Larry Lamont White
Kentucky Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Louisville, Kentucky
TIME PERIOD
June 1983 - July 1983
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
In June and July 1983, Larry Lamont White fatally shot three women in Louisville, Kentucky, with the victims being Pamela Armstrong, Yolanda Sweeney, and Deborah Miles. Initially convicted of two murders and sentenced to death, White's sentence was later overturned, but he was reapprehended in 2006 after DNA evidence linked him to the crimes, resulting in a new death sentence. He is currently awaiting execution at Kentucky State Penitentiary.
Theories surrounding Larry Lamont White's murders suggest a possible pattern of targeting vulnerable women in Louisville, with speculation about a potential motive linked to sexual violence, as evidenced by the circumstances of the second victim, Yolanda Sweeney. Additionally, the fact that some victims had valuables left behind raises questions about whether the killings were opportunistic or premeditated. Community discussions may also consider the impact of White's initial wrongful conviction and subsequent release on public safety and the justice system's handling of serial offenders.
Larry Lamont White
A Portrait of a Serial Killer
Larry Lamont White, born on March 30, 1958, in Louisville, Kentucky, is an American serial killer notorious for the brutal murders of three women in the summer of 1983. Initially convicted of two murders, he was sentenced to death, but his conviction was later overturned, leading to his parole. However, in a twist of fate, he was imprisoned again in 2006 for firearm violations, which ultimately linked him to the murder of his first victim through DNA evidence. Now, he awaits execution on death row, a stark reminder of how the wheels of justice can turn in unexpected directions.
Quick Facts
- Born: March 30, 1958 (age 67)
- Location: Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
- Other Names: Larry Griffin
- Convictions:
- Murder (3 counts)
- First-degree rape
- Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- Criminal Penalty:
- Death sentence for Armstrong
- Death sentences for Sweeney and Miles, later commuted to 29 years imprisonment
- Details:
- Victims: 3
- Span of Crimes: June 4 – July 7, 1983
- Country: United States
- State: Kentucky
- Date Apprehended: For the final time in 2006
- Imprisoned at: Kentucky State Penitentiary, Eddyville, Kentucky
The Murders
The terror began on June 4, 1983, when 22-year-old Pamela Armstrong left her home to visit a food stamp office in downtown Louisville. What happened next is chilling: she entered the car of an unknown man. About an hour later, her lifeless body was discovered in an alley on Beech Street, a grim sight for the passerby who stumbled upon her. The autopsy revealed she had been shot in the head. Strikingly, her belongings, including cash and her driver's license, remained untouched, leaving investigators baffled regarding the motive behind her murder.
Just a week later, on June 11, 21-year-old Yolanda Sweeney, an employee at National Processing Company, was seen leaving a nightclub called "Mr. D's Inferno" with an unidentified black male. Two days after that, her body was discovered in a backyard on Greenwood Avenue, also shot in the head. Disturbingly, Sweeney was found naked from the waist down, and her purse was missing, adding layers to the investigation and pointing toward a possible pattern.
The final confirmed victim was Deborah Miles, 22, whose body was found by friends in her bedroom on July 7, 1983. Like Armstrong and Sweeney, she had also been shot in the head. The similarities among these murders in such a short span led police to suspect a serial killer was at work. However, initially, they considered Armstrong's death unrelated due to its different circumstances, instead focusing on the murder of another woman, Andrea T. Williams, found dead on July 1. Investigators struggled to find concrete leads, as physical evidence linking a suspect to the crimes was sparse.
Arrest, Trial, and Sentence
The investigation took a significant turn on August 9, 1983, when White was arrested and charged with the murders of Sweeney and Miles, alongside the attempted murder of a 30-year-old woman he had encountered near Dixie Highway on March 15. In a harrowing encounter, he had threatened the woman at gunpoint, forcing her into his car, where he drove her to Dumesnil Street. There, he sexually assaulted her, robbed her of $3.50, and even a bucket of chicken she had ordered from a fast-food restaurant. For these offenses, he faced multiple charges, including murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, and unlawful imprisonment.
