by Paula Gail Benson
When I was growing up in South Carolina, the name Donald
“Pee Wee” Gaskins was known and feared as a serial killer who charmed his
victims and had no remorse for the atrocities he committed against them. When
his death penalty conviction was overturned (due to the state’s statute being
held unconstitutional), he pled guilty to dozens of murders to receive life
sentences.
Later, when the death penalty was statutorily reinstated, he
was serving time in the state’s Central Correctional facility. He took a bribe
to kill another prisoner. When poisoning did not work, he smuggled in an
explosive. That death was the crime for which he was executed.
Gaskins’ crimes and trials are examined in Richard A.
Harpootlian’s Dig Me a Grave: The Inside Story of the Serial Killer Who
Seduced the South (written with Shaun Assael) (released December 16, 2025,
with the audio version read by Harpootlian). You may recognize Harpootlian’s
name. He’s a lawyer in Columbia, S.C., and recently served in the State Senate.
He began his career as a prosecutor, then became a defense attorney, most
recently representing Hunter Biden and Alex Murdaugh.
Harpootlian prosecuted Pee Wee Gaskins and, in doing so,
found himself in a unique relationship with the killer. Pee Wee, known to be a
master manipulator, called Harpootlian by name and greeted him when they were
together. Following the trial, Pee Wee continued the relationship by sending
Harpootlian Christmas cards. As Pee Wee’s execution neared, he tried to have
Harpootlian’s four-year-old daughter kidnapped.
What is so fascinating about Dig Me a Grave is that it is not only Pee Wee’s story, but also Harpootlian’s. The chapters change the viewpoint from one to the other, contrasting their backgrounds and their approach to the trial.
Harpootlian spoke to the Capitol Crimes Chapter of Sisters
in Crime about the book and his experience with Pee Wee. He talked about how
the killer could display a very likable personality. One day when they were
eating lunch together, Pee Wee had been teasing him. Harpootlian took the
opportunity to tease Pee Wee back, and saw a change occur in his face and eyes.
Suddenly, the congenial companion had angered. Harpootlian knew he had to get
Pee Wee to display that anger in the courtroom so that the jury members would
understand why they needed to convict him.
If you have an interest in true crime and history, this is a book you do not want to miss. It contains difficult scenes but gives real insight into how a serial killer’s mind works and how a prosecutor prepared for the trial.
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| Richard A. Harpootlian |
What true crime books do you recommend?
