Timothy Joseph McGhee
California Serial Killer on Death Row
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Los Angeles, California
TIME PERIOD
1997-2001
VICTIMS
12 confirmed
Timothy Joseph McGhee, a member of the Toonerville Rifa 13 gang, is a convicted serial killer linked to at least 12 homicides and multiple attempted murders in Los Angeles between 1997 and 2001. He was apprehended on February 11, 2003, following a series of violent crimes, including assaults on law enforcement. McGhee was sentenced to death in 2009, but in 2025, the California Supreme Court overturned his murder convictions due to juror misconduct, resulting in a life sentence without parole. Currently, he is incarcerated at Salinas Valley State Prison, where he was transferred from death row after Governor Gavin Newsom's moratorium on executions in 2019. Significant evidence against McGhee includes eyewitness testimonies and ballistic reports linking him to the shootings.
McGhee is believed to have been involved in a gang-related conflict that contributed to his series of murders, with speculation that his violent actions were part of a larger gang war in Los Angeles during the late 1990s. Additionally, some theorize that his lengthy criminal history and repeated parole violations highlight systemic issues within the criminal justice system that failed to rehabilitate him. There are also discussions about the potential for further undiscovered victims linked to his criminal activities.
The Grim Chronicles of Timothy Joseph McGhee
A Notorious Figure Emerges
Timothy Joseph McGhee, born on April 27, 1973, in Los Angeles, California, carved a notorious path through the criminal underworld as a member of the Toonerville Rifa 13 gang. Known by various monikers such as "Huero," "Eskimo," and "The Monster of Atwater," McGhee's reign of terror spanned from 1997 to 2001. He was implicated in at least 12 homicides, with three confirmed convictions, and suspected in ten attempted murders, four of which led to convictions. His infamy reached such heights that the Los Angeles Times named him one of California's top 20 most notorious killers, a list that includes infamous names like Charles Manson and the Night Stalker.
Early Life and Criminal Beginnings
Raised in Atwater Village, a lower middle-class neighborhood in Los Angeles, McGhee was born to a White American father of Scottish descent and a Mexican American mother. His first recorded act of violence occurred in 1989 when, at 16, he pointed a shotgun at a guard while in juvenile detention. His criminal career continued with a 1994 conviction for assaulting a law enforcement officer, leading to a four-year prison sentence. Upon his release in 1997, McGhee's violent tendencies escalated.
The Path of Violence
The Attempted Murders of Juan Cardiel and Pedro Sanchez
In 1997, McGhee allegedly pursued Juan Cardiel and Pedro Sanchez, members of a rival gang, through Atwater Village. Cardiel was shot in the back, resulting in paralysis, while Sanchez was shot through glass he believed to be bulletproof. Both victims identified McGhee as the assailant.
The Murder of Ronnie Martin
On October 14, 1997, while on parole, McGhee allegedly committed his first homicide by shooting Ronnie Martin, a member of the rival Frog Town gang, 28 times. Although initially not linked to the crime, McGhee's involvement emerged years later.
Escaping Justice and Returning to Crime
After violating parole, McGhee was imprisoned until March 1999. Upon release, he lived with his grandmother in the San Gabriel Valley, only to be re-incarcerated in February 2000 for another parole violation. Each release seemed to herald a surge in Atwater Village crime.
A Deadly Symphony
The Recording Studio Shooting
On October 17, 1999, McGhee, while on parole, was linked to a shooting outside Echo Sounds music studio in Atwater Village. A bodyguard, Dwayne "Draws" Dupree, was killed, with two rap artists wounded. The attack was initially suspected to be linked to an album's controversial hidden track.
The Murder of Ryan Gonzalez
On June 3, 2000, McGhee allegedly shot and killed 16-year-old Ryan Gonzalez, a rival gang member, for sharing his street name, Huero. An arrest warrant was issued, but McGhee evaded capture for years.
The Ambush of LAPD Officers
On July 4, 2000, LAPD officers Thomas Baker and Carlos Langarica survived an ambush orchestrated by McGhee and his gang. Despite being fired upon during a high-speed chase, the officers managed to arrest the suspects, though the shooters eluded identification.
A Series of Murders
McGhee's alleged killing spree continued with the murders of Marty Gregory Roybal, David Lamont Martin, and Manuel Apodaca. In each case, McGhee's involvement was suspected but remained unproven at the time.
The Wisotsky Massacre
On August 8, 2001, Cheri Wisotsky and two others were murdered after she reported McGhee's drug dealings. The triple homicide added to McGhee's growing list of alleged crimes.
