Births
Janice Dodson
1924 – Archibald Thompson Hall – also known as Roy Fontaine, was a Scottish serial killer and thief who preyed on the British upper class while working as a butler. His double life earned him the nicknames “The Killer Butler” and “The Monster Butler.” Hall’s criminal path began young, with petty theft at 15 escalating to burglary. He moved to London, using his stolen gains to integrate into the city’s gay scene. This period also marked a shift to targeting the wealthy. After prison time, Hall adopted the alias Roy Fontaine and honed his skills as a conman. This transformation allowed him to gain employment as a butler to the elite. Despite his charming facade, darkness lurked beneath the surface. Hall is suspected of murdering his lover during this time. Hall’s crimes caught up with him when a connection was made between him and the disappearance of a wealthy employer. Investigation revealed a trail of deceit and murder, leading to Hall’s arrest and the shocking truth behind the seemingly respectable butler. Hall’s crimes exposed the vulnerability of the wealthy to those they trusted in their homes. He died in prison, the oldest person in Britain serving a whole-life sentence. Archibald Thompson Hall, the charming butler, remains a chilling reminder that appearances can be deceiving.
1937 – John J. DeRoss – also known as Jackie or Jackie Zambooka, was a former underboss in the Colombo crime family, a powerful Mafia organization in New York City. Born in 1937, DeRoss’s rise within the Colombo family came after a violent incident. In 1971, when the family’s boss, Joseph Colombo, was targeted in an assassination attempt, Carmine Persico took over leadership. Persico promoted DeRoss to caporegime, essentially a captain, within the organization. Throughout the 1970s, DeRoss’s criminal activities flourished. He became involved in a range of illegal operations, including racketeering, loansharking, money laundering, extortion, and narcotics trafficking. These criminal enterprises solidified DeRoss’s position within the Colombo family. DeRoss’s influence extended beyond traditional organized crime activities. In 1983, the Colombo family used its muscle to influence the Hotel and Restaurant Employees International Union. DeRoss was placed as president of Local 100, a position he used for his own gain. For over a decade, he exploited his position to extort money from businesses that dealt with the local union. This act highlighted the corrupting influence of organized crime on legitimate institutions. DeRoss’s criminal career eventually caught up with him. In 1986, he faced the consequences of his actions. He was sentenced to twelve years in prison for racketeering conspiracy. Details about further legal charges remain limited due to the secretive nature of organized crime. John J. DeRoss’s story serves as a stark reminder of the infiltration of organized crime into labor unions and legitimate businesses. His case exemplifies the ongoing struggle of law enforcement agencies to combat Mafia operations and their corrupting influence.
1948 – Henry Perry Sireci – also known as Butch Blackstone, was born on July 17, 1948. He is a convicted murderer who has been on death row for several decades. Sireci was sentenced to death for the murder of Howard Poteet, a used car lot owner, on December 3, 1975, in Orange County, Florida. During the incident, Sireci stabbed Poteet multiple times, resulting in Poteet’s death. Sireci was initially sentenced to death on November 15, 1976, but his sentence was vacated and he was resentenced to death on May 4, 1990. Over the years, Sireci has filed numerous appeals, but his conviction and death sentence have been upheld.
1948 – Charles Oliver Shuler – was an American convicted murderer who gained notoriety for his crimes in the late 1990s. Born on July 17, 1948, Shuler was sentenced to death in 2001 for the brutal murders of his ex-girlfriend, Linda Williams, her mother, Dorothy Gates, and Linda’s 13-year-old daughter, Stacy Williams. The tragic incident occurred on September 8, 1999, in Cordova, South Carolina. Shuler’s trial was marked by the harrowing testimonies of witnesses and the presentation of compelling evidence, leading to a swift conviction. He spent over a decade on death row before passing away on April 2, 2013, at the age of 64.
