Ronald Turney Williams (born April 4, 1943) is an American serial killer, burglar, arsonist,[3] kidnapper,[3] prison escapee, and former fugitive. In 1979, Williams and fourteen other inmates escaped from the West Virginia State Penitentiary, where he was serving a life sentence for the 1975 murder of a police officer.[3] During the escape, Williams killed another police officer and committed another murder in Arizona in 1981 during his fugitive state.[4]
| Ronald Turney Williams | |
|---|---|
 Photograph taken 1976 | |
| FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive | |
| Charges | |
| Alias | |
| Description | |
| Born | Ronald Turney Williams April 4, 1943 Keystone, West Virginia, U.S.[2] |
| Nationality | American |
| Race | White |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Weight | 165 to 170 lb |
| Occupation |
|
| Status | |
| Convictions | First degree murder |
| Penalty | West Virginia Life imprisonment Arizona Death |
| Status | Incarcerated |
| Added | April 16, 1980 |
| Caught | June 8, 1981 |
| Number | 373 |
| Captured | |
In 1981, the FBI tracked Williams to a Manhattan, New York motel, where a gunfight ensued between Williams and the agents, and Williams was seriously wounded and was apprehended.[5] For the murders, Williams received a second life sentence in West Virginia and in 1984 received the death penalty in Arizona.[6] He remains incarcerated at Mount Olive Correctional Complex in West Virginia.[7]
Victims
edit- Beckley Police Sargent David Lilly, 1975, Beckley, West Virginia[8]
- West Virginia State Trooper Philip Kesner, November 7, 1979, Moundsville, West Virginia[9]
- John Bunchek, March 21, 1981, Scottsdale, Arizona[10]
References
edit- ^ a b "Ronald Williams: Guilty or Not?". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. September 16, 1984. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ "'10 Most Wanted' includes mob figures, terrorists". The Record. September 14, 1980. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ a b c Mooney, Mark (June 9, 1981). "FBI Seizes Top Criminal In Shootout". Hartford Courant. UPI. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ Roberts, Laurie (February 11, 1984). "2-time murderer is found guilty in Valley killing". Arizona Republic. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ "Fugitive Captured in Hotel Shootout With FBI". The Chapel Hill News. UPI. June 9, 1981. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ "Judge in Phoenix sentences three-time killer Williams to death". Tucson Citizen. Associated Press. April 24, 1984. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ Kercheval, Hoppy (30 April 2019). "Ronald Turney Williams—from FBI's Most Wanted List to prison janitor". MetroNews. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ Mooney, Mark (June 9, 1981). "Fugitive captured in hotel shootout with FBI". UPI. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ "Suspect Named in Police Killing". New York Times. UPI. November 13, 1979. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ "Ronald Turney Williams, Petitioner-appellant, v. Terry L. Stewart, Director of Arizona Department of Corrections, Respondent-appellee, 441 F.3d 1030 (9th Cir. 2006)". Justia.
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