Ready Reference Files

San Quentin - Executions

• The first woman executed in California was Eithel Leta Juanita "Duchess" Spinelli on November 21, 1941 in the gas chamber.
• The last woman to be executed by lethal gas was Elizabeth Ann Duncan on August 8, 1962.
• Robert Alton Harris was executed by lethal gas on April 21, 1992. It was the first California execution in 25 years.
• William George Bonin, executed February 23, 1996, was the first California inmate executed by lethal injection.

Source: California Department of Corrections Web site: California Capital Punishment - Key Events.

Verified by: SY, 11/98

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While the Library has verified the information presented in these files in what it considers to be reliable and authoritative sources, it cannot take responsibility for nor guarantee the accuracy of the information presented.