‘4
Facing the Gallows continued ...
Florida I’der gone fur from dis State.”
His statement completed, Doyle then “looked at the
crowd in expectancy of approval and laughed again.”
Some inmates in lieu of a final statement asked
instead for a last drink of alcohol or one more smoke of
tobacco. Others, unable at the time to speak for
themselves, gestured to their religious counselors to
make final remarks in their behalf.
It was only natural that men facing extinction
would be nervous to some degree. Some handled this
by drinking. One Tampa inmate drank literally
dozens of bottles of wine the day before his execution
and “whiskey in route to the gallows.” Another con-
vict at Key West drank Cuban wine and smoked
Cuban cigars while waiting his appointment with
death.
Yet another condemned man at Tampa was so
overwhelmed by it all that his legs became immobile
and a chair had to be obtained. The newpapers did not
indicate whether he was tied to the chair in his jail cell
and then carried to the scaffold, or if the chair was
brought to the scaffold for him to sit in. Nevertheless,
the inmate was seated in the chair, and it was on the
trap door when the trap door was sprung.
In another instance, the convict passed out about
one-half hour before the time for execution and could
not be revived. In the words of one reporter he was
“limp and apparently unconscious” when he was
“carried to the scaffold ... and legally executed.”
Newspaper accounts of many executions were not
available. However, those obtainable indicate that
violent behavior did not normally occur on the
scaffold. This is not to rule out that such behavior may
have occurred on occasion. At this writing, however,
no such displays have been documented in Florida.
Perhaps future research and writing may lead to
reassessment of this matter.
Dr. Wali R. Kharif, a Tallahassee resident and a grad-
uate of Florida State University, is currently
employed as an Environmental Specialist with the
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services.
Passing of Presidents ...
... gives old timers cause to pause
and retrace 50 years of progress
After two former Presidents of the Florida Sheriffs
Association died within 24 hours of each other, old
timers had cause to pause and meditate upon the
spectacular progress the Association has made during
the past 50 years.
This was particularly so because Rex Sweat, who
died October 16, 1986, in Jacksonville, and Jim
Turner, who died October 17, in Chiefland, had both
played important roles in the march toward
modernization.
Sweat, who was 91 at the time of his death, became
Sheriff of Duval County in 1933 during an era when
the Sheriffs Association was a loose alliance of indi-
vidualists, each dedicated to his own brand of laissez
faire law enforcement.
He held the office for 24 years, and became a role
model of professionalization by requiring his deputies
to wear uniforms; sponsoring Florida’s first schoolboy
patrol, establishing the first radio communication
system for patrol cars, sending members of his staff to
the FBI National Academy, and pioneering in the use
of polygraph (lie detector) equipment.
“His most important contribution,” said Dale
Carson, the present Sheriff of Jacksonville (Duval
County), “was that he never let organized crime get a
foothold in Duval County as it did in much of the state
ss ne Fy a . <sehg =
During a 1984 party celebrating the 89th birthday of former Duval
County Sheriff Rex Sweat (left), the guest of honor received a
Florida Sheriffs Association belt buckle from Jacksonville Sheriff
Dale Carson.
THE SHERIFF’S STAR
Facing the Gallows — 7 :
The execution ritue
After final statements were made (and barring no
last minute reprieve from the governor) the execution
was carried out. In most instances a hood or mask was
placed over the head of the prisoner. The hood was
normally of the drawstring variety, and was pulled
tight by one of the assistants. Perhaps the hood served
two purposes: first, to provide the felon with a last
sensory perception devoid of the oftentimes morbid
crowd; and second, to shield the onlookers from the
ghastly look of death.
The rope, in some instances “well greased,” was tied
in a hangman’s noose and placed around the neck
with the noose cinched behind the left ear. The rope
size varied. One-half and three-quarter inch rope were
most frequently used, but rope as large as two and
one-quarter inches in diameter was used in the Duval
County execution of Bill Westmoreland.
After insuring the the rope was secure, one of the
prison guards or assistants dropped to his knees and
checked the knee and ankle straps. Finally, the Sheriff
gave a signal to an executioner and the trap was
sprung.
Ideally, death was to occur instantaneously from a
calculated drop, often determined by weight, height,
muscular construction, and age. The drop was
intended to break the neck, or, technically, to separate
the first and second vertebrae of the spinal column,
causing immediate loss of consciousness and brain
death. The actual end of all breathing and heartbeat
occurred generally within ten to fifteen minutes. On
those occasions when the neck was not broken or was
only partially dislocated, death occured by asphyxia-
tion and may have taken longer.
Several men put to death by hanging in Florida
were victims of suffocation rather than a broken neck.
Edward Heinson of Duval County died of strangula-
tion 15 minutes after having received a partially dislo-
cated neck from the drop. A six-foot fall did not break
Alexander Sim’s neck in a Jacksonville execution,
and he died of suffocation after 20 minutes. It took 17
minutes for Merrick Jackson, of Nassau County, to
strangle to death even after an eight-foot fall failed to
break his neck. Failure to break the neck in the fall
through the trap was a shocking experience to the
onlookers as well as the victim.
Florida did not provide for a state executioner to
travel from county to county carrying out the death
sentences. In most instances the Sheriff designated
an individual to be responsible for springing the trap.
LS" Wali R. Kharif, Ph.D.
iW “) This is the third installment |
/ # of athree-part article review- *
{ ing the application of the death
f { f sentence by hanging in Florida
i” 4 prior to use of the electric chair.
¥ A “It makes a subtle argument,” ,
a / ¥ says the author, “that in spite of —' “ij
¥ \f whatever we may believetoday ~ /
a\i, ‘ y regarding the death penalty, in { “|
¥ .& many ways electrocutionis f
much more merciful than
the practice of public f°
hangings.” Fe.
om
The identity of the executioner was not always kept
secret. He was often referred to as the “man in the
box,” or the “man in the little enclosed space.”
One executioner in Jacksonville was a man named
Hall, another in the same city was a black man
referred to as Jack Ketch. Sometimes, as in the case of
Alexander Sims who was charged with the murder of
a policeman, the Sheriff himself would spring the
trap. There was apparently an abundance of people
available who would have volunteered to snuff out the
condemned man’s life.
Present at the execution of Derry Taft in Tampa,
was Ella A. Paris, sister of the woman murdered by
Taft. Miss Paris not only interrupted Taft several
THE SHERIFF’S STAR
Eurr SKE 'S Assce | Toul. fl.
14
e-
wrote of one execution at which “a number of ladies
secured vantage points on the jail steps, and seemed
as much interested in the proceedings as were the
men.”
A Florida Times-Union representative at the hang-
ing of Ernest Bryant in Jacksonville, described a typi-
cal crowd with these words: “There were whites and
blacks, young and old, eager to get a glimpse of the
condemned man.” Add to this the fact that many
women were evident at these public gatherings, and
you have a more complete representation of the
morbidly curious.
While many executions were carried out before large
crowds, Florida law allowed the Sheriff the discretion
of regulating those in attendance. The law required
only that the Sheriff, the State Attorney, clerk or
clerks of the circuit court, and “twelve reputable
citizens, including a physician or surgeon” be present.
In addition, the law stated that the Sheriff “shall
permit the counsel of the criminal, such ministers of
the gospel as the criminal desires, and his relations to
be present, and also such officers of the prison,
deputies and constables, military guards and other
assistants, as he sees fit.”
The official authorities’ attitudes toward how public
an execution should be varied regionally within the
state, and in a particular region it may have varied
over time. The executions in Hillsborough County
were usually witnessed by large crowds. As late as
1914 a crowd between 1200 and 2,000 saw a Tampa
hanging. Crowds at St. Augustine were large until
about the latter part of 1909 when they became much
smaller. A hanging there on July 2, 1909 was
witnessed by only about 40-50. A triple execution in St.
Augustine on May 31, 1912 was observed by a
relatively small group described as “a jail yard only
half-full with few outside.”
Jacksonville’s hangings were carried out within the
jail in a location obscuring the uninvited public’s
view. Likewise, a fifteen-feet-high fence in Dade
County surrounded the scaffold and prevented the
morbidly curious from witnessing “the gruesome
spectacle of human life passing from its tenement of
clay out into the great unknown.” * ‘
Officals in charge of executions had to confront the
added problem of mobocracy or public demand to see
the executions. For instance, despite an attempt by
local black ministers to keep Tom Smith’s execution
as private as possible, from 1500 to 2000 people
remained in the streets in hopes of witnessing his
being put to death in Gainesville. Many of these
hopefuls came from surrounding counties. To
aggravate matters, several from the crowd attempted
to “get particles of the rope as souvernirs.”
Carrying out the official act of state vengeance was
often anti-climactic. The tension of several weeks of
waiting and the suspense was brought to an end in a
ritual march to the gallows, a final statement, and the
DECEMBER 1986 — JANUARY 1987
subsequent drop through a trap door into oblivion
that, in most instances, took ten to twenty minutes.
Newspaper accounts indicate that most men faced
their last minutes of life with fortitude: “He was sullen
to the end”; “they both met death bravely”; “three
Negroes expiated crime on the gallows ... met death
bravely though White gave evidence of collapse while
making statement.” Dock Mack, Walter Ledbetter,
and Otis Smith were all described as “Brave to the
last,” while Ernest Bryant met “death unflinchingly
on the gallows.”
This is not to conclude that condemned men were
emotionally drained and gentle as lambs by execution
time. Prior to facing the gallows, inmates were
normally placed in some type of restraints while
lodged in their cells. At a minimum, prior to the death
march the convict’s hands were tied behind his back.
There was, however, at least one exception to this
prodecure, the case of Clarence Daly, who “fought off
the deputies with a ‘soda’ bottle” and was allowed to
go to the scaffold and be hanged with arms
unrestrained. Daly showed his anxiety by fighting off
the authorities. Others such as Bennie Henson,
Edward Brown, James Kirby, Robert Lee and Sim
Jackson, sang audibly.
In some instances the condemned men were able to
stir the crowd’s emotion to a revivalistic pitch. Prior to
a double execution in St. Johns County, a churchlike
atmosphere prevailed. One of the two men to be
hanged “for a time led in prayer, begging God to keep
him brave, and sang hymns in which all present
joined.” Another convict, upon approaching the
gallows, “shuddered, drew back, and falling to his
knees, prayed loudly for mercy.”
Once on the gallows, and the appointed time having
arrived, the condemned felon was placed on the trap
door with his legs secured just below the knees and at
the ankles, and his arms tied behind his back. Next,
the death warrant was read aloud to the witnesses and
the prisoner. He was than asked if he wished to makea
final statement. Some made final statements while
others refused. In most cases final words were limited
to a few short phrases taking a minute or two. On one
occasion, however, the convict made a forty-five
minute talk in which he warned black men against
raping a white woman. “It is”, he said, “the white
man’s death sentence. If it had been one of my own
color I might have got off with life imprisonment ...
Teach your children that this crime is sure death.”
Others did not take the occasion as seriously. Enoch
Doyle, sentenced to die for the rape of a black Alachua
county woman and wanted in Marion County, Florida
and in the State of Georgia on similar charges,
“grinned foolishly and rather liked the notoriety” in
spite of trembling knees. When asked for last words he
said, laughing:
“I’m in de hands er God, but de only thing I got to say
is dat if ’de knowd dat I was comin to lose my life in
.
4
times during his final statements, but begged the She-
riff to let her spring the trap while shouting, “I will be
glad to see you die! I want to see you die!”
In Leon County, under similar circumstances, the
mother of the murder victim reportedly “gave vent toa
series of happy yells and danced a regular war dance
during which she threw several women around her to
the ground.” The Sheriff refused her requests to spring
the trap, and had to have the woman restrained to
control her.
Immediately after the drop, the attending physician
would check to determine if the neck was broken. At
intervals the attending physician would check for
heartbeat and respiration, and once totally absent he
would pronounce the felon dead. As arule the body of
the deceased was allowed to remain hanging for thirty
minutes. This was the procedure even on occasions
when instantaneous death occured.
The family of the dead man was allowed to claim the
body and make funeral arrangements. When the body
was not claimed, it was placed in an inexpensive plain
wooden coffin and buried at the county’s expense.
Executions were fairly routine in the state during
the 55-year period spanning 1869 to 1924. There were
strong doubts regarding the guilt of at least four of
these inmates and public demands for reprieves. Lack
of legal knowledge, or incompetent counsel, resulted
in conviction and the subsequent execution of another
prisoner who refused to plead quilty to second degree
murder in a case where there were “seven witnesses
who saw the shooting.”
Two or more men were executed simultaneously on
thirteen occasions (there were ten double executions,
two triple executions and one quadruple execution).
Perhaps the routineness explains in part the dwin-
dling number of spectators in the last decade of execu-
tion in the state by hanging.
While it is a fact that from 1869 to 1924 at least 223
convicts were legally put to death in Florida, it
remains unclear what criteria was used to choose
these victims. To be sure the overwhelming majority
were black, and all 223 were men. But there is little, if
any, available information on their backgrounds,
childhoods, family life and related experiences lead-
ing up to their arraignments, convictions and death
sentences.
Though not an unusual form of punishment, death
by hanging was cruel because of the uncertainty of
instantaneous death. This could be attributed to sev-
eral factors not the least of which were failure of the
state to provide a state death chamber, and also fail-
ure to provide an official, well-trained and profes-
sional executioner to insure uniform standards.
Dr. Wali R. Kharif, a Tallahassee resident and a grad-
uate of Florida State University, is currently
employed as an Environmental Specialist with the
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services.
Trophies w won by
Sheriff's Mounted
Patrol
County “Sheriff Lawson
Lamar (fourth from left) gave
members of his Mounted
eel Patrol
ion, and returned
elf full of trophies
e Sheriff are (from left)
Deputy Terry Brewer, Sot.
Duke Henge t: Deputy —
ack Peaden.
FEBRUARY 1987
ts
te
Name, date of execution, crime,
confirmed executions in Clay,
Putnam, St. Johns & Volusia Counties,
DeSoto,
This information is correct as of April 4, 1992
CLAY - (Green Cove Springs)
Name
General Hollens
Frank Richardson
Reuben Reed
W. N. Smith
Abe Middleton
Rufus Chesser
Michael A. Durocher
DeSOTO - Arcadia
Name
Albert Simmons
Dave Miller
DOE
12/10/1897
7/18/1902
7/21/1905
2/28/1908
6/7/1912
3/23/1927
8/25/1993
DOE
6/26/1906
8/16/1918
Crime
Mur.
Rape
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Crime
Mur.
Mur.
Race/O
Seow vO ww
Race/O
B
B
race of both offender & victim for
Duval, Manatee,
Florida.
Flagler,
Race/V
B
B
1W,1B
?
W
2W
5W
Race/V
3B
1B,1W
(Miller murdered a black man and then a white LEO who sought
to arrest him; first tried & condemned for murder of white;
conviction reversed (77 Southern 670); then tried, condemned
& executed for murder of black)
J. C. Coachman
DUVAL - (Jacksonville)
Name
Waters
Slave Celia (F)
John W. Cook (Mil.)
Spencer Lloyd (Mil.)
John M. Smith (Mil.)
William Walker (Mil.)
Henry Miller (Mil.)
Barney Gibbons (Mil.)
William C. Scott
William Keene
Jack Johnson
Lloyd Brown
Benjamin Bird
Harrison Carter
Major Robinson
William Westmoreland
Alexander Simms
Robert Henry
Enoch Doyle
Edward Heinson
5/6/1925
DOE
12/19/1835
9/22/1848
4/26/1861
4/26/1861
2/18/1864
2/18/1864
2/18/1864
2/27/1864
4/17/1864
8/12/1864
10/27/1871
2/17/1874
3/26/1875
2/4/1876
8/12/1881
8/4/1882
7/31/1886
4/12/1890
7/10/1895
9/2/1897
9/16/1897
7/6/1898
Rape/mur.
Crime
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Rape
Rape
Deser.
Mutiny
Deser.
Deser.
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Rape
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Rape
Rape
B
Race/O
os Mec MesMocMicsMesMccMi ov Me: Mos —>?e> tele w> tiecMies Mies Mec Mess. mec mtDy)
B
Race/V
?
we
DW vw ww -yv
1W,1B*
= ww
(Heinson's execution witnessed by 14-year-old victim).
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT RESEARCH PROJECT
P. O. DRAWER 277
100 E. MAIN STREET
HEADLAND, AL 36345
(205) 693-5225.
February ll, 1992.
Dr.William Wilbanks,
Department of Criminal Justice,
Florida International University,
Bay Vista Campus, AC-1I-282,
N. Miami, Florida 33181.
Dear Bill:
Thank you for sending me a copy of your paper "Punishing Cop-
Killers: An Historical Perspective" which is to be presented
at the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences in Pittsburg on
March 13.
I do not recall when we were last in communication, but a few
months ago I spent some time in Tallahassee researching
Florida cases exclusively and I found no less than 9 executions
that took place in Miami during the period from 1901 through
1917. Even though none of these previously unconfirmed execu-
tions were for the murder of law enforcement officials, the fact
that they did take place makes your statement in footnote il
that "...A list of all Dade, FL, and U. S. executions is found in
William J. Bowers' Legal Homicide..." incorrect. The Bowers book
does carry a list of all Dade County executions from 1924 through
1982 but not these earlier ones and you might wish to change your
footnote to conform to refect this new information.
Fnclosed is a copy of my state-by-state inventory as of today
WATT ESPY
Samuel J.
Hornbeck
Charlie Copeland, Jr.
Joseph L.
Ezell
Harry Frank Long
Willie Horne
Jimmie Lee Thomas
Ernest John Dobbert, Jr.
Timothy Charles Palmes
James David Raulerson
David Funchess
Ronald Straight
James William Hamblen
FLAGLER -
Name
None.
MANATEE -
Name
(Bunnell )
Bradenton
Edward Lamb
Ed Suber
William Miles
Coy McCann (McMann)
NASSAU - (Fernandina Beach)
Name
James Thompson (Mil)
James Wilson (Mil)
Peter Goodrich (Mil)
James Allen (Mil)
David Craig (Mil)
Joseph Grien (Mil)
Nathaniel
Joseph (Mil)
Jacob Plowder (Mil)
Howard Thomas (Mil)
Jason Jackson
(NOTE;
Jackson was
Merrick Jonson
George Pritchett
Charles Walker (Waters)
Joe Brown
Luke Thomas
Willie D. Walker
Fleming Griffis
PUTNAM - (Palatka)
Name
Guilford Register
Henry Wiggins
Monroe Clark
Lawrence Dargan
Will McCoy
12/12/1955 Mur. W Ww
4/28/1956 Rape B w*
1/21/1357 Mur. W W
9/29/1958 Mur. W W
1/12/1959 Rape B W
1/19/1959 Rape B W
9/9/1984 Mur. Ww 2W
11/8/1984 Mur. W WwW
1/30/1985 Mur. W W
4/22/1986 Mur. B 2W
5/20/1986 Mur. W W
(Straight executed for same crime as Palmes in 1984)
9/21/1990 Mur. W WwW
DOE Crime Race/O Race/V
DOE Crime Race/O Race/V
10/27/1905 Mur. W W
6/14/1907 Mur. B B
7/11/1917 Mur. B 2W
4/7/1952 Mur. B B
DOE Crime Race/O Race/V
2/7/1864 Deser. W ---
2/7/1864 Deser. W “<<
2/27/1864 Deser. W <=
12/1/1865 Mutiny B ---
12/1/1865 Mutiny B ---
12/1/1865 Mutiny B ---
12/1/1865 Mutiny B ---
12/1/1865 Mutiny B ---
12/1/1865 Mutiny B ---
12/27/1872 Mur. B
convicted by an all-black jury.)
8/4/1882 Mur. B B
6/23/1888 Mur. B B
6/5/1906 Mur. B a
12/13/1907 Mur. B 2W
1/14/1910 Mur. B B
4/23/1937 Rape B w*
8/8/1949 Mur. W 2W
DOE Crime Race/O Race/V
4/19/1867 Mur. W W
7/23/1887 Mur. B ?
12/31/1890 Mur. B 4
8/19/1910 Mur. B B
12/1/1911 Mur. B 2B
12/1/1911 Mur. B 2B
Edgar Youmans
Moses Robertson
Frank Robertson
(The Robertsons were brothers and
Nelson Larkins
Alfred Sargent
Dock Mack
Walter Ledbetter
Otis D. Smith
Ernest Bryant
James Green
William Walker
Will Alexander
George Whitehead
Lonnie Rowland
Claude Howell
Henry Bradley
Hosie Poole
Frank Johnson
Will Champion
Ray Dunwood
John Simmons
Raymond Stone
Lloyd O'Dell Salter
(Stone & Salter executed for same
Will Champion
Fred Anderson
Thomas Jefferson
Marcus C. Powell
Preston McDonald
Walter Williams
Willie Randolph
William R. Crews
Mack Ransom
Willie Clay
Edward Powell
Nathaniel Walker
(Clay, Powell & Walker executed for
J. C. (Jicy) Crawford
Clyde Hysler
James Durrell Baker
(Hysler & Baker executed for
Ernest James Robinson
Earl Thompson
Edward Thompson
Tom Melton
Alexander H. Wiles
Alonzo Washington,
Lonnie Lee Talley
Henry V. Tillman
George W. Story
Jimmie Lee Brown
4/14/1902 Mur. B 1W,1B
8/7/1903 Mur. B 1W,1B
executed for same crime).
4/12/1906 Mur. B W
6/15/1907 Mur. B W
11/8/1907 Rape B wx
6/4/1909 Mur. B 2W
6/11/1909 Mur. W W
7/1/1910 Mur. B 2B
1/27/1911 Mur. B B
7/14/1911 Mur. B WwW
5/3/1912 Mur. W WwW
4/18/1913 Mur. B W
1/23/1915 Mur. B W
10/17/1919 Mur. B W
10/17/1919 Mur. B W
7/30/1920 Mur. B B
10/27/1924 Mur. B W
1/28/1926 Mur. B B
5/12/1926 Mur. B W
5/18/1926 Rape B Ww
3/8/1927 Mur. B Turk
3/8/1927 Mur. B Turk
crime.
8/28/1928 Mur. B W
1/22/1935 Mur. B W
1/22/1935 Mur. B W
7/12/1937 Mur. W 2W
7/19/1937 Mur. B B
7/19/1937 Mur. B B
(McDonald & Williams were executed for same crime.)
7/5/1938 Mur. B W
10/6/1941 Mur. W Ww
10/27/1941 Mur. B 3B
12/29/1941 Mur. B W
12/29/1941 Mur. B W
12/29/1941 Mur. B WwW
same crime.)
3/23/1942 Mur. B B
6/15/1942 Mur. W 2W
6/15/1942 Mur. B 2W
same crime. )
8/17/1942 Mur. B W
8/19/1944 Mur. W W
8/19/1944 Mur. WwW W
(The Thompson brothers executed for same crime.)
8/4/1947 Rape B W
6/14/1948 Mur. W 2W
8/23/1948 Mur. B W
10/5/1948 Rape B W
6/5/1950 Mur. W W
9/8/1952 Mur. W 2wW
7/6/1953 Mur. B W
4/18/1955 Mur. W W
John H. McVeigh
Fla. 323, 17 So.2d 395 (Fla. 1944) and Thompson (Earl and Edward)
v. State, 154 Fla. 769, 18 So.2d 788 (Fla. 1944). Death warrant
file in the state archives. (Box 24)
FLOWERS, Edgar, (B), 21, electrocuted on June 26, 1944 fora
Hillsborough County rape. The victim is a MacDill Field
soldier’s wife, Catherine Oakes (W), raped in her bed between one
and two a.m. on November 11, 1941. Flowers worked as a waiter on
the base, had served the victim and her husband both before and
after the rape, and had been a social guest in their home the
evening of the rape and afterwards. At no point did the victim
identify him until shortly before his arrest on April 23, 1942.
He was indicted on May 7, 1942 and convicted on June 5, 1942.
See Flowers v. State, 152 Fla. 649, 12 So.2d 772 (Fla. 1943).
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 24)
ACREE, Perry, (W), 43, was electrocuted on November 22, 1943 for
the Gilchrist County murder of salesman K.D. Shores of Tampa.
Acree had escaped from the Florida State Hospital four days
before the July 16, 1942 murder and his lawyers argued he was
insane. Acree plead not guilty on October 27, 1942, is convicted
the next day, and sentenced on October 29, 1942. Acree had been
in and out of the hospital since 1934 with alcoholism and "moron"
labels. Acree v. State, 15 So.2d 262 (Fla. 1943). See "Perry
Acree Is Executed", Florida Times-Union, November 23, 1943, p. 6.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 24)
JAMES, George Washington, (B), 54, was electrocuted on October
29, 1943 for the Polk County murder of Wilmon Green (B). The
murder is on January 10, 1942. Relied on self defense as a
defense but was convicted on March 27, 1942. Note James v.
State, 9 So.2d 926 (Fla. 1942); James v. State, 12 So.2d 11 (Fla.
1943). See “Negro Is Executed", Florida Times-Union, October 30,
1943, p. 6. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 24)
YOUNG, James Allen, (B), 32, electrocuted on October 25, 1943 for
a rape in Hillsborough County. The victim is Monica Fisher (W),
attacked on June 11, 1942. Convicted on July 15, 1942. See "Two
Are Executed At State Prison", Florida Times-Union, October 26,
1943, p. 6. Death warrant file in the state archives contains a
full trial transcript. (Box 23)
LEUNDON, Ruffie, (B), 44, electrocuted on October 25, 1943 for
the murder of James Robinson (B) in Alachua County. The pistol
murder is on November 29, 1938. Arraignment on January 10, 1939.
Zach H. Douglas and S.L. Scruggs appointed for the defense.
Trial on January 30, 1939, verdict the next day. He is sentenced
in February (no date given) 1939. See "Two Are Executed At State
Prison", Florida Times-Union, October 26, 1943, p. 6. Note that
the T-U spells his name differently from the way it appears in
state records; the state spelling listed above. Death warrant
file in the state archives. (Box 24)
24
William Henry Anderson and the prosecutrix were intimate since
August 1944. This belief is wide-spread among Negroes, but white
people have been heard to express opinions likewise." Death
warrant file in the state archives contains the full trial
transcript. (Box 24)
GREEN, Albert, (B), 28, was electrocuted on February 12, 1945 for
the murder of a Lake County police officer. Jesse Beerbower is
shot on February 13, 1944. W.T. Hall is appointed defense
counsel. The trial, verdict, and sentencing are all on May 4,
1944. Green was convicted in May 1944. This is a domestic
disturbance where the police were called, Green refused arrest.
From the FSC opinion: "The officer reached for his club,
whereupon appellant tripped him, threw him to the ground and got
on top of him. He took the officer’s pistol and shot him at
close range in and about the head five or six times, killing him
instantly. Then he ran and threw the pistol in some near by
bushes." See Green v. State, 19 So.2d 717 (Fla. 1944) and "Negro
Put to Death For Slaying Officer", Florida Times-Union, February
13, 1945, p. 6. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box
24)
SPARKS, Henry, (B), 33, was electrocuted on January 15, 1945 for
a Palm Beach County rape. The victim is Pauline Robinson, raped
on September 27, 1944. Arraigned on October 12, 1944 and two
attorneys appointed for him. On November 8, 1944, the two are
released and O.S. Miller appears on Sparks’ behalf. Note a ©
motion to quash the indictment because blacks are excluded from
grand juries; denied on December 5, 1944. On December 7, 1944,
the jury retires at 2:40 p.m. and returns with a verdict on 3:05
p.m. Sentenced to death the same day. See "Convicted Negro
Rapist Electrocuted at Raiford", Florida Times-Union, January 16,
1945, p. 5. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 24)
MIX, Tom, (B), 37, electrocuted on December 28, 1944 for a Citrus
County murder. The victim is his estranged wife, Marguerite Mix,
lured into the woods and killed with a piece of wood on May 10,
1942. D.M. Martin of Tampa and Lovick P. Williams of Inverness
are defense counsel. Looks like a voluntary intox defense. See
Mix v. State, 153 Fla. 849, 16 So.2d 46 (Fla. 1943). Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 24)
DAVIS, James, (B), 16, electrocuted on October 9, 1944 fora
Gadsden County rape with trial in Alachua County. The victim is
Kathleen Mawhinney (W), 20, a married employee of the Florida
State Hospital. Davis is reported by the Democrat to be 17 when
arrested. His codefendants are Freddie Lee Lane and James
Williams. All three are held at the Florida State Prison pending
trial and plead guilty on August 31, 1944. Paul Gregory of
Quincy is appointed to represent Davis. The victim is detained
alongside a highway, raped by each, then shot and left for dead
but survives. See "Rape Is Charged To Negro Trio In Gadsden
22
HALLOWAY, Charlie, (B), 39, electrocuted on January 14, 1946 for
a Pinellas County murder. The victim is his estranged wife,
Jennie Lee Holloway (B), shot six times on September 2, 1944 with
a pawn shop pistol. Halloway claims self defense at his December
14, 1944 trial, testifying that she was armed with a pistol as
well. Leo Stalnaker is defense counsel. See Halloway v. State,
156 Fla. 135, 22 So.2d 644 (Fla. 1945). Death warrant file in
the state archives. (Box 24)
REED, James, (B), 28, electrocuted on January 14, 1946 for a Dade
County rape. Victim is Marie B. Montell (W), raped on November
11, 1944. George S. Okell appointed defense counsel on November
15, 1944. Convicted and sentenced on November 24, 1944. Note an
appeal dismissed at Reed v. State, 27 So.2d 914 (Fla. 1946).
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 25)
DIXON, Pleas, (B), 31, was electrocuted on October 29, 1945 for a
Holmes County murder. The victim, Steve Pennington, is
shotgunned on February 21, 1944. Dixon claims self defense but
is convicted on June 7, 1944. See Dixon v. State, 156 Fla. 19,
22 So.2da 253 (Fla. 1945) and "Two Men Pay for Crimes In State’s
Electric Chair", Florida Times-Union, October 30, 1945, p.- 7-
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 24)
WARREN, Ernest, (B), 29, was electrocuted on October 29, 1945 for
a Dade County rape. The victim is Jean Lane (W), raped on April
15, 1945. Albert D. Hubbard is appointed defense counsel.
Guilty verdict on May 7, 1944. See "Two Men Pay for Crimes In
State’s Electric Chair", Florida Times-Union, October 30, 1945,
p. 7. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 24; Box
42, page 206)
ANDERSON, William Henry, aka George Washington Turner, (B), 23,
electrocuted on July 25, 1945 for a Broward County rape. The
victim is Allmoin Snyder, raped on February 19, 1945. Robert A.
Burton is appointed defense counsel on March 12, 1945. Anderson
is convicted and sentenced on March 27, 1945. See Michael L.
Radelet, Hugo Adam Bedau, Constance E. Putnam, In Spite of
Innocence: Erroneous Convictions in Capital Cases, Boston:
Northeastern University Press, 1992, at 282: "Anderson was
convicted of the rape of a white woman, sentenced to death, and
executed in 1945 without an appeal having been made. The
execution took place only five months after Anderson’s arrest,
perhaps in part because the sheriff wrote to the governor, ‘I
would appreciate special attention in this case before some
sympathizing organization gets hold of it.’ The victim had not
resisted, screamed, or used an available pistol to escape
Anderson’s advances. Anderson’s sister and one of his co-workers
presented affidavits to the governor claiming that Anderson and
the victim had been consensually intimate for several months
before rape charges were filed. Anderson’s attorney also wrote
to the governor that ‘there exists well founded belief...that
2d
Case", Tallahassee Democrat, July 31, 1944, p. 1, and Lane et al.
v. State, 19 So.2d 366 (Fla. 1944). Death warrant file in the
state archives contains all transcripts. (Box 23)
LANE, Freddie Lee, (B), 18, electrocuted on October 9, 1944 fora
Gadsden County rape with trial in Alachua County. The victim is
Kathleen Mawhinney (W), 20, an employee of the Florida State
Hospital. Lane is reported by the Democrat as 25 when arrested.
His codefendants are James Davis and James Williams. All three
are held at the Florida State Prison pending trial and plead
guilty on August 31, 1944. R.W. Ashmore Jr. of Tallahassee is
appointed to represent Lane. The victim is detained alongside a
highway, raped by all three, then shot and left for dead but
survives. See "Rape Is Charged To Negro Trio In Gadsden Case",
Tallahassee Democrat, July 31, 1944, p. 1, and Lane et al. v.
State, 19 So.2d 366 (Fla. 1944). Death warrant file in the state
archives contains all transcripts. (Box 23)
WILLIAMS, James, (B), 25, electrocuted for an Gadsden County rape
with trial in Alachua County, on October 9, 1944. The victim is
Kathleen Mawhinney (W), 20, an employee at the Florida State
Hospital. His codefendants are James Davis and Freddie Lee Lane.
All three are held in the Florida State Prison pending trial and
plead guilty on March 31, 1944. Clyed Gregory of Tallahassee is
appointed to represent Williams. The victim is detained
alongside a highway, raped by each, then shot and left for dead
but survives. See "Rape Is Charged To Negro Trio In Gadsden
Case", Tallahassee Democrat, July 31, 1944, p. 1, and Lane et al.
v. State, 19 So.2d 366 (Fla. 1944). Death warrant file in the
state archives contains all transcripts. (Box 23)
THOMPSON, Earl, (W), 33, electrocuted on August 19, 1944 fora
Duval County murder. Earl and Edward Thompson are brothers and
codefendants. The victim, Joe Henry, had previously been engaged
to their mother, Mollie Stansell aka Mollie Davis. Henry is
taken to a secluded spot, robbed, beaten in the head, and his
throat cut. Charles E. Flynn appointed to represent Earl
Thompson. Verdict on March 12, 1943. A March 23, 1943, Motion
for New Trial argues that due process was violated by the
prosecutor’s argument "That if the jury recommended mercy for the
defendant, the pardon board would pardon him in a few years," but
it is denied on July 22, 1943. See Thompson (Earl and Edward) v.
State, 154 Fla. 323, 17 So.2d 395 (Fla. 1944) and Thompson (Earl
and Edward) v. State, 154 Fla. 769, 18 So.2d 788 (Fla. 1944).
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 24)
THOMPSON, Edward, (W), 25, electrocuted on August 19, 1944 fora
Duval County murder. Earl and Edward Thompson are brothers and
codefendants. The victim, Joe Henry, had previously been engaged
to their mother, Mollie Stansell aka Mollie Davis. Henry is
taken to a secluded spot, robbed, beaten in the head, and his
throat is cut. See Thompson (Earl and Dedward) v. State, 154
23
hanging yesterday was a gruesome sight, the like of which was
never witnessed before in this county, as in some manner the
murderer’s hand became released from the strap which bound his
arm and hand to his right side. The onlookers were horrified to
see the released arm raise and the hand, with a rapid jerk, tear
away the blackcap which covered his head." See also Roberson v.
State, 42 Fla. 212 (Fla. 1900). Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 4)
WYNN, Humphreys or Hampshire, (B), hung in Marianna on January
25, 1902, for a Jackson County murder and robbery of another
black two months earlier. Convicted on Tuesday, November 26,
1901, sentenced on Friday, November 29, 1901. See "Hanged In
Marianna", Florida Times-Union, January 26, 1902, p. 2. Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 4; Box 41, page 34)
HAMPTON, Thomas J., hung on December 6, 1901 for a Columbia
County murder. Victim is Sesson Calhoun, shot with a pistol on
March 25, 1893. Conviction and sentence on November 6, 1901.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 3; Box 41, page
33)
JONES, Will, hung on November 8, 1901 for a Madison County
murder. Convicted and sentenced on October 22, 1901. Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 3; Box 41, page 32)
MERCER, J.M., (W), hung for rape in Hillsborough County on August
23, 1901. The victim was "little Jessie Taylor", raped on May 9,
1901. Convicted and sentenced on June 13, 1901. Death warrant
file in the state archives. See the Tampa Tribune, "Mercer,
False To The Last, Dies With Lie On His Lips," August 24, 1901,
page 1, and Florida Times-Union, "Respite For Mercer," August 2,
1901, and "Hillsboro’s First Hanging," August 24, 1901, page 8:
"J.M. Mercer is the first white man ever legally executed in
Hillsboro County..." (Box 3; Box 41, pages 29 and 31) .
LEE, Robert, (W), hung in St. Johns County on August 2, 1901 for
the murder of Julius Eskew (W) in a May 1901 robbery. Lee hired
James Kirbey to do the actual killing. Convicted and sentenced
on April 25, 1901. Death warrant file in the state archives.
See Florida Times-Union, "Two To Hang To-Day", August 2, 1901,
and "Kirby And Lee Hung," August 3, 1901, page 2. (Box 3; Box
41, page 28)
KIRBEY, James, (B), hung in St. Johns County on August 2, 1901
for the murder of Julius Eskew (W) in a May 1901 robbery. Kirbey |
was hired to do the killing by Robert Lee. Convicted and
sentenced on April 25, 1901. See Florida Times-Union, "Two To
Hang To-Day", August 2, 1901, and "Kirby And Lee Hung," August 3,
1901, page 2. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 3;
Box 41, page 27)
59
MILLER, Charlie, hung on March 4, 1904 for a Jefferson County
murder. Victim is Jerry Poppeel, shot with a pistol on December
3, 1903. Verdict and sentence on February 11, 1904. Death
warrant file in state archives. (Box 4)
POLIGHT, Jim P., (B), hung on September 11, 1903 for a Marion
County murder. R.A. Buford is appointed to represent Polight who
is indigent; the defense is self defense. D.J. Beasley (W) is
killed with a shotgun on June 22, 1903. Transcript suggests this
is a leased convict labor situation with Polight killing a guard
or overseer. Convicted on July 23, 1903, 8-4 jury vote for
death. Death warrant file in state archives contains trial
transcript. (Box 4)
OUTLEY, Robert, hung in Citrus County for murder on September 4,
1903. Victim is his wife, Barbery Outley, killed with an axe on
October 2, 1902. Convicted on June 6, 1903. Death warrant file
in state archives contains part of trial transcript. (Box 4)
ROBERSON, Frank, (B), hung in Duval County on August 7, 1903 for
a murder in Pablo. Victim is a deputy sheriff, Charles M.
Sadler, killed with a pistol on June 26, 1899. A second deputy,
Dennis Jenkins, was wounded and later died. There is extensive
publicity in the Jacksonville newspapers. First convicted on
June 15, 1900 and sentenced on June 30, 1900, but reversed ona
jury instruction issue. Roberson v. State, 42 Fla. 223, 28 So.
424 (Fla. 1900). A second conviction and death sentence was also
reversed. Roberson v. State, 43 Fla. 157, 29 So. 535 (Fla.
1901). Roberson is convicted again on June 3, 1902 and receives
a second death sentence on July 10, 1902. This was affirmed.
Roberson v. State, 45 Fla. 94, 34 So. 294 (Fla. 1903).
Substantial record material in file but no trial transcript.
Death warrant file in the state archives. See in the Florida
Times-Union, "Love and Carter Escape Gallows, Roberson Dies
Friday," August 6, 1903, page 6; "Frank Roberson May Yet Be
Saved," August 7, 1903, page 7; and "Frank Roberson Dies On
Scaffold," August 8, 1903, page 12. (Box 4, but he does not
appear in the death warrant book, Box 41)
BURNS, John, hung in Suwannee County on April 24, 1903 for
murder. He is convicted on March 14, 1903 and sentenced on
Monday, March 16, 1903. Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 4)
BRIGHT, John, hung in Dade County on April 10, 1903 for murder.
Victim is Lottie Hardeman, strangled on February 9, 1903.
Codefendant is Aaron Jacobs; they are tried together. Convicted
at 8 p.m. on February 20, 1903, sentenced on February 28, 1903.
Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 4; Box 41, page 51)
GAMBLE, David, hung in Dade County on April 3, 1903 for murder.
The victim, David C. Burr, is shot to death with a pistol on |
57
WALKER, Charles "Curlie", hung in Nassau County for murder on
June 5, 1906. Alex Eubanks was shot on November 11, 1905.
Walker is convicted and sentenced on April 17, 1906. Death
warrant file in state archives. (Box 4)
BROWN, Edward "Caddy", hung in Dade County for murder on June 5,
1906. The victim is Dora Suggs, killed on December 18, 1905 with
"a certain rock or stone." Several defense jury instructions,
which are all rejected, are in the file. The jury is taken to
view the scene. Convicted on March 22, 1906 and sentenced on
March 26, 1906. Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 4;
Box 41, page 86)
FAISON, John, hung on June 5, 1906 in Liberty County for murder.
The victim is Herbert Johnson, killed with a shotgun on March 8,
1906. Trial on March 22, 1906, sentencing on March 23, 1906.
Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 4)
LARKINS, Nelson, hung in Duval County on a Leon County murder on
April 12, 1906. Larkins was a store owner and the murder was not
too far from his business. Codefendant of Isham Edwards and
George Caldwell. Edwards, who was tried by himself, would
confess but later claimed it was beaten out of him. Victim is
N.W. Eppes, killed with a shotgun on September 3, 1904. Caldwell
and Larkin are tried together and convicted on January 20, 1905,
sentenced the next day. A letter dated May 9, 1906 in another
part of the file indicates the governor revoked Larkins and
Caldwell’s death warrants. See Caldwell and Larkin v. State, 50
Fla. 4, 39 So. 188 (Fla. 1905). Death warrant file in state
archives. (Box 4)
SANFORD, Howard, hung on February 9, 1906 for a Wakulla County
murder. Convicted and sentenced on November 8, 1911. No victim
information. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 4)
JACKSON, Andrew "Sim", hung in St. Johns County on February 9,
1906 for murder. Victim is Alice Jackson, killed when her throat
is cut with a razor on May 11, 1900. Convicted and sentenced on
November 15, 1905. Death warrant file in state archives. (Box
4)
EDWARDS, Isham, hung on November 3, 1905 for murder. It is a
Leon County murder but the file suggests he was hung in
Jacksonville. Victim is N.W. Eppes, killed with a shotgun on
September 3, 1904. Codefendant of Nelson Larkins and George
Caldwell but tried separately. Edwards confesses but at trial
claims it was beaten out of him. Convicted on January 18, 1905,
sentenced on January 21, 1905. Note appeal of his codefendants
at Caldwell and Larkins v. State, 50 Fla. 4, 39 So. 188 (Fla.
1905). See "Confessed Crimes On The Gallows", Florida Times-
Union, November 4, 1905, p. 1. Death warrant file in state
archives. (Box 4)
55
March 24, 1902. Gamble is convicted and sentenced on May 7,
1902. On appeal he challenges jury taint during their
sequestration at the Hotel Everglade in Miami, but the sentence
is affirmed. Gamble v. State, 44 Fla. 429, 33 So. 471 (Fla.
1902). Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 4)
DEDWILLEY, Richard, hung for rape in Dade County on March 13,
1903. Victim is Sarah C. Gould, raped on February 9, 1903.
Convicted and sentenced on February 23, 1903. Death warrant file
in. state archives. (Box 4)
KELLY, William, hung in Dade County on March 12, 1903 for murder.
