Births

Melissa Ann Shepard

1578 – Everard Digby – Digby was an English courtier, scholar, and Catholic conspirator. He was born in Tilton-on-the-Hill, Leicestershire, England, to a prominent Catholic family. He was educated at St. John’s College, Cambridge, where he became proficient in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Digby was known for his intellect and his religious devotion, which led him to become involved in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, a failed attempt by a group of English Catholics to assassinate King James I and blow up the Houses of Parliament. Digby was a key figure in the plot, providing funding and organizing meetings with the other conspirators. However, the plot was discovered before it could be carried out, and Digby was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London. He was tried and found guilty of treason and was executed by hanging, drawing, and quartering in January 1606. Despite his involvement in the plot, Digby was remembered by his contemporaries as a learned and honorable man. He was particularly admired for his skills as a musician and a poet, and he was a member of the King’s Men, the company of actors led by William Shakespeare. Today, Digby is primarily remembered as a historical figure associated with the Gunpowder Plot, which continues to capture the popular imagination in England and around the world.

1824 – Juan Nepomuceno Cortina – Cortina was a Mexican politician and revolutionary leader who played a significant role in the history of the American Southwest during the mid-19th century. He was born in Camargo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, to a wealthy family of Spanish descent. Cortina began his political career as a member of the local government in the state of Tamaulipas. However, he became disillusioned with the Mexican government’s treatment of Tejanos, Mexican-Americans living in Texas, who were often subjected to discrimination and violence by Anglo settlers. In 1859, Cortina led a group of Tejano rebels in a series of raids against Anglo settlements in south Texas. These raids, known as the Cortina War, lasted for several months and were marked by intense violence on both sides. Although Cortina was eventually forced to flee to Mexico, the conflict helped to raise awareness of the issues facing Tejanos and contributed to growing tensions between Mexico and the United States. Cortina continued to be involved in politics and revolution throughout his life, including participating in the Mexican Revolution of 1861 and serving as a member of the Mexican Congress in the 1870s. He died in Mexico City in 1894. Today, Cortina is remembered as a symbol of resistance against oppression and as a champion of the rights of Mexican Americans. His legacy continues to be celebrated in Texas and throughout the American Southwest, where his name is often invoked in discussions of issues related to immigration, civil rights, and political representation.

1861 – H.H. Holmes – Holmes, born Herman Webster Mudgett, was an American serial killer who gained notoriety for his heinous crimes committed during the late 19th century. He was born in Gilmanton, New Hampshire, and later moved to Chicago where he attended medical school at the University of Michigan. Holmes built a hotel in Chicago that was later dubbed the “Murder Castle” due to its secret passages, hidden rooms, and trap doors that he used to trap and murder his victims. He lured unsuspecting guests into the hotel with the promise of low rates and luxurious amenities, only to torture and kill them for his sadistic pleasure. It is believed that Holmes killed at least 9 people, although the exact number of his victims is unknown and may have been as high as 200. His method of killing was often by asphyxiation or poison, and he would then dispose of the bodies by dissolving them in acid or burning them in a crematorium. Holmes was eventually caught and convicted of murder in 1895. He was executed by hanging in 1896 at the age of 34. His case has been the subject of numerous books, movies, and television shows, and he is widely regarded as one of America’s most notorious serial killers. Holmes’ crimes are often cited as an example of the dark side of the American Dream, as he used his intelligence and charisma to deceive and manipulate his victims. His story has become a cautionary tale of the dangers of trusting others blindly and the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings.

1922 – Herman Perry – His parents, teenager Flonnie Perry and Prouda Salsbrook, were unmarried. After his father left, Herman moved with his mother to Washington, D.C., where he worked as a butcher’s apprentice. Following America’s entry into the Second World War in December 1941, Perry was enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in the 849th Engineer (Aviation) Battalion in the China-Burma-India Theater, helping to construct the Ledo Road. On March 3, 1944, Perry’s Commanding Officer, Lt. Harold Cady, attempted to apprehend him for dereliction of duty. Perry, who was holding a rifle, warned Cady not to approach him. When Cady continued to advance, Perry fired his rifle, fatally wounding Cady. Perry then fled into the wilderness. While on the run, Perry lived a fugitive’s life of jungle survival. He found refuge with a tribe of the Naga people of northeastern India and northern Burma. Perry managed to win the tribe over, possibly due to his familiarity with their language and by offering them rations which he had taken from the military store. He even married the village chief’s 14-year-old daughter, who later conceived his child. Perry was eventually recaptured and court-martialed. He was sentenced to death for murder and desertion, making him the only American executed in the China Burma India Theater during World War II. Perry died on March 15, 1945.

