Category: New Jersey

Double hanging — one execution is botched, the other involves a man who was mentally ill or disabled
Executions · New Jersey · Newspaper clippings

Double hanging — one execution is botched, the other involves a man who was mentally ill or disabled

Sarah ToninLeave a comment

January 3, 1884 Newark, New Jersey Two men are executed for murder in a double hanging The execution of Robert Martin, convicted of killing his wife and their infant as she held the baby, was botched. The Harrisburg Independent reported “the poor wretch who was condemned to suffer death at the hands of the law… Continue reading Double hanging — one execution is botched, the other involves a man who was mentally ill or disabled

Teenager killed, believed by some to have been “sacrificed”
New Jersey · Religion

Teenager killed, believed by some to have been “sacrificed”

Sarah ToninLeave a comment

August 7, 1972 Springfield Township, New Jersey Jeannette DePalma (16) goes missing; her body is found a month later DePalma left her home, telling her mother she was going to visit a friend. When she did not arrive at the friend’s house or back home, a missing person report was filed. On September 19, a… Continue reading Teenager killed, believed by some to have been “sacrificed”

Megan Kanka, namesake for Megan’s Law, is murdered
New Jersey

Megan Kanka, namesake for Megan’s Law, is murdered

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July 29, 1994 Hamilton Township, New Jersey 7-year-old Megan Kanka is abducted, raped, and murdered by twice-convicted sex offender Jesse Timmendequas Timmendequas had previously pleaded guilty to the attempted sexual assault of a 5-year-old girl in 1979 and the sexual assault of a 7-year-old girl in 1981; the second victim was choked until she was… Continue reading Megan Kanka, namesake for Megan’s Law, is murdered

“Prom Mom” kills baby, discards body in trash at dance
Female Killers · New Jersey

“Prom Mom” kills baby, discards body in trash at dance

Sarah ToninLeave a comment

June 6, 1997 Lacey Township, New Jersey High school senior Melissa Drexler gives birth to a son in a bathroom stall during her prom, kills him, and throws his body in the trash Drexler had concealed her pregnancy from her family, her friends, her teachers, and the father. She complained of stomach cramps in the… Continue reading “Prom Mom” kills baby, discards body in trash at dance

Failing student kills teacher, self (bonus: man has remnant of knife removed 4 years after being stabbed)
New Jersey · Newspaper clippings · Pennsylvania · School Violence

Failing student kills teacher, self (bonus: man has remnant of knife removed 4 years after being stabbed)

Sarah ToninLeave a comment

June 4, 1936 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania A student shoots his professor after failing an exam, then shoots himself Engineering student Wesley Clow had recently failed an exam and was asking his professor, Charles Phy, about taking a makeup exam. As Prof. Phy detailed the steps needed, Clow reportedly interrupted by saying “Well —“ then shot Phy.… Continue reading Failing student kills teacher, self (bonus: man has remnant of knife removed 4 years after being stabbed)