The .22 Caliber Killers: The Tale of Girvies Davis and Richard Holman

The Rise of the .22 Caliber Killers

In the late 1970s, Illinois became the hunting ground for two notorious criminals, Girvies L. Davis and Richard "Ricky" Holman. Davis, born on January 20, 1958, and Holman, born August 20, 1961, earned the chilling moniker "The .22 Caliber Killers" for their brutal exploits. Between 1978 and 1979, this deadly duo orchestrated a spree of robberies and murders, leaving at least four people dead. Davis, the elder of the two, chillingly confessed to an investigator that eliminating witnesses was "easier" than donning a mask. Their heinous acts eventually led Davis to a lethal injection chamber in 1995, while Holman, too young to face the death penalty, serves a life sentence without parole.

Early Years of Turmoil

Girvies Davis

Davis’s upbringing in East St. Louis, Illinois, was marred by poverty. As one of eight children, he grew up in a world that offered little hope. His 4th-grade teacher, Annie Quinley Petchulat, recalled him as "a poor pathetic boy who just sat there and said nothing." Before the murders, Davis had already caught the attention of local law enforcement for petty thefts, reselling stolen goods, and alcohol abuse.

Richard Holman

Holman’s life was equally fraught with challenges. After losing his father at the age of seven and his stepfather at sixteen, Holman maintained good relationships with his mother and six siblings. Despite this family support, officials described Holman, who had received between seven and nine years of formal education, as "borderline retarded," likely due to brain damage from a fall from a two-story building. By the time he was 14, Holman had begun his descent into criminality, convicted of burglary and later, criminal damage to property.

A String of Murders

The Killings Begin

The murderous partnership of Davis and Holman began on December 8, 1978, with the alleged robbery and murder of 78-year-old Frieda Mueller. Although never tried for Mueller's death, the crime set a precedent for their violent spree. Just days later, on December 22, 89-year-old Charles Biebel was shot and killed in his wheelchair. Davis and Holman looted his home, taking watches, a television set, and several firearms. Holman pulled the trigger in this instance.

On May 12, 1979, the duo struck again, taking the life of 84-year-old John Oertel in his trailer. Davis was the triggerman this time, shooting and stabbing Oertel. July 13, 1979, marked another dark day when they shot 83-year-old Esther Sepmeyer, a blind woman, execution-style as she prayed, stealing various household items including a .22-caliber rifle. Holman carried out the murder.

Capture and Trial

The reign of terror ended on August 30, 1979, with a botched robbery at an auto parts store. Davis and Holman shot the owner, James Ostman, in the arm. As Ostman fell, his clerk, Frank Cash, ran but was fatally shot by Davis. The wounded Ostman retaliated, managing to shoot Davis in the back as they fled. Davis was apprehended at a hospital, while Holman was captured weeks later.

Authorities connected Davis to ten robberies, resulting in nine deaths and seven injuries. However, both men were never tried for all potential crimes as they had already received maximum sentences. Among their confirmed victims were Frieda Miller, Edward Campbell, Mary Prestito, Charles Biebel, Marvin Fourt, James Perdue, John Oertel, Esther Sepmeyer, and Frank Cash.

Judicial Proceedings

Davis faced four murder convictions for killing Biebel, Oertel, Cash, and Sepmeyer, along with an attempted murder charge for shooting Ostman. During sentencing, his wife, Cindy, testified to his non-violent nature, pleading for his life. Nevertheless, Davis was sentenced to 30 years for Ostman’s shooting, 80 years for killing Oertel and Cash, and ultimately received the death penalty for Biebel’s murder, later reduced to life without parole for Sepmeyer’s murder upon appeal.

Holman was convicted of three murders and the attempted murder of Ostman, receiving a life sentence without parole for Sepmeyer’s murder. His youth spared him the death penalty, as he was just shy of 18.

The Fight for Justice

Keith Harris's Wrongful Conviction

Amidst the chaos, Keith Harris was wrongfully convicted for the attempted murder of Mark Resmann. Despite Resmann identifying Harris, no physical evidence linked him to the crime. Davis and Holman confessed, and ballistic evidence later supported their involvement. Harris was eventually released in 2001 and received a pardon in 2003, along with compensation for his time served.

Davis's Plea of Innocence

Davis maintained his innocence regarding Biebel’s murder, admitting involvement in other robberies. He claimed his confession was coerced through police brutality, allegations which the police denied. Despite public outcry and petitions for clemency, Governor Jim Edgar refused to intervene, leading to Davis's execution by lethal injection on May 17, 1995. His final words were, "I wish Godspeed to all."

The Aftermath

Life Behind Bars

Holman continues to serve his life sentence at Pontiac Correctional Center. Attempts to reduce his sentence under legal precedents limiting life terms without parole for juveniles have been unsuccessful. However, he pursued a post-conviction petition claiming constitutional violations, leading to a 2022 hearing. Despite his testimonies and psychological evaluations revealing intellectual impairments, Holman’s sentence remains unchanged as of 2024.

Reflections and Regrets

Holman expressed deep regret over his role in the crimes, particularly driving Davis to Sepmeyer's home. His continued imprisonment serves as a grim reminder of the violent spree that terrorized Illinois, leaving a legacy of grief and unanswered questions.

Sources

For more detailed information, please refer to the Wikipedia article: Girvies Davis and Richard Holman.