Briley Brothers
Sibling Serial Killers Spree
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Richmond, Virginia
TIME PERIOD
1979
VICTIMS
13 confirmed
In 1979, Linwood Earl Briley, James Dyral "J.B." Briley Jr., and Anthony Ray Briley embarked on a violent spree in Richmond, Virginia, resulting in the murder of at least twelve individuals, including a pregnant woman. The crimes occurred between March 12 and October 19, 1979, with the brothers employing various weapons such as firearms, knives, and blunt objects. Linwood had a prior conviction for murder in 1971, serving a year in a reformatory before the 1979 spree, during which he and J.B. were later sentenced to death and executed in 1984 and 1985, respectively. Anthony Briley and accomplice Duncan Eric Meekins remain incarcerated, with Anthony serving a life sentence at Lawrenceville Correctional Center. The case is significant for its brutality and the involvement of siblings in a coordinated series of violent crimes, highlighting systemic issues in criminal justice and familial influences on criminal behavior.
There is speculation that the Briley Brothers' violent behavior may have been influenced by a troubled upbringing and a history of criminal activity within their family. Some believe that the brothers may have been motivated by a desire for power and control, as they committed their crimes in a coordinated manner that suggested planning and collaboration. Additionally, theories suggest that their spree was exacerbated by a lack of effective law enforcement response during that time, allowing them to continue their rampage for an extended period.
The Briley Brothers: A Reign of Terror in Richmond
In the late 1970s, Richmond, Virginia, found itself gripped by fear and horror as a trio of brothers embarked on a violent spree that left a trail of death and destruction. Linwood Earl Briley, James Dyral "J.B." Briley Jr., and Anthony Ray Briley—along with an accomplice—turned their city into a hunting ground, their crimes a chilling testament to the depths of human depravity.
Early Lives
The Briley brothers grew up in Richmond's Highland Park neighborhood, raised by their parents, James Dyral Briley Sr. and Bertha. The household was a strange mix of normalcy and terror. Their oldest brother, Edward Jerome "Boot," left early on to live with relatives in North Carolina, avoiding the sinister path his younger siblings would later tread. Known to be helpful to neighbors, the brothers' love for exotic pets like tarantulas and boa constrictors hinted at the darker sides of their personalities. After their parents separated, the brothers remained with their father, the only person they seemed to respect, though he felt the need to padlock his bedroom door at night.
The First Murder
The darkness within Linwood Briley emerged early. On January 28, 1971, at just 16, he shot and killed Orline Christian, a 57-year-old neighbor, from his bedroom window. Her death was almost dismissed as natural until a small bloody mark led to the discovery of a bullet wound under her armpit. A detective used a sheet of plywood to trace the bullet's trajectory back to the Briley home, where Linwood confessed with chilling nonchalance, "I heard she had heart problems; she would have died soon anyway." Despite the cold-blooded nature of the crime, Linwood's lawyer convinced the court it was an accident, resulting in a mere year at a reform school for involuntary manslaughter. This leniency set a dangerous precedent, as J.B. would later be sentenced to juvenile hall for shooting at a police officer.
A Spree of Murders
1979 marked the start of the Briley brothers' reign of terror—a seven-month spree of random, brutal killings. On March 12, Linwood and Anthony invaded the home of William and Virginia Bucher under the pretense of needing a phone. They tied the couple up, robbed their house, and set it ablaze. Miraculously, the Buchers managed to escape, the sole survivors of the brothers' rampage.
The violence escalated with each attack. On March 21, vending machine serviceman Michael W. McDuffie was kidnapped and killed. Ten days later, Linwood shot Edric Alvin Clark over a drug dispute. The murders continued with 76-year-old Mary Gowen, who was followed home, beaten, raped, robbed, and shot on April 9.
Their brutality knew no bounds. On July 4, they killed 17-year-old Christopher Philips with a cinderblock, and on September 14, they kidnapped and executed disc jockey John Harvey "Johnny G." Gallaher. September 30 saw the murder of Mary Wilfong, beaten to death with a baseball bat. The brothers tore through Richmond, leaving fear in their wake.
