Duncan Meekins
Sibling Serial Killers Spree
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Richmond, Virginia
TIME PERIOD
1979
VICTIMS
13 confirmed
In 1979, the Briley brothers—Linwood Earl Briley, James Dyral "J.B." Briley Jr., and Anthony Ray Briley—engaged in a violent spree of murder, rape, and robbery in Richmond, Virginia, resulting in the deaths of at least twelve individuals between March 12 and October 19. The brothers, along with accomplice Duncan Eric Meekins, utilized various weapons including firearms and blunt objects to commit their crimes, which included a murder dating back to 1971. Linwood and J.B. were sentenced to death and executed by electrocution in 1984 and 1985, respectively, while Anthony remains incarcerated at Lawrenceville Correctional Center, serving a life sentence for his involvement. The case remains significant due to the brutality of the crimes and the brothers' notorious status as serial killers in American criminal history.
The Briley Brothers are believed to have committed a series of murders, rapes, and robberies in Richmond, Virginia, between 1979 and 1980, with estimates of their total victim count ranging from 13 to 21. Some speculate that their violent behavior may have stemmed from a troubled upbringing and a desire for notoriety, while others believe their crimes were a manifestation of a deeper psychological disorder. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that the brothers may have had accomplices or that their criminal activities were more extensive than officially documented.
The Briley Brothers: Richmond's Reign of Terror
Early Lives and Dark Beginnings
In the heart of Richmond, Virginia, the Briley brothers—Linwood Earl, James Dyral "J.B." Jr., and Anthony Ray—grew up in a modest household. Born between 1954 and 1958, they were raised by James Dyral Briley Sr. and Bertha Briley in the Highland Park neighborhood. Their eldest sibling, Edward Jerome "Boot," distanced himself from the family early on, moving to North Carolina and steering clear of his brothers' later criminal exploits.
Despite their eventual infamy, Linwood and J.B. were, at one time, neighborhood kids known for helping out with car repairs and lawn mowing. The brothers had a penchant for collecting exotic pets, such as tarantulas and piranhas, hinting perhaps at their fascination with the unusual. Their family life took a turn when Bertha and James Sr. separated, leaving James Sr. as the sole parental figure they respected. He went so far as to padlock his bedroom door at night, suggesting an undercurrent of fear even within their home.
The First Taste of Blood
The seeds of violence were sown early. On January 28, 1971, a 16-year-old Linwood committed his first murder. From his bedroom window, he shot 57-year-old neighbor Orline Christian as she hung laundry. Initially thought to be a natural death, the truth emerged when relatives noticed a small bloody mark during her viewing. A detective's re-enactment with a sheet of plywood revealed that the shot came from the Briley residence. Linwood, caught with the murder weapon, dismissed the gravity of his crime with chilling nonchalance, claiming she "would have died soon anyway." He was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, serving a year in reform school. J.B. followed in his footsteps, earning his own stint in juvenile detention for shooting at a police officer.
The Murder Spree Unleashed
The real terror began in 1979 when the Briley brothers, alongside accomplice Duncan Eric Meekins, embarked on a spree that would shake Richmond to its core. Their rampage began on March 12, with the invasion of William and Virginia Bucher's home in Henrico County. Linwood gained entry under false pretenses and, with Anthony, tied up the couple, robbing them before setting their home ablaze. Miraculously, the Buchers escaped, but their cat was not so fortunate.
Their brutal spree continued unabated. On March 21, Michael W. McDuffie was kidnapped and killed. By March 31, Linwood had shot Edric Alvin Clark over a drug dispute. The brothers' violence escalated as they raped and murdered 76-year-old Mary Gowen on April 9. July 4 saw the senseless killing of teen Christopher Philips, crushed by a cinderblock at the hands of Linwood.
The Brileys' brutality knew no bounds. On September 14, they abducted disc jockey John Harvey "Johnny G." Gallaher, later shooting him on Mayo Island. His body was dumped in the James River, and Linwood was later found wearing Gallaher's stolen ring. The violence continued with the murder of Mary Wilfong on September 30, beaten to death at her apartment. Blanche Page and Charles Garner met grisly ends on October 5, with Garner's body found with knives and scissors embedded in it.
