Vicki Lynne Hoskinson was a bright and cheery 8-year-old who had completed her day at Homer Davis Elementary School. She pedaled her pink bike that afternoon on what we all believed to be the safe streets of Flowing Wells. She was heading back from dropping a birthday card into a nearby mailbox.
Frank Jarvis Atwood was a 28-year-old pedophile, a drifter from California who lived off his parents. He had been paroled in May 1984 after serving prison time for a 1981 conviction; he’d been found guilty of kidnapping an 8-year-old boy. Atwood asked the boy for directions and then knocked down the boy’s bike. He forced the boy to fellate him.
He also had been busted in 1974 for lewd and lascivious conduct with a 14-year-old girl and was sent to a mental health facility.
He used his 9-year-old Datsun 280Z to get Vicki Lynne, striking her bike with the car’s bumper that bore telltale pink paint. The bike lay on Pocito Place near Root Lane.
Vicki Lynne’s sister found the bike, and her mother rushed down the street to retrieve it. She called 911. Two teenage boys saw the young girl in the black Z. A Homer Davis teacher also saw the car, along with scruffy Atwood, and took down the license plate number.
Frank Jarvis Atwood returned later that day–Sept. 17, 1984–to his transient pals who were hanging out in De Anza Park on East Speedway Boulevard at Stone Avenue. He had blood on his hands and cactus needles on his pants. He boasted to his friends, including one who was coincidentally struck and killed by lightning four days later, that he stabbed a guy after a drug deal went awry. Atwood and his friend Jack McDonald visited with another man and went to a bar to play pool.
Atwood’s buddies noticed that he was spending time sanding his knife. Atwood and McDonald left Tucson that night, taking Interstate 10 on their way to New Orleans.
The Z broke down in Kerrville, Texas, less than an hour from San Antonio. Atwood phoned home for help. McDonald heard this significant part of that conversation: “Even if I did do it, you have to help me.”
The FBI had already called Atwood’s parents, who told agents that their son was getting his car fixed at Ken Stoepel Ford in Kerrville. That’s where they arrested him, searched his car and then arranged for it to be carted to San Antonio, where it was searched again.
Ten days after Vicki Lynne Hoskinson disappeared, Atwood was charged with kidnapping “with the intent to inflict death, physical injury or a sexual offense on the victim.” Nearly seven more months passed before Vicki Lynne Hoskinson’s remains were found.
Her family’s immeasurable grief, the child’s sweet face and Atwood’s demonic look fanned a huge and unprecedented community and prosecutorial response. Victim’s advocates groups, as well as and law-and-punishment organizations, sprung up with stunning force.
The media circus moved north to Phoenix; the trial was moved because of the overwhelming coverage. The trial didn’t begin until January 1987. Stanton Bloom, a highly skilled defense lawyer, took over the case for Lamar Couser and pushed every limit, both procedurally and physically (the always-fit Bloom was so drained that he was briefly hospitalized), against an arrogant and rule-flouting, but effective, John Davis.
The jury convicted Atwood on March 26, 1987. He was sentenced on May 8, and the next day, he began his now-almost 17 years on Arizona’s death row. His only travel since has been the transfer of death row from the old Cell Block 6 at the Florence prison to the Eyman Unit east of Florence.
That didn’t stop Atwood from getting married, at age 35, on Dec. 17, 1991, to Rachel Lee Tenny, 29, of Tucson. The marriage, witnessed by Atwood’s mother, was performed inside the old prison.
Atwood has studied enough to earn a degree in comparative religion. But he’ll never rehabilitate himself in the eyes of most Tucsonans, who are simply awaiting his execution.
Atwood has burned just one appeal, one rejected not long after Arizona resumed executions after a 29-year hiatus brought on by changing laws and orders from the U.S. Supreme Court.
As lucky as he was to have a talented and tenacious fighter like Bloom, Atwood is also fortunate to have Larry Hammond handling his new appeal. Hammond, a genial lawyer who clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justices Lewis Powell and Hugo Black, is committed to justice and equality. Fresh to Arizona, he and his Phoenix law-office colleagues joined underfunded and outmanned Rubin Salter when African Americans filed their landmark lawsuit against the Tucson Unified School District for its decades of official and de facto segregation.
Hammond does not have any confidence in the press when it comes to Atwood, whom he tries to see on a weekly basis. He does not believe there has been one thing written about the case that has been fair to Atwood. He believes emotions were further whipped up by photos in which Atwood’s creepy looks were somehow worsened to make him look, as Hammond says, “like Charles Manson.”
Hammond teaches courses at Arizona State University’s College of Law on wrongful convictions. He says he is convinced Atwood did not receive a fair trial. “This case has been treated as if it is the most clear example of a horrific crime in history.
“There is tremendous hatred for Frank,” says Hammond, who declines to offer any details on the appeal.
