WINNER: American Book Fest Award for True Crime: Non-Fiction!
Maybe the youngest son of a violent criminal named Hoggy Thompson was born a beast. Maybe rage was beaten into him.
One thing was certain, by the time he reached manhood, Jerry Thompson was a savage killer. He had no conscience about rape, child molestation, or thrashing a dozen men in a prison fight. Once he got his hands on a gun, any target would do. He didn’t leave witnesses.
When he terrorized an entire courtroom and offered to rip deputy prosecutor Larry Sells apart, people wondered if there would ever be a way to stop his viciousness.
Now from the authors of bestselling true crime, RACE TO JUSTICE, comes an even more frightening story of a monster and what it took to defeat him once and for all.
From The Book:
It was the end of the workday at Hillis Auto Sales when Thompson and Percy arrived on March 14, 1991. The place was near Percy’s job and he wanted to look at a black Riviera. Thompson remained outside while Percy went into the sales office. The two salesmen inside were snug at their desks, avoiding the door and the March weather outside it. They offered Percy the key to the car and invited him to inspect it.
Percy looked over the car and liked it, but felt that the price was a little high. He discovered a flaw, a leaking gasket, and tried to barter down the price. The two salesmen laughed him off, saying they could easily fix such a small problem.
Percy returned their key but went out to look over the car again and consider it some more. Then he saw Thompson going into the office and decided to follow. Maybe his buddy could work a deal for him.
Thompson stepped through the door with Percy behind him and fired the nine-millimeter handgun at the first man behind his desk. It took several shots to kill him. The second man dove to the floor, but Thompson leaned down and shot him in the face.
While the men’s hearts fluttered with final beats, Thompson grappled with their bodies, seizing wallets and keys from their pockets. He threw these items into the center of the floor and ordered Percy to pick them up. “Open up that file cabinet, see if there’s money in there.” Percy obeyed quickly. The drawers did not stick as Crandall’s refrigerator had, but he found no other cash. The two drove away in Thompson’s El Dorado.
“No witnesses, no problems.” Thompson’s mantra was supposed to be reassuring to the smaller man, but Percy felt the shadow of his own death coming. There was one witness. Him. And he cowered, wondering when his neck would be broken, when his body would be ripped apart with bullets.
Hi my name is Charles Alcorn Jr. and jerry was my uncle at one time.Glad someone shined a light on the serial killer named Jerry Thompson he was a monster the most scariest one I’ve meet also.Id love to read the book
Thanks, Charles. You probably remember the two innocent guys, Ralph Jacobs and Christopher Smith, who were coerced into confessing and pleading guilty to the murder of Wesley Crandall in New Castle. They went to prison, then were later exonerated and released from prison when it was discovered that Jerry Thompson actually killed Crandall.
Also, I got a call from an anonymous person in New Castle who told me that Jerry Thompson had killed an elderly woman there when he was a teenager. Know anything about that?
If you do, I will send you an autographed copy of “Beast of New Castle.”
Can order book from Wildblue Press or on Amazon.com.
Thanks,
Larry Sells
How are you allowed to use my father’s name in your book I am the son of Jack Ford and have not given any consent for my father’s name to be used in your book
Mr. Ford,
Jack Ford was only incidentally mentioned in the book as an acquaintance of Christopher Smith and Wesley Crandall. That information appeared in public records. There was no indication Jack Ford did anything which would cause him or you and your family embarrassment or concern.
Hope this answers your question. Did you enjoy the book?
Take care,
Larry Sells
I knew Jerry. My name is harold archer knew him well.I liked jerry and he was good to me. I say this for his children Jerry Thompson was a bad ass nomad.not a chomo. I really doubt that then may I also add he participated at the request of m.c. j. In the scared straight program in 3-d I think we were in he also kept predators off young white men when they would have been raped in marion county it was bad back then I’m just letting those people that cared for him know something of the truth I saw up close and personal. He was a killer forsure . Jerry was the Nomad biker executioner .Content added
I knew Jerry. My name is harold archer knew him well.I liked jerry and he was good to me. I say this for his children Jerry Thompson was a bad ass nomad.not a chomo. I really doubt that then may I also add he participated at the request of m.c. j. In the scared straight program in 3-d I think we were in he also kept predators off young white men when they would have been raped in marion county it was bad back then I’m just letting those people that cared for him know something of the truth I saw up close and personal. He was a killer forsure . Jerry was the Nomad biker executioner
Could you possibly contact me? I am the officer that recovered the gun used in the newcastle murder and àrrested Thimpson, leading to his connection with the murder.
