Several people were at the party before Jinagas murder, so the scene was full of various DNA samples. On Tuesday, that man, Emanuel Fair, 35, was found not guilty of first-degree murder with sexual motivation by a King County jury. He joined the publication in 2021 on the crime beat. I fear and I worry that someone else may become a victim at some point in time, Ehlert said of Fairs acquittal during the 2020 interview. 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. Court files said there were also burn marks from an attempt to set the body or apartment on fire. The neighbor, who later hired a lawyer and stopped cooperating, subsequently scrubbed his phone of call and text data, the suit states. 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. We publish narratives intentionally and specifically to enlighten and transform the world. The prosecutors office told Rolling Stone: We look forward to addressing these allegations in a public courtroom; we stand by our case., Fair said that he was reluctant to file the lawsuit at first because Jinagas family still hasnt gotten justice: theres no resolution for this case, no resolution for her.. On Halloween 2008, Jinaga and several of her neighbors at the Valley View Apartments threw a large Halloween party, with guests moving between their units. 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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. He also drove to Canada the day of the murder and attempted to cross the border without a passport. Johnson's friends and family stated he said "what if I did the murder and I don't remember". Bodicherla went to the apartment complex, where he encountered Cameron Johnson, who showed him the way to Jinaga's unit. Perhaps the perpetrator(s) kicked in the door, then while leaving they shut it again. Jinagas phone and digital camera were missing from the scene and never recovered. Fair, the second-longest-serving inmate in the downtown Seattle facility after being booked into jail in November 2010, was released Tuesday afternoon, three hours after the jury delivered its not-guilty verdict, according to a jail spokeswoman. This was mainly on the basis of party photographs. On Halloween night, 2008, Jinaga and several other tenants hosted a Halloween party, attended by residents of the apartment complex and their relatives and friends from outside. Coats is now a captain in the department. Johnson engaged in a number of suspicious activities after the murder. Her father, a head professor of engineering in India, encouraged he to move to the US to attend Rutgers University. Some of the potential suspects were not interviewed. A tech prodigy from an early age, Arpana seemed poised to achieve great things in life. The court documents detail negligence by detectives and the outsourcing of a famous psychic medium to opine on the case. True. Johnson said he heard moaning sounds coming from Jinagas apartment around 3 a.m., and he assumed she was having sex. He matched the description of the man the other resident saw around 3 a.m. at the murdered womans door and had a wide window of suspicion around him, the lawsuit alleges. 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. Fair spent six of the nearly nine years in jail, held by a seven-figure bond, isolated for 23 hours a day awaiting trial. They found her nude body on her bedroom floor, face-down on the carpet and partially covered with cloth. The lawsuit says that Johnson also had a past of strange or violent behavior with women. 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. It contends Fair was asleep at his friends apartment when Jinaga likely was attacked, and that he didnt attempt to leave the area: He helped clean up outdoor areas after the party and stayed with his friend at her apartment for two more days. After a background check revealed Fairs criminal record, including a third-degree child rape conviction, Fair quickly became the new prime suspect despite leads about the neighbor and other viable suspects, the suit states. Family of Missing Black Woman, Last Seen Living with Man She Met on Craigslist, Frustrated By Lack of Response to Case: Were Not Trying to Annoy Anybody, Happened As a Result of Jealousy: New York Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Stabbing Black 16-Year-Old Boy In the Heart for Walking a Girl Home, I Wanted to be a Trailblazer: Zandra Flemister, the First Black Woman Hired as a Secret Service Agent, Enduring Years of Blatant Racism, Dies at 71. He was convicted of third-degree rape in 2004. Arpana Jinaga. So she was protecting him from interacting with cops and ending up going to jail for that. 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. In her spare time, she practiced taekwondo, learned to build her own motorcycle, and volunteered with neighbourhood groups. His DNA was also found, he was sexually interested in her, called her around 3am and said oh crap when caught in the lie, also matched the description of the guy seen at her door at 3am. She was a brilliant person. Jinaga had been gagged with her underpants and duct tape, brutally beaten around the head. His lawyers said he suffers from depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The lawsuit also says Fair threw garbage in the dumpster where the robe and other items were found while helping with party clean up. Her hands were covered in blue toilet-bowl cleaner, her body and other items were covered in motor oil. 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. Coats is now a captain in the department. Ive been away for so long, I dont believe in holidays no more, he said. Cameron should have been the prime suspect and the one they took to trial. . At his second trial, a jury found him not guilty. 