John Ewell
California Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Hawthorne, California
TIME PERIOD
September – October 2010
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
John Wesley Ewell, an American serial killer, committed a series of four murders in Hawthorne, California, between September 24 and October 21, 2010. The first victim, 80-year-old Hanna Morcos, was beaten to death in his home, leading to a fatal heart attack. Ewell then murdered 53-year-old Denise Roberts by binding, gagging, and strangling her on October 13, followed by the double homicide of 69-year-old Leamon Caroll Turnage and his 57-year-old wife Robyn on October 21, where he posed as a utility worker to gain entry. Ewell was apprehended on October 23, 2010, and subsequently convicted of four counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances, receiving four life sentences without the possibility of parole. Significant evidence included DNA recovered from the crime scenes and witness testimonies linking Ewell to the murders.
John Ewell is believed to have committed the murders as a response to his frustrations with the justice system, particularly California's "3-strikes" law, which he actively opposed. Some speculate that his criminal history and experiences with the law may have contributed to a sense of desperation that drove him to commit these violent acts. Additionally, there are theories that his past as an activist and public figure may have influenced his choice of victims, as he targeted individuals in their homes, suggesting a possible desire for revenge against a system he felt wronged him.
The Dark Path of John Wesley Ewell
Introduction
From a life marked by crime to a string of brutal murders, John Wesley Ewell's story is a chilling tale of a man who became a notorious serial killer in Hawthorne, California. In 2010, over a span of merely two months, Ewell claimed the lives of four innocent people, leaving behind a trail of fear and sorrow.
Early Life and Criminal Past
Born in 1956 or 1957, John Wesley Ewell's early life remains largely shrouded in mystery. However, his adult years were riddled with criminal activity. Ewell's first known arrest occurred in 1985 when he coerced a woman at gunpoint to withdraw money from an ATM. Not long after, he was arrested again for a separate incident where he forced a man out of a parked truck, bound him, and stole his wallet. By 1989, Ewell had accumulated convictions for robbery and burglary.
In 1995, Ewell faced charges of check forgery. He was on the brink of a 25-year to life sentence under California's "three-strikes" law, but a plea deal reduced his sentence to seven years. After serving his time, Ewell attempted to reintegrate into society, finding work as a hairdresser and a handyman. During this period, he became a vocal opponent of the "three-strikes" law, even appearing on a 2006 episode of "The Montel Williams Show," expressing his fear of a life behind bars.
Despite his advocacy, Ewell could not escape his criminal tendencies. In 2010, he was arrested for burglary in Huntington Park, to which he pleaded guilty. While awaiting sentencing, Ewell was caught shoplifting and released on a $20,000 bail.
The Murders
The calm of Hawthorne, California, shattered on September 24, 2010, when Ewell committed his first murder. He broke into the residence of 80-year-old Hanna Morcos, bound his hands with a window cord, and beat him with his fists and a blunt object. The assault induced a heart attack, which proved fatal. Later that day, a family member discovered Morcos' lifeless body, lying face down in his home.
Ewell struck again on October 13, 2010, just two doors away from his residence. He invaded the home of 53-year-old Denise Roberts, bound her hands, gagged her, and strangled her to death before robbing the house.
Nine days later, on October 21, Ewell posed as a utility worker to gain entry into the home of Leamon Caroll Turnage, 69, and his wife Robyn, 57, who had just returned from a Florida vacation. In a calculated attack, he bound and strangled the couple, looting their home and stealing jewelry. The Turnages' bodies were discovered by police officers conducting a welfare check after they failed to contact their family.
Capture and Investigation
The investigation into these murders gained momentum when police reviewed surveillance footage showing a man using Robyn Turnage's credit card at an ATM. On October 23, 2010, Ewell attempted to use the Turnage's ATM card at a Shell service station in Gardena, where CCTV footage captured his unmasked face. His arrest soon followed, bringing relief to a community gripped by fear.
