[194] Prior to his death by ligature strangulation, Hyden had been bound, beaten about the face, sodomized, then stabbed in the neck and genitalia and bludgeoned about the skull. Bonin's parents were alcoholics, and his father was a compulsive gambler who was physically abusive towards his wife and children. [141] A subsequent coroner's investigation revealed Butts had unsuccessfully attempted to take his own life on at least four occasions prior to his arrest. Bonin was pronounced dead at 12:13a.m.[359] He was 49 at the time of his execution. In his closing argument on behalf of the prosecution, Norris described Bonin as an insatiable, callous individual who acted with malice aforethought, and who derived extreme pleasure from the suffering he inflicted upon his victims. [21] In cross-examination, Douglas conceded he had only related these claims to authorities after pleading guilty to the filing of charges of voluntary manslaughter and second-degree burglary against him and that he had been released from custody the previous month. The jury deliberated for less than three hours before announcing on August 2 that they had found Bonin guilty of each of the four murders, in addition to three counts of robbery. It's no fun if they don't let me know how it feels. William Bonin: The True Story of The Freeway Killer by Jack Rosewood 115 ratings, 3.70 average rating, 11 reviews Open Preview William Bonin Quotes Showing 1-4 of 4 "there is some evidence that some serial killers have brain damage that impact their ability to exact rational control." [356] Insisting that he had no control over his actions, Bonin claimed his urge to kill was too strong to resist before expressing his hope the Lord "will understand me, and know that I [could not] help what I did. American serial killer and rapist (19471996), Incarceration at Atascadero and Vacaville prison. [223], Based on Bonin's confession, police obtained a warrant authorizing a search of Butts' Lakewood property on the same date as Bonin's initial arraignment; this July 25 search uncovered evidence linking Butts to several of the murders to which Bonin had already confessed, and Butts was brought before a Municipal Court on July 29, charged with accompanying Bonin on six murders committed between August 1979 and April 1980. He grew up with an alcoholic father and absentee mother and was primarily raised by his grandfather, who was a convicted child molester. [296] When asked why some victims had been subjected to more extensive blunt force trauma than others, Butts stated that, in many instances, Bonin would escalate the level of beatings to which he subjected his victim if the youth resisted his sexual advances. "[386][387] In the years following Bonin's execution, McVicker has actively campaigned to ensure that his accomplices, Miley and Munro, remain incarcerated. Bonin was given the death penalty. Bonin then retrieved a Buck Knife, proceeding to intimidate Grabs as Butts drove toward Bonin's home[180] where the youth was again sodomized and beaten. [167], The first murder for which Bonin was charged was that of 13-year-old Thomas Glen Lundgren. (9th Cir. These accrued reprimands had included the possession of contraband drugs, and attempting to engage in non-consensual sodomy with fellow inmates. [155] Reserving Sundays for his girlfriend, he typically cruised the freeways on Fridays and Saturdays. Approximately four weeks later, on November 30, Bonin operating alone abducted 17-year-old Bellflower youth Frank Dennis Fox;[206] during the process of ligature strangulation, Bonin had killed the youth while still sodomizing him. [78] Bonin was released from prison on June 11, 1974, after doctors concluded he was "no longer a danger to the health and safety of others". At the heart of this documentary are the never-heard-before recordings of Bonin's police interviews. Biography of Albert Fish, Serial Killer. James Munro, Bonin's lodger and coworker, assisted Bonin in the murder of Steven Wells. [100] Bonin then forced oral copulation on McVicker[73] before raping him as he simultaneously strangled him with his T-shirt and a tire iron in the front seat of his car. [252], On November 24, prison inmate Lloyd Douglas testified that Bonin had bragged to him of his culpability in the Freeway Killer murders while both were incarcerated in the Los Angeles County Jail in the summer of 1980. Bonin and three of his four known accomplices were convicted of fourteen murders committed between August 5, 1979, and June 2, 1980; Bonin was also charged with two additional murders for which he was acquitted at his first trial in Los Angeles County. Initially formally arraigned for the murder of Grabs on July 25,[293] by July 29, Bonin had been charged with an additional