Randall Lee Morton, a 16-year-old male from Rockford, Illinois, was tragically murdered on December 24, 1976. He and his friend, Michael Pixler, 17, were working at a Citgo gas station on 15th Avenue and 11th Street in Rockford when they were shot execution-style by Dale Dean Finch. Finch, who was 20 years old at the time, stole $600 from the gas station before shooting each boy in the head with a .22-caliber revolver.
The bodies of Randall Morton and Michael Pixler were discovered by
Pixler's brother, Doug Pixler, and a friend, Dino McNabb, later that night. The murders left a lasting impact on their families and the Rockford community. Finch was arrested and subsequently convicted of the murders. He was sentenced to two consecutive 50- to 100-year prison terms for the murders and an additional four to 12 years for the robbery.
Finch's case was subject to numerous parole hearings over the years, with family members and the community actively opposing his release. Despite being eligible for parole under the old indeterminate sentencing system, Finch was repeatedly denied parole. He died in prison on March 22, 2013, at the age of 56, after suffering from a terminal illness.
The case of Randall Lee Morton and Michael Pixler remains a poignant reminder of the senseless violence that took their lives and the enduring impact on their loved ones. The efforts of their families to keep Finch behind bars highlight the ongoing struggle for justice and closure in the wake of such a tragic event.
