Cleophus Prince Jr.

Cleophus Prince Jr. (born July 24, 1967) is an American serial killer and burglar who was convicted and sentenced to death in 1993 for the rape and murder of six women in San Diego County, California. The killings occurred between January and September 1990 and became known as the Clairemont serial killings as most of the murders took place there. Before these crimes and while serving in the United States Navy, Prince was court-martialed in 1989 due to larceny. Upon being convicted, he was recommended to be discharged after serving his sentence. Multiple books have been written on Prince and his crimes.

Crimes Cleophus Prince was court-martialed in October 1989 and convicted of larceny. After serving a brief sentence, he was recommended for discharge from the Navy. Two months later, he moved into the Buena Vista Gardens apartment complex, which was close to the location of the first three murders. He lived at the Buena Vista complex until May 2, 1990.

Before his arrest, police characterized the then-unknown serial killer as a "disorganized opportunist" for the common patterns in the crimes. In each case, Prince entered the female victim's residence during daylight hours through an unlocked door or window, surprising them during or just after they bathed and stabbing them to death with knives taken from their kitchen. Police also theorized that Prince may have stalked some of his victims, including Pamela Clark, by following them home from a fitness club in the Miramar neighborhood, near his former girlfriend's residence.

Murder victims Tiffany Paige Schultz, died , lived in an apartment complex adjacent to Buena Vista Gardens. but was released three days later. Janene Marie Weinhold, died , also lived in an adjacent apartment complex. Holly Suzanne Tarr, died , was visiting her brother and staying at his Buena Vista Gardens apartment. Tarr's slaying led police to believe a serial killer was stabbing women. A ring belonging to Tarr was given by Prince to his girlfriend in December 1990. Elissa Naomi Keller, died , lived in the East San Diego apartment complex where Prince moved in May 1990. Pamela Gail Clark, died , lived in the University City district.

Apprehension A composite drawing of the killer was distributed in April 1990 based on an eyewitness description; a maintenance worker had seen the killer fleeing the Buena Vista Gardens apartment complex following Holly Tarr's death. San Diego police initially focused their attention on an accused rapist in January 1991, citing similarities in the suspect's description, method and opportunity.

Prince was caught in February 1991 after he tried to break into a Scripps Ranch house. A woman whom he followed home from the Miramar Road health club was getting ready to shower when she heard a noise at the front door. She ran from the house and sought help from a neighbor, who came and confronted Prince. Prince claimed he was trying to find a female friend who had entered the woman's home, That murder connected him to the others by the pattern presented by the murders.

Pamela Clark regularly exercised at the Miramar Road health club before noon and a swimming pool attendance log placed Prince in the vicinity of Holly Tarr. Birmingham Police East Precinct officer Steven Lampley contacted Prince by phone and told him that there was more bail paperwork that had to be completed. He told Prince that if he came to the precinct office, they would not have to send marked police units to his home (Birmingham Police Department Arrest Report 910313853). After six hours of telephone conversations, Prince walked into the precinct with his mother and was taken into custody. He was extradited to San Diego, where the trial was held.

Trial After viewing physical evidence, a judge ordered Prince to stand trial in March 1992. The defense argued unsuccessfully that Prince should be cleared of three murder charges due to lack of evidence. After later deliberations, the jury rendered a verdict of death, which the judge handed down on November 5, 1993. Prince appealed his sentence, claiming that extensive media coverage had created a presumption of guilt in the jury pool, but the Supreme Court of California denied his appeal in 2007.