William Tahl

Case identification

• Name: William Tahl

Background

William Tahl clashed with authority for the first time at age three, after deliberately hurling a brick through a window. More arrests followed, but his crimes remained petty until the spring of 1965, when unexpected violent urges surfaced at the age of twenty-seven.

The offence

On April Fool's Day, Tahl approached his man-and-wife employers, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Bowen, at the Mission Bay Yacht Club in San Diego, California.

• He brandished a shotgun and demanded cash.
• He was indignantly refused.
• Tahl shot both victims.
• Mrs. Bowen was killed instantly.
• Mr. Bowen survived just long enough to name the gunman for police.

Mere hours later, still on April 1, Tahl invaded a nearby apartment.

• He threatened to stab a two-year-old child if the boy's teenaged mother did not submit to intercourse.
• After the rape, he fled from California.

Tahl fled California, giving San Diego officers the slip, and set his sights on Texas. In El Paso, he acquired a bogus driver's license, draft card, and Social Security number in the name of "Arthur Spencer," before moving on to Dallas as he searched for work.

In Dallas, Tahl made friends with Allen Wright, age 24, and shortly moved his few belongings into Wright's apartment. On April 26, a neighbor found Wright's body, naked and torn by knife wounds. Police began a search for "Arthur Spencer," on another count of murder.

Tahl was hiding in Fort Worth. While there, he "found" a Social Security card in the name of "J.D. Baxter" and used that identity as he evacuated Texas and traveled toward St. Louis.

Back in Dallas, "Arthur Spencer" had been identified as William Tahl, and federal warrants had begun to multiply on charges of unlawful flight. His name was added to the FBI's "Most Wanted" list on June 10, 1965.

Tahl’s latest buddy in St. Louis was a teacher by the name of Marvin Thomas. After several meetings, Tahl moved into Thomas's apartment, watching from a distance while the FBI continued their pursuit across the Southwest. Come autumn, William's cash and self-control evaporated simultaneously.

On November 5, he bound his roommate, battered Thomas with a sock containing buckshot, and coerced the teacher into signing four $100 checks made out to "J.D. Baxter." Leaving the apartment shortly after 1 a.m., Tahl had no way of knowing that a neighbor had already called police.

St. Louis officers arrived to rescue Thomas and listened as he related details of his ordeal. They were still on hand then Tahl returned, but they proved careless in allowing him to use the bathroom prior to making the arrest.

Arrest and surrender

Emerging with a pistol pointed at himself, Tahl threatened suicide. He revealed his identity and startled police with details of his several homicides. An hour and twenty minutes passed before he finally surrendered and was carted off to jail, awaiting the arrival of the FBI.

Other details

• Allen Wright was age 24.
• Mrs. Bowen was killed instantly.
• Mr. Bowen survived just long enough to name the gunman.
• The checks were four $100 checks made out to "J.D. Baxter."
• Tahl obtained false documents including a bogus driver's license, draft card, and Social Security number in the name of "Arthur Spencer."
• Tahl later used the Social Security identity "J.D. Baxter."