fifteen murders to which he had confessed and upon which the prosecution believed they had sufficient evidence to obtain a conviction. Sadistic, unbelievably cruel, senseless and deliberately. Well, probably I went in the service too soon because I was peaking in my bowling career. [259], Having by this stage determined a definitive link between many of the murders committed within the previous year, investigators from the various jurisdictions where victims had been abducted or discovered had themselves begun sharing information in their collective hunt for the perpetrator. He grew up in a dysfunctional family with an alcoholic father and a grandfather who was a convicted child molester. [13] Bonin joined the United States Air Force with his mother's persuasion, who hoped it would cure his inclination toward chaos. [210] Because Kilpatrick a troubled youth whose parents had recently divorced was known to disappear for days at a time, his mother hesitated to report the disappearance. [125][129] Bonin was suspected of committing at least 21 murders, and the killings for which he was convicted are shown in italics: On July 1, 1977, Patrick Kearney, the prime suspect in a series of killings of young men known as the "Trash Bag Murders", voluntarily surrendered to Riverside police. Though no other significant brain anomalies were present,[78][21] a physical examination revealed extensive scars on Bonin's head and buttocks, which he claimed to have no memory of obtaining, but were likely sustained in the Franco-American Orphanage. [19][17], Frequently arguing with his wife who obtained a job at a local thread mill to supplement for his gambling habit over finances, Bonin's father lost their home in Andover, Connecticut, in a high stakes poker game in January 1950, forcing the family to reside with Bonin's maternal grandmother in Willimantic and continuing to spend his money each night by gambling and drinking at local bars. As they drove to find a spot to dump the body,[273] they encountered a police car, causing Bonin to privately mock the officers. [377] The victim had been drugged, bound and garroted in a similar manner to that of numerous other young men whose bodies had been found alongside or close to various California and Oregon freeways since 1972. The victims, aged 12 to 19, were predominantly Caucasian or Latino, slender, pale,[144] long-haired youths[145] whom he either enticed or forced into his Ford Econoline van,[146][147] where they were overpowered and bound hand and foot with a combination of handcuffs[148] and wire or cords. [344] Over the years, Bonin received several minor awards for his artwork, short stories and poems. She put me in one of those boy's homes, and I got raped by these older guys. [381], Four months following Bonin's arrest, Bonin's 61-year-old father died of cirrhosis of the liver on October 11, 1980. Three days later, in accordance with Penal Code section 987, Boninat this stage without legal representationwas appointed attorney Earl Hanson to act as his legal representative. During his teen years he discovered that he was gay and would occasionally molest children, After graduation, he enlisted in the US Air Force and served in the Vietnam War. I was going to kill you but I want to come back for you and use you again. [69][12] Upon returning home, Bonin discovered that his fiance who by this stage had given birth to their son[2] had left him to marry another man. My mother never stopped him. As he bit into his hamburger, Bonin reportedly looked up to the ceiling and stated, "Thanks, Steve," before repeating the statement as he looked down to the floor, adding, "Wherever you are." Bonin was born in Willimantic, Connecticut, on January 8, 1947, as the second of three sons raised by alcoholic parents. He clocked up almost 1,000 hours of active patrol time in the conflict, even winning a medal for bravery. He was sentenced to twenty-one terms of life imprisonment. Norris outlined the torture Bonin's victims had endured before concluding his closing arguments by urging the jury to "give him [Bonin] what he has earned". Willimantic Willimantic is a census-designated place, former city and borough. Questioned by police following this arrest, Bonin claimed to be glad of his apprehension, adding he may have murdered the youth and that he felt he was in need of professional help. These items included various restraining devices including lengths of nylon cord, an assortment of knives, a tire iron, and household implements such as pliers and wire coat hangers. [265], Inside Bonin's van, investigators discovered numerous artifacts attesting to his culpability in the Freeway Killer murders. Los Angeles, CAA major historical biography about serial killer Bill Bonin, aka