In Cold Blood

In Cold Blood is the true story of a multiple murder that rocked the small town of Holcomb, Kansas and neighboring communities in 1959. It begins by talking about the Clutters. Herb (the father), Bonnie (the mother), Nancy (the daughter), and Kenyon (the son). The Clutters were prominent members of their community who gained admiration and respect for their neighborly demeanors. After being introduced to the Clutter family, you are introduced to the madmen, Dick Hickock and Perry Smith. The two were former inmates who met in prison. After their release, the men meet up for what Dick calls a perfect score. As it turns out, Dick’s cell mate had worked for the Clutters years earlier and suggested to Dick that he would get a job again at the Clutters’ farm because the Clutters were such friendly people. The more Dick learned about the Clutters, the more he considered getting fast money instead of a job. During the trial in the last chapter of the book though Dick admitted that his sexual interest in teenage girls was the reason for his decision to break in to the Clutters’ home. (Perry stopped him from harming Nancy.) Finally, the killers were identified by Dick’s former cell mate and tracked down in Las Vegas. In the time leading up to their arrest, you really get to know the characters of the two men. . It becomes tempting to see Dick as the manipulative leader and Perry as the helpless follower, because Perry shows compassion for the people Dick intended to harm .After the suspects were taken into custody, Perry eventually confessed that he had killed Herb, Bonnie, Nancy, and Kenyon -- tied each of them up, made sure they were comfortable, then shot each of them in the head with a shotgun. It was Perry who cut Herb’s throat. Though Dick didn’t actually pull the trigger or hold the knife, he shined the flashlight into the faces of the victims as Perry killed them. Both men were found guilty of 4 counts of premeditated murder, and each was sentenced to death. While awaiting their executions, they appealed several times, losing each time, but managing to have their execution dates postponed. They were finally executed (by hanging) in April of 1966.

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