Death by Firing Squad.
Verne Alfred Braasch and Melvin LeRoy Sullivan were convicted of first-degree murder of Howard Manzione, a Standard Oil Service station attendant, at Beaver City, Utah, on October 22, 1949, and were sentenced to pay the death penalty. At the time of the killing Braasch was 24 years of age and Sullivan 19.
By their confessions the defendants each stated that they went to Beaver to commit robbery; that they went to the Standard Oil Company's station armed wih 22 calibre pistols for that purpose and, pursuant to their plans, Braasch attempted to strike the attendant from behind over the head with his cocked pistol, when the attendant grabbed Braasch who shot him through the back, and struggling they went to the floor together. Thereupon Sullivan shot the attendant high in the arm and when he released his grip, Braasch arose and as they fled without taking the money, each shot the attendant through the head as he lay on the floor. They stated that they went south on highway 91 and as they crossed the Beaver River they threw their guns over the side of the bridge; and later they flagged a Greyhound bus traveling south and took it to Cedar City, where they remained until early the next morning when they took a bus to Las Vegas.
____________________________________________________-
On 22 October 1949 during an early morning robbery of a Standard service station in Beaver, Utah, Verne Alfred Braasch and Melvin Leroy Sullivan shot and killed the atten-[p.134]dant, Howard W. (Duke) Manzione, one hour before the end of his shift. He was shot four times and died after being transported to the Cedar City Hospital.17 Braasch and Sullivan were captured the next day in Las Vegas. [photo p.135]
Tried and sentenced four times to die, they survived each execution date until 1956. They held the record at the time for being the longest on Utah's death row—six years. The process and the expense became so frustrating to Governor J. Bracken Lee that he submitted a bill to the U.S. Department of Justice for $19,685.12-$615.06 per month.
With all appeals exhausted, Braasch and Sullivan released a statement to the press shortly before their execution:
Melvin LeRoy Sullivan executed with Verne Braasch on 11 May 1956In as much as we have only a few hours more to live … we wish to make a public statement. First, we do not protest against being punished. We are found guilty of a serious crime. In the second place, we wish to say, in partial excuse for ourselves, that we did not have a fair chance in life. Coming from broken homes, we grew up in neglect. In youth we were denied parental care, affection and guidance. Religious training would have pointed us in the right direction, but we were not taken to Sunday School or to church services. While in prison during the long years of waiting we have tried to build up in our souls what was lacking. We now try to accept our severe punishment with true religious resignation (Deseret News and Telegram, 11 May 1956).
Braasch and Sullivan ate their last meal of roast pheasant, green salad, and strawberries and cream. The warden in his memo authorizing the last meal also ordered "one pint each of dry wine and sweet wine to be shared between the inmates."18 [photo p.136]
Scene of the Braasch and Sullivan double-execution by firing squad. Note one black chair and one white chair. Courtesy Utah State Historical Society.[photo p.137] Theirs was a double execution, the second in Utah's history; the first was that of Antelope and Longhair in 1854. [p.139]The two chairs were placed on a sled-type apparatus. Sandbags were placed behind the chairs and wood shavings covered the floor. Two chairs were used—one black, which had been used for other executions, and one white, newly painted. Sullivan sat in the black one; Braasch in the white. The execution was conducted by the sheriff of Iron County, where the trial had been held. (The trial had been changed from Beaver County, because it was feared an impartial trial could not be conducted in the county where the crime occurred.) The sheriff placed his hat over his heart thus signalling the two separate firing squads to do their work. Both men were pronounced dead within one minute of the shots.
Two hearses leaving the prison after the Braasch and Sullivan execution. Courtesy Utah State Historical Society.Manzione's father, along with "several hundred" other witnesses, was present at the execution. Afterwards he said: "Now perhaps we can have peace. We want everyone to know that we have never had any thought of revenge or malice toward anyone. We're just glad that at last it's over" (Deseret News and Telegram, 11 May 1956). The Catholic chaplain wrote to Braasch's mother, "Verne helped stabilize Melvin at the time of the execution." She wrote back requesting his help in finding a marker for her son's grave. [photo p.138]
Verne Alfred Braasch and Melvin LeRoy Sullivan were convicted of first-degree murder of Howard Manzione, a Standard Oil Service station attendant, at Beaver City, Utah, on October 22, 1949, and were sentenced to pay the death penalty. At the time of the killing Braasch was 24 years of age and Sullivan 19.
By their confessions the defendants each stated that they went to Beaver to commit robbery; that they went to the Standard Oil Company's station armed wih 22 calibre pistols for that purpose and, pursuant to their plans, Braasch attempted to strike the attendant from behind over the head with his cocked pistol, when the attendant grabbed Braasch who shot him through the back, and struggling they went to the floor together. Thereupon Sullivan shot the attendant high in the arm and when he released his grip, Braasch arose and as they fled without taking the money, each shot the attendant through the head as he lay on the floor. They stated that they went south on highway 91 and as they crossed the Beaver River they threw their guns over the side of the bridge; and later they flagged a Greyhound bus traveling south and took it to Cedar City, where they remained until early the next morning when they took a bus to Las Vegas.
