1988 murder of a gay man in Utah, United States
Gordon Ray Church (September 14, 1960 – November 22, 1988) was a gay American man who was murdered because of his sexuality. Church was kidnapped, raped, tortured, and murdered in Millard County, Utah by two men. One of his killers was sentenced to death and the other was sentenced to life in prison. In 2020, the case gained renewed attention following the release of a documentary film called "Dog Valley", which tells the story of Church's life and the circumstances surrounding his murder. According to the makers of the film, it was made to help people show more love to the LGBTQ+ community.
Murder.
On the evening of November 21, 1988, Church arranged to meet with several friends for a meal just prior to Thanksgiving holiday. The plan had been for the group to meet at an apartment before heading to a restaurant after. Before arriving at the apartment, Church drove to a 7-Eleven in Cedar City, Utah, to pick up a pack of cigarettes. When he arrived, he met Michael Anthony Archuleta and Lance Conway Wood, who had come to the store to buy soda and whiskey. According to the two men, they met Church in the parking lot and began talking. Afterward, the three men drove in Church's car and spoke with two women. Later, they drove to a secluded area in Cedar Canyon. Church then revealed to both men that he was gay.
Versions of what happened next differ. According to Wood, he and Archuleta had always planned to rob Church because "he was a homosexual;" however, Archuleta claimed there had been no such conversation. According to Archuleta, Church offered to engage in anal sex with him after revealing he was gay. Archuleta then had sex with Church but stopped midway through after changing his mind. Wood claimed Archuleta sexually assaulted Church with a knife held to his throat. Church was tackled to the ground following the sexual assault and was then forced into the trunk of the car, where he was bound with tire chains and a bungee cord.
Church was driven for nearly 80 miles to a secluded area in Millard County, known as Dog Valley. Church was taken from the trunk and had battery cable clamps attached to him and to the car battery. He was then shocked and electrocuted before he was beaten over the head with a tire jack and tire iron. Church was beaten to death in the early hours of November 22. The injuries to his head were so severe that a medical examiner claimed they were similar to a truck having been driven over his head. His body was then dumped in a shallow grave and was found the following day.
Aftermath.
Following the murder, Wood and Archuleta fled the area in Church's car, with Wood driving. They headed north on I-15 and abandoned the car in Salt Lake City. Their clothes were still covered in Church's blood so they headed to a nearby store to buy some new clothes. Archuleta claimed to the store clerk that the blood stains were from a rabbit hunting trip that had occurred the night before. The men then dumped their old clothes in a drainage ditch and hitchhiked back to Cedar City.
The following day, Wood, who was panicking over his involvement in the crime, confessed to his parole officer that he had witnessed Archuleta commit a murder. On November 24, Wood led the authorities to the scene of the crime and told his story to Millard County officials. He was then arrested. Archuleta was arrested shortly after in Cedar City.
Trials.
Archuleta was convicted of first-degree murder in the killing of Church. On December 20, 1989, he was sentenced to death. Ultimately, it is believed that Archuleta was the primary instigator of the crime. He remains on Utah's death row at Utah State Prison. In 2023, he was one of four death row inmates who filed a lawsuit against the state of Utah, challenging its capital punishment statutes.
On March 14, 1990, Wood was sentenced to life in prison for his role in Church's murder. As the jury could not unanimously agree on a death sentence he was spared the death penalty.
In popular culture.
In 2020, a documentary film called "Dog Valley" was made by filmmakers Chad Anderson and Dave Lindsay, and was distributed by Lucky 27 Media. The film tells Church's story and features interviews with people involved in his case, including an interview with Wood from prison. Archuleta declined to be interviewed for the film. The film was shown at several festivals including the Red Rock Film Festival.
The aim of the film was to help people show more love to the LGBTQ+ community and for people to have discussions about hate crimes.
References.
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