zodiac archives breaking the case [mansonmurders.com backup]

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09/21/99

BREAKING THE CASE

Final Update: February 24, 1999

other crime in America has been so misunderstood. The unsolved Zodiac crimes of the 60's

and 1970 are like the Jack The Ripper case in England. Consider this quote: "The Zodiac case is of particular interest because it may have been the most cerebral murder case of all time The case is full

of unknowns. What appears to have been unprovoked catharsis may actually indicate a pre-mediated,cold-blooded act of instrumental aggression. Or does it? What passes for craziness may really have

been a well-planned scheme (Helter Skelter?) to accomplish what the killer wanted Or was it? -Dr.Jack Levin, Sociology professor-Serial murder expert, Northwestern University, Boston, MA.

THE SCIENTOLOGY COMMUNAL HOUSEHome of Doreen Gaul and Bruce Davis as well as many other residents

...in Los Angeles where murder victim Doreen Gaul lived. She was murdered on the night of November 21, 1969 James Sharp was killed at the same time. Bruce Davis, Manson family member,was released from jail in late October 1969. On November 5, 1969, Zero was found dead in Venice,

California. Bruce Davis was there. Zero and Davis were released from jail together. There is evidenceto suggest Bruce Davis knew Doreen Gaul. Both murder victims were Scientologist. So was Bruce

Davis. Bruce Davis lived in this same house! Please refer to Manson Behind The Scenes or The Zodiac/Manson Connection for more information.

DIAC ARCHIVES BREAKING THE CASE http://web.archive.org/web/20001215224000/www.mansonmurders.co...

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This WANTED FOR MURDER BULLETIN was the first page of a police compiled book. One of theinvestigating officers from Ramparts Division, L.A.P.D. believed there was a connection to theManson family and the Gaul/Sharp murders. Mug shots of all known people associated with Manson,along with background information was gathered for this book.

The book was called: THE SCIENTOLOGY MURDER BOOK.

Read the full story in Manson Behind The Scenes

Detective "Vito & author Bill Nelson

wo authors contacted the Ramparts Division of the Los Angeles Police Department in thefall of 1997. No person in history had ever been able to obtain the official police report from thatdivision about the Doreen Gaul and James Sharp murders, outside of police ranks. DetectiveAndrew "Vito" Cicoria met with Bill Nelson and Howard Davis. He wanted very badly to find themissing "Blood Book" for a period of time - the 1960' early 1970'. It was the only item missing inthe files under the care of the detective. A former officer took it as a "joke" to Lt. Earl Deemer!

Nelson had come across the missing blood book in his research on the Manson case. Vito made a dealto help Nelson with the police report, if he could obtain - in exchange- the Blood Book. Photo at rightdocuments the return of the "Blood Book" which contained all the deaths, solved and unsolved, in theRamparts Division for several years. At last! Detective Vito was content.

Nelson and Davis were allowed to study the police report for Gaul/Sharp for about an hour. At the end of that time, Nelson requested the copying of the report and taking it home with him. Vito complied withthe request, then he escorted the two authors to the back door by the parking lot. When he shook handswith Nelson, he smiled, paused, and said "You did not get this from me."

That Police Report was a little over 100 pages. Nelson noticed that Vito had copied several pages twice by mistake. So the report is more like 90 actual pages. The visit by Nelson and Davis concerned thedetective because it raised questions about the murders. Ramparts never got a conviction on the case, butit is marked "CLOSED". VITO PROMISED TO REVIEW THE ENTIRE FILE, THEN GET BACK WITH NELSON. MANY MONTHS WENT BY, NO RESPONSE.

During a recent telephone conversation, Detective Vito told Nelson that he was going to leave the caseon Gaul/Sharp where it was - "CLOSED". Why is that unacceptable to the two authors?

There was a letter from "ZODIAC" found in the personal belongings of Doreen Gaul. It


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was not mentioned in the official police report. Deemer told Nelson he forwarded a copy of theZ letter to "two Greek guys" at San Francisco PD.

Lt. Earl Deemer told Nelson about the letter when Nelson discovered it at the retired policeofficers home while going through a massive amount of crime photographs regarding theTate/LaBianca murders.

The black man, a convict at Folsome, who confessed to the murders stating he and anotherblack man did them, had so little credibility that Lt. Deemer refused to interview him!

The man confessing, gave the wrong location where he picked up Gaul and Sharp.Witnesses placed Gaul at a different location. More than one person confirmed thisinformation.

The bodies were not "dumped" they were well positioned!There were clues left at the scene. The man confessing, had no idea where the clothes of

Doreen Gaul were.Vito has no explanation for the statement made by Ear Deemer at the crime scene: "The

people who did this, did Sharon Tate." There was an object placed under the head of DoreenGaul, that suggest similarities to another Zodiac crime in Northern California!

Vito dismisses the letter wording in the 1966 Cheri Jo Bates murder from Zodiac, as beingconnected to Gaul receiving a letter. Vito believes the Bates Zodiac letter was typed ona"Teletype machine" but it was not. Zodiac used layers of teletype style of paper. TheExaminer of Documents for the State of California authenticated the Bates letter - and theGaul letter as being from the infamous - yet unsolved - ZODIAC!

