Ronald And James Allridge
Brother Serial Killers Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Fort Worth, Texas
TIME PERIOD
1985
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
In early 1985, Ronald Keith Allridge and his brother James Vernon Allridge III embarked on a violent crime spree in Fort Worth, Texas, resulting in the murders of three individuals and multiple armed robberies. The brothers were active between February 4 and March 25, 1985, primarily targeting victims during robbery attempts. Ronald, born on September 27, 1960, and James, born on November 14, 1962, were both apprehended and subsequently convicted of capital murder, leading to their sentences of death; Ronald was executed by lethal injection on June 8, 1995, and James followed suit on August 26, 2004. Key evidence included eyewitness testimonies and ballistic analysis linking the brothers to the crime scenes, solidifying their convictions and the severity of their offenses.
The Allridge brothers are believed to have been influenced by a combination of familial and environmental factors that contributed to their criminal behavior, including a troubled upbringing and possible psychological issues. Some speculate that their close relationship may have fueled their criminal activities, with each brother encouraging the other in their descent into violence and crime. Additionally, there are theories that their choice of victims was random, driven primarily by the need for money through robbery rather than any personal vendetta.
The Allridge Brothers: A Tale of Crime and Punishment
Early Life
In the quiet years of the 1960s, Ronald Keith Allridge and his younger brother, James Vernon Allridge III, were born in West Germany, the sons of a military man stationed abroad. Ronald entered the world on September 27, 1960, and James followed two years later on November 14, 1962. By 1969, their family returned stateside, finding a new home in Fort Worth, Texas, where the boys would grow up sharing an attic bedroom at 2425 Annglen Drive.
The brothers were a study in contrasts. Ronald, the elder, was known to his peers and teachers at O.D. Wyatt High School as shy and reserved. James, on the other hand, was outgoing and well-liked among his classmates, a popular figure in his high school circle.
The Descent into Violence
The 1976 Murder
Ronald's journey into crime began at the tender age of 15. In March 1976, he brazenly robbed a local department store, making off with watches, guns, and ammunition. His new acquisitions became a source of misguided bravado; he began bringing a gun to school, flaunting it to classmates with a chilling declaration that he was ready to use it.
This grim prelude culminated on April 12, 1976. Ronald, surrounded by a throng of students outside the boys' restroom, shot 15-year-old Lorenzo Kneeland dead, hitting him in the chest and abdomen. Another student, James Christian, was also wounded but survived. The motive remained a mystery, though rumors hinted at past altercations over a girl or burglary dispute.
Ronald's capture was swift. Police found him wandering along Old Mansfield Highway, the murder weapon still in his possession. A subsequent psychological evaluation diagnosed him with paranoid schizophrenia. By 1977, he pleaded guilty to murder and received a ten-year sentence at the Texas Department of Corrections Ferguson Unit. Released in 1983 without parole requirements, Ronald attempted to reintegrate into society, securing a restaurant job. However, his employment was short-lived, terminated in late 1984 due to chronic tardiness.
The 1985 Crime Spree
Following his job loss, Ronald, along with his brother James, embarked on a violent crime spree across Fort Worth, Texas. Their criminal acts were often supported by another pair of brothers, Clarence and Milton Jarmon. These robberies would later play a significant role during their trials.
On January 14, 1985, Ronald committed a heinous act at a Crusty's Pizza in Fort Worth, where he shot and killed 19-year-old employee Buddy Joe Webster Jr. with a .22-caliber pistol. Unfazed, Ronald reportedly went home and slept as if nothing had happened.
February 3, 1985, marked another dark day when the Allridge brothers targeted a convenience store. James, a former employee, knew where the safe's combination was hidden. Ronald waited in the car while James entered, pretending to need change for a payphone call. Brian Clendennen, the 21-year-old clerk, recognized him and obliged. After initially leaving, James returned, forcefully entering with a .25-caliber pistol. He bound Clendennen's hands with an electrical cord before emptying the register and safe. Upon hearing a noise, James returned to the storeroom and shot Clendennen twice in the head.
James's flight from the crime scene was interrupted by Doris Clendennen, Brian's mother, who arrived to pick up her son. Seeing her, James fled. Doris discovered the aftermath and called for help. Tragically, Brian succumbed to his injuries the next day.
The brothers' final act of violence occurred on March 25, 1985, at a Whataburger restaurant. Armed and dangerous, they, along with the Jarmon brothers, executed a violent robbery. Ronald, wielding a shotgun, fatally shot 19-year-old Carla McMillen Otto after she failed to fill a bag with money quickly enough. The group was apprehended shortly afterward.
