List of people executed in Arizona (pre-1972)

  1. Home
  2. Wiki

The following is a list of people executed in the U.S. state of Arizona before 1972, when capital punishment was briefly abolished by the Supreme Court's ruling in Furman v. Georgia. For people executed after the restoration of capital punishment by the Supreme Court's ruling in Gregg v. Georgia (1976), see List of people executed in Arizona.[1][2]

Background

[edit]

Historically, all executions in Arizona were carried out locally by hanging. In January 1910, an official execution chamber was completed at the then-territorial prison in Florence, which later become the state prison in 1912. Capital punishment was briefly abolished in the state between December 8, 1916, to December 5, 1918. Hanging was later replaced by gas asphyxiation on October 28, 1933.[2]

List of executions

[edit]
Name Race Age Sex Date of execution County Crime Victim(s) Governor
Jose Lopez Hispanic 19 M January 5, 1910 Pinal Murder Maria Espinosa, Hispanic[3] Richard Elihu Sloan[a]
Cesario Sanchez Hispanic 42 M December 2, 1910 Coconino Murder Gregoria Conejo, Hispanic[4]
Rafael Barela Hispanic 30 M
Domingo Franco Hispanic 44 M July 7, 1911 Santa Cruz Murder Mr. Amada, Hispanic[5]
Alejandro Galles Hispanic 35 M July 28, 1911 Yavapai Murder Louis D. Yeager, white[6]
Ramon Villalobo Hispanic 28 M December 10, 1915 Pinal Murder Phineas Brown, white (Ray deputy sheriff)[7] George W. P. Hunt
Francisco Rodriguez Hispanic 29 M May 19, 1916 Maricopa Murder Female, Hispanic (wife)[8]
N. B. Chavez Hispanic 35 M June 9, 1916 Yavapai Murder Charles E. King, white (Jerome deputy sheriff)[9]
Miguel Peralta Hispanic 39 M July 7, 1916 Yavapai Murder
Simplicio Torrez Hispanic 24 M April 16, 1920 Coconino Murder Victor H. Mellick, white (Williams town constable)[10] Thomas Edward Campbell
Pedro Dominguez Hispanic 27 M January 14, 1921 Greenlee Murder Antonio Menchera, Hispanic[11]
Nichan Martin White 24 M September 9, 1921 Yavapai Murder Arthur de Steunder, 21, white[12]
Ricardo Lauterio Hispanic 23 M January 13, 1922 Maricopa Murder Adelina Sosa de Barillos, Hispanic (common-law wife)[13]
Thomas Roman Hispanic 32 M Murder-Robbery Thomas Hintze and Spangler (deputy constable), 10 (Hintze), white[14]
Theodore West White 35 M September 29, 1922 Mohave Murder Lem Smith, white[15][b]
Paul V. Hadley White 35 M April 23, 1923 Pima Murder-Robbery Anna C. Johnson, white[16] George W. P. Hunt
Manuel Martinez Hispanic 28 M August 10, 1923 Santa Cruz Murder-Robbery J. Frank Pearson, white (Ruby postmaster)[17]
William B. Ward Black 38 M June 20, 1924 Pinal Murder Ted Grosh, white[18]
Sam Flowers Black 36 M January 9, 1925 Maricopa Murder Sabina Flowers, black (wife)[19]
William Lawrence White 26 M January 8, 1926 Maricopa Murder Haze Burch, white (Phoenix policeman)[20]
Charles J. Blackburn White 36 M May 20, 1927 Graham Murder Miguel Bernal, 31, Hispanic[21]
B. W. L. Sam Asian 27 M June 22, 1928 Mohave Murder Tom King, Asian[22]
Shew Chin Asian 23 M
Jew Har Asian 30 M
Gee King Long Asian 30 M
Eva Dugan White 51 F February 21, 1930 Pima Murder-Robbery Andrew J. Mathis, 60, white[23][c]
Refugio Macias Hispanic 43 M March 7, 1930 Greenlee Murder Pedro Ornelas, Hispanic[24][d]
Herman Young White 28 M August 21, 1931 Pima Murder-Robbery John Dye, white[25]
Fred Hernandez Hispanic 19 M July 6, 1934 Pinal Murder-Robbery Charles P. Washburn, 65, white[26] Benjamin Baker Moeur
Manuel Hernandez Hispanic 18 M
George Shaughnessy White 19 M July 13, 1934 Santa Cruz Murder-Robbery Lon Blankenship, white[27]
Louis Sprague Douglas White 47 M August 31, 1934 Yuma Murder-Robbery John Hayden and Ralph Hart, both 63, white[28]
Jack Sullivan White 23 M May 15, 1936 Cochise Murder John B. Bradberry, white (railroad policeman)[29]
Frank Rascon Hispanic[30] 27 M July 10, 1936 Maricopa Murder Joe Romero, Hispanic[31]
Roland H. Cochrane White 28 M October 2, 1936 Maricopa Murder-Robbery Richard Giles, white[32]
Frank Duarte White 24 M January 8, 1937 Pinal Murder-Robbery G. W. Johnson, white[33] Rawghlie Clement Stanford
Ernest Patten Black 37 M August 13, 1937 Apache Murder Female, black (common-law wife)[34]
