Births

Vincent Mangano

1888Vincent Mangano – was an Italian-born mobster also known as “Vincent The Executioner.” He served as the head of the Mangano crime family from 1931 to 1951. Mangano’s criminal career was marked by ruthless efficiency, and he controlled the waterfront through Brooklyn Local 1814 of the International Longshoremen’s Association. His feud with fellow mobster Albert Anastasia escalated, leading to their mysterious disappearances in 1951. Although no one was ever arrested for the Mangano homicide, it was widely assumed that Anastasia orchestrated their deaths. Vincent Mangano’s enigmatic legacy continues to intrigue those fascinated by the shadowy world of organized crime.

1949James Glenn Robedeaux – was a Native American man who faced a tragic fate. Born in the United States, he became entangled in a web of circumstances that led to his conviction and eventual execution.  In 1986, Robedeaux was sentenced to death for the 1985 murder of Nancy McKinney. The case was marked by circumstantial evidence, and the actual cause of McKinney’s death remains unknown to this day. Despite this uncertainty, Robedeaux was found guilty of first-degree murder, a verdict that would seal his fate.  One of the most incriminating pieces of evidence against him was a statement made by Lisa Austin, who lived with Robedeaux. She claimed that he had confessed to killing McKinney and dismembering her body. However, the credibility of this statement was questioned due to its timing and previous interactions with officials investigating McKinney’s death.  Robedeaux’s appeals were unsuccessful, and he faced execution in Oklahoma. On June 1, 2000, he became the 109th person to be executed in the state. His tragic story serves as a reminder of the complexities and flaws within the criminal justice system.

1954Robert Shulman – A former postal worker from New York who was found responsible and convicted of the murders of five women in a 5 year period beginning in 1991. For the one murder he committed in New York State he was given the death penalty and for the other four, he received life sentences.

1954Morris Mason – was an American convicted rapist and murderer who infamously referred to himself as “the killer for the Eastern Shore.” Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he spent his formative years in Northampton County, Virginia. Mason’s life was marked by a tragic blend of mental health struggles, criminal activity, and violence. As a child, Mason claimed to hear voices instructing him to “destroy things,” and his neighbors noticed his fascination with firestarting. Despite joining the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, his life took a dark turn. Diagnosed as “mentally retarded” with an IQ ranging from 62 to 66, he also suffered from paranoid schizophrenia. At 17, he underwent involuntary psychiatric commitment. In 1975, Mason committed burglary and arson in Virginia’s Eastern Shore region. Dr. Richard Williams, a psychiatrist, found him mentally ill and unstable. Sentenced to 10 years in prison for burglary and arson, Mason was suspected of other house fires and burglaries during his teens. In 1978, he was paroled, despite concerns about his mental state. A month later, he embarked on a violent spree, committing multiple burglaries, sexual assaults, and at least one murder. His execution was controversial due to his schizophrenia and developmental disabilities, raising doubts about his awareness of impending death. Mason was executed by electrocution for the murder of Margaret K. Hand, highlighting the ethical complexities of executing individuals with mental health conditions.

1955Michael Van McDougall – An American man from Mecklenburg County in North Carolina who in an apparent drug-induced psychosis,  talked his way into a neighbor’s house with a ruse that his wife was ill, there were two ladies in the house at the time, Diane Parker & Vicki Dunno. Once he got into the house he attempted to abduct both women but they fought back, he stabbed Ms. Parker 23 times, killing her, and Ms. Dunno was stabbed 9 times but survived and gave evidence against him in court

1958Larry C. Williams – Williams and his friend Larry Perkins went to the house of 45-year-old Jesse Hubbard intending to blackmail him, they all sat around drinking beer and smoking marijuana when Williams & Perkins decided to rob Hubbard. Perkins started the assault by hitting Hubbard on the head with a gun, Williams then stabbed him several times with a butcher knife, beat him with a piece of pipe, and finished him off by smashing a whiskey bottle over his head

1970Jerry Duane Martin – An American inmate with a long rap sheet who, at the time of this offense was serving a 50-year sentence for attempted capital murder, Martin was working in the field squad when he attempted to escape by stealing an officers weapon and a truck, as he drove away he hit a horse that was being ridden by a corrections officer, killing her

