Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: John Arthur Spenkelink - Florida Execution - May 25, 1979

  1. #1
    Guest
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    5,534

    John Arthur Spenkelink - Florida Execution - May 25, 1979


    John Spenkelink was born in Le Mars, Iowa on March 29, 1949.


    Facts of the Crime: On February 4, 1973, the 24-year-old Spenkelink, a twice convicted felon and an escapee from a California correctional camp, picked up Joseph J. Szymankiewicz, a hitchhiker, while traveling in the midwest. Both men had criminal records, and both were heavy drinkers. They checked into a hotel room in Tallahassee. After Spenkelink left to wash the car, he returned and shot Szymankiewicz while he slept in bed, once in the head just behind the left ear and a second time in the back. He then told a cover story to the hotel proprietor, paid for an extra day, and left with Frank Bruum, another hitchiker. Spenkelink claimed that he shot Szymankiewicz in self-defense in that he forced sexual relations on him earlier, and forced him to play "russian roulette." He also claimed that the gun went off accidentally during a fight between the two. Less than one week later, Spenkelink and Bruum were arrested for suspicion of armed robbery in Buena Park, California. The murder weapon was found in an apartment leased to Bruum and others. Upon their return to Florida both were tried for First Degree Murder. Spenkelink was found guilty and Bruum was acquitted.

    Time of Death: 10:18 AM

    Manner of Execution: Electrocution

    Last Meal: John Spenkelink split a flask of Jack Daniel’s whiskey with his prison superintendent.

    Final Words: "Capital punishment -- Them without the capital get the punishment."

  2. #2
    Guest
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    5,534
    After the execution, unfounded rumors spread that Spenkelink was forcibly dragged to the electric chair, gagged, beaten, and had his neck broken. In reaction to the rumors, authorities exhumed Spenkelink's body for an autopsy, and the State of Florida further ruled that autopsies be performed on all executed inmates. Some witnesses believe that Spenkelink was already dead when placed in the electric chair. In David Von Brehle's book on the Florida death row system, Among the Lowest of the Dead, the author presented several interviews with eyewitnesses who saw Spenkelink alive in the electric chair before his death. According to these witnesses, Spenkelink did not resist being put into the electric chair by the officers in charge.

    (Source: Wiki)

  3. #3
    Senior Member Frequent Poster joe_con's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Posts
    292
    John A. SPENKELINK, Applicant,
    v.
    Louie L. WAINWRIGHT et al.
    No. A-1016.

    May 23, 1979.

    Mr. Justice MARSHALL.

    John A. Spenkelink, who is scheduled to be put to death at 7:00 a. m. on May 23, 1979, has applied to me for a stay of his execution. Mr. Justice REHNQUIST and Mr. Justice STEVENS have both denied the application, and the pertinent facts are set forth in Mr. Justice REHNQUIST's opinion, 442 U.S. 1301. Given the Court of Appeals' divided vote on whether to grant a certificate of probable cause, the irrevocable nature of the penalty to be imposed, and the ability of the full Court to consider this case within 36 hours at our regular Conference, I believe it appropriate to grant the application for a stay until further action by the entire Court.

    Granted.[ Spenkelink v. Wainwright 442 U.S. 1308 (1979) ]

    https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/442/1308/

  4. #4
    Senior Member CnCP Addict maybeacomedian's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    IL
    Posts
    657
    Quote Originally Posted by Guest View Post
    Last Meal: John Spenkelink split a flask of Jack Daniel’s whiskey with his prison superintendents.
    Ahh, the good ol' days...

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •