Remembering
Raymond ‘Bubbie’ Kuntz

 

A Jealous Rage Leads To Murder

On June 22, 1983, three-year-old Raymond “Bubbie” Kuntz; his mother, Billie; and his mother’s boyfriend, Clarence Walker Jr., spent the day swimming and enjoying the nice weather at a local park. The couple had been together two years and Billie was five months pregnant with Walker’s child. Although Walker was not his actual father, Bubbie called Walker his “daddy.”

Walker, who was unemployed, spent much of the day arguing with Billie. The argument centered around Walker’s jealousy and his inability to deal with rejection. Walker couldn’t handle the fact Billie could possibly leave him. They also argued about Walker breaking the rear view mirror off Billie’s stepfather’s car. The fight escalated on the drive home, and Walker threatened to wreck the car and “end it all for them.”

After returning home around 9:30 p.m., Billie put Bubbie to bed. Walker continued fighting with Billie and, by 10 p.m., he was totally out of control. Walker took a hunting knife from the living room wall and grabbed Billie. He put the knife to her neck and said, “It’s all over now.”

Billie managed to escape from an enraged Walker and ran to Bubbie’s room to protect him. Walker chased her into the bedroom. Bubbie awoke and rushed to protect his mommy. Realizing Walker was not going to stop, Billie grabbed a blanket to shield her and Bubbie from the knife. Walker kept slashing and stabbed Billie in the left shoulder. Billie knew the only way to save Bubbie was to lure Walker out of the house. She ran out the back door hoping Walker would follow her.

Billie ran outside and screamed “He’s trying to kill me and my baby.” Walker followed her, however he realized he could not catch her. Walker went back into the house and began stabbing Bubbie repeatedly. Bubbie, although critically wounded, ran out the back door and around the house toward the street looking for help. Walker walked out the front door and caught up with Bubbie. He continued stabbing Bubbie until Bubbie collapsed against the curb.

When police arrived, Walker was gone. Officers found Bubbie lying next to the curb suffering with 19 stab wounds in his back and chest. A neighbor had taken Billie into her home after she found her running down an alley behind the house, screaming and bleeding. Billie and Bubbie were rushed to the hospital. Bubbie died from his injuries an hour later. The knife wounds had perforated both of his lungs. Although seriously injured, Billie would survive.

A Massive Manhunt And A Plea Deal

Police immediately began a manhunt for Walker. When police searched Billie’s home, they found the slashed blanket. The TV was smashed and family photographs had been cut and stabbed. It was learned that Walker was a career criminal with offenses dating back to the age of 13. Walker had multiple robbery and assault charges and had spent a year in a Rhode Island state prison.

After an extensive manhunt, Walker turned himself into police when he got tired and hungry after spending four days in a hot, abandoned car. The knife was found inside the vehicle. Walker was arrested and charged with the aggravated murder of Bubbie Kuntz and the attempted murder of Billie Kuntz. Facing a certain conviction, Walker agreed to plead guilty to Bubbie’s murder in exchange for the prosecutor dropping the attempted murder charge. In an incredible miscarriage of justice, a three-judge panel chose not to give Walker a death sentence because a psychological report showed Walker was drinking heavily, acted impulsively and had “some degree of mental illness.” He received a life sentence with parole eligibility after 20 years.

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UPDATE: Child killer Clarence Walker died in prison on January 25, 2014 shortly after his parole was denied. Thank you to everyone who submitted a petition to help ensure he fulfilled his life sentence. Justice has been served.Rest In Peace Bubbie Kuntz. You will never be forgotten.