Dannemora’s Death House: The Crimes and Fates of 41 Killers Sentenced to Die in Clinton Prison’s Electric Chair

Format and Purchasing Information

Description

In 1890, when electrocution replaced hanging in New York State, Clinton Prison became a house of execution for the next 24 years. But not every killer who was sentenced to death died in the electric chair. Some were saved by fate, mercy, legal action, or last-minute reprieves. While some ultimately survived, most did not. By 1914, when all executions were moved to Sing Sing, 26 inmates had been electrocuted at Clinton.

Inside are the stories of 41 murderers who were sentenced to die in Dannemora’s electric chair. Graphic details of many brutal attacks are covered, including victims’ injuries as provided in coroner and autopsy reports, so this is not a book for the squeamish—but it is a book for fans of true-crime stories. There’s plenty of drama, passion, and angst throughout in stories ranging from shocking to frightening to just plain remarkable.

In most cases, you’ll find quotations citing the words of the killers—and even some of the victims—as they provide personal accounts of murderous attacks. The stories here, all of them true and noteworthy, were compiled from multiple official sources, but primarily from trial and appeals transcripts.

The criminals profiled here came from the state-designated Clinton Prison “district”: counties along the Hudson River, a wide radius in all directions from Albany, and all lands north to the Canadian border. In each case, their offense was the only crime still punishable by death—first-degree murder—mostly committed out of jealousy, anger, or vengeance.