired private investiga- nection but found no tors who uncovered ev- evidence to support the idence that the Manson theory. family was responsible for the Zodiac crimes. In his book The Fami- Davis also claimed that ly, author Ed Sanders a “pristine source” in the noted that Inyo County Los Angeles District At- District Attorney Frank torney’s office revealed Fowles had investigat- that the original investi- ed the possible Zodiac/ gation into the Manson Manson connection but murders had uncovered offered no evidence that evidence linking Manson any connection existed. to Zodiac, including the hooded costume worn crimes and the letters. by the Zodiac during the Other scenarios required stabbing at Lake Berryes- many coincidences, con- sa. According to Davis, his spiracies, and copycat source also stated that killers. authorities in Southern California conspired to The alleged Zodiac/Man- conceal this important son suspect Bruce Da- evidence. vis was convicted for the murders of music teach- er Gary Hinman and ranch hand Shorty Shea. Howard Davis claimed that those behind the cover-up feared that an- other trial would some- how jeopardize the previ- ous convictions. A Zodiac prosecution would not somehow undo Bruce Davis’s previous murder convictions.

Manson prosecutor Vin- cent Bugliosi dismissed the conspiracy claims as “preposterous on its face

A sketch of the hooded costume worn by the Zodiac Killer during the stabbing at Lake Berryessa. (Credit: Zodiackillerfacts.com) and obviously 100% was identified and he wrong,” and added, “I re- denied that he had ever ject it completely out of made such statements hand.” Bugliosi noted the to Howard Davis. He dis- illogical scenario, “If Man- missed the conspiracy son committed more tale as absurd. “I can’t be- murders than the Man- lieve that whoever sug- son murders, why would gested it has any cred- anyone want to protect ibility whatsoever.” He him on that?… It makes further described Davis no sense… What you’re as a “nutjob” also known talking about is a crime, for “some extraordinarily obstruction of justice… bizarre and fanciful so- A massive conspiracy of called investigative in- many, many people be- sight into the Mormon ing involved, for no be- church.” In 1977, Davis lievable reason.” and others published a book titled Who Re- Howard Davis also ally Wrote the Book of claimed that Vincent Bu- Mormon Book? which gliosi had endorsed the claimed that the Book of Zodiac/Manson theory. Mormon was a work of Bugliosi denied that he plagiarism. Davis claimed had ever endorsed the that he and his co-au- theory and said, “I’ve nev- thors had received death er heard of anything to threats and that the Mor- support that allegation. mon church was trying I doubt it very much. I to seize control of the U.S. think it would have come economy. “I’m dead seri- out by now.” ous about this... But our lives are definitely in dan- The “pristine source” in- ger... Please don’t think side the LA DA’s office we’re afraid… We are not afraid... trying to fight a mains a popular myth multi-billion dollar orga- and a common theory on nization that is trying to many websites, but the take over the economy of available evidence does the United States.” not indicate that Charles Manson and his followers The so-called “Zodiac/ were involved in the Zo- Manson connection” re- diac crimes. MYTH #5: The Zodiac killed dozens of victims

In his letters and in tele- the Zodiac described the phone calls to police, the shootings on Lake Her- Zodiac claimed credit for man Road and at Blue six specific crimes and Rock Springs Park. At the mentioned one other at- scene of the stabbings tack but did not identi- at Lake Berryessa, the at- fy the victim. During the tacker left a handwritten phone call to the Vallejo message on the door of Police Department af- a victim’s car which in- ter the shooting at Blue cluded the dates of the Rock Springs Park, the two shootings with the caller claimed that he date of the knife attack. was responsible for that In the letter sent after the attack and also said that murder of cab driver Paul he had killed some kids Stine, the Zodiac claimed “last year,” an apparent that he had killed Stine reference to the murders and the “people in the on Lake Herman Road. North bay area,” an ap- parent reference to the In his first two letters, previous attacks.

