Lloyd Donald Greeson

Case record: Lloyd Donald Greeson

Background

Lloyd Donald Greeson liked to see himself in uniform but could not follow military discipline. During World War II, he volunteered for the Canadian army and was convicted of several crimes while stationed in England. Between 1946 and 1950, he was dishonorably discharged from both the United States Army and the Marine Corps on charges of desertion.

After returning to civilian life, he logged arrests for auto theft, aggravated robbery, vagrancy, carrying a weapon, unlawful entry, and theft.

The offence

Lola Cotton, age 44, of Miami, Florida, was last seen alive in Lloyd Greeson's company on the night of May 16, 1964. Her naked, lifeless body was discovered nine days later at her home.

Her car was recovered at Bonita Springs on May 18, and a valuable ring was missing when investigators learned of it.

On June 13, Margaret Ayoub, age 37, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was last seen alive on the night she left a local tavern on Lloyd Greeson's arm. On June 16, Margaret Ayoub was found dead in a ditch outside Bloomsburg.

Investigation

The coroner’s report attributed Lola Cotton’s death to alcohol and barbiturate poisoning. Further investigation revealed that the woman had never voluntarily used drugs.

On learning that a valuable ring was missing, homicide investigators obtained warrants charging Lloyd Greeson with grand larceny and auto theft.

Investigation connected him to the death of Lola Cotton and the death of Margaret Ayoub. Suspected in two murders, and charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, Lloyd Greeson was added to the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted" list on September 18, 1964.

Four days later, on an identification made at Perris, California, in Riverside County, an alert citizen recognized Greeson from his photograph published in a local newspaper.

Arrest

Lloyd Greeson was arrested on September 23 after being identified from a photograph. He was held under $25,000 bond on each of the two federal charges against him.

He used the name "Don Francis Merrow" and had been living in nearby Elsinore for the past six weeks, employed as a house painter.

Trial

On October 30, Lloyd Greeson pled guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Lola Cotton.

Sentencing

Lloyd Greeson was sentenced to 20 years in prison on November 3, 1964.

Appeals

No appeals information was included.

Outcome

Two months after the Florida sentencing, Pennsylvania authorities indicted Lloyd Greeson for the murder of Margaret Ayoub, but he was never brought to trial.

Aftermath

The case material stated that Lloyd Greeson disposed of two murders and received a 20-year sentence on one count of second degree in Florida in 1964.