In 1948, he found work doing odd jobs including washing dishes at St. Francis Hotel in Missouri. A few days later, the police caught him again on charges of vehicle theft. He had stolen a Buick (1937 model) in St. Joseph, Missouri. Convicted for vehicle theft for two years the State Penitentiary, Missouri, his prison sentence began. He was released within a year in 1949, when he had served only three fourth of his prison term.
A few months later in October the same year, Charles went back to prison on charges of forgery. He had used a forged check of 10 dollars in a Maryville gas station in Missouri. He received a prison term of three years at the Missouri State Penitentiary.
In 1952, Charles escaped from prison. The cops seized him shortly after, which led to him receiving another two years of conviction. In the short time that he had been out, he also tried burglary. When he completed the additional two years’ time in prison the Missouri Prison system released him in 1954.
He was quiet for a few months. In February 1955, the police caught him when he stole a Ford (1951 model). This brought him a longer conviction time of four years. While he was in prison at the Ray County Jail situated in Richmond, Missouri, he again attempted escape. He failed this time around too. As a result, they charged him with an additional sentence of two years for the escape attempt.
In March 1959, Hatcher came out of prison after completing his sixth sentence. Up until this time, Hatcher took interest only in theft and forgery. But when he abducted Steven Pellham, a 16 year old newspaper boy in St. Joseph, his crime path took a turn for the worse.
He used a sharp butcher knife to threaten the boy with. When Pellham complained to the police, they arrested Hatcher, while he was fleeing in a stolen truck. With the crime reported, it marked the first in line of the several violent crimes of Hatcher that were to follow.
Chapter 2: The story of crime starts: The making of a criminal
Until 1959, Hatcher had confined his criminal activities to stealing cars and some forgery attempts only. His crimes took on a serious nature, when he tried to abduct Steven Pellham. There has been no particular reason given for this change in Hatcher.
While he faced several convictions and spent many terms in prison for different crimes and during his crime spree, even a major time in mental institutions, insanity is not one of Charles’s attributes. He led a depraved lifestyle and knew the art of faking mental illness.
Changing names to escape attention
Quite often, he went around under different names and escaped scrutiny. While he received convictions on different occasions, the authorities released him generally. And he continued with his crimes whenever he was out of prison.
The main reason for Charles to escape stringent and severe punishment was because he changed names often and the authorities did not know that they were investigating the same person. By the time they realized this, Charles had committed several crimes leaving behind a long list of tortured, raped and sodomized victims.
Imprisonment and escape pattern
When his first attempt at abduction failed, the authorities apprehended Hatcher and sentenced him to prison term of five years on June 26th 1959. His car theft and attempted abduction influenced the decision on the extent of his imprisonment.
As a result, Charles Ray Hatcher received an imprisonment of five years in the Penitentiary of Missouri State on charges of auto theft and attempted abduction. The conviction was in accordance with the Habitual Criminal Act. Hatcher did not stay for more than a day in prison, when he made his escape attempt the next day of his confinement.
He tried to escape from the Buchanan County Jail. But the attempt failed again and on November 25, 1959, he was sent to the Penitentiary of Missouri state. His darker side began to flourish during this time in prison.
Taking joy in crime
Hatcher began to take pride in the crimes he did and the lives he claimed. He wanted to become one of the most wanted criminals in the entire northwest region of Missouri. He wanted the level of notoriety or more than what Jesse James had.
Why do people resort to crimes? How do they justify it? Do they consider the risks involved and the benefits? While there have been several theories explaining the root causes that lead to such abnormal social actions like crime, they are not substantial.
This however is not applicable as a general rule or behavior pattern on which the criminals act. There have been various efforts done to curb bad behavior with swift and harsh punishments. While there are economic, social, biological and psychological factors that influence criminal behavior, it is difficult to find out which factor triggers the criminal urge in a killer.
Revenge, jealousy, rage, pride and anger are common reasons cited for crime. Some criminals plan their killings carefully in advance and reduce the risk of imprisonment. Charles Ray Hatcher belonged to this type undoubtedly. The authorities knew most of the killings done by him only after he himself confessed to his crimes.
Some criminals kill on impulse, out of fear or rage. They act on instinct and do not have anything pre-planned. But most serial killers decide first to commit some crime and plan everything in meticulous detail. For some criminals the notoriety that crime brings to them is a reward they love to have. The adrenaline rush they get is also another reason for leaning towards a life of crime.
Property crimes such as auto thefts, burglaries and robberies happen mostly for material gain. While Hatcher resorted to the auto thefts and forgeries earlier, it had been more towards material gain, but when he started on abduction, rape, assault and murder it became more of a desire he had for power and control.
The crimes of violent nature happen on impulse when emotions are highly strung. Charles’s crimes however appeared to be a combination of both pre-planned and impulsive reasons.
Chapter 3: Jerry Tharrington - 1st victim
While Charles Ray Hatcher was in prison for his abduction and later escaped from prison, an inmate of Missouri State Penitentiary- Jerry Tharrington’s murder occurred on July 2, 1961. The prison authorities found Tharrington’s body on the loading dock of the Penitentiary kitchen.
