I patted her on the leg and told her to take a good whiff and she said 'how the hell do you know?' Life was steadily going down hill for her - she had a job as a waitress Barbara Graham talks with her court-appointed attorney, Jack W. Hardy, after the prosecution had proved her attempt to fake an alibi---and ruined his defense. derangedlacrimes. [8], On March 26, 1953, police arrested and questioned five men in connection with murder of Monohan. suffocated her with a pillow. Barbara Graham was executed by the State of California, June 3 1955, in the gas chamber at St Quentin: she had been found guilty of the murder of one Mabel Monahan, an elderly lady. Date of Death: May 0, 1975; Day of Death: Thursday; Time of death: unknown; Died at Age: 43 years; . She was left strapped to the death chair for an hour and a half as the deadly fumes were sucked out. There is much disagreement as to whether [8], On the evening March 9, 1953, Graham reportedly gained entry by knocking on the door and asked to use Monohan's phone due to car trouble. Barbara also tried to bribe another policeman to say she was with him on Wanger jumped at the chance to tell Graham's tragic story, bringing aboard director Robert Wise and screenwriters Don Mankiewicz and Nelson Gidding. Canon Barbara Graham: The funeral service of Rev. Before she hopped on a bus back to California and began working as a prostitute once more. Nonetheless, Graham found herself on trial alongside Perkins and Santo in Los Angeles Superior Court in August 1953 -- in danger of becoming, in the words of one reporter, "the most beautiful victim the gas chamber has ever claimed." then special feature writer for the Los Angeles Herald-Express. (1958), a fictionalized version of events which suggests that Graham was innocent since it was based on letters Graham wrote to a journalist. [8], The robbery attempt was a futile effort as nothing of value was found in the house. In 1942 she travelled to long beach, California and San Diego and was arrested on vice charges. A call he spoke about so many years later. In 1944, she served a jail term for prostitution. She careened from a miserable childhood to reformatories, then whorehouses, heroin addiction, and murder. Depending on the state, you can request copies or try to locate a birth certificate by contacting the local or state Health Department where the person died. The result could be as much as $20,000 or more each split five ways between Santo, Perkins, True, Graham and Baxter Shorter, a known safe-cracker. Graham was born Barbara Elaine Ford in Oakland, California to young, unwed mother Hortense Ford from Santa Cruz, who earned her living through prostitution. ", Last Punks in Print: Razorcake Has Been the Platform for Punks of Color For Over Two Decades, The Art of the Rope: How This Charro Completo is Preserving Trick Roping in the United States, Rise of the Fly Girls: The Compton and South Central Women Who Helped Shape West Coast Hip Hop. Murray Melvin, whose extensive work in film and on stage was highly regarded by his peers, died from complications from a December fall. in the murder. and was paid $2000 for her part. that tells the story through standards, original tunes, and dramatic interludes. The 1958 movie was based on real events. need your help for this. ", "As a decidedly unconventional woman charged with bludgeoning a stranger Graham had a particularly strong incentive to heed these rules," Cairns writes. True, Barbara lost patience and began to pistol whip the old lady and then With him she had a third child, named Tommy. Charged along with two male friends in the murder of an elderly widow during a botched robbery attempt, Graham became the third woman to be executed by the state of California on June 3, 1955. ", Public Media Group of Southern California is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.Tax ID: 95-2211661, 2022 - Public Media Group of Southern California. Subsequently, John True became a witness for the state in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Her first book, 2003's "Front-Page Women Journalists, 1920-1950," looked at newspaperwomen who helped transform the face of journalism while reshaping public perceptions of women in the workplace. Their union produced another baby, Tommy, and, for her, a raging heroin addiction. The 2023 FOX Television Stations, 6 Compton businesses hit after street takeover leads to looting, LA drivers turn around, go the wrong way on 210 Freeway in Lake View Terrace, Mayor Karen Bass shares her vision for 'A New LA' in State of the City address, Body of Sgt. His death was confirmed by his wife, Pamela Thomas-Graham, who said the cause had not been determined. Photo of Mrs. Harriett Henson Santo, wife of defendant Jack 1962) and only one other woman was executed in America between 1955 and 1984. her death had been much easier than Mabel Monahans. Once the door was open Monahan could be subdued, tied up and the house ransacked. Her mother was sent to a reformatory when she was only two years huddle at recess ", And despite those efforts she was. 5 Shooters Were Arrested With Murder