Jimmy Thompson (c. 1895 – 12 October 1952[1][2]) was the Mississippi executioner active from 1940 to 1950. He executed around 55 people.[3] He had a number of tattoos. He used a portable electric chair and was paid $100 per execution.[4]
Jimmy Thompson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1895 |
| Died | 12 October 1952[1] |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Executioner |
References edit
- ^ a b Walsh, Robert (2015-09-28). "Death on Wheels – Mississippi's Travelling Executioner". Crimescribe. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
Jimmy Thompson died in a traffic accident on October 12, 1952. He was a passenger in a pick-up truck when it crashed and Thompson was thrown from the vehicle, suffering fatal injuries. He was 56 years old when he died. He left a sister and five brothers, but no children of his own. His life and work later formed the basis for the movie 'The Travelling Executioner' starring Stacy Keach as Jonas Candide, a very-thinly veiled version of Thompson himself.
- ^ "MISSISSIPPI: Death on Wheels". TIME. 1943-01-18. Archived from the original on December 14, 2008. Retrieved 2012-03-09.
- ^ "Executions is the U.S. 1608-2002: The ESPY File" (PDF). Death Penalty Information Center. pp. 206-208. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ LIFE - Google Books. 1940-10-07. Retrieved 2012-03-09.