Thanks to a reader, we have a little more information in the 1985 unsolved case of John William Pennington. It comes from the insurance claims and appeals that John’s wife Peggy filed to seek recovery of reasonable costs as a results of John William Pennington‘s accidental and tragic death. The case is here.
From the decision we learn:
- John was in a car with four other men. The driver was Robert Breech.
- The attack happened in the drive-thru lane and not in the parking lot.
- A passenger in the car in front of Breech’s got out. The reason why is still unknown as the decision doesn’t shed a light on the altercation, or the driver of the other car, or the assailant.
- The assailant used a large knife to attack Breech’s car. Where that knife came from and whether it was ever found, is unknown.
- The assailant started to stab Breech’s car penetrating the steel top at least twice and smashed a passenger window.
- All five people exited the Breech car to seek safety.
- Three of the five men were stabbed.
- Two witnessed John’s fatal stabbing and testified that they felt that John was trying to calm the assailant.
Most crucial: there is no evidence that John was the aggressor or that it was his behaviour that led to the knife attack.
The Case:
John William Pennington (Oct 6, 1959 – Dec 8, 1985) was a passenger in a car driven by Robert Breech. They were waiting in the drive-thru of Taco Bell at 3591 West Broad St. in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. There were five men in Breech’s car.
An altercation happened between the people in Breech’s car and a passenger (unknown identity) in the car ahead of them. The passenger in the car ahead of them got out, attacked Breech’s car, and stabbed the passengers. The attacker then got back in the other car and left. The driver of that car is also unknown. John was transported to the hospital where he later died from his wounds.
If you have any information, please contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at (614) 525-3333 or submit a tip online at the website of the Ohio Attorney General. The case number is 674.
Hat tip to C.
Rest in peace, John William Pennington.