Births
Elizabeth Wettlaufer
1895 – James Cunniffe – Born in 1895 in Manhattan, Cunniffe quickly fell into the underbelly of New York City, developing a reputation for petty crime and brawling. He honed his skills as a safecracker and sharpshooter, earning him a place amongst the city’s notorious gangs. This notoriety, however, would soon reach beyond the city limits. In 1926, Cunniffe orchestrated what would become known as the New Jersey Mail Robbery. Leading a seven-man crew armed with submachine guns, he hijacked a U.S. mail truck in Elizabeth, New Jersey, stealing a staggering $161,000 (equivalent to over $2.5 million today). The heist was audacious, violent, and a major blow to the U.S. Postal Service. A fierce shootout ensued, leaving the mail truck driver dead and two others wounded. This brazen display of violence earned Cunniffe the nickname “Killer,” solidifying his image as a dangerous outlaw. The robbery captured the nation’s attention, making front-page news and even drawing the attention of President Calvin Coolidge, who authorized the deployment of U.S. Marines to escort mail shipments. For weeks, Cunniffe and his gang evaded capture, living on the run and spending their spoils lavishly. However, the net was closing in. A tip led authorities to their hideout in upstate New York, and a shootout erupted. Though initially wounded, Cunniffe managed to escape and flee to Canada. His freedom was short-lived. Canadian authorities, pressured by the U.S., apprehended Cunniffe in Toronto just weeks later. Extradited to New Jersey, he faced trial for murder and robbery. The case became a media spectacle, drawing crowds and intense public interest. Despite a desperate defense, Cunniffe was convicted and sentenced to death. On October 31, 1926, just months after the infamous robbery, he was executed at New Jersey State Prison, his life ending as dramatically as it began. James Cunniffe’s legacy is complex. He was a skilled criminal, capable of orchestrating audacious crimes and evading capture for a time. But he was also a violent man, responsible for death and leaving a trail of victims in his wake. His story, etched in the annals of American crime history, serves as a reminder of the allure and perils of a life on the edge.
1933 – F. Lee Bailey – was not your average lawyer. He wasn’t content with quiet courtroom battles; he sought the roar of the national spotlight, navigating the legal landscape of some of the most sensational criminal cases of the 20th century. His name became synonymous with cunning defense strategies, captivating media appearances, and fearless pursuit of justice, often for the most notorious clients. Bailey’s ascent was meteoric. After dropping out of Harvard and serving in the Marines, he found his calling in law. A successful appeal for Dr. Sam Sheppard, accused of murdering his wife, catapulted him into the national consciousness. He went on to represent an array of controversial figures, including the “Boston Strangler” Albert DeSalvo, Patty Hearst after her involvement with the Symbionese Liberation Army, and most famously, O.J. Simpson in his high-profile murder trial. More than just a skilled lawyer, Bailey was a showman. He embraced the media, using the public eye to sway juries and advance his client’s cases. He wasn’t afraid to challenge convention, pioneering innovative forensic techniques and employing dramatic courtroom tactics. His wit, tenacity, and charisma captivated audiences, leaving an indelible mark on the American legal landscape. But Bailey’s life wasn’t solely defined by courtroom victories. He faced personal demons, battling alcoholism and financial troubles. His later years were marred by controversies, including allegations of misconduct and disbarment proceedings. Despite the complexities and contradictions, F. Lee Bailey’s legacy endures. He redefined the role of defense attorney, proving that courtroom drama could be an art form. He challenged the justice system, forcing uncomfortable conversations about due process and media influence. And above all, he reminded us that even amidst the darkest headlines, a passionate defense can always ignite a spark of hope.
