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"Murder of Billy Gene Bruce"

Tri-City Herald & Walla-Walla Union Bulletin
Friday, 23 September 1966

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Note per Susan Davis Faulkner: "I recently received a request to look up a story about a 12 year old boy who was killed at a Boys Ranch in Pasco. The request came from his half-brother who wanted to share information with his own children. I started by looking up the obituary... but couldn't just stop there. Below is part of the story of Billy Gene Bruce as found in the TriCity Herald and the Walla-Walla Union Bulletin."




Wire Used to Strangle Youth,12

A length of bailing wire was wrapped around the neck of the 12-year-old boy found strangled on the Bailie Boys Ranch Wednesday.

Investigating officers verified the fact the wire was on the body. Stan Moore, assistant prosecuting attorney, declined comment today.

The body of Billy Bruce, 12, Everett, was found about 5 p.m. Wednesday under some straw at the ranch. He and Paul Jackson, 16, Spokane, had been missing since Tuesday night.

Franklin County sheriff's officers and juvenile authorities left about noon today to return Jackson from John Day, Ore., where he was being held as a runaway.

Jackson was arrested by police about 30 miles from Dale, Ore. He is believed to have stolen a pickup truck from the boys ranch, leaving it at Basin City.

A truck was stolen from that area and found wrecked in Cold Springs Junction, Ore. A third truck was taken at Hermiston and recovered at Dale.

James Rabideau, county prosecutor, said today the death is being treated as a homicide, adding no charges have been filed in the case.

Officials at the ranch said today the Bruce boy was referred to the ranch by the juvenile court at Everett. Jackson was placed at the ranch by his grandparents in Spokane.

Both boys were referred as wards of the court.



Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Friday, 23 September 1966
Page 5

Death Case Extradition Hearing Set

PASCO (Special) - Extradition hearing was scheduled late Friday for a 16-year-old Spokane boy in custody in John Day's Grant County Courthouse in connection with the strangulation death of Billy Bruce, 12.

Bruce was found dead late Wednesday in a field on the Bailie Memorial Boys Ranch for Wayward Youths, north of Pasco.

The 16-year-old, Paul Jackson, from Spokane County, and Bruce had been sent out Tuesday night to change field sprinklers and get a load of hay. They never returned and were reported as missing Wednesday morning.

The 16-year-old was arrested north of Mount Vernon, Ore. Thursday morning.

Clues leading to his arrest included an overturned truck in Umatilla County and an abandoned Hermiston vehicle near Dale, Ore.

Undersheriff Erwin Hood returned to Pasco from John Day late Thursday. He said the 16-year-old had agreed through his court-appointed attorney to consider being extradited to Washington for questioning in connection with the death of young Bruce.



Tri-City Herald
Sunday, 25 September 1966
Page 22

Billy Gene Bruce

Billy Gene Bruce, 12, of the Bailie Memorial Boys Ranch was found dead on the ranch Wednesday.

He was born Nov 28, 1953, in Everett, Wash., and had been a resident of the ranch for the past two years.

He was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church and Royal Ambassadors, attended the Basin City Mission and was a sixth grade pupil at Basin City School.

Survivors include his father, Bill Bruce, West Salem, Ohio; his mother, Mrs. Edward Homer, Ephrata, Wash.; a sister, Gertrude Marie Bruce, Edmonds, Wash; three half-brothers, Eddie J., Lynden and Johnny Homer, and a half sister, Becky Lee Homer, all of Ephrata; paternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Paul Freed, West Salem, Ohio and maternal grandfather, J.N. Roppas, Everett.

Those wishing may give memorials to the Billy Bruce Memorial Fund, care of the Bailie Memorial Boys Ranch, Star Route, Mesa. Services will be announced by Greenlee Funeral Home.



Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Sunday, 25 September 1966
Page 17


Boy Was Killed with Baling Wire

PASCO - A length of baling wire was wrapped around the neck of a 12-year-old boy found strangled on the Bailie Boys Ranch Wednesday north of Pasco.

Investigating officers verified the wire was on the body. Stan Moore, assistant prosecuting attorney, continued to decline comment. The body of Billy Bruce, 12, Everett, was found at 5 p.m. Wednesday under some straw at the ranch.

