The Dave Reichert Story, part II: the really creepy parts

  Suzan DelBene is, of a sudden, making some progress in her endeavor to beat Rep. Dave Reichert ("Sheriff Hairspray" as he's known to former law enforcement colleagues) in the 8th District election.

                                     (photo: Reichert, left)

We've dusted off a 2-part series, we wrote in 2006 for The Stranger about Reichert. As we reported in Part 1, Reichert has been elected three times with little else in his resumé besides his claim to have almost singlehandedly caught the prolific Green River Killer. As press, and other investigators have reported many times: it's bullshit, handcrafted for and by a  Lifetime Channel movie and his tepid political career.

Reichert's version is not only apocryphal, but the real story will first, make you want to puke, second make you want to yell, How does this guy keep getting re-elected?

The Green River, Stupid, Part II, the creepy stuff

"He got elected based on Green River, when in fact, he didn't solve it and he didn't win against Gary Ridgway," says Guillén."

The fact is: technology caught the killer, not Detective Reichert's dogged shoe-leather sleuthing as his press so dramatically implies. Even then, on Sheriff Reichert's watch, the saliva sample that could have busted Ridgway as early as 1996 when the DNA technology became available.

Frank Atchley, who supervised Reichert in the 1980s, told the P-I that Reichert "actually was more of an impediment to the investigation. He was probably the worst detective I've ever worked with," Atchley said. "He developed tunnel vision."

He's talking about Reichert's lock on one suspect: an ornery cab driver named Melvyn Foster. They had butted heads in an interview early on and Guillén writes, "... an acrimony developed that seemed to taint Reichert's judgment on Foster's viability as a suspect for years." He was so convinced of Foster's guilt, the task force focus disasterously excluded everyone else.

Prothero says, "Reichert was obsessed." Records given the defense show that Foster preoccupied Reichert. He had him followed, searched his property, even consulted self-proclaimed psychic Barbara Kubik-Patton, an acquaintance of Foster's who reported such minutiae as what the cabbie had eaten for breakfast- all of which was meticulously recorded in Reichert's journal. 

"Foster successfully pushed Reichert's buttons," says Guillén, "in the end, his ego and stubbornness railroaded the investigation at its most critical time." When they couldn't develop a case against the cabbie, the police had no other viable suspects, so they disbanded the task force; thus crippling the investigation and leaving it seriously undermanned.

It took years to eliminate Foster, according to Guillén, and "... the damage had been done. Valuable time and resources were wasted while the killings continued."

There were more screw-ups under Reichert's lead. "It had been Reichert," writes Prothero, "who had been at the Green River the day that Debra Bonner's body had been found... [and] had discovered Opal Mills' body... three days later when it was too late to put surveillance up around the river area..."

Debra Bonner's body had been found in the Green River Aug. 12, 1982, but Reichert failed to stake out the area until too it was late to catch Ridgway who dumped Opal Mills' body there three days later. According to Prothero, the surveillance was not established until Aug.15- not three days earlier as Reichert implies in his book.

When not kissing its ass or trying to manage the news, Reichert has always been quick to scapegoat the media. Reichert blames KIRO TV for blowing that stake-out with their helicopters when actually, there was never any surveillance until after the second body was found.

"This failure, of course" writes Prothero, "opened the way for the later victimization of nearly 65 women at the hands of a killer they had failed to watch out for at a time when it might have done some good."

No small part of this was because of Reichert's insistence that Debbie Bonner's killing was not connected to the earlier murder of Wendy Coffield. This was later acknowledged by task force commanders as one of the most critical failures in the whole investigation. 

"Dave Reichert," says Guillén, "has always had a big ego and an attitude of 'you do it my way or it's not going to get done.'"

After they caught Ridgway, a truck painter at PACCAR with an IQ of 82, defense attorneys made a deal with Prosecutor Norm Maleng: For Gary's giving up the locations of 47 bodies, they'd spare him from the death penalty. It was a politically brave and controversial decision on Republican Maleng's part and Reichert, to his credit, supported it.

Installed in a secret bunker, the task force began a long interrogation- difficult because a) Gary was a lying sack of shit, and b) he was stupid to boot. Prothero says he did some things from time to time to throw the task force off, but it was more luck than anything. "Wily? It's a stretch to get to that."

All manner of tactics were used, and eventually the cops and prosecutors got most of what Gary had, but it was hard work. Throughout the months, he had memory lapses, and exasperated interrogators by stonewalling them about specifics and motives behind his horrific debauchery against the women both before and after he killed them.

