Births

Donna Roberts

1845 – Albert J. Adams – Born in 1845 in New York City, Albert James Adams wasn’t destined for boardrooms or Wall Street. He cut his teeth on the gritty streets, navigating a bustling metropolis rife with opportunity and danger. Starting as a petty hustler, Adams saw potential in the burgeoning “policy” game, an illegal lottery based on numbers drawn from a pool. With a shrewd mind and an iron fist, he clawed his way up the ranks, building a network of runners, collectors, and enforcers that soon sprawled across Manhattan and beyond. Adams’ genius lay in his ruthless efficiency and ruthless loyalty. He treated the numbers game like a corporate empire, demanding absolute obedience from his network while rewarding them handsomely. He understood the psychology of the streets, offering a glimmer of hope and quick fortune to the working class yearning for a break from their daily grind. This, coupled with his ironclad grip on territory and a willingness to crush any competitors, solidified his position as the undisputed king of policy. His ascent brought immense wealth and notoriety. Mansions, racehorses, and lavish parties became synonymous with “The Policy King.” But his reign was far from glamorous. Adams was known for his brutal tactics, employing muscle to collect debts and eliminate rivals. He became embroiled in countless brawls, shootings, and even sensational poisoning attempts – a testament to the unforgiving world he built. His empire also attracted the attention of authorities. Police raids were frequent, and the city’s reform movement relentlessly targeted the illegal racket. But Adams, a master manipulator, navigated the legal system with shrewd bribes and political connections. He even attempted to legitimize his business, briefly venturing into legitimate enterprises like mining and real estate. However, the winds of change were inevitable. Public pressure and increased police crackdowns eroded his grip on the game. By the early 1900s, Adams’ empire was crumbling. A disastrous investment with his son dealt the final blow, and in 1906, a despondent Adams took his own life in a luxurious hotel room. Albert J. Adams’ legacy is a contradictory one. He was a ruthless opportunist who exploited the desperation of his fellow citizens. Yet, he also embodied a certain American archetype – the self-made man who, through a combination of cunning and ruthlessness, carved his own path to power. His story remains a cautionary tale of the pitfalls of unchecked ambition and a compelling window into the underbelly of a bygone era.

1859 – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – was a British author, born on May 22, 1859, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is best known for creating the iconic detective character, Sherlock Holmes. Doyle was the son of a civil servant, and he initially studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh. After completing his studies, he worked as a ship’s doctor and then set up his medical practice in Portsmouth, England. In his spare time, Doyle began writing short stories, and in 1887, he published his first Sherlock Holmes novel, “A Study in Scarlet.” The novel was an instant success, and Doyle went on to write three more Sherlock Holmes novels and dozens of short stories featuring the character. Doyle was a prolific writer and also wrote historical fiction, science fiction, and non-fiction works on various subjects, including spiritualism. He was a strong believer in spiritualism and was a member of the Society for Psychical Research. During World War I, Doyle volunteered as a medic and wrote a book about his experiences, “The British Campaign in France and Flanders.” He was knighted in 1902 for his contributions to literature and medicine. Doyle died on July 7, 1930, in Crowborough, Sussex, England, at the age of 71. His legacy as the creator of Sherlock Holmes has continued to captivate audiences for over a century, and his works have been adapted into numerous films, TV shows, and other media.

1942 – Ted Kaczynski – Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber, is an American mathematician and anarchist who gained notoriety for a series of mail bombings that killed three people and injured 23 others between 1978 and 1995. Born on May 22, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, Kaczynski showed exceptional intellectual abilities from a young age and was accepted into Harvard University at the age of 16. He earned his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Michigan in 1967 and went on to become a professor at the University of California, Berkeley. In 1971, Kaczynski abruptly resigned from his teaching position and retreated to a remote cabin in Montana, where he lived a solitary life without electricity or running water. Over the next two decades, Kaczynski developed a radical ideology that rejected modern technology and industrialization, and he began sending mail bombs to individuals he believed were responsible for the societal changes he opposed. Kaczynski’s bombing campaign lasted for nearly two decades, and he became one of the most wanted criminals in the United States. In 1995, his brother recognized the distinctive writing style of the Unabomber’s manifesto, and he alerted the authorities, leading to Kaczynski’s arrest. Kaczynski was convicted of multiple counts of murder and other charges in 1998 and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He has since become a subject of fascination for criminologists and psychologists, who have studied his case as an example of the psychology of terrorism and radicalization.

