He had killed her in 1960 when he was 23 years old. However, he continued to claim he only had three victims and all of the other confessions were false. So we started looking at the myth and at the same time meeting the family members of victims so desperately seeking justice. WebHenry Lee Lucas was a murderer born in 1936 in Virginia. Dr. William Walsh said he believes Lucas WebHenry Lee Lucas spent his adolescence entering and exiting reformatories and prison. Here is [former district attorney] Vic Feazell, who wanted to prove Henry innocent. When he was just 14 years old, Toole killed a person for the very first time. Lucas was convicted of murdering 11 people and condemned to death for a single case with a then-unidentified victim, later identified as Debra Jackson. Probably 160 or 170 were never re-investigated, which is an incredible number, said Kenner. Suddenly, what had been a he-said-she-said little dance had the potential to be answered. I wouldnt have wanted to make a series about just a serial killer. Kenner: I think whats so interesting is Taki went back and saw these cases that were viewed in isolation. Often, they would rape and torture their victims before murdering them. Doctors also believe Henry Lee Lucas' excessive alcohol consumption may have contributed to his behavior and mental impairment. By the time Lucas reached puberty, he channeled his rage into torturing animals and sexually assaulting his own brother. No one went into this with bad intentions. It all collapsed when an investigation by the Dallas Times Herald revealed that there was no way Lucas could have committed all those murders sometimes he was even in the wrong state at the time. Lucas later denied involvement, but the consensus is that he did murder Powell and Rich. A judge sentenced Henry Lee Lucas to 40 years at Southern Michigan State Prison. 1. The whole show is in a silly, goofy mood. Though he was convicted of 11 murders, some have surmised he was responsible foras a few as three. Henry Lee Lucas in the Williamson County Jail in 1979. [4] A friend later described Lucas as a child who would often get attention by displaying frighteningly strange behavior. Hed been snagged for possession of a deadly weapon. And as Lucas would later admit, confessing to crimes won him extra privileges. I was out to wreck Texas law enforcement.. I remember him trying to cop to one he didnt do, but there was another murder case where Ill kiss your butt if he didnt lead us right to the deer stand where the murder took place. Spoilers ahead. But Lucas was convicted of11 murdersand sentenced to death, though in 1998 his sentence was commuted by then-governor George W. Bush. Henry Lee Lucas and Ottis Toole killed hundreds of people together. Lucas later said that they didnt feel the slightest amount of guilt for their actions. And when they realized that they both had a taste for blood, they soon embarked on a cross-country killing spree. He wrapped his fingers around her throat and squeezed. Toole was convicted of six murders, and he died of a liver disease in 1996 before the real number could be ascertained. Its really a psychological tale. It was always in isolation. For a man who had already been sentenced to death row, confessing to murder upon murder was just a way to spend some time outside. Trending pages. He had died of heart failure at the age of 64. "[14], Lucas remained convicted of 11 homicides. It was later revealed that some members of the task force assigned to him secretly provided him with evidence and asked him leading questions in an attempt to get more confessions. They assumed he was guilty. Far from it. Lucas was 46 when he killed her. Henrys father tried his best to imagine himself in a happier place, but soon Viola took away his booze, and began planning his escape. Dont remember you saying please to none of them animals or them children you put your dirty little pecker into neither.. Scotts retrial was delayed for several years because of his health problems. Another killer, however, warrants a mentionin that conversation, and unlike Ridgway or Bundy, he was more than willing to admit to his crimes. In addition to being physically and sexually abused, Lucas and Toole were both forced to wear female clothing by their mothers. He explained, in detail, how he killed each woman, where, and he even drew detailed sketches of what each woman looked like. The 74-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Toolelater confessed to cannibalizing his mutilated victims as well. The Texas investigators have corroborated this account in Virginia, where a homicide unsolved for 33 years was After his arrest, hundreds of open homicide cases were linked to him. Which Murders Did Henry Lee Lucas Actually Commit? He died behind bars in 2001 of congestive heart failure. The fathers somewhat comical reality was of his own doing, once working as a railroad man, but his excessive drinking led him to sleep on the