Richard L. Griffin/Polly Ann Moore
Richard L. Griffin, 29, and his girlfriend of six weeks, Polly Ann Moore, 17, were found dead in Richard's 1941 Oldsmobile sedan on Sunday morning, March 24, 1946 between 8:30 and 9:00 by a passing motorist. The motorist saw the parked car on a lovers' lane named Rich road (now South Robison) near a railroad spur 100 yards south of US Highway 67 West close to a nightspot called Club Dallas. At that time, it was about a mile west outside of the city limits. The motorist at first thought they were asleep. Griffin was found between the front seats on his knees with his head resting on his crossed hands and his pockets were turned inside out. Miss Moore was found sprawled face-down in the back seat. Griffin had been shot twice while still in the car and both had been shot once in the back of the head and were fully clothed. Polly's purse was beside her in the back seat and contained the photo of her that was used in the following morning's paper. The motorist contacted the city police who then contacted Bowie County Sheriff W. H. Presley. According to a police report written by Arkansas State Trooper Max Tackett, one of the lead investigators of the Phantom cases, Moore was killed on a blanket in front of the vehicle before being placed back inside.
In a mix-up, Moore's body was picked up before an examination could determine if she had been sexually assaulted. Both bodies were taken to the Texarkana Funeral Home. The couple were last seen having dinner with Griffin's sister and her boyfriend around 10 p.m. Saturday night in a cafe on West Seventh street, also known as US Highway 67 West. They were also seen earlier Saturday at 2 p.m. by friends in another West Seventh street cafe. On Monday, March 25, the front page of the morning paper read "Couple Found Shot to Death in Auto".
Read more about this topic: Texarkana Moonlight Murders, The Attacks and Murders
Famous quotes containing the words richard, griffin, ann and/or moore:
“I am not what is called a civilized man, professor. I have done with society for reasons that seem good to me. Therefore I do not obey its laws.”
—Earl Felton, and Richard Fleischer. Captain Nemo (James Mason)
“Borrow a child and get on welfare.
Borrow a child and stay in the house all day with the child,
or go to the public park with the child, and take the child
to the welfare office and cry and say your man left you and
be humble and wear your dress and your smile, and don’t talk
back ...”
—Susan Griffin (b. 1943)
“Men’s men: gentle or simple, they’re much of a muchness.”
—George Eliot [Mary Ann (or Marian)
“Oft, in the stilly night, Ere Slumber’s chain has bound me, Fond Memory brings the light Of other days around me.”
—Thomas Moore (1779–1852)