Births
Dana Stodolova
1851 – Hendrik Jacobus Jut – was a waiter from The Hague, Netherlands, whose name became synonymous with infamy due to a double murder he committed in 1872. Jut, along with his fiancée Christina Goedvolk, brutally murdered a wealthy widow, Mevrouw van der Kouwen-Ten Kate, and her maid in her home on December 13, 1872. The motive is believed to be financial gain. The crime sent shockwaves through Dutch society and ignited public outrage. Jut and Goedvolk were apprehended and tried for their crimes. The trial was highly publicized, further inflaming public anger. Jut was ultimately sentenced to death, while Goedvolk received a lesser sentence. Jut’s execution took place in 1878. The notoriety of the case even led to a change in surnames for Jut’s relatives. His younger sister changed her name to avoid the stigma, and his daughter received a new surname by royal decree. The case of Hendrik Jacobus Jut left a lasting mark on Dutch culture. His name, “de kop van Jut” (literally “the head of Jut”), became a common idiom meaning “whipping boy” or someone who bears the brunt of blame or ridicule. The story serves as a grim reminder of a notorious crime and its lasting impact.
1860 – Lizzie Borden – is an American figure forever linked to a notorious crime. Though acquitted, she was tried for the brutal axe murders of her father and stepmother in 1892. The case gripped the nation, turning Lizzie Borden into a household name. Born in Fall River, Massachusetts, Lizzie Borden’s early life appeared typical. Her father, Andrew Borden, was a successful businessman, and Lizzie, along with her older sister Emma, lived a comfortable life. However, tragedy struck early when Lizzie’s mother passed away. Andrew later remarried, but tensions reportedly arose between Lizzie and her stepmother, Abby. On August 4th, 1892, both Andrew and Abby Borden were found murdered in their home. Lizzie became the prime suspect, owing to a combination of factors: the lack of forced entry, her strained relationship with the victims, and her odd behavior following the murders. The subsequent trial was a media sensation. Despite a lack of concrete evidence, Lizzie’s acquittal in 1893 did little to quell public suspicion. Though never formally convicted, Lizzie Borden remained ostracized by many in Fall River. She lived the rest of her life in the town, her reputation forever tarnished. Lizzie Borden died in 1927, leaving behind a legacy of mystery and a crime that continues to fascinate to this day.
1911 – Marshall Caifano – born Marcello Giuseppe Caifano in 1911, carved a path through the criminal underworld. After immigrating to Chicago in the 1920s, he became affiliated with the Chicago Outfit under mob boss Paul Ricca. Las Vegas’s gambling boom in the 1950s drew him in, and following his brother’s death, Caifano took control of the Outfit’s interests there. This period coincided with violence and suspicion, with Caifano linked to unsolved murders. As the 1970s arrived, Tony Spilotro’s rise diminished Caifano’s influence, and he even changed his name to John Marshall. Legal trouble followed in 1980 with a sentence for stolen stock certificates. After release, Caifano faded from the spotlight before his death in 2003. Though his later years were quiet, Caifano remains a symbol of the era when organized crime held Las Vegas in its grip.
1929 – Gaston Glock – an Austrian engineer and businessman, was most recognized for founding Glock, the company behind the iconic Glock pistol. This innovative firearm, developed in 1982, became a game-changer for its lightweight design and polymer construction. Glock, who started his career designing for the Austrian military, achieved remarkable success. Glock pistols became some of the most popular firearms globally, particularly within the United States. Despite the company’s prominence, Glock himself remained relatively private.
1968 – Ilpo Tapio Larha – was a Finnish criminal whose actions in the early 1990s sent shockwaves through the nation. Born in Helsinki in 1968, Larha became a notorious figure in 1992 for the brutal contract killing of Wilhelm Högsten, a 77-year-old businessman residing in Jollas, a suburb of Helsinki. The case took a particularly disturbing turn when it was revealed that Fred Högsten, the victim’s own son, had hired Larha to carry out the murder. Following the Jollas killing, Larha became embroiled in another dramatic event. He took two tenants hostage in an apartment building located in Lahti. This tense situation escalated into a siege, with Larha claiming to have explosives in his possession. The standoff lasted for some time, but a crucial moment arrived when Larha reportedly fell asleep. This lapse in vigilance allowed the hostages to escape to safety. Sadly, the story did not end there. On March 17, 1994, Larha tragically took his own life by suicide. The Jollas case and the subsequent siege remain etched in Finnish memory. The audacity of the crime, coupled with the dramatic hostage situation, has ensured its place as a source of fascination and a reminder of the darkness that can sometimes lurk beneath the surface. In 2022, the story was revisited in a television series titled “Piiritys” (The Siege), further solidifying Larha’s place in Finnish criminal history.
