Willie Francis case reveals failed electric chair execution
Willie Francis, 17, from New Iberia Louisiana describes his failed electrocution in 1946 hoping for commutation to life. Attorney Bertrand Deblanc presents affidavits claiming signs of current while an electrician testifies a wire worked loose. The case drew US Supreme Court review and questions about capital punishment methods.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New Iberia
Willie Francis
St. Martinville
Francis
United States Supreme Court
Willie
New Orleans
Bertrand Deblanc
Lafayette
Deblanc
State Pardon Board
Deblance
Francis seeks clemency as Supreme Court weighs death sentence
Willie Francis, condemned for the St Martin parish drugstore shooting, awaits a U S Supreme Court review in October to challenge the electric chair. He fears possible life imprisonment or further appeals while expressing odd wishes and noting a priest mentor.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United States Supreme Court
Deblanc
Francis
Andrew Thomas
St. Martinvile
Thomas
Father Hannigan
Willie
Interview After the Execution Fluke
A fragment from an interview recalls Willie speaking to his father about a grim event. He says the moment tickled but also hurt, conveying mixed sensations from the incident while preserving a somber tone.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Willie
Truman Signs Service Raise for Enlisted Ranks
President Truman has signed the legislation boosting base pay for back privates and apprentice seamen by 50 percent effective July 1. The increases apply across army, navy, coast guard and marine corps, with detailed jumps from $50 to $75 for back privates to higher scales for sergeants and officers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Truman
Army
Navy
Coast Guard
Marine Corps
Pay raises for military officers by rank outlined
The document details annual pay increases by rank from second lieutenants to generals, with specific ranges for each grade. Second lieutenants $1800 to $2160, first lieutenants $2000 to $2400, captains and senior lieutenants $2400 to $2760, majors to lieutenant commanders $3000 to $3300, lieutenant colonels to commanders $3500 to $3850, colonels and navy captains $4000 to $4400, and all higher general ranks plus all navy officers above captain receive a flat 10 percent increase over present base pay.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Army
Pig Named Bikini Saved From Navy Carrier
In San Francisco a pig aboard the carrier Intrepid avoided being shipped to Bikini Atoll for atomic test duty. Seaman W H Morgan helped spirit the pig, named Bikini, ashore at Hunter's Point Navy Yard where officers keep it as a pampered pet.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
San Francisco
INS
Bikini Lagoon
Hearted Navy
Bikini
W. H. Morgan
A. A. Greisner
Hunter’s Point Navy Yard
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Elliott Chaze
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AAN Bag.co
Crosse
Pepsi-Cola Company
Long Island City
N.Y
Wm. Tehel Bottling Co
Cedar Rapids
Iowa
Ake Ao
H. McCormick
Soft
Firestone Factory
Firestone
Jack
Read McNally
Ficnic Grill
Snak
Iuch Fire Pit
Walt’s
Childres
Walt
U. S
Eitei Ora
Dia
Speedy Irish Mail
Ioth Street
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