Thomas Neal
Murderer
Ervil LeBaron
Murderer · USA · 1972
Ervil Morrell LeBaron (1925 to August 16, 1981) was the leader of a polygamous…
35 victims
Marvin Gray
Murderer · USA · 1975
Marvin Gray was convicted killer who claimed responsibility for 23 slayings and…
23 victims
Charles Manson
Murderer · USA · 1969
Charles Milles Manson (born November 12, 1934) was an American criminal and mus…
9 victims
Robert Reldan
Murderer · USA · 1974
Name: Robert Reldan Robert Reldan was sentenced to life in prison on two counts…
8 victims
Dennis Duane Webb
Murderer · USA · 1973
Defendant: Dennis Duane Webb · Victims: John Rainwater and Lori Rainwater · Cou…
7 victims
Gary Gene Tison
Murderer · USA · 1967
Gary Gene Tison was serving life sentences at the Arizona state prison. He had…
7 victims
Charles William Bass
Murderer · USA · 1979
Name: Charles William Bass Case number: 662 Age: 29 · 1979 — Charles William Ba…
1 victim
Genene Jones
Serial killer · USA · 1977
Genene Anne Jones (born July 13, 1950) was a former pediatric nurse who worked…
11 victims
Elizabeth Woolcock
Murderer · Australia · 1873
Elizabeth Woolcock — defendant; wife of Thomas Woolcock; later executed for his…
1 victim
Elmer Crawford
Mass murderer · Australia · 1970
Elmer Crawford was accused of murdering pregnant mother Therese Crawford and he…
4 victims
Anthony Kirkland
Serial killer · USA · 1987
Anthony Kirkland (born September 13, 1968) was an American serial killer. In 19…
5 victims
- Gender
- male
- Country
- USA
- Location
- North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Date of birth
- January 28, 1914
- Age at first offence
- 51
- Characteristics
- parricide, alcohol
- Victim profile
- Gale Bennett (his third wife)
- Method of murder
- Shooting ( .45-caliber gun)
- Date(s) of murder
- April 2, 1965
- Years active
- 1965
- Date of arrest
- Same day
- Status
-
Died in custody
Sentenced to ten years in prison in 1965; released on parole December 7, 1971; died on August 7, 1972
Case record: Thomas Neal
Background
Thomas Neal (January 28, 1914 – August 7, 1972) was an American actor and convicted killer.
Neal was born in Evanston, Illinois. He debuted on the Broadway stage in 1935. In 1938, he first appeared in film in Out West with the Hardys, part of the Mickey Rooney “Hardy family” movie series. That same year, he received a law degree from Harvard University.
Neal appeared in many low budget B-movies in the 40s and early 50s. In 1941, he starred with Frances Gifford in the Republic Pictures 15-episode serial Jungle Girl. Perhaps his most memorable role was that of Al Roberts in the classic film noir Detour alongside Ann Savage. They went on to make five movies together.
Other details
While in college at Northwestern and Harvard Universities, Neal was a stand-out on the schools’ boxing teams. He compiled a 44-3 (41 knockouts) ring record.
The offence
In 1951, Neal fought aristocratic actor Franchot Tone over their mutual girlfriend, actress Barbara Payton. Neal inflicted injuries on Tone including a smashed cheekbone, a broken nose, and a brain concussion.
Neal later married for the third time in 1961, to Gale Bennett. Four years later, he shot Bennett in the back of the head with a .45-caliber gun, killing her instantly.
Investigation, arrest, and prosecution
Neal was arrested. Although prosecutors sought the death penalty, he was convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
Sentencing
Neal was sentenced to ten years in prison in 1965.
Appeals
No appeal information was included.
Outcome
Neal served six years of his ten-year sentence. He was released on parole on December 7, 1971.
Aftermath
Eight months later, in August 1972, Neal died of heart failure in North Hollywood, California at the age of 58.
Neal was cremated, and his ashes were stored in the vault at the Chapel of the Pines Crematory in Los Angeles.
Spotted an error, or have more information about this case?