October 18, 1949Carson, NevadaEugene Leo Gambetta (46) is executed for the murder of his ex-wife Gambetta and his ex-wife, Thelma Ribail (25) had been married for two years before they separated in March 1948 and finalized their divorce on June 25, 1948. On July 15, Gambetta reportedly waited in the bushes near Ribail’s Reno, Nevada…
Man kills another for harassing his friend
September 29, 1986 Nevada Troy Kell shoots James “Cotton” Kelly for sexually harassing Kell’s friend Sandy Shaw Shaw (15) had been harassed by Kelly (21) for some time, with Kelly calling Shaw’s house repeatedly and regardless of the time of day, and culminating with Kelly requesting nude photographs of Shaw. At the time, stalker laws…
Man executed for robbery and murder, goes to death smiling and waving
September 4, 1931 Nevada Luis Ceja is executed for the murder of Charlie Fong during a dispute about narcotics Ceja stated after his arrest that he had gotten involved in the narcotics trafficking to raise funds for an operation for “his woman.” During a dispute with Fong, Ceja claimed Fong pulled a pistol on him…
Man dies from eating library paste
July 14, 1908 Goldfield, Nevada An unknown man dies after eating library paste Little is known about the man, though the county physician found he was “nearly starved” when he ate the contents of a jar of library paste. The paste was primarily comprised of water and either flour or starch, which may have prompted…
FLW: don’t strap me too tightly, it might keep the gas from my lungs
Famous Last Words Joseph Behiter Carson City, Nevada July 13, 1934 “Don’t strap me to the chair too tightly. It might keep the gas from my lungs.” Behiter was executed in the gas chamber for the murder of a dance-hall girl named Maxine Armstrong, who was the unfortunate victim of mistaken identity. Behiter had intended…
