Winford LaVern Stokes is one slippery murderer. In fact, he slipped custody three times in his short career as a serial killer.
Born March 21, 1951, Stokes was still a teenager when he killed for the first time. In 1969, he and some buddies robbed a tavern and killed the owner. Stokes was inside with a gun, but didn’t pull the trigger. He was arrested and sent to a secure hospital. Five months later, Stokes and 4 other men broke out. It was almost a year later that he was sentenced to 4 years for robbery and 5 years for manslaughter. The sentences were concurrent, so he was out in 5.
It wasn’t long before he attacked (and in my opinion, tried to kill) an old man with a hammer. Less than a week later, he murders an elderly woman. Then Stokes is picked up for the hammer attack on the man, and escapes custody again. While out, he murders another woman. He’s arrested again, since he’s still on the lam. Cops charge Stokes with two counts of murder. And this murderer escapes again!
Caught for the last time, Stokes is sentenced at two different trials. He is found guilty in both. The appeals begin, and he loses every one. Including a stay of execution on the actual day scheduled for execution.
But finally his appeals run out. So does his time. Stokes is executed on May 11, 1990. The local radio station covers the execution after first covering a traffic jam. Almost no one cares.
Tavern owner Ignatius DiManuele dies after being shot in a botched robbery. Stokes robbed the place with 2 others but didn’t pull the trigger. Stokes is quickly arrested.
Detective Brian M. Graft, who arrested Stokes and his co-robbers after the Ignatius DiManuele murder, is killed in a shootout.
5 prisoners, including Stokes, escape from the locked ward of the Homer G. Phillips Hospital. They are soon arrested.
Stokes is sentenced. Concurrent terms for manslaughter and robbery of Ignatius DiManuele, and robbery of the Homer G. Phillips Hospital guard, plus escape, means he is out in 5 years.
Stokes is out of prison. Erssie Lucad survives a hammer attack during a robbery.
77-year-old Marie Montgomery is robbed and shot in her own home. The killer is not immediately apprehended.
Stokes escapes from the Malcolm Bliss Mental Health Center after being arrested for attacking Erssie Lucad.
Pamela Benda is strangled and stabbed in her home. Her nude body is found by two workmen. The killer steals her car.
Stokes is arrested after his escape and charged with Pamela Benda’s murder 3 days later. That charge is escalated to capital murder in June.
Stokes and 2 others escape from the Homer G. Phillips Hospital due to a procedure lapse. They are arrested 8 days later.
Stokes refuses to plea bargain. He is sentenced to 50 years for the murder of Marie Montgomery, robbery, armed criminal action, auto theft and escape.
Prosecutors in the Benda case seek the death penalty Stokes is found guilty of Pamela Benda’s murder. The jury recommends the death penalty. In January 1980, he is officially sentenced to death.
Death sentences are automatically appealed. The Supreme Court stays Stokes’ execution in 1982. This begins years of appeals and denials.
Stokes is executed. KMOX radio covers news his death, after first covering a traffic jam.
