Part 48, page 34

Transcript

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Memo [REDACTED] RE: NORJAK

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b6 b7C

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they felt they could identify positively a cooperative Cooper. All attendees were in agreement, however, that a John Doe indictment at this time would be difficult to obtain due to the lack of positive identifying or even somewhat limiting data concerning Cooper, and that if someone came forth after November, 1976, it might possibly be more harmful in the successful prosecution of this case if the John Doe indictment was issued and then thrown out.

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A review was made of investigation conducted to date and the possibility of redoing any of same. Reinterview of witnesses at this time was considered to be unproductive as this has been continuous upon various displays and it was felt that at this time they were now relying on the artist's conceptions rather than individual memory. Discussion took place concerning the possibility of reinstituting a terrain search of the calculated drop area. It was determined that this would be extremely impractical due to several significant facts. First, it was stated by the attendees that have previously participated in a search of the area, that if Agents walked hand in hand through that area, because of the heavy thickets, they could still walk right by a person or a briefcase without seeing it. Next it was mentioned that in addition, at this time, we have over four years of leaves and brush to contend with. The expense involved, as well as man power necessary, ruled out, as far as the attendees were concerned, any feasibility of conducting additional terrain searches.

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The next phase discussed was the possibility of utilizing a reward for the missing twenty dollar bills (10,000 of them in all). It was felt that a nationwide campaign of offering $5,000 for the first one or first five twenty dollar bills turned over to Northwest Orient Airlines, would attract national publicity and would serve to provide us information as to whether the ransom money ever got into circulation. If one of these bills was turned in, it would tell us one of two things, either Cooper was successful in his jump and managed to escape the wooded area with or without the assistance of an accomplice, or the money was found by someone else and that person put it into circulation. It was felt that Northwest Orient Airlines may desire to offer this reward, since the claiming of this reward might enhance their chances of securing a recovery of the $200,000 extorted from their airlines. It was recommended that we feed the reward offer to every type of media to afford the reward widespread publicity. A condition to the return of the money could be an offer of immunity from prosecution for receiving stolen property.

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DB Cooper-19825