Subject of New York Times Bestselling Author Steve Jackson’s True Crime Book SMOOTH TALKER, Murderer Roy Melanson, Denied Parole
Serial killer Roy Melanson … then and a few years ago
He’s 80 years old, in poor health, confined to a wheelchair, and twice-convicted serial killer Roy Melanson believes he should be paroled to a nursing home to live out his remaining days on Medicaid. Besides, as he told a Colorado parole board on September 6, he didn’t commit the
Michelle Wallace disappeared in 1974 after giving a ride to serial killer Roy Melanson in Gunnison, Colorado
murder that got him sentenced to life with the possibility of parole in a Colorado penitentiary. Nor, he said, are there any detainers from other jurisdictions that would prohibit them from setting him free.
These were just a few of the lies Melanson told the two board members present. Not unexpected for a man who lied and weaseled his way out of trouble for decades while he murdered women from California to Colorado to Louisiana and God knows where else.
Melanson claimed he did not murder Michele Wallace, a young woman who disappeared in August 1974 while returning from a backpacking trip near Crested Butte, Colorado. Melanson, who she’d picked up hitchhiking, was the last person seen with her. He was later in possession of her car and other items, including her camera on which he appeared in the last photo lying on a couch next to an unidentified teenager. But it wasn’t until a Gunnison County sheriff’s deputy began looking into the cold case in the early 1990s that Michele’s remains were located off a remote mountain road and Melanson was brought to trial and convicted.
As he did at his trial and since, Melanson argued to the parole board members that his conviction was illegal because a cause of death could not be determined due to the condition of Wallace’s remains. But he’s made the same arguments to appellate courts and been denied every time. He noted to the parole board members that he has a new appeal before the Colorado Supreme Court.
The photograph of serial killer Roy Melanson and a young girl on the cover of the book, SMOOTH TALKER, was taken from the last photo on the roll from Michele Wallace’s camera.
Melanson, who appeared via teleconference from a prison in Canon City, Colorado, also told the board members that there are no other detainers preventing his release. Apparently, he “forgot” he was also convicted and sentenced to life in 2011 for the 1974 murder of bar owner Anita Andrews in Napa, California. And that he’s been indicted for murder in Louisiana for the 1988 murder of Charlotte Sauerwin, which means he’d been held for Louisiana authorities if Colorado and California ever decide to release him. He’s also suspected of at least one, and possibly more, other murders.
However, the board members were well aware of Melanson’s long history of violence against women that includes rape and murder. When one of the board members brought up the detainers in California and Louisiana, Melanson had no answer except try to change the subject to his alleged Supreme Court appeal. The board members weren’t having it and took only a few minutes to deny Melanson’s appeal.
He’ll be up for parole again in five years. … If he lives that long. The Roy Melanson death is awaited by many.michelle
For the story of Melanson’s depredations, and the incredible investigations that brought him to justice, read SMOOTH TALKER by Steve Jackson.
I am glad you keep him in jail – prevention is better than a cure. He should never get any freedom of any sorts – the lives he stole from others, should be denied him.
I’m pretty sure that he has passed away. His son and my ex-wife are half brother & sister. He managed to be untruthful to his son for a very long time about why he was in prison. It was only made known to us the real reason he was in prison when we saw him on a episode of forensic files.
I was raised with Roy.He was a big youngster.My daddy gave me a football for Christmas and Roy took it away from Me and I did nottell because He would have whipped Me.Roy first got in trouble in 1958. He wrote a hot check for a 1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk.It would burn rubber for a City block.He had a wonderful family.His Brother Glen died in High School.His Mama and Daddy were some of the nicest people in Vinton,La..After He got in all that trouble they moved to Orangefield,Texas.
Yeah well, I don’t know how nice you can really be and raise a serial rapist piece of work like Roy. People always put their best foot forward with other people. Only showing you what they want you to see. You have no idea how they raised their kid behind closed doors. Nobody with good loving parents becomes a vicious misogynistic murderer/rapist… Sorry.
His mom and dad were very good people. He broke his mother’s heart. Their other son, Gerald, was my grandfather. Roy was just born that way, just born evil.
He probably killed his brother Glen. These predators start early. Glad he’s dead.
If you don’t mind me asking, which son?
I’m friends with his 83 y o cousin and he said he was a smooth talker, and a charmer. He never trusted him.
Hopefully he is roasting in hell
And being ripped apart piece by piece.
I just got done watching TV and there was something on there about him that I didn’t like I hope he burns in hell
Believe it or not that’s my grandpa I swear on my life his son my dads name is randy Johnson I don’t know much abt him bc I never met him wish I did tho sorry to all his victims
I’d bet it all that he’s extremely hot where he is…and can breathe in as much sulfur (brimstone) as he wants.
That guy was never anything more than a POS. He was nothing but a leach on society his entire lousy life, and the world is a better place because he’s dead. It’s just a shame the tax payers of Colorado had to feed and keep a roof over his sorry ass for so long. He’s down there shoveling coal for the big man now! I hope he gets a coffee break in a 1000 years!
They won’t let this scumbag out except in a body bag. I hope he lives to be 100.
I value your opinion but you can’t judge people by judging their parents. I know people who had horrible parents and they would go out of their way for you. You form your opinion on that person, some people are just born with no empathy or sympathy emotions.