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… Continue reading Man kills another for harassing his friend
Category: Nevada
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… Continue reading Man executed for robbery and murder, goes to death smiling and waving
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… Continue reading Man dies from eating library paste
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… Continue reading FLW: don’t strap me too tightly, it might keep the gas from my lungs
First (and currently only) woman legally executed in Nevada
June 20, 1890 Elko, Nevada Elizabeth Potts becomes the first (and currently the only) woman legally executed in Nevada Elizabeth and her husband Josiah were convicted of the murder of Miles Faucett, a man they owed money. He visited the couple on January 1, 1888 and was never seen alive again. The Potts produced a… Continue reading First (and currently only) woman legally executed in Nevada
