William Tager
Murderer
Brian Kevin Rosenfeld
Murderer · USA · 1985
Brian Kevin Rosenfeld Brian Kevin Rosenfeld was sentenced to three concurrent l…
23 victims
Russell Ellwood
Murderer · USA · 1991
Russell Ellwood was a former taxi driver. Authorities suspected him of killing…
20 victims
Robert Martines Perez
Murderer · USA · 1994
Name: Robert Martines Perez · Other name used in proceedings: Robert Martinez P…
15 victims
Billy Frank Vickers
Murderer · USA · 1993
Billy Frank Vickers Vickers was executed by lethal injection in Texas on Januar…
14 victims
David Funches
Murderer · USA · 1974
David Livingston Funchess was the petitioner and appellant in federal habeas co…
2 victims
Gregory Edward Wright
Murderer · USA · 1997
Gregory Edward Wright was the defendant. · Donna Duncan Vick was the victim, de…
1 victim
John Albert Taylor
Murderer · USA · 1988
John Albert Taylor (c. 1960) was executed by firing squad in Utah on January 26…
1 victim
David Jay Brown
Murderer · USA · 1988
Defendant: David Jay Brown · Victim: Eldon McGuire (also referred to as Eldon L…
1 victim
Kenneth Foster
Murderer · USA · 1996
Kenneth Foster, Jr. (born October 22, 1976) was a prisoner formerly on death ro…
1 victim
- Gender
- male
- Country
- USA
- Location
- New York City, New York, USA
- Date of birth
- November 9, 1947
- Age at first offence
- 47
- Characteristics
- rape, fugitive, mentally ill
- Victim profile
- Campbell Theron Montgomery, 33 (technician employed by NBC)
- Method of murder
- Shooting
- Date(s) of murder
- August 31, 1994
- Years active
- 1994
- Date of arrest
- Same day
- Status
-
Released
Sentenced to 15 to 25 years in prison on November 29, 1996; released on parole in October 2010
Background
William Tager was born on November 9, 1947. He was a Charlotte, North Carolina man.
The offence
Tager assaulted television journalist and newsreader Dan Rather.
On August 31, 1994, Tager shot and killed Campbell Theron Montgomery. Montgomery was a technician employed by NBC and died outside of the stage of the Today show.
The motive recorded in the case summary was Tager’s belief that television networks were watching him and sending him signals.
Investigation
On October 4, 1986, Rather was attacked on Park Avenue by one or two men, presumed to have been mentally disturbed, who repeatedly yelled “Kenneth, what is the frequency?”.
The assailant or assailants were not apprehended or identified at the time.
Police apprehended Tager after the August 31, 1994 shooting.
Arrest
Tager was apprehended by police after the shooting of Campbell Theron Montgomery on August 31, 1994.
Trial
Prosecutors brought first degree murder charges against Tager.
On November 29, 1996, Tager was given a sentence of 15 to 25 years.
Sentencing
On November 29, 1996, Tager received a sentence of 15 to 25 years.
As of 2007, Tager was incarcerated in Sing Sing prison in New York state.
Tager was denied parole in 2007 and was released on parole in October 2010.
Outcome
Tager was imprisoned following his first degree murder charge and later released on parole in October 2010.
Some questions were raised about Tager’s involvement in Rather’s assault. In their initial reports, Rather and two other witnesses stated that Rather was assaulted by two men.
In Dr. Welner’s examination, he confirmed Tager’s involvement by eliciting admissions that would have only been known to the defendant and then investigating the assault scene. After reviewing Dr. Welner’s discoveries, Dr. Dietz interviewed Rather, who identified Tager as the assailant and said that a second man had been present during the assault but had not participated in it.
Other details
The attack on Dan Rather was the inspiration for the song “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” by the band R.E.M. 1994 shooting: On August 31, 1994, Tager shot and killed Campbell Theron Montgomery outside of the stage of the Today show. Tager had attempted to enter the Today studios carrying a weapon, and Montgomery died preventing Tager access to the studios.
Spotted an error, or have more information about this case?