The State - News from April 16, 1985

Accused “Halloween horror” killer William Dennis will go on trial May 7 in the hacking slaying of his pregnant ex-wife and her eight-month-old fetus. Dennis, 34, of San Jose, appeared before Superior Court Judge Donald Chapman, who set the trial date. He is charged with hacking to death Doreen Erbert and of killing the woman’s eight-month-old fetus. According to police, Dennis also ripped the fetus out of the mother’s womb during the rampage last Oct. 31 in the woman’s San Jose home. Police claim Dennis plotted the killings of his ex-wife and her new husband, Charles Erbert, to avenge the drowning of Dennis’ 3-year-old son in a swimming pool while the child was in the woman’s custody. He prepared coffin-like boxes and body bags for their corpses, authorities said. Erbert discovered the murders when he returned home. Dennis faces the death penalty if convicted.