Arpana was last seen in the early morning of Nov. 1 during a Halloween . The majority of criminals arent very bright. Ive been away for so long, I dont believe in holidays no more, he said. If her rape was that violent he'd have had SOME scratches or scars. All the while, Fair, whose family was unable to foot his seven-figure bail, said he had faith he would one day walk away free from a charge alleging he murdered Arpana Jinaga, 24, in her. Detectives relied on her to help them find Jinagas missing phone and camera and consulted her about the potential of Fair as a suspect, the lawsuit says. Some of the potential suspects were not interviewed. Police let Johnson go after his questioning. Jinaga had been gagged, brutally beaten and most likely raped. Fairs attorneys contend that some of the DNA evidence was not an exact match. They act on impulse, not ration. By Bill Christianson January 8, 2009 5:35 pm. He said evidence about Jinagas neighbor raised significant questions for the jury. Witnesses said Neil Marshall, a partygoer, was sexually aggressive toward Jinaga on Halloween. Bodicherla went to the apartment complex, where he encountered Cameron Johnson, who showed him the way to Jinaga's unit. Man jailed for 9 years sues King County, Redmond after acquittal in I felt like I was kidnapped, Fair said in last months interview, when explaining his decision to pursue his claims of negligence, civil rights violations and malicious prosecution. They also want him to be reimbursed for the attorney fees he incurred while fighting the charges. His case went on trial in 2017, the jury deadlocked and there was a mistrial. He also heard a thud on the floor but figured she was alright when he heard water running shortly after the noise. Emanuel has steadfastly maintained his innocence throughout this case and he, his family, and friends are greatly relieved that justice was served by his acquittal, defense attorney Benjamin Goldsmith wrote in an email Friday. Residents said Fair appeared relaxed when he hung out at Potts apartment for three days over the weekend. Such remarks since his exoneration only demonstrate authorities defensiveness about mishandling the case, Fair said. Police attempted to identify the partygoers and interview them. Jinaga was. He also heard a thud on the floor but figured she was alright when he heard water running shortly after the noise. When asked about the calls, Johnson reportedly said, oh crap, but he could not remember why he called Jinaga. Those are times when you should be around family. Coats is now a captain in the department. He had a prior history of violent sexual crimes. Unidentified male DNA was also found on a bruise on Jinagas wrist. In Suspect, journalists Matthew Shaer and Eric Benson (Over My Dead Body) return to the Valley View Apartments and interview party guests and authorities about the horrific series of events stemming from Halloween 2008. Emanuel Fair stayed in the King County Correctional Facility for nearly nine years for a crime he did not commit based on a botched and bizarre murder investigation driven by racial discrimination, a recent lawsuit alleges. He told detectives he had a desire to explore. Canadian officials said Johnson tried to blow through the gates. Her arm and a blanket also were partially burned and her comforter was soaking in a bathtub. DNA was found on a discarded bottle of motor oil (same bag as robe). This is the last known independent witness sighting of the pair. They messed up, he said. They also waited days to search a dumpster in the complex where a partial bottle of motor oil, a boot lace used to strangle Jinaga and her bed sheet and a bath robe were found. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/after-nearly-11-years-and-two-trials-killing-of-redmond-woman-remains-unsolved/, https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/woman-found-dead-in-redmond-was-slain-police-say/, https://www.courts.wa.gov/content/petitions/96468-8%20Petition%20for%20Review.pdf, https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/emanuel-fair-trial-lawsuit-dna-murder-charge-1330251/, https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59393415bebafb202cc26aba/t/5f0237f32005f03d23c6d73a/1593980918922/Defense-Motion-to-Compel-Source-Code.pdf. A spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorneys Office said in an email, we look forward to addressing these allegations in a public courtroom, and we are confident in our case.. The officers allegedly did not change gloves between evidence collections, or between rooms or locations. He attributed them to wrestling a stranger he met at another Halloween party the next day, the lawsuit alleges. Ehlert, in the 2020 interview, noted prosecutors were barred from including some key evidence at trial: Fairs past convictions and the possibility that he and the neighbor acted together in Jinagas killing because there wasnt evidence to support that theory a decision upheld by the state Court of Appeals after Fairs first trial. To pass time, he said he read books, wrote letters and drew pictures. