On This Day in 1928: Very unlucky for some…
Today it's Friday July 13, 2018. July 13, 1928 was also a Friday, a Friday delivering the ultimate in bad luck to 11 men in three different States... In Mississippi's Yazoo County murderer Will Burdo nervously awaited his date with the hangman. While Burdo pondered his fate in Yazoo County Jail, over in Smith ...
Aum Shinryko: Japan’s largest execution since World War II?
Japan, one of only two members of the G7 to retain capital punishment, the other is the US, has never liked publicity regarding its death penalty. Just as the British used to do until abolition, it's shrouded in secrecy. Even the condemned don't know until shortly beforehand that their time has come. The public don't ...
Raymond Hamilton, Depression Desperado and ‘Gentleman Bandit.’
Originally posted on Crime Scribe:
Raymond Elzie Hamilton, self-styled ‘Gentleman Bandit.’ Ray Hamilton, thief, armed robber, kidnapper, escape artist, murderer. He worked with Clyde Barrow as part of the infamous ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ Gang before his out-sized ego caused him to strike out on his own. By his execution in May, 1935 (at the tender…
Leroy Henry, Shepton Mallet and the curious case of George Edward Smith.
A few days ago Channel 5 screened another episode of Hidden History of Britain. Presented by former politician Michael Portillo, the episode covered Shepton Mallet Prison and the case of Leroy Henry. Shepton Mallet should be familiar to readers of Crimescribe, as should Leroy Henry who I've previously covered. You can watch it here. I ...
On This Day in 1934; The last British hanging witnessed by a journalist.
When Frederick Parker and Albert Probert mounted the gallows at Wandsworth Prison, they died never knowing they'd taken a singular place in Britain's chronicles of crime. Theirs would be last execution in British prison to be witnessed by a gentleman (or lady) of the press. Until the Capital Punishment (Amendment) Act of 1868 executions were ...
On this Day in 1925; The Biter (nearly) Bitten at Sing Sing.
When heroin-loving gangsters Morris 'Whitey' Diamond and his brother Joey teamed up with John Farina for an armed robbery and murder, they surely knew they had a fair chance of joining him in Sing Sing's Death House and Old Sparky as well. The 1920's and 30's were halcyon days for New York's 'State Electrician' and ...
Doctor George Henry Lamson, the ‘Sleight of Hand Poisoner’; Not as clever as he thought.
All in all, a sorry fate for a man who'[d once shown such promise.
