Buddhist Temple Massacre

The boys were soon arrested, but now the task force was split.  Some of the investigators believed that Doody and Garcia had some link with the Tucson Four, and others were just as sure they did not.  It soon turned out that Doody's younger brother, David, had been involved at the temple, and that Doody had visited.

Jonathan Doody

Agnos insisted that the Tucson Four be held until evidence could be gathered.  He hinted that he had a source of information that would back away if the men were released, and he pointed out that the FBI was still analyzing hair and fibers collected at the temple.  Until those results were in, the men should stay in jail.  He added that the confessions had been solid, because streetwise men—especially men who'd already been in prison—would not have admitted to something they didn't do, knowing it would have dire consequences.

Yet County Attorney Rick Romley examined the case and felt they had no evidence to hold the men.  He questioned how the confessions were obtained.  Reading them and seeing the internal contradictions and errors of fact raised considerable doubt.

On November 22, the men were finally released.  The charges were dismissed without prejudice.