Andre Jones And Freddie Tiller
Spree Killing Case
CLASSIFICATION: Spree Killing
LOCATION
East St. Louis, Illinois
TIME PERIOD
1978-1979
VICTIMS
5 confirmed
Andre Jones and Freddie Tiller, both American spree killers, committed a series of murders in East St. Louis, Illinois, culminating in the deaths of three individuals on April 30, 1979. The victims included 63-year-old Richard Stoltz, who was shot while stacking bricks, and two others whose identities were confirmed during the investigation. Jones and Tiller were apprehended on May 4, 1979, following a brief investigation that linked them to the crimes. Jones, who has a history of violent offenses, was convicted of three counts of murder and is currently serving a life sentence at Menard Correctional Center, while Tiller was initially sentenced to death, later commuted to 80 years imprisonment. Significant evidence included eyewitness accounts and the weapon used in the crime, which was traced back to Jones.
Investigators and the public speculate that Andre Jones may have committed additional murders beyond those for which he was convicted, including a triple murder in 1971 when he was just 14 years old. There is also speculation about the possibility of a connection between Jones and Freddie Tiller with other local criminals, such as Girvies Davis and Richard Holman, given that their crimes occurred concurrently in the same region. Some believe that the extensive media coverage surrounding these cases may have influenced public perception and the investigation into their activities.
The Sinister Legacy of Andre Jones and Freddie Tiller
In the late 1970s, East St. Louis, Illinois, became the haunting backdrop for a spree of brutal murders carried out by two men whose paths of violence intersected in a chilling alliance. Andre Vernell Jones and Freddie Clyde Tiller Jr., both American spree killers, etched their names into the annals of true crime with a series of heinous acts that left a permanent scar on the community.
Early Lives and Descent into Crime
Born on July 22, 1956, in East St. Louis, Andre Vernell Jones displayed a proclivity for crime from an early age. His criminal record began with a purse-snatching incident at the tender age of 12 and spiraled into more serious offenses, including theft, shoplifting, armed robberies, and attempted murder. By the time of the murders in 1979, Jones was on parole, having served over four years of a 4 to 12-year sentence for armed robbery.
Freddie Clyde Tiller Jr., born on August 17, 1957, in Missouri, would soon join Jones in his criminal endeavors. Both men's paths converged in a deadly spree that would culminate in a series of murders that shook Illinois to its core.
A Trail of Bloodshed
In 1980, Jones admitted to a triple murder committed in 1971, when he was only 14 years old. The victims, Arthur Lee Walson, 21, and brothers Frank and Jack Slaughter, aged 23 and 21 respectively, were shot and stabbed in a dispute over drug money. Despite Jones's confession, the case did not proceed due to skepticism about his ability to commit such crimes alone at that age.
The bloodshed continued in November 1978 when Jones murdered Michael and Dora Wallace in their home. Michael was decapitated, and Dora was stabbed to death before their house was set ablaze. Although Jones confessed to these murders, he was never tried for them.
The violence escalated on April 30, 1979, when Jones and Tiller embarked on a killing spree. Their first victim was 63-year-old Richard Stoltz, a World War II veteran. While stacking bricks in the back of a pickup truck, Stoltz was approached by Tiller, who, armed with a gun supplied by Jones, shot Stoltz in the left eye after a failed robbery attempt. Lori Elem, Tiller's cousin and Jones's girlfriend, witnessed the murder and later testified against them.
Their rampage continued at a dry cleaning store. Inside, Jones held 23-year-old proprietor Samuel Nersesian at gunpoint while Tiller searched for valuables. The sequence of events that followed remains disputed. Jones claimed he immediately shot Nersesian twice, killing him, while Tiller maintained that Nersesian was alive until the end of the robbery. As they attempted to leave, 21-year-old mailwoman Debra Brown entered the store. Despite Tiller's warnings not to harm her, Jones ambushed Brown, fatally shooting her twice before fleeing with Tiller.
