Births

Charles Ponzi

1882 – Charles Ponzi – was an Italian-born American swindler and con artist, infamous for perpetrating one of the most notorious financial schemes in history—the Ponzi scheme. Born in Lugo, Italy, Ponzi immigrated to the United States in 1903, seeking the American dream.  Ponzi’s notoriety stems from his fraudulent investment scheme, which he began in the early 1920s. The scheme exploited the principle of arbitrage in international reply coupons for postage stamps. Promising investors astronomical returns within a short period, Ponzi attracted a large following, capitalizing on the greed and gullibility of his victims.  Operating under the Securities Exchange Company, Ponzi lured investors with the promise of a 50% return on their investment in just 45 days or a 100% return in 90 days. The impressive returns, however, were funded not by legitimate business ventures but by the funds of new investors. As long as new investments continued to pour in, Ponzi was able to maintain the illusion of profitability.  Eventually, the scheme collapsed in 1920 when the Boston Post published an exposé, unraveling the fraudulent nature of Ponzi’s operations. His empire crumbled, leaving thousands of investors penniless. In the aftermath, Ponzi faced legal consequences and was sentenced to prison for mail fraud. After serving time, he was deported to Italy in 1934.  Charles Ponzi’s legacy endures as a cautionary tale in the world of finance, serving as a stark reminder of the consequences of financial fraud and the importance of due diligence in investment. His name has become synonymous with pyramid schemes and deceptive financial practices, immortalizing him in history as one of the most infamous swindlers of all time.

1922 – Karl Gustav Hulten – was born in Sweden in 1922. His family later emigrated to the United States, where he grew up in Massachusetts. After leaving school, he worked various jobs including a grocery clerk, driver, and mechanic. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hulten joined the United States Army and was trained as a paratrooper. In 1944, he was sent to England to participate in the D-Day invasion of Europe. However, Hulten deserted, taking with him a large military truck.  On October 3, 1944, Hulten met Elizabeth Jones, an eighteen-year-old Welsh striptease dancer. Their crime spree began shortly after, starting with petty theft and escalating to more serious crimes, including robbery and murder. The pair’s criminal activities culminated in the murder of a taxi driver, George Edward Heath, which became known as the “cleft chin murder” due to the victim’s distinctive features.  The public was shocked by the violence of their crimes, and both Hulten and Jones were found guilty of murder and sentenced to death. Hulten was executed at Pentonville Prison on March 8, 1945, while Jones’s sentence was commuted and she was released in May 1954. The case garnered significant attention and was even referenced in George Orwell’s essay “Decline of the English Murder.” Hulten’s story is a grim reminder of how quickly one can descend into a life of crime and its ultimate consequences.

1950 – Robert Allan Smith – was incarcerated at the Wabash Correctional Institution in Sullivan County, Indiana, serving a 38-year sentence for battery. In a shocking incident, Smith, along with fellow inmate Lunsford, brutally attacked inmate Michael Wedmore, inflicting 37 stab wounds with a makeshift knife. The assault was observed by correctional officers on duty. Following the attack, both assailants surrendered without resistance and handed over the improvised weapons.  Choosing to represent himself legally, Smith admitted guilt and consented to a death sentence. However, the court assigned a standby attorney who questioned Smith’s mental competence. During the plea hearing, Smith made a chilling statement, indicating that his future target would not be another inmate but a state employee. Wedmore, the victim of the attack, had been serving a 60-year term for the murder of a two-year-old child. Lunsford, Smith’s accomplice in the stabbing, was sentenced to an additional 40 years.

1957 – Edward Lewis Lagrone – In 1985, Pamela Lloyd formed a relationship with Lagrone, which lasted for about six months. Despite their separation, Lagrone remained in occasional contact with Lloyd’s family, visiting the children from time to time. Six years later, in 1991, Pamela noticed physical changes in her daughter Shakeisha, who was only 10 years old. A medical examination revealed that Shakeisha was 17 weeks pregnant. Upon contacting Lagrone about the situation, he offered to finance an abortion and provided $500 in cash. Instead, Pamela alerted the authorities.  Tragically, on May 30, 1991, Lagrone invaded Pamela Lloyd’s residence armed with a shotgun he had acquired just a day before. He first shot Dempsey Lloyd, then proceeded to shoot Carolina Lloyd, aged 76, in the bedroom, and subsequently Zenobia Lloyd, aged 83, in the kitchen. Shakeisha was later discovered deceased with severe injuries. Dempsey Lloyd was the sole survivor of this heinous act. Subsequent DNA testing established Lagrone as the father of Shakeisha’s unborn child. This incident followed Lagrone’s previous conviction for murder in 1977, for which he served a sentence until his parole in 1984.

