Morris Solomon Jr.
California Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Stockton, California
TIME PERIOD
June 1986 – April 1987
VICTIMS
6 confirmed
Morris Solomon Jr., known as "The Sacramento Slayer," was a convicted serial killer responsible for the murders of six women between June 1986 and April 1987 in California. He was apprehended on April 22, 1987, and sentenced to death, remaining on death row at San Quentin State Prison until his death on August 1, 2024. The case is considered solved, with Solomon's convictions including four counts of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder.
The community speculates that Morris Solomon Jr.'s abusive upbringing may have contributed to his violent behavior as an adult, suggesting a possible link between childhood trauma and his later actions as a serial killer. Additionally, there is discussion around the implications of his criminal penalties and the nature of his crimes, with some theorizing about the psychological factors that could have driven him to commit such heinous acts.
Morris Solomon Jr.
Overview
Morris Solomon Jr. (March 15, 1944 – August 1, 2024), infamously dubbed The Sacramento Slayer, was a notorious American serial killer who was convicted for the murders of six women and sentenced to death in San Quentin, California. His heinous crimes spanned a chilling period from June 1986 to April 1987, marking him as one of the most disturbing figures in California's criminal history.
Quick Facts
- Born: March 15, 1944, Albany, Georgia, U.S.
- Died: August 1, 2024, Stockton, California, U.S. (aged 80)
- Other Names: The Sacramento Slayer
- Convictions:
- First-degree murder with special circumstances (4 counts)
- Second-degree murder (2 counts)
- Rape
- Forcible oral copulation
- Forcible sodomy
- Criminal Penalty: Death
- Victims: 7 (6 convictions)
- Span of Crimes: June 1986 – April 1987
- Country: United States
- State: California
- Date Apprehended: April 22, 1987
- Imprisoned At: San Quentin State Prison
Early Life
Born in Albany, Georgia, Solomon's upbringing was marred by abuse. He was largely raised by his grandmother, Bertha, who subjected him and his brother to severe physical punishment for minor infractions like bed-wetting or mispronouncing words. The beatings were brutal and sometimes unprovoked, involving an electrical cord or switches that Bertha forced them to fetch. Solomon's childhood was filled with trauma—he often found himself standing in a corner, stripped and bloodied, after a beating, tied up to prevent him from escaping Bertha's wrath.
At the age of 13, Solomon was reunited with his parents when Bertha moved the family to Isleton, a small farming town just south of Sacramento. Here, he witnessed an unstable home environment, characterized by violent altercations between his parents and public humiliation inflicted upon him. His mother was described as a "loose woman," frequently engaging with various men, which added to the chaos of his upbringing.
After completing high school, Solomon briefly attended community college and juggled various jobs in carpentry, car repair, and bus driving. He enlisted in the Army, serving as a sergeant during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1967. Upon returning home, he became engaged, but when that relationship ended, he relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area, got married, and had a daughter. Following his divorce, he returned to Sacramento and worked as a handyman.
His attorney later claimed that Solomon's experiences in Vietnam, where he reportedly abused civilians, contributed to his criminal behavior. The justification suggested that the normalization of violence during wartime had warped his perception of women as mere objects.
The Victims
The chilling list of victims attributed to Morris Solomon Jr. reads as follows:
- Yolanda Johnson (22) – Discovered on June 18, 1986.
- Angela Polidore (25) – Found on July 20, 1986.
- Maria Apodaca (18) – Located on March 19, 1987.
- Cherie Washington (26) – Unearthed on April 20, 1987.
- Linda Vitela (24) – Her remains were found on April 22, 1987; she had been deceased for about a year.
- Sheila Jacox (17) – Also discovered on April 22, 1987, with a similar timeline of death.
- Sharon Massey (29) – Found on April 29, 1987, having been dead for approximately six months.
Each of these women had been involved in sex work and battled substance abuse issues. Their bodies exhibited disturbing similarities: they were often bound, partially or fully nude, and wrapped in bedding, leading investigators to believe they were the work of a single perpetrator.
Investigation
The investigation into Solomon began with the discovery of Yolanda Johnson's body, a report that Solomon himself made. This act was deeply ironic and sinister, as he was later implicated in her murder. Johnson's body, like those of many of the victims, was found bound and partially nude. The pattern continued with Apodaca, also a drug user and sex worker, whose body was wrapped in bedding and buried. The police noted that all victims shared commonalities that pointed to one serial killer.