1935 – Melissa Ann Shepard – Shepard, also known as the “Internet Black Widow,” is a Canadian woman who gained notoriety for her involvement in multiple cases of fraud and murder. Born in Nova Scotia in 1935, Shepard had a long history of criminal activity dating back to the 1990s. Shepard’s crimes often involved manipulating and taking advantage of vulnerable men, particularly elderly individuals. She would meet them through online dating sites and then form relationships with them, ultimately draining their bank accounts and stealing their assets. In 1992, Shepard was convicted of manslaughter for the death of her second husband, Gordon Stewart, whom she drugged and ran over with a car. She served two years in prison for the crime and was released in 1994. Shepard continued her criminal activities after her release from prison, often preying on elderly men for financial gain. In 2012, she was arrested in Florida and extradited to Canada on charges of stealing from an 84-year-old man whom she had met through an online dating site. Shepard was eventually convicted of multiple counts of fraud and sentenced to two years in prison. Following her release, she was arrested again in 2016 for violating the conditions of her parole. Today, Melissa Ann Shepard remains a notorious figure in Canadian criminal history and is known for her manipulation and exploitation of vulnerable individuals.

1947 – Roch Theriault – a name forever etched in Canadian infamy, wasn’t your average cult leader. He wasn’t the charismatic Jim Jones or the brooding David Koresh. Thériault was a twisted amalgamation of religious fanaticism, sexual predator, and cold-blooded killer, leaving behind a legacy of abuse, manipulation, and death. Born in 1947, Thériault’s early life was shrouded in a mix of religiosity and rebellion. Raised Catholic, he later converted to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, only to be expelled for his unorthodox beliefs. This rejection fueled his descent into self-proclaimed prophecy. In 1977, he established the “Ant Hill Kids,” a doomsday cult built on a warped interpretation of the Bible and fueled by Thériault’s insatiable need for control. The Ant Hill Kids operated like a twisted family, with Thériault, rechristening himself “Moïse,” at the helm. He took multiple wives and concubines, fathering over 26 children within the commune. His word was law, enforced through a combination of physical abuse, psychological manipulation, and the constant threat of a looming apocalypse. Members were subjected to grueling labor, denied education, and forced to adhere to Thériault’s bizarre interpretations of scripture. As the years passed, the depravity within the Ant Hill Kids escalated. Thériault’s paranoia and violence intensified. He mutilated members, committed ritualistic abuse, and even murdered two individuals within the commune. The outside world began to catch glimpses of the horror unfolding within. Police raids and investigations exposed Thériault’s twisted utopia, leading to his eventual arrest in 1989. Thériault was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with no parole for 10 years. He remained unrepentant until he died in 2011, murdered by another inmate in prison. Yet, the true victims of Thériault’s reign of terror were the survivors of the Ant Hill Kids. Left to grapple with the physical and psychological scars of their ordeal, they became living testaments to the destructive power of cultic manipulation.

1958 – Cal Coburn Brown – Brown was an American convicted murderer who gained notoriety for his brutal crimes committed during the late 20th century. He was born in California and grew up in the Seattle area. Brown worked as an engineer and had no prior criminal record before he was arrested for the murder of Holly Washa, a 21-year-old woman he met in a bar in 1991. Brown had lured Washa to his apartment, where he sexually assaulted and killed her. After the murder, Brown moved to San Diego, where he was eventually arrested and convicted of Washa’s murder. He was sentenced to death in 1994 and spent the next 16 years on death row, during which time he maintained his innocence and filed numerous appeals. In 2010, Brown’s execution was scheduled, but he committed suicide by hanging himself in his cell before the execution could be carried out. Brown’s case has been the subject of significant controversy, with some advocates arguing that he was wrongly convicted and that the death penalty is an unjust punishment. However, others point to the brutal nature of his crimes and the overwhelming evidence against him as proof of his guilt.

