Dark Stories: On This Day In True Crime History - Dark Stories True Crime Tours

1985: The Night Stalker’s begins His FInal Strike in Mission Viejo, California

In the late hours of August 24, 1985, Richard Ramirez drove to Mission Viejo in Southern California, intending to break into the Romero family home. Thirteen-year-old James Romero III spotted him and recorded the car details, alerting police. Ramirez moved on to the nearby home of Bill Carns and Inez Erickson, shooting Carns three times in the head before assaulting Erickson. Remarkably, both victims survived.

The car details noted by James Romero III proved critical. Police traced the vehicle, leading directly to the identification and arrest of Ramirez, bringing the reign of one of California’s most feared serial killers to an end.

Hooded hooligan with obscured face walking city streets at night

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Attempted Murder Murder Serial Killer USA

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1981: Mark David Chapman Sentenced to 20 Years to Life for Killing John Lennon

In December 1980, Mark David Chapman shot John Lennon four times in the back outside the Dakota apartment building in New York City, killing the former Beatle as he returned home. Chapman had waited hours for Lennon, who had earlier autographed a copy of his album ‘Double Fantasy’ for him, and remained at the scene until police arrived.

On 24 August 1981, Chapman was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder, against the advice of his attorneys. He has been denied parole multiple times and remains incarcerated.

John Lennon Statue in Liverpool. A statue of John Lennon situated opposite the historic Cavern Club in Liverpool. | ID 40019847 © Chris Dorney | Dreamstime.com — ID 40019847 © Chris Dorney | Dreamstime.com

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Murder Trial USA

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1853: Henry Turner Hanged at Melbourne Gaol for Robbery and Murder

At Melbourne Gaol on 23 August 1853, Henry Turner and his accomplice John Smith were hanged for the murder of John Warren at Fryer’s Creek. The two men had entered Warren’s hut demanding gold, and when he could not produce it, they shot him in the eye with a revolver at close range. Warren was found blind and bleeding in the bush, groping through the scrub; he died shortly after from a bone splinter that had penetrated his brain.

Turner was attended in his final days by the Reverend Mr Studdert of St. James’ Church, while Smith received the Catholic priests Fathers Shiel, Cunningham, and Hayes. Both men were executed before a considerable crowd, and neither had entertained any hope of reprieve.

Turner acknowledged the justice of his sentence before his death, as did Smith, who was brought to admit that the punishment he was about to suffer was just and merited.

View from below of historical gallows in Tombstone Arizona

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Australia Execution Melbourne Murder Organised Crime Robbery VIC

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1305: William Wallace Hanged, Drawn, and Quartered at Smithfield

William Wallace, the Scottish knight and military leader who had defied English rule for nearly a decade, was captured in August 1305 and swiftly tried for treason and atrocities against English civilians. Brought before a tribunal in Westminster Hall, he denied the charge of treason on the grounds that he had never sworn allegiance to the English crown, but the verdict was a foregone conclusion.

On 23 August 1305, Wallace was dragged through the streets of London to Smithfield, where he was hanged, cut down while still alive, disembowelled, beheaded, and his body divided into four parts. His head was displayed on London Bridge; his limbs were sent to Newcastle, Berwick, Stirling, and Perth as a warning to those who would resist English rule. He became the most enduring symbol of Scottish resistance.

William Wallace statue outside Stirling Castle Scotland

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Execution London Political Crime Scotland Trial UK

1985: The Night Stalker’s begins His FInal Strike in Mission Viejo, California

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1981: Mark David Chapman Sentenced to 20 Years to Life for Killing John Lennon

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1853: Henry Turner Hanged at Melbourne Gaol for Robbery and Murder

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1305: William Wallace Hanged, Drawn, and Quartered at Smithfield

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