1951 – Janice K. Dodson – is an American woman who gained notoriety for the murder of her husband, John Bruce Dodson, in 1995. Janice grew up in a family that enjoyed hunting and outdoor activities. However, she had a tumultuous relationship with her parents and eventually left home to escape her difficult family life. She married J.C. Lee, a ranch hand, and they had two children together. The family settled in Western Colorado, where Janice pursued a career in nursing, earning a degree and working at Delta Memorial Hospital. After her first marriage ended in divorce, Janice met John Bruce Dodson, a Vietnam War veteran and lab technician, while working at a hospital in Montrose, Colorado. The couple married in July 1995, but their marriage was short-lived. On October 15, 1995, during a hunting trip in Colorado’s Uncompahgre National Forest, Bruce was shot and killed. Initially, Bruce’s death was believed to be a tragic hunting accident. However, further investigation revealed that he had been shot three times, leading authorities to suspect foul play. Janice was eventually arrested three years later and charged with his murder. Investigators discovered that Janice had a motive to kill Bruce, as she stood to gain financially from his death. Janice Dodson was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on March 20, 2000. Her case drew significant media attention and was featured in various true crime documentaries and articles. Janice Dodson’s case remains a notable example of a murder disguised as an accident, highlighting the complexities and challenges of criminal investigations. Her story continues to be discussed in true crime circles and serves as a cautionary tale about the darker aspects of human relationships.
1954 – Pedro Filho – a Brazilian figure known as “Pedrinho Matador” (Little Pedro the Killer) or “Killer Petey,” led a life shrouded in violence. He embarked on a deadly path as a teenager, targeting suspected criminals like drug dealers and rapists. Filho claimed to have killed over 100 people, though authorities believe the number is closer to 70. Many of his victims were fellow inmates he encountered during his lengthy prison sentence (1973-2007). Filho’s motives remain complex and disturbing. He claimed he was fulfilling a twisted sense of justice, avenging his father’s murder and his mother’s suicide. While some label him a vigilante, his methods and lack of remorse paint a far darker picture. Experts often describe him as a psychopath, devoid of empathy and driven by a compulsion to kill. Nicknamed the “Brazilian Dexter” for targeting criminals, Filho’s case is a controversial one. The comparison raises questions about mental illness, vengeance, and the justice system’s ability to rehabilitate. After his release in 2007, he even had a short-lived YouTube channel. His life and crimes continue to spark debate, leaving a chilling mark on Brazilian history.
1956 – William L. Rousan – was an American convicted murderer who was executed in 2014 for his role in the brutal killings of Charles and Grace Lewis in 1993. Born in 1957, Rousan lived in St. Francois County, Missouri, where he orchestrated the murders with his teenage son, Brent, and his brother, Robert, as part of a plan to steal cattle from the couple’s farm. On September 21, 1993, the trio ambushed the Lewises at their farm. Brent, then 16, shot Charles Lewis multiple times while he was mowing the lawn. Grace Lewis, who was inside the house, was also shot by Brent after being restrained by William. The bodies were later buried on a nearby farm, and the stolen items were sold or disposed of. Rousan was arrested in 1994 after a year-long investigation, which included tips from family members. He was sentenced to death for the murder of Grace Lewis and life imprisonment for the murder of Charles Lewis. His execution by lethal injection took place on April 23, 2014. Despite his crimes, Rousan’s final words expressed a sense of repentance and faith. His case remains a notable example of the severe consequences of violent crime and the complexities of the criminal justice system.
1956 – Marie-Therese Kouao – is a French citizen originally from Bonoua, Ivory Coast, born on July 17, 1956. She moved to France, where she lived with her three sons and claimed welfare benefits. Kouao divorced her husband in 1978, and he passed away in 1995. Kouao is infamously known for her involvement in the tragic case of Victoria Climbié, her great-niece. Victoria was born in Abobo, Côte d’Ivoire, and was taken to France by Kouao under the pretense of providing her with a better education. However, Kouao’s true intentions were to use Victoria to access better state benefits. In April 1999, Kouao and Victoria moved to London, where they eventually lived with Carl Manning, Kouao’s boyfriend. It was during this period that Victoria was subjected to severe abuse and torture by Kouao and Manning. The abuse included being forced to sleep in a bin-liner filled with her own excrement, being burned with cigarettes, scalded with hot water, starved, and beaten with various objects. Despite multiple interactions with social services, the police, and other authorities, Victoria’s plight went unnoticed due to systemic failures. Victoria Climbié died on February 25, 2000, as a result of the prolonged abuse. Both Kouao and Manning were convicted of her murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. Victoria’s death led to significant changes in child protection policies in the UK, including the Every Child Matters initiative and the introduction of the Children Act 2004.
