One small scrap of paper held outsized importance. A piece of paper in Robert Hansen’s handwriting. A scrap that connected him to Patty Roberts like no other. That scrap held the name and address of her parents. That scrap held her son’s name. These were intimate details. Intimate details to which he could hardly be privy.
And this is where things got tricky. The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution basically says the government can’t go snooping in or around your privacy or personal belongings without a damn good reason. That scrap of paper seemed to fall smack dab under those Fourth Amendment protections.
The troopers had a lively discussion about that very issue.
Information
“On 12.28.71 certain aspects of this case were discussed with Assistant District Attorney Virgil Vochoska, specifically the possibility of discovering the alleged note written by the suspect, noting the victim’s parents name on a piece of paper which was believed to be in the suspect’s wallet.
“The discussion with Mr. Vochoska was whether or not this piece of paper could legally be seized on sight or whether it should be left in the wallet and a search warrant secured. Mr. Vochoska advised in favor of securing a search warrant. Sgt. Walt Gilmour was present during this discussion.
Incriminating Evidence
“During the course of the interview with the defendant on 12.28.71, the defendant removed his wallet from his pocket and emptied it on the desk, looking for something with his handwriting on it. At this time was observed a scrap of white paper with the name “Thomas S. Roberts, XXXX “P” Street, Anchorage, Alaska” written on the paper.
“At this time the defendant denied any significance to this piece of paper, the rape or the address: in fact, denied ever having seen it before, although admitting that the writing appeared to be his.
Under Lock & Key
“At the conclusion of this interview the paper was replaced in the defendant’s wallet and the wallet placed in a heavy plastic envelope. Upon arriving at the State Jail at 7:30 PM, his wallet was turned over to the booking officer with the specific instructions to keep it under lock and key, as it contained important evidence and that a search warrant would be secured the next morning to seize this evidence. Mr. Leon Jordan was the booking officer on duty at this time.
The note… was not in the wallet.
Alaska State Troopers report, 12/29/71
“On 12.29.71 a search warrant was secured in the morning hours and served on the Division of Corrections, Alaska State Jail. The wallet was produced by the jailers from a locked cabinet and searched. The note seen the evening before and placed in the wallet just before the defendant was booked was not in the wallet.”
Copyright Leland E. Hale (2020). All rights reserved.
Purchase Butcher, Baker
Order my latest book, “What Happened In Craig,” HERE and HERE, true crime on Epicenter Press about Alaska’s Worst Unsolved Mass Murder.
1 thought on “Going After A Scrap of Paper”