The final murders occurred on October 19, targeting Harvey Wilkerson, Judy Diane Barton, and her young son Harvey Wayne Barton. Despite Wilkerson's attempts to avoid them, fear led him to let the Brileys into his home, where they ended his family. This was the culmination of their spree, leading to their capture.
Capture and Trials
Duncan Meekins, facing the death penalty, turned state's evidence, detailing the brothers' crimes in exchange for life imprisonment. Anthony Briley received a life sentence due to his lesser involvement, while Linwood and J.B. faced death sentences for their direct roles in the murders.
The Great Escape
In a dramatic turn, Linwood and J.B. orchestrated a death row escape on May 31, 1984, from Mecklenburg Correctional Center. The breakout saw them briefly free but ultimately recaptured in Philadelphia on June 19, following a tip-off.
Execution and Legacy
The brothers' appeals ran out swiftly. Linwood Briley met his end on October 12, 1984, steadfast in his claim of innocence, while J.B. followed on April 18, 1985, confronting his executioners with defiance. Their lives ended in the electric chair, with their last meals and words documented for posterity.
The Briley brothers left behind a legacy of fear and violence, their story a chilling reminder of the depths of human depravity. Their reign of terror over Richmond remains etched in the annals of true crime history, a testament to the horrors that can lurk within a seemingly ordinary family.
Sources
For further information, please refer to the original Wikipedia article: Briley Brothers on Wikipedia
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First Murder Committed
Linwood Briley fatally shoots neighbor Orline Christian.
Murder Spree Begins
The Briley brothers start a killing spree with the robbery of William and Virginia Bucher.
McDuffie Kidnapping
Michael W. McDuffie is kidnapped, assaulted, and shot by the Brileys.
Wilkerson Family Murdered
The Brileys murder Harvey Wilkerson, his pregnant wife Judy, and their son.
Arrests Made
The Briley brothers are arrested following the discovery of the Wilkerson family bodies.
Trial Begins
The 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, the Briley brothers—Linwood Earl Briley, James Dyral "J.B." Briley Jr., and Anthony Ray Briley—engaged in a violent spree of murder, rape, and robbery in Richmond, Virginia, resulting in the deaths of at least twelve individuals between March 12 and October 19. The brothers, along with accomplice Duncan Eric Meekins, utilized various weapons including firearms and blunt objects to commit their crimes, which included a murder dating back to 1971. Linwood and J.B. were sentenced to death and executed by electrocution in 1984 and 1985, respectively, while Anthony remains incarcerated at Lawrenceville Correctional Center, serving a life sentence for his involvement. The case remains significant due to the brutality of the crimes and the brothers' notorious status as serial killers in American criminal history.
The Briley Brothers are believed to have committed a series of murders, rapes, and robberies in Richmond, Virginia, between 1979 and 1980, with estimates of their total victim count ranging from 13 to 21. Some speculate that their violent behavior may have stemmed from a troubled upbringing and a desire for notoriety, while others believe their crimes were a manifestation of a deeper psychological disorder. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that the brothers may have had accomplices or that their criminal activities were more extensive than officially documented.
The Briley Brothers: Richmond's Reign of Terror
Early Lives and Dark Beginnings
In the heart of Richmond, Virginia, the Briley brothers—Linwood Earl, James Dyral "J.B." Jr., and Anthony Ray—grew up in a modest household. Born between 1954 and 1958, they were raised by James Dyral Briley Sr. and Bertha Briley in the Highland Park neighborhood. Their eldest sibling, Edward Jerome "Boot," distanced himself from the family early on, moving to North Carolina and steering clear of his brothers' later criminal exploits.
Despite their eventual infamy, Linwood and J.B. were, at one time, neighborhood kids known for helping out with car repairs and lawn mowing. The brothers had a penchant for collecting exotic pets, such as tarantulas and piranhas, hinting perhaps at their fascination with the unusual. Their family life took a turn when Bertha and James Sr. separated, leaving James Sr. as the sole parental figure they respected. He went so far as to padlock his bedroom door at night, suggesting an undercurrent of fear even within their home.