To top it off - the District Attorney's Office was so offended by the police officerinterrogation of the confessing black man, that they refused to file charges. The Deputy D. A.told the officers..."Next time let us do the questioning so you don't lead them!

As to the Zodiac letters, containing the same misspelled word, three years apart,documented to be from Zodiac? Vito said, "That word is easily misspelled." His mind isclosed. As closed as the marking on his file - Doreen Gaul/James Sharp, murdered November21, 1969 - - CLOSED.

A FULL SET OF CRIME SCENE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE AVAILABLE FROM PENPOWER PUBLICATIONS: INCLUDES TATE, LABIANCA,GAUL/SHARPPHOTOGRAPHS. 4X6 FORMAT, SOME PRINTS CONTAIN MORE THAN ONE IMAGE.ABOUT 100 4X6's. $300.00 INCLUDING SHIPPING. Send order to: Pen Power Publications,P. O. Box 1585, Costa Mesa, CA 92628

POLICE REPORT: GAUL/SHARP Sales Dept

READ MANSON BEHIND THE SCENES OR THE ZODIAC MANSON

CONNECTION FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION

OCTOBER 26, 1998 UPDATE: Ms. Kathleen Johns, the kidnap victim of Zodiac on March 22,

1970 gave a tape recorded interview to Mr. Howard Davis, author of The Zodiac/MansonConnection, and a private investigator last January 1, 1998. At the end of the interview Ms. Johnsobserved two composite drawings submitted by Howard Davis. She studied them and responded with

these words..."IF YOU DO THIS TO THAT ONE, YOU'VE GOT HIM! IF YOU DO THIS TO

THAT ONE, YOU'VE GOT HIM! Those statements are clearly heard on the cassette tape! Later, Iasked a graphic artist to adjust the composites according to her request. Then, I took those prints toher, sat with her in her motel room with a female friend of Ms. Johns and she viewed some 1969footage of Bruce Davis. She found it creepy. She viewed some voice sounds from an interview withthe BBC. She said it was her opinion the man was not being truthful in his responses. She said she feltas though he was not speaking in his usual voice and that she felt he was play acting. She was ontarget. Bruce Davis and his attorney Mr. Denny, required the BBC reporter to follow a strict list of

questions, selected by the attorney. Bill Murphy did just that, and even when Johns did not know it,she observed correctly that Bruce Davis was following a planned script.


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I spent some 4-5 hours with Ms. Johns and her friend. As I produced other photographs of Bruce Davis, sheimmediately moved them from her side. She pushed them away. She looked back at them, her friend asked what was wrong and Kathy got up off the bed, hyperventilated and said something like, "I can't deal withthis." The next morning I arrived at the motel around 10:30 a.m. Kathy was still in bed. She answered thedoor, in her night gown, and told me to come in. She gave me permission the night before to return and takesome photographs of photographs on her wall. No one else had been allowed to obtain these. There is nodoubt about her reaction to Bruce Davis! Every law enforcement person I have shared this story with has

said it was as close to a positive identification as anyone could get. Ms.Johns never reacted to any other photograph presented to her before. What about her reference to the one shown to her by Mr. Hines? Shetold Howard Davis, and then me that she was led into that by Hines. She told me it "could be" the suspect of Harvey Hines.

I have never met Mr. Hines. I told Kathy I would like to meet him. She declined to give me hisnumber.

The last known target of

Zodiac Ms. Kathleen Johns faces many issues of credibility if she ever goes to court. It would be amistake to base her identification alone of a suspect, because of the following reasons. 1) There werethree police reports involving her ride with the Zodiac. Three different jurisdictions. She stated on oneshe was followed on the 99. She said on another one she saw the car after getting on the 132 road flashing his lights. 2) She said she stopped by the road preceding the gas station lights. On another report she was quoted as saying she went onto the freeway before stopping. 3) Some of theconversations on the different reports contradicts statements on the other two reports. Such as, whospoke first? Did Zodiac say anything about the town of Tracey? How fast did he drive? When did he

say "You know I am going to kill you, you know your going to die" or "Throw the baby out thewindow." 4) Did Zodiac stay in the car for about five minutes or did he follow her with aflashlight? The reports differ. 5) Did she catch a ride with a lone female who knew the area, taking

her to Paterson or did she get a ride with a couple driving a car with Missouri license plates? 6) Whydid no one get the identification of the trucker? 7) Why did the Patterson police officer not believeher when she saw the Zodiac wanted poster? 8) Exactly how many hours did she stay in therestaurant? 9)Why did all three reports dismiss her statements about "kidnapping" and only record thearson of her vehicle? 10) Why does she not remember if there were any markings on her vehicle thatZodiac may have seen to choose her, regarding license plate frame saying Riverside or San B? 11) If she can't remember these facts, how will her identification of the Zodiac be reliable? 12) She says shereceived a Halloween post card from Zodiac one year after her kidnapping. But she no longer has it.She told me she gave it to Paul Avery, but he told me a few months ago he never received it. Whywas it not turned over to law enforcement immediately, not a reporter? 13) Why did she not reportthe telephone calls she received, a Zodiac/Manson habit to victims or families of victims? Adding to

these questions, are the choices of her life style. When I asked her how many times she has beenmarried, she responded with "I don't know if I married any of them, I was so drunk." She presently ismarried to a California inmate, convicted of murder. When I asked her how, since you were almostkilled by the Zodiac, why would you choose to marry a convicted murderer in prison, sheresponded..."It happens."

