Zodiackiller.com Message Board: Zodiac Media: My thoughts on the 10-2-00 Chronicle story

First of all, Tom Zoellner's article is probably the most factual ever written on the case. So many stories over the years have gotten the basic facts wrong with amazing consistency, yet this one appears to be error-free. (Although I read it at 4:30 a.m., so maybe I missed something in my tired state.)

Regarding the suspect of Rodelli's, let's hope the 80 year-old is forgetful. Otherwise, Mike R. could be in for some nasty, lawyer-type e-mail worthy of Gareth Penn.

And finally, I'm truly flattered that Lt. West of VPD is getting "frustrated" with me. Maybe if I bug them enough we can get to the bottom of certain matters that only VPD can clear up.

The story may be factual, but like most Zodiac articles it's very sparse on details.

I thought it was interesting that the Zodiac case has been reassigned. I wonder if there is any kind of investigation going on or if SFPD was just embarrassed that their most notorious unsolved case was being handled by a cop in the Fraud division.

And did you notice how law enforcement seems to play it both ways, first saying that the case is too old for them to work, so we shouldn't expect an active investigation, then saying that it's an open case and they won't divulge whether a top suspect was subjected to definitive evidentiary analysis, or even what evidence exists.

Finally, Ken Narlow came out sounding like the only cop on or off the job who really cares about whether the case is solved. I've heard nothing but good things about Ken's involvement in the case, and I hope that he gets a chance to see it resolved.

--Jake
http://members.aol.com/Jakewark/index.html
"This is the Zodiac Speaking...

This Bill White, in the Napa County D.A.'s office says that he is sure Z is still alive and one day will be caught. Does he have a favorite suspect?
This Chronicle article does show some promise.
Bruce D.

It would appear to me that Mr. White's assertion that Zodiac will one day be caught is, to speak frankly,a pile of 'horse puckey'. What choice does he have? Is he going to come out and say that the various police departments dropped the ball? I don't think so. He is a politician who is doing what politicians do best: spoon-feeding the public a 'feel better', off-the-cuff pablum.
The only way Z will be caught-provided he isn't dead- is if DNA evidence can be used to link a known suspect to the crimes (Allen etc.). It would seem that the rest of the evidence is contaminated, missing, or circumstantial at best. It would be great if these investigators got off their respective arses and, once and for all, used DNA technology to rule out Allen.I think the families of the victims deserve this at the very least, but don't hold your breath!
Geesh, aren't I cynical?
Oscar

Tom,
Just a quick question. Who is Mike Rodelli, and have you had any dealings with him? It is the first time I have seen his name appear.
I also wonder about the method Rodelli used to identify his suspect. The article stated that Rodelli believed that Z would be unable to refrain from writing letters using his real name. I think that is a very plausible theory to operate on. However, I would like to know if Mr. Rodelli found the letter in question while the murders were occurring, or if they were printed after 1974, when Z's last letter surfaced. Also,it seems to me to be fairly far-fetched to base an analysis of style on ONE letter, as the article would have us believe. With the exception of a very distinct stylist, it is very hard to determine this. Also, if Z was as ego-driven and obsessed with playing with the police and media as we believe, wouldn't he most likely be unable to stop his 'regular' writing (perhaps he may have used several guises)? I think that an examination of the letter section to the Examiner and other Bay area newspapers, during the murders, might be of interest. Perhaps Z enjoyed commenting on his nasty work in this most innocuous forum?
Oscar

Oscar wrote:
"I also wonder about the method Rodelli used to identify his suspect."

It's my understanding that the Chronicle was so anxious to avoid any kind of legal responsiblity that Rodelli's method was altered for the article in order to prevent anyone else from using the same method and possibly identifying the businessman. Given the man's apparent juice, I think we can expect silence on just about everybody's part.

--Jake
http://members.aol.com/Jakewark/index.html
"This is the Zodiac Speaking..."

Jake: Yep. You got that right.

I expected a little more fallout from this latest Z story, but there has hardly been any.