Killer couple strikes the heartland
On this day in 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 couples 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 Malicks 1973 film Badlands starring Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek and Bruce Springsteens 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 actors 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 Starkweathers attempt to buy a present for Fugate (1943- ) on credit.Starkweather turned serial killer on January 21 1958 when he shot Fugates stepfather and mother after arguing with them at their home and strangled Fugates 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 Starkweathers car and murdering three more peoplea farmer and two teenagerson January 27.On January 28 the couple killed another three peoplethe Lincoln businessman his wife and their maid.Starkweather and Fugates 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.
