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Nebraska Executes Man Who Killed 3 Boys July 18, 1996 A man who said he enjoyed the "power and domination" of killing was executed in the electric chair early today for murdering two boys in 1983. The prisoner, John J. Joubert, a former airman, repeatedly stabbed and slashed Danny Jo Eberle, 13, and Christopher Walden, 12, in Bellevue near Offutt Air Force Base, where he was stationed. He was also convicted of stabbing and strangling a boy in Maine. In his final statement, Mr. Joubert apologized for the three murders and added, "I do not know if my death will change anything or if it will bring anyone any peace." In trying to explain the crimes, Mr. Joubert, 33, told The Omaha World-Herald last month: "It was the power and the domination and seeing the fear. That was more exciting than actually causing the harm." Mr. Joubert was caught after he tried to abduct a preschool teacher, who then noted the license plate number of his car. Mr. Joubert confessed later that day. Judy Eberle, Danny's mother, said Mr. Joubert deserved the death penalty not out of vengeance but because "it is the only punishment that can make sure that he will never walk the streets again." on August 22, 1982, 11-year-old Richard "Ricky" Stetson had gone jogging. When he had not returned by dark, his parents called the police. The next day, a motorist saw the boy's body on the side of the I-295. The attacker appeared to have attempted to undress him, and then stabbed and strangled him. A suspect was arrested for the murder, but his teeth did not match a bite mark on Stetson's body, and so he was released after a year and a half in custody. The case would go cold until January 1984. Danny Joe Eberle disappeared while delivering the Omaha World-Herald newspaper on September 18, 1983, near Omaha, Nebraska. His brother, who also delivered the newspaper, had not seen him, but did remember being followed by a white man in a tan car is previous days. It was found that Eberle had only delivered three of the 70 newspapers. At his fourth delivery, his bicycle was discovered along with the rest of the newspapers. There appeared to be no sign of a struggle. Joubert would later describe how he had approached Eberle, drew a knife and then covered the boy's mouth with his hand. He then instructed to boy to follow him and took him to his truck. He then took him to a gravel road outside of town. After three days of searching, his body was finally discovered about four miles (6 km) from where his bike was found. He had been stripped to his underwear, had his feet and hands bound and mouth taped with surgical tape. Joubert had stabbed him nine times. The crime came under the jurisdiction of the federal government of the United States, so the FBI was called in. The investigation followed several leads, including a young man who was arrested for molesting two young boys about a week after the crime. He failed a polygraph test and had a false alibi but did not fit the profile the FBI had created for the murderer. He was released due to a lack of evidence. Other known pedophiles in the area were also questioned but the case went cold due to a sparcity of evidence. , about three miles (5 km) from where Elberle's body was found. Witnesses again said they saw a white man in a tan car. Joubert said that he had driven up to Walden as he walked, showed him the sheath of his knife and ordered him into the car. After driving to some railways lines out of town, he ordered Walden to strip to his underwear which he did. But then Walden refused to lie down. After a brief struggle, Joubert overpowered and then stabbed him. Joubert cut Walden's throat, so deep that he had almost been decapitated. Walden's body was found two days later five miles (8 km) from the town. Although the crimes were similar there were differences. Walden had not been bound, had been concealed better, and was thought to have been killed immediately after being abducted.In 1995, Joubert filed a writ of habeas corpus to the United States federal courts over the death sentences. His lawyers argued that the aggravating factor of "exceptional depravity" was unconstitutionally vague. The court agreed and the state of Nebraska appealed to the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska. They overturned the appeal, saying that he had shown sad*stic behavior by torturing Eberle and Walden. He was executed on July 17, 1996 by the electric chair. |
FAQs
Where is John Joubert now? ›
John Joseph Joubert IV (July 2, 1963 – July 17, 1996) was an American serial killer executed in Nebraska. He was convicted of murdering three boys: one in Maine, and two in Nebraska. Lawrence, Massachusetts, U.S. Nebraska State Penitentiary, Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
How did John Joubert get caught? ›Joubert, an airman stationed at Offutt Air Force Base, was arrested in January 1984 after threatening a preschool teacher in Bellevue. He pleaded guilty to the abductions and murders and was executed in the electric chair in 1996.
What happened to Ricky Stetson? ›During the evening of August 22, 1982, 11-year-old Ricky Stetson was murdered while jogging around Back Cove in Portland. *863 He was killed by a combination of a stab wound to the chest and strangulation.
Where do Dereck and Beverly Joubert live? ›Dereck and Beverly Joubert are conservationists, filmmakers, and National Geographic Explorers at Large. They work primarily in rural Botswana, where they have to contend with big cats (such as lions and leopards)—as well as fording rivers like this one.
What happened to Andre Joubert? ›Today, André Joubert occasionally provides punditry on South African rugby union, but also is the owner of an office automation and technology company called 3C Technology.
Where is Anthony Garcia now? ›Post conviction. Garcia remained on death row at the Tec*mseh State Correctional Institution in Tec*mseh.
How was Jack the Ripper captured? ›A key reason that the Ripper was never caught is a simple one – murder was still uncommon during the reign of Queen Victoria. In the Metropolitan Police area, there were 13 murders in 1887, 28 in 1888 and 17 in 1889.
What happened to Danny Joe Eberle? ›Danny Joe Eberle and Christopher Paul Walden were tortured and killed by convicted serial killer John Joubert. Eberle was 13 when he went missing in September while delivering newspapers. His body was found three days later.
Where was Christopher Walden found? ›Christopher Walden, 12, went missing while walking to school on Dec. 2, 1983 – the first day his mother allowed him to do so since Eberle's murder. His body was recovered on Dec. 5 near Giles Road and Portal Road.
Who was the serial killer in Cheverus High School? ›John Joubert, also known as the Woodford Slasher may not be widely known but his crimes ultimately resulted in his execution. In 1982 when Joubert was 19-years-old he took his first victim, an 11-year-old boy named Richard "Ricky" Stetson. Ricky was jogging Back Cove. The boy's body was found along I-295 the next day.
What happened to Bison basketball player? ›
Dele won a championship with the Bulls in 1997. He is believed to have been murdered at sea by his older brother Miles Dabord in 2002.
What is Ernst Joubert doing now? ›Ernst Joubert - Head of SASRII - Stellenbosch Academy of Sport | LinkedIn.
What is Craig Joubert doing now? ›Craig Joubert is a former international rugby referee who currently works as a Referee Talent Development Coach at World Rugby.
Is John Robinson still on death row in Kansas? ›Robinson was put on trial two years later, and the prosecution team presented much evidence against the accused. On October 29, 2002, the jury found John Robinson of killing three women. The court eventually sentenced him to death in January 2003. As of now, he is on death row in Kansas.