On this day, Sept. 22, in 1980, the so-called Midtown Slasher kills his first victim outside a Buffalo supermarket.
Over the next six months, at least 12 men — all black or Hispanic — were killed by gun or knife in upstate New York. Two victims had their hearts cut out.
Investigators caught a break when a newly enlisted Army private in Fort Benning, Ga., stabbed a black soldier in 1981, and then bragged to a nurse about killing 13 men in New York.
Joseph Christopher, 25, was sentenced to 60 years in prison. He died of male breast cancer at age 37.
— Scott McCabe
