Robert Dale Henderson (March 14, 1945[1][2] – April 21, 1993) was an American spree killer.[3][4] He murdered at least twelve victims.[4]
Robert Dale Henderson | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 14, 1945 Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | April 21, 1993 (aged 48) |
| Cause of death | Execution by electrocution |
| Criminal status | Executed |
| Conviction(s) | First degree murder (5 counts) |
| Criminal penalty | Death |
| Details | |
| Victims | 12 |
Span of crimes | January 14, 1982 – February 4, 1982 |
| Country | United States |
| State(s) | Ohio South Carolina Florida Georgia Mississippi Louisiana |
Early life
editHenderson was born in Missouri, the son of Mary and Robert Henderson.[1] At the age of fifteen, he lived in Park Hills, Missouri.[1] The Henderson family then moved to Poplar Bluff, Missouri, after which his parents soon divorced.[5] He attended Cane Creek High School in Missouri, dropping out in 1962.[5] After dropping out, Henderson served in the United States Army.[5] He had duties in Fort Polk South, Louisiana, followed by a stint in Korea.[5]
Henderson was discharged on May 14, 1964, for attacking an officer.[5] After being discharged, he worked numerous jobs.[5] In the 1970s, Henderson's residence was raided as part of an investigation into a suspected marijuana ring.[5] He also had stolen a driver's license in Brevard County, Florida.[5] In 1977, Henderson committed a robbery in Laramie, Wyoming, for which he was sent to the Wyoming State Penitentiary in October 1978.[5] He was later incarcerated in Robertson, Wyoming.[5]
Henderson was released in July 1981, moving into the home of tobacco farmer Ivan Barnett, his new wife's father.[5]
Murders
editOn January 14, 1982, he kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and murdered beautician Jerilyn Stanfield in Cincinnati, Ohio.[6]
Henderson then murdered his in-laws, Barnett, his wife Marie, and their eleven-year-old son Clifford in Cherry Fork, Ohio on January 21, 1982.[6] Three days later, he murdered receptionist Lucinda Lee Russell in Charleston, South Carolina.[6] On January 25, 1982, he murdered physician Murray Ferderber and retail clerk Dorothy Wilkinson[7] in Palatka, Florida.[6] On the same date, Henderson sexually assaulted a mother and a daughter in Valdosta, Georgia.[6] Henderson then murdered Cheryl McDonald in Pascagoula, Mississippi on January 27, 1982.[6]
Henderson murdered nightclub owner Sam Corrent in Port Allen, Louisiana on January 29, 1982.[6] He then murdered hitchhikers Robert Dawson, Frances Bell Dickey, and Vernon D. Odom[8] in Hernando County, Florida on February 4, 1982.[6] After killing the twelve victims, Henderson turned himself in at a jail in Punta Gorda, Florida on February 6, 1982.[6]
Trial and execution
editDespite his lawyers attempts to keep Henderson out of the electric chair,[9] he was given three death sentences.[10] Henderson's lawyers appealed once to the Supreme Court of the United States for a new trial, but the request was denied.[11]
Henderson was executed by electric chair on April 21, 1993, at the Florida State Prison.[12] He was pronounced dead at 7:10 a.m.[12]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "The Man Remains A Mystery". The Tampa Tribune. Tampa, Florida. February 21, 1982. p. 4. Retrieved July 17, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Chepak, Rob (April 20, 1993). "Multiple killer set to die". The Tampa Tribune. Tampa, Florida. p. 80. Retrieved July 17, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Walker, Jim (January 11, 1985). "High court upholds Henderson's death sentences". The Tampa Tribune. Tampa, Florida. p. 27. Retrieved July 17, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Confessed mass killer Robert Dale Henderson led police Thursday..." United Press International. February 11, 1982. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Henderson". The Tampa Tribune. Tampa, Florida. February 21, 1982. p. 4. Retrieved July 17, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Grueskin, Bill; Johnson, Neil; McLaughlin, Daniel (February 21, 1982). "A Man Leaves His Brutal Mark". The Tampa Tribune. Tampa, Florida. p. 1. Retrieved July 17, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Associated Press (February 26, 1982). "Drifter Indicted in 2 Slayings". The New York Times. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
- ^ "Murder victims include local man". The Clarksdale Press Register. Clarksdale, Mississippi. February 12, 1982. p. 1. Retrieved July 17, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ McLaughlin, Daniel (November 9, 1982). "Potential Jurors Quizzed For Trial Of Henderson". The Tampa Tribune. Tampa, Florida. p. 67. Retrieved July 17, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ McLaughlin, Daniel (November 23, 1982). "Henderson given three death sentences". The Tampa Tribune. Tampa, Florida. p. 28. Retrieved July 17, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Associated Press (April 22, 1993). "Florida Executes Killer of 12". The New York Times. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
- ^ a b "Florida executes convicted killer Henderson". United Press International. April 21, 1993. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