Inspector Dave Toschi working at the Stine murder scene. (Credit: QUESTERSITE)

After media reports that Bay Area residents linked him to the un- wear “Zodiac” buttons. In solved murder of Riv- a subsequent letter, the erside City College stu- Zodiac stated he was an- dent Cheri Jo Bates, the gered when citizens did Zodiac wrote, “I do have not comply with his de- to give them credit for mand. He wrote that he stumbling across my Riv- had punished the people erside activity but they by shooting a man sitting are only finding the easy in a parked car. ones there are a hell of a lot more of them down A report prepared by the there.” After media re- California Department of ports linked him to the Justice included a list of failed abduction of a possible Zodiac victims. pregnant woman and her Robert Graysmith’s book ten month old daughter, Zodiac included a list of the Zodiac sent anoth- possible Zodiac victims er letter about a “rather and the book cover stat- interesting ride” with a ed that the killer was pos- woman and her baby. An- sibly responsible for fifty other Zodiac letter asked murders. Speculation about the Sonoma County Sgt. actual number of Zodiac “Butch” Carlstedt made victims was complicated headlines with his theory by the Zodiac’s habit of that the Zodiac was re- including a “box score” at sponsible for many mur- the end of some letters ders across the country which featured the kill- and the locations of the er’s crossed-circle sym- crime scenes formed a bol and a number fol- giant “Z” on a map of the lowed by “SFPD = O.” One United States. of the last Zodiac letters featured a box score of Despite the many the- thirty-seven, leading to ories and the Zodiac’s the assumption that the vague references to pos- killer had claimed thir- sible unidentified vic- ty-seven victims. The true tims, the available evi- meaning of the box score dence does not connect remains unknown. the killer to crimes other than the original six cases Amateur sleuths, report- traditionally attributed to ers, crime buffs and oth- the Zodiac. ers have tried to link the Zodiac to other crimes. One of Zodiac’s taunting box scores.

MYTH #6: The Zodiac took credit for crimes he did not commit

The Zodiac’s habit of in- cluding a “box score” at the end of some Zodiac letters was understand- ably interpreted by many observers as a victim count. Media reports re- peatedly linked the Zo- diac to many unsolved crimes despite the fact The funeral of Cheri Jo bAtes. that the evidence did not establish any connection. cisco, the murder of Cheri The Zodiac did not deny Jo Bates in Riverside, and or confirm his involve- the failed abduction of ment in other crimes de- Kathleen Johns in March spite ongoing news re- 1970. While the killer did ports suggesting that he allude to other crimes, was responsible. the available evidence does not connect the Zo- The evidence demon- diac to any other attacks. strates that the Zodiac only took credit for six All of the suspected Zo- specific crimes: the mur- diac crimes remain un- ders on Lake Herman solved, and the identity Road, the shootings at of the real killer remains Blue Rock Springs Park, unknown. The evidence the stabbings at Lake indicates that the Zodiac Berryessa, the murder of remains the most logical a cab driver in San Fran- suspect in these cases. MYTH #7: Police were about to arrest a major suspect but he died

In 1994, The San Francis- Leigh Allen is not the co Chronicle published Zodiac... If Conway had a story written by Rider evidence proving Al- McDowell regarding re- len was the Zodiac, he’d tired police officer Har- have shown it to the DOJ, vey Hines and his suspect which he hasn’t.” When Larry Kane. Vallejo Police Allen was alive, Valle- Captain Roy Conway dis- jo District Attorney Mike missed the suspect and Nail was not impressed said, “I believe as I always by the evidence against have that the Zodiac was the suspect and said, “I Arthur Leigh Allen. If I really suspect that noth- could show Harvey what ing’s going to come of it.” evidence we have on Al- len today, he would get At the time of Allen’s off this kick immediate- death, the Vallejo Police ly. Unfortunately I can’t Department had not pro- do that for legal reasons.” duced any credible ev- He further claimed, “If idence to implicate Al- Allen were alive today, len in the Zodiac crimes. we would file charges Allen’s estranged friend against him as the Zodi- claimed that Allen had ac. Unfortunately, we ran once confessed his desire out of time making a case to commit crimes, write against him and he died.” letters and call himself “Zodiac.” This informant Retired Department of later created more sto- Justice agent Fred Shi- ries about Allen, and even rasago disagreed. “Arthur retired Vallejo detective

George Bawart concluded that the friend was not a credible witness.

