David Bullock

Overview

David Bullock pled guilty to six counts of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to six terms of 25 years to life in prison on October 26, 1982.

Background

David Bullock was born in New York City on November 13, 1960. He had a history of trouble with the law that dated from his adolescent years.

In February 1977, he was arrested in Monroe, New York, on charges of criminal mischief and petty larceny. Five months later, in Manhattan, he pled guilty to attempted grand larceny and was committed to a home for delinquent youths, receiving a conditional discharge in November.

A burglary arrest in January 1978 led to his adjudication as a youthful offender in Goshen, New York. Over the next three years, Bullock logged adult arrests for robbery and grand larceny. He then drifted into the seamy underworld of male prostitution.

The offence

Between December 1981 and January 1982, Bullock killed at least six times, without apparent provocation from his victims. Thus far, all of Bullock’s victims had been murdered with a .38 revolver, shot without apparent motive.

Victim 1: James Weber

Bullock’s first victim was 42-year-old James Weber. Weber was an actor shot to death in Central Park in the evening of December 4.

Nine days later, Bullock told prostitute Edwina Atkins about the murder and she "laughed in (his) face," refusing to believe the story. After sex, Bullock covered her face with a pillow, shot Atkins in the head and set her apartment on fire.

Victim 2: Edwina Atkins

Edwina Atkins was shot in the head after Bullock covered her face with a pillow and Bullock set her apartment on fire.

Victim 3: Stephen Hassell

On December 15, Bullock used a similar method with Stephen Hassell, a 29-year-old businessman who took him home for sex. Bullock told detectives that there was "no particular reason" for Hassell’s murder and that it was "something to amuse myself."

Victim 4: Michael Winley

Bullock’s fourth victim was roommate Michael Winley. Winley was shot in the head on December 23 and dumped in the Harlem River. Police accepted Bullock’s version of the crime despite the fact that Winley’s corpse had never been recovered.

Victim 5: Heriberto Morales

Heriberto Morales, age 50, took Bullock home after a Christmas party and paid for the mistake with his life. Bullock said Morales "started messing with the Christmas tree, telling me how nice the Christmas tree was, so I shot him." As an afterthought, Bullock also set the place on fire.

Victim 6: Eric Fuller

On the fourth of January, Bullock needed cash and he was carrying a sawed-off shotgun when he met 28-year-old Eric Fuller in Mount Morris Park.

Bullock was charged with six counts of murder on January 15. Bullock told detectives that there might be other victims: he had tried to shoot at least four more, but might have missed. Without specific details, bodies, or complaints from living targets, no more charges were appended to the list.

Investigation

Bullock told detectives that there might be other victims and that he had tried to shoot at least four more, but might have missed.

Arrest

Trial

On October 26, 1982, Bullock pled guilty to six counts of second-degree murder.

Sentencing

Facing terms of 25 years to life on each murder count, he was advised of the judge’s intention to mete out a sentence that "guarantees you never get out of jail as long as you shall live."

Asked for a motive, Bullock told the court, "It's fun" and described murder as "a kind of sport that "makes me happy."

Outcome

Bullock pled guilty to six counts of second-degree murder and received six terms of 25 years to life in prison.

Other details

Police accepted Bullock’s version of the crime for Michael Winley despite the fact that Winley’s corpse had never been recovered.