In the winter of 1970, the community of Vidalia, Georgia, was unsettled by a brutal crime that would later be connected to a string of violent acts across the southeastern United States. On December 20th, Joe M. Fletcher, a 59-year-old white male who operated a local service station, was found murdered. The death of the well-known businessman sent ripples of fear and concern through the small city.
The investigation into Fletcher's death would eventually lead authorities to a man named William Pierce Jr., who was also known as 'Junior.' Investigators linked Pierce to a series of violent crimes that plagued Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina between 1970 and 1971. His spree of terror included at least nine murders, with victims ranging in age and gender. His methods were often brutal, and his crimes frequently involved robbery.
A Toombs County Grand Jury ultimately indicted William Pierce Jr. for the murder of Joe M. Fletcher. Pierce was arrested on March 8, 1971, bringing an end to his reign of terror. In 1973, he was sentenced to life in prison in both Georgia and South Carolina for his numerous crimes. He remained incarcerated for the rest of his life, dying in prison at the age of 89.
