George Banks - History

History

On September 24, 1982 George Emil Banks went to bed at Schoolhouse Lane in Wilkes Barre Pennsylvania after taking a mixture of prescription drugs and straight gin. After he awoke on September 25, 1982, he picked up a Colt AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and began what would become a 13 person killing spree. He began his killing spree by killing his girlfriend, former girlfriends, their families and children he had fathered with them. The ages of his victims ranged from 12 months to 47 years old. The dead were seven children and six adults.

George murdered his family in his own home first. He then dressed in military fatigues and made his way outside. Across the street, 22 year old Jimmy Olsen and 24 year old Ray Hall, Jr were exiting a home and the area when George Banks opened fire on them. It is said that he yelled that they would not tell anyone about this before he fired. Both men were struck. Mr. Olsen survived but Mr. Hall was killed. Banks drove off. He went to Heather Highlands mobile home park to the mobile home of his former girlfriend Sharon Mazzillo and their son Kissamayu. Banks forced his way in and shot Sharon. He then placed the gun to the sleeping child’s forehead and fired one shot killing the boy. Banks then killed Sharon’s mother and brother who were also in the home. Hiding in the closet was Sharon’s other brother whom Banks did not see. He was the only survivor and was able to identify Banks as the shooter.

Police discovered the victims at Heather Highlands mobile home park and made the connection between the Olsen and Hall shooting and the Heather Highlands shooting. The Schoolhouse Lane victims were then discovered. Police began search for Banks who abandoned his car and car jacked another vehicle. He abandoned that vehicle and drove around until he found a desolate area where he laid down in a grassy area and passed out. Banks awoke and went to his mother’s house, also in Wilkes Barre. His mother is quoted as saying he was crying and smelled like liquor. It is stated that Banks told his mother that she had to take him where he wanted to go or there would be a shootout. When she asked what happened he said “It’s all over. I did it. I killed everyone.” She asked who he killed. He replied “I killed them all, Mom. I killed all the kids and girls. Regina, Sharon, them all.” Banks' mother called his home hoping that Banks was just drunk and rambling. When the police answered the phone Banks grabbed the phone and asked how the children were. The police, hoping to keep Banks on the phone, replied that they were alive. Banks screamed that they were lying and said “I know I killed them!” He hung up the phone, placed three 30-round clips and numerous other rounds of ammunition into a bag and went to a vacated rental house.

A standoff between Banks and police began. The police brought his mother and tried multiple tactics to get Banks to surrender including having a false news report played over WILK radio that the children were alive and needed blood to survive. The police tried to use this to draw Banks out of the standoff. Finally, Robert Brunson, a former co-worker of Banks, was able to talk him out. It took 4 hours for the standoff to end. As of September 30, 1982 Banks stood accused of 8 counts of murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, stealing a car, robbery and theft.

On June 6, 1983 the trial for Banks began at the Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes Barre Pennsylvania. Banks insisted on testifying stating that he is not insane. The case consisted of multiple scene witnesses, Banks family members as well as Mr. Olsen identifying Banks as the person who shot him and left him for dead. Closing arguments took place on June 21, 1983. The jury found Banks guilty of 12 counts of first-degree murder, 1 count of third-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, and one 1 count each of robbery, theft, and endangering the life of another person. On June 22, 1983, Banks' 41st Birthday, the jury recommended the death penalty. Banks went to the maximum-security unit at Huntington until November 1985. He was then sent to the Correctional Institute at Graterford after the US Supreme Court refused to overturn his verdict.

From 1987 to 2000 Banks continued to appeal his case. The US Supreme Court refused to hear the argument regarding mental competency. Then Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge twice signed the death warrant for Banks; however, both times appellate courts have stayed his execution. In 2001, 2006 and 2008 there were hearings about the psychological state of Banks questioning if he could be executed. In 2011 he is still on death row in Pennsylvania although it is said he is now dying of cancer.