William Gollehon And Douglas Turner
Montana Serial Killers Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Deer Lodge, Montana
TIME PERIOD
1985-1991
VICTIMS
6 confirmed
On September 22, 1991, a violent riot at Montana State Prison resulted in the murders of five inmates by serial killers William Jay Gollehon and Douglas Duane Turner, who were already serving sentences for previous homicides. The incident led to the deaths of Gerald Pileggi, Vern Baker, Edmund Davidson, Gary Evans, and Ernest Holliday, with Gollehon and Turner later receiving death sentences and multiple life sentences for their roles in these murders. Gollehon, born in 1964, remains on death row, while Turner, born around 1971, died by suicide in 2003. The riot also left eight other inmates injured, and additional convictions were made against thirteen other prisoners involved in the chaos. The case highlights the severe implications of prison violence and the challenges of managing inmate populations.
William Gollehon and Douglas Turner are believed to have committed their murders in a chaotic environment during a prison riot, leading to speculation that the violence was exacerbated by the conditions within the prison. Some theorize that their prior violent histories contributed to their actions during the riot, suggesting a pattern of escalating violence among inmates. Additionally, there are discussions about the possibility of prison staff negligence or failure to manage the riot effectively, which may have allowed the killings to occur.
The Dark Chronicles of William Gollehon and Douglas Turner
In the shadowy corridors of Montana's criminal history, two names resonate with chilling infamy: William Jay Gollehon and Douglas Duane Turner. Together, they orchestrated a series of murders that left an indelible mark on the Montana State Prison system. Their tale is one of violence, chaos, and death, culminating in a prison riot that would forever alter the lives of those involved.
The Men Behind the Murders
Born in 1964 in Washington, U.S., William Gollehon's criminal path was marked by deliberate homicide, kidnapping, and burglary. His crimes spanned from 1985 to 1991, leaving seven victims dead—six of whom he killed in collaboration with Turner. Douglas Turner, born around 1971 in Glendive, Montana, shared a similarly grim fate. By the time of his death on July 8, 2003, in Deer Lodge, Montana, Turner had been convicted of nine counts of deliberate homicide and kidnapping. Between them, Gollehon and Turner were responsible for the deaths of ten individuals.
A Trail of Bloodshed
Gollehon's first known victim was Brenda Bargas, a 34-year-old woman murdered on August 22, 1985, in Billings, Montana. Turner's killing spree began on November 19, 1987, in Glendive, Montana, where he brutally ended the lives of James Brooks, Ora Brooks, and Sharon Brooks.
But it was their joint actions inside the walls of Montana State Prison that truly shocked the nation. On September 2, 1990, the duo murdered Gerald Pileggi, setting the stage for a violent chapter in the prison's history. Then, on September 22, 1991, during a riot, they took the lives of Vern Baker, 24; Edmund Davidson, 33; Gary Evans, 26; Ernest Holliday, 38; and Ernest Mazurkiewicz, 32.
The Montana Prison Riot
The riot of September 22, 1991, was a bloodbath that resulted in the deaths of five inmates and left eight others injured. Thirteen prisoners were later convicted for their roles in the riot. Among them were death row inmate Terry Langford, executed in 1998 for his original crime, and Robert Wild and Gary Cox, both convicted of five counts of deliberate homicide, burglary, and kidnapping. Robert Close faced similar charges, although he was found guilty of sexual intercourse without consent instead of kidnapping. Reed Nevins, despite being convicted of similar crimes, faced four fewer homicide charges.
Other inmates involved included Kenneth Allen and Joseph Milinovich, who admitted to mitigated deliberate homicide, a lesser charge in Montana. Milinovich also confessed to burglary. The remaining participants—Ben Cook, Harold Gleed, Daniel Lopez, Steve Ritchson, Scott Seelye, and Brian Spray—were convicted of various crimes, including homicide, burglary, rape, assault, and rioting.
