Reasons why you think it could be suicide

[K_Z]

With all due respect, it is only your opinion that there was impropriety and undue influence in Rebecca's death. JMO

Snipped for relevance.

I disagree. It's not just my opinion. Additionally, I have posted easily more than a dozen times that I hope Max Shacknai's death investigation is also reopened. However, I believe that RZ's investigation request more closely fits the narrow requirements of the AG's office for review and reinvestigation, with the documentation of conflict of interest by defense attorney Paul Pfingst.

Page 258, Fatal Friends, Deadly Neighbors (Ann Rule)
Author is describing the photographs and letter sent to the California Attorney General by the team of attorneys and investigators for the Zahau family. (Sorry text is so big-- unable to resize.)

 

[MyBelle]

Snipped for relevance.

I disagree. It's not just my opinion. Additionally, I have posted easily more than a dozen times that I hope Max Shacknai's death investigation is also reopened. However, I believe that RZ's investigation request more closely fits the narrow requirements of the AG's office for review and reinvestigation, with the documentation of conflict of interest by defense attorney Paul Pfingst.

Page 258, Fatal Friends, Deadly Neighbors (Ann Rule)
Author is describing the photographs and letter sent to the California Attorney General by the team of attorneys and investigators for the Zahau family. (Sorry text is so big-- unable to resize.)

Apparently the AG's office views the letter to be so absurd it hasn't bothered to respond. Baseless accusations flung at law enforcement and a former prosecutor are to be expected by those with a history of arrest.

JMO

 

[Salem]

Agree to disagree and move on here. Enough already.

Everyone gets their opinion. If you disagree or cannot discuss it respectfully - then DON'T RESPOND. Responding just derails the thread and ends up in a circular argument. STOP. ENOUGH.

Salem

 

[Gilgamesh]

Agree to disagree and move on here. Enough already.

Everyone gets their opinion. If you disagree or cannot discuss it respectfully - then DON'T RESPOND. Responding just derails the thread and ends up in a circular argument. STOP. ENOUGH.

Salem

After thinking about my last post, I came back to delete it if possible. You beat me to it. You are right. Fair is fair. My apologies.

 

[time]

Apparently the AG's office views the letter to be so absurd it hasn't bothered to respond. Baseless accusations flung at law enforcement and a former prosecutor are to be expected by those with a history of arrest.

JMO

BBM - Who are you talking about?

Basically, there is a photo (concrete evidence) that Paul Pfingst was in the crime scene and he, himself, claimed he was representing someone in the family. Therefore, it is not possible that the accusations are baseless. We now know the family member was Adam. I think it's fine that Adam got representation, but it is not ok in a criminal investigation, especially one that was violent and a murder suspected, for a defense attorney to be in on the investigation, e.g., includes being behind the crime scene tape.

There is absolutely no reason to conclude the AG thinks the letter is absurd because they haven't responded. :waitasec:

 

[MyBelle]

BBM - Who are you talking about?

Basically, there is a photo (concrete evidence) that Paul Pfingst was in the crime scene and he, himself, claimed he was representing someone in the family. Therefore, it is not possible that the accusations are baseless. We now know the family member was Adam. I think it's fine that Adam got representation, but it is not ok in a criminal investigation, especially one that was violent and a murder suspected, for a defense attorney to be in on the investigation, e.g., includes being behind the crime scene tape.

There is absolutely no reason to conclude the AG thinks the letter is absurd because they haven't responded. :waitasec:

Adam was not a suspect nor was it determined to be a crime scene. Besides, the fact that an attorney is at a crime scene is itself not a conflict of interest. Families have attorneys who aren't defending them in a criminal matter but who may be serving to protect their interests from such things as illegal searches.

Just sounds like a couple of attorneys seeking publicity decided to throw baseless accusations against a wall knowing full well it wouldn't stick. I think such posturing is pretty absurd and it's a fact that the AG has never responded or even acknowledged receipt of such accusations. Not dignifying something with a response makes it pretty laughable in my opinion.

