Accident – death – Obituary News :

California Supreme Court Upholds death Penalty for Man Convicted in Marin and Contra Costa Murder Spree

The California Supreme Court has affirmed the death penalty for Glenn Taylor Helzer, the man responsible for a murder spree in Marin and Contra Costa counties. Helzer, who was the leader of a small religious group called “the Children of Thunder,” pleaded guilty in 2005 for his involvement in the 2000 murders of five people. The motive behind the murders was to cover up an extortion plot.

The Case of Glenn Taylor Helzer

Glenn Taylor Helzer’s brother, Justin, was also sentenced to death for his participation in the killings. However, he died by suicide in his cell at San Quentin State Prison in 2013. Another associate of the Helzer brothers, Dawn Godman, received a sentence of 38 years to life in prison after pleading guilty for her involvement in the plot.

The California Supreme Court’s ruling sheds light on the religious beliefs that fueled the group’s actions. Godman believed that Helzer was a prophet of God, and they, along with Justin, declared war on Satan, believing it to be God’s will. Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero highlighted this belief in the court’s 85-page ruling.

The Extortion Plot and Murders

The murder spree began with Helzer’s plan to steal money from Ivan and Annette Steinman, an elderly couple from Concord who were once his clients when he worked as a stockbroker. The Helzer brothers then proceeded to murder the Steinmans at their home.

Helzer later killed his 22-year-old girlfriend, Selina Bishop, who was the daughter of blues guitarist Elvin Bishop. He stabbed her to death at his residence after using her to deposit money as part of his financial scheme. To avoid being identified as Bishop’s killer, Helzer and his brother traveled to western Marin and murdered her mother, Jennifer Villarin, and her companion, James Gamble, at Villarin’s apartment in Woodacre.

The aftermath of the killings revealed the gruesome extent of the crimes. The dismembered remains of three victims were found in duffel bags dumped in the Mokelumne River in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Appeal and Court’s Decision

Taylor Helzer’s automatic death penalty appeal began in 2008. His attorney, Jeanne Keevan-Lynch, argued that he did not receive a fair trial due to the conduct of investigators and the trial judge. Keevan-Lynch claimed that Marin County sheriff’s detectives violated Helzer’s Fourth Amendment rights by seizing items not listed on their search warrant during their investigation of his home.

However, the court rejected these claims and concluded that suppressing the evidence was not warranted. Keevan-Lynch also argued that her client received an unfair trial because a potential juror was excused by the trial judge for expressing uncertainty about setting aside her moral beliefs to possibly vote on the death penalty. The justices disagreed with this argument as well, along with the defense’s claim that jurors were unfairly influenced by graphic photographs of the murder victims displayed during the trial.

Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero noted that the photographs were crucial in demonstrating the seriousness of the crimes, the killers’ consciousness of guilt, and the manner in which the victims’ bodies were disposed of.

Final Thoughts

Despite the affirmation of the death penalty by the California Supreme Court, the profound grief endured by the families of the victims cannot be eased. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson, Ted Asregadoo, acknowledged this and emphasized that the court’s decision does not bring closure to those who lost their loved ones. Marin County sheriff’s Sgt. Adam Schermerhorn highlighted the commitment of the state’s criminal justice system to protect the communities from individuals like Helzer.

As this tragic case comes to a close, it serves as a reminder of the importance of a fair and just legal system in dealing with heinous crimes and the impact they have on the victims’ families and communities.

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