From the outset, Solomon attempted to portray himself as uninvolved, giving several inconsistent statements during police questioning. Following the discovery of Apodaca's body, he provided yet more falsehoods, all while expressing concern over outstanding misdemeanor warrants.
On April 20, 1987, Solomon granted police permission to search his abandoned car. During this search, authorities noticed a depression in the soil nearby and decided to excavate the area, leading to the grim discovery of Cherie Washington's body. Just days later, on April 22, police uncovered the bodies of both Linda Vitela and Sheila Jacox at a residence linked to Solomon, prompting his arrest. The body of Sharon Massey was later recovered from the same location where Apodaca was found, further tightening the noose around Solomon.
Investigators also uncovered statements Solomon had made about wanting to kill Johnson over stolen stereo equipment and that Apodaca had visited him several times. Each piece of evidence painted a clearer picture of his involvement.
Trial and Sentencing
When the trial commenced, the prosecution's case was largely circumstantial—there was no smoking gun directly tying Solomon to the murders. However, witness testimonies linked him to several victims, and the discovery of his blood sample paired with semen found on Johnson's body added a compelling layer to the prosecution's argument.
In a twist of fate, the defense attempted to claim Solomon's crimes were a product of the trauma he experienced as a child and during his military service. Expert testimonies from clinical psychologists aimed to paint a picture of a man shaped by abuse.
In the end, Solomon was convicted of six murders, with charges in the Polidore case being dropped.
Penalty Phase
The first penalty phase resulted in a mistrial, but a second jury unanimously voted to sentence him to death in July 1992. During this phase, several of Solomon's surviving victims bravely came forward to testify about their horrific encounters with him, detailing assaults and attempts at murder that painted Solomon as a predator long before his notoriety as a serial killer.
Eventually, Solomon was officially sentenced to death, becoming the 342nd person on California's death row. The California Supreme Court upheld his conviction on July 15, 2010.
Solomon's life came to an end on August 1, 2024, at the California Health Care Facility in Stockton, California. He died at the age of 80, leaving behind a legacy of horror.
Media
Morris Solomon Jr.'s chilling story has been featured in various media outlets. Notably, a documentary on Crime Stories aired on the Discovery Channel and Biography Channel, featuring insights from journalist Antonio Harvey, retired Sacramento detective John Cabrera, and former Sacramento Bee photographer Tom Parker.
In 2018, another documentary series titled 35 Serial Killers the World Wants To Forget included Solomon's case in its fourth episode. Harvey also authored a detailed true crime novel titled The Homicidal Handyman of Oak Park, shedding light on Solomon's gruesome story. As of 2016, Harvey announced plans to adapt Solomon's case into a screenplay, promising new insights and details.
Sources
- People v. Solomon, S029011 (California Supreme Court July 15, 2010).
- "California Registered Sex Offender Profile - Morris Solomon." Megan's Law - California Sex Offender Registry. Archived from the original on April 9, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
- Ron Goetz, producer; Steve Allen, director (February 5, 2010). The Homicidal Handyman (alt: Sacramento Slayer) (DVD). Canada: Partners in Motion. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
- "People of the State of California v. Morris Solomon, Jr." (PDF).
- "California Handyman Charged in 6 Murders." The New York Times. April 26, 1987.
- "Condemned Incarcerated Person Morris Solomon Jr. Dies."
- Tony Ray Harvey (August 2012). The Homicidal Handyman of Oak Park: Morris Solomon Jr. AuthorHouse. ISBN 9781456745462. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
Wikipedia URL: Morris Solomon Jr.
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First Victim Found
Yolanda Johnson's body is discovered, marking the start of the investigation into a series of murders.
Second Victim Found
Angela Polidore's body is found, further indicating a serial killer is at work.
Third Victim Found
Maria Apodaca's body is discovered, intensifying the investigation.
Fourth Victim Found
Cherie Washington's body is found, leading police to search Solomon's abandoned car.
Arrest of Solomon
Morris Solomon Jr. is arrested after police discover the bodies of Linda Vitela and Sheila Jacox.
Death Penalty Sentencing
A jury unanimously votes to sentence Solomon to death after a second penalty phase trial.
Conviction Affirmed
The California Supreme Court affirms Solomon's conviction and death sentence.
Death of Solomon
Morris Solomon Jr. dies at the age of 80 while on death row.
Morris Solomon Jr., known as "The Sacramento Slayer," was a convicted serial killer responsible for the murders of six women between June 1986 and April 1987 in California. He was apprehended on April 22, 1987, and sentenced to death, remaining on death row at San Quentin State Prison until his death on August 1, 2024. The case is considered solved, with Solomon's convictions including four counts of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder.
The community speculates that Morris Solomon Jr.'s abusive upbringing may have contributed to his violent behavior as an adult, suggesting a possible link between childhood trauma and his later actions as a serial killer. Additionally, there is discussion around the implications of his criminal penalties and the nature of his crimes, with some theorizing about the psychological factors that could have driven him to commit such heinous acts.
Morris Solomon Jr.
Overview
Morris Solomon Jr. (March 15, 1944 – August 1, 2024), infamously dubbed The Sacramento Slayer, was a notorious American serial killer who was convicted for the murders of six women and sentenced to death in San Quentin, California. His heinous crimes spanned a chilling period from June 1986 to April 1987, marking him as one of the most disturbing figures in California's criminal history.
Quick Facts
- Born: March 15, 1944, Albany, Georgia, U.S.
- Died: August 1, 2024, Stockton, California, U.S. (aged 80)
- Other Names: The Sacramento Slayer
- Convictions:
- First-degree murder with special circumstances (4 counts)
- Second-degree murder (2 counts)
- Rape
- Forcible oral copulation
- Forcible sodomy
- Criminal Penalty: Death
- Victims: 7 (6 convictions)
- Span of Crimes: June 1986 – April 1987
- Country: United States
- State: California
- Date Apprehended: April 22, 1987
- Imprisoned At: San Quentin State Prison
Early Life
Born in Albany, Georgia, Solomon's upbringing was marred by abuse. He was largely raised by his grandmother, Bertha, who subjected him and his brother to severe physical punishment for minor infractions like bed-wetting or mispronouncing words. The beatings were brutal and sometimes unprovoked, involving an electrical cord or switches that Bertha forced them to fetch. Solomon's childhood was filled with trauma—he often found himself standing in a corner, stripped and bloodied, after a beating, tied up to prevent him from escaping Bertha's wrath.
At the age of 13, Solomon was reunited with his parents when Bertha moved the family to Isleton, a small farming town just south of Sacramento. Here, he witnessed an unstable home environment, characterized by violent altercations between his parents and public humiliation inflicted upon him. His mother was described as a "loose woman," frequently engaging with various men, which added to the chaos of his upbringing.
After completing high school, Solomon briefly attended community college and juggled various jobs in carpentry, car repair, and bus driving. He enlisted in the Army, serving as a sergeant during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1967. Upon returning home, he became engaged, but when that relationship ended, he relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area, got married, and had a daughter. Following his divorce, he returned to Sacramento and worked as a handyman.
His attorney later claimed that Solomon's experiences in Vietnam, where he reportedly abused civilians, contributed to his criminal behavior. The justification suggested that the normalization of violence during wartime had warped his perception of women as mere objects.
The Victims
The chilling list of victims attributed to Morris Solomon Jr. reads as follows:
- Yolanda Johnson (22) – Discovered on June 18, 1986.
- Angela Polidore (25) – Found on July 20, 1986.
- Maria Apodaca (18) – Located on March 19, 1987.
- Cherie Washington (26) – Unearthed on April 20, 1987.
- Linda Vitela (24) – Her remains were found on April 22, 1987; she had been deceased for about a year.
- Sheila Jacox (17) – Also discovered on April 22, 1987, with a similar timeline of death.
- Sharon Massey (29) – Found on April 29, 1987, having been dead for approximately six months.
Each of these women had been involved in sex work and battled substance abuse issues. Their bodies exhibited disturbing similarities: they were often bound, partially or fully nude, and wrapped in bedding, leading investigators to believe they were the work of a single perpetrator.
Investigation
The investigation into Solomon began with the discovery of Yolanda Johnson's body, a report that Solomon himself made. This act was deeply ironic and sinister, as he was later implicated in her murder. Johnson's body, like those of many of the victims, was found bound and partially nude. The pattern continued with Apodaca, also a drug user and sex worker, whose body was wrapped in bedding and buried. The police noted that all victims shared commonalities that pointed to one serial killer.