1944 – John L. Wheat – Wheat was a maintenance man for the church who lived at a Fort Worth apartment complex, he was known as a nice guy who sometimes babysat for Angela Anderson and her three children, 8-year-old Edwardo, 6-year-old Ashley, and 19-month-old Lacey. On the 3rd of July 1995 after one of these babysitting occasions, Angela Anderson posted a note through Wheat’s door stating that she was going to go to the police as 6-year-old Ashley had told her mom that Wheat had abused her. This enraged Wheat and after grabbing his gun he went to Anderson’s apartment when she opened the door he shot her, he then went into the apartment and shot each of the children. Anderson would live but suffered from brain damage, and her three children died, in his rampage Wheat also shot a security guard and a police officer, their injuries were non-life-threatening.

1944 – Donna Roberts – led a multifaceted life that took her from Youngstown, Ohio, to Miami, Florida, and back again. As a student, wife, mother, and businesswoman, she navigated different roles and locations. However, her life took a dark turn in 2003 when she was convicted of complicity in the murder of her ex-husband. Roberts’ early life was marked by education and family. She attended Austintown Fitch High School and Youngstown State University, and in 1966, she married and started a family in Miami. After divorcing her first husband, she remarried and worked as a plastic surgeon’s assistant for over two decades. During this period, she also embraced her Jewish faith and built a successful career. In 1980, Roberts met her future husband, Robert Fingerhut. They settled in Miami and later managed several businesses together, including car rental and bus station franchises. They even ventured into the restaurant industry with “Just the Ticket” at the Youngstown Bus Terminal. However, Roberts’ personal life took a tragic turn when she became involved with Nathaniel E. Jackson. While incarcerated for another offense, Jackson expressed his intention to harm Fingerhut in letters and phone calls. Authorities allege that Roberts not only facilitated these communications but also provided Jackson with materials to carry out his plan. In 2001, Fingerhut was murdered in their shared home. Roberts’ alleged involvement in the murder led to her conviction in 2003. The case attracted significant attention due to the circumstances surrounding the crime, including her relationship with Jackson and the details presented by investigators. In 2020, the Ohio Supreme Court placed her execution on hold until all legal avenues have been exhausted. This complex case continues to raise questions about responsibility, justice, and the intricacies of human relationships.

1944 – Leon Rutherford King – He had a previous rap sheet for burglary, forgery, and drug possession for which he served a total of 6 years.  In mid-April 1978, King along with an accomplice abducted 26-year-old Michael Underwood and his girlfriend with the intention of robbery, when the men found out that the couple only had $11.50 between them they became furious and took the two to a secluded location, he they repeatedly raped Underwood’s girlfriend before beating him to death with the butt of a shotgun.

1951 – Kenneth Bianchi – Bianchi is an American serial killer who gained notoriety for his involvement in the Hillside Strangler murders, a string of killings that terrorized Los Angeles in the late 1970s. Born in 1951, Bianchi grew up in New York and had a troubled childhood marked by delinquency and a history of mental illness. In 1977, he moved to Los Angeles, where he began working as a security guard and enrolled in a law enforcement training program. Around the same time, a series of brutal murders began occurring in the hills above Los Angeles. The victims, mostly young women, were sexually assaulted, strangled, and left on the side of the road. The killings, which became known as the Hillside Strangler murders, remained unsolved for months. In 1979, Bianchi was arrested and charged with the murders after his cousin, Angelo Buono, implicated him in the crimes. Bianchi eventually confessed to his involvement and was convicted of multiple counts of murder, sexual assault, and other crimes. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

1961 – Kenneth Eugene Hogan – was a man from Oklahoma, United States, who was convicted of a crime that took place in January 1988. He admitted to stabbing 21-year-old Lisa Stanley, claiming it was in self-defense after she lunged at him with a knife. However, prosecutors stated that Hogan stabbed Stanley more than 25 times in the back, neck, and chest, and then staged a robbery scene in her apartment. Hogan’s inconsistent statements during police interrogation led to his conviction. His initial conviction was overturned in 1999 by an appeals court, which stated that the jury should have been allowed to consider a verdict of manslaughter. However, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to reinstate Hogan’s conviction in 2000. A different jury convicted him again in 2003 and sentenced him to death. On January 23, 2014, at the age of 52, Hogan was executed by lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. In his final statement, Hogan took full responsibility for his actions and expressed remorse to both Lisa Stanley’s family and his own.