“Why on Earth would I want to talk to the arrogant, ignorant press?” asks Hammond, who is considerably more gracious than the comment would indicate. He adds that he would rather run through a path of rattlesnakes than discuss Atwood’s case with a reporter.
Only 22 men, of the 126 people on Arizona’s death row, have been there longer than Atwood. It is a stark and numbingly depressing place. And the atmosphere changed in 1992, when shortly after midnight on April 6, Don Eugene Harding, a runty and unbalanced man, was killed in the gas chamber. The years of warehousing were over.
Harding overpowered and killed two salesmen at the La Quinta, now a Ramada, just off of Interstate 10 at St. Mary’s Road. At his execution, Harding flipped off Attorney General Grant Woods, then twisted and writhed and strained. His skin turned a supernatural deep red; his body collapsed and then rose again against the restraints. It took 10 minutes and 31 seconds for Harding to die. Prison officials who witnessed Harding’s predecessor, Manuel Silvas, die in the gas chamber in March 1963, told reporters that it would be over quickly, with a gasp of air and then unconsciousness.
Harding’s death was so horrific that the state Legislature moved with rare speed to allow voters to change the method to lethal injection.
Defense lawyers and death-penalty abolitionists feared Harding’s execution would open the floodgates. But in 12 years, there have been only 22 executions. Nine were executed for murders committed in Pima County (see the sidebar). The last execution was in November 2000, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s Ring decision–putting punishment in the hands of the jury instead of the judge–has placed a number of death cases in limbo.
As those sentences are sent to back to juries, the abolitionist movement is evolving. Many death-penalty opponents no longer want to coddle or glorify the killers they seek to keep alive. They don’t instantly insist on the innocence of those in prison. And they are not in the business of forgiving those on death row for their heinous crimes. They have genuine sympathy and concern for the families and loved ones of the victims.
Until that is understood, they say, the abolition movement will lack necessary support.
Meanwhile, Hammond works on Atwood’s appeal, and those who remember Vicki Lynne Hoskinson keep waiting.
Meals to Die For
The last-meal requests by nine of the men executed for crimes committed in Pima County since the re-institution of capital punishment in 1992, as noted by the Arizona Department of Corrections:
Don Harding, April 6, 1992: Several fried eggs, several strips of bacon, toast, butter, honey and jelly.
Jimmie Wayne Jeffers, Sept. 13, 1995: Ten-ounce steak, peas, rolls with butter, baked potato with shredded cheddar cheese, strawberry pie with whipped cream, large chocolate malt.
Daren L. Bolton, June 19, 1996: no menu provided.
Arthur Martin Ross, April 29, 1998: Three grilled-cheese-and-fried-egg sandwiches, macaroni and cheese (“lots”), pint of mint-chocolate-chip ice cream, two cans of Pepsi.
Douglas Edward Gretzler, June 3, 1998: Six fried eggs over easy, four strips of bacon (chewy), two slices of white bread toast (buttered), one cup of real coffee, two Classic Cokes over ice.
Karl Hinze LaGrand, Feb. 24, 1999: Two BLTs on white bread, mayonnaise, four fried eggs over easy, medium portion of hash-brown potatoes, two breakfast rolls, small portion of strawberry jelly, one half-pint of pineapple sherbet, one 22-ounce black hot coffee, one medium slice of German chocolate cake, one 12-ounce milk.
Walter Burnhart LaGrand, March 3, 1999: Six fried eggs over easy, 16 strips of bacon, large portion of hash-browns, one pint of pineapple sherbet, one breakfast steak well-done, 16-ounce cup of ice, one 7Up, one Dr. Pepper, one Coke, one portion of hot sauce, one cup of coffee, two packets of sugar and four Rolaids tablets.
Ignacio Alberto Ortiz, Oct. 27, 1999: Two fried eggs, 4-ounce Pace hot sauce, four strips of bacon, one 12-ounce sirloin, 10-ounce french fries, 3-ounce ketchup, one pint vanilla ice cream, one pint of milk, one cup of hot coffee.
Donald Jay Miller, Nov. 8, 2000: Two guacamole tostados, two tacos, one strawberry malt, one Dr. Pepper, one lemon meringue pie, five whole jalapeños, one lemon, one lime, one quart strawberry ice cream.
This article appears in Mar 4-10, 2004.
It’s disgusting to see him alive, getting a degree, married…A little girl and her family sufferred things none of us could ever imagine. For his lawyer to show such disdain for the media, he should be ashamed-
Why isn’t he dead already??? Tax payers are keeping this douche bag alive. I’m tired of spending my $$ on people like him. Vickie didn’t get to breathe the amount of air that he has. Cut the supply off already! He is a repeat offender, no signs of remorse, and then on top of that some nut job marries him? I just don’t get it..