1956 – James D. Brewer – Brewer and Brooks arrived at the Skirpan residence, displaying a badge and identifying themselves as officers investigating a traffic accident. Purporting to possess a search warrant, they asserted their authority. When Skirpan requested to see the warrant, Brewer abruptly exclaimed, “This is a hold-up!” Both individuals brandished handguns, forcibly moving Skirpan aside. In the ensuing struggle, a gunshot rang out, resulting in Skirpan’s tragic demise. The assailants seized money and promptly fled the scene. Later that same night, Brewer was apprehended, and found in possession of commemorative coins matching those taken during the robbery. Subsequently, evidence implicating Brewer in four additional robberies committed in the same vicinity on that day, accompanied by victims positively identifying him, was introduced into the legal proceedings.
1960 – Ariel Castro – became a name synonymous with horror in Cleveland, Ohio. His seemingly ordinary life as a bus driver masked a dark secret: the abduction and imprisonment of three young women for over a decade. Castro’s story is a chilling portrait of control, abuse, and the resilience of the human spirit. Castro’s childhood was marked by instability. His parents divorced when he was young, and he moved to the United States with his mother and siblings. Settling in Cleveland, Castro seemed to blend into the crowd, graduating high school and even starting a family. However, beneath the surface, Castro struggled with violence and controlling behavior. His wife eventually left him, taking their children with her. In 2002, Castro’s life took a sinister turn. He began abducting young women, luring them into his car with promises of rides or help. Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry, and Georgina “Gina” DeJesus became his prisoners, held captive in his Seymour Avenue home for years. Castro subjected them to physical and emotional abuse, isolating them from the world and controlling every aspect of their lives. Despite the unimaginable ordeal, the women never gave up hope. In May 2013, Berry saw an opportunity and, with the help of her daughter Jocelyn (born in captivity), managed to escape. Her desperate cries for help alerted neighbors, who contacted the police. Castro’s house of horrors was finally exposed. Castro’s arrest sent shockwaves through Cleveland and the nation. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison plus 1,000 years. However, his death by suicide just months later left many unanswered questions. The three women, though physically free, continue to grapple with the trauma of their imprisonment. Their story serves as a stark reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of everyday life. The Cleveland kidnappings were a tragedy that touched the lives of countless people. But amidst the darkness, there were also glimmers of light. The courage of the survivors, the support of the community, and the unwavering efforts of law enforcement all played a role in bringing Castro to justice.
1966 – Christopher John Spreitz – On the evening of May 19, 1989, Christopher John Spreitz came to the attention of the police when they observed his smoking and oil-leaking car. Earlier that night, the same vehicle had drawn their notice for the same issues. Upon approaching Spreitz, the officer observed blood and fecal matter on his hands, arms, and clothing. Claiming to have been in a fight, Spreitz led the police to the alleged location, which showed no signs of any altercation. Following this encounter, Spreitz was photographed, issued a traffic citation, and released. Three days later, the lifeless body of Ruby Reid was discovered in the desert by a passing horseback rider. The scene was marked by extensive blood and fecal material. Recollecting Spreitz’s peculiar condition during the earlier traffic stop, the police re-engaged him for questioning. This time, Spreitz confessed to picking up the victim at a convenience store, asserting that she willingly accompanied him to the desert. Spreitz admitted to a violent struggle, confessing to repeatedly striking and raping the victim. Shockingly, he acknowledged using a rock to crush her skull when she wouldn’t cease screaming. Uncertain about her survival when he left her, Spreitz painted a grim picture of the horrifying ordeal. The victim, Ruby Reid, suffered severe injuries, including a broken jaw, five fractured ribs, and numerous bruises on various parts of her body. The fatal blow was a skull fracture, consistent with a brutal strike from a V-shaped rock. Subsequently, Spreitz faced and was convicted of first-degree murder, encompassing both premeditation and felony-murder charges, along with sexual assault and kidnapping.
