Convicts Kill Fellow Inmate, Hold Hostages

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29992, 29 November 1962, Page 17

Convicts Kill Fellow Inmate, Hold Hostages

(N.Z.P.A ,-Reuter— Copyright) FOLSOM (California), Nov. 26. Three convicts killed a fellow inmate yesterday and later held seven persons, including two clergymen, hostage.

The other five hostages were members of a visiting church choir. The convicts, all serving life terms, appeared to be armed with scissors. They said they would release the hostages if they were given their freedom, the Associated Press reported. The dead convict, who had also been serving a life term, apparently tried to interfere when the other three took the hostages, a warden, Mr

Robert Heinze, told reporters.

The warden said the prisoners were shown a copy of the State penal code which calls for the death penalty for a killing in prison. Persuasion Attempt Three high California prison officials joined the warden in an attempt to pursuade the convicts to release the hostages.

Folsom prison is the oldest in the State. Some of California’s worst criminals are behind bars there. Mr Heinze said all three convicts involved were convicted robbers and that one of the three was also serving a term for murder. One of the choir members who escaped being held, Mr Donald Davis, said the group had sung one hymn with about 50 prisoners in the chapel when the three men came down the aisle brandishing weapons. The dead convict, Conrad Becker, abed 41, grabbed the first man but was immediately stabbed. He got up and tackled the man again but was felled a second time. The hostages were later released unhurt. The prisoners surrendered to guards.