Gregory Green: The Man Who Killed His Family Twice

First marriage

In 1991, Gregory Green and Tonya Clayton Green's marriage was on the rocks. They had been married for two years, and Tonya, six months pregnant with their first child, had plans to leave Gregory due to a concerning change in his behaviour.

However, before she could make her escape, a horrifying incident occurred. On July 14, 1991, Gregory, driven by his emotions, took a steak knife and brutally stabbed Tonya 10 times in her left cheek, neck, chest, and back, resulting in the devastating loss of both her and their unborn child.

After this brutal act of violence, Gregory calmly called the police and reported his crime. When the cops arrived, he greeted them at the door with, "I stabbed her. She's in the kitchen."

Shockingly, Tonya's two young children were present during the horrifying incident, but thankfully, they emerged physically unharmed.

Gregory Green was given a 15–20-year prison sentence in 1992 for the murder.

A stint in jail

During his 16 years in prison, Green was virtually an ideal prisoner, with only one brief altercation in 2002 where he got involved in a fistfight with another inmate over a television. He completed educational programmes and refrained from arguing with authorities or engaging in any other violent behaviour while incarcerated. The Washington Post reported that he kept his head down and played by the rules.

Even so, Green was relentlessly denied parole on four occasions, with the board firmly asserting his lack of empathy and remorse as the reason.

But Green had people in his corner. And so, in a move he most likely regrets now, Fred Harris, the charismatic pastor of the Church of the Risen Christ Ministries International in Detroit, advocated passionately for Green's parole. The pastor penned at least two persuasive letters to the Michigan parole board vouching for Green's transformation, insisting that if given a second chance, Green would become a valued member of society and an active participant in the church community.

"Gregory and I were friends before his mishap and he was incarcerated," Fred Harris, wrote to the Michigan parole board in August 2005. "He was a member of our church … I feel he has paid for his unfortunate lack of self-control and the damage he has caused as much as possible and is sorry."

A troubled marriage

The pastor's words and those of friends and family of Gregory Green were evidently persuasive, as he was granted parole in 2008 after serving 16 years in prison.

Two years after his release, Green moved to Ohio and married Faith Harris, the daughter of pastor Fred Harris. Faith had previously been acquainted with Green, having met him at her father's church when she was 14. Little did she know that this encounter would have a lasting impact on her life. Gregory, then a 24-year-old man, quickly captured her heart, but their connection was abruptly interrupted when he vanished without a trace.

Despite the passage of time, Faith still harboured the same intense feelings for Green that she had as a lovestruck teenager. Yet, despite knowing Green's disappearance was due to a prison sentence, it is alleged that Faith did not know the extent of the crime, and she stated that he would not discuss it during their relationship.

Notwithstanding this mysterious secret, the couple went on to have two daughters together, and Gregory became a stepfather to Faith's two children from a previous marriage.

To the outside world, Gregory, Faith, and the four children appeared to be the ideal family. Living in the tree-lined Detroit suburb of Dearborn Heights, very few were aware of the trouble in their marriage.

Faith would leave Gregory Green numerous times during their marriage but always returned, hoping things would change for the better, hoping the mood swings and strange behaviour would cease. But they never did.

The man she had fallen in love with was no longer there.

In February 2013, three years before the murders, Faith Green sought a Personal Protection Order (PPO) against her husband in Wayne County Circuit Court, alleging:

"He's trying to make me leave our home," she wrote in the request, obtained by the Free Press. "We're filing for divorce. He's being beligerant (sic), kicking things. He kicked the couch while the baby was sleeping on it. Just kicking things threatening me and saying if I don't leave things are going to get ugly. Jumped at me like he was going to attack. This went on for hours."

She was turned down by then Judge Deborah Ross Adams, who had denied the petition, stating that there were "insufficient allegations for a PPO at this time." The judge would later be ousted from office in June 2013 due to judicial misconduct surrounding her divorce case.

However, it should be noted that Faith's protection order request made no mention of Green having served time in jail for the murder of his first wife. According to local lawyer Arnold Reed, the person requesting a PPO must present evidence against the person they are trying to protect themselves against. Judges do not mandate that the subject of a PPO be the subject of an investigation. Reed added that the judge's choice might have changed if she had been aware of Green's prior criminal history.

Eventually, Faith reached her breaking point and, for the third time in their marriage, decided to file for divorce in August 2016. She claimed that the marriage had irreparably deteriorated and that there was no hope left for salvaging it.

A month later, the unimaginable happened.

The murders

In the early hours of September 21, 2016, Faith was forcibly woken up as Gregory Green dragged her into the living room. There, she found her two oldest children, 19-year-old Chadney J. Allen and 17-year-old Kara Allen, and the three of them were shackled with zip ties before being led down to the basement.

Once downstairs, Gregory bound Faith to a chair using duct tape and the zip-ties. While Chadney and Kara watched, their stepfather shot their mother in the foot and sliced her face with a box cutter.

Then, as Faith sat injured and bound, Gregory shot dead his two stepchildren in front of their mother.

