Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Murder of Fanny Faulkner

In 1870 75-year-old Fanny Faulkner was a charity pensioner in Washington, D.C. She was living in a single apartment on Ohio avenue, in Washington. On the day of October 6, 1871, 32-year-old James Grady had horrible plans for the 75-year-old.

On October 6, 1870, James "Jimmy" Grady went to the home of Fanny Faulkner drunk. He had foul plans for the elderly woman. He sexually assaulted her and intended to rob her. He would beat, strangle and kick the woman. Mrs. Curtin was told by some children at the grocery store that Jimmy Grady was at Franny's home eating food.

This worried Mrs. Curtin and she rushed to Fanny's home. Inside he saw James over Franny. Franny laid on the floor suffering and unable to speak. James left after Mrs. Curtin arrived. James went to a blacksmith shop nearby and bragged about assaulting Fanny. Franny ended up dead the next day from the injuries.

At trial, he plead not guilty. The jury found him guilty and he was sentenced to death. James tried to get a new trial due to 1. him being intoxicated during the crime, 2. He didn't intend for murder just rape, 3. he was possibly from an influential family, 4. He wasn't skillfully represented.

This did not happen and James Grady was hanged on March 24, 1871.

SOURCES:
Legal Executions in Deleware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia page 15
Evening Star Jan 19, 1871
Alexandria Gazette Jan. 20, 1871
Evening Star Jan 24, 1871
The Baltimore Sun March 15, 1871

No comments:

Post a Comment