As more women came forward, another victim, Bernice Adams, accused White of an attempted attack in her home on June 28. Posing as "Larry Griffin," he requested to use her phone but quickly turned threatening. Fortunately, Adams managed to lock herself in her bathroom, prompting White to flee.
The trial that ensued lasted several months and was marked by overwhelming evidence against White. Key pieces included a pawned .38 S&W revolver, with ballistics matching the bullets from the murders, and clothing stained with blood identified as belonging to Sweeney. His past conviction for sexual assault just a year before the murders only added to the mounting evidence. Notably, White had confessed to both murders, which he later tried to retract. The jury swiftly found him guilty.
In a desperate attempt to mitigate his sentence, White's attorney, Ray Clooney, argued that his client had been intoxicated and under the influence of drugs during the murders, pleading for a lesser sentence of 25 years to life. This request was ultimately denied, and White was sentenced to death for the two murders, despite his lawyer's insistence on a new trial.
Overturn of Sentence
Just over two years into his death sentence, a ruling from the Supreme Court complicated matters. It determined that defendants could not be interrogated without a lawyer present if they had pending arraignments on other charges. This ruling incited outrage among prosecutors and law enforcement, who feared it would hinder the investigation of violent crimes like White's.
The implications were dire: White's confession was deemed inadmissible, and questions arose about the admissibility of the gun as evidence. In a shocking twist, White ultimately pleaded guilty to lesser charges, reducing his sentence to 29 years imprisonment, and he was released on parole in 2001.
New Charges
After his release, White's life took a downward spiral marked by a series of misdemeanors, including drunk driving, marijuana possession, and attempted theft. His criminality caught up with him in 2006 when he was sentenced to 15 years for firearm possession, violating his parole conditions as a convicted felon. While serving this sentence, DNA evidence linked him to the murder of Pamela Armstrong, leading to new charges.
In this new trial, prosecutors were allowed to introduce evidence from his previous murders, drawing connections between the three killings. Despite his attorney's protests, White was found guilty of Armstrong's murder and sentenced to death once again. In a bizarre display, he chose not to attend his sentencing hearing, opting to remain in jail instead.
Since his incarceration, White and his legal team have made several attempts to commute his death sentence based on claims of intellectual disability. However, these appeals have repeatedly been denied by the Kentucky Supreme Court, leaving him in a precarious position as he awaits execution.
See Also
- Beoria Simmons
- Cleo Joel Green
- Capital punishment in Kentucky
- List of death row inmates in Kentucky
- List of serial killers in the United States
External Links
Sources
- Claire Galofaro (July 28, 2014). "First Jefferson County death sentence since '06." The Courier-Journal.
- Hunt Helm (July 9, 1983). "Murder epidemic...Rash of killings leaves police at a loss for answers." The Courier-Journal.
- "Woman, 22, found shot to death in Louisville alley." The Courier-Journal.
- "Woman found dead in alley of head wound." The Courier-Journal.
- "Louisville woman found shot to death." The Courier-Journal.
- Judy Bryant (January 24, 1985). "White convicted of 2 murders; jury considers death penalty." The Courier-Journal.
- Cary B. Willis (January 25, 1985). "Jury asks that White get 2 death sentences." The Courier-Journal.
- Mary O'Doherty (May 29, 1987). "Ruling may free convicted murderer." The Courier-Journal.
- Jason Riley (December 29, 2007). "Man indicted in 1983 murder." The Courier-Journal.
- Courtney Shaw (August 24, 2017). "Kentucky Supreme Court affirms death sentence for serial killer." WLKY.
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Second Murder
Yolanda Sweeney's body is discovered, also shot.
First Murder
Pamela Armstrong is found shot in an alley.
Third Murder
Deborah Miles is found dead in her apartment.
Arrest of Larry White
Larry White is arrested and charged with multiple crimes.
Conviction
Larry White is convicted of two murders.
Death Sentence
White is sentenced to death for the murders.
Sentence Overturned
White's death sentence is overturned by the Supreme Court.
New Charges
White is imprisoned for firearm violations.
DNA Link
White is linked to Armstrong's murder via DNA.