He had been raped and brutally stabbed. The authorities dealing with Hatcher’s case believe that he had been responsible for the death of Jerry. This was supposedly, his first ever killing. Charles was a suspect as he was part of the kitchen crew and was the only one found to be missing when the murder had taken place.
Charles Ray Hatcher didn’t get much of a punishment for the crime due to lack of substantial evidence. The authorities did not take any further action as a result and since he was a suspect in the murder, solitary confinement was the only punishment he received.
Seeking psychiatric help
When he was under solitary confinement for killing Tharrington, Hatcher appealed for psychiatric treatment. He wrote to the authorities claiming that he needed psychiatric help.
The prison psychologist however, after examining Hatcher felt that this appeal was part of a scheme by Charles to get released from the solitary confinement. The psychologist also thought that Charles had plans to get out of prison much before the term of his imprisonment ended.
Based on the report of the psychologist, the authorities refused treatment to Charles. They released Hatcher from prison as a result. In August 24, 1963, much before his sentence term ended, the prison authorities released Charles Ray Hatcher. His term had been limited to three quarters of his original term in prison.
Facing repercussions
It is possible that had Hatcher been allowed a psychiatric evaluation the serial killings that later happened would have been averted. But as it did not happen, he was released from prison without any treatment.
Popular belief indicates that psychopaths are mentally ill persons. However, according to a recent study by American Psychiatric Association (APA) indicates that psychopathy is a personality disorder with psychopathic individuals exhibiting characteristics such as a complete disregard for social morals and laws and for human rights. Th
ey do not feel any guilt or remorse and exhibit a tendency towards violent behavior.
A psychopath exhibits a combined or multiple personality such as manipulation, charm, intimidation and violence to exert control over others and satisfy the desires they have. Most often psychopaths come across as favorable personalities and even function effectively in society. Charles existing under different names and not being found out for his crimes until he had come forward to reveal them shows how effective his social face had been.
Predatory nature of psychopaths
Psychologists claim that psychopaths are clearly predatory and view others either as their competitors or as their prey. When they see others as their prey, they do not feel any bond or emotional attachment towards them.
This helps them to understand and absorb the victim’s behavior. Further, they are not influenced or limited by the usual emotions or anxieties experienced by normal people in their encounters with others.
And the question of whether the killings of Hatcher could have been averted by the treatment is answered by experts in mental health. While it is possible to manage and treat a psychopath, it is not possible to cure them of the disorder. They don’t have any fear of punishment and are immune to social stigmatization.
The expectations present in a society don’t influence them and they are not bothered by whatever society says or condemns their behavior. The reaction of normal people to punishment does not occur in psychopaths. And the psychopaths serving prison imprisonment are the hardest to rehabilitate or reform. Hence reward based methods of treatment are recommended as best for managing these psychopaths.
Psychopaths get encouragements such as playing games, watching television and other benefits for good behavior. This has been tried and found effective on Dennis Rader, a convicted psychopath and serial killer who has been receptive to this form of treatment, since his imprisonment in 2005.
Chapter 4: Murder of an unidentified boy - 2nd victim
After his release from prison, Charles Ray Hatcher was quiet for a few years. In August 1969, he confessed abducting William Freeman, a young 12-year-old boy in Antioch, California. He had convinced the boy to come along with him to a nearby creek where he had strangled him.
Serial killers are difficult to apprehend as a majority of them plan their killings meticulously leading to several people falling victims to their actions before they are found out. In Charles’ case, the authorities came to know about his murders, after his voluntary confession only.
The increase in number of personal vehicles and urbanization are chief reasons cited by authorities for serial killings becoming easier. Most often, the pattern of killing and complete understanding of a particular case happens only after solving the case. And the victims being picked up at random and from different jurisdictions also make it hard to identify the serial killer.
Linkage blindness
Linkage blindness is a term coined to a situation where authorities belonging to different communities are searching for the same killer without realizing it. Hatcher had escaped notice because of using different names.
The various aliases that Charles used include Richard Martin Clark, Richard Lee Price, Albert Aire, Richard Harris, Hobart Prater, Doris Mullins, Ronald Springer, Carl L. Kalebough, Charles Marvin Tidwell, Richard Lee Grady, Earl L Kalebough, Dwayne Lee Wilfong, Albert Ralph Price and Doris Mullins Travis. In addition to his aliases, Charles had nearly six social security numbers over the span of his killings.
Charles did not stop with the murder of William Freeman. Within two days’ time, on August 29 he abducted a Hispanic boy in San Francisco, California. The boy, 6 years old had been playing with a girl of his age who had reported the incident later.
The girl said that the man had offered ice cream to the boy to make him go with him. While Charles had been beating the boy and sexually assaulting him, a man who had taken his dog for a walk came upon them and saved the boy.
The boy fortunately survived the traumatic encounter. Police personnel arrived immediately on the information given and arrested Hatcher.
