1992 Dayton Christmas Murders
Christmas Spree Murders
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Dayton, Ohio, United States
TIME PERIOD
December 24–26, 1992
VICTIMS
6 confirmed
During the Christmas period of December 24-26, 1992, a gang known as the "Downtown Posse," led by 19-year-old Marvallous Matthew Keene, committed a series of six murders and multiple robberies in Dayton, Ohio. The gang, consisting of Keene, his 16-year-old girlfriend Laura Jeanne Taylor, 20-year-old Heather Nicole Matthews, and 17-year-old DeMarcus Maurice Smith, targeted victims for robbery and to eliminate potential witnesses. The first murder occurred on December 24 when they killed 34-year-old Joseph Wilkerson during a robbery attempt. All four perpetrators were arrested and charged with aggravated murder; Keene received a death sentence while the others were sentenced to life imprisonment. Keene was executed by lethal injection on July 21, 2009, marking a significant resolution to this high-profile case. Key evidence included witness testimonies and forensic analysis linking the gang to the crime scenes.
The murders are believed to have been motivated by a combination of robbery and the desire to eliminate potential witnesses, as some victims were acquaintances of the ringleader. The gang, known as the "Downtown Posse," has been speculated to have been influenced by a desire for notoriety and power within their community. Additionally, there is speculation about the psychological impact of their violent actions, as the young age of the perpetrators raises questions about their backgrounds and motivations.
The 1992 Dayton Christmas Murders: A Chilling Holiday Spree
Darkness in Dayton: The Prelude to a Crime Wave
As Christmas approached in 1992, the city of Dayton, Ohio, was unwittingly on the brink of a horrific crime spree. Between December 24 and December 26, a four-member gang, known as the "Downtown Posse," executed a series of brutal murders. Their ringleader, 19-year-old Marvallous Matthew Keene, orchestrated a spree that left six people dead and two others injured. The motives behind their heinous acts varied from robbery to a chilling intent to silence potential witnesses. Among the deceased were even two of Keene's own acquaintances.
The Perpetrators: A Portrait of Youthful Violence
The "Downtown Posse" was a youthful assembly of criminals. Besides Marvallous Keene, the gang included his 16-year-old girlfriend, Laura Jeanne Taylor; the oldest member, 20-year-old Heather Nicole Matthews; and Matthews's 17-year-old boyfriend, DeMarcus Maurice Smith. Despite their youth, the gang's actions were anything but juvenile.
The Murder of Joseph Wilkerson: A Betrayal and Execution
Their bloodthirsty campaign began on December 24, 1992, when Keene, Taylor, and Matthews targeted 34-year-old Joseph Wilkerson. Under the guise of participating in an orgy, they entered his home. Once inside, the trio turned on Wilkerson, tying him to his bed with electrical cords. Keene, discovering a .32 caliber Derringer, shot Wilkerson in the chest, while Taylor delivered a final shot to his head. Their betrayal concluded with the theft of Wilkerson's car, marking the beginning of their spree.
Danita Gullette: An Innocent Life Snatched
Later that day, with their ranks now bolstered by Smith, the gang set their sights on 18-year-old Danita Gullette. While she stood at a pay phone, Smith and Keene, guns drawn, demanded her shoes. After robbing her of her shoes and jacket, they coldly shot her dead. Tragically, Gullette was a high school senior with a young daughter, her life ending in senseless violence.
The Night of Jeffrey Wright's Shooting
As darkness fell, the gang returned to Wilkerson's house. Their violent streak continued with Jeffrey "Jeff" Wright, an ex-boyfriend of Matthews. Following an argument, Smith shot Wright in the legs four times. Remarkably, Wright survived, managing to escape to a neighbor's house.
Christmas Day: The Murder of Richmond Maddox
On December 25, Keene returned to Wilkerson's house, stealing his second car. Later, Taylor lured her former boyfriend, Richmond Maddox, into a trap. As they drove, Taylor shot Maddox in the temple, escaping just before the car crashed. Maddox's life ended abruptly, a grim capstone to a day meant for joy and celebration.
The Robbery and Murder of Sarah Abraham
The spree stretched into December 26. The gang, now desperate for resources and fearing exposure, targeted a grocery store owned by Sarah Abraham's family. After robbing a woman named Kathie Henderson and taking her car, they stormed the store. Keene shot Abraham, who tragically died four days later, leaving behind three children. Smith shot at Edward Thompson and Jones Pettus, with Pettus sustaining injuries.
The Murders of Marvin Washington and Wendy Cottrill
Fearful of betrayal, the gang turned on their own circle. On December 26, they lured 16-year-old Wendy Cottrill and 18-year-old Marvin Washington to a gravel pit. Despite their protests of innocence, Cottrill was shot by Keene and Washington by Smith. Cottrill, as later revealed, was three months pregnant. Their bodies, hidden by the gang's cruelty, were not discovered until five days later.