New Death Sentence
White is sentenced to death for Armstrong's murder.
In June and July 1983, Larry Lamont White fatally shot three women in Louisville, Kentucky, with the victims being Pamela Armstrong, Yolanda Sweeney, and Deborah Miles. Initially convicted of two murders and sentenced to death, White's sentence was later overturned, but he was reapprehended in 2006 after DNA evidence linked him to the crimes, resulting in a new death sentence. He is currently awaiting execution at Kentucky State Penitentiary.
Theories surrounding Larry Lamont White's murders suggest a possible pattern of targeting vulnerable women in Louisville, with speculation about a potential motive linked to sexual violence, as evidenced by the circumstances of the second victim, Yolanda Sweeney. Additionally, the fact that some victims had valuables left behind raises questions about whether the killings were opportunistic or premeditated. Community discussions may also consider the impact of White's initial wrongful conviction and subsequent release on public safety and the justice system's handling of serial offenders.
Larry Lamont White
A Portrait of a Serial Killer
Larry Lamont White, born on March 30, 1958, in Louisville, Kentucky, is an American serial killer notorious for the brutal murders of three women in the summer of 1983. Initially convicted of two murders, he was sentenced to death, but his conviction was later overturned, leading to his parole. However, in a twist of fate, he was imprisoned again in 2006 for firearm violations, which ultimately linked him to the murder of his first victim through DNA evidence. Now, he awaits execution on death row, a stark reminder of how the wheels of justice can turn in unexpected directions.
Quick Facts
- Born: March 30, 1958 (age 67)
- Location: Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
- Other Names: Larry Griffin
- Convictions:
- Murder (3 counts)
- First-degree rape
- Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- Criminal Penalty:
- Death sentence for Armstrong
- Death sentences for Sweeney and Miles, later commuted to 29 years imprisonment
- Details:
- Victims: 3
- Span of Crimes: June 4 – July 7, 1983
- Country: United States
- State: Kentucky
- Date Apprehended: For the final time in 2006
- Imprisoned at: Kentucky State Penitentiary, Eddyville, Kentucky
The Murders
The terror began on June 4, 1983, when 22-year-old Pamela Armstrong left her home to visit a food stamp office in downtown Louisville. What happened next is chilling: she entered the car of an unknown man. About an hour later, her lifeless body was discovered in an alley on Beech Street, a grim sight for the passerby who stumbled upon her. The autopsy revealed she had been shot in the head. Strikingly, her belongings, including cash and her driver's license, remained untouched, leaving investigators baffled regarding the motive behind her murder.
Just a week later, on June 11, 21-year-old Yolanda Sweeney, an employee at National Processing Company, was seen leaving a nightclub called "Mr. D's Inferno" with an unidentified black male. Two days after that, her body was discovered in a backyard on Greenwood Avenue, also shot in the head. Disturbingly, Sweeney was found naked from the waist down, and her purse was missing, adding layers to the investigation and pointing toward a possible pattern.
The final confirmed victim was Deborah Miles, 22, whose body was found by friends in her bedroom on July 7, 1983. Like Armstrong and Sweeney, she had also been shot in the head. The similarities among these murders in such a short span led police to suspect a serial killer was at work. However, initially, they considered Armstrong's death unrelated due to its different circumstances, instead focusing on the murder of another woman, Andrea T. Williams, found dead on July 1. Investigators struggled to find concrete leads, as physical evidence linking a suspect to the crimes was sparse.
Arrest, Trial, and Sentence
The investigation took a significant turn on August 9, 1983, when White was arrested and charged with the murders of Sweeney and Miles, alongside the attempted murder of a 30-year-old woman he had encountered near Dixie Highway on March 15. In a harrowing encounter, he had threatened the woman at gunpoint, forcing her into his car, where he drove her to Dumesnil Street. There, he sexually assaulted her, robbed her of $3.50, and even a bucket of chicken she had ordered from a fast-food restaurant. For these offenses, he faced multiple charges, including murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, and unlawful imprisonment.
