List of people executed in Oklahoma (pre-1972)

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The following is a list of people executed by the U.S. state of Oklahoma before 1972, when capital punishment was briefly abolished by the Supreme Court's ruling in Furman v. Georgia . [1] For people executed by Oklahoma after the restoration of capital punishment by the Supreme Court's ruling in Gregg v. Georgia (1976), see List of people executed in Oklahoma.

Contents

Background

In 1915, Oklahoma adopted electrocution as its main form of capital punishment, with a designated execution chamber being added to the state penitentiary in McAlester. [2] From that year to 1972, 83 prisoners (all male) were executed in the state penitentiary. 82 were electrocuted; one of the prisoners, sentenced to death by the federal government under the "Lindbergh law", was hanged instead at his request. [3] (Hanging was retained as an alternative method. [4] )

List of executions

NameRaceAgeDateCountyCrimeVictim(s)Governor
Henry BookmanBlack2810 December 1915 McIntosh MurderRichard Hardin, white [5] Williams
Cecil ToweryBlack226 November 1916 McIntosh Murder-RobberyCharles Vaughn, white [6]
Chester TaylorBlack4413 April 1917 Creek Murder
Charley YoungBlack26 Tillman Murder
Willie WilliamsBlack35 Muskogee Murder
John PratherBlack263 May 1918 Pittsburg MurderCharles Chapman, black (cellmate) [7]
James BrownBlack348 November 1918 Muskogee Murder
T. R. BraughtWhite2923 May 1919 Creek MurderOtis Robbin, white [8] Walton
Monroe Betterton White489 July 1920 Craig MurderElzadah Betterton, white (wife) [9]
John LedbetterNative American3125 February 1921 Muskogee MurderRobert Moreland, race unknown [10]
Robert BlakelyWhite39Effie May Allford, white [11]
Eli ThomasBlack2215 July 1921 Le Flore Murder
Steve SaboWhite5017 March 1922 Coal Murder-RapeSophia Sabo, 19, white (niece) [12]
Sam WatkinsWhite395 May 1922 Atoka Murder-RapeCora Jones, white [13]
Aaron HarveyWhite2113 January 1924 McCurtain MurderFive persons, all white [14] Trapp
Jack PopeWhite45
Richard BirkesWhite295 September 1924 Craig Murder-RobberyFrank Pitts, white [15]
Leroy ScottBlack2229 May 1925 Pittsburg MurderFrank Daniels, white [16]
Johnnie WashingtonBlack294 December 1925 Jackson Murder
Theodore BrusterBlack2129 June 1928 Muskogee Murder-RobberyWilliam Heeman, white [17] Johnston
Walter WiggerWhite31 Ottawa MurderRuth Harris, white (lover) [17]
Willie O'NeilBlack27 Oklahoma Murder-RobberyMark Hipscher, white [17]
James ForrestBlack2317 July 1930 Stephens RapeFemale, white [18] Holloway
Tom GuestWhite48 Pottawatomie Murder-RobberyBailey Browder, white [18]
E. S. HembreeNative American3217 April 1931 Stephens RapeLeota Bosley, 23, white [19] Murray
Paul ColeWhite3310 July 1931 Seminole MurderErnest ..rby, white [20]
Bennie NicholsBlack3121 August 1931 Pontotoc Murder-RobberyJack Hornton, white [21]
Henry LovettWhite3925 September 1931 Canadian Murder-RobberyDee Foliart, white [22]
Martin KeeneyWhite4911 March 1932 Oklahoma Murder
A. M. HarrisWhite4917 June 1932 Oklahoma Murder
Ira J. Adler [23] White5019 August 1932 Blaine MurderTwo relatives, both white [23]
Charles DavisBlack42Male, white (deputy sheriff) [23]
Ivory CovingtonBlack2527 January 1933 Choctaw Murder-Robbery
Nathan RightsellWhite2724 February 1933 Choctaw Murder
Charles LattimerWhite2924 March 1933 Comanche MurderFemale, white (wife) [24]
Proctor McDonaldWhite245 May 1933 Creek Murder-RobberyRaymond Butler, 8, white [25]
Joe MartinWhite54 Noble MurderPete Von Uearop, white [25]
Albert EllisWhite25 Carter RobberyJohn Weber and his family, all white [25]
Luke NicholsWhite4419 May 1933 Alfalfa MurderHarriet Crawford, 26, white (lover) [26]
Claude OliverWhite2823 August 1933 Murray MurderDella Oliver, 15, white (George's wife) [27]
George OliverWhite18
Ted PattonWhite2520 October 1933 Sequoyah MurderRobert Wall, 19, white [28]
Charley DumasBlack29 Coal Rape