The Final Murders
The spree culminated on October 19 with the murder of Harvey Wilkerson, his pregnant common-law wife Judy Diane Barton, and her 5-year-old son. Despite his parole promise to stay out of trouble, J.B. led the attack, driven by a need for violence. The family was overpowered, bound, and gagged. Judy was raped before all were shot dead, their lives snuffed out over trivial valuables.
Capture and Incarceration
The Briley brothers' reign ended with their capture in the wake of the Wilkerson murders. Their accomplice, Duncan Eric Meekins, turned state's evidence, trading his potential death sentence for life imprisonment. Anthony Briley received a life sentence, while Linwood and J.B. were sentenced to death for their roles in the killings.
The Escape
In a dramatic twist, Linwood and J.B. orchestrated a daring escape from Virginia's Mecklenburg Correctional Center in 1984, leading a six-inmate breakout. Their plan to flee to Canada faltered, and they were recaptured in Philadelphia after a nationwide manhunt.
Execution
The justice system finally caught up with the Briley brothers. Linwood met his end in the electric chair on October 12, 1984. His last words, "I am innocent," fell on deaf ears. J.B. followed on April 18, 1985, asking his witnesses, "Are you happy?" right before his execution.
Their deaths brought a grim closure to a saga of violence that had left Richmond scarred. Despite their end, the legacy of fear and brutality they left behind lingers in the annals of American crime.
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First Murder Committed
Linwood Briley fatally shoots neighbor Orline Christian.
Murder Spree Begins
Briley brothers attack William and Virginia Bucher, robbing and burning their home.
First Kidnapping
Michael W. McDuffie is kidnapped, assaulted, and robbed by the Briley brothers.
Wilkerson Family Murders
Briley brothers murder Harvey Wilkerson, Judy Barton, and her son.
Arrests Made
Briley brothers are arrested following the discovery of the Wilkerson family bodies.
Trial Begins
Trial for Linwood and J.B. Briley begins, focusing on their roles in the murders.
Death Row Escape
Linwood and J.B. Briley escape from death row but are recaptured within weeks.
Linwood Executed
Linwood Briley is executed by electric chair.
J.B. Executed
James Briley is executed by electric chair.
In 1979, Linwood Earl Briley, James Dyral "J.B." Briley Jr., and Anthony Ray Briley embarked on a violent spree in Richmond, Virginia, resulting in the murder of at least twelve individuals, including a pregnant woman. The crimes occurred between March 12 and October 19, 1979, with the brothers employing various weapons such as firearms, knives, and blunt objects. Linwood had a prior conviction for murder in 1971, serving a year in a reformatory before the 1979 spree, during which he and J.B. were later sentenced to death and executed in 1984 and 1985, respectively. Anthony Briley and accomplice Duncan Eric Meekins remain incarcerated, with Anthony serving a life sentence at Lawrenceville Correctional Center. The case is significant for its brutality and the involvement of siblings in a coordinated series of violent crimes, highlighting systemic issues in criminal justice and familial influences on criminal behavior.
There is speculation that the Briley Brothers' violent behavior may have been influenced by a troubled upbringing and a history of criminal activity within their family. Some believe that the brothers may have been motivated by a desire for power and control, as they committed their crimes in a coordinated manner that suggested planning and collaboration. Additionally, theories suggest that their spree was exacerbated by a lack of effective law enforcement response during that time, allowing them to continue their rampage for an extended period.
The Briley Brothers: A Reign of Terror in Richmond
In the late 1970s, Richmond, Virginia, found itself gripped by fear and horror as a trio of brothers embarked on a violent spree that left a trail of death and destruction. Linwood Earl Briley, James Dyral "J.B." Briley Jr., and Anthony Ray Briley—along with an accomplice—turned their city into a hunting ground, their crimes a chilling testament to the depths of human depravity.
Early Lives
The Briley brothers grew up in Richmond's Highland Park neighborhood, raised by their parents, James Dyral Briley Sr. and Bertha. The household was a strange mix of normalcy and terror. Their oldest brother, Edward Jerome "Boot," left early on to live with relatives in North Carolina, avoiding the sinister path his younger siblings would later tread. Known to be helpful to neighbors, the brothers' love for exotic pets like tarantulas and boa constrictors hinted at the darker sides of their personalities. After their parents separated, the brothers remained with their father, the only person they seemed to respect, though he felt the need to padlock his bedroom door at night.
