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Teenager Kills Abusive Father, Family Freed from "Pure Hell"
15 Nov
Summary
- 16-year-old Richard Jahnke Jr. shot and killed his IRS agent father in 1982
- Family claimed years of abuse by the father, including physical and sexual
- Mother Maria testified the home was "pure hell" despite father's public image
- Both Richard Jr. and sister Deborah faced charges but were later released
In November 1982, 16-year-old Richard Jahnke Jr. shot and killed his IRS agent father, Richard Jahnke Sr., as the father returned home with his wife Maria. The shocking incident was the culmination of years of alleged abuse within the family.
According to the testimony, the father had physically and sexually abused the children since they were just 2 years old. The mother, Maria Gonzales Jahnke, claimed her husband "put on a good appearance to the outside world, but inside that house it was pure hell." She was afraid to leave him due to fear for her and her children's safety.
Both Richard Jr. and his 17-year-old sister Deborah were involved in the father's killing. Richard testified that he shot his father to "free" his family from the abuse, while Deborah had been ready to defend herself with a high-powered rifle.
The ensuing trial shed light on the family's horrific ordeal, with Richard Jr. and Deborah both facing possible life imprisonment. However, after a public outcry over the harsh sentences, the siblings were released in 1985 after the governor commuted their sentences. The mother, Maria, expressed hope that her family could now live free of "hate and fear" following the tragic events.
