Convicted murderer J.C.X. Simon dies in prison, aged 69

Saturday, March 14, 2015

J.C.X Simon, one of the convicted 'Zebra Killers', has died at the age of 69 in San Quentin State Prison. His death came shortly before midnight on Thursday, with the cause remaining unknown. Simon was convicted alongside three others for the killing spree known as the 'Zebra Killings' in San Francisco in the 1970s.

A statement released by prison officials said "The cause of death is unknown pending the results of an autopsy." Simon was found unresponsive in his single person cell.

In total fourteen people were killed by Simon and three other assailants, all of whom were black. The murders took place in 1973 and 1974, with all of the victims being white and targeted purely on race. At least seven more victims were injured in the shootings, including future San Francisco mayor Art Agnos. According to Anthony C. Harris, the suspects were part of the 'Death Angels', an offshoot of the Nation of Islam. Harris was a key witness in the trial, who was alleged to have taken part in the hunt for white victims.

Simon was convicted, and sentenced to life without parole, in 1976. The charges consisted of two counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and assault with a deadly weapon. The other men convicted for the murders were Larry Green, Manuel Moore, and Jessie Lee Cooks. The three remaining convicts remain incarcerated without possibility of parole.

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Sources

Jillian Sederholm. "'Zebra Killer' J.C.X. Simon Found Dead in Prison Cell" — NBC News, March 14, 2015
Lee Romney. "'Zebra Killer' J.C.X. Simon found dead in San Quentin prison cell" — Los Angeles Times, March 13, 2015
"'Zebra killer' inmate JCX Simon found dead in San Quentin prison cell" — San Jose Mercury News, March 13, 2015

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