Wayne Donald Horton

Case overview

Wayne Donald Horton was a native of Las Vegas, born in 1956. He died in prison on January 3, 2010.

Horton had an explosive temper and was described as having “a bad habit of pulling the trigger” when quarrels erupted into violence. He dispatched at least one victim per year between the ages of 16 and 20.

Timeline

• 1972 (late) — Horton picked up a “Jane Doe” at a liquor store, beat her to death with a jack handle, and dumped her in the desert after she objected to Horton’s smoking marijuana while driving.

• February 4, 1973 — The skeletal remains of the “Jane Doe,” complete with a shattered skull, were found.

• May 12, 1975 — Horton tried to rob Edward Buccieri, a 52-year-old shift boss at Caesar’s Palace, and shot him five times in the head after Buccieri “called him dirty names.”

• August 1975 — Horton was involved in an August 1975 strangulation murder of Delmar Bright.

• 1975 (three months later) — Horton repeated the pattern of the Buccieri killing when he robbed Las Vegas cab driver William Tinnell, shooting him down to the number of gunshots.

• April 21, 1976 — Horton was jailed in Las Vegas awaiting trial on charges of rape, robbery, and kidnapping; he then led two cellmates in fatally stabbing 19-year-old Calvin Brinson.

• June 5, 1976 — Horton pled guilty to the Buccieri and Tinnell murders, with other felony charges dismissed in return for his guilty plea.

• 1976 (three weeks later) — Horton received two consecutive terms of life imprisonment without parole.

• August 3, 1976 — Two more murder charges were filed against Horton for the deaths of Calvin Brinson and the “Jane Doe,” and he entered guilty pleas.

• January 3, 2010 — Horton died in prison.

The offence

“Jane Doe” murder (liquor store pick-up)

Horton picked up a “Jane Doe” at a liquor store in the latter half of 1972. He had promised some marijuana to the young woman if she would come for a drive with him. During the drive, she objected to Horton’s smoking marijuana while driving. Horton beat her to death with a jack handle and dumped her in the desert.

Her skeletal remains, complete with a shattered skull, were found on February 4, 1973, but the woman remains unidentified.

Edward Buccieri murder (Caesar’s Palace robbery)

On May 12, 1975, Horton tried to rob Edward Buccieri, a 52-year-old shift boss at Caesar’s Palace. After Buccieri “called him dirty names,” Horton shot Buccieri five times in the head.

William Tinnell murder (cab driver robbery)

Three months after the Buccieri murder, Horton repeated the performance with Las Vegas cab driver William Tinnell, down to the number of gunshots. The cabbie was on his knees pleading for mercy when he died, and Horton felt no sympathy. Horton explained in court: “I don't think he deserved to live.”

Calvin Brinson murder in custody (stabbing by cellmates)

On April 21, 1976, Horton was jailed in Las Vegas awaiting trial on charges of rape, robbery, and kidnapping. While jailed, he led two cellmates in fatally stabbing 19-year-old Calvin Brinson.

All three prisoners were charged with murder. Horton confessed his role in the unprovoked attack, and he blamed Brinson’s death on his own “frustration” at confinement.

Investigation and arrest

Trial

Guilty pleas to the Buccieri and Tinnell murders

On June 5, 1976, Horton pled guilty to the Buccieri and Tinnell murders. He described the crimes in court and “gig[ged]gling.”

Horton publicly lamented that he would not be executed. He said: “There are several people I'm going to kill if I can.”

When a black prisoner began chuckling nervously, Horton faced him and said: “Go ahead and laugh, nigger.” He continued: “You might just be the first one.”

Guilty pleas for Brinson and “Jane Doe”

On August 3, Horton filed guilty pleas in the deaths of Calvin Brinson and the “Jane Doe” victim. This resulted in two more terms of life without parole.

Sentencing

Sentences without parole (two consecutive terms)

Three weeks after Horton pled guilty to the Buccieri and Tinnell murders, Horton received two consecutive terms of life imprisonment without parole.

Additional life terms

Two more terms of life without parole were imposed after Horton’s August 3, 1976 guilty pleas in the deaths of Calvin Brinson and the “Jane Doe” victim.

Appeals

No appeals were described.

Outcome

Horton was sentenced to four terms of life in prison without parole in 1976.

Other details

Charges dismissed in connection with guilty plea

In return for Horton’s guilty plea to the Buccieri and Tinnell murders, various other felony charges were dismissed. These included the August 1975 strangulation murder of Delmar Bright, later charged to serial slayer Billy Chadd.

Intentions stated in court and in prison

Horton said he intended to claim future victims and made statements about killing other prisoners who upset him.

Planned transfer

Nevada authorities announced their intention of seeking Horton's transfer to a California prison, where he would be permanently out of touch with other inmates he had vowed to murder.