Bio

Earl Von Denton was born in 1949. He grew up in a small town in the United States. Little is known about his early life, but it is clear he had a difficult upbringing. Various sources indicate that he might have struggled with family issues and found himself in trouble during his teenage years.

As Earl grew older, he became involved in criminal activities. By the time he reached adulthood, he had accumulated a record of offenses. His life took a significant turn when he was imprisoned. While in Oklahoma State Prison, he formed a close bond with another inmate named Paul Ruiz. Their friendship developed during their time together behind bars.

On June 23, 1977, Denton and Ruiz escaped from the Oklahoma State Prison. This escape marked the beginning of a violent period in Denton's life. During the weeks that followed, he and Ruiz moved through several states, committing robberies along the way. Their actions quickly escalated, leading to a string of violent incidents.

The authorities eventually captured Denton and Ruiz in Portland, Oregon, on July 13, 1977. Their arrest ended a short but intense period of crime and violence. After their capture, both men faced significant legal challenges and were sentenced to death in connection with their actions during the spree.

Denton's life came to a conclusion when he was executed by lethal injection in Arkansas on January 8, 1997. His story is one of a troubled early life, leading to a series of criminal decisions that would have lasting effects on many lives.

Murder Story

Earl Von Denton and his accomplice, Paul Ruiz, escaped from an Oklahoma prison on June 23, 1977. After their escape, they went on a crime spree that lasted until their arrest on July 13, 1977. During this time, they committed seven murders in different locations, primarily in Arkansas.

On June 29, 1977, they encountered Marvin Richie, the town marshal of Magazine, Arkansas. After binding him, they placed him in the back of his police car. Later that day, they ambushed two park rangers, Opal James and David Small. Richie was shot and killed, while Small was left badly injured but alive.

Denton and Ruiz continued their spree, killing Opal James shortly thereafter. After committing these crimes, they fled to other states, including Oregon. Law enforcement eventually arrested them in Portland, Oregon, on July 13, 1977.

In the following years, Denton and Ruiz faced multiple trials for their crimes. Both were convicted of capital murder due to the deaths they caused. Their legal battles continued for about twenty years, involving various appeals and retrials.

Finally, on January 8, 1997, Earl Von Denton was executed by lethal injection in Arkansas. His life ended after the executioners injected a lethal mixture into his arms. Denton's official time of death was recorded as 7:09 PM.