The death of one of Springfield’s most notorious local criminals has generated lots of stories and memories.
Julian “Babe” Gabriel died of natural causes in a federal prison in Colorado, where he had been jailed since the 1980s.
During his time in Springfield, Gabriel was involved in numerous drug and weapons crimes, and was suspected, but never convicted, of murder.
At one point, Gabriel turned himself in to authorities through a phone call to 970 WMAY’s “One Eyed Jack” show.
Callers to the station Monday remembered Gabriel as a charismatic but dangerous figure.
