One Week's Murder Victims

March 8-14,1981

In an average week, some 400 Americans are murdered. Most are fatalities in family quarrels and neighborhood arguments, drug wars and gang rivalries. But one-third are slain by strangers, often without reason. On the following pages, a gallery of a few of last week's victims:

MARGARET DUDLEY, 61 Secretary, Detroit

She was robbed and then beaten to death in the basement of the church where she worked. Police arrested a 17-year-old youth and charged him with the murder.

RANDOLPH WRIGHT, 55 Garage manager, Houston

He accused a boyhood friend, Waldo Quarles, of running over his cat. As the argument flared, Quarles pulled out a gun and shot Wright. Quarles was arrested.

THOMAS MOUNCE, 51 Businessman, Memphis

Owner of a wall-covering company, he was held up in his store's parking lot at 6 p.m. by a gunman. He was shot in the head as he grabbed for the weapon. No arrest.

ALEJANDRO FREYRE, 25 Security guard, Oakland

Dressed in his uniform but unarmed, he was shot once through the heart as he left his apartment for work at 10 p.m. He staggered 100 ft. before collapsing. No arrest.

ROBIN BOLDEN, 19 Unemployed, Chicago

Mother of a month-old baby, she left her family home for a party one night but never returned: she was found strangled in a garage a block from home. No arrest.

STEVE BOSTIC, 21 Autoworker, Detroit

After three strangers stopped and helped him jump-start his car, they demanded $10. When he offered only $5, one of the men opened fire. No arrest.

MARGARET BENNETT, 82 Maid, Miami Beach

Returning home with the Sunday papers, she was suddenly attacked by a crazed neighbor who emptied his .22 revolver into her head and chest. Suspect arrested.

HAROLD BURGESS, 47 Storeowner, Sunland, Ca.

Knocking on an acquaintance's door, he was greeted by a shotgun blast and revolver shots. The friend claimed self-defense, and a gun was found on Burgess's body.

GREGORY SYLVESTER, 17 Student, Las Vegas

He became involved in an argument with a mon over a just completed basketball game. Sylvester was stabbed in the chest, the side and the back. Suspect arrested.

KENNY BLACK, 20 Steelworker, Charlotte

While strolling through a public housing project with a friend, he was suddenly attacked by four men and shot. The friend was uninjured. No arrest.

GEORGE COLE, 62 Custodian, Washington

At 4:30 a.m., as he headed for the bus to go to work, he was shot six times in an apparent robbery attempt. He died only three doors away from his home. No arrest.

CAROL NIXON THEBAUT, 39 Realtor, Lake Park, Fla.

As she sat alone in her office eating lunch, a man entered and shot her once in the head. Police arrested a 27-year old gardener, fired by her two weeks before.

RONALD FITZER, 31 Dentist, Seattle

Sitting in his car ar 2 a.m. on a city street, apparently lost, he was approached by two men who picked a fight. He was stabbed twice. Suspects arrested.

JOHN HICKS, 37 Unemployed, Chicago

While visiting his brother, he got involved in a quarrel with his brother's girlfriend, who seized a butcher knife and stabbed him in the abdomen. Suspect arrested.

WILLIAM HILBORN, 72 Retired, Petersburg, Ind.