The victim is Richard Hone, killed with a gun on February 9,
1903. Convicted on Thursday, February 19, 1903 and sentenced on
Tuesday, February 24, 1903. Death warrant file in the state
archives. Note, death warrant books show his hanging on April
10, 1903. (Box 4; Box 41, page 50)
SMITH, Theodore, hung on September 30, 1902 for a Levy County
murder. The return suggests Thomas Faircloth is hanged at the
same time; two death warrants attached. Death warrant file in
the state archives. (Box 4)
LANIER, Walter, hung on August 2, 1902 for a Gadsden County
murder. The victim is Lizzie Bell, killed with a shotgun on May
18, 1902. Lanier convicted and sentenced on July 2, 1902. Death
warrant file in the state archives does not contain a trial
transcript. (Box 4)
RICHARDSON, Frank, hung on July 18, 1902 for a Clay County rape.
Convicted and sentenced on April 15, 1902. Conflict data in the
file indicates his sentence is delayed based on his insanity, but
then shows he was hung. Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 4; Box 41, pages 38-39)
WILSON, Henry aka "John Henry", (B), hung in Sumter County on
April 4, 1902 for murder. The victim is Lee Graham, shot on
February 15, 1902. The trial transcript reads like Wilson is one
of three blacks caught in a burglary and the victim is a deputy.
Death warrant file in the state archives contains a complete
trial transcript. See "Henry Found Guilty", Florida Times-Union,
April 4, 1902, page 3: "It took only half a day to try the case
and the prisoner is now in jail awaiting the death warrant from
the Governor...This case will beat all records for speediness,
the entire transcript of the case being in Tallahassee on the day
following the commencement of the trial." (Box 3)
ROBERSON, Mose, (B), hung in Duval County on April 4, 1902 for
murder. The victim is Dennis Jenkins (B), shot with a pistol on.
June 26, 1899 and dying on July 14, 1899. Roberson is convicted
on August 22, 1899 and sentenced on August 25, 1899. See "Dies
On Gallows," Florida Times-Union, April 8, 1902, page 5: "The
58
testimony of an alleged eyewitness, the victim’s husband. An
alcoholic and drug addict, this man had previously threatened to
kill his wife with an axe (which was the murder weapon), and he
had beaten her on several occasions. In granting the new trial,
the court cited the complete lack of any motive for the slaying
by the defendants and the numerous discrepancies between the
testimony from the victim’s husband (as well as his own prior
testimony) and that of ‘credible disinterested witnesses.’ ‘Law
enforcement officers familiar with the case frequently expressed
doubts as to the guilt of the trio.’ At the new trial in 1930,
the judge ordered that the charges be dropped and the defendants
be immediately released."
SIMON, (B), a Slave, convicted in 1853 of the capital offense of
arson for the burning of an unoccupied Escambia County residence
belonging to his owner, Dr. Richard T. Maxwell. The house burned
on October 17, 1852. Simon allegedly confessed on October 22,
1852, but in great fear for his life and with lynch mobs in the
area. On appeal he argues that his confession should not have
gone to the jury. See Simon v. State, 5 Fla. 285 (Fla. 1853)
which reverses his conviction and orders a new trial. There is
no mention of the sentence imposed at the original trial.
STEVENS, Charles (W), see Howard Shaffer above.
SUMPTER, Calba, (B). Convicted of administering poison to family
members, who apparently don’t die. Is this a capital offense?
The FSC reverses on as kind of statutory construction/prima facie
evidence analysis. Calba v. State, 11 Fla. 247 (Fla. 1866-67).
TROOP, William (W), see Howard Shaffer above.
WATSON, David J., (B), a federal prisoner, was electrocuted in
the Florida chair in 1948. He was in the United States Navy and
had been sentenced for a murder on a naval vessel. Federal
authorities were given permission to use the Florida electric
chair.
WILLIAMS, Henry, (B), convicted of murder in Hillsborough County.
Two black perpetrators robbed an elderly Tampa Tailor -- Nick the
Tailor -- in his shop, murdering him with a concrete block.
Williams was apprehended by police and confessed, providing the
only real evidence against him. The FSC reverses on a finding
that the confession was not voluntary, Williams v State, 156 Fla.
300, 22 So.2d 821 (Fla. 1945). The opinion says Williams was 21
or 22, 5/10", 135-40 pounds. He was interrogated ten hours non-
stop by three much larger white police officers. His mother
tried to see him during this and was herself jailed for no
apparent reason. At one point one of the officers took him to
the mortuary to force him to view the body.
85
NICHOLSON, Andrew, sentenced to hang for a Madison County murder.
Convicted on April 18, 1896 and sentenced on April 23, 1896. He
committed suicide by taking poison in the Leon County jail
sometime between February 18, 1896 and April 7, 1896. Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 3)
PIERCE, Mrs. Nellie, 40, "first woman ever to be tried for first
degree murder in Alachua County." See "Accused Slayer Is Shortly
To Know Her Fate", Tallahassee Democrat, June 24, 1931, p. 1.
PRINGLE, Britt, (W), the first Florida white man sentenced to
death for the murder of a black. The victim is John Simmons, a
Duval County "wood yard proprietor," killed in May 1926 with an
axe in a dispute over a debt. Pringle was convicted on May 13,
1926 and sentenced on the 15th. He was defended by Harry W.
Reinstine. Pringle v. State, 94 Fla. 1124, 115 So. 543 (Fla.
1928). Note death warrant files contain warrants setting his
execution for July 1, 1929 and October 15, 1928, but they are not
carried out. He apparently lived out his days at the Florida
State Hospital at Chattahoochee after being found too insane to
execute. Death warrant file in the state archives contains his
full trial transcript. (Note materials in Series 443A, Box 69).
(Box 42, page 18 "Appealed to Supreme Court", page 45 "Death
Warrant Revoked by Governor Oct. 13, 1928 for Further
Investigation by Board of Pardons", set execution for October 15,
1928, page 52, “Insanity Proceedings Instituted 7/15/29") See
Florida Times Union, "Stay Ordered In Death of Britt Pringle,"
October 30, 1926, page 25: "Pringle, the first white man in
Florida to be found guilty of murder in the first degree without
recommendation of mercy, for the slaying of a negro...", and
"Britt Pringle Loses Appeal," December 27, 1927, page 8.
PURDY, Cornelius "Buck", sentenced to be electrocuted for a Duval
County murder. The victim was James M. Rogers, shot to death
with a pistol on December 13, 1940. P. Guy Crews appointed as
defense counsel with a guilty verdict on March 6, 1941. His
death warrant sets execution for the week of March 8, 1943, but a
letter to the governor indicates he died of tuberculosis in the
Florida State Prison hospital on Sunday, February 28, 1943.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 23)
SHAFFER, Howard, (W), sentenced in 1927 to be electrocuted ona
Florida murder along with codefendants Charles Stevens (W) and
William Troop (W). Michael L. Radelet, Hugo Adam Bedau, and
Constance E. Putnam, In Spite of Innocence: Erroneous Convictions
in Capital Cases, Boston: Northeastern University Press, 1992, at
345: "Shaffer, Stevens, and Troop were all convicted of first-
degree murder and sentenced to death. On the ground of new
evidence, the trial judge granted a motion for retrial, but the
defendants were convicted and sentenced to death a second time.
On appeal the convictions were reversed, and a third trial was
ordered. The only evidence against the defendants was the
84
They have trouble selecting a jury. Convicted and sentenced on
October 10, 1890. Death warrant file in the state archives.
(Box 2) -
FUDGE, E.J., .(W), convicted of murdering his two daughters and
sentenced to life in prison in 1916. See Michael A. Radelet,
Hugo Adam Bedau, and Constance E. Putnam, In Spite of Innocence:
Erroneous Convictions in Capital Cases, Boston: Northeastern
University Press, 1992, at 305: "On appeal the conviction was
reversed, and a new trial was ordered. According to the court, a
suicide note written by one of the children and the absence of a
motive for murder by the father indicated that the two deaths
were a murder-suicide caused by one of the girls. ‘While the
testimony raises a vague and attenuated suspicion that by some
rare chance the plaintiff in error might have murdered his
children, there is no whit of it that points with any certainty
in that direction...’ In 1918 all charges against Fudge were
dropped."
GOSHEA, LeRoy, sentenced to die for a Palm Beach County murder.
A death warrant sets his execution for September 10, 1928, but is
revoked. (Box 42, page 46, "Death warrant revoked by Governor
August 30, 1928 on Account Writ of Error Returnable to Supreme
Court Nov. 10, 1928.")
HICKS, Arthur C., sentenced to die for an Alachua County murder.
The death warrant is signed on July 12, 1932, and sets execution
for the 18th. (Box 42, page 69 "Declared Insane Sentence
Revoked. ")
HOLLAND, Lou, convicted of the 1896 Polk County murder of Joel W.
Walker. See Holland v. State, 39 Fla. 178 (Fla. 1897).
LARREMORE, J.W., sentenced to die for a Jackson County murder.
(Box 42, page 70 “Revoked on the 26th day of August A.D. 1932.")
MORRISON, Mick "Make", sentenced to hang for a Leon County
murder. His death warrant sets execution for June 11, 1909, but
notes "Lynched June 6, 1909." (Box 41, page 115)
MURRAY, Clem, (B), a Slave. Note an interesting FSC opinion
dealing with separate criminal codes for blacks and whites.
Murray v. State, 9 Fla. 246 (Fla. 1860).
MURRAY, Horace, sentenced to hang for a Gadsden County murder.
Victim is Albert Mimms, killed on April 19, 1902 with a "billet
of wood"; Robert Douglas also attacked. Codefendants are Oscar
McDonald and Andrew Harrison who both get jury mercy recs;
codefendant Eddie Taylor’s fate not told. Death warrant return
says Murray died in the jail on July 24, 1902. Death warrant
file in the state archives. (Box 4; Box 41, page 42)
83
Pompano, Florida, robbery. The defendants were part of a group
of about 40 blacks brought in for star chamber interrogation from
May 14 to 20 when they confessed. They had not been allowed
access to counsel or friends during that period. The USSC
reverses their convictions. See Chambers et al. v. State, 111
Fla. 707, 151 So. 499 (Fla. 1933); Chambers et al. v. State, 111
Fla. 707, 152 So. 437 (Fla. 1934); Chambers et al. v. State, 117
Fla. 642, 158 So. 153 (Fla. 1934); Chambers et al. v. State, 123
Fla. 734, 167 So. 697 (Fla. 1936); Chambers et al. v. State, 136
Fla. 568, 187 So. 156 (Fla. 1939); Chambers et al. v. Florida,
309 U.S. 227 (1940); Ft. Lauderdale News, March 10, 1942, p. 1;
February 12, 1940, p. 1; Palm Beach Post, March 11, 1942, p. 5;
March 10, 1942, p. 1; Michael L. Radelet, Hugo Adam Bedau, and
Constance E. Putnam, In Spite of Innocence: Erroneous Convictions
in Capital Cases, Boston: Northeastern University Press, 1992, at
294. (Box 42, page 80 "Death Warrant Cancelled by Executive
Order Issued August 7th 1933 on Account of Writ of Error of
Supreme Court.")
DIXON, Thomas, is convicted of a Duval County murder. The victim
is a Jacksonville policeman, Ignatio Andrea, stabbed to death
with a knife on April 7, 1869. Twice the FSC reverses his
convictions for new trials. Dixon v. State, 13 Fla. 631 (Fla.
1869-70-71); Dixon v. State, 13 Fla. 636 (Fla. 1869-70-71).
DUKES, Richard, sentenced to hang for a Jackson County murder.
Codefendants are Harrod Gillam, Willis Dukes, Sanders Tazwell,
and Eugene Wilson. The victim, Erasmus McDaniel, was shot. The
FSC reverses the conviction for a new trial. Dukes v. State, 14
Fla. 499 (Fla. 1874).
FINE, Herbert E., sentenced to hang for a Dade County murder.
The victim is a Ft. Lauderdale garage owner named Harmon, killed
in some quarrel over a repair bill. His death warrant sets
execution for June 18, 1915, but the warrant is recalled because
of some action in the FSC. Fine v. State, 70 Fla. 412, 70 So.
379 (Fla. 1915) reverses his conviction and remands for a new
trial. No final action show. (Box 41, page 182)
FORD, Robert, sentenced to hang for a Nassau County murder.
- Victim is Gussie Williams, shot with a pistol on December 21,
1904. Codefendant is W.M. Warner; Ford convicted on November 7,
1905 while Warner is acquitted. Warner not a shooter but helps
Ford escape. Ford is not hung, file notes state "Died in Jail on
Jan. 7, 1906." Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box
4; Box 41, page 80)
FOSTAR, Frank, sentenced to hang for a Bradford County murder. A
death warrant ius signed on November 12, 1891, but he escapes on
December 30, 1891. The victim is Henry Epperson, shot with a
pistol on January 20, 1890. Fostar at first refuses counsel,
then A.H. King and J.L. Frazee are appointed to represent him.
82
inmate, suffocated on July 16, 1959. Codefendant William Leach
and Smith are tried together, convicted on January 28, 1960, and
sentenced on February 24, 1960. See Leach v. State, 132 So.2da 329
(Fla. 1961); "2 Executed For Prison Cell Death", Florida Times-
Union, September 25, 1962, p- 19- Death warrant file in the
state archives. (Box 34)
LEACH, William Earl, (W), 21, was electrocuted on September 24,
1962 for a Union County murder. Codefendant of Joe Smith.
Victim was Duke Delano Olson, another inmate, suffocated on July
16, 1959. Leach and Smith were tried together, convicted on
January 28, 1960, and sentenced on February 24, 1960. See Leach
vy. State, 132 So.2d 329 (Fla. 1961); "2 Executed For Prison Cell
Death", Florida Times-Union, September 25, 1962, p- 19- Death
warrant file in state archives. (Box 34)
JOHNSON, Samuel, (B), 42, Was electrocuted on September 6, 1962
for a Putnam County murder. In 1959 a police officer Glenn R.
Faulk (W) was shot to death with a pistol while chasing Johnson,
a 1958 prison escapee, after a traffic stop. Full trial
transcript in the FSC file at no. 30,926. see Johnson v. State,
130 So.2da 599 (Fla. 1961); habeas denied at Johnson V- Cochran,
143 So.2d 653 (Fla. 1962); "Palatka Cop Killer’s Life Ends in
Chair", Florida Times-Union, September 7, 1962, p. 26. Death
warrant file in state archives. (Box 34)
JEFFERSON, Robert Lee, (B), 28, Was electrocuted on May 12, 1962
for a Bay County murder. Victim is Lawrence Russell Digsby,
killed with a pistol on January 10, 1960 in Bay County. One day
trial on June 30, 1960, sentenced the same day. See Jefferson V.-
State, 128 So.2da 132 (Fla. 1961). Death warrant file does not
include trial transcript. (Box 34)
HILL, Johnnie, (B), 23, was electrocuted on May 12, 1962 for an
Escambia County murder. Victim is John David Brightwell, shot
with a pistol on November 1, 1960. Convicted on December 28,
1960, sentenced on December 30, 1960. See Hill v. State, 133
So.2a 68 (Fla. 1961). Death warrant file in the state archives.
DAVIS, Robert Wesley, (W), 26, was electrocuted on August 7, 1961
for the Leon County rape of a child. He is the last execution
for rape and only the second white in the electric chair. He was
a carnival worker at the North Florida Fair, a homosexual, and he
plead guilty and waived a jury. The sentencing judge was Ben C.
Willis. Davis was represented by Donald Hartwell, later a
circuit judge. Death warrant files in the state archives contain
full transcripts; also in the FSC file at no. 30,539. See Davis
v. State, 123 So.2a 702 (Fla. 1960); from the Florida Times-Union
"Cop Killer, Rapist Are Slated To Die Today in Electric Chair",
August 7, 1961, P- 20, and "Death Penalty, State Laxity Hit by
Two Before Fxecution", August 8, 1961, p-. 18; and from the
Tallahassee Democrat, "Guilty Plea Made On Rape Charges", April
7
DOBBERT, Ernest Jr., (W), was electrocuted on September 7, 1984
for a Duval County murder. Victims are his 9-year-old daughter
Kelly Ann Dobbert (W) and a son Ryder Scott Dobbert (W). Death
sentence only for the girl. 1974 trial with a 10-2 jury life
rec, mercy override. See Dobbert v. State, 328 So.2d 433 (Fla.
1976).
WASHINGTON, David, (B), 27, was electrocuted on July 13, 1984 for
a Dade County murder. Victims are Daniel Pridgen and Katrina
Birk, white and black (I’m not sure which was which), killed in
two separate incidents in September 1976. See Washington v.
State, 362 So.2d 658 (Fla. 1978).
SHRINER, Carl Elson, (W), 23, was electrocuted on June 20, 1984
for an Alachua County murder. Victim is Judith Carter (W), a
minit market clerk murdered during the course of an October 22,
1977, robbery in Gainesville. See Shriner v. State, 386 So.2d
525 (Fla. 1980).
ADAMS, James, (B), 37, was electrocuted on May 10, 1984 for a St.
Lucie County murder. Victim is Edgar Brown, beaten to death in
his home with a fire poker on November 12, 1973. See Adams v.
State, 341 So.2d 765 (Fla. 1976), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 878
(1977).
GOODE, Arthur, (W), 23, was electrocuted on April 5, 1984 for a
Lee County murder. The victim is 8 or 10-year-old Jason Verdow
(W) of Cape Coral (the records conflict as to his age), was
snatched and murdered on March 5, 1976. Goode had a Virginia
life sentence for the later murder of an 11-year-old boy. See
Goode v. State, 365 So.2d 381 (Fla. 1979).
ANTONE, Anthony, (W), 59, was electrocuted on January 26, 1984
for a Hillsborough County murder. Victim suspended Tampa police
officer Richard Cloud (W), killed at his home on October 23,
1975. A contract killing where Antone hired two others to
perform the killing. One of the two, Ellis Marlow Haskew, was
the primary state witness at trial. See Antone v. State, 382
So.2d 1205 (Fla. 1980).
SULLIVAN, Robert, (W), 26, was electrocuted on November 30, 1983
for a Dade County murder. Victim is white, killed during the
course of a Howard Johnson’s robbery. Codefendant Reid
McLaughlin plea bargained to testify against Sullivan. See
Sullivan v. State, 303 So.2d 632 (Fla. 1974).
SPENKELINK, John, (W), 24, was electrocuted on May 25, 1979 fora
Leon County murder. Victim is Joseph J. Szymankiewicz (W), a
hitchhiker. Shot in a Tallahassee motel room in a dispute over
money and participation in homosexual acts. See Spinkellink v.
State, 313 So.2d 66 (Fla. 1975). Note the different spellings of
his last name in different records.
DAWSON, Sie, (B), 48, is electrocuted on May 12, 1964 for the
murder of 2-year-old Roger Glenn (W) outside Chattahoochee
(Gadsden County). He was also charged with the murder of the
boy’s mother, Mrs. Maggie Clayton (W), both with a hammer.
Dawson was mentally retarded and had only one leg. There is
serious doubt about his guilt and he shows up on most lists of
innocent men who were executed. The all white male jury
deliberated only 49 minutes on their verdict. Convicted on June
24, 1960 and sentenced on July 13, 1960. See Dawson v. State,
139 So.2d 408 (Fla. 1962), a 4-3 decision affirming; Tallahassee
Democrat, "Dawson Found Guilty In Death Of Clayton Boy", June 25,
1960, p. 1, "Gadsden Negro Executed For Fatal Beating", May 12,
1964, p. B-9, and Deanna Thompson, "Gadsden man last to die from
electric jolts", May 20, 1979, p. 1; "Not Mad’, Slayer Says Just
Before Chair," Florida Times-Union, May 13, 1964, p. 25; Michael
L. Radelet, Hugo Adam Bedau, and Constance E. Putnam, In Spite of
Innocence: Erroneous Convictions in Capital Cases; Boston,
Northeastern University Press, 1992, at 299. Death warrant files
in the state archives contain the trial transcript. The pardon
board files also contain a number of interesting documents. The
original court file in Quincy contains a number of additional
documents, including a dictabelt recording of his allegedly
coerced confession. The full trial transcript is contained in
the FSC files at no. 31,380. Death warrant file in the state
archives.
BLAKE, Emmett Clark, (W), 36, was electrocuted on May 12, 1964
for the murder of Johnny Beverly with a shotgun during a June 21,
1962 Panama City (Bay County) robbery. Codefendant is James
Lewis Teal. Verdict on September 5, 1962, sentenced on September
6, 1962. He had asked Gov. Farris Bryant to go ahead with his
execution. See Blake v. State, 156 So.2d 511 (Fla. 1963); "*Not
Mad,’ Slayer Says Just Before Death Chair", Florida Times-Union,
May 13, 1964, p. 25: “Dalton Blake (his brother) showed the
pardon board a psychiatrist’s report saying Emmett Blake had a
desire to kill himself and wanted the state to do what he lacked
the courage to do." Death warrant file in state archives. (Box
34)
LEE, Charles H., 33, was electrocuted on July 18, 1963 for the
murder of his wife, along with the murder of his father-in-law,
Leroy A. Collins, near Cedar Key on September 12, 1960, shot with
a pistol. Verdict on December 14, 1960, sentenced on December
28, 1960. See Lee v. State, 141 So.2d 257 (Fla. 1962) and "Wife-
Killer Is Executed At Raiford", Florida Times-Union, July 19,
1963, p. 23. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box
34)
SMITH, Joe, (W), 32, was electrocuted on September 24, 1962 for a
Union County murder. The victim was Duke Delano Olson, another
6
STRAIGHT, Ronald, (W), was electrocuted on May 20, 1986 fora
Duval County murder. Victim is James Stone (W), murdered during
a kidnapping and robbery. See Straight v. State, 397 So.2d 903
(Fla. 1981). Note his codefendant, Timothy Charles Palmes, at
Palmes v. State, 397 So.2d 648 (Fla. 1981).
FUNCHESS, David, (B), was electrocuted on May 22, 1986 fora
Duval County murder. Victims are Anna Waldrop (W) and Clayton
Ragan (W), death sentences on both. They were stabbed to death in
the course of a Jacksonville liquor store robbery. See Funchess
v. State, 341 So.2d 762 (Fla. 1976).
THOMAS, Daniel Morris, (B), was electrocuted on May 15, 1986 for
a Polk County murder. Victim is Charles Anderson (W), shot five
times during a home invasion on January 1, 1976 by the "Ski Mask
Gang". His wife Betty Thomas (W) was raped and the home
ransacked. One codefendant is Lee O. Martin but Thomas was
apparently the shooter. See Thomas v. State, 374 So.2d 508 (Fla.
1979).
FRANCOIS, Marvin, (B), was electrocuted on May 29, 1985 for a
Monroe County murder. Beauford White is his codefendant. Victim
is Margaret Wooden (B), murdered in a home invasion in Carol City
on July 27, 1977. See Francois v. State, 407 So.2d 885 (Fla.
1981).
WITT, Johnny Paul, (W), was electrocuted on March 6, 1985 fora
Volusia County murder. Victim is an 11-year-old white boy
kidnapped and killed on October 20, 1973. He strangled on a gag
applied during the kidnapping. The codefendant is Gary L.
Tillman. See Witt v. State, 342 So.2d 497 (Fla. 1977).
RAULERSON, James, (W), was electrocuted on January 30, 1985 fora
Duval County murder. During the robbery of a restaurant
Raulerson rapes a clerk, then shoots police officer English (W)
who comes across the robbery. See Raulerson v. State, 358 So.2d
826 (Fla. 1978).
PALMES, Timothy Charles, (W), was electrocuted on November 8,
1984 for a Duval County murder. Victim is James Stone (W),
stabbed 18 times and beat with a hammer during the course of a
robbery on October 3, 1976. The codefendant is Ronald Straight.
See Palmes v. State, 397 So.2d 648 (Fla. 1981).
HENRY, James Dupree, (B), was electrocuted on September 20, 1984
for an Orange County murder. Victim is Z.L. Riley (B),
suffocated with a gag. Jury death recommendation. See Henry v.
State, 328 So.2d 430 (Fla. 1976), cert. denied, 429 U.S. 951
(1976); Henry v. State, 377 So.2d 692 (Fla. 1979); State v.
Henry, 456 So.2d 466 (Fla. 1984). See also Michael L. Radelet
and Michael Mello, "Executing Those Who Kill Blacks: An Unusual
Case Study," Mercer Law Review, 37(Spring 1986): 911-25.
4
Slayers", March 19, 1924, p. 13, and "Negro Murderer Dies In
Electric Chair", October 8, 1924, p. 1. Death warrant files in
state archives. (Box 9; Box 42, page 1)
REVELS, Lawrence, hung on November 23, 1923 for a Lake County
murder. The victim is Charlotte I. Revels, killed with a shotgun
on December 10, 1922; also William Arthur Revels. All relatives,
heat of passion defense in an adultery situation. Death warrant
file has the full trial transcript. (Box 8)
JOHNSON, Arthur, hung for murder in Alachua County on July 27,
1923. F.L. Cross is shot with a pistol on February 24, 1923.
Convicted and sentenced on June 14, 1923. Death warrant file in
state archives.
AUGUSTA, Nealey, hung on April 17, 1923 in Volusia County for
murder. Victim is his wife, Alberta Augusta, shot with a pistol
on January 13, 1922. He claims accident at trial. Verdict on
May 14, 1922, sentencing on May 16, 1922. See Augusta v. State,
85 Fla. 72, 95 So. 304 (Fla. 1923), and Augusta v. State, 85 Fla.
149, 95 So. 624 (Fla. 1923). Death warrant file in state
archives.
BAYLIS, Percy, (B), hung on March 30, 1923 for a Seminole County
murder. Victim is James Cleveland Jacobs, a deputy sheriff, shot
on September 14, 1922. Convicted and sentenced on January 15,
1923. Death warrant file in state archives includes a trial
transcript. (Box 8)
PAYNE, Eugene "Crow", hung on January 12, 1923 for a Calhoun
County murder. Primas Blakely killed with a shotgun on August
14, 1921. Trial on September 29, 1922. Death warrant file in
state archives.
BOYER, J.B., (B), 23, hung in Alachua County on February 24, 1922
for murder. Victim is R.E. Arnow, a deputy sheriff, is shot in
the neck with a pistol on June 18, 1921. Convicted and sentenced
on January 12, 1922. See the Gainesville Sun: "Deputy Is Wounded
By Micanopy Negro Posse Making Hunt", June 19, 1921; "Arnow’s
Condition Serious; Negro Evades Armed Search Parties", June 20,
1921; "Bob Arnow Is Dead From Bullet Wound Of Saturday Night",
June 21, 1921; "Four Negroes Held In Unknown Prison For Fear Of
Mobs", June 22, 1921; "John Bowyer Executed For Arnow Murder:
Goes To Death For Crime Committed Last June: Says Bad Women,
Whisky And Neglect Of Church Caused His Downfall", February 24,
1922; sources in Watt Espy files. (Box 8)
MARTIN, Jacob Benjamin, aka Jack Morris, hanged in Okaloosa
County for murder on September 23, 1921. Hung with Putnam
Francis Ponsell. Victim is John Tuggle, killed with a tire iron
on July 4, 1921. Convicted on September 7, 1921. Death warrant
file in state archives. (Box 8)
41
able 2 (continued)
nbush (4) 4%
25-Barton (1938) Shot from ambush as he stood on porch of residence
29-Milledge (1946) Shot from ambush by young after ejection from game
52-Butler (1971) Shot by sniper as he stood at door during domestic call
71-Svenson (1982) Parole supervisor from ambush as left office
During Domestic Call (3) 3%
03-Clifton (1914) Shot by irate husband during domestic call
06-Cox (1915) Shot as approached house in response to domestic call
56-Arrington (1974) Shot as approached man during neighbor dispute call
During Jail Break or in Jail (4) 4%
02-Kaiser (1895) Shot by mob during attempt to break killer out of jail
04-Hendrickson (1915) Shot during attempt to break brother out of jail
21-Crews (1929) Shot by crazed inmate who seized jailer’s gun
37-Deal (1955) Heart attack after "scuffle" with prisoner
Transporting Fugitive (2) 2%
32-Hardison (1951) Shot in Alabama by fugitive being returned to FL
45-Stuteville (1964) Shot at Airport by fugitive awaiting deportation
During Traffic Stop (8) 8@
28-Daniel (1941) Shot by man he had stopped for speeding
44-Ferguson (1962) Shot by two robbers he stopped for traffic violation
&0-Glascock (1977) Shot by man he stopped for failing to pay toll
1-Pena (1978) Shot during routine traffic stop by fugitive
63-Kohler (1978) Shot as wrote ticket for youth with disabled car
67-Mertes (1980) Shot in park by man who fled from traffic stop
86-Estefan (1988) Shot as approached a car he stopped for no lights
94-Stafford (1991) Shot during routine traffic stop
By Drunk Driver (5) 5%
10-Croff (1921) His motorcycle struck by drunk driver
20-Guest (1928) Hit by drunk driver as directed traffic on X-mas Eve
24-Hicks (1935) Hit by 2nd drunk driver during stop of ist drunk driver
40-Burlinson (1958) Thrown from car & crushed when hit by drunk driver
87-Craig (1988) Struck by drunk driver as he rode police motorcycle
During Pursuit (9) 9%
14-Callaway (1927) Thrown from running board of car as chased speeeder
19-McCann (1928) Auto accident during chase of speeding truck
43-Johnson (1962) Thrown from motorcycle as sped to "officer shot" call
48-Anderson (1967) Struck by car as chased speed violator
53-Mitchell (1971) Fatally injured as tried to intercept speed violator
77-DeLeon (1984) Auto hit his motorcycle during chase of speed violator
78-Melendez (1985) Lost control of his car in chase of speed violator
82-Beasley (1986) Hit at roadblock by truck at end of 70 mile chase
91-Saenz (1989) Drowned after helicopter crash in pursuit of drug boat
12
Table 1 (continued)
No.
41
42
43
d4
45
46
47
48
49
50
ay |
52
53
54
55
56
S7
58
29
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
'
73
74
72
Year
1958
1960
1962
1962
1964
1965
1966
1967
1967
1969
1970
1971
1971
L972
1974
1974
1976
1976
1976
LOST
1978
1978
1978
13979
1979
1980
1980
1981
LaGL
1982
1982
1982
1982
1983
1983
Agency
Officer, Race/Sex
Tribble, L.C.
Christman, JR
Johnson, EL
Ferguson, JE
Stuteville,
Bender, O.K.
Becker, H.
Anderson, PG
Stathers, WF
McLeod, RF
Lane, R.J.
Butler, V.
Mitchell, JE
DeKorte, R.
Crenshaw, H.
Arrington, S
Hodges, TA
Curlette, CH
D’Azevedo, F.
Glasscock, B.
Pena, L.
Barnett, E.
Kohler, A.
Askew, W.F.
Cook, W.C.
Terrinoni, A.
i Mertes, C.W.
Broom, N.K.
Young, E.R.
Seiden, C.W.
Svenson, BT
Rios, Ariel
Benitez, E.
Corbett, S.
zore, R.B.
Type Killer, R/S
Auto Friedman W/M
Auto None
M-cycle Anderson W/M
Shot Fisherman B/M
Lawrence B/M
Shot Cuff B/M
Auto Connor W/M
Auto None
Auto None
Shot Unknown B/M
Shot Gavin B/M
Shot Garrett B/M
Shot Unknown B/M
Auto Tracy W/M
Shot Sanders B/M
Bradley B/M
Shot Vasser B/M
Shot Smith B/M
Shot Borne W/M
Shot Borne W/M
Shot Borne W/M
Shot Cardenas H/M
Shot Valle H/M
Auto Jacobs W/M
Shot Enriquez H/M
Heart Juvenile W/M
Shot Pearsall B/M
Shot Hicks B/M
Shot Brown B/M
Shot Faniel B/M
Shot Pittman B/M
Shot Walker B/M
Shot Patten W/M
Auto Del-Sol H/M
Valle H/M
Shot Mack B/M
EchevarriaH/M
Shot Phillips B/M
Shot Simon H/M
Shot Alvarez H/M
Shot ConcepcionH/M
Shot Rouco H/M
Auto Guerrero H/M
Shot Price B/M
Disposition
Unknown
Life in prison
Served 30 years
Life in prison
Served 16 years
Life in P.
Deported
Unknown
Unsolved
Life in prison
Incompetent
Unsolved
Jail term
Killed by cop
Life in prison
Suicide in jail
Life in prison
suicide
suicide
suicide
Life in P.
On FL death row
Fine/license
Life in prison
Juv. incar.
Killed by cop
Life in prison
Life in prison
Served 3 years
Served 3 years
Life in prison
On FL death row
Life in prison
Served 5 years
Life in prison
Life in prison
On FL death row
Life + 50
30 years prison
25 years prison
Life in Prison
Not charged
Life in prison
Table 1 (continued)
No.
76
ee
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
ps
92
93
94
95
Year
1984
1984
1985
1986
1986
1986
1986
1986
1986
1987
1988
L9Esé
1988
1988
1988
1989
1990
1991
1991
1992
Agency
M. Beach
Miami
B. Harb
F.B.I.
Ps Bahe
Opa-L.
S-Water
Miami
Hialeah
S. Miami
Miami
Miami
M. Beach
Metro
Metro
Customs
Metro
Metro
M-Spgs.
N-MIami
Officer, Race/Sex
Kramer, D.B. W/M
DeLeon, J. H/M
Melendez, J. W/M
Grogan, B. W/M
Dove, G. W/M
Brown, E. B/M
Beasley, W/M
Herring, D. W/M
Miyares, E. H/M
Schulz, L.D. W/M
Estefan, V. H/M
Craig, W.D. W/M
Rakow, S.R. W/M
Boles, R.A. W/M
Strzalkowski W/M
Saenz, G. W/M
Martin, J. W/M
Leis, T. W/M
Stafford, C. W/M
Bauer, S. W/M
Type
Shot
Auto
Auto
Shot
Shot
Shot
AUTO
Poison
Shot
Stabbed
Stabbed
Stabbed
Shot
Auto
Shot
Shot
Shot
Shot
Drowned
Shot
Poison
Shot
Shot
Killer, R/S
Marrero H/M
Ortiz H/M
Maurer W/M
Matix W/M
Platt W/M
Matix W/M
Platt W/M
Thomas B/M
LindgrenW/M
None
Rivera H/M
Perez H/M
juvenileH/M
juvenileH/F
Escobar H/M
Escobar H/M
Ward W/M
Delahoz H/M
Andrade H/M
Disposition
Incompetent
conv. misd.
conv. misd.
Killed by cops
Killed by cops
Killed by cops
Killed by cops
Life in Prison
Incompetent
On FL death row
Sent. to 12 yrs.
Juv. incar.
Adjud. Del.
On FL death row
On FL death row
Sent. 10 years
Life in prison
Life in prison
Street B/M Death Pen.
Street B/M Death Pen.
six H/M’s:
Morejon-Pacheco Sent. Pending
Rosales Sent. Pending
Lopez-Zayas Sent. Pending
Perez, E. Sent. Pending
Perez, R. Sent. Pending
Martin Sent. Pending
Griffin W/M
Velez H/M
On FL death row
Life in Prison
Tarallo H/M Sent. 30 yrs.
None
Sims, M. B/M Pending
five H/M’s
Gonzalez, R. Pending
San Martin, P. Pending
Franqui, L. Pending
Fernandez, F. Pending
Abreu, P. Pending
BRADFORD, Robert, convicted in Lake County for rape- Victim is
Clarisa or Clarrissie Miffin, a child under age 10, raped on
August 17, 1902. Sentenced to death on January 11, 1902. Full
trial transcript in the file; Bradford testifies and denies all.
No indication of a rape- Commuted to life on January 6, 1903.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 4; Box 41, page
45)
BREWER, Wyatt, sentenced to hang for a Duval County murder. His
death warrant sets execution for October 30, 1908, but his
sentence is commuted to life on October 27, 1908. (Box 41, page
108)
BROWN, Cleveland, convicted of murder in Washington County on
November 10, 1914. The victim is Gertrude McCloy shot on
November 5, 1914, died on September 10, 1914. His death
sentenced is commuted to life on January 9, 1915. Death warrant
file in state archives. (Box 7; Box 41, page 173)
BROWN, J-B., (B), "nigger Brown" in the transcript, sentenced to
hang for a Putnam County murder. The victim is railroad engineer
Harry E. Wesson who had an earlier confrontation with Brown, his
employee. Shot in the back of the head with a pistol. Commuted
to life on July 22, 1902. See Michael L. Radelet, Hugo Adam
Bedau, and Constance E. Putnam, In Spite of Innocence: Erroneous
convictions in Capital Cases, Boston: Northereastern University
Press, 1992, at 290: “Brown was convicted of murder and sentenced
to death. The conviction was affirmed on appeal, despite the
court’s statement that there was very little testimony beyond a
disputed confession to connect the defendant with the crime.
Cell mates testified that they heard Brown confess while in
custody; this testimony, later found to have been perjured, was
sufficient to obtain the conviction. The hanging was averted at
the gallows only because the execution warrant erroneously listed
the jury foreman’s name instead of Brown’s. In 1902 the sentence
was commuted to life. In 1913 another man gave 4 deathbed
confession admitting guilt. Governor Park Trammell granted Brown
a full pardon, and Brown was released after having served 12
years in prison. In 1929 he was jndemnified by the State
($2,492) -" Note his death warrant first lists "Noah J.
Lightman", the name is crossed out, then Brown js listed. Death
warrant file in state archives contains a full trial transcript.
(Box 3; Box 41, page 35)
BRYANT, Dan, sentenced to hang for a Marion County murder. The
victim is Moses Williams, shot with a rifle on July 24, 1892.
verdict on March 27, 1894. Commuted to life around January 1895.
Death warrant file contains a typed trial transcript. (Box 2)
BUCHANAN, J.W., sentenced to death for a Taylor County murder.
He is charged with the December 1926 murder of two federal
revenue agents searching his house for liquor. He was convicted
Be)
it say it was not carried out. Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 8; Box 41, pages 219-220, 227)
NORTON, first name unknown, sentenced to hang on July 3, 1895 in
Jasper for the murder of a young man named Denmark near Geneva,
Florida. Norton was from Ware or Clinch County, Georgia, and was
said to be over seven feet tall. See "Dropped As Though Dead,"
Gainesville Sun, Thursday, July 4, 1895, page 1.
O’CONNOR, James, sentenced to hang for a Franklin County murder.
The victim is his wife Bridget O’Connor, beaten to death with a
piece of iron pipe on a rainy night in Apalachicola. No dates
given in the opinion. One of the state witnesses against him is
Dr. John M. Gorrie who invented the ice machine while living
there. Conviction and sentenced affirmed. O/’Connor v. State, 9
Fla. 215 (Fla. 1860).
RABON, John, sentenced to hang for a Madison County murder. On
appeal the FSC says there are serious problems with the record
but affirms anyway. No details in the opinion. State v. Rabon,
7 Fla. 10 (Fla. 1857).
ROGERS, John H., convicted of murder in Osceola County on May 1-
4, 1909, sentenced to death on May 6, 1909. The victim is
Richard Bennett, killed with a pistol on January 30, 1909.
Testimony says it was a fight over a card game; Rogers had a °
tough reputation after shooting two or three blacks. Defense of
self defense. Death warrant signed but revoked on March 5, 1910,
no indication of the final result. Death warrant file in the
state archives contains the full trial transcript. (Box 6)
STEPHENS, William, sentenced to hang for a St. Johns County
murder. His death warrant sets execution for January 29, 1904,
but no final action is shown. (Box 41, page 61)
WEBSTER, Alex, sentenced to hang for a Bradford County murder.
The victim is E.H. Fisher, killed with an axe on August 24, 1901.
Webster is sentenced on November 10, 1903. Transmittal letter
dated June 17, 1905 to the Bradford County Sheriff with the death
warrant. A death warrant in the file is revoked, no further
explanation. In another part of the file there is a transmittal
letter to the sheriff of Bradford County dated June 17, 1905 to
go with a death warrant on Webster, but nothing more. Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 4; Box 41, page 69)
WESLEY, John, (B), sentenced to electrocution for the Alachua
County murder of Will Stephens (B) of Rochelle, killed on
December 1, 1929. He was convicted in January 1930. Execution
was set for March 3, 1931. See "Negro to Die March 3", Florida
Times-Union, February 25, 1931, p. 12.
WHITTEN, Burnard, sentenced to hang for a DeSoto County murder.
Death warrant sets his execution for July 30, 1920, but it is
withdrawn by the governor with the notation "Case appealed to
Supreme Court." No further action shown. (Box 41, page 211)
WILLIAMS, Johnny, aka Ben Lattimore, sentenced to hang for a
Marion County murder. The victim is N.A. Chandler, killed on
January 9, 1892, with a pistol shot to the temple. Chandler was
a supervisor at the Illinois Phosphate Mine near Early Bird.
This was apparently a robbery on pay day. Williams is apparently
illiterate. During jury selection some express their opposition
to capital punishment. Motion for New Trial denied on May 22,
1893. Sentenced in October or December 1893. Death warrant sets
his hanging for January 25, 1894, but the return has been
destroyed in this file. Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 2)
WILLIAMS, Robert, sentenced to hang for a Duval County murder.
Death warrant sets his execution for September 7, 1900, but no
final action is reflected. (Box 41, page 18)
Death Sentences Commuted To Life
AUSTIN, James, sentenced to hang for a Putnam County murder.
Victim is William Loving, shot with a pistol on July 25, 1888.
Codefendant is John Garlington aka Tom. Both plead not guilty at
arraignment on April 11, 1889. Tried together. They have
trouble picking a jury, going through over 100 candidates.
Convicted on April 18, 1889, the jury recommends mercy for
Garlington. Sentenced on April 20, 1889. Commuted to life on
July 29, 1889. Death warrant signed on June 25, 1889. Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 2)
BIBBS, Abraham, convicted of a Santa Rosa County murder on June
6, 1912, sentenced to death on June 8, 1912. His sentence is
commuted to life on July 16, 1912. Death warrant file in the
state archives. (Box 41, page 150)
BIDWELL, Alfred B., sentenced to hang in Manatee County for
murder. The victim is Harrison T. Riley, shot by Edmund P. Baron
or Bacon on June 18, 1884. Other codefendants are Louis L. Cato,
Thomas Dryman, Leonard Fistedrenr, Jason L. Alford, Charles B.
Willard, Joseph C. Anderson, and Soloman W. Hunter, all tried
together. Motions dated July 18, 1885. FSC appeal indicated in
the file, but no decision in the Florida Reporters. Commuted to
life on August 3, 1886. Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 2)
74
FAIRCLOTH, Thomas, sentenced to hang for a Levy County murder.
Death warrant sets his hanging for September 30, 1902, but no
final action reflected. (Box 41, page 44)
GASHINS, William, cover letter from the Sheriff of Volushia
County dated August 7, 1889, which apparently went with a death
warrant. No other information. Death warrant file in the state
archives.
GLADDEN, Silas, sentenced to hang on a Jackson County murder.
