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Gacy Trial Starts (Press, 8 February 1980)

This is a Generative AI summary of this newspaper article. It may contain errors or omissions. Please note that the language in the summary is reflective of the original article and the societal attitudes of the time in which it was written.

Summary: Gacy Trial Starts (Press, 8 February 1980)

John Gacy, a 37-year-old building contractor from Chicago, is on trial for the alleged murder of more than 30 young men and boys. Prosecutor Robert Egan described Gacy’s actions in court, stating that the accused killed his victims with a chilling indifference, comparing his method to “swatting flies.” Each of the 33 alleged murders involved Gacy using a rope to strangle the victims, demonstrating a calculated and brutal approach to the crimes. Gacy was known in the community for entertaining children by dressing up as a clown, which adds a disturbing layer to his persona. The prosecution has laid a strong case against Gacy, characterising him as potentially the worst murderer in American history, and seeks the death penalty, specifically the electric chair, for his heinous acts. Gacy's trial began on 7 February 1980, with jurors consisting of seven men and five women hearing the details of the allegations. The case has garnered significant public attention due to its shocking nature and the scale of the accusations against Gacy.

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Publish Date:8th February 1980
URL:https://www.pridenz.com/paperspast_chp19800208_2_65_7.html