Fatal Friends, Deadly Neighbors by Rule Ann

Author:Rule, Ann [Rule, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: True Crime, Nook, Retai, Fiction
ISBN: 9781451648287
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 2012-11-27T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Detective Angela Tsuida and dozens of other investigators from both the Coronado Police Department and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department worked countless hours on the case of the death of Rebecca Zahau. It’s difficult to fault them, and I suspect many of these detectives must feel a sense of a job left undone—but don’t have the authority to continue working on Becky’s case.

Tsuida ended her report with “All indications are that there was no foul play.”

There were, of course, many indications of what might very well be construed as foul play, and they have been listed in this book. There were a number of factors that were not addressed, or were not followed through to a satisfactory end. Many forensic lab tests were not completed, or even begun.

The best solution, in my opinion, would have been to risk bringing charges against one or more persons, and to see the circumstances and evidence presented to jurors and let them decide. If an acquittal(s) resulted, then double jeopardy would attach, and any defendants would be protected from ever facing murder charges again.

As it is, the mystery floats in dead air.

On February 21, 2012, Sheriff Bill Gore’s special assistant and chief attorney, Robert P. Faigin, sent a letter to one of the Zahau family attorneys, Martin Rudoy.

“This letter serves as formal written follow-up to our meeting on January 27, 2012, and your numerous emails relating to the death of Rebecca Zahau. The meeting was . . . attended by members of the Sheriff’s homicide unit and crime lab, as well as members of the County Medical Examiners and the Coronado Police Department.

“At the beginning of the meeting, you and your partner, Mr. Fleck, were advised that the investigation into Rebecca Zahau’s death was closed, and that the manner of death was listed as a suicide . . . The purpose of the meeting was to provide you and your partner an opportunity to provide all evidence that you indicated you had. The meeting lasted three hours, with all but a few minutes of the time being utilized by you and your PowerPoint presentation.”

Faigin criticized that presentation because he considered it to consist of numerous theories on things that “could” or “might” have happened, but felt there was no actual evidence.

The other titan of forensic pathology in America, Dr. Michael Baden, had read the entire case file and leaned toward the sheriff’s interpretation of the manner of Becky’s death, and thought it more likely she had taken her own life.

“At the conclusion of the meeting, you and your partner stated unequivocally your belief that Ms. Zahau had been murdered. However, you were unable or unwilling to state who you believed to be the culprit.

“[Your] theories included a ‘confidential informant’ who befriended Adam Shacknai after the incident in question . . . who allegedly told your investigator in an unrecorded statement that Adam Shacknai confessed to her that he was returning home when he discovered Ms. Zahau’s body, as opposed to finding her after he woke up.

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