One of the deceased from the riot, Ernest Mazurkiewicz, had a dark past of his own. In July 1989, he participated in the robbery and murder of Larry Beckwith in Broadwater County, alongside Joseph Milinovich. This twist of fate saw Milinovich later involved in the riot that claimed Mazurkiewicz's life.
The Aftermath
For their part in the riot, Gollehon and Turner were sentenced to death for Pileggi's murder and received life sentences for the five additional murders in 1991. Gollehon was also convicted of kidnapping and burglary, while Turner was convicted of kidnapping alone. Turner's story ended in tragedy when he died by suicide in 2003. Meanwhile, Gollehon remains on death row, his fate hanging in the balance.
The riot's repercussions extended beyond the prison walls. In 2008, Daniel Lopez, one of the riot participants, escaped Montana while on parole, sparking a nationwide manhunt. Two years later, U.S. Marshals captured him in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Unfolding Justice
The story of William Gollehon and Douglas Turner is a grim reminder of the dark potential that lies within the human soul. Their legacy is one of terror and violence, leaving behind a trail of broken lives and shattered communities. As the wheels of justice continue to turn, the memory of their heinous acts serves as a cautionary tale for generations to come.
Sources
For further reading and references, please visit the original Wikipedia article.
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
William Gollehon murders Brenda Bargas in Billings.
Multiple Murders by Turner
Douglas Turner murders James, Ora, and Sharon Brooks in Glendive.
Gerald Pileggi Murdered
Gollehon and Turner murder Gerald Pileggi in Deer Lodge.
Prison Riot Murders
During a riot, Gollehon and Turner kill five inmates at Montana State Prison.
Investigation Launched
Authorities begin investigation into the prison riot and murders.
Arrests Made
William Gollehon and Douglas Turner are arrested and charged with multiple murders.
Sentencing
Gollehon and Turner sentenced to death and life imprisonment for their crimes.
Turner Dies
Douglas Turner dies by suicide in prison.
Gollehon on Death Row
William Gollehon remains on death row for his crimes.
On September 22, 1991, a violent riot at Montana State Prison resulted in the murders of five inmates by serial killers William Jay Gollehon and Douglas Duane Turner, who were already serving sentences for previous homicides. The incident led to the deaths of Gerald Pileggi, Vern Baker, Edmund Davidson, Gary Evans, and Ernest Holliday, with Gollehon and Turner later receiving death sentences and multiple life sentences for their roles in these murders. Gollehon, born in 1964, remains on death row, while Turner, born around 1971, died by suicide in 2003. The riot also left eight other inmates injured, and additional convictions were made against thirteen other prisoners involved in the chaos. The case highlights the severe implications of prison violence and the challenges of managing inmate populations.
William Gollehon and Douglas Turner are believed to have committed their murders in a chaotic environment during a prison riot, leading to speculation that the violence was exacerbated by the conditions within the prison. Some theorize that their prior violent histories contributed to their actions during the riot, suggesting a pattern of escalating violence among inmates. Additionally, there are discussions about the possibility of prison staff negligence or failure to manage the riot effectively, which may have allowed the killings to occur.
The Dark Chronicles of William Gollehon and Douglas Turner
In the shadowy corridors of Montana's criminal history, two names resonate with chilling infamy: William Jay Gollehon and Douglas Duane Turner. Together, they orchestrated a series of murders that left an indelible mark on the Montana State Prison system. Their tale is one of violence, chaos, and death, culminating in a prison riot that would forever alter the lives of those involved.
The Men Behind the Murders
Born in 1964 in Washington, U.S., William Gollehon's criminal path was marked by deliberate homicide, kidnapping, and burglary. His crimes spanned from 1985 to 1991, leaving seven victims dead—six of whom he killed in collaboration with Turner. Douglas Turner, born around 1971 in Glendive, Montana, shared a similarly grim fate. By the time of his death on July 8, 2003, in Deer Lodge, Montana, Turner had been convicted of nine counts of deliberate homicide and kidnapping. Between them, Gollehon and Turner were responsible for the deaths of ten individuals.
