Case Conclusion
After the disappearance of Kim Ghelkins, the authorities began to become suspicious of Gaskins. After searching Gaskins' apartment, the authorities found clothing that had been worn by Ghelkins. Gaskins was indicted for “contributing to the delinquency of a minor.” Neely cracked under pressure while waiting for the trial and showed the police Gaskins’ private cemetery. In the cemetery, the authorities found many people that went missing over the past 15-25 years. On April 27, 1976, Gaskins and Walter Neely were charged with eight counts of first degree murder. On May 24, 1976, a jury convicted Gaskins for the murder of Dennis Bellamy and he was sentenced to death. Gaskins confessed to seven more murders to avoid the electric chair. In November 1976, the Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty was unconstitutional, so Gaskins received seven consecutive life sentences. In 1978, the death penalty was restored because of Gaskins murder of Rudolph Tyner. Gaskins began confessing for other murders to avoid the electric chair. Some of these confessions were proven to be false, like the murder of Peggy Cuttino. Prosecutors had already charged and sentenced William Pierce to life in prison. Until the execution date, Gaskins worked with author Wilton Earl on his book, Final Truth. This book was published in 1993 and it talked about the murders, his life story, and the "brothersome feelings" throughout his life. Gaskins cut his wrists in a last attempt to avoid the electric chair, on execution day. Gaskin's suicide plan didn't work out and he was placed in the electric chair, with stitched arms, and pronounced dead by electrocution on September 6, 1991. It is unknown (suspected to be 90-110) as to how many murders Gaskins actually committed because information was never provided for all of the bodies. Gaskins may have wanted to be known as the most prolific serial killer in South Carolina. Donald Gaskins was a psychopath who had no regard for human life or behavior.
Affects on Other Cases
The Gaskins case could affect other cases in the future because the authorities are more aware of serial killers, so they will be on the look out. The authorities also put more security in the prisons because of Gaskins' many successful escapes. The forensics team was also in a technological advancement state when Gaskins was a free man killing up and down the highways of North Carolina and South Carolina. So the forensics team pretty much napped Gaskins due to an upgrade in technology/machinery and the testomonials of his closest friends and family members. Now the authorities know to pin multiple suspects against each other by interviewing them one by one.
"I am one of the few that truly understands what death and pain are all about...I have walked the same path as God. By taking lives and making others afraid of me, I become God's equal. Through killing others, I become my own Master. Through my own power I come to my own redemption. Once I seen the miracle light, I didn't never again have to fear or obey the Rules of no Man or no God...I'll die peaceful because my name is going to live as long as men have memories-as long as they talk about good and evil-and as long as they read my words of Final Truth." "In this book I'm not asking nobody's forgiveness. I got no apologies to make for my life. I always had my reasons for everything I've ever done."
- Donald Henry Gaskins
- Donald Henry Gaskins
Works Cited
http://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/donald-pee-wee-gaskins
http://crime.about.com/od/serial/p/gaskins.htm
http://www.history.com/
http://www.crimelibrary.com/index.html
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=88617952
http://prolifickillers.wordpress.com/2010/06/20/profile-of-an-american-serial-killer-pee-wee-gaskins-2/
http://crime.about.com/od/serial/p/gaskins.htm
http://www.history.com/
http://www.crimelibrary.com/index.html
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=88617952
http://prolifickillers.wordpress.com/2010/06/20/profile-of-an-american-serial-killer-pee-wee-gaskins-2/