____________________________________________________-
On 22 October 1949 during an early morning robbery of a Standard service station in Beaver, Utah, Verne Alfred Braasch and Melvin Leroy Sullivan shot and killed the atten-[p.134]dant, Howard W. (Duke) Manzione, one hour before the end of his shift. He was shot four times and died after being transported to the Cedar City Hospital.17 Braasch and Sullivan were captured the next day in Las Vegas. [photo p.135]
Tried and sentenced four times to die, they survived each execution date until 1956. They held the record at the time for being the longest on Utah's death row—six years. The process and the expense became so frustrating to Governor J. Bracken Lee that he submitted a bill to the U.S. Department of Justice for $19,685.12-$615.06 per month.
With all appeals exhausted, Braasch and Sullivan released a statement to the press shortly before their execution:
Melvin LeRoy Sullivan executed with Verne Braasch on 11 May 1956In as much as we have only a few hours more to live … we wish to make a public statement. First, we do not protest against being punished. We are found guilty of a serious crime. In the second place, we wish to say, in partial excuse for ourselves, that we did not have a fair chance in life. Coming from broken homes, we grew up in neglect. In youth we were denied parental care, affection and guidance. Religious training would have pointed us in the right direction, but we were not taken to Sunday School or to church services. While in prison during the long years of waiting we have tried to build up in our souls what was lacking. We now try to accept our severe punishment with true religious resignation (Deseret News and Telegram, 11 May 1956).
Braasch and Sullivan ate their last meal of roast pheasant, green salad, and strawberries and cream. The warden in his memo authorizing the last meal also ordered "one pint each of dry wine and sweet wine to be shared between the inmates."18 [photo p.136]
Scene of the Braasch and Sullivan double-execution by firing squad. Note one black chair and one white chair. Courtesy Utah State Historical Society.[photo p.137] Theirs was a double execution, the second in Utah's history; the first was that of Antelope and Longhair in 1854. [p.139]The two chairs were placed on a sled-type apparatus. Sandbags were placed behind the chairs and wood shavings covered the floor. Two chairs were used—one black, which had been used for other executions, and one white, newly painted. Sullivan sat in the black one; Braasch in the white. The execution was conducted by the sheriff of Iron County, where the trial had been held. (The trial had been changed from Beaver County, because it was feared an impartial trial could not be conducted in the county where the crime occurred.) The sheriff placed his hat over his heart thus signalling the two separate firing squads to do their work. Both men were pronounced dead within one minute of the shots.
Two hearses leaving the prison after the Braasch and Sullivan execution. Courtesy Utah State Historical Society.Manzione's father, along with "several hundred" other witnesses, was present at the execution. Afterwards he said: "Now perhaps we can have peace. We want everyone to know that we have never had any thought of revenge or malice toward anyone. We're just glad that at last it's over" (Deseret News and Telegram, 11 May 1956). The Catholic chaplain wrote to Braasch's mother, "Verne helped stabilize Melvin at the time of the execution." She wrote back requesting his help in finding a marker for her son's grave. [photo p.138]
Death by Firing Squad.
Verne Alfred Braasch and Melvin LeRoy Sullivan were convicted of first-degree murder of Howard Manzione, a Standard Oil Service station attendant, at Beaver City, Utah, on October 22, 1949, and were sentenced to pay the death penalty. At the time of the killing Braasch was 24 years of age and Sullivan 19.
By their confessions the defendants each stated that they went to Beaver to commit robbery; that they went to the Standard Oil Company's station armed wih 22 calibre pistols for that purpose and, pursuant to their plans, Braasch attempted to strike the attendant from behind over the head with his cocked pistol, when the attendant grabbed Braasch who shot him through the back, and struggling they went to the floor together. Thereupon Sullivan shot the attendant high in the arm and when he released his grip, Braasch arose and as they fled without taking the money, each shot the attendant through the head as he lay on the floor. They stated that they went south on highway 91 and as they crossed the Beaver River they threw their guns over the side of the bridge; and later they flagged a Greyhound bus traveling south and took it to Cedar City, where they remained until early the next morning when they took a bus to Las Vegas.