William JohnsonBlack2810 November 1933 Muskogee MurderMary Wolfenberger, white [29]
Tom MorrisBlack4024 November 1933 Pittsburg MurderMr. and Mrs. Joe House, both white [30]
Earl QuinnWhite29 Garfield Murder-RapeJessie Griffith, 24, white [31]
Frank ClarkBlack6019 January 1934 McCurtain MurderDan and Anna Stiles, both white [32] [33]
Ernest OglesbyWhite274 January 1935 Oklahoma MurderDouglas Gates, white (Oklahoma City policeman) [34]
Robert CargoWhite2124 May 1935 Oklahoma Murder-RobberyA. L. Luke, white [35] Marland
Alfred RowanBlack3020 September 1935 Jackson MurderRoy Gentry, white [36]
Bun RileyWhite29 Pittsburg MurderThree persons, all white [36]
Chester BarrettWhite37 Creek MurderThree of his children, all white [36]
Roy GuytonBlack2520 March 1936 Oklahoma Murder
James HargusWhite2624 April 1936 Tulsa MurderL. D. Mitchell, white (Tulsa police officer) [37]
Arthur Gooch [a] White2719 June 1936N/A (Federal)KidnappingR. N. Baker and H. R. Marks, both white [38]
Leon SilerWhite2211 June 1937 Comanche MurderJ. E. Wilson, white (Grady County deputy sheriff) [39]
Charlie SandsNative American21
Roy MannonWhite381 March 1940 Wagoner Murder-RobberyJake Skelly, 67, white [40] Phillips
Roger CunninghamWhite3015 November 1940 Oklahoma MurderEudora Cunningham, white (wife) [41]
Warren AbbyWhite5929 August 1941 Custer MurderJulia Abby, 78, white (wife) [42]
J. D. TuggleWhite239 February 1942 Garvin Murder-RobberyMr. and Mrs. D. Wilburn Jones, both white (uncle and aunt) [43]
Finley PorterBlack4016 April 1943 Pittsburg MurderL. Z. Beacham, black (cellmate) [44] [b] Kerr
Hiram PratherWhite3514 July 1943 Pittsburg MurderJess Dunn, white (warden) [45] [c]
Amos JohnsonBlack3023 March 1945 Lincoln MurderVictoria and Martha Gorski, 38 and 3, both white [46]
Cliff NormanBlack309 November 1945 Murray RapeFemale, white [47]
Alfred BinghamWhite4031 May 1946 Tulsa MurderMary Bingham, 30, white (wife) [48]
Mose JohnsonBlack [46] 331 November 1946 Pittsburg MurderL. C. Smalley, race unknown [49]
Harlan BroylesWhite3230 January 1947 Seminole MurderEric Nicholson, 35, white (deputy sheriff) [50] [46] Turner
Lewis GraysonBlack3125 May 1948 Muskogee RapeFemale, white [46]
Ben GouldBlack4027 September 1948 Atoka Murder-Rape-RobberyMary Lynn, 57, white [51]
Max KletkeWhite256 January 1951 Oklahoma MurderCarl E. Beach, 45, white [46]
Jearell HathcoxWhite3827 July 1951 Oklahoma MurderMartin Lyle Shaffer, 67, white [52] [46] Murray
Melburn MottWhite3521 September 1951 Tulsa MurderMary Frances Mott, 6, white (daughter) [53] [46]
Carl DeWolfWhite3717 November 1953 Tulsa MurderJerry St. Clair, 25, white (Tulsa policeman) [54] [46]
Hurbie FairrisWhite2218 January 1956 Oklahoma MurderBennie F. Cravatt, white (detective) [55] Gary
Otto LoelWhite4411 January 1957 Oklahoma MurderElizabeth Jeanne Henderson, 31, white [56] [46]
Robert HendricksWhite665 February 1957 Craig Murder-RobberyRheam Payton, 54, white [57] [46]
Edward WilliamsWhite3028 July 1960 Tulsa Kidnapping [58] [d] Tommy Cooke, 24, white [58] [46] Edmondson
James SpenceWhite3231 August 1960 Cotton MurderFemale, 19, white [59]
Ray YoungWhite3415 December 1960 Jackson MurderJohn Barter, white (highway patrolman) [60]
Shelby DoggettWhite291 January 1962 Comanche Murder-RobberyJimmy Lee Lanman, 24, white [61]
Richard DareWhite301 June 1963 Oklahoma MurderTed Albert, 60, white [62] [e] Bellmon
James French White3010 August 1966 Pittsburg MurderEddie Shelton, white (cellmate) [63]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Sole non-electrocution, requested hanging.
  2. ↑ Murder committed in 1941 during life sentence for the murder of his wife in 1925.
  3. ↑ Committed two other murders prior to this one.
  4. ↑ Given life sentence for Cooke's murder, tried on kidnapping charge separately.
  5. ↑ Also admitting to murdering his 24-year-old wife Patricia Ann, her 17-year-old nephew William McCormick, and Ted Albert's wife.