See Gladden v. State, 12 Fla. 562 (Fla. 1868-69).
GOLDEN, William, sentenced to hang for a Nassau County rape.
Death warrant sets hanging for December 15, 1897 but reprieves
are noted on January 14 and February 1, 1898. No further action
reflected. Note he is indexed as "Gaulden". (Box 41, page 6)
GREEN, Israel, sentenced to hang for a Hamilton County murder.
The victim is G.M. Fletcher, shot with a pistol on July 24, 1896.
His codefendants are Jake Blue, Abe Dixon, Will Murphy, Dave
Mitchell, Gilbert George and Boykin Brown. See Green v. State,
40 Fla. 191 (Fla. 1898). No death warrant file exists on hin.
HAYNES, Charles H., (B), convicted of murder in Hillsborough
County. Death warrant calls for execution on June 23, 1916, was
recalled pending motions. "This warrant was recalled pending a
motion for a rehearing in the supreme court. (signed) Park
Trammell gov." No final result indicated in the file. See Haynes
v. State, 71 Fla. 585 (Fla. 1916), which challenges the exclusion
of blacks from jury pools. Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 7)
HOLLAND, John, convicted of murder in Suwannee County. The
victim is Melvin Brock, killed on "August 2, last," in a quarrel
over money. Brock was stabbed twice. On appeal Holland argues
that it was manslaughter, not first degree murder. See Holland
v. State, 12 Fla. 117 (Fla. 1867-68).
JACKSON, Tom, sentenced to hang for a Citrus County murder. His
death warrant sets execution for February 19, 1904, but no final
action is reflected. (Box 41, page 62)
JONES, first name unknown, sentenced in Jasper to hang for murder
on July 3, 1895. See "Dropped As Though Dead," Gainesville Sun,
Thursday, July 4, 1895, page 1. The victim was named Bullard,
the Judge named White. He was convicted on Saturday, June 30,
1895.
NICHELS, Aubrey Lee, convicted in Volusia County of rape. A
death warrant was signed setting his hanging for July 21, 1922,
but the governor granted a reprieve. A second death warrant in
the file sets a new hanging date of August 25, 1922, but notes on
72
TABLE 4 FINAL OUTCOMES IN 87 DADE POLICE HOMICIDES (EXCLUDES AUTO
Executed
(5)
25-McLaren
28-Hudgins
36-Armbrister
36-Anderson
38-MackiewiczZz
Life in Prison
ACCIDENTS )
Death Row
(8)
61-Valle
68-Patten
71-Phillips
84-Rivera
86-Escobar
86-Escobar
89-90-Street
92-Griffin
Term in Prison
Just-Homicide Lynched Suicide/Accid
(10) (4) (4)
04-05-Ashley 01-Lewis 06-Fears
07-09-Rice 12-Simmons 07-09-Tucker
15-Lee 13-Gaines 55-Vassar
18-Nesbitt 14-Cuzzins 57-59-Borne
21-wWilson
23-Hanson
54-Sanders
65-Pearsall
79-80-Matix
79-80-Platt
Incompetent Deported
Unsolved/Not Caught
(30)
07-09-Rice
07-09-Alderman
13-Fox
18-Beck
23-Zalutsky
32-Mullis
35-Carroll(99)
36-Floyd
43-Anderson
43-Gordon
44-Fisherman
44-Lawrence
50-Gavin
54-Bradley
56-Arrington
60-Cardenas
63-Enriquez
66-Hicks
66-Brown
67-Walker
69-Del-Sol
70-Mack
70-Echevarria
72-Simon
72-AlvareZ
73-Rouco
75-Price
81-Thomas
88-Delahoz
88-Andrade
(11)
17-Haynes
29-Strachan(2)
43-Meltzer(4)
64-Juvenile(1)
66-Faniel(3)
66-Pittman(3)
69-Valle(5)
85-Perez(12)
85-Juvenile(1)
87-Ward(10)
92-Tarallo( 30)
(3) (1)
5§1-Garrett 45-cuff
76-Marrero
82-Lindgren
Pending (6)
94-Sims
95-Gonzalez, R.
95-San Martin, P.
95-Franqui, L.
95-Fernandez, F.
95-Abreu, P.
16
(5)
02-white mob
03-Walker, BM
33-unknown BM
49-unknown BM
52-unknown BM
PUNISHING COP-KILLERS: AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
eecp
|
A Paper Presented at
American Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
|
Pittsburg, PA
March 13, 1992
by Dr. Wm. Wilbanks
Florida International University
Department of Criminal Justice
N. Miami Campus, AC-I-282
N. Miami, FL 33181
Phone: 305-595-6102
"by drunk driver;" 4 (4%) "from ambush;" 4 (4%) "during jail break or in
jail;" 3 (3%) "during robbery;" 3 (3%) “from accidental shooting;" 3
(3%) "during domestic call;" 2 (2%) "transporting fugitive;" and 2 (2%)
from "poisoning".
VICTIMIZATION RATES:
It is difficult to calculate victimization rates for different time
periods in Dade County from 1895 since estimates of the number of police
officers are quite unreliable until recent years. In 1991 there was a
total of 6,533 local (5,243), state (400) and federal (890) law enforce-
ment officers in Dade County. Assuming that this "population" figure
was constant from 1980-1989 (a "liberal estimate") and counting 18 Dade
homicides (excluding auto accidents and the death of parole supervisor
Svenson) over the same decade, the Dade County police homicide
victimization rate from 1980-1989 would be 27.6 per 100,000 officers (or
a ratio of one homicide per 3,623 officers per year).
By comparison, the Dade County citizen homicide victimization rate
for the 1980’s was 27 per 100,000 residents (a ratio of 1:3,704).
Since Dade officers are disproportionately (to the general population)
male, white, and 20-40 years old, a more suitable comparison group would
be the homicide rate for a citizen population of comparable composition
by sex, race and age. The citizen homicide victimization rate for
police look-alikes by sex/race/age is estimated at 95 per 100,000).
Thus it would appear that Dade police officers are less than one third
as likely to be victims of homicide as their citizen "look-alikes". (3)
The Dade police rate of 27.6 per 100,000 is for all officers. The
estimated police homicide rate over the decade of the 1980’s by race of
officer was 29.3 for white officers and 23.2 for black officers.
Likewise the police rate was 30.4 for male officers and 10.6 for female
officers for 1980-1989. The homicide rate for comparable citizen look-
alikes (by race and sex---not age) was estimated at 18 for whites, 55
for blacks, 43 for males, and 8 for females.
The Dade police and citizen homicide rates were significantly
higher than the comparable national rates. The citizen homicide victim-
ization rate for the U.S. in 1990 was 9.3 per 100,000 (4)---ratio of
1:10,753---while the national police homicide victimization rate for the
decade 1981-1990 was 14.0 per 100,000 (5)---a ratio of 1:7,143.
However, since U.S. police are disproportionately male and white (and
20-40 years old), the comparison homicide rate for citizen look-alikes
when adjusted for race/sex (i.e., considering the composition of U.S.
police by race/sex) would be an estimated 11.5 per 100,000--~a figure
18% lower than the national police homicide rate of 14.0.(6)
The national police homicide rate for 1981-1990 broken down by race
and sex was estimated at 13.5 for white officers, 18.3 for black
officers, 14.8 for male officers and 4.2 for female officers. The
homicide rate for comparable U.S. citizen look-alikes (not age-adjusted
for age of officers) was 5.3 for whites, 34.1 for blacks, 13.9 for males
3
TABLE 5 67 DADE MURDER/FELONY MURDER CASES BROKEN DOWN BY RACE OF
KILLER AND RACE OF VICTIM
*H = Hispanic Killer
Underlined cases indicate cases where killer arrested and
charged with first degree murder
White Killer(s)
Black Killer(s)
White Officers Total=58
01-McGregor 03-Clifton
04-Hendrickson 06-COox
05-Riblet 12-Bryant
(36) 07-Henderson, A. 15-Morris (22)
08-Henderson, W. 21-Crews
09-Williams 25-Barton
10-cCroff 36-Fritz
13-Wever 37-Deal
17-Beckham 45-Stutevillle
18-Beardon 49-Stathers
22-Jester 50-McLeod
28-Daniel 51-Lane
32-Hardison 54-DeKorte
35-Brantley 65-Cook
38-Staab 66-Terrinoni
43-Johnson 67-Mertes
57-Hodges 70-Seiden
58-Curlette 71-Svenson
. 59-D’ Azevedo 75-Zore
*H 60-Glasscock 89-Boles
*H 61-Pena 90-Strzalkowski
*H 63-Kohler 94-Stafford
*H 69-Young
*H 72-Rios
*H 73-Benitez
*H 76-Kramer
79-Grogan
80-Dove
82-Beasley
*H 84-Miyares
*H 85-SchulzZ
*H 86-Estefan
*H 88-Rakow
*H 91-Saenz
92-Martin
*H 95-Bauer
Black Officers Total=9
02-Kaiser 29-Milledge
(2) 68-Broom 33-LaFleur (7)
44-Ferguson
5§2-Butler
55-Crenshaw
56-Arrington
81-Brown .
Total=38 Total=29 67 Cases
Ly
Hodge), near Alachua, on December 6, 1939. Mental health exam of
Williams ordered on December 1, 1939 and he is held to be sane
three days later. Arraignment on December 6, 1939. Sanity
evaluation ordered. Parks M. Carmichael is paid $100 for
representing Williams. See Williams v. State, 143 Fla. 826, 197
So. 562 (Fla. 1940) and "Alachua Negro Dies In Electric Chair",
Florida Times-Union, November 12, 1940, p. 9. Death warrant file
in state archives. (Box 20)
GODDARD, Herbert, (W), 29, Was electrocuted on July 29, 1940 for
the murder of 17-year-old Frances Ruth Dunn in Palm Beach County.
See Goddard v. State, 143 Fla. 28, 196 So. 596 (Fla. 1940) and
"Goddard Dies In Chair for Girl’s Slaying", Florida Times-Union,
July 30, 1940, p. 5, which lists him as age 20, and Helen
Waterhouse, "Slayer Left Note Protesting His Love For Jocelyn,"
Miami Herald, July 30, 1940, page 3B.
PARKER, Clarence, (B), 29, electrocuted on June 5, 1940 fora
Gilchrist County murder. The victim is J.T. Owens, killed on
July 3, 1938. See Parker v. State, 142 Fla. 211, 194 So. 484
(Fla. 1940).
McGRAW, Harvey, (W), 20, was electrocuted on September 4, 1939
for a Santa Rosa County murder. The victim is Clifford T. Mann,
shot with a pistol on March 17, 1939. McGraw’s father appears in
court with him, he pleads guilty and testimony is taken. Victims
were kidnapped in Alabama and brought to Florida where they were
killed, two or three of them including Charles D. Wilkinson. A
32 Smith & Wesson revolver is seized from McGraw, the murder
weapon? The FBI is also involved in the case. Death warrant
file in the state archives. (Box 20)
SMITH, Johnny, (B), 30, electrocuted for an Indian River County
murder on May 12, 1939. Victim is Sam Jones, killed with a
shotgun on June 7, 1936. Codefendant is George Norwood.
Pretrial motions about the prosecutor manipulating the jury
venire. FSC appeal. Death warrant file in the state archives
apparently contains a trial transcript. (Box 20)
McCALL, Franklin Pierce, (W), 22, was electrocuted on February
25, 1939 for kidnapping in Dade County. The victim was 5-year—
old "Skeegie" Cash (W) who was killed during the kidnapping. J.
Edgar Hoover and the FBI was very involved in the case. See
McCall v. State, 185 So.2d 608 (Fla. 1939); McCall v. State, 186
So. 510 (Fla. 1939); McCall v. State, 186 So. 667 (Fla. 1939);
McCall v. State, 186 So. 803 (Fla. 1939); in the Florida Times-
Union, “Court Record For McCall’s Case in Form," June 21, 1938,
page 11; "McCall Pays Death Penalty For Cash Child’s Kidnaping",
February 25, 1939, p. 6. Death warrant file in state archives
includes trial transcript. (Box 20)
29
BUNGE, Paul Fried, (W), 53, electrocuted on February 20, 1939 for
a Hillsborough County murder. (Death warrant files spell it
Bunge, prison execution list spells it Bungs.) Victim is Marie
Larsen Bunge, killed on May 2, 1938, “by administering an over-
dose of chloroform or other anaesthetic, a further description of
which is to the grand jurors unknown, and by cutting her with a
sharp instrument and by drowning her..." Convicted on May 19,
1938, after a one day trial. Defense lawyer in Thomas Palmer,
raising an insanity defense. Sentenced on May 25, 1938. FSC
appeal reflected in the file, but no case in Florida Reports.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 20)
RANDOLPH, Willie, (B), 34, electrocuted on July 5, 1938 fora
Duval County murder.
WILLIAMS, Orson, (B), 28, was electrocuted on June 20, 1938 fora
Hillsborough County murder of LeRoy Horton (B) with a shotgun.
Williams v. State, 129 Fla. 410, 176 So. 438 (Fla. 1937). News
accounts indicate there were 15 men on death row at the time.
See "Negro Is Electrocuted", Florida Times-Union, June 21, 1938,
p. 11. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 20)
HINDS, Robert, (B), 17, electrocuted on July 23, 1937 fora
Franklin County rape. The victim was a white woman. See "Robert
Hinds Dies In Chair," Tallahassee Democrat, July 23, 1937, page
1: "About 30 witnesses were present, many of them from the
Apalachicola section where an attempt was made to lynch the negro
before his arrest. A company of national guardsmen surrounded
the Leon County courthouse at Tallahassee during Hinds’ trial but
there was no demonstration. The trial was moved to Tallahassee
for a change of venue."
WILLIAMS, Walter, aka Eagle Eye and Joe Sims, (B), 38, was
electrocuted on July 19, 1937, for murder. The victim is a
Jacksonville cab driver, Joe Johnson (B), killed with an
automobile crank on January 9, 1935. Preston McDonald was his
codefendant but their cases are severed for trial. Williams’
verdict comes on Thursday, May 30, 1935. See "Two Negroes
Electrocuted", Florida Times-Union, July 20, 1937, p. 17. Death
warrant files in state archives. (Box 19)
McDONALD, Preston, (B), 28, was electrocuted on July 19, 1937 for
murder. The victim is a Jacksonville cab driver, Joe Johnson (B),
killed with an automobile crank on January 9, 1935. Preston
McDonald was his codefendant but they are tried separately.
McDonald’s verdict comes on Wednesday, May 29, 1935. See "Two
Negroes Electrocuted", Florida Times-Union, July 20, 1937, p. 17.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 19)
POWELL, Marcus C., (W), 50, electrocuted on July 12, 1937 for a
Duval County murder. His wife Kate L. Powell (W) and mother-in-
law were the victims. The wife was beaten to death with a hammer
30
on March 1, 1936. See "Powell Pays With Life for Slaying Wife",
Florida Times-Union, July 13, 1937, p. 26: "The two women had
spent thousands of dollars to secure Powell’s freedom from a life
term in prison for the slaying of a Jacksonville attorney."
Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 19)
FIELDS, Simee Lee, (B), 21, electrocuted on May 10, 1937 fora
Hillsborough County murder. The victim is Willie Mae Spann
Fields (his wife?), killed with an axe on January 17, 1936. M.S.
Uman appointed as defense counsel. Death warrant file in the
state archives. (Box 19)
WALKER, Willie, (B), 35, was electrocuted on April 23, 1937 for a
Nassau County rape. The victim is Grace Hunt (W), raped on
December 13, 1936. The prosecutor is William A. Hallowes III,
the appointed defense lawyer is Herbert William Fishler. The
verdict came on February 18, 1937. See "Nassau Negro Dies In
Electric Chair", Florida Times-Union, April 24, 1937, p. 7.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 19)
WALKER, James W., (B), 30, was electrocuted on December 14, 1936.
for a St. Petersburg (Pinellas County) murder. The victim was a
grocer, J.D. Yasmin (W), killed during a robbery. His
codefendant was Richard Williams. See "Two Negroes Die In
Electric Chair", Florida Times-Union, December 15, 1936, p. 6.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 19) ,
WILLIAMS, Richard, (B), 32, was electrocuted on December 14, 1936 |
for the murder of J.D. Yasmin (W), a St. Petersburg (Pinellas
County) grocer. Yasmin was shot with a pistol. His codefendant
was James W. Walter. FSC appeal. See "Two Negroes Die In
Electric Chair", Florida Times-Union, December 15, 1936, p. 6:
"Yasmin’s two daughters beat off the intruders and no money was
taken." Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 18 and
19)
JOHNSON, Rufus, (B), 20, was electrocuted on October 26, 1936 for
a Seminole County murder. See "Two Negroes Electrocuted",
Florida Times-Union, October 27, 1936, p. 8.
SCROGGINS, George W., (B), 41, was electrocuted on October 26,
1936 for a Dade County murder. See "Two Negroes Electrocuted",
Florida Times-Union, October 27, 1936, p. 8. Note that his
appeal to the FSC was dismissed on a motion from defense counsel,
Scroggins v. State, 122 Fla. 857 (Fla. 1935). Death warrant file
in the state archives includes the trial transcript. (Box 19)
CLARK, Lee, (B), 30, was electrocuted on October 19, 1936 for
murder. He was convicted in Escambia County of murdering his
wife (B). See "Supreme Penalty for Murder Paid By Four Men in
Electric Chair at Florida Prison Farm", Florida Times-Union,
October 20, 1936, p. 6, and "Four Killers Pay Penalty Of Death In
pk
Oo
Florida Prison," Miami Herald, October 20, 1936, page 1. Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 19)
PADGETT, L.D., (W), 28, was electrocuted on October 19, 1936 for
murder. He was convicted of murdering his wife, Daisey Lee
Padgett (W) on Sunday, June 24, 1934 in Santa Rosa County. She
was killed while walking with him on a road with a turpentine
cutting tool and he made a full confession. Padgett v. State,
121 Fla. 42, 163 So. 291 (Fla. 1935). See "Supreme Penalty for
Murder Paid by Four Men in Electric Chair at Florida Prison
Farm", Florida Times-Union, October 20, 1936, p. 6, and "Four
Killers Pay Penalty Of Death In Florida Prison," Miami Herald,
October 20, 1936, page 1. Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 19)
MILLIGAN, James R., (W), 24, electrocuted for murder on October
19, 1936. His codefendant was Clarence "Red" Casey. They were
convicted of the 1932 Miami (Dade County) murder of Frank D.
Palmer, a druggist, during a holdup. Milligan moved to severe
for trial while Casey plead guilty. Milligan v. State, 109 Fla.
219, 147 So. 260 (Fla. 1933). See "Supreme Penalty for Murder
Paid By Four Men in Electric Chair at Florida Prison Farm",
Florida Times-Union, October 20, 1936, p. 6, and "Four Killers
Pay Penalty Of Death In Florida Prison," Miami Herald, October
20, 1936, page 1. Death warrant file in the state archives
contains the full trial transcript. (Box 19; Box 42, page 84)
CASEY, Clarence D. "Red", (W), 23, electrocuted on October 19,
1936 for murder. His codefendant was James R. Milligan. They
were convicted of the 1932 Miami (Dade County) murder of Frank D.
Palmer, a druggist, during a holdup. Casey plead guilty on
January 14, 1932 after Milligan moved to severe their cases.
Frank Clark, Jr., is appointed defense counsel. The FSC reversed
his initial death sentence at Casey v. State, 116 Fla. 3, 156 So.
282 (Fla. 1934). See "Supreme Penalty for Murder Paid By Four
Men in Electric Chair at Florida Prison Farm", Florida Times-
Union, October 20, 1936, p. 6, and "Four Killers Pay Penalty Of
Death In Florida Prison," Miami Herald, October 20, 1936, page 1.
Death warrant file in the state archives contains all
transcripts. (Box 19; Box 42, page 72, 85)
DIXON, George, (B), 27, electrocuted on August 24, 1936 fora
Seminole County murder.
BRADLEY, Ed, (W), 57, news account says 60, was electrocuted on
June 29, 1936 for a Santa Rosa County murder. The victim was
Andrew Hall, killed with a shovel on October 7, 1935. Defense
counsel are John Whiggington and W.D. Robinson. Trial on January
31, 1936, sentenced on February 1, 1936. See "Man Is
Electrocuted For Shovel Slaying", Florida Times-Union, June 30,
1936, p. 6. Death warrant file in the state archives contains
the full trial transcript. (Box 18)
32
DRAYTON, Joseph, hung in Orange County on June 5, 1886 for
murder. Victim is Ralph A. Gibson, shot with a pistol on
December 5, 1885. Verdict on January 16, 1886, sentenced on
January 18, 1886. Death warrant file in the state archives.
(Box 2)
WILLIAMS, Arthus, hung in Orange County for rape on June 5, 1886.
Victim is Amanda Reynolds, 29, raped on March 24, 1880.
Sentenced on March 30, 1886. Death warrant file in state
archives. (Box 2)
WALKER, James, hung for murder in St. Johns County on April 30,
1886. Charles Harper, the victim, is struck with a gun barrell
and killed on November 4, 1885. Verdict on March 11, 1886,
sentenced the next day. Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 2)
TAYLOR, Noah, hung for murder in Marion County on January 2,
1885. Jake C. Gainlin is shot with a pistol on May 12, 1884.
Convicted on October 28, 1884, sentenced on October 31, 1884.
Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 2)
WILLIAMS, Joe, hung in Holmes County on December 19, 1884 for
murder. Death warrant file in the state archives contains only
the return, no further information. (Box 1)
STOKES, Henry, hung on July 24, 1880 for an Orange County murder.
Victim is Soveby Glisson, killed with a double barreled shotgun
on March 23, 1880. Howell Robinson appointed defense counsel.
Trial on May 26-27, 1880, sentenced on May 28, 1880. Death
warrant sets the hanging for July 28, 1880. Two death warrant
files in the state archives. (Box 1 and 2)
SMITH, Smiley, hung in Hamilton County on January 9, 1880 for
murder. The victim is Washington Jenkins, killed with a "musket-
gun" on August 6, 1879. His codefendants are Allen Davis, Jasper
McLeod, and Charles Hill. Verdict and sentence on November 1,
1879. Davis is convicted but gets a mercy recommendation and a
life sentence. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 2)
GODWIN, Samuel, hung in Suwanee County along with Morgan Patrick
on September 17, 1878 for murder. The victim is Mathew Boseman,
killed with "double barrell guns" on May 28, 1877 in Lafayette
County. Other codefendants are Daniel May and John Nules. Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 1)
PATRICK, Morgan, hung on September 17, 1878 in Suwanee County for
murder. He is hung with a codefendant, Samuel Godwin. The
murder of Mathew Bowman took place in Lafayette County on May 28,
1877. Other codefendants are Daniel May and John Nules. Death
warrant file in the state archives.
67
So. 711 (Fla. 1891). Death warrant file in the state archives.
(Box 2)
ARMSTEAD, Matt, hung in Gadsden County on May 5, 1891 for murder.
Charles Armstead is killed with a Winchester Rifle on December
12, 1890. Verdict and sentence on March 26, 1891. Death warrant
file in state archives. (Box 2)
WHITE, Richard, hung in Leon County on March 12, 1891 for murder.
The victim is George Hudson, stabbed to death on January 22,
1888. Convicted on December 18, 1890, sentenced on January 17,
1891. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 2)
CLARKE, Monroe, hung on December 31, 1890 in Putnam County for
murder. Victim is Price Carroll, shot on April 2, 1885, died the
next day. Verdict on November 20, 1890. Death warrant file in
the state archives. (Box 2)
WHITE, Napoleon, (W), hung in Leon County on September 23, 1890
for murder. Victim is his wife, Martha Ann White (W), murdered
on October 31, 1888 with a metal pipe. Verdict on January 17,
1890. See "Napoleon White Hanged," Florida Times-Union, .
September 24, 1890, page 1: "This was Napoleon’s second crime, he
having just served out a term in the state penitentiary for the
murder of a little negro boy, when he killed his wife." Death
warrant file in the state archives contains a short handwritten
summary of the testimony. (Box 2)
STEWART, Kelly, hung in Suwanee County on July 31, 1890 for
murder. Victim is John Hawkins, killed with a pistol on December
12, 1888. The trial is delayed because of an outbreak of Yellow
Fever. Verdict on February 15, 1890, sentenced on February 20,
1890. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 2)
LOVE, Rivers, hung in Madison County for murder on April 2, 1890.
Victim is Thomas M. Braswell, beaten to death with three foot
clubs on March 27, 1889. Codefendant is Frank Brooks. They are
tried together, Brooks is convicted of second degree murder and
gets a life sentence. Love convicted on October 25, 1889,
sentenced the next day. Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 2)
WESTMORELAND, Williams, (B), hung in Duval County on August 15,
1889 for murder. Victim is Annie Westmoreland, shot with a
pistol on April 5, 1889. Verdict on May 14, 1889. Death warrant
file in state archives. (Box 2)
GASKINS, William, hung on August 1, 1889 for a Volusia County
murder. The victim is Tena Gaskins, killed on December 24, 1888
with a hatchet to the right side of her head. Convicted on April
18, 1889 and sentenced by Judge John D. Bnaduie on May 4, 1889.
There is a letter dated June 22, 1889 in the file from the
65
All three are tried together and convicted on May 20, 1895,
sentenced by Judge John W. Malone on May 23, 1895. (Box 2)
BROWN, Henry (B), hung on July 17, 1895 for a Suwanee County
murder. His .codefendants are George Mitchell (B) and Mike
Stevens (B). The victim is Alfred Ryeberg (W), beaten to death
"with a heavy instrument" on March 27, 1895, dying on the 29th.
All three are tried together and convicted on May 20, 1895,
sentenced by Judge John W. Malone on May 23, 1895. See “Henry
Brown Hanged," Florida Times-Union, July 18, 1895, page 1, which
reports 2,000 showed to witness the hanging. (Box 2).
SIMS, Alexander, (B), hung in Duval County on July 10, 1895 for
murder. Victim is Edward F. Minor, shot with a pistol on April
7, 1895. Convicted on May 21, 1895, sentenced on May 27, 1895.
Death warrant file in state archives. See Florida Times-Union,
"Sims Today Will Swing," July 10, 1895, page 2, and "One Murderer
Less," July 11, 1895, page 5. (Box 2)
GRIFFIN, Grant, (B), hung on April 10, 1895 for an Alachua County
murder. William Gibbs is killed with a pistol shot to the head
and side on November 6, 1894. Sentenced on December 21, 1894.
Death warrant file in state archives contains a typed trial
transcript. (Box 2)
OLIVE, Jerry, hung for murder in Jackson County on September 19,
1894. The victim is Molly Olive, killed with a gun on July 24,
1891. Verdict on November 17, 1893. Sentenced on December 1,
1893. Olive v. State, 34 Fla. 203, 15 So. 925 (Fla. 1894).
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 2)
DANSEY, Edward C., hung on January 11, 1894 for a Marion County
murder. The victim is J. George Binnicker, died on September 29,
1893 from a gunshot wound to the stomach; shot on the 24th. Two
doctors testify at trial, there seems to be a question as to
whether the bullet for malaria killed him. Trial on October 24,
1893 and sentencing on October 25, 1893. Death warrant file in
the state archives contains the full trial transcript. (Box 3)
THARP, John, hung for murder in Franklin County on December 20,
1893. The victim is Charles Knight, shot with a pistol on August
13, 1892. Convicted and sentenced on October 21, 1893. Death
warrant file in state archives. (Box 2)
NIGHTON, Preston, hung in Santa Rosa County on November 8, 1893
for murder. Nothing else in the file. Death warrant file in the
state archives. (Box 3)
KILLINS, Daniel, aka Daniel Williams, hung in Orange County on
January 21, 1892 for murder. Shot Margaret Welton on February 1,
1888. Trial begins on April 16, 1981, verdict on April 17, 1891,
sentenced on April 22, 1891. Killins v. State, 28 Fla. 313, 9
64
sheriff to the governor: "How long do you think it will be before
these men are to be hanged?" It concerns Gaskins and Scott
Hammond. (Box 2)
POICHETT, George, hung in Nassau County on June 23, 1888 for
murder. The victim is Henry Fusher, struck on the right side of
the head with a wooden club on February 11, 1888. Codefendant is
James Ovatio. Convicted on April 19, 1888, sentenced on April
21, 1888. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 2)
JONES, Alexander Jr., hung in Leon County on April 20, 1888 for
murder. The victim was George Culbert, shot with a musket on
January 11, 1887. Convicted on January 10, 1888, sentenced on
January 13, 1888. Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 2)
LOWE, Jeff, hung on February 28, 1888 for an Escambia County
murder. The victim is Henry C. Smith, killed on May 3, 1887 with
a club to the head. Verdict on December 10, 1887 and sentence on
December 13, 1887. Death warrant file in the state archives.
(Box 2)
WIGGINS, Henry, hung in Putnam County for murder on July 23,
1887. The victim was William B. Porter, killed with a shotgun on
July 28, 1885. Verdict on April 14, 1887, sentenced the next
day. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 2)
PETERSON, Levy, hung on July 12, 1887 for a Marion County murder.
The victim is Ruben H. Stark, shot with a pistol on February 19,
1887. Verdict on March 30, 1887, sentenced the next day. Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 2)
CARTER, Enoch, hung for an Orange County murder on January 19,
1887. The victim is L.D. Beasby, shot with a pistol on December
5, 1885. Verdict and sentence on January 5, 1886. Death warrant
file in the state archives. (Box 2)
DAVIS, Sherman "Miles", hung in Hernando County on August 20,
1886 for murder. Victim is Solomon Taylor, killed on November 4,
1885 with a gun. Sentencing on May 7, 1886. Death warrant file
in state archives. (Box 2)
ROBINSON, Major, (B), hung in Duval County on July 28, 1886 for
rape. Victim is Mary Gadsden, raped on February 11, 1886.
Verdict on May 26, 1886, sentenced on June 12, 1886. Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 2)
HANDY, John, hung on July 15, 1886 for an Alachua County murder.
Victim is Ned Brown, killed with a shotgun on March 4, 1886.
Verdict on May 14, 1886. One day reprieve on June 29, 1886.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 2)
In brief, the condemned die quietly,
at least the ones I have seen pay the
supreme penalty.
| witnessed Florida’s first and second’
quadruple electrocutions and I saw
Franklin Pierce McCall,
Princeton, Florida, kidnapper, die for
the kidnapping of little five-year-old
James Bailey Cash, Jr.
It all began back in that March of
1933 when I served as a legman for an
old Hearst man, Tarleton Collier, then
city editor of the Atlanta Georgian who
handled the Zangara execution for the
International News Service.
From that time on I always happened
to be available and went on assignments
for the Associated Press, United Press,
and the INS.
At the time that I began my death-
house assignments I was a kid working
as a mechanic’s helper in a little garage
in Raiford, a small village of a few hun-
dred persons about a mile from the
Florida State Penitentiary.
Newsmen swarmed the little village
for the Zangara execution and overran
the town’s two rooming-houses. I became
acquainted with Collier because I took
my meals at the house where he had
settled for the duration of his stay, two
days in advance of the Zangara execution.
I had wanted to get into “the game”
some way or another, and so far as I-
know that was the starter. Collier wanted
a boy acquainted with the situation to
understudy: for him. I knew the town,
its people, Superintendent L. F. Chap-
man of the prison, and could borrow a
car for quick transportation to the prison
a mile or so away.
From there on the story tells itself.
I didn’t write a word on the Zangara
“burning,” but I was in there plenty that.
day and came out a seasoned veteran, at
least in my own mind. Collier promised
he’d mention me to the Atlanta INS
bureau for future, and less important
assignments, and he did.
Zangara went to his death in a much
The little flat-top
21-year-old .
building of the prison
which houses the chair and the death-row cells
different manner from those I saw go to
the chair in later years. The little Ger-
man yelled, “Capitalists, lousy capital-
ists,” at the guards that morning when
he asked and was told that no photog-
raphers would be admitted to chronicle
his execution.
He died in the chair for the slaying of
Mayor Anton Cermak of Chicago, who
received mortal bullet wounds from a
cheap, $7.50 pawnshop pistol; bullets the
little man said were intended for the
man who was then President-Elect. He
was indicted by a special Dade County
‘grand jury on February 16th, and was
sentenced on March 9th by Judge Ul
O. Thompson. ;
HERIFF D.C. COLEMAN, who de-
clined to run for re-election in Dade
County (Miami) and who has pushed the
switch to electrocute many of the State’s
best-known criminals, executed Zangara.
When Zangara was seated in the elec-
tric chair he handed Superintendent
Chapman a sheaf of papers with the ex-
planation, “It’s a book I’ve written.”
Chapman said later the contents were:
of no interest and never divulged them,
Zangara caused the greatest commo-
tion of any of the forty-two men I have
seen die. And he caused the commotion
over the lack of photographers to record
his death. His only words after he was
escorted by guards to the chair and seated
were: “No pictures?—capitalists—all
capitalists—lousy bunch crooks!”
An autopsy made by the late Dr. J. J.
Kindred of New York and. eminent
Florida medical men, gave the following
description of Zangara’s condition:
“Zangara had a chronically diseased
gall bladder which had adhesions and
he was therefore a victim of chronic in-
digestion. He was, however, a healthy,
well-nourished individual.
“Zangara’s conduct during his - last
moments in the execution chamber in-
dicated clearly that he had a proper
understanding of his surroundings and
realized fully the nature of the punish-
ment about to be meted out to him as
evidenced by his verbal expression and
demeanor.”
In addition to fatally wounding
Cermak, wild bullets from his pawnshop
pistol injured Mrs, Joe H. Gill of Miami;
~ William Sinnott of New York; Miss
Margaret Kruis of Newark, New Jersey,
and Russell Caldwell of Cocoanut Grove,
Florida. .They all recovered.
Zangara discussed his act only a little
in Miami'before he pleaded guilty or
afterwards. Florida’s Commissioner of ©
Agriculture, Nathan Mayo of Tallahassee, -
asked him on the day of. the execution if
he had the aid of another in his plot to
slay the President-Elect. His reply: :
“No, I have no friends. It was my
own idea.” He had no other explana-
tion and no one was ever successful in
prying out additional information. ~
His only comment on the injuring of
the four persons was: “They had no.
business of getting in my way.”
So, the case of Giuseppe Zangara closed
within ten minutes after he entered the
death chamber at the Raiford prison
farm on that rainy March, 1933, morning.
If he had an (Continued on page 66)
By BEN L. KRERCE
Former City Editor
The News-™emocrat
Tallahassee, Florida
(McCoy and Youmans executed for same crime.)
Tom Williams
Clyde Stover
George Davis
Edgar J. LaVoie
Samuel Johnson
2/6/1914
6/12/1915
10/9/1928
8/20/1956
9/6/1962
ST. JOHNS - (St. Augustine)
Name
"Cracker"
Hannon
Edward Sinclair
Samuel Right
James Walker
James Kirby
Robert Lee
(Kirby and Lee executed for same
Andrew (Sim) Jackson
(Victim Alice Jackson;
Charles Powell
George Hawkins
Latten Parker
Eugene Baxter
Tom White
(Baxter & White hanged
Steve Johnson
Joseph Smith
(William E. Leach,
SARASOTA - Sarasota
Name
Martin Jarvis
Chester F. Dyer
VOLUSIA - (DeLand)
Name
William Gaskins
Irving Hanchett
Henry Richards
Nealey Augusta
Charles Browne
Clayton Bell
Monroe Hasty
Angelo Michael Ciangetti
Wilbur Paul Patterson
Aaron Quince
Jessie Hilton
John Washington,
John Paul Witt
Roy Allen Harich
Edward Dean Kennedy
Jr.
DOE
1/ /1769
9or10/ /1769
8/28/1828
6/12/1837
4/30/1886
8/2/1901
8/2/1901
2/9/1906
Prob.
2/28/1908
7/2/1909
4/30/1911
5/31/1912
5/31/1912
for same crime;
5/31/1912
9/24/1962
convicted Union Co.,
Mur. B B
Mur. B 2W
Mur. B W
Mur. W 2W
Mur. B w*
Crime Race/O Race/V
Mur. ? NA
Mur. W W
Mur. W WwW
Mur. W ?
Mur. B B
Mur. B W
Mur. B W
murder. )
Mur ? ?
wife. & same race.)
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
c. of v.
Mur.
Mur.
rom Duval
SwWmow vow
executed
for same crime.)
DOE
4/11/1935
10/31/1955
DOE
8/1/1889
5/7/1910
2/16/1912
4/27/1923
4/18/1927
1/27/1931
9/16/1935
3/23/1942
3/17/1947
2/7/1949
6/4/1951
6/4/1951
3/6/1985
4/24/1991
7/21/1992
Crime Race/O
Mur. W
Mur. W
Crime Race/O
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
Mur.
wDEawWwnndtsinwnstowsaw
)
Race/V
2W
W
Race/V
HELGOLALSRLE AH LEH
N
heaven", Palm Beach Post, May 13, 1992, p. 1; Jim Ross, "Martin
dies in electric chair," St. Petersburg Times, May 13, 1992, p.
6B; David Greenberg, "Final words affirm sanity", Gainesville
Sun, May 13, 1992; and "Martin executed", Tallahassee Democrat,
May 13, 1992, p. 4C.
FRANCIS, Bobby, (B), 46, electrocuted on June 25, 1991 for the
August 16, 1975 torture/murder of a Key West (Monroe County)
police drug informant, Titus Walters. Francis v. State, 413
So.2d 1175 (Fla. 1982); Francis v. State, 473 So.2d 672 (Fla.
1985). See Chris Lavin, "Florida executes killer", St.
Petersburg Times, June 26, 1991, p. 1A and "State executes
Francis for 1975 torture-slaying", Tallahassee Democrat, June 26,
1991, p. 4B.
HARICH, Roy, (W), electrocuted on April 24, 1991 for a Volusia
County murder. The victim is a teenaged girl, Carlene Kelley,
while a second teenaged girl, Deborah Miller, miraculously
survives the shooting attack. Harich is 22 at the time. 9-3
jury death rec. See Harich v. State, 437 So.2d 1082 (Fla. 1983),
cert. denied, 465 U.S. 1051 (1984); Harich v. State, 484 So.2a
1239 (Fla. 1986); Harich v. Wainwright, 484 So.2da 1237 (Fla.
1986), cert. denied, 476 U.S. 1178 (1986); Harich v. Dugger, 844
F.2d 1464 (11th cir. 1988), cert. denied, 489 U.S. 1071 (1989);
Harich v. State, 542 So.2d 980 (Fla. 1989); and Harich v. State,
573 So.2d 303 (Fla. 1990).
CLARK, Raymond R., (W), 49, electrocuted on November 19, 1990
for a Pinellas County murder. The victim was Pinellas County
scrap-yard owner David Drake (W), murdered on April 27, 1977
during a kidnapping and robbery. Drake is shot twice in the back
of the head after being forced to write a $5,000 check to "cash".
Clark was 34 at the time, his 17-year-old homosexual companion Ty
Johnson is a codefendant, testifying against him. See Clark v.
State, 379 So.2d 97 (Fla. 1979) and "Convicted killer executed",
Tallahassee Democrat, November 20, 1990.
HAMBLEN, James W., (W), electrocuted on September 21, 1990, for a
Duval County murder. Victim is Laureen Jean Edwards (W), shot
once in the back of the head during a robbery of a Jacksonville
boutique. Hamblen plead guilty, waived his right to a penalty
phase jury, and asked for the death penalty. See Hamblen v.
State, 527 So.2d 800 (Fla. 1988).
BERTOLOTTI, Anthony, (B), 38, electrocuted on July 27, 1990 for
an Orange County murder. He murdered Carol Miller Ward (W), 46,
in her home on September 27, 1983 and was convicted in 1984. She
was raped, beaten, and stabbed with two knives in the course of a
$30 robbery. He was schizophrenic. Bertolotti v. State, 476
So.2d 130 (Fla. 1985). See Charles Holmes, "Inmate executed
after court rules chair working properly", Palm Beach Post, July
28, 1990, p. 13A; Robin Lowenthal, "Florida killer executed after
2
new ruling on chair", Florida Times-Union, July 28, 1990; Bob
Levenson, "No problem at Bertolotti execution", Orlando Sentinel,
July 28, 1990; Ellen McGarrahan, "Florida killer executed; chair
operates properly", Miami Herald, July 28, 1990, p. 1A.
TAFERO, Jessie Joseph, (W), 43, was electrocuted on May 4, 1990
for the murder of Phillip Black (W), 39, an FHP trooper, and
Donald Irwin (W), 39, a visiting Canadian constable, on February
20, 1976 in Broward County. Codefendants were Sonya Jacobs and
Walter Rhodes Jr. Rhodes testified for the state and received
three life sentences; Jacobs received a death sentence which was
later reduced to life and still later reduced to a term of years.
She was released from prison in 1992. Tafero v. State, 403 So.2d
355 (Fla. 1981). See Stephen Trombley, The Execution Protocol:
Inside America’s Capital Punishment Industry, New York: Crown
Publishers, 1992, pages 44-70, and "Killer of 2 Police Officers
14 Years Ago Is Executed in Florida", New York Times, May 5,
1990.
ADAMS, Aubrey, (W), was electrocuted on May 4, 1989 for a murder
in Marion County. Victim is an 8-year-old white Ocala girl.
She disappears on January 28, 1978, and her body is found on
March 15, 1978. She died of "manual suffocation", apparently the
day she was abducted. See Adams v. State, 412 So.2d 850 (Fla.
1982).
BUNDY, Ted, (W), was electrocuted on January 14, 1989 for the
Lake County murder of 12-year-old Kimblerly Leach (W) of Lake
City. He had two other death sentences pending in Leon County
for the murder of two white FSU sorority girls. On the Lake City
case see Bundy v. State, 471 So.2d 9 (Fla. 1985); on the
Tallahassee case see Bundy v. State, 455 So.2d 330 (Fla. 1984).
DAUGHERTY, Jeffrey Joseph, (W), was electrocuted on November 7,
1988 for a Brevard County murder. Victim is Lavonne Patricia
Sailer (W), a hitchhiker shot five times with a .22 pistol on
March 1, 1976. His codefendant is Bonnie Heath. He also killed
Carmen Abrams during a convenience store robbery. See Daugherty
v. State, 419 So.2d 1067 (Fla. 1982).
DARDEN, Willie, (B), was electrocuted on March 15, 1988 fora
Polk County murder. He shows up on many scholarly lists as
having been innocent. Carl Turman (W) was shot and killed during
a September 8, 1973 hold-up of his Citrus County furniture store;
a neighbor’s boy was wounded. See Darden v. State, 329 So.2d 287
(Fla. 1976).
WHITE, Beauford, (B), was electrocuted on August 28, 1987 for a
Dade County murder. A July 27, 1977 home invasion by four men
looking for drugs and money. Eight people shot execution style,
six of them die, all are black. See White v. State, 403 So.2da
331 (Fla. 1981).
Florida Executions List
Compiled by Ken Driggs
P.O. Box 489
Austin, Texas 78768
Home: (512)
The Texas Resource Center:
(512) 320-8300
(512) 477-2153 FAX
Last Revision: March 16, 1993
On memu as LIST.
