-Linda Robles & Emma Edwards-
The Briley Brothers
Briley Bros
In Richmond, Virgina 1978 terror was brought to a town by a group of brothers known as the Briley Brothers. The boys, Linwood, James, and youngest, Anthony went on a rampage. The first killing was in 1971 when 16 year old Linwood fatally shot their elderly neighbor and almost got away with it. Then the acts of violence escalated tremendously starting in March 1979 with the murder of The Bucher Couple and ending later that year in October with the murder of the Wilkerson Family. this was the last murder before the brothers we incarcerated to life in prison, two of which were sent to the death row.
Linwood
sex: Male
Race: African-American/Black
Classification: Serial killer
Affiliated with: Robberies - Gang
Estimated Number of victims: 12
Years of murder occurances: 1971 / 1979
Date of birth: 1954
Victim target: Men and women
Method of murder: Shooting
Residency: Richmond, Virginia, USA
Current Status: Dead, Linwood was xecuted by electrocution in Virginia on October 12, 1984
James
sex: Male
Race: African-American/Black
Classification: Serial killer
Afilliated with: Robberies - Gang
Estimated Number of victims: 11
Years of murder Occurances: 1978-1979
Date of birth: 1956
Victims profile: Men and women
Method of murder: Shooting
Residency: Richmond, Virginia, USA
Current Status: Dead. James was excuted by electrocution in Virginia on April 18, 1985
Anthony
sex: Male
Race: African-American/Black
Classification: Serial killer
Afilliated with: Robberies - Gang
Estimated Number of Victims: unknown
Years of Murder Ocurrances: 1979
Victims profile: Men and women
Method of murder: Shooting
Residency: Richmond, Virginia, USA
Current Status: continues serving life plus 139 years at Powhatan Correctional Center.
Duncan Eric Meekins
sex: Male
Race: African-American/Black
Classification: Serial killer
*while there isnt much out about Meekins, he was afilliated with the Briley Brothers gang and is believed that he killed two of the Briley's victims and raped another. He currently still serving time in prison after being denied parole in Virgina in 2009
Quick facts:
-
Murder spree lasted for 7-8 months between the years of 1978-1979
-
Their method of attack: the victim is usually beaten (or raped), killed and then their valuables were stolen
-
The two oldest brothers would lead the largest and most sucessful mass escape from a death row in history.
Briley Brother Victims
It is believed that the Briley's had over 20 victims, but here are just a few:
-
Orline Christian- The first murder that would begin the Briley Brothers' life of crim, Orline was an elderly neighbor of the boys, Linwood shot her outside of his window using a rifle.
-
Michael McDuffie- was assaulted in his home, shot and the the brothers stole his valuables.
-
Christopher Phillips- 17 year old boy was hanging around in a parking lot near Linwood’s car, the brothers thought he was trying to steal the vehicle and attacked Philips, they dragged him into a nearby backyard, beat him and when Philips screamed for help, Linwood murdered him by dropping a cinderblock on his head.
-
other victims included : The Buchers, Michael Mcduffie, Mary Gowen, Christopher Phillips, John Gallaher, Mary Wilfong, Blanche Page and Charels Garners , and Harvey Wilkerson
Evidence
Ballistics
In 1971 Linwood commited his first crime of murder by shooting the brothers' elderly neighbor, Orline Christain. He shot her from his bedroom through the window while she was at the windowsill. Her family found her dead and upon examination at the viewing they found a small bullet hole in her back and requested for a more detailed examination. A detective demonstrated how she would have gotten shot by using a plywood and said the bullet could only come from the Briley's home. When confronted about it Linwood said that "he heard she had health problems and she would die soon anyways" and had to serve 1 year sentence and was released.
Eye Witness Testimony
The biggest and what was mainly used to convict the Briley Brothers is the eye witness testimony that Duncan Meekins gave against the brothers. Meekins was heavily involved in some of the murders, robberies, and rapes that the brothers commited. He described in detail many of the crimes they commited and how, especially the last muder before their incarceration. He testified against them telling the jury that a fork and hammer was used to kill the family. Meekins' testimony was a huger factor in incarcerating the Briley's.
Incarceration
The incarceration of the Briley Brothers, and friend, Meekins, brought much relief to the town of Richmond, Virginia. After the killing of Harvey Wilkerson, his wife, Judy Barton, and their five year old son.
Meekins had been riding with the Brothers' dad and after having robbed a neighborhood home, they tried to flee from the police and after they hit a pole the police arrested Meekins. It didn't take long for hiim to say everything that he had done alongside the brothers.
After his testimonial, each of the brothers were tried and convicted for their crimes. The two older Brileys were put on the death row, where they would live their last minutes on the electric chair.
Anthony, the youngest, was sentenced to life in prison with a posibility of parole. Meekins, on the other hand was sentenced to life in prison plus and extra eighty years, with an eligibilty of parole in 12 - 15 years, in exchange for his testimony against the three brothers.
Above is a picture of the electric chair used in the death sentence of the two older Briley Brothers.
The Briley Brothers Today
-
The two older brothers, Linwood and James, are dead due to the death sentence to the electric chair.
-
Anthony Briley, the youngest, is currently serving time in Phatan Correctional Center.
-
Meekins is still serving life in prison, after being denied parole in 2009.