That decision was upheld by the state Court of Appeals following Fairs first trial. Witnesses said Neil Marshall, a partygoer, was sexually aggressive toward Jinaga on Halloween. Residents said Fair appeared relaxed when he hung out at Potts apartment for three days over the weekend. Fair said the lawsuit, obtained by Atlanta Black Star, is the closest thing to justice I can get.. Meanwhile they raided Emmanuels stuff and according to his best friend on the podcast took almost ALL of his things. 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. Fair said he went inside Jinagas apartment various times throughout the party. After nine years of fighting, Emanuel Fair has the freedom he deserves. The lawsuit says that Johnson also had a past of strange or violent behavior with women. 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. In the apartment complex's trash bin, was a bag containing Jinaga's Halloween costume, a bloodied robe, a discarded bottle of motor oil, and the bootlace. The lab technicians simply could not exclude Fair as a match, and his DNA was found alongside other DNA matches. 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. Police let Johnson go after his questioning. He was read his rights. After the sound stopped, Rose then heard steps and the sound of running water for 1 hour. They interrogated Fair on the car ride to the station without reading his rights. Her arm and a blanket also were partially burned and her comforter was soaking in a bathtub. or felt they were? After the party wound down, Jinaga was seen returning to her apartment about 3 a.m.; investigators believe she was killed at about 8 a.m. Nov. 1. Maybe they were running out of time (had to be somewhere? 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. Fair filed a lawsuit against King County, Redmond, the Redmond Police Department and the lead detective on Dec. 29. He assumed Jinaga was either vomiting or having sex. According to the Rolling Stone report, most of the people at the party that night didnt remember Fairs name. On the night of Oct. 31, 2008, Arpana Jinaga and her neighbors at the Valley View Apartments, in Redmond, Wash., threw a party to celebrate Halloween. 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. A tech prodigy from an early age, Arpana seemed poised to achieve great things in life. On the evening of Oct. 31, 2008, Arpana Jinaga, a 24-year-old software engineer and Indian immigrant, co-hosted the holiday get-together at the Valley View Apartments in Redmond, a suburb of Seattle. He waited in jail while authorities tested his DNA. More than a dozen people passed through Jinaga's apartment that night. Arpana Jinaga. 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. 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. Two days later, after Jinaga hadnt shown up to work or returned calls to her family in India, a family friend and Jinagas next-door neighbor found her door kicked in and her nude body on her bedroom floor. Bodicherla went to the apartment complex, where he encountered Cameron Johnson, who showed him the way to Jinaga's unit. Fair was released in 2019, serving a total of 9 years without conviction, and is now suing the county authorities. She had opened her third-floor apartment to Fair and dozens of other partygoers, who traipsed in and out during the festivities. 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. 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. Most of the partygoers reportedly referred to the chocolate-skinned man as the Black guy in his police file. In Suspect, journalists Matthew Shaer and Eric Benson (Over My Dead Body) return to the Valley View Apartments and interview party guests and authorities about the horrific series of events stemming from Halloween 2008. I just want to be myself.. He had a list of nearby pawnshops in his car printed the day Jinaga was killed, the lawsuit says. He was her pimp, or as the podcast preferred to describe it, the person who placed craiglist ads for her escort services. 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. On Tuesday, that man, Emanuel Fair, 35, was found not guilty of first-degree murder with sexual motivation by a King County jury. . He had a list of nearby pawnshops in his car printed the day Jinaga was killed, the lawsuit says. Fair also used Jinaga's bathroom. Arpana Jinaga Memorial. She volunteered at the. Police staked out the house where he was staying, slowly rolled up on Fair and reportedly pointed guns at his chest. She had a keen interest in engineering and won several innovation competitions. 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. Ehlert, in the 2020 interview, noted prosecutors were barred from including some key evidence at trial: Fairs past convictions and the possibility that he and the neighbor acted together in Jinagas killing because there wasnt evidence to support that theory a decision upheld by the state Court of Appeals after Fairs first trial. The evidence of Fairs involvement is compelling, Larson said this week. By Bill Christianson January 8, 2009 5:35 pm. . Another apartment complex resident committed suicide just days after Jinagas death, and his DNA was reportedly never compared to the crime scene. I think that was the biggest reasonable doubt and no one could eliminate him [as the killer], the juror said of the neighbor. Arpana Jinaga, a 24 year old woman from India. 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. I didnt know how to answer, so I just told her the truth: Im depressed. They messed up, he said. I covered for Emanuel because at the time I thought he was my friend, not because I was trying to cover for him for something he may or may not have done. He scrubbed his phone right after the interrogation, the lawsuit says. Coats is now a captain in the department. When asked about the calls, Johnson reportedly said, oh crap, but he could not remember why he called Jinaga. Jinaga showed Fair and other partygoers something on her computer on another occasion. They also want him to be reimbursed for the attorney fees he incurred while fighting the charges. 