Craig Price (Murderer)
Rhode Island Serial Killer
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Warwick, Rhode Island
TIME PERIOD
July 27, 1987 – September 1, 1989
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
Craig Chandler Price, born October 11, 1973, is an American serial killer who committed four murders in Warwick, Rhode Island, between July 27, 1987, and September 1, 1989. At the age of 13, he murdered Rebecca Spencer, stabbing her 58 times, and later, at 15, he killed Joan Heaton and her two daughters, Jennifer and Melissa, inflicting a total of 149 stab wounds. Price was arrested on September 5, 1989, just before his 16th birthday, and was tried as a minor, leading to a controversial legal situation where he could have been released at age 21. His case prompted changes in Rhode Island law regarding the prosecution of juveniles for serious crimes. Currently, Price remains incarcerated at Union Correctional Institution in Florida, serving an extended sentence due to additional crimes committed while in custody, including assault and extortion.
Craig Price is believed to have committed his murders with a level of premeditation that raises concerns about his potential for rehabilitation, leading many to argue he should have been tried as an adult. Public sentiment in Rhode Island strongly opposes his release, with many residents forming groups to lobby against it, citing the brutality of his crimes and expert opinions on his lack of rehabilitative potential. Additionally, his history of violent behavior while incarcerated has further fueled fears about his eventual release and the possibility of him reoffending.
The Chilling Crimes of Craig Price
In the quiet neighborhoods of Warwick, Rhode Island, a series of brutal murders shattered the peace and left an indelible mark on the community. At the center of these heinous acts was Craig Chandler Price, a name that would become infamous in the annals of American crime history.
Early Life and First Murder
Craig Chandler Price was born on October 11, 1973, in Warwick, Rhode Island. From a young age, Price found himself on the wrong side of the law, accumulating a petty theft record. However, it was on the night of July 27, 1987, when the 13-year-old Price committed his first murder, that his dark path truly began. Sneaking into a home just two houses away from his own, Price armed himself with a kitchen knife and savagely stabbed 27-year-old Rebecca Spencer 58 times, ending her life in a frenzied attack.
A Deadly Escalation
Two years passed, and by September 1, 1989, Price, now a 15-year-old high school freshman, struck again with even more ferocity. Under the influence of marijuana and LSD, Price broke into the home of 39-year-old Joan Heaton. There, he unleashed a barbaric assault, stabbing Heaton 57 times. Her daughters, 10-year-old Jennifer and 7-year-old Melissa, also fell victim to Price's violence. Jennifer was stabbed 62 times after witnessing her mother's murder, while Melissa's skull was crushed, and she suffered 30 stab wounds. The brutality was such that the knife handles broke, leaving blades embedded in the victims' bodies, including one lodged in Jennifer's neck.
Arrest and Confession
Price's arrest followed swiftly on September 5, 1989, less than a month before his 16th birthday. Astonishingly, he confessed to the murders with a chilling calmness and lack of remorse. The law at the time mandated that Price, being a minor, would be tried as such and his records sealed upon his release at age 21. This legal loophole allowed Price to boast that he would "make history" upon his release.
Legal and Social Ramifications
The sheer brutality of Price's crimes spurred the state of Rhode Island to reevaluate its juvenile justice laws. Although new legislation was enacted to try juveniles as adults for severe crimes, it could not be applied to Price retroactively. Alarmed by the prospect of his release, residents formed the group Citizens Opposed to the Release of Craig Price, highlighting Price's poor rehabilitation prospects as assessed by state psychologists.
Continued Violence Behind Bars
Price's time in the Rhode Island Training School was marked by further criminal behavior. He faced charges of criminal contempt for resisting a psychological evaluation, extortion for threatening a corrections officer, and assault. His violent conduct in prison led to an additional 10-25 years added to his sentence, contingent on his cooperation with treatment programs.
Price's infamy as the youngest serial killer in U.S. history was solidified by his continued aggression. In 2004, due to his violent tendencies, Price was transferred from Rhode Island to Florida. There, on July 29, 2009, he was involved in a prison fight during which a correctional officer was injured by a homemade shiv in Price's possession. This incident prompted yet another transfer to a different facility.
The 2017 Stabbing and Sentencing
On April 4, 2017, Price's violent streak persisted as he stabbed fellow inmate Joshua Davis with a 5-inch homemade knife at the Suwannee Correctional Institution in Live Oak, Florida. This attack resulted in a 25-year sentence handed down on January 18, 2019, further extending Price's time behind bars.
Conclusion
Craig Price's life is a haunting reminder of the potential for darkness at a young age and the challenges of rehabilitating such individuals. His crimes not only transformed the community of Warwick but also left a lasting impact on the legal landscape concerning juvenile offenders.
Sources
For further information, please refer to the original Wikipedia article on Craig Price: Wikipedia
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First Murder Committed
Craig Price stabs Rebecca Spencer 58 times, killing her.
Triple Murder
Price murders Joan Heaton and her two daughters, Jennifer and Melissa.
Arrest of Craig Price
Craig Price is arrested for the murders committed in Warwick.
Trial and Conviction
Price is tried and convicted as a minor for the murders.
Public Outcry
Citizens group forms to oppose Price's potential release at age 21.
Parole Denied
Craig Price is denied parole due to his violent behavior.
Prison Fight
Price is involved in a prison fight, leading to further charges.
Inmate Stabbing
Price stabs fellow inmate Joshua Davis with a homemade knife.