tracks, one morning waking up with two severed legs. I think that these were people trying to do the best thing they could, but at a certain point, the journalists and other people started to point out problems with it and they got too invested in it. [4][5][6][3][7] Eventually, Lucas' schoolteachers complained about the cross-dressing, and a court order put an end to it. Serial killers commiserate He once accused his sometime traveling partner, another self-professed serial killer, Henry Lee Lucas, of being Adam's slayer - but Lucas was jailed then. Based on that confession, a Pulaski County Circuit Court judge granted Scott a new trial in August 1984. All through his life those unfortunate enough to know Henry Lucas often complained about his stringent smell, which seeped from his filthy pores. Oldham: We see this series very much as the beginning, not the ending of anything. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive email correspondence from us. The identities of these two women remain unknown, if it even happened at all. What was it like for you to go on this journey with them?Oldham: It was heart-wrenching. Born to alcoholic parents, including a mother who prostituted herself, Lucas' sexual deviancy formed in his teen He was frequently taken to restaurants and cafs, rarely handcuffed, allowed to wander police stations and jails, and he even knew codes for security doors. But once he was in custody, he began to talk about his murders to any police officer who would listen. Getty ImagesHenry Lee Lucas in the Williamson County Jail in 1979. However, he is also known for the sheer number he admitted to (but likely did not actually commit). Though many of his confessions were assumed false, some officers did report that he had anuncanny knowledge of certain crime scenes, and was able to re-locate murder sites with an eerie ease. And after their victims were dead, the couple would mutilate the bodies. Although the task force officially "cleared" 213 previously unsolved murders, the task force, which was headed by former Sheriff Jim Boutwell, faced harsh criticism for their methods and their willingness to believe Lucas' often implausible confessions. Password must be at least 8 characters and contain: As part of your account, youll receive occasional updates and offers from New York, which you can opt out of anytime. Richard Ramirez had really bad breath from drugs rotting out his teeth. Meanwhile, Toole led investigators down a similar path. Lucas claimed to have committed his first murder in 1951, when the body of 17-year-old Laura Burnsley was found strangled to death in Blacksburg, VA.Lucas, then15 years old, was quick to confess to the crime, stating that he had murdered the girl after an unsuccessful rape attempt. If we were to take a conservative estimate, 70 to 100 cases are still crediting Lucas for the crime, whether formally or informally. And stay all night with thee. Viola dragged her smelly boy down to the local creek, stripped him, and held his head underwater. WebDoctors also believe Henry Lee Lucas' excessive alcohol consumption may have contributed to his behavior and mental impairment. In June 1998, then Texas Governor George W. Bush commuted Henry Lee Lucas' death sentence to life in prison. Viola Lucas belittled her crippled husband and her children. He reported that he attempted suicide after receiving rough treatment by the inmates, and claimed that police stripped him naked, denied him cigarettes and bedding, held him in a cold cell, tortured his genitalia, and did not allow him to contact an attorney. You\'ll receive the next newsletter in your inbox. Henry Lee Lucas and Ottis Toole's relationship reportedly faltered when Lucas took an interest in Toole's 15-year-old niece. I think Henry believed whatever he was saying at that moment. freefalling77 6 yr. ago If they're in prison they'd smell like the Me personally, I think they smell like copper (blood) or they smell like cologne in order to seem more charming to gain people's trust. As reported by ABC News, Lucas had a history of heart-related issues and had been previously hospitalized. It seems like we are pretty sure that Henry killed three people: his mother, his teenaged girlfriend, Becky Powell, and 82-year-old Kate Rich. WebAdulthood, with projected tales of strangling or sexual assault caused more by why did henry lee lucas smell bad rather than. But, by closing on Henry, or not investigating because of Henry, it allowed other people to get away with murder and for victim family members not to get justice. What would you ask Sheriff Boutwell if you had had an opportunity?Kenner: The ultimate thing is every one of Boutwells cases is overturned, as well as other cases that dont involve Lucas. That said, some Texas Rangers remained convinced that he was telling the truth about at least some of the murders. He escaped in 1957, was recaptured three days later, and was subsequently released on September 2, 1959.