The Execution of Willie Francis
May 17, 2008
Gilbert King, author of The Execution of Willie Francis, told the story of Willie Francis, who was sentenced to death, strapped in the electric chair and electrocuted, but didn't die. In the book, Mr. King presents the history of the botched execution, the Supreme Court case that followed, and the search for justice in the American South .. Read More
Gilbert King, author of The Execution of Willie Francis, told the story of Willie Francis, who was sentenced to death, strapped in the electric chair and electrocuted, but didn't die. In the book, Mr. King presents the history of the botched execution, the Supreme Court case that followed, and the search for justice in the American South during the mid-1940s. After his talk, he responded to audience members' questions. Several of the families involved in the case were in attendance. Gilbert King has contributed articles to numerous newspapers and magazines, including Ring Magazine, Playboy, and the San Diego Union. He is also the author of Woman, Child For Sale: The New Slave Trade in the 21st Century, which was selected by the Detroit Free Press as one of its ten notable books of 2004.