NOTE: IN the state archives the death warrant files are at Record
Group 156, Location 20489, Series 12: Box 18 (1933-36); Box 19
(1936-37) ; Box 23 (1943-44); Box 24 (1944-45); Box 25 (1946-47);
Box 26 (1947-48); Box 27 (1949). The death warrant books are at
Box 41 (1896-1923), 42 (1924-48), and 43 (1949-65). Pardon Board
materials are at Location 10703-12, Series 443.
See: Ken Driggs, "’A Current of Electricity Sufficient in
Intensity to Cause Immediate Death’: A Pre-Furman History of
Florida’s Electric Chair." Stetson Law Review, (Summer 1993):
KENNEDY, Edward Dean, (B), 47, was electrocuted on July 21, 1992
for the April 11, 1981 murders in Baldwin (Duval County) of Floyd
Cone Jr. (W) and FHP Trooper Bob McDermon (W) during an escape
from Union Correctional Institution. He had been serving a life
sentence for a 1978 Dade County murder. See Kennedy v. State,
455 So.2d 351 (Fla. 1984); Kennedy v. Singletary, 599 So.2d 991
(Fla. 1992); Kennedy v. Singletary, 967 F.2d 1482 (11th Cir.
1992); Larry Schnell, "Kennedy’s execution carried out", Florida
Times-Union, July 22, 1992, p. 1; David Greenberg, "Kennedy dies
in electric chair," Gainesville Sun, July 22, 1992, p. 4B; Ron
Wood, "Killer seeks forgiveness before dying in the chair",
Tallahassee Democrat, July 22, 1992, p. 4B; and "Florida Executes
Man Who Killed 2", New York Times, July 22, 1992, p. AQ.
MARTIN, Nollie Lee, (W), 43, electrocuted on May 12, 1992 for the
1977 murder of 19-year-old Patricia Greenfield (W) in Palm Beach
County. He had just been paroled from a North Carolina prison
for the murder of three people through arson. See: Martin v.
State, 420 So.2d 583 (Fla. 1982); Martin v. Singletary, 599 So.2da
119 (Fla. 1992); Candy Hatcher, "Killer says he’1ll see victim in
1
—-A BIE 3 CHARACTERISTICS OF KILLERS, CONVICTION CHARGE, SENTENCE,
AND TIME SERVED OF KILLERS IN DADE CASES WHERE KILLER
CHARGED WITH MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE
Race of Initial
Year Case Name of Killer Age Killer/V Charge Conv. Sent. Served
1916 07-09 Frank Rice 27 WM-WM Murd 1 Murd 1 Life 9 years
1916 07-09 Hugh Alderman 23 WM-WM Murd 1 Murd 2 Life 63 years
1925 13 Walter Valiton 19 WM-WM Murd 1 Murd 1 Life 15 years
1928 17 Charles E. Haynes 27 WM-WM Murd 1 Mansl. Uknown
1928 18 Howard Beck 22 WM-WM Murd 1 Murd 1 Life 32 years
1933 22 Leo Zalutsky 21 WM-WM Murd 1 Murd 1 Life 25 years
1938 25 Fritzell McLaren 32 BM-WM Murd 1 Murd 1 Death Executed
1941 28 Byrdl Hudgins 22 WM-WM Murd 1 Murd 1 Death Executed
1946 29 Leroy Strachan 62 BM-BM Murd 1 Mansl. 2 yrs 2 years
1951 32 Harris Mullis 22 WM-wM Murd 1 Murd 1 Death Com-37 yrs
1952 35 David D. Carroll 27 WM-WM Murd 1 Murd 2 99 yr 37 years
1953 36 Percy Armbrister 23 BM-WM Murd 1 Murd 1 Death Executed
1953 36 George Anderson 31 BM-WM Murd 1 Murd 1 Death Executed
1953: 36 Richard Floyd 23 BM-WM Murd 1 Murd 1 Death Com-15 yrs
1957 38 Norman Mackiewicz 32 WM-WM Murd 1 Murd 1 Death Executed
1962 44 Willie E. Lawrence 30 BM-BM Murd 1 Murd 1 Life 30 years
1962 44 Gerald Fisherman 30 BM-BM Murd 1 Murd 1 Life 16 years
1964 45 Lloyd Astey Cuff 36 BM-wWM Murd 1 Incomp Deported to Jamaica
1969 50 Jesse James Gavin 22 BM-wWM Murd 1 Murd 1 Life Still .inear
970 51 Willie M. Garrett 26 BM-WM Murd 1 Incomp Civil Commitment
1972 54 Raymond Bradley 17 BM-wWM Murd 1 Murd 1 Life Stiil incar
1974 56 Sam Smith, Jr. 33 BM-BM Murd 1 Murd 2 Life Still incar
1977 60 F. Cardenas-Casanova30 HM-wM Murd 1 Murd 1 Life Still incar
1978 61 Manuel A. Valle 27. HM-HM Murd 1 Murd 1 Death On Death Row
1978 63 Lester R. Enriquez 15 HM-WM Murd 1 Murd 1 Life Still incar
1980 66 Thomas Jerome Hicks 18 BM-WM Murd 1 Murd 2 Life Still incar
1980 66 Freddy Brown 17 BM-WM Murd 1 Murd 2 Life Still incar
1980 66 Terrance Pittman 16 BM-WM Murd 1 Murd 2 4 yrs 2 years
1980 66 Frankie L. Faniel 18 BM-WM Murd 1 Murd 2 4 yrs 2 years
1980 67 Lonnie James Walker 32 BM-WM Murd 1 Murd 2 Life Still incar
1981 68 Robert Patten 24 WM-BM Murd 1 Murd 1 Death On Death kow
1982 70 Robert Reholga Mack 24 BM-WM Murd 1 Murd 1 Life Still inear
1982 70 Dwight R Echevarria 22 HM-WM Murd 1 Murd 1 Life Still incar
1982 71 Harry F. Phillips 37 BM-wWM Murd 1 Murd 1 Death On Death Row
1982 72 Mario C. Simon 41 HM-HM Fd-M-1 Fd-M-1 Lifet+50 In F. Prison
1982 72 Augustin D. Alvarez 41 HM-HM Fd-M~-1 Fd-M-1 30 yrs. In F. Prison
1983 73 Eduardo Jaime Rouco 31 HM-HM Fd-M-1 Fd-M-2 Life In F. Prison
1983 75 Allan Jerome Price 24 BM-wM Murd 1 Murd 1 Life Still incar
1984 76 Andres G. Marrero 27 HM-WM Murd 1 JIncomp ~-~-~-~- Still Hosp.
1986 81 Derek Newton Thomas 22 BM-BM Murd 1 Murd 1 Life Still incar
1986 84 Samuel Rivera 22 HM-HM Murd 1 Murd 1 Death On Death Row
1986 86 Douglas M. Escobar 29 HM-HM Murd 1 Murd 1 Death On Death Row
1986 86 Dennis J. Escobar 28 HM-HM Murd 1 Murd 1 Death On Death Row
Table 3 (continued)
Name of Killer
Freddy T. Andrade
Fexix DelaHoz
Charles Street
Michael A. Griffin
Merrit Alonzo Sims
Ricardo Gonzalez
Pablo San Martin
Leonardo Franqui
Fernando Fernandez
Pablo Abreu
Age
23
37
34
20
24
2d
24
21
19
38
Race of Initial
Killer/V Charge Conv.
a
Murd 1
Pending
Pending
Pending
Pending
Pending
Pending
Sent.
Life
Life
Death
Death
Still incear
Still incear
On Death Row
On Death Row
iS
TABLE 2 TYPE OF CIRCUMSTANCES IN 95 POLICE OFFICER LINE OF DUTY
DEATHS IN DADE COUNTY, 1895-1992
Appehending Suspects (26) 27%
01-McGregor (1895) Member of posse killed by fugitive being pursued
05-Riblet (1915) Cop killed as approached fleeing killer of jailer
07-Henderson (1916) Member of posse ambushed by fleeing bank robbers
08-Henderson (1916) Member of posse ambushed by fleeing bank robbers
09-Williams (1916) Member of posse ambushed by fleeing bank robbers
13-Wever (1925) Shot by robbers he was escorting to police station
15-Morris (1927) Shot attempting to apprehend man who had shot 6 people
18-Beardon (1928) Shot in attempt to arrest two auto thieves
23-Jester (1933) Shot in downtown shootout by two fugitive bank robbers
35-Brantley (1952) Shot in attempt to arrest man for a bar shooting
36-Fritz (1953) Shot by three fleeing armed robbers
50-McLeod (1969) Shot as pursued a fleeing armed robber
59-D’Azevedo (1976) Shot as chased man who had shot two fellow officers
64-Askew (1979) Died of heart attack after chase of two auto thieves
65-Cook (1979) Shot as tried to arrest a man who had shot two women
68-Broom (1981) Shot as he chased a traffic violator down an alley
72-Rios (1982) Shot during failed drug sting in motel room
73-Benitez (1983) Shot trying to arrest man in undercover drug sting
75-Zore (1983) Shot near Dadeland as tried to arrest robbery suspect
76-Kramer (1984) Shot as tried to arrest crazy homeless man
79-Grogan (1986) Shot trying to arrest two robbers in Sunniland shootout
80-Dove (1986) Shot trying to arrest two robbers in Sunniland shootout
84-Miyares (1986) Shot trying to arrest robbery suspect in mall
88-Rakow (1988) Shot chasing drug sting suspect
89-Boles (1988) Shot by man in arrest attempt after street encounter
90-Strzalkowski (1988) Shot in arrest attempt after street encounter
During Investigation (13) 143%
12-Bryant (1923) Shot in struggle with suspect in rooming house
17-Beckham (1928) Shot as exited vehicle to investigate bootlegger
33-LaFleur (1951) Shot during investigation of man sleeping in truck
38-Staab (1957) Shot by suspected hotel prowler
49-Stathers (1967) Shot investigating night prowler near residence
51-Lane (1970) Shot when stopped 3 men during burglary investigation
54-DeKorte (1972) Shot by robbers as answered robbery call
55-Crenshaw (1974) Shot by occupant of car he stopped for questioning
57-Hodges (1976) Shot at motel during investigation of stolen car
58-Curlette (1976) Shot at motel during investigation of stolen car
81-Brown (1986) Shot during stuggle with drug suspect in parking lot
85-Schulz (1987) Stabbed by gang of juveniles he stopped outside movie
92-Martin (1990) Shot by man in car stopped for suspicion of burglary
During Robbery (3) 3%
66-Terrinoni (1980) Shot during robbery in Dadeland parking lot
70-Seiden (1982) Shot by robber as she exited car at her condo
95-Bauer (1992) Shot as escorted two bank tellers to outside station
11
Table 2 (continued)
Auto Accident (13) 14%
22-Brubaker (1933) Motorcycle hit by car enroute to burglary call
26-Baldwin (1940) Cruiser hit curb and hit pole, breaking officer’s neck
27-Thompson (1941) Thrown from motorcycle when hit by power line
31-Wichman (1948) Crushed by pole that fell as truck attempted to park
34-Brigman (1951) Thrown from cruiser & crushed when hit by car
39-Stephens (1957) Hit by car making illegal turn as escorted H.S. team
41-Tribble (1958) Motorcycle sturck by car as he escorted ambulance
42-Christman (1960) Enroute to call, crashed into pole to avoid car
46-Bender (1965) Struck by taxi as directed traffic at roadblock
47-Becker (1966) Killed in auto accident while enroute to call
62-Barnett (1978) Struck as stood on road talking to driver he stopped
69-Young (1981) Auto accident as sped to armed robbery in progress call
74-Corbett (1983) Struck as he was setting out flares on I-95
Accidental Shooting (3) 3%
11-Marler (1921) Shot by deputy during manhunt for robber/killer
16-Johnson (1927) Accidently shot by friend during attempt to kill a dog
30-Young (1947) Shot by 2nd officer during chase of burglary suspects
Poisoning (2) 23%
83-Herring (1986) Died of carbon monoxide poisoning while in cruiser
93-Leis (1991) Died of carbon monoxide poisoning after ship rescue
13
SPRIGHT, Andrew, hung on May 17, 1872 for a Marion County murder.
Codefendants are Robert Brown and Moses Green, apparently hung at
the same time. Verdict on March 27, 1872, sentenced on March 30,
1872. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 1)
GREEN, Moses, hung on May _17, 1872 for a Marion County murder.
Codefendants are Robert Brown and Andrew Spright, apparently hung
at the same time. Verdict on March 27, 1872, sentenced on March
30, 1872. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 1)
BROWN, Robert, hung on May 17, 1872 for a Marion County murder.
Codefendants are Moses Green and Andrew Spright, apparently they
are hung at the same time. Verdict on March 27, 1872, sentenced
on March 30, 1872. (Box 1)
SCOTT, William C., hung on October 27, 1871 for a Duval County
murder. Codefendant is James H. Scott, convicted of third degree
murder. Verdict and sentence on July 26, 1871. Death warrant
file in state archives. (Box 1)
FREEMAN, John W. hung on November 19, 1869 for a Santa Rosa
County murder. The victim is Andrew J. "Jack" Miller, killed on
May 15, 1868, in his field, apparently with a shotgun, and is
later discovered by his wife. Freeman is represented by John
Charir. Verdict on Saturday, October 10, 1869 and sentence on
Tuesday, October 19, 1869. Death warrant file in the archives
contains a detailed, handwritten summary of the trial testimony.
(Box 1)
WOODS, Turner, hung on July 3, 1869 for a Madison County murder.
Victim is Jacob Davis, shot to death on June 10, 1868.
Sentenced to death on December 12, 1868. FSC appeal shown in the
file but nothing in the Florida Reporters. The doctor at the
execution writes "That he did hang 30 minutes" before being
pronounced dead. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box
1)
REGISTER, Guilford, (W), 18, hung on April 19, 1867 in Putnam
County for murder. The victim was William B. Stevens, who was
sheriff/tax assessor/tax collector, killed during a robbery.
From Watt Espy’s files.
CELIA, (B), hung in Duval County on September 22, 1848 "at high
noon" for the stabbing murder of her slave owner Jacob Bryan.
Apparently he had mistreated her and she stabbed him in the
struggle. She was convicted of second degree murder, sentenced
on 8/11/1848, but local citizens petitioned the governor to
commute her sentence. There is no appeal on her behalf in
Florida Reports. See Richard A. Martin, "Jacksonville woman’s
execution among earliest", Florida Times-Union, May 5, 1989.
69
DONICA, Benjamin, (W), hung on June 20, 1827 in Pensacola for
murder. The victim is Major Sauder Donaho, his commanding
officer, of the Fourth Regiment United States Infantry. See The
Courier (Charleston, SC), July 7, 1927:"PENSACOLA, June 22, 1827
- EXECUTION - Benjamin Donica, late a soldier of the United
States Army, who was condemned to death at the last term of the
Superior Court of this district, for the murder of Major Saunders
Donoho in July last, was hung near this City on Wednesday last,
the 20th of June, 1927. We understand that he acknowledged that
he suffered justly; although he persisted to the last that he did
not himself commit the deed, but said that he procured it to be
done." From Watt Espy’s files which reproduce a few other
newspaper articles on it.
Possible But Unconfirmed Executions
AMMONS, John, sentenced to hang on a Holmes County murder. The
victim is Samuel McQuage, shot, beaten, and stabbed on September
7, 1858. Changes of venue to Jackson and then to Calhoun
Counties. FSC affirms. Ammons v. State, 9 Fla. 530 (Fla. 1861).
ANDERSON, Robert, sentenced to hang for a Hillsborough County
murder. His death warrant sets execution for November 22, 1912,
but no further action is shown. (Box 41, page 154)
BAXTER, Eugene, aka Eugene Nelson, convicted of murder in St.
Johns County on April 27, 1912 with sentencing on May 3, 1912.
Victim is Simon Silverstein, beaten to death with a 27 inch iron
bar on March 3, 1912. Codefendants are Tena Baxter and Mattie
Scruggins. The women are severed out on a motion from the state.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 7)
BAYLIS, Percy, death warrant sets his hanging for February 23,
1923, but a handwritten note says "Granted reprieve by governor."
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 7)
BLACKWELL, Will, convicted on December 27, 1918 and sentenced to
hang the next day for an Okaloosa County murder. Codefendant was
his brother Robert Blackwell who was hung on July 23, 1920.
Victims were M.M. Davis and his wife Nancy Davis, shot with a
pistol on May 7, 1917 (possibly March 21, 1917). First convicted
and sentenced on July 2, 1917, but reversed. Blackwell (Robert &
Will) v. State, 76 Fla. 124, 79 So. 731 (Fla. 1918). After
retrial in Bay County the convictions and death sentences were
affirmed. Blackwell (Robert & Will) v. State, 79 Fla. 709 (Fla.
1920).
BROWN, Lige, a codefendant of Fortune and Cain Perry who were
both hung on September 27, 1912 for an Alachua County murder.
The victim was Charlie Slaughter, shot with a pistol on May 11,
70
—
SIMON, John, aka Simon Robinson, hung on May 24, 1878 for an
Escambia County rape. The victim is a child under ten, Louisa
Lorrey or Sorrey Lawson, raped on March 10, 1878. Verdict on
April 4, 1878, sentenced the next day. Death warrant files in
the state archives. (Box 1)
RAWLS, James, hung for a Levy County murder on March 1, 1878.
The victim is Thomas McNair, shot on October 27, 1877. Trial is
held in Gainesville. Verdict on December 4, 1877 and sentence on
December 7, 1877. Death warrant file in the state archives
includes a summary of trial testimony. (Box 1)
MEEKS, John, hung in Suwanee County for murder sometime in 1878.
(The return on his death warrant only says he was hung, does not
give a date.) He was sentenced on Thursday, February 21, 1878.
(Box 1)
BROWN, Lloyd or Leloyd, hung in Duval County for murder on
February 4, 1876. Victim is Elsie Brown, her throat cut with a
knife on August 14, 1875. Convicted and sentenced on December
15, 1875. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 1)
MONROE, James, hung on May 21, 1875 in Alachua County for murder.
The victim is Mary Smith, shot on August 11, 1872. Convicted on
April 5, 1872 and sentenced the next day. Death warrant file in
the state archives. (Box 1)
JOHNSON, Jack, hung for a Duval County murder on March 6, 1875.
The victim is William Moses, shot with a pistol on July 1, 1874.
Verdict on November 27, 1874, sentenced on December 30, 1874.
Hung by Sheriff John L. Driggs. Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 1)
KEEN, William, hung on February 27, 1874 for a Duval County
murder. Victim is William Vanentine, killed with a shotgun on
November 1, 1873. Convicted on December 9, 1873, sentenced on
December 29, 1873. Death warrant file in state archives. (Box
1)
HUGHES, Lemuel, hung in Hernando County on December 26, 1873 for
murder. Victim is Dennis Mayo, shot on September 2, 1873. Death
warrant file in state archives contains a summary of trial
testimony from October 1873. (Box 1)
MORRIS, Marshall, hung in Jefferson County for murder on February
21, 1873. Victim is John Jones, killed with an axe on March 13,
1872. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 1)
JACKSON, Jason, (B), hung on December 27, 1872 for a Nassau
County murder. He is convicted and sentenced on November 16,
1872. Death warrant file in the state archives contains very
little information. (Box 1)
68
1912. Brown receives a death sentence too. (See Box 7 on the
Fortune brothers.)
BUSH, John, sentenced to hang on December 19, 1884, for a Leon
County murder. The victim is William Hughes, killed with a gun
on January 11, 1884. Codefendant is Ellen Bush, probably his
wife. No trial transcript but there is a lengthy summary of
testimony. No death warrant or return. Death warrant file in
the state archives. (Box 2)
CALDWELL, George, convicted on a Leon County murder on January
20, 1905 and sentenced the next day. Codefendants are Isham
Edwards and Nelson Larkins for the September 4, 1904 shotgun
murder of N.W. Epps. Larkins is hung on April 12, 1906 and
Edwards on November 3, 1905. A letter dated May 9, 1906 in
another part of the file indicates the governor revoked Caldwell
and Larkins’ death warrants. See Caldwell and Larkins v. State,
50 Fla. 4, 39 So. 188 (Fla. 1905) affirming the conviction and
death sentence. Death warrant file in the state archives, but no
return showing a completed execution. (Box 4; Box 41, page 82)
COLLINS, Noble, sentenced to hang for a Lake County murder.
Victim is Julia Sharp, shot with a pistol on April 25, 1905, dies
the next day. Collins is convicted on October 4, 1905 and
sentenced on October 6, 1905. A death warrant is issued but them
withdrawn with no further result show. Death warrant file in the
state archives. (Box 4; Box 41, page 78)
COOPER, Isaiah E., sentenced to hang for a DeSoto County murder.
Victim is John H. Bowman, killed with a gun on January 29, 1903.
It looks like at least three death warrants have been signed but
no execution. Two death warrant files in the state archives
contain warrants, one with a note on the back saying it was
withdrawn on August 5, 1904. (Box 4; Box 41, pages 66, 73, 81)
COVINGTON, Archie, sentenced to hang for a Duval County murder.
The victim was James Williams, murdered on August 10, 1900.
Covington’s lawyer is I.L. Farris. Death warrant sets his
execution for September 11, 1903, but no final action shown. See
"Covington Will Not Hang Friday," Tampa Tribune, September 10,
1903, page 8. (Box 41, page 58)
DAVIS, Arthur, sentenced to hang for the Volusia County murder of
J.E. Higginbotham on October 21, 1925. His conviction and death
sentence are affirmed at Davis v. State, 95 Fla. 259, 116 So. 226
(Fla. 1928). I do not find a death warrant file on him in the
state archives.
DUGGAN, James, sentenced to hang for a Jackson County murder.
The victim is William Wallace. Affirmed in a short FSC opinion:
Duggan v. State, 9 Fla. 516 (Fla. 1861).
71
ABSTRACT:
A total of 95 law enforcement officers from 20 different agencies
have been killed in the line of duty in Dade County, FL, since 1895.
This research examined newspaper articles and police, court, medical
examiner and prison records to determine the characteristics of victims,
offenders and homicide events along with the sentence and time served of
"cop killers." Particular attention is given to the race/ethnicity of
killers and victims and the relationship of race/ethnicity to disposi-
tion. Estimates of Dade police homicide victimization rates over the
100 year period are given. Police victimization rates are estimated for
the 1980’s for both Dade and the U.S. and compared to rates for citizen
"look-alikes" by sex, race and age. (The paper summarizes research to
be included in a forthcoming book, Police Officers Killed in Dade
County, FL, 1895-1992.)
VICTIM AND EVENT CHARACTERISTICS:
A total of 95 Dade County law enforcement officers have been killed
in the line of duty since 1895. This total includes accidents (e.g.,
auto crashes) as well as homicides (e.g., shootings, stabbings) that
occurred while on duty and excludes death by natural cause (even if on
duty), and homicides occurring off-duty. This definition is basically
the same as that used by the FBI in its collection and publication of
national data on police homicides (1); by Dade County in determining
which officers to include in its roll call of officers killed on duty;
and by the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., where
over 12,000 names of slain officers from across the U.S. since 1794 are
inscribed.(2) This list does include one exception---Thomas Svenson was
a FL Probation & Parole supervisor who was assassinated by a disgruntled
parolee and thus not a "police officer" but was included since his death
was due to his law enforcement role.
Table 1 presents an overview of the 95 Dade cases by case number,
year of occurrence, agency, name of officer, race/sex of officer,
killers identified by race/sex, and disposition. The City of Miami had
31 cases; Metro-Dade, 28 cases; Coral Gables, 8; Florida Highway Patrol,
4; Miami Beach, 3; the FBI, A.T.F., Hialeah, N. Miami, Homestead, Bal
Harbour, and Dania (part of Dade County until 1915), 2; and S. Miami,
Opa Locka, Miami Springs, West Miami, Sweetwater, FL Probation & Parole,
and U.S. Customs, 1.
All but one of the 95 victims were male. In terms of race/sex, 77
were Anglo males; 11 were Black males, 6 were Hispanic males, and 1 was
an Anglo female. A total of 64 of the 95 victims were shot; 25 were
killed in auto/motorcycle accidents; 2 were poisoned; 1 was stabbed, 1
was kicked, 1 drowned and 1 died of a heart attack after a chase.
Table 2 categorizes the circumstances under which the 95 officers
died. Twenty-six (27%) of the 95 officers were killed "apprehending
suspects;" 13 (14%) "during investigations;" 13 (14%) via “auto acci-
dents;" 9 (9%) “during pursuit;" 8 (8%) "during traffic stop;" 5 (534)
2
Sherman Davis, hanged Hernando County on August 12, 1886 for murder
of Solomon Taylor on November 4, 1885.
Enoch Carter, hanged Orange County March 12, 1887 for murder of
L. D. Beasley on December 24, 1885.
we Se
Levy Peterson, hanged Marion County on July 9, 1887, for murder of
Reuben H. Stark on Feb. 19, 1887.
Alexander Jones, (Cr., hanged Tallahassee on April 28, 1888 for
murder of George Cuthbert
Rivers Love, hanged Madison County April 12, 1890 for murder of
Thomas M. Braswell on March 27, 1889
Richard White, hanged Tallahassee
George Hudson on January 22, 1888.
Watt Armstrong, hanged Quincy on May 5, 1891 for murder of Charles
Armstead on December 12, 1890.
Daniel Killens (aka Williams), hanged January 21, 1892 for murder
of Margaret Welton on February 1, 1888 Killens and victim both
blacks (9 Southern 711)
John Tharp, hanged Apalachicola on August 13, 1892 for murder of
George Knight on August 13, 1892.
Johnnie Williams (aka Ben Lattimore), hanged Marion County on
January 25, 1894. Williams black and victim, N. A. Chandler, who
he killed on January 9, 1892 and victim white. (13 Southern
834).
Jerry Olive hanged Jackson County on September 19, 1894 for murder
of Molly Olive on July 21, 1891; convicted Nov. 17, 1893. (15
Southern 925.)
This is the first chance that I have had to work on these and this
gets the new ones for which I was unable to find any news coverage
down to 1900. As you will notice, these warrants die not indicate
races and that, of course, one of the most important factors
Most of them did give the date of the crime and the name of the
victim. Need any articles on executions, crimes or any other
pertinent data that might be turned up. No rush. Will get the
20th century ones to you when I get a chance to work on then
December 6, 1991.
Dear Mike:
Information needed on following new executions confirmed on
research into death warrant files at Florida State Archives.
Am giving what sketchy information I have on these and would
appreciate anything that you or a student might turn up on
any or all of these:
Turner Woods hanged in Madison County on July 3, 1869 for the
murder of Jacob Davis on June 18, 1868.
John W. Freeman hanged in Santa Rosa County on May 15, 1869
for the murder of Andrew J. Miller on May 15, 1868.
Robert Brown, Moses Greene and Andrew Spright, all hanged Madi-
son County on May 17, 1872 for murder.
Jason Jackson, hanged Nassau County on Dec. 27, 1872 for mur-
der.
Marshall Morris, hanged Jefferson County on Feb ruary 11, 1873 for
murder of John Jones on March 12, 1871.
Lemuel Hughes, hanged Hernando oe on December 26, 1873 for the
murder of Dennis Mayo on Septem
James Rawls, hanged Levy County on March 1, 1878, for murder of
Thomas McNair in Alachua County on October 27, 1877
Wiley Smith, hanged Hamilton County on January 7, 1880 for murder.
Mack Hendricks, hanged Madison County on May 26, 1880 for murder
of Solomon Woodfield on March 10.
Henry Stokes, hanged Orange County for murder of Lovely Glisson
on March 23, 1880.
ptember 16, 1881 for
@
Morris Metzger, hanged Broward County on S
murder.
Joe Williams, hanged Holmes County on December 19, 1884, for
murder.
Noah Taylor, hanged Marion County on January 2, 1885, for May
12, 1884 murder of Jake C. Gramlin.
Major Robinson, hanged in Jacksonville, July 31, 1886 for rape.
‘
Facing the
When Florida had no ya
te Ase
Fas.
Sheriffs were requir fd bo
On October 7, 1924, Frank Johnson, alias Luther
Dorrill, was taken from a holding cell at the
Florida State Prison and, in the company of the ¢
warden, a minister, and several guards, escorted ge
the few feet separating his holding cell from _. Of,
the death chamber. Within four minutes, , LG a
the condemned man was strapped 3 oo
into the recently constructed electric ea ee i io
chair, an electric charge was sent
through his body, and he was
pronounced dead by the attend- x
fo L4F EE Fa
ess 2
ing physician. hyp 4 By Wali R. Kharif, Ph.D.
Johnson’s death had a two- a
fold significance. On the one #:
‘Z
hand, he was the first person |! a This is the beginning of a three- ‘
part article reviewing the appli-
cation of the death sentence by
hanging in Florida prior to the Ale
use of the electric chair. “It makes °°“:
a subtle argument,” says the
* author, “that in spite of whatever f re
we may believe today regarding
the death penalty, in many
ways electrocution is much
more merciful than the
practice of public
executed i in the Florida elec- 4 sf
tric chair. Secondly, his i. fs
death brought to an end the
cruel, if not unusual, practice ;
of execution by hanging in
the state.
Prior to Johnson’s elec-
trocution, Florida law direct-
ed that the “punishment of ‘
death ... in all cases be inflicted ™4:
by hanging the convict by the Aer
neck until he be dead ... within the .e a tee
walls or enclosure of the jail or prison 4.4 An
where the prisoner may be confined.” wh og
Unlike some states which had per-
manent death chambers, prior to 1924 legal
executions in Florida were carried out in the
counties where the crimes had occurred and under
the direction of local sheriffs. In some cases the coun-
ty sheriffs were the executioners. This failure to have
a designated death chamber and an official state ex-
ecutioner also meant that the degree of profession-
alism in inflicting death varied within the state.
Many gallows were makeshift structures hastily
constructed a few days before the scheduled hangings.
The platform used for the Jacksonville execution of
Harrison Carter was constructed of heavy, well
braced lumber. It was about seven feet above the
ground, and was reached by a flight of stairs. The
hanging rope was tied to the cross beam and the noose
9
7
OATHS SAND pS A ITER RII RRR ARATI SI TNC
TAMER
an
Nak ats chasse tien
Bh
fis AN
ts yds #2, Walker in St. Augustine was constructed in such
Si
hung down to within about six feet of the scaf-
A fold. The mechanism used in hanging James
* a manner that “he stood upon a trap door in
“SV, the center of the scaffold, which was sup-
: ? ported from helow by an upright beam
—™, to the foot of which was attached a
sss rope conducted to the outside of the
enclosure.”
4, On several occasions the doomed
<i &men were inflicted with unneces-
c.f sary pain and suffering,
which may be attributed to
poorly constructed gallows
as well as to inadequate
training of the executioner
in the fine art of hanging
or “neck breaking”.
Pie Men were executed by
¥! A hanging in Florida as early
as the territorial days. How-
é ever, antebellum, civil war
wtvgand post-Civil War records as
a whole are incomplete.
Official accounts of execu-
tions since 1869 are more com-
f plete, in spite of some apparently
¥ lost records, and this is one reason
for using that year as a beginning
point. Between 1869 and 1924, no
Se fewer than 223 legal hangings occurred
in Florida. The greatest number of executions
were for murder (203), not including a single acces-
sory to murder. The remaining nineteen wereexecuted
for rapes. All of the condemned prisoners were
men. Interestingly, there is no account of a
woman being executed in Florida either before or after
installation of the electric chair.
In most instances, the death warrants and the at-
tached trial record did not contain racial descriptions
of the prisoners. However, in several cases the prison-
ers’ identities and races were confirmed by using
newspaper accounts and court transcripts. Available
information indicated that about 90 percent of those.
legally hanged in Florida were blacks. Seventy-eight
THE SHERIFF'S STAR
Vol.
20 eG
Pa ie
oe es
is on May 23, 1946. See Maxwell and Ferguson v. State, 158 Fla.
345, 28 So.2d 427 (Fla. 1947). Death warrant file in the state
archives contains’a full trial transcript. (Box 25; Box 42, page
218)
HENDERSON, Leroy, (B), 36, electrocuted on June 16, 1947 fora
Palm Beach County murder. See Henderson v. State, 158 Fla. 684,
29 So.2d 698 (Fla. 1947). (Box 42, page 215)
GREEN, Lewis, (B), 19, electrocuted on April 21, 1947 for a Dade
County rape. (Box 42, page 214)
PATTERSON, Wilbur Paul, (W), 24, electrocuted on March 17, 1947
for a Volusia County murder. The victim is Daytona Beach Police
Officer Harry Raines, shot three times during a traffic stop on
January 13, 1945. See Patterson v. State, 25 So.2d 713 (Fla.
1946). Death warrant file in the state archives contains a full
trial transcript. (Box 25)
WEBB, Jacob Sugg, (B), 26, electrocuted on September 30, 1946 for
a Broward County rape. The victim is Alice Godridge (W), raped
in Dania on April 14, 1946. At first Charles H. Crim and Hugh
Lester are appointed as defense counsel. E.L. Thomas represents
Webb at trial and is apparently black also. Arraignment on April
19, 1946, trial on May 21, 1946. Death warrant file in the state
archives contains a full trial transcript. (Box 25)
LEWIS, Eddie, (B), 52, electrocuted on April 22, 1946 for a
Brevard County murder. The victim is Eddie Roundtree, killed
with an axe on April 28, 1945. Vasser B. Carlton of Titusville
for the defense. See Lewis v. State, 24 So.2d 797 (Fla. 1946):
"The evidence is that the killing was done with an axe. The
criminal act was motivated by the fact that the defendant had
been supplanted in the affections of his mistress by the
deceased, who had moved in and taken command of the situation
with marriage as the object. Angered by this turn of events, the
hapless defendant sought out the deceased and knocked him in the
head as he lay asleep in the house of the faithless paramour."
Death warrant file in the state archives contains a full trial
transcript. (Box 25)
SULLIVAN, George L., (W), 37, electrocuted on January 14, 1946
for a Marion’County murder. Sullivan was seeing a married woman,
a Mrs. (Hazel Mae?) Williams, at her apartment. After a
confrontation he shot her husband, Alfred Francis Newman, three
times with a pistol at the victim’s apartment residence. A
defense of self defense. See Sullivan v. State, 17 So.2d 224
(Fla. 1944) which lists Sullivan as 38 at the time of trial,
divorced with two kids and apparently not paying child support,
and a past record for larceny, forgery, and DUI. Death warrant
file in the state archives contains a trial transcript. (Box 25)
20
WOLFORK, George Jr., (B), 28, electrocuted on January 8, 1951 for
a Bradford County murder. Codefendants are L.D. Robinson and
Walter McDonald. The victim is a Starke storekeeper, Mr. Silcox
(W). One of the main claims on appeal was that blacks were
excluded from the venire but the FSC rejects this. See Wolfork
et al v. State, 48 So.2d 152 (Fla. 1950) and "Storekeeper Killers
Are Executed", Florida Times-Union, January 9, 1951, p. 6.
ROBINSON, L.D., (B), 46, electrocuted on January 8, 1951, fora
Bradford County murder. Codefendants were George Wolfork, Jr.,
and Walter McDonald. The victim was a Starke storekeeper. See
Wolfork et al. v. State, 48 So.2d 152 (Fla. 1950) and
"Storekeeper Killers Are Executed", Florida Times-Union, January
9, 1951, p. 6.
McDONALD, Walter, (B), 21, electrocuted on January 8, 1951 fora
Bradford County murder. cCodefendants were George Wolfork, Jr.,
and L. D. Robinson. The victim was a Starke storekeeper. See
Wolfork et al. v. State, 48 So.2d 152 (Fla. 1950) and
"Storekeeper Killers Are Executed", Florida Times-Union, January
9, 1951, p. 6. 7
TILLMAN, Henry V. "Skimp", (W), 51, electrocuted on June 5, 1950
for a Duval County murder. Frank E. Wood, Jr. was a patron in
Tillman’s Main Street tavern, killed on August 12, 1948. Verdict
on January 22, 1949, sentenced on February 21, 1949. See Tillman
v. State, 44 So.2d 644 (Fla. 1950); "Tillman Dies For Slaying
Frank Wood", Florida Times-Union, June 6, 1950, p. 17. Death
warrant file in state archives contain full set of jury
instructions. Note the jury verdict instruction in the file
which sets out how they vote for death or mercy. (Box 28)
GRIFFIS, Flem, (W), 30, electrocuted on August 8, 1949 fora
Nassau County murder. John Calvin Graham shot with a pistol on
August 12, 1947, during a burglary/robbery of his business.
Griffis was from Duval County. Frank T. Cannon and Thomas M.
Linton as defense counsel. Trial on November 4-5, 1947, verdict
on November 6, 1947, death sentence on November 26, 1947. See
Griffis v. State, 38 So.2d 137 (Fla. 1948). Death warrant file
in state archives. (Box 28)
BERRY, Arthur Edward, (W), 23, electrocuted on April 4, 1949 for
a Pasco County murder. Willie Mae Benton, 14, is the victim,
stabbed to death on May 10, 1947. Berry is represented by John
R. Parkhill, verdict on August 7, 1947, sentenced on August 22,
1947. See Berry v. State, 36 So.2d 784 (Fla. 1948). Death
warrant file in state archives contains the trial transcript
including jury selection. (Box 26 and 28)
QUINCE, Aaron, (B), 22, electrocuted on February 7, 1949 fora
Volusia County murder. Victim is Mrs. Lena Carter Sparkman (W)
of Holly Hill, shot with a .32 pistol on the afternoon of July
17
parents are dead but his older brother Jonathan Quince appears at
arraignment on November 12, 1947 with him. Notice of an insanity
defense, then abandoned at trial. Defense lawyer L.E. Thomas
files pretrial motions on the exclusion of blacks from the jury
venire as well as the grand jury. See Quince v. State, 38 So.2d
33 (Fla. 1948). Death warrant files in the state archives
contain the full trial transcript, including jury selection.
(Box 27)
|
24, 1947. Quince is 19 at the time of his trial. Both his
|
|
COMBS, Felix, (B), 23, electrocuted on January 24, 1949 fora
Pinellas County rape. The victim is Delores Young (W), raped on
August 23, 1948. Defense counsel is M.H. Jones. Verdict on
October 4, 1948. Sentenced on October 8, 1948. Death warrant
file in the state archives contains very little information.
(Box 27)
STEWART, Lacy, (B), 17, electrocuted on October 25, 1948 for the
murder of Erich Spiller, a beer parlor operator in White City
(St. Lucie County), on October 29, 1946, a few days after his
escaping from a prison camp. No defense witnesses called at
trial. See "Fort Pierce Negro Executed at Raiford", Florida
Times-Union, October 26, 1948, p. 13. Note the trial transcript
and T-U spell his name Stewart while state prison execution
records spell it Steward. The Florida Supreme Court also uses
Stewart: Stewart v. State, 30 So.2d 489 (Fla. 1947), which °
reverses for a new trial. Death warrant file in the state
archives contains a trial transcript. (Box 25; Box 42, page 226)
TALLEY, Lonnie Lee, (B), 25, electrocuted on October 5, 1948 for
a Duval County rape. The rape happened on July 22, 1947. The
victim was a married housewife, Sadie Loise Pipkin (W). Trial
and conviction were on September 22, 1947. Talley was 24 at the
time, married, and a WWII veteran. See Talley v. State, 36 So.2da
201 (Fla. 1948). Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box
26; Box 42, page 225)
ENMOND, Alphonso, (B), 35, electrocuted on September 6, 1948 for
a Dade County rape on February 11, 1948. The victim is Sylvia
Dean Woodall, a child under age ten. The trial is on March 19,
1948 with sentencing on March 24, 1948. See "Two Negroes Die In
Electric Chair", Florida Times-Union, September 7, 1948, p. 12.
Death warrant file in the state archives contains very little.
(Box 26; Box 42, page 223)
HARPER, Elbert Eugene aka Elbert E. Ellison, (B), 30,
electrocuted on September 6, 1948 for a Polk County murder. The
victim is Thomas P. Smith of Winter Haven, killed with a hatchet
on August 8, 1946. Harper is indicted on August 21, 1947, and
counsel appointed the same day. The trial began on August 28,
1947, after a motion for continuance based on intense local
feelings and lack of time to prepare was denied. See Harper v.
18
State, 35 So.2d 4 (Fla. 1948) and "Two Negroes Die In Electric
Chair", Florida Times-Union, September 7, 1948, p. 12. Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 26; Box 42, page 224)
WILES, Alexander H., (W), 41, is electrocuted on June 14, 1948
for the murder of Jacksonville policemen, Richard Scarborough and
Ellis Van Dyal, on June 22, 1946. The officers were shot to
death in his home after answering a call from Wiles wife. See
Wiles v. State, 32 So.2d 273 (Fla. 1947) and "Wiles Dies At
Raiford", Florida Times-Union, June 15, 1948, p. 9. Note court
records, the T-U and the Florida Supreme Court spell it Wiles
while state prison execution records spell it Wills. Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 26; Box 42, page 220,
221)
WASHINGTON, Alonzo, Jr., (B), 25, electrocuted on August 23, 1948
for a Duval County murder. The victim is Anna R. Lewis, beaten
to death with an ash tray on April 6, 1948. Washington is 26 at
the arraignment, has been married for three months. John P. Muse
is retained by his wife as defense counsel. Washington pleads
guilty on May 3, 1948. He is sentenced on May 11, 1948. It
reads like he has an independent rape charge outstanding at the
time. Death warrant file in the state archives contains most
transcripts. (Box 26; Box 42, page 222)
HARPER, Reuben, (B), 36, is electrocuted on January 5, 1948 fora
Columbia County rape. The victim is Mrs. Effie Grady (W), a
local health department employee out on acall. W. Brantley
Brannon and W.H. Wilson appointed to represent him. First name
spelled Ruben in Columbia County court records. See Harper v.
State, 32 So.2d 6 (Fla. 1947) and "Negro Electrocuted", Florida
Times-Union, January 6, 1948, p. 19. Death warrant file in the
state archives. (Box 26; Box 42, page 219)
MELTON, Tom, (B), 32, electrocuted on August 4, 1947 for a Duval
County rape. He is convicted of robbing and raping a 16-year-
Old, Mary Edith Miller (W), on June 27, 1946. Melton is listed
as 30 in the FSC opinion. See Melton v. State, 30 So.2d 916
(Fla. 1947). Death warrant file in the state archives, but no
trial transcript. (Box 26; Box 42, page 216)
FERGUSON, Joe, (B), 42, electrocuted on August 4, 1947 fora
Broward County rape. The victim is Eunice James (W), raped on
March 26, 1946. His codefendant is James Maxwell. The trial is
on May 23, 1946. See Maxwell and Ferguson v. State, 158 Fla.