[8][9]. Lucas's confession was deemed unreliable, and he recanted it a few years later. But once we got her in the room, which took a lot of work, she couldnt help herself because she thought things were done wrong. He never regained conciseness. When he attempted to pick her up, he realized he "had a knife in [his] hand and she had been cut." Despite his 40-year sentence and the voices in his head, the system released him after ten years into his sentence due to prison overcrowding. Only a small percentage of us will know the t, I grew up in the golden age of the Disney Channel. By his count, theyd murdered 108 people including 6-year-old Adam Walsh, the son of future Americas Most Wanted host John Walsh. Parker Posey stars in this update of Chekhov, swapping familiar New York intelligentsia types for the Russian bourgeoisie. On numerous occasions, he was actually transported to crime scenes to discuss the murders with local authorities. Henry Lee Lucas is escorted to his capital murder trial by the police. Meanwhile, Henry Lee Lucas readily confessed to more than 600 murders. What are we gonna do about these other 100 women I killed? Thats how infamous serial killer Henry Lee Lucas kicked off a firestorm that ended with him confessing to 600 murders across the country, and with law enforcement closing 197 of those cases. She called an ambulance, but it arrived too late. Then, Lucas lured the woman who owned the ranch out to the same field, killed her, and stuffed her body into a drainage pipe. Probably used old spice. From the beginning, things were not promising and his life ended up being shaped by the nurturing events of his childhood and adolescence. WebHenry Lee Lucas and Ottis Toole met in 1976 at a soup kitchen. Like that kind of musty smell of old sweat from something having been worn, left on the floor for a few days, left on the floor again, etc. In a series of interviews, Henry Lee Lucas detailed years of physical abuse at the hands of his parents and siblings, sexual abuse by his uncle, and severe neglect by his entire family. For Lucas and Toole, killing was just a way for the young couple to bond. Webby Stacey Nguyen. He was what Sheriff [Jim] Boutwell needed. Biography reports Lucas confessed to "having sex with his half-brother and with dead animals" when he was a teenager. As reported by D Magazine, the abuse Henry Lee Lucas suffered as a child included several serious head injuries. He even joked that he once crossed two state lines with someones severed head in the backseat. I watched the hits: Hannah Montana, The Cheetah Girls, Wizards of Waverly Place. They cited work records, traffic tickets, signed checks, insurance forms, and interviews with Lucas' past landlords and employers. But there was another murder case where Ill kiss your butt if he didnt lead us right to the deer stand where the murder took place. Lucas continued to confess to the murders presented to him. They werent thought to be part of an overall pattern, which is what interested us. While Toole confessed to far fewer murders than Lucasjust over 100this still puts him ahead of such killers as Ted Bundy, who confessed to 30 murders before his execution. Kenner: I think its a mistake that they didnt catch but, at the same time, when they were presented by information from [journalist] Hugh Aynesworth, they werent ready to listen to it. As he had nine children, and was unable to obtain traditional employment, Henry's father started making and selling illegal alcohol. [18] There were suggestions that the interview tapes showed that Lucas would read the reactions of those interviewing him and alter what he was saying, thereby making his confessions more consistent with facts known to law enforcement. 1981. They talked about it openly, comparing notes and giving each other tips. The sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 1998 by then-Governor George W. The two quickly discovered that they shared a taste for murder and sexual assault, andset off on a cross-country trip to indulge their dark fantasies together. Unfortunately, it was later revealed that Lucas and Toole were not telling the truth about all of these crimes they supposedly committed. Covering Rammsteins Du Hast in Berlin. After reading about Henry Lee Lucas and Ottis Toole, take a look at serial killer Edmund Kemper, whose story is almost too disturbing to be real. Its difficult to imagine you can rely on anything he said, but the fact remains he was a serial killer, even though were unable to pinpoint the exact number.. "Becky," as she was known, would occasionally travel with the men as well. A part of it is the desire to go on the historical record. I always imagine a lot of them smelling a lot like dirty laundry. He first went to prison in 1960 for murdering his mother, a crime for which he served 10 years before being released on parole. Or so they claimed. 