He waited in jail while authorities tested his DNA. Condition of the apartment: Jinaga's bed had been stripped, a fleece blanket was partially burned and her comforter was found in soaked the bathroom bathtub. Brian Bundridge was in a motorcycle club with Jinaga. Subsequently, Johnson attempted to scrub his phone. Witnesses said Neil Marshall, a partygoer, was sexually aggressive toward Jinaga on Halloween. When Johnson found out Fair liked hip hop and wrote beats, Johnson invited him to his car to listen to some electronic music he had made. A suspect is identified, arrested, and convicted, but this morphed into a greater mystery when journalists began investigating the case years later. The neighbor initially neglected to tell detectives about phone calls he made to Jinaga at 3 a.m. Later on the morning of her slaying, he drove to the Canadian border and attempted to cross it without a passport but was denied entry. Fairs lawsuit contends the probable cause affidavit used to support the murder charge omitted multiple facts, including that several other mens DNA also was found on crime scene evidence and items found in the dumpster. Now working a security job and living with friends in Renton, he said hes often depressed, carries guilt for a younger brothers emotional troubles and avoids going out. The second trial was in 2019, where he got a not-guilty verdict. Suspect is a true crime podcast that examines the murder of Arpana Jinaga who was killed at a Halloween party hosted by her apartment complex. I lost a lot. 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. According to reports, Fair accepted a plea agreement in 2004 while still maintaining his innocence. Guests took silly photos, downed shots and smoked pot. Her apartment was decorated as a haunted forest, one of four themed areas at the Valley View that would welcome visitors for the Halloween party, which spanned multiple units in the complex. Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Ive never seen a worse case, Corinne Sebren, one of Fairs lawyers, who specializes in civil rights cases, told Rolling Stone in a recent interview. Police believe she was killed around 8 a.m. Two days later, a friend of Jinagas father went to check up on her because she hadnt answered phone calls from her family in India. Investigators focused on Fair after seeing him in photos of the party. Jinagas phone and digital camera were missing from the scene and never recovered. 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. Fairs attorneys contend that some of the DNA evidence was not an exact match. I just want to be myself., The Seattle Times closes comments on particularly sensitive stories. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Police believe she was killed around 8 am. In the apartment, there was a strong smell of bleach, and also bleach stains were found. Around 2:30 am, Fair and Johnson went to Johnson's apartment and then down to Johnson's car to listen to music. Sunshine(2018) - 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. The initial investigation focused on Cameron Johnson, Jinaga's neighbor. The neighbor, who later hired a lawyer and stopped cooperating, subsequently scrubbed his phone of call and text data, the suit states. Unidentified male DNA was also found on a bruise on Jinagas wrist. Around 3 am, Jinaga left a gathering in a ground-floor apartment and returned to her apartment on the third floor. I dont think he killed Arpana. After nine years of fighting, Emanuel Fair has the freedom he deserves. It seems odd to me that the killer(s) would go to such extremes to cover up DNA on her body and in her apartment with the motor oil and toilet bowl cleaner and bleach etc. Fairs DNA was found on Jinagas robe and a roll of duct tape that was likely used to tape her underwear inside her mouth like a gag. The man was the last person to call her the night she was killed, he tried to destroy evidence of the calls, and he attempted to go to Canada after the homicide but was turned away, he said. He attributed them to wrestling a stranger he met at another Halloween party the next day, the lawsuit alleges. Jinaga was sprawled on the floor in her bedroom, bloody, naked, and drenched in bleach, toilet bowl cleaner, and motor oil. And thats hard.. I hope I never have to investigate a case like this again.. So what else can they do but to continue to point their finger at me?. and even burning of sheets, but then they would be so careless and stupid to just discard it all into the apartment dumpster. I think that was the biggest reasonable doubt and no one could eliminate him [as the killer], the juror said of the neighbor. At some point, though, things turned tense. 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 assumed Jinaga was either vomiting or having sex. Copyright 2023, The Spokesman-Review | Community Guidelines | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy, Police arrest man suspected of robbing downtown, South Hill banks, 82-year-old Mead man dies from injuries sustained in December crash near Whitworth , Family settles with Spokane County for $7.5 million in 2019 murder-suicide , Authorities in Oregon investigating incident that sent man with explosive device to Sacred Heart , Kohberger housed in small jail with mix of alleged criminals , Kohberger housed in small jail with mix of alleged criminals, Former Gonzaga guard Kyle Bankhead crafts game plan against alma mater, Family settles with Spokane County for $7.5 million in 2019 murder-suicide, McCarthy wins speakership on 15th vote after concessions to hard right. After the jury in his first trial deadlocked in 2017, King County prosecutors tried Fair again in 2019. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Cameron Johnson, who has never been charged, invoked his 5th Amendment right, and therefore only faced limited scope questioning during Fair's trial. Indian immigrant and recent college graduate Arpana Jinaga was found brutally murdered in her Washington State apartment after co-hosting a Halloween costume party at her complex the evening of Oct. 31, 2008. The complaint alleges that police failed to properly secure and gather evidence. The medical examiner estimated Jinagas time of death was 8 a.m. Fairs 23-page complaint, filed last month by his attorney, Ryan Dreveskracht, contends police and prosecutors botched the probe and wrongly targeted him because he was a Black man with a criminal record, despite evidence implicating Jinagas then-neighbor, who is white. Jinaga's killer had clearly gone to great lengths to destroy any biological traces linking him to the crime scene. Some guests were rowdy, but nothing out of the ordinary, it says. He went on afterwards, he got his degree, hes never had a crime., Fair, who had only met the neighbor at the party that night, said prosecutors immunity deal was just another biased action taken to strengthen the case against him that backfired, because the neighbor didnt even implicate me, he implicated himself.. He assumed Jinaga was either vomiting or having sex. Im out, Fair said. He had a lighter covered in gook that looked like motor oil which they took a photo of but never bagged it nor did they check his shoes for a missing lace. Coats was asked during the podcast if the prior conviction was significant to his investigation. Jinagas bruised body was discovered covered with a cloth on Monday, Nov. 3, 2008. I didnt know how to answer, so I just told her the truth: Im depressed. Jinagas neighbor, Johnson, was the prime suspect at first, as described in Fairs lawsuit documents. Some of the potential suspects were not interviewed. Residents said Fair appeared relaxed when he hung out at Potts apartment for three days over the weekend. . It was a brutal scene. Burn marks on her body and apartment suggest somebody tried to burn her. Investigators said the lower half of the womans body was covered in motor oil. The result, it claims, was a biased probe that caused Fair to be arrested and charged without probable cause for a murder he did not commit.. In addition, several neighbors in the complex told investigators that he had a sexual attraction to Jinaga, and he exhibited jealous behavior when she talked to other men at the Halloween party that night. Get breaking news delivered to your inbox as it happens. At one time, Emanuel Fair was the longest-serving inmate in the King County Jail, spending nine years behind bars without being convicted of a crime. It was a party, Fair was all over her apartment like EVERYONE ELSE. Sunshine2018/BT - He also successfully represented himself in a legal claim for an injury he sustained from handcuffs, receiving a $25,000 settlement from King County in 2017. Her arm and a blanket also were partially burned and her comforter was soaking in a bathtub. 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.. Arpana Jinaga, a 24 year old woman from India. After zeroing in on Fair because of his race and rap sheet, investigators relied on cherry-picked DNA evidence while disregarding other genetic findings and suspects as part of a gather facts that fit the theory strategy, the suit alleges. 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 . His lawyers said the ordeal has permanently damaged Fairs reputation, his emotional well-being, livelihood and relationships. There are multiple apartments with parties and these two go to a car to listen to music?! According to court documents, Johnson called Jinaga around 3 a.m. but did not mention that to the police during his interview. On Thanksgiving, when he hadnt shown up to his familys dinner, Fair said an aunt called him to ask whether he was planning to come. I think he may have been involved; I think he may have lied to us, Ehlert said of the neighbor. DNA from the neighbor was found on a motor oil bottle, and from another man who wasnt at the party on a bootlace likely used to strangle Jinaga. Poor victim was surrounded by shady people it seems. Coats ran a background check on the Fair and found the rape charge. Brian Bundridge was in a motorcycle club with Jinaga. During trial the jury heard significant evidence that another person, Ms. Jinagas next door neighbor, may have murdered her on that tragic night.. He was read his rights. If you have probable cause, you dont go to a psychic, he said. Redmond Police have found no "firm suspects" in the brutal murder of Arpana Jinaga, a 24-year-old software engineer who was . After the sound stopped, Rose then heard steps and the sound of running water for 1 hour. Police let Johnson go after his questioning. Coats and another Redmond detective confronted the neighbor about his calls to Jinaga, but then released him and returned his phone without examining it. Host Matthew Shaer and and reporter Eric Benson go to the scene of the crime in an effort to discover if police identified the right suspect. According to residents of the apartment, Johnson appeared interested in Jinaga. Investigators focused on Fair after seeing him in photos of the party. By Bill Christianson January 8, 2009 5:35 pm. We publish narratives intentionally and specifically to enlighten and transform the world. Two days later on Monday, Jinagas father in India was worried that her daughter was not answering her phone, so he asked family friend Jay Bodicherla in the US to check up on her. The county, police department and Coats filed a response to Fairs initial complaint refuting the claims. Johnson's friends and family stated he said "what if I did the murder and I don't remember". They also want him to be reimbursed for the attorney fees he incurred while fighting the charges. When the night came to an end and the crowd began to disperse, Jinaga said what would be her final goodbyes. Fair was tried for Jinagas sexual assault twice and was acquitted after his second trial in June 2019. 