1959 – Frank Moore – Moore had previous convictions for attempted murder and several drug offenses when he got into an argument with 23-year-old Samuel Boyd and 15-year-old Patrick Clark inside the Wheels of Joy Club in San Antonio. When he got outside the club, Moore spotted both men sitting in a car and shot them with a .30 caliber rifle, he then threatened any witnesses with death if they cooperated with the police.

1963 – David Lance Bruce – is a convicted criminal known for his involvement in a series of crimes that took place in Fairfield and Delaware Counties, Ohio, USA. His methods of killing included stabbing and strangulation. Bruce’s criminal activities spanned a brief period in January 2005. He was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment on July 7, 2006. As of now, he is incarcerated at the Chillicothe Correctional Institution.

1968 – Russell E. Bucklew – Bucklew is an American criminal who gained notoriety for his violent crimes committed during the late 20th century. He was born in Missouri and had a troubled childhood, marked by abuse and neglect. Bucklew’s criminal record began at an early age, and he was arrested and convicted multiple times for a variety of offenses, including assault, burglary, and theft. In 1996, Bucklew was charged with the murder of Michael Sanders, his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend. Bucklew also shot and wounded Sanders’ ex-girlfriend during the incident. Bucklew was eventually captured and sentenced to death for the murder and other related crimes. However, his execution has been delayed numerous times due to legal challenges and concerns over his health. Bucklew suffers from a rare medical condition known as cavernous hemangioma, which causes tumors to grow in his head, neck, and throat. Bucklew’s case has been the subject of significant controversy, with some advocates arguing that his medical condition makes it inhumane to carry out his execution, while others maintain that he deserves to be punished for his violent crimes.

1979 – Raymond Solano – Solano seems to have been the assassin in a murder for hire, however, no clear motive has ever been discovered. Solano walked onto the basketball court where Armondo Rodriguez was playing, he walked up to him and shot him several times at point-blank range and when Rodriguez fell to the floor, Solano stood over him and shot him another couple of times, he then made his escape.

1985 – Chris Watts – Watts is an American criminal who gained notoriety for the murder of his pregnant wife, Shanann Watts, and their two daughters, Bella and Celeste, in August 2018. He was born and raised in North Carolina and worked as an oil and gas operator in Colorado. After Shanann and her daughters were reported missing, Watts initially denied any involvement in their disappearance but later confessed to killing them. He admitted to strangling his wife in their bedroom and smothering his daughters with pillows before disposing of their bodies in a nearby oil field. Watts was charged with multiple counts of murder and other related offenses and ultimately pleaded guilty to all charges. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in November 2018. Watts’s case gained national attention and was the subject of intense media scrutiny, with many people struggling to understand why a seemingly happy family man would commit such a heinous crime. Some have suggested that Watts may have been experiencing financial and marital problems, while others point to possible mental health issues.

Deaths

Lydia Sherman

1691 – Jacob Leisler – Jacob Leisler was a German-born American colonist who played a significant role in the history of colonial New York. He emigrated to New Amsterdam (now New York) in the 1660s and became a successful merchant and militia captain. In 1689, Leisler led a rebellion against the colonial governor, Francis Nicholson, who he believed was not adequately defending the colony against attacks by French and Native American forces. Leisler and his supporters seized control of the government, establishing a provisional government and appointing themselves to positions of power. Leisler’s rule was controversial, and he faced significant opposition from some members of the colonial elite, who accused him of acting without legal authority and abusing his power. In 1691, Leisler was arrested and charged with treason, along with his son-in-law, Jacob Milborne. Leisler and Milborne were convicted and executed in May 1691. Despite the controversy surrounding his rule, Leisler has been celebrated by some as a champion of popular democracy and resistance against colonial oppression. His legacy continues to be debated and studied by historians and scholars of colonial American history.

