Shivangi Sinha
Netflix’s ‘Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers’ takes a fresh look at Aileen Wuornos’s January 1992 trial, revisiting it through a modern lens. One of the key figures at the time was John Tanner, the Florida state attorney who strongly condemned Wuornos’s actions. The documentary examines his stance during the trial and how his professional background and career trajectory may have shaped his perspective. While it doesn’t present definitive conclusions, it raises speculative questions about whether Tanner’s position or alleged personal motivations could have shaped his handling of the case and his portrayal of Wuornos in court.
John Tanner Knew Ted Bundy Before He Took Office as the State Attorney
John Tanner began his career as a private defense attorney in Daytona Beach, Florida. A devout born-again Christian, he was deeply committed to his faith and actively involved in his church community. In the mid-1980s, while serving as a prayer minister, Tanner met the infamous serial killer Ted Bundy, who was in prison at the time. Reports suggest that Tanner prayed with Bundy for over two years and served as his spiritual advisor during that period. Tanner later stated that he felt called by God to pursue a greater purpose, and in 1988, he was elected State Attorney for Florida’s Seventh Judicial District, which covered Volusia, Flagler, St. Johns, and Putnam counties.
Controversy soon surrounded Tanner when Bundy’s execution date approached. Bundy had allegedly pleaded with Tanner to grant him more time so he could make additional confessions. However, news of this leaked, sparking public outrage and leading to protests that even called for Tanner’s impeachment. By January 1992, as his re-election campaign neared, Tanner adopted a tough stance against Aileen Wuornos, demanding the harshest possible punishment and condemning both her actions and her work as a sex worker. Around the same time, he was also promoting an anti-pornography campaign. His positions proved divisive, and he ultimately lost the 1992 election, with critics arguing that his views infringed upon First Amendment rights.
In the years following his initial defeat, Tanner continued working as a trial lawyer until 1996, when he regained his position as State Attorney. He ran unopposed in both the election and the subsequent one. He served in office until 2008. During his tenure, Tanner led an investigation into allegations of abuse at the Flagler County Jail. The situation started in 2005 when his daughter, Lisa Tanner, was arrested and allegedly mistreated while behind bars. The case prompted a grand jury investigation into Tanner’s handling of the investigation, and the ensuing controversy ultimately contributed to his loss of office in 2008.
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John Tanner’s Statements About Old Cases Remain Relevant Even Today
After leaving public office, John Tanner returned to private practice, maintaining a law office in Flagler Beach, Florida. He was later appointed to the board of Daytona State College but resigned from the position in 2013. Tanner remained active in the legal field for several years and occasionally spoke about his involvement in past cases. In 2023, he commented on the 1990 triple-murder case of Louis Gaskin, stating that he had no regrets about pursuing the death penalty.
Now believed to be around 85 years old, Tanner is thought to still reside in Florida. Though no longer active in court due to his age, he remains a recognizable figure because of his role in several high-profile cases. Over the years, he has appeared in various television programs, including ‘Ted Bundy: Natural Porn Killer,’ ‘Twisted,’ and ‘Very Scary People.’ Tanner and his wife, Marsha, seem to be enjoying a quieter life, focusing on their family. They have two daughters, while Lisa Tanner has remained known to the public, their elder daughter has largely stayed out of the spotlight. Tanner’s legacy, marked by both controversy and conviction, continues to stand as an important chapter in Florida’s legal history.