I was a witness in this case this animal prowled our neighborhood . He went by my house i looked him in his eyes. How dare his lawer try to say he didn’t get a fair trial. He didn’t give Vicki Lynne a fair anything…We all searched for her, we all grieved for her and he ran to mommy and daddy…Vicki lynne didn’t get to run to her mommy or daddy. My children could have been abducted,my friends daughter was home sick that day and this animal drove up in their driveway ,trying to get her to get in his car…so tell me did he get a fair trial….let him out and everyone of the witnesses would gladly give him a trial…And how desparate is the woman who married him…A religion degree does he think he will curry favor with God when he dies…I can only hope Vicki Lynne is there to meet him and tell St.Peter to send his murdering ass to hell…. Lethal injection is too good for this pig..let him die alone and scared and left in the desert .
My name is Maya, and I am from Serbia. I`ve heard about Vicki on TV last year, but I can not calmm myself since than. I feel, like I was there and some unexplainable sadness… I just want to say how sorry am I. Vicki, i hope you are with angels now… I can`t believe there are people who can do something like this!
I have just watched this case on TV “the FBI files” in the uk, it made me cry i know little vicki is in heaven and safe from harm, i hope the S.O.B dies real slow when they put him in the gas chamber.
We do not have the death sentence in the uk, we should have, but our parliment will not let the public have a vote on it.
That dirty b#stard should burn in hell where he belongs.
I lived in Tucson when Vicki was killed, I was 11. Here I am 36 years old and I still think about her. I did not know her, but have ALWAYS remembered her name. Because of what happened to her I have always held my children a little closer to me. It is just a horrible thing that this animal is STILL alive. I honestly thought that I would have seen online that he had been executed. It truly makes me sad.
I also lived in Tucson when this tragedy happened. I went to Homer Davis Elementary and was friends with Vicky Lynns older sister. I find it very sad that our government does not take a stronger stand against scum like this guy. He should be dead, along with all of the killers like him who not only commit these evil crimes, but are often set free to do the same devastation to new families. I wonder if this idiot that married him has children, and does she take them along on jail visits? Im not sure how some people are able to sleep at night. I only hope that Vicky Lynns family knows there are plenty of us out here who have not forgotten Vicky Lynn.
How can anyone marry Frank Atwood? He killed a child. His wife is dumb as hell.
I grew up with Vicki’s brother, a good friend of mine when I was young. They were my neighbors. An extremely kind family that it’s hard to imagine they have been subjected to such malice. My prayers have always been with them and still are. As far as Atwood, every dog has his day.
I was 11 years old and I attended Safford Elementary School in Tucson back in 1984. I never knew her but, “Vicki Lynn” is permanently engraved in my memory. I remember like it was yesterday, hearing the news of Vicki being kidnapped and how enormous the case was in Tucson up to the moment of her remains being found. Parents in general got a lot closer to their kids in fear of such a thing would happen, again.
I always assumed Atwood got executed. He’s still living!?! I am ashamed!!! I’m ashamed of the State of Arizona’s joke of “justice” for allowing Atwood to live in prison this long. 27 years on death row is too, damn long. Hell, many good people were born after May 1984 and have unfortunately passed away from this earth since Atwood’s capture. Stop “F”ing around and KILL Jarvis Atwood! Give Vicki Lynn justice!
I was at one of the vigils for Vicki Lynn and I am amazed that it is already 2012 and this man still walks this earth when that poor child has not for so long. I will never forget Vicki Lynn But …. Frank Jarvis Atwood should be the one that is forgotten… How does someone get convicted of abuse of two other children and then abuse and then kill an innocent child and then be allowed to marry and have all the comforts that he has in prison… he has health care… dental care…. use of education materials to get his diploma… I wish Vicki Lynn had all of that… wow.. how amazing she would be today had she been given the chance…. ………………………………………..
I can’t say it any better than anyone else. WE WILL NEVER FORGET VICKI LYNNE!! The loss of such a beautiful & innocent little girl made a HUGE impact on those of us who were children then & became parents later. I taught my son about stranger danger at a very young age. It made us realize that there was evil in the world & we needed to appreciate every moment we have. My heart will forever go out to her family. <3
Atwood “just happened” to be in Vicki Lynne’s neighborhood the day she disappeared. His description and license plate were recorded before it was know that anyone had been kidnapped. Atwood “just happened” to show up latter that day with blood and cholla cactus all over his hands and pants. Atwood “just happened” to admit to a friend that he was at the end of Ina Rd that day (where Vicki was latter found). Atwood “just happened” to leave town the next day (not fleeing the scene or anything). Oh and there “just happened” to be pink paint on Atwood’s front bumper. He didn’t get a fair trial? You know what? Larry Hammond needs to get a life and Atwood needs to be put out of this one. Plain, simple.