: Remarks deleted

11/6/98. See November 6, 1998 below.

ZODIAC BY GRAYSMITH - UNTRUE STATEMENTS IN THE BOOK:It was not necessary for Mr. Robert Graysmith to make false statements, or create facts

that were really fiction in his Best Selling book. Things untrue in the book?Brian Hartnell never stated: "Kill me first,I could not bear to see her stabbed." He told me severalyears ago that Graysmith made it up and he was offended about it. "That man was in charge, he wasnot going to take suggestions from anyone!" - Hartnell describing Zodiac.


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Dean and Darlene never lived in a little green house next to the Sheriff station, and one could not seeit from the corner where the call was made by Zodiac following the murder and wounding at BlueRock Springs. When I was with Dean during a December 1997 tour of the area, he showed Howard Davis and me the house was a pink stucco and it always had been. It was on the same block as thestation not next door.Graysmith said the letter concerning Cheri Jo Bates was printed as correct. It was not. In the book Manson Behind The Scenes, I published the correct wording, given to me by the newspaper in

Riverside.He offended Bobbie Ramos with misleading statements about her interview.He only called Kathy Johns, never met her, even though she was living close enough for him to visither in just minutes.

He angered Dean Ferrin by misleading writings.

CRITICS CHOICE: O bjecting to my last newsalert, one late comer to the Zodiac case asked meif I was suffering from medication or pain killers. I was not. The story I wrote about America's MostWanted stands. There are no retractions and no apologies. There was a "local boy" suspect inRiverside regarding the murder of Cheri Jo Bates, October 30, 1966, just thirty-two years ago tonight.I have written to that person and the entire story is told in my book Manson Behind The Scenes.About Lake Berryessa where Zodiac murdered the female and wounded the male? The area of thecrime scene may be closed now as he indicated; however, last December it was open. The immediatearea of the crime scene of September 27, 1969 is now posted with a sign reading "Foxtail Flats". ACHP officer told me it had always been known by local residents as that name for that specific area.That fact, unknown to this obsessive critic, is important in the murder case of Doreen Gaul and JamesSharp of November 21, 1969. You would have to have the police report of the crime to make thatconnection. A planted clue from the killer (or killers) links the two crimes. This is not the only link of the two crimes.OCTOBER 31, 1998

Tonight is the anniversary week (10-30-66) of the unsolved murder of Cheri Jo Bates of Riverside,California. The entire story is contained in two books: Manson Behind The Scenes & The ZodiacManson Connection. The correct wording of the Zodiac letter is recorded for the first time in the book

Manson Behind The Scenes. Robert Graysmith did not give an accurate or factual representation tothe correct wording! The correct wording makes a match to the Z letter of November 21,1969 murder victim Doreen Gaul. The first suspect in the Bates murder was her boy friend who attended SanFrancisco Jr. College. He was cleared immediately. The second suspect remains the target of the

Riverside P.D. but three times they failed to get an indictment for the murder of Cheri Jo Bates.Riverside P.D. refuses to entertain the Zodiac as a suspect, even though a previous high ranking police officer "knew" the Zodiac letter was real and he indicated the Zodiac was the murderer. I refer you to Manson Behind The Scenes.

NOVEMBER 4, 1998THE ZODIAC CASE: Those critics and Zodiac groupies who ban together as if it were some fanclub continue to write and complain about this site. Well, no one ever asked you to visit. This sitegenerates over 30,000 hits a month and I am pleased at the direction it has taken. Contrary to their collective opinion it remains a site of facts with evidence to prove any claim. To aid you fellows inyour search for targets to hit, I am publishing the e-mail address of Dr. Howard Davis. You see, hisresearch of many years (longer I dare say than any of you) is based in fact. His conclusions are well

thought out and they stand up to critical scrutiny. Go to: [email protected]

RIVERSIDE LETTER STANDS: The letter printed in Manson Behind The Scenes is correctas it was sent in the original. The newspaper had never published it in total so the public had not seenit. That fact was made known to Howard Davis and me at the newspaper by the staff. RobertGraysmith did not print every word as it was in the original. also, all of this debate over the "local boy" in Riverside being some figment of Hard and my imagination is for no gain. If the Zodiacso-called experts do not understand this point, they understand no point. Every classmate of Cheri JoBates learned of the local boy - fellow classmate - and it was not Dennis. Rumor has it that the local


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boy dated Cheri Jo Bates, had broken up with her and just before the murder he slapped her in public.While it is true he liked her, she never responded in like manner. Close to the time of the murder therewas a rape of another female classmate. Some people believe the attack was from the same male whomurdered Cheri Jo. I spent an hour talking with the victim by telephone this week.COMPOSITE OF ZODIAC, BRUCE DAVIS REQUESTEDOne of the best friends of Cheri Jo Bates has requested a copy of the information on Bruce Davis. Shehas talked with me about the construction workers who worked on the library building at RCC. I amalso doing an extensive interview with her on the case that will be taped.

he families who were devastated by

the knife welding Zodiac killer continue to have strong emotions. In fact, this is an emotion drivencase. I received another e-mail from those Zodiac groupies and decided to read it as I deleted it. Iactually received more than one of those letters today. Proving that they continue to wait with bated breath for my news alert, one of them began, "I am writing this at the top before you delete it." I had just made that announcement yesterday on the news alert for November 5, 1998.

