Why do they not question this character to identify Arthur Leigh before?

Why do they not question this character to identify Arthur Leigh before? - Young ethnic woman pointing at camera

In the movie Zodiac (2007), from the initial murders, we see that Mike Mageau is shot by the killer but somehow survives in 1969. After this incident several other murders take place and at one point of time they are suspecting Arthur Leigh Allen and bring him for questioning but he's let go because of handwriting mismatch. Much later around 1983, they bring in Mike to identify the killer and among six pictures of possible killers, he recognizes Arthur Leigh. Why wasn't Mike identified for questioning much before? Why was so much time wasted before he was brought in?



Best Answer

It has been addressed in the movie itself.

#1 Following conversation happens between Detective Armstrong and Vallejo Police department after the Bus Threat goes on TV.

ARMSTRONG: We're playing catch up here. I'd like to set up a meeting with your survivor, Michael Mageau-

DAYMULANAX: Can't. Skipped town.

ARMSTRONG: The only guy who's seen Zodiac without a mask is missing?

MULANAX: When he was still in the hospital we could show him line ups every day. Soon as he got out he left. Don't think he wants to have anything to do with this.

#2 Graysmith has the same question for Detective Toschi when they meet outside his office at night.

GRAYSMITH: Thanks for meeting me, Inspector.

TOSCHI: We're not meeting. I gotta be back in five minutes-

GRAYSMITH: Did anyone ever show Mike Mageau suspect photos?

TOSCHI: Why?

GRAYSMITH: He's the only surviving victim who saw Zodiac without a mask.

TOSCHI: No, why are you asking me? Darlene and Mageau are Vallejo's investigation, Paul Stine is mine, you got four minutes now-

GRAYSMITH: Darlene Ferrin was being followed.

GRAYSMITH (CONT'D): I know Mulanax says they already found this guy, a George Waters. But he also says Darlene had lots of "admirers" who would come by the restaurant where she worked. When Darlene and her husband moved into their new house, they threw a painting party-

TOSCHI: What's a painting party?

GRAYSMITH: It's a party where people come over and help you paint.

TOSCHI: That sounds like a terrible party.

GRAYSMITH: But someone who was not Waters showed up that night and Darlene was really scared of him.

TOSCHI: You think Zodiac knew Darlene.

GRAYSMITH: And if Zodiac knew her, maybe Mageau knew Zodiac.

TOSCHI: We’ll never know. Mageau's gone. In the wind. If you want to connect Zodiac to Darlene, you're gonna have to find another way.

Refer to following timed part.




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How did Arthur Leigh Allen became a suspect?

Toschi began to suspect Allen for a number of circumstantial reasons. He wore a Zodiac watch, which bore the same symbol inscribed on all of the Zodiac Killer's anonymous letters. Allen's personality also fit that of a serial killer. He was on the quiet side, socially awkward and was a known pedophile.

How likely is Arthur Leigh Allen?

Of the four ciphers he produced, two remain unsolved, and one took 51 years to crack. While many theories regarding the identity of the killer have been suggested, the only suspect authorities ever publicly named was Arthur Leigh Allen, a former elementary school teacher and convicted sex offender who died in 1992.

Who was the guy in the basement in Zodiac?

A month earlier, the San Francisco Chronicle cartoonist had received an anonymous phone call regarding the identity of the Zodiac, the notorious Bay Area serial killer. \u201cHe's a guy named Rick Marshall,\u201d the mysterious voice told him at the start of an hourlong conversation.

Was Arthur Leigh Allen in the military?

1957: Allen enlisted in the U.S. Navy. (Zodiac was thought to have an affiliation with the military, most likely the Navy.) June 15, 1958: Allen was arrested by the Vallejo Police Department for disturbing the peace as the result of an altercation with acquaintance Ralph Spinelli.



Dr. Bruce Banner, Casey Jones and Lt. Bradshaw are onto Twisty the Clown.




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