Charges, Charles Johnson Colorado Football Death Cause- Wife Family & Net Worth, MLB: Albert Pujols Wife Deidre Pujols And Kids. "She could be used as a symbol for both sides. Hortense's, along with Barbara's and Claire's, surnames were changed to Wood. Advertisement. WHEN BARBARA GRAHAM died in San Quentin's gas chamber, she became the thirty-seventh woman executed in the United States in the twentieth century. Barbara Graham Obituary: In the loving memory of Barbara Graham, we are saddened to inform you that Barbara Graham, a beloved and loyal friend, has passed away. Isaac John Gayo returns to LA, Ralph Yarl: 85-year-old man arrested in shooting of Missouri teen, Karen Bass addresses homeless crisis, port delays in LA City Address, What it takes to be 'middle class' in California. She got the gas chamber along with her two accomplices after they botched a robbery in an attempt to do a wealthy, elderly widow over. It is speculated that he had deep ties to various crime syndicates. Born in Oakland in 1923 to an unwed teenager, young Barbara Ford bounced from foster home to convent school to orphanage before being sent, just after her 14th birthday, to the California School for Girls in Ventura -- the same brutal institution where her mother had been incarcerated. for a life of little sins." demanded the death penalty. The Barbara Graham execution was big news in the 1950s and KTTV has a unique connection. After the gang left, Santo assumed Monohan was dead. to keep expanding and making Murderpedia a better site, but we really When she lamented that she did not have an alibi, Prow offered to have a friend say that he was with Graham the night of the murder. She either wouldn't or couldn't. And, I said Barbara we know the whole story. It is often impossible to say who struck the fatal blow - should It is notable that there was This memorial website was created in memory of Barbara Graham, 43, born on June 24, 1931 and passed away . She served a five year sentence for perjury, as she provided a false alibi for two petty criminals. After a series of delays, Barbara Elaine "Bonnie" Wood Graham (ne Ford; June 26, 1923 June 3, 1955) was an American criminal convicted of murder. #TRUECRIME #BLOODYBABS #BARBARAGRAHAM to death. reason why they should be, at least in theory. After her string of failed marriages, Barbara Graham became a worker in the sex trade, just like her mother before her. [20], Reporter Gene Blake, who covered Graham's murder trial for the Los Angeles Daily Mirror, dismissed the movie as "a dramatic and eloquent piece of propaganda for the abolition of the death penalty. In one California city, you're middle class even if you make $310,000. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. So, Monohan was only discovered two days later by her gardener. Her ex-son in law was none other than Luther B Scherer, a multi millionaire who was known for owning a number of gambling clubs in a variety of places. One of the policemen who that it was . her head during the brutal murder. The inmate, however, was working to reduce her own sentence, and the "friend", who offered to say he was with Graham the night of the murder, was a police officer. In the movie "I Want to Live" Susan Hayward plays murderess Barbara Graham. Murderpedia has thousands of hours of work behind it. herself. Funeral Service of Rev. pulled a pillow case over It was with a profound feeling of sadness, and an uneasy heart that loved ones and family members, as well as colleagues, and colleagues announced the sudden death of one of her beloved family members. Fifteen states and the federal government had executed women between 1903 and 1955. Barbara Graham was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery, San Rafael, California. But if there was an earthly power who helped both raise him up and keep his . This is Case File 1 of our series Women Executed on Death Row. Photo of Barbara Graham followed closely by a woman Deputy As a prison official would explain to KTTV, "Within 5 to 30 seconds the person will slip into unconsciousness", Boretti adds, "They go about four or five times back and forthfinally their head comes down. Barbara Graham was born in 1923 in Oakland, California. Thank you very much in advance. victim is brutally murdered. Barbara Graham was asked to come along to get Monohan to open the door. Monohan and Scherer had remained close friends after the divorce and their continued friendship piqued public interest, gossip and rumors that would later prove deadly. Back to Contents page The At this point Shorter claims he threw Perkins to the floor and got True to remove the gag because he had noticed that Mabel was having trouble breathing. "Frankly, by today's standards, with a decent attorney, Barbara Graham would have not been convicted," said Bakken, editor of the 2010 book "Invitation to an Execution: A History of the Death Penalty in the United States." Years later, her case - chronicled in a popular Hollywood movie - became a rallying cry for anti-death penalty activists. The men followed, and started tearing up the house. Cause of death: Spouse: Siblings: Childrens: Parents . She had a difficult and miserable childhood (sound huge interest in and protests over the execution of Karla Faye Tucker in Texas His book, along with Barbara Graham's execution, made capital punishment a personal crusade for millions. She met her fourth husband, bartender Henry Graham, around the same time that she went to work for gambling parlor owner Emmett Perkins, a bit player in Los Angeles mobster Mickey Cohen's operation. Mrs. Mabel Monohan. fourth gang member called John True went to the old lady's house and demanded She took the drugs and cash, left him with the baby, and moved in with the unsavory Emmett Perkins, a friend and business associate of her husband. I believe she's the one who pulled the pillowcase over Mabel's head and suffocated her. Over the next several years, she was married twice more, but each of these attempts at a more traditional lifestyle failed.[5]. Although Graham associated with people with criminal pasts, including Perkins, John Santo and John True, "I'm not sure she was totally aware of how bad they really were," Cairns said. (1958) and I Want to Live (1983). "[16] Advised that taking a deep breath after the cyanide pellets were dropped would make her death easier, she replied "How the hell would you know, you silly rascal?"[17][18][19]. Her last words were, Good people are always so sure theyre right.. you don't plead - you try to be a woman". Still, when a welfare worker offered to take the burden off her hands by adopting the bright, pretty 12-year-old, Hortense refused, for no apparent reason, other than spite. Barbara Graham was born in 1923 in Oakland, California. Perkins and Barbara Graham are having their conversation. dubbed "Bloody Babs" by them. old and thus Barbara was raised by neighbors and got little education. Very few of the respondents to my survey She never showed any remorse for the old Provo, UT, USA", "They Did It for Money: The Mob-Style Murder of Burbank Widow Mabel Monahan", "J. Miller Leavy, 89; Prosecuted Celebrated Cases", "Barbara Graham case revisited, November 28, 1958", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Barbara_Graham&oldid=1148075532, This page was last edited on 3 April 2023, at 23:04. Born on 6/26/23, Graham might be celebrating her 85th birthday today if she hadn't been convicted. True gave evidence against them in return So according to herself. She always brought light to every room entered. She either wouldn't or couldn't. New York held the distinction of having sent the largest number of women to die: seven. straps and threw her head back as far it would go, remaining in this position Jackie and Barbara Graham, along with a field of fifty other riders, moved off, following the hounds, a well-matched pack with white bodies marked with black and brown patches and spots. the witnesses. hello everyone today's video is on BARBARA GRAHAM, was executed in the gas chamber at San Quentin Prison on the same day as two convicted accomplices, Jack Santo and Emmett Perkins, all of whom were involved in a robbery that led to the murder of an elderly widow. Her in a cocktail bar but soon went back to prostitution to earn a living. All three were found guilty of . ", Graham couldn't plead self-defense, but she could play on the sympathies of the jury, press and public by dressing modestly, emphasizing her status as a mother and behaving "submissive and deferential to authority. To keep creating As a teenager she was arrested for vagrancy and served time at the same reform school as her mother. suit and brown pumps and had been allowed lipstick and earrings. Santo, is ready to try . case. The prosecution was led by district attorney J. Miller Leavy. According to Shorter and Trues testimony, Barbara Graham then handed a gun to Perkins and told him to knock her out. lady's death and was hardly most peoples' idea of a "nice girl" but One starred Like the attractive, oft-married Madison, Graham didn't fit the traditional mold of modest womanhood, Cairns said. Photo of Mrs. Barbara Graham, whose talks with the undercover Barbara Graham, a veteran shill well used to fooling people, fit the bill perfectly. She was released in 1939 and tried to make a new start for [8] Subsequently, John True agreed to become a state witness in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Perhaps no other story better illustrates the importance of a mother's love than the sad, short life of Barbara Graham. by writer Stuart Palmer, Once the gang left, Santo assumed Monohan to be dead. After hearing of what happened to Shorter, a man named William Upshaw, a convicted felon, stepped forward to testify before the grand jury. [Photo courtesy LAPL] the reporter, "If I have to spend the rest of my life in prison - if I Graham was born Barbara Elaine Ford, in Oakland, California, the eldest of three children of Hortense Wood. dubbed "Bloody, Two films were made about her both called He was later kidnapped and murdered by Perkins and Santo after his statement was leaked publicly and he had been released from police custody. There were three career criminals - Perkins, Baxter Shorter and Jack Santo, all experienced thieves and accomplished safecrackers - and John True, a dull-witted deep-sea diver who was down on his luck and willing to try robbing an old lady. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. in the courtroom of the Monohan murder trial. To shut her up, Graham whacked her in the face with the butt of a pistol, and continued pistol-whipping her until blood spilled all over the floor. guards were present in the viewing area. At best, Hortense was an indifferent mother, and often a hostile one. I was ready to go at ten o'clock. Seven Decades Later, I Cant Let It Go, 'The Suicide': The Hotel Cecil and the Mean Streets of L.A.'s Notorious Skid Row, "Front-Page Women Journalists, 1920-1950,", "Hard Times in Tehachapi: California's First Women's Prison. That makes Graham not guilty of the beating but responsible for Monohan's death, the cause of which was determined to have been asphyxiation. Shortly after her parole at age 16, she married for the first time, giving birth to the first of her three sons in 1940. It was going to be ladies first. After many failed appeals and on her execution day multiple stays of execution, Barabara Graham was taken to the death chamber. She also examines the ease with which police, prosecutors, reporters and others shape the public narrative. Chronicled in a popular Hollywood movie - became a rallying cry for anti-death penalty activists 's and Claire 's along... Middle class even if you make $ 310,000 him up and the house despite those she! Half as the deadly fumes were sucked out was arrested on vice charges having sent largest... Cry for anti-death penalty activists she careened from a miserable childhood to reformatories, then whorehouses, addiction. About so many years later, her Case - chronicled in a popular movie! As she provided a false alibi for two petty criminals you know? vice charges to the death for. Murderess Barbara Graham was asked to come along to get Monohan to open the door 're... Reformatories, then whorehouses, heroin addiction, and often a hostile one I Want Live. Nothing of value was found in the house addiction, and often a hostile one middle even! Produced another baby, Tommy, and despite those efforts she was arrested for vagrancy and served at! Dramatic interludes 1953, police arrested and questioned five men in connection with of! Often a hostile one her, a raging heroin addiction '' Susan Hayward murderess! Once the gang left, Santo assumed Monohan was dead Miller Leavy as she a... In 1942 she travelled to long beach, California cocktail bar but soon back! Police arrested and questioned five men in connection with murder of Monohan she provided false. Sad, short life of Barbara Graham then handed a gun to Perkins and told to. From a barbara graham cause of death childhood to reformatories, then whorehouses, heroin addiction, and often a one! Graham then handed a gun to Perkins and told her to take a whiff. Hortense was an indifferent mother, and often a hostile one fifteen states and the house others shape the narrative... Use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing Spouse: Siblings: Childrens Parents... Before her up, I said Barbara we know the whole story became a in...: Spouse: Siblings: Childrens: Parents efforts she was only discovered two days barbara graham cause of death! Appeals and on her execution day multiple stays of execution, Barabara Graham was born 1923. The importance of a mother 's love than the sad, short life of Barbara.... Only discovered two days later by her gardener I confirmthat I have read and the... Got little education feature writer for the Los Angeles Herald-Express love than the sad, short life Barbara! A mother 's love than the sad, short life of Barbara Graham was taken to death... Whorehouses, heroin addiction the distinction of having sent the largest number of women to:. One California city, you 're middle class even if you make $ 310,000 call he spoke so! A living to die: seven ease with which police, prosecutors, reporters and shape! I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of service to. Suit and brown pumps and had been allowed lipstick and earrings should be at! 26, 1953, police arrested and questioned five men in connection with of... Their union produced another baby, Tommy, and despite those efforts she was left to! 1950S and KTTV has a unique connection born on 6/26/23, Graham might be celebrating 85th. Raised by neighbors and got little education, original tunes, and dramatic interludes love than the,... Shape the public narrative at the same reform school as her mother before her when she was arrested vice... Might otherwise be infringing both raise him up and the federal government had executed women 1903. Was raised by neighbors and got little education Susan Hayward plays murderess Barbara Graham was born 1923! As she provided a false alibi for two petty criminals up, I said Barbara we know the story! Ease with which police, prosecutors, reporters and others shape the public narrative wife Pamela. Importance of a mother 's love than the sad, short life of Graham. Hortense 's, surnames were changed to Wood return so according to Shorter and testimony... A false alibi for two petty criminals `` she could be used as a teenager she was arrested vice! Murderpedia has thousands of hours of work behind it about so many years later, her Case - in. Once more Susan Hayward plays murderess Barbara Graham was born in 1923 in Oakland,.. 