He and Paul Jackson, 16, Spokane, had been missing since Tuesday night. Franklin County sheriff's officers and juvenile authorities returned Jackson late Friday from John Day, Ore., where he was held as a runaway.

Jackson was arrested by police 30 miles from Dale, Ore. A pickup was taken from the ranch and then later left in Basin City. A truck was stolen from that area and found wrecked at Cold Springs Junction, Ore. A third truck was taken at Hermiston and recovered at Dale.

James Rabideau, county prosecutor, said Friday evening the death is being treated as a homicide, although no charges have been filed.

Ranch officials said Friday the Bruce boy was referred to the ranch by the Everett juvenile court. Jackson was placed at the ranch by his grandparents in Spokane. Both boys were referred as wards of the court.

The Bailie Ranch covers 1,000 acres and is financed from foundation contributions. It is for boys referred there by juvenile authorities.



Tri-City Herald
Monday, 26 September 1966
Front Page

No Hearing Slated Yet On Strangulation Death

No formal hearing has been scheduled on a 16-year-old run-away from Bailie's Memorial Ranch in connection with the death of a 12-year-old boy last Wednesday.

Judge James J. Lawless, who is expected to handle the hearing in juvenile court, said today he is "unacquainted with the matter and the case has not been handed to him yet."

Paul Jackson, Spokane, has been returned to Franklin County law enforcement officers. Franklin County sheriff's deputies picked him up in John Day, Ore., Friday.

Arrested Thursday

He was arrested by Oregon State Police Thursday about 30 miles from Dale, Ore. The youth is believed to have stolen a pickup truck from the boys' ranch in northern Franklin County, leaving the vehicle at Basin City.

The body of Billy Bruce, 12, ranch hand from Everett, was found about 5 p.m. Wednesday under some straw at the ranch. A length of baling wire was wrapped around his neck.

When set, the initial hearing will determine whether Jackson's case would better be served in juvenile or superior court, a juvenile offical said. It will have nothing to do with whether the boy is guilty or innocent.

Juvenile authorities must hold that hearing within 72 hours after the boy's return to local officers, the state law requires. A second formal hearing will be set at the first hearing.

John T. Day, Franklin County superior court judge, explained that an informal hearing is held on "minor matters," but on most serious matters of a formal hearing is required. In a formal hearing, testimony is taken by a court recorder and the attorneys are present, as in regular court. In most formal hearings, the accussed may not be present.

Jackson, who ranch officials said was last seen with Billy Bruce when the two were sent out Tuesday to change sprinklers on ranch grounds, "was one of our better adjusted boys," said Ferris Winn, ranch superintendent.

Winn said he was not aware of any problems between the dead boy and Jackson.

Jackson was one of three brothers at the ranch.

All three brothers were placed at the ranch after being brought in by their grandparents and being judged wards of the court.

Franklin County authorities were not notified of Jackson's and Bruce's disappearance until Wednesday morning, even though both were missing at dinner at the ranch Tuesday evening.

A ranch official said, however, they notified Othello authorities Wednesday at about 2 a.m.

Othello police and Adams County sheriff's deputies today said that they were notified only "of a missing truck." Lou Johnson, Othello police chief, said "we learned of subsequent events over the (police) radio."

The ranch is under the directorship of the Baptist General Convention of Washington and Oregon. There are 10 boys there now.



Tri-City Herald
Tuesday, 27 September 1966
Second Page One

Hearing Slated in Death

Hearing for a 16-year-old youth in connection with the death of a 12-year-old boy at Bailie Boys' Ranch last week is scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

James J. Lawless, Benton-Franklin juvenile judge, said the hearing may be in his chambers. It will be to determine whether the case should be handled in juvenile or Superior court.

Paul Jackson, formerly of Spokane, was detained by Oregon authorities and returned to Franklin County after he ran away last Tuesday from the ranch which is north of Basin City.

The body of Billy Bruce, 12, formerly of Everett, was found about 5 p.m. Wednesday under some straw at the ranch. A length of bailing wire was around his neck.

Billy was last seen with Jackson, when the two were sent out to change sprinklers at the ranch last Tuesday.

Judge Lawless said Thursday's hearing will be a preliminary one. "It is quite possible we will have another one," he said.

Judge Lawless said an attorney has been appointed for Jackson.



Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Tuesday, 27 September 1966
Page 11

Hearing to Be Set in Youth Case

PASCO - No formal hearing has been scheduled on a 16-year-old runaway from Bailie's Memorial Ranch in connection with the death of a 12-year-old boy last Wednesday.

Judge James J. Lawless, who is expected to handle the hearing in juvenile court, said Monday he is "unacquainted with the matter and the case had not been handed to him yet."

Paul Jackson, Spokane, has been returned to Franklin County by police officers. They picked him up in John Day, Ore., Friday. He was arrested by Oregon State Police Thursday about 30 miles from Dale, Ore.

The youth is being held in connection with the theft of a pickup truck from the boy's ranch in Northern Franklin County. The body of Billy Bruce, 12, ranch hand from Everett, was found about 5 p.m. Wednesday under some straw at the ranch. A length of bailing wire was wrapped around his neck.

The initial hearing will determine whether Jackson's case would better be served in juvenile or superior court.



Tri-City Herald
Thursday, 29 September 1966
Front Page

Doctors to Study Youth

A 16-year-old boy will be examined for psychiatric disorders in connection with the death of a 12-year-old boy at Bailie Boys' Ranch last week.

A juvenile court hearing for Paul Jackson, scheduled for this afternoon, was continued yesterday upon request of the youth's attorney.

Paul Schlagel, chief juvenile probation officer for Benton and Franklin counties, said that doctors and psychiatrists will make an evaluation of the youth who was arrested near Dale, Ore., last week.

Schlagel said the examination is to determine whether the boy has any mental disorders. The first part may be conducted at the juvenile home in Kennewick, Schlagel said.

An electric encephalogram probably would be done at a Seattle hospital.

It will be at least two weeks before juvenile officers can hold the juvenile court hearing.

"I don't know how long it will take to get started on the examination," Schlagel said. He added that he was making arrangements today for a psychiatrist's visit.

The body of Billy Bruce, 12, formerly of Everett, was found about 5 p.m. on Sept. 21 under some straw at the ranch. He died of strangulation. A length of baling wire was around the boy's neck.



Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Friday, 30 September 1966
Page 11

Boy's Hearing Is Postponed

PASCO - A 16-year-old boy will be examined for psychiatric disorders in connection with the death of a 12-year-old boy at Bailie Boys Ranch last week.

A juvenile court hearing for Paul Jackson, scheduled for Thursday afternoon, was continued Wednesday upon request of the youth's attorney. Paul Schlagel, juvenile probation officer, said psychiatrists and doctors will make an evaluation of the youth who was arrested near Dale, Ore.

It will be at least two weeks before juvenile officers can hold the juvenile court hearting.

The body of Billy Bruce, 12, formerly of Everett, was found Sept. 21 under some straw at the ranch with baling wire wrapped around his neck.



Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Tuesday, 11 October 1966
Page 5

Boy's Hearing Date Announced

PASCO - Hearing for a 16-year-old boy held by Benton-Franklin juvenile authorities in connection with the death of a 12-year-old boy two weeks agon, will be Oct. 21.

Paul Schlagel, chief probation officer, Monday said it will take another week to complete a psychiatric examination of Paul Jackson. The initial hearing will not determine the boy's guilt or innocence, but will merely determine whether there is any delinquency, Schlagel said.

The body of Billy Bruce, 12, formerly of Everett, was found Sept. 21 under some straw at Bailie Boys Ranch in northern Franklin County, where both boys lived. Bruce died of strangulation and a twisted piece of baling wire was found around the boy's neck.

Jackson, who was a runaway from the ranch at the same time, was arrested by Oregon police near Dale, Ore.



Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Sunday, 4 December 1966
Page 5

Hearing Slated in Youth Death

PASCO - A hearing for a 16-year-old youth held in connection with the strangulation death of Billy Bruce, 12, at the Bailie Boys Ranch Sept. 21, will be held this week, Paul Schlagel juvenile probation officer, said Friday.



Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Thursday, 22 December 1966
Page 7

Youth's Tragic Past Revealed

PASCO - The tragic past of Paul Jackson, a 16-year-old youth suspected of strangling a 12-year-old boy, was revealed in Benton-Franklin Juvenile Court as he was committed to a mental hospital Tuesday.

Jackson was returned to Washington from Oregon where he was arrested after running away from the Baille Memorial Boys Ranch in Franklin County where he was placed by his maternal grandparents.