 

[time]

Adam was not a suspect nor was it determined to be a crime scene. Besides, the fact that an attorney is at a crime scene is itself not a conflict of interest. Families have attorneys who aren't defending them in a criminal matter but who may be serving to protect their interests from such things as illegal searches.

Just sounds like a couple of attorneys seeking publicity decided to throw baseless accusations against a wall knowing full well it wouldn't stick. I think such posturing is pretty absurd and it's a fact that the AG has never responded or even acknowledged receipt of such accusations. Not dignifying something with a response makes it pretty laughable in my opinion.

First of all, no one should be behind a crime scene tape unless they are working WITH law enforcement. I believe Adam was being investigated, it would have been silly if he weren't in this case. Whether one wants to call him a suspect or not, if there were 6 suspects, he WAS one of them for sure. I don't think anyone could dispute that.

The AG always responds one way or the other so it is ridiculous to claim they haven't responded per your reason. It is most likely they are considering their response and taking more time because of the complexity or the case.

I still would like to k now who you are talking about that has a history of arrest? If it's Rebecca then the statement makes no sense since she is dead.

"Baseless accusations flung at law enforcement and a former prosecutor are to be expected by those with a history of arrest"

 

[MyBelle]

First of all, no one should be behind a crime scene tape unless they are working WITH law enforcement. I believe Adam was being investigated, it would have been silly if he weren't in this case. Whether one wants to call him a suspect or not, if there were 6 suspects, he WAS one of them for sure. I don't think anyone could dispute that.

The AG always responds one way or the other so it is ridiculous to claim they haven't responded per your reason. It is most likely they are considering their response and taking more time because of the complexity or the case.

I still would like to k now who you are talking about that has a history of arrest? If it's Rebecca then the statement makes no sense since she is dead.

"Baseless accusations flung at law enforcement and a former prosecutor are to be expected by those with a history of arrest"

BBM. Do you have a link to support your claim that the attorney was NOT working with law enforcement? I believe He's a former DA and also that it's up to LE to decide who they wish to to allow at a scene.

It is your opinion that Adam was a suspect at the point in time Pfingst was present but that's quite a leap for you to make with no links to support it.

Those who have been arrested themselves and also have publicly criticized officials shouldn't be surprised at the lack of response from officials.

JMO


http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2012832729_bremner08m.html

She told Moen she was an attorney for the Seattle Police Department and that Moen had a "bad attitude" and would not "go far" in his career, police reports say. She also said to various deputies: "I will sue your ," "I'm famous. It'll be bad for you guys,"

http://www.pghcitypaper.com/SlagHea...echt-lashes-out-in-angry-letter-to-fitzgerald

Most intriguingly, Wecht's letter suggests that his track record for investigating, and publicly criticizing, police conduct might be part of the reason Fitzgerald has denied him the job.....Wecht's letter included a news clipping of the press conference, citing it as proof that "I do not need the M.E. position to deal with professional matters [or] to convene a large news media turnout."

 

[Inparadise]

BBM. Do you have a link to support your claim that the attorney was NOT working with law enforcement? I believe He's a former DA and also that it's up to LE to decide who they wish to to allow at a scene.

It is your opinion that Adam was a suspect at the point in time Pfingst was present but that's quite a leap for you to make with no links to support it.

Those who have been arrested themselves and also have publicly criticized officials shouldn't be surprised at the lack of response from officials.

JMO


http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2012832729_bremner08m.html

She told Moen she was an attorney for the Seattle Police Department and that Moen had a "bad attitude" and would not "go far" in his career, police reports say. She also said to various deputies: "I will sue your ," "I'm famous. It'll be bad for you guys,"

http://www.pghcitypaper.com/SlagHea...echt-lashes-out-in-angry-letter-to-fitzgerald

Most intriguingly, Wecht's letter suggests that his track record for investigating, and publicly criticizing, police conduct might be part of the reason Fitzgerald has denied him the job.....Wecht's letter included a news clipping of the press conference, citing it as proof that "I do not need the M.E. position to deal with professional matters [or] to convene a large news media turnout."

Phingst was not working with LE: on the evening of 7/13, Phingst returned to Spreckels but was denied access by LE.