In one of the most craven of his political moves, Reichert, hair shining brilliantly, and resplendent in his sheriff's suit, interrogated Ridgway one on one, eyeball to eyeball; making it a point to be the last cop to question the vicious, murdering, dim-witted necrophiliac. The video was rolling.

"He was not there to gain anything substantive," says Prothero. "This was just an opportunity for Reichert to get those sound and video bites memorialized."

Reichert really hoped he might get a headline out of Gary. With cameras catching every word, he used every technique he knew- and a few he thought up on the spot to pry something new out of Gary. "We saw the whole spectrum," says Prothero, "the weird, the normal, the abnormal; the easy-going, the intense."

The sheriff used every technique except one that worked.

Ridgway is a dull chameleon-like nebbish whose life's MO was to camouflage himself by saying whatever he thought it took to please whomever he was talking to- which is one of the reasons he was so successful killing so long and prolifically without being caught. He melted into whatever landscape he inhabited, then had sex with it, strangled  it, and dumped it somewhere.

Playing good cop, and bad cop often on the same day, Reichert plunged in, alternating between accusing Gary of lying and puffing him up for eluding them for so long. He tried to bond with Gary- after all, they had lots in common- both dyslexic and liked chicks; both raised in South King County by domineering mothers.

When this didn't work, Reichert incredibly tried to make Gary jealous by saying he'd go out with Gary's wife after he was in prison.

"It was just gratuitous on Reichert's part, ridiculous," says Prothero, who watched it on live video from another room. "He was tormenting the captive by rubbing salt in the wounds."

At one memorable point, photographed for posterity and future political use, Reichert locked eyes with Gary, leaned in and tried to stare him down. Politically, it was again inspired, as an interrogation technique, it was a mistake. Ridgway had already bartered for his life; he had nothing to lose.

Guillén says: "Serial killers live inside themselves for years. They're used to staring at walls, staring at women, staring at police. Gary just sat there and went back into his personality with his horrid secrets as he'd always done. It was an amateurish approach and it was imprudent for Reichert to use it with a hardened criminal." Reichert was the one who blinked.

He tried hellfire. "... what you've done is you just sentenced yourself to eternal life in hell, he yelled. Your ass is just gonna burn the rest 'a your life... have you read Revelation? ... You ought'a read the Book a' Revelation. Not only will you be on fire, but you're gonna have sores and stuff happenin' all over your body..."

Guillén says Reichert at times seemed to be begging for just one little revelation. 

When Jesus didn't work, Reichert took a lower road. It was just as unsuccessful and exposed a kinky and voyeuristic side to the born-again Christian sheriff. Trying to be "like two guys in a bar," Reichert suggested grotesque scenarios that even seemed to take America's worst serial killer by surprise. He asked Ridgway if he'd ever considered cutting anything off the bodies, and keeping them in his freezer. 'No," said Gary, "I never have." But Reichert wanted to joke about that and Gary, always agreeable, played along.

Reichert: Plus, your wife when, uh, open up a freezer and see a boob in there... Wouldn't be good?

Ridgway: Or a, or a clitoris in there, a couple of them, you know.

Reichert: You'd have a lot of explaining to do?

Ridgway: Uh-huh.

Reichert: (Laughs)

"The sheriff made the suggestions of things to do to the bodies, not Gary." says Guillén. "Gary was the straight man with Reichert providing very inappropriate one-liners," Guillén said.

At another low point in his very unorthodox questioning, Reichert asked Gary if he ever played doctor with the neighborhood girls growing up. Ridgway allowed that he had with a cousin, saying he gave her a penny to see her "what her vagina looked like."

"Big spender," Reichert laughs. "She was your first hooker- did you ever think of that?"

"That was a very ugly, unChristian side of Reichert," says Guillén, "he turns an innocent little girl, a victim of Gary, into a hooker."

These creepy conversations and more can be seen on videos the Seattle Weekly posted with Guillén's authoritative account of the interrogations. 

Criticizing the investigation is second-guessing for sure. But Reichert, unlike the rest of the hard-working cops who did the best they could in a difficult case, based a political career on revisionist public relations images of him as being almost singlehandedly responsible for the "capture." The P-I story reveals the professional resentment over Reichert's blatant grandstanding.

"I frankly didn't see what catching the Green River killer had to do with serving in Congress," Dave Ross told us. We'd have to agree, yet that narrative, as incomplete and exaggerated as it is, served   Dave Reichert well in his campaign. 

If Reichert had more to offer as a public servant, had more of a record to point to after one term, this long ride he's taken on the old murder case wouldn't be of much interest, no matter how disingenuous it was.