1980Rod Ferrell – is an American murderer and cult leader. He gained notoriety as a member of the “Vampire Clan”, a loose-knit gang of teenagers from Murray, Kentucky,  Ferrell’s twisted beliefs led him down a dark path, culminating in a brutal crime that shocked the nation. Rod Ferrell was just 16 years old when he became the central figure in a macabre tale. Obsessed with the role-playing game “Vampire: The Masquerade”, he crafted an alter ego named Vesago, a 500-year-old vampire. His mother, Sondra Gibson, introduced him to this game, unwittingly setting the stage for tragedy.  Ferrell and his accomplices formed the Vampire Clan, a group that blended elements of fantasy, ritualistic practices, and teenage rebellion. They indulged in blood-drinking and self-inflicted cuts, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. On November 25, 1996, Ferrell and his partner-in-crime, Howard Scott Anderson, entered the home of Naomi Ruth Queen and Richard Wendorf in Eustis, Florida. The victims were the parents of Heather Wendorf, a friend of Ferrell’s whom he was helping escape from what she described as a living “hell.”  While Richard slept on the couch, Ferrell attacked him with a crowbar, fracturing his skull and ribs. Ruth, who discovered the intruders, suffered a similar fate. Ferrell bludgeoned her to death, fueled by anger after she threw a scalding cup of coffee at him. Richard’s burn marks formed a V shape, Ferrell’s symbol, with each dot representing a member of his twisted vampire cult.  In 1998, Ferrell pleaded guilty to the double slaying of Naomi Ruth Queen and Richard Wendorf. At the time, he became the youngest person on Florida’s Death Row. However, his sentence was later reduced to life imprisonment.  Rod Ferrell’s story remains a chilling reminder of how delusions, obsession, and misplaced loyalty can lead to unimaginable horrors. His legacy as a cult leader and murderer continues to haunt those who remember the tragic events of that fateful night

Deaths

John Tawell

1845John Tawell – was a British murderer, notable as the first person arrested using telecommunications technology. His life weaves together crime, transportation, and a tumultuous love affair.  Originally a shop worker in London, Tawell’s association with non-Quaker Mary Freeman led to his disownment by the Quakers. Despite this, he married Mary, facing a forgery charge in 1814. Negotiating a lesser offense with the Quaker-owned Uxbridge Bank, he received fourteen years’ transportation to Sydney, Australia.  After earning his ticket of leave, Tawell thrived in Sydney, establishing the colony’s first pharmacy and contributing to various ventures. Despite earlier disownment, he played a pivotal role in setting up the first Quaker community in Australia. Tawell’s philanthropy and reputation rehabilitation were noteworthy. Returning to London in 1838 with his second wife, Mary, Tawell faced tragedy as Mary succumbed to tuberculosis. Entering into an affair with nurse Sarah Lawrence (later Sarah Hart), he supported their secret family near Slough. Financial woes haunted Tawell by 1844. On January 1, 1845, he poisoned Sarah during a shared beer, fearing exposure. Fleeing by train, the electric telegraph’s help led to his identification, arrest, and eventual hanging.  John Tawell’s life serves as a cautionary tale of crime, passion, and the unexpected role of early telecommunications in apprehending a murderer.

1889Matilde “Tillie” Ziegler – In the late 19th century, Buffalo, New York, became the stage for a chilling crime that would echo through history. Matilda “Tillie” Ziegler, originally from Philadelphia, found herself in Buffalo with her companion, William Kemmler, at 526 South Division Street—a setting for a harrowing tale of rage and betrayal.  Known for his fiery temper, Kemmler, succumbing to drunken fury, wielded a hatchet, striking Tillie 26 times. The walls of their modest home bore witness to this gruesome scene—a life extinguished by blind rage.  Tillie Ziegler’s life slipped away slowly, her pain echoing through the halls of Fitch Hospital. Unrepentant, Kemmler confessed: “I struck her with a hatchet. I wanted to kill her, and the sooner I am to hang for it, the better.”  Justice took an unexpected turn. On August 6, 1890, within the cold confines of Auburn Prison in Auburn, New York, William Kemmler became a grim footnote in history. The first person to face the electric chair—an experimental method of execution. Three jolts of electricity coursed through his body, ending his life.  The murder of Tillie Ziegler, once a vibrant soul in Buffalo, marked a dark milestone: the birth of electrocution as a means of capital punishment in the United States. The shockwaves of her tragic demise would forever alter the course of justice.  In the annals of crime and punishment, Tillie Ziegler’s name remains etched—a silent witness to the dawn of a new era, where volts replaced ropes, and darkness met its electric end.

2006Jerome “Jerry” Brudos – was an American serial killer and necrophile, infamous for his gruesome crimes committed during the late 1960s. Born in Webster, South Dakota, Brudos exhibited troubling behavior from an early age, including an obsession with women’s shoes, which later became a chilling signature in his crimes.  Growing up in a turbulent household, Brudos faced challenges in forming healthy relationships, and his deviant tendencies escalated over time. In the late 1960s, he embarked on a horrifying spree of abductions, assaults, and murders. His victims were often young women, targeted for their physical attributes and subjected to heinous acts of violence.  Brudos’ criminal activities came to light in 1969 when he was arrested and subsequently convicted of multiple murders. During his trial, the full extent of his sadistic fantasies and actions shocked the public. He proudly confessed to his crimes, providing chilling details about the ritualistic nature of his assaults.  Ultimately sentenced to life in prison, Jerry Brudos spent the remainder of his days behind bars at the Oregon State Penitentiary. Despite his notoriety, he did not attract the same level of media attention as some other infamous serial killers of his time. Brudos died in prison on March 28, 2006, leaving behind a legacy of brutality and a dark chapter in criminal history. His case serves as a grim reminder of the capacity for extreme violence that can reside in certain individuals.