But where were the two youngest daughters, 4-year-old Kaliegh Green and 5-year-old Koi Green? They lay dead upstairs. Gregory had killed his biological children using carbon monoxide poisoning. According to reports, Gregory left the children in a car with the engine running before transferring their corpses to their beds.

Then, just like he did 25 years ago, Green called 911, admitted to his crimes, and waited for the police to arrive.

In 2017, Judge Dana Hathaway condemned Gregory Green to 45 to 100 years in prison, plus a further two years due to a mandatory weapons charge. Gregory Green won't be eligible for parole until he is 97 years old.

Escaping an abusive relationship

Leaving an abusive relationship is a difficult and complex process. In fact, the most dangerous time for victims of domestic abuse is when the victim decides to leave. This is because the abuser is likely to feel that they are losing control over their partner.

For many abusers, their partner is their property, and they feel entitled to do whatever they want to keep them. When the victim rejects this control and tries to leave, the abuser sees it as an attack on their identity. They may feel a sense of desperation, and it is not uncommon for an abuser to become more violent and destructive, leading up to and immediately after a breakup.

But leaving is possible. It may seem like an insurmountable task; however, with the right tools and resources, it's possible to escape and move on to a safer, happier life.

If you or someone you know wants to leave an abusive relationship, below is a suggested guide to escaping an abusive relationship, with resources and tips that can help you make a safe and successful exit.

Recognize the abuse

The first step in escaping an abusive relationship is to recognize that you are being abused.

Many people stay in abusive relationships because they don't recognize the behaviour as abuse. It's important to remember that abuse is not just physical violence; it can also be sexual, emotional, financial, and psychological.

If you feel afraid, intimidated, or controlled by your partner, it may be time to seek help.

Seek help

Escaping an abusive relationship can be a dangerous process, and it's important to get professional help.

Thankfully, there are numerous organizations dedicated to helping survivors of abuse. Many of these organizations provide free, confidential, and non-judgmental support, including legal and financial assistance.

You may also want to consider contacting domestic violence hotlines, joining support groups, or speaking with a therapist. Their expertise and resources will be invaluable throughout this process.

Remember, you are not alone, and there are resources available to help you.

Document the abuse

If you decide to leave, gather any evidence of abuse or violence that you can. Take photos of injuries or property damage, save threatening messages, record hostile phone calls, and keep copies of police and medical reports. This evidence may be vital if you choose to take legal action against your abuser.

Plan your exit

Planning your exit from an abusive relationship requires careful consideration. Abruptly leaving can be dangerous, so it's essential to create a safety plan.

Determine the best times to leave your house undetected, identify a safe destination, and plan your transportation accordingly.

Prepare a bag with essential items like cash, important documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, ID documents, keys, clothes, medication, a phone charger, and emergency numbers. Keep this bag hidden in a secure location, such as a trusted neighbour's or friend's house, for quick access when needed.

Additionally, it could be beneficial to consult with your doctor during this process. They can help you obtain extra medicine or essential medical items for both you and your children, such as glasses or hearing aids. Your doctor can provide guidance and support, ensuring that you have the necessary supplies to maintain your health and well-being.

Consider potential tracking methods

Be aware of how your partner might try to track you. If you suspect they have access to your phone or messages, use a friend's phone or get a cheap "burner phone" for communication. Erase any search history related to seeking support and disable geo-location settings on your phone.

Furthermore, while you gather the required information and prepare for your departure, prioritize your online security. Think about using a computer at a public library or borrowing a friend's device to ensure your partner doesn't trace your planning.

When you're ready to make your move, refrain from using your home or shared phone to call for help, as your partner may be able to trace the numbers. If you're unable to purchase a separate phone, remember that some domestic violence shelters provide free cell phones.

By the way, try your best to memorize important phone numbers in case your partner takes away your phone. Commit key contacts, such as friends, family, or shelters, to your memory. This way, you'll still be able to reach out for assistance and find a secure place to stay.

Cut off all contact with your abuser

Cut off all communication with your abuser without hesitation once you leave an abusive relationship.

Blocking their number, deleting them from your social media accounts, and cutting off any form of contact that could manipulate your emotions and entice you back are vital steps.

Additionally, inform your family and friends about the situation, urging them to sever all ties as well. Remember, a united and supportive inner circle can make it even more challenging for your abuser to infiltrate your life again.

Heal and rebuild

The journey of leaving an abusive relationship marks a significant achievement, but it's just the start of the healing process. Survivors of abuse often struggle with trauma, low self-esteem, and other mental health issues. It's crucial to seek support that will help you heal from the effects of abuse.

You may also need to rebuild your life, whether it involves finding a new job, home, or social circle. Always remember that healing takes time and effort, but the rewards are immeasurable when you create a safe and fulfilling life for yourself and your loved ones.

Conclusion

The story of Gregory Green is a tragic reminder of how domestic violence can escalate and lead to fatal consequences. It's also a sobering reminder that sometimes the justice system fails to protect victims by granting parole to dangerous criminals who go on to commit even more heinous crimes. Green's actions have left a trail of devastation and heartbreak that will never fully heal.