Caril Ann Fugate, 14, is taken into custody by Deputy Sheriff Bill Romer (left) and Police Chief Bob Ainslie (right). She and Charles Starkweather, 19, were captured after a high speed chase. Fugate was charged as an accomplice to Starkweather, who murdered 11 people (Wyoming, 1958) [505 x 679].

There is a debate over Caril Ann Fugate’s culpability. That said, at minimum, Fugate was an accomplice to the murders of Robert Jensen and Carol King. By her own admission, she held the two at gunpoint with a loaded shotgun. She was tried and convicted as an accomplice to murder specifically in that case. The shotgun destroyed any defense that she could’ve had in the other cases.

Legally, Fugate was guilty as sin.

By her own admission, Fugate had a loaded shotgun that she could’ve used to kill or at least incapacitate Starkweather as soon as he was distracted. In fact, since Starkweather was a coward, it’s possible that simply pointing a gun at him would’ve convinced him to surrender. For reasons known only to her, Fugate did none of these things and instead used the shotgun to prevent Jensen and King from escaping. Jensen and King died as a result. That made Fugate an accomplice to their murders.

Morally, Fugate may have participated under coercion. That is plausible, given her youth. Her lawyers said she was paralyzed by fear.

Killed her parents too, I believe. Seems like a real catch.

Inspiration for the 1973 film Badlands.

Inspiration for the 1996 Film called “The Frighteners” with Michael J. Fox.

Also the inspiration for the song “Nebraska” by Bruce Springsteen. Dark stuff.