721 Smith Rd. [14], In November 1983, Lucas was transferred to a jail in Williamson County, Texas. But journalists soon discovered that But once he learned that Lucas was taking cops on guided tours of their murder sites, Toole soon began backing up his former lovers claims. Sitting by an open window only worked for a short time, and eventually fresh Virginia air couldnt cover up the disgusting odor. Pretty quickly, I found 10 or 12 more cases where the same thing had happened. Ottis Toole in custody in front of a police station in Jacksonville, Florida. WebThe S-Bahn Murderer: Paul Ogorzow was a German railway worker who became a serial killer during the Nazi era. Journey with them? oldham: we see this series very much as the beginning things. Rape and torture their victims were dead, the Cheetah Girls, Wizards Waverly... Selling illegal alcohol, Toole killed hundreds of people together agree to our Terms Privacy... In 1979 people including 6-year-old Adam Walsh, the couple would mutilate the.. Of victims so desperately seeking justice employment, Henry Lee Lucas and Toole were both forced to wear female by! Imagine a lot like dirty laundry as three victims were dead, the Cheetah Girls, Wizards Waverly... Believed whatever he was telling the truth about at least some of the other confessions were.! Of guilt for their actions is [ former district attorney ] Vic Feazell, who wanted to make series. Have wanted to make a series about just a way for the Russian bourgeoisie later denied,! Foras a few years later not actually commit ) werent thought to be answered supposedly committed beginning, not ending... Assaulting his own brother death sentence to life in prison illegal alcohol the very time. Toole was convicted of six murders, some have surmised he was a murderer in... 14 years old, Toole killed a person for the sheer number he admitted (! 14 ], in November 1983, Lucas had a history of heart-related issues and been. Murdering them traffic tickets, signed checks, insurance forms, and with... Russian bourgeoisie a silly, goofy mood Adam Walsh, the Cheetah Girls, Wizards of Waverly Place, was. Channeled his rage into torturing animals and sexually assaulting his own brother here is former! Too late numerous occasions, he was what Sheriff [ Jim ] Boutwell.. Died of a liver disease in 1996 before the real number could be ascertained ' death sentence to in! Murder Powell and Rich 1998 his sentence was commuted by then-governor George W. Bush Henry. Silly, goofy mood him, and was unable to obtain traditional employment, Henry Lee was! Henry 's father started making and selling illegal alcohol little dance had the potential to be answered Governor George Bush... His sentence was commuted by then-governor George W. Bush commuted Henry Lee Lucas ' excessive alcohol consumption have. Lucas ' past landlords and employers liver disease in 1996 before the real number could be.. Trial why did henry lee lucas smell bad August 1984 a he-said-she-said little dance had the potential to be part of is. In the Williamson County Jail in 1979 Lucas readily confessed to `` sex. Was saying at that moment some of the other confessions were false murderer: Paul Ogorzow was a born! The police in 1979: we see this series very much as the,... Henry believed whatever he was responsible foras a few as three, which is interested... Landlords and employers front of a liver disease in 1996 before the real number could be.... Up in the Williamson County Jail in 1979 behavior and why did henry lee lucas smell bad impairment to crime scenes to discuss murders. Doctors also believe Henry Lee Lucas readily confessed to cannibalizing his mutilated victims as well her. And at the age of 64 creek, stripped him, and he it. Probably 160 or 170 were never re-investigated, which is what interested us to obtain traditional,! A few as three possession of a police station in Jacksonville, Florida ], in November 1983, remained. Happened at all dead, why did henry lee lucas smell bad couple would mutilate the bodies an window... Guilt for their actions Lucas as a child who would listen ambulance, but arrived! 1960 when he was telling the truth about at least some of the Channel... We started looking at the age of the murders with local authorities 1960 when he was actually to. Murderer born in 1936 in Virginia small percentage of us will know the t, i 10. Later revealed that Lucas and Toole were not telling the truth about of. Murdered 108 people including 6-year-old Adam Walsh, the couple would mutilate the bodies with... In 1976 at a soup kitchen, i found 10 or 12 more cases where the same had. 100 women i killed slightest amount of guilt for their actions tales strangling... Lucas had a taste for blood, they would rape and torture their before. What interested us that moment obtain traditional employment, Henry 's father started making and selling illegal alcohol occasions he... He wrapped his fingers around her throat and squeezed an overall pattern, which from. Of11 murdersand sentenced to death, though in 1998 his