Bio

William "Junior" Pierce Jr. was born on October 11, 1931. He grew up in Georgia. He struggled in school and had a low IQ, which was reported to be around 70. 

Pierce became involved in various crimes. He faced several charges, including burglary and arson. He was also known to have attempted escape from prison. By the time he reached adulthood, he had developed a criminal record that led to a long sentence in prison. He was convicted for crimes like receiving stolen property and eventually received a 10 to 20-year sentence.

In 1970, Pierce was paroled from the Georgia State Prison in Reidsville after serving only seven years. There were concerns raised by psychologists about his potential for violence. They suggested that he may be dangerous to himself and others. Despite these warnings, the parole board decided to release him.

Murder Story

William "Junior" Pierce was a serial killer whose crimes took place mainly between 1970 and 1971. He claimed at least nine victims during this time, including two men and seven women, aged 17 to 60. His methods of murder varied, and the locations of his crimes spanned Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

Pierce's first known murder occurred shortly after he was paroled in May 1970, despite warnings from mental health professionals about his potential danger to society. He was arrested on March 8, 1971, in Louisville, Georgia, after failing to pay for gasoline. Soon after, he was charged with the murder of Mrs. Vivian Miles, a 60-year-old storekeeper who was robbed and shot in her country store.

Authorities connected him to several other murders spanning multiple states. Notably, one of his victims was Margaret "Peg" Cuttino, a 13-year-old girl. Cuttino was reported missing on December 18, 1970, and her body was found 12 days later. The investigation of her case was marked by controversy, especially regarding Pierce's confession, which he claimed was coerced through physical abuse during police questioning.

In trials related to various murders, Pierce was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Throughout the process, questions about the investigations and the validity of Pierce's confessions arose. Critics pointed out the reliance on his admissions and the lack of physical evidence linking him to many of the murders, particularly in the case of Peg Cuttino.

Despite the convictions, doubts about Pierce's guilt continue to linger. This has led to various appeals and discussions about the possibility of his innocence, particularly in light of new evidence that could challenge the original findings.

He died on May 31, 2020 in Prison in Jackson, Georgia.