1967 – Elizabeth Wettlaufer – is a convicted Canadian serial killer and former registered nurse. She confessed to murdering eight senior citizens and attempting to murder six others in southwestern Ontario between 2007 and 2016. With a total of 14 victims either killed or injured by her actions, she is described as one of the worst serial killers in Canadian history. Wettlaufer was born and raised in Zorra Township, a rural community near Woodstock, Ontario. She grew up in a staunchly Baptist household and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in religious education counseling from London Baptist Bible College after graduating from Huron Park Secondary School in the mid-1980s. Wettlaufer then studied nursing at Conestoga College. In 2007, Wettlaufer was hired onto the staff at Caressant Care, a long-term care home in Woodstock. However, throughout her tenure, Wettlaufer struggled with substance abuse and alcoholism. She faced accusations of showing up to work drunk, and at one point was found passed out in the facility’s basement during the night shift. Wettlaufer was suspended four times for “medication-related errors”, and then was finally fired in March 2014 over a “serious” incident in which she gave the wrong medication to a patient. While she was a nurse at Caressant Care, Wettlaufer began injecting some of the patients she cared for with insulin. In some cases, the amount was not enough to kill the patient; she was charged with and confessed to, aggravated assault or attempted murder for those cases. Wettlaufer’s first assaults occurred sometime between June 25 and December 31, 2007. Wettlaufer was sentenced to life imprisonment (eligible for parole in 2041) for her crimes.
1970 – Michael Nawee Blair – is a figure known for his involvement in a high-profile criminal case. He was initially convicted for the abduction and murder of 7-year-old Ashley Nicole Estell in 1994. The case was fought hard by both sides, and Blair was sentenced to death. However, in a turn of events, Blair’s conviction was overturned years later. Advanced DNA testing and a re-investigation of the case by the Collin County prosecutor’s office found no evidence linking him to the crime. As a result, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals upheld the decision of the Collin County trial court that Blair’s conviction could no longer be upheld. Although the court recommended a new trial, the prosecution chose not to pursue a retrial in light of the new evidence. All charges against Blair in this case were dismissed in August 2008. Despite this, Blair remains in prison serving life sentences for other crimes.
1977 – Jan Michael Brawner Jr – Brawner visited the residence of his former spouse, Barbara, who had custody of their daughter Paige. They resided with Barbara’s parents in Tate County. Before this encounter, Barbara had issued threats about restricting Brawner’s access to their daughter. Upon finding the house empty, Brawner waited until Paige, Barbara, and Barbara’s mother arrived in the driveway. Following a brief conversation, Brawner became visibly upset. He retrieved a rifle from the truck, which he had taken from the house earlier that day. Observing Jane walking towards the bedroom, Brawner shot her with the rifle. He then shot Barbara as she approached him. Subsequently, he went to where Jane had fallen and, in his words, “put her out of her misery.” Following this, he shot Barbara again and took Paige, who had witnessed the gruesome events, to her bedroom, instructing her to watch TV. Driven by a determination that Paige could identify him and a disturbing intent to continue killing, Brawner returned to the bedroom and fatally shot his daughter twice. He then waited inside the house until Carl, Barbara’s mother’s partner, returned from work. As soon as Carl entered the door, Brawner shot and killed him. In a disturbing turn, Brawner stole around $300 from Carl’s wallet, Jane’s wedding ring, and food stamps from Barbara’s purse. He used Windex from the kitchen in an attempt to erase any potential fingerprints. Subsequently, Brawner returned to his Southaven apartment, where he presented the stolen wedding ring to his girlfriend and proposed to her. When questioned by the police later on, Brawner confessed to the horrifying series of murders.
Deaths
Eugenia Falleni
1692 – Bridget Bishop – Born in England around 1632, Bridget Bishop defied societal expectations throughout her life. Marrying three times, widowed twice, and running taverns alongside her last husband, Edward, she bucked social norms and embraced a vibrant personality reflected in her colorful clothing, a stark contrast to the somber Puritan garb. However, this unconventionality proved fatal in 1692 when young girls, gripped by the hysteria of the Salem witch trials, accused her of witchcraft. Despite a passionate defense, fueled by whispers, envy, and past accusations, her fate was sealed. On June 10th, Bishop became the first person hanged for witchcraft in Salem, her death a chilling symbol of intolerance and a tragic consequence of defying societal norms. Though her execution remains a stain on history, Bridget Bishop’s story serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of societal conformity, the vulnerability of outsiders, and the importance of remembering the victims of historical hysteria.