Capture and Legal Proceedings
The duo’s reign of terror ended with their arrest on May 4, 1979. Both Jones and Tiller were indicted for three counts of murder. On August 23, 1979, Jones pleaded guilty and received a death sentence.
Tiller's trial presented a different narrative. He sought to sever the murder charge related to Stoltz, which was granted, and prosecutors chose not to pursue it further. During his trial, Tiller claimed intoxication and limited recollection of the events, denying any foreknowledge of the murders. However, Lori Elem's testimony contradicted his claims, leading to Tiller's conviction for two counts of murder and armed robbery, initially resulting in a death sentence.
Appeals led to the overturning of Tiller's death sentence and one robbery conviction. The Supreme Court of Illinois ruled that it was unproven he intended for Nersesian or Brown to die, although he knew Jones might harm them. As a result, Tiller was resentenced to life without parole, later adjusted to two consecutive 40-year terms due to mitigating factors including his mental health and intellectual capacity. Released on May 3, 2019, Tiller returned to incarceration for parole violations before finally being released again in 2022.
A Commuted Sentence and Lingering Outrage
On January 11, 2003, Andre Jones's death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment without parole as part of Governor George Ryan's sweeping clemency for all 167 death row inmates in Illinois, amidst growing concerns over capital punishment. The decision sparked outrage, particularly from the family of Richard Stoltz, who expressed their anger and disbelief at this act of clemency.
Sources
For further details, visit the original Wikipedia article.
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Alleged Triple Murder
Andre Jones confesses to a triple murder at age 14.
Murders of Wallace Couple
Jones murders Michael and Dora Wallace, decapitating Michael.
Triple Murder Committed
Jones and Tiller kill Richard Stoltz, Samuel Nersesian, and Debra Brown.
Arrest of Jones and Tiller
Both men are arrested for the murders committed days earlier.
Jones Pleads Guilty
Jones pleads guilty to three counts of murder and is sentenced to death.
Tiller Convicted
Tiller is convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to death.
Jones's Sentence Commuted
Governor Ryan commutes Jones's death sentence to life in prison.
Tiller Released
Freddie Tiller is released from prison after serving time.
Tiller Released Again
Tiller is released from prison after a parole violation.
Andre Jones and Freddie Tiller, both American spree killers, committed a series of murders in East St. Louis, Illinois, culminating in the deaths of three individuals on April 30, 1979. The victims included 63-year-old Richard Stoltz, who was shot while stacking bricks, and two others whose identities were confirmed during the investigation. Jones and Tiller were apprehended on May 4, 1979, following a brief investigation that linked them to the crimes. Jones, who has a history of violent offenses, was convicted of three counts of murder and is currently serving a life sentence at Menard Correctional Center, while Tiller was initially sentenced to death, later commuted to 80 years imprisonment. Significant evidence included eyewitness accounts and the weapon used in the crime, which was traced back to Jones.
Investigators and the public speculate that Andre Jones may have committed additional murders beyond those for which he was convicted, including a triple murder in 1971 when he was just 14 years old. There is also speculation about the possibility of a connection between Jones and Freddie Tiller with other local criminals, such as Girvies Davis and Richard Holman, given that their crimes occurred concurrently in the same region. Some believe that the extensive media coverage surrounding these cases may have influenced public perception and the investigation into their activities.
The Sinister Legacy of Andre Jones and Freddie Tiller
In the late 1970s, East St. Louis, Illinois, became the haunting backdrop for a spree of brutal murders carried out by two men whose paths of violence intersected in a chilling alliance. Andre Vernell Jones and Freddie Clyde Tiller Jr., both American spree killers, etched their names into the annals of true crime with a series of heinous acts that left a permanent scar on the community.
Early Lives and Descent into Crime
Born on July 22, 1956, in East St. Louis, Andre Vernell Jones displayed a proclivity for crime from an early age. His criminal record began with a purse-snatching incident at the tender age of 12 and spiraled into more serious offenses, including theft, shoplifting, armed robberies, and attempted murder. By the time of the murders in 1979, Jones was on parole, having served over four years of a 4 to 12-year sentence for armed robbery.