Burt Anderson White 53 M Yavapai Murder Cecil Kuykendall, 28, white[35]
David Benjamin Knight White 33 M September 3, 1937 Maricopa Murder J. C. Kalb, white[36]
Elvin Jack Odom White 27 M January 14, 1938 Maricopa Murder-Robbery Charles Goade, white[37]
Archie Short White 27 M April 28, 1939 Pinal Murder Jack Hickox, white (Ray deputy sheriff)[38] Robert Taylor Jones
Frank Conner Black 22 M September 22, 1939 Santa Cruz Murder-Robbery Tracy Bird, white[39]
Robert Burgunder White 23 M August 9, 1940 Maricopa Murder-Robbery E. B. Peterson, white[40][e]
Grady B. Cole Black 28 M January 8, 1943 Cochise Murder Coy C. Qualls, white[41] Sidney Preston Osborn
Charles Sanders Black 20 M
J. C. Levice Black 22 M
James C. Rawlins White 46 M February 19, 1943 Greenlee Murder-Rape Marilyn Emma Atkins, 11, white[42]
Elisandro Macias Hispanic 20 M April 27, 1943 Pima Murder-Robbery Aldo Hage, 60, white[43][44]
John Earnest Ransom Black 48 M January 5, 1945 Maricopa Murder Charles H. Payne, 51, white[45]
Lee Albert Smith White 62 M April 6, 1945 Cochise Murder Edward D. Miller, white[46]
U. L. Holley Black 38 M April 13, 1945 Gila Murder Morgan Neilson and Ed Williams, 50 (Neilson), white[47]
Angel B. Serna Hispanic 27 M July 29, 1950 Pinal Murder Catharine Gohn, white[48] Dan Edward Garvey
Harold Thomas Lantz White 28 M July 18, 1951 Cochise Murder Ada C. Park, 68, white[49] John Howard Pyle
Carl J. Folk White 56 M March 4, 1955 Navajo Murder-Rape Betty Allen, white[50] Ernest McFarland
Lester Edward Bartholomew White 38 M August 31, 1955 Maricopa Murder Pamela and Richard Bartholomew, 2 and 3, white (children)[51][52][f]
Leonard Coey White 58 M May 22, 1957 Maricopa Murder Elnora Coey, white (wife)[53]
Arthur Thomas Black 33 M November 17, 1958 Cochise Murder Janie Miskovich, white[54]
Richard Lewis Jordan White 28 M November 22, 1958 Pima Murder-Rape Phyllis Mae Thompson, 22, white[55]
Vernice L. Craft Black 41 M March 7, 1959 Maricopa Murder Virginia Craft, black (wife)[56] Paul Fannin
Robert D. Fenton White 25 M March 11, 1960 Pima Murder Opal Keller Coward, 53, white[57]
Honor Robinson Black 44 M October 31, 1961 Maricopa Murder William Bischoff, black[58]
Patrick M. McGee White 55 M March 8, 1963 Coconino Murder-Robbery Ary J. Best, 66, white[59]
Manuel E. Silva Hispanic 43 M March 14, 1963 Pinal Murder Beatriz Mankel, white (girlfriend)[60][61]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Territory of Arizona before statehood.
  2. ^ Previously murdered a man at a California mental institution with another inmate named Peoples; both were sentenced to life imprisonment but their convictions were later reversed on appeal.
  3. ^ Previously suspected of committing two other murders in Missouri and Nevada, but never charged as no bodies were found.
  4. ^ Also murdered Julian DeLuna.
  5. ^ Also murdered Ellis M. Koury.
  6. ^ Also murdered his wife Marie.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Executions in Arizona - 1865-1963 - DeathPenaltyUSA, the database of executions in the United States". deathpenaltyusa.org. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
  2. ^ a b Senate, United States Congress (1968). Hearings. U.S. Government Printing Office.
  3. ^ Jose Lopez, AZ, 1910 January 5, Espy Archive
  4. ^ Cesario Sanchez, AZ, 1910 December 2, Espy Archive
  5. ^ Domingo Franco, AZ, 1911 July 7, Espy Archive
  6. ^ Alejandro Galles, AZ, 1911 July 28, Espy Archive
  7. ^ Ramon Villalobo, AZ, 1915 December 10, Espy Archive
  8. ^ "Mexican, Saved From Death Nine Times, Is Executed For Killing Wife Five Years Ago". Prescott Journal Miner. May 20, 1916. p. 1. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  9. ^ N. B. Chavez, AZ, 1916 June 9, Espy Archive
  10. ^ Simplicio Torrez, AZ, 1920 April 16, Espy Archive
  11. ^ Pedro Dominguez, 1921 January 14, Espy Archive
  12. ^ Nichan Martin, 1921 September 9, Espy Archive
  13. ^ Ricardo Lauterio, AZ, 1922 January 13, Espy Archive
  14. ^ Thomas Roman, AZ, 1922 January 13, Espy Archive
  15. ^ Theodore West, 1922 September 29, Espy Archive
  16. ^ Paul Hadley, 1923 April 13, Espy Archive