The First Taste of Blood
The seeds of violence were sown early. On January 28, 1971, a 16-year-old Linwood committed his first murder. From his bedroom window, he shot 57-year-old neighbor Orline Christian as she hung laundry. Initially thought to be a natural death, the truth emerged when relatives noticed a small bloody mark during her viewing. A detective's re-enactment with a sheet of plywood revealed that the shot came from the Briley residence. Linwood, caught with the murder weapon, dismissed the gravity of his crime with chilling nonchalance, claiming she "would have died soon anyway." He was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, serving a year in reform school. J.B. followed in his footsteps, earning his own stint in juvenile detention for shooting at a police officer.
The Murder Spree Unleashed
The real terror began in 1979 when the Briley brothers, alongside accomplice Duncan Eric Meekins, embarked on a spree that would shake Richmond to its core. Their rampage began on March 12, with the invasion of William and Virginia Bucher's home in Henrico County. Linwood gained entry under false pretenses and, with Anthony, tied up the couple, robbing them before setting their home ablaze. Miraculously, the Buchers escaped, but their cat was not so fortunate.
Their brutal spree continued unabated. On March 21, Michael W. McDuffie was kidnapped and killed. By March 31, Linwood had shot Edric Alvin Clark over a drug dispute. The brothers' violence escalated as they raped and murdered 76-year-old Mary Gowen on April 9. July 4 saw the senseless killing of teen Christopher Philips, crushed by a cinderblock at the hands of Linwood.
The Brileys' brutality knew no bounds. On September 14, they abducted disc jockey John Harvey "Johnny G." Gallaher, later shooting him on Mayo Island. His body was dumped in the James River, and Linwood was later found wearing Gallaher's stolen ring. The violence continued with the murder of Mary Wilfong on September 30, beaten to death at her apartment. Blanche Page and Charles Garner met grisly ends on October 5, with Garner's body found with knives and scissors embedded in it.
The final murders occurred on October 19, targeting Harvey Wilkerson, Judy Diane Barton, and her young son Harvey Wayne Barton. Despite Wilkerson's attempts to avoid them, fear led him to let the Brileys into his home, where they ended his family. This was the culmination of their spree, leading to their capture.
Capture and Trials
Duncan Meekins, facing the death penalty, turned state's evidence, detailing the brothers' crimes in exchange for life imprisonment. Anthony Briley received a life sentence due to his lesser involvement, while Linwood and J.B. faced death sentences for their direct roles in the murders.
The Great Escape
In a dramatic turn, Linwood and J.B. orchestrated a death row escape on May 31, 1984, from Mecklenburg Correctional Center. The breakout saw them briefly free but ultimately recaptured in Philadelphia on June 19, following a tip-off.
Execution and Legacy
The brothers' appeals ran out swiftly. Linwood Briley met his end on October 12, 1984, steadfast in his claim of innocence, while J.B. followed on April 18, 1985, confronting his executioners with defiance. Their lives ended in the electric chair, with their last meals and words documented for posterity.
The Briley brothers left behind a legacy of fear and violence, their story a chilling reminder of the depths of human depravity. Their reign of terror over Richmond remains etched in the annals of true crime history, a testament to the horrors that can lurk within a seemingly ordinary family.
Sources
For further information, please refer to the original Wikipedia article: Briley Brothers on 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
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First Murder Committed
Linwood Briley fatally shoots neighbor Orline Christian.
Murder Spree Begins
The Briley brothers start a killing spree with the robbery of William and Virginia Bucher.
McDuffie Kidnapping
Michael W. McDuffie is kidnapped, assaulted, and shot by the Brileys.
Wilkerson Family Murdered
The Brileys murder Harvey Wilkerson, his pregnant wife Judy, and their son.
Arrests Made
The Briley brothers are arrested following the discovery of the Wilkerson family bodies.
Trial Begins
The 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.