During the search of Ewell's vehicle, police found a newspaper article about Lonnie David Franklin Jr., known as the "Grim Sleeper," who had been arrested for ten murders in South Los Angeles. This discovery added another layer of intrigue to Ewell's crimes.
Court Proceedings
Ewell remained incarcerated as his case progressed through the legal system. His preliminary hearing faced delays due to undisclosed reasons. Although his defense argued that he could have been jailed during some of the murders, this claim failed to gain traction.
In January 2013, formal charges were brought against Ewell: four counts of first-degree murder and four counts of robbery. Despite his pleas of innocence, the weight of evidence against him was overwhelming. The prospect of a death sentence loomed over Ewell if the case proceeded to trial and he was found guilty.
In May 2019, Ewell changed his stance, accepting a plea deal to avoid the death penalty. He pleaded guilty to all four murders, and on July 18, 2019, he received four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. In August 2019, Ewell began serving his sentence at Valley State Prison.
Conclusion
The story of John Wesley Ewell is a stark reminder of the darkness that can reside within individuals. His life of crime escalated to a series of brutal murders, leaving a lasting impact on the victims' families and the Hawthorne community. As Ewell serves his life sentences, the echo of his crimes continues to resonate, a testament to the lives tragically cut short by his actions.
Sources
For more detailed information, visit the Wikipedia page on John Ewell.
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First Murder Committed
John Ewell murders 80-year-old Hanna Morcos in his home.
Second Murder Committed
Ewell strangles 53-year-old Denise Roberts in her home.
Third and Fourth Murders
Ewell murders Leamon and Robyn Turnage in their home.
Arrest of John Ewell
Ewell is arrested after attempting to use stolen ATM card.
Charges Filed
Ewell is charged with four counts of first-degree murder.
Plea Deal Accepted
Ewell pleads guilty to all four murders, avoiding death penalty.
Sentencing
Ewell is sentenced to four life sentences without parole.
Transfer to Prison
Ewell is transferred to Valley State Prison to serve his sentence.
John Wesley Ewell, an American serial killer, committed a series of four murders in Hawthorne, California, between September 24 and October 21, 2010. The first victim, 80-year-old Hanna Morcos, was beaten to death in his home, leading to a fatal heart attack. Ewell then murdered 53-year-old Denise Roberts by binding, gagging, and strangling her on October 13, followed by the double homicide of 69-year-old Leamon Caroll Turnage and his 57-year-old wife Robyn on October 21, where he posed as a utility worker to gain entry. Ewell was apprehended on October 23, 2010, and subsequently convicted of four counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances, receiving four life sentences without the possibility of parole. Significant evidence included DNA recovered from the crime scenes and witness testimonies linking Ewell to the murders.
John Ewell is believed to have committed the murders as a response to his frustrations with the justice system, particularly California's "3-strikes" law, which he actively opposed. Some speculate that his criminal history and experiences with the law may have contributed to a sense of desperation that drove him to commit these violent acts. Additionally, there are theories that his past as an activist and public figure may have influenced his choice of victims, as he targeted individuals in their homes, suggesting a possible desire for revenge against a system he felt wronged him.
The Dark Path of John Wesley Ewell
Introduction
From a life marked by crime to a string of brutal murders, John Wesley Ewell's story is a chilling tale of a man who became a notorious serial killer in Hawthorne, California. In 2010, over a span of merely two months, Ewell claimed the lives of four innocent people, leaving behind a trail of fear and sorrow.
Early Life and Criminal Past
Born in 1956 or 1957, John Wesley Ewell's early life remains largely shrouded in mystery. However, his adult years were riddled with criminal activity. Ewell's first known arrest occurred in 1985 when he coerced a woman at gunpoint to withdraw money from an ATM. Not long after, he was arrested again for a separate incident where he forced a man out of a parked truck, bound him, and stole his wallet. By 1989, Ewell had accumulated convictions for robbery and burglary.