The Murder of Marjorie Mendoza
On November 8, 2001, Marjorie Mendoza was killed in a drive-by shooting orchestrated by McGhee and fellow gang member Eduardo "Limpy" Rodriguez. The attack was part of a revenge plot following a gang member's death.
Silencing Witnesses
Christina Duran, a friend of McGhee's, was executed after implicating him in Mendoza's murder. McGhee's writings, which glorified violence and threatened witnesses, were used against him in court.
The Pursuit and Capture
By the fall of 2002, a task force of 60 local and federal investigators launched a manhunt for McGhee. The LAPD had enough evidence to charge him with Mendoza's murder, sparking a nationwide search.
Legal Proceedings and Incarceration
McGhee was finally apprehended on February 11, 2003. In 2009, he received a death sentence for multiple homicides. However, in 2025, the California Supreme Court overturned his convictions and death sentences due to a juror's improper dismissal. Despite the overturn, McGhee remains imprisoned for life without parole at Salinas Valley State Prison, with the potential for execution if California's moratorium on the death penalty is lifted.
Personal Reflections
Throughout his criminal career, McGhee displayed a chilling nonchalance towards violence. His hip-hop lyrics, which detailed his crimes and disdain for law enforcement, painted a portrait of a man who thrived on chaos and fear.
Sources
For more detailed information, visit the original Wikipedia article: Timothy Joseph McGhee
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First Homicide
Timothy McGhee allegedly commits his first homicide, killing Ronnie Martin.
Murder of Ryan Gonzalez
McGhee is alleged to have killed rival gang member Ryan Gonzalez.
Ambush of LAPD Officers
McGhee allegedly coordinated an ambush on LAPD officers during a robbery pursuit.
Wisotsky Massacre
McGhee is suspected in the triple homicide of Cheri Wisotsky and two witnesses.
Most Wanted List
McGhee is placed on the U.S. Marshals' 15 Most Wanted list for multiple homicides.
Arrest
Timothy McGhee is arrested in Bullhead City, Arizona after being on the run.
Guilty Verdict
McGhee is found guilty of three murders and multiple attempted murders.
Sentenced to Death
McGhee is sentenced to death for his crimes.
Convictions Overturned
California Supreme Court overturns McGhee's murder convictions due to juror dismissal.
Timothy Joseph McGhee, a member of the Toonerville Rifa 13 gang, is a convicted serial killer linked to at least 12 homicides and multiple attempted murders in Los Angeles between 1997 and 2001. He was apprehended on February 11, 2003, following a series of violent crimes, including assaults on law enforcement. McGhee was sentenced to death in 2009, but in 2025, the California Supreme Court overturned his murder convictions due to juror misconduct, resulting in a life sentence without parole. Currently, he is incarcerated at Salinas Valley State Prison, where he was transferred from death row after Governor Gavin Newsom's moratorium on executions in 2019. Significant evidence against McGhee includes eyewitness testimonies and ballistic reports linking him to the shootings.
McGhee is believed to have been involved in a gang-related conflict that contributed to his series of murders, with speculation that his violent actions were part of a larger gang war in Los Angeles during the late 1990s. Additionally, some theorize that his lengthy criminal history and repeated parole violations highlight systemic issues within the criminal justice system that failed to rehabilitate him. There are also discussions about the potential for further undiscovered victims linked to his criminal activities.
The Grim Chronicles of Timothy Joseph McGhee
A Notorious Figure Emerges
Timothy Joseph McGhee, born on April 27, 1973, in Los Angeles, California, carved a notorious path through the criminal underworld as a member of the Toonerville Rifa 13 gang. Known by various monikers such as "Huero," "Eskimo," and "The Monster of Atwater," McGhee's reign of terror spanned from 1997 to 2001. He was implicated in at least 12 homicides, with three confirmed convictions, and suspected in ten attempted murders, four of which led to convictions. His infamy reached such heights that the Los Angeles Times named him one of California's top 20 most notorious killers, a list that includes infamous names like Charles Manson and the Night Stalker.
Early Life and Criminal Beginnings
Raised in Atwater Village, a lower middle-class neighborhood in Los Angeles, McGhee was born to a White American father of Scottish descent and a Mexican American mother. His first recorded act of violence occurred in 1989 when, at 16, he pointed a shotgun at a guard while in juvenile detention. His criminal career continued with a 1994 conviction for assaulting a law enforcement officer, leading to a four-year prison sentence. Upon his release in 1997, McGhee's violent tendencies escalated.
