Winford Stokes: Missouri Serial Killer and Escaped Prisoner
Early Life and Criminal Background
Winford LaVern Stokes Jr. was born on March 21, 1951, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was one of ten children and left school after completing the eighth grade. By the age of 18, Stokes had become involved in armed robbery and lethal violence, beginning a criminal history that continued through repeated imprisonment, escapes from custody, home invasions and murder.
Stokes was ultimately connected to three confirmed homicide victims between 1969 and 1978. He participated in the robbery during which tavern owner Ignatius DiManuele was shot, murdered elderly widow Marie Montgomery during a residential burglary and killed Pamela Benda after meeting her at a lounge. He was convicted of manslaughter in connection with the first death, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for Montgomery's killing and received a death sentence for the capital murder of Benda.
The Murder of Ignatius DiManuele
On April 30, 1969, 18-year-old Winford Stokes joined David H. Richards and Allen E. Smith in an armed robbery at a tavern located at 3044 Easton Avenue in St. Louis. The three young men initially entered the business pretending to be ordinary customers. Once inside, they drew pistols and announced that the establishment was being robbed.
The customers and the tavern's owner, Ignatius DiManuele, were forced to lie on the floor while the assailants emptied the cash register. During the robbery, DiManuele was shot and killed by one of the participants. The three men then escaped in a vehicle belonging to Stokes.
Approximately two weeks later, detectives encountered Stokes and attempted to question him. During the encounter, he reportedly tried to discard a pistol. Stokes was arrested, and the subsequent investigation led authorities to Richards and Smith. Witnesses identified the three men as the perpetrators of the tavern robbery.
Although Stokes was not identified as the person who fired the fatal shot, he was legally responsible as a participant in the armed robbery. He eventually pleaded guilty to manslaughter and other charges arising from the crime.
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