John Bennett Walker: Murdered The Women He Wanted To Marry

John Bennett Walker Born about 1884 in Stockton, CA.

Inmate: #5552 Stockton, CA Jail
Arrested: 5 Mar 1918
Crime: Murder

He was in love with Eleanor Berry-Ferguson and they had planned to be married after her divorce. He was worried she was seeing another man. As Eleanor and her friend Mrs. Brown were waiting for a cor on the corner of San Joaquin and Clay streets. He pulled out a revolver and shot Eleanor in the eye, she died instantly and wounding Mrs. Brown, she took 4 bullets wounding her in the 2 in the arm, and 2 in the shoulder. Eleanor's 12 year old son, Ernest was one of the witnesses.
He then turned the gun on himself and shot himself in the head, which made him blind in both eyes.


https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42953117/john_b_walker/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42952898/john_b_walker/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42893845/john_bennett_walker/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42893711/john_bennett_walker/

John was sentenced to life in prison.

Inmate: #32250 San Quentin Prison
Rec: 5 Jan 1918
Crime: Murder 1st Degree

He was paroled 5 Feb 1931 and was up for a pardon in 1932 but didn't get it until 4 Jan 1935.

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42893579/john_bennett_walker/

Eleanor Berry had married Herbert Hayes Ferguson and they had the following children.

Esther, Agnes and Ernest Hayes.

John had one other arrest 19 March 1912 for Grand Larceny. I didn't find out very much about John's family.

The 3 reasons people murder:

Financial greed
Sexual—or relational—lust

Pursuit of power