One of the letters said the writer had just concluded a two-hour conversation with Pam, one of thesisters of Darlene. (Blue Rock, Springs murder victim of Zodiac July 4, 1969) I decided to place atelephone call to Pam, we have not talked by phone since December of last year. Pam and I have onlyspoken on two or three occasions since about 1994. We have never met in person.

I spent the better part of an hour speaking with Pam. She was unhappy with my previousobservations regarding her as a witness. After speaking with her, I have decided to delete the abovereference and to state that it was not in the best interest of Pam that I wrote that alert. I intended nomalice, unlike the work of Tom Voit or Michael, AKA KKOJAK. My opinion was based onconversations with people deeply involved in the case, but I would have been wiser if I had notincluded that statement.We, as free people, have the right to express our thoughts. Other people maydisagree. That is their right.

Pam was attentive as I brought her up to speed with some of my information not made public on

the net. We remain friends. She is a valuable part of this story. She asked me where all the other family members of victims were. I told her it was the same in the Tate murder case. Doris Tate wasout in front there, she was out in front here.

Pam asked me why Tom and his co-harts are so mean spirited towards me. I had not answer. I told

her I had conducted a taped interview with one of the classmates of Cheri Jo Bates yesterday. Thelady told me she had gone to some Zodiac related web sites and was shocked at the malicious contenttowards me personally. It caused her to close the page and exit the net.

Pam and I discussed the argument at Terry’s parking lot between Bruce Davis and Darlene. Pam promised to correct the error of Tom Voit and KKOJAK for attacking me about the location. Like itor not, the argument took place at that location.

Pam asked me if I knew how fortunate I was for her father taking me into his home? I said that Idid. He allowed me to video tape him in an interview, but he demanded he not be on television. I promised.

RIVERSIDE POLICE: They are having some difficulty because of my taped interview lastMonday for KNBC Los Angeles. The delightful Mary Parks, Inland Empire news reporter, has beenasking the department about the evidence from the murder of Cheri Jo Bates October 30, 1966, a beautiful coed attending Riverside Jr. College. Evidence? 1) Scrapings under the finger nails of themurdered victim. 2) A palm print found on the VW belonging to the victim. 3) A Timex watchseparated from the attacker during the struggle. 4) The desk! Zodiac wrote a letter on it. Where is the

evidence today, some 32 years later? The Riverside police have no idea.

A BREAK IN THE CASE TODAY? According to Pam, one of the sisters of murder victimDarlene at Blue Rock Springs 7/4/69 there is suppose to be a break in the case today with the naming


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of a suspect. No other details are available.

PAM SAYS CALL HOME: During our telephone conversation Pam told me to have Howard

Davis call home. Pam had spoken with the mother of Howard Davis. Howard! Call your mother.

:

MAKING THE GRADE: merica's Most Wanted blew a golden opportunity to provide a realservice to the nation with their feeble attempt to tell the Zodiac story. Grade? D-. The re-enactment'swere filled with incorrect information. They did not even stay true to the evidence with the type of automobiles chosen. The producer knew very well that Kathleen Johns had made a very positivestatement about Bruce Davis during an interview conducted on January 1, 1998. Yet, he only showed Johns stating "I think" this is the man when shown another photograph given to her by Harvey Hines.

Johns told me Jennifer was sleeping in the back of the station wagon, the man never knew she wasthere until Johns got out of the car. Zodiac offered no assistance to Johns with Jennifer. Zodiac parked in front of Johns car, not behind! Johns told me she knew the type of car Zodiac drove.I took photographs of cars to Johns and she made a very positive statement about one type. She saw the car

from the rear. It was the "right rear tire" not the left! Zodiac spoke in a monotone, not a crazy sing

song voice portrayed by America's Most Wanted. Where did they ever get that idea?They made the scene at Blue Rock Springs look more like a lovers lane above the city lights,

rather than the secluded, dark, lovers lane by the golf course where Darlene Ferrin was murdered and her passenger Michael wounded. And, what about that kiss? There is no evidence what so ever thatDarlene and Michael went to the location to make love.

Regarding the murder at Lake Herman road? Zodiac did not approach the car from the right side.The victims were herded out the right side of the car.

Paul Stine, the cab driver was killed at Washington and Cherry. Zodiac asked him to drive toWashington and Maple, but when people were at that corner, Zodiac told him to drive one more block. The address given was 3898 Washington, a corner house. The three teenagers who saw Zodiacwere upstairs in the building across the dimly lit street. They watched him "wiping" down the cab, and

tearing a piece of shirt off the victim. Zodiac walked towards the Presidio, away from the murder scene, and he was observed by a patrol car with two officers in it, responding to the call. Thedispatcher gave wrong information over the air causing the police to look for a black male. Zodiacsent them towards Washington street, away from him. America's Most Wanted could have portrayed it better, by showing Zodiac hiding next to the wall in the Presidio.

