By Scott North
Herald Writer
The leader of a violent religious sect was sentenced to 50 years in prison Tuesday for his role in the 1998 murder of a Mountlake Terrace man.
But Christopher Turgeon, who claims to be a modern manifestation of the prophet Elijah, would have to survive as long as some biblical patriarchs to complete his punishment.
Before Turgeon can even begin serving his 50-year sentence for the murder of Dan Jess, 40, he first must complete an 89-year prison term for a string of robberies and other crimes in California, Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Joseph Thibodeau ruled.
That means Turgeon, 38, would be about 175 years old before he would be eligible for freedom.
Turgeon used his opportunity to speak in court to deliver a 10-minute sermon in which he warned that God is angry with the United States because it is a nation that has legalized abortion and does not punish people who engage in homosexuality or who support equal rights for women.
At times raising his voice until he was nearly shouting, Turgeon claimed that Americans face fiery punishment because they have turned their backs on a historical reliance on biblical principles.
"Repent from your wicked deeds and be saved, for the time of judgment is at hand," Turgeon said.
But deputy prosecutor David Kurtz said Turgeon was twisting "portions of American history just like he twists portions of Scripture, to do evil."
Turgeon was the leader of a religious organization that called itself the Gatekeepers and was based in Snohomish County before moving to Pala, Calif., about 40 miles north of San Diego, in 1997.
Evidence indicated that Turgeon and fellow Gatekeeper Blaine Applin, 31, drove to Mountlake Terrace in March 1998 to kill Jess, a former member whom Turgeon feared would betray the group. Turgeon sat in the getaway car as Applin repeatedly shot Jess one Sunday morning.
Turgeon taught his followers that God wanted them to kill those Turgeon deemed wicked, including homosexuals, doctors who perform abortions and people who believe in equal rights for women. All of the California crimes, including the attempted murder of a police officer, were committed as part of a campaign that was supposed to trigger the Apocalypse.
Lawyers for Applin and Turgeon argued that the men were innocent by reason of insanity.
The pair first went on trial for the killing in May, but a mistrial was declared after jurors deadlocked 11-1, with a majority voting to convict. Both juries heard from Turgeon, who claimed Jess’ killing and the California robbery spree were acts of holy war.
Thibodeau, who presided over both trials, said it was clear the Gatekeepers were misguided and Jess’ killing senseless. He placed the greatest blame on Turgeon.
The judge earlier sentenced Applin to 39 years in prison, allowing him to serve the sentence at the same time he is serving a 101-year term for his California crimes. Even with time off for good behavior, Applin won’t be eligible for release until 2084.
The slain man’s father, Ed Jess of Edmonds, said he was satisfied.
Dan Jess’s death was a hard blow, Ed Jess said, but he added that he has no doubt his son is now with God.
As for the killers, "They’ve got to live each one of those days in prison," Ed Jess said. "Wouldn’t that be hell?"
You can call Herald Writer Scott North at 425-339-3431or send e-mail to
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