Willie Francis

For the Scottish swimmer, see Willie Francis (swimmer). For the ska and reggae singer, see Willie Francis (singer).

Willie Francis
BornJanuary 12, 1929
Saint Martinville, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedMay 9, 1947(1947-05-09) (aged 18)
Louisiana State Penitentiary, West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, U.S.
Cause of deathExecution by electrocution
Known forFirst known incident of a failed execution by electrocution in the United States[1]
Conviction(s)First-degree murder
Criminal penaltyDeath

Willie Francis (January 12, 1929 – May 9, 1947) was an American teenager known for surviving a failed execution by electrocution in the United States.[1] He was a convicted juvenile sentenced to death at age 16 by the state of Louisiana in 1945 for the murder of Andrew Thomas, a pharmacy owner in St. Martinville who had once employed him. In the modern day, Francis's guilt has been disputed.[2] He was 17 when he survived the first attempt to execute him, as the chair malfunctioned. After an appeal of his case taken to the Supreme Court of the United States failed, he was executed in 1947 at age 18.

  1. ^ a b "Court to Study Strange Case Of Willie Francis". Prescott Evening Courier. May 9, 1946. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference today was invoked but never defined (see the help page).