1731 – Catherine Bevan – was a historical figure known for her involvement in a murder case. She conspired with her lover, Peter Murphy, to murder her husband, Henry. The murderous pair first tried to poison Henry but were unsuccessful. Then, Murphy jumped on Henry and beat him into unconsciousness. Catherine completed the deed by strangling him with a handkerchief. After a quick trial, a local judge became suspicious because the coffin was nailed shut. He ordered the coffin opened, revealing that Henry had not died of a fit, as Catherine had insisted. Both Catherine and Peter were arrested and executed on June 10, 1731. Catherine’s execution was particularly gruesome. She was strangled and burnt at the stake. Her rope burnt through, causing her to fall into the fire and be burnt alive. She was the only American woman to meet such a fate.
1896 – Amelia Dyer – was an English serial killer who murdered infants in her care over thirty years during the Victorian era. She was convicted of one murder and hanged in 1896. Dyer’s case is one of the most notorious in British history, and she is considered to be one of the most prolific serial killers in the world. Dyer was born in Bristol in 1836. She married in 1861 and had two children. In the 1860s, she began working as a baby farmer, caring for unwanted infants in exchange for money. However, many of the babies in her care died, and she was eventually convicted of neglect and served six months in prison. After her release from prison, Dyer continued to work as a baby farmer. However, she began to kill the infants in her care, either by smothering them or administering them fatal doses of laudanum. She then collected the money that had been paid to her for their care. Dyer’s crimes were eventually discovered in 1896 when the body of an infant was found in the River Thames. The body was traced back to Dyer, and she was arrested and charged with murder. She was tried at the Old Bailey in London and found guilty. Dyer was hanged at Newgate Prison on June 10, 1896. Dyer’s case is one of the most notorious in British history. She is considered to be one of the most prolific serial killers in the world, with estimates of her victim count ranging from 200 to 400. Her crimes highlighted the plight of unwanted children in Victorian England and led to reforms in the way that baby farmers were regulated.
1912 – George David Silva – was an Australian man who was convicted of six murders in 1912. He was born in 1884 in Homebush, Queensland, to Sri Lankan parents. He worked as a farmhand on a property owned by Hong Kong-born Charles Ching at Alligator Creek, about 20 miles from Mackay. On March 18, 1912, Silva killed Ching, his wife, and their four children. He then fled the scene but was captured a few days later. He was tried and found guilty of all six murders and was sentenced to death. He was hanged at Boggo Road Gaol in Brisbane on June 10, 1912. Silva’s crime was one of the most brutal in Australian history. It shocked the nation and led to calls for stricter gun control laws. Silva’s motives for the murders remain unclear, but it is believed that he may have been suffering from mental illness.
1938 – Eugenia Falleni – Born around 1875, Eugenia Falleni defied easy categorization. Assigned female at birth, she lived her life as a man, known at various times as Eugene Falleni, Harry Leo Crawford, and Jean Ford. Her story, marked by both remarkable self-determination and tragic circumstances, continues to resonate today. From a young age, Falleni challenged societal norms in Italy and New Zealand. Dressed in male clothing, she found work traditionally reserved for men, later embarking on a life at sea under a male alias. These early chapters remain shrouded in mystery, yet hint at her unwavering sense of self. Falleni’s life took a dramatic turn with marriage. One union may have been with another man seeking to escape legal trouble, while the second, to a woman, tragically ended in murder. This bigamous act, followed by the wife’s death, propelled Falleni into the center of a media frenzy. The 1920 “Man-Woman” trial sensationalized Falleni’s gender identity and past. Sentenced to death, her punishment was later commuted, and she was released in 1931. Living as Jean Ford in Sydney until she died in 1938, Falleni’s story left an indelible mark. Falleni’s life offers a glimpse into the historical experiences of transgender individuals, highlighting the challenges they faced in navigating societal expectations and legal frameworks. It also compels us to consider the complex interplay of gender, crime, and media representation. Although Falleni’s actions caused undeniable harm, her unwavering self-expression and resilience continue to inspire. By exploring Falleni’s story critically, recognizing both its complexities and the harm caused, we gain a deeper understanding of history and ourselves. While her time may have passed, the questions she raises remain relevant: the power of individual determination, the fight for acceptance, and the ever-evolving complexities of gender identity in our world.
