Donald Henry Gaskins Aka “Pee Wee” By: Alyssa Kreeger Pd.4 "I am one of the few that truly understands what death and pain are all about”

Background Def: correctional institution for the detention and discipline and training of young or first offenders Was born in Florence County, South Carolina. Neglected by parents Suffered from night terrors Drank a bottle of kerosene, and caused him to have convulsions until he was three Received multiple beatings from his step fathers Mother took little interest in him that the first time he learned his given name, Donald, was when it was read out in his first court appearance. Received the nickname “Pee Wee” for his small size As a child he did poor in school and was a criminal He married at the age of 18 in 1951, and had daughter the next year After reform school he got a job on a tobacco plantation He spent most of his childhood in reform school He was the last in a string of illegitimate children

Early Arrest Started in early childhood with a brief crime spree: Gang raped a friend’s sister String of robberies Sent to reform school Was regularly raped and beaten by fellow inmates Released from reform school at 18

Crimes Accused on Committing: Date Victim(s) Punishments charged with attempted murder after using a hammer to attack 1953 Hazel Brazell six years imprisonment Toutured and murdered a hitchhiker September 1969 first non-prison-related murder victim was a hitchhiker Arrested beat to death after attempting to sexually assault November 1970 Janice Kirby, aged 15, and her friend Patricia Ann Alsbrook, aged 17 six years at the Columbia penitentiary

Most Recent Crime (1975) Gaskins was arrested on November 14, 1975, when a criminal associate, named Walter Neely, confessed to police that he had witnessed Gaskins killing two young men named Dennis Bellamy and Johnny Knight. Gaskins said that he had “a special mind” that gave him “permission to kill”

Evidence Brought Against Criminal: Gaskins told Neely he had killed several people over the past 5 years who were listed as missing persons, and indicated to him where they were buried On December 4, 1975, Gaskins led police to the land he owned where police discovered the bodies of eight of his victims He was paid $1,500 to murder Silias Yates, a wealthy farmer from Florence County. Johnny Knight and Dennis Bellamy robbed Gaskins repair store. They disappeared soon after the burglary, courtesy of the deadly hand of Gaskins. With the help of ex-convict and friend Walter Neely, also Diane Neely’s ex-husband, the boys were buried next to the many locals that were vanishing quickly all around Gaskins.

Sentence Gaskins confessed to the other seven murders under the influence of truth serum. For Walter Neely, the jury found him mentally retarded and convicted him of all eight murders, but gave him a life sentence instead of death. (1975) Gaskins slashed his wrists on the day he was to be taken to the chair. With gauzed arms, Gaskins went to the electric chair and died 1:05 a.m. on Sept. 6, 1991.

Theory: The Anomie Theory Donald Henry Gaskin deviance can be expressed through the Anomie theory. He accepted his role as an outcast and chose to live his life as a criminal. He never tried to pursue the goal of success. This is because he had so little opportunities, and a sense of personal inadequacy. He never had the support of a strong family to steer him in the right direction. Although he was sent to reform school, it had an inverse affect on him. He chose not to clean up his act. Gaskins refusal to conform to society and lead a normal life are examples of retreatism. Gaskins had a very rough life. This however, does not justify his criminal acts. He took his built up anger out on innocent victims. He also rebelled from society by escaping prison and He was always trying to beat the system. Up until his last hours of life, he tried to rebel and kill himself. Pee Wee’s deviant behavior can be classified under the Anomie Theory.

Cultural Reference Autobiography, Final Truth, Gaskins wrote that he had "a special mind" that gave him "permission to kill.“ Pee Wee from SCETV's Carolina Stories television series many other short TV specials