Youell Swinney

Youell Lee Swinney (February 9, 1917 – September 15, 1994) was the only major suspect in the Phantom Killer case in Texarkana in 1946, although he was never officially charged with any of the murders. Swinney was a known criminal with a history of counterfeiting and auto-theft. He was linked to the crimes by detailed descriptions of the Booker-Martin murders from his wife and accomplice, Peggy, who refused to testify against him in court.[1] Two of the lead investigators in the case, Max Tackett and Tillman Johnson, believed for the remainder of their lives that Swinney was guilty of the murders.

Youell Swinney
Born
Youell Lee Swinney

(1917-02-09)February 9, 1917
Cleveland County, Arkansas
DiedSeptember 15, 1994(1994-09-15) (aged 77)
Dallas, Texas
Known forSole suspect of Texarkana Phantom Killer
Spouse(s)Peggy Swinney
Criminal chargeAuto-theft
PenaltyLife in prison (released, 1973)

Life

Swinney grew up in rural Cleveland County, Arkansas, the son of a Baptist minister.[2] Swinney was convicted of auto-theft in 1947 and as a repeat offender,[3] he received life in prison. However, he was released from prison in 1973 following a habeas corpus proceeding which found that a prior conviction in 1941 used for sentence enhancement purposes was void because Swinney had not been represented by counsel.[4] Investigation into his involvement in the murders eventually faded. The case remains unsolved, and physical evidence is virtually nonexistent today. Swinney died in a Dallas nursing home in 1994.[5]

A 2014 book, The Phantom Killer: Unlocking the Mystery of the Texarkana Serial Murders by Dr. James Presley claims that Swinney is the culprit of all five Phantom attacks.

References
  1. "Phantom Killer Attacks: PART II". texarkanagazette.com. Retrieved Dec 12, 2020.
  2. U.S. Census, January 1, 1920, State of Arkansas, County of Cleveland, enumeration district 25, p. 2-A, family 27.
  3. Ex parte Swinney, 499 S.W.2d 101, 102 (Tex.Cr.App. 1973).
  4. Ex parte Swinney, 499 S.W.2d 101 (Tex.Cr.App. 1973).
  5. "Phantom Killer's last alleged victim shot to death 70 years ago today". texarkanagazette.com. Retrieved Dec 12, 2020.
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