Zodiackillersite.com

CuriousCat wrote:
Since were speculating about cars and Ross being a possible suspect, one thing I have considered is the reason Stine was a victim. Ross, by the time of the Stine murder, because of his mental state had lost his drivers license, perhaps had his vehicle impounded or taken away by family, so he had to find a victim that he could walk to, and from.

But Zodiac had a car in 1970 when he allegedly tried to kidnap the mother and her child.

Since we are speculating, Zodiac could have parked his car in advance near the general vicinity of where he planned to ask Stine to drop him off. He then shoots Stine, cuts off a piece of his shirt and then walks calmly a short distance (perhaps a couple of blocks) to where he had his car pre positioned.

To me this type of car escape plan would make sense. The police would be searching for an assailant fleeing on foot from a taxi -- instead of someone fleeing in a car, thus giving the assailant a tactical escape advantage. Of course, in the follow up letter taunting the cops, Zodiac claimed to have hidden in the Presidio to make the police look incompetent. I always thought he might have been lying about that. Surely he would have anticipated that cops could have released K-9 dogs to search for him in the park and he would have bloody clothes with him that dogs could detect by scent. Escape using a pre-planted car nearby seems more plausible.

I tend to think Ross killed the cab driver, not because he didn't have a car, but because he wanted to send more letters and have physical evidence to prove the letters were coming from Zodiac. It would also instill fear in the public that Zodiac was killing at random in plain view within a major city.

solvethemystery wrote:
But Zodiac had a car in 1970 when he allegedly tried to kidnap the mother and her child.

Agreed, and good point. I've never been convinced that was actually Zodiac though. I don't rule it out as being him, just something about it always gave me doubts.

Since we are speculating, Zodiac could have parked his car in advance near the general vicinity of where he planned to ask Stine to drop him off. He then shoots Stine, cuts off a piece of his shirt and then walks calmly a short distance to where he had his car parked. To me this type of car escape plan would make sense. The police would be searching for an assailant fleeing on foot from a taxi -- instead of someone fleeing in a car giving the assailant a tactical advantage. Of course, in the follow up letter taunting the cops, Zodiac claimed to have hidden in the Presidio. I always thought he was lying about that. Surely he would have anticipated that cops could have released K-9 dogs to search for him in the park. Escape in a pre-planted car seems more plausible.

Agreed, and have always thought the same. I never believed he hid in the bushes.

This might explain why Zodiac originally asked Stine to go to one address, and the taxi was found at another address. Maybe when Stine pulled up to the original address it was closer to Zodiac's car, but Zodiac saw some people present in the street, got spooked and he asked Stine drive a bit further where there would be no readily apparent witnesses on the street.

solvethemystery wrote:

CuriousCat wrote:
Since were speculating about cars and Ross being a possible suspect, one thing I have considered is the reason Stine was a victim. Ross, by the time of the Stine murder, because of his mental state had lost his drivers license, perhaps had his vehicle impounded or taken away by family, so he had to find a victim that he could walk to, and from.

But Zodiac had a car in 1970 when he allegedly tried to kidnap the mother and her child.

Since we are speculating, Zodiac could have parked his car in advance near the general vicinity of where he planned to ask Stine to drop him off. He then shoots Stine, cuts off a piece of his shirt and then walks calmly a short distance (perhaps a couple of blocks) to where he had his car pre positioned.

To me this type of car escape plan would make sense. The police would be searching for an assailant fleeing on foot from a taxi -- instead of someone fleeing in a car, thus giving the assailant a tactical escape advantage. Of course, in the follow up letter taunting the cops, Zodiac claimed to have hidden in the Presidio to make the police look incompetent. I always thought he might have been lying about that. Surely he would have anticipated that cops could have released K-9 dogs to search for him in the park and he would have bloody clothes with him that dogs could detect by scent. Escape using a pre-planted car nearby seems more plausible.

I tend to think Ross killed the cab driver, not because he didn't have a car, but because he wanted to send more letters and have physical evidence to prove the letters were coming from Zodiac. It would also instill fear in the public that Zodiac was killing at random in plain view within a major city.

Since we all are speculating, You are speculating that Zodiac was the one who picked up Kathleen Johns and we don't know that for sure. It makes me wonder and very far away from Zodiac's past and proven crimes. As for Stine IMO it was Zodiac's End Game to terrorize San Fran which and where I think he lived.

Now for facts, after Lake Berryessa on Sept 27 1969. We don't know if Zodiac had access to a vehicle or even needed one. Unless one believes Zodiac started from there and committed the rest of his crimes on boat.

I agree we don't know for sure if Zodiac picked up Johns. However, Zodiac (or someone purporting to be Zodiac) took credit for the attempted Johns kidnapping in a letter -- and Johns fingered Zodiac when she saw the Stine sketch on the police wall. If it was Zodiac, he had access to car in 1970.

solvethemystery wrote:I agree we don't know for sure if Zodiac picked up Johns. However, Zodiac (or someone purporting to be Zodiac) took credit for the attempted Johns kidnapping in a letter -- and Johns fingered Zodiac when she saw the Stine sketch on the police wall. If it was Zodiac, he had access to car in 1970.

Right and Johns says he look about 145 lbs and later said it was Kane who abducted her. I'm not doubting she was kidnapped but not so sure it was Zodiac. Again to me way to far away from where Zodiac was familiar with. Not to mention lots of crazies in Cali at the time that acted like Zodiac. Zodiac also took credit for anything including Bates and Johns and was a attention whore.

StitchMallone wrote:Now for facts, after Lake Berryessa on Sept 27 1969. We don't know if Zodiac had access to a vehicle or even needed one. Unless one believes Zodiac started from there and committed the rest of his crimes on boat.

If Zodiac had access to a car on Sept. 27, 1969, why is it a massive stretch for you to think he had access to a car two weeks later on Oct. 11, 1969?

solvethemystery wrote:

StitchMallone wrote:Now for facts, after Lake Berryessa on Sept 27 1969. We don't know if Zodiac had access to a vehicle or even needed one. Unless one believes Zodiac started from there and committed the rest of his crimes on boat.

If Zodiac had access to a car on Sept. 27, 1969, why is it a massive stretch for you to think he had access to a car two weeks later on Oct. 11, 1969?

It's not at all and more likely he did have access after that date. I'm saying it is not proven he use a car since that date or needed one to kill Stine.

Simple solution Zodiac told Stine to drive a extra block because he forgot where he parked his car. After spotting where he parked his car. Decided to kill Stine and then walk in the opposite direction of his car. All would have work out if it wasn't for those darn kids seeing him.