1959 – Robert Joseph Silvera Jr –  also known as “The Boxcar Killer,” was born on March 3, 1959, in Redwood City, California. He is an American serial killer who is currently serving double life sentences in Wyoming. Silveria’s criminal activities spanned over 15 years, during which he traveled across the United States by freight train, committing crimes against fellow transients and rail riders.  Silveria’s killing spree began with a murder in Salem, Oregon, and by the time of his arrest on March 2, 1996, he had confessed to murdering 28 people. His victims were often vulnerable individuals, including homeless men and drifters, whom he robbed and killed, typically by stabbing or bludgeoning. Silveria’s case was notable for the extensive investigation that led to his capture and the subsequent unraveling of his numerous crimes across multiple states.   In addition to his convictions in Wyoming, Silveria was also found guilty in Kansas for the killing of Charles Randall Boyd and in Florida for the murder of Willie Clark. His life in prison has seen him take on the role of head cook at the Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution in Torrington, Wyoming.  Silveria’s story is a grim testament to the dangers that can lurk within the transient lifestyle of America’s railroads.

1962 – Richard Barry Randolph – was found guilty and received a death sentence for the homicide of Minnie Ruth McCollum.  Minnie Ruth McCollum, who supervised a Handy-Way convenience store in Patatka, previously employed Richard Randolph.  Witnesses Terry Sorrell, Dorothy Patilla, and Deborah Patilla observed Randolph, clad in a staff shirt, securing the Handy-Way’s front entrance on August 15, 1988.  When inquired by the women about the store’s closure and McCollum’s whereabouts, Randolph claimed McCollum’s vehicle had malfunctioned and she had taken his car. He stated he had repaired her car and was on his way to retrieve her, then departed the premises.  Peering through the store’s window, the trio noticed the security camera displaced and wires discarded in a trashcan. They observed the store in chaos, with an upended trashcan and a cluttered counter. They alerted the sheriff’s office of the situation.  A deputy arrived, shattered a window to enter the store, and discovered McCollum, still alive but groaning, bleeding from her neck and head, and partially undressed. She was swiftly taken to a hospital.  Post-departure from the store, Randolph visited Norma Janene Betts, his partner, and their child’s mother. Betts recounted Randolph confessing to robbing the store and assaulting McCollum. He also mentioned plans to visit a Jacksonville store to obtain a loan from a grocery store manager and redeem lottery tickets.  Betts was assured by Randolph that he would return for her and their daughter to relocate to North Carolina. However, Randolph was apprehended at the grocery store while waiting for his loan.  Detective William Hord relayed Randolph’s post-arrest confession. Randolph admitted to targeting the store with a concealed toy gun, aiming to rob the safe while the manager was preoccupied with the gas pumps. McCollum, the manager, caught Randolph at the safe, leading to a confrontation.  Randolph recounted dragging McCollum to a back room and assaulting her until she ceased movement. When she stirred again, he strangled her with his sweatshirt’s drawstring. Failing to open the safe, he stole lottery tickets instead.  As McCollum screamed, Randolph silenced her with further blows. When she made noise once more, he stabbed and strangled her again.  Randolph confessed to raping McCollum to simulate a deranged assailant’s act. He donned a Handy-Way uniform, dismantled the store’s camera, discarded it in the trashcan, and exited.  He also disposed of non-winning lottery tickets and bloodstained attire at a McDonald’s en route to Jacksonville, which police later retrieved.  Surgeon Dr. Kirby Bland testified that McCollum arrived at the hospital comatose, having sustained severe beatings and multiple head traumas. She exhibited numerous cuts on her scalp, face, and neck, a broken jawbone, a neck knife wound, and a stab near her eye. McCollum succumbed to a grave brain injury six days later.