But because he continues to use it as the centerpiece of an otherwise drab congressional record, we think the public should know the real story. 

 

Comments

[Spudley]

Humm-de-dum-dum

[HP]

Can't wait to see how KS, Chucks and Puget Sound defend Reichert.

[Andrew]

They never do. They expect liberals to go to bat for Obama, yet they never defend their own choices.

[sparky]

The first Chilean miner is about to reach the top!

[sparky]

The Seattle Times has endorsed his opponent. Interesting.

[Chucks]

Why would we need to re-defend our best western Washington congressman. Been there, done that. We won then and we will win again this time.
He beat the Darcy person last time and he will beat whats her name this time. I am more interested in what is going to happen in Sparky's district.

[Erik the Red Sovine]

Sheriff Dave is a typical republican who rolls around in dead matter like a dog does and thinks it's great. The killer took advantage of Dave's incompetence and a lot more women died as a result. Bob Keppel did a better job than that white haired old fool.

[LucasFoxx]

Thanks. I'm not from around here, so this is all new to me. Having seen this guy in action (or in in-action) in DC, none of it suprises me.

[wally]

Agreed, no need to defend Reichert against Dem lightweights like Burner and Del Bene. I am a member of the same Lutheran denomination that Reichert belongs to. Ridgeway may be a "born-again" type, but Lutherans are DEFINTELY NOT born again. Rather pathetic how the 90% of the left wing uninformed in the media can never get simple things like this right.

[sparky]

So, wally, you have no problem with Sheriff Big Hair taking credit for solving a case that in reality was solved in spite of him?
I am also a Lutheran, and we tend to to take a dim view of people who do that.

[wally]

Reichert has a long and successful career as a public servant. That kind of service is just as impressive if not more so than someone with a middle management career at a over-bloated monopolistic software company. By working for local government Reichert certainly wasn't after the big bucks like the women on the other side of the aisle. Sounds to me like Reichert has found his "vocation." If you are Lutheran then you already know all about that, right?

The bs in this article was so thick I had to use a shovel to get to the bottom. Most Dems don't understand the appeal of a guy like Reichert. No attempt at objectivity or balance on this blog.

[Puget Sound]

So, wally, you have no problem with Sheriff Big Hair taking credit for solving a case that in reality was solved in spite of him?
I am also a Lutheran, and we tend to to take a dim view of people who do that.

Posted by: sparky | October 16, 2010 at 10:12 AM

LMAO, when Sparkles tries to cloak a feeling of outrage in the mantle of her religous status. As 'IF' being a Lutheran gave you an extra edge in the outrage department. Too funny.

By the way, if you have some special knowledge of how this case was solved why don't you take it to the newspapers. It would be a great story.
'So-Called Hero a Zero' would be a headline and one of the local Dems could beat his pants off.

Hasn't happened now has it...facts, are damn inconvenient things. Always getting in the way of a good story.

[HP]

Sparky wasn't the one who brought up Lutheranism first. Puget Sound, do you ever have anything of substance to add here or is your paid position just to act superior to everyone? Apparently you AND "wally" think it's fine for him to take all the credit. Thanks for clearing that up.

[HP]

Speaking of idiots, Puget Sound did you happen to read this?

"Glenn Beck went into new territory this morning, telling his audience that he felt that possible "toxins" and "poisons" affecting his health could be traced to his studies of progressives. After detailing several recent health ailments he has been experiencing, he suggested that the "poisons" his doctors are looking for are linked to his attempts to "understand the minds of" progressives, which he termed "drinking that poison which others may not find poison but I do because it is exact opposite of me."

Brilliant man!

[HP]

If he's having numbness in his hands and feet, given his years of alcohol and drug abuse, it's probably alcoholic polyneuropathy.
That, and rubbing Vick's Vapo-rub into his eyes so he can cry on camera.

The poisons were self-induced.

[Puget Sound]

Sparky wasn't the one who brought up Lutheranism first. Puget Sound, do you ever have anything of substance to add here or is your paid position just to act superior to everyone? Apparently you AND "wally" think it's fine for him to take all the credit. Thanks for clearing that up.

Posted by: HP | October 16, 2010 at 04:08 PM
HP

A tad defensive, eh Spar..oooops, I mean "HP" LMAO
Usually it's Coils who is dragged out from whatever rock he resides who does the "scut work" to shore up Sparkles miscues.
Funny to see the "handles" spread around a bit. Nice touch.

[Puget Sound]

no real comment on Glen Beck. I don't quote him or listen to his show.

[Andrew]

If liberals have to answer for Obama then you have to answer for Beck. Explain him. And explain yourself.