 

[MyBelle]

Phingst was not working with LE: on the evening of 7/13, Phingst returned to Spreckels but was denied access by LE.

If that is true (you didn't provide a link) it only underscores how utterly ridiculous the accusation really is that he had a conflict of interest.

JMO

 

[Betty P]

If that is true (you didn't provide a link) it only underscores how utterly ridiculous the accusation really is that he had a conflict of interest.

JMO

Pfingst has his own private law practice

http://www.higgslaw.com/attorneys/paul-j-pfingst

Unless SDSO employs attorneys in private practice, he was working for a client. Do you have some proof that SDSO routinely hires private attorneys to work for them?

 

[Inparadise]

If that is true (you didn't provide a link) it only underscores how utterly ridiculous the accusation really is that he had a conflict of interest.

JMO

Pfingst was caught on camera at Spreckels that night on all the local San Diego stations, and all the reporters commented about it, as they rolled the footage of him being denied access.

 

[MyBelle]

Pfingst has his own private law practice

http://www.higgslaw.com/attorneys/paul-j-pfingst

Unless SDSO employs attorneys in private practice, he was working for a client. Do you have some proof that SDSO routinely hires private attorneys to work for them?

<mod snip> I used the phrase, "with them" not "for them."

JMO

 

[MyBelle]

Pfingst was caught on camera at Spreckels that night on all the local San Diego stations, and all the reporters commented about it, as they rolled the footage of him being denied access.

A link, please.

 

[i.b.nora]

"Wednesday evening, former District Attorney and current defense attorney Paul Pfingst showed up at the crime scene. Pfingst confirmed to News 8 that he had been hired to represent someone connected with this case, although he would not specify who his client is.

"I'm not Jonah's lawyer. I've never spoke with him. As far as I know he's not a suspect of any type," Pfingst said in a statement."

From: http://www.cbs8.com/story/15075598/...to-speak?clienttype=printable&redirected=true

 

[MyBelle]

"Wednesday evening, former District Attorney and current defense attorney Paul Pfingst showed up at the crime scene. Pfingst confirmed to News 8 that he had been hired to represent someone connected with this case, although he would not specify who his client is.

"I'm not Jonah's lawyer. I've never spoke with him. As far as I know he's not a suspect of any type," Pfingst said in a statement."

From: http://www.cbs8.com/story/15075598/...to-speak?clienttype=printable&redirected=true

Thanks and as Mr. Pfingst notes, he isn't there as a criminal defense attorney. Nothing about the article suggests he has a conflict of interest or is in collusion with LE. That's pure innuendo that the AG hasn't bothered to respond to.

JMO

 

[time]

Thanks and as Mr. Pfingst notes, he isn't there as a criminal defense attorney. Nothing about the article suggests he has a conflict of interest or is in collusion with LE. That's pure innuendo that the AG hasn't bothered to respond to.

JMO

Where in the article does it say that? The article says:

Wednesday evening, former District Attorney and current defense attorney Paul Pfingst showed up at the crime scene. Pfingst confirmed to News 8 that he had been hired to represent someone connected with this case, although he would not specify who his client is.


"I'm not Jonah's lawyer. I've never spoke with him. As far as I know he's not a suspect of any type," Pfingst said in a statement.

You cannot claim it is pure innuendo if there is a picture of Pfingst behind the crime scene tape or other reasons.

Once again, it is not a case of the AG just dismissing this and thinking it is just baseless. Can you provide any references/links where the AG just does not respond at all to a request to review a case?

I would be appalled if my State Attorney General was acting the way you present it and there is no way I think your statements represent the truth nor do I think you have any basis for making them. If you do, then where are they other than stating it is your opinion on a such a serious legal matter? PErhaps we should call in our WS legal beagles.

 

[Nom de plume]

"Wednesday evening, former District Attorney and current defense attorney Paul Pfingst showed up at the crime scene. Pfingst confirmed to News 8 that he had been hired to represent someone connected with this case, although he would not specify who his client is.

"I'm not Jonah's lawyer. I've never spoke with him. As far as I know he's not a suspect of any type," Pfingst said in a statement."