Freddie Clyde Tiller Jr., born on August 17, 1957, in Missouri, would soon join Jones in his criminal endeavors. Both men's paths converged in a deadly spree that would culminate in a series of murders that shook Illinois to its core.
A Trail of Bloodshed
In 1980, Jones admitted to a triple murder committed in 1971, when he was only 14 years old. The victims, Arthur Lee Walson, 21, and brothers Frank and Jack Slaughter, aged 23 and 21 respectively, were shot and stabbed in a dispute over drug money. Despite Jones's confession, the case did not proceed due to skepticism about his ability to commit such crimes alone at that age.
The bloodshed continued in November 1978 when Jones murdered Michael and Dora Wallace in their home. Michael was decapitated, and Dora was stabbed to death before their house was set ablaze. Although Jones confessed to these murders, he was never tried for them.
The violence escalated on April 30, 1979, when Jones and Tiller embarked on a killing spree. Their first victim was 63-year-old Richard Stoltz, a World War II veteran. While stacking bricks in the back of a pickup truck, Stoltz was approached by Tiller, who, armed with a gun supplied by Jones, shot Stoltz in the left eye after a failed robbery attempt. Lori Elem, Tiller's cousin and Jones's girlfriend, witnessed the murder and later testified against them.
Their rampage continued at a dry cleaning store. Inside, Jones held 23-year-old proprietor Samuel Nersesian at gunpoint while Tiller searched for valuables. The sequence of events that followed remains disputed. Jones claimed he immediately shot Nersesian twice, killing him, while Tiller maintained that Nersesian was alive until the end of the robbery. As they attempted to leave, 21-year-old mailwoman Debra Brown entered the store. Despite Tiller's warnings not to harm her, Jones ambushed Brown, fatally shooting her twice before fleeing with Tiller.
Capture and Legal Proceedings
The duo’s reign of terror ended with their arrest on May 4, 1979. Both Jones and Tiller were indicted for three counts of murder. On August 23, 1979, Jones pleaded guilty and received a death sentence.
Tiller's trial presented a different narrative. He sought to sever the murder charge related to Stoltz, which was granted, and prosecutors chose not to pursue it further. During his trial, Tiller claimed intoxication and limited recollection of the events, denying any foreknowledge of the murders. However, Lori Elem's testimony contradicted his claims, leading to Tiller's conviction for two counts of murder and armed robbery, initially resulting in a death sentence.
Appeals led to the overturning of Tiller's death sentence and one robbery conviction. The Supreme Court of Illinois ruled that it was unproven he intended for Nersesian or Brown to die, although he knew Jones might harm them. As a result, Tiller was resentenced to life without parole, later adjusted to two consecutive 40-year terms due to mitigating factors including his mental health and intellectual capacity. Released on May 3, 2019, Tiller returned to incarceration for parole violations before finally being released again in 2022.
A Commuted Sentence and Lingering Outrage
On January 11, 2003, Andre Jones's death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment without parole as part of Governor George Ryan's sweeping clemency for all 167 death row inmates in Illinois, amidst growing concerns over capital punishment. The decision sparked outrage, particularly from the family of Richard Stoltz, who expressed their anger and disbelief at this act of clemency.
Sources
For further details, visit the original Wikipedia article.
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
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Alleged Triple Murder
Andre Jones confesses to a triple murder at age 14.
Murders of Wallace Couple
Jones murders Michael and Dora Wallace, decapitating Michael.
Triple Murder Committed
Jones and Tiller kill Richard Stoltz, Samuel Nersesian, and Debra Brown.
Arrest of Jones and Tiller
Both men are arrested for the murders committed days earlier.
Jones Pleads Guilty
Jones pleads guilty to three counts of murder and is sentenced to death.
Tiller Convicted
Tiller is convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to death.
Jones's Sentence Commuted
Governor Ryan commutes Jones's death sentence to life in prison.
Tiller Released
Freddie Tiller is released from prison after serving time.
Tiller Released Again
Tiller is released from prison after a parole violation.