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. Meanwhile they raided Emmanuels stuff and according to his best friend on the podcast took almost ALL of his things. The Wondery true-crime podcast Suspect centers on the murder of Arpana Jinaga as well as the trials of the wrongly imprisoned Emanuel Fair, who spent years in jail for a crime he didn't commit. After a background check revealed Fairs criminal record, including a third-degree child rape conviction, Fair quickly became the new prime suspect despite leads about the neighbor and other viable suspects, the suit states. I dont think he killed Arpana. Arpana Jinaga Unresolved Arpana Jinaga In October of 2008, a 24-year-old computer programmer living in the Seattle area would attend a Halloween party in her apartment complex. The medical examiner estimated Jinagas time of death was 8 a.m. In August 2009, a man named Emanuel Fair was interviewed by police. Investigators said the lower half of the womans body was covered in motor oil. DNA was found on a discarded bottle of motor oil (same bag as robe). After hosting her event, software programmer, Arpana Jinaga, was found dead inside her home. Jinaga and other tenants he hadnt met were co-hosting a large Halloween party in several units. . Jinagas neighbor, Johnson, was the prime suspect at first, as described in Fairs lawsuit documents. He also drove to Canada the day of the murder and attempted to cross the border without a passport. At some point, though, things turned tense. She had been brutally beaten, raped, and strangled. He was one of the three individual's whose DNA was found . When questioned, Fair claimed he retired to Potts' apartment around 1:30am on the night of the party. Fair said he went inside Jinagas apartment various times throughout the party. Jinaga's neighbor Cameron Johnson showed up to the party in Jinaga's unit late. The Seattle Times is not naming Jinagas neighbor because he has not been charged. There was DNA from 2-3 males found at the crime scene. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. . Police attempted to identify the partygoers and interview them. He had a prior history of violent sexual crimes. Hes now struggling to reconstruct his life, Fair and his attorneys said. Contribute to Atlanta Black Star today and help us share our narratives. The case turned into a classic whodunit, and Jinaga's costumed party guests were the prime suspects. Im out, Fair said. 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. So what else can they do but to continue to point their finger at me?. She had a keen interest in engineering and won several innovation competitions. The second trial was in 2019, where he got a not-guilty verdict. His lawyers said he suffers from depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Redmond Police have found no "firm suspects" in the brutal murder of Arpana Jinaga, a 24-year-old software engineer who was . Court files said there were also burn marks from an attempt to set the body or apartment on fire. More than a dozen people passed through Jinaga's apartment that night. He had a list of nearby pawnshops in his car printed the day Jinaga was killed, the lawsuit says. By Bill Christianson January 8, 2009 5:35 pm. Everyone seemed to have a good time, the lawsuit alleges. We found [Fair] not guilty because of reasonable doubt, not because we thought he was completely innocent., The Seattle Times closes comments on particularly sensitive stories. 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. She had been beaten, sexually assaulted and strangled. 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. Jinagas phone and digital camera were missing from the scene and never recovered. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Fair filed a lawsuit against King County, Redmond, the Redmond Police Department and the lead detective on Dec. 29. Jinaga's killer had clearly gone to great lengths to destroy any biological traces linking him to the crime scene. Jinagas father had asked a family friend to check in on her after she missed scheduled calls with family from India. To contaminate evidence, Jinagas hands had been doused in blue toilet-bowl cleaner and her body covered in motor oil. Another apartment complex resident committed suicide just days after Jinagas death, and his DNA was reportedly never compared to the crime scene. I think he may have been involved; I think he may have lied to us, Ehlert said of the neighbor. Fairs lawsuit includes many of the same facts that his public defender, Ben Goldsmith, used to poke holes in the prosecutions criminal case. They also want him to be reimbursed for the attorney fees he incurred while fighting the charges. She had opened her third-floor apartment to Fair and dozens of other partygoers, who traipsed in and out during the festivities. 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. The party ended between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., around the same time witnesses saw Jinaga going back to her apartment. The suit contends detectives aligned evidence to match their theory and disregarded half a dozen non-Black suspects in the case. And thats hard.. Also Leslie Potts covering for Fair is alarming, was that investigated. Do we know how extensive the damage was? The majority of criminals arent very bright. Fair also used Jinaga's bathroom. In the apartment, there was a strong smell of bleach, and also bleach stains were found. They interrogated Fair on the car ride to the station without reading his rights. Fair said the lawsuit, obtained by Atlanta Black Star, is the closest thing to justice I can get.. At approximately 8 am, Jinaga's next-door neighbor Kyle Rose, was awakened by sounds coming from her apartment. He waited in jail while authorities tested his DNA. or felt they were? There was potential there that was just taken away., Citing pending litigation, a city of Redmond spokesperson declined to comment about Fairs lawsuit on behalf of Coats and the citys Police Department. In it, Ehlert stood firmly by the prosecuting teams decisions. Jinaga had been gagged, brutally beaten and most likely raped. 0:00 / 18:51 Halloween Party Host Murder Leads to Excess Suspects | Arpana Jinaga & Emanuel Fair Dr. Todd Grande 1.24M subscribers 67K views 2 months ago This video answers the question: Can I. 