Attorney Gerald Boyle dies; represented serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer

The Milwaukee attorney who represented serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer has died.

Gerald Boyle passed away on Sunday at the age of 88.

At the time, there wasn't a bigger stage. The State of Wisconsin v. Jeffrey Dahmer trial was one of the first major cases broadcast on Court TV.

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In a colorful yet commanding tone, Boyle argued not that Dahmer didn't do it, but that he did because he was mentally ill.

Gerald Boyle

Family and friends say no one cared more about the law than him.

Far from the closest courthouse, Bridget Boyle said one barn is her happy place, in large part because of her dad, Gerry.

"My dad started getting us riding, my sister and I, when I was 4," She said. "My sister was 7."

Bridget Boyle

A man the world would come to know as Dahmer's defense attorney at his January 1992 trial in Milwaukee County.

"He was always able to speak in such a way to make it common for the people sitting on the jury, so that they could understand and not talk above them," Bridget Boyle said.

It’s where author Anne Schwartz came to know him too.

She spent a lot of time with him for her books on the case. She said that’s when she really learned the kind of person Boyle was.

"Gerry paid to have Jeffrey Dahmer's mother fly here when he was in Columbia Correctional Institution, so that Jeffrey Dahmer would have a chance to see his mother, so that she would have a chance to see her son in person, and Gerry did that at his own expense,"  Schwartz said.

Anne Schwartz and Gerald Boyle

A case of this magnitude could have changed Boyle, but both say it just introduced him and his values to a national audience.

"He truly cared. He truly cared about the cause," Bridget Boyle said. "He truly cared about the justice."

She said her dad never had any regrets about taking the case.

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The main reason he did was because he represented Dahmer on a prior misdemeanor.

Gerald Boyle

At trial, Boyle argued Dahmer should be studied so that the criminal justice system can learn from what happened here, but Dahmer died in prison.

A visitation will take place at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee on Nov. 30.

Bridget Boyle shared the following on Facebook:

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved father, Gerald Boyle, who departed this world to be with his Lord on November 17, 2024. 

A distinguished attorney, he dedicated his life to the relentless pursuit of justice. 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. 

Above all, his greatest achievement was his steadfast love and devotion to our mother, Marna, his cherished wife of 59 years. Their enduring bond was a testament to the power of love, commitment, and faith, serving as a beautiful example to all who knew them. 

Visitation will take place at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee on November 30, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., celebrated by The Most Reverend Jerome Listecki, Archbishop of Milwaukee. His full obituary will be shared at a later time. 

My brother and I would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our mother, Marna, and our sister, Ellen, for their extraordinary care of our father over the past few years. Their unwavering love, selflessness, and dedication brought him immense comfort and peace. We are forever grateful for the compassion and support they provided during his final journey.