William Gollehon and Douglas Turner

William Gollehon
Born	1964[1] Washington
Conviction(s)	Deliberate Homicide (7 counts)
Criminal penalty	Death + Life Imprisonment
Details
Victims	7 (6 with Turner)
Span of crimes	1985–1991
Country	United States
State(s)	Montana

Douglas Turner
Born	c. 1971[2] Glendive, Montana
Died	July 8, 2003 Deer Lodge, Montana
Cause of death	Suicide by Hanging
Conviction(s)	Deliberate Homicide (9 counts)
Criminal penalty	Death + Life Imprisonment
Details
Victims	9 (6 with Gollehon)
Span of crimes	1987–1991
Country	United States
State(s)	Montana

William Jay Gollehon and Douglas Duane Turner were a pair of American murderers who committed six killings at Montana State Prison, five of which were committed during a riot on September 22, 1991.[3][4] Both were previously convicted of other murders (Gollehon with one and Turner with three) and would receive a death sentence plus multiple life sentences for the prison murders. Gollehon remains on death row, while Turner committed suicide in 2003.[5][6] Altogether, the two committed a combined total of ten murders.

Victims

Gollehon only.[7]

• Brenda Bargas, 34 - August 22, 1985, Billings, Montana

Turner only.[8]

• James Brooks, age unknown - November 19, 1987, Glendive, Montana
• Ora Brooks, age unknown - November 19, 1987, Glendive, Montana
• Sharon Brooks, age unknown - November 19, 1987, Glendive, Montana

As a group in prison.[9][10]

• Gerald Pileggi, age unknown - September 2, 1990, Deer Lodge, Montana
• Vern Baker, 24 - September 22, 1991, Deer Lodge, Montana
• Edmund Davidson, 33 - September 22, 1991, Deer Lodge, Montana
• Gary Evans, 26 - September 22, 1991, Deer Lodge, Montana
• Ernest Holliday, 38 - September 22, 1991, Deer Lodge, Montana
• Ernest Mazurkiewicz, 32 - September 22, 1991, Deer Lodge, Montana

Gollehon and Turner were sentenced to death for the murder of Pileggi. They were additionally sentenced to life for the five 1991 riot murders.[11]

See also

• Ronald Allen Smith - Montana's only other death row inmate
• Montana State Prison

References

1. "Offender Search". Montana Department of Corrections.
2. "State v. Turner". Vlex.
3. "STATE v GOLLEHON". Justia.
4. "State v. Turner". casetext.
5. Hanson, Amy Beth (February 23, 2021). "Montana House committee tables bill to abolish death penalty". Associated Press News. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
6. McKee, Jennifer (July 8, 2003). "9-time killer hanged in prison cell". Billing, Gazette. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
7. "Parolee's arrangement set". Associated Press. Great Falls Tribune, retrieved from Newspapers.com. August 25, 1985. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
8. "STATE v. TURNER (2000)". FindLaw.
9. "State v. Gollehon". casetext.
10. Anez, Bob (September 23, 2001). "Ripples from uprising felt for years". Associated Press. Missoulian. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
11. Anez, Bob (October 12, 2001). "High court told inmate did not get fair trial". Associated Press. Missoulian. Retrieved January 6, 2025.