All right, forgive me if this incident has been addressed previously, but…remember this tale from Helter-Skelter? On 2 November 1969 Steve Zabriske, 19, told police in Portland, OR that a “Charlie” and a “Clem” were responsible for the Tate-LaBianca murders. Two former Manson associates, Ed Bailey and Vern Plumlee, had told him this. Bailey also told Zabriske (and his brother-in-law, Michael Lloyd Carter) that he had “personally seen Charlie shoot a man in the head with a .45 caliber automatic” in Death Valley (HS, 1994 ed., p.105). Because Zabriske could offer no proof of his story and Manson & Co. were then unheard of, the Portland cops dismissed the claim and never investigated it. Questions: 1 – Did the Portland Police (or anyone else) investigate Zabriske’s claims after Manson & Co. was in custody? 2 – What happened to Zabriske? To his brother-in-law, Carter? 3 – Who was shot in Death Valley and why? When did the incident occur? 4 – If the story was a tall tale told by Bailey (or Plumlee) what was its purpose? Was either man ever questioned about the incident? Truth on Tate LaBianca wants to know…
Plumlee has always been a mystery and is still around. He is the one that started with the Sharon wasn't supposed to be there, and then he used his BIL credit cards. Mahler-if you, or anyone else can find the incident too with that Dries guy in the car that he and someone else walked up upon and supposedly Dries was dead and they took his credit cards.. Vern, also, it seems was in alot of different places. Haught and Davis were freed from Death Valley, Haught was shot in the head---could Vern have twisted this?
I'm surprised Plumlee's so hard to find - it takes real effort nowadays to stay below the public radar. Maybe he's a regular visitor here? (Vern - are you there?). Forgot about the Dries story - that's another one worth looking into. Reminds me of Sanders' tale about the crashed NBC plane in the mountains and the scavenger crew that stole the cameras. Cats, your Christopher Jesus hypothesis is a good thought, but Zero was killed on November 5, 1969 - three days after Zabriske talked to police. Bailey, Plumlee, Zabriske, Carter - that's four people, presumably still living, who may know something about Manson killing a man.
Well poop..laughing. Vern's son is here, and posted about Vern. Vern isnt that hard to find at all-I befriended him on a facebook like page and he accepted me as a friend but for some reason I didnt have the heart to give him the third degree. Maybe it is time to rethink that...
Hmm...what is the protocol? Don't envy your judgment call. I just wonder if there's a cold case homicide somewhere in the southwest (or more likely no record because no body).
Well, I am not sure at all...his son Nate seemed like a good kid, and he seemed to love his Pops. But if there is a chance there are bodies out there and he knows, I think it is time to come clean.
I must concur, Cats. Found records of a Steve Zabriske from Portland whose dates match up but with no further data have no idea if he's our SZ.
