John Carneal
John Carneal
John Carneal was a highly ambitious man who pursued many different career opportunities. He worked for the federal government, the military, and private industry.
Then, in December of 1997, Carneal killed three classmates and wounded five others at Heath High School near Paducah, Kentucky. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Early Life and Education
John Carneal was born in Richmond, Virginia, on May 10, 1923. He was the son of Charles and Edith Carneal.
He attended high school at John Marshall, and he developed a love for baseball. He played center field and pitcher, and he had a fastball that wouldn’t have broken a pane of glass.
Then, on December 1, 1997, Carneal went on a shooting rampage at Heath High School near Paducah, Kentucky, killing three classmates and wounding five others.
The parents of the girls killed in the attack urged Judge Jefferey Hines to give Carneal the maximum penalty, but he gave him life sentences. In addition to the deaths, he also injured Missy Jenkins Smith, who is paralyzed and uses a wheelchair.
Professional Career
Hall of Fame broadcaster Herb Carneal, whose smooth baritone narrated Minnesota Twins games for 45 seasons, died Sunday. The veteran radio broadcaster, who also worked for the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Athletics, died of congestive heart failure at age 83.
His obituary in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reads: “Carneal’s death was unexpected and devastating for the baseball community. He had been battling health issues and was only working on weekends and midweek afternoon home games this season.”
She and her husband, Andrew, have two boys, Nicole Hadley, 14, who died in the shooting, and Kayce Steger, 15. They have a fifth child, Missy Jenkins Smith, who is paralyzed from the waist down.
Achievements and Honors
A decorated University of Minnesota baseball coach will receive the Herb Carneal Lifetime Achievement Award during the Twins’ Diamond Awards banquet. Joe Kreger, a longtime leader in Green Isle, Minn., baseball, will be honored with the Terry Ryan Play Ball! MN Award.
In a videoconference last week, Carneal told a panel of parole board members that he still hears voices in his head telling him to steal a neighbor’s pistol and fire it into the crowded lobby of Heath High School.
He also apologized to his victims and their families, including the family of the 14-year-old girl who was killed in the shooting. Judge Jefferey Hines, who sentenced him to three concurrent life sentences, could offer little consolation.
Personal Life
In his personal life, john carneal was a fun-loving and caring person. He also loved animals.
As a result, he had a corgi named Bonnie and another named Boggie. He was a very loving and supportive husband and father of two children.
He was also a very caring brother and friend. He will be missed greatly by his family and friends.
Carneal was 14 years old when he killed Nicole Hadley, Jessica James and Kayce Steger in the prayer circle outside Heath High School near Paducah, Kentucky, on December 1, 1997. He was serving a life sentence for that attack when he made an unsuccessful parole application last month.
Net Worth
John Carneal is a successful businessman and former baseball player who made a name for himself in the professional world. He was an all-star in the 1980s as a member of the Springfield Yellow Jackets and was a part-time broadcaster for the Minnesota Twins. His net worth is estimated to be around $8 million. He was convicted of killing Nicole Hadley, 17, and Jessica James, 17. According to his lawyer, a re-entry plan was presented to the parole board that showed that he has a good life and would be supported by family members and medical professionals. It also noted that Carneal has demonstrated genuine remorse for his crimes and has shown a commitment to improve himself.