Sentenced for Stabbing
Price is sentenced to 25 years for the stabbing of Joshua Davis.
Craig Chandler Price, born October 11, 1973, is an American serial killer who committed four murders in Warwick, Rhode Island, between July 27, 1987, and September 1, 1989. At the age of 13, he murdered Rebecca Spencer, stabbing her 58 times, and later, at 15, he killed Joan Heaton and her two daughters, Jennifer and Melissa, inflicting a total of 149 stab wounds. Price was arrested on September 5, 1989, just before his 16th birthday, and was tried as a minor, leading to a controversial legal situation where he could have been released at age 21. His case prompted changes in Rhode Island law regarding the prosecution of juveniles for serious crimes. Currently, Price remains incarcerated at Union Correctional Institution in Florida, serving an extended sentence due to additional crimes committed while in custody, including assault and extortion.
Craig Price is believed to have committed his murders with a level of premeditation that raises concerns about his potential for rehabilitation, leading many to argue he should have been tried as an adult. Public sentiment in Rhode Island strongly opposes his release, with many residents forming groups to lobby against it, citing the brutality of his crimes and expert opinions on his lack of rehabilitative potential. Additionally, his history of violent behavior while incarcerated has further fueled fears about his eventual release and the possibility of him reoffending.
The Chilling Crimes of Craig Price
In the quiet neighborhoods of Warwick, Rhode Island, a series of brutal murders shattered the peace and left an indelible mark on the community. At the center of these heinous acts was Craig Chandler Price, a name that would become infamous in the annals of American crime history.
Early Life and First Murder
Craig Chandler Price was born on October 11, 1973, in Warwick, Rhode Island. From a young age, Price found himself on the wrong side of the law, accumulating a petty theft record. However, it was on the night of July 27, 1987, when the 13-year-old Price committed his first murder, that his dark path truly began. Sneaking into a home just two houses away from his own, Price armed himself with a kitchen knife and savagely stabbed 27-year-old Rebecca Spencer 58 times, ending her life in a frenzied attack.
A Deadly Escalation
Two years passed, and by September 1, 1989, Price, now a 15-year-old high school freshman, struck again with even more ferocity. Under the influence of marijuana and LSD, Price broke into the home of 39-year-old Joan Heaton. There, he unleashed a barbaric assault, stabbing Heaton 57 times. Her daughters, 10-year-old Jennifer and 7-year-old Melissa, also fell victim to Price's violence. Jennifer was stabbed 62 times after witnessing her mother's murder, while Melissa's skull was crushed, and she suffered 30 stab wounds. The brutality was such that the knife handles broke, leaving blades embedded in the victims' bodies, including one lodged in Jennifer's neck.
Arrest and Confession
Price's arrest followed swiftly on September 5, 1989, less than a month before his 16th birthday. Astonishingly, he confessed to the murders with a chilling calmness and lack of remorse. The law at the time mandated that Price, being a minor, would be tried as such and his records sealed upon his release at age 21. This legal loophole allowed Price to boast that he would "make history" upon his release.
Legal and Social Ramifications
The sheer brutality of Price's crimes spurred the state of Rhode Island to reevaluate its juvenile justice laws. Although new legislation was enacted to try juveniles as adults for severe crimes, it could not be applied to Price retroactively. Alarmed by the prospect of his release, residents formed the group Citizens Opposed to the Release of Craig Price, highlighting Price's poor rehabilitation prospects as assessed by state psychologists.
Continued Violence Behind Bars
Price's time in the Rhode Island Training School was marked by further criminal behavior. He faced charges of criminal contempt for resisting a psychological evaluation, extortion for threatening a corrections officer, and assault. His violent conduct in prison led to an additional 10-25 years added to his sentence, contingent on his cooperation with treatment programs.
Price's infamy as the youngest serial killer in U.S. history was solidified by his continued aggression. In 2004, due to his violent tendencies, Price was transferred from Rhode Island to Florida. There, on July 29, 2009, he was involved in a prison fight during which a correctional officer was injured by a homemade shiv in Price's possession. This incident prompted yet another transfer to a different facility.
The 2017 Stabbing and Sentencing
On April 4, 2017, Price's violent streak persisted as he stabbed fellow inmate Joshua Davis with a 5-inch homemade knife at the Suwannee Correctional Institution in Live Oak, Florida. This attack resulted in a 25-year sentence handed down on January 18, 2019, further extending Price's time behind bars.
Conclusion
Craig Price's life is a haunting reminder of the potential for darkness at a young age and the challenges of rehabilitating such individuals. His crimes not only transformed the community of Warwick but also left a lasting impact on the legal landscape concerning juvenile offenders.
Sources
For further information, please refer to the original Wikipedia article on Craig Price: Wikipedia
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 Committed
Craig Price stabs Rebecca Spencer 58 times, killing her.
Triple Murder
Price murders Joan Heaton and her two daughters, Jennifer and Melissa.
Arrest of Craig Price
Craig Price is arrested for the murders committed in Warwick.
Trial and Conviction
Price is tried and convicted as a minor for the murders.
Public Outcry
Citizens group forms to oppose Price's potential release at age 21.
Parole Denied
Craig Price is denied parole due to his violent behavior.
Prison Fight
Price is involved in a prison fight, leading to further charges.
Inmate Stabbing
Price stabs fellow inmate Joshua Davis with a homemade knife.
Sentenced for Stabbing
Price is sentenced to 25 years for the stabbing of Joshua Davis.