Lyle Brummett: A Tale of Darkness and Deception

Early Life and Troubled Beginnings

Lyle Richard Brummett entered the world on December 26, 1956, in the serene town of Kerrville, Texas. His early years remain shrouded in mystery, but snippets of his life hint at a restless soul. He dropped out of high school, claiming a lack of interest and an inability to get along with teachers. Despite this setback, he found work driving trucks for lumberyards. In his spare time, he indulged in a variety of hobbies, including sailing, camping, motorcycles, and fishing. Yet beneath this façade of normalcy lurked a troubled mind. Brummett would later recount a significant "outburst" in 1974, during an encounter with a girl, leading him to seek psychiatric help that, according to him, proved ineffective.

Brummett's first known brush with the law came in July 1975. Under the alias "Lyle Richard Stone," he was arrested for burglary. Though released, he soon found himself in deeper trouble, facing charges of two rapes and credit card abuse. He was granted temporary freedom on a $17,500 bond, a decision that would have dire consequences.

The Murders Begin

The dark chapter of Brummett's life commenced on September 17, 1975. Carol Ann London, 18, and Elizabeth "Beth" Pearson, 16, set out for a drive in Pearson's husband's car. Their trip took a nightmarish turn when the vehicle broke down near Kerrville. Fatefully, Brummett and his 19-year-old accomplice, Allen Ladd Woody, happened upon the stranded girls. Offering them a ride, the men led the unsuspecting pair to an isolated pasture 12 miles east of Kerrville. There, under the shelter of an oak tree, Brummett and Woody raped and strangled the girls, leaving their bodies hidden from sight.

The following day, the girls' car was discovered abandoned in a parking lot near the courthouse. Their clothes, scattered along I-10, were found by workmen, but the girls themselves remained missing. Despite desperate search efforts by police and family, their bodies were not uncovered until Brummett's later confession.

In the months following these horrific acts, Brummett relocated to Austin and found work as an electrician. On August 15, 1976, he visited the home of 22-year-old Dianne Kathleen Roberts, an unemployed secretary. After loosening a window screen, Brummett returned later to commit another unspeakable crime. He raped and strangled Roberts, leaving her lifeless form wrapped in a pillowcase on her bed. Her boyfriend, rock musician Jesse Sublett, discovered her body upon returning home.

Arrest and Confession

Brummett's arrest came swiftly, just a day after Roberts' murder, based on eyewitness testimonies placing him at the scene. While in custody, he made a chilling admission: he and Woody had killed two young women the previous year. Brummett led police to the secluded site where London and Pearson's decomposing bodies lay, bringing a tragic end to their families' hope.

Brummett and Woody were charged with capital murder, each held in separate jails as they awaited their trials. However, prison did not curb Brummett's violent tendencies. On September 20, he, along with three other inmates, assaulted a 17-year-old fellow prisoner. Though Brummett faced charges, his accomplices were spared due to their existing sentences.

In a bid to save himself, Brummett offered to testify against Woody, hoping for leniency in return. He also tantalized authorities with the claim that he could lead them to another victim's burial site near the Guadalupe River. On February 3, 1977, police escorted Brummett, dressed in civilian clothes, on a fruitless overnight search for the supposed grave. The following morning, exploiting a moment of inattention, Brummett escaped custody.

The Escape and Recapture

As news of his escape spread, a statewide alert was issued, warning the public of the armed and dangerous fugitive. Authorities kept a close watch on the homes of Brummett's sister and wife. Meanwhile, Brummett briefly found refuge at a party, where he drank until guests recognized him and forced him out. The next day, guilt or desperation drove him to call the police from a convenience store, requesting they pick him up.

In an unexpected twist, Brummett sent a letter to The Austin American-Statesman, expressing his desire for execution in the electric chair. When confronted, he reiterated this wish, as if seeking an end to his own turmoil.

Trials and Sentences

April 1977 marked the beginning of the trials. Brummett was transferred to Fort Stockton to testify against Woody. During his testimony, Brummett shifted blame, insisting Woody alone raped and strangled Pearson, while admitting he himself killed London to prevent her from identifying them. In exchange for his testimony, prosecutors dropped the capital murder charge related to Pearson's death.

Woody was convicted and sentenced to 99 years for Pearson's murder. Afterward, Brummett returned to Kerrville, where he faced trial for London's murder, receiving a life sentence. Five days later, another life sentence was added for Roberts' murder.

Since then, Brummett has been housed at the Ramsey Unit in Rosharon, Texas. Despite applying for parole multiple times, his requests have been denied. The victims' families and advocates for victims' rights consistently attend hearings to ensure he remains behind bars, serving as a somber reminder of the lives he shattered.

Sources

For more detailed information, visit the original Wikipedia article.