Leslie Irvin: The "Mad Dog Killer"
Overview
Leslie Irvin, also known as the "Mad Dog Killer," was an American serial killer who terrorized southwestern Indiana and parts of Kentucky during the mid-1950s. His killing spree, which spanned from December 1954 to March 1955, left six people dead and one permanently blinded. Irvin's crimes were marked by their brutality and his methodical approach, often involving robbery and execution-style killings.
Crimes
Irvin's crimes were driven by robbery, and he showed no hesitation in killing his victims. Below is a detailed account of his known victims:
- Mary Holland - December 2, 1954: A 33-year-old liquor store owner in Evansville, Indiana. She was shot in the head at close range while at work. Mary was three months pregnant at the time of her death.
- Wesley Kerr - December 23, 1954: A 29-year-old gas station attendant in Evansville, Indiana. He was shot in the head at close range during a robbery. His body was found in the station's restroom.
- Wilhelmina Sailer - March 21, 1955: A 47-year-old housewife in Mount Vernon, Indiana. She was killed in her home, shot in the head during a burglary.
- Goebel Duncan - March 28, 1955: A 51-year-old farmer in Henderson County, Kentucky. He was shot in the head during a robbery at his farm.
- Raymond Duncan - March 28, 1955: Goebel Duncan's 29-year-old son. He was also shot in the head during the same incident.
- Elizabeth Duncan - March 28, 1955: The 20-year-old wife of Raymond's brother. She was killed alongside the other family members.
In the same incident, Goebel Duncan's wife, Mamie, was shot but survived, though she was left permanently blinded. The couple's two-year-old granddaughter was spared.
Capture and Trial
Leslie Irvin was apprehended on April 8, 1955, after witnesses reported seeing his car near the Duncan property. Evidence, including weapons and stolen items, linked him to the murders. His trial became a landmark case in U.S. legal history, as it set a precedent for ensuring fair trials despite extensive pretrial publicity. Irvin was initially sentenced to death, but his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment. He died in prison on November 9, 1983.
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