345, 28 So.2d 427 (Fla. 1947). Death warrant file in the state
archives contains a full trial transcript. (Box 25; Box 42, page
217)
MAXWELL, James Andrew, (B), 31, electrocuted on August 4, 1947
for a Broward County rape. The victim is Eunice James (W), raped
on March 26, 1946. His codefendant is Joe Ferguson. The trial
19
CURRY, Joe, aka Jam Johnson and Sam Newkirk, hung in Monticello
on January 13, 1911 for a Jefferson County murder. Jim Horton
was killed with a wooden club on October 15, 1910. Curry is
convicted and sentenced on November 19, 1910. Death warrant file
in state archives does not contain the trial transcript. (Box 7;
Box 41, page 145)
TAFT, Derry, (B), hung on October 18, 1910 for a Hillsborough
County murder. The victim is his wife (B), murdered in Plant
City. (The victim’s sister, Ella A. Paris, is reported to have
attended the hanging.) He plead guilty and asked for mercy but
was sentenced to death on July 25, 1910. See Tampa Tribune,
"Taft Hangs At Noon For Murder," October 18, 1910, page 10, and
"Derry Taft Hanged, For The Brutal Murder of His Wife," October
9, 1910, page 1. Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 6)
DARGAN, Lawrence, hung on Friday, August 19, 1910 for a Putnam
County murder. Victim is Mary Dargan, killed with a knife and a
club on July 25, 1909. Convicted on April 14, 1910 and sentenced
the next day. Death warrant file in the state archives does not
contain the trial transcripts. (Box 6)
FOLLY, Brooks, hung on July 29, 1910 for rape in Alachua county.
The victim is Mary Brown, raped on March 29, 1910. Folly is
convicted and sentenced on May 30, 1910. Death warrant file in
the state archives. (Box 6)
BRYANT, Ernest, hung in Duval County on July 1, 1910 for murder.
The victim is Luke Foster, killed with an axe on August 29, 1909.
Apparently his wife was also killed. Bryant is convicted and
sentenced on November 18, 1909. See "’Not Guilty’ Were
Defendants’ Pleas", Florida Times-Union, November 19, 1909, p. 9.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 6)
FIELDS, George, (B), hung on June 24, 1910 in Palm Beach County
for murder. Fields enters a guilty plea on January 12, 1910, the
court refuses to accept it, he is convicted at a trial that day,
sentenced on January 18, 1910. Victim is A.L. Savage, choked and
beaten to death on May 1, 1904. A second victim who survives is
W.P. Neel. Codefendants are Noble Scott and Will Gradison. The
killers are described as "darkies" and drunk, vagrants living in
tents. Scott and Gradison are serving life sentences, testify
against Fields. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box
6)
SIMS, Edward, hung on June 3, 1910 for a Polk County murder. The
victim is Martin S. Redd, 29, died on October 7 or 8, 1909 in
Mulberry of a stab wound in the abdomen. A doctor first attended
him on September 29, 1909 at the Prairie Pebble Phosphate Plant.
See Sims v. State, 59 Fla. 38, 52 So. 198 (Fla. 1910). Death
warrant file in the state archives contains a short trial
transcript. (Box 6)
50
HOLT, Kemp, hung on September 17, 1907, for a Santa Rosa County
murder. Convicted on April 2, 1907 and sentenced on the next
day. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 5)
TYSON, Walter, hung in Hernando County for murder on August 30,
1907. Trial in July 1907. Death warrant file in the state
archives contains very few details.
MITCHELL, George, hung on August 30, 1907 for a Hernando County
murder. Codefendants are Will Collier and Ben Cooper, hung at
the same time. Death warrant file in the state archives contains
very little. (Box 5)
COOPER, Ben, hung on August 30, 1907 for a Hernando County
murder. Codefendants are George Mitchell and Will Collier.
Death warrant file in the state archives contains very little.
COLLIER, Will, hung on August 30, 1907 for a Hernando County
murder. Codefendants are George Mitchell and Ben Cooper. The
death warrant file in the state archives contains very little.
SARGENT, Alfred, (B), hung in Jacksonville on June 14, 1907, for
murder in the beating death of John Skeels (W) on October 15,
1906. Convicted on November 20, 1906, and sentenced on February
19, 1907. Also spelled Sargeant. Death warrant file in state
archives. (Box 5)
STUBER (SUBER?), Ed, hung on June 14, 1907 for a Manatee County
murder. Victim is George Gory. Trial on November 22, 1906,
sentenced on November 23, 1906. Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 41, page 91)
WOODALL, Nathan, hung on June 14, 1907 for a Santa Rosa County
murder. Convicted on April 1, 1907 and sentenced on April 3,
1907. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 5)
EDWARDS, Jasper N., hung on February 26, 1907 for a Lee County
murder. Victim is Robert Carson, shot with a pistol on July 17,
1906. Sentenced on July 31, 1906. No appeal is filed. Death
warrant file in the state archives.
THOMAS, Tom, hung on February 19, 1907 for an Orange County
murder. Victim is Elijah Sargent, shot with a pistol on October
1, 1906, in a personal dispute over a woman. Convicted on
November 22, 1906 and sentenced on November 28, 1906. Death
warrant file in the state archives contains a short trial
transcript. (Box 5)
SIMMONS, Albert, hung on June 26, 1906 for a DeSoto County
murder. He shot Sallie Simmons on March 17, 1906. Convicted and
sentenced on April 25, 1906. (Box 4; Box 41, page 87)
54
and sentencing on November 4, 1909. A December 6, 1909
r to the governor notes "no bill of exceptions have been
." See "Luke Thomas Must Pay Death Penalty", Florida Times-
_ January 14; 1910, p. 3. Death warrant file in the state
ves. (Box 5)
|
, Albert, (B), hung in Ocala on August 10, 1909 for the
r of Isaac Draft, beating him to death with a gun barrell.
ife, Isabelle Draft, received a life sentence, then a new
for her part in the murder. Trial is May 26-27, 1909.
nced on June 2, 1909. See "Albert Smith Was Hanged At
", Florida-Times Union, August 11, 1909, p. 3. (Box 5)
AMS, Aaron, (B), hung on July 9, 1909 for a St. Lucie County
r. The victim is James Patterson aka James Paddison (B),
, death with a blunt instrument on December 8, 1908. Trial
s on February 22, 1909, no defense testimony offered.
ct on the same day. Death warrant file in the state
ves contains a short trial transcript. (Box 5)
NS, George, (B), hung on July 2, 1909 for a St. Johns County
; Codefendant is Munch Smoke. Victim is Charles Joseph, a
er, shot with a shotgun on January 7, 1909. Trial on
y, April 30, 1909. The victim was apparently found in
ns’ house with his wife. Death warrant file in the state
ves contains the full trial transcript. (Box 5)
Otis D., (W), hung in Jacksonville on June 11, 1909, for
r of his sister Cora Belle Smith (W) with a pistol on May
08. The jury got the case on July 14, 1908, convicted the
day, and he was sentenced on Monday, July 20, 1908. News
nts say it’s the first hanging of a white in Duval County in
30 years. There is a temporary reprieve from the governor.
- xrida Times-Union, "Otis D. Smith Must Die On The Gallows",
5, 1909, p. 7, and "Otis Smith Paid Full Penalty", June 12,
p. 4. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 5)
“TTER, Walter, (B), hung in Jacksonville on June 4, 1909, for
wurder of Emily Norman and her daughter Emily Norman, both
- 7, With an axe on September 19, 1908. Convicted on
ber 16, 1908 in a one hour trial with only minutes of jury
operation; sentenced on February 23, 1909. See "Negro
stter Guilty of Murder", November 17, 1908, p. 7, and "Walter
stter Hanged For Crime", June 5, 1909, p. 7, Florida Times-
1. Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 5)
9S, John, hung on May 28, 1909 for a Citrus County murder.
yictim is Lilla Nattiel, shot on February 28, 1909. Tried,
‘cted and sentenced on April 13, 1909. No appeals reflected.
1 warrant file in the state archives. (Box 5)
52
ahs
HANCHETT, Irvin, (W), hung in Volusia County on May 6, 1910 for
the stabbing murder of 14-year-old daughter of Perry Tedder,
Cleavey Tedder (W). He is reported in newspapers to be both 14
and 16-years-old. News accounts say he tried to plead guilty but
was persuaded not to by his two lawyers, E.T. Oates of Daytona
Beach and S.B. Wright, Jr., of DeLand. Trial in DeLand April 8-
11, 1910. No appeals. See "Irving Hanchett Hanged For Brutal
Murder Near DeLand", Florida Times-Union, May 7, 1910, page 1 and
"For Murder Of Girl Hanchett Pays With Life," Tampa Tribune, May
7, 1910, page 1. Death warrant file in state archives with
transcript. (Box 6)
DEKLE, Robert, hung on March 18, 1910 for a Polk County murder.
The victim is Archie Warren (B) and a woman companion (B), shot
with a pistol on December 25, 1907 at the Dominion Phosphate
Company plant where Dekle was employed at the time. Trial and
sentencing on December 6, 1909. See "Robert Dekle Is Hanged At
Bartow," Tampa Tribune, March 19, 1910, page 6, calling it the
first legal execution in Polk County. Death warrant file in the
state archives. (Box 5)
THOMAS, Duke, aka Duke Thompson, hung on March 11, 1910 fora
Jackson County murder. The victim is C.W. Wilson, killed on
January 24, 1909 with a fifteen inch piece of iron pipe.
Convicted on Friday, July 2, 1909 and sentenced on Monday, July
12, 1909. Death warrant file in the state archives does not
contain a trial transcript. (Box 6)
FLOWERS, Rowland, (B), hung on March 4, 1910 for a Hillsborough
County rape. He is convicted and sentenced on February 15, 1910.
See the Tampa Tribune, "Big Crowd Wants To See Hanging", March 4,
1910, page 16; "Flowers’ Advice To Negro Race", and "10,000 Ought
To Have Seen It," March 5, 1910, page 16. Death warrant file in
state archives. (Box 6)
OWENS, R. H., (W), hung in Gainesville on January 14, 1910, for
the shotgun murder of R. L. Smith (W) at Jonesville. His wife
Mattie Owens is a codefendant. Convicted on March 26, 1909. He
confessed also to the murder of a 17-year-old Louisiana girl and
addressed the crowd for 27 minutes before being hung. Sentenced
on March 31, 1909. News item says he is the first and only white
man hung in Alachua County. An earlier death warrant in the file
was withdrawn on July 8, 1909. See Owen v. State, 58 Fla. 84, 50
So. 639 (Fla. 1909) and "R.H. Owens Paid Death Penalty", Florida
Times-Union, January 15, 1910, p. 1. ° (Note different spellings
on his last name; death warrant says Owens.) Death warrant file
in state archives contains trial transcript. (Box 5; Box 41,
pages 116, 121)
THOMAS, Luke, hung on January 14, 1910 for a Nassau County
murder. Victim is Mack Austin, killed with a gun on May 15,
1909. Trial and conviction on November 2, 1909, motion for new
2 8
Fla. 237, 143 So. 126 (Fla. 1932). Two death warrant file in the
state archives, one includes the full trial transcript. (Box 14,
15, 16, and 17; Box 42,. page 77)
JEFFCOAT, Elvin E., (W), 40, was electrocuted on March 24, 1933
for the Clearwater, Pinellas County hammer murder of his wife,
Fannie Jeffcoat. She was found on October 14, 1930 still alive
but died on October 16, 1930. Codefendants are Mary Jane Hall,
Oscar Jeffcoat, and T. Hatfield. Sentenced on December 19, 1930.
See Jeffcoat v. Chapman, 146 So. 588 (Fla. 1933), and Florida
Times-Union, "Sentence of Death for Two Are Sustained", February
16, 1933, p. 6, and "Jeffcoat Put To Death at Prison Farm",
March 25, 1933, p. 6. Death warrant file in the state archives
contains the trial transcript. (Box 15; Box 42, page 71, 75)
ZANGARA, Giuseppe, (W), 33, electrocuted on March 20, 1933 for
the murder of Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak (W) and wounding of four
others during a Miami Beach (Dade County) attempt to assassinate
FDR. The attack is on February 15, 1933 and Cermak dies on March
6, 1933. Zangara is sentenced to death on March 10, 1933.
Zangara plead guilty and asked for the death penalty. His court
appointed attorneys are Alfred E. Raia and James M. Mileskill.
There are no appeals. Note, the non-murder case records are
stored in the local records section of the state archives, LR 47.
See "Zangara Is Executed At State Prison", Tallahassee Democrat,
March 20, 1933, p. 1; "Zangara Executed For Killing Cermak", New
York Times, March 21, 1933, p. 36. Death warrant file in the
state archives contains all transcripts. (Box 17; Box 42, page
74)
JACOBS, Lee, (B), 22, electrocuted on March 26, 1932 for a Marion
County rape. The victim is a 19-year-old woman hitchhiker named
Belsar Jordan (W), raped on October 8, 1931. Jacobs picked out
of a jail line up but says he’s never seen the victim before.
Trial om October 22, 1931. Death warrant file in the state
archives contains the trial transcript. (Box 15; Box 42, page
67)
COLLINS, Jim, (B), age unknown, electrocuted on November 12, 1931
for a Dade County rape. (Box 42, page 65)
JOHNSON, Henry, age unknown, electrocuted on June 24, 1931 fora
Lake County murder. Victim is Mrs. Anna T. Lawrence,
postmistress of Cassia, shotguned along with her husband on March
21-22, 1931. Several buildings are burned down to conceal the
crime, her body is hard to identify. Trial on May 14, 1931.
Death warrant file contains the trial transcript. (Box 13; Box
42, page 63)
GRAHAM, John, aka John Johnson, John Gang, and John Brown, (B),
electrocuted on June 18, 1931 for a Marion County rape. Victim is
Rebecca Stokes (W), 14, raped on March 24, 1931. Eight page
i a)
codefendant of Costello. They were tried together and convicted
on July 29, 1926. The victim was Antonio Regueria, shot during a
hold-up in a Ybor City cafe on May 11, 1926. See Henderson and
Costello v. State, 94 Fla. 318, 113 So. 689 (Fla. 1927) and
"Tampa Slayer Dies in Chair At Raiford", Florida Times-Union,
December 22, 1927, p. 6: "Authorities revealed today that he made
an attempt to end his life last night by gashing his wrists with
his teeth. A guard noticed the attempt and special precautions
were taken to prevent another effort." Death warrant file in
state archives. (Box 11; Box 42, page 38)
COSTELLO, Thomas, (W), age unknown, electrocuted on December 13,
1927 for a Hillsborough County murder, a codefendant of William
Henderson. They were tried together and convicted on July 29,
1926. The victim was Antonio Regueria, shot during a hold up in
Ybor City cafe on May 11, 1926. Costello is said to be the
shooter. See Henderson and Costello v. State, 94 Fla. 318, 113
So. 689 (Fla. 1927) and "Costello Pays Death Penalty", Florida
Times-Union, December 14, 1927, p. 6. Death warrant file in the
state archives. (Box 42, page 37)
THOMAS, Louis, aka Louis Curtis (W), age unknown, was
electrocuted on November 29, 1927 for the murder of E. E.
Blewfield, a Tarpon Springs (Pinellas County) policeman. A
codefendant was Art Reed, along with two women, Phyllis Thomas
and Bernice Spaulding who were present and served one year in
prison for their parts in the crime. See Florida Times-Union,
"Thomas Faces Death Chair", November 29, 1927, p. 12 and "Leslie
Thomas Goes to Chair Without Fear", November 30, 1927, p. 3. T-U
must have his first name wrong, prison list says Louis. Death
warrant file in state archives. (Box 11; Box 42, page 14, 39)
LEVINS, Benjamin Franklin, (W), age unknown, electrocuted on
November 22, 1927 for a Hillsborough County murder. (Box 42,
page 36)
FERGUSON, Fortune "Jew", (B), electrocuted on April 27, 1927 for
the rape of a 8-year-old white Alachua County child on June 4,
1924. Records list him as both 16 and 22-years-old and suggest
he was mentally retarded. Execution list says 16. See Ferguson
v. State, 105 So. 840 (Fla. 1925); "Ferguson Is Electrocuted At
State Pen", Florida Times-Union, April 28, 1927, p. 12; and
"Fortune Ferguson Is Sent To Death In Electric Chair",
Gainesville Sun, April 28, 1927, p. 2. Death warrant files in
the state archives. (Box 11; Box 42, page 3, 20, 32)
BROWNE, Charles, (W), hung on April 18, 1927 in DeLand, Volusia
County, for the murder of D. Howard Usher with a pistol on
October 21, 1923. Trial on April 29, 1925. Codefendants are
Clara Browne and Joe Browne. One of the last hangings in Florida
with a crowd of about 2,000 present. See Browne v. State, 88
38
JEFFERSON, Thomas, aka "Jack of Diamonds", (B), 22, electrocuted
on January 22, 1935 for the Jacksonville (Duval County) murder of
Carl Schuman, a former University of Florida football star, with
a pistol during a November 11, 1934 holdup of his store. Fred
Anderson aka Ray Anderson is a codefendant. The trial is on
Tuesday, December 11, 1934, with the verdict the next day and
sentencing on December 22, 1934. See "Jacksonville Man’s Slayers
Electrocuted At Raiford Prison", Florida Times-Union, January 23,
1935, p. 6: "More than 200 persons witnessed the executions, the
largest crowd ever to assemble for such a purpose at Raiford,
even larger than that which witnessed the electrocution of
Guiseppe Zangara...It was necessary for prison officials today to
divide the crowd into two groups, one for each of the executions.
The tiny execution chamber was crowded each time the switch was
thrown." Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 18)
WILLIAMS, Walter "DOC", (B), 31, electrocuted on October 8, 1934
for the rape of a Dade County white woman, Mrs. Ada L. Easterlin,
60. The defense attorney is George S. Okell retained on
September 5, 1934. Trial is September 13, 1934. Apparently he
was resentenced on September 28, 1934 after the Attorney General -
found some defect in the original sentencing. Witnesses and the
defense attorney refer to Williams as "nigger" and "boy" without
apparent embarrassment. See "Negro Pays Penalty In Electric
Chair", Florida Times-Union, October 9, 1934, p. 9, and "Woman’s
Assailant Executed At Raiford," Miami Herald, October 9, 1934,
page 8. Two death warrant files in the state archives, one
includes the full trial transcript. (Box 18; Box 42, page 87)
HEIDT, Norman, (W), 26, electrocuted on July 10, 1933 fora
Hillsborough County murder. Codefendants are Vic Palmer and
Louis Leavine. The victim is Joseph B. Johnson, shot on January
18, 1931, died the next day. Sentenced on May 7, 1931. See
Palmer et al v. State, 106 Fla. 237, 143 So. 126 (Fla. 1932).
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 14, 15, 16, and
17; Box 42, page 78)
LEAVINE, Louis, (W), 33, electrocuted on July 10, 1933 fora
Hillsborough County murder. Codefendants are Vic Palmer and
Norman Heidt. Victim is Joseph B. Johnson, shot on January 18,
1931, died the next day. Sentenced on March 9, 1932. See Palmer
et al v. State, 106 Fla. 237, 143 So. 126 (Fla. 1932) and Leavine
v. State, 109 Fla. 447, 147 So. 897 (Fla. 1933). Death warrant
file in the state archives. (Box 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18; Box 42,
page 79)
PALMER, Victor "Vic", (W), 26, electrocuted on July 10, 1933 for
a Hillsborough County murder. Codefendants are Louis Leavine and
Norman Heidt. Victim is car dealer Joseph B. Johnson, shot on
January 18, 1931, died the next day. Death sentence on May 11,
1931, but other indications the trial began March 4, 1932 with a
death sentence on March 9, 1932. See Palmer et al v. State, 106
34
axe. Her husband Erasmus Reich is injured. Codefendant is
Roosevelt Kirkland. No listing of an appeal in FSC records.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 12; Box 42, page
34 "Writ of Error Issued Returnable to Supreme Court", page 51)
KIRKLAND, Roosevelt, (B), electrocuted on October 23, 1928 fora
Baker County murder of Emma Reich and the injury of her husband
Erastus Reich. Codefendant is Herbert Harvey. (Box 42, page 35,
50) —
DAVIS, George, (B), 25, electrocuted on October 9, 1928 fora
Putnam County murder. Victim is Theo George, shot with a pistol
on September 15, 1926. A John Doe codefendant is listed. Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 12; Box 42, page 49))
TURNER, James, (B), electrocuted on September 25, 1928 for the
murder of a Calhoun County man, Kid Terrell (B), stabbed in the
ear with a pocket knife on January 23, 1927 at a place called
Frink. The Blountstown trial is on April 30, 1927. See "Negro
Electrocuted In Raiford Prison", Florida Times-Union, September
26, 1928, p. 8. Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 12; .
Box 42, page 47)
CRUMPLER, Paul (B), electrocuted on September 18, 1928 fora
Hillsborough County rape. Trial in May 1928? Death warrant file
in state archives. (Box 12; Box 42, page 45)
JOHNSON, Melvin, (B), 26, was electrocuted on September 4, 1928
for a the Dade County rape of Lillian Mickler (W), 36, on
December 18, 1927. See "Negro Put to Death In Raiford Prison",
Florida Times-Union, September 5, 1928, p. 11. Death warrant file
in state archives contains the trial transcript. It reads like
the police beat a confession out of Johnson. (Box 12; Box 42,
page 43)
VAUGHN, Will, (B), age unknown, electrocuted on August 28, 1928
for the Duval County murder of Bell Chapman (W), shot with a
pistol on January 18, 1926. See "Jacksonville Negro Put to Death
for Murder of Chapman", Florida Times-Union, August 29, 1928.
Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 12; Box 42, page 42)
PITTMAN, Robert Carlton, (B), age unknown, electrocuted on June
14, 1928 for a Seminole County murder. C. P. Hilton was killed
with a wooden club. He was sentenced on January 20, 1927. See
Pittman v. State, 95 Fla. 89, 116 So. 241 (Fla. 1928) and from
the Florida Times-Union, "Asks Court to Affirm Negro Death
Penalty", December 5, 1927, p. 12, and "Negro Slayer of Sanford
Man Goes To Death in Chair", June 14, 1928, p. 11. Death warrant
file in state archives. (Box 12; Box 42, page 29, 41)
HENDERSON, William "Wild Bill", (W), age unknown, electrocuted on
December 21, 1927 for a Hillsborough County murder. He was a
37
2-year-old son of a minister, died for 4
abd Ticnap-slaying of little James paso 7
:gie) Cash, Jr., the five and one-hal 4
ald son of a Princeton, Florida, store- 4
r. ;
“The month-long search for the kidnap- q
slayer of the Cash child commanded ecg 4
page attention for nearly a month and ee a
tHfe first case in Florida’s history in ripe 4
FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover entered and —
personally directed - widespread search for &
cecused criminal. : ~
‘eMcCall confessed to the charge of kidnap- <
ping the Cash child but not to a peg E
that he slew him. He was sentenced on the 4
first charge and paid with his life for the 7@
i ing. ‘ ea
Foe ces orrested a few days after the dis- 3
appearance of the Cash infant and after its a
body had been found only a short distance a
from where it was snatched from the James 4
‘Bai ash, Sr., home. a
Othe Cash family announced on May 31st, ’ E
1938, that their child had been kidnapped. _
This was two days after the kidnapping oc=.
curred. At that time the family said tha
$10,000 had been paid in ransom money. 5
That money was recovered and McCall
arrest was announced after J. Edgar Hoove
entered the investigation and directed four
teen G-men in the state’s biggest manhunt.
Hoover, because of the rush, investigation,
asked for a $50,000 special Congressional
appropriation. He arrived in Miami on
June 2nd, about a week after the kidnap
ping and announced the finding of the
child’s body on June 9th. McCall con
fessed to kidnapping the child a day later ~
and was indicted for its murder by a special
grand jury on nigel 14th. He was never
ied on the latter charge. a
MReperters from a majority of the state’s |
larger papers were on hand for the McCall —
ion. .
i McCall talked with few reporters, By
ver, on the day before his electrocution
and his only statement for the papers was a —
written one he handed to a Miami Daily
News reporter as he entered the death :
chamber.
began:
tude Iscariot betrayed J esus Christ for
30 pieces of silver. It would be interesting -
subject matter to know just how much some
received who were instrumental in the per-
petration of this present day crucifixion.
“I hop that I may be pardoned for draw-
ing a parallel between the Master’s death
my own. .
onthe chief difference is he died for. a
cause, Christianity, | while I am going to
ie for nothing... .” .
oi ieCall'e patent wandered on in a
childish tirade centering chiefly on claiming
his own innocence, which no one took seri-
ously since everyone knew he was guilty
and he had so confessed. : a
Ivy Lee Williams, a negro, died in the
chair before my eyes on November pe
my thirtieth birthday, for the crime 0
murder. He didn’t issue a statement.
I saw Richard Smith, another negro, g0
his last mile on April 15th, 1941, and in
fifty-five minutes I watched a hooded exe-
cutioner, the first hired in the state’s pooper
to do the executing in lieu of the Sheri
frpm the county in which the crime was
committed, take the lives of four more
men—Florida’s second quadruple execution.
* William R. Crews died for the slaying
of his wife, Oly Mae, to start the rst
mfoving on that morning in ’41. ig
Armond, convicted for the murder 0 Bee
Marianna, Florida, man, died next and ee
other two were negroes. They were Char ,
arson and Frizell McLaren, both —_
| of murder. Neither man issued
be rst nent or lost his composure in the dea
room, ;
Paul H. Mardoff, a Miami printer, wh?
: i a
stabbed his wife twenty-two times wit
Mhin s Hnewene Asad fax 6 wien AW
Pike se
=e?
tober 27th of 1941. Mack Ranson, a Jack-
sonville negro, who was charged with slay-
ing his son, his daughter and his sister-in-
law, followed Mardoff to the chair. The
negro was convicted only on the charge of
slaying his son.
I saw Nathaniel Walker, Edward Powell
and Willie Clay, all negroes, walk their
last mile on December 29th, 1941, for the
Slaying of Mary Louise Curtis in Jackson-
ville a short time before and rounded out
what I hope was my last death chamber
assignment as a reporter on October 9th of
last year when I saw three negro men die
for raping a young white woman twice each,
shooting her, and leaving her for dead in
the woods near Chattahoochee, Florida, a
few weeks earlier.
Those men were James Williams, Freddie
Lane and James Davis, They went to their
deaths in the chair, following one of the
' stormiest court trials and Florida Supreme
Court fights ever witnessed in the Peninsula
State’s history.
Gurcurr COURT made an effort to try the
men in Gadsden County (Quincy) for the
ctime, but because of the threat of blood-
shed, Circuit Judge W. May Walker au-
thorized a change of venue and the men
eventually were tried and convicted in
Gainesville, on August 31st, a month and
a day after the crime was committed on
July 31st. ‘
The trial was held after state guards had
failed to deliver the negro men from the
Leon County (Tallahassee) jail, where they
were brought from the Raiford prison
where they had been held for safe keeping,
to Quincy.
They were returned to Raiford’s peniten-
tiary and later state guardsmen carried
them to Gainesville where they were tried.
None of the men made a statement in
the death chamber. They had pleaded
guilty, however, at their arraignment be-
fore the court in Gainesville and Judge
Walker sentenced them to the chair.
After their convictions, they lost a long
and bitter fight which was taken to the
state’s supreme court in an effort to save
them temporarily while lawyers, mostly
Jacksonville negro attorneys, sought to
have them tried by jury—although the trio
had confessed.
I hope I never see another execution.
The realization somehow never dawns on
you until after you have seen so many and
suddenly you're tired of executions and
you want to quit.
Not until I had seen the three negro
rapists electrocuted had I ever dreamed of
an electrocution. Since that time I have
had a dozen death chamber experiences in
my dreams.
I’ve almost “paid the penalty” at least
twice in those dreams and I only hope that
electrician Bob Kite never actually gets
that leather cap, inner-lined with brass and
made plenty connectable by a water-soaked
Sponge, on my head—even in a dream.
I promise Kite and whatever makes
dreams, that if they’ll both lay off, I’ll cer-
tainly stay away from electrocutions.
Let the quotation from Prison Superin-
tendent L. F. Chapman, who has seen 100
men die in the chair, finish this little yarn
and to his statement let me add: It is so
true, every word of it!
“It has been an amazing thing to me,”
Chapman declared, “to note the utter fear-
lessness of the men who have been com-
pelled to walk to the chair.
“Never has it been necessary to carry
one and not one has ever asked for any
stimulant.
“What the state of mind of a man can be
who knows he is walking to his death, but
never falters, is past my understanding,
“It is just another comment on the
Strength of human nature—the nature sup-
bosedly so weak.”
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L. F. Chapman, Superintendent of the
State Prison Farm at Raiford, Florida
T WAS a typical. north Florida morn-
ing, March 20th, 1933.
The rain fell in torrential sheets
outside, blanketing. the only two windows
of the death chamber at the Raiford pris-
on farm where Giuseppe Zangara died in
the electric chair for killing Anton J.
Cermak.
The little German-born man mortally
wounded Cermak in an attempt on the
then President-Elect, Franklin D. Roose-
velt, in Bayfront at Miami a month and
five days earlier, February 15th, at a
public reception.
From that March 20th, eleven years
ago, until October 9th, 1944, I watched
forty-two men electrocuted for mur-
der, kidnapping and rape. It may be
a record equalled by few reporters.
I have seen young men go to the elec-
tric chair virtually gray; broken in spirit
and resigned to death, some of whom
maintained they were innocent to the
last.
I have talked with condemned -men
who asked me, “Why do our relatives
spend money to get reprieves? Spirit-
ually, we’re already dead.” One thing
stands apart in my mind: None of them
ever ask for sedatives before they walk
their “last mile.” Very few request the
opportunity to make a statement, once
they are in the death chamber, and con-
trary to popular belief, none cause a
commotion or beg for mercy in the chair..
(Right) The electric chair at Raiford in
which 108 criminals have been executed
percent of these blacks were charge with black on
white crimes. oS
In short, blacks perpetrating acts of violence
against whites, or allegedly responsible for such acts,
vere most severely punished in Florida. Rarely was a
vhite man put to death for a crime against a black.
The one confirmed case involved an interracial couple
’ in Tampa, where the husband killed his black spouse.
The issuance of a death warrant did not always
result in an immediate execution. In many instances,
issuance of the warrant did not lead to an execution at
all. Of the 254 warrants issued between 1869 and 1924,
executions were carried out for 223. Approximately
eighty-seven percent of the warrants signed by Flor-
ida governors resulted in deaths.
Seven warrants were revoked or otherwise recalled
by the Governor’s office; another nineteen inmates
under signed death warrants had their sentences com-
muted to life imprisonment; and, six warrants were
not carried out for “miscellaneous” reasons. These
miscellaneous reasons were an escape; an inmate
killed attempting to escape; death of a prisoner due to
“natural causes” prior to execution; an inmate’s death
in jail prior to execution under “unexplained circum-
stances”; and, two inmate suicides. .
_ Upon the conviction and sentencing to death of a
prisoner, the clerk of court was required by law to
provide the sheriff of the county in which the convic-
tion occurred with a certified copy of the whole record
of the conviction and sentence. The sheriff, in turn,
vas directed to remit the documents to the governor
vho alone had the final authority to issue or refuse to
issue a death warrant. The governor would then issue
a death warrant with the state seal affixed and certi-
fied by the Secretary of State. A copy of the official
court record for the conviction was attached to the
warrant.
There were two aspects to the public execution. One
aspect involved initiating the death watch. The other
dealt with actually carrying out the punishment. The
death watch was initiated by the governor. It could be
argued that the death watch was put into effect upon
completion of indictment, conviciton and sentencing
because many executions occurred within a couple of
months of sentencing. Officially, however, no death
sentence was effective until after a warrant was
signed by the governor and transmitted to the Sheriff
of the county in which the prisoner was being held.
Florida law did not require that the Sheriff read the
death warrant to the condemned prisoner. However,
this was apparently done as a matter of procedure
anyway. The warrant indicated a specific day,
between certain hours in which the execution was to
take place. During the week of the execution date,
usually on Friday, the convict was allowed contact
with his family and friends, and the services of a
ninister. In many instances, a guard or two were
issigned to spend the time indulging the felon to the
OCTOBER—NOVEMBER 1986
extent possible.
On the night before the hanging, the Sheriff rou-
tinely provided the doomed convict with the meal and
beverages of his choice. Once the execution was car-
ried out, the sheriff was instructed by law to return the
warrant to the Governor’s Office with a signed state-
ment that the sentence had been carried out and a list
of the official witnesses. In addition, the Sheriff was
required to file a statement with the clerk of the
appropriate county confirming that the sentence had
been fulfilled. This statement was then made a part of
the official case record.
Once a warrant was issued by the Governor it was
typically read aloud to the convict by the Sheriff.
There were varied reactions to this notice that
execution was imminent. When advised the day
before his scheduled execution that his last appeal
had been denied by the State Pardoning Board,
(comprised of the governor and cabinet), J.M. Mercer
was visibly shaken in his cell. A newspaper columnist
of the Tampa Morning Tribune wrote that:
“Mercer said not a word. His body quivered like an
aspen, and his teeth clattered audibly. Heclutched the
heavy bars of the cage for a few moments, and then
sank to the floor of the cell. A few minutes later, he
seemed to have regained his strength, and rising,
began preaching in a loud voice. During the day, he
drank over a dozen bottles of Cuban wine.”
Derry Taft reacted to the reading of his death war-
rant by confessing his crime and attempting to impli-
cate two others in the murder. He also requested a
Spanish dinner, plenty of stationery, ink and a pen,
and a special black suit for the occasion. The night
before the hanging he selected a black minister to pray
with him, and black musicians to play with him. Taft
was a white man.
In another Tampa execution, Bennie Henson, also
white, requested the presence of blacks to sing with
him the night before his death.
Clarence McKinney reacted by requesting a bible,
and spent his last minutes reading from it.
George Hawkins “prayed fervently during his last
moments on earth”. He was described as being in a
“trancelike state” and as “oblivious to aii around
him”, at the time of his hanging.
It seems that condemned men face death calmly,
and some even exhibited penitent demeanor by
stating their sorrow for commission of the crime, and
asking forgiveness of God and men.
Dr. Wali R. Kharif, a Tallahassee resident and a
graduate of Florida State University, is currently
employed as a political science and history
instructor at South Georgia College.
ae eS
PT Serre oer wee
Facing the Gallows —
Thousands of morbidly curious specta
Florida hangings and created a carniv
The day of the execution was characterized by a
somewhat carnival atmosphere. Many morbidly
curious onlookers gathered at available vantage
points to see. The hanging of Bennie Henson, a white
man convicted of killing his wife, was witnessed by a
large crowd in Tampa. Further, “every house top and
tree around the jail was filled with people. All around
the wall which surrounds the jail yard, people were
packed tight on the top.” ‘The execution of the
convicted rapist Roland Flowers was witnessed by
about 1200 people and Tampa authorities were quoted
as wishing that even more had attended.
More than 4,000 people saw the execution of Jeff
Lowe in a rare Pensacola hanging. The execution of
Kelly Stewart in Live Oak, publicized as the first
Suwannee County hanging in twelve years, was
witnessed by a crowd of 2,000. Derry Taft’s execution
(see Part I of this series) was also attended by more
than 2,000 onlookers.
The huge crowd attending the Fourth of July
execution of Joe Brown in Miami, was described in
these words by a Miami Herald reporter:
“.. the crowd, morbidly curious ... gathered at every
available point to witness the tragic end of the Negro
‘ murderer, dispersed slowly, and apparently with
great unwillingness, as though desirous of witnessing
further bloodshed.”
Napoleon White’s hanging, in Tallahassee, for
murdering his wife, was viewed by more than 1500.
The double executions of James Kirby and Robert Lee
in St. Augustine was observed by hundreds of
“spectators” in the prison yard, and more than a
thousand more who were “perched on wagons, fences
and trees outside of the enclosure.”
For other executions, fully an hour before the
announced time for carrying out of the sentence
crowds began to gather. Even in those cases where
authorities attempted to keep the execution private, as
with Brooks Foley, in Gainesville, by public demand
the execution chamber (situated on the second floor of
the jail house) was filled to suffocation “allowing the
officers barely room to work.”
The crowds attending executions were generally
representative of the local population. Blacks as well
as whites could be expected to attend. A majority of
those present at Taft’s execution in Tampa, and
ib stale itt tended
mm Q sphere
This is the second installment *
of a three-part article review- |
ing the application of the death f
sentence by hanging in Florida ~¢
prior to use of the electric chair. {
“It makes a subtle argument,” |
/, says the author, “that in spite of f
| whatever we may believe ee tA
Fs regarding the death penalty, inf
S many ways electrocution is ii
/ much more merciful than f
“Py, the practice of public 47 i"
Napoleon White’s hanging in Tallahassee were
blacks. Hundreds of people, white and_ black,
witnessed Joe Brown’s death in Miami. More whites
than blacks attended the execution of white convicted
rapist Clarence Daly in Miami. Daly was the first
white man ever to be hanged in Dade County.
The presence of youngsters on these occasions was
startling. One Miami execution was “observed from a
tree” by a little girl no older than seven or eight years.
A large contingent of those present at a Pensacola
hanging were children who lined “house tops and
fences ... to get a glimpse of the doomed man.”
Likewise, it was not uncommon to have large numbers
of women in attendance. A St. Augustine columnist
THE SHERIFF'S STAR
23, 1953, sentencing on October 20, 1953. See one paragraph
affirmance at Ambrister and Anderson v. State, 78 So.2d 876 (Fla.
1955). See also "Partners Walk Last Mile," Miami Herald,
February 21, 1956, page 2C. Death warrant file in the state
archives do not contain trial transcripts. (Box 32)
ANDERSON, George "Limpy", (B), 32, electrocuted on February 20,
1956 for a Dade County murder. Codefendants are Richard "Fat
Back" Floyd and Percy Armbrister. Victim is a policeman, Edward
E. Fritz, shot with a pistol on February 3, 1953. MTrial on
September 14-23, 1953, sentencing on October 20, 1953. See one
paragraph affirmance at Ambrister and Anderson v. State, 78 So.2d
876 (Fla. 1955). See also "Partners Walk Last Mile," Miami
Herald, February 21, 1956, page 2C. Death warrant file in the
state archives. (Box 32)
HORNBECK, Samuel J., (W), 38, electrocuted on December 12, 1955
for a Duval County murder. Hornbeck is aka Jerome Bryant and
Lawrence Baker. Victim is police officer Thomas Allen Robinson
Jr., shot with a pistol on December 16, 1953 during the robbery
of a bar. Robinson was actually shot by Hornbeck’s codefendant,
Myron Goldman. Appointed trial counsel are E. John Nelson and
John E. Santora. Arraignment on February 9, 1954, verdict on
Thursday, March 11, 1954, and sentencing on March 26, 1954.
Competence to execute became an issue. See Hornbeck v. State, 77
So.2d 876 (Fla. 1955) and "Hornbeck Executed In Prison," Florida
Times-Union, December 13, 1955, page 17. Death warrant file in
the state archives. (Box 30)
DYER, Chester Foster, (W), 20, electrocuted on October 31, 1955
for a Sarasota County murder. Victim is Robert Henry Jones,
killed with a knife on March 2, 1954. Appointed counsel are
Thomas W. Butler and John T. Graham. Insanity defense. Verdict
on April 6, 1954. See Dyer v. State, 78 So.2d 402 (Fla. 1955), a
one paragraph affirmance. Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 30)
GILLARD, Louis, (B), 54, electrocuted on August 29, 1955 for a
Hillsborough County murder. Victim is Turley McCromley, shot
with a pistol on July 4, 1953. Reads like the victim is black
and this is a fight over a woman. See Gillard v. State, 73 So.2d
677 (Fla. 1954), a one paragraph affirmance. Death warrant file
in the state archives contain a full trial transcript. (Box 30)
McVEIGH, John H., (W), 34, electrocuted on April 18, 1955 for a
Duval County murder. Victim is Robert Q. Tucker, shot with a
pistol on December 24, 1952. McVeigh is 33 at arraignment on
January 28, 1953. Zach H. Douglas is appointed defense counsel.
There is an insanity defense involving psychiatric testimony of
Dr. M.C. Moore. Verdict on Friday, March 27, 1953, sentenced on
April 22, 1953. See McVeigh v. State, 73 So.2d 694 (Fla. 1954).
oo
JOHNSON, Orion Nathaniel, (B), 19, electrocuted on September 28,
1954 for an Alachua County murder. The victim is Edward Porter
Jr., killed on April 13, 1951 by stabbing with an ice pick and
shooting with a pistol. The crime took place in Marion County
but the trial was in Alachua County. Johnson is 16 at
arraignment; his mother Estelle Johnson appears with hin.
Appointed counsel, Charles A. Savage of Ocala, is replaced by
retained counsel, Fordham and Rodriguez. Death warrant file in
the state archives. (Box 30)
BROCK, Tanner, (W), 57, was electrocuted on September 28, 1954 on
a Columbia County murder. Victim is his son, Tommie Joe Brock
(W), beaten to death on December 9, 1952. Appointed defense
counsel is C.A. Avriett of Jasper. Verdict on May 7, 1953,
sentenced on May 23, 1953. Death warrant file in the state
archives includes a full trial transcript. (Box 30)
BROOKS, Ed, (B), 61, was electrocuted on September 7, 1953 fora
Franklin County murder. The victim is J.M. Hicks of
Apalachicola, shot in the back with a shotgun and bludgeoned, his
body found on a path between the waterworks and the railroad.
Brooks confessed that he planned to rob Hicks along with Henry
Brown whom Brooks claimed was the shooter. Arraigned on March
19, 1952 and Jesse F. Warren Jr. of Tallahassee appointed as
counsel. He does the appeal as well. See Brooks v. State, 64
So.2d 914 (Fla. 1953). Death warrant file in the state archives.
(Box 30)
BROWN, Jimmie Lee, (B), 30, was electrocuted on July 6, 1953 for
the murder of a Jacksonville (Duval County) filling station
attendant, John Blake Rogers, who was beaten to death with a
hammer and found in the early morning on April 24, 1951 where he
worked. About $65 was stolen. Brown also worked at the gas
station and was arrested when he returned to work two days after
the murder. He confessed on April 27, 1951. Brown is 28 at
arraignment. Appointed counsel is William H. Maness. Verdict on
Tuesday, July 31, 1951; sentenced on August 30, 1951. See Brown
v. State, 61 So.2d 640 (Fla. 1952) ana "Negro Electrocuted For
Slaying Here", Florida Times-Union, July 7, 1953, p. 13. Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 30)
STORY, George W., (W), 52, electrocuted on September 8, 1952 for
the murder of: his divorced wife and her new husband, Thomas W.