2012Jesse Joe Hernandez – A Dallas man, executed by the state of Texas who had a grim history: in 2001, he brutally beat a 10-month-old baby to death while babysitting. The child, Karlos Borja, suffered a fractured skull and other injuries after Hernandez struck him with a flashlight. Despite being in a medically induced coma for a week, Karlos did not survive. His sister, who was also injured, provided crucial information to investigators through drawings.  Hernandez’s criminal record included charges of indecency with a child, drug offenses, and domestic violence. His final appeal was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court, leading to his execution. In his last moments, Hernandez expressed a cheerful demeanor, saying, “Go Cowboys!” and thanking those present. However, his victim’s family was notably absent from the witnesses.  This tragic case serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of violence on innocent lives.

2020Lonnie David Franklin Jr – an American serial killer known by the chilling nickname “Grim Sleeper,” committed his crimes from 1984 to 2007 in Los Angeles, California. Franklin was responsible for at least ten murders and one attempted murder. He was also convicted of rape and sexual violence.  The moniker “Grim Sleeper” originated from the apparent 14-year hiatus he took from his crimes, during which he seemingly ceased his violent activities from 1988 to 2002. His criminal spree targeted primarily black women who were chronic drug users and street sex workers.  Franklin’s early life was marked by a dishonorable discharge from the United States Army in July 1975. This followed his conviction for gang-raping a 17-year-old girl in Stuttgart, West Germany, in April 1974. During this brutal assault, photographs were taken by the rapists, a disturbing pattern that Franklin would later replicate with the women he raped and murdered.  In 2010, Lonnie David Franklin was arrested as a suspect. After numerous delays, his trial began in February 2016. The jury ultimately convicted him of killing nine women and one teenage girl. On June 6, 2016, they recommended the death penalty, and on August 10, 2016, the Los Angeles Superior Court sentenced him to death for each of the ten victims named in the verdict.  Franklin’s life story is a dark chapter in criminal history, leaving a trail of tragedy and suffering in its wake.

2021Joseph Edward Duncan III -was an American serial killer and child molester who was on death row in federal prison for the 2005 kidnappings and murders of members of the Groene family of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He also confessed to killing other children in California and Washington. He died of brain cancer in 2021. Duncan was born in 1963 in North Carolina and had a troubled childhood. He was sexually abused by his father and older siblings and started molesting younger children when he was 12. He was arrested several times for arson, burglary, rape, and assault.  In 1980, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping a 14-year-old boy at gunpoint. He was paroled in 1994 but violated his parole conditions and was sent back to prison until 2000. In 2005, he was charged with molesting a 6-year-old boy in Minnesota but fled the state before his trial. He drove to Idaho, where he spotted the Groene family at a barbecue. He became obsessed with the two youngest children, Shasta and Dylan, and planned to kidnap them.  On May 16, 2005, he broke into the Groene home and killed the mother, Brenda, her boyfriend, Mark, and her son, Slade, with a hammer. He then abducted Shasta and Dylan and took them to a remote campsite in Montana, where he tortured, raped, and filmed them. He also killed Dylan by shooting him in the head.  On July 2, 2005, he was spotted with Shasta at a restaurant in Coeur d’Alene and was arrested by the police. Shasta was rescued and identified Duncan as the killer of her family. Duncan was charged with multiple counts of murder, kidnapping, and sexual abuse in Idaho and federal courts. In 2007, he pleaded guilty to the Idaho charges and was sentenced to six life terms without parole. In 2008, he pleaded guilty to the federal charges and was sentenced to three death sentences and three life terms. He also admitted to killing Anthony Martinez, a 10-year-old boy, in California in 1997, and Sammiejo White and Carmen Cubias, two girls, in Washington in 1996. He was given two more life sentences in California. In 2019, he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and was transferred to a medical facility in Indiana. He died on March 28, 2021, at the age of 58.  Joseph Edward Duncan III was one of the most notorious and depraved serial killers in American history. He showed no remorse for his crimes and claimed that he was following God’s will. He left behind a trail of pain and suffering for his victims and their families.

Events

Priscilla Bradford

1980 – Priscilla Bradford, along with two friends plotted and carried out the bludgeoning death of her husband

2018 – At least 68 people die and scores are injured in a fire caused by a prison riot in the cells at the Carabobo State Police headquarters in Valencia, Venezuela

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