Capture and Legal Consequences
The spree came to a halt on December 26. As the gang returned to a friend's house, police, noticing suspicious behavior, pursued them. Keene, Matthews, and Taylor were apprehended during their attempt to flee, while Smith was captured soon after.
The legal proceedings that followed were as decisive as they were swift. Keene, Matthews, Smith, and Taylor were charged with multiple counts of aggravated murder and robbery. While Keene confessed during interrogation, Matthews secured a plea bargain, sparing her the death penalty but resulting in consecutive life terms. Taylor and Smith, tried as adults despite their juvenile status, received life sentences without the possibility of parole.
The Trials: Justice Delivered
Marvallous Keene faced trial for the murders of five victims. On October 12, 1993, a three-judge panel found him guilty on all counts, including aggravated murder, burglary, and robbery. Despite Keene's emotional plea for leniency, citing personal tragedies, the court sentenced him to death on December 10, 1993. His fate was sealed with consecutive jail terms totaling up to 293 years.
Matthews, avoiding the death penalty through a plea deal, received a life sentence, with a minimum of 53 years before eligibility for parole. Taylor and Smith, similarly, faced life imprisonment without parole for over a century.
The Aftermath and Legacy
The gruesome events of the 1992 Dayton Christmas murders left deep scars on the community. Families of the victims mourned their irreplaceable losses, while Keene's own family grappled with the shame and sorrow of their son's actions. The case, a stark reminder of youth led astray, underscored the devastating impact of violence and the relentless pursuit of justice.
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First Murder: Joseph Wilkerson
Marvallous Keene and accomplices murder Joseph Wilkerson during a robbery.
Second Murder: Danita Gullette
The gang murders 18-year-old Danita Gullette after robbing her.
Third Murder: Richmond Maddox
Laura Taylor kills her ex-boyfriend Richmond Maddox.
Fourth Murder: Sarah Abraham
The gang robs a grocery store, resulting in the murder of Sarah Abraham.
Gang Arrested
Police arrest the gang members after a three-day murder spree.
Keene Found Guilty
Marvallous Keene is found guilty of multiple counts of aggravated murder.
Keene Sentenced to Death
Marvallous Keene is sentenced to death for five murders.
Keene Executed
Marvallous Keene is executed by lethal injection, becoming the 1,000th person executed in the U.S. by this method.
During the Christmas period of December 24-26, 1992, a gang known as the "Downtown Posse," led by 19-year-old Marvallous Matthew Keene, committed a series of six murders and multiple robberies in Dayton, Ohio. The gang, consisting of Keene, his 16-year-old girlfriend Laura Jeanne Taylor, 20-year-old Heather Nicole Matthews, and 17-year-old DeMarcus Maurice Smith, targeted victims for robbery and to eliminate potential witnesses. The first murder occurred on December 24 when they killed 34-year-old Joseph Wilkerson during a robbery attempt. All four perpetrators were arrested and charged with aggravated murder; Keene received a death sentence while the others were sentenced to life imprisonment. Keene was executed by lethal injection on July 21, 2009, marking a significant resolution to this high-profile case. Key evidence included witness testimonies and forensic analysis linking the gang to the crime scenes.
The murders are believed to have been motivated by a combination of robbery and the desire to eliminate potential witnesses, as some victims were acquaintances of the ringleader. The gang, known as the "Downtown Posse," has been speculated to have been influenced by a desire for notoriety and power within their community. Additionally, there is speculation about the psychological impact of their violent actions, as the young age of the perpetrators raises questions about their backgrounds and motivations.
The 1992 Dayton Christmas Murders: A Chilling Holiday Spree
Darkness in Dayton: The Prelude to a Crime Wave
As Christmas approached in 1992, the city of Dayton, Ohio, was unwittingly on the brink of a horrific crime spree. Between December 24 and December 26, a four-member gang, known as the "Downtown Posse," executed a series of brutal murders. Their ringleader, 19-year-old Marvallous Matthew Keene, orchestrated a spree that left six people dead and two others injured. The motives behind their heinous acts varied from robbery to a chilling intent to silence potential witnesses. Among the deceased were even two of Keene's own acquaintances.
The Perpetrators: A Portrait of Youthful Violence
The "Downtown Posse" was a youthful assembly of criminals. Besides Marvallous Keene, the gang included his 16-year-old girlfriend, Laura Jeanne Taylor; the oldest member, 20-year-old Heather Nicole Matthews; and Matthews's 17-year-old boyfriend, DeMarcus Maurice Smith. Despite their youth, the gang's actions were anything but juvenile.
