Nolan Ray George, Suspected Serial Killer, to Stand Trial for 1968 Rape, Murder
PONTIAC, Mich. (CBS/WWJ/AP) Suspected 67-year-old serial killer Nolan Ray George was ordered Monday to stand trial in the 1968 strangulation rape and murder of a Pontiac, Mich. woman.
George, of Ohio, is charged with first-degree, premeditated murder in the death of 36-year-old Gwendolyn Perry, who he allegedly strangled with her stockings before dumping her body in a field on Dec. 8, 1968, reports The Detroit Free Press.
According to CBS affiliate WWJ, George confessed to strangling Perry four decades ago, but was never tried until now because the confession was made following his guilty plea to manslaughter in another killing.
Assistant Oakland County Prosecutor John Skrzynski said that George confessed voluntarily to a Pontiac detective, and regularly bragged to inmates about his murder victims.
A judge ruled Monday that his confession is admissible in his trial in Oakland Circuit Court.
Skrzynski claimed that Perry's killing was premeditated, arguing that George's motive was that he received sexual satisfaction from strangling his victims, reports The Free Press.
"He enjoyed strangling these women," said Skrynski according to the paper. "He liked to see them kick and jerk and move their arms around."
However, defense lawyer, Michael McCarthy claimed George's statement that he passed out and regained consciousness to find himself strangling Perry indicates that the killing was not premeditated. McCarthy tried to keep his client's confession from being admitted as evidence, arguing that George only admitted to the killing under "the assurance that there would be no prosecution," reports WWJ.
The Ohio ex-convict is also a suspect in several other murders. He was released from prison in 1982 after serving 12 years for manslaughter for the killing of 22-year-old Frances Brown, which was starkly similar to Perry's murder.
George is being held in Oakland County Jail and could potentially stand trial early next year, reports The Free Press.