From: http://www.cbs8.com/story/15075598/...to-speak?clienttype=printable&redirected=true

Thanks and as Mr. Pfingst notes, he isn't there as a criminal defense attorney. Nothing about the article suggests he has a conflict of interest or is in collusion with LE. That's pure innuendo that the AG hasn't bothered to respond to.

JMO

BBM on i.b.nora. I don't understand your reasoning MyBelle. If he wasn't there to represent someone, then why was he there? He clearly stated that he had been hired to represent someone connected with the case. If that doesn't suggest, if not confirm, that he was there as a criminal defense attorney I don't know what does.

Who else could he have been hired to represent except AS? AS was the only person at the scene, he was the one who found her, and would be (or at least should be) a POI until cleared. I suppose he could have been there to represent DR or NR but it seems unlikely since they weren't there.

He stated that he was not JS's attorney. He never said he wasn't AS's attorney.

 

[bourne]

BBM on i.b.nora. I don't understand your reasoning MyBelle. If he wasn't there to represent someone, then why was he there? He clearly stated that he had been hired to represent someone connected with the case. If that doesn't suggest, if not confirm, that he was there as a criminal defense attorney I don't know what does.

Who else could he have been hired to represent except AS? AS was the only person at the scene, he was the one who found her, and would be (or at least should be) a POI until cleared. I suppose he could have been there to represent DR or NR but it seems unlikely since they weren't there.

He stated that he was not JS's attorney. He never said he wasn't AS's attorney.

Also, Anne Rule wrote in her latest book that Pfingst's call went through a private number at the police station, and Pfingst asked DIRECTLY to speak with Adam Shacknai. So we know for certain that Pfingst was present to represent Adam at the Spreckels mansion subsequent to Becky's murder.

 

[K_Z]

I don't think there is any way to "spin" Paul Pfingst's fairly immediate presence on the scene, as innocuous, expected, collaborative, friendly, helpful, or anything similar. And his presence can't be dismissed, either. It's highly significant.

He wasn't just "passing by" either. He was contacted rapidly, just a few hours after the body was discovered, from someone who knew exactly how to get almost immediate personal access to this former prosecutor in private practice. The person who called, IMO, was not flipping thru the yellow pages, or searching google for "find a lawyer." And the person who contacted Paul Pfingst was successful at persuading this high power attorney to literally drop what he was doing for the day, and get in the car to go to the scene. To represent "someone", who we now know was Adam. To "protect his rights", I'm sure.

Paul Pfingst's presence is a huge piece of evidence in how Rebecca's death investigation unfolded in the earliest hours-- imo, and the opinion of many others. It's not innuendo or speculation-- it is factual that he was contacted, he went there, he was photographed inside the crime tape with investigators (and in a "chummy" fashion), he was calling the police station unpublished numbers to intervene/ interfere with the questioning of AS-- who, from Ann Rule's descriptions, didn't even know he HAD an attorney, at that point. And if I'm not mistaken, AS was not even still at the mansion when PP showed up, so an excuse that he came to pick up his client can't even be used.

Attorneys who represent anyone connected with a suspicious death are not permitted to be part of a death investigation or crime scene processing, in any way. That is not their job. H wasn't just "at" the scene-- he was "inside" the scene. That is a clear conflict of interest. Period.

Paul Pfingst's presence and involvement is extremely significant. And he knew he shouldn't have been there, either. He's a former prosecutor, for pete's sake. He was using his recognition and influence, period, imo.

He was there even BEFORE the ME's office responded (lol, it's easier to get a defense attorney than a medical examiner), with the body still there, uncovered and displayed grotesquely to gawkers and news helicopters. He absolutely used his influence to get onto, and inside the scene of what was initially suspected by police to be a murder, and he CONTINUED to use the influence and knowledge from his previous position as DA by making calls into the interrogation rooms (unpublished numbers) at the jail to influence what was happening with Adam Shacknai.

I think this is a very strong argument for conflict of interest and impropriety in the investigation, and I hope the AG's office agrees at some point.