Gary Sampson, who was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts, and raised in Abington, Massachusetts, was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child but was denied special education because of his intelligence. He dropped out of school in the 9th grade. His parents are Charlotte and Elbert "Herc" Sampson. His father worked as a firefighter, ice cream truck driver, and salesman. Sampson has claimed that his father called him "retarded" and physically abused him. Sampson's defense lawyers claim that at age four, he fell and hit his head, resulting in a brain injury.