Monday, August 8, 2022

Murder of Catherine (Katie) Shands

On August 8, 1922, 28-year-old Ernest Shands would attack his wife 29-year-old Katie with a hatchet. He had the weapon hidden in their home on 225 D street in Washingtion D.C. He had previously threatened to hurt his wife and was jealous of her. On this day he told her to "change her ways" and in response she laughed at him which angered him. He would grab the hatchet and hit her about the head with it.

Katie did not automatically die from this. Police told Ernest that she was still alive and he was quoted telling police "If she ain't dead let me go over and finish the job." Katie would not live long as her wounds were too severe she would die 8 days later on the 16th. 

It only required two hours for Ernest to be convicted. He would then be executed on March 9, 1923.


SOURCES:

Legal Executions page 22

The Washington Times September 17, 1922

The Evening Star September 17, 1922

The Evening Star September 19, 1922

The Washington Herald November 16, 1922

The Washington Herald December 15, 1922

The Evening Star December 22, 1922

The Washington Herald December 23, 1922

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