Luck of DeAngelo: Oversights and Missed Opportunities
May 23, 2020 20:10:51 GMT
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Post by Any of N on May 23, 2020 20:10:51 GMT
Luck of the angel? Give the angel his due? Still can't get over the ironic surname.
Back in the old days, prior to the case being solved, we used to muse on how the EAR-ONS-GSK evaded capture. There must have been some big missed opportunities along the way as there were for other elusive serial offenders like, say, Ronnie Shelton or Robert Napper. With this offender's endless crimes you knew there had to be a long list. Someday when the court proceedings are complete and the books come out we'll marvel over the best/worst examples. Until then all we can do is review what we already know.
Here's what I can think of at the moment. Anything more to add?
Pre-Crime Wave
The leniency of Bonnie's father: DeAngelo tried to kidnap and elope with his ex-fiance. Her father intervened but chose not to notify the police. DeAngelo moved on without a criminal record.
VR Phase
Bill McGowan's near misses: The Visalia Detective had the offender right in his sights, literally, but botched the capture. Following that, he never made the quick trip over to the Exeter PD to check out the cops.
EAR Phase
Possible VR connection ignored: The Sacramento Sheriff's Department didn't listen to the Visalia PD. Thus no comparison of evidence, no additional focus for the investigation, and no resulting leads.
Nick Willick moves on: The Chief of the Auburn PD removed a problem cop but didn't follow-up. The ex-cop's threats and stalking – literally directed at the chief himself – were shrugged off. Obvious ploys for disability benefits, presumably.
ONS Phase
Possible EAR connection ignored. Murders not linked: Familiar pattern with similar downside. Larry Crompton disregarded. The blood type non-secretor evidence apparently not considered. More investigative avenues lost.
Cold Case Phase
Failure to look at LE, retrospectively: How about a study on local cops who committed crimes? (We know there was one on convicts incarcerated during the 5-year ONS gap, for example.) DeAngelo would have turned up quickly. He lost his job during the EAR phase, shortly before the attacks drifted toward the bay. It was in the news.
Verla Street Prowler sketch goes unreleased: (Until very late, when the case was already being solved, 40+ years on.) There's no way the similarity with the Exeter Sun photo could have gone unnoticed. Short work after that.
Then there's how these things can work together. Imagine if everybody had talked about (1) the EAR possibly being a cop and (2) possibly being the VR as well. Then DeAngelo gets kicked off the force for shoplifting. If that doesn't work, then someone from Visalia sees the Verla Street sketch.
Back in the old days, prior to the case being solved, we used to muse on how the EAR-ONS-GSK evaded capture. There must have been some big missed opportunities along the way as there were for other elusive serial offenders like, say, Ronnie Shelton or Robert Napper. With this offender's endless crimes you knew there had to be a long list. Someday when the court proceedings are complete and the books come out we'll marvel over the best/worst examples. Until then all we can do is review what we already know.
Here's what I can think of at the moment. Anything more to add?
Pre-Crime Wave
The leniency of Bonnie's father: DeAngelo tried to kidnap and elope with his ex-fiance. Her father intervened but chose not to notify the police. DeAngelo moved on without a criminal record.
VR Phase
Bill McGowan's near misses: The Visalia Detective had the offender right in his sights, literally, but botched the capture. Following that, he never made the quick trip over to the Exeter PD to check out the cops.
EAR Phase
Possible VR connection ignored: The Sacramento Sheriff's Department didn't listen to the Visalia PD. Thus no comparison of evidence, no additional focus for the investigation, and no resulting leads.
Nick Willick moves on: The Chief of the Auburn PD removed a problem cop but didn't follow-up. The ex-cop's threats and stalking – literally directed at the chief himself – were shrugged off. Obvious ploys for disability benefits, presumably.
ONS Phase
Possible EAR connection ignored. Murders not linked: Familiar pattern with similar downside. Larry Crompton disregarded. The blood type non-secretor evidence apparently not considered. More investigative avenues lost.
Cold Case Phase
Failure to look at LE, retrospectively: How about a study on local cops who committed crimes? (We know there was one on convicts incarcerated during the 5-year ONS gap, for example.) DeAngelo would have turned up quickly. He lost his job during the EAR phase, shortly before the attacks drifted toward the bay. It was in the news.
Verla Street Prowler sketch goes unreleased: (Until very late, when the case was already being solved, 40+ years on.) There's no way the similarity with the Exeter Sun photo could have gone unnoticed. Short work after that.
Then there's how these things can work together. Imagine if everybody had talked about (1) the EAR possibly being a cop and (2) possibly being the VR as well. Then DeAngelo gets kicked off the force for shoplifting. If that doesn't work, then someone from Visalia sees the Verla Street sketch.