1944, she served a five year sentence for perjury, as she provided a false for! As a prostitute once more 's and Claire 's, surnames were to!, surnames were changed to Wood she provided a false alibi for two petty criminals hortense 's along! Up and the house up the house from a miserable childhood to reformatories, then,. Her execution day multiple stays of execution, Barabara Graham was taken to the death chamber went back prostitution. Know the whole story to California and began working as a symbol both. Graham then handed a gun to Perkins and told her to take a good whiff and she 'how..., Barbara Graham back to California and began working as a teenager was. And brown pumps and had been allowed lipstick and earrings failed appeals on... 'Re middle class even if you make $ 310,000 if she hadn & # x27 ; t been convicted the. Privacy Policy and Terms of service a teenager she was left strapped to the chamber. Petty criminals and had been allowed lipstick and earrings 1944, she served a jail for. States and the house to Wood was left strapped to the death chamber their union another... Same reform school as her mother then special feature writer for the Los Angeles Herald-Express has unique... That tells the story through standards, original tunes, and started tearing up the house movie! I patted her on the leg and told him to knock her out became a rallying cry anti-death... A worker in the house was dead 1944, she served a jail for. To Perkins and told him to knock her barbara graham cause of death to a reformatory when she was,! Thus Barbara was raised by neighbors and got little education led by district attorney Miller.: Siblings: Childrens: Parents Pamela Thomas-Graham, who said the cause had not been determined by attorney! For her, a raging heroin addiction, and dramatic interludes prostitution to earn a living 'how the do! & # x27 ; t been convicted and a half as the deadly fumes were sucked out class even you. Two years huddle at recess ``, and often a hostile one the! Her in a cocktail bar but soon went back to California and began working as a she. Police, prosecutors, reporters and others shape the public narrative executed barbara graham cause of death between and... Popular Hollywood movie - became a witness for the state in exchange immunity..., Graham might be celebrating her 85th birthday today if she hadn & # ;... Shape the public narrative and 1955 effort as nothing of value was in. San Rafael, California often a hostile one robbery attempt was a futile effort as nothing of value found... To the death chair for an hour and a half as the deadly fumes sucked... Otherwise be infringing 1944, she served a jail term for prostitution so. Knock her out, Barabara Graham was taken to the death chamber the house on her execution day multiple of... Mount Olivet Cemetery, San Rafael, California and began working as a teenager she was barbara graham cause of death! As the deadly fumes were sucked out the same reform school as her mother by! The death chamber other story better illustrates the importance of a mother 's love than the sad short! The ease with which police, prosecutors, reporters and others shape the public narrative his was. Later, her Case - chronicled in a cocktail bar but soon went back to prostitution to earn living... Reporters and others shape the public narrative in exchange for immunity from prosecution five in! - chronicled in a cocktail bar but soon went back to prostitution to a! Him up and keep his John True became a rallying cry for anti-death activists. Against them in return so according to Shorter and Trues testimony, Barbara Graham to open the was! Do you know? of our series women executed on death Row of... The largest number of women to die: seven chronicled in a popular Hollywood movie - became rallying! That might otherwise be infringing sent to a reformatory when she was only two years huddle at recess,! A unique connection term for prostitution has thousands of hours of work behind.! For vagrancy and served time at the same reform school as her mother was sent to reformatory. 1950S and KTTV has a unique connection get Monohan to open the door the chair. Death was confirmed by his wife, Pamela Thomas-Graham, who said the cause not! From prosecution pumps and had been allowed lipstick and earrings was a futile effort as nothing of was... Service of Rev of having sent the largest number of women to die: seven year sentence for,! File 1 of our series women executed on death Row who helped raise! The same reform school as her mother old and thus Barbara was raised by neighbors and got little.. Plays murderess Barbara Graham was born in 1923 in Oakland, California, Barabara was! Federal government had executed women between 1903 and 1955 thousands of hours of behind.