Interview with Schoolmate of Ross

[morf13]

I just had a lengthy phone conversation with Allan Silliphant who was the schoolmate of Ross. Allan directed Ross in a movie, a school project called, Dejavu

I will update this thread today as time allows

[morf13]

First off, the major stuff-

Allan did not know Ross to be dangerous, nor did he ever see him do anything violent. He did not know Ross to hurt people, animals, etc. He did not know Ross to shoot guns, or hunt.

Allan did not know Ross to use ciphers, puzzles, codes, etc.

Allan said that Ross was very interested in Acting, and in movies, bit he did not know Ross to be locked in to any certain movies or shows(Dangerous Game, Gilbert & Sullivan)

Allan said Ross was close to 300 pounds back in high school but to quote him," Ross didn't have rolls, he was big, but beefy or solid" (sounds almost as how Mageau or Hartnell described Z).

Allan said that Ross talked slow, and deliberate, he drew out his words. When I described how Zodiac spoke, Allan said that that sounded close to how Ross spoke.

Allan said that Ross was self conscious about his size, and had trouble with girls.

Allan said that Ross wrote and read poetry a lot.

Allan said that he kept up with Ross until about 1963 or so, and last he knew, he was aware Ross worked in a library at RCC. In 1963 or so, Allan got drafted, and lost touch with Ross, and did not know Ross was dead until I told him today. He said he would like to help with looking at Ross to clear him, but if he is Z, he also would want the truth to be known.

Allan is going to look for the old movie starring Ross, and see if he can get me a copy. It's on a reel, and may not have sound. Allan doesn't have any samples of Ross's writing,or other photos of Ross.

I will follow up with him in a few Days, and report addl findings!

[Susie]

That is great Morf. I'm glad you found another person that was willing to help, even if it is to try and prove he's not Z. I also think it's important to note that the onset of mental illness (especially schizophrenia) tends to around 18 and into the early 20s for males (25 for females). It could be that Ross developed those tendancies after high school, so it would make sense that people that knew him earlier on would not see that side. The fact that he spent time in mental hospitals means that he was deemed to be a threat to himself or others and the fact that he was later conserved adds to that. It doesn't make him a killer but does prove there was reasons for concern.

[morf13]

That is great Morf. I'm glad you found another person that was willing to help, even if it is to try and prove he's not Z. I also think it's important to note that the onset of mental illness (especially schizophrenia) tends to around 18 and into the early 20s for males (25 for females). It could be that Ross developed those tendancies after high school, so it would make sense that people that knew him earlier on would not see that side. The fact that he spent time in mental hospitals means that he was deemed to be a threat to himself or others and the fact that he was later conserved adds to that. It doesn't make him a killer but does prove there was reasons for concern.

There are at least a couple profilers who felt Zodiac was a paranoid schizophrenic, just like Ross was

[morf13]

I hoped Allan would have additional pics of Ross, and hopefully more writing, but likely has neither. He says that he has the video in storage and is willing to let us use it, but does not recall if it has sound, but thinks the quality of the footage is very good. I had hoped to hear Ross speak.

[Tahoe27]

The fact that he spent time in mental hospitals means that he was deemed to be a threat to himself or others and the fact that he was later conserved adds to that. It doesn't make him a killer but does prove there was reasons for concern.

I respectfully have to disagree with this statement Susie. There are many reasons one could be admitted to a mental hospital--not being a threat to themselves or others. Especially back in the 60's; people were admitted for showing signs of depression. I personally know of someone who was admitted, not due to the fact they would harm themselves, just that family didn't know how to help.

That said, schizophrenia would certainly (and did) constitute one to possibly need a mental hospital, but Ross's brother Jon stated he did not know of Ross being "violent" in any way. That is not to say Ross never was--just that Jon was not aware, so it would seem violence was not part of the reason Ross was institutionalized--if Jon is being truthful.

(Paul Stine was put into a mental hospital by his brother and sister--that has to have lasting resentment..forgiveness sure, but resentment, yes)

[Tahoe27]

I had hoped to hear Ross speak.

That would be an added bonus!

[vasa croe]

The fact that he spent time in mental hospitals means that he was deemed to be a threat to himself or others and the fact that he was later conserved adds to that. It doesn't make him a killer but does prove there was reasons for concern.

I respectfully have to disagree with this statement Susie. There are many reasons one could be admitted to a mental hospital--not being a threat to themselves or others. Especially back in the 60's; people were admitted for showing signs of depression. I personally know of someone who was admitted, not due to the fact they would harm themselves, just that family didn't know how to help.

That said, schizophrenia would certainly (and did) constitute one to possibly need a mental hospital, but Ross's brother Jon stated he did not know of Ross being "violent" in any way. That is not to say Ross never was--just that Jon was not aware, so it would seem violence was not part of the reason Ross was institutionalized--if Jon is being truthful.

(Paul Stine was put into a mental hospital by his brother and sister--that has to have lasting resentment..forgiveness sure, but resentment, yes)

Any chance Ross and Stein were in the same hospital at the same time? Always that rumor of Z possibly knowing Stein....would be an interesting connection that likely no police officer would have known or been able to find out at the time.

[Susie]

The fact that he spent time in mental hospitals means that he was deemed to be a threat to himself or others and the fact that he was later conserved adds to that. It doesn't make him a killer but does prove there was reasons for concern.

I respectfully have to disagree with this statement Susie. There are many reasons one could be admitted to a mental hospital--not being a threat to themselves or others. Especially back in the 60's; people were admitted for showing signs of depression. I personally know of someone who was admitted, not due to the fact they would harm themselves, just that family didn't know how to help.

That said, schizophrenia would certainly (and did) constitute one to possibly need a mental hospital, but Ross's brother Jon stated he did not know of Ross being "violent" in any way. That is not to say Ross never was--just that Jon was not aware, so it would seem violence was not part of the reason Ross was institutionalized--if Jon is being truthful.

(Paul Stine was put into a mental hospital by his brother and sister--that has to have lasting resentment..forgiveness sure, but resentment, yes)

That may be true back in the 60s, but I work with a lot of people with mental health and there were times that we would have liked to have them admitted due to them needing intense treatment; however they were not deemed to be threat to themselves or others and therefore we could not. Usually if someone has depression they are admitted because there is a fear they may committee suicide (threat to self) or cause self injurious behaviors (cut self or purposely injure even if not to the point of being life threatening). A minor or person that is conserved can be admitted against there will on what is considered a voluntary basis if the conservator feels it is warenteed; however they still need to provide reasonable allegations regarding why they feel that way. I have never known anyone to be admitted for depression unless it was felt the person may hurt themselves, keep in mind that complete lack of self care (although usually to the extreme) does fall under threat to themselves.

[Scandinavian]

Very interesting thought actually. The murder does not fit in with the others, so it could be something more personal behind it. Quess the rumor that Stein might have known zodiac comes from the fact that he rode in the front seat with him, something stein never would let someone he diddnt know do.