Robert Sorrells

Robert D. Sorrells (June 29, 1930 – June 11, 2019) was an American television and film actor, active through the 1960s, 70s and 80s. He died in prison while serving an indeterminate life sentence for a murder he committed in 2004.

As an actor, Sorrells is probably best known for his role as the baseball-pitching robot Casey in the Twilight Zone episode "The Mighty Casey". Additionally, he was in 26 episodes of Ensign O'Toole. He was also known for his appearances in Westerns such as Gunsmoke, Rawhide and Bonanza. He later appeared in films such as Fletch and Bound for Glory.

On July 24, 2004, Sorrells was drinking in a bar in Simi Valley, California, when he became belligerent. Another patron, Arthur DeLong, forcibly escorted Sorrells from the bar. Sorrells went home, got his pistol, and returned to the bar, where he shot DeLong in the back at point-blank range, killing him. Sorrells then shot a bystander named Edward Sanchez, with whom he had had no previous interaction. He then fled the scene in a Volkswagen van, but was arrested a short distance away.

Sorrells was charged with one count of premeditated murder and one count of attempted premeditated murder. Sorrells initially pled not guilty by reason of insanity, but entered a guilty plea in May, 2005. In July, 2005 he was sentenced to 32 years to life. Sorrells died in prison at Vacaville, California, on June 11, 2019, at the age of 88.