Witness Statements, 2/19/78
Added 2020-09-23 21:36:43 +0000 UTCDate of Incident: February 9, 1978- April 7, 1978
Type of Incident: Missing Person/Homicide
Parties Involved: Kimberly Dianne Leach
On February 19, 1978, I talked to William Sconyers of Lake City, Florida, who was the desk clerk at the Holiday Inn on February 8, 1978. He checked in the subject “Ralph Miller” on February 8, 1978, his hair appeared to be greasy, dark and dirty, about collar length, a Fu Man Chu type mustache, and about a 12 or 13 day beard. He had a slender face, looked weird, high forehead, acted doped up, slow speaking, slow filling out the forms, medium slow voice, eyes appeared to be dilated, he was slow answering questions posed him, such as when he was leaving and vehicle information. He had a flat forehead. Mr. Sconyers stated that he may be able to identify this man in a live lineup.
That same night I talked with Randy Alton Jones, who was also a desk clerk at the Holiday Inn on February 8, 1978, at I-75 and U. S. 90. He was present when the subject checked in he observed a white male a day or two old beard, hair dirty, not washed for a day or two, he looked either drunk or spaced out, he acted funny, slurred his words, his clothes were rough, may have had on Levis, the clothes went along with his shabby appearance.
His hair was a little below his ears, dark hair. The desk was very busy at the time. Showing him a six photo spread, he positively identified Bundy as the subject that checked in under the name Ralph Miller.
Comments
Great! First hand accounts, interviews and Ted himself are the best!
Jennifer Elliott
2020-10-01 21:35:43 +0000 UTCYes, I got to thinking after my post that he was a wanted man, had no resources and wondered if perhaps he wanted to get caught. Also, I always thought that the energy he spoke was actually the opposite of a normal self. In the book, Defending The Devil, I’m pretty sure Ted said he was keep the woman alive during the assault and felt more normal after, which made it harder to commit the murder.
Jennifer Elliott
2020-10-01 21:33:12 +0000 UTCAt this point he was on the run, homeless, penniless, and completely out of his usual comfort zone/routine. I agree he was probably also heavily drinking. The choice of Kim as his victim and brutality of this murder point to somewhat of an aberration in his usual MO. When Bundy talked about his psyche and the energy buildup before a murder in the final confessions, I believe he was describing his state of mind when he was more "himself" so to speak. He never wanted to talk about the Leach murder. Some might say that's simply because he was worried about self incrimination, but I think even he was disgusted by it.
Tiffany J.
2020-10-01 17:46:04 +0000 UTCYes, there are indeed some witness statements from Sherrod's patrons... stay tuned.
Tiffany J.
2020-10-01 17:39:11 +0000 UTCAlso, is there first hand accounts of Sherrods? Drew Bales you seem to have some info on it. I had to google it when I saw your post.
Jennifer Elliott
2020-10-01 16:51:30 +0000 UTCReally good first hand accounts which gives insight to a timeline of behaviors. I would imagine Ted would be almost hyper and jittery the day before a murder. Even he said something along the lines of an energy buildup. He was probably drugging and drinking his frustrations.
Jennifer Elliott
2020-10-01 16:49:11 +0000 UTCIt's not unlike Sherrods. He thought he was blending that night but he was doing what he hadn't really ever done: he was failing to fit in. Noticed but not necessarily noticable was how he pulled off Lake Samm, but at Sherrods he was the guy with the "ex-con," vibe. I've always maintained that part of it that night was that he was just too old (sigh) for that crowd. He could no longer pass for the affable Grad student. The worst parts of him were showing. Not enough to get him booted, but more than enough to be noticed.
Drew B
2020-09-24 17:51:24 +0000 UTCAbsolutely. Also significant to note, this was the night before he abducted Kim Leach. He was desperate and out of control, like a junkie who needed a fix.
Tiffany J.
2020-09-24 17:39:28 +0000 UTCThis really speaks more to his mental state than to his physical. Exhausted, running, looking over his shoulder. Out of money, inability to "fit in," too old to be around college kids and too spent to really apply his trademark casual ease in social situations. I know that he could (and did) bounce back once he was in custody in FL, but here the candle wasn't just burning at both ends....he was running out of both wick and wax.
Drew B
2020-09-24 16:44:45 +0000 UTCUntil I get my page back, I'll be making those posts here. :)
Tiffany J.
2020-09-23 21:37:30 +0000 UTC
