COEFIELD, William Thomas
Coefield, a 22-year-old WKZX&% man, was abrutal and sadistic armed
robber who, in addition to rebbing his victims , tock pleasure in
severely beating RGAX them. On Oct. 8, 1950, he and two companions,
22~year=old Ferdinand C, Jolby and pea ar-old Leroy Anderson robbed.
the Peralta Ste, Oakland Calif., liquor store operated by Melvin To-
kuse While Coefield was beating the liquor store manager over the
head with his pistol, the gun discharged killing him, Al] three of
the bandits were arrested a month later in Sacramento following the
holdup of a liquor store there in which the owner was shot and wound-
ed. Jolby and Anderson were convicted of armed robbery and murder
but received recommendations for mercy and life sentences, In Coe-
field's first trial, the jury was unable to reach an agreement on
the degree of murder and was discharged. In a second trials he was
convicted of murder without a recommendation for mercy and sentenced
to diee Following zxk a last minute maneuver to save his life by
requiring the warden to show cause why he should not be dechared in-
sane, Coefield was asphyxiated at San Quentin on March 21, 1952,
THE OAKLAND TRIBUNE, Oakland, Calif., 3-21-1952
COEFIELD, William Thomas
Coefield, a 22-year-old #KI¥&% man, was abrutal and sadistic armed
robber who, in addition to rebbing his victims, took pleasure in
severely beating R&A them. On Oct. 8, 1950, he and two companions,
22-year-old Ferdinand ©, Jolby and 25-year-old Leroy Anderson robbed
the Peralta St., Oakland Calif., liquor store operated by Melvin To-
kus. While Coefield was beating the liquor store manager over the
head with his pistol, the gun discharged killing him, All three of
the bandits were arrested a month later in Sacramento following the
holdup of a liquor store there in which the owner was shot and wound-
ed. dolby and Anderson were convicted of armed robbery and murder
but received recommendations for mercy and life sentences, In Coe-
field's first trial, the jury was unable to reach an agreement on
the degree of murder and was discharged. In a second trialk he was
convicted of murder without a recommendation for mercy and sentenced
to die. Following xxk a last minute maneuver to save his life by
requiring the warden to show cause why he should not be dechared in-
sane, Coefield was asphyxiated at San Quentin on March 21, 1952.
THE OAKLAND TRIBUNE, Oakland, Calif., 3-21-1952
CORFIZID, William Thonas
Coeficld, a 22-year-old #KIX& man, was abrutal and sadistic armed
robber who, in post loo) satin De ching) took pieaaurs tn
severely beating KEK ti On Oct, 8, 0
22~year-old Ferdinand os dolby and 25~y Bela Leroy Anderson robbed
the Peralta St., Oakland Calif,, liquor store operated by Melvin To-
lus, ‘hile Cosfield was beating the liquor store manager over ee
head with his pistol, the gun discharged Idling him, Al)
fie pantlta gticee te ectalgents ten tal Star een oi ccuiewing tne
holdup of a liquor store there in which the owner was shot and wound~
ed. Jolby ae paeeee were convicted of armed robbery and murder
ommendations for meroy and life sentences, In Coe-
field's
the degree of murder and was discharged.
convicted of murder without a recommendation for mercy and sentenced
to die. Following axk a last minute maneuver to save his life by
requiring the warden to show cause why he should not be decdared in=
sane, Coefield was asphyxiated at San Quentin on March 21, 1952.
THE OAKLAND TRIBUNE, Oakland, Calif., 3-21-1952
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