Condemned: Inside the Sing Sing Death House

Cases

1/25/57 Dear Warden: I have talked to the other inmates and they have agreed that if the lights were left on all night it would not bother them. The new spot lights which you were kind enough to install shines directly into the one cell, therefore would not bother anyone else. At the present time some of us are doing some very urgent legal work and find it is much easier to concentrate at night because there is no noise at that time. Very respectfully yours, Elmer Burke 118–395 A week later Burke filed a lawsuit against Warden Denno and others. He was executed on January 9,1958. Cases Even after they had been convicted and sentenced to death, many convicts worked unceasingly on their cases—pressing their lawyers, developing their appeals, or desperately combing their legal papers for some shred of exculpatory evidence that might help overturn their convictions or stall their executions. Most condemned persons had little formal education, and none had ever attended law school, yet some managed to acquire enough legal expertise to aid their cause—at least, for a while. Very few had the benefit of top lawyers working on their behalf, but some of those representing the inmates spared no effort to save their clients. In all, about one-third of those admitted to the Sing Sing Death House ultimately left it alive, usually to spend many more years in prison. 72 C O N D E M N E D name: number: age: occupation: habits: crime: claims: judge: sentenced: received: executed: Ward Caraway 105–407 22 Chauffeur Marijuana Shot Marjorie Church Logan in her home in robbery Drugs Collins, Nassau County 12–18–46 12–18–46 7–3–47 Cases 73 name: number: age: occupation: crime: judge: sentenced: received: executed: Joseph Charles Mascari aka Joseph Charles Patane 102–166 31 Delivery driver Killed Rose O’Connell with hammer William H. Coon, Madison County 4–3–43 4–3–43 1–6–44 74 C O N D E M N E D name: number: born: age: occupation: education: crime: rap sheet: kin: judge: sentenced: received: executed: George Donaldson aka Harry Doremus, Edward Bedell, Wm. Hazelhurst, Geo. Hazelhurst, Woodchuck , George Washington Donaldson 104–139 Modena, NY 48 Handyman 3rd grade Killed Edward Simpkins with crowbar at Harlem Valley Psychiatric Institute Extensive criminal history No one Clinton, Rensselaer County 6–25–45 6–25–45 3–7–46 name: number: age: crime: executed: Webster Daniel 105–546 36 Shot Patrolman George Hunter while fleeing from robbery after drunken spree, 10–10–46 8–21–47 Cases 75 From a letter to Hon.JohnT.Loughran,Chief Justice, NewYork State Court of Appeals,fromWallace Ford,Jr. My attorneys at the trial were appointed by the Genesee County Court and they also represented me on appeal before this Court. I sincerely do believe that to the limit of their knowledge, capabilities and experience, they faithfully and conscientiously did their collective best and utmost to protect my interest. However, Your Honor, they were both young men, comparatively young in their practice of law and for both my case was the first murder trial and appeal. name: number: born: age: marital: physical: crime: claims: judge: sentenced: received: executed: Wallace Ford, Jr. 111–433 Montgomery, Alabama 30 Married, 2 children 5'11", 150 lbs. Hit sister-in-law, Nancy Bridges, ran her over with auto Doesn’t know why he did it Hamilton Ward, State Supreme Court, Genessee County 12–4–51 12–4–51 10–30–52 76 C O N D E M N E D November 23, 1953 Maurice O’Dell #113–865 Institution Dear Sir: I am sorry to inform you that I am in receipt of an Order of the Court of Appeals, fixing the week of January 4, 1954, as the date for carrying into effect the original sentence of death in your case. Very truly yours, /S/ Warden name: number: age: occupation: marital: physical: education: habits: residence: crime: accomplices: claims: judge: sentenced: received: executed: Maurice O’Dell aka Digger 113–865 28 Waiter Single 5'6", 134 lbs. 2 yrs. HS Drug user Hamilton, Ontario Shot Donald Hurd in jewelry store robbery Ralph Grubisch, Walter Griffen Claims innocence Munson, State...