  17. ^ "Pays Penalty For Arizona Killing". The Evening Independent. August 10, 1923. p. 1. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  18. ^ "Negro Hanged In Arizona". St. Joseph News-Press. June 20, 1924. p. 10. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  19. ^ Sam Flowers, AZ, 1925 January 9, Espy Archive
  20. ^ "Lawrence Dies With Nerve As Firm As Steel". Prescott Evening Courier. January 8, 1926. p. 1. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  21. ^ Charles Blackburn, 1927 May 20, Espy Archive
  22. ^ King Long Gee, Har Jew, Chin Shew, B. W. Sam, 1928 June 22, Espy Archive
  23. ^ Eva Dugan, 1930 February 21, Espy Archive
  24. ^ Refugio Macias, 1930 March 7, Espy Archive
  25. ^ Herman Young, AZ, 1931 August 21, Espy Archive
  26. ^ Fred Hernandez, Manuel Hernandez, 1934 July 6, Espy Archive
  27. ^ "Gas Ends Life Of Bad Lad who Beat Jail Term". The Newburgh News. July 12, 1934. p. 12. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  28. ^ Louis Douglas, 1934 August 31, Espy Archive
  29. ^ Jack Sullivan, 1936 May 15, Espy Archive
  30. ^ "Kisses Husband, Inhales Fumes". Waycross Journal-Herald. July 11, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  31. ^ "Cowboy Murderer Dies in Gas Chamber". The Telegraph-Herald. July 10, 1936. p. 3. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  32. ^ "Former U.S. Hero Gassed for Crime". The Telegraph-Herald. October 2, 1936. p. 9. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  33. ^ Frank Duarte, AZ, 1937 January 8, Espy Archive
  34. ^ Ernest Patten, AZ, 1937 August 13, Espy Archive
  35. ^ "Gas Executions Take 3 On Friday The 13th". The Portsmouth Times. August 13, 1937. p. 13. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  36. ^ "Expiates Friend's Slaying". The Spokesman-Review. September 4, 1937. p. 18. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  37. ^ Elvin Odom, 1938 January 14, Espy Archive
  38. ^ "Short Comes Out Of 'Coma'". Prescott Evening Courier. April 27, 1939. p. 1. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  39. ^ "Pays With Life". Spokane Daily Chronicle. September 22, 1939. p. 17. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  40. ^ "Penalty Paid By Burgunder". Prescott Evening Courier. August 9, 1940. pp. 1–8. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  41. ^ Charles Sanders, AZ, 1943 January 8, Espy Archive
  42. ^ James Rawlings, 1943 February 19, Espy Archive
  43. ^ Elisandro Macias, AZ, 1943 April 27, Espy Archive
  44. ^ "Alleged Slayer Is Held Without Bond". Prescott Evening Courier. June 7, 1941. p. 1. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  45. ^ John Ransom, AZ, 1945 January 5, Espy Archive
  46. ^ Lee Smith, 1945 April 6, Espy Archive
  47. ^ U. L. Holley, AZ, 1945 April 13, Espy Archive
  48. ^ Angel Serna, AZ, 1950 July 29, Espy Archive
  49. ^ Harold Lantz, AZ, 1951 July 18, Espy Archive
  50. ^ Carl Folk, 1955 March 4, Espy Archive
  51. ^ "Man Executed For Slaying Wife, Tots". Rome News-Tribune. August 31, 1955. p. 8. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  52. ^ "Family Slayer Executed by Gas In Arizona Prison". The Telegraph-Herald. August 31, 1955. p. 8. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  53. ^ "Wife Slayer Is Executed in Arizona". St. Joseph News-Press. May 22, 1957. p. 5. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  54. ^ "Gas Chamber Death Ends Five Year Fight". The Evening Independent. November 17, 1958. p. 1. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  55. ^ Richard Jordan, 1958 November 22, Espy Archive
  56. ^ Lonnie Craft, AZ, 1959 March 7, Espy Archive
  57. ^ "Tucson Slayer Dies in Gas Chamber". Prescott Evening Courier. March 11, 1960. p. 1. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  58. ^ "Robinson Executed". Prescott Evening Courier. October 31, 1961. p. 1. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  59. ^ Patrick McGee, 1963 March 8, Espy Archive
  60. ^ Manuel Silva, AZ, 1963 March 14, Espy Archive
  61. ^ "Convicted Murderer Executed". Prescott Evening Courier. March 14, 1963. p. 5. Retrieved September 28, 2025.