Jim Morris
Edmonton, AB / Sept. 20, 1985
On Friday, Sept. 20, 1985, a 15-year-old juvenile and an 18-year-old man met in a shopping mall and discussed ways of making some "quick money". The 18-year-old was carrying a duffle bag containing a disassembled .22/20 gauge over-and-under rifle and shotgun and some .22 ammunition.
The two called a taxi and when Morris picked them up he was directed to an isolated dump north of Edmonton. The 18-year-old assembled the rifle en route and when they arrived he pointed it at Morris and ordered him to get out of the car and leave his money and keys on the ground.
The killer then fired a shot that grazed Morris's head and caused him to fall. He ordered Morris to get up and walk to a grassy area near the roadway. Here the killer shot him in the back of the head and then fired a third shot to make sure Morris was dead.
The killer and his accomplice split the $115.00 they found in Morris's wallet and then covered his body with grass.
Morris's cab was spotted by another driver at about 4:30 p.m. on the following Sunday. The windows were open and there was $8.00 on the meter. A police tracking dog located Morris's body.
Morris's brother described him as "a lifelong bachelor and a sports fanatic." At 6'1" tall, Morris had excelled as a football and hockey player in his youth. "He was very, very strong but equally as mild; I've never seen him in a fight," said his brother.
After studying physical education at the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta, Morris quit school because he "preferred working with his hands." He enjoyed driving a cab because it gave him the freedom to do the things he wanted, like curling. "He was a happy-go-lucky guy, always smiling whenever you saw him," said a co-worker.
The 15-year-old accomplice was sentenced to three years in prison. The 18-year-old killer was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 15 years. He was released on full parole in September, 2000.
On December 9, 2001, a 50-year-old Edmonton cab driver was flagged down at Alexander Plaza by a man who said he had a gun. When the driver attempted to flee, he was shot in the back of the shoulder.
Later that month Morris's killer failed to report to his parole officer. Police, suspecting his involvement in the recent shooting and in other attacks on cab drivers, issued a warrant for his arrest and described him as armed and dangerous.
In March, 2002 the killer was charged with attempted murder in and various weapons-related charges stemming from the December attack.
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