Child murderer in the 1930's???

[NLVgal]

Originally Posted by Cliffie

But it did break the case and land his murdering butt in Sing Sing.

We have to be thankful for small mercies.

I remember being so sad for her family when I read about that case. I'm actually surprised that he made it to prison alive. There were no police dash-cams back in those days. Admirable restraint on the part of the law enforcement individuals.

[Cliffie]

I think they had a hard time grasping that such a harmless-looking old geezer could be so dangerous. That's why the Budd family was taken in, too.

[banjomike]

Originally Posted by NLVgal

We have to be thankful for small mercies.

I remember being so sad for her family when I read about that case. I'm actually surprised that he made it to prison alive. There were no police dash-cams back in those days. Admirable restraint on the part of the law enforcement individuals.

Prisons were much tougher places back then. Prisoners had to walk in lockstep, were required to be silent, and spent most of their time in what would be maximum security now.

Attitudes toward child killers were also much different, and back then, a convict got no credit from the others if he killed someone like Fish. If Fish was detested for what he said and did among the other convicts, he might be killed, but few died for committing crimes against children.

Most condemned prisoners didn't live long enough to be hated; a typical murderer was executed very quickly after his sentencing- weeks to months, instead of years. Very few had their sentences commuted to life with no parole. Only the ones who could afford lawyers and appeals, or the very few that caused a public outcry over injustice, spent much time on death row awaiting their outcome.

[Cliffie]

He also spent a lot of his time baying at the moon and declaring that he was Jesus Christ. They might have taken pity on someone that obviously fcrewed up.

Funny this should come up now -- January 16th was the anniversary of his execution.