1981 – Wang Xiwen – was a Chinese police officer and mass murderer. He was born and raised in the People’s Republic of China. Wang served as a policeman at the Sucao police station of the Handan municipal public security subbureau, where he was promoted to the position of brigade militia company commander and vice chairman of the brigade revolutionary committee. On November 17, 1980, Wang committed a mass murder, killing seven people and wounding twelve others in Handan. His actions shocked the nation and led to his arrest. Following a public trial on June 10, 1981, Wang was sentenced to death and was executed immediately afterward. His case remains a notable incident in China’s criminal history.
1988 – Arthur Gary Bishop – was an American convicted sex offender and serial killer. Bishop was born in Hinckley, Utah, the eldest of six brothers. He was raised as a devout Latter-day Saint, was an Eagle Scout, and an honor student. At the age of 19, Bishop served as a missionary in the Philippines. In February 1978, Bishop was arrested for embezzlement and given a five-year suspended sentence. However, he skipped his parole and fled to Salt Lake City, living under the alias “Roger Downs”. In 1979, he was excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While in Salt Lake City, he joined the Big Brothers program, where he was a “big brother” to a 10-year-old boy for nearly a year. Bishop was forced out of the program, before his first murder, after directors discovered he was molesting other children. Between 1979 and 1983, Bishop confessed to the murders of five young boys. His victims were Alonzo Daniels (age 4), Claude Kimley Peterson (age 11), Danny Davis (age 4), Troy Ward (age 6), and Graeme Cunningham (age 13). Bishop was apprehended on July 24, 1983. He was convicted of first-degree murder (5 counts), aggravated kidnapping (5 counts), sexual abuse of a minor, and embezzlement. Bishop was executed by lethal injection at Utah State Prison on June 10, 1988.
2002 – John Gotti – also known as “The Teflon Don” and “The Dapper Don”, was an Italian-American mafioso and the boss of the Gambino crime family in New York City. He was born on October 27, 1940, in New York City, and died on June 10, 2002. Gotti grew up in poverty and turned to a life of crime at an early age. He quickly became one of the Gambino family’s biggest earners and a protégé of Aniello Dellacroce, the family’s underboss. Gotti ordered and helped orchestrate the murder of Gambino boss Paul Castellano in December 1985 and took over the family shortly thereafter. This led to him becoming one of the most powerful and dangerous crime bosses in the United States. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Gotti did not conceal himself from the public eye. He became known as “The Dapper Don” for his expensive clothes and outspoken personality in front of news cameras. He was later given the nickname “The Teflon Don” after three high-profile trials in the 1980s resulted in acquittals. However, Gotti’s underboss, Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano, aided the FBI in convicting Gotti. In 1992, Gotti was convicted of five murders, conspiracy to commit murder, racketeering, obstruction of justice, tax evasion, illegal gambling, extortion, and loansharking. He was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole and fined $250,000.