St. John, both shot with pistols on August 22, 1949 in
Jacksonville (Duval County). Trial begins on Monday, November
28, 1949, with the verdict on November 30, 1949, and sentencing
on December 21, 1949. A convicted felon slips through to serve
on the jury. This execution was for St. John, he was never tried
on the wife. Story v. State, 53 So.2d 920 (Fla. 1951). See
"Story Dies in Chair For Slaying of St. John", Florida Times-
Union, September 9, 1952, p. 13. Death warrant file in state
archives. (Box 29)
iS
Death warrant file in the state archives contains a full trial
transcript. (Box 30)
BEARD, Abraham, (B), 18, electrocuted on November 8, 1954 fora
Leon County rape. The victim is Mrs. John Kelly (W), "a middle
age Tallahassee housewife" raped on August 21, 1952. Trial
counsel is Howard Williams. Verdict and sentence on September
26, 1952. See Beard v. State, 69 So.2d 770 (Fla. 1954), a one
paragraph opinion affirming the death sentence. The NAACP
somehow becomes involved in the case. Death warrant file in the
state archives. See "Abraham Beard Dies In Chair," Tallahassee
Democrat, November 8, 1954, page 1. (Box 30)
WILLIAMS, Leroy, (B), 37, electrocuted on November 8, 1954 fora
Palm Beach County murder. Victim is Charles R. Summerlin, a
painter traveling from Palatka to Ft. Pierce, is killed on
November 2, 1949, "by striking or hitting him with a certain
weapon...and thereafter pushing and throwing him into a canal."
Summerlin’s body is found floating in a Palm Beach County canal.
Appointed counsel were Robert E. Hathaway and Allan M. Thompson.
There is a written confession dated November 18, 1949. Verdict
on February 21, 1950 in which Williams testified, sentenced on
March 3, 1950. See Williams v. State, 51 So.2d 31 (Fla. 1951).
Death warrant file in the state archives does not contain the
trial transcript. See "Abraham Beard Dies In Chair," Tallahassee
Democrat, November 8, 1954, page 1. (Box 30)
BAILEY, George, (B), 36, electrocuted on October 4, 1954 fora
Leon County murder. The victim is D.B. Pert, killed with a
shotgun on April 1, 1953. Codefendant is James Henderson.
Appointed counsel is Douglas Shivers. The two are tried together
with a verdict and sentence on June 19, 1953. See Henderson et
al v. State, 70 So.2d 358 (Fla. 1954). Death warrant file in the
state archives. (Box 30)
HENDERSON, James, (B), 47, electrocuted on October 4, 1954 for a
Leon County murder. A codefendant of George Baily. Victim is
D.B. Pert, killed with a shotgun on April 1, 1953. The two are
tried together with a verdict and sentence on June 19, 1953.
Henderson is represented at trial and on appeal by Mallory E.
Horne. See Henderson et al v. State, 70 So.2d 358 (Fla. 1954).
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 30)
NORTH, A. Ellwood (Elwood), (W), 37, electrocuted on October 4,
1954 for a Polk County murder. Victim is Betty Albritton, beaten
and choked to death on June 26, 1951. Convicted on September 12,
1951 and sentenced on October 5, 1951. Appointed counsel are
John R. Parkhill, Gordon Petteway and R.J. Haynsworth. FSC
appeals, some on the issue of the identity of the executioner.
North v. State, 65 So.2d 77 (Fla. 1953). Death warrant file in
the state archives do not contain a trial transcript. (Box 30)
14
LEIBY, James Merlin, (W), 25, was electrocuted on June 30, 1952
for the 1949 shooting murder of Leonard Appletaum on March 11,
1949. The body was dumped in Collier County but there was some
question as to where the murder took place. Verdict on March 9,
1950. Harold S. Smith represents Leiby. See State v Leiby, 42
So.2d 539 (Fla. 1949) and "Leiby Is Put To Death for 1949
Slaying", Florida Times-Union, July 1, 1952, p. 8. Death warrant
file in state archives. (Box 29)
JAMES, Saul, (B), 28, electrocuted for a Hillsborough County rape
on April 21, 1952. Victim is Mrs. Edith D. Milliken (W), raped
on May 18, 1950. Trial begins on August 28, 1950 with John S.
Berry and E.W. Borden for the defense. James was identified by
Milliken three weeks later but he denies the rape. See James v.
State, 55 So.2d 582 (Fla. 1951), which affirms in a single
paragraph. Death warrant file in state archives includes trial
transcript. (Box 29)
McMANN, Coy, (B), 48, electrocuted on April 7, 1952 for a Manatee
County murder. Katie Pompey killed with a shotgun on November 5,
1950. Convicted and sentenced on March 13, 1951.. No trial
transcript but a list of witnesses and the. clerk’s notes which
indicate the jury retired at 5:50 p.m. and had a verdict at 6
p-m. McMann v. State, 55 So.2d 538 (Fla. 1951). See "Negro is
Executed For Slaying of Wife", Florida Times-Union, April 8,
1952, p. 18. Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 29)
LONDON, Willie, (B), 42, electrocuted on August 6, 1951 fora
Lake County murder. See a brief and uninformative opinion
affirming his conviction and death sentence at London v. State,
48 So.2d 926 (Fla. 1950).
FELTON, James Edward, (B), 25, electrocuted on August 6, 1951 for
a Lake County murder. See Felton v. State, 49 So.2d 848 (Fla.
1951), a one paragraph affirmance. .
WASHINGTON, John Jr., (B), 25, electrocuted on June 4, 1951 for a
Volusia County murder. William Bostic (B) murdered on May 6,
1950, beaten to death with a piece of iron. Verdict and sentence
on November 1, 1950. Death warrant file in the state archives
contains the full trial transcript. (Box 28)
HILTON, Jessie, (B), 33, electrocuted on June 4, 1951 for the
Volusia County murder of Bertha Turner (W), her throat cut on
September 20, 1950. Verdict on October 31, 1950, sentenced on
death on the same day. Death warrant file in the state archives
contains the trial transcript. (Box 28)
GIFFORD, R. Charlie, (W), 72, electrocuted on February 21, 1951
for a Pinellas County murder.
16
Napoleon B. Hagan, on September 15, 1913. Convicted on January
5, 1914, sentenced on March 9, 1914. Roland v. State, 68 Fla.
153 (Fla. 1914), a one paragraph affirmance. See "Lonnie
Rowland, Negro, Executed At County Jail", Florida Times-Union,
January 23, 1915, p. 8. Death warrant file in state archives.
(Box 7)
HILL, Jesse, (B), hung in Brevard County for rape on January 16,
1915. The victim is 59-year-old Mrs. Alice Nado (W), raped in
her home on May 14, 1914. Hill is picked up by the police and
identified at a show-up. Trial on October 27, 1914, and
sentencing on November 2, 1914. Death warrant file in state
archives which includes the full trial transcript. (Box 7)
MOORE, Will, hung for murder in Bradford County on November 27,
1914. W.T. Andrews was shot with a pistol on February 1, 1914.
Looks like there was a son named Dorsey as a codefendant. Moore
is convicted and sentenced on March 27, 1914. Death warrant file
in state archives. (Box 7)
BROWN, Joe, hung in Dade County for murder on July 3, 1914. The
victim is Charlie Sanford, murdered with a shotgun on December
11, 1913. Brown is convicted on January 20, 1914, and sentenced
the next day. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 7;
Box 41, page 170)
DALY (DALBY?), Clarence, hung in Dade County on April 10, 1914
for rape. The victim is Mrs. Margaret Berry, raped on June 27,
1913. Convicted on July 12, 1913, sentenced two days later.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 7)
HENSEN, Bennie, (B), hung in Hillsborough County on March 13,
1914 for murder. The victim was his wife. Trial was on December
10, 1913 with sentencing the same day. See Tampa Tribune,
"Entertains Friends On Eve Of Execution," March 13, 1914, page 5,
and "Still Denying Guilt, Henson Pays Penalty," March 14, 1914,
page 5. Note it is spelled Hensen on archival documents and
Henson in the press. Death warrant files in state archives.
(Box 7; Box 41, page 165)
-WILLIAMS, Tom, hung for murder in Putnam County on February 6,
1914. Victim is Vallie Moore (B), 15, strangled then burned
afterwards. The mother is Abbie Williams. Trial on October 29,
1913. There is a two week stay of execution to test for
insanity. Death warrant files in state archives contain the
trial transcript. (Box 7)
HURD, Sam, hung in Alachua County on January 30, 1914 for murder.
Victim is W.H. Mahafney, killed with a shotgun on October 4,
1913. Codefendant is Wilkes Hurd. Convicted on November 19,
1913, sentenced on November 29, 1913. (Box 7)
46
1911. Death warrant file in state archives with a short trial
transcript, but no trial dates. (Box 7)
TURNER, Dave “Red", (B) hung on February 16, 1912 for a Marion
County murder. Victim is Alberta Nix (B), killed with a shotgun
on May 12, 1911. Convicted on December 27, 1911, sentenced on
December 30, 1911. Death warrant file in state archives contains
a short trial transcript. (Box 7)
RICHARDS, Henry, hung on February 16, 1912 for a Volusia County
murder. William P. Edwards is shot with a pistol on November 4,
1907. Trial begins November 17, 1911, sentenced the next day.
Death warrant file in state archives has a trial transcript.
(Box 7)
BROOME, Edward, hung in Osceola County on January 19, 1912 for
murder. The victim is Sam Boatwright, shot with a pistol on
January 23, 1910. Broome is convicted on November 28, 1911 and
sentenced on December 5, 1911. Death warrant file in state
archives. (Box 6)
McCOY, Will, hung in Putnam County on December 1, 1911 for
murder. The victim is Arnita Faison, 15 or 16, killed with a
shotgun to the head on July 23, 1911. Conviction and sentence on
October 13, 1911. Death warrant file in state archives contains
a portion of the trial transcript. (Box 6)
YOUMANS, Edgar, hung in Putnam County for murder on December 1,
1911. The victim is Walter Polite, shot with a pistol on March
10, 1911 and dying two days later. Convicted and sentenced on
October 13, 1911. Youmans was with Polite’s wife when Polite
showed up to get her, was shot while walking away with her. The
husband had told the woman to leave with him, she refused, he
struck her twice with a box, then Youman shot him. His defense
is self defense. Death warrant file in the state archives
contains about a twenty page trial transcript. (Box 6)
WALKER, Will "Sonnie", hung in Duval County on July 14, 1911 for
murder. His codefendant is Anna "Annie" Walker. The victim is
Sol Osterman, killed with an iron pipe on November 30, 1909.
Convicted on February 10, 1910 and sentenced on March 29, 1910.
FSC appeal. Note Walker v. State, 60 Fla. 481, 54 So. 387 (Fla.
1910), dismissed on motion from counsel, and Walker v. State, 61
Fla. 78 (Fla. 1911). Two reprieves from the governor. Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 6)
GREEN, James, (B), hung in Jacksonville on January 27, 1911 for
the shooting murder of George Scriven (B), on December 11, 1909.
Represented at trial by George Couper Gibbs. See Green v. State,
60 Fla. 22, 53 So. 610 (Fla. 1910) and "Green Hanged Yesterday
For Scriven Murder", Florida Times-Union, January 28, 1911, p. 9.
Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 6)
49
MITCHELL, Hersey, hung in Bradford County on July 18, 1913 for
murder. The victim is Arnold Brymer, stabbed with a pocket knife
on January 13, 1913 and. dying two days later. Motion for new
trial dated April 30, 1913, but no other court records. Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 7)
SMITH, Tom, hung in Alachua County on June 27, 1913 for murder.
The victim is H.C. Spencer, killed with a shotgun on February 26,
1912. Smith plead guilty on May 13, 1913 and did not want a
lawyer. He did not speak at his sentencing on May 23, 1913.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 7)
BUSCH, Tom, hung for murder in Pasco County on May 21, 1913. The
victim is Hoyt Houston, shot on March 10, 1913. He is convicted
on April 9, 1913, sentenced on April 12, 1913. Death warrant
files in state archives. (Box 7)
WHITEHEAD, George "Dude", hung in Duval County on April 18, 1913
for murder. On July 23, 1912 he beat George Osborn to death with
an iron pipe. He was convicted on January 17, 1913, and
sentenced on February 21, 1913. Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 7)
WILLIAMS, Jake, hung for murder in Lake County on April 4, 1913.
The victim is C.G. Lowe, shot with a pistol on February 1, 1913.
The trial is on March 13, 1913 with sentencing the same day.
Death warrant file in the state archives but no trial transcript.
(Box 7)
KIRBY, Walter, hung in Polk County on January 22, 1913 for rape.
The victim is Llewella Ellen Tyner, raped on November 30, 1912.
He is indicted, tried, and sentenced on January 13, 1913. No
trial transcripts in the file. Death warrant files in state
archives. (Box 7)
JOHNSON, Jim J., (B), hung for rape in Marion County on January
15, 1913. Victim is Lena Hewett (W) and is married, raped on
January 7, 1913. Johnson says he knew the victim, she denies
knowing him at all but identifies him in the transcript: "That is
the negro!" Trial on January 7, 1913. See "Jim Johnson Hanged
In Ocala Jail", Florida Times-Union, January 16, 1913, p. 15:
"The negro had previously confessed to the crime. About two
thousand persons, mostly colored, witnessed the execution."
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 7)
ANDERSON, Robert, (B), hanged in Hillsborough County in November
1912 for several murders. No records in the state archives. See
reference at "Still Denying Guilt, Henson Pays Penalty," Tampa
Tribune, March 14, 1914, page 5.
PERRY, Fortune, hung on September 27, 1912 for an Alachua County
murder. Codefendants are Lige Brown and Canin Perry, a brother;
47
an unexecuted death warrant on Perry in the file. Brown also has
a death sentence. Charlie Slaughter is shot with a pistol on May
11, 1912. Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 7; Box 41,
p. 151)
PERRY, Cain (Canin?), hung on September 27, 1912 for an Alachua
County murder. (Box 41, page 152)
WATKINS, George, hung for rape on September 6, 1912 in St. Lucie
County. Convicted on July 26, 1912 and sentenced the next day.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 7)
MATHIS, Obe, hung on July 19, 1912 for a Jackson County murder.
Convicted on December 12, 1911, sentenced on December 16, 1912.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 7)
MIDDLETON, Abe, hung on June 7, 1912 for a Clay County murder.
Convicted and sentenced on October 27, 1911. Death warrant file
in state archives. (Box 7)
JOHNSON, Steve, hung on May 31, 1912 for a St. Johns County
murder. Victim is George Williams, shot on March 23, 1912.
Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 7)
WHITE, Tom, hung on May 31, 1912 for a St. Johns County murder.
(Box 41, page 147)
BAXTER, Eugene, aka Eugene Nelson, hung on May 31, 1912 for a St.
Johns County murder. (Box 41, page 146)
HOREE, Henry, hung in Taylor County for murder on May 10, 1912.
Victim is Sanky Cooper, stabbed with a pocket knife on January
28, 1912. Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 7)
ALEXANDER, William J., (W), hung in Jacksonville on May 3, 1912,
for the murder of Jack Sumner on August 3, 1911, cutting his
throat with a razor. Sentenced on January 26, 1912. See the
Florida Times-Union: "Death Sentence Was Passed On Wm.
Alexander", January 27, 1912, p. 13; “Penalty of Death Must Be
Paid At Jail Today", May 3, 1912, p. 17; and "William Alexander
Has Now Paid Price For Murder Of Jack Sumner Last August", May 4,
1912, p. 3. Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 7)
BURNEY, Silas, hung on April 26, 1912 for a Taylor County murder.
Victim is J.J. Rouse, killed with a shotgun on November 18, 1911.
Convicted and sentenced on March 29, 1912. Death warrant file in
state archives. (Box 7)
KNIGHT, James, hung on February 16, 1912 for a Sumter County
murder. Victim is Willie Knight, murdered with a razor, his/her
throat cut, during as domestic fight at a still on December 31,
48
trial transcript of June 10, 1931 in the death warrant file at
the state archives. (Box 13; Box 42, page 62)
MCQUAIGGE, Robert, age unknown, is electrocuted on May 27, 1931
for the murder of his mother-in-law in Jackson County. Victim is
Senie Ward, killed with an axe on June 3, 1930 after a dispute
over chickens. McQuaigge had been drinking whiskey all day. See
"McQuaigge Is Electrocuted", Florida Times-Union, May 28, 1931,
p. 7. Death warrant file in state archives contains the trial
transcript. (Box 13; Box 42, page 60, 61)
BURTON, Nathan, 24, (W), was electrocuted on February 24, 1931
for the murder of his wife, Ellen Burton, in their Waldo, Alachua
County, home on November 29, 1929. He beat her to death with a
stick of wood. Trial on January 21, 1930. News accounts say he
was the first white man executed from Alachua County in 20 years.
A letter in the death warrant file indicates no appeal to the
FSC. See “Alachua Man Electrocuted", Florida Times-Union,
February 25, 1931, p. 12. Death warrant file in state archives.
(Box 15; Box 42, page 59)
SOUTHWOOD, T., 37, (W), was electrocuted on February 13, 1931 for
murder. The victim was Horace Wells (W), an off duty deputy
sheriff, shot with a pistol during a burglary on February 23,
1929. Southwood offers an insanity defense with expert
testimony. Verdict on March 27, 1929 with a 10-2 jury vote for °
death. Southwood v. State, 98 Fla. 1184, 125 So. 345 (Fla.
1930). See “He Wanted to Die -- and Did", Florida Times-Union,
February 13, 1931, p. 10. Death warrant file in state archives
contains the trial transcript. (Box 13; Box 42, page 57)
BELL, Clayton, (B), 26, was electrocuted on January 27, 1931 for:
a Volusia County murder. The victim was a Stetson University
grounds superintendent, P.D. Edmunds (W), shot and killed during
a campus burglary on December 26, 1930. Sentenced on December
31, 1930. No listing of an appeal in FSC records. See "Negro
Electrocuted For Killing Edmunds At Stetson University", Florida
Times-Union, January 28, 1931, p. 11. Death warrant file in
state archives contains a trial transcript. (Box 15; Box 42, page
56)
FUNDERBIRK, Boss, (B) electrocuted on March 19, 1930 for an
Apalachicola (Franklin County) murder. (Trial transcript spells
in name Funderburk; some witnesses call him "Boss Thunderbolt". )
The victim is policeman D.H. Scott, shot with a pistol on April
28, 1929. Codefendants are Ikey Barfield, Henry Lucas, Raymond
Stone, and Robert McIntyre. See "Negro Pays Death Penalty",
Florida Times-Union, March 20, 1930, p. 6. Death warrant file in
state archives contains the trial transcript. (Box 13)
HARVEY, Herbert, (B), 21, was electrocuted on October 23, 1928
for the murder of Emma Reich of Macclenny (Baker County) with an
36
Fla. 457, 102 So. 546 (Fla. 1924); Browne v. State, 92 Fla. 699,
109 So. 811 (Fla. 1926); Ex Parte Charles Browne, 93 Fla. 332
(Fla. 1927); and “Browne Dies Upon Gallows At DeLand", Florida
Times-Union, April 19, 1927, p. 12. Death warrant files in the
state archives. (Box 11; Box 42, page 16, 25, 30)
LONDON, Earl "Poker Bill", (B), age unknown, was electrocuted on
April 7, 1927 for the murder of a Polk County deputy sheriff,
John Edward Harrelson (W) on December 21, 1926. Codefendants is
Henry Lewis. See "Negro Earl London Pays Death Penalty", Florida
Times-Union, April 8, 1927, p. 3. Death warrant file in state
archives. (Box 11; Box 42, page 28)
CHESSER, Rufus, (W), 20, was electrocuted on March 23, 1927 for
murder. The victim was an older sweetheart, Sally Boyles, killed
with a shotgun, also killing his brother-in-law Lawrence
Dilaberry. The trial was in Green Cove Springs in November 1925.
A lot in the files suggest he is mentally ill. See Chesser v.
State, 109 So. 599 (Fla. 1926); Chesser v. State, 109 So. 906
(Fla. 1926); Ex Parte Rufus Chesser, 93 Fla. 291 (Fla. 1927); Ex
Parte Rufus Chesser, 93 Fla. 590 (Fla. 1927), en banc.; and in
the Florida Times-Union, "Chesser Execution Is Stayed By Order Of
Circuit Court Judge", February 19, 1927, p. 13; "Chesser Smiles
As He Goes To His Death In Electric Chair", March 24, 1927.
Death warrant file in the state archives contain the full trial
transcript. Items of interest in the pardon board files as well.
(Box 11; Box 42, page 21, 27)
STONE, Raymond, (B), age unknown, was electrocuted on March 8,
1927 for the shooting murder of a Duval County turkish grocer,
Altafar Rahman during a July 15, 1926 robbery. His codefendant
was Lloyd O’Dell Salter, "The Yellow One". See "Negro Killer
Dies in Chair", Florida Times-Union, March 9, 1927, p. 24. Death
warrant file in state archives. (Box 11; Box 42, page 24, 26)
SALTER, Lloyd Odell, (B), age unknown, electrocuted on March 1, )
1927 for a Duval County murder. A codefendant of Raymond Stone.
Trial on August 21, 1926, sentenced on August 30, 1926. Death
warrant file in state archives. (Box 11; Box 42, page 23)
WILLIAMS, Arthur "Slim", (B), age unknown, electrocuted on
December _ 11, 1926, for the Dade County murder of George Attan,
shot on November 12, 1925. He is a codefendant of Willie Green.
Trial on January 23, 1926, sentenced on January 30, 1926. See
"Williams Is Electrocuted", Florida Times-Union, December 12,
1926, p. 4. Death warrant file in state archives contains trial
transcript. (Box 9; Box 42, page 12)
GREEN, Willie, (B), age unknown, electrocuted on November 24,
1926 for a Dade County murder. He is a codefendant of Arthur
Williams. See "Negro Executed", Florida Times-Union, November
39
litigation had stopped the execution, attorneys for the negro now
say that if a move just made for another trial is denied, the
United States Supreme Court will be appealed to." Death warrant
file in the state archives. (Box 42, pages 9, 10, and 17)
WASHINGTON, George, sentenced to hang for a Hillsborough County
murder. Death warrant sets the execution for July 31, 1908, but
his sentence is commuted to life on August 24, 1908. (Box 41,
page 104)
WESLEY, John aka John Brady, sentenced to die for an Alachua
County murder. Death warrant sets his execution for March 2,
1931. (Box 42, page 58 "Commuted to Life Imprisonment Feb. 26,
1931")
WHEATON, Jack, convicted of murder in Volusia County on November
13, 1915, and sentenced on November 19, 1915. Murdered his wife,
Susie Wheaton, on July 25, 1915 with a turpentine tool called a
Hack Cutter. Death sentence commuted to life on August 30, 1916.
Death warrant file in the state archives contains the full trial
transcript. (Box 7; Box 41, page 189?)
WILLIAMS, Jim, sentenced to die for a Putnam County murder.
Victim is Stella Williams, killed with a knife during a domestic
dispute over her staying out late and drinking. Williams v.
State, 92 Fla. 987, 111 So. 127 (Fla. 1926). (Box 42, page 11,
31 "Granted Commutation of Sentence to Life Imprisonment", 33)
WILLIAMSON, Jack, (B), sentenced to death for a Broward County
murder. The victim is Robert M. Darsey, killed on May 13, 1933
with a club of some sort. FSC appeal. An August 22, 1933 letter
from the governor’s secretary withdraws active death warrants on
Williamson, Clarence D. "Red" Casey, James "Jimmie" Milligan,
Walter Woodard, Izell Chambers, and Charlie Davis. Chambers,
Davis, Williamson, and Woodward are codefendants. Chambers
convicted at trial, the others plead guilty. Williamson and
Woodard are represented by W.C. Mather. Williamson, Woodard,
Davis, and Chambers are sentenced on May 24, 1933. A letter in
the file pleads for Williamson’s life. There is no indication of
executive clemency in the file, but Williamson is not executed.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 18)
YATES, James Jr., sentenced to hang for an Osceola County murder.
The victim is M.H. Mitchell, shot with a pistol on September 20,
1889, during a quarrel. Arraigned on October 11, 1889 and M.L.
Mershon represents him. Trial on October 15, 1889, verdict the
following day, sentenced on October 17, 1889. See Yates v.
State, 26 Fla. 484 (Fla. 1890). Commuted to life on January 28,
1891. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 2)
80
25, 1926, p. 6. Death warrant file in state archives contains
trial transcript. (Box 9; Box 42, page 13)
TAYLOR, Phillip, (B), age unknown, electrocuted on October 28,
1926 for the Dade County murder of Mildred Taylor (B) on July 15,
1926. The "dance hall" case. Taylor testifies that police beat
a confession out of him. Death warrant file in state archives
contains the trial transcript. (Box 9; Box 42, page 19)
SCRIMM, Harry, (W), age unknown, electrocuted on May 26, 1926 for
the rape of a Dade County child. His trial was on December 3,
1925. He is the first white to be electrocuted. See in the
Florida Times-Union, "First White to Death in Chair", May 26,
1926, p. 22, and "Harry Scrimm Electrocuted", May 27, 1926, p. 4.
Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 42, page 6)
SIMMONS, John, (B), age unknown, electrocuted on May 18, 1926,
for the rape of Annie Belle Cronkite (W), about 45, raped in
Duval County on June 18, 1925. See "John Simmons Dies in Chair",
Florida Times-Union, May 19, 1926, p. 13. Death warrant file in
state archives. (Box 9; Box 42, page 7)
DUNWOOD, Roy, (B), age unknown, electrocuted on May 12, 1926, for
a Duval County hammer murder of "an aged white man", William A.
Meade, on May 28, 1925. Trial on July 16, 1925, sentence on
August 4, 1925. See "Hammer Slayer Pays Penalty In Death Chair",
Florida Times-Union, May 13, 1926, p. 3. Death warrant file in
state archives. (Box 9; Box 42, page 8)
CHAMPION, Will, (B), age unknown, electrocuted on January 28,
1926 for a Duval County murder. Victim is his wife, Janie
Robinson (B), shot with a pistol on June 15, 1924. Trial on
February 9, 1925, sentenced on February 24, 1924. See "Jax Negro
Dies In Chair Today", Florida Times-Union, January 28, 1926, p.
23. Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 9; Box 42, page
5)
COACHMAN, J.C., (B), age unknown, electrocuted on May 6, 1925 for
a Manatee County murder/rape of a 7-year-old girl, Irene Fostic
(B). Murdered the third Sunday in October, body found October
27, 1924. Trial on November 7, 1924. See "Manatee Negro Pays
Penalty", Florida Times-Union, May 7, 1925, p. 9. Death warrant
file in state archives. (Box 9; Box 42, page 4)
JOHNSON, Frank, aka Luther Darrill, (B), age unknown,
electrocuted on October 7, 1924 for a Duval County murder of a
Jacksonville railroad engineer, Atley B. Terrell, during a
December 12, 1923 burglary. A codefendant, Eugene Mills (B)
received a life sentence. The trial was on March 18 or March 20,
1924 with sentenced imposed on April 7, 1924. There was no
appeal. He is the first man to die in the electric chair. See
Florida Times-Union, "Eleven Heard In Trial Of Alleged Terrell
40
Prayer, audible to witnesses and newsmen.
He waved to us all and exclaimed in a
ra weak voice:
oless you all, men—I’ll see you over
th..__. Those were his only words spoken
in the death chamber. He led prayer
service in his death cell, No. 12, a few mo-
ments before walking his last mile. As
I listened to him praying I knew he meant
it from the bottom of his heart and some-
how or other all those fellows seem re-
signed and in my opinion “right with their
Maker.”
e amazing thing about these condemned
men—at least it amazes me most—is that
they were all, without a single exception
that I can recall, except Zangara, convinced
that they were “saved” before they paid
with their lives.
Jarvis was one of the forty-two I have
seen and he was one of the thirty of that
total who had told me “I am sure that my
sin, if I committed one, as accused by the
court of man, has been forgiven by. my
God.” They all said, in effect, the same.
Monroe Hasty, a chocolate-colored negro,
died September 16th, 1935, for slaying an
aged white woman in DeLand a couple of
years before. He attempted to hold up the
aged woman at her roadside stand near
DeLand as she counted her daily receipts.
He killed the woman, according to court
records, and fled without getting any of the
cash in her business establishment. Caught
a few months later, the man was about to
be tried when he confessed.
He did not utter a sound when he entered
the death house and he remained silent as
the guards prepared him in the chair for
the Volusia County Sheriff to throw the
switch which applied the death-dealing cur-~
rent to his body.
Lonnie Green, a Bradford County negro,
died in the chair on January 7th, 1936, for
the ng of a little negro girl, eight years
olc Bradley died in June of the same
ye.. ..1 George Dixon died the following
August 24th, both convicted murderers.
Neither said a word at the last.
The most memorable execution I ever at-
tended was on the morning of October 19th,
1936, when for the first time in the state’s
electric chair history, four men were elec-
trocuted at one time. In the record time
of fifty-two minutes, their lives were
snuffed out. There were several other
reasons why the occasion was memorable,
too. —
I had grown to know rather intimately
one of the condemned; he had entered the
death row a fine-looking man, full of
spirits. He was a convicted murderer of
a Miami druggist.
He was Clarence D. (Red) Casey. He
and J. D. Milligan were convicted in 1931
for the slaying of a Miami druggist, Frank
Palmer.
When Casey first entered the death row
he was resigned to “dying in the chair and
ending my agony,” as he told me often.
He was a fine-looking, strong, healthy man
in his early thirties, with red, wavy hair.
The day he died, nearly five years later,
he was virtually gray and a broken man.
He often said to me “I’ve died, Kerce, a
thousand deaths.
do the relatives of the condemned continue
to get them reprieves? We are the ones
who suffer. Die... have hope reborn and
then die all over again, spiritually.”
I*nave sat across the bars from Casey’s
cell door many times and talked of these
and other things with him. I even cried
with the poor devil over his own troubles.
I don’t exactly know why, except, maybe,
beerss+ ¥ came to know his agony and I, too,
hay 2n wondered since, the reason for
the rieves.
RKitner a man is guilty or he isn’t, and all
the court technicalities on earth don’t right
a wrong or vice versa once the first death
yarrant is signed by the Governor, dis-
Why in the name of God.
lege or 3.
patched to the prison, and read to the con-
demned man.
The morning of the state’s first quadruple
execution, Casey was the first to enter the
little death chamber.
. “Brothers, I want you all, when you go
. outside, to get on your knees and make
peace with God.
“That’s the only way to live.
“God be with you—God have mercy on
you and I ask God to have mercy on my
soul,”
As electrician Kite pulled on the black
cap and went about adjusting the electrode,
Casey mumbled a few other words. They
were inaudible.
Casey left a long letter addressed to this
reporter and Superintendent Chapman. In
effect the note said very little, with the
exception of being a soul-stirring warning
to youngsters to tread the straight-and-
narrow. ee
GAVE my copy of the letter to the Asso-
ciated Press and it was used in a release
several days after the electrocution. I wish
now I had kept it, for I honestly somehow
can’t forget Casey. Every time I witnessed
an execution after that, I always thought
of Red.
Mulligan, his buddy in the slaying in
1931, died without saying anything but a
faint “good-by” he whispered to a guard
as he entered the chair.
The other men to die on that October 19th,
were L. D. Padgett, white, and Lee Clark,
negro, both convicted wife-slayers,
Padgett allegedly slew his wife with a
turpentine hack and Clark stabbed his wife,
fatally, with a switch-blade knife.
The little negro was the only one of the
foursome to wear a tie. He looked nervous
and pale as he entered last in the line. His
only words were advice to electrician Kite
on his adjustments of the electrode.
“Pull it down tight, please, boss,” the
darky said.
Kite did.
G. W. Scoggins, a 40-year-old Miamian,
died October 26th, 1936, for murder. He
and Rufus Johnson, also a convicted mur-
derer, both died on the same day.
Scoggins was the only one to talk.
“You are taking the life of an innocent
man,” he declared as guards: escorted him
to the electric chair. “I didn’t commit a
crime. I hope that God will forgive you.”
Two more negroes died in the space of
twenty minutes the following December
14th for the slaying of J. D. Yasmin of St.
Petersburg, a grocer. The old man was
slain while he counted his day’s earnings,
but the two slayers left without getting any
of his money.
His two young daughters heard the com-
motion and ran to their father’s aid. They
frightened the men, who fled and were
later arrested in Georgia, returned to the
state for trial and conviction on charges of
murder in the first degree.
Neither man uttered a word when led
into the death chamber.
The murderers of Yasmin were Richard
Williams and James Walker.
Willie Walker, no relation to James, died
April 23rd, 1937, for criminally attacking a
white woman and Simmie Lee Fields died
the following May 10th for murder. They
both were negroes.
One of the state’s best-known criminal
cases officially ended on July 12th of that
year when the state electrocuted Marcus C.
Powell, convicted for slaying his wife, Katie
Powell, in Jacksonville on March 2nd, 1936.
Powell was accused also of slaying his
mother-in-law, Mrs. Lou E. Speer, who
resided with Powell and his late wife, but
he was not tried on that charge,
It took Florida law officers quite a time to
get to the bottom of the mysterious disap-
pearance of Powell’s wife and mother-in-
law after he reported to the Jacksonville |
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Tall Stories
When a person becomes entangled with
the law, whether he is a big-time gangster,
or just an everyday citizen who has been
caught breaking a traffic law, he immedi-
ately becomes worshipper at the shrine of
the Great God Alibi.
To the gangster or professional crook,
the alibi provides a clinging hope of being
able to get out of punishment for deed he
has done.
Ask the judges, especially those who pre-
side over the police courts, and they will
’ tell you that far-fetched excuses crop up
fast during tedious court proceedings to
throw a few moments of hilarity into the
atmosphere. Thus, because the lesser
criminals do not know how to use the alibi,
it generally becomes just a great big laugh
when they present it.
Some exceedingly funny alibis can be
found in court records, and herewith are
some presented from Sacramento, Califor-
nia, city courts.
Negroes are granted to be the police
court’s best comedians. Recently a large
negro woman was brought to court, charged
with giving her little daughter a terrific
beating. The complaining officer testified
he had seen her committing the act.
“Is this true?” the Judge demanded.
The woman hung her head and admitted:
“Ah guess ah jes’ lost mah temper, Jedge.”
Then looking the Judge in the eye she
continued: “But say, ain’t you never been
de poppa of an ornery wuthless cullud child
like mine?”
The alibi was no good, the sentence stuck.
Occasionally a Judge has to admit he has
never “heard that one before.” A young
man who was arrested riding a motorcycle
wide open down the main street of the city,
swerving it dangerously from curb to curb,
brought that remark from the Judge, when
he innocently said: —
“This is how it happened, Judge. I was
looking for a chop suey joint. So I began
riding down K Street, looking here and
there, when it struck me I could look better
by going from one side of the street to the
other.”
Even though it was a “new one,” it cost
him $30.
A negro was charged with battering in
the door of his girl’s apartment.
“Sho, ah did jes’ that, Jedge. Yo’ see, ah
is a cook on a train stopping heah, and ah.
just had to see her befo’ ah leaves.”
The Judge paid no attention to such an
alibi, and began to pronounce sentence.
Suddenly the negro was galvanized into
city police that March that they had been
missing several days. Investigations went
on for several weeks before the bodies of
the women were found in a creek in Nassau
. County. *
A long court trial followed and Powell was
convicted of slaying his wife. After he had
got several reprieves his sentence was fin-
ally carried out. He went to his death
“without confessing, or talking in the death
chamber.
Powell had twice been convicted on mur-
der charges before the courts found him
guilty of slaying his wife, Katie, and in-
dicted him for slaying his mother-in-law,
Mrs. Speer. '
He was convicted in Pike County, Ala-
- bama, in 1913 for murder, but he was par-
doned later. Then in May, 1926, he was
given a life sentence in the Raiford Prison
farm after conviction on charges of slay-
action. He began pointing to a train pulling
out of the near-by Southern Pacific Rail-
road yards, and shouted: .
“Jedge, dere goes mah train, an’ mah job
is goin’ wif it. Please let me go wif it.” And
he started running for the door, shouting,
“Stop—ah’s a-comin’!”
But that was where he was wrong. An
officer grabbed him and escorted him back
to his cell.
A speeder was brought in, who told the
Judge he forgot what he was to buy at the
drugstore for his wife. As it was near
closing time, he was rushing home to find
out what the items were, so that he could
make the purchase before the store did
close.
“Wasn't there a telephone in the house?”
the Judge asked .
“Aw, but Judge, those things aren’t fast
enough,” the speeder quickly alibied. It
was to no avail. It cost him $25.
Then there was the woman, an interior
decorator, who had just finished working
on a home and was driving downtown when
she heard a noise in the back seat. There
she saw her customer’s Persian cat. She
told the Judge the cat must have been
awfully lonesome, or something, because
it just began to how] at the top of its lungs.
So she figured she had better get it back in
a hurry, and that was how she happened to
be arrested for speeding.
Alibi not accepted.
And so kneels everyone accused of com-
" mitting a crime or of breaking a law, at the
shrine of the Great God Alibi——MICcHAEL
Norwoop
\
ing William T. Crowles, a Jacksonville at-
torney. He was given a conditional pardon
in 1929 and the conditional pardon was
made a full pardon in 1931,
- Sheriff Rex Sweat of Duval County
pushed the switch that sent the death-deal-
ing electrical current through Powell’s
body as the latter paid the debt to society.
Robert Hinds of Apalachicola, a negro,
died in the chair on July 23rd, 1937. He was
a convicted rapist. His trial caused much
commotion in northwest Florida. He was
convicted in Tallahassee circuit court, the
state’s capital city, after a threat of violence
by Apalachicola citizens. The trial was
transferred and a net of National Guards
was thrown around the Leon County court-
house to protect the negro during his trial.
The state took the life of its only con-
victed kidnapper on February 24th, 1939.
Studious looking Franklin Pierce McCall,
the 22-year-old son of a minister, died for
the kidnap-slaying of little James Bailey
(Skeegie) Cash, Jr., the five and one-half
year old son of a Princeton, Florida, store-
keeper.
The month-long search for the kidnap-
slayer of the Cash child commanded front-
page attention for nearly a month and is
the first case in Florida’s history in which
FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover entered and
personally directed a widespread search for
an accused criminal.
McCall confessed to the charge of kidnap-
ping the Cash child but not to a charge
that he slew him. He was sentenced on the
first charge and paid with his life for the
kidnapping.
He was arrested a few days after the dis-
appearance of the Cash infant and after its
body had been found only a short distance
from where it was snatched from the James
Bailey Cash, Sr., home.
The Cash family announced on May 3lst,
1938, that their child had been kidnapped.
This was two days after the kidnapping oc-
curred. At that time the family said that
$10,000 had been paid in ransom money.
That money was recovered and McCall’s
arrest was announced after J. Edgar Hoover
entered the investigation and directed four-
teen G-men in the state’s biggest manhunt.
Hoover, because of the rush, investigation,
asked for a $50,000 special Congressional
appropriation. He arrived in Miami on
June 2nd, about a week after the kidnap-
ping and announced the finding of the
child’s body on June 9th. McCall con-
fessed to kidnapping the child a day later
and was indicted for its murder by a special
grand jury on June 14th. He was never
tried on the latter charge.
Reporters from a majority of the state’s
larger papers were on hand for the McCall
execution.
Young McCall talked with few reporters,
however, on the day before his electrocution
and his only statement for the papers was a
_written one he handed to a Miami Daily
News reporter as he entered the deat
chamber. ,
It began:
“Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus Christ for
30 pieces of silver. It would be interesting
subject matter to know just how much some
received who were instrumental in the per-
petration of this present day crucifixion.
“T hope that I may be pardoned for draw-
ing a parallel between the Master’s death
and my own.
“The chief difference is he died for.a
cause, Christianity, while I am going to
die for nothing... .”
McCall’s statement wandered on in a
childish tirade centering chiefly on claiming
his own innocence, which no one took seri-
ously since everyone knew he was guilty
and he had so confessed.
Ivy Lee Williams, a negro, died in the
chair before my eyes on November 11th,
my thirtieth birthday, for the crime of
murder. He didn’t issue a statement.
I saw Richard Smith, another negro, go
his last mile on April 15th, 1941, and in
fifty-five minutes I watched a hooded exe-
cutioner, the first hired in the state’s history
to do the executing in lieu of the Sheriff
from the county in which the crime was
‘committed, take the lives of four more
men—Florida’s second quadruple execution,
William R, Crews died for the slaying
of his wife, Oly Mae, to start the line
moving on that morning in ’41. Dan C.
Armond, convicted for the murder of a
Marianna, Florida, man, died next and the
other two were negroes. They were Charles
Henderson and Frizell McLaren, both con-
victed of murder. Neither man issued a
statement or lost his composure in the death
room,
Paul H. Mardoff, a Miami printer, who
stabbed his wife twenty-two times with a
Chinese dagger, died for the crime on Oc-
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(Continued from page 35)
accomplice, no one will ever know, or at
least they’ve kept quiet about it.
Forty-year-old Alvin E. Jeffcoat of
Clearwater died at 10:07 a.M., on Friday,
March 24th, 1933, four days after Zangara
walked his “last mile.” He smiled and
chatted with the guards who adjusted the
headgear and black leather mask which was
to blanket his face into darkness for the
last time.
Jeffcoat was a convicted wife slayer, who
beat the life from his frail victim with a
hammer. He never confessed, never issued
a statement, but he prayed continuously
after he entered the death chamber.
“God bless you, men,” he said in a loud
voice as he entered the death room and
gazed at the twelve witnesses and the news-
papermen seated a few feet away from the
chair.
“I hope you all go where I am going,
bless His holy name.”
He sat silently for a moment, and as elec-
trician Robert Kite went about the business
of adjusting the electrode, Jeffcoat mum-
bled, “I am going where there are no tears
and I will be glad to see all of you men ,
there. God bless you, men! I pray that
every one of you will be saved.”
While the attendants made last minute ar-
rangements and pulled down the leather
mask over his face, Jeffcoat spoke his last
words before 2,000 volts of electricity raced
through his body: “I want them (the chin
straps of the electrode) good and tight so
that they will hold me.”
In his death-cell room just before he was
brought into the death room, the condemned
man declared that a man appeared in his
dream the: last night and “told me that ‘you
killed your wife.’ I might have,” he told
Superintendent Chapman then, “but I re-
fuse to amplify my statement.” If he was
innocent or wanted to confess the crime
for which he paid with his life a few min-
utes later, he never told anyone.
Officials at the Florida prison farm for
the first time in the state’s history on Mon-
day morning, July 10th, 1933, electrocuted
three men at one time.- They were Louis
Leavine, Victor Palmer and Norman Heidt.
Their lives were snuffed out in record
time, twenty-six minutes. The men died
for the slaying of Joe B. Johnson of Tampa.
© Victor Palmer was the first of the trio
to pay the supreme penalty. He was the
only one of the three to talk. He told wit-
nesses and newsmen, “I want to make a
statement before I go,” as he was escorted
into the death chamber. :
“Rd Leavine (a brother of one of the men,
Louis Leavine) turned us up for $1,100. I
don’t hold it against him.” Palmer did not
expand on his statement and prison officials
and law officers present asked no questions.
Former Sheriff W. E. Spencer of Hills-
borough County (Tampa), who threw the
switch a few moments later, stepped up to
-the condemned Palmer and said: “I hope
you feel no ill-feeling toward me.”