1962 – Ricky Abeyta  – was a construction worker who became infamous for committing the largest mass slaying in the state of New Mexico. On January 26, 1991, Abeyta went on a shooting rampage that resulted in the deaths of seven people, including his girlfriend, her relatives, and two law enforcement officers. The tragic incident occurred when Abeyta returned home to find his girlfriend moving out of their shared mobile home in Chimayo, about 100 miles north of Albuquerque.  The victims included his girlfriend, Ignacita Sandoval, her sister Cheryl Rendon, her daughter Maryellen Sandoval, Maryellen’s boyfriend Macario Gonzales, and Maryellen’s 6-month-old son Justin. State Police Officer Glen Huber and Deputy Sheriff Jerry Martinez were also killed upon arriving at the scene.  Abeyta, who was 29 at the time of the crime, testified in his defense during his trial. He claimed that the shootings were either in self-defense or accidental. Despite his claims, he was convicted and sentenced to 146 years in prison. The case was particularly shocking due to the number of victims and the involvement of law enforcement officers. Abeyta’s actions on that fateful day left a lasting impact on the community and the state’s history.

1962 – Juan Covington – became known as a serial killer after being convicted for a series of shootings that occurred in the city between 1998 and 2005. Covington’s criminal activities resulted in three fatalities and several injuries. His actions were driven by delusions stemming from his diagnosed paranoid schizophrenia, which led him to believe that his victims were threats to his existence.  Covington’s life took a dark turn following the death of his father in 1990, which triggered depressive episodes and erratic behavior. Despite his mental health struggles, he managed to hold jobs, including a long tenure as a bus driver for SEPTA and later transporting medical waste for hospitals.  The first murder linked to Covington was the shooting of Rev. Thomas Lee Devlin, a Baptist pastor, who was killed with 13 gunshots inside his church on August 19, 1998. Covington, who was not initially suspected, even attended the pastor’s funeral.  After a period of inactivity, Covington resumed his violent acts in the early 2000s. On May 20, 2003, he shot David Stewart nine times, leaving him paralyzed. The following year, on April 26, 2004, William Bryant, Jr. suffered a similar fate, being shot nine times by Covington.  The final known attacks by Covington occurred in 2005, claiming the lives of Odies Bosket at a subway station and Patricia McDermott, an X-ray technician who worked with Covington at Pennsylvania Hospital. Security footage from the hospital played a crucial role in linking Covington to McDermott’s murder, leading to his arrest and subsequent conviction.  Covington’s case highlights the severe consequences of untreated mental illness and its potential to cause harm to individuals and communities. He is currently serving three life sentences in prison for his crimes.

1963 – Robert Dwayne Morris – is known for his conviction and death sentence for the murder of Violet Livingston, an 88-year-old woman, in Polk County, Florida. The crime occurred on September 1, 1994, and Morris was sentenced on April 13, 1999.  The case against Morris was built on the discovery of Livingston’s body by her son on the morning of September 2, 1994. She was found between two beds, with the sheets wrapped tightly around her head, and blood was present on the walls. The medical examiner determined that Livingston died from multiple injuries, including bruises, lacerations, rib fractures, a brain hemorrhage, and mechanical asphyxia due to suffocation. Defensive wounds indicated she had been strangled and beaten, possibly with her walking cane.  Evidence linked Morris to the crime scene, including his fingerprints on a light bulb outside Livingston’s apartment and DNA fluids found on the victim’s body and in the kitchen. Additionally, rare coins from Livingston’s collection were found among Morris’ possessions, and witnesses testified that he made purchases with such coins at a gas station near the victim’s residence.  During the trial, Morris took the stand and admitted to attempting to steal a bicycle from the apartment complex but denied murdering Livingston. Despite his claims, the jury found him guilty, and he was given the death penalty. His case has been through various appeals, but his conviction and sentence have been upheld.