1965 – Robert Baltovich – He attended the University of Toronto, where he graduated with a degree in psychology and history. It was during his time at university that he met Elizabeth Bain, a fellow student, and they began a relationship. On June 19, 1990, Elizabeth Bain disappeared after telling her mother she was going to check the tennis schedule on campus. Her car was found three days later with a large bloodstain in the back seat, but her body was never discovered. Baltovich was arrested on November 19, 1990, and charged with first-degree murder. In 1992, Baltovich was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Throughout his trial and subsequent imprisonment, he maintained his innocence. His defense suggested that the then-unknown serial killer Paul Bernardo, also known as the “Scarborough Rapist,” might have been responsible for Bain’s disappearance. Baltovich’s conviction was set aside by the Ontario Court of Appeal in 2004, which criticized the conduct of the original trial judge. He was released on bail in 2000, pending the outcome of his appeal. In 2008, after a lengthy legal battle, Baltovich was acquitted of all charges when the Crown decided not to present any evidence at his retrial. Following his acquittal, Baltovich expressed relief and a desire to move on with his life. He worked as a librarian for the Government of Ontario during his time on bail. His case has been cited as a significant example of wrongful conviction in Canada, and he has been involved with organizations advocating for the wrongly convicted. Robert Baltovich’s story is a poignant reminder of the flaws in the justice system and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. His case continues to be studied and discussed as an example of the challenges and complexities involved in wrongful convictions.
1966 – Nemesio Cervantes – also known by his alias El Mencho, is a notorious Mexican drug lord and the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Considered extremely dangerous, he is currently the most-wanted person in Mexico and one of the most-wanted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Born 1966 in Aguililla, Michoacán, Mexico, details about Oseguera Cervantes’ early life are murky. There’s some discrepancy regarding his first name, with some sources listing it as Rubén. He is known to have used various aliases throughout his life, including Nemesio, Nemecio, Rubén Acerguera Cervantes, Lorenzo Mendoza, and Nemesio Oseguera Ramos. Oseguera Cervantes’ path to drug lord began with the Milenio Cartel. Initially working in their assassination network, he rose through the ranks and eventually allied himself with a faction connected to the Sinaloa Cartel. This group oversaw drug trafficking, finances, and enforcement for the Sinaloa Cartel in Jalisco and Colima states. The CJNG emerged around 2009 as the Milenio Cartel began to lose power. Oseguera Cervantes seized the opportunity and, along with the Los Cuinis DTO, fought for control of drug distribution networks in Jalisco, Nayarit, and Colima. The CJNG quickly rose to prominence under his leadership, becoming one of Mexico’s most powerful and ruthless cartels. The alias El Mencho, a phonetic derivation of his name Nemesio, is widely recognized. Another nickname, “The Lord of the Roosters,” is said to stem from his supposed love for cockfighting. Oseguera Cervantes is a highly secretive figure, and much about his personal life remains unknown. Oseguera Cervantes is a significant target for both Mexican and US authorities. The US government offers a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest, while the Mexican government has placed a $30 million bounty. He is responsible for the violence and instability associated with the CJNG’s drug trafficking activities.
1968 – Yang Xinhai – also known as the “Monster Killer,” was a brutal Chinese serial killer active between 1999 and 2003. He holds the title of the most prolific known serial killer in China since the country’s founding in 1949, confessing to a staggering 67 murders and 23 rapes. Born in 1968 into poverty, Yang was described as intelligent but introverted. He dropped out of school at 17 and drifted around China as a laborer. A series of run-ins with the law followed, including arrests for theft and a failed rape attempt that landed him in prison. Released in 2000, he embarked on his horrific killing spree. Yang targeted rural areas, breaking into homes and attacking with weapons like hammers and shovels. His motives remain unclear, though some speculate it stemmed from deep resentment fueled by personal failures. Apprehended in 2003, Yang displayed chilling indifference while confessing to his crimes. He was swiftly sentenced to death in 2004 for murder, rape, and other charges. Yang Xinhai’s case exposed vulnerabilities in rural China’s security and justice system. It also serves as a grim reminder of the potential for evil to lurk even in unassuming individuals.