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. Her arm and a blanket also were partially burned and her comforter was soaking in a bathtub. The lawsuit alleges that a lighter was found in his apartment with a sticky substance on it, but investigators never collected it. Guests took silly photos, downed shots and smoked pot. No one cleaning up reported seeing anything suspicious. Most people left Jinaga's apartment after 9pm to move to another apartment. She had it all going on, Coats said. She is suspected to have died from strangulation from a bootlace. This is only a fraction of the evidence exonerating Emanuel which was wide-ranging and persuasive. If her rape was that violent he'd have had SOME scratches or scars. To pass time, he said he read books, wrote letters and drew pictures. Now, more than two years later, Fair is suing King County, the city of Redmond and Redmond Police Capt. Source. When youre in jail, you dont have a holiday. but Im not free.. 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. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. When asked about the calls, Johnson reportedly said, oh crap, but he could not remember why he called Jinaga. The officers allegedly did not change gloves between evidence collections, or between rooms or locations. Legal Expert Weighs In, Idaho Murder Victims' Families React to Suspect's Arrest: 'Such a Blessing and Relief', 'She Had No Idea': Sister of Idaho Victim Reacts to Claim that Suspect's Phone Pinged Near House 12 Times, Parents Charged with Murder After 4-Year-Old Son Dies from Alleged 'Exorcisms', Idaho Killings: Surviving Roommate Saw Alleged Killer Wearing Black Clothes and a Mask, Affidavit Says. 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. Photos. His attorneys allege Fair was isolated as the main suspect for her murder because of his race and his past criminal record. link. 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. 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. Most of the partygoers reportedly referred to the chocolate-skinned man as the Black guy in his police file. Jinaga was sprawled on the floor in her bedroom, bloody, naked, and drenched in bleach, toilet bowl cleaner, and motor oil. At age 20, Jinaga moved from her native India to the United States and quickly found success. 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. When asked about the calls, Johnson reportedly said, oh crap, but he could not remember why he called Jinaga. 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. Arpana and neighbors within the Valley View Apartment complex threw a large Halloween party. Police let Johnson go after his questioning. He told detectives he had a desire to explore. Canadian officials said Johnson tried to blow through the gates. Gifts processed in this system are not tax deductible, but are predominately used to help meet the local financial requirements needed to receive national matching-grant funds. Goldsmith said evidence found at Jinagas apartment and produced during the investigation pointed to one of her neighbors as the likely killer. 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. Redmond police Lt. Brian Coats vividly recalls all that he learned about Arpana Jinaga, a Redmond woman who was strangled in her apartment in 2008, her body doused with bleach, toilet-bowl cleaner and motor oil in an apparent attempt to destroy DNA evidence of rape. Fair, a guest of another woman living in the building, met Jinaga and her neighbor that night. Suspect: With Matthew Shaer, Eric Benson, Matt Baglio, Ashley Fantz. 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. So its kind of messed up. He had bruises consistent with a sexual attack, tried to flee the country, and was researching pawn shops (which the police never really followed up onor seemingly got a real answer from him on why he was researchingpawn shops). He had a prior history of violent sexual crimes. There was forced entry into Jinaga's second-story apartment, signs of trauma to Jinaga and the apartment was in disarray. There are multiple apartments with parties and these two go to a car to listen to music?! During the night, neighbors of Jinaga heard muffled moaning sounds, and assumed she and a partner were having consensual sex. 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. This is a person who is living her dream. It contends Fair was asleep at his friends apartment when Jinaga likely was attacked, and that he didnt attempt to leave the area: He helped clean up outdoor areas after the party and stayed with his friend at her apartment for two more days. If you would like to share your thoughts or experiences in relation to this story, please email the reporter or, Fire on Lake City Way in Seattle raises smoke, flooding concerns, WA to end masking requirement in health care, correctional facilities, Tacoma woman refusing tuberculosis treatment continues to face arrest, Be bolder to get light rail done, expert panel tells Sound Transit, Driver makes U-turn, hits pedestrian near Pioneer Square, police say. For three and a half decades, her disappearance was a mystery - a riddle neither authorities . Jinagas bruised body was discovered covered with a cloth on Monday, Nov. 3, 2008. Maybe they realized only at the last minute that they should get rid of the sheets and empty oil bottle and without anyone seeing them do it? Get breaking news delivered to your inbox as it happens. If you have probable cause, you dont go to a psychic, he said. Jinagas hands were covered in blue toilet-bowl cleaner, her body and other items were covered in motor oil, her bed had been stripped, a blanket was partially burned and her soaked comforter was found in the bathtub. Most of Fairs jail term was spent away from the general population in administrative segregation essentially, solitary confinement. It's obvious why Fair is the number one suspect. Coats and another Redmond detective confronted the neighbor about his calls to Jinaga, but then released him and returned his phone without examining it. Nearly a year later. Jinaga, an outgoing Rutgers University grad, had moved to Redmond six months earlier to work as a software engineer at a Bellevue firm. Emanuel Fair was arrested in 2010. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. According to the Rolling Stone report, most of the people at the party that night didnt remember Fairs name. She was outgoing and friendly, joining a motorcycle club, practicing tae kwon do, and volunteering at an animal shelter and fire department, all within eight months of moving to Redmond, he said. Arpana Jinaga, a 24 year old woman from India.