Trials and Imprisonment
The Allridge brothers faced a litany of charges, including capital murder. Ronald confessed to 13 armed robberies and the murder of Buddy Joe Webster, while James was linked to Brian Clendennen’s murder. The Jarmon brothers cooperated with authorities, denying knowledge of Ronald’s lethal intentions.
During Ronald's trial, he contended that Otto's murder was accidental, triggered by a misfire of Milton's gun. Expert testimony on the weapon’s trigger pressure was presented from both sides, but Ronald's conviction was inevitable. His previous murder conviction and involvement in other robberies sealed his fate: a death sentence.
James's defense highlighted his clean criminal record and the negative influence of his brother. Despite arguments for leniency, evidence of his calculated actions in Clendennen's murder led to a death sentence. The Jarmon brothers, originally charged with capital murder, received lesser sentences for aggravated robbery and have since been released.
While awaiting execution, James found solace in painting, gaining some notoriety for his artwork. Ronald, meanwhile, sought multiple appeals, delaying his execution until June 1995.
Executions
On June 8, 1995, Ronald faced his end at the Huntsville Unit, executed by lethal injection after a denied clemency plea to then-Governor George W. Bush. He declined a last meal and had no final words. His execution marked the tenth in Texas for that year.
James met his fate on August 26, 2004. His last meal was a typical American feast, and he offered heartfelt final words, expressing remorse and gratitude to those who forgave him. However, Brian Clendennen’s family denied extending such forgiveness.
Sources
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 Murder Committed
Ronald Allridge fatally shoots Lorenzo Kneeland at school.
Murder During Robbery
Ronald Allridge kills Buddy Joe Webster Jr. during a pizza shop robbery.
Second Murder Committed
James Allridge kills Brian Clendennen during a robbery at a convenience store.
Whataburger Robbery
Ronald and James Allridge commit a violent robbery, resulting in the murder of Carla McMillen Otto.
Arrests Made
Ronald and James Allridge are arrested following a series of armed robberies and murders.
Trial Begins
Ronald and James Allridge stand trial for capital murder.
Sentenced to Death
Both brothers are sentenced to death for their crimes.
Ronald Executed
Ronald Allridge is executed by lethal injection in Texas.
James Executed
James Allridge is executed by lethal injection in Texas.
In early 1985, Ronald Keith Allridge and his brother James Vernon Allridge III embarked on a violent crime spree in Fort Worth, Texas, resulting in the murders of three individuals and multiple armed robberies. The brothers were active between February 4 and March 25, 1985, primarily targeting victims during robbery attempts. Ronald, born on September 27, 1960, and James, born on November 14, 1962, were both apprehended and subsequently convicted of capital murder, leading to their sentences of death; Ronald was executed by lethal injection on June 8, 1995, and James followed suit on August 26, 2004. Key evidence included eyewitness testimonies and ballistic analysis linking the brothers to the crime scenes, solidifying their convictions and the severity of their offenses.
The Allridge brothers are believed to have been influenced by a combination of familial and environmental factors that contributed to their criminal behavior, including a troubled upbringing and possible psychological issues. Some speculate that their close relationship may have fueled their criminal activities, with each brother encouraging the other in their descent into violence and crime. Additionally, there are theories that their choice of victims was random, driven primarily by the need for money through robbery rather than any personal vendetta.
The Allridge Brothers: A Tale of Crime and Punishment
Early Life
In the quiet years of the 1960s, Ronald Keith Allridge and his younger brother, James Vernon Allridge III, were born in West Germany, the sons of a military man stationed abroad. Ronald entered the world on September 27, 1960, and James followed two years later on November 14, 1962. By 1969, their family returned stateside, finding a new home in Fort Worth, Texas, where the boys would grow up sharing an attic bedroom at 2425 Annglen Drive.
The brothers were a study in contrasts. Ronald, the elder, was known to his peers and teachers at O.D. Wyatt High School as shy and reserved. James, on the other hand, was outgoing and well-liked among his classmates, a popular figure in his high school circle.
The Descent into Violence
The 1976 Murder
Ronald's journey into crime began at the tender age of 15. In March 1976, he brazenly robbed a local department store, making off with watches, guns, and ammunition. His new acquisitions became a source of misguided bravado; he began bringing a gun to school, flaunting it to classmates with a chilling declaration that he was ready to use it.
