Ronald Allridge

Ronald Keith Allridge (September 27, 1960 – June 8, 1995) and James Vernon Allridge III (November 14, 1962 – August 26, 2004) were American brothers and serial killers who killed three people and committed numerous armed robberies in Fort Worth, Texas, during a crime spree in early 1985. For their crimes, the Allridge brothers were sentenced to death and subsequently executed by lethal injection; Ronald in 1995 and James in 2004.

Early life Ronald Allridge was born on September 27, 1960, in West Germany, where his father was stationed at the time as part of the military. Another student, 15-year-old James Christian, was also shot, but he survived. The motive was reportedly unclear, although Lorenzo and Ronald had fought in the past over either a girl or a burglary dispute. In 1977 he pleaded guilty to the crime, receiving a sentence of 10 years' imprisonment at the Texas Department of Corrections Ferguson Unit. In 1983 he was released from prison with no parole to be required, after which he got a job at a restaurant, but from which he was fired in late 1984 after his boss got tired of him showing up late. Ronald later stated that after the murder, he simply went home and went to sleep as if nothing had happened.

On February 3, 1985, the Allridge brothers drove to a convenience store in Fort Worth. James, a former employee there, knew where the combination to the store's safe was kept. Ronald dropped James off and parked around the corner to wait. The store was closed, but a clerk, 21-year-old Brian Clendennen, was there. James asked Clendennen for change so he could make a payphone call. Clendennen recognized James, unlocked the doors for him, and gave him some change. After James pretended to use the payphone and left, Clendennen re-locked the doors.

After James returned to the car, Ronald accused him of getting cold feet, prompting him to go back to the store. After Clendennen re-opened the doors, James produced a .25-caliber pistol at him and forced his way inside. He took Clendennen into the storeroom and tied his hands behind his back with an electrical cord. As he was emptying the cash register and safe, James heard a noise from the storeroom, prompting him to go back, where he saw that Clendennen had moved. He then forced him to his knees and shot him twice in the back of the head.

On March 25, 1985, Ronald and James, along with Clarence and Milton Jarmon, committed a violent armed robbery at a Whataburger restaurant in Fort Worth. Ronald was armed with a shotgun, and two others had pistols. One of them shot out the glass door on the east side of the restaurant with his pistol, and stayed at the restaurant's west door for the rest of the robbery. Milton leaped over a counter to ransack two cash registers, knocking one of them over in the process. As he went over the counter, he accidentally dropped his pistol, which discharged. After the employees gave him the money, he went back over the counter and fled the restaurant with the others.

At the same time, while she was eating with her friends, 19-year-old Carla McMillen Otto was approached by Ronald. Ronald threw a bag at Otto and told her, "Fill it up, bitch." The bag fell to the ground and when Otto raised her hands in surrender, Ronald fatally shot her in the chest. Ronald then ordered Cary Jacobs, one of Otto's friends, to pick up the bag. Jacobs gave Ronald the bag and his wallet, and then backed up against a wall with his hands raised. The four men then left, and were arrested shortly after. One of the store employees recognized Ronald's voice, having previously worked with him at a pizza restaurant.

Trials and imprisonment While awaiting trial, the Allridge brothers were sought for questioning in other murders, in which Ronald subsequently confessed to 13 armed robberies and the murder of Buddy Joe Webster. In addition, James was connected to the murder of Brian Clendennen.

Although the Jarmon brothers were initially indicted for capital murder, they were ultimately only convicted of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. Clarence received a 20-year sentence, while Milton received a 30-year sentence. They have both since been released from prison.

While awaiting execution, James took up painting, and he gained some publicity for the colorful portraits he made by selling them on the internet.

Executions On June 8, 1995, after Texas governor George W. Bush denied him a 30-day reprieve and clemency, Ronald was executed by lethal injection at the Huntsville Unit. He declined a last meal. When asked if he had any last words, Ronald replied "No, I'm not going to say anything." His execution was the tenth in Texas in the year of 1995, and the 95th overall in Texas since executions were brought back in the United States. James was executed on August 26, 2004. His last meal consisted of a double-meat bacon cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, and salad dressing, shoestring or crinkle-cut french fries with ketchup, banana pudding or banana pudding ice cream, and watermelon or white seedless grapes. When asked for last words, James replied, "Yeah. I want to thank my family and friends, my family for all loving me and giving me so much love. I am sorry, I really am. You, Brian's sister, thanks for your love—it meant a lot. Shane—I hope he finds peace. I am sorry I destroyed you all's life. Thank you for forgiving me. To the moon and back—I love you all." Brian Clendennen's family members denied having forgiven James.