Danny Rolling
|
|
Danny Rolling (born 26th May, 1954), known as the "Gainesville Ripper", pleaded guilty to the murder and mutilation of 5 young students in Gainesville, Florida, in August 1990. He was also suspected of a triple homicide on November 24, 1989, in Shreveport, Louisiana, and the attempted murder of his father in May 1990.
Danny Rolling was born to James and Claudia Rolling. His father was abusive to both him and his mother, and later his brother, Kevin. After repeated attempts to leave his abusive father, his mother Claudia always returned. His father, ironically, was a police officer. After several incarcerations as a teen and young adult for a string of robberies in Georgia, Rolling was released. He had much trouble trying to assimilate into society and holding down a steady job. Finally, after years of abuse, Rolling attempted to kill his father during an argument that the elder Rolling started. He later fled to the state of Florida where he began his burglary and robbery spree, which culminated in the murders of five people in Gainesville. His signature was to arrange the bodies in such a way as to highlight the carnage in the rooms — this even included setting up several mirrors. He was convicted of his crimes nearly four years later and sentenced to the death penalty in each case.
A second man, Edward Humphrey, was considered an initial suspect in the Gainesville murders; authorities cleared him of all charges after Rolling's arrest.
Rolling aided the writing career of Sondra London, who met him in prison while working with Gerard John Schaefer and other serial killers.fi:Danny Rolling