1878 – Lydia Sherman – Sherman was an American serial killer who gained notoriety in the mid-19th century for poisoning several people, including her husbands and children. She was born in Connecticut and raised in a poor family, where she was forced to leave school at an early age to work as a domestic servant. Sherman’s first husband, Edward Struck, died suddenly in 1843, and she later remarried twice more, both of whom also died mysteriously. She also killed several of her children and stepchildren, using arsenic to poison them. It’s estimated that Sherman may have killed as many as 10 people over several years. Sherman’s crimes were eventually uncovered in 1871 when the bodies of several of her victims were exhumed and found to contain high levels of arsenic. She was arrested and tried for murder and ultimately pleaded guilty to killing her third husband and one of her stepdaughters. Sherman was sentenced to life in prison, where she died of natural causes in 1878. Her case was widely publicized in the media and contributed to a growing public awareness of the issue of female serial killers. Today, Sherman is remembered as one of the most notorious female murderers in American history.

1879 – Wallace Wilkerson – life was a whirlwind of frontier grit, legal drama, and tragic misfortune. Born in 1834 in Quincy, Illinois, to a Mormon family, he migrated to the Utah Territory at a young age, experiencing the hardships and freedoms of life on the wild frontier. Working as a stockman and horse breaker, Wilkerson’s early life mirrored the ruggedness of the land he traversed. Wilkerson’s path took a dark turn in 1877 when he was accused of the murder of William Baxter in Eureka, Utah. Despite professing his innocence, he was convicted and sentenced to death. Facing three execution methods – hanging, beheading, and firing squad – Wilkerson, in a macabre twist, chose the firing squad, an uncommon method in the territory. This choice set the stage for the controversial events that would immortalize Wilkerson’s name. On May 16, 1879, in front of a crowd of onlookers, the firing squad aimed. Tragedy struck when their shots missed Wilkerson’s heart, leaving him injured and writhing in agony. It took 27 agonizing minutes for him to finally succumb to his wounds. Wilkerson’s botched execution sparked legal outrage. His case, Wilkerson v. Utah, reached the Supreme Court, raising questions about cruel and unusual punishment. While the court ultimately upheld the death sentence, the case remains a landmark precedent in legal discussions on human rights and execution methods. Wallace Wilkerson’s legacy transcends the gruesome details of his case. He embodies the complexities of the American West, where justice was often rough-hewn and life could be cut short in the blink of an eye. His story serves as a reminder of the fallibility of human judgment and the ongoing struggle for fair and humane legal practices. Beyond the legal drama, Wilkerson’s life also offers glimpses into the social and cultural tapestry of the nineteenth-century frontier. His Mormon background, his profession as a stockman, and his choice of execution method all speak to the diverse forces shaping the American West. By delving into these aspects, we gain a richer understanding of this turbulent period in American history. Wallace Wilkerson may have met a tragic end, but his story lives on as a testament to the resilience and complexity of the human spirit, forever etched in the annals of American legal and frontier history.

1957 – Eliot Ness – stands as a beacon of incorruptibility in the era of roaring twenties America. His name is synonymous with taking down the notorious Al Capone and bringing a semblance of order to Chicago’s lawless streets. But to simply call him a gangster-buster would be a grave disservice to a man whose career spanned far beyond a single battle. Born in Chicago to hardworking Norwegian immigrants, Ness was a bright child, graduating with honors from the University of Chicago. In 1929, at the tender age of 26, he found himself at the helm of a newly formed Prohibition unit – a daunting task in a city strangled by Capone’s illicit empire. Undeterred, Ness meticulously assembled a team of handpicked agents, young and incorruptible, earning them the moniker “The Untouchables.” These were no ordinary lawmen. Ness emphasized meticulous planning, forensics, and teamwork – a stark contrast to the traditional tactics of brute force and bribery. He led raids on breweries and distilleries, meticulously documenting Capone’s financial network, culminating in a landmark conviction on tax evasion charges in 1931. While not the takedown many envisioned, it effectively crippled Capone’s empire and cemented Ness’s reputation as a fearless crime fighter. His success in Chicago catapulted him to national prominence. He tackled corruption in Cleveland, Ohio, and later parlayed his expertise into consulting work on security and crime prevention. Though his later years were marred by personal struggles and a desire for recognition that his achievements often overshadowed, Eliot Ness’s legacy remains unblemished. He was a pioneer in scientific law enforcement, a symbol of unwavering integrity in a world rife with vice, and a testament to the power of meticulous planning and teamwork. His story, immortalized in his memoir “The Untouchables” and numerous cinematic adaptations, continues to inspire generations of law enforcement officers and everyday citizens to stand up for what’s right, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Ness’s impact wasn’t limited to his Chicago days. He penned insightful books on crime prevention and his own experiences, leaving a legacy beyond the headlines. His passion for public safety extended beyond law enforcement – he served as Cleveland’s Safety Director, implementing pioneering crime prevention programs. Interestingly, “The Untouchables” nickname was purely media-driven; his team was officially called the “Chicago Strike Force.” And for fans of the iconic fedora and trench coat look, that too can be attributed to Hollywood’s creative flair.