1982 – Regina DeFrancisco – along with her younger sister Margaret, gained national notoriety in the United States for the brutal murder of Oscar Velazquez in 2000. Regina, a teenager at the time, was dating 22-year-old Velazquez. In June 2000, she allegedly lured him to their home in Chicago. There, along with Margaret, they are accused of killing him. The details of the crime are disturbing, with reports indicating they shot him and then set his body on fire. Following the murder, the DeFrancisco sisters became fugitives. This high-profile case garnered national attention, with them being featured on programs like “Unsolved Mysteries” and “America’s Most Wanted.” Their escape lasted for nearly two years before they were captured separately in 2002. Regina was apprehended in Texas after a traffic stop and chase. Both sisters were eventually tried and convicted of first-degree murder in 2004. Regina was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Due to the nature of the crime and her ongoing incarceration, details about Regina’s personal life beyond the case are scarce. Regina DeFrancisco’s name remains associated with the shocking murder of Oscar Velazquez. The case serves as a grim reminder of the capability for violence that can sometimes exist even among teenagers.
Deaths
John Joubert
1793 – Charlotte Corday – born Marie-Anne Charlotte de Corday d’Armont (1768-1793), was a pivotal figure in the tumultuous French Revolution. Though not a major political player herself, her actions had a significant impact on the course of events. Born into a minor noble family in Normandy, Corday received a convent education. Initially sympathetic to the revolution’s ideals, she became disillusioned with its increasingly radical path. A supporter of the Girondins, a moderate faction, she grew to despise the Jacobins, particularly their leader, Jean-Paul Marat. She blamed Marat for the violent September Massacres of 1792 and believed he threatened the revolution’s true goals. Convinced of Marat’s destructive influence, Corday embarked on a mission. Traveling to Paris in July 1793, she gained access to Marat, who was suffering from a skin condition and often took medicinal baths. Feigning needing his help, she fatally stabbed him with a knife as he sat in his bath. Corday’s act was met with mixed reactions. Some hailed her as a heroine who rid France of a tyrant. However, many, especially the Jacobins, saw her as a cold-blooded murderer. She was quickly tried and executed, becoming a symbol for both sides. Charlotte Corday’s legacy remains complex. Was she a courageous defender of liberty or a ruthless assassin? Her story continues to spark debate, reflecting the deep divisions of the French Revolution.
1908 – Edward Walton – Details about Edward Walton’s early life are scarce. According to his confession, he was born near Delhi, Wilkes County, North Carolina. His criminal history supposedly began in 1890 with the killing of a horse. In 1896, he allegedly murdered and robbed a man in Blossburg, Alabama. However, investigations couldn’t verify this claim. Walton’s criminal activity gained some light between 1906 and 1908. He confessed to murdering five people across five states during this period. However, details haven’t been fully verified. His confirmed crime came in 1908 with the murder of Beulah Martin. He was apprehended, tried, and eventually hanged for this crime on July 17, 1908.
1996 – John Joubert – born in Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1963, led a life tragically overshadowed by violence. His childhood was marked by a tumultuous family dynamic. After his parents divorced in 1969, he moved with his sister to Maine, living under the strict control of a seemingly cold and manipulative mother. Denied contact with his father, Joubert harbored resentment and struggled to connect with his peers. Despite academic success, Joubert was a social outcast, often bullied for his perceived differences. This isolation fueled dark fantasies, with reports suggesting he even considered harming his babysitter. As he entered his teenage years in Maine, these fantasies morphed into disturbing actions. He attacked young girls and boys, acts that hinted at the monstrous path he would tread. In 1982, at the age of 19, Joubert committed his first documented murder. Richard Stetson, an 11-year-old boy, became Joubert’s victim on a jogging trail. This act marked the beginning of a killing spree that would continue for several years. After graduating high school, Joubert joined the Air Force, a move that took him to Nebraska. This relocation, however, did not mark the end of the horror. In 1983, Joubert claimed another young life in Nebraska – 13-year-old Danny Jo Eberly. This murder, along with Joubert’s increasingly erratic behavior, drew suspicion. However, it wasn’t until 1993 that another young boy’s disappearance, 12-year-old Aaron Schaxel, led authorities to finally connect the dots. DNA evidence and a meticulous investigation revealed Joubert’s involvement in all three murders. He was convicted and sentenced to death for the Nebraska killings. Though he never confessed to the murder in Maine, it’s widely believed he was responsible. John Joubert was executed in Nebraska’s electric chair in 1996, leaving behind a legacy of terror and a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives.