To fully understand this scene, one should go the the area and think about it in your mind, thenwalk towards the Presidio and let the thoughts sink in. Zodiac was actually seen, in a deep fog, hiddenfrom full view by the shadowing tree lined street, yet the police officers saw him enough to create a

very accurate composite. Zodiac wrote this message: "...The S.F. Police could have caught me last

night if they had searched the park properly in stead of holding road races with their motor cycles

seeing who could make the most noise. The car drivers should have just parked their cars & sat

there quietly waiting for me to come out of cover." Zodiac also made reference to Maple street, yet the murder took place at Washington & Cherry

street. Maple was the street of choice. Why? One reporters opinion - Cheri Jo Bates was murdered behind Magnolia. Doreen Gaul was murdered behind Magnolia. The area of Kathleen Johnskidnapping was where roads were joining. Washington and Maple are very plainly in the area, so isBates Road. The 99 and 132 were "Roads joining" referenced to by the Beatles? Perhaps. Johns wastaken in an area that contained clues to other Zodiac murders. Johns said the man knew the area well.

What was that final re-enactment scene showing a woman getting into a cab, the driver falling outof the drivers side? Amazing!

America's Most Wanted identified four male victims, but offered no information as to why. No police reports. I am the only person alive who obtained a positive identification of Bruce Davis,

made by a sister of Darlene. America's Most Wanted quoted that information but failed to give the journalistic courtesy of giving credit to the person who obtained it. Howard Davis's book was onscreen, and that was good. But, the show cut his interview out of the broadcast and used the excusethe "lighting" was not right. And no, the producer of the interview has not been paid yet either.


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Bryan Hartnell was quoted as saying, "Kill me first, I could not bare to see her stabbed!" Thevictim at Lake Berryessa refused to speak with Greg Kline, the producer. For that, he was given creditfor a statement never made. Mr. Kline was told by me, prior to the broadcast, that Bryan was veryupset at Graysmith for saying he said that statement at the time of the attack. For Kline to include it,from the mouth of a police officer is an insult.

The producer of the show was immature, unqualified, untruthful, and lacking in any degree of professionalism. Sadly, the wonderful host of the show lowered himself to the depth of just a

teleprompter reader. He knew nothing about the research or the story. The show was hype. It could have been so much more. Please see:

ZODIAC COMMUNICATION CLAIM: t seems to be true. According to a former FBI

agent, the host of America's Most Wanted did some radio shows in the San Francisco bay area beforethe show about Zodiac. I was told the host actually stated he, himself, had been communicating withthe Zodiac for nine years. I have not verified the story yet. You who live in the bay area, please let meknow through e-mail if it is true. If it is true, and he did not give all of that information to lawenforcement as it happened, it would be an egregious obstruction of justice. Because of that, I chooseto believe the report was incorrect.

PUTTING THE DEBATE TO REST: have been taken to task of late for my statements

about the argument at Terry's parking lot between the Zodiac and Darlene Ferrin around 10:30 PMthe night of her murder. To settle this once and for all, so people who visit this site may know I am notin error about this, allow me to refer directly to the police report.

While it is difficult to read, it is from the original police report.

Notice the last time on the page - 10:30 PM:


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The lines were crossed out before I received the report.

wpe14.jpg (54575 bytes)

Read paragraph (3)

"DV talked with likely Suspect within 1-1/2 hours of her murder and came away from conversation'very upset'".

(SOURCE: Family member eyewitness)

These ARE the facts. The police reports are the proof. My eyewitness, sister of Darlene Ferrin, told

the truth. The argument happened at Terry's Restaurant parking lot just like she said. She made a

positive ID on Manson family member Bruce M. Davis!


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wpe15.jpg (15130 bytes)

Police ID of the Zodiac. Drawing of Davis. Withover lay applications, Howard Davis proved thecorrect bone structure, and facial features were thesame on Davis.

The above photo was taken of Bruce Davis in1970. From the book - THEZODIAC/MANSON CONNECTION.

ABOVE: Exclusive photo of Bruce

Davis the day he surrendered in LosAngeles - 12/70. Provided to Bill Nelson by KCBS Channel 2, LosAngeles from their archive footage. Itwas a gift to me, for finding the son of Manson, Gypsy and her son, for theApril 1993 exclusive interviews.Cappy is to the right of Davis. You cansee her blond hair on the left of the Xmarked killer. This photo was takenfrom a television show while the

vintage footage ran. This photo shook Kathleen Johns up!

ABOVE: One of the photographs Kathleen Johns asked me

to retouch, adding a pair of black rimmed glasses to the faceof Davis. She told Howard Davis on January 1, 1998 during ataped interview: "Do this to that one and you've got him."EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF PEN POWERPUBLICATIONS. Please do not steal the retoucheddrawing and apply it to another web site. It is not yourproperty. If you take it, you will be just a thief and theworld will know.


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LEFT: Kathleen Johns a few yearsafter the kidnapping by the Zodiac. Blond,attractive, appeared to be alone. Just the wayZodiac liked them. Taken by Bill Nelson withpermission from Johns.

LEFT: Johns still likes todrive a station wagon. It was October followingthe March 22, 1970 kidnapping of Kathleen Johns

that Zodiac sent her a card..."To the lady in thestation wagon I gave an interesting ride to..."Johns said she gave the card to Paul Avery, but hedenies ever receiving it. Yet another piece of evidence missing in the unsolved Zodiac murders.

I have much more evidence and information regarding the possible connection of Bruce Davisas a Zodiac suspect. My files are bulging!

