On September 20, 1993, James returned home from a party to find Betty Dick’s four grandchildren sleeping in the living room. He grabbed 8-year-old Toni Neuner by the neck and choked her, then took her to his bedroom and raped her, after which he put her body between his bed and the wall.

On September 28, 1993, America’s Most Wanted (AMW) broadcast information related to the case, resulting in hundreds of viewer phone calls. Several tips indicated that he was traveling west. On October 5, 1993, AMW rebroadcast the details of the case, including this updated information. The next day, a viewer spotted James at the California state unemployment office in Bakersfield and contacted authorities. Once in police custody, he gave two taped statements.

On April 5, 1995, James pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, and one count each of aggravated child abuse, attempted sexual battery, kidnapping, grand theft and grand theft auto. He also pleaded no contest to two counts of capital sexual battery charged by separate information.

On August 18, 1995, James was sentenced to death for the murders of Toni Neuner and Betty Dick, as well sentences ranging from 15 years to life on the other charges. He is incarcerated at Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, Florida.