During the time of arrest, Hatcher refused to answer all questions directed at him. He also gave his name as Albert Ralph Price. However, the identification that the police found on his person was for an individual called Hobert Prater. The police with the help of FBI records identified the apprehended criminal as Charles Ray Hatcher.
In September 1969, the police filed a case against Hatcher who still identified himself as Albert Price. Charges of sodomy attempt, assault, and kidnapping appeared in the case file brought before the California court. The court ordered psychiatric evaluations to assess the mental competence of Hatcher.
Faking mental illness
Based on the directions of the court, a comprehensive mental evaluation took place, while Charles Ray Hatcher spent time in the California State Hospital. During the stay that extended for 90 days, Hatcher was totally unresponsive, especially in the preliminary assessments.
This hospital term was the first in the line of several attempts made by Hatcher to fake his mental illness to avoid prison term. Hatcher faked delusions and claimed hearing voices. Hatcher pretended to be in a confused state and executed a few fake suicide attempts too while in prison to add to the illusion he aimed at creating about his mentally ill state.
On September 30, 1969, he started the first leg of the five tours to the State Hospital in California.
Testing for competency
For a year after the first tour, Hatcher continued to move between the court and hospital. While the doctors evaluating him maintained that his competency was good and that he was fit to stand a trial, the court sent him back.
It was during one of the hospital visits that a psychiatrist identified the passive aggressive characteristic trait in Hatcher. He also identified the pedophilia and sexual deviation in his personality.
The hospital staff also felt that Charles was malingering and reported it. The hospital gave the report stating that his competence was good and he could stand trial. The judge however ordered further two evaluations.
It was in 1971 that a psychiatrist confirmed insanity in Hatcher and recommended treatment under secure hospital conditions. Another psychiatric also concluded about Hatcher’s incompetence and Hatcher returned to hospital.
Standing trial
In May 1971, Hatcher finally attended trial. He pleaded as not guilty citing insanity. The court requested evaluations and a different medical care facility was used for the evaluation.
The assessments concluded that Hatcher couldn’t stand trial. Dr Carl Drake, Jr had done the evaluation. Hatcher who went by the name Albert Price lied about his history to Carl Drake. Since doctors in general had to rely on the convicts’ life accounts, Hatcher was able to refrain from standing trial.
In June, Hatcher true to form escaped from hospital. The authorities apprehended him after a week about 90 miles from the hospital in Colusa in California. He went by the name Richard Lee Grady and the police arrested him on charges of auto theft.
In July, the California State Hospital again assessed his mental state and the staff recognized him. By April 1972, the hospital authorities decided that treatment for Hatcher was futile and further that his stay also endangered the other patients in the hospital.
They shifted him to the prison hospital in the state situated at Vacaville. In August the same year, the prison authorities transferred Hatcher to San Quentin Prison.
Hence, after three years of committing the crime, the authorities determined that Hatcher had the capacity to think rationally.
The letter Charles wrote to the public defender confirmed his competent state and the court hence ordered two examinations as a final call. One evaluation would decide his competency to stand for trial, while the second one would decide his sane state during the time he committed the crime.
Finally, on December 1972 Charles Ray Hatcher stood trial for molestation and abduction of the Hispanic boy Gilbert Martin
ez. Charges were proved and conviction given. A month later in January the California State Hospital admitted Hatcher as a sexual offender with mental disorder.
A few months later in March 1973, the hospital guards caught Hatcher hiding inside a cooler in the courtyard of the hospital. Hatcher had two sheets stuffed in his pants.
When questioned, Hatcher admitted his attempt to escape. This convinced the doctors that he posed a threat to the public. They sent him for sentencing to the court.
Court sentence and parole evaluation
The court sentenced him to one year in prison and Hatcher spent it in a prison of medium security in Vacaville in California. W.D. Lewis, a psychologist who interviewed Hatcher concluded that he was an institutionalized manipulative sociopath.
On recommendation from the psychiatric assessment done on him, the authorities assented to Hatcher’s transfer to a prison with maximum security. Hatcher reacted by slashing his wrists. He didn’t want to spend time in the high security prison.
Schizophrenia and paranoia hence saved him from serving term in a high security prison according to a psychiatrist who evaluated him later. Hatcher continued in Vacaville.
In 1975, when a parole review came up, the prison guards maintained that Hatcher did not pose a custodial problem. He performed well all the tasks assigned to him in the kitchen present in the hospital.
A year later, when another parole review came up the Parole Board in California found that Hatcher showed improvement during his over two years imprisonment.
Hatcher spent two years and seven months in confinement. The authorities discussed the issue of allowing parole to him. They announced a date for parole after rehabilitation and continued treatment. They allowed parole to him from December 1978.
In an unexpected turn of events, a modification of the parole date led to Hatcher released nearly 19 months prior to the set date in January 1977. This was due to a bill that gave credit to all inmates for the time they spent in jails as well as in mental health centers. As a result, Hatcher got parole and he went to a Home Care Services Centre located in San Francisco in California.
True Crime Stories Volume 4: 12 Shocking True Crime Murder Cases (True Crime Anthology) Page 31