M.O. Analysis: Crying/Sobbing

Introduction

One of the most curious and surprisingly common aspects of an EAR attack often involved the assailant breaking down into tears and sobbing, sometimes mentioning his mother and sometimes simply cursing softly. We've mentioned before about "red herrings" and the possibility that EAR was doing this to throw off the investigation. The media was starting to portray him as "schizophrenic", and it's thought by many that he was trying to mimic behavior that he thought a paranoid schizophrenic might engage in. However, the occurrences started to happen with more spontaneity and in many cases, the EAR went off by himself to do it without putting in too many theatrics and many victims felt that it was genuine. Whether the tears were real or a red herring is a point of debate.

Attacks where EAR cried:

• Attack #22 5-28-77 Sacramento
• Attack #25 10-21-77 Sacramento
• Attack #26 10-29-77 Sacramento
• Attack #29 1-28-78 Sacramento
• Attack #30 3-18-78 Stockton
• Attack #32 6-5-78 Modesto
• Attack #35 6-24-78 Davis
• Attack #36 7-6-78 Davis
• Attack #37 10-6-78 Concord
• Attack #41 12-2-78 San Jose

Details

Attack #22 5-28-77

The EAR told the victim to tell the "fucking pigs" that if details of the attack appeared in the news, he would kill his next victims. He stuttered when he talked, and then said that it scares his "mommy" when his attacks are on the news. He cried a bit when he said this.

 

Attack #25 10-21-77

Stuttering, he told the victim to tell the "pigs" that he'd be back on New Year's Eve. The victim heard him crying after the second assault.

 

Attack #26 10-29-77

He cried immediately after assaulting the victim two times. He said something to the effect of "I'm sorry Mommy, I don't want to do this anymore."

 

Attack #29 1-28-78 Sacramento

After attempting to assault the two young victims, the assailant went to another room. He began crying and making high-pitched, whimpering noises.

 

Attack #30 3-18-78

He cried after assaulting the victim.

 

Attack #32 6-5-78 Modesto

He stuttered at times, and at one point he paced back and forth very intently and it seemed that he was sobbing.

 

Attack #35 6-24-78

Again, he cried after assaulting the victim.

 

Attack #36 7-6-78

In the middle of one of the assault, he stopped and began crying "I hate you, Bonnie."

 

Attack #37 10-6-78

After assaulting the victim, he began crying.

 

Attack #41 12-2-78

At the end of the attack, he cried in the kitchen for several minutes and then left.