A Trail of Bloodshed
Gollehon's first known victim was Brenda Bargas, a 34-year-old woman murdered on August 22, 1985, in Billings, Montana. Turner's killing spree began on November 19, 1987, in Glendive, Montana, where he brutally ended the lives of James Brooks, Ora Brooks, and Sharon Brooks.
But it was their joint actions inside the walls of Montana State Prison that truly shocked the nation. On September 2, 1990, the duo murdered Gerald Pileggi, setting the stage for a violent chapter in the prison's history. Then, on September 22, 1991, during a riot, they took the lives of Vern Baker, 24; Edmund Davidson, 33; Gary Evans, 26; Ernest Holliday, 38; and Ernest Mazurkiewicz, 32.
The Montana Prison Riot
The riot of September 22, 1991, was a bloodbath that resulted in the deaths of five inmates and left eight others injured. Thirteen prisoners were later convicted for their roles in the riot. Among them were death row inmate Terry Langford, executed in 1998 for his original crime, and Robert Wild and Gary Cox, both convicted of five counts of deliberate homicide, burglary, and kidnapping. Robert Close faced similar charges, although he was found guilty of sexual intercourse without consent instead of kidnapping. Reed Nevins, despite being convicted of similar crimes, faced four fewer homicide charges.
Other inmates involved included Kenneth Allen and Joseph Milinovich, who admitted to mitigated deliberate homicide, a lesser charge in Montana. Milinovich also confessed to burglary. The remaining participants—Ben Cook, Harold Gleed, Daniel Lopez, Steve Ritchson, Scott Seelye, and Brian Spray—were convicted of various crimes, including homicide, burglary, rape, assault, and rioting.
One of the deceased from the riot, Ernest Mazurkiewicz, had a dark past of his own. In July 1989, he participated in the robbery and murder of Larry Beckwith in Broadwater County, alongside Joseph Milinovich. This twist of fate saw Milinovich later involved in the riot that claimed Mazurkiewicz's life.
The Aftermath
For their part in the riot, Gollehon and Turner were sentenced to death for Pileggi's murder and received life sentences for the five additional murders in 1991. Gollehon was also convicted of kidnapping and burglary, while Turner was convicted of kidnapping alone. Turner's story ended in tragedy when he died by suicide in 2003. Meanwhile, Gollehon remains on death row, his fate hanging in the balance.
The riot's repercussions extended beyond the prison walls. In 2008, Daniel Lopez, one of the riot participants, escaped Montana while on parole, sparking a nationwide manhunt. Two years later, U.S. Marshals captured him in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Unfolding Justice
The story of William Gollehon and Douglas Turner is a grim reminder of the dark potential that lies within the human soul. Their legacy is one of terror and violence, leaving behind a trail of broken lives and shattered communities. As the wheels of justice continue to turn, the memory of their heinous acts serves as a cautionary tale for generations to come.
Sources
For further reading and references, please visit the original Wikipedia article.
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
William Gollehon murders Brenda Bargas in Billings.
Multiple Murders by Turner
Douglas Turner murders James, Ora, and Sharon Brooks in Glendive.
Gerald Pileggi Murdered
Gollehon and Turner murder Gerald Pileggi in Deer Lodge.
Prison Riot Murders
During a riot, Gollehon and Turner kill five inmates at Montana State Prison.
Investigation Launched
Authorities begin investigation into the prison riot and murders.
Arrests Made
William Gollehon and Douglas Turner are arrested and charged with multiple murders.
Sentencing
Gollehon and Turner sentenced to death and life imprisonment for their crimes.
Turner Dies
Douglas Turner dies by suicide in prison.
Gollehon on Death Row
William Gollehon remains on death row for his crimes.