Palmer requested Rev. C. H. Lentz to
read the 31st Psalm, the first time prison
officials said that they had ever heard a
condemned man ask to hear any specific
piece of the Scripture read before dying
in: the electric chair. This request was
granted. The first three verses read as
follows:
In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me
never be ashamed; deliver me in thy
righteousness.
Bow down thine ear to me: deliver me
speedily; be thou my strong rock, for an
house of defence to save me.
For thou art my rock and my fortress;
therefore for thy name’s sake lead me
and guide me.
Louis Leavine, whose brother Ed Leavine
was accused by prisoner Palmer of “turn-
ing us up for $1,100,” died without uttering
a word. So did Norman Heidt.
I saw my first negro pay the penalty of
death on the morning of October 8th, 1934.
He was Walter (Doc) Williams who died for
the attacking of three Dade County white
women. He was convicted and sentenced
on one count, however.
Williams walked unaided down the forty-
foot corridor separating the twelve death
cells from the death chamber and the elec-
tric chair. As Sheriff Coleman made ready
to shove the switch to electrocute the little
man, he wailed, “I only ask the Lord to
have mercy on me and my soul.” Those
were his only words.
Thomas Jefferson and Fred Anderson died
January 22nd, 1935, for the slaying of Carl
Schumann of Jacksonville, a former Uni-
versity of Florida (Gainesville) football
star, on Armistice Day, 1934.
Neither of the negroes made a confes-
sion or contended his innocence before the
executions and neither man spoke a word
after entering the death chamber where
Sheriff Rex Sweat of Duval County threw
the death-chair switch.
On February 25th, 1935, George Robinson,
negro, died in the chair for criminally as-
saulting a negro woman. He made no last
statement. Two months later, April 5th, I
saw Herman Smith pay the supreme pen-
alty for his conviction on a murder charge.
These were less eventful than the aver-
age executions and in one or two instances
there were not enough spectators present to
comprise the required twelve men for an
execution witness-panel, and Superinten-
dent Chapman had to send out to get sev-
eral guards to supplement the list.
Martin F. Jarvis’ murder of Lucy Bell
Dyal in 1932 in Sarasota was well known
to readers of the Florida dailies more than
a decade ago. Jarvis sought and received
several last-minute reprieves for the crime
on which he was convicted on Florida’s
west coast. He finally was electrocuted on
April 11th, 1935, but he never confessed
nor did he cause much commotion when
time finally ran out on him.
Jarvis walked into the death chamber that
bright sunny morning whispering the Lord’s
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Prayer, audible to witnesses and newsmen.
He waved to us all and exclaimed in a
rather weak voice:
“God bless you all, men—I’ll see you over
there.” Those were his only words spoken
in the death chamber. He led prayer
service in his death cell, No. 12, a few mo-
ments before walking his last mile. As
I listened to him praying I knew he meant
it from the bottom of his heart and some-
how or other all those fellows seem re-
signed and in my opinion “right with their
Maker.”
The amazing thing about these condemned
men—at least it amazes me most—is that
they were all, without a single exception
that I can recall, except Zangara, convinced
that they were “saved” before they paid
with their lives.
Jarvis was one of the forty-two I have
seen and he was one of the thirty of that
total who had told me “I am sure that my
sin, if I committed one, as accused by the
court of man, has been forgiven by my
God.” They all said, in effect, the same.
Monroe Hasty, a chocolate-colored negro,
died September 16th, 1935, for slaying an
aged white woman in DeLand a couple of
years before. He attempted to hold up the
aged woman at her roadside stand near
DeLand as she counted her daily receipts.
He killed the woman, according to court
records, and fled without getting any of the
cash in her business establishment. Caught
a few months later, the man was about to
be tried when he confessed.
He did not utter a sound when he entered
the death house and he remained silent as
the guards prepared him in the chair for
the Volusia County Sheriff to throw the
switch which applied the death-dealing cur-
rent to his body.
Lonnie Green, a Bradford County negro,
died in the chair on January 7th, 1936, for
the slaying of a little negro girl, eight years
old. Ed Bradley died in June of the same
year and George Dixon died the following
August 24th, both convicted murderers.
Neither said a word at the last.
The most memorable execution I ever at-
tended was on the morning of October 19th,
1936, when for the first time in the state’s
electric chair history, four men were elec-
trocuted at one time. In the record time
of fifty-two minutes, their lives were
snuffed out. There were several other
reasons why the occasion was memorable,
too. —
I had grown to know rather intimately
one of the condemned; he had entered the
death row a fine-looking man, full of
spirits. He was a convicted murderer of
a Miami druggist.
He was Clarence D. (Red) Casey. He
and J. D. Milligan were convicted in 1931
for the slaying of a Miami druggist, Frank
Palmer.
When Casey first entered the death row
he: was resigned to “dying in the chair and
ending my agony,” as he told me often.
He was a fine-looking, strong, healthy man
in his early thirties, with red, wavy hair.
The day he died, nearly five years later,
he was virtually gray and a broken man.
He often said to me “I’ve died, Kerce, a
thousand deaths. Why in the name of God
do the relatives of the condemned continue
to get them reprieves? We are the ones
who suffer. Die... have hope reborn and
then die all over again, spiritually.”
I nave sat across the bars from Casey’s
cell door many times and talked of these
and other things with him. I even cried
with the poor devil over his own troubles.
I don’t exactly know why, except, maybe,
because I came to know his agony and I, too,
have often wondered since, the reason for
- these reprieves.
Kither a man is guilty or he isn’t, and all
the court technicalities on earth don’t right
a wrong or vice versa once the first death
warrant is signed by the Governor, dis-
LONG, Harry Frank, (W), 35, electrocuted on September 29, 1958
for the January 1, 1954 murder of Thomas K. Coleman, Sr.,
shooting him five times, during a $10 north Jacksonville (Duval
County) motel robbery. Three codefendants testified against him
at trial: John Malcolm Courson, Clyde Marvin Salis, and John Paul
Smith. Verdict on May 28, 1955. Long v. State, 96 So.2d 897
(Fla. 1957). David U. Tumin argues the appeal for the state.
See "Harry Long Executed for Motel Killing", Florida Times-Union,
September 30, 1958, p. 17. (Box 32) .
EVERETT, George Lowell, (W), 23, electrocuted on June 13, 1958
for a murder/rape in Bay County in 1955. Victim is Lou Ellen
Jones, choked to death with an electrical cord on January 18,
1955. NGI defense. Everett v. State, 97 So.2d 241 (Fla. 1957).
His execution was delayed four days to allow the legal
arrangements for him to donate his eyes to an eye bank. See
"Eyes Donor Is Executed At Raiford", Florida Times-Union, June
14, 1958, p. 18: "He was executed for the slaying of an Air Force
Sergeant’s wife in Panama City in 1955. After raping and
stabbing the woman, he strangled her with the cord from an
electric heater." Death warrant file in the state archives.
(Box 32)
NELSON, Bozzie, (B), 45, electrocuted on May 26, 1958 for a Palm
Beach County murder. victim is Sarah Jane Campbell, stabbed with
an ice pick on August 11, 1956. Nelson confessed and took
deputies to the body, but later testified and denied the murder.
Verdict on November 19, 1956, jury out from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m.
See Nelson v. State, 97 So.2d 250 (Fla. 1957). Death warrant
file in the state archives. (Box 32)
RHONE, Roosevelt, (B), 33, electrocuted on September 30, 1957 for
a Marion County murder. Victim is Rhone’s wife from whom he was
separated, Starreatha Rhone (B), cut with a knife on January 29,
1955. B.J. Driver is defense counsel and does the FSC appeal
also. Verdict on April 12, 1955. Rhone is found to have hacksaw
blades in his cell and is transferred to a more secure jail.
Rhone v. State, 93 So.2d 80 (Fla. 1957). Death warrant file in
the state archives does not contain a trial transcript. (Box 32)
-RAULERSON, William 0., (W), 49, electrocuted on July 15, 1957 for
a Columbia County murder. Victim is Johnnie O’Neal, killed with
a shotgun on November 14, 1954. Milo I. Thomas Jr. appointed to
represent Raulerson. Verdict on May 2, 1955 and sentence on June
21, 1955. See Raulerson v. State, 93 So.2d 399 (Fla. 1957), a
one paragraph opinion affirming his death sentence. Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 32)
EZZELL, Joseph Lester, (W), 42, electrocuted on January 21, 1957,
for the September 22, 1954 beating/shoot ing murder Mrs. Margaret
L. Baynard (W) in Jacksonville. Ezzell is 40 at arraignment.
The trial commenced on January 24, 1955; conviction on Friday,
11
Times-Union, June 2, 1959, p. 19. Death warrant file in state
archives. (Box 33)
CONNOR, Harley A., (Ww), 59, was electrocuted on June 1, 1959 for
the alcohol related shotgun murder of Gilchrist County Sheriff
Mark Read, his neighbor, on December 9, 1956. Verdict on March
27, 1957. See Connor v. State, 106 So. 2a 416 (Fla. 1958). See "3
Are Executed At State Prison", Florida Times-Union, June 2, 1959,
p. 19. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 33)
WITHERS, Dallas, 38, electrocuted on February 2, 1959 for the
murder of two young Panama City (Bay County) boys, age 7 and 4,
on May 1, 1956. One is named Douglas Cecil Wilson which is the
basis of this death sentence. Defense attorney is Thomas D.
Beasley. Verdict on January 12, 1957. Withers v. State, 104
So.2d 725 (Fla. 1958). Another file includes an exchange of
letters involving the governor about Withers’ confession being
the result of police beatings, a subject also discussed in the
FSC opinion. See "Panama City Slayer of 2 Is Executed", Florida
Times-Union, February 3, 1959, p. 18: "Withers confessed to
taking the two for a boat ride May 1, 1956, and then tossing them
overboard in Polecat Bayou, but said he was so drunk he didn’t
know what he was doing." Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 33)
THOMAS, Jimmie Lee, (B), 35, is electrocuted on January 19, 1959
for the Jacksonville (Duval County) rape of a 36-year-old married
woman, Leona Lassiter (W), on April 29, 1955. Verdict on July
21, 1955, sentenced on September 29, 1955. Thomas admitted
intercourse but claimed the victim consented. See Thomas v.
State, 92 So.2d 621 (Fla. 1957) and "Local Negro Is Executed For
Assault", Florida Times-Union, January 20, 1959, p. 21: "The rape
occurred while the woman was placing flowers on her mother’s
grave in a Jacksonville cemetery." The article also refers to the
state’s "new chair." Death warrant file in the state archives.
(Box 33)
HORNE, Willie Jr., (B), 25, electrocuted for a Duval County r ape
on January 12, 1959. Victim is Marie Marvin Sharpe (W), 48,
raped on January 7, 1957. Defense counsel is Releford McGriff.
Verdict on March 5, 1957, sentence on March 20, 1957. See Horne
v. State, 101 So.2d 864, 865 (Fla. 1958): "She made an immediate
and spontaneous accusation of the appellant, in his presence, to
the officers making the arrest, and was immediately removed to a
hospital where she received medical attention. There is thus no
issue as to identity. The only defense was the alleged consent
of the victim." See "Willie Horne Is Executed For Assault",
Florida Times-Union, January 13, 1959, p. 5: "He was accused of
attacking the 48-year-old victim after Slugging her escort with a
tire wrench on Heckscher Drive in Jacksonville." Death warrant
file in the state archives. (Box 33)
10
in his case on the race and rape issue. See "2 Rapists
Electrocuted After Delay Pleas Fail", Florida Times-Union,
November 14, 1959, p. 22. Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 33)
DANIELS, E.C., (B), 49, electrocuted on August 28, 1959 for the
murder of Clara Mae Ward (B) of Columbia County. Defense counsel
was W.J. Ferguson. Verdict on May 21, 1957, sentenced on June
27, 1957. The jury voted 6-6 as to a sentence on Daniels which
under the law of the time was not considered a mercy
recommendation. Daniels v. State, 108 So.2d 755, 761 (Fla.
1959), “We have not overlooked the fact that six members of the
trial jury voted for a recommendation of mercy. It might well be
that the Pardon Board upon application to it will commute the
sentence from death to life imprisonment, but we are without
authority to do so." See "Two Negroes Execute d at State
Prison", Florida Times-Union, August 29, 1959, p. 20. Death
warrant file in state archives. (Box 33)
ODOM, Sam Wiley, (B), 20, was electrocuted on August 28, 1959 for
the rape of a 63-year-old Kate Coker (63) on April 1, 1958 in
Leesburg. Defense attorney is W.M. Kennedy. Verdict on May 12,
1958. Odom v. State, 109 So.2d 163 (Fla. 1959). See "Two
Negroes Executed at State Prison", Florida Times-Union, August
29, 1959, p. 20: “Odom, who committed his rape at knife-point,
tried to stave off his death a few days ago by telling officials °
he had been involved in another rape. However, he admitted later
that this was merely a ruse..." Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 33)
FRAZIER, John, (B), 44, was electrocuted on June 1, 1959 for the
murder of Lacie Pearman (B) in Union County during an August 31,
1957 rape attempt. Verdict on December 12, 1957. See Frazier v.
State, 107 So.2d 16 (Fla. 1958) and "3 Are Executed At State
Prison", Florida Times-Union, June 2, 1959, p. 19: "Frazier
Prayed aloud from the time he sat in the chair until the current
jerked his body erect. As this happened, the electrode on his
head jolted sideways. An electrician, wearing insulated gloves,
calmly stepped to the chair and held the electrode in place until
the current was turned off." Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 33)
PETERSON, Frank, (B), 33, was electrocuted on June 1, 1959 for
the axe murder of a 2-year-old Holmes County girl, Ernestine
Carnley, on June 11, 1958. He was also charged with killing her
27-year-old father, beating two other children, and raping their
mother, on a Bonifay farm on June 11, 1958 the day after Peterson
was released from a prison road camp near-by. Evaluated at the
Florida State Hospital as to sanity. The written report in the
file notes: "He has been described as an easy going, courteous,
alert, negro, a typical southern colored boy who knew his place
and stayed in it." See "3 Are Executed At State Prison," Florida
9
January 28, 1955; sentenced on February 16, 1955. Ezzell v.
State, 88 So.2d 280 (Fla. 1956). See "Ezzell Dies For Killing
Housewife", Florida Times-Union, January 22, 1957, p. 17. Death
warrant file in the state archives contains the full trial
transcript. (Box 31)
DUNMORE, Moses Lee, (B), 21, electrocuted on October 1, 1956 for
an Alachua County rape. Victim is Clara Sauls (Ww), raped on
February 8, 1955. Codefendant is Robert Lee Colson. Verdict and
sentence in a one day trial on May 2, 1955. FSsc appeal. Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 32)
COLSON, Robert Lee, (B), 25, electrocuted on October Ls 1956 for
an Alachua County rape. Victim is Clara Sauls (W), raped on
February 8, 1955. Codefendant is Moses Lee Dunmore. Verdict and
sentence in the one day trial on May 2, 1955. See Colson v.
State, 86 So.2d 436 (Fla. 1956), a one paragraph opinion
affirming his death sentence. Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 32)
LA VOIE, Edgar J., (W), 55, electrocuted on Auqust 20, 1956 fora
Putnam County murder. Victim is Sandra Marjorie Brennan, cut
with a knife on April 18, 1955. Earl G. Nicholson and William
N. Cooke appointed to represent him. See LaVoie v. State, 84
So.2d 593 (Fla. 1956), a one paragraph affirmance. Death warrant
file in state archives does not contain a trial transcript. (Box
32)
COPELAND, Charlie Jr., (B), 24, electrocuted on April 28, 1956
for a Duval County rape. The victim is a 13-year-old Sharon
Janet McLain (W) of Jacksonville, raped on July 11, 1953.
Copeland is 21 at his arraignment on August 4, 1953. Sam B.
Wilson and Releford McGriff appointed to represent him. Verdict
on September 23, 1953 and sentence on October 30, 1953. See
Copeland v. State, 76 So.2d 137 (Fla. 1954) and "Rapist Laughs as
He Sits In Death Chair at Raiford", Florida Times-Union, April
29, 1956, p. 17. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box
32)
BARWICKS, Herman aka Johnny Frank, (B), 28, aka Johnnie Frank,
electrocuted on February 20, 1956 for a Polk County murder. The
victim is his common law wife Beatrice McNeal, shot with a pistol
on February 8, 1954. Verdict on Friday, April 30, 1954 and
sentenced on July 7, 1954. See Barwicks v. State, 82 So.2d 356
(Fla. 1955) includes a long response to the Motion for Rehearing.
Death warrant file in the state archives does not include the
trial transcript. (Box 32)
ARMBRISTER, Percy, (B), 25, electrocuted on February 20, 1956 for
a Dade County murder. Codefendants are Richard "Fat Back" Floyd
and George Anderson. Victim is a policeman, Edward E. Fritz,
shot with a pistol on February 3, 1953. Trial on September 14-
iz
MILES, Will, hung in Manatee County on July 11, 1917, for murder
after being sentenced on July 7, 1917. The entire local bar
appointed to représent him. National Guard is present to insure
a trial, no appeal. Death warrant file in state archives. (Box
8)
LONG, Boisy, hung in Alachua County on October 27, 1916 for
murder. Victim is S.G. Wynn, shot with a pistol on August 18,
1916. Long is convicted and sentenced on Tuesday, September S,
1916. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 7)
TURNER, Willie, hung in Alachua County on October 20, 1916 for
murder. F.C. Avery was stabbed and beaten to death on November
24, 1915. Turner is convicted on May 19, 1916 and sentenced on
May 22, 1916. Appeal to the FSC reflected in the file but no
opinion in the Florida Reporters for 1916. Death warrant file in
the state archives. (Box 7)
DURHAM, Walter, hung in Hamilton County for murder on September
8, 1916. Rayford Royals was shot with a pistol on April 10,
1916. Convicted and sentenced on July 28, 1916. Death warrant
file in the state archives. (Box 7)
JONES, Arthur, hung in Taylor County for murder on May 19, 1916.
Sentenced on April 5, 1916. Nothing else in the file. Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 7)
COLSON, Zack, hung in Taylor County for murder on May 19, 1916.
Sentenced on April 15, 1916. Nothing else in the file. Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 7)
WHITE, Pearl, hung for murder in Bradford County on December 31,
1915. Victim is Clara Simmons, killed with a shotgun on August
26, 1915. Convicted on November 6, 1915 and sentenced two days
later. Pearl is a male. Death warrant file in state archives.
(Box 7)
McDONALD, Dock, (B), hung in Gadsden County on December 3, 1915
for the murder of J.B. Bush who was shot with a pistol on July
14, 1914. Sentenced on November 5, 1915. Buried in the "colard
cemmetearry" the day after the hanging. Death warrant file in
the state archives. (Box 7; Box 41, page 187)
TOBIN, Ebenezer, (B), hung in Pinellas County on October 22, 1915
for murder. Victim is Edward F. Sherman, killed with a shotgun
on November 10, 1914. Tobin is convicted on September 17, 1915,
and sentenced five days later. He is married. Note death
certificate with "Legally hanged" as cause of death. Death
warrant file in state archives. (Box 7)
THOMAS, Emmet, (B), hung on August 20, 1915 in Escambia County
for murder. The victim is Ruby Barnes, aka Rubdy Hogan, whose
44
throat is cut with a razor in her home. The crime is witnessed
by her mother. Thomas is convicted and sentenced on November 3,
1914. See Thomas -v. State, 69 Fla. 692, 693, 68 So. 944, 944- “A
(Fla. 1915), which makes the observation "When they (Thomas and
the victim) get into the room to themselves he begins slashing
her with a razor, a favored weapon of the negro race, finally
breaking it off in her neck." Death warrant files in state
archives. (Box 7)
MADDOX, Ed, hung in Escambia County on August 20, 1915 for
murder. Convicted on November 2, 1914 and sentenced on November
11, 1914. Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 7)
HAYNES, Charles H., hung in Hillsborough County on August 18,
1915 for murder. Notation: "Warrant not returned to office of
Sec. of State." (Box 41, page 192-93)
WADE, John, hung in Hillsborough County on August 13, 1915 for
rape. Notation: "Warrant not returned to office Sec. of State."
(Box 41, page 184)
WISE, Shelby "Shebby", hung for murder on July 2, 1915. He
Stabbed Claude Brown on April 12, 1914. Sentenced on July 7,
1914. Execution postponed to allow for clemency efforts. See
Wise v. State, 69 Fla. 260 (Fla. 1915): "There is substantial
evidence that after midnight and just before the homicide the
decedent and the accused, after drinking from a bottle of
whiskey, uttered angry words toward each other at the home of a
woman with whom the accused associated, that on leaving the house
at the command or request of the accused, the decedent struck the
accused on the head with a whiskey bottle; that the decedent ran
followed by the accused who cut the decedent in the neck and back
resulting in the death. No particular length of time is required
within which a premeditated design to effect death may be formed
and acted upon; and in this case the jury were warranted in
finding that the fatal cutting in the neck and back was done from
a premeditated design to effect the death of the decedent."
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 7)
STOVER, Clyde, hung for murder in Putnam County on June 11, 1915.
Convicted and sentenced on April 29, 1915, no other information
in the file. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 7)
REEVES, Wilson, aka Charlie James, hung on February 5, 1915 for a
Brevard County murder. Victim is his wife, Estell Lapine James,
stabbed with a knife on February 3, 1914 during an argument over
her having poured kerosine on his suit. Convicted and sentenced
on March 28, 1914. Death warrant file in the state archives.
(Box 7)
ROLAND, Lonnie, aka Lonnie Roling, (B), hung in Jacksonville on
January 22, 1915, for the shooting murder of police officer
45
HOWELL, Claude, (B), hung in Jacksonville on October 17, 1919,
for the shooting murder of police officer Charles F. Turknett on
September 26, 1919. Convicted on October 4, sentenced on October
9, 1919. Obviously no appeal. See "Two Negroes Hanged in the
County Jail", Florida Times-Union, October 18, 1919, p. 11.
Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 8)
BRADLEY, Henry, (B), hung in Jacksonville on October 17, 1919,
for the murder of storekeeper William P. Carroll. See "Two
Negroes Hanged in the County Jail", Florida Times-Union, October
18, 1919, p. 11. Death warrant file in state archives.
DAVIS, Charlie, aka Will Davis, (B), hung in Gadsden County, on
September 19, 1919 for the shotgun murder of J.L. Forehand on
August 29, 1919. Convicted on September 10, 1919. Death warrant
file in state archives. (Box 8)
RICE, James, hung in Marion County for murder on August 8, 1919.
Victim is Joe Loy who had a laundry in Ocala, killed with a knife
on May 31, 1919. He is convicted on June 19, 1919, and sentenced
the next day. Death warrant files in the state archives contain |
a full trial transcript. (Box 8)
MILLER, Dave, hung in DeSoto County on August 16, 1918 for the
shootgun murder of Isam Smith on November 25, 1918. Convicted on
May 17, 1918, and sentenced on May 22, 1918. Death warrant file
in state archives. (Box 8)
BARRINGTON, George, hung June 14, 1918 for a Gadsden County
murder. Victim is J.M. Freeman, shot with a pistol on January
12, 1918. He is convicted on April 10, 1918, and sentenced on
April 17, 1918. Death warrant files in state archives. (Box 8)
MIMBS, Ed, (possibly Nims) hung in Polk County on May 31, 1918,
for shootgun murder of Allan D. Bouie on December 17, 1917. His
father Jasper Nims had his death sentence commuted to life.
Death warrant file in state archives contains the transcript.
(Box 8)
MCKINNEY, C.C., hung for murder on December 17, 1917. A brief
stay is granted by the governor because of a convention taking
place in Miami. Victim in James Bolton. McKinney raises a
defense of what amounts to cocaine insanity, a very interesting
transcript. Notes in the file indicate there was an appeal to
the FSC but they don’t review it because the record was
"bungled", but see McKinney v. State, 74 Fla. 25 (Fla. 1917).
Death warrant files in state archives. (Box 8)
LONDON, Edgar, hung on December 4, 1917 for a Pasco County
murder. The victim is Alberta London, killed with a knife on
August 2, 1917. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box
8)
43
PONSELL, Putnam Francis, aka Jim Lingo, hung for murder in
Okaloosa County on September 23, 1921. Hung with Jacob Benjamin
Martin. Apparently convicted on September 7, 1921. Death
warrant file in state archives combined with Martin.
WILSON, John P., hung on June 17, 1921 for an Orange County
murder. The victim is Mrs. Emma Dyall, killed with a shotgun on
December 31, 1920. The trial begins on March 16, 1921. Wilson
used to live with she and her husband, apparently was in love
with her. Death warrant file in state archives contains the
trial transcript. (Box 8)
BROWN, Tom, hung in Hillsborough County on May 20, 1921 for
murder. Convicted on March 23, 1921 and sentenced on April 2,
1921. Death warrant file in the state archives has very little
in it. (Box 8)
BLACKWELL, Robert, hung for murder in Okaloosa County on July 23,
1920. The sentence is for M.M. Davis, shot with a pistol on May
7, 1917 (possibly March 21, 1917). His wife Nancy Davis also was
murdered. Codefendant is Will Blackwell. They were tried
together in Okaloosa County on July 2, 1917, but their conviction
was reversed by the FSC at Blackwell (Will & Robert) v. State, 76
Fla. 124, 79 So. 731 (Fla. 1918). They were retried in Bay
County and convicted on December 27, 1918, sentenced on December
28, 1918. This conviction and sentence was affirmed: Blackwell
(Will & Robert) v. State, 79 Fla. 709 (Fla. 1920). FSC appeal
with costs fixed at $12 and taxed to the county. No indication
in this file what became of Will Blackwell. Death warrant file
in state archives. (Box 8)
POOLE, Hosie, hung in Escambia County on July 13, 1920 for
murder. The victim is Alfred Poole, killed with an axe on March
2, 1920. He is sentenced on June 25, 1920. Death warrant files
in state archives. (Box 8)
CASON, John, hung for murder on January 2, 1920 in Levy County.
Victim is Isabelle Cason, her throat cut with a razor on July 12,
1919. He is convicted on October 7, 1919, and he is sentenced
the next day. Death warrant files in state archives. (Box 8)
SMALLWOOD, John, (B), hung for murder in Gadsden County on
December 5, 1919. Victim is Bessie Smallwood, killed with an axe
on September 1, 1919. He is described as a laborer and is
convicted on October 31, 1919, and sentenced on November 6, 1919.
Death warrant files in state archives. (Box 8)
BRADLEY, Henry, hung in Duval County on October 17, 1919 for
murder. Victim is Charles P. Carroll, shot in the neck with a
pistol on July 13, 1914.. Bradley pleads guilty on October 8,
1919, and is sentenced the next day. Death warrant files in the
state archives. (Box 8) | .
42
of the first murder with a jury recommendation of mercy. See
Buchanan v. State, 95 Fla. 301, 116 So. 275 (Fla. 1928). The
jury did not recommend mercy on the second murder and a death
sentence was automatic. See Buchanan v. State, 97 Fla. 1059, 122
So. 704 (Fla. 1929). Several post conviction challenges: Blitch
v. Buchanan, 100 Fla. 1202, 131 So. 151 (Fla. 1930); Blitch v.
Buchanan, 132 So. 474 (Fla. 1931); Buchanan v. Blitch, 57 F.2d
668 (5th Cir. 1932); Buchanan v. Chapman, 146 So. 585 (Fla.
1933). See "Sentences of Death for Two Are Sustained", Florida
Times-Union, February 16, 1933, p. 6; "Supreme Court Upholds
State Execution Law", Tallahassee Democrat, February 17, 1933, p.
1. (Box 42, page 54 “Pending in Supreme Court", page 64, "Stay
of Execution Grahted due to Habeas Corpus Proceedings Instituted
in U.S. Court, Southern District of Florida", page 66 "Stay of
Execution Granted due to Habeas Corpus Proceedings Instituted in
U.S. Court, Southern District of Florida", page 68 "Revoked July
29th, 1932")
CARTER, Frank, sentenced to hang for a Duval County murder.
Victim is Charlie Phillips, killed with an axe on November 2,
1902. Carter is convicted on June 2, 1902 and sentenced on June .
21, 1902. Commuted to life on August 5, 1903. Death warrant
file in the state archives. (Box 4; Box 41, page 53)
COOK, Henry, convicted in Duval County of murder on January 20,
1913 and sentenced to death on February 21, 1913. The victim is
Lila Cook, killed with a pistol on April 12, 1912. Sentence
commuted to life on May 1, 1913. Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 7; Box 41, page 158)
DAVIS, Jeremiah, sentenced to hang for a Calhoun County murder.
His death warrant sets execution for June 26, 1914 but his
sentence is commuted to life on December 9, 1914. (Box 41, page
171)
DEES, W.M., sentenced to hang for a Hillsborough County rape.
His death warrant sets execution for April 17, 1914, but his
sentence is commuted to life on April 29, 1914. (Box 41, page
168)
DRIGGERS, M.M., sentenced to hang for a Duval County murder. The
victim is R.T. Dowling, shot on July 24, 1895. The victim is a
prominent citizen and there are rumors of a planned lynching,
venue changed to Duval County. Convicted on Thursday, November
28, 1895 and sentenced February 3, 1896. See Driggers v. State,
38 Fla. 7 (Fla. 1896). Commuted to life on November 15, 1896.
Death warrant file in the state archives. See "Later News:
Particulars of the Killing of Tax Collector Dowling of
Bradford.", Gainesville Sun, July 27, 1895, page 1: "MLM.
Driggers, who did the killing, had a boy who was brutally treated
at home and would run away every time he got a chance. The week
previous to the tragedy the boy had run away and taken refuge
76
with a farmer who lives in the vicinity. Driggers, instead of
going for his boy, swore out a warrant for the farmer, who was
arrested. When the officer was on his way to Starke with the
prisoner they passed Mr. Dowling’s house. The prisoner explained
the circumstances to Mr. Dowling and asked him to go his bail,
which request was granted. This enraged Driggs, and when Mr.
Dowling was passing his house Wednesday Driggers accused him of
assisting a theft. Mr. Dowling said that he had simply gone the
man’s bond, and anybody had a right to do that. But little more
was said, Driggers raising his shot gun to his shoulder and
firing the two fatal shots." (Box 3)
EDWARDS, Will, sentenced to hang for a Walton County murder. His
death warrant sets the hanging for January 10, 1908, but his
sentence is commuted to life on July 10, 1908. (Box 41, page
100)
HAMILTON, Richard, sentenced to die for a Sumter County murder.
(Box 42, page 55 "Board of Pardons 11/24/30 Commuted to Life
Imprisonment.")
HAMMOND, Jacob, sentenced to hang for a Volusia County murder.
The victim is Scott Smith, shot with a pistol on March 12, 1889.
Verdict on April 19, 1889 and sentence on May 4, 1889. Commuted
to life in August or September 1889. Death warrant file in the
State archives. (Box 2)
JAMES, Will aka Arthur Smith, Oscar Smith, sentenced to die for a
Marion County rape. Death warrant sets his execution for March
2/7, 1933. (Box 42, page 76 "Cancelled March 29, 1933. Commuted
to Life Imprisonment Sept. 13, 1933.")
JOHNSON, Henry, aka Frank Johnson, Frank West, Willie Williams,
sentenced to die for a Pinellas County murder. The death warrant
sets his execution for August 28, 1933. (Box 42, page 86
"Sentence commuted from Death to Life Imprisonment by Pardon
Board 12/6/33.")
JONES, William, sentenced to hang for a Duval County murder.
Victim is Florence Jones, killed with "a certain sharp
instrument" on June 14, 1894. Verdict on December 7, 1894,
sentenced on Thursday, December 12, 1894. Commuted to life in
prison on July 6, 1895. Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 2)
KELLY, Sam, sentenced to hang for a Jackson County murder.
Victim is John Holmes, killed with a shotgun on October 12, 1901.
Convicted on Wednesday, November 27, 1901 and sentenced on
Saturday, November 30, 1901. Commuted to life in January or
February 1903. See Kelly v. State, 44 Fla. 441 (Fla. 1902).
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 4; Box 41, page
47)
77
SHINGLE, Wiley/Wylie, (W), sentenced to hang for a Marion County
murder. Commuted to life on April 1, 1893. Victim is Dack/Dock
Gillane/Gillans/Gillam (W), shot with a rifle on December 5,
1891. Shingle is arrested and jailed on July 29, 1892. It
started as a.fight in a pool hall. Trial in fall term of 1892.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 2)
SUMTER, William, sentenced to hang for a Lake County murder.
Victim is Lee Dinkins, shot with a pistol on October 5, 1902.
Sumter is convicted on October 28, 1902 and sentenced on November
1, 1902. No defense witnesses called. Death sentence commuted
to life on January 17, 1903. Death warrant file in the state
archives contains the full trial transcript. (Box 3; Box 41,
page 46)
THOMAS, John, sentenced to hang for a Franklin County murder.
The death warrant sets execution for January 30, 1914, but his
sentence is commuted to life on February 19, 1914. (Box 41, page
164)
TURNER, Eddie, sentenced to death for a Gadsden County murder.
Victim is Albert Mimms, killed with "a billet of wood" on April
19, 1902. Codefendants are Horace Murray who is hung, Oescar
McDonald and Andrew Harrison, who are also commuted to life.
Robert Douglas is accused of the actual killing. Turner is tried
separately, convicted and sentenced on July 5, 1902. Death
warrant sets his execution for August 1, 1901. Sheriff’s return
on the death warrant says he was commuted to life on August 5,
1902. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 4; Box 41,
page 41)
WALTON, Joe, (B), setenced to hang for a Duval County murder.
The victim was Lizzie Johnson (B), killed on November 28, 1906
with a pistol. Walton is convicted on March 20, 1907, and
sentenced to hang on March 26, 1907. The governor commutes his
sentence to life on June 22, 1907. Death warrant file in the
state archives. See "Death On Gallows Is Walton’s Fate", Florida
Times-Union, March 22, 1907, p. 7. (Box 5)
WASHINGTON, Abraham "Abe", (B), sentenced to electrocution for a
Duval County murder. The victim is a woman he was living with,
Laura Simmons (B). Sentenced on March 9, 1923. Note Washington
v. State, 86 Fla. 519, 98 So. 603 (Fla. 1923); Washington v.
State, 92 Fla. 601 (Fla. 1926); Washington v. State, 116 So. 470
(Fla. 1928). See from the Florida Times-Union, "Negro to Go From
Jail Here To Death Chair", January 29, 1926, p. 32; “Negro Cheats
Hangman and Gets Freedom", June 15, 1942, p. 5; and from the Ft.
Lauderdale News, no headline, July 8, 1927: “JACKSONVILLE -- The
now somewhat famous case of Abe Washington, negro, several times.
sentenced to die in Florida for murder, has bobbed up again.
After the state supreme court had thrice passed on the case, a
special gallows for hanging had been ordered, and other
79
LANG, Ralph, (B), sentenced to death in Duval County for murder.
The victim was Charlie Johnson (B), a knifing victim. He was
sent to the Florida State Farm for electrocution, but the
execution was apparently not carried out. He does not show up on
DOC’s electrocution list. See "Negro Convicted in Knifing Case
Is Given Sentence to Chair", Florida Times-Union, December 14,
1927, p. 1.
LOVE, Ed, sentenced to hang for a Duval County murder. Victim is
James Smith, killed with a knife on October 26, 1901.
Codefendants are William Hammond and William Anderson. Love is
convicted on December 14, 1901, sentenced on January 9, 1902.
Commuted to life in August 1903. Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 4)
MCDONALD, John, sentenced to hang for a Taylor County murder.
The death warrant sets his execution for July 31, 1908, but his
sentence is commuted to life on July 31, 1908. (Box 41, page
107)
MIMBS, Jasper, sentenced to hang for a Polk County murder. The
victim is Allan D. Bouie, shootgunned on December 17, 1917.
Codefendant is his son Ed Mimbs who is hung on May 31, 1918.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 8; Box 41, page
201)
PUGH, Abraham, sentenced to hang for a Walton County murder. His
death warrant sets execution for July 31, 1908, but his sentence
is commuted to life on July 31, 1908. (Box 41, page 106)
REED, Arthus aka Arthur Davenport, sentenced to die for a
Pinellas County murder. Reed v. State, 94 Fla. 32 (Fla. 1927).
(Box 42, page 15 “Attorneys Perfected Appeal to Supreme Court on
Jan. 18, 1927", 40 "Sentence Commuted From Death to Life
Imprisonment." )
RIGGINS, Mallory "Buba", aka Mallie Riggins, convicted of murder
in Duval County on November 30, 1919. Commuted to life on August
27, 1920. See Riggins v. State, 80 Fla. 151, 85 So. 363 (Fla.
1920). Death warrant file in the state archives contains very
little. (Box 8; Box 41, page 213)
ROGERS, George, convicted of a Polk County murder. Death warrant
file in the state archives with a warrant but a commutation dated
June 21, 1904 is attached. (Box 4)
ROGERS, John H., sentenced to hang for an Osceola County murder.
His death warrant sets execution for March 11, 1910, but his
sentence is commuted to life on March 10, 1910. (Box 41, page
122)
and 4.2 for females. Thus white officers were 2.5 times as likely to be
illed as citizen look-alikes while black citizens were 1.9 times as
likely to be killed as black police officers. Likewise, the male police
and citizen homicide victimization rates were approximately equal (14.8
and 13.9) as were the female police and citizen rates (both 4.2).
From an historical perspective, it would appear that the police
homicide victimization rate in Dade County from 1910-1919 and 1920 to
1929 was much higher than in the 1980’s. Historical records(7) indicate
that in the decade from 1910-1919 there were a maximum of 50 law enfor-
cement officers in all of Dade County and thus the 7 officers who were
homicide victims would translate into a police homicide victimization
rate of 1,400 per 100,000 officers (ratio of 1:71) for 1910-1919. Lt
should be noted that this rate is inflated by the murder of three
members of a posse in 1916. However, the police homicide victimization
rate without the three posse members would still be 800 per 100,000
(ratio of 1:125) officers for the decade.
Likewise, historical records(8s) indicate a maximum of 500 law
enforcement officers at the end of the 1920-1929 decade and even assum-
ing this maximum number throughout the decade, the police homicide vic-
timization rate for the 1920’s (with 8 homicide victims) would be 160
per 100,000 officers (ratio of 1:625). Thus it would appear that Dade
police officers were 50 times as likely to be killed in 1910-1919 as BW 2
1980-1989 and 6 times as likely to be killed in 1920-1929 as in 1980-
1989.
It should be noted that the decade of the 1920’sS was a very violent
period in the history of Dade County as the (citizen) homicide rate
reached peaks of 102 per 100,000 in 1925 and 110 per 100,000 in 1926
compared to the "modern" peak of 35 per 100,000 in 1980. Likewise,
police officers were 18 times more likely to kill (citizens) in 1925-26
than in 1980.(9)
OFFENDERS AND DISPOSITIONS
Table 1 also presents an overview of "killers" though that term
covers a wide variety of meanings. Those who shot police officers are
not differentiated in Table 1 from those who were at fault in automobile
accidents that killed officers. Table 3 presents information on the 55
persons charged with first degree murder in the killing of Dade
officers. All are male and included 23 Blacks, 20 Hispanics, and 12
Anglos. The over-representation of Hispanic killers is quite pronounced
since the appearance of the first Hispanic killer in 1977. In the 16
years from 1977 to 1992, 61% (20 of 33) of those charged with firs
degree murder were Hispanic, 33% (11 of 33) were Black, and 6% (2 of 33)
were Anglo. Before 1977, 55% of the killers were Black and 45% were
Anglo (none were Hispanic). Nationally, (in 1990) 43% of those charged
with killing police were black and 56% were white.(10)
Table 4 categorizes the outcome of 70 cases involving offenders in
-he felonious death of officers (i.e., excludes 25 auto accidents and 2
4
victim cases; and 17% (1 of 6) of the black victim cases; 21% (6 of 28)
of the intraracial cases; and 33% (5 of 15) of the interracial cases
resulted in death sentences. However, these figures should not be taken
as proof of a "race effect" since no controls are utilized and the cases
likely differ in other respects other than race of killer and victin.
For example, of the 5 black on black cases, 2 were not convicted (one
suicide and one unsolved) but the remaining 3 got life in prison.
FOOTNOTES:
Bi
2
Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 1990. U.S. Bureau of
Justice, FBI.
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial: Roll Call of Fallen
officers, published by National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
Fund, 1360 Beverly Road, Suite 305, McLean, VA 22101
The estimate of 95 per 100,000 was calculated by multiplying the
citizen homicide rate for each race/sex/age subgroup by the propor-
tion of officers in that race/sex/age subgroup (i.e., 61 per
100,000 by 55.6% for white males, 20-44 and 240 per 100,000 for
black males, 20-44) and then adding the products.
from Vital Statistics of the United States, 1990.
The national police homicide victimization rate was calculated from
the total number (762) of police felonious homicides from 1981-1990
recorded in Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 1990
divided by the total number of local, state and federal police
officers in the U.S. in 1990 (545,462 X 10) multiplied by 100,000.
An estimate of 523,262 for all local and state police officers was
obtained from the National Criminal Justice Reference Service and
an estimate of 22,200 for all federal officers was obtained by the
union representing all "1811" federal officers who wear a badge and
carry a gun. The national police rate appears to be on the decline
as Mona Cristina Margarita reported (p. 26) in her dissertation,
Criminal Violence Against Police (#8018426), Ann Arbor: University
Microfilms, 1980, that the rate in 1977 was 16.2. Margarita also
gives police homicide rates of NYC officers from 1840-1980.
Calculated by adjusting the U.S. citizen homicide rate considering
the race/sex (but not age) composition of U.S. police (7.7% black
male, 1.6% black female, 83.4% white male, and 7.3% white female).
Figures from: Profile of State and Local Enforcement Agencies,
1987. Bureau of Justice Statistics.
See p. 83 of Paul George’s dissertation, Criminal Justice in Miami:
1896-1930 (#76-2644), Ann Arbor: University Microfilms, 1975.
George reports that newspaper records indicate a total of 30
officers in the Miami Police Department in 1917 and it is believed
that there were no more than 20 additional officers outside the
city (i.e., Sheriff, town marshals, etc., federal agents).
See p. 128 of George’s Criminal Justice in Miami: 1896-1930 (see ft.
#7); Wm. Wilbanks’ Murder in Miami: An Analysis of Homicide Pat-
terns and Trends in Dade County (Miami) Florida, 1917-1988, Lanhan,
MD: University Press of America, 1984, pp. 7-16, 142-144; and Wn.
Wilbanks and Paul George, "Re-evaluating the ’Good Ole Days’ in
Dade County: Historical Trends in Dade County Homicides, 1917-1982,
6
Southern Journal of Criminal Justice, 1984, 8(2), 232-244. Newspa-
per records cited in these sources indicate that the Miami Police
Department operated at a peak of 352 officers in 1926. There were
probably less than 148 other officers in the county at that date
thus the estimate of 500 officers for Dade County.
9 See p. 152 of Wilbanks’ Murder in Miami (ft. #8)
10
11
12
13
The characteristics of offenders for the U.S. as a whole are given
in Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 1990 (ft. #1).
