CALLOUS CRIME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26473, 29 May 1947, Page 7

CALLOUS CRIME

FOUR CHILDREN MURDERED FARM BOY’S ALLEGED CONFESSION Rec. 8 p.m. NEW YORK, May 27. Oliver Terpenning, a farm boy, aged 16, when arrested at Toledo, Ohio, for questioning concerning the killing of four children with whom he went wildflower gathering at Imlay City, Michigan, yesterday, is alleged to have confessed that he shot them. When the bodies of the children were found they were still clutching bunches of violets and lilies. Each was snot through the back of the head. The victims were all members of the. same family. They were Barbara. Smith, aged 16, Stanley (14), Gladys (12), and Janet (2). Terpenning told the police that he shot his four playmates because “ I’ve always kinda wondered what it would be like to kill somebody. I got up. and walked behind Stanley and shot' him.” He said Stanley’s sisters were picking flowers some distance away. “I became afraid and ran towards* them. Gladys had her back turned when I shot her, and Barbara screamed so I shot her, too. Janet was old enough to talk, so I shot her later.” Terpenning had a good school record, but was regarded by his parents as a “problem child.” Stanley was his best chum and Barbara was regarded as his girl friend.