Arthur Leigh Allen in 1960. (Credit: Zodiackiller.com) Handwriting experts had viving victim Michael also concluded that Allen Mageau. This evidence did not write the Zodiac did not justify filing crim- letters, including the let- inal charges against Al- ters which claimed cred- len for the Ferrin murder. it for the murder of Dar- Responsible prosecutors lene Ferrin at Blue Rock would not pursue charges Springs Park in Vallejo. against Allen based on The only alleged link be- the available evidence, tween this crime and Ar- and any reasonably com- thur Leigh Allen was an petent defense attorney unreliable eyewitness could win an acquittal in identification from sur- a court of law. MYTH #8: The Zodiac called a TV show with attorney Melvin Belli

Attorney Melvin Belli at Jim Dunbar’s Show. (Credit: The Quester Files)

In his book Zodiac Un- li or F. Lee Bailey appear masked, author Robert on the Bay Area talk show Graysmith told readers hosted by Jim Dunbar. that the Zodiac called the Belli lived in San Fran- home of attorney Melvin cisco near the television Belli and declared, “To- station, so he appeared day’s my birthday.” Ac- for the broadcast. A man cording to Graysmith, this called into the show and call occurred on Decem- used the name “Sam” ber 18, the birthdate of during the subsequent his suspect Arthur Leigh conversation. Belli also Allen. spoke with the man off the air, but police were The film adaptation of unable to trace Sam’s Graysmith’s books in- calls and the identity of cluded a scene which the caller remained un- showed investigators known. sharing this information with Graysmith. Another After the broadcast, po- scene is a reenactment lice played recordings of of a television broadcast Sam’s voice for the three featuring Belli and host people who had spoken Jim Dunbar talking with to the Zodiac. Surviving a caller who claimed to victim Bryan Hartnell and be the Zodiac. police dispatchers David Slaight and Nancy Slover On October 22, 1969, all agreed that Sam was someone placed a tele- not the Zodiac. phone call to the Oakland Police Department and Weeks later, a Zodiac let- claimed to be the Zodi- ter arrived at Belli’s home ac. The caller demanded accompanied by a piece that attorneys Melvin Bel- of a victim’s blood stained shirt. After the resulting publicity, “Sam” began call- ing Belli’s home. Police set up a trace and eventual- ly discovered that the calls originated from a men- tal hospital. An FBI report dated February 14, 1970 stated that telephone calls to Belli’s home had been traced to a patient at the hospital, and authorities concluded that he was not the Zodiac.

Police playing recordings of Sam’s voice for the three people who had spoken to the Zodiac. (Credit: Ratter.com)

In the film Zodiac, Robert Graysmith cites the Decem- ber 18th “birthday” call to Belli’s home and shows a copy of Arthur Leigh Allen’s driver’s license to SFPD Inspector David Toschi. The fictional Toschi seemed impressed by this evidence, but the real-life Toschi knew that the person who called Belli’s home was

not the Zodiac. Belli confirmed that he had talked with only one The FBI report indicated person. The official docu- that the telephone call to ments demonstrate that Belli’s home had occurred police did not believe in February 1970 and not that the individual who on December 18, 1969, as called Belli’s home was Graysmith claimed. the Zodiac. The FBI files demonstrate that the in- The facts indicated that dividual who called Bel- one individual placed the li’s home was identified calls to the Dunbar show, and that person was not but the movie Zodiac Graysmith’s suspect, Ar- suggested that two peo- thur Leigh Allen. ple made the calls. MYTH #9: The Zodiac investigators did not cooperate

