10: Cop Killer

“I have asked Jesus Christ to forgive me these cowardly acts that I did back then and to give me a clean slate, and he has.” In 2004, Richard Tabler murdered his boss and an associate in an execution-style shooting. While in prison, he read the Bible daily, quoted from scripture, and wrote a regular Christian brochure. Is finding religion a sign of rehabilitation, or is it simply the final throw of the dice for people found guilty of the most heinous crimes? In the final episode of this series, documentary makers Ned Parker and Zoe Hines discuss Richard Tabler’s Letters From A Killer.

"He stopped for me to buy some ice cream. I told him I wanted to borrow his truck (and him) for a bit of a ride. I guess he thought I was playing. He soon changed his tune when I pulled out the revolver.” In 1978, John Quinones stole an ice cream truck with the owner still inside. He picked up his friends, and then proceeded to sexually assault the owner, before driving him to a clearing and executing him. He claims that the situation just spiralled out of control. Zoe Hines and Ned Parker investigate his Letters From A Killer.

“I’m a lot more mature, and really glad I came to Death Row. I truly believe that Death Row saved my life, as crazy as that sounds.” In 2004, Christopher Young stole a car at gunpoint, before driving to a convenience store and murdering the owner. While on death row, he reached out to youngsters, wrote books, and tried to turn his life around. Should these factors be considered in mitigating the crimes of a prisoner sentenced to die or are some people beyond rehabilitation? Documentary makers Ned Parker and Zoe Hines read his Letters From A Killer.

When I got into trouble, I got beat. I’d have to stand naked and put my hands on the wall and count each hit. If I missed a count, he’d start over.” In 2008, after taking mushrooms, Douglas Blaine Matthews drove 500 miles to meet a friend. He ended up in a crack house where a ‘high-octane’ fight broke out that resulted in multiple murders. Zoe Hines and Ned Parker investigate the traumatic childhood and drug dependency that may have led to this episode’s Letters From A Killer.

“After 18 years of solitary confinement with death breathing down my neck, some things don’t matter as much as they used to. I’ll still be strapped to that gurney and have my body pumped full of poison.” In 1998, Christina Muse was assaulted with a stun gun, beaten, locked in a cupboard, and drowned. Her body was found stuffed in a barrel in a ditch four months later. Troy Clark was sent to death row for the murder, but has always denied it. Is there any merit to his claims? Zoe Hines and Ned Parker investigate his Letters From A Killer.

“The great criminal mind I was (a bit of a joke, there) I decided that I would hide myself in the trunk, hoping to avoid detection.” In 1994, Elton Williams robbed a man at gunpoint who fled and called the cops. Williams hid in the trunk of a car with his rifle, while his colleague tried to prevent his discovery. But when police opened the trunk, Williams opened fire. True Crime documentary makers, Zoe Hines and Ned Parker, investigate his Letters From A Killer.

“I have been waiting eighteen years for the Governor to sign my warrant.” In 1999, Ricardo Gill was given a life sentence for murder. Representing himself in court, he declared that while the death penalty could not be given for a “future murder” he asked the jury to make the right decision to prevent one. Four days later, in a bid to be sent to Death Row, he murdered his cellmate. True Crime documentary makers, Zoe Hines and Ned Parker, investigate his Letters From A Killer.

“Plan A was to drown him. Plan B was to stab him. Judy had pre-filled the tub with water and said she wanted him found there as part of plan A.” In 1980, a young Navy war veteran, Frank Ross, brutally murdered his victim and left him floating face down in a bathtub. While a bloody murder had taken place that involved multiple stab wounds, there was no sign of forced entry. Was Ross infatuated with the victim’s wife who may have been the real mastermind behind the violent murder of her husband? True Crime documentary makers, Zoe Hines and Ned Parker, investigate his Letters From A Killer.

“I learned to hate real quick, not just an emotional hate, but a devouring and all-consuming kind.” In 2013, Kevin Jeffries and his cousin took part in the robbery, torture and murder of a ninety-year-old war veteran. Jeffries recounts the events of that night in graphic detail, but his story leaves many question marks about the timeline and motivations for events. Are drugs, poverty and family peer pressure responsible for this violent act? True Crime documentary makers, Zoe Hines and Ned Parker, investigate his Letters From A Killer.

“I don’t remember exactly when, but I lit the flare and ran. Only later did I learn that there were three people in the house” In 2014, Shey Weiker announced to friends that all child molesters deserved to die. Believing that her son had been abused by her ex-brother in law, she committed arson in an act of angry vigilante justice. True Crime documentary makers, Zoe Hines and Ned Parker, discuss her Letters From A Killer.