John Barrett's Chevrolet Blazer slowed as he neared the only traffic signal
in Floral City. Then as the light turned green he gripped the steering
wheel and accelerated. If anybody had ever screwed up, he had done
that today. He had screwed up on a job he was hired to do. His bosses at
the carlot had promised him money to kill Joanne Sanders.
This August 3 day in 1990 should never had come.
He was watching television, it seemed, as his actions played back in his
mind's eye.
The show began the previous year, when he stopped to look at a car at
the International Auto Sales in Melrose. He soon made the carlot his
hangout and landed a job as the shop's part-time mechanic.
Loose talk between John and the business owners, Dorsey Sanders III
and Scott Burnside, ended with John deciding to be their hit man. The
plan was that he kill Dorsey's mother to prevent her getting a large
divorce settlement from Dorsey's father, Doc Sander's.
John was 24-years-old, stout, with a head of thick sandy-colored hair
hanging over his tanned face. He usually wore short-sleeved shirts, thus
allowing folks to see the Mighty Mouse tattoo on his right upper arm.
(Text omitted here)
After that day, the plan to kill Joann Sanders was the main topic of
conversation among folks hanging out at the carlot and with the shed
gang at Doc Sander's 350-acre Big Ben Ranch. If John didn't grab this
opportunity someone else would, they all joked. Joanne Sanders was a
good as dead.
The movie played over and over in John's head as he got closer to
Melrose. If the story had ended as planned; if the players had been true
to script; if he had acted out his part--if only he had not screwed up--he
and Paula would be rich tomorrow. (Story included in Murders In The
Swampland)
in Floral City. Then as the light turned green he gripped the steering
wheel and accelerated. If anybody had ever screwed up, he had done
that today. He had screwed up on a job he was hired to do. His bosses at
the carlot had promised him money to kill Joanne Sanders.
This August 3 day in 1990 should never had come.
He was watching television, it seemed, as his actions played back in his
mind's eye.
The show began the previous year, when he stopped to look at a car at
the International Auto Sales in Melrose. He soon made the carlot his
hangout and landed a job as the shop's part-time mechanic.
Loose talk between John and the business owners, Dorsey Sanders III
and Scott Burnside, ended with John deciding to be their hit man. The
plan was that he kill Dorsey's mother to prevent her getting a large
divorce settlement from Dorsey's father, Doc Sander's.
John was 24-years-old, stout, with a head of thick sandy-colored hair
hanging over his tanned face. He usually wore short-sleeved shirts, thus
allowing folks to see the Mighty Mouse tattoo on his right upper arm.
(Text omitted here)
After that day, the plan to kill Joann Sanders was the main topic of
conversation among folks hanging out at the carlot and with the shed
gang at Doc Sander's 350-acre Big Ben Ranch. If John didn't grab this
opportunity someone else would, they all joked. Joanne Sanders was a
good as dead.
The movie played over and over in John's head as he got closer to
Melrose. If the story had ended as planned; if the players had been true
to script; if he had acted out his part--if only he had not screwed up--he
and Paula would be rich tomorrow. (Story included in Murders In The
Swampland)
Dorsey Sanders III (center) was
accused of plotting to kill Joanne
Sanders, his mother
accused of plotting to kill Joanne
Sanders, his mother
A cool John Barrett watches his parents and
sister break down in the courtroom after he was
sentenced to death in the Florida electric chair
sister break down in the courtroom after he was
sentenced to death in the Florida electric chair
Joann Sanders's Floral City house
where four men were beaten to
death during a murder for hire
sceme
where four men were beaten to
death during a murder for hire
sceme
A gun sliencer was constructed in this shed
on property belonging to Doc Sanders
(Dorsey's father)
on property belonging to Doc Sanders
(Dorsey's father)
John Barrett worked part time at this carlot in Melrose owned by
Dorsey Sanders III and Scott Burnside
Dorsey Sanders III and Scott Burnside
She's As Good As Dead: a true crime story inclued in
Murders In The Swampland
John Barrett was sentenced to death in Florida's
electric chair before getting his sentenced reduced to
life in prison
Murders In The Swampland
John Barrett was sentenced to death in Florida's
electric chair before getting his sentenced reduced to
life in prison
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