The First Murder
The darkness within Linwood Briley emerged early. On January 28, 1971, at just 16, he shot and killed Orline Christian, a 57-year-old neighbor, from his bedroom window. Her death was almost dismissed as natural until a small bloody mark led to the discovery of a bullet wound under her armpit. A detective used a sheet of plywood to trace the bullet's trajectory back to the Briley home, where Linwood confessed with chilling nonchalance, "I heard she had heart problems; she would have died soon anyway." Despite the cold-blooded nature of the crime, Linwood's lawyer convinced the court it was an accident, resulting in a mere year at a reform school for involuntary manslaughter. This leniency set a dangerous precedent, as J.B. would later be sentenced to juvenile hall for shooting at a police officer.
A Spree of Murders
1979 marked the start of the Briley brothers' reign of terror—a seven-month spree of random, brutal killings. On March 12, Linwood and Anthony invaded the home of William and Virginia Bucher under the pretense of needing a phone. They tied the couple up, robbed their house, and set it ablaze. Miraculously, the Buchers managed to escape, the sole survivors of the brothers' rampage.
The violence escalated with each attack. On March 21, vending machine serviceman Michael W. McDuffie was kidnapped and killed. Ten days later, Linwood shot Edric Alvin Clark over a drug dispute. The murders continued with 76-year-old Mary Gowen, who was followed home, beaten, raped, robbed, and shot on April 9.
Their brutality knew no bounds. On July 4, they killed 17-year-old Christopher Philips with a cinderblock, and on September 14, they kidnapped and executed disc jockey John Harvey "Johnny G." Gallaher. September 30 saw the murder of Mary Wilfong, beaten to death with a baseball bat. The brothers tore through Richmond, leaving fear in their wake.
The Final Murders
The spree culminated on October 19 with the murder of Harvey Wilkerson, his pregnant common-law wife Judy Diane Barton, and her 5-year-old son. Despite his parole promise to stay out of trouble, J.B. led the attack, driven by a need for violence. The family was overpowered, bound, and gagged. Judy was raped before all were shot dead, their lives snuffed out over trivial valuables.
Capture and Incarceration
The Briley brothers' reign ended with their capture in the wake of the Wilkerson murders. Their accomplice, Duncan Eric Meekins, turned state's evidence, trading his potential death sentence for life imprisonment. Anthony Briley received a life sentence, while Linwood and J.B. were sentenced to death for their roles in the killings.
The Escape
In a dramatic twist, Linwood and J.B. orchestrated a daring escape from Virginia's Mecklenburg Correctional Center in 1984, leading a six-inmate breakout. Their plan to flee to Canada faltered, and they were recaptured in Philadelphia after a nationwide manhunt.
Execution
The justice system finally caught up with the Briley brothers. Linwood met his end in the electric chair on October 12, 1984. His last words, "I am innocent," fell on deaf ears. J.B. followed on April 18, 1985, asking his witnesses, "Are you happy?" right before his execution.
Their deaths brought a grim closure to a saga of violence that had left Richmond scarred. Despite their end, the legacy of fear and brutality they left behind lingers in the annals of American crime.
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
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First Murder Committed
Linwood Briley fatally shoots neighbor Orline Christian.
Murder Spree Begins
Briley brothers attack William and Virginia Bucher, robbing and burning their home.
First Kidnapping
Michael W. McDuffie is kidnapped, assaulted, and robbed by the Briley brothers.
Wilkerson Family Murders
Briley brothers murder Harvey Wilkerson, Judy Barton, and her son.
Arrests Made
Briley brothers are arrested following the discovery of the Wilkerson family bodies.
Trial Begins
Trial for Linwood and J.B. Briley begins, focusing on their roles in the murders.
Death Row Escape
Linwood and J.B. Briley escape from death row but are recaptured within weeks.
Linwood Executed
Linwood Briley is executed by electric chair.
J.B. Executed
James Briley is executed by electric chair.