References

  1. ↑ "Executions in Oklahoma - 1841-1966 - DeathPenaltyUSA, the database of executions in the United States". deathpenaltyusa.org. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
  2. ↑ "Death Chair Ready In Sixty Days". The Perkins Journal . July 2, 1915. p. 3. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  3. ↑ "States adopt death-by-drug laws". The Day . December 6, 1979. p. 16. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Death Penalty Still Upheld". The Perkins Journal . March 12, 1915. p. 2. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Negro First Person Electrocuted in Okla". The Bakersfield Californian . 10 December 1915. p. 2. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Attempted Lynching Fails". St. Joseph News-Press . 9 August 1916. p. 2. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  7. ↑ Appeals, Oklahoma Criminal Court of (1918). Oklahoma Criminal Reports: Cases Determined in the Criminal Court of Appeals of the State of Oklahoma. Leader Print. Company.
  8. ↑ "Electrocution In Oklahoma". St. Joseph News-Press . 23 May 1919. p. 26. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  9. ↑ The Pacific Reporter. West Publishing Company. 1920.
  10. ↑ The Pacific Reporter. West Publishing Company. 1921.
  11. ↑ The Pacific Reporter. West Publishing Company. 1921.
  12. ↑ "Slayer Dies In Chair". St. Joseph News-Press . 17 March 1922. p. 20. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  13. ↑ "Man Went To Electric Chair". The Victoria Advocate . 5 May 1922. p. 1. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  14. ↑ "Two Die In Death Chair". St. Joseph News-Press . 14 January 1924. p. 11. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  15. ↑ "Murderer Goes To Death Calmly". The Telegraph-Herald . 5 September 1924. p. 1. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  16. ↑ "Negro Murderer Is Put To Death". The Telegraph-Herald . 29 May 1925. p. 1. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  17. 1 2 3 "Three Executed In Oklahoma Prison". The Border Cities Star . 29 June 1928. p. 24. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  18. 1 2 "Two Executed In Oklahoma For Slayings". The Southeast Missourian . 17 July 1930. p. 1. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  19. ↑ "Indian Is Executed For Attacking Girl". Eugene Register-Guard . 17 April 1931. p. 4. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  20. ↑ "Penalty For Murder". The Telegraph . 10 July 1931. p. 1. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  21. ↑ "Oklahoma Negro Dies In Chair For Murder". Warsaw Union . 21 August 1931. p. 1. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  22. ↑ "Young Farmer Dies In Electric Chair". The Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal . 25 September 1931. p. 1. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  23. 1 2 3 "Denies Clemency To Pair - 30 See Deaths". The News-Sentinel . 18 August 1932. p. 12. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  24. ↑ "Man Executed In Wife's Slaying". The Southeast Missourian . 24 March 1933. p. 1. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  25. 1 2 3 "Triple Execution Held In Oklahoma State Penitentiary". The Victoria Advocate . 7 May 1933. p. 3. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  26. ↑ "Sorry At End". The Southeast Missourian . 19 May 1933. p. 1. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  27. ↑ "Boy, 18, Pays". The Southeast Missourian . 25 August 1933. p. 1. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  28. ↑ "Two Men Die In Oklahoma Chair". Reading Eagle . 20 October 1933. p. 34. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  29. ↑ "To Prison for Safekeeping After Confessing Murder". St. Joseph Gazette . 18 April 1933. p. 9. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  30. ↑ "To Die At Midnight". Lawrence Journal-World . 23 November 1933. p. 1. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  31. ↑ "Bootlegger Slayer Of Girls Executed". The Pittsburgh Press . 24 November 1933. p. 14. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  32. ↑ "Dies In Chair". The Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal . 19 October 1934. p. 4. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  33. ↑ "Negro Electrocuted". The Evening Independent . 19 October 1934. p. 1. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  34. ↑ "Convicted Oklahoma Slayer Is Executed". The Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal . 4 January 1935. p. 1. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  35. ↑ "Slayer Electrocuted". The Evening Independent . 24 May 1935. p. 1. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  36. 1 2 3 "Three Die In Chair For Seven Murders". The Pittsburgh Press . 20 September 1935. p. 3. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  37. ↑ "Slayer Is Executed". Spokane Daily Chronicle . 24 April 1936. p. 9. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  38. ↑ "Hang Kidnapper Under New Law". The Daily Times . 18 June 1936. p. 18. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  39. ↑ "Grin At Death". The Southeast Missourian . 11 June 1937. p. 1. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  40. ↑ "Desperado Dies Denying Murder". The Telegraph-Herald . 1 March 1940. p. 13. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  41. ↑ "Slayer Of Wife Is Electrocuted". The Victoria Advocate . 15 November 1940. p. 2. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  42. ↑ "Louisiana Farmer Executed In Chair". The Victoria Advocate . August 29, 1941. p. 2. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  43. ↑ "Slayer Pays With Life For Murders". The Telegraph-Herald . 9 February 1942. p. 11. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  44. ↑ "Negro Is Electrocuted". Lawrence Journal-World . April 16, 1943. p. 3. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  45. ↑ "Oklahoma Takes Life Of Warden's Slayer". The Southeast Missourian . July 15, 1943. p. 2. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  46. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Wilson, R. Michael (2014-01-10). Legal Executions in Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma Including the Indian Territory: A Comprehensive Registry. McFarland. ISBN   978-0-7864-8909-1.
  47. ↑ "Oklahoma's First Execution in Two Years Set Tonight". The Altus Times-Democrat . November 8, 1945. p. 4. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  48. ↑ "Wife Slayer Blames Drink". Sarasota Herald-Tribune . May 30, 1946. p. 17. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  49. ↑ "Oklahoma Slayer Pays Penalty". The Windsor Daily Star . November 2, 1946. p. 6. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  50. ↑ "Man Dies in Electric Chair for Okla. Murder". Lewiston Evening Journal . January 30, 1947. p. 7. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  51. ↑ "Execution Is Set Tonight At State Prison". The Altus Times-Democrat . September 27, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  52. ↑ "Victim's Brother Sees Slayer Die in Chair". The Telegraph-Herald . July 27, 1951. p. 3. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  53. ↑ "Child Killer". Lawrence Journal-World . August 18, 1951. p. 2. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  54. ↑ "Gunman, 37, Dies In Electric Chair". The Spokesman-Review . November 18, 1953. p. 8. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  55. ↑ "Killer In Desperado Family Executed; Eyes And Aorta Go To Banks On His Bid". Toledo Blade . January 18, 1956. p. 3. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  56. ↑ "Woman's Slayer Dies In Electric Chair". Reading Eagle . January 11, 1957. p. 9. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  57. ↑ "Slayer Says Last Letters 'Doom' Others". The Altus Times-Democrat . February 5, 1957. p. 1. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  58. 1 2 "In The News". The Telegraph . July 29, 1960. p. 1. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  59. ↑ "Killer Goes Calmly To His Execution". Youngstown Vindicator . September 1, 1960. p. 9. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  60. ↑ "Young Stays Calm in His Death March". The Altus Times-Democrat . December 16, 1960. p. 1. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  61. ↑ "Dies for Slaying Young Golf Pro". The Fort Scott Tribune . October 4, 1962. p. 1. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  62. ↑ "Man Executed In Oklahoma". St. Petersburg Times . June 3, 1963. p. 13. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  63. ↑ "Two-Time Killer James French To Get His Wish - Death In The Chair". The Washington Observer . August 4, 1966. p. 9. Retrieved November 23, 2024.


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