The Binge Crimes: The Doodler | Episode 7 - "The Man in the Sketch"

Introduction

In this gripping episode of The Doodler, part of The Binge Crimes series by Sony Music Entertainment, host Kevin Fagan delves deep into one of San Francisco's most elusive serial killers—the Doodler. Operating in the mid-1970s, the Doodler targeted the city's gay community, leaving a trail of fear and unanswered questions that have lingered for nearly five decades.

The Doodler Killings

The Doodler's reign of terror seemed to cease around late summer 1975. Almost two years later, in 1977, Homicide Inspector Rote Guilford provided a retrospective on the investigation to the San Francisco Chronicle. Reflecting on the case, Rote expressed confidence in identifying the killer, attributing this belief to a significant lead that emerged in November 1975.

The Breakthrough: Dr. Priest's Tip

The pivotal moment in the investigation came when a psychiatrist, referred to in case files as Dr. Priest, contacted the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD). According to Rote Guilford, Dr. Priest's patient confessed to the Ocean Beach murders, marking the first substantial break in the case. Inspector Rote, along with colleague Earl Sanders, decided to bring this patient in for questioning.

“Most of what we know about this interrogation comes from that 1977 interview Rotta gave to the Chronicle.” (00:58)

Interrogation Challenges

During the interrogation, the patient denied being the murderer but admitted to struggling with his sexual identity since the age of 13. He claimed that therapy had "cured" his homosexuality and that he now had a steady girlfriend. This interaction left investigators with more questions than answers, as they lacked access to detailed case notes or additional insights into the patient's background.

“I didn't want to be gay, and he claimed that his sessions with the psychiatrist had, quote, cured him.” (03:18)

Potential Motives and Theories

Kevin Fagan discusses a prevailing theory that the Doodler's motive stemmed from his own internal conflict with his sexuality. This self-hatred may have driven him to target other gay men, a topic further explored by John Smid, a former employee of a gay conversion therapy organization.

“It's likely that the Doodler killed gay men because he was struggling with his own sexuality. Pent up self-hatred that he took out on other gay men.” (04:46)

The Stigma and Its Impact

John Smid provides invaluable insight into the societal pressures faced by gay men during the 1970s. Working at Love in Action, a gay conversion therapy organization, Smid recounts the emotional and psychological turmoil experienced by individuals trying to conform to heteronormative expectations.

“Years of denying and hiding your sexuality can intensify feelings of anxiety, fear and anger.” (06:48)

This stigma significantly hindered the investigation, as victims were reluctant to come forward or testify, fearing exposure and societal backlash.

Legal and Ethical Dilemmas

Dr. Paul Applebaum, a professor at Columbia University and former president of the American Psychiatric Association, discusses the ethical challenges faced by psychiatrists in such cases. While confidentiality is a cornerstone of psychiatric practice, there are exceptions when a patient poses a threat to others.

“In the case of a serial killer, the psychiatrist would be able to, under the standard tenets of confidentiality, to disclose that information for the sake of protecting potential future victims.” (08:27)

Dr. Priest’s decision to inform the SFPD was likely driven by the belief that his patient posed an imminent threat, yet this disclosure did not lead to the case's resolution.

The Case Goes Cold

Despite the promising lead, the absence of concrete evidence and the unwillingness of witnesses to testify resulted in the case going cold. The detectives were left without the necessary tools to charge their primary suspect, leading them to prioritize other cases.

“Rotea and Earl didn't have anything that would stand up in a court of law.” (18:10)

Social and Political Turmoil

The late 1970s in San Francisco were marked by significant social and political upheaval, which further complicated the investigation. The election of Harvey Milk and the subsequent tragic assassinations of Milk and Mayor George Moscone by Dan White shifted the community’s focus away from the Doodler case.

“The murders of Mayor Moscone and Harvey Milk sucked up lots of the attention for a while.” (22:00)

Resurgence of Interest: Renewed Hunt for the Doodler

Decades later, the Doodler case saw a resurgence in interest, spurred by individuals like Seth Hammelberg, who began re-examining unsolved gay murders from the 1970s. This renewed attention has reignited efforts to locate Dr. Priest and gather new evidence that could finally bring the Doodler to justice.

“How many people who were afraid to speak out about the doodler in the 70s would be alive to talk to us today? If not for the AIDS epidemic?” (24:30)

Current Investigative Efforts

Present-day investigators, including Dan Cunningham and Ron Huberman, continue to piece together the fragmented evidence. Efforts to locate Dr. Priest hinge on accessing historical directories and public records, with limited success so far.

“Nobody I or Cunningham has talked to can find this doctor Priest yet.” (30:01)

Despite the challenges, there remains hope that new technologies and persistent investigative techniques will eventually uncover the missing links necessary to solve the case.

Conclusion

The Doodler case remains one of San Francisco's most haunting and unresolved true crime mysteries. The intersection of societal stigma, legal constraints, and political distractions created a perfect storm that allowed a serial killer to evade justice for decades. However, with renewed interest and advancements in investigative methods, there is still hope that the truth behind the Doodler's identity will one day be uncovered.

“If the patient poses an imminent threat to others, the psychiatrist might disclose that information.” (08:31)

This episode underscores the profound impact of societal attitudes on criminal investigations and the enduring quest for justice in the face of adversity.