1961 writings — including odd symbols — by “Crazy” Joe Mitton
By Tom Voigt | Founder: Zodiackiller.com | tomvoigt@zodiackiller.com
On Sept. 22nd, 1943, a new client named Claude Burriston took a seat in Joe Mitton’s barber chair at a shop in downtown Oakland, Cal. Upon sitting, Burriston let out a cough — possibly due to the heavy cigar smoke often found in such places back then. Hearing the cough, an agitated Mitton yelled “Don’t do that!” and punched a shocked Burriston in the head. Mitton then grabbed his barber shears and began stabbing and slashing Burriston repeatedly in the face until other barbers could intervene and stop the onslaught of violence.
When the police arrived, Mitton explained that he had recognized Burriston as being part of an evil gang from Los Angeles that had tormented Mitton with Dictaphones and poisonous gas.
Crazy Joe, indeed.
After the horrifying attack, Mitton was briefly held in police custody until it was determined — via court procedures — that he was criminally insane. At that point, Mitton was committed to Atascadero State Hospital in Atascadero, Cal.
Joe Mitton’s address for nearly 20 years
More of Mitton’s writings that he would send to both state officials and attorneys
Eventually, in December 1969, the Zodiac killer would write a letter to attorney Melvin Belli, just as Mitton had
More of Mitton’s bizarre designs
Years later, Zodiac suspect Arthur Leigh Allen admitted to having kept Mitton’s writings, that he obtained in 1961 while employed as an orderly at the hospital. Allen also claimed to have “exchanged coded messages” with Mitton
Nearly 18 months after a transfer to another mental hospital — this time in Camarillo, Cal. — Mitton died on Dec. 13, 1962. He was 67 years old. Mitton, a Montana native, had lived in California for more than 40 years.
Mitton’s handwriting, 1961
The Zodiac’s handwriting, 1969
Above: After condensing the images, a noticeably striking similarity between the two samples of handwriting. One might suggest the Zodiac intentionally copied Mitton’s neat style of printing.
Arthur Leigh Allen’s employment at Atascadero State Hospital ended after the summer of 1962. However, he would soon return…as a patient.
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