Leonard Shockley

Leonard Melvin Shockley (1941/1942 – April 10, 1959) was a juvenile executed in the United States on April 10, 1959, for a murder committed when he was under the age of 18. Shockley, a black male, was executed in Maryland in a gas chamber for the murder of shopkeeper Sarah Hearne on January 16, 1958. Shockley (then 16) was involved in the robbery of a small shop in Dorchester County, Maryland.[1] He was accompanied by his older brother, 23-year-old Harold Edward Shockley. Hearne was found stabbed several times in the back and breast, and her throat had been cut. The young culprits were identified by an eyewitness. Leonard was 17 years of age at the time of his execution[2] making him the last instance of a juvenile being executed in America. His brother received life in prison but was eventually released.

Leonard Shockley
Born
Leonard Michael Shockley

1941/1942
Died (aged 17)
Maryland
Criminal statusDeceased
Conviction(s)First degree murder
Criminal penaltyDeath by gas chamber

See also
  • List of juvenile offenders executed in the United States

References
  1. Stark, Mike. "The Race To Execute In Maryland." The New Abolitionist. November 2002, Issue 26.
  2. Streib, Victor L. (1987). Death Penalty for Juveniles. Indiana University Press. ISBN 0-253-31615-4.


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