John Wayne Gacy Aka: Pogo the Clown

The birth of a killer: Born March 17, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois Abusive childhood Isolated from friends due to congenital heart condition Confused about sexuality Two sisters Karen and Joanne (he was the middle child) Father would beat him, his sisters, and mother with a razor strap if they misbehaved

Before the kill: Never graduated high school, but attended business college Became a janitor for a while John worked as a fast-food manager during the 1960’s KFC Self-made contractor and Democratic precinct captain in the Chicago suburbs in the 1970’s Well known performing clown performer Named “Pogo” Married and divorced twice Multiple biological and step-children Arrested for sexual assault of two boys Ten year sentence, released on probation, re-accused, and charges dropped when boy didn’t show up at court

Caught: Robert Piest (15) went missing December 11, 1978 A lead sent the cops to Gacy’s home due to previous arrest and activity involving suspicion Piest was said to be with Gacy before his disappearance While investigating, the police caught a smell of a rotting scent Gacy confessed to killing 33 young boys/men ages 14-21 29 bodies discovered under the house and 4 by the river (he ran out of room) Further investigation proved that the boys/young men were lured in by a promise of construction jobs, captured, sexually assaulted, and strangled with ropes. Greg Godzik, 17 John Szyc, 19 Robert Piest, 15 John Butkovich, 17 Tom Boling David Talsma Robert Winch Russell Nelson John Mowery Robert Gilroy, 18 Matthew Bowman John Prestige Rick Johnson William Carroll, 16 Samuel Stapleton Randall Reffelt Darrell Simpson Billy Kindred Frank Landingin James Mazzara + 13 unidentified males

Media Books John Wayne Gacy- Defending A Monster The Man Who Killed Boys Killer Clown Movies/Television Dear Mr. Gacy “It” Songs John Wayne Gacy Jr. by Sufjan Stevens “He dressed up like a clown for them With his face paint white and red And on his best behavior In a dark room on the bed He kissed them all He'd kill ten thousand people With a sleight of his hand Running far, running fast to the dead He took off all their clothes for them He put a cloth on their lips Quiet hands, quiet kiss on the mouth”

Court and Conviction: Trial began February 6, 1980 He again confessed to the murders, but also claimed that they were done by an alternate personality “Pogo” Found GUILTY with charges of One count of sodomy (a type of sexual assault) 33 counts of murder *researched but unknown degree 1 count of sexual assault 1 count of indecent liberties with a child Around 100 witnesses called to testify

The End Gacy was given 21 life sentences and 12 death sentences Kept in Menard Correctional Center (for 14 years) until given Lethal injection at the Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Illinois Death: May 10, 1994 Last meal: Fried chicken, French fries, Coke, and Strawberry shortcake Last words: “Kiss my a**”

Quote:

Sociological Theory of Deviance Social Control Theory I believe that the social control theory is the best theory to describe John Wayne Gacy. John, although treated poorly, wanted to be a part of his community. He portrayed himself as one who would enjoy involvement. He cared about what others thought about him and he hid how he felt to gain more of an acceptance. He conformed to social norms to possibly feel the acceptance that he was neglected from during his childhood. I believe that John Gacy did what he did as his way of breaking out, but still keeping himself and how he felt, a secret. One of my theories is that Gacy captured the young men and boys so that nobody would have a chance to suspect he was different. He raped or sexually assaulted those boys to relieve what he was hiding from his community that he desired to be a part of. He murdered to make sure that nobody would find out. Also, he may have inherited some of his violence from his abusive father, whom he may have thought of every time he took a victims life. He conformed to society on the outside, but on the inside, he stayed the same. The idea of John Gacy conforming to his society and living a double life (clown and community member by day and killer by night) helps to conclude that the social control theory is in effect.

Works cited: "John Wayne Gacy." Clark Prosecutor, www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/death/US/gacy237.htm. Accessed 9 May 2017. "John Wayne Gacy Confesses." History.com, A+E Networks, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/john-wayne-gacy-confesses. Accessed 10 May 2017. "John Wayne Gacy Jr." Murderpedia, www.murderpedia.org/male.G/g1/gacy- john-wayne.htm. Accessed 8 May 2017. "John Wayne Gacy Murderer." Biography, A+E Network, www.biography.com/people/john-wayne-gacy-10367544. Accessed 9 May 2017. "Social Control Theory." Criminal Justice, criminal- justice.iresearchnet.com/criminology/theories/social-control-theory/. "Sufjan Stevens." Genius, genius.com/Sufjan-stevens-john-wayne-gacy-jr-lyrics. Accessed 8 May 2017.