Wallace Wilkerson
Wallace Wilkerson | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1834 Quincy, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | May 16, 1879 (aged 45) Provo, Utah Territory, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Exsanguination caused by botched firing squad execution |
| Occupation(s) | Stockman, horse breaker, military drummer |
| Criminal status | Executed (May 16, 1879) |
| Conviction | Murder – 1877 |
| Criminal penalty | Death |
Wallace Wilkerson (c. 1834 – May 16, 1879) was an American stockman who was sentenced to death by the Territory of Utah for the murder of William Baxter. Wilkerson professed his innocence, but chose to die by firing squad over hanging or decapitation. The execution was botched; Wilkerson took up to 27 minutes to die after the firing squad missed his heart.
His case, Wilkerson v. Utah, was heard by the Supreme Court of the United States and continues to be cited in present-day case law involving cruel and unusual punishment.