Published in the Gainesville Times January 24, 1989, Retired Detective and Criminology Professor Alex Taylor electrifies the history of Old Sparky — the electric chair. What most people today do not realize is that this form of execution remains an option in several states, including Tennessee, which last used their electric chair on Nicholas Todd…… Continue reading Won’t Leave You Hanging
Tag: execution
The Hangman’s Ball
Prof. Taylor examines our never-ending culture of violence in this week’s Taylor Tuesday. Published in the Gainesville Times, November 29, 1988, his Crime Stories column features the career of Isaac “Hanging Judge” Parker, famous (or infamous) for his frequent use of ropes. I’m titling this one as “The Hangman’s Ball”. Commentary follows the column. Familiar…… Continue reading The Hangman’s Ball
Dead Kennedys — No, not the band.
This guy to the left is J.D. Tippit, a Dallas police officer, shot and killed by Lee Harvey Oswald. Most folks don’t know about him or how it happened, let alone the 18 witnesses who soon after perished under suspicious circumstances. More on that in the column below. Seems quite coincidental and serendipitous that a…… Continue reading Dead Kennedys — No, not the band.