Expendable For A Cause.

“I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it’s for or against.”

Malcom X

In the summer of 1985, Los Angeles was in the grip of fear from a spate of seemingly random and brutal killings, all committed by one man, the infamous “Night Stalker”. America in the 70s and 80s was struggling with two separate concepts, soon to be inexorably linked, the well-publicised “Satanic Panic”, which swept east to west, with its cults, heavy metal music, which many believed contained subliminal demonic messages hidden within lyrics, and sacrificial murders. On top of that came “stranger danger”, missing children with faces of the lost appearing on milk cartons.

After his famous, well publicised arrest by an angry mob on 31st August 1985, Richard Ramírez, already tried, convicted and condemned in the court of public opinion, fuelled by an hysterical media, became the living embodiment of everything most feared. A demon made flesh, the stranger in the midst, the outsider; held up as an example to all. The proverbial monster under the bed. Do not be fooled by the untrue statements that the killing stopped after the arrest of Richard, nothing could be further from the truth. The media, and the police never let the truth get in the way of a good story; gaslighting seems to be a speciality.

Never before had such media attention and coverage been given to a case, it reads almost like a Hollywood script. Apprehended while trying to escape angry citizens bent on retribution, indeed, these same citizens were hailed as heroes in a ceremony even as Richard was sitting in jail awaiting arraignment.

“He’s the suspect we’re looking for, so now comes all the hard work of tying him to all the OTHER CRIMES we’re looking at.”

Lt Dan Cooke, LAPD

Make the crimes fit? IF he’s the only suspect, shouldn’t they already have done that part? Not the other way round?

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If you subscribe to the Holy Church Of Netflix, you may have digested the story of the grisly murders, rapes, molestations, also the blood and the gore. While no one is denying the heinous nature of these crimes, or seeking to overlook them, Netflix managed to repeatedly dwell on the horror, so much so that many missed the obvious flaws staring them in the face. Instead, preferring to drink in all the sensationalism in all it’s bloody detail. If that is your preferred version of Richard Ramírez, then perhaps this blog is not for you.

You may also believe the highly inaccurate fiction of The Footprints, left allegedly, by the only pair of Avia aerobic shoes (in a particular style and size) everywhere the killer trod. Indeed, these obligatory footprints, around which has been built some of the sketchiest evidence ever seen, have followed this case around for over 30 years. More info on THOSE prints can be found in this post.

In reality, there was very little physical evidence linking Richard to these crimes, although disturbingly, there was evidence, hair and blood samples, which belonged to neither Richard nor any victim. Not forgetting the mystery semen found not to be his, either. However, law enforcement determined to make what little they had stick to their man, once they had him in their sights.

Much of what will be discussed here comes from the Federal Petition of the Writ of Habeas Corpus and supporting documents, filed by the Federal Public Defenders Office in 2008, which is available on line for anyone who cares to look.

This blog does not seek to give a halo, to whitewash or exonerate. In presenting these articles, we are merely disclosing counter evidence, highlighting the inept and (in my opinion) downright criminal negligence of his defence counsel, along with inaccurate prosecution expert witness statements, shown to be neither expert or factually correct. The holes in this case loom so large you could stick your head into them and shout into the void!

Justice is not served if the whole system is a facade, it serves neither victim or society. Where is innocent until proven guilty? Every person brought to trial is required to have justice. The right to a non-conflicted and competent counsel. The absolute right to a fair and unbiased trial.

Richard Ramírez was granted none of these things.

~Jay~