1968 – Karol Kot – was not a name synonymous with peace or joy. Instead, it became a chilling whisper, echoing through the cobblestone streets of Krakow in the mid-1960s, a grim reminder of a reign of terror fueled by a seemingly insatiable bloodlust. Dubbed the “Vampire of Krakow,” Kot’s story painted a picture of unsettling darkness, leaving an indelible mark on the city’s history. Though details of Kot’s childhood remain largely shrouded, glimpses reveal a life marked by social isolation and odd behavior. Described as an outcast, ostracized by peers and struggling with academics, Kot retreated into a world of his own, fueled by morbid curiosity and a fascination with the macabre. Whispers of animal cruelty and disturbing drawings painted a chilling portrait of a budding darkness within. In 1964, the shadows surrounding Kot morphed into a terrifying reality. A seemingly innocent encounter with a young girl spiraled into violence, marking the beginning of a horrific spree. Attacks became more frequent, targeting both children and the elderly with relentless brutality. Knives and hammers became his tools of choice, each strike accompanied by a thirst for blood that fueled the growing legend of the “Vampire.” Fear gripped Krakow as the body count rose. Police frantically searched for the elusive killer, driven by a desperation fueled by public outcry. Clues were scarce, the only constant being the brutality and seemingly random nature of the attacks. Finally, in 1966, a trail of breadcrumbs led detectives to Kot, the unassuming teenager lurking in plain sight. The trial that followed was a spectacle of raw emotions. Survivors recounted their harrowing experiences, their cries echoing with both fear and relief. Kot, in a chilling display of detachment, confessed to all charges, painting a disturbing picture of his motives. He spoke of a voice in his head, whispers of darkness that urged him to kill. Despite pleas for leniency based on potential mental illness, the court found Kot guilty. In 1967, he was sentenced to death. The verdict, though controversial, brought a semblance of closure to a terrified city. On May 16, 1968, Kot’s life was ended by the hangman’s noose, but his story refused to fade. The “Vampire of Krakow” became a symbol of unhinged evil, a cautionary tale woven into the fabric of Krakow’s history. His name uttered in hushed tones, serves as a chilling reminder of the darkness that can reside within the human soul.

1975 – Michael X (Abdul Malik) – Michael X was a controversial political activist and self-proclaimed black revolutionary who gained notoriety in the United Kingdom during the 1960s. He was born Michael de Freitas in Trinidad and Tobago, but later changed his name to Michael X after converting to Islam. Michael X was a charismatic figure who used his platform as a speaker and activist to champion the rights of black people in the UK and fight against racism and colonialism. He was involved in several high-profile protests and campaigns, including the fight to prevent the eviction of squatters in London’s Notting Hill neighborhood. However, Michael X’s revolutionary views and tactics often drew criticism from more mainstream civil rights activists, who accused him of being too extreme and advocating violence. He was also accused of fraud and other criminal activities, and in 1972 he was convicted of extortion and sentenced to prison. Michael X’s downfall was swift and dramatic. In 1975, he was executed in Trinidad and Tobago for his involvement in the murder of two people.

