This week in 1882
“Folks, hear me, as I’se to be hanged. I’se free from any guilt about Nash Carter. I had a child by another man, but was smart enough to keep my husband from knowing it.”
— Matilda Carter, convicted of murder, hanging, North Carolina.
Executed January 13, 1882
Carter was sentenced to death for the murder of her much older husband, Nash Carter, after he voiced concerns about her acquaintance with a group of young men. While he was sleeping, prosecutors said, Mrs. Carter and three accomplices slipped a noose around Mr. Carter’s neck and pulled. On the scaffold, fellow convicted murderer Joe Hay admitted to adultery with Mrs. Carter.
This week in 1864
No complete final statement exists, but Jason Luce talked about his evil associates and railed against those who had betrayed him, indicating his desire to brand them before the world. He proclaimed his lawyer to have been his betrayer, confessed to his sins, and said good-bye.
—Jason Luce, convicted of murder, firing squad, Utah.
Executed January 12, 1864
Luce was convicted of murdering a man whom he had invited to his house for dinner. According to Luce, the man beat him for admitting that he was a Mormon. Later, when Luce happened to encounter the man, he pulled a bowie knife and nearly severed the man’s head in retaliation for the beating. On the day of Luce’s execution he was described as being cool, calm, and collected. He asked his brother to take care of a woman carrying his child.
This Week in 2009
“I would like to say that Capital self defense is not Capital Murder. I would like to make a statement to my wife and family, thank you for your support. I love you Roxanne, Kaye. Thank you Saint Gabriel’s Church. Sylvia I appreciate you and thank you. All right Warden.” (After the official last statement ended, he said I love you Mom.)
– Frank Moore, convicted of murder, convicted of murder, lethal injection, Texas. Executed January 21, 2009.
Following an argument in a San Antonio nightclub, Moore shot twenty-three-year-old Samuel Boyd and fifteen-year-old Patrick Clark with a 30-caliber rifle. Before his arrest, he reportedly threatened to kill the family members of witnesses if they cooperated with the subsequent police investigation.
