The Dark Journey of Robert Wesley Knighton

Early Life: A Troubled Beginning

Robert Wesley Knighton, often called "Bobby," was born on February 5, 1941, in Springfield, Missouri. His upbringing was marred by emotional and physical abuse, reflecting the unstable environment created by his mother, who had eight husbands and numerous boyfriends. At just six years old, Bobby experienced rejection firsthand when he was banished to the outdoors during a family Thanksgiving dinner because he bore too much resemblance to his father. This early rejection was compounded by physical abuse from his mother's partners, one of whom struck him so hard that it resulted in a hospital visit, and another who destroyed his beloved toy.

Education was a brief chapter in Knighton's life, ending after only the fourth grade. By the age of twelve, he found himself in a boy's reformatory, where he faced harsh punishments that included beatings and solitary confinement. These experiences set the stage for his later life. In 1968, he was convicted of armed robbery in Oklahoma and sentenced to a decade behind bars.

The First Murder: A Prelude to More Violence

Knighton's criminal trajectory took a deadly turn on September 15, 1973. Fresh out of prison and already wanted for assault, he became embroiled in an argument with Coffier Day, which escalated into a fatal shooting. Coffier, then 32, was killed, while his father, Claude Day, survived a shot to the neck. Following this violent encounter, Knighton kidnapped a young family, threatening their six-year-old daughter to ensure compliance. The terrifying ordeal lasted 11 hours, ending only when the mother attacked Knighton with a steak knife, leading to his arrest.

Convicted of three counts of kidnapping, Knighton received a 30-year prison sentence. He was also charged with first-degree murder for Coffier's death, but a plea deal reduced the charge to manslaughter, adding a decade to his sentence. During his incarceration at the Missouri State Penitentiary, Knighton joined a white supremacist gang, marking his allegiance with tattoos of swastikas and "White Power."

The 1990 Killing Spree: A Path of Destruction

By 1989, Knighton had been transferred to a halfway house in Kansas City, Missouri. Here, he met Ruth Renee Williams, a 22-year-old woman in a drug rehabilitation program, and Lawrence Lingle Brittain, a 17-year-old boy. Their relationships soon turned into a criminal alliance. In 1990, facing the threat of Brittain's relocation to a more restrictive detention facility, the trio decided to flee, embarking on a journey that would span two states and leave a trail of bloodshed.

Their escape plan involved a stolen van and a possible destination in California or Florida. After stopping at Knighton's mother's house for money, they visited Frank Merrifield in Clinton, Missouri. Merrifield, a friend of Brittain's father, unwittingly invited danger into his home by showing Knighton a pistol. Knighton used the opportunity to fatally shoot both Merrifield and his stepson, Ray Donahue, before taking their guns and money.

The group continued south to Oklahoma, where Knighton decided it was time for Brittain to prove himself by committing robbery. Their search for an isolated home brought them to the doorstep of Richard and Virginia Denny. Although Brittain hesitated, Knighton took control, holding Richard at gunpoint and leading him inside. Despite Richard's attempts to negotiate for their lives, Knighton executed the couple in cold blood, later claiming that at least Virginia had time to pray before dying.

With $61, a pocketknife, and cigarettes stolen from the Dennys, the trio fled in the victims' truck to Canadian, Texas. Their suspicious behavior soon attracted the attention of local authorities, leading to their arrest and the subsequent discovery of their crimes.

The Trial: Justice Served

In court, all three faced charges of first-degree murder in both Missouri and Oklahoma. During a preliminary hearing, Brittain, tried as an adult, expressed regret for his involvement with Knighton, whom he described as the ringleader. Brittain and Williams agreed to testify against Knighton in exchange for reduced sentences. Brittain received two concurrent life terms with the possibility of parole, while Williams was sentenced to 15 years.

Prosecutors sought the death penalty for Knighton, whose defense strategy of blaming his accomplices fell apart when he admitted his role in the murders. Knighton was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder after a brief 50-minute jury deliberation, followed by a death sentence.

Execution and Aftermath: An End and a Beginning

On May 27, 2003, Robert Wesley Knighton was executed by lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. His final meal included a large pepperoni pizza, strawberry milkshake, onion rings, and banana cream pie. In his last moments, he acknowledged his attorneys and apologized, directing his final words to Sue Norton, the forgiving adopted daughter of one of his victims. Her decision to advocate for clemency had caused a rift with her sister, yet she maintained her compassionate stance, offering Knighton a thumbs-up as he spoke his last.

Williams and Brittain both eventually gained their freedom. Williams was paroled shortly before Knighton's execution, and Brittain followed suit on August 10, 2007.

Sources

For the full original content and references, visit the Wikipedia page on Robert Wesley Knighton.