Walking in the Valley A weekly column for those who live and walk in Silicon Valley by Barbara Dahlgren

What You See May Not Be What You Get Column for the week of October 20-26, 2002

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Halloween nightmares have come early for people in the Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. areas. A sniper's spree has left nine dead and two wounded. So far there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the random shootings. People have been shot shopping at Home Depot, Michael's Craft Store, pumping gas, and one 13-year-old boy was just outside his school.

These horror stories leave their mark on all in a community. Hunting in four counties has been banned for the present. No gunfire for recreational purposes is being permitted in these areas while investigators hunt for the sniper. School officials have canceled sports games and homecomings. Even the release of a movie about a sniper called Phone Booth has been delayed. Scheduled to open November 15, 20th Century Fox feels it would be a little tacky to do so under the present conditions. Although it looks like Michael Moore's new movie, Bowling for Columbine, a docu/comedic/tragic/commentary on the love affair the American people have with guns will open as planned.

There seemed to be a glimmer of hope when witnesses claimed to see the sniper shoot a woman outside a Home Depot store last Monday night. But that diminished as the witnesses gave conflicting descriptions of what they saw. About all they could definitely agree on is that the suspect appears to be male. It is now believed that one witness falsified information. It is unsure as of yet what the motive was but a prosecution may result.

Eyewitness testimonies have always been somewhat problematic. Remember the account of Jesus' trial in the Bible? Even without falsification, many times it is difficult for witnesses to agree on what they saw. October 17, 2002 issue of USA Today states, "A recent Associated Press review of 110 convictions overturned because of DNA evidence found that nearly two-thirds were based on erroneous eyewitness testimony."

Most eyewitnesses are not out to deliberately give false information. They are truly recounting what they think they saw. The problem is we all see things differently. We all hear things differently. How many times were you willing to bet the bank on what you saw or heard only to find out you were wrong? It's for sure if you speak to a group of 500 people you could have 500 different accounts of what you said.

I remember one time listening to an astute lecturer who was considered a genius in his field. One brave listener raised his hand and said, "Dr. Know-a-Lot, when you said 'thus and such' does it mean 'this and that?'" Dr. Know-a-Lot didn't skip a beat. He just said, "First let's establish one important thing. Just because you say that I said 'thus and such' doesn't mean that is what I said. That is why we are taping this lecture." What we hear may not be what was said. What we see may not be what we think we saw.

That's why I admire these investigators in this case. They must sift through and piece together the almost 70,000 calls they have received about this sniper. It can't be easy trying to determine who has credible information and who doesn't. Police have even issued a "how to be a good witness" guide and some caution ideas. These include helpful tips like, "stare in the direction of the bullet noise, zigzag when you run, hunker when you pump gas, carry a pen to take notes, write down details on your hand, and don't contaminate memories by comparing notes with other people or the media." I have no doubt that I would not be a good witness. Stare in the direction of the bullet noise? I think not. I'll be the one with my head buried in my lap, huddled behind the nearest car or bush.

Here is what I hope for. I hope they catch this wack-o soon. I hope all his friends and relatives don't tell us what a great guy he was. I hope they don't make a movie of his life and capture. And I hope he doesn't get off on some insanity plea. We already know he's crazy.

©October 2002

Be sure to visit this page every week to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bdahlgren@wcgsouthbay.org.