1969 – Emigdio Preciado – gained infamy as an American criminal and a member of the South Side Whittier street gang. His criminal career was marked by violence, evasion, and a lasting impact on law enforcement. In 2007, Preciado was added to the FBI’s Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, becoming the 485th fugitive to earn this dubious distinction. For nine years, he remained on the run, evading authorities. However, on July 17, 2009, he was apprehended in Mexico. His capture marked the end of a high-stakes manhunt that had spanned international borders. Preciado’s notoriety stems from a violent incident on September 5, 2000. Armed with an AK-47, he engaged in a shootout with Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies. During the exchange of gunfire, one deputy, Michael Schaap, sustained serious injuries. Schaap underwent surgery and faced a long, painful recovery. Preciado’s actions highlighted the dangers faced by officers in the line of duty. Prior to the shooting, Preciado had an extensive criminal record. His offenses included a 1992 murder, robbery, grand theft, receipt of stolen property, and violations related to narcotics and firearms. At the time of the shooting, he was on parole for a drug-related offense. His violent actions left a lasting impact on the community and underscored the risks law enforcement officers encounter daily. Emigdio Preciado Jr.’s story serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the complexities and dangers inherent in the pursuit of justice. His capture and subsequent imprisonment stand as a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies in their pursuit of justice and public safety.
1970 – Dana Stodalova – was a Czech-Slovak serial killer. She and her husband, Jaroslav Stodola (born May 8, 1966), committed a series of crimes between 2001 and 2002. They targeted elderly victims, robbing and murdering eight retirees. In total, they were convicted of 17 serious crimes and both received life sentences. Before turning to crime, Dana had a troubled upbringing. She was born in southern Slovakia, and her father was abusive. Despite facing challenges, she excelled in her studies and even attended a gymnasium. However, due to her father’s aggression, she left school to escape his reach. At 15, she married for the first time and later divorced due to marital problems. She moved to the Czech Republic with her mother and sisters, where she married again. Dana worked as a bar dancer in Canada but suffered trauma after being assaulted in 1997. This incident led her to misuse drugs. Jaroslav Stodola, Dana’s partner in crime, grew up in Chabeřice. His parents worked in agriculture, and his father was an alcoholic who frequently abused his children. Jaroslav left home after a violent incident with his father and lived in a hostel. He worked in various jobs, including as a factory worker and shoemaker. Despite his criminal record, he was known as a calm person, except when intoxicated. Dana and Jaroslav met at a village event in 1988 but went their separate ways. In the late 1990s, they reconnected when Jaroslav suffered blood poisoning and Dana offered to help him. They became partners and later married. Financial difficulties plagued them, and Dana’s idea to rob senior citizens led to their criminal spree. Their crimes involved home invasions, theft, and murder, targeting vulnerable retirees. Their actions shocked the community, and justice caught up with them. The Stodolas were apprehended, tried, and sentenced to life imprisonment for their heinous acts.
Deaths
Alexander Pearce
1824 – Alexander Pearce – was an Irish convict whose infamy stemmed from his crimes committed during his transportation to Van Diemen’s Land (present-day Tasmania), Australia. Born in County Monaghan, Ireland, Pearce was a farm laborer. In 1819, a seemingly minor offense – stealing six pairs of shoes – landed him a harsh sentence: seven years of penal servitude in Van Diemen’s Land. Life in the penal colony proved difficult for Pearce. He wasn’t one to follow the rules. Records show multiple escape attempts and petty offenses. In 1822, he faced a more serious charge of absconding and forgery. This resulted in his transfer to the harsher Sarah Island penal settlement in Macquarie Harbor. Pearce’s infamy is tied to his escapes from Sarah Island. During one escape with other convicts, some accounts allege Pearce resorted to cannibalism to survive the harsh Tasmanian wilderness. The authorities initially dismissed his claims, but these stories would come back to haunt him. In 1824, Pearce escaped with a young convict named Thomas Cox. This time, there were no doubts about Pearce’s brutality. He was captured with parts of Cox’s body on him. Tried and convicted of murder and cannibalism, Pearce was hanged in Hobart in July 1824. Alexander Pearce remains a chilling figure in Australian history. His story serves as a reminder of the harsh realities of convict life and the desperation that can drive people to unthinkable acts. His skull is even on display at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, a grim reminder of his crimes.
