On August 7, 1977, a tragic and brutal crime shook the small community of Gaston, Oregon, with the execution-style murders of Margo E. Compton, 24, her 6-year-old twin daughters, Sylvia and Sandra, and her boyfriend's 19-year-old son, Gary Seslar. This horrific event was deeply intertwined with the activities of the Hells Angels motorcycle club, particularly the Vallejo chapter.
Margo Compton had previously testified against several Hells Angels members in a prostitution trial in San
Francisco, which made her a prime target for retaliation. Her decision to cooperate with the authorities was motivated by her desire to protect her children from the dangerous environment associated with the Hells Angels. Before her murder, Margo had been receiving threats, and she had informed Detective Tony Novello that she felt she was being followed, although no protective measures were taken at the time.
The investigation into the murders was led by Detective Sergeant Mike Graham, who dedicated nearly two decades to uncovering the truth behind these killings. A significant break in the case came in 1984 when Michael Thompson, a leader of the Aryan Brotherhood prison gang, provided crucial information. Thompson had declined a business proposition from Odis 'Buck' Garrett, a leader of the Hells Angels Vallejo chapter, who was rumored to be involved in the murders. Garrett had confessed to Thompson that he had ordered the killings, and the triggerman was identified as Robert G. 'Bugeye' McClure, a Hells Angels 'hang-around'.
Buck Garrett and Robert McClure were the primary suspects in the case. Garrett, known for his ruthless and ambitious nature, had a history of involvement in drug trafficking and prostitution. McClure, acting on Garrett's orders, carried out the brutal murders. The evidence gathered, including testimony from Thompson and other sources, linked both Garrett and McClure to the crime. At McClure's 1994 murder trial, it was revealed that the family had been brutally murdered, with the little girls dying while clutching their teddy bears. McClure was convicted of the murders and sentenced to four consecutive life terms in prison. A year later, Garrett was also convicted and received the same sentence.
The investigation and subsequent trials highlighted the extensive involvement of the Hells Angels in organized crime and their willingness to use violence to silence witnesses and protect their interests. Detective Graham's relentless pursuit of justice, despite the lack of initial evidence and the dangers posed by the Hells Angels, ultimately led to the conviction of the perpetrators. However, the case also underscored the challenges and risks faced by law enforcement and witnesses when dealing with powerful and violent criminal organizations.
