Executed killer exhumed
NZPA-Reuter Los Angeles
The remains of an executed murderer have been exhumed because his mother believes he was killed before he was put in the electric chair. The coffin of John Spenkelink was dug up from a cemetery near his. mother’s home yesterday and the Los Angeles Coroner’s office will examine the remains.
Spenkelink was one of only three men executed in . the United States since the Supreme Court ruled in 1972 that most death penalty statutes were unconstitutional.
He was executed in Florida State Prison on May 29, 1979, for murdering a hitchhiker. Mrs Lois Spenkelink told the coroner’s office that .her son was killed before he got to the electric chair because he intended to make a statement about a scdndal involving Florida officials. A spokesman for Florida prisons has described Mrs Spenkelink’s claim as ridiculous. Blinds were lowered over the execution chamber windows ‘ while Spenkelink was prepared for death but they were raised' shortly before his execution.
Two official investigations have already concluded that Spenkelink was not mistreated before his execution.-
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19810304.2.68
Bibliographic details
Press, 4 March 1981, Page 8
Word Count
177Executed killer exhumed Press, 4 March 1981, Page 8
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Copyright in all Footrot Flats cartoons is owned by Diogenes Designs Ltd. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise these cartoons and make them available online as part of this digitised version of the Press. You can search, browse, and print Footrot Flats cartoons for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Diogenes Designs Ltd for any other use.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.
Log in