1988 – Josh Duggar – is a former television personality who gained fame on the reality show “19 Kids and Counting.” Duggar’s early life was marked by his family’s strict adherence to conservative Christian values, which was a central theme of the show that featured the daily life and challenges of a family with 19 children.  In May 2015, allegations surfaced that Duggar had molested five underage girls, including four of his sisters, when he was a teenager. This led to the cancellation of “19 Kids and Counting.” In November 2019, Duggar’s place of business was raided by Homeland Security as part of an ongoing federal investigation.  In December 2021, Duggar was convicted of receiving and possessing child pornography. He was sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison in May 2022. The case and subsequent conviction received widespread media attention due to Duggar’s previous public standing and the nature of his offenses.  Duggar’s fall from grace has been a subject of public discourse, highlighting issues of accountability and the consequences of criminal actions, regardless of one’s public image or family background. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for private transgressions to become public scandals, especially for figures in the public eye. Josh Duggar’s life, once portrayed as an example of wholesome family values, is now overshadowed by his criminal convictions and the serious nature of his offenses.

Deaths

The Black Widows of Liverpool

1884 – Catherine Flannagan – The Black Widows of Liverpool refers to two Irish sisters, Catherine Flannagan and Margaret Higgins, who became infamous in the 1880s for a series of murders carried out in Liverpool, England. Born in Ireland, Catherine in 1829 and Margaret in 1843, they moved to Liverpool where they operated as landladies.  Their criminal activities came to light when they were found to have poisoned and murdered one person, Thomas Higgins, Margaret’s husband, and were suspected of causing four more deaths. The sisters collected insurance payouts from a burial society following each death, which was their motive for the murders. They used arsenic, a common poison at the time, to carry out their deadly scheme.  The sisters’ crimes were eventually uncovered, leading to their arrest in October 1883. Both Catherine and Margaret were convicted of murder and sentenced to death. They were executed by hanging on March 3, 1884, at Kirkdale Prison in Liverpool.  The case of the Black Widows of Liverpool drew significant attention and remains a notable example of early insurance fraud and serial murder in the United Kingdom. Their story is a grim reminder of the lengths to which some individuals will go for financial gain, and it highlights the darker aspects of Victorian society. The sisters’ legacy lives on as a cautionary tale of greed and deception.

1884 – Margaret Higgins – See above

1927 – Billy Gohl – born William F. Gohl on February 6, 1873, in Germany, was a German-American who became known as an alleged serial killer. His life took a dark turn while working as a union official in Aberdeen, Washington, where he was suspected of murdering sailors passing through the area. The exact duration of his alleged crimes is unknown, but he was a suspect in dozens of murders until his capture in 1910.  Gohl’s early life is not well-documented, but it is known that he ventured to the Yukon in search of gold, only to return unsuccessful. He then worked as a bartender in Aberdeen, during which time it was alleged that he may have been responsible for numerous murders, with bodies of migrant workers found washed up on shores, robbed of valuables or money.  In 1910, Gohl was spared the death penalty by a jury’s request for leniency and was sentenced to life imprisonment. He served his sentence at Walla Walla State Penitentiary and died on March 3, 1927, from lobar pneumonia and erysipelas complicated by dementia paralytic caused by syphilis.  Recent scholarship has cast significant doubt on the veracity of the accusations against Gohl, suggesting that the numerous bodies discovered in Grays Harbor were the result of accidental deaths caused by unsafe conditions on the docks and in the timber industry. It is argued that Gohl was unjustly blamed for these deaths by influential local businessmen who wanted to eliminate a powerful figure in the local labor movement.  Gohl’s story is a complex one, intertwining allegations of heinous crimes with the possibility of wrongful accusation. His life and the mysteries surrounding it continue to intrigue and provoke discussion about justice and the truth behind historical narratives.

1993 – Carlos Marcello –  born Calogero Minacore on February 6, 1910, in Tunis, Tunisia, was an Italian-American crime boss who led the New Orleans crime family from 1947 to 1983. Known as “The Godfather” and “The Little Man,” Marcello’s criminal activities included gambling, drug trafficking, and racketeering.  Marcello immigrated to the United States with his family in 1911, settling in a plantation house near Metairie, Louisiana. His early life involved petty crimes in the French Quarter of New Orleans, leading to a conviction for masterminding a gang of teenage robbers. Although this conviction was overturned, he was later sentenced to nine years in prison for assault and robbery, serving five years.  After his release, Marcello became associated with Frank Costello, the leader of the Genovese crime family in New York City. Marcello’s rise in the criminal underworld was marked by his marriage to Jacqueline Todaro, which connected him to influential mafia figures. He eventually took over the New Orleans crime family after his predecessor, Sylvestro Carolla, was deported.  Marcello’s notoriety extended beyond his criminal empire; he was alleged to have been involved in the 1963 assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, although no official evidence was ever presented to support this claim. Despite numerous arrests and investigations, Marcello managed to avoid significant prison time for most of his life.  Carlos Marcello passed away on March 3, 1993, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most powerful and enigmatic figures in the history of organized crime in America. His life story is a testament to the complex interplay between crime, power, and politics in the 20th century.