The Freeway Killer, is now on sale in Kindle and Nook formats for 99 Cents thru March 31. When arrested, he informed law enforcement that "next time there won't be any more witnesses. [31][68][14], Bonin served nearly two years in the Air Force before receiving an honorable discharge on October 25, 1968, at age 21. Norris further elaborated that Bonin had followed a depressingly familiar routine in his murders of luring or forcing his victim into his van before overpowering and binding his victim. [231] Gatlin was beaten and sodomized, suffering several deep, perforating ice pick wounds to the ear and neck before being strangled with a ligature. Officials say Miley, 54, an accomplice of serial "Freeway Killer" William Bonin, who terrorized Southern California 36 years ago, has been killed in prison. Come on out and see it. His fully clothed body was found alongside Highway 71 in the outskirts of Chino,[212][186][213] although his body was not identified until March 24. [333] Charvet also argued before the jury that Brown had "spent more time discussing the two Los Angeles cases" for which Bonin had previously been convicted than actually proving Bonin had committed any of the Orange County murders. . Rugh intended on hitching a ride to his job at a fast food restaurant before encountering Bonin. John Fredrick Kilpatrick (15): Disappeared on December 5, 1979, and found on December 13, 1979, in Los Angeles County; strangled to death with ligature after being flagellated with string. "[166] Following media coverage of his murders, Bonin also enthusiastically mentioned his killings to fellow co-workers at Dependable Drive-Away, stating, "He did it again. [95] While in prison, Bonin was subject to further psychiatric examination which dealt with hostility toward his father and older brother, further noting his sexual behaviors were compulsive in response to stress. Bonin was charged with, but subsequently cleared of, the murders of Sean King and Thomas Lundgren at his Los Angeles County trial. 1995)", "Accused Freeway Killer William Bonin Vowed While He Was Away in Prison", "United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit: Department of Corrections, Respondents-appellees Argued and Submitted", "O.C. [223] William Pugh also agreed to testify, having pled guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter for which he later received six years in prison. [31][43] After six months, Bonin's younger brother informed their mother of the fondling, prompting his parents to force Bonin to sleep in his own bedroom. [73] His body was found two days later alongside the Ortega Highway, five miles east of San Juan Capistrano. [237] Pugh was driven to a home he claimed was his, before fearfully sprinting to his residence upon the van's departing. [259] They drove to a disused gas station in Huntington Beach, where they wedged Wells' nude corpse between a chain-link fence and a truck. [46] Although both parents were generally neglectful of their children, Bonin and his brothers were primarily raised by their mother,[47] who often displayed inordinately domineering and emasculating behavior toward Bonin. [111] Months later in April 1979, Bonin's parole supervision concluded. [359] In his final statement, given to the prison warden one hour prior to his scheduled execution at midnight, Bonin again expressed no remorse for his crimes and left a note that stated: I feel the death penalty is not an answer to the problems at hand. He was primarily raised by his grandfather given that his father was an alcoholic and had an absentee. the creepiest facts about the freeway killer William Bonin. [304] At the time of Butts' suicide, he had not agreed to accept any form of plea bargain, or to testify against Bonin. William Bonin is known to some as the 'Freeway Killer,' thought to have raped, tortured and murdered a minimum of twenty-one boys and young men before he was executed in 1996. He spent fourteen years on death row before he was executed by lethal injection at San Quentin State Prison in 1996. [112][109] While delivering trucks, Bonin frequently argued with his boss who was unaware of his status as a sex offender for picking up a hitchhiker in his presence on one occasion and taking longer, unnecessary routes which detectives later took interest in.