1997 – Roy Bruce Smith – was a former computer technician who gained notoriety for a tragic incident in 1988. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, he graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and later accepted an athletic scholarship to Virginia Tech. Unfortunately, his life took a dark turn. On July 24, 1988, after an ongoing dispute with his wife, Smith consumed copious amounts of beer and returned to his Manassas, Virginia home. Armed with two loaded pistols (a .357 magnum and a .44 magnum) and a loaded assault rifle, he stepped onto his front stoop. Smith fired shots into the air, alarming his neighbors. When they complained, he chillingly declared, “Wait ’til I start shooting people.” He even stated, “I hope somebody calls the police because I will shoot the first one that arrives, and I hope they shoot me in return.” Tragically, during a standoff with law enforcement, Smith fatally shot Manassas City Police Sgt. John Conner with an assault rifle and a handgun. He was convicted of this crime and sentenced to death. After years of legal proceedings, including appeals and collateral attacks, Smith was executed by lethal injection in Virginia on July 17, 1997.
2001 – Jerald Wayne Harjo -was executed in Oklahoma’s death chamber for the murder of 64-year-old Ruth Porter. On a stormy night in January 1988, Harjo climbed into Porter’s spare bedroom window, looking for keys to her van. He murdered her in her bed, took the keys, and drove to his brother’s house. Porter’s daughter discovered her the next morning with a pillow over her face. Harjo was the 14th person executed in Oklahoma that year and the 44th since the state resumed the death penalty in 1976
2002 – Tracy Alan Hansen – On Friday, April 10, 1987, Mississippi Highway Patrol Officer David Bruce Ladner, was patrolling on Interstate 10, when he pulled over a Lincoln driven erratically and speeding. Hansen was driving the Lincoln and his girlfriend, Anita Louise Krecic was also in the vehicle. During the stop, Trooper Ladner asked for permission to search, and both Hansen and Krecic consented, giving fictitious names. In the process, Ladner took the keys to the Continental and placed them in his pocket. It is unclear exactly what happened next, but, at some point, Hansen drew a .38 caliber pistol and shot at Trooper Ladner. To avoid the fire, Ladner ran around the car and dropped to the ground, in an apparent attempt to roll underneath. Hansen managed to get off two shots at close range, each striking Ladner in the back. Still, Ladner managed to get up and make it to the median strip, where a passing motorist took him to the hospital. He died two days later. Hansen had 10 prior felony convictions and had served time in Florida. Krecic was also convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
2009 – Michael Dee Mattson – was born on July 7, 1953, in Utah, United States. His birth name was Michael Dee Golyer. Unfortunately, his upbringing was far from stable. Growing up in a tumultuous family environment, he faced physical abuse from his father. Additionally, he witnessed his mother being mistreated by her first husband. These early experiences left a lasting impact on Mattson, shaping his troubled path. During his childhood, Mattson exhibited destructive behaviors. He engaged in activities such as setting fires and torturing animals. By the age of 12, he was already experimenting with drugs, including angel dust (PCP), sleeping pills, marijuana, and LSD. His life was marked by chaos and instability. As he entered adulthood, Mattson’s criminal tendencies escalated. At 17, he committed a horrifying act: kidnapping, raping, and robbing a woman. This crime led to a two-year prison sentence. However, Mattson’s criminal spree continued. In 1978, he committed even more heinous acts, including the murders of 9-year-old Cheryl Gutierrez and 16-year-old Adele Jean Corradini. These crimes involved sexual assault, kidnapping, and murder. Authorities suspected that Mattson might have been responsible for other unsolved cases involving female victims. In 1980, Michael Dee Mattson faced justice. He was convicted and sentenced to death for his crimes. His case highlighted the importance of effective legal representation, as Mattson himself worked as a law clerk during the day and led a seemingly normal family life at night. Despite the darkness surrounding his life, Mattson’s story serves as a chilling reminder of the complexities of criminal behavior and the lasting impact of childhood trauma.
Events
Gisele Lovvorn
1585 – The English secret service discovers Anthony Babington’s murder plot against Queen Elizabeth I
1903 – Dora Wright was the first woman hanged in the US territories
1981 – A Fulton County, Atlanta Grand Jury indicts Wayne B. Williams, a 23-year-old photographer for the murders of 2 of 28 blacks killed in Atlanta
1982 – Gisele Annette Louvorn was murdered by the Green River Killer
1984 – The national drinking age in the United States was changed from 18 to 21
2012 – 17 people are wounded in a bar shooting in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
2019 – Mexican drug cartel head Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman is sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years in New York
