The Wisconsin defense attorney who represented serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer has died at the age of 88.
Gerald Boyle passed from natural causes on November 17, while doing something he loved – watching the Green Bay Packers take on the Chicago Bears with his wife, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
He had been in poor health since 2017, when he told the outlet: ‘I’m not going to get better. I’m an old man now, that’s just the reality of life.’
Boyle’s daughter, Bridget Boyle, then announced his passing in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
She said her father ‘always wanted to put the clients first, knowing they were in a poor situation.
‘It was instilled upon us that even though they may have committed the most horrific crimes, they also had a soul, and they were human.’
Bridget also remembered her father on Facebook as a ‘a distinguished attorney, he dedicated his life to the relentless pursuit of justice,’ she wrote.
‘Over a remarkable career spanning decades, he fearlessly championed countless high-profile cases, earning widespread respect for his sharp legal mind and compassionate heart.
‘For those he represented, he was a beacon of hope and unwavering support.’
Gerald Boyle passed from natural causes on November 17, while doing something he loved – watching the Green Bay Packers take on the Chicago Bears with his wife
The lawyer gained national attention when he represented notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer in the early 1990s
Boyle grew up in Chicago, Illinois and served in the US Army for about six years, ultimately becoming a captain before he moved to Milwaukee to attend Marquette Law School.
Following his graduation in 1962, Boyle clerked for a state Supreme Court justice.
He then went on to work in a private legal office, and joined the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office in 1965.
Over his first 18 months as a prosecutor, he did not lose a single case – earning him the title of deputy district attorney, the Journal-Sentinel reports.
But after his failed run for the Milwaukee County District Attorney, Boyle decided to enter private practice.
His most well-known case came in the early 1990s, when Dahmer was arrested on charges including decapitation, necrophilia and cannibalism.
The serial killer ultimately confessed to the murders of 11 victims whose severed heads were found in his Milwaukee apartment, and later admitted to killing another six victims.
At one point, he even told Boyle, ‘This is my fault. There is a time to be honest,’ the attorney recounted in a 1991 PEOPLE article.
Boyle also defended former Green Bay Packer Mark Chmura, who was charged in 2000 with sexually assaulting his children’s 17-year-old babysitter at an after-prom party, but was later acquitted
Boyle tried, unsuccessfully, to launch an insanity defense, gaining national attention for his repour with the jury.
‘Keep in mind, he’s representing; and in fact defending, a cannibal, a serial killer,’ said Andy Regal, then an executive producer for CourtTV.
‘And yet, he was able to be so folksy and smart and compassionate in his communications with the jury.’
The attorney ultimately lost the case, however, and Dahmer entered the Columbia Correctional Institute in February 1992 to serve his 15 consecutive life terms.
But just two years into his sentence, Dahmer was beaten to death by fellow inmate Christopher Scarver.
Following his passing, Boyle remembered the serial killer as being ‘like Halley’s comet.
‘A criminal like him comes around every 75 years, and thankfully isn’t seen again for another 75,’ he told PEOPLE in 1994.
Boyle went on to earn a $24.7million verdict for a fired Miller Brewing executive, though the victory was later thrown out on appeal
Despite the loss, Boyle continued to have a successful career.
He defended former Green Bay Packer Mark Chmura, who was charged in 2000 with sexually assaulting his children’s 17-year-old babysitter at an after-prom party, but was later acquitted.
Boyle also defended John Maloney, a Green Bay arson detective convicted of killing his wife and setting fire to her body, and represented a fired Miller Brewing executive in a case dubbed the ‘Seinfeld case.’
The executive was fired in 1993 after a female coworker complained he discussed an episode that made jokes about a female organ.
Boyle won a $24.7million verdict for the executive, but it was later thrown out on appeal and the plaintiff sued Boyle, ultimately receiving $625,000 from his insurer.
Still, those who fought with Boyle in the courtrooms say he was a persuasive man.
‘When he walked into court, he wanted to own the courtroom. That was his style,’ former Waukesha County District Attorney Paul Bucher told WTMJ, noting: ‘We battled.’
Bucher went on to call Boyle an ‘excellent story teller.’
‘He had the jury in his hands,’ the former DA recounted.
‘I would try to distract him (knock a book off the table or spill coffee) in order to break his stride,’ he admitted. ‘When he was giving a closing argument, even I was riveted.’
Boyle instilled a love for justice in his children, his daughter Bridget said
Boyle also instilled a love for justice in his children, Bridget, Ellen and Gerald.
Both Bridget and Gerald went on to practice law with their father at different times, and Bridget told the Journal-Sentinel how he would take the family to visit clients in jail on Christmas and Thanksgiving.
He is now survived by his wife of 59 years, as well as by his children, Bridget, Ellen and Gerald.