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. It was the second time Fair had been tried in connection with Jinagas killing: The first time, in 2017, the jury deadlocked and a mistrial was declared. Fair spent six of the nearly nine years in jail, held by a seven-figure bond, isolated for 23 hours a day awaiting trial. She is suspected to have died from strangulation from a bootlace. In 2008, 24 year old software engineer, Arpana Jinaga was brutally murdered after hosting a party on Halloween night with fellow residents of the Valley View Apartments in Redmond Washington. Jinagas phone and digital camera were missing from the scene and never recovered. He had a prior history of violent sexual crimes. Shed been gagged, beaten and strangled during an apparent sexual attack. 14 years ago. I didnt know how to answer, so I just told her the truth: Im depressed. The case turned into a classic whodunit, and Jinaga's costumed party guests were the prime suspects. He attributed them to wrestling a stranger he met at another Halloween party the next day, the lawsuit alleges. Ive been away for so long, I dont believe in holidays no more, he said. After the jury in his first trial deadlocked in 2017, King County prosecutors tried Fair again in 2019. According to reports, Fair accepted a plea agreement in 2004 while still maintaining his innocence. Such remarks since his exoneration only demonstrate authorities defensiveness about mishandling the case, Fair said. Jinaga had been a prize-winner in a . 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. But of course, I imagine it must have been loud disturbance to kick in a door, which was apparently never reported. Woman Found Dead in Park Charged with Murder, Honors Student, 17, Killed After Offering Teenagers a Ride: 'Thought He Was Doing the Right Thing', Cold Cases Heat Up: How Advances in DNA Technology Are Helping to Bring Justice for Victims, A Man Who Died by Suicide After Being Questioned About 1994 Murder Has Been Identified as the Alleged Killer, More Than 15 Years After Madeleine McCann's Disappearance, Questions Remain Unanswered: 5 Things to Know, Accident or Murder? 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. Several people were at the party before Jinagas murder, so the scene was full of various DNA samples. The lawsuit alleges that a lighter was found in his apartment with a sticky substance on it, but investigators never collected it. Brian Bundridge was in a motorcycle club with Jinaga. He had been in her apartment once earlier in the night too. True. They act on impulse, not ration. But as they worked through the evidence, jurors came to believe the state had not met its burden of proving the case beyond a reasonable doubt, said the juror, a 35-year-old Bellevue software engineer who asked not to be named to protect his privacy, It was tough for us to vote not guilty because the family still doesnt know exactly who killed her, the juror said. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. A subreddit dedicated to the unresolved mysteries of the world. Arpana Jinaga was a 24-year-old computer programmer, who had moved to the Pacific Northwest in March of 2008. Sign up to receive The Atlanta Black Star Newsletter in your inbox. At his second trial, a jury found him not guilty. 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. Coats and another Redmond detective confronted the neighbor about his calls to Jinaga, but then released him and returned his phone without examining it. A recent immigrant from India and a graduate of Rutgers University, Jinaga had worked at EMC in Bellevue. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Most of Fairs jail term was spent away from the general population in administrative segregation essentially, solitary confinement. I felt like I was kidnapped, Fair said in last months interview, when explaining his decision to pursue his claims of negligence, civil rights violations and malicious prosecution. I just dont want to be around nobody, he said. Then, due to inexcusable delays in Fairs trial and prolonged pretrial detention, he spent more than nine years in the King County Correctional Facility as an innocent man, in conditions of inhumane confinement that are well known to have a detrimental effect on mental health, the suit contends. 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. Nearly a year later. Arpana Jinaga was murdered in her apartment in 2008 . A man by the name of Emanuel Fair was arrested in connection with her murder, but he has since been found not guilty of the crime. The neighbors DNA was found on a discarded bottle of motor oil, found in the same bag with the robe. 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. 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. Jinaga lived alone in an apartment at the Valley View Apartments. Guests took silly photos, downed shots and smoked pot. 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. Another apartment complex resident committed suicide just days after Jinagas death, and his DNA was reportedly never compared to the crime scene. To get in one of those cheap hollow core doors (if thats what the apartment had) by kicking, you dont need to kick a hole through, just knock it out of the lock. Brian Coats, who led the investigation into Jinagas murder as a detective 13 years ago. It was just gruesome, he said. The DNA on the motor oil and fleeing to Canada seems highly suspicious to me. There are multiple apartments with parties and these two go to a car to listen to music?! They also want him to be reimbursed for the attorney fees he incurred while fighting the charges. One juror said that when the jury began its deliberations on June 6, the 12-member panel was evenly split: Four thought Fair was not guilty, four thought he was guilty, and four were undecided. 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. According to court documents, Johnson called Jinaga around 3 a.m. but did not mention that to the police during his interview. 