2002 – Maury Travis – was an American serial killer. He was named in a federal criminal complaint for the murders of two women. At the time of the murders, he was a hotel waiter and on parole for a 1989 robbery. Travis claimed in a letter to have murdered 17 women, but some authorities were doubtful; others thought he may have murdered up to 20 women. He died by suicide by hanging in custody in St. Louis County, Missouri, after being arrested for murder. Known victims included Alysia Greenwade and Betty James. Although Travis acknowledged at least seventeen murders, the police believe his victim count could be as high as twenty. From May to October 2001, four other women were tortured and strangled: Teresa Wilson, Verona Thompson, Yvonne Crues, and Brenda Beasley. Travis was linked to 12 murders, including Mary Shields and Cassandra Walker, who were killed in 2000 and 2001 respectively, as well as the murders of four unidentified females in 2002. Investigators discovered a torture chamber at Travis’ residence, torture instruments, a stun gun, newspaper clippings of some of his crimes, and videotapes of Travis killing or abusing victims. Before he could be put on trial for the crimes, Travis hanged himself on June 10, 2002, in his jail cell.
2010 – John Forrest Parker – was a key figure in a notorious murder-for-hire case that occurred in Alabama, United States in 1988. Parker was one of two men recruited by Billy Gray Williams to assist in the murder of Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett. Williams had been hired by Charles Sennett Sr., Elizabeth’s husband, who was a debt-ridden preacher. The plan was to pay each of the men $1,000 for the murder. On March 18, 1988, Parker and Kenneth Eugene Smith, the other man recruited by Williams, carried out the murder and stabbed Elizabeth Sennett to death at her home in Colbert County. A week after Elizabeth’s murder, Charles Sennett Sr. killed himself when he learned he was a suspect in the murder. Parker was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. His execution took place in June 2010 via lethal injection. His case was notable as his attorneys challenged the constitutionality of an Alabama law that allowed the trial judge to override the jury’s recommendation that Parker be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
2020 – Michel Bellen – also known as the Linkeroever Strangler, was a Belgian murderer considered the first serial killer in Flanders. His criminal activities spanned from 1964 to 1982. In August 1964, he committed his first known crime when he raped a woman after chasing her from a supermarket in Linkeroever. The woman was able to escape. After this first rape, Bellen would eventually commit three murders. The first murder occurred in December 1964, when he strangled a 21-year-old nurse in an alley with a piece of barbed wire. A month later, in 1965, he raped and murdered a 37-year-old nurse. In 1966, he was sentenced to death by the Assize Court, but his sentence was later converted to life in prison. However, in 1982 he was released on parole. After four months, Bellen murdered a student in her flat room in Leuven. He was imprisoned again after his conviction in March 1984. From 1989 to 1994, he corresponded with artist Danny Devos, which resulted in several art projects and performances. Bellen died of heart failure in a psychiatric institution in Bierbeek on the night of 10 June 2020 at the age of 74.
Events
Vince Vaughn
1838 – Myall Creek massacre in Australia, 28 aboriginal Australians are murdered
1933 – John Dillinger robbed his first bank in New Carlisle, Ohio. He takes $10,600 ($250,000+ in 2023)
1933 – Clyde Barrow & Bonnie Parker flip their car into a ravine. Parker suffers serious third-degree burns from the accident which would affect her for the rest of her life
1977 – James Earl Ray escapes from prison
1980 – Percy Wood received injuries over most of his body due to a Unabomber package
1983 – Serial killer Henry Lee Lucas was apprehended
1985 – Claus Von Bulow is acquitted on charges that he tried to murder his wife
2018 – Actor Vince Vaughan is arrested for drunk driving and resisting arrest near Los Angeles
2019 – Three men were sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape & murder of an 8-year-old Muslim girl in Kathua, India in a high-profile case that sparked political resignations and nationwide protests
2020 – Swedish prosecutors close the case on the murder of PM Olaf Palme after 34 years, saying the killer is probably dead
2021 – Emma Coronel Aispuro, the wife of drug lord El Chapo, pleads guilty to helping run his criminal operations & aiding his 2015 prison escape
