10 Innocent People Who Were Unfortunately Executed

Science and forensic analysts have come a long, long way over the past few decades. We can now scrutinize absolutely every single piece of evidence in the known world, which means it is far more possible to bring the correct criminal to justice. Sadly, before these sciences were perfected, or at least improved, there were a lot of innocent people heading to prison for crimes they did not commit. Even worse, some of these innocent men and women were sent to the execution chamber. Here are ten innocent people who were unfortunately executed.

Roy Michael Roberts

Roy Michael Roberts, known as Hog to his friends, was not a great man, by he was at least innocent for the crimes he was imprisoned for. He maintained his innocence, and even passed a polygraph test. He was executed for those crimes in 1999.

Josefa “Chipita” Rodriguez

Josefa “Chipita” Rodriguez moved to Texas as a young girl. During a party, one of her guests was found with an axe in his head. Rodriguez became the prime suspect, despite being innocent. She was hung for the crime in 1863.

We-Chank-Wash-Ta-Don-Pee “Chaska”

Chaska, one of the Dakota people of Minnesota, was said to have broken the peace treaty with the United States, causing a killing spree. Chaska, despite being innocent in the entire matter, was hung on December 26, 1862.

Troy Davis

On August 19, 1989, a series of gunshots were fired in a Burger King parking lot. A police officer was fatally shot during the assault. Troy Davis, 20, was accused of the crime, but was innocent. On September 21, 2011, he died from lethal injection.

Claude Jones

In 1989, a single armed man walked into a liquor store in Texas and shot the store owner. Claude Jones was accused of the crime, as one of his hairs was found at the scene. Jones was put to death while maintaining his innocence. DNA testing later revealed doubts about his guilt.

Joe Hill

Joe Hill, who was a labor icon during the early 20th century, was convicted of murder after a grocer was found dead in 1914. He was unable to explain a wound on his chest, which the grocery’s son claimed to have given him. He was later executed for the crime, though many believed he was innocent.

The Perry Family

The Campden Wonder, which took place in the small English town of Campden sometime between 1660 and 1662, long confused people. The entire Perry Family was executed, despite being innocent, after someone was robbed and murdered nearby.

Timothy Evans

On December 2, 1949, Beryl and Geraldine Evans were discovered strangled to death in a locked house near Notting Hill. Timothy Evans was the main suspect. He was found guilty and then sentenced to death by hanging. John Christie was later arrested and charged for the deaths.

Joe Arridy

Joe Arridy was convicted and sentenced to death in 1936 for the murder of 15-year-old Dorothy Drain, who was raped and killed. Arridy understood what was happening on the day of the execution, but maintained his innocence. He was pardoned decades after he died.

Derek Bentley

On November 2, 1952, a police constable in Croydon, England, was shot and killed in an attempted robbery. 19-year-old Derek Bentley was the main suspect, so he was arrested. Bentley was sentenced to the gallows, but was later pardoned 40 years after his death.