December 8, 1998

BREAK IN THE CASE? I have no reason to believe the above news update about a break inthe case was correct. While the police may be working behind the scenes with new leads, police beat reporters know nothing about it. I followed up the possible break in the case with atelephone call to Dave Peterson, former police beat reporter for the Vallejo Times. He could confirm no breaking stories.

I have been corresponding with the

Riverside PD in an effort to determine if the information I received was correct. A reporter for KNBCChannel 4, Los Angeles told me she had been told by officers that "The evidence in the Cheri JoBates murder case (1966) is gone" Missing. Unaccounted for. No record of some of it. They even

denied knowledge of the Timex wrist watch torn off by the victim in a vicious struggle of life and death. The reporter then placed in front of that officer a newspaper article and photograph showingthe watch which I supplied to her during a television news taping in Riverside last November. All of my inquiry fell on deaf ears until yesterday when I received a page at 6:25 am. I am publishing the

three letters I wrote to the Riverside Chief of Police.

To: Chief of Police

Jerry Carroll

4102 Orange Street

Riverside, CA 92501

From: Bill Nelson

P. O. Box 1585

Costa Mesa, CA 92628

(714) 301-4308 Pager

(714) 979-4251 Fax Service


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Subj.: Cheri Jo Bates - Case No. 352-481

Murder of October 30th, 1966 Approximately 6:30 PM

Case closed, but never solved Date: January 14, 1999

Dear Chief:

I was working with KNBC Channel 4, Mary Parks about a story on the Zodiac murders and the possible connection to the murder of Cheri Jo Bates. I was informed by Mary Parks that your department has no idea where the evidence is for the case, which includes at least the following:

Finger nail scrapings from the deceased victim.

A possible palm print from her VW.

A Timex wrist watch, torn off the murderer by the victim which was found atthe crime scene the following morning, at the arch in the circle, caused by

the killer dragging Ms. Bates in a hard struggle. This item was in the localnewspaper.

The desk, from RCC, which contained the writings of the Zodiac/killer on thelid.

Your Department Record of Evidence on a police report dated December 20, 1968 by Capt. I. L.Cross states the following:

Hand printing

Latents

Military heelprints

Timex wrist watch

Typewritten confession

(Spelling as it was on the report - although incorrect)

I am concerned that this evidence is being reported to the television reporter as "missing" or in the

case of the watch it was "denied it ever existed" to Ms. Parks. As a leading authority on the Zodiacmurders, a published author on the Manson murders twice and the producer of two videodocumentaries on the Manson case, I have a valid reason to inquire. I maintain a web site which isreceiving some 50,000 visits a month, and I want to do a follow up News Alert on this unfinished story. As a journalist, I always check out a story and report only the truth. I am desiring you respond to me in writing and document the above evidence is still in custody, or that it is missing. If it ismissing then I should like to know when that happened, what the last date was for custody of theitems, and who signed out for the evidence and the reason for it. As a former United Secret ServiceOfficer at the White House, I am well acquainted with the rules and procedures for the "Chain of evidence" that is customarily followed in law enforcement.

I have given you my pager number should you have any questions. Thank you very much for your kind attention to this inquiry. If possible, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my knowledgeof your case in person. I know you have arrived on the Riverside Police scene rather recently, and Ihave been following your problems with the shooting of the lone female in the recent days. TheOrange County Register reported you were a fair and professional person. I trust that is the case.


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I was written up in a major article in the Metro section of your local paper in March 1997 upon the

release of my second book on the Manson case. MANSON BEHIND THE SCENES BY BILL NELSON, 400 page, trade pp. - $19.95 in stores everywhere. I have a detailed chapter on BruceDavis, who I have reason to believe was involved in the murder.

In another murder claimed by the Zodiac, I have an "eyewitness" making a positive identification onBruce Davis. She is a sister of the murder victim of July 4/5, 1969 at Blue Rock Springs, outside of Vallejo, CA. I have this on a VHS tape recording. It was recorded one year ago.

My book was the first public announcement about your "local boy suspect" and I have written thatman. He did not respond. This too was covered in my latest book.

Thank you once again for your attention to this. Previously, my attempt to discuss the Bates case withother high ranking officials at the Riverside P.D. have been unsuccessful. That is a tragedy. Should you desire to check out my reputation for being factual or truthful, feel free to call me and I will giveyou the telephone numbers of Chief Prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi and Assistant Chief Deputy DistrictAttorney Stephen Kay of Los Angeles. Both men know of my work extensively.

Respectfully,

Bill Nelson

Author/Publisher/Producer

Follow Up Letter:

Date: February 1, 1999

Dear Chief:

This is my follow up to the January 14, 1999 inquiry regarding the above case and the information Ireceived that your department has lost the valuable evidence collected at the time of the murder.Please do not dismiss my inquiry. I have every right to inquire and you and your department have afull responsibility to respond in a timely manner. Do not tarnish your badge by cover up, dismissal, or refusal to answer reasonable inquiries. I called your office and was given the names of two officers

assigned to the case. Neither officer has called, paged me, e-mailed me, faxed me or otherwise shownthat they give a care about my inquiry. That is an offense to me.

My request would take less than one hour to research! What officer of the Riverside P.D. has the desk

at home with a flower pot sitting on it? How you can justify not dealing with this issue is beyond reason.