My email is sgtbull@yahoo.com
Ralph jacobs Jr. Was my uncle. Everyone knew that Ralph nor Christopher could have committed that level of a crime. I’ve read the book and love that the real story was brought to light.
Took me a long long time to finally read the book but I finally brought myself to read it. My uncle was a good man and being imprisoned changed the man that he was. He never got out of the house anymore he never talked to anyone but close family. He stayed in his home and built Legos and stayed to himself. This was the tragedy that made my uncle scared of the world and the people in it.
He was a good man and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do to help others. R.I.P Ralph Jacob’s Jr.
Thank you for telling the full story!
He was a family member. Always scary and wasn’t shocked at what he had done.
Thanks for your email, Shamarie. I am sure you know more about Jerry Thompson’s past than I learned while prosecuting him. He definitely was a scary guy. His credo, “No witnesses, no problems,” pretty much says it all, like the saying, “Dead men tell no tales.” He seemed to enjoy hurting and killing people. I know for certain of five people he murdered in cold blood and was told of an elderly woman he killed in New Castle when he was a teenager. Do you know anything about that or any other instances of extreme violence and mayhem? There is evidence he was a sexual predator as well.
Take care,
Larry Sells
You know 5 people my ass!!! But he was getting a new trial🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️
I knew Jerry. My name is harold archer knew him well.I liked jerry and he was good to me. I say this for his children Jerry Thompson was a bad ass nomad.not a chomo. I really doubt that
The Thompson’s brothers I knew Steve, David and Jerry were all sick and twisted.
He was indeed a sexual predator. Jerry Thompson lived with his brother Steve & my aunt Elaine (Steve was my uncle) in Indy. It was the one year Jerry attended high school at Warren Central where he was expelled because he beat up his English teacher (if memory serves). I am one of three (he told about two others in the neighborhood) boys that Jerry molested/raped. I was 9 years old at the time. Jerry was 16 and while in Indy, he joined the KKK (he showed me his clan robes once). He told me once that he’d killed someone (he claimed it was an accident & not his fault) and bragged once that at 16 he already had 3 children. Whether or not any of what he told me is true I do not know but it would now seem so. He also told me once about a lynching he claimed to have been a part of. The last time I saw him was in 1982 when he & his pregnant girlfriend showed up at my grandparent’s house & he came to the door & demanded to talk to my aunt. She followed him out to his car. I never saw him again until the night I saw him on the local news walking out of court after being sentenced (the picture above). He was as close to true evil even at 16 as I ever hope to be again. He was sociopath not a victim so spare me the de facto & too easy explanation that he was abused & poor & therefore destined to be a criminal. He was just fucking evil. Evil just exist. I’ve seen with my own eyes. His name was Jerry Thompson.
Thank you for your comment. The world is definitely better off without “The Beast!” Some day we should sit down and talk.
Larry Sells
Hi, my family member is Jerry Thompsons daughter.. I was aware of the murders he committed but wasn’t aware of the rapes.
All of Jerry Thompson’s arrests and convictions came from his criminal history
Yep!! I can tell you a few stores about him too
Was he never charged with the couple that disappeared from the bar where he was working and then found later dead in their car in their garage? I can tell you a few stories about him! My cousin was living with him at the time. I never understood why Doug was never charged with anything!
Jerry Thompson was initially charged with the murders of Boggs and White in addition to the murders of Hillis and Beeler. The evidence against Thompson was stronger as to the Hillis and Beeler murders. Since the Death Penalty was being requested in that case, it was decided that only that case would be pursued. And the murder charges as to Boggs and White were dismissed.
Doug Percy was not charged in the deaths of Boggs and White because there was no evidence that he was involved. As to the murder of Wesley Crandall on February 14, 1991, in New Castle, the only evidence of Percy’s involvement came from his statements and testimony which were given under a grant of immunity. Those could not be used against him so long as he told the truth and did not actually commit the murder. And everything indicated he did tell the truth. In addition, the murder of Crandall occurred in Henry County. He could not be tried for that in Marion County.
As to the murders of Hillis and Beeler on March 14, 1991, the credible evidence established that Percy was present at the scene but did not participate in the murders. He did commit the offense of Assisting a Criminal, a Class C Felony, for helping Thompson after the murders were committed, but all the evidence of that came from the statements and testimony of Percy. Since those were given under a grant of immunity, they could not be used against him so long as he was truthful. And we believe he was.
In the book, you can read how that is explained to the jury.