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. Suspect Might Be the Best True-Crime Podcast of the Year - Vulture Jinagas naked body was discovered by a close friend and an immediate neighbor in her home on Nov. 1, 2008. Arpana dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood and her apartment was one of four areas in the complex. Jinaga and other tenants he hadnt met were co-hosting a large Halloween party in several units. She practiced martial arts and participated in a motorcycle club. Around 2:30 am, Fair and Johnson went to Johnson's apartment and then down to Johnson's car to listen to music. Convicted sex offender charged in brutal 2008 Redmond homicide A subreddit dedicated to the unresolved mysteries of the world. In the trial, the jury heard evidence that pointed to the neighbor as the possible killer. 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. 2018Dion Wiyoko,Rianti Cartwright,Laura Basuki,Jill Gladys,Sheila Dara Aisha,Junior Liem,Alyndra PandjipoetraSunshine ,SunshineSunshinemp4SunshineBT . I didnt know how to answer, so I just told her the truth: Im depressed. He had a prior history of violent sexual crimes. I thought I was gonna die, Fair told Rolling Stone. When residents of the Valley View Apartments in Redmond, Wash., decided to host a Halloween party nearly 13 years ago, nobody expected that it would end with murder. To pass time, he said he read books, wrote letters and drew pictures. His case went on trial in 2017, the jury deadlocked and there was a mistrial. Arpana Jinaga. After hosting her event, software programmer, Arpana Jinaga, was found dead inside her home. Fair filed a lawsuit against King County, Redmond, the Redmond Police Department and the lead detective on Dec. 29. In the intervening hours, neighbors who lived on either side of Jinagas apartment heard muffled moaning sounds but assumed she and a partner were having consensual sex. Shed been gagged, beaten and strangled during an apparent sexual attack. She had been beaten, sexually assaulted and strangled. Fair was staying with his friend Leslie Potts on Oct. 31, 2008, in Valley View Apartments when he attended the party that Potts and other neighbors organized. The damage from that can be quite minimal and close to the floor with the door discreetly closed on departure, you might not notice unless you looked for it. Ive never seen a worse case, Corinne Sebren, one of Fairs lawyers, who specializes in civil rights cases, told Rolling Stone in a recent interview. Eight Years in Jail With No Conviction: Emanuel Fair Files Lawsuit However, when Fair emerged as a suspect, his treatment can only be viewed as racial discrimination, his attorneys allege. . According to reports, when lead Detective Brian Coats saw photos from the party, he narrowed in on Fair, who he referred to as theonly African-American male at the party on the podcast Suspect. Because of this, a judge limited the scope of questions the man could be asked during the trial. Fair met Jinaga hours before she was killed at a Halloween party in her apartment complex. The neighbor, who later hired a lawyer and stopped cooperating, subsequently scrubbed his phone of call and text data, the suit states. Perhaps the perpetrator(s) kicked in the door, then while leaving they shut it again. As a man who was incarcerated and released but not convicted, Fair left jail without the support and resources typically offered to exonerated people or parolees, such as job support and mental health services. Why didnt he tell police that her door was kicked in? So she was protecting him from interacting with cops and ending up going to jail for that. There were also other men in Jinagas life that detectives suspected of the murder, and some of their DNA was found at the crime scene. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. The lawsuit also says Fair threw garbage in the dumpster where the robe and other items were found while helping with party clean up. They also want him to be reimbursed for the attorney fees he incurred while fighting the charges. Nearly a year later. 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. Emanuel Fair's DNA was found on Jinagas neck, a piece of duct tape used to gag her, a piece of toilet paper or paper towel found at the crime scene, and was mixed with Jinagas blood on her bathrobe robe (left in the apartment complex trash bin). DNA from the neighbor was found on a motor oil bottle, and from another man who wasnt at the party on a bootlace likely used to strangle Jinaga. Police let Johnson go after his questioning. Im out, Fair said. Photo: King County Prosecuting Attorneys Office, 'Dr. But I dont have a desire to do that. I just want to be myself.. 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. Suspect (Podcast Series 2021- ) - IMDb On Oct. 30, 2010, Fair was placed in a Seattle holding cell while detectives gathered more evidence against him for the 2008 sexual assault and murder of a 24-year-old software engineer and Indian immigrant named Arpana Jinaga. Court files said there were also burn marks from an attempt to set the body or apartment on fire. Fairs lawsuit cites a comment Coats made during his interview for the Suspect podcast that Fair was the only African American at the party in the photos. Death of Arpana being probed as homicide - DNA India