1899 – Mary Ann Ansell – life is a short and cautionary one. Born around 1878, details of her early years are lost to history. What we know for certain is her tragic demise in 1899. Ansell worked as a housemaid in London. In 1899, she sent a poisoned cake to her sister Caroline, who resided at Leavesden Asylum. The motive, prosecutors believed, was a life insurance policy Mary Ann had taken out on Caroline. The cake contained phosphorus, a common rat poison, and sadly, Caroline succumbed to its effects. The case gained national attention in England. Newspapers debated the merits of the capital punishment system, with some arguing Mary Ann’s poverty and possible mental instability warranted leniency. However, she was found guilty of murder and sentenced to hang. Mary Ann Ansell was hanged at St Albans Prison on July 19th, 1899. Her story serves as a reminder of the harsh realities of Victorian life and the complexities of criminal justice.
1974 – Stefano “The Undertaker” Magaddino – also known as “The Undertaker” or “Don Stefano,” was a titan of the American Mafia. Born in Castellammare del Golfo, Sicily in 1891, he immigrated to the United States in 1902 and quickly became entangled in organized crime. Magaddino rose to power in Buffalo, New York, where he established himself as the boss of the Buffalo crime family. His reign, lasting for over five decades, was the longest of any Mafia boss in American history. His influence stretched far beyond Buffalo, encompassing territories in Ohio, southern Ontario, and even reaching Montreal. Magaddino wasn’t just a regional power; he was a player on the national stage. He was a founding member of the Commission, the governing body of the American Mafia established by Charles “Lucky” Luciano. This position gave him a seat at the table for major decisions impacting organized crime across the country. He is believed to have been involved in critical Mafia summits like the Havana Conference of 1946. Magaddino’s nickname, “The Undertaker,” hints at the ruthlessness often associated with Mafia leadership. However, he was also known for his cunning and ability to avoid jail time despite his criminal activities. Law enforcement dogged him throughout his career, but he managed to stay out of prison for significant stretches. Stefano Magaddino died in 1974, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most powerful and enduring figures in American Mafia history.
1996 – Fred H. Kornahrens III – grew up in an abusive and unstable household in South Carolina. He married Patti Jo Wilkerson, and they had three children. In 1985, Kornahrens committed a brutal act. Armed with a silencer-equipped handgun and a bayonet, he lay in ambush at Wilkerson’s home, waiting for his ex-wife to return. The gun jammed after shooting Avant once, prompting Kornahrens to use the bayonet to kill both Avant and her father, Harry Wilkerson. Tragically, he also stabbed Avant’s 10-year-old stepson, Jason, multiple times. Kornahrens was convicted and sentenced to death. While on Death Row, he claimed to have found redemption through Christianity. He wrote letters expressing remorse and faith, but the wounds he inflicted on his victims’ family remained raw. In 1996, Fred H. Kornahrens III was executed by lethal injection. Before his death, he apologized for his crimes, acknowledging the pain he had caused. His story continues to evoke strong emotions and remains a chilling chapter in South Carolina’s criminal history.
2005 – Michael Lannier Pennington – Pennington, a soldier stationed at Fort Sill, entered a Lawton 7-Eleven convenience store armed with a recently purchased shotgun. He demanded money, fired several rounds, and hit clerk Bradley Grooms. Despite killing Grooms, Pennington left empty-handed when the cash register failed to open. Police identified him through witnesses and arrested him in Akron, Ohio. During trial, Pennington claimed a gang member named “T” committed the murder with him. The motive remains unclear.
2011 – Thomas Paul West – In 1987, West and his friends visited Don Bortle’s trailer near Tucson to buy electronics. Later, West returned, tied up Bortle, stole items, and fled to Phoenix. There, he confessed to friends, leading to Bortle’s discovery—bound and deceased. West was arrested in Illinois with Bortle’s belongings in his car. The cause of death was blunt force injuries to Bortle’s head.
Events
Paolo Borsellino
1692 – Five more people are hung for witchcraft (19 in all) in Salem, Massachusetts
1947 – Korean politician Lyuh Woon-Hyung is assassinated
1947 – The PM of the shadow Burmese government, Bogyoke Aung San and 8 others are assassinated
1983 – LSU footballer Billy Cannon is sentenced to 5 years for counterfeiting
1992 – A car bomb kills Judge Paolo Borsellino and five members of his escort
