Gregory Van Cleave
Murderer
Ervil LeBaron
Murderer · USA · 1972
Ervil Morrell LeBaron (1925 to August 16, 1981) was the leader of a polygamous…
35 victims
Brian Kevin Rosenfeld
Murderer · USA · 1985
Brian Kevin Rosenfeld Brian Kevin Rosenfeld was sentenced to three concurrent l…
23 victims
Marvin Gray
Murderer · USA · 1975
Marvin Gray was convicted killer who claimed responsibility for 23 slayings and…
23 victims
Yahweh ben Yahweh
Murderer · USA · 1980
Yahweh ben Yahweh was born and legally named Hulon Mitchell Jr. (October 27, 19…
23 victims
Russell Ellwood
Murderer · USA · 1991
Russell Ellwood was a former taxi driver. Authorities suspected him of killing…
20 victims
Yan Yanming
Mass murderer · China · 2004
Yan Yanming (b. 1983 in Ruzhou, Henan, China) was a Chinese mass murderer who k…
9 victims
Priscilla Bradford
Murderer · USA · 1980
Priscilla Bradford (1944– ) was an American murderer who, along with two friend…
1 victim
Bruno Lüdke
Serial killer · Germany · 1928
Bruno Lüdke (3 April 1908 – 26 April 1944) was an alleged German serial killer.…
84 victims
Marlene Smith
Murderer · USA · 1997
Marlene Smith was convicted of the 1997 murder of Anthony Proviano, a Universit…
1 victim
John Winfield
Murderer · USA · 1996
Name: John Winfield · Case name (Missouri Supreme Court): State of Missouri, Re…
2 victims
- Gender
- male
- Country
- USA
- Location
- Marion County, Indiana, USA
- Date of birth
- J une 1, 1962
- Age at first offence
- 20
- Characteristics
- robbery, alcohol, drugs
- Victim profile
- Robert Falkner, 41
- Method of murder
- Shooting (shotgun)
- Date(s) of murder
- October 19, 1982
- Years active
- 1982
- Date of arrest
- —
- Status
-
Sentenced to death
Sentenced to death May 27, 1983; death sentence removed from consideration and resentenced on 06-05-98 to 60 years imprisonment
Case record: Gregory Van Cleave
Background
Gregory Van Cleave was 20 years old at the time of the murder. He had a bad home life. He had a failed stint in the Army with an Honorable Discharge, and after the Army he could not find a job. The court considered intoxication as a mitigating circumstance.
The offence
Gregory Van Cleave, along with Brazleton, Coleman and Sims, was driving around getting high with liquor and marijuana looking for someone to rob. They came upon Falkner.
Sims and Van Cleave got out, with Van Cleave carrying a shotgun. Van Cleave confronted Falkner and a neighbor overheard Falkner say: "What do you mean, 'shut up.'"
Van Cleave shot Falkner in the chest with a shotgun. Van Cleave fled after the shooting.
Investigation
Ballistics experts confirmed that the shot was fired from a distance from 6-8 feet.
Arrest
Gregory Van Cleave admitted shooting Falkner, but claimed that "the gun just went off," and that the shooting was accidental.
Trial
Gregory Van Cleave pled guilty to Felony-Murder. Conspiracy to Commit Robbery was dismissed as part of the plea agreement. The agreement allowed both sides to present evidence and arguments on a death sentence and intent, but commanded 60 years imprisonment if a death sentence was not imposed.
Brazleton and Coleman testified after reaching plea agreements with the State.
Sentencing
Gregory Van Cleave was sentenced on May 27, 1983 to death.
The aggravating circumstance was: b (1) Robbery.
The mitigating circumstances included: 20 years old at the time of murder, intoxication, bad home life, failed stint in the Army-Honorable Discharge, and could not find a job after Army.
Special Judge Thomas Gray denied PCR relief.
Following a new sentencing hearing, Special Judge Thomas Gray ruled that the State had not satisfied the burden of proof and a death sentence was removed form consideration.
On 06-05-98 Van Cleave was resentenced to 60 years imprisonment.
Appeals
Outcome
Gregory Van Cleave’s felony-murder conviction remained in place with sentencing outcome changing from a death sentence to 60 years imprisonment after the death sentence was removed from consideration and a new sentencing hearing was held.
Aftermath
Gregory Van Cleave home last updates contact
Spotted an error, or have more information about this case?