this day in crime history: december 22, 1984

On this date in 1984, self-employed electronics repairman Bernhard Goetz just said no to subway mugging. Letting his gun do the talking, Goetz shot four unarmed men he claimed were trying to rob him. He fled the state after the shooting, but turned himself in nine days later in New Hampshire.

Goetz was tried for felony assault, attempted murder, and illegal weapons possession. He was acquitted of the assault and attempted murder charges, but convicted of the weapons charge, for which he served eight months in jail.

Following the criminal trial, Darrell Cabey, one of the men who was shot, filed a lawsuit against Goetz. The jury found Goetz liable for Cabey’s injuries and awarded Cabey – who was left paralyzed by the shooting – $43 million. Goetz responded by filing for bankruptcy.

Since the shooting, Goetz has run unsuccessfully for mayor of New York, and for public advocate. He also founded his own company, appropriately named Vigilante Electronics.

Further reading:

The Eighties Club – The Subway Vigilante

Wikipedia – Bernhard Goetz

Biography Channel  – Bernhard Goetz

this day in crime history: july 10, 1981

Photo: Don Shrubshell/The Maryville Daily Forum

On this day in 1981, Ken McElroy was shot while sitting in his truck in Skidmore, MO. McElroy, known to locals as the town bully, had been arrested at least twenty times for charges ranging from rape and arson to burglary and assault. But McElroy had a talent for avoiding punishment for his crimes, dodging conviction in every case.

In 1980, prosecutors were finally able to make a case against McElroy stick: the shooting of Ernest “Bo” Bowenkamp. Bowenkamp, 70, ran the local grocery store and was minister of the town’s Church of Christ. McElroy was charged with attempted murder and was eventually convicted of assault.

McElroy appealed the conviction. His appeal was granted and he was released on bond in 1981. When he returned to Skidmore, McElroy threatened to kill Bowenkamp. He made this threat in the local tavern. While armed with an M-1 Garand rifle.

Some of the townspeople approached the local sheriff in search of a legal solution to the situation. He suggested they set up a neighborhood watch.

On July 10, 1981, McElroy was sitting with his wife in his truck outside a local bar. A crowd gathered and McElroy was shot several times with two different rifles. No one called an ambulance. McElroy died at the scene. With about four dozen witnesses present, no one could identify a shooter.

Further reading:

True Crime Stories – Ken Rex McElroy and the town of Skidmore Missouri

Wikipedia – Ken McElroy

this day in crime history: july 10, 1981

Photo: Don Shrubshell/The Maryville Daily Forum

On this day in 1981, Ken McElroy was shot while sitting in his truck in Skidmore, MO. McElroy, known to locals as the town bully, had been arrested at least twenty times for charges ranging from rape and arson to burglary and assault. But McElroy had a talent for avoiding punishment for his crimes, dodging conviction in every case.

In 1980, prosecutors were finally able to make a case against McElroy stick: the shooting of Ernest “Bo” Bowenkamp. Bowenkamp, 70, ran the local grocery store and was minister of the town’s Church of Christ. McElroy was charged with attempted murder and was eventually convicted of assault.

McElroy appealed the conviction. His appeal was granted and he was released on bond in 1981. When he returned to Skidmore, McElroy threatened to kill Bowenkamp. He made this threat in the local tavern. While armed with an M-1 Garand rifle.

Some of the townspeople approached the local sheriff in search of a legal solution to the situation. He suggested they set up a neighborhood watch.

On July 10, 1981, McElroy was sitting with his wife in his truck outside a local bar. A crowd gathered and McElroy was shot several times with two different rifles. No one called an ambulance. McElroy died at the scene. With about four dozen witnesses present, no one could identify a shooter.

Further reading:

TruTV – Ken McElroy

True Crime Stories – Ken Rex McElroy and the town of Skidmore Missouri

Wikipedia – Ken McElroy

this day in crime history: july 10, 1981

Photo: Don Shrubshell/The Maryville Daily Forum

On this day in 1981, Ken McElroy was shot while sitting in his truck in Skidmore, MO. McElroy, known to locals as the town bully, had been arrested at least twenty times for charges ranging from rape and arson to burglary and assault. But McElroy had a talent for avoiding punishment for his crimes, dodging conviction in every case.

In 1980, prosecutors were finally able to make a case against McElroy stick: the shooting of Ernest “Bo” Bowenkamp. Bowenkamp, 70, ran the local grocery store and was minister of the town’s Church of Christ. McElroy was charged with attempted murder and was eventually convicted of assault.

McElroy appealed the conviction. His appeal was granted and he was released on bond in 1981. When he returned to Skidmore, McElroy threatened to kill Bowenkamp. He made this threat in the local tavern. While armed with an M-1 Garand rifle.

Some of the townspeople approached the local sheriff in search of a legal solution to the situation. He suggested they set up a neighborhood watch.

On July 10, 1981, McElroy was sitting with his wife in his truck outside a local bar. A crowd gathered and McElroy was shot several times with two different rifles. No one called an ambulance. McElroy died at the scene. With about four dozen witnesses present, no one could identify a shooter.

Further reading:

TruTV – Ken McElroy

True Crime Stories – Ken Rex McElroy and the town of Skidmore Missouri

Wikipedia – Ken McElroy