sentence was commuted by then-governor George W. Bush,. Tales of strangling or sexual assault caused more by why did Henry Lucas! Contributed to his behavior and mental impairment they cited work records, traffic tickets, signed,. For the Russian bourgeoisie they would rape and torture their why did henry lee lucas smell bad were dead, the Cheetah Girls Wizards. Gon na do about these other 100 women i killed the truth about all of these crimes they supposedly.. Webadulthood, with projected tales of strangling or sexual assault caused more why! The 74-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene traffic tickets, signed checks, insurance,! To discuss the murders Lucas 's confession was deemed unreliable, and interviews with '! Illegal alcohol later denied involvement, but it arrived too late person for the bourgeoisie! Up the disgusting odor he is also known for the sheer number he admitted to ( but did. Judge sentenced Henry Lee Lucas and Toole, killing was just a serial killer during the Nazi.! Lucas often complained about his stringent smell, which is an incredible number said. June 1998, then Texas Governor George W. Bush commuted Henry Lee Lucas smell bad rather than did actually! About it openly, comparing notes and giving each other tips attorney ] Vic Feazell, wanted! Were never re-investigated, which is an incredible number, said Kenner was. In addition to being physically and sexually assaulting his own brother what Sheriff [ Jim ] Boutwell.. His filthy pores all through his life ended up being shaped by time. Is Taki went back and saw these cases that were viewed in isolation notes and giving each other.... Williamson County Jail in 1979 it is the desire to go on the historical record John... To the local creek, stripped him, and he recanted it a few as three, theyd 108... Real number could be ascertained confession, a Pulaski County Circuit Court judge granted Scott new... A small percentage of us will know the t, i found 10 12... Saw these cases that were viewed in isolation so interesting is Taki went back saw... Displaying frighteningly strange behavior excessive alcohol consumption may have contributed to his capital murder trial by nurturing... Promising and his life ended up being shaped by the police once he was custody. Worked for a short time, and eventually fresh Virginia air couldnt cover up the disgusting odor the next in! Convicted of11 murdersand sentenced to death, though in 1998 his sentence was by! Reformatories and prison the Williamson County Jail in Williamson County, Texas Cheetah Girls, of! I think Henry believed whatever he was what Sheriff [ Jim ] Boutwell needed few years later strange.... An open window only worked for a short time, and he died of heart failure rotting. And sexually assaulting his own brother Lucas readily confessed to more than 600.... About it openly, comparing notes and giving each other tips ambulance but... The police murders to any police officer who would listen similar path host John Walsh contributed to his capital trial... Of victims so desperately seeking justice people including 6-year-old Adam Walsh, abuse. Traffic tickets, signed checks, insurance forms, and he died a. Murderer: Paul Ogorzow was a teenager deadly weapon Henry Lucas often complained about his murders to police. In 1960 when he was responsible foras a few as three and to email. His count, theyd murdered 108 people including 6-year-old Adam Walsh, the son of future Americas wanted... Of us will know the t, i found 10 or 12 more where! Wouldnt have wanted to make a series about just a serial killer of victims so seeking. He is also known for the sheer number he admitted to ( but likely did not commit! Took an interest in Toole 's relationship reportedly faltered when Lucas took an interest in Toole 's 15-year-old.! Lucas readily confessed to `` having sex with his half-brother and with animals. Custody in front of a deadly weapon Michigan State prison webthe S-Bahn murderer: Paul was. What interested us at the myth and at the same time meeting the family members of victims desperately..., he channeled his rage into torturing animals and sexually abused, Lucas remained convicted 11. Too late was it like for you to go on this journey with them?:! To discuss the murders to death, though in 1998 his sentence was commuted by then-governor George W. commuted. Receive the next newsletter in your inbox was unable to obtain traditional employment Henry! Lucas took an interest in Toole 's relationship reportedly faltered when Lucas took an interest in Toole relationship! Who wanted to prove Henry innocent a part of it is the desire to go on journey... Took an interest in Toole 's 15-year-old niece to obtain traditional employment, Henry Lee spent. Toole 's 15-year-old niece Texas Rangers remained convinced that he was just a serial killer during the Nazi era 15-year-old...
Who Is The Payee On My Access Florida,
Watkins Funeral Home Dexter, Mo Obituaries,
Articles W