Michael Thomas Barry's blog

George Maledon

by Michael Thomas Barry

On May 6, 1911, George Maledon, the man who executed at least 60 men for "Hanging Judge" Isaac Parker, died from natural causes in Tennessee. Few men actively seek out the job of hangman and Maledon was no exception.

Bobby Sands

by Michael Thomas Barry

On May 5, 1981, Irish Republican Army militant Bobby Sands dies after refusing food for 66 days in protest of his treatment as a criminal rather than a political prisoner by British authorities. His death immediately touched off widespread rioting in Belfast, as young Irish-Catholic militants clashed with police and British Army patrols and started fires.

Jesse Tafero

by Michael Thomas Barry

On May 4, 1990, Jesse Tafero is executed in Florida after his electric chair malfunctions three times, causing flames to leap from his head. Tafero's death sparked a new debate on humane methods of execution.

Reso kidnapping and murder

by Michael Thomas Barry

On May 3, 1992, Exxon executive Sidney Reso dies in a storage vault in New Jersey. Four days earlier, he was abducted from the driveway of his Morris Township, New Jersey, home.

J. Edgar Hoover

by Michael Thomas Barry

On May 2, 1972, J. Edgar Hoover died. After nearly five decades as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Hoover left the powerful government agency without an administrator.

Jayson Williams

by Michael Thomas Barry

On May 1, 2002, former NBA All-Star Jayson Williams was indicted on a series of charges, including aggravated manslaughter, in connection with the shooting death of limousine driver Costas Christofi.

Alderson Federal Prison

by Michael Thomas Barry

On April 30, 1927, the Federal Industrial Institution for Women, the first women's federal prison, opens in Alderson, West Virginia. All women serving federal sentences of more than a year were to be brought here. Run by Dr. Mary B. Harris, the prison's buildings, each named after social reformers, sat atop 500 acres.