This week in 1879
“I forgive my enemies.”
— Andrew Tracy, convicted of murder, hanging, Pennsylvania.
Executed December 4, 1879
Tracy murdered his cousin after she refused to marry him. During his execution, Tracy’s noose was not tied properly, and he fell seven feet to the ground. With his hands tied, Tracy was unable to catch himself, and he lost consciousness. When the sheriff picked him up, Tracy woke up and said his last words. They tied the rope around his neck, whereupon he fainted again and died without regaining consciousness.
This week in 1851
“I committed the deed and now I’m paying for it. If I had to do it over again I would. I leave my written words for you all to read.”
— Creed Turner, convicted of murder, hanging, Oregon Territory.
Executed December 4, 1851
There was never a point after Turner was arrested that he regretted killing—the only thing he felt bad about was that he couldn’t kill himself. Turner spent his last week writing his autobiography and proclaiming his innocence. Visitors during his last few days reported hearing him muttering about how the courts had not done him justice and an innocent man was going to die. Turner died for the murder of E. A. Bradbury and denied “being as bad as the people seemed to think him,” according to an article in the New York Times.
This week in 2003
“I did have, but now I see my family here and everything – all I want to say is I love you all so much. I am innocent. I love you all so much. You are beautiful. Okay Warden, I am through.”
— Richard Duncan, convicted of murder, lethal injection, Texas.
Executed December 3, 2003
Found dead in their home, Ruth and John High were victims of Duncan’s attempt to escape financial trouble for his failing software company. In his murder conviction, stating that they were “mercy killings” on a count of John’s deteriorating health, Duncan attempted to make their murder look like a gas leak accident. Duncan had been having a homosexual relationship with the High’s son, Gary High. Together, they ran a software business called Hitech Microsystems. Duncan believed that the death of Gary’s parents would allow him to receive his inheritance to pull them out of financial trouble.