During a 2007 appear- sharing.” Graysmith and ance on the television other amateur sleuths of- crime series America’s ten claimed that jurisdic- Most Wanted, author tional conflicts somehow Robert Graysmith told hindered the investiga- host John Walsh, “I really tion and permitted the wanted this guy caught, killer to escape justice. John. He was giving us so much information, the In the film Zodiac, clues were so tantalizing. Graysmith’s character is I realized that the police given brief access to the departments in the dif- Vallejo police reports and ferent counties were not searches the files for in- formation he later gives failed to share important to Toschi. The film implies information but they did that Toschi was unable not provide any specif- to read the files himself, ic examples and did not when, in fact, Toschi was explain how these specif- given a copy of the Valle- ic failures had ever hin- jo police files and had full dered the investigation. access to the information gathered by the various Police reports, FBI files, agencies involved in the and other documents investigation. In another produced during the de- scene, the character of cades of investigation re- Vallejo detective Jack Mu- veal that virtually all of the lanax complains about a various agencies involved lack of cooperation from had access to virtually all the San Francisco investi- of the available informa- gators. tion regarding the crimes attributed to the Zodiac All of the available evi- and the investigations dence indicated that the conducted by the Beni- various law enforcement cia Police Department, agencies drawn into the the Vallejo Police Depart- hunt for the Zodiac coop- ment, the Napa County erated and shared infor- Sheriff’s Office, the San mation. The overwhelm- Francisco Police Depart- ing majority of those ment and the California involved in the actual State Department of Jus- investigations have said tice. that virtually everyone cooperated and shared In 1969, DOJ Agent Mel information on a regular Nicolai was assigned to basis. A few individuals coordinate the investi- claimed that others had gations. Nicolai’s reports

repeatedly stated that the various investigators were made aware of new information, and the retired agent later said that stories of infighting, jurisdictional jeal- ousies, and a lack of cooperation were “bullshit.” MYTH #10: The Zodiac knew and stalked his victims

Darlene Ferrin and Michael Mageau. (Credit: Zodiackillerfacts.com) On the night of July 4, a man shined a bright 1969, Darlene Ferrin light into Darlene’s car. and her friend Michael Michael and Darlene Mageau were sitting in a speculated that the man car at the parking lot of was a police officer un- Blue Rock Springs Park til he opened fire with a in Vallejo, California. An- gun. Michael and Darlene other vehicle arrived and were shot several times before the man finally Months after the murder, left the scene. Michael some members of Dar- survived but Darlene was lene’s family met with ce- dead on a arrival at a lebrity psychic Joseph De- Vallejo hospital. Louise. Darlene’s mother told DeLouise that Dar- Police investigated the lene had made a cryptic possibility that Darlene remark just hours before was killed by someone she died, “You might read she knew, including her about me in the papers ex-husband and others. tomorrow.” Darlene’s Investigators searched for mother had not men- any information which tioned this potentially indicated that anyone important information had any reason to kill during any of her conver- Darlene, and her family, sations with police. Later, friends, co-workers and Darlene’s sisters and oth- others were asked if any- ers would claim that she one had been bothering had been part of a satan- or threatening her. Some ic cult, had known other people noted that one Zodiac victims, and had man named George had been stalked by a man been harassing Darlene who committed a previ- at her place of work. ous murder. No one men- tioned this seemingly im- Police investigated and portant information to the man’s wife claimed investigators searching she was with George at for Darlene’s killer. the time of the shoot- ing at Blue Rock Springs Over the years, more sto- Park. No other potential ries circulated that the stalkers were identified killer had known Darlene during the investigation. and attended a party in