The Murder of Joseph Wilkerson: A Betrayal and Execution
Their bloodthirsty campaign began on December 24, 1992, when Keene, Taylor, and Matthews targeted 34-year-old Joseph Wilkerson. Under the guise of participating in an orgy, they entered his home. Once inside, the trio turned on Wilkerson, tying him to his bed with electrical cords. Keene, discovering a .32 caliber Derringer, shot Wilkerson in the chest, while Taylor delivered a final shot to his head. Their betrayal concluded with the theft of Wilkerson's car, marking the beginning of their spree.
Danita Gullette: An Innocent Life Snatched
Later that day, with their ranks now bolstered by Smith, the gang set their sights on 18-year-old Danita Gullette. While she stood at a pay phone, Smith and Keene, guns drawn, demanded her shoes. After robbing her of her shoes and jacket, they coldly shot her dead. Tragically, Gullette was a high school senior with a young daughter, her life ending in senseless violence.
The Night of Jeffrey Wright's Shooting
As darkness fell, the gang returned to Wilkerson's house. Their violent streak continued with Jeffrey "Jeff" Wright, an ex-boyfriend of Matthews. Following an argument, Smith shot Wright in the legs four times. Remarkably, Wright survived, managing to escape to a neighbor's house.
Christmas Day: The Murder of Richmond Maddox
On December 25, Keene returned to Wilkerson's house, stealing his second car. Later, Taylor lured her former boyfriend, Richmond Maddox, into a trap. As they drove, Taylor shot Maddox in the temple, escaping just before the car crashed. Maddox's life ended abruptly, a grim capstone to a day meant for joy and celebration.
The Robbery and Murder of Sarah Abraham
The spree stretched into December 26. The gang, now desperate for resources and fearing exposure, targeted a grocery store owned by Sarah Abraham's family. After robbing a woman named Kathie Henderson and taking her car, they stormed the store. Keene shot Abraham, who tragically died four days later, leaving behind three children. Smith shot at Edward Thompson and Jones Pettus, with Pettus sustaining injuries.
The Murders of Marvin Washington and Wendy Cottrill
Fearful of betrayal, the gang turned on their own circle. On December 26, they lured 16-year-old Wendy Cottrill and 18-year-old Marvin Washington to a gravel pit. Despite their protests of innocence, Cottrill was shot by Keene and Washington by Smith. Cottrill, as later revealed, was three months pregnant. Their bodies, hidden by the gang's cruelty, were not discovered until five days later.
Capture and Legal Consequences
The spree came to a halt on December 26. As the gang returned to a friend's house, police, noticing suspicious behavior, pursued them. Keene, Matthews, and Taylor were apprehended during their attempt to flee, while Smith was captured soon after.
The legal proceedings that followed were as decisive as they were swift. Keene, Matthews, Smith, and Taylor were charged with multiple counts of aggravated murder and robbery. While Keene confessed during interrogation, Matthews secured a plea bargain, sparing her the death penalty but resulting in consecutive life terms. Taylor and Smith, tried as adults despite their juvenile status, received life sentences without the possibility of parole.
The Trials: Justice Delivered
Marvallous Keene faced trial for the murders of five victims. On October 12, 1993, a three-judge panel found him guilty on all counts, including aggravated murder, burglary, and robbery. Despite Keene's emotional plea for leniency, citing personal tragedies, the court sentenced him to death on December 10, 1993. His fate was sealed with consecutive jail terms totaling up to 293 years.
Matthews, avoiding the death penalty through a plea deal, received a life sentence, with a minimum of 53 years before eligibility for parole. Taylor and Smith, similarly, faced life imprisonment without parole for over a century.
The Aftermath and Legacy
The gruesome events of the 1992 Dayton Christmas murders left deep scars on the community. Families of the victims mourned their irreplaceable losses, while Keene's own family grappled with the shame and sorrow of their son's actions. The case, a stark reminder of youth led astray, underscored the devastating impact of violence and the relentless pursuit of justice.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Murder: Joseph Wilkerson
Marvallous Keene and accomplices murder Joseph Wilkerson during a robbery.
Second Murder: Danita Gullette
The gang murders 18-year-old Danita Gullette after robbing her.
Third Murder: Richmond Maddox
Laura Taylor kills her ex-boyfriend Richmond Maddox.
Fourth Murder: Sarah Abraham
The gang robs a grocery store, resulting in the murder of Sarah Abraham.
Gang Arrested
Police arrest the gang members after a three-day murder spree.
Keene Found Guilty
Marvallous Keene is found guilty of multiple counts of aggravated murder.
Keene Sentenced to Death
Marvallous Keene is sentenced to death for five murders.
Keene Executed
Marvallous Keene is executed by lethal injection, becoming the 1,000th person executed in the U.S. by this method.