K. L. Dalton. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Chowchilla, CA. May 21, 2025. Content unknown. SEALED.

Kerry Lyn Dalton, born in 1959 in Van Nuys, California, was convicted in 1995 for the 1988 torture and murder of Irene Melanie May in San Diego County. Despite the absence of the victim's body, Dalton was sentenced to death based on witness testimonies, including that of an accomplice. Her case has undergone multiple appeals, with some charges vacated, yet she remains on death row at the Central California Women's Facility. The case has drawn attention due to its reliance on testimonies from individuals with questionable credibility and the lack of physical evidence.

The Phantom Crime: The Case of Kerry Lyn Dalton

Basic Information

Kerry Lyn Dalton was born on January 24, 1959, in Van Nuys, California. As of now, she is incarcerated at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla, California. In May 1995, Dalton was convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances and conspiracy to commit murder, receiving a death sentence. Her criminal record includes a prior conviction for burglary.

Background

Details about Dalton's early life, family background, education, and employment history are sparse in public records. However, by the late 1980s, she was associated with individuals involved in drug use and criminal activities. Notably, she was in a relationship with Mark "TK" Tompkins and associated with Sheryl Ann "John Boy" Baker, both of whom played significant roles in the events leading to her conviction.

Criminal Activity

On June 26, 1988, in a trailer located in the Live Oak Springs Trailer Park in Boulevard, California, 23-year-old Irene Melanie May was allegedly tortured and murdered. The victim was beaten, stabbed, injected with battery acid and tortured with electric shocks. The prosecution claimed that Dalton, along with Tompkins and Baker, believed May had stolen Dalton's jewelry and was a police informant. According to testimonies, the trio conspired to kill May, leading to her being beaten, shocked with a frying pan, injected with battery acid, and ultimately killed. Notably, May's body was never recovered, and no physical evidence directly linked Dalton to the crime scene.

Legal Proceedings

Dalton was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Her trial was separate from her co-defendants; Tompkins pled guilty to first-degree murder, and Baker pled guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for testifying against Dalton. In May 1995, Dalton was convicted and sentenced to death. Subsequent appeals led to the California Supreme Court vacating the conspiracy charge and the special circumstance of lying in wait, but upheld the first-degree murder conviction and the death sentence.

Impact on Victims and Society

Irene May's disappearance and presumed murder had a profound impact on her family and the community. The case highlighted issues within the criminal justice system, particularly concerning the reliance on testimonies from individuals with criminal backgrounds and the absence of physical evidence. Media coverage brought attention to these concerns, sparking debates about the fairness of the trial and the use of the death penalty in such cases.

Current Status

Dalton remains on death row at the Central California Women's Facility. Her case continues to be the subject of legal scrutiny and public interest, especially given the controversies surrounding the evidence and testimonies used in her conviction. There is no public record of rehabilitation efforts, and she poses no direct threat to society while incarcerated.

Conclusion

The case of Kerry Lyn Dalton underscores the complexities and challenges within the criminal justice system, particularly in cases lacking physical evidence and relying heavily on testimonies from individuals with questionable credibility. It raises important questions about the standards of evidence required for capital convictions and the potential for miscarriages of justice. This case serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the need for rigorous standards and safeguards to ensure fairness and accuracy in the legal process.

Additional Note

Given the notoriety of the case and Dalton's status on death row, any autographed items by her would be considered rare and potentially valuable to collectors interested in true crime memorabilia.

• VIDEO: Death Row Executions-Kerry Lyn Dalton California Death Row | https://youtu.be/Ufezb0douN0

• VIDEO: Joan Lunden Behind Closed Doors: Death Row Interview | https://youtu.be/54qpm7G_5Ks

Archiving Protocol:

• Handled with White Gloves ab initio

• Photo Pages/Sheet Protectors: Heavyweight Clear Sheet Protectors, Acid Free & Archival Safe, 8.5 × 11, Top Load

• White Backing Board—Acid Free

Shipping/Packaging: Rigid Mailer 9.5 × 12.5. The Kraft cardboard is white, self-seal, and stay-flat, ensuring it does not bend. Heavy cardboard, which has strong resistance to bending and tearing, makes each rigid mailer sturdy. These mailers are significantly thicker than those used by the USPS. Shipping cost is never more than it absolutely has to be to get it from me to you.