James Vernon Allridge III was born on November 14, 1962, in West Germany. His father was stationed there as part of the military. Two years earlier, on September 27, 1960, his older brother Ronald had been born. In 1969, the family moved back to the United States and settled in Fort Worth, Texas. They later moved into a house at 2425 Annglen Drive, where Ronald and James shared an attic bedroom.

Growing up, Ronald was described as shy and quiet by his gym teacher at O.D. Wyatt High School. James, in contrast, was outgoing and popular among his peers. 

In March 1976, 15-year-old Ronald Allridge committed theft at a department store, where he took several watches and three guns, along with ammunition. Soon after, he brought one of the guns to school, boasting to classmates that he was prepared to shoot someone. On April 12, 1976, Ronald shot and killed 15-year-old Lorenzo Kneeland at school. Another student, James Christian, was also shot but survived. The reasons behind the shooting were unclear, though it was suggested that past disputes over a girl or a burglary may have contributed. Ronald was later arrested by police while walking along a highway, still holding the gun. During his custody, a psychologist diagnosed him with paranoid schizophrenia. He pled guilty to murder in 1977 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Ronald was released in 1983 without requiring parole.

After his release, Ronald lost his job due to chronic tardiness. He and his brother James embarked on a series of armed robberies in the Fort Worth area in late 1984 and into 1985. On January 14, 1985, Ronald robbed a pizza shop and fatally shot 19-year-old Buddy Joe Webster Jr., who was working at the time. Ronald later claimed he went straight home to sleep afterward.

On February 3, 1985, James used his prior knowledge of a convenience store to facilitate another robbery. He initially asked for change, then returned with a gun. After forcing the clerk, 21-year-old Brian Clendennen, into the storeroom, James tied him up and ultimately shot him twice in the back of the head, leaving him seriously wounded. Brian later died from his injuries.

On March 25, 1985, the Allridge brothers, in collaboration with two other brothers, conducted a violent robbery at a Whataburger restaurant. Ronald was armed with a shotgun and shot a woman, 19-year-old Carla McMillen Otto, during the heist. She was killed when Ronald shot her in the chest after demanding cash. The involvement of Ronald and James in these crimes led to further investigations into their actions.

Both brothers were apprehended and faced trials for capital murder. Ronald confessed to multiple armed robberies and the murder of Buddy Joe Webster, while James was implicated in the murder of Brian Clendennen. Ronald was convicted and sentenced to death, while James, despite no prior criminal record, was also sentenced to death after the prosecution presented evidence of his involvement in seven armed robberies.

Ronald was executed by lethal injection on June 8, 1995. James was executed on August 26, 2004.