her home. These stories man did not speak before, were later repeated as during or after the shoot- fact in Robert Graysmith’s ing. In his book, Graysmith 1986 book Zodiac. Dar- wrote that Pam claimed lene’s sister Pam ap- that Mageau later said peared in numerous in- that the killer had chased terviews on television he and Darlene to the shows such as The Sally crime scene and then Jessy Raphael Show and called out Darlene’s nick- Geraldo Rivera’s tabloid name, “Dee,” just before TV series Now It Can Be the shooting started. Mi- Told. She claimed that chael Mageau and Pam Darlene had known an- never shared this infor- other Zodiac victim, was mation with investiga- part of a satanic cult, tors. witnessed a murder and was killed to prevent her The sensational stories from identifying the kill- about Darlene Ferrin be- er. Pam also claimed that came popular myths re- someone broke into her peated by many amateur home, knocked her un- sleuths. New theories conscious, and stole im- claimed connections be- portant evidence which tween Darlene and vari- supported her various ous suspects, adding to claims. the confusion surround- ing the actual circum- Surviving victim Michael stances of her murder. Mageau told police that he and Darlene were sit- During many media inter- ting in the car when the views, Graysmith claimed killer walked up and that Allen had known opened fire without warn- and stalked all of the Zo- ing. Michael said that the diac victims. Robert Graysmith’s Zodiac. (Credit: Goodreads)

Graysmith’s books did rin. According to Cheney, not contain any evidence he and Allen went to the to support these claims. restaurant where Darlene worked. Allen pointed to Allen’s estranged friend Darlene and expressed Don Cheney read interest in her. Cheney Graysmith’s books and told many new stories then began telling a new and claimed that Allen story about Allen and Zo- had taken him to a Zodi- diac victim Darlene Fer- ac crime scene, bragged

that he was hired to kill TThe available evidence Darlene, and discussed indicated that Allen did his plans to abduct not know any of the vic- young women. By 2007, tims. The original inves- Cheney’s ever-chang- tigation of the Zodiac ing tales caused many crimes included efforts of his original supporters to discover any link be- to question his credibili- tween the victims and ty. Retired Vallejo police the killer. The evidence in- detective George Bawart dicated that the killer did said that he no longer be- not know his victims and lieved Cheney was a cred- that he selected them at ible witness. random.

More than four decades after the killer’s last known murder, the Zodiac continues to haunt the public imagination. Like many other infamous crime stories, the Zodiac mystery is retold and recreated by differ- ent narrators with different viewpoints and agendas. The fact-based portrait of the real-life Zodiac is over- shadowed by a modern American myth.

To Learn more about the Zodiac case, Visit ZodiacKillerFacts.com, a reality-based al- ternative to the myths, falsehoods and exploita- tion of the unsolved “Zodiac” mystery, operated by The Author Michael Butterfield. Why Parents Kill Their Own Children? By Dr. RJ Parker We consider mothers to hold the high- est status in our lives. For a son, there is no greater being on this planet than his mother. She gives birth to the child, cares for him when he is at his most vul- nerable stage, unable to eat or drink, and she feeds him her own milk.

Suffice to say, the role of trust that bind this bond a mother is one that can- are so strong that it is a not be explained prop- bond virtually unbreak- erly in words. What she able. A mother cannot lose does for her child is the her child, and when she real example of true love; does, she is heartbroken. she does everything for him, without ever want- Similarly, a child can- ing anything back. not lose his mother. If he does, through any inci- However, throughout dent, he will forever miss the history of time, we her. Children look up to have learned that there their mothers, consider- is no end to the cruelty ing them to be a shelter of mankind. We commit for them. The minute she the most heinous crimes, gives birth, the status of sometimes the most un- an ordinary woman is el- thinkable acts and yet, we evated to a sacred one; never learn. The bond be- that of a mother. Cer- tween a mother and her tain expectations are at- child is a sacred one. The tached to her role, her powers of love, care, and responsibilities increase This is the end of your free sample :( Enjoyed the preview? Visit thecrimemag.com/purchase to learn how to save up to $90 off your first purchase! The further issues include: ◘ • Was Ted Bundy a Criminal Master- mind? •

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