Hope this answers your questions.
Thank you,
Larry Sells
Hello Larry Sells just read the
beast of New Castle I work for the New Castle Henry County Library I moved down to New Castle In 1991 when all this took place from Milwaukee Wisconsin which is were im from i was barely 18 years old and remeber all this stuff going on I worked for Grede Foundries in the companies home state of Milwaukee Wi and was offered a job down here i do know someone who can talk about the elderly lady that was killed I was wondering if you could send our beautiful library a signed copy of the book very well wriiten by yourself and Mrs porter please contact me at 1.765.520.8697 for more info on the eldely lady and this person is a good source of info there maybe another lady killed by him as well this source is very good and can get you two together i heard the story wil give you the source as he as well has been an emplyee of the library and personally knew thompson im a huge history buff call text email anytime we have a wonderful library and your book will be cherished please contact me
Well sorry to burst your bubble but he wasn’t anything like your book full of lies.. David Thompson was my father and Jerry my uncle and he was coming home cause your trial was bullshit and you know it… But it’s ok the devil has a special place for you.. Rest in Peace Uncle Jerry
Sidenote he was never arrested for rape and the child molestation charge was a joke as well and Susan Thompson is full of shit too how much did you pay her for her lies and false Testimony??
I knew jerry no chomo
Jerry was my stepfather. Jackie Thompson was my mother. All I’ll say about your book is that this is not the Jerry that I or my mother knew.
Jerry was my stepfather, Jackie Thompson was my mother. All I can say about your book is that it wasn’t the Jerry I and my mother knew.
Jerry Thompson was my brother in law. I was married to his brother Steve Thompson for 7 years. I found out later that he molested my 10 year old nephew. He was scary as a young boy.
I knew Jerry when I was growing up he lived on South 20 a block from my grandparents saw him kick a garage door open take the fishing poles I was 11 I asked why he said we need poles to fish dont we we Ants that was my nickname then. Then 4 years later I see him again and he try’s to throw me through the Newby Paul window it would have killed me if I had went through I knew the whole family.
Mr Sells,
I ordered your book and should receive it soon. I am one of the grandchildren of Melvin Hillis. Jerry K. Thompson caused a great deal of fear, anger and grief for my family. My grandmother barely slept after the murder until her passing. I personally was relieved hear he was murdered in prison. My brother, another grandchild, was a Texas Asst. District Attorney and tried about 20 murder cases in his career. He would have most likely have been the victim spokesperson. I would have gone with him but not happy to witness the execution. My grandfather was and still is one of my favorite people. Thank you for putting him away and giving us some peace.
Stacey,
It has been over 20 years since I prosecuted Jerry Thompson, but not many days go by that I do not think of that case and how it impacted those who loved your grandfather and Robert Beeler. It certainly impacted me! When I talked to those who worked at Hillis Auto, I saw how close they were to both, especially Mr. Hillis. They were not just employees; they felt like family. There was a special bond between all of them. That certainly speaks highly of your grandfather (Your grandfather actually testified at the trial! Will say no more about that. You will read it.) Had a chance to meet some of your family at the two trials. Great people. Felt bad they had to relive the horror and pain of the murders again in a second trial. But I felt compelled to try the case as many times as it took. Jerry Thompson belonged on death row for all the devastation he wreaked. And he belonged dead! I know, and am sure your brother would concur, that prosecutors should avoid being personally involved in cases. I could not help feeling emotionally invested.
Most of the first 130 pages of the “Beast” were written by my co-author Margie Porter. It deals with a murder in New Castle, Indiana. My contact with Jerry Thompson begins on page 131. I have prosecuted and convicted over 70 killers, and can honestly say that this is the only one of them in which justice was truly served.
Take care,
Larry Sells
Jerry’s own brother was scared or him. I don’t remember Jerry well bc I was young but I do remember David Thompson well and he always treated me great when I was little. Obviously they were all into narcotics but I seen David the day he died going into my half brothers grand parents after a back surgery. He’d later die on their couch sleeping later that day. He had to leave the hospital after surgery bc his daughters not having someone to care for them. Jerry and David were nothing alike.
Going to order this book. I knew Ralph Jacob’s. He was harassed and made fun of in school. He was tormented by people. I know all too well about murders. I was a Lieutenant at the Orange County Jail in Orlando for 32 years. I have padded down Ted Bundy, William Zimmer and supervised the female section that had Casey Anthony. These people open up to you in jail and talk about how they got in this situation
Hi, my family member is Jerry Thompsons daughter. How would I go about getting a copy of this? Her mom and Jerry were involved during a lot of his crime sprees.
