Introduction
The Zodiac Killer: AKA the Silenced Badge is a book by Lyndon E. Lafferty that seeks to give the true identity of the Zodiac killer. The actual topic of the book is The Zodiac Killer: Cover-Up: The Silenced Badge. In his book, he outlines the reasons why no officer who knew the story dared to testify. Included in the book are the specific people who were the masterminds behind the act of concealing the Zodiac despite the evidence that led to him. It is a series of a high ranking corruption and dirty political games. Lyndon E. Lafferty mentions all that were involved in the scandal and the motive behind the actions of the Zodiac. He was a patrol officer of the California Highway. The claim that he knows the truth is a sensitive issue because Zodiac was a serial killer, one that America sought relentlessly.Scope
Lyndon records that the Zodiac killer’s identity has been known to a group of federal agents, one district attorney, and several law enforcement officers. The group was identified by the name “mandamus seven.” People of influence in the government preferred to keep the identity of the Zodiac killer secret to preserve their embarrassment because of their indirect involvement with the serial killer. Over 2500 suspects were investigated and George Russell Tucker (a name that Lyndon uses in order he may not reveal his name) was the only one who had the greatest motive to commit such an act. His wife was at some point involved with a judge and the killings could have been linked to his pursuit for revenge.
The book is written for the unknowledgeable public on the events. Considering the fact that Lyndon was a police officer actively involved in the case at the time, the public has reason to put their trust in him. However, there are many sceptics of the book, especially those who are legitimately knowledgeable with the facts regarding the case.About the Book
In my perspective, the title of the book does not exactly fit the contents of the book. As much as the writer talks about the silenced badge, the title is misleading in the fact that not officers (badge holders) were silenced only. Many related persons were silenced against their will. The title should reflect the specific content covered in the book, in a clear way. For instance, the title should indicate that the zodiac killer is still alive and that people were silenced by those in authority to forever conceal the identity of the killer.
In fact, Lyndon claims that all the officers who had come into contact with the truth were ordered to burn their files. This is a clear indictor that he writes the book from memory. As much as there is the possibility that his recordings are true, it is impossible to convince someone who did not come into contact with the case without evidence, especially on such a sensitive issue as that whereby no other person has ever risen to admit that the issues stated in the book are true.Target Audience
Only a person with prior knowledge on the events and murders that revolved around the Zodiac killer is able to understand everything the book records. The book, therefore, seems to be directed towards a particular audience; that of detectives and policemen, the jury and a few civilians who cared enough to follow the case closely. Otherwise, it is irrelevant or vague to any other audience. This is because it does not clear out the acts of the Zodiac. It seems to be a response to the argument, whereby the argument is absent.
It is difficult to interpret a story from the middle and an individual interested enough to want to understand would have to do prior research on the Zodiac. Still, they would not completely connect the series of events because some information required to understand the content on “The Zodiac Killer Cover-Up: The Silenced Badge” is only present in the confidential files of the FBI and the police. They are the only people who can find the book useful.
The case of the Zodiac has been reopened in several places in America such a city known as Riverside and Napa County. The officers in charge of these cases can find the content of this book useful, especially in finding the people who were directly involved in hiding the Zodiac. According to Lyndon, the Zodiac died at 92 in 2012 and so arresting him is not an option. However, arresting the people who made the serial killer not be brought to justice would be an effective way to cool down the unsatisfied Americans who felt that the case was never given the attention it required.
Most of the sources of the information provided in the book are primary. However, most of them are not verifiable. They are, therefore, subject to criticism. He even claims that the actual suspect confessed. His claim that he actually met the Tucker (the Zodiac killer) in the parking lot at one point is very critical and hard for anybody who did not witness it to believe. However, the people who were forced to take the oath are among the reliable primary sources he has used. However, legally speaking, their oath could not have been legally binding because they did not actually state what was required of them.
Other primary sources interviewed by journalists in response to the book claimed that Tucker was a good man, kind to his children and neighbours. They did not relate unusual behaviour with him and this makes the author’s claims less convincing.Future Relevance of the book “The Zodiac Killer: AKA The silenced Badge”
The book has covered a very important section of American tragic history in the law enforcement field. However, it is only relevant to those well knowledgeable about the case. These who have an idea of who the Zodiac killer was could also make sense out of it between now and the next 10 years. This is because it has already been more than a decade since the Zodiac killer committed a crime. However, in the next thirty years, the Zodiac killer will have become a memory in the minds of those who heard about him. Most people will not comprehend what it is about, especially because it does not specifically cover the exact actions of the Zodiac killer, but talks about how his actions were concealed.
The book contains places that no longer exist and only the person who is well acquainted with the geography of America can actually relate the events to their locations. Considering that the book mostly favours an audience of detectives, the jury and other law enforcers, it may prove to be irrelevant in the next 20 to 30 years whereby the law enforcers will be unfamiliar with the case except in the case of individual interest. It would be more reasonable to read a book that actually speaks of the actions of the Zodiac killer, and not one that tries to explain what happened behind the scenes and why the Zodiac killer was left scotch free.
I would only recommend this book to researcher who wishes to expound on the case of the Zodiac killer. Otherwise, the content of the book is more of a speculation that factual. I agree that the book has been written with precision of a certain level. However, it is not good enough to convince the public of the author’s opinions. For instance, the author should have avoided mentioning things that were obviously going to be subject to sceptics. Things he could not explain if asked about. He gives unintelligent supportive information for is text. Could he have structured the literature in a smarter way, the basis of challenge would be different. As for a student who wants to get facts concerning the Zodiac killer, this book is outright inappropriate as it would only build up confusion in their mind.Conclusion
The book “The Zodiac Killer: AKA The silenced Badge” has an interesting theme, one that intrigues any reader who was deeply interested in the Zodiac killer has conclusions that do not hold weight. For instance, he states that the reason that the officials involved in the case had put a halt in the investigations they had been conducting on Tucker because a judge was having an affair with his wife. This is not very convincing because it is nonsensical to put the lives of so many in danger all because you want to preserve the image of a powerful judge. Some of the questions raised in any reader’s mind are such as if the judge was as powerful as the author claimed he was, why not work towards silencing Tucker instead of letting him go and continue with his crimes. The book is interesting but serves only a selected audience.