The only published study found describing offenders in a single
jurisdiction other than the present study was: Samuel G. Chapman,
Cops, Killers and Staying Alive: The Murder of Police Officers in
America, Springfield, IL, 1986 (a study of police homicides in the
state of Oklahoma, 1950-1984).
Unpublished research by Wm. Wilbanks. A list of all Dade, FL, and
U.S. executions is found in William J. Bowers’ Legal Homicide:
Death as Punishment in America, 1864-1982, Boston: Northeastern U.
Press, 1984, pp. 423-427.
See Wilbanks, "The Frequency and Nature of Interracial Crime," in
Justice Professional, forthcoming 1992.
On the importance of viewing the offender perspective as well as the
victim perspective when studying intraracial vs. interracial crime
see: Wm. Wilbanks’ "Is Violent Crime Intraracial?, Crime and Delin-
quency, 1985, 31(1), 117-128.
poisonings). Ur rover of 87 "killers" were identified in the 70 cases.
Five were executed, 10 were killed justifiably by the police, 4 we
—Tynchéd, 3 committed suicide, and one died accidently. In addition, 8
are currently on death row... Thus 31 died or are scheduled to die as a
result of killing Dade police officers. A total of 41 were sentenced to
terms in prison (28 to life) and thus 72 of the 87 "cop-killers" died
(or will die) or were incarcerated and the disposition of 6 others is
still pending. Only 5 cases remain unsolved.
The killing of a police officer is much more likely to result ina
death penalty than the killing of a citizen. Five (17%) of the 30 Dade
men executed from 1914-1987 killed police officers while 8 of the 24
Dade killers currently on death row killed police officers.(11) Thus
24% (13 of 54) of Dade death cases were copkillers while (an estimated)
0.3% of Dade homicides from 1895-1992 had police victims. Thus a Dade
homicide with a police victim was 80 times as likely to result in a
death sentence as a Dade homicide with a citizen victin.
INTRARACTAL VS INTERRACTAL:
Table 5 presents a breakdown of the 66 cases in which murder or
felony murder was charged and indicates that 64% of the cases were
intraracial with 54% being white killer on white victim and 10% being
black killer on black victim. Of the 36% of cases that were interra-
cial, 33% were black on white and 3% were white on black. Thus interra-
cial killings of officers were 11 times as likely to be black on white
as white on black. By comparison, the black on white to white on black
ratio of interracial violence for citizens, according to figures in the
National Crime Survey, is approximately 10:1.(12)
From the offender perspective,(13) 92% (22 of 24) of the police
victims of white killers were white (thus intraracial) while 78% of the
victims of black killers were also white (thus interracial). Also, 55%
of the victims of Hispanic killers were Anglo (thus interethnic).
Thirteen of the intraracial cases involved Hispanic offenders.
Table 5 designates (by *H) the 13 white on white cases that involved
Hispenic killers. Eight of the 13 were Hispanic on Anglo (1.e., inter-
ethnic) while the remaining 5 were Hispanic on Hispanic (intraethnic).
Three of the 5 Hispanic on Hispanic cases resulted in death sentences
and the remaining two involved the killing of federal agents where the
death penalty was not available under federal law. Thus, where death
was an option 100% of the Hispanic on Hispanic cases resulted in death
sentences.
Table 5 includes unsolved cases and cases where the killer was
killed (justifiably or lynched) or committed suicide. The underlined
cases (N=43) in Table 5 indicate cases in which the killer was arrested
and charged with first degree murder. Of the first degree murder cases,
26% (6 of 23) of the white killer on white victim cases; 36% (5 of 14)
of the black on white cases; 100% (1 of 1) of the white on black cases;
0% (0 of 5) of the black on black cases; 30% (11 of 37) of the white-
5
MCLAREN, Frisell or Frizell, (B), 34, was electrocuted on October
6, 1941 for murder in the killing of policeman Homer Barton with
a shotgun in Dade County on June 6, 1938. (News accounts say
1937, unlikely.) Defense attorneys are Joe Brown Booth and Rollo
E. Karakeet, paid $25 each. Motion for expert witness on
insanity. Sentenced on July 15, 1938. "Nigger" appears a lot in
the trial transcript. “Four Die in Electric Chair For Slayings",
Florida Times-Union, October 7, 1941, p- 7 and "Gables Slayer
Electrocuted," Miami Herald, October 7, 1941, page 5. Death
warrant file in the state archives contains a trial transcript.
(Box 21)
HENDERSON, Charles, (B), 34, was electrocuted on October 6, 1941
for murder in the Orlando (Orange County) robbery-slaying of R.H.
Smith on January 19, 1938, beat with an iron pipe, shot with a
shotgun. Codefendants are Gus McCloud, Jack Harvey, John
Bennett, and Richard Jennings. Henderson is tried separately,
convicted on March 17, 1938, sentenced the next day. see "Four
Die in Electric Chair For Slayings", Florida Times-Union, October
7, 1941, p- 7- Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box
21)
CREWS, Wilburn R., (W), 36, electrocuted on October 6, 1941 for
the murder of his wife, Oly Mae Crews, in Jacksonville (Duval
County) on July 16, 1938. Defense lawyers are George A. Pierce
and Edwin L. Jones. Voluntary intox instruction. Verdict on
February 11, 1939, sentence on July 21, 1939. See Crews V-
State, 196 So.2d 590 (Fla. 1940); and in the Florida Times-Union,
"Jury Convicts w.R. Crews in Wife’s Murder", February 12, 1939,
"w.R. Crews Sentenced to Die jn Chair", July 22, 1939, p- 9, and
"Four Die in Electric Chair For Slayings", October 7, 1941, p. 7-
Death warrant file jn state archives. (Box 21)
ORMOND, Dan J., (W), 52, electrocuted on October 6, 1941 for
murder. He was convicted of the November 22, 1937 Marianna
(Jackson County) shotgun killing of Henry M. Bradley. Ormond
refuses counsel, wants to go pro Sé@, but Thomas E. Walker is
appointed (as stand-by counsel?) . Trial and conviction on
January 31, 1938, sentencing on February 3, 1938- See "Four Die
in Electric Chair For Slayings", Florida Times-Union, October 7,
1941, p- 7- Death warrant file in the state archives does not
contain a transcript. (Box 21)
SMITH, Richard "Smitty", (B), 48, electrocuted for a Brevard
County murder on April 15, 1941. Willie Frazier is killed with a
pistol on May 23, 1931. Smith in the only witness is the defense
case; conviction and sentence on November 19, 1936. Death
warrant file in the state archives does not contain the trial
transcript. (Box 21)
WILLIAMS, Ivory Lee, (B), 18, electrocuted on November 11, 19490
for an Alachua County murder of Georgia Hodge (W), (Mrs. Cecil
28
State, 137 Fla. 27, 188 So. 634 (Fla. 1939) and Baker v. State, 7
So.2d 792 (Fla. 1942).
HYSLER, Clyde, (W), 23, electrocuted on June 15, 1942 for a Duval
County murder. James Baker (B) is his codefendant. A third
codefendant, Alvin Tyler (B), escaped and was not recaptured.
The victims are John H. Surrency and his wife Mrs. Mayme
Surrency, killed on November 25, 1936. They receive mercy
recommendations for the husband but death for the wife. See
Hysler v. State, 132 Fla. 200, 181 So. 350 (Fla. 1938); Hysler v.
State, 146 Fla. 593, 1 So.2d 628 (Fla. 1941); Hysler v. Florida,
62 S.C. 688 (1942). See also: "Electric Chair Finally Claims
Life of Hysler," Florida Times-Union, June 16, 1942, page 7.
STANTON, John A., (W), 44, electrocuted on May 18, 1942 fora
Dade County murder. The trial court first rules Stanton is
competent to stand trial. Codefendant is named Taylor, age 22.
Victim is beaten to death with a crowbar during a nighttime
burglary. See Stanton v. State, 148 Fla. 732, 5 So.2d 4 (Fla.
1941) and "Dies In Chair At Raiford For Miami Killing," Miami
Herald, May 18, 1942, page 1B.
ROBERSON, Walter, aka Walter Robinson, (B), 42, electrocuted on
March 23, 1942 for a Dixie County murder. The victim is his
wife, Dorthea Roberson, killed with a shotgun and a "cutting
axe" on October 28, 1940. They had been separated and she was
living with her mother. See Robinson v. State, 148 Fla. 153, 3
So.2d 804 (Fla. 1941). (Note two different spellings on his last
name.) Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 21)
CRAWFORD, Jicy, (B), 28, electrocuted on March 23, 1942 for a
Duval County murder. The male victim is stabbed to death ina
dispute over a woman. See Crawford v. State, 1 So.2d 713 (Fla.
1941).
CIANGETTI, Angelo Michael aka A.M. Phillips, (W), 50,
electrocuted on March 23, 1942 for murder in Volusia County.
Victim is Mrs. Anna K. Henson, bludgeoned to death with a hammer
on January 18, 1940. She was his landlord and he forged
documents allowing him to collect her rents. See Caingetti v.
State, 2 So.2d 368 (Fla. 1941); "Case of the Concealed", Crime
Detective Magazine, November 1940, p. 64; Monte Gurwitt, "Wanton
Slaying of the Wealthy Widow", Detective World, July 1948, Watt
Espy files. (Box 42, page 160)
ROBERSON, Worth, (W), 22, electrocuted on March 23, 1942 fora
Gilchrist County murder. (Box 42, page 157)
NEWSON, George, (B), 29, electrocuted on March 2, 1942 for the
Leon County murder of Mrs. Marie Lummus during a robbery in
October 1941. (Box 42, page 161)
26
CLAY, Willie B., (B), 16, electrocuted on December 29, 1941 for
the August 8, 1938 murder of Mrs. Mary Louise Carter in Duval
County. (Court records say Curtis, not Carter.) Codefendants
are Edward Powell and Nathaniel Walker. Clay was 16 at the time
of his conviction on December 8, 1938. See Clay et al v. State,
196 So. 462 (Fla. 1940) and Walker for details. (Box 21; Box 42,
page 158)
POWELL, Edward, (B), 16, electrocuted on December 29, 1941 for
the August 8, 1938 Duval County murder of Mrs. Mary Louise
Carter. (Court records says Curtis, not Carter.) Codefendants
are Nathaniel Walker and Willie Clay. Powell is 15 at the time
of his conviction on December 8, 1938. See Clay et al v. State,
196 So. 462 (Fla. 1940) and Walker for details. Death warrant
file in the state archives. (Box 21; Box 42, page 156)
WALKER, Nathaniel, (B), 17, electrocuted on December 29, 1941 for
the Duval County murder of Mrs. Mary Louise Carter. (Court
records say Curtis, not Carter.) Carter, a "near-blind Magnolia
Street storekeeper", was killed during an August 8, 1938 holdup.
His codefendants are Willie Clay and Edward Powell. Walker was
15 at the time of his conviction on December 8, 1938, and
apparently not executed until he became old enough so that his
electrocution would not embarrass the state. See Clay et al v.
State, 196 So. 462, 465 (Fla. 1940): "We fail to find error in
the record. The ages of the defendants here present a very
serious question. We feel that this question, under the laws of
Florida, is addressed to the discretion of the Board of Pardons.
The judgments appealed from are hereby affirmed."; from the
Florida Times-Union, "Three Negro Boys to Die For Slaying",
January 14, 1939, and "Three Die in Prison Chair", December 30,
1941, p. 13. Pardon Board files also of interest. (Box 21; Box
42, page 159)
RANSON, Mack, (B), 38, electrocuted on October 27, 1941 for the
1939 murder of his son, John Henry Ranson, with an iron lug
wrench in Jacksonville (Duval County). He was also charged with
killing his daughter and sister-in-law. Codefendants are Louis
Sapp and Lewis Sapp (or is that two spellings on the same guy?).
Convicted on April 11, 1939, sentenced on May 3, 1939. See "Two
Men Are Electrocuted At Raiford", Florida Times-Union, October
28, 1941, p. 9. Death warrant file in the state archives do not
contain a trial transcript. (Box 21; Box 42, page 155)
MARDORFF, Paul H., (W), 50, electrocuted on October 27, 1941 for
the 1939 murder of his wife. His wife, Ethel Mardorff (W), is
stabbed in the back twenty times and an insanity defense is
offered. Convicted on March 29, 1939, sentenced on April 4,
1939. See Mardorff v. State, 196 So. 625 (Fla. 1940) and "Two
Men Are Electrocuted At Raiford", Florida Times-Union, October
28, 1941, p. 9. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box
21; Box 42, page 154)
a?
PARKER, Cornelius Earnest, (B), 24, electrocuted on October 4,
1943 for a Hillsborough County murder. The victim is Vernon
Long, killed with a pistol on February 20, 1942. Codefendant is
James Gaston who files a motion to severe. Paul Lake appointed
to represent Parker who apparently tries to plead guilty at
arraignment. Note: Parker v. State, 12 So.2d 912 (Fla. 1942),
dismissed on motion by counsel. Death warrant file in the state
archives. (Box 24)
CHRISTY, Vincent, aka Vincent Christowski, Chrostowski, Crosley,
John Cox, John Crosley, (W), 38, electrocuted on March 1, 1943
for a Dade County murder. The victim is Irving Leopold, shot on
July 17, 1942. He is convicted on October 29, 1942, and
sentenced on November 7, 1942. See Jack Bell, "Christy Spurns
Prayers," Miami Herald, March 2, 1943, page 1. Death warrant
file in the state archives. (Box 24)
SAYLOR, Forrest, (B), 35, electrocuted on January 18, 1943 fora
Pinellas County murder. The victim is Marie Saylor (B), his
estranged wife who was staying with her stepmother at the time
she was cut to death on May 2, 1942 with a newly purchased pearl .
handle knife. George L. Brown appointed for the defense. The
trial is on September 22, 1942. Death warrant file in the state
archives contains the trial transcript. (Box 24)
ROBINSON, Ernest James, (B), 20, electrocuted on August 17, 1942
for a Duval County murder. The victim is an elderly fruit stand
employee, Angus J. Wakefield, killed in Jacksonville about 1940.
See: "Jacksonville Negro Pays Penalty for Death of Wakefield",
August 18, 1942, page 7.
WILLIAMS, William Monroe "Willie Mayo", (B), 27, electrocuted on
July 20, 1942 for a Taylor County murder. Note a pleading letter
of July 12, 1942 from the condemned in the file saying his trial
was unfair. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 21)
HUDGINS, Byrdl or Byrd, (W), 23, electrocuted on July 20, 1942
for a Dade County murder. Victim is L. P. Daniels, shot with a
pistol on December 5, 1941. Hudgins pleads guilty on December 9,
1941. Substitution of counsel after the guilty plea, plea
withdrawn, insanity defense offered, guilty verdict on February
10, 1942, sentenced a week later. See "Hudgins Pays Death
Penalty", Miami Herald, July 21, 1942, page 5A. Death warrant
file in the state archives. (Box 21)
BAKER, James, (B), 32, electrocuted on June 15, 1942 for a Duval
County murder. Clyde Hysler (W) is his codefendant. A third
codefendant, Alvin Tyler (B), escaped and was not recaptured.
The victims are John H. Surrency and his wife Mrs. Mayme
Surrency, killed on November 25, 1936. They jury recommended
mercy for the husband but death for the wife. See Baker v.
Z2
SIMMONS, John, hung in Washington County on July 5, 1901 for
murder. Convicted on Tuesday, May 14, 1901 and sentenced on May
20, 1901. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 3; Box
41, page 26)
HARRISON, Henry, hung on July 5, 1901 for a Washington County
murder. Convicted on May 18, 1901 and sentenced on Monday, May
20, 1901. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 3; Box
41, page 25)
HAMILTON, Belton, hung on July 5, 1901 for a Washington County
murder. Convicted on May 18, 1901 and sentenced on Monday, May
20, 1901. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 3; Box
41, page 23)
WILLIAMS, Bill, hung for a Washington County murder on July 5,
1901. Convicted on May 18, 1901 and sentenced on May 20, 1901.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 3; Box 41, page
24)
FAISON, James, hung for murder in Dade County on July 5, 1901.
Victim is John Suddlers, also spelled Saddlers, who was gambling
with Faison in a box car and they got in a fight over money.
Suddlers was shot with a pistol about 4:30 p.m. on April 7, 1901.
Sentenced on May 8, 1901. Death warrant file in the archives.
(Box 3; Box 41, page 22)
HENDERSON, Joseph, (B), 16 or 17, hung in Brevard County on March
29, 1901 for murder. Victim is C. or E. Burke (W), "the Umbrella
Man", killed on December 1, 1900 with a piece of iron. Burke was
a traveling umbrella mender passing through the community.
Henderson testifies that Burke tried to rob him, that it was
self defense. Trial on January 3, 1901 and sentencing on
January 5, 1901. Death warrant file in state archives contains a
full trial transcript. (Box 3; Box 41, page 21)
CALLAHAN, Pressley, hung in Citrus County on October 13, 1900 for
murder. Lizzie Callahan is his codefendant. She is tried
separately. The victim is William J. Everett, shot with a pistol
on October 19, 1899. Convicted on June 13, 1900 and sentenced
the next day. Death warrant file in the state archives does not
contain a trial transcript but does have a summary of testimony.
(Box 3)
McIVER, William, hung in Wakulla County on July 20, 1900 for
murder. The victim is Randolph Conners, shot with a pistol on
April 28, 1900. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box
3; Box 41, page 17)
WILLIAMS, Frank, hung on July 13, 1900 for a Franklin County
murder. The victim is Bryant Devhaun, shot with a pistol on
March 8, 1900. Convicted on June 6, 1900 and sentenced the next
60
that Doyle more keenly appreciated the fact that he was the
central figure in an exhibition than the gravity of the
situation. His eyes, dancing with merriment, wandered around
among the spectators in the jail yard, his mouth meanwhile spread
into a broad grin." (Box 3; Box 41, page 2)
GUNN, Albert, (B), hung in Citrus County on September 2, 1897 for
murder. Victim is Jeff Scott (B), shot with a pistol on July 7,
1896, during a shootout in a saloon. Letter from the sheriff
indicates a new jail was under construction so the hanging took
place elsewhere. Convicted on June 10, 1897 and sentenced the
next day. Death warrant file contains a handwritten summary of
the testimony. See "Scott’s Murderer Hung," Florida Times-Union,
September 3, 1897, page 2: "Gunn was a desperate negro, and has
caused Sheriff Priest lots of trouble since he has been
sentenced. On one occasion he came near killing him with a piece
of the water pipe in the cell, which he managed to get detached
from the main in some way." (Box 3; Box 41, page 3)
HENRY, Robert, (B), hung in Duval County on September 2, 1897 for
murder. The victim is his wife Mary Henry (B), killed with an
axe to the head on February 24, 1896. Convicted on May 12, 1896,
sentenced on June 8, 1896. See Henry v. State, 39 Fla. 233, 22
So. 652 (Fla. 1897). Death warrant file in the state archives.
See Florida Times-Union, "No Double Hanging", September 2, 1897,.
page 2, and "Henry Hanged For Wife Murder," September 3, 1897,
page 8. (Box 3; Box 41, page 1)
LATTIMORE, William, hung on January 13, 1897 for a Marion County
murder. The victim is J.T. Lee aka J.T. Greenlee, shot with a
pistol on August 8, 1896. Sentenced on October 29, 1896. Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 3)
STEVENS, Mike, (B), hung in Suwanee County on September 18, 1895
for murder. His codefendants are Henry Brown (B) and George
Mitchell (B). The victim is Alfred Ryeberg (W), beaten to death
"with a heavy instrument" by Brown on March 27, 1895, dying on
the 29th. All three are tried together and convicted on May 20,
1895, sentenced by Judge John W. Malone on May 23, 1895. (Box 2)
NORTON, Joseph B., hung in Hamilton County on September 3, 1895
for murder. Victim is James Denmark, shot with a pistol on
January 4, 1895, during a social function. Denmark danced with
Norton’s wife, the wife telling Norton she had been insulted.
Convicted on June 27, 1895, sentenced two days later. Death
warrant file in state archives contains handwritten summaries of
the testimony. (Box 2)
MITCHELL, George, (B), hung on August 1, 1895 for a Suwanee
County murder. His codefendants are Henry Brown (B) and Mike
Stevens (B). The victim is Alfred Ryeberg (W), beaten to death
"with a heavy instrument" on March 27, 1895, dying on the 29th.
63
according to the T-U. (This date must be in error.) Convicted
on May 9, 1898 and sentenced on May 21, 1898. See: "Heinson
Hanged." Florida Times-Union, July 7, 1898, page 6: "An unusual
feature of the hanging was the presence of Miss Baily, who was
determined to witness the execution of her assailant, despite the
efforts of Sheriff Broward to get her not to do so." Death
warrant file in the state archives. (Box 3; Box 41, page 9)
JAMES, Richard "Bubber", hung on February 18, 1898 in Alachua
County for murder. The victim is his wife, Sallie James, shot on
May 23, 1897. They were out dancing at "Flewellen’s Place", she
danced with another man, and he shot her in an argument
afterwards. Convicted on December 21, 1897. There is a complete
trial transcript in the death warrant file in the state archives.
(Box 3; Box 41, page 8)
SINGLETARY, Harry, (B), hung for a Hillsborough County murder on
January 7, 1898. The victim was a policeman named Jack
McCormick. See the Tampa Tribune, "Gallows And The Grave",
January 7, 1898, page 1, and "Happy Harry In Heaven," January 8,
1898, page 1. Death warrant sets his execution for January 7,
1898, but there is no indication of a final action in archival
sources. (Box 41, page 7)
HOLLENS, General, hung in Clay County on December 10, 1897, for
strangling murder of Mary Healleus. Convicted and sentenced on
October 28, 1897. Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 3;
Box 41, page 5)
JOHNSON, Sylvanus, hung in Monroe County on September 23, 1897
for rape. The victim is Maggie Atwell, raped on June 20, 1897.
Convicted and sentenced on August 11, 1897. Death warrant file
in the state archives. See "A Negro Fiend Hanged," Florida
Times-Union, September 24, 1897, page 2: "He struggled for three
minutes violently, and again after ten minutes had elapsed.
Twenty minutes after the drop fell he was still alive. The drop
was eight feet nine inches. The rope slipped from the ear to the
chin, and he died of strangulation." (Box 3; Box 41, page 4)
DOYLE, Enoch, (B), 38, was hung on September 14, 1897 for the
August 19, 1895 rape of a Duval County woman, Mrs. Priscilla
Youmans. She is assaulted in her home by a man attempting to buy
pears. Doyle insists it is mistaken identity and presents
several witnesses to the effect that he was working in Savannah,
Georgia, at the time of the rape. He was convicted on Wednesday,
May 27, 1896, and sentenced on Monday, June 8, 1896. Two death
warrant files in the state archives. See Doyle v. State, 39 Fla.
155, 22 So. 272 (Fla. 1897). Many legal documents in the file
concern his sanity at the time of execution. See Florida Times-
Union, "No Double Hanging," September 2, 1897, page 2; "No More
Hope For Doyle," September 14, 1897, page 5; and "Thought It A
Huge Joke," September 15, 1897, page 6: "It struck the spectators
62
day. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 3; Box 41,
page 15)
WRIGHT, Will, (B), hung on May 31, 1900 for a Leon County murder.
The victim is John Smith, his employer, killed with an axe to the
head on October 3, 1897. Convicted on December 5, 1899,
sentenced on December 9, 1899. The hanging is postponed by the
governor in response to a letter from an AME pastor’s petition.
Hung at 1:32 p.m., cut-down at 1:39 Pp-m. See Wright v. State, 42
Fla. 239, 27 So. 863 (Fla. 1900). Death warrant file in the
State archives. (Box 3; Box 41, page 16)
KING, Wayman, hung in Pensacola on March 12, 1900, for the
shooting murder of Victoria Watkins on September 16, 1899.
Convicted on December 7, 1899, sentenced the next day. Note
letter from the sheriff about the botched hanging. Death warrant
file in state archives. See "Murderer Hanged Twice." Florida
Times-Union, March 13, 1900, page 6: "The body was cut down, put
into the coffin and carried into the jail. There it was
discovered that King was breathing in spasmodic gasps and giving
utterance to smothered groans. By order of Sheriff Smith, Wayman
King was again taken to the gallows, a new rope was rigged, the
noose was fitted around his neck, and at 11:29 p.m. the trap was
sprung for the second time." (Box 3; Box 41, page 14)
COPELAND, Sherman, hung on November 9, 1899 for murder in Orange
County. The victim is Mary Clark whose throat was cut with an:
axe on March 14, 1898. Convicted on March 26, 1898, sentenced on
April 6, 1898. See Copeland v. State, 41 Fla. 320, 26 So. 319
(Fla. 1899). Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 3;
Box 41, page 13) .
CANTY, George, hung on March 17, 1899 in Leon County for murder.
Jack Holloway was shot with a pistol on July 19, 1898. He is
convicted and sentenced on December 2, 1898. Death warrant file
in state archives. (Box 3; Box 41, page 12)
GREEN, Jonah, hung on January 11, 1899 for a Santa Rose County
murder. Convicted and sentenced on March 25, 1898. See Green v.
State, 40 Fla. 474, 23 So. 851 (Fla. 1898). Death warrant file
in the state archives. (Box 3; Box 41, page 11)
REDFORD, Babe, hung in Levy County on July 8, 1898 for murder.
The victim is Henry Hays, shot three times with a pistol on May
8, 1897, once in the mouth. Codefendant is Alfred Redford. They
are tried together and Alfred gets life. Trial on April 28,
1898. Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 3; Box 41,
page 10)
HEINSON, Edward, (B), hung in Duval County for rape on July 6,
1898. Victim is Ida Bailey (W), a 14-year-old raped on November
4, 1898 according to archival records, or on April 11, 1898
61
LAMB, Edward, hung in Manatee County on October 27, 1905 for
murder. One death warrant files only contain a return on the
death warrant, no further information. A second file includes a
motion for change of venue based on pretrial publicity. Verdict
on January 28, 1904, sentenced the next day. Two death warrant
files in the state archives. (Box 4)
SPIRES, Tom, hung in Jacksonville on October 27, 1905 for a Duval
County rape. Victim is Florence Pope, raped on March 29, 1905.
Convicted and sentenced on April 7, 1905. Death warrant file in
the state archives. (Box 4)
COOK, Fred, hung in Marion County on July 21, 1905 for murder.
The victim is Isiah Pitts, shot with a pistol on July 7, 1904.
Trial on December 19, 1904, no defense testimony presented. See
"Fred Cook Hanged In Ocala Jailyard", Florida Times-Union, July
23, 1905, p. 1. Death warrant file in state archives contains a
trial transcript. (Box 4)
REED, Reuben, (B), hung in Clay County for murder on July 21,
1905. Convicted and sentenced on April 12, 1905. News accounts
say he murdered one black and one white man. See "Reuben Reed
Hanged At Green Cove", Florida Times-Union, July 22, 1905, p. 3.
Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 4)
MITCHELL, David "The Black Kid", hung on July 21, 1905 for a
Bradford County murder. Victim is Frank Howard, shot with a
pistol on October 17, 1904. Conviction on November 12, 1904,
sentenced on November 15, 1904. But note "Reprieve Granted To
The Black Kid", Florida Times-Union, July 22, 1905, p. 3, which
says the hanging was delayed on questions about his sanity:
"’Black Kid’ is not a very intelligent negro, but most people
think him perfectly sane, yet a low, brutal type, his crime being
sufficient proof of that." Death warrant file in the state
archives contains a state witness list but no trial transcript.
(Box 41, pages 68, 72)
EWERT, Freddie, hung on December 12, 1904 for a Monroe County
murder. Convicted on July 3, 1903, and sentenced the next day.
Victim is Frank Whitaker. Judge J.B. Wall. There is a motion to
continue and for change of venue. See Ewert v. State, 48 Fla. 36
(Fla. 1904) and in the Florida Times-Union, "Respite Granted To
Fred Ewert," August 6, 1903, page 3. Death warrant file in the
state archives. (Box 4; Box 41, pages 56, 67) Note that the
death warrant sets his hanging for December 2, 1904.
LEE, Hampton, hung in Columbia County on May 21, 1904 for murder.
Victim is Rosa Lee, shot with a pistol on May 10, 1902 and dying
May 20, 1902. Convicted on October 30, 1903, sentenced on
October 31, 1903. Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 4)
56
TABLE
No. Year
O01 1895
02 1895
03 1914
04 1915
05 1915
06 1915
O07 1916
08 1916
09 1916
10 1921
11 1921
12 1923
13 1925
14 1927
15 1927
16 1927
17 1928
18 1928
19 1928
QO 1928
Zi... L929
22 14933
23 1933
24 1936
25 1938
26 1940
27 1941
28 1941
29 1946
30 1947
31 1948
32 1951
33 4951
34 1951
a5 J9oe2
36 1953
37 1955
38 1957
39 1957
10 1958
1. SUMMARY CHARACTERISTICS OF 95 "POLICE KILLED" CASES IN
DADE COUNTY, FL, 1895-1992
Agency
Metro
Metro
Dania
Metro
Miami
Dania
Metro
Metro
Metro
Miami
Miami
Homestd.
Miami
Miami
Miami
Miami
Miami
M. Beach
Miami
C. Gab.
Miami
Miami
Miami
Miami
C. Gab.
Miami
Miami
FHP
Miami
Miami
Miami
Coral
Miami
Miami
H-St.
Metro
Miami
B. Harb.
C. Gab.
Miami
Officer, Race/Sex
McGregor, R.
Kaiser, G.A.
Clifton, 7%
Hendrickson
Riblet, J.R.
Cox, W.L.
Henderson, A.
Henderson, W.
Williams, C.
Croft, F.A.-
Marler, R.R.
Bryant, C.R.
Wever, L.R.
Calloway, SJ
Morris, J.L.
Johnson, A.
Beckham, F.
Beardon, D.
McCann, A.S.
Guest, Cy
Crews, S.C.
Jester, R.L.
Brubaker, J.
Hicks, S.D.
Barton, H.C.
Baldwin, P.H.
Thompson, WF
Daniels, L.
Milledge, J.
Young, J.
Wichmann, FP
Hardison
LaFleur, L.
Brigman, J.H.
Brantley, WF
Fritz, E.£E.
Deal, E.S.
Staab, RJ
Stephens, B.
W/M
Ww /M
W/M
Burlinson, JT W/M
Type Killer, R/S
Shot Lewis W/M
Shot mob W/M
Shot Walker B/M
Shot Ashley W/M
Shot Ashley W/M
Shot Fears B/M
Shot R. gang W/M
Shot R. gang W/M
Shot R. gang W/M
Auto McCarthyw/M
Shot Adams, W/M
Shot Simmons B/M
Shot Fox W/M
Shot Naugle W/M
Auto None
Shot Lee, C. B/M
Shot Beacher W/M
Shot Haynes W/M
Shot Nesbitt W/M
Shot Beck W/M
Auto Unknown
Auto Dove W/M
Shot Wilson B/M
Shot Hanson W/M
Zalutskyw/M
Auto Phillipsw/M
Auto Aarons B/M
Shot McLaren B/M
Auto None
Wire None
Shot Hudgins W/M
Shot StrachanB/M
Shot McFarlandw/M
Auto None
Shot Mullis W/M
Shot Unsolved B/M
Auto McGill W/M
Shot Carroll W/M
Shot Armbrister B/M
Anderson B/M
Floyd B/M
Kicked Williams B/M
Shot Mackiewicz W/M
Auto Jones, E. W/M
Auto Jacobs, AW W/M
Disposition
Lynched by mob
Unsolved
Never Caught
Killed by Riblet
Killed by Riblet
Suicide
2 dead, 2 life
2 dead, 2 life
2 dead, 2 life
Unknown
Justifiable
3 Lynched by mob
Life in prison
Unknown
Shot by Victim
Ruled accident
Conv. mansl.
Shot by Beardon
Life in prison
ruled accident
Shot by 2nd cop
Shot by 2nd cop
Life in prison
Served 25 years
Unknown
Unknown
Executed
Executed
Served 2 years
Not charged
Life in prison
Unsolved
Unknown
99 years
Served 18 years
Executed
Executed
Life in Prison
Unknown
Executed
Unknown
Unknown
18, 1960, p. 9, "Death Sentence Given Davis In Rape Of Girl, 10",
April 27, 1960, p. 1, and "Rapist Executed At State Prison",
August 7, 1961, p. 1. Death warrant file in state archives.
(Box 34)
MACKIEWICZ, Norman J., (W), 32, was electrocuted on August 7,
1961 for a Palm Beach County murder. Victim is Robert J. Staab,
a Dade County police officer, shot with a pistol on October 31,
1957. See Mackiewicz v. State, 114 So.2d 684 (Fla. 1959); from
the Florida Times-Union, "Cop Killer, Rapist Are Slated To Die
Today in Electric Chair", August 7, 1961, p. 20, and "Death
Penalty, State Laxity Hit by Two Before Execution", August 8,
1961, p. 18; and "Rapist Executed At State Prison", Tallahassee
Democrat, August 7, 1961, p. 1. Death warrant file in state
archives. (Box 34)
BROOKS, James E., (B), 29, is electrocuted on June 20, 1960 for
the murder of a Palm Beach County Western Union operator, Helen
L. Baier, during a on May 2, 1958 robbery. She is killed with a
pipe. His conviction was on September 17, 1958. See Brooks v.
State, 117 So.2d 482 (Fla. 1960) and "Palm Beach Negro Dies For
Slaying", Florida Times-Union, June 21, 1960, p. 24. Death ©
warrant file in state archives. (Box 34)
WILLIAMS, Ralph, (B), 25, was electrocuted on February 1, 1960
for a Pinellas County rape. Victim is Patricia Morrison (W), 17,
raped on December 18, 1957. A doctor testifies at trial that
Morrison was a virgin at the time of the rape. Verdict on July
18, 1958. Trial transcript file in the FSC file, no. 29,613.
See Williams v. State, 110 So.2d 654 (Fla. 1959) and "Negro
Rapist Executed at State Prison", Florida Times-Union, February
2, 1960, p. 22. Death warrant file in state archives. (Box 34)
PAUL, John Edward, (B), 24, was electrocuted on November 13, 1959
for the rape of a 47-year-old Gladys Marie Cothrell in Clearwater
(Pinellas County) on August 1, 1957, and allegedly confessed to a
total of four. The NAACP had joined in his case on the race and
rape issue. An indictment for the rape of a black woman was
pending at the time of his execution. Defense lawyers are Owen
S. Allbritton III and Harold Jackson. Verdict on January 23,
1958, sentenced on February 6, 1958. Full trial transcript in
the FSC file at no. 29,623. No reference to the NAACP at the
trial level. See Paul v. State, 110 So.2d 388, 389 (Fla. 1959)
which notes "She (the victim) could tell that he was a Negro
because of his voice and the odor of his body." See also "2
Rapists Electrocuted After Delay Pleas Fail", Florida Times-
Union, November 14, 1959, p. 22. (Box 33)
CITY, Willie, (B), 22, was electrocuted on November 13, 1959 for
the rape of Myrtle Furst (W), raped on October 10, 1958 during a
burglary. He had admitted to six Pinellas County rapes. Two
detailed confessions reflected in the file. The NAACP had joined
8
GREEN, Lonnie, (B), 28, electrocuted on January 7, 1936 for a
Bradford County murder. The victim is Eveline Frazier, cut and
stabbed to death on June 3, 1935. Death warrant file in the
_ state archives contains the original trial transcript. (Box 19)
HASTY, Monroe, (B), 17, electrocuted on September 16, 1935 for a
Volusia County murder. The victim is Helena Loucakis (W), killed
with a shotgun (or pistol) on June 8, 1934 during a late night
burglary of her gas station/store. Court appointed defense
counsel is J.A. Scarlett. Transcript sometimes refers to Hasty
as "this darky". Hasty confessed and that transcript is in the
file as well. Sentenced on July 27, 1934. Death warrant file in
the state archives contains the full trial transcript. (Box 18;
Box 42, page 89)
JARVIS, Martin F., (W), 36, electrocuted on April 11, 1935 for
the Sarasota (Sarasota County) murder of Lacy Bell Dyal and her
sister Bertie Lee Clements with a pistol on March 12, 1933.
Trial on May 16-17, 1933. It reads like an argument over money
in a house of prostitution. See Jarvis v. Chapman, 159 So. 282
(Fla. 1934); in the Florida Times-Union, "Two Sisters Are Slain
In Their Sarasota Home", March 14, 1933; "Jarvis’ Case Again
Before Supreme Court", January 23, 1935, p. 6; "Jarvis Goes To
Death in State Prison", April 12, 1935, p. 6. Death warrant file
in the state archives contains the full trial transcript. (Box
18; Box 42, page 88)
SMITH, Herman, (W), 36, electrocuted on April 5, 1935 for murder.
The Orange County victim was Jeneral M. Casteel, 55, shotgunned
and stabbed at Fairvilla on February 11, 1934. (The shotgun may
have been used as a club.) The codefendant is Betty Casteel and
the state files a May 14, 1934 motion for severance. There is a
May 10, 1934 motion to determine Smith’s sanity. The verdict and
sentence comes on May 16, 1934.See "Man in Chair Takes Blame For
Murder", Florida Times-Union, April 6, 1935, p. 7. Death warrant
file in the state archives. (Box 18)
ROBINSON, George, (B), 46, electrocuted on February 25, 1935 for
a Seminole County rape. Victim is Lillie Evans. Defense counsel
is S.J. Nix. Verdict and sentence on December 13, 1934. The
victim gives graphic and humorous details of the rape; Robinson
testifies that he has been seeing the woman and it was not rape.
The race of the victim is not clear from the trial transcript.
Death warrant file in the state archives contains the trial
transcript. (Box 18)
ANDERSON, Fred, aka Ray Anderson, (B), 24, electrocuted on
January 22, 1935 for the Jacksonville (Duval County) murder of
Carl Schuman during a holdup of his store. Thomas Jefferson is a
codefendant. See "Jacksonville Man’s Slayers Electrocuted At
Raiford Prison", Florida Times-Union, January 23, 1935, p. 6.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 18)
33
WILLIAMS, Minnie, (BF), convicted of a Polk County murder and
sentenced to be electrocuted on December 18, 1929. The victim
was Lillie Brown (B)., whom Williams’ husband Foreman Williams had
abandoned her for. Brown was shot with a pistol and died two or
three weeks later on July 28, 1929. A death warrant is prepared
on Williams, but the FSC reverses her conviction. Williams v.
State, 100 Fla. 814 (Fla. 1930). She is retried and convicted on
second degree murder. Death warrant file in the state archives
contains the full trial transcript in which Williams testifies at
length. She is totally unrepentant. (Box 13) (Note further
materials at Series 443A, Box 92)
WILLIAMS, Simon Jr., killed trying to escape on July 28, 1901,
shooting a deputy in the process. He was sentenced to hang for a
Jefferson County murder. Convicted on Wednesday, July 17, 1901.
Death warrant file in the state archives. (Box 3; Box 41, page
30)
WILLIANSON, Jack, (B), Codefendants are Isiah Chambers, Charlie
Davis, and Walter Woodward. Basic information in Davis and
Chambers above. See Michael L. Radelet, Hugo Adam Bedau, and
Constance E. Putnam, In Spite of Innocence: Erroneous Convictions
in Capital Cases, Boston: Northeastern University, 1992, at 294.
(Box 42, page 81 "Death Warrant Cancelled by Executive Order
Issued August 7, 1933, on Account of Writ of Error of Supreme
Court.")
WOODWARD, Walter, (B), Codefendants are Isiah Chambers, Charlie
Davis, and Jack Williamson. Basic information in Chambers and
Davis above. One death warrant set his execution for February
25, 1937 but it was withdrawn in December 1936. See Michael L.
Radelet, Hugo Adam Bedau, and Constance E. Putnam, In Spite of
Innocence: Erroneous Convictions in Capital Cases, Boston:
Northeastern University, 1992, at 294. Death warrant file in the
state archives does not contain a trial transcript. (Box 19; Box
42, page 83 "Death Warrant Cancelled by Executive Order Issued
August 7, 1933, on Account of Writ of Error of Supreme Court.")
86
Other Cases Of Interest
BLACKWELL, J.T., sentenced to die for a Calhoun County murder.
Death warrant sets execution for October 17, 1932. (Box 42, page
73 “Committed suicide October 10, 1932.")
CATO, (B), a Slave, sentenced to hang for a rape in Jackson
County. The victim is Mrs. Susan Leonard (W). The FSC reverses
on identification. Cato v. State, 9 Fla. 163, 173-74 (Fla.
1860): "On the other hand, life -- the life of a human being --
is suspended upon the issue. It is true that the unfortunate
individual who stands charged with the commission of the offense
is one of an inferior caste -- a slave. But it is the crowning
glory of our ‘peculiar institutions’, that whenever life is
involved, the slave stands upon as safe ground as the master.
The same tribunals of justice are open to each -- the same form
of proceedings -- the same safeguards that are extended to the
one are fully and freely awarded to the other."
CHAMBERS, Isiah "Izell", (B), Codefendants are Charlie Davis,
Jack Williamson, and Walter Woodward. The victim is Robert Darcy
(W), murdered at about 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, 1933, during a
Pompano, Florida, robbery. The defendants were part of a group
of about 40 blacks brought in for star chamber interrogation from
May 14 to 20 when they confessed. They were not allowed access
to friends or counsel. The USSC reverses their convictions. See
Chambers et al. v. State, 111 Fla. 707, 151 So. 499 (Fla. 1933);
Chambers et al. v. State, 111 Fla. 707, 152 So. 437 (Fla. 1934);
Chambers et al. v. State, 117 Fla. 642, 158 So. 153 (Fla. 1934);
Chambers et al. v. State, 123 Fla. 734, 167 So. 697 (Fla. 1936);
Chambers et al. v. State, 136 Fla. 568, 187 So. 156 (Fla. 1939);
Chambers et al. v. Florida, 309 U.S. 227 (1940); Ft. Lauderdale
News, March 10, 1942, p. 1; February 12, 1940, p. 1; Palm Beach
Post, March 11, 1942, p. 5; March 10, 1942, p. 1; Michael L.
Radelet, Hugo Adam Bedau, and Constance E. Putnam, In Spite of
Innocence: Erroneous Convictions in Capital Cases, Boston:
Northeastern University Press, 1992, at 294. (Box 42, page 82
"Death Warrant Cancelled by Executive Order Issued August 7,
1933, on Account of Writ of Error of Supreme Court.")
CHARLES, (B), a Slave, indicted for a Hamilton County rape. This
is apparently a pre-trial action where the FSC dismisses the
indictment. State v. Charles, 1 Fla. 298 (Fla. 1847).
DAVIS, Arthur, sentenced to die for a Volusia County murder.
(Box 42, page 48 "Death Warrant Canceled and Revoked by Governor
Sept. 29, 1928.")
DAVIS, Charlie, (B), Codefendants are Isiah Chambers, Jack
Williamson, and Walter Woodward. The victim is Robert Darcy (W),
murdered about 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, 1933, during a
81
