John Arthur Getreu: A Detailed Account of His Crimes
Early Life
John Arthur Getreu was born on August 26, 1944, in Newark, Ohio. He was one of four children born to Army serviceman Charles J. Getreu. Due to his father's military position, the family frequently traveled between various bases in the US and abroad, including Japan, Hawaii, and North Carolina. In 1960, the family moved to Bad Kreuznach, West Germany, where John attended Bad Kreuznach American High School.
First Murder
On June 8, 1963, shortly before graduation, 18-year-old Getreu attended a school disco where he met 15-year-old Margaret L. Williams, the daughter of an Army chaplain. After the dance, Getreu took her to the campus' baseball field, where he assaulted, raped, and beat her. Williams suffered a severe head injury and later succumbed to complications. Getreu was arrested and later admitted to having sexual intercourse with Williams but denied killing her. In June 1964, he was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, the maximum sentence under West German law at the time.
Release and Return to the United States
After serving more than six years in prison, Getreu was paroled and released. He returned to the United States, settling in Reno, Nevada.
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