Capture and Imprisonment
LaMay's remains were found on March 18, 1977. Police had actually been to the home of Kearney in the LaMay investigation prior to 8-year-old Merle "Hondo" Chance's kidnapping and murder. The police soon discovered that LaMay had been seen in the company of Kearney and Hill. The two fled to El Paso, Texas, with Kearney resigning from his job. They were persuaded to turn themselves in by their families.
Hill, 36 years old at the time, was eventually cleared of any involvement in his partner's crimes and was released.
Kearney, on the other hand, made a full confession of his crimes, initially admitting to a total of 28 murders, and subsequently to seven more. In order to avoid the death penalty, he agreed to plead guilty. Kearney was charged with 21 counts of murder, and as agreed, he pled guilty and was given twenty-one life sentences. Police are certain that Kearney was responsible for the other seven murders he had admitted, but they did not have the physical evidence to charge him. Kearney is incarcerated at California State Prison, Mule Creek as of 2009.
Read more about this topic: Patrick Kearney
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