From the outset, Solomon attempted to portray himself as uninvolved, giving several inconsistent statements during police questioning. Following the discovery of Apodaca's body, he provided yet more falsehoods, all while expressing concern over outstanding misdemeanor warrants.
On April 20, 1987, Solomon granted police permission to search his abandoned car. During this search, authorities noticed a depression in the soil nearby and decided to excavate the area, leading to the grim discovery of Cherie Washington's body. Just days later, on April 22, police uncovered the bodies of both Linda Vitela and Sheila Jacox at a residence linked to Solomon, prompting his arrest. The body of Sharon Massey was later recovered from the same location where Apodaca was found, further tightening the noose around Solomon.
Investigators also uncovered statements Solomon had made about wanting to kill Johnson over stolen stereo equipment and that Apodaca had visited him several times. Each piece of evidence painted a clearer picture of his involvement.
Trial and Sentencing
When the trial commenced, the prosecution's case was largely circumstantial—there was no smoking gun directly tying Solomon to the murders. However, witness testimonies linked him to several victims, and the discovery of his blood sample paired with semen found on Johnson's body added a compelling layer to the prosecution's argument.
In a twist of fate, the defense attempted to claim Solomon's crimes were a product of the trauma he experienced as a child and during his military service. Expert testimonies from clinical psychologists aimed to paint a picture of a man shaped by abuse.
In the end, Solomon was convicted of six murders, with charges in the Polidore case being dropped.
Penalty Phase
The first penalty phase resulted in a mistrial, but a second jury unanimously voted to sentence him to death in July 1992. During this phase, several of Solomon's surviving victims bravely came forward to testify about their horrific encounters with him, detailing assaults and attempts at murder that painted Solomon as a predator long before his notoriety as a serial killer.
Eventually, Solomon was officially sentenced to death, becoming the 342nd person on California's death row. The California Supreme Court upheld his conviction on July 15, 2010.
Solomon's life came to an end on August 1, 2024, at the California Health Care Facility in Stockton, California. He died at the age of 80, leaving behind a legacy of horror.
Media
Morris Solomon Jr.'s chilling story has been featured in various media outlets. Notably, a documentary on Crime Stories aired on the Discovery Channel and Biography Channel, featuring insights from journalist Antonio Harvey, retired Sacramento detective John Cabrera, and former Sacramento Bee photographer Tom Parker.
In 2018, another documentary series titled 35 Serial Killers the World Wants To Forget included Solomon's case in its fourth episode. Harvey also authored a detailed true crime novel titled The Homicidal Handyman of Oak Park, shedding light on Solomon's gruesome story. As of 2016, Harvey announced plans to adapt Solomon's case into a screenplay, promising new insights and details.
Sources
- People v. Solomon, S029011 (California Supreme Court July 15, 2010).
- "California Registered Sex Offender Profile - Morris Solomon." Megan's Law - California Sex Offender Registry. Archived from the original on April 9, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
- Ron Goetz, producer; Steve Allen, director (February 5, 2010). The Homicidal Handyman (alt: Sacramento Slayer) (DVD). Canada: Partners in Motion. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
- "People of the State of California v. Morris Solomon, Jr." (PDF).
- "California Handyman Charged in 6 Murders." The New York Times. April 26, 1987.
- "Condemned Incarcerated Person Morris Solomon Jr. Dies."
- Tony Ray Harvey (August 2012). The Homicidal Handyman of Oak Park: Morris Solomon Jr. AuthorHouse. ISBN 9781456745462. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
Wikipedia URL: Morris Solomon Jr.
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
Loading comments...
First Victim Found
Yolanda Johnson's body is discovered, marking the start of the investigation into a series of murders.
Second Victim Found
Angela Polidore's body is found, further indicating a serial killer is at work.
Third Victim Found
Maria Apodaca's body is discovered, intensifying the investigation.
Fourth Victim Found
Cherie Washington's body is found, leading police to search Solomon's abandoned car.
Arrest of Solomon
Morris Solomon Jr. is arrested after police discover the bodies of Linda Vitela and Sheila Jacox.
Death Penalty Sentencing
A jury unanimously votes to sentence Solomon to death after a second penalty phase trial.
Conviction Affirmed
The California Supreme Court affirms Solomon's conviction and death sentence.
Death of Solomon
Morris Solomon Jr. dies at the age of 80 while on death row.