I shall expect a timely answer, with correct documentation regarding the missing evidence. Should you

refuse to do so again, I shall have to take this to other investigative agencies.

Do the right thing. Spend less than a few minutes to determine the cause of the missing evidence and if it is indeed missing/stolen/mis- appropriated then prosecute that or those officers to the fullest

extent of the law. It is time to polish the badge with the cleaner called TRUTH.

Respectfully,

Bill Nelson

To: Chief of Police

Date: February 3, 1999


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This is my 3rd letter to you. Why would you assign your response to an officer who lacks professionalism,courtesy, and decorum? I received a page at 6:25 A.M. on Wednesday, February 3, 1999 a rather unusualhour for etiquette.

Let me apologize for my calling him a name at the end of the brief conversation. Wow, he pushed until heinsulted me in every way imaginable. But, no excuse. I apologize.

What did he say during the talk?

You know nothing about the Zodiac.

You know nothing about the Bates case.

There is a gag order on this case, it is an open homicide case and I am not going to discuss it with you.

I am tired of people calling me from around the country who think they Know something about this case.

No one here talked to Mary Parks. I know of no one who talked to Mary Parks or KNBC.

This case was cleared in 1982.

You, like all the others have a financial interest in this case.

What he refused to answer...

Do you, or do you not have the evidence in custody?

He declined any interest in reading my book, or any other book for that matter. I received exactly the sameresponse from an officer I called years ago at RPD! His name is in my book.

Chief, I am very disappointed that your department seems to want to sweep all this under the rug. I havenever heard of a "Gag Order" issued on a 30 year old case. Doesn't’t it usually take a judge order to do that,after/during a trial? One would have thought a courteous letter typed by your Executive Secretary could have dealt with my inquiries. Or, a letter or call from at least a Captain,

Lt. Or high ranking officer. But no, this low level, unprofessional, insulting man wearing an undeserved badge tried to stonewall the inquiry. That was unnecessary and a mistake.

The local boy suspect does not hold up since the Riverside Grand Jury declined to indict on more than oneoccasion. There is the evidence. There is that desk, and who may I ask carved that message into the desk if it were not the Zodiac? He recognized those who stumbling over the Riverside case. The story put out aboutBill Bennett going to the crime scene with an informant, looking for the watch, showing up at a restaurantwith scratches on his face, are not proved. If that were the case, circumstantially the Grand Jury would haveindicted. They did not.

I shall not call or contact your department again. Your leadership is questionable in this matter. The officer calling me certainly should have read my letters, not referred to: "You wrote a memo or something to theRiverside police?" A case of this magnitude calls for better informed representatives of the department. Thatofficer could not help a stranded blind lady across the street. He would spend time condemning her for being

blind.

Respectfully,

Bill Nelson


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The number I returned the page to was (909) 320-8011. He answered "Investigations" He mumbled hisname in such a way as to be unintelligible and I did not ask him to repeat it.

The Riverside Police Department has stood in the way of every inquiry into the murder of Miss CheriJo Bates except for the Avery interview. They have a "local boy theory" and it was not the former boyfriend, Dennis, of Cheri Jo Bates. Riverside PD has acted in a reckless and obstructionist manner when researchers, reporters, television reporters and other law enforcement agencies have inquired. Itleaves only one question begging to be asked...Why?

Pam, a sister of Darlene Ferrin sent me an e-mail message some weeks ago informing me she was toreceive information proving Zodiac did not kill Cheri Jo Bates. She has never sent it. With the attitudeof the Riverside Police Department, how could anyone come to that conclusion anyway?

t seems necessary that I make myself perfectly clear on something. The response of the Riverside

Police Department is not personal towards me. They have been secretive and non cooperating withmost every person who has investigated this case. According to Dave Peterson, the former police beatreporter for the Vallejo Times during the Zodiac murder spree, Riverside has been a stumbling block

to inquiries. He told me they have denied having DNA evidence, then said it was being evaluated byCII in Sacramento, then said it was returned to them. One would think after more than thirty years,the Riverside PD would KNOW what the evidence is and if the DNA points to any of the suspects inthe case, or to another yet unknown person. When the local Riverside newspaper conducted aninterview with me at the release of my book Manson Behind The Scenes in March of 1997, RiversidePD said they were waiting for the information from CII. They also dismissed any link to Zodiac withthe murder of Cheri Jo Bates.

have been asked to address a statement

on another web site page. On that site, Bruce Davis is dismissed as "A few interesting

coincidences have turned Davis into a very weak Zodiac suspect." Let me be clear on this!Every suspect in the Zodiac murder case is circumstantial and each police department has alocal boy or favorite suspect, or they dismiss information from other law enforcement agencies.The different departments refuse to work with other agencies. Some officers of one departmentillustrate open hostility or condescending attitudes towards other agencies. It is an age old problem. It is territorial. It is unnecessary but it is a fact of life. Bruce Davis is anything but aweak suspect. Bruce Davis is as important or unimportant as any other individual as a suspect.

eople of small stature and over

appreciation for self importance are writing me to say my information about the Zodiac isinvented and not right. One individual, who need not be named, complains if I had information I

would have given it by now. What I know about the Zodiac and the attack/murder of Bryan and Cecelia on September 27, 1969 is factual, well documented and relevant. I do not feelcompelled to give everything I know on this web page. Some of my work is ongoing and deep ininvestigation and more documentation. There is a connection between the murder of September

27, 1969 and the double murder of November 21, 1969. The clues left behind by the killer or killers is irrefutable. Trust me. When the time is right, I will come forward with the information.

ver the week-end I received more than thirty pages

of press clippings from Napa, California. The coverage in 28 articles was extensive and covered each of the known suspects in the Zodiac murders. Information regarding the "wealth, instant

money or drug activity" of murder victim Darlene Ferrin were inaccurate. Darlene did notreceive material to make a dress out of just prior to her death. She was not wearing a dressselected by the killer. There was no large sum of money used to purchase her little house. Thehusband of Darlene, Dean, has refuted all of that in a personal interview with me in December


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of 1997.

