McElroy was a persistent criminal and bully in the town of only a few hundred people. He was indicted for assault, child molestation, statutory rape, arson, stealing livestock and burglary.
But in spite of 21 indictments, he was never convicted, thanks in large part to his intimidation of witnesses in the tiny farm town surrounded by corn fields.
He escaped conviction for statutory rape only because he married his 14-year-old victim. When she fled his home two weeks after giving birth, he burned down her parents’ house and shot the family dog.
He got away with shooting a farmer in the stomach when he was confronted for trespassing, and stalked the daughter of the family who adopted his baby.
Skidmore was sick of McElroy before the crime that brought things to a head. When McElroy’s seven-year-old child was caught shoplifting, he shot grocery store owner Bo Bowenkamp in the neck.
He was arrested and charged with attempted murder, but granted bail. Immediately after being released, McElroy arrived at the local tavern with an M1 rifle and bayonet and started making murderous threats against Bowenkamp.
