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Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Serial Killer Bedtime Stories: Juan Corona

Tonight's bedtime story is about serial killer Juan Corona.

Born in 1934, Corona moved to Yuba City, California in the early 50's as a migrant worker. There the Mexican national established himself as a family man and labor contractor, that is, until he was charged with hacking twenty-five men to death. His handiwork was uncovered on May 19, 1971, by a Japanese farmer touring the peach orchard where Corona's labor crew was working. Most of the victims were drunken transients and migrant workers who no one missed. Corona, a burly father of four, was linked to the murders through a couple of receipts found in the clothing of two of the dead.

Most of the victims were stabbed or hacked to death, and bore signs of homosexual assaults, which lead people to believe that the killer could be Juan's openly gay brother. In 1970, a young Mexican's scalp was sliced open with a machete, in the cafe run by Natividad. The victim pressed charges against Natividad, trying to get $250,000.00 in damages. Natividad fled to Mexico, and the case was left unsolved.

During his trial the defense tried to place the blame on Natividad, however there was no evidence placing him in the area at the time of the rampage. The jury deliberated for 45 hours before convicting him on multiple counts of murder. A month later Juan was sentenced to 25 consecutive terms of life imprisonment. While in prison, Corona lost his eye when he was attacked by four inmates. Currently Juan resides at Corcoran State Prison, where he is said to pace the yard obsessively mumbling to himself. In March, 1999, Corona was attacked by prisoners when several inmates invaded the recreation yard of prison's protective unit. Corona, now 65, is said to be sick and suffering from dementia. During the security breach, the ransacking prisoners also smashed Charles Manson's acoustic guitar. Prison officials said Corona sustained minor injuries.

Sweet dreams, and may you forever remain Crazy 4 Crazies.