I so remember this!!!! My children and I lived in the trailer park next to the school. We had just moved a few weeks prior to this incident. It scared me to death then and still does to this day. My heart goes out to Vicki’s family. May God bless you all. As for Atwood, how can anyone marry him much less condone his actions and represent him!!!! So so sad!!!
Oh my, Gwad I was sadly just, reading about another MURDERED little girl, and it took me back to those long months back in 84, I was friends and class mates with her sister Stephanie, and one of my friend’s down the street, was Vickie’s class mate. I moved away at the end of that school year (unrelated reasons) It is just too much to think that Atwood is still alive some 28 yrs after his conviction. Do the world a favor, these crimes are IMO one strike and you are out, no prison, no reform, no chance at rehabilitation, Death period. This story needs to end at his grave and now. Put him all those that share his crimes down and the families minds to rest. I lived the fear as a child that anyone myself included could be next, and now as a father that fear is back, knowing that creatures like Atwood are out their to this date. And to think I had want to return to Tucson after being gone for so long, not so sure now if justice is that slow in the old AZ.
I cleaned the home of the Uncle and Aunt who live in sun city arizona. They told me the story of how she was killed by this horrible person! He needs to be put to death! How come he gets to live? Vicki does not live. I think he should die by the same means she did, beat, tortured and left for the animals to tear apart. I am sure if the officials can’t do it that they will find some volunteers who would gladly do it, namely her family.
I remember all too well — how scary weird Tucson felt for a while, the same type weird as when Gary Tyson was on the loose killing people. Please don’t let this guy have interviews and such like the convicted murderer, Jodi Arias, still to be sentenced to another long time in prison. (Who did allow her so much microphone time?)
I WAS 9YRS OLD AND LIVING IN LOS ANGELES WITH MY MOTHER AND ATWOOD WAS FRIENDS WITH ONE OF MY MOMS FRIENDS FRIEND.THEY ALL HAD JUST MET AND DIDNT KNOW EACHOTHER. HE CAME OVER FOR DINNER ONLY ONE NIGHT THAT I MET HIM. MY MOM NEEDED TO GO GET GROCHERIES AND HE SAID HE WOULD WATCH ME WHILE SHE WENT TO THE STORE. THANK THE CREATOR MY MOM SAID NO. AND THE NEXT DAY MY MOMS FRIEND CALLED AND SAID THAT ATWOOD HAD CONFESSED TO THE KILLING THE LITTLE GIRL IN TUCSON AND I WAS TO BE HIS NEXT, AND HE HAD CALLED THE POLICE AND WE NEEDED TO GET OUT OF THERE AND LEAVE IMMIEDIATLY . SO THAT DAY WE PACKED UP AND LEFT FOR TEXAS TO MY GRANDMAS HOUSE. ATWOOD WAS TRYING TO FIND ME IN TEXAS AND THAT WAS WHEN HE GOT ARRESTED. MY MOMS FRIEND THAT KNEW HIM WAS NEVER MENTIONED IN ANY OF THE ARTICLES IVE READ, BUT HE DID TESTIFY. AND I WAS ALSO NEVER MENTIONED. IT SCARES ME TO KNOW THAT I WAS THE LAST CHILD ON HIS MIND AND THAT MAYBE IN HIS MIND I WAS THE LAST ONE TO GET AWAY. IT EVEN MORE SCARES ME TO THINK THIS DISGUSTING BASTARD HAS A WIFE AND I LIVE IN PHX. ITS ALL SO CRAZY AND I WISH I COULD BE THERE TO SEE HIM GO. THIS IS THE ONLY TIME IVE EVER TOLD MY STORY AND IM 36YRS OLD NOW.
I just watched this on Tv..Real sad that I wanted to read more deap.I had taught he was dead. .I hope This mother have found the peace n strength ..God bless that family .I would have you in my prayers. .
If this man truly found “God” he would bear the fruits of repentance. He would run to the executioner’s table if just to bring closure to the tortured Mother and Sister et al. I believe in conversion to Christ but I also believe in justice. If he is “saved” why not go to heaven?
I just finished watching the crime investigation show and this is my opinion: Frank Jarvis Atwoon is truley a waste of air…..he should pay with his life. An eye for an eye and die in the same manner as little Vikky did. I am disgusted in the mother and the woman that married this scumbag. How can they sleep at night. Kudos to Atwoods father for turning him in!!
Looks like this guy is a walking freakshow. Look at the face. And he’s short too so he obviously has confidence and self-esteem issues – likely stands no taller than poor sweet Vicki did. Little idiot napolean-complex boy, hoping someone in prison off’s this piece of filthy excrement.
You can change “almost 20 years” to “almost 30 years”!
“Almost 20 years ago, the murder of an 8-year-old girl enraged Tucson; today, the convicted killer remains alive on death row,”
Scumbag should be executed. Soon!
He gets the needle in 21 days. WAY past due.