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? After-the-fact contentions about inadmissible evidence are a little disingenuous, said Dreveskracht, Fairs attorney, who noted police at one point consulted with a psychic medium who attempted to contact Jinaga beyond the grave. Fair said he went inside Jinagas apartment various times throughout the party. Fair ultimately was charged based on trace DNA evidence found on Jinagas neck; a piece of duct tape used to gag her; paper found in the apartment; and mixed with Jinagas blood on a robe recovered from the apartment buildings dumpster. The lawsuit alleges that the department hired famous psychic medium Allison DuBois to help with the investigation around the time Fair was identified as the main suspect. but Im not free., Thailand's 'most beautiful transgender woman' and husband wear $580K in attire at extravagant wedding, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; 'We are coming,' sheriff says, U.S. court won't require FAA to make airplane seat size, spacing rules, Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh's new mugshot revealed after double life sentence, Rebel Wilson says she was banned from Disneyland for 30 days for taking a bathroom selfie, SoCal in for cool start to weekend, but light rain makes brief return, Why 4 of Mizzou's seniors have a personal meaning for Dennis Gates, Iliman Ndiaye: Senegal midfielder an 'unbelievable' player. There was forced entry into Jinaga's second-story apartment, signs of trauma to Jinaga and the apartment was in disarray. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Jinaga had moved to the Pacific Northwest about six months ago. The officers allegedly did not change gloves between evidence collections, or between rooms or locations. They also failed to look for evidence of a missing bootlace. The Murder of Arpana Jinaga, The Stickiest Heist In History - WVXU After her graduation, she got a job as a software engineer at EMC, in a suburb of Seattle. 14 years ago. She was a brilliant person. Investigators focused on Fair after seeing him in photos of the party. It was the combination of the various items that his DNA was on that pushed us to the point of saying we are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that Emanuel Fair killed Arpana, Ehlert said in her podcast interview. Johnson was hanging out near Jinagas apartment when her friend arrived to check on her, and he helped the family friend identify the body, the lawsuit alleges. He slept with Potts in her bed and woke up the next morning before 10 a.m., after which he helped her and other neighbors clean up the complex, according to the complaint. Her other immediate neighbor, Kyle Rose, said he heard growling sounds around 8 a.m. His first trial, in 2017, ended in a hung jury because one juror said Fair looked like a thug with tattoos on his hands. The jury in the second trial acquitted him. The initial investigation focused on Cameron Johnson, Jinaga's neighbor. They also waited days to search a dumpster in the complex where a partial bottle of motor oil, a boot lace used to strangle Jinaga and her bed sheet and a bath robe were found. Everyone seemed to have a good time, the lawsuit alleges. Detectives also found a trace of his DNA on the front of Jinagas neck that was so small that it had to be sent to a specialized lab for review. Hes now struggling to reconstruct his life, Fair and his attorneys said. His legal team expanded the lawsuit in late March, adding ten more pages of allegations and the prosecutor on the case and other detectives that handled the case to the list of defendants. Im out, Fair said. She had been beaten, sexually assaulted and strangled. Cameron should have been the #1 suspect. Jinagas neighbor, Johnson, was the prime suspect at first, as described in Fairs lawsuit documents. Do we know he would have routinely passed her door going in and out of his apartment? All the while, Fair, whose family was unable to foot his seven-figure bail, said he had faith he would one day walk away free from a charge alleging he murdered Arpana Jinaga, 24, in her Redmond apartment after a Halloween party in 2008. Coats was asked during the podcast if the prior conviction was significant to his investigation. Fair and Johnson had actually just met that night. Arpana Jinaga. In a 2020 interview, one of the prosecutors said Fair looked like the best suspect because his DNA was found on objects specifically related to the murder, not the aftermath. After nine years of fighting, Emanuel Fair has the freedom he deserves. He waited in jail while authorities tested his DNA. Shed been gagged, beaten and strangled during an apparent sexual attack. I just want to be myself., The Seattle Times closes comments on particularly sensitive stories. Ehlert, in the 2020 interview, noted prosecutors were barred from including some key evidence at trial: Fairs past convictions and the possibility that he and the neighbor acted together in Jinagas killing because there wasnt evidence to support that theory a decision upheld by the state Court of Appeals after Fairs first trial. Because of this, a judge limited the scope of questions the man could be asked during the trial. The party ended between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., around the same time witnesses saw Jinaga going back to her apartment. After nearly 11 years and two trials, killing of Redmond woman who had Police let Johnson go after his questioning. Theyre still crying about it 10 years later and they will be for the rest of their lives because it was such a horrible thing.. He made calls to a few friends, including apparently pocket-dialing Potts. She had it all going on, Coats said. Arpana Jinaga Unresolved Her fingers and nails were cleaned and then covered in toilet bowl cleaner, and there was a heavy scent of bleach throughout the house. One juror said that when the jury began its deliberations on June 6, the 12-member panel was evenly split: Four thought Fair was not guilty, four thought he was guilty, and four were undecided.