1993 – James Allen Red Dog – was born on February 1, 1954, and was a mixed Sioux and Assiniboine from the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. His life was marked by a series of crimes that led to his execution on March 3, 1993. Red Dog’s criminal activities included armed robbery and murder, with his most notorious crime being the murder of Hugh Pennington. He had been convicted twice of armed robbery before this incident. Red Dog’s early life was spent on the Fort Peck Reservation in Poplar, Montana, where he faced poverty and limited opportunities. He attributed his later criminal behavior to these conditions, stating that crime was the only way to make a living. His criminal career began with an armed robbery in 1973, and he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for this crime. While on furlough in 1977, he escaped and committed two murders in Los Angeles.  His actions led to legislative changes; Senator Joe Biden introduced a bill requiring states to be notified by federal officials when dangerous criminals were placed in their jurisdictions. Red Dog’s execution was at his request, and he remains a controversial figure, with some attributing his behavior to his upbringing and others considering his crimes essentially motiveless.

1994 – Johnny Watkins Jr – In November 1983, Johnny Watkins embarked on a criminal rampage that resulted in the deaths of two convenience store employees, Betty Barker, and Carl Buchanan, within an eight-day period across Pittsylvania County and Danville City.  The first incident took place when Watkins visited a convenience store in Pittsylvania County. After purchasing cigarettes, he fatally shot Barker twice across the counter before fleeing with $89.89 from the register.  A little over a week later, Watkins struck again in Danville, where he robbed Buchanan’s store and left with $34.74. The bullets recovered from both crime scenes were matched to Watkins’ firearm. During the trial, Watkins’ brother, Darnell, testified against him, confessing their joint involvement in planning the robberies.  In a separate case, Watkins’ other brother, Ronald, was executed in 1998 for distinct crimes he committed in Danville.

1999 – Glennon Engleman – born on February 6, 1927, was an American dentist with a sinister double life as a contract killer and serial murderer. Engleman, who served in the United States Army, utilized his dental practice in St. Louis as a front for his criminal activities, which spanned over three decades.  Engleman’s modus operandi involved manipulating individuals close to him, including ex-wives, lovers, and his dental assistant, to assist in his elaborate murder schemes, often for financial gain. His first known murder was in collaboration with his ex-wife, where they benefited from the life insurance payout after the murder of her new husband.  Throughout his life, Engleman was married multiple times, and his charm and financial influence were tools he used to draw others into his plots. His methods of murder varied, including shootings, bludgeoning with a sledgehammer, and the use of explosives. The true extent of his crimes remains uncertain, with at least five confirmed murders attributed to him.  Engleman’s criminal career came to an end when he was apprehended on February 24, 1980. He was already serving two life sentences in a Missouri state prison when he pled guilty to additional murders in a separate contract killing case in Illinois. Engleman died on March 3, 1999, in the Jefferson City Correctional Center. His life and crimes have been the subject of books and documentaries, highlighting the chilling reality of a killer hiding behind the facade of a healthcare professional.

1999 – Walter Burnhart LaGrand – was born on January 26, 1962, in Augsburg, West Germany. He is known for his involvement in the LaGrand case, which became a significant legal matter heard before the International Court of Justice concerning the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. LaGrand and his brother, Karl-Heinz LaGrand, were German nationals who engaged in a botched bank robbery in Marana, Arizona, on January 7, 1982. During the robbery, they killed 63-year-old Kenneth Hartsock and severely injured 20-year-old Dawn Lopez.  The brothers had lived in the United States since they were young children but never obtained U.S. citizenship. As foreign nationals, they should have been informed of their right to consular assistance under the Vienna Convention, but Arizona authorities failed to do so. The LaGrands were convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and other charges, and were both sentenced to death.  Walter LaGrand was executed by gas chamber on March 3, 1999, at Florence State Prison in Arizona. His case, along with his brother’s, raised international concerns about the treatment of foreign nationals and the application of the death penalty in the United States.

