Photos: The Steelman/Gretzler murders
Jack Earl writes about Willie Steelman and Douglas Gretzler, the two men convicted of murdering his relatives in 1973 and their horrific trail of killing that went through Phoenix, Tucson and California.
Jack Earl and Laura Greenberg
"Where Sadness Breathes" author Jack Earl and local writer Laura Greenberg look at a cell phone photos Earl's interactions with writers/reporters relating to the Douglas Gretzler case. Earl's aunt, uncle and cousins were among the 17 killed during Gretzler and Willie Steelman's inter-state crime spree 40 years ago.
Jack Earl and Laura Greenberg
"Where Sadness Breathes" author Jack Earl, left, and local writer Laura Greenberg meet and discuss years of records, transcripts and photographs relating to Douglas Gretzler's trial and life on death row at Greenberg's home Friday, May 10, 2013, in Tucson, Ariz. Earl's aunt, uncle and cousins were among the 17 killed during Gretzler and Willie Steelman's inter-state crime spree 40 years ago.
Jack Earl and Laura Greenberg
A cardboard filling box serves as an archive of articles, stories and pictures as "Where Sadness Breathes" at the Tucson home of writer Laura Greenberg.
Jack Earl and Laura Greenberg
"Where Sadness Breathes" author Jack Earl uses a sponge to remove tacky residue from a photo Douglas Gretzler at Laura Greenberg's in Tucson.
Willie Steelman and Douglas Gretzler
Booking mug of convicted killer Douglas E.Gretzler who will soon be executed for his part in the murder of the Sandberg couple in their Tucson apartment in 1973.
Willie Steelman and Douglas Gretzler
1973 scene at a double homicide at 1353 E. Ft, Lowell in Tucson. The victims were Mr. and Mrs. Sandberg (Michael and Patricia) They were victims of the murder spree by Douglas Gretzler and Willie Steelman.
Willie Steelman and Douglas Gretzler
Nine persons, including two children, were found shot to death in the master bedroom, right, of the home of Walter Parkin in rural Victor, Calif., Nov. 7, 1973. Police say the victims were bound and gagged, shot in the head execution-style, then stacked in a large closet in the bedroom. Police say robbery was apparently the motive.
Willie Steelman and Douglas Gretzler
Douglas Gretzler, 22, of New York City, center, is accompanied by Sacramento police after being taken into custody, Nov. 8, 1973. San Joaquin county Sheriff Michael Canlis said Gretzler and Willie Steelman will be charged with murder in the first degree on nine counts in connection with the mass slaying of nine persons in Victor, California.
Willie Steelman and Douglas Gretzler
Willie Steelman, center, is frisked by police moments after being flushed from a Sacramento apartment building with teargas and captured, Nov. 8, 1973. Sheriff Michael Canlis in neighboring San Joaquin County said Steelman and Douglas Gretzler will be taken to Stockton and charged with murder in the first degree on nine counts in connection with the mass slaying of nine persons in Victor, Calif.
Willie Steelman and Douglas Gretzler
Sacramento police search a man they identified as Willie Steelman after they routed him from an apartment building with teargas, Nov. 8, 1973. Police say they are holding him for questioning in connection with the mass slaying of nine persons in Victor, California.
Willie Steelman and Douglas Gretzler
Convicted California mass murderers Douglas E. Gretzer (with sack in front of face) and Willie L. Steelman were returned to Tucson from Vacaville Prision on September 18, 1974. The two men were hustled to the jail from Tucson International Airport under heavy police guard.
Willie Steelman and Douglas Gretzler
Convicted California mass killers Willie L. Steelman (front) and Douglas E. Gretzer were returned to Tucson from Vacaville Prison on September 18, 1974 to face murder charges.
Willie Steelman and Douglas Gretzler
Relatives of the Walter Parkin family of Victor, Calif., left, comfort each other at the cemetery as the four are buried in Lodi, Calif., Nov. 13, 1973. Parkin, his wife Joanne, and their two children were four of nine persons found shot to death in the Parkin home in nearby Victor Wednesday. Two men have been arrested and charged with nine counts of murder by San Joaquin County officials.
Willie Steelman and Douglas Gretzler
Douglas Gretzler at Arizona State Prison in Jan., 1982.
Willie Steelman and Douglas Gretzler
Willie Steelman, a death row inmate dying from kidney and liver ailments in March, 1986. He died in Aug. 1986.
Jack Earl
Jack Earl ponders the execution of Douglas Gretzler after witnessing the execution at the Arizona State Prison in Florence on June 3, 1998. Earl's uncle was murdered in California and was one of the 17 during killed the killing spree.
How a road trip became a horrific killing rampage
I ask Douglas Gretzler, “Do you have your last words written out?”