1992 – Chalino Sanchez – Sanchez was a Mexican-American singer and songwriter known for his corridos, a type of traditional Mexican ballad that tells stories of love, tragedy, and struggle. He was born in Sinaloa, Mexico, and grew up in poverty, experiencing tragedy at an early age when his father was murdered when he was just 15 years old. Sanchez’s music was deeply influenced by his own experiences of hardship, and his lyrics often reflected the struggles of everyday people in Mexico and the United States. Despite being largely self-taught and never formally trained as a musician, Sanchez became incredibly popular among Mexican immigrants in the United States, and his music continues to be celebrated by fans around the world. However, Sanchez’s life was also marked by violence and tragedy. He was shot in the head during a concert in 1992 and died shortly after. The circumstances of his death remain unclear, and rumors of his involvement in criminal activity have persisted to this day.

2002 – Ronford Lee Styron Jr – Styron believed his wife was having an affair and also their 11-month-old child was not his, due to these beliefs he would take his anger out on the child, and on the 23rd October 1993 he punched little Lee a minimum of three times in the head, he didn’t take the child to the hospital until three days later at which point it was too late and 11-month-old Lee Hollace Styron lost his short life. Styron was convicted for this crime and was executed by lethal injection on May 16, 2002, in Huntsville, Texas. He was 32 years old at the time of his execution.

2003 – Newton Carlson Slawson – Slawson was an American mass murderer when he went to the home of Gerald Wood who was dealing drugs, as Wood was cutting up the drugs he offered to sell some to Slawson, who refused, Gerald’s wife, Peggy said maybe Slawson was police at that point the carnage occurred as Slawson shot both Gerald and Peggy before murdering their two children, Peggy who was 8 1/2 months pregnant was on the floor and Slawson sliced up her abdomen to the point that the fetus fell out, Slawson made his getaway and amazingly Peggy was able to drag herself outside to her mom’s house to tell her “Newton did it”.

2005 – Gayno Gilbert Smith – was born on January 23, 1938, and passed away on May 16, 2005. He was an American mass murderer and serial killer who killed six of his family members in Iowa between 1961 and 1962. Before the murders, Smith had been living in Denver, but due to problems there, he moved to Martinsburg, Iowa to live with his stepmother. When he had problems with her as well, he moved to the home of his uncle Andrew. On May 27, 1962, Smith murdered Andrew McBeth, 51, and Dora McBeth, 41, and their three children: Amos and Anna McBeth, 19, and Donna Jean Kellogg, 17. Smith, then 24, a nephew of the elder McBeths’, confessed to the crime. He also confessed to having murdered his stepmother, Juanita Smith, who had been missing for several months, in 1961. Another daughter, Patsy Lou, 15, was wounded by Smith but escaped in the night and ran to a nearby farm for help. Kellogg’s six-month-old baby, Perry, was in a crib and left unharmed. Smith went into hiding but was found four days later in a barn near Lake Wapello. After being arrested, he confessed both to the McBeth murders in Martinsburg and also to the murder of his stepmother, Juanita Smith, the previous October in Hedrick, Iowa. Smith was convicted of first-degree murder (5 counts) and second-degree murder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labor. He was imprisoned at Iowa State Penitentiary. He died on May 16, 2005.

2007 – Charles Edward Smith – Smith was serving a sentence of 1-5 years for aiding a felon, burglary, and theft when he escaped with Carroll Bernard Smith, they stole a van and went on the run when they came across 61-year-old Sheriff Tim Hudson who attempted to stop them, he pulled alongside them and as he did they fired 3 shots into the patrol car killing Hudson immediately. Smith was sentenced to death for the third time in November 1999. All of Smith’s subsequent appeals in state and federal court were denied. On May 16, 2007, he was executed by lethal injection in the Walls Correctional Facility in Huntsville, Texas.

Events

Billie Holiday

1927 – The US Supreme Court rules that bootleggers must pay income tax

1947 – Singer Billie Holiday is arrested for narcotics possession

1953 – American journalist William N. Oatis is released after serving 22 months of a ten-year prison sentence for espionage

1969 – The Who’s Pete Townsend & Roger Daltrey are charged with assault

1988 – The US Supreme Court rules that trash may be searched without a warrant

1993 – Judd Nelson pleads no contest to kicking Kim Evans in the head

1994 – Tennis star Jennifer Capriati is arrested on possession of marijuana

1995 – Japanese police arrest cult leader Shoko Asahara  and charge him with a nerve gas attack on Tokyo’s subways 2 months earlier