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'Starkweather' book provides definitive account of killing spree — and Fugate's guilt or innocence

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A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Top Story Editor's Pick

REVISITING A KILLER

'Starkweather' book provides definitive account of killing spree — and Fugate's guilt or innocence

From the Entertainment writer L. Kent Wolgamott's most memorable stories of 2023 series

• L. Kent Wolgamott
• Nov 25, 2023
• Nov 25, 2023
• 0

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Harry MacLean was writing a novel that had a Charlie Starkweather theme woven into the narrative when he learned that Caril Ann Fugate had been denied a pardon by the Nebraska Board of Pardons.

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Harry MacLean

Courtesy photo

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Caril Fugate (left) and Charles Starkweather in a snapshot taken by his landlady in 1957.

Journal Star archives

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These are the crimes everyone has heard of. For this video, we’ll be discussing the most infamous, well-known or covered crimes that spawned media frenzies.

Photos: Starkweather slaying spree

Lancaster County Sheriff Merle Karnopp removed the handcuffs from Charles Starkweather after he arrived at the Scotts Bluff County Jail in Gering, Nebraska, on Jan. 29, 1958.

RICK MYERS, SCOTTSBLUFF STAR-HERALD

In January 1958, fear mounted that Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate were at large in the capital city of Lincoln. Armed men were stationed at Lincoln schools and children were escorted home. 

THE WORLD-HERALD

Sheriff Merle Karopp and Charles Starkweather leaving the courtroom after Starkweather gave evidence against girlfriend Caril Fugate. Starkweather was already sentenced to the electric chair for the slaying of Robert Jensen. Fugate was on trial for the same killing. 

THE WORLD-HERALD

Charles Starkweather's car was abandoned near August Meyer's farm in Bennet, Nebraska. Starkweather fatally shot Meyer.

THE WORLD-HERALD

Converse County Sheriff Earl Heflin, left, holds Starkweather's murder weapons in his right hand. In his left hand is the sheriff's carbine, used to stop Starkweather during a police chase.

THE WORLD-HERALD

Converse County Sheriff Earl Heflin fired this bullet while in pursuit of Starkweather near Douglas, Wyoming. 

REBECCA S. GRATZ, THE WORLD-HERALD

Charles Starkweather leaves the Scottsbluff County Jail in Gering, Nebraska, on Jan. 31, 1958.

Omaha WORLD-HERALD archives

Starkweather shown after the guilty verdict.

THE WORLD-HERALD

Caril Ann Fugate, second from right, is booked into the Scotts Bluff County Jail in Gering, Nebraska, on Jan. 30, 1958. She was escorted by Hazel Heflin, wife of Converse County Sheriff Earl Heflin of Douglas, Wyoming.

RICK MYERS, SCOTTSBLUFF STAR-HERALD

A body being removed from the Ward home in Lincoln. C. Lauer Ward, his wife, Clara, and their housekeeper Lillian Fencl were found dead there. 

THE WORLD-HERALD

Reach the writer at 402-473-7244 or kwolgamott@journalstar.com. On Twitter @KentWolgamott  

If you go

WHAT: "Starkweather" book talk and signing with author Harry MacLean.

WHERE: Francie & Finch Bookshop, 130 S. 13th St.

WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

In this Series

Entertainment writer L. Kent Wolgamott's most memorable stories of 2023

• Aug 30, 2023

  Zach Bryan plays perfect 10th anniversary concert at arena

• Nov 25, 2023

  'Starkweather' book provides definitive account of killing spree — and Fugate's guilt or innocence

• Jun 17, 2023

  Returning to 'Nebraska' — New book looks at Bruce Springsteen's best album

• 5 updates

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Caril Fugate (left) and Charles Starkweather in a snapshot taken by his landlady in 1957.

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