2000 – Freddie Lee Wright – was an African American man who was executed in Alabama’s electric chair on March 3, 2000. He was sentenced to death for the 1977 murders of Warren and Lois Green, a white couple, during a robbery at their store in Mount Vernon, southern Alabama. Wright’s case drew attention to the use of the electric chair as a method of execution and raised legal concerns regarding the constitutionality of this form of capital punishment. His final appeals, which argued that execution in the electric chair violated the US Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment, were ultimately rejected. Wright’s execution was one of the last to be carried out in the electric chair in Alabama before the state transitioned to lethal injection. His case remains a part of the broader discussion on the death penalty and its implementation in the United States.

2000 – James Allen Paul – was an American individual who became known for his criminal activities. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, little is known about his early life. In his adult years, he worked as a stable hand for farms. In 1983, he moved to Readington Township, New Jersey, where he lived at the Belvedere Motel on Route 22.  In May 1984, Paul went on a seven-day crime spree across three states, during which he murdered three people. His first victim was Virginia Vickory, found murdered in Readington Township. Paul then fled to Connecticut, where 18-year-old Robin White went missing and was later found shot to death. The final victim was George Call, a nurse, who was found shot to death in Vermont.  Paul used multiple aliases, including James Dalton and Steve Sanders. After a nationwide alert, he was arrested in Arlington, New Jersey, while trying to contact a relative. He was found in possession of Vickory’s car and a .22 caliber handgun. Charged with Vickory’s murder, Paul pleaded guilty to avoid a possible death sentence and received life imprisonment. He remained in custody at New Jersey State Prison until he died in 2000.

2009 – Willie Earl Pondexter Jr – was born on March 5, 1974, in Idabel, Oklahoma. He became infamous for his involvement in a crime that led to his execution by lethal injection on March 3, 2009, in Huntsville, Texas.  On the night of October 28, 1993, Pondexter, then 19 years old, along with Ricky Bell, James Bell, and Deon Williams, planned to rob Martha Lennox, an 84-year-old woman in Clarksville, Texas. They were later joined by James Henderson, aged 20. After discussing who would have the courage to carry out their plan, they proceeded to Lennox’s home. Their first attempt was interrupted by a patrolling police car, but they returned to the house after the police left.  Pondexter and his accomplices broke into Lennox’s house, where they found her sitting on her bed. After robbing her of $7, Lennox was shot twice in the head with a 9 mm pistol. The group then fled in her car to Dallas, using the stolen money for gas. The day after the murder, they were arrested following an attempted street robbery.  During Pondexter’s trial, witness testimony indicated that while Henderson initially shot Lennox, Pondexter also shot her in the head, uttering a callous remark. The medical examiner confirmed that Lennox was alive during both gunshots, each of which could have been fatal. Pondexter’s defense argued that he did not shoot Lennox and that she would have been dead from the first shot if Henderson had indeed shot her first. However, under Texas law, a defendant can be found guilty of capital murder if they are deemed responsible for the victim’s death, even if they did not inflict the fatal wound.  Pondexter’s execution took place just two days before his 35th birthday. His case remains a somber reminder of the consequences of violent crime and the justice system’s response to such acts.

Events

Sarah Everard

1934 – Gangster John Dillinger breaks out of jail using a wooden pistol

1975 – Linda McCartney, wife of Beatle Paul, is charged in the United States with possession of marijuana

1983 – Alma Ann Smith is murdered by the Green River Killer, Gary Ridgway

1991 – Winnie Mandela is sentenced to 1 year in jail

2019 – South African music star Mampintsha is shown hitting his girlfriend Babes Wodumo on Instagram Live and is later arrested for assault

2021 – Australian Attorney-General Christian Porter denies rape allegation involving a 16-year-old girl in 1988

2021 – Sarah Everard is kidnapped, raped, and murdered by a UK policeman after being arrested under pretenses in London

2023 – Alex Murdaugh found guilty of the murder of his wife and son