This grim prelude culminated on April 12, 1976. Ronald, surrounded by a throng of students outside the boys' restroom, shot 15-year-old Lorenzo Kneeland dead, hitting him in the chest and abdomen. Another student, James Christian, was also wounded but survived. The motive remained a mystery, though rumors hinted at past altercations over a girl or burglary dispute.
Ronald's capture was swift. Police found him wandering along Old Mansfield Highway, the murder weapon still in his possession. A subsequent psychological evaluation diagnosed him with paranoid schizophrenia. By 1977, he pleaded guilty to murder and received a ten-year sentence at the Texas Department of Corrections Ferguson Unit. Released in 1983 without parole requirements, Ronald attempted to reintegrate into society, securing a restaurant job. However, his employment was short-lived, terminated in late 1984 due to chronic tardiness.
The 1985 Crime Spree
Following his job loss, Ronald, along with his brother James, embarked on a violent crime spree across Fort Worth, Texas. Their criminal acts were often supported by another pair of brothers, Clarence and Milton Jarmon. These robberies would later play a significant role during their trials.
On January 14, 1985, Ronald committed a heinous act at a Crusty's Pizza in Fort Worth, where he shot and killed 19-year-old employee Buddy Joe Webster Jr. with a .22-caliber pistol. Unfazed, Ronald reportedly went home and slept as if nothing had happened.
February 3, 1985, marked another dark day when the Allridge brothers targeted a convenience store. James, a former employee, knew where the safe's combination was hidden. Ronald waited in the car while James entered, pretending to need change for a payphone call. Brian Clendennen, the 21-year-old clerk, recognized him and obliged. After initially leaving, James returned, forcefully entering with a .25-caliber pistol. He bound Clendennen's hands with an electrical cord before emptying the register and safe. Upon hearing a noise, James returned to the storeroom and shot Clendennen twice in the head.
James's flight from the crime scene was interrupted by Doris Clendennen, Brian's mother, who arrived to pick up her son. Seeing her, James fled. Doris discovered the aftermath and called for help. Tragically, Brian succumbed to his injuries the next day.
The brothers' final act of violence occurred on March 25, 1985, at a Whataburger restaurant. Armed and dangerous, they, along with the Jarmon brothers, executed a violent robbery. Ronald, wielding a shotgun, fatally shot 19-year-old Carla McMillen Otto after she failed to fill a bag with money quickly enough. The group was apprehended shortly afterward.
Trials and Imprisonment
The Allridge brothers faced a litany of charges, including capital murder. Ronald confessed to 13 armed robberies and the murder of Buddy Joe Webster, while James was linked to Brian Clendennen’s murder. The Jarmon brothers cooperated with authorities, denying knowledge of Ronald’s lethal intentions.
During Ronald's trial, he contended that Otto's murder was accidental, triggered by a misfire of Milton's gun. Expert testimony on the weapon’s trigger pressure was presented from both sides, but Ronald's conviction was inevitable. His previous murder conviction and involvement in other robberies sealed his fate: a death sentence.
James's defense highlighted his clean criminal record and the negative influence of his brother. Despite arguments for leniency, evidence of his calculated actions in Clendennen's murder led to a death sentence. The Jarmon brothers, originally charged with capital murder, received lesser sentences for aggravated robbery and have since been released.
While awaiting execution, James found solace in painting, gaining some notoriety for his artwork. Ronald, meanwhile, sought multiple appeals, delaying his execution until June 1995.
Executions
On June 8, 1995, Ronald faced his end at the Huntsville Unit, executed by lethal injection after a denied clemency plea to then-Governor George W. Bush. He declined a last meal and had no final words. His execution marked the tenth in Texas for that year.
James met his fate on August 26, 2004. His last meal was a typical American feast, and he offered heartfelt final words, expressing remorse and gratitude to those who forgave him. However, Brian Clendennen’s family denied extending such forgiveness.
Sources
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 Murder Committed
Ronald Allridge fatally shoots Lorenzo Kneeland at school.
Murder During Robbery
Ronald Allridge kills Buddy Joe Webster Jr. during a pizza shop robbery.
Second Murder Committed
James Allridge kills Brian Clendennen during a robbery at a convenience store.
Whataburger Robbery
Ronald and James Allridge commit a violent robbery, resulting in the murder of Carla McMillen Otto.
Arrests Made
Ronald and James Allridge are arrested following a series of armed robberies and murders.
Trial Begins
Ronald and James Allridge stand trial for capital murder.
Sentenced to Death
Both brothers are sentenced to death for their crimes.
Ronald Executed
Ronald Allridge is executed by lethal injection in Texas.
James Executed
James Allridge is executed by lethal injection in Texas.