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 Seattle Times is not naming Jinagas neighbor because he has not been charged. Fair was initially arrested for not updating his address with his probation officer. To contaminate evidence, Jinagas hands had been doused in blue toilet-bowl cleaner and her body covered in motor oil. The Murder of Arpana Jinaga, The Stickiest Heist In History, abnd The Crappiest Place on Earth Published December 28, 2021 at 12:01 AM EST Listen 12:50 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.. I always knew I was going to get out; I just didnt think it would take as a long as it took, Fair, 38, said last month. 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. Jinagas neighbor, Johnson, was the prime suspect at first, as described in Fairs lawsuit documents. The county, police department and Coats filed a response to Fairs initial complaint refuting the claims. He waited in jail while authorities tested his DNA. Then, due to inexcusable delays in Fairs trial and prolonged pretrial detention, he spent more than nine years in the King County Correctional Facility as an innocent man, in conditions of inhumane confinement that are well known to have a detrimental effect on mental health, the suit contends. Jinaga and other tenants he hadnt met were co-hosting a large Halloween party in several units. In the trial, the jury heard evidence that pointed to the neighbor as the possible killer. To contaminate evidence, Jinagas hands had been doused in blue toilet-bowl cleaner and her body covered in motor oil. She had been brutally beaten, raped, and strangled. And thats hard.. lt also points out that Jinagas neighbor quickly emerged as the lead suspect in the case as inconsistencies in his story began to surface.. They also failed to look for evidence of a missing bootlace. Ehlert, in the 2020 interview, noted prosecutors were barred from including some key evidence at trial: Fairs past convictions and the possibility that he and the neighbor acted together in Jinagas killing because there wasnt evidence to support that theory a decision upheld by the state Court of Appeals after Fairs first trial. 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. I lost a lot. 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. No one cleaning up reported seeing anything suspicious. Jinagas naked body was discovered by a close friend and an immediate neighbor in her home on Nov. 1, 2008. So she was protecting him from interacting with cops and ending up going to jail for that. Her father, a head professor of engineering in India, encouraged he to move to the US to attend Rutgers University. Remembering Arpana Jinaga - this was the memorial DVD that was played at her funeral on October 6, 2008 in Bellevue, Washington. but Im not free.. DNA found at the crime scene was ultimately linked to three men, but only one was charged with murder. Two days later, after Jinaga hadnt shown up to work or returned calls to her family in India, a family friend and Jinagas next-door neighbor found her door kicked in and her nude body on her bedroom floor. He and Jinagas next-door neighbor who became a suspect in her slaying discovered her locked door had been kicked in and found her nude body on her bedroom floor. Brian Bundridge was in a motorcycle club with Jinaga. I dont think he killed Arpana. Investigators focused on Fair after seeing him in photos of the party. To pass time, he said he read books, wrote letters and drew pictures. Police went to Jinaga's apartment after they were contacted by her friend, Redmond police spokesman Jim Bove said, adding police are investigating the death as a homicide. He had a prior history of violent sexual crimes. Ehlert also defended an immunity deal with the suspected neighbor, and the decision to solely prosecute Fair for first-degree murder with sexual motivation a charge that hinged mostly on trace DNA collected from a crime scene teeming with genetic evidence linked to multiple people. When questioned, Fair claimed he retired to Potts' apartment around 1:30am on the night of the party. After hosting her event, software programmer, Arpana Jinaga, was found dead inside her home. 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. 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. He slept with Potts in her bed and woke up the next morning before 10 a.m., after which he helped her and other neighbors clean up the complex, according to the complaint. When the night came to an end and the crowd began to disperse, Jinaga said what would be her final goodbyes. Its just another day. For three and a half decades, her disappearance was a mystery - a riddle neither authorities . Some guests were rowdy, but nothing out of the ordinary, it says. Court files said there were also burn marks from an attempt to set the body or apartment on fire. Some of the potential suspects were not interviewed. She had been beaten, sexually assaulted and strangled. 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. Jinaga and other tenants he hadnt met were co-hosting a large Halloween party in several units. Fair was tried for Jinagas sexual assault twice and was acquitted after his second trial in June 2019. He told detectives he had a desire to explore. Canadian officials said Johnson tried to blow through the gates. The initial investigation focused on Cameron Johnson, Jinaga's neighbor. 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. Jinaga, a 24-year-old software engineer from India, had attended Rutgers University, won an international software award and was a rising star at the Bellevue company where she worked. Its just another day. Do we know how extensive the damage was? Since his release two-and-a-half years ago, Fair said hes struggled to adjust to life outside of jail or find steady work. Johnson also said that he had driven to Canada on the day after the Halloween party and that he had been denied entry. 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. Kyler Alvord leads PEOPLE's politics coverage as a news editor for the brand. Her father, a head professor of engineering in India, encouraged he to move to the US to attend Rutgers University. After her graduation, she got a job as a software engineer at EMC, in a suburb of Seattle. 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. Most of the partygoers reportedly referred to the chocolate-skinned man as the Black guy in his police file.