The Path of Violence
The Attempted Murders of Juan Cardiel and Pedro Sanchez
In 1997, McGhee allegedly pursued Juan Cardiel and Pedro Sanchez, members of a rival gang, through Atwater Village. Cardiel was shot in the back, resulting in paralysis, while Sanchez was shot through glass he believed to be bulletproof. Both victims identified McGhee as the assailant.
The Murder of Ronnie Martin
On October 14, 1997, while on parole, McGhee allegedly committed his first homicide by shooting Ronnie Martin, a member of the rival Frog Town gang, 28 times. Although initially not linked to the crime, McGhee's involvement emerged years later.
Escaping Justice and Returning to Crime
After violating parole, McGhee was imprisoned until March 1999. Upon release, he lived with his grandmother in the San Gabriel Valley, only to be re-incarcerated in February 2000 for another parole violation. Each release seemed to herald a surge in Atwater Village crime.
A Deadly Symphony
The Recording Studio Shooting
On October 17, 1999, McGhee, while on parole, was linked to a shooting outside Echo Sounds music studio in Atwater Village. A bodyguard, Dwayne "Draws" Dupree, was killed, with two rap artists wounded. The attack was initially suspected to be linked to an album's controversial hidden track.
The Murder of Ryan Gonzalez
On June 3, 2000, McGhee allegedly shot and killed 16-year-old Ryan Gonzalez, a rival gang member, for sharing his street name, Huero. An arrest warrant was issued, but McGhee evaded capture for years.
The Ambush of LAPD Officers
On July 4, 2000, LAPD officers Thomas Baker and Carlos Langarica survived an ambush orchestrated by McGhee and his gang. Despite being fired upon during a high-speed chase, the officers managed to arrest the suspects, though the shooters eluded identification.
A Series of Murders
McGhee's alleged killing spree continued with the murders of Marty Gregory Roybal, David Lamont Martin, and Manuel Apodaca. In each case, McGhee's involvement was suspected but remained unproven at the time.
The Wisotsky Massacre
On August 8, 2001, Cheri Wisotsky and two others were murdered after she reported McGhee's drug dealings. The triple homicide added to McGhee's growing list of alleged crimes.
The Murder of Marjorie Mendoza
On November 8, 2001, Marjorie Mendoza was killed in a drive-by shooting orchestrated by McGhee and fellow gang member Eduardo "Limpy" Rodriguez. The attack was part of a revenge plot following a gang member's death.
Silencing Witnesses
Christina Duran, a friend of McGhee's, was executed after implicating him in Mendoza's murder. McGhee's writings, which glorified violence and threatened witnesses, were used against him in court.
The Pursuit and Capture
By the fall of 2002, a task force of 60 local and federal investigators launched a manhunt for McGhee. The LAPD had enough evidence to charge him with Mendoza's murder, sparking a nationwide search.
Legal Proceedings and Incarceration
McGhee was finally apprehended on February 11, 2003. In 2009, he received a death sentence for multiple homicides. However, in 2025, the California Supreme Court overturned his convictions and death sentences due to a juror's improper dismissal. Despite the overturn, McGhee remains imprisoned for life without parole at Salinas Valley State Prison, with the potential for execution if California's moratorium on the death penalty is lifted.
Personal Reflections
Throughout his criminal career, McGhee displayed a chilling nonchalance towards violence. His hip-hop lyrics, which detailed his crimes and disdain for law enforcement, painted a portrait of a man who thrived on chaos and fear.
Sources
For more detailed information, visit the original Wikipedia article: Timothy Joseph McGhee
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 Homicide
Timothy McGhee allegedly commits his first homicide, killing Ronnie Martin.
Murder of Ryan Gonzalez
McGhee is alleged to have killed rival gang member Ryan Gonzalez.
Ambush of LAPD Officers
McGhee allegedly coordinated an ambush on LAPD officers during a robbery pursuit.
Wisotsky Massacre
McGhee is suspected in the triple homicide of Cheri Wisotsky and two witnesses.
Most Wanted List
McGhee is placed on the U.S. Marshals' 15 Most Wanted list for multiple homicides.
Arrest
Timothy McGhee is arrested in Bullhead City, Arizona after being on the run.
Guilty Verdict
McGhee is found guilty of three murders and multiple attempted murders.
Sentenced to Death
McGhee is sentenced to death for his crimes.
Convictions Overturned
California Supreme Court overturns McGhee's murder convictions due to juror dismissal.