Decathlon of Death by Jack Leslie

A 1950s California True Crime Narrative of the Chester Massacre, Highway Robbery, and San Quentin Executions

In May 1950, a violent robbery gang executed local grocer Frank Chester and three young family members in the mountain community of Chester, California. The brutal crime ignited a massive multi-county manhunt across northern California and Nevada, linking the perpetrators to a string of armed robberies and homicides across the American West.

Author Jack Leslie reconstructs the law enforcement investigation that identified gang members L.A. Riser, Santo, and Perkins. The book follows the ballistics evidence, interstate extraditions, and the 1953 triple execution in the gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison.

Why You’ll Love This Book

Jack Leslie delivers a detailed historical account of mid-century Western law enforcement and multi-state crime sprees. Featuring archival police records and courtroom proceedings, this rare true crime volume is ideal for fans of James Ellroy, Max Allan Collins, and W.C. Heinz.