[113]. King's mother, Lavada Gifford, had first wrote to Bonin in 1989, having read of his becoming a, On one occasion, Bonin claimed Butts had suggested to him the two should embark on a spree of murder in order that Butts would incorporate aspects of these murders into his. He had previously served time at Atascadero State Hospital for sex crimes committed against five young boys in 1969. [12], Working as a gas station attendant, Bonin feeling betrayed and frustrated[69] returned to Downey to live with his parents, whom he resented for frequently requesting his help. Foster also stated the pervasive physical, sexual and emotional abuse had been so consistent and prevalent that Bonin held a confusion as to the differences between violence and love. He then called Munro to enter the room. [112] On August 13, 1979,[176] Fraser drove to collect Bonin from the Orange County Jail where he had been incarcerated. Describing the murders as "a gross, revolting affront to human dignity", Keene further ordered at this hearing that if Bonin's death sentence were commuted to one of life imprisonment, the sentences should run consecutively. How & Why Bonin covered for accomplice Eric Wijnaendts, who helped him with two murders. [54] He expressed his disagreement with the State's decision to execute him, stating: "A lot of people believe I should die for what I [have done]. Bonin would later boast of this killing in an interview with reporter Dave Lopez, stating "that little kid was the easiest one to kill.". ", "Southern California's Most Infamous Killers", "San Quentin's Killer Bridge Parties: Kraft, Bonin and Two Other Serial Murderers Play a Mean Game of Cards", "Wilson Denies Bonin's Plea to Halt Execution", "Lethal Jab Ends Life of 'Freeway Killer', "Here are the 13 Men Executed in California Since 1978", "Where are the Serial Killers and Sexual Predators Vonda Pelto Dealt With Now", "Condemned: But Not Without Friends to End", "Trail of Death Now Twisting Through the Courts", "An 18-year-old Who Reportedly Led Police to the Prime Suspect", "Courtroom Cleared at Accused Killers' Hearing", "Eric Marten Wijnaendts Pleads Not Guilty", "Prosecutors to Seek 'Freeway Killer' Indictments", "Victims' Families Monitor Freeway Killer Case", "Twenty-one Killings Admitted, Newsman Says", "Patrick W. Kearney: The Trash Bag Murderers", "Bonin's Mom to Repay Son's Disability Benefits", "Sole Survivor Of Notorious 'Freeway Killer' Speaks Out", "Freeway Killer Accomplice Gets 25 Years", "Freeway Killer Accomplice Gets 25-years-to-life Sentence", "Gregory Miley, Accomplice of 'Freeway Killer' William Bonin, Seeks Parole", "Inmate Death at Mule Creek State Prison is Suspected Homicide", "Accomplice of Notorious 'Freeway Killer' Fatally Beaten in Prison", "Homicide suspected in Mule Creek Prison Inmate's Death", "Gregory Matthew Miley, Accomplice of "Freeway Killer" William Bonin, Seeks Parole", "Accomplice of California 'Freeway Killer' Slain in Prison", "Crime Articles: Have You Heard of the Freeway Killer? These lawyers contended that had Charvet placed further emphasis on these issues, Bonin would have been "humanized" in the eyes of his juries. [91] His "extremely disturbed" methods of social interaction were also viewed as hindering his own treatment. A statement was issued on his social media accounts, saying he "died peacefully . [13] During Bonin's engagement, he repeatedly informed his fiance he suffered from recurring nightmares in which he would sexually assault a faceless young woman in a deserted place before discarding her corpse in a shallow grave. As Butts drove, Bonin forced the boy to orally copulate him before squeezing his genitals and sodomizing him. Born in Connecticut on January 8, 1947, Bonin was the middle child of three brothers. [178][179], The following day, Bonin and Butts encountered 17-year-old West German student Markus Grabs between 6p.m. and 10p.m.[134] attempting to hitchhike from the Pacific Coast Highway. None of Bonin's relatives chose to witness his execution, although the event was witnessed by several relatives of his victims, many of whom wept and embraced when his death was officially confirmed. [311] The various experts who had examined Bonin would also find conflict with one another's assertions, with Dr. Park Dietz opining that fellow Dr. David Foster largely mischaracterized and exaggerated the evidence relied in proving Bonin was extensively abused as a child, and was mistaken in assuming Bonin's Babinski reflex and other symptoms which were initially speculated to indicate attention deficit disorder or another minor disorder were indicative of extensive brain damage that influenced Bonin's crimes. Infamous Serial Killers Robbie Ruinsburg. He supposedly wanted to talk to KITS. [252][253] The body of 17-year-old Lawrence Sharp[9][n 15] was discarded behind a Westminster gas station. The crime rate among the mentally ill is lower than among so-called 'normal' people. In 1996 Thomas Lundgren at his Los Angeles County trial social media accounts, saying he & quot died... Cruised the freeways on Fridays and Saturdays injection at San Quentin State prison in 1996 I. 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