Attention Readers
It’s been brought to my attention that every serial killer so far mentioned has been white. While statistically most serial killers are white males, I do agree that there has been a lack of diversity and representation. On that note, this week I will be introducing you all to Chester Turner, one of the “most prolific serial killers in [Los Angeles’] history.”
Everyone has a Backstory
Born in Warren Arkansas in 1966, Chester Turner had a family that, very early in his life, fell apart. When he was five, his parents separated, and his mother brought him to Los Angeles, California with her when she moved out. As a teen, he attended public school, but dropped out of high school, never receiving his degree. He then worked as a delivery boy for Domino’s Pizza, and continued to live with his mother until she moved to Utah. Left on his own, Turner bounced around between the many homeless shelters and missions in L.A.. He got into a lot of trouble with the law between 1995 and 2002, going to jail seven times– once under an assault charge.
A Reign of Terror
In March of 1987, at the age of 21, Turner took the life of his first victim. Diane Johnson, 21, was found West of the Harbor Freeway in a construction zone, partially naked and strangled to death. Seven months later, he strangled Annette Earnest, 26, to death and left her partially naked by the side of the road, just as he had done to Johnson. Anita Fishman, 31, was found in the same condition in an alleyway in January of 1989. His fourth victim, Regina Washington, was a special case– a double homicide. An expecting mother, she was found partially naked and strangled just as the others had been. The violence against her lead to the death of her unborn child due to oxygen deprivation. The next six victims were killed and found in the same ways/conditions:
- Andrea Tripplett
- Desarae Jones
- Natalie Price
- Mildred Beasley
- Paula Vance
- Brenda Bries
Turner wasn’t connected to the above eleven murders until he was required to give a DNA sample for the CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) during a jail sentence for the sexual assault and death threat of a forty-seven year old woman. The attacks already described were left unsolved for several years until this DNA evidence was used to convict Turner of the women’s murders.
David Jones, You Are… NOT the Killer
During the time of Chester Turner’s killing spree, another three murders took place. Tammie Christmas, Debra Williams, and Mary Edwards’ bodies were all found strangled around or within 97th Street Elementary School in L.A.. The deaths of these three women were originally blamed on a mentally challenged and nearly illiterate janitor from the school, David Allen Jones. His conviction stemmed from police questioning without the presence of an attorney, and from his admittance of drug use near where the bodies were found during said questioning. However, when the evidence was reexamined from a scientific viewpoint, it was found that the murders of Debra Williams and Mary Edwards were really the work of Chester Turner. Though police couldn’t use the DNA evidence to solve the murder of Tammie Christmas, it is strongly believed that Turner was also responsible in this case as well. David Jones, who had spent the past eleven years in prison for a false conviction, was released in 2004, and received a compensation sum of $720,000 from his lawsuit against Los Angeles.
A Conviction (or Two)
During his murder of Paula Vance, someone in a neighboring trailer park witnessed Turner taking the life of his victim, and reported it to the police. This report combined with his death threat against his 47 year old sexual assault victim and the DNA evidence compiled against him was enough to convict Chester Turner for 11 counts of murder. This conviction earned him a spot on death row in 2003. However, eleven years later, in 2014, Turner was convicted of another 4 counts of murder, earning him another death sentence. He is still, to this day, a convict on death row with two death sentences against him.
Chester Turner on trial for murder
A Diagnosis of Sorts
Under the “umbrella” of serial killer type, Chester Turner can be considered an organized killer. All of his victims were killed in the same way, and eleven of the fifteen were killed within several blocks of each other. Under the “umbrella” of psychology, I would classify Turner as a sociopath– his murders weren’t very careful, as seen in the fact that he was witnessed committing the crime. I also believe that Turner’s motives were ones of sexual desire and a hunger for power. He overtook women most likely under the pretense that women are weak and could be easily overpowered. In this victim classification, he had the opportunity to use his victims for sexual stimulation before murdering them. Due to these motives, being a woman in L.A. in the late 80’s and early 90’s was dangerous– especially if you like Domino’s Pizza.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chester_Turner
http://murderpedia.org/male.T/t/turner-chester.htm
Brandon Corey Sullivan says
Sierra,
Man, that mug shot, though. I do like how you opened up this time. You recognized a lack of something from prior and used it to your advantage. It’s really interesting most serial killers are statistically white men. It’s not the first time I’ve heard the statistic, but still. At the beginning of his backstory, I sort of feel bad. The man definitely didn’t have an easy life… And it must be horrible moving from shelter to shelter. I find it intriguing how until DNA evidence, no one suspected him for those other killings… Yet they all had the same signs and he left the bodies in similar conditions. It seems as though someone missed something big there. I think it might also be of note that all 13 women you supplied photos appear to be African American or mixed. It’s as though he limited his killings to his that particular race. Touching on your photo of the man on trial, he seems to almost be enjoying it. He just has this very sadistic look and feel to him, and I don’t like it one bit. Once again, I do agree with your ending diagnosis. Another great post.
Robert Al-Moustafa says
Sierra,
I didn’t even notice that all of the serial killers thus far have been white males. You are 100% correct. I’ve learned in my criminology class that a majority of serial killers are white. Regardless, your intro was still very excellently crafted. I liked how you quoted that Turner is one of the most prolific serial killers in LA history.
Once again, this is one of those stories that is really sad. His family life really planted the seed for the reign of terror that followed. I am a firm believer in strong family values and a trend I’ve been seeing in most of these posts is that they were all really deprived of a “good” family. It is even seen in today’s society; those that live with broken families tend to commit crime. It doesn’t help that Turner dropped out of high school and never received his degree.
In regards to Turner’s murders, it’s interesting how science has really grown as of late. If it weren’t for DNA advancements, there would be a lot more David Jones situations. This side note really makes this post a lot more interesting.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this post from start to finish. The closing, especially, was one that made me laugh yet it certainly holds truth. Well done!
Kathryn Lynn Mayberry says
Sierra,
Once again I’m strangely fascinated by another serial killer case. I like that you are trying to be representative in the killers you choose to focus on. While most have been white males, yes, you have discussed a woman, too, because anyone can be a serial killer, race and gender aside. I’m also continually amazed by your diagnosis. While I have no background in profiling, it’s neat to hear you talk about each killer the way a professional profiler might. Each one is logically reasoned and presented in a way that makes it easy for someone without your background to follow your thought process. You are great at establishing yourself as a credible authority on your topic. Each week I feel like I’m gaining a better understanding of what makes a serial killer tic. What stood out to me about this case is that another man served 11 years in prison for Turner’s crimes. It’s troubling that an error like that can go unchecked for so long especially since there was such definitive evidence against Turner and he was so careless about witnesses. I’ve never been a fan of Domino’s pizza and I guess, now, I have an excuse for that. An interesting post, as always. I’m curious to read about the next killer you choose.