In 1995, Ewell faced charges of check forgery. He was on the brink of a 25-year to life sentence under California's "three-strikes" law, but a plea deal reduced his sentence to seven years. After serving his time, Ewell attempted to reintegrate into society, finding work as a hairdresser and a handyman. During this period, he became a vocal opponent of the "three-strikes" law, even appearing on a 2006 episode of "The Montel Williams Show," expressing his fear of a life behind bars.
Despite his advocacy, Ewell could not escape his criminal tendencies. In 2010, he was arrested for burglary in Huntington Park, to which he pleaded guilty. While awaiting sentencing, Ewell was caught shoplifting and released on a $20,000 bail.
The Murders
The calm of Hawthorne, California, shattered on September 24, 2010, when Ewell committed his first murder. He broke into the residence of 80-year-old Hanna Morcos, bound his hands with a window cord, and beat him with his fists and a blunt object. The assault induced a heart attack, which proved fatal. Later that day, a family member discovered Morcos' lifeless body, lying face down in his home.
Ewell struck again on October 13, 2010, just two doors away from his residence. He invaded the home of 53-year-old Denise Roberts, bound her hands, gagged her, and strangled her to death before robbing the house.
Nine days later, on October 21, Ewell posed as a utility worker to gain entry into the home of Leamon Caroll Turnage, 69, and his wife Robyn, 57, who had just returned from a Florida vacation. In a calculated attack, he bound and strangled the couple, looting their home and stealing jewelry. The Turnages' bodies were discovered by police officers conducting a welfare check after they failed to contact their family.
Capture and Investigation
The investigation into these murders gained momentum when police reviewed surveillance footage showing a man using Robyn Turnage's credit card at an ATM. On October 23, 2010, Ewell attempted to use the Turnage's ATM card at a Shell service station in Gardena, where CCTV footage captured his unmasked face. His arrest soon followed, bringing relief to a community gripped by fear.
During the search of Ewell's vehicle, police found a newspaper article about Lonnie David Franklin Jr., known as the "Grim Sleeper," who had been arrested for ten murders in South Los Angeles. This discovery added another layer of intrigue to Ewell's crimes.
Court Proceedings
Ewell remained incarcerated as his case progressed through the legal system. His preliminary hearing faced delays due to undisclosed reasons. Although his defense argued that he could have been jailed during some of the murders, this claim failed to gain traction.
In January 2013, formal charges were brought against Ewell: four counts of first-degree murder and four counts of robbery. Despite his pleas of innocence, the weight of evidence against him was overwhelming. The prospect of a death sentence loomed over Ewell if the case proceeded to trial and he was found guilty.
In May 2019, Ewell changed his stance, accepting a plea deal to avoid the death penalty. He pleaded guilty to all four murders, and on July 18, 2019, he received four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. In August 2019, Ewell began serving his sentence at Valley State Prison.
Conclusion
The story of John Wesley Ewell is a stark reminder of the darkness that can reside within individuals. His life of crime escalated to a series of brutal murders, leaving a lasting impact on the victims' families and the Hawthorne community. As Ewell serves his life sentences, the echo of his crimes continues to resonate, a testament to the lives tragically cut short by his actions.
Sources
For more detailed information, visit the Wikipedia page on John Ewell.
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
John Ewell murders 80-year-old Hanna Morcos in his home.
Second Murder Committed
Ewell strangles 53-year-old Denise Roberts in her home.
Third and Fourth Murders
Ewell murders Leamon and Robyn Turnage in their home.
Arrest of John Ewell
Ewell is arrested after attempting to use stolen ATM card.
Charges Filed
Ewell is charged with four counts of first-degree murder.
Plea Deal Accepted
Ewell pleads guilty to all four murders, avoiding death penalty.
Sentencing
Ewell is sentenced to four life sentences without parole.
Transfer to Prison
Ewell is transferred to Valley State Prison to serve his sentence.