Hi, Bill;

I was wondering if you (or Howard Davis, perhaps?) have ever been in contact

with a Zodiac investigator in Napa, CA, by the name of Harry Martin, publisher of The Napa Sentinel? He wrote a series of articles in 1991-92 about theZodiac, which incorporated Bruce Davis as part of his "Team Zodiac" theory;his series had much information about Davis that I had never heard before,

and, as far as I can recall, he did not mention where he obtained it. Isurmised that you, Howard Davis and Mr. Martin might have had the same or similar sources, until I saw the composites on p. 346 of Manson Behind theScenes; Martin published the same ones on January 3, 1992, which is why I amcurious as to whether you or Howard Davis are his source of information onBruce Davis. Being an investigator myself, and considering that Martinhabitually did not name his sources and some of the people involved in the

case (despite the fact that their names were well known because of RobertGraysmith's Zodiac), I am attempting to verify his sources.

Ed

Hi, Bill...

Yes, I can send you copies... I don't have a scanner (yet), it'll be a while before I can scan and send them... I can send it via snail mail if you'd prefer, and, if so, let me know where to send it to you. After reading

Martin's series, I read Helter Skelter with Davis in mind... considering his position in the Family, I was surprised at the paucity of information on him.

I would certainly be interested in reading the police report on Gaul and Sharp. Also... what of Jane Doe 59 aka Sherry Andrews? He was suspected inher murder also...

Ed

I'll send a copy of his entire series in the next few days... the parts thatconcern Bruce Davis are near the end, as is the composite... I also made acopy of the front page of his paper from January 1992 that had thecomposites... Martin rarely credited his sources in that series, and sinceyou've never had contact with him, I wonder where he came by his informationon Davis?

Ed

Dear Bill...

I am inclined to agree with you that it was Howard Davis who supplied Martin

with the info for his series... most of what Martin published concerning BruceDavis I have found in The Zodiac/Manson Connection; what is interesting tonote is that Martin did not even credit him as the source! The relevant


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sections of the series are pp. 26-30 and 33, and I have also included a copy(reduced in size) of the actual front page the composites appeared on.

As far as the accuracy of The Zodiac/Manson Connection goes, I agree thatthere is much speculation. For instance, Howard Davis suggests that Mansonattempted to start Helter Skelter on December 20th, 1968, with the murders atLake Herman Road (p. 14), perhaps by having one of the Family do it (p. 15).However, the Family didn't even hear about Helter Skelter until December 31st,

eleven days afterwards (Helter Skelter, p. 330)! Other than occurring aboutthe same time in the same state, the closest definite connection between thetwo is that Manson lived at 636 Cole Street in San Francisco from March/Aprilto July 1967 (Helter Skelter, p. 636), and Zodiac victim Paul Stine lived at615 Cole, apartment 10, up until 1966. There is more I can mention, which you probably already know...

As far as your book, I've only concentrated on the chapter on Bruce Davis thusfar; I have been interested in learning more about him as a possible Zodiacsuspect. Other than a few weird things concerning him, I'm not sure what to

think yet, but he is definitely worth investigating. Even though Art Allen isstill the number one Zodiac suspect, the case against him (and all the other suspects), however impressive, is purely circumstantial. Now, if the Zodiacevidence could be found... the LA DA's office should know where it is if theyin fact did have it back in the early 1970's... it would close the case.

Anyway, Bill, I hope to get Martin's series in the mail to you on Monday. Youshould find it interesting reading...

Ed

Thank you Ed for the press clippings. I found them interesting.

February 24, 1999The Zodiac Case: I sincerely doubt if the Zodiac murders will ever be solved. Zodiac killed in different jurisdictions. He proved to be rather resourceful, taunting the police on the one

hand, hiding his identity quite well on the other hand. There is only circumstantial evidence toconsider any of the suspects. Time has passed. Lives have gone on. People who haveinvestigated the Zodiac murders have been ruined. Groupies fight for attention. My interest inthe unsolved Zodiac murders is waning. I can only assure you of one important fact. Bruce

Davis has been identified by Kris, a sister of Darlene Ferrin as the man with the victim atTerry's parking lot on the night of July 4, 1969 in a heated argument. Now, does that mean he

killed the victim and wounded her passenger? No. It does mean that law enforcement should question the eyewitness, view her video taped statement to me, and question Bruce Davis. If that does not happen the case ends. All other suspects have either died or have been ruled out by law enforcement.

Zodiac-Breaking The Case: This link will go to Zodiac Archives on February 28, 1999.This is my final publication regarding the Zodiac case for this page.

View Pages of Manson Murders


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