Hi! The best way to get a copy of the book is to Google Amazon.com. Type in Beast of New Castle. Then you can order a copy.
Good luck,
Larry Sells
Great book Larry.
After Ralph was released he moved into a apartment across the hall from me..
After one minute of talking to him you realize this guy is not a killer..,
Those that pointed the finger at Smith and Jacobs should be in jail… One name shows up a lot in others getting convicted in Henry County…….
Do you know if David Van Horn was ever found alive. I know Doug stated they couldn’t find him was there any investigation into that
Doug Percy told authorities that David Van Horn was not located when he and Jerry Thompson went to Texas to find him for jumping bail. Never heard anything more with regard to Van Horn.
Did get an anonymous call that Thompson while a teenager had killed an elderly woman in New Castle. Another person recently confirmed that. Who knows how many other people he actually killed.
Do know he never murdered anybody after 2002!
I’ve recently started the book; it’s difficult to read because I knew so many of the people involved. I knew the rape victim that was referenced. I knew Jerry but obviously not well enough to realize how dangerous he was until Betty was raped. For as much as I did know there was a lot I learned from the book. It has been especially difficult listening to the details of Junior Crandall’s murder. And I knew the two men that were convicted of Juniors murder. I don’t think many people outside of that courtroom believed those men did that murder. And I knew the detective that did those interviews. I knew him well enough that I know I must be naïve to be surprised that is how he got those confessions.
Jerry Thompson was in my 3rd Grade Class(1969-1970) at Hernly Elementary School in New Castle. Our teacher was Mrs.Hazel Pfenninger, then in her 60’s and retiring at the end of the school year. She would not allow our class to go on field trips, and made it clear her decision was because of Jerry. Did she see something in an 8 year old we were too young to comprehend? Did a family member advise her or could he have already started his notorious career in 2 previous grades? I remember him as quiet and not having many friends. It chills me to think of what he became. Years later I was witness to an altercation in 8th Grade between Ralph Jacobs and Mr. Locke, one of the Health Teachers. Ralph had yelled f&%! you to Mr. Locke, and in response Mr. Locke grabbed Ralph by the throat and pinned him against the wall. That was the end of Ralph’s school career. I really enjoyed the book and finished it in under 2 days. Thank you for your role in removing this predator from society.
Chris Smith was married to my cousin until she passed away. Knowing him and his story really makes me angry. I haven’t read the book yet but I know the story well (From Chris’s view point) its just breals my heart knowing what was done to him. The police knew he was mentally disabled and uncapable of murder and uncapable of giving a confession. It really did put a dark cloud over the New Castle Poloce department, there are a lot of black clouds hanging there. So much corruption! Hope to read the book soon and thank you for writing it. Chris Smith deserved that and so much more!! I’m proud to know Chris and I am privileged to have him as part of the family
I am married to Rob Beeler, Robert Beeler’s son. He told me what happened to his Dad and I am so thankful you got this monster off the streets!!!
Having grown up in New Castle, I knew who a few of people were mentioned in the book. (Family had warned me to avoid certain people under any and all circumstances, including the Beast.) I think it is horrendous that two people were basically forced into confessing to a crime because someone incorrectly ID’d them at the scene. They both initially had alibis from the get go, but the “uniforms” who investigated drew their own conclusions & saw an easy way to add another quick arrest and conviction to their resumes. The corruption and crime activity of the 70s /80s, combined with an increase drug use into the 90s/00s, along with the closing of a prominent factory has basically decimated the town in a few short decades. A simple drive through town shows the effects of that corrupt era still. God bless the citizens who have managed to stay clean and survive the plight. Hoping for bright days ahead.
I saw and experienced firsthand the horror and trauma dealt out by the brother of Jerry.. His brother was a child molester. I don’t know anything about the case, as I never saw Jerry after the age of 11 or 12..
He was around 16 then.. He told me he was going to be my “boyfriend “. Thankfully, I didn’t have to see him or his brother ever again as I moved to a different state. His brother violated myself and other children. I was only 7 or 8 years old when Jerry’s brother began to ply me with alcohol. I say all of this to say, “ the darkness will always be exposed by the light.”
I have listened to your book on audio and have read it as well. Thank you for your time.. I will likely read it again.
Some people do not understand how much damage is done to children when they are exposed to sexual abuse. I have spent my entire life recovering and healing. The damage is immense and requires lifelong dedication to the process of not only surviving but overcoming..