1972 – Riley Dobi Noel – was an American convicted murderer. He was executed for the June 1995 murders of Marcell Young, Mustafa Hussian, and Malak Hussian in Varner, Arkansas. On June 4, 1995, Noel, accompanied by Terry Carroll, Curtis Cochran, and Tracy Calloway, were out driving in Little Rock, Arkansas in Cochran’s car while getting high on drugs. A week prior, Noel’s brother had been killed in a drive-by shooting, and Noel believed that the daughter of a woman he knew was involved and had set up his brother. Seeking revenge, Noel and his acquaintances headed to the home of the woman; Mary Hussian. Once the group arrived at Hussian’s home, Noel ordered three of Hussian’s children to get down on the floor. After they did, Noel shot each of the children in the head. He killed 17-year-old Marcell Young, 12-year-old Mustafa Hussian, and 10-year-old Malak Hussian. In another part of the house, Carroll tried to shoot Mary Hussian with a shotgun, however, the gun jammed, and Mary was able to wrestle it away from him. The daughter who Noel suspected was involved in his brother’s death was not at the residence during the murders. On July 5, 1995, Noel was charged with capital murder in the deaths of Marcell Young, Mustafa Hussian, and Malak Hussian. He was also charged with the attempted capital murder of Mary Hussian. On July 18, 1996, he was sentenced to death. In exchange for leniency, Cochran pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and testified against his co-defendants. He received a 20-year sentence and has since been paroled. Calloway was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder and received a 132-year sentence. She will become eligible for parole in 2032. Carroll was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life without parole. Because he was a juvenile at the time, his sentence was later reduced to 70 years.

Deaths

Nikolay Lazukin

1987 – Richard Tucker Jr – An American kidnapper, thief, rapist, and murderer who abducted 50-year-old Edna Sandefur from a hospital parking area before taking her to a secluded location where he robbed her, killed her, and then stripped all of her clothing which he later burnt presumably to try and remove any bodily fluid evidence that may have been left.

1997 – Larry Wayne White – was born on March 10, 1950. He was a high school graduate or GED holder. White had a history of preying on elderly women. He was hired to paint the north Houston apartment of Elizabeth St. John, 72, and a week later, on March 3, 1977, he robbed and stabbed her to death with a screwdriver. This was not his first attack on elderly women. An 82-year-old woman was slain in Orlando, Florida, and a 91-year-old blind woman survived a rape in his hometown of Lancaster, Ohio. White was arrested three days after the murder of St. John as he was breaking into a restaurant in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He blamed his crimes on a drug habit he picked up while serving in Vietnam. He was executed by lethal injection in Texas on May 22, 1997. In his final statement, he apologized for all of the hurt, pain, and disappointment he caused to his family and all his friends. He also expressed hope that those who support the Death Row inmates will continue to work and maybe resolve the issue and do away with the Death Penalty.

2001 – Terrance Anthony James – James was in jail with his acquaintance Mark Berry awaiting trial in a case that involved the theft of government property when James got the idea into his head that Berry was snitching on him, whilst in their cell, James strangled Berry using a piece of wire and then hung him up to make it look like a suicide. James was later sentenced to death. 

2002 – Johnny Joe Martinez – was a man with a troubled past. He grew up in difficult circumstances, described as “dirt poor, neglected, a gay runaway outcast”. On July 15, 1993, after a night of heavy drinking, 20-year-old Martinez robbed a grocery shop in Corpus Christi on the Texas coast, during which he stabbed Clay Peterson, the shop assistant. Martinez immediately regretted his actions. He left the shop, went to the beach, and cried. Within half an hour of the murder, he had telephoned the police from a nearby motel, confessed to the crime, and surrendered without resistance. The arresting officer described him as “very cooperative” and “concerned about what happened”. In 1994, Martinez was sentenced to death for the murder of Clay Peterson. He was executed in Texas on May 22, 2002. His case was described as “heartbreaking” by Andrew Hammel, who began working with the Houston non-profit law firm, the Texas Defender Service, in 1996. Despite his actions, Martinez’s remorse and repentance were evident throughout his trial and subsequent years on death row. Shockingly, the total that Martinez got away with was $25.65!!

2012 – Nikolay Lazukin – In 4 hours on the 22nd of May 2012, Nikolay “Nick” Lazukin destroyed many many lives, as he was walking home he came across 21-year-old Devin Matlock who he didn’t know, for no apparent reason, and without provocation he beat Matlock to death with a baseball bat before stomping on him. Lazukin then went home where he murdered his wife and three children, at this point, he set fire to the matrimonial home and then took his own life with a gunshot.

Events

Aaron Burr

1807 – A grand jury indicts former vice president of the United States Aaron Burr on a charge of treason

1840 – The transporting of British convicts to the New South Wales colony is abolished.

1868 – A train robbery occurs at Marshfield, Indiana by the Reno brothers gang who make off with $98,000 ($3,180,637.42 in 2023)

1981 – Peter Sutcliffe is found guilty of murdering 13 women and the attempted murder of a further 7.

1983 – Martina Theresa Authorlee is murdered by the Green River Killer

1985 – US sailor Michael L. Walker is arrested for spying for the USSR

2002 – Civil Rights Movement: A jury in Birmingham, Alabama convicts former member of the KKK Bobby Frank Cherry of the 1963 murder of four girls in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing

2002 – In Washington DC, the remains of the missing Chandra Levy are found in Rock Creek Park.

2013 – British Army soldier Lee Rigby is attacked & killed near Woolwich Barracks

2017 – 22 people are killed at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester after a suicide bomber detonates his device