Gary M. Hilton's final courtroom appearance for his trial in Florida lasted less than 15 minutes. According to The Atlanta Journal Constitution's article on February 29, 2011, the judgment came as no surprise in Hilton's case. In the case of the murder of Cheryl Hodges Dunlap, the jury unanimously recommended the death sentence and Florida judges are charged to give "great weight" to the jury's sentencing recommendation, especially in capital cases.
The Florida Murders
According to James Rorsica in his article, "Death For Drifter Convicted in Fla. Forest Slaying," in the Miami Herald, the Assistant Public Defender, Robert Friedman, will appeal the death sentence. This will automatically send the case to the Florida Supreme Court for review.
The North Carolina Murders
According to Ashville's Citizen-Times, Hilton is wanted in North Carolina to stand trial for the murders of an elderly couple, John and Irene Bryant, as they hiked in the Pisgah National Forest in October, 2007.
According to the Times-News Staff Writer at Crimeshots online, John Harbin, the autopsy of 84 year old Irene Bryant showed that she tried to defend herself. She suffered from blunt force trauma to her head and a broken left arm and forearm. The murderer decapitated her and the head was found near the body.
A hunter eventually found the skeletal remains of John Bryant (79 years old). An autopsy revealed that he died as a result of a gunshot wound to his head.
Since the crimes took place in a National Park and the murderer used a gun to kill John Bryant, the Federal government and the State of North Carolina will work out which court tries Hilton's case in this incident.
Other Possible Cases
According to America's Most Wanted online, authorities speculate that Hilton may be responsible for several other murders as he drifted across the southeastern US. They've been combing the cold case files and finding many possible traces of his handiwork in other murders. No one really has any idea of how many people Hilton killed over the years, but the FBI doesn't believe that the killing spree began with Meredith Emerson on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia.
Hilton's Personal History
A few details about the man's past history shed light on the randomness and brutality of his crimes. FBI profilers have analyzed his case as they try to find links between the killings. They do know that he killed a young man in Florida, 2 single women in Georgia and Florida, and an elderly couple in North Carolina.
It's been difficult to connect the dots, but authorities now know that the serial killer often disappeared from his home for long stretches of time, and no one knew where he had gone. Over the years he owned and used various weapons which included a gun and a hunting knife. He hated women and occasionally beat up young boys.
It is doubtful that the FBI will ever find out exactly how many people Hilton killed. According to Peter Vronsky, in his book Serial Killers, this case is similar to the Ted Bundy case, where even up to the very end, Bundy would not specify the number of women he murdered or where he hid their bodies.
Hilton's personal life was a failure with 3 divorces and a live-in girlfriend during the 80s. He never had any children but was mean and abusive to his girlfriend's sons. Possibly he blamed them for the break-up of that relationship.
His rap sheet showed 21 counts of unlawful solicitation. He gave out flyers and requested donations for various fraud charities, and then intimidated and threatened those who refused to donate money.
Multiple Sclerosis
The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported on January 31, 2011 that Rob McNeil, Hilton's court-appointed attorney, has verified that Hilton suffers from Stage II MS. This is a chronic, incurable disease that attacks the central nervous system. As MS progresses, it kills parts of the brain that carry electrical signals which can lead to muscle weakness, and problems with coordination and equilibrium.
The legal wrangling may last for years. Meanwhile Hilton's physical condition will continue to deteriorate. It's a waiting game for Gary Michael Hilton. He's a dead man walking. The question is which death will take him first--MS or the justice system?
Sources:
- Boone, Christian. "Death For Drifter Convicted In Florida Forest Slaying." Atlanta Journal Constitution, January 31, 2011.
- Cook, Rhonda. "Hilton Indicted In Killing In Florida." Atlanta Journal Constitution, February 29, 2011.
- Goodman, Brenda. "Killing of a Young Hiker Puts North Georgia on Edge." The New York Times, Jan 14, 2008.
- Ostendorff, Jon. "Suspect Gary Michael Hilton Linked to John and Irene Bryant Case." Ashville's Citizen-Times, January 16, 2008.
- Rosica, James L. "Death For Drifter Convicted in Florida Slaying." The Miami Herald, April 21, 2011.
- Serial Killers: The Method and Madness of Monsters by Peter Vronsky; The Berkley Publishing Group; 2004
- John Harbin, John Bryant Autopsy Reveals Gunshot, Crimeshots Online
- Missing Hiker Found Dead, America's Most Wanted Online
Diane Evans - I am a retired civil engineer as well as a member of Sisters in Crime and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
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