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Judgment Day
Provides an incisive account of the unsolved 1981 murder of Ken Rex McElroy, a bully who terrorized the farming community of Skidmore, Missouri, and been accused, but never convicted, of numerous crimes against its inhabitants.
Hardcover
Published July 14, 1983
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July 29, 2018
I have not read this book in some decades. It was borrowed from the library which at one time had perhaps 3 different books about the McElroy killing. In Broad Daylight by Harry MacLean seems to have won out as the definitive version.
What disturbed me about this particular book was the almost worshipful attitude the authors displayed about Ken Rex McElroy-like he was a folk hero or the like.
My reaction throughout this book was WTF? McElroy was a thief, a bully, a rapist, an arsonist and very possibly a murderer as well. This is not the stuff of a hero in any way. McElroy basically bullied and intimidated his hometown, suborned witnesses and was only convicted once in all the times he appeared in court. WTF? Indeed!
With the law failing the citizens of Skidmore, MO it should amaze no one that someone shot the nuisance and everyone clammed up about it. I am no advocate of vigilante justice, but if the law is failing you, sometimes it will come down as enough is enough.
Making a person like Ken Rex McElroy into an object for admiration sets the wrong tone and sends the wrong message. Even justice criminally delivered will bring relief to some. The citizens of Skidmore found their own relief and have had controversy ever since.
What disturbed me about this particular book was the almost worshipful attitude the authors displayed about Ken Rex McElroy-like he was a folk hero or the like.
My reaction throughout this book was WTF? McElroy was a thief, a bully, a rapist, an arsonist and very possibly a murderer as well. This is not the stuff of a hero in any way. McElroy basically bullied and intimidated his hometown, suborned witnesses and was only convicted once in all the times he appeared in court. WTF? Indeed!
With the law failing the citizens of Skidmore, MO it should amaze no one that someone shot the nuisance and everyone clammed up about it. I am no advocate of vigilante justice, but if the law is failing you, sometimes it will come down as enough is enough.
Making a person like Ken Rex McElroy into an object for admiration sets the wrong tone and sends the wrong message. Even justice criminally delivered will bring relief to some. The citizens of Skidmore found their own relief and have had controversy ever since.
Displaying 1 of 1 review