Thomas Lee Penn

Serial Killer

The Crimes of Serial Killer Thomas Lee Penn

Overview

In 1966, Richmond, Virginia, was terrorized by a series of brutal murders committed by Thomas Lee Penn, often in collaboration with his older brother, William Penn. Over a six-week period from April 10 to May 22, 1966, six individuals were senselessly murdered, instilling fear throughout the community.

Victims

• Mozelle Leon Spencer Age: 78 Date: April 10, 1966 Details: Spencer, a Black night clerk at the Eggleston Motel, was robbed and fatally shot.
• Willie Sexton Age: 21 Date: April 1966 Details: Sexton, a Black man residing in the 2800 block of East Broad Street, was shot nine times in the back. His body was discovered floating in the Chickahominy River.
• Cynthia Johnson Age: 16 Date: May 10, 1966 Details: Johnson, a Black resident of Church Hill, was shot twice in the chest. Her body was found behind 1409 North 32nd Street.
• Addison Wilkins Age: 20 Date: May 21, 1966 Details: Wilkins, a white man, was killed and his body dumped in the 3600 block of East Richmond Road near Oakwood Cemetery.
• Malcolm Norment Age: 41 Date: May 21, 1966 Details: Norment, a white man, was murdered and his body discarded alongside Wilkins' near Oakwood Cemetery.
• James Carter Age: 52 Date: May 21, 1966 Details: Carter, a white man from Sandston, was shot twelve times in the stomach, back, and head. His body was found in nearby woods in rural Henrico County, just east of the city.

Apprehension and Trial

The Penn brothers' crime spree came to an end following the survival of a 14-year-old Mosby School girl who was raped, shot twice, and left for dead. She identified Thomas Lee Penn as her attacker, leading to the issuance of warrants for his arrest. William Penn was subsequently added to the suspect list, and both were in custody by May 29, 1966. Thomas Lee Penn confessed to several of the murders, providing detailed accounts of his actions. He implicated his older brother, William, in some of the killings, stating that William had fired some of the shots and shared in the stolen money. Ultimately, Thomas received two life sentences, while William was sentenced to 26 years for his involvement in the murder of Spencer. ...Read More

Confirmed Victims: (6)

Mozelle Leon Spencer Age: (78), Date of Death: 1966-04-10

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Thomas Dillon - Wikipedia

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