He had run away from the home Sept. 21, about the same time another boy, Billy Bruce, formerly of Everett, was found dead under some straw on the boys ranch with a piece of baling wire twisted around the neck. Paul Schlagel, juvenile probation officer, said Jackson is one of three brothers who were orphanced when an older stepbrother killed their parents in California in 1957.




Tri-City Herald
Friday, 9 May 1969
Second Page One

Arraignment Procedures Start in Boy's Death

Arraignment procedures began today in Franklin County superior court concerning the Sept. 21, 1966, strangling of 12-year-old Bill Bruce at Bailie Boys Ranch.

Juvenile hearings were conducted following the incident and as a result Paul Jackson, then 16, and resident of the ranch, was committed to Western State Mental Hospital at Sedro Woolley by Judge John Thomas Day.

Judge James J. Lawless ordered an investigation into the possibility of bringing Jackson, 18, to Pasco for arraignment on the murder charge. The case was continued until next week.




Tri-City Herald
Sunday, 18 May 1969
Page 2

Holdup Trial Delayed

The jury trial of Lonnie R. Searcy, 19, and Frank J. Washington, 27, was delayed from its May 26 date to the week of June 23 to allow the primary witness to undergo an operation.

The delay was granted by Judge James Lawless in Franklin County Superior Court Friday.

Searcy, 411 S Owens Ave., and Washington, 632 S. Owens, both Pasco, are charged in connection with the March 23 hold-up shooting at Lucky Dollar food market, Pasco. Each is charged with robbery, first degree assault and grand larceny.

The trail was postponed to allow the victim of the robbery, LeRoy S. Peterson, 60, to keep a surgical appointment in Spokane to have a lung reinflated.

The lung was punctured during the robbery when Petterson was shot twice with a .22 caliber pistol.

Judge Lawless denied a motion by the prosectuion to take Peterson's testimony before the operation - for which Peterson will report this week. Such an action would have required Peterson be examined before Judge Lawless and both defendants and their counsels. The defendants would have the right to cross examination.

Lawless ruled the defendants did not have sufficient time tin which to prepare a cross examination.

Defense was denied a motion to reduce the $20,000 bail under which the pair are being held in the Franklin county jail.

In other activity, trial and arraignment were set for Paul Jackson, 18, on charges resulting from the Sept. 21, 1966, strangling of 12-year-old Bill Bruce at Bailie Boys Ranch.

Jackson, then 16 and Bruce were residents of the boys ranch at the time. Juvenile hearings followed the incident and Jackson was committed to Western State Mental Hospital.




Tri-City Herald
Sunday, 28 September 1969
Page 2

12 Criminal Cases Face Franklin Court

Twelve criminal cases are scheduled for the fall term of Franklin County Superior Court.

The cases are as follows:

Monday, Carl King, 50, and Danny Mojica, 43, both Boise, possession of narcotics; Oct. 8, Lowell Christensen, 39, of 3017 W. Ruby St., Pasco, indecent liberties; Oct. 13, Kenneth Sutherland, Calif., family non-support.

Oct. 13, Stephen Darnell, 23, of 908 Ruby St., Pasco, possession of marijuana, Oct. 13, Dennis Mickley, 23 of 908 W. Ruby St., Pasco, possession of marijuana; Oct. 15, Dean Weathers, 21, Pullman, carnal knowledge.

Oct. 15, Benjamin Baker, 19, and Daniel Baker, 18, of 1142 W. Henry St., Pasco, possession of marijuana; Oct. 20, Glenn Dukelow, 26, of 1627 W. Lewis St., Pasco, possession of marijuana; Oct. 29, Jay Jopling, 20, of 1101 W. Shoshone St., Pasco, two counts grand larceny.

Nov. 3, Pasco vs. Lester Kelly, Burbank Heights, appeal on reckless driving conviction.

Due for setting, Russell Woodall, 32, Pasco, six counts of possession of narcotic drugs, two counts of sale of narcotic. drugs.

Also due for setting is the case of Paul Jackson, 18, Sedro Woolley mental hospital, on charges of murder and joyriding.

The murder charge resulted from the Sept. 21, 1968, strangling of Bill Bruce, 12, at Bailie Boys Ranch. At the time Jackson was 16. He subsequently was committed to the mental hospital.



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