[KS]

Liberals don't have to answer for Obama. Obama has to answer for Obama, which he can't seem to grasp. He is not used to not getting his way and it shows in his recent bloviating.

As for Beck, he is an entertainer that bloviates with a flair for drama, but it seems like the best way an issue can be made of him is to quote him out of context, per the Alinsky handbook.

[KS]

Beck has a conspiracy theorist side, which he displayed in the quote about the toxins, or maybe he was creating a way to diss progressives and was trying to pull the chains of the left, which he seems to be succeeding at. He may come across as a rodeo clown, but he is not nearly as clueless as the left would like to hope that he is - bwahahahaha

"The bs in this article was so thick I had to use a shovel to get to the bottom. Most Dems don't understand the appeal of a guy like Reichert. No attempt at objectivity or balance on this blog.

Posted by: wally | October 16, 2010 at 10:51 AM"

I noticed that it was sprinkled with a dose of irony and seasoned with sarcasm, but I am not that enamered by Reichert. This blog posts are not known for their balance and it is up to the commenters to balance it with their comments, within the realm of civility.

[Puget Sound 'splaining' things to Andrew]

If liberals have to answer for Obama then you have to answer for Beck. Explain him. And explain yourself.

Posted by: Andrew | October 16, 2010 at 05:36 PM

KS is correct. Beck is an entertainer, just like Limbaugh.
Neither of whom I listen to for news or cite as a source.

As far as explaining myself, imagine that you were more educated, more traveled, and more able to look at both sides of an issue.
Does that help, Andrew?

[KS]

PS - I am dubious that it will help any... LOL

[Puget Sound]

Andrew has shown himself to be Less Educated, Less Traveled, and Less able to look at both sides of an issue.

No wonder Duff refused to hire him as an intern.

[Erik the Red Sovine]

Why concern yourself with other posters, you seem obsessed. Does your man know you spend quality time in here?

[KS]

FYI - you are missing the history and the context here.

[Erik the Red Sovine]

You have no history, just aimless distraction.

[KS]

Smart one - I see that you are full of bovine squeeze.

[BlackRhino]

Jeebus on a cracker KS, are you at it again? Do I need to spank you and Putz again?

[BlackRhino]

Reichert is a creepy son of a bitch. His hair alone should warn anyone of his intents.

[Andrew]

It's not my fault that conservatives have chosen media clowns to be their leaders. Sarah Palin is cited as the reason many tea party candidates won primaries.

[Puget Sound--Andrew's turn to put up]

It's not my fault that conservatives have chosen media clowns to be their leaders. Sarah Palin is cited as the reason many tea party candidates won primaries.

Posted by: Andrew | October 17, 2010 at 01:32 AM

Hey Andrew, after Pres Obama name some of the national leaders of substance that the Liberals have that you follow?

[Puget Sound]

Reichert is a creepy son of a bitch. His hair alone should warn anyone of his intents.

Posted by: BlackRhino | October 16, 2010 at 11:13 PM

I guess you are more comfortable with the Senator Carl 'combing it over' Levin route? Or do you favor VP Joe 'Plugs' Biden?

[Puget Sound]

It's funny how people can only quibble around the edges on Reichart.
'Took too much credit' or 'creepy hair' yet can't offer a viable alternative to his candidacy.

Ross failed with greater name recognition, Burner failed (twice during a time of strong Dem showings), and now people are pining their hopes that a relative unknown will unseat Reichart in a Republican year?

Geez, if you can't bring some substance to the people of his district it's unlikely you'll see unseat the man.
His voting record has been moderate enough to keep the center.

Anyone want to take the other side of that argument?

Andrew, BR, Coils (if we can tear you away from that 4th box of ho-ho's), Sparkles the farting dog, ph(J)oanie? et al

[joanie]

Ross failed with greater name recognition, Burner failed (twice during a time of strong Dem showings), and now people are pining their hopes that a relative unknown will unseat Reichart in a Republican year?

One brief shining moment of intelligent talk and then he's back to his stupid fantasies and begging someone to talk to him again. Face it, sputs, you've got chuckles and klueless. Everybody else outclasses you.

[HP]

You think I'm Miss Sparky???

Brilliant! It makes my words here that much more fun, watching you fall all over yourself being an ass.

[Puget Sound]

Joanie and HP, now if only we had Coiler posting the methane count (aka usual suspect count) would be at record levels.

Still waiting for Andrew to answer up but he'll no doubt be a no show on that account.

[sparky]

There's no convincing a fool, HP.
Putzie is "never wrong."
He will tell you so himself. (Usually by cut and paste.)