Zodiac investigation thwarted by head of homicide department - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Awsi Dooger · 01-20-2006, 12:32 AM

I found this disturbing summation on zodiackiller.com, a retired inspector on the case, Michael Maloney, placing blame on the leader of the San Francisco homicide department, saying his ego got in the way and "it's crystal clear that he should not be a homicide leader." The Zodiac case was officially closed not long after a significant advance a few years ago, a partial DNA match that apparently excluded top suspect Arthur Leigh Allen: http://www.zodiackiller.com/ZStatus.html

Here are the opening paragraphs:

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal. -- "The Zodiac case will not be solved until the current San Francisco Police Dept.'s manager in the homicide section is transferred.

"Unfortunately, John Hennessey has involved his ego in this case. He could not tolerate the attention this case brought to the inspectors working it. He closed it and ordered one of the most informed and capable police inspectors in the SFPD, Kelly Carroll, to return the case to the file and never respond to questions about it in the future from anyone, forever. As long as he is an employee of the SFPD, and since the case is such a complex one, the lieutenant in charge cannot manage it very well since he knows little about it. So Hennessey closed it -- kind of like sweeping dirt under a rug. And, rather than re-assign the case to another team, Hennessey put the case to bed after the first significant lead advancement in 30 years.

"My partner and I were the first team to be able to apply forensic DNA techniques to the Zodiac case.

"We were the first team to solve a cold case, 25 years old, with DNA. We know what we do, and we did it well.

"We could have torn that case apart with DNA testing, but we were thwarted with all kinds of excuses from Hennessey."

nohwheregirl · 01-20-2006, 02:06 AM

Very interesting. I knew that they had closed the case, but was always puzzled as to exactly why. I mean, just because a suspect doesn't pan out doesn't mean it's solved or never will be solved. And, from what it looks like, they haven't tested ALL DNA samples for matches to ALA or any other suspects.

I still can't believe it's not ALA, though. It just doesn't make sense!! He has to be involved somehow. I can't imagine how frustrating it must be for the (former) investigators.

CentralCali · 01-20-2006, 07:01 AM

As far as Napa County and VPD are concerned, the case is still open.

01-20-2006, 12:32 AM	#1
Awsi Dooger Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2003 Location: Miami Posts: 1,537	Zodiac investigation thwarted by head of homicide department I found this disturbing summation on zodiackiller.com, a retired inspector on the case, Michael Maloney, placing blame on the leader of the San Francisco homicide department, saying his ego got in the way and "it's crystal clear that he should not be a homicide leader." The Zodiac case was officially closed not long after a significant advance a few years ago, a partial DNA match that apparently excluded top suspect Arthur Leigh Allen: http://www.zodiackiller.com/ZStatus.html Here are the opening paragraphs: SAN FRANCISCO, Cal. -- "The Zodiac case will not be solved until the current San Francisco Police Dept.'s manager in the homicide section is transferred. "Unfortunately, John Hennessey has involved his ego in this case. He could not tolerate the attention this case brought to the inspectors working it. He closed it and ordered one of the most informed and capable police inspectors in the SFPD, Kelly Carroll, to return the case to the file and never respond to questions about it in the future from anyone, forever. As long as he is an employee of the SFPD, and since the case is such a complex one, the lieutenant in charge cannot manage it very well since he knows little about it. So Hennessey closed it -- kind of like sweeping dirt under a rug. And, rather than re-assign the case to another team, Hennessey put the case to bed after the first significant lead advancement in 30 years. "My partner and I were the first team to be able to apply forensic DNA techniques to the Zodiac case. "We were the first team to solve a cold case, 25 years old, with DNA. We know what we do, and we did it well. "We could have torn that case apart with DNA testing, but we were thwarted with all kinds of excuses from Hennessey."

01-20-2006, 02:06 AM	#2
nohwheregirl THE Mystery Machine Senior Member Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Posts: 1,057	Very interesting. I knew that they had closed the case, but was always puzzled as to exactly why. I mean, just because a suspect doesn't pan out doesn't mean it's solved or never will be solved. And, from what it looks like, they haven't tested ALL DNA samples for matches to ALA or any other suspects. I still can't believe it's not ALA, though. It just doesn't make sense!! He has to be involved somehow. I can't imagine how frustrating it must be for the (former) investigators.

01-20-2006, 07:01 AM	#3
CentralCali Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 12, 2006 Posts: 15	As far as Napa County and VPD are concerned, the case is still open.