On January 28, 1958, Charles Starkweather, a 19-year-old high-school dropout from Lincoln, Nebraska, and his 14-year-old girlfriend, Caril Ann Fugate, kill a Lincoln businessman, his wife and their maid, as part of a murderous crime spree that began a week earlier and would ultimately leave 10 people dead. The killer couple’s deadly road trip, which generated enormous media attention and a massive manhunt, came to an end the following day, when Starkweather and Fugate were arrested near Douglas, Wyoming. The crimes later inspired a slew of books, movies and music, including Terence Malick’s 1973 film “Badlands,” starring Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek, and Bruce Springsteen’s 1982 song “Nebraska.”

Growing up, Charles Starkweather (1938-1959) was bullied and did poorly in school. He later idolized James Dean and identified with the actor’s rebellious, outsider image. Starkweather committed his first murder on December 1, 1957, when he robbed a gas station and killed the attendant. Reportedly, an attendant at the station had previously refused Starkweather’s attempt to buy a present for Fugate (1943- ) on credit.

Starkweather turned serial killer on January 21, 1958, when he shot Fugate’s stepfather and mother after arguing with them at their home, and strangled Fugate’s two-and-a-half-year-old sister. Starkweather and Fugate remained holed up at the scene of the crime for several days, before taking off in Starkweather’s car and murdering three more people–a farmer and two teenagers–on January 27. On January 28, the couple killed another three people–the Lincoln businessman, his wife and their maid. Starkweather and Fugate’s final victim, a shoe salesman, was killed on January 29; the couple was captured later that day.

Starkweather and Fugate were convicted of murder. He was given the death penalty and died in the electric chair on June 25, 1959. Fugate was sentenced to life in prison, but was released in 1976

My book, Deadly Little Secret, is almost ready for the publisher!  There are a few minor changes and additions that must be made then off to the publisher.

Looking at the photographs of a nice looking Eagle Scout, star football player, and all around good guy, one would never know Heath Stocks was the victim of a vicious sexual predator…Jack Walls III.

After years of manipulation and abuse, Heath carried out the instructions of his mentor and Scout Master…he murdered his father, mother, and teenaged sister.  Unrealistic?   Yes and no.   It was not the actual murders that make this case stand out.  It’s the many years of abuse and mental domination, all unknown to everyone except the young boys that were under the control of Jack Walls.

Jack Walls III was Lonoke, Arkansas’ Man-of-the-Year, civic leader, son of a prominent Chancery Judge and, yes regular church goer.  Walls was so well respected that the parents of the young boys turned to him to help guide their sons when they, themselves, were unable to do so.  Walls even guarded the triple murder crime scene on the night following the murders at the direction of the county Sheriff!

Over 150 young boys, spanning 30 years, became Walls victims.  Each has and is suffering and will always be a victim.  Heath reacted by killing his parents and sister.  Another young victim committed suicide.  Others suffer in a variety of ways.

Heath’s entire story cannot be told quickly and certainly not in a single blog such as this.  You see, Heath was a “victim” even before he was born.  Problems existed early on in Heath’s life, Walls merely took advantage of these problems.  Such is common among child molesters.

I have investigated, studied and researched hundreds of murder cases over my many years since that first senior high school term paper sparked my interest in crime.  Never, with even so many cases behind me, have I ever be exposed to as complicated and devastating case as this one.  This case was not difficult to solve…Heath confessed.  It is the depth and long term secrecy that is almost beyond comprehension.  How could a community, for over thirty years, not know something?  The people of Lonoke are asking this same question. 

Deadly Little Secret will be available soon.  I encourage you to purchase a copy and spend time reading Heath’s story.  Having read this book, you will come away with a totally different attitude toward Heath Stocks and, I hope, a better understanding of child sexual abuse.

To Heath’s wife, give my best to Pearl!

Prof. Edward Blackwelder