As more women came forward, another victim, Bernice Adams, accused White of an attempted attack in her home on June 28. Posing as "Larry Griffin," he requested to use her phone but quickly turned threatening. Fortunately, Adams managed to lock herself in her bathroom, prompting White to flee.
The trial that ensued lasted several months and was marked by overwhelming evidence against White. Key pieces included a pawned .38 S&W revolver, with ballistics matching the bullets from the murders, and clothing stained with blood identified as belonging to Sweeney. His past conviction for sexual assault just a year before the murders only added to the mounting evidence. Notably, White had confessed to both murders, which he later tried to retract. The jury swiftly found him guilty.
In a desperate attempt to mitigate his sentence, White's attorney, Ray Clooney, argued that his client had been intoxicated and under the influence of drugs during the murders, pleading for a lesser sentence of 25 years to life. This request was ultimately denied, and White was sentenced to death for the two murders, despite his lawyer's insistence on a new trial.
Overturn of Sentence
Just over two years into his death sentence, a ruling from the Supreme Court complicated matters. It determined that defendants could not be interrogated without a lawyer present if they had pending arraignments on other charges. This ruling incited outrage among prosecutors and law enforcement, who feared it would hinder the investigation of violent crimes like White's.
The implications were dire: White's confession was deemed inadmissible, and questions arose about the admissibility of the gun as evidence. In a shocking twist, White ultimately pleaded guilty to lesser charges, reducing his sentence to 29 years imprisonment, and he was released on parole in 2001.
New Charges
After his release, White's life took a downward spiral marked by a series of misdemeanors, including drunk driving, marijuana possession, and attempted theft. His criminality caught up with him in 2006 when he was sentenced to 15 years for firearm possession, violating his parole conditions as a convicted felon. While serving this sentence, DNA evidence linked him to the murder of Pamela Armstrong, leading to new charges.
In this new trial, prosecutors were allowed to introduce evidence from his previous murders, drawing connections between the three killings. Despite his attorney's protests, White was found guilty of Armstrong's murder and sentenced to death once again. In a bizarre display, he chose not to attend his sentencing hearing, opting to remain in jail instead.
Since his incarceration, White and his legal team have made several attempts to commute his death sentence based on claims of intellectual disability. However, these appeals have repeatedly been denied by the Kentucky Supreme Court, leaving him in a precarious position as he awaits execution.
See Also
- Beoria Simmons
- Cleo Joel Green
- Capital punishment in Kentucky
- List of death row inmates in Kentucky
- List of serial killers in the United States
External Links
Sources
- Claire Galofaro (July 28, 2014). "First Jefferson County death sentence since '06." The Courier-Journal.
- Hunt Helm (July 9, 1983). "Murder epidemic...Rash of killings leaves police at a loss for answers." The Courier-Journal.
- "Woman, 22, found shot to death in Louisville alley." The Courier-Journal.
- "Woman found dead in alley of head wound." The Courier-Journal.
- "Louisville woman found shot to death." The Courier-Journal.
- Judy Bryant (January 24, 1985). "White convicted of 2 murders; jury considers death penalty." The Courier-Journal.
- Cary B. Willis (January 25, 1985). "Jury asks that White get 2 death sentences." The Courier-Journal.
- Mary O'Doherty (May 29, 1987). "Ruling may free convicted murderer." The Courier-Journal.
- Jason Riley (December 29, 2007). "Man indicted in 1983 murder." The Courier-Journal.
- Courtney Shaw (August 24, 2017). "Kentucky Supreme Court affirms death sentence for serial killer." WLKY.
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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Second Murder
Yolanda Sweeney's body is discovered, also shot.
First Murder
Pamela Armstrong is found shot in an alley.
Third Murder
Deborah Miles is found dead in her apartment.
Arrest of Larry White
Larry White is arrested and charged with multiple crimes.
Conviction
Larry White is convicted of two murders.
Death Sentence
White is sentenced to death for the murders.
Sentence Overturned
White's death sentence is overturned by the Supreme Court.
New Charges
White is imprisoned for firearm violations.
DNA Link
White is linked to Armstrong's murder via DNA.
New Death Sentence
White is sentenced to death for Armstrong's murder.