____________________________________________________-
On 22 October 1949 during an early morning robbery of a Standard service station in Beaver, Utah, Verne Alfred Braasch and Melvin Leroy Sullivan shot and killed the atten-[p.134]dant, Howard W. (Duke) Manzione, one hour before the end of his shift. He was shot four times and died after being transported to the Cedar City Hospital.17 Braasch and Sullivan were captured the next day in Las Vegas. [photo p.135]
Tried and sentenced four times to die, they survived each execution date until 1956. They held the record at the time for being the longest on Utah's death row—six years. The process and the expense became so frustrating to Governor J. Bracken Lee that he submitted a bill to the U.S. Department of Justice for $19,685.12-$615.06 per month.
With all appeals exhausted, Braasch and Sullivan released a statement to the press shortly before their execution:
Melvin LeRoy Sullivan executed with Verne Braasch on 11 May 1956In as much as we have only a few hours more to live … we wish to make a public statement. First, we do not protest against being punished. We are found guilty of a serious crime. In the second place, we wish to say, in partial excuse for ourselves, that we did not have a fair chance in life. Coming from broken homes, we grew up in neglect. In youth we were denied parental care, affection and guidance. Religious training would have pointed us in the right direction, but we were not taken to Sunday School or to church services. While in prison during the long years of waiting we have tried to build up in our souls what was lacking. We now try to accept our severe punishment with true religious resignation (Deseret News and Telegram, 11 May 1956).
Braasch and Sullivan ate their last meal of roast pheasant, green salad, and strawberries and cream. The warden in his memo authorizing the last meal also ordered "one pint each of dry wine and sweet wine to be shared between the inmates."18 [photo p.136]
Scene of the Braasch and Sullivan double-execution by firing squad. Note one black chair and one white chair. Courtesy Utah State Historical Society.[photo p.137] Theirs was a double execution, the second in Utah's history; the first was that of Antelope and Longhair in 1854. [p.139]The two chairs were placed on a sled-type apparatus. Sandbags were placed behind the chairs and wood shavings covered the floor. Two chairs were used—one black, which had been used for other executions, and one white, newly painted. Sullivan sat in the black one; Braasch in the white. The execution was conducted by the sheriff of Iron County, where the trial had been held. (The trial had been changed from Beaver County, because it was feared an impartial trial could not be conducted in the county where the crime occurred.) The sheriff placed his hat over his heart thus signalling the two separate firing squads to do their work. Both men were pronounced dead within one minute of the shots.
Two hearses leaving the prison after the Braasch and Sullivan execution. Courtesy Utah State Historical Society.Manzione's father, along with "several hundred" other witnesses, was present at the execution. Afterwards he said: "Now perhaps we can have peace. We want everyone to know that we have never had any thought of revenge or malice toward anyone. We're just glad that at last it's over" (Deseret News and Telegram, 11 May 1956). The Catholic chaplain wrote to Braasch's mother, "Verne helped stabilize Melvin at the time of the execution." She wrote back requesting his help in finding a marker for her son's grave. [photo p.138]
Verne Alfred Braasch and Melvin LeRoy Sullivan were convicted of first-degree murder of Howard Manzione, a Standard Oil Service station attendant, at Beaver City, Utah, on October 22, 1949, and were sentenced to pay the death penalty. At the time of the killing Braasch was 24 years of age and Sullivan 19.
By their confessions the defendants each stated that they went to Beaver to commit robbery; that they went to the Standard Oil Company's station armed wih 22 calibre pistols for that purpose and, pursuant to their plans, Braasch attempted to strike the attendant from behind over the head with his cocked pistol, when the attendant grabbed Braasch who shot him through the back, and struggling they went to the floor together. Thereupon Sullivan shot the attendant high in the arm and when he released his grip, Braasch arose and as they fled without taking the money, each shot the attendant through the head as he lay on the floor. They stated that they went south on highway 91 and as they crossed the Beaver River they threw their guns over the side of the bridge; and later they flagged a Greyhound bus traveling south and took it to Cedar City, where they remained until early the next morning when they took a bus to Las Vegas.
____________________________________________________-
On 22 October 1949 during an early morning robbery of a Standard service station in Beaver, Utah, Verne Alfred Braasch and Melvin Leroy Sullivan shot and killed the atten-[p.134]dant, Howard W. (Duke) Manzione, one hour before the end of his shift. He was shot four times and died after being transported to the Cedar City Hospital.17 Braasch and Sullivan were captured the next day in Las Vegas. [photo p.135]
Tried and sentenced four times to die, they survived each execution date until 1956. They held the record at the time for being the longest on Utah's death row—six years. The process and the expense became so frustrating to Governor J. Bracken Lee that he submitted a bill to the U.S. Department of Justice for $19,685.12-$615.06 per month.
With all appeals exhausted, Braasch and Sullivan released a statement to the press shortly before their execution:
Melvin LeRoy Sullivan executed with Verne Braasch on 11 May 1956In as much as we have only a few hours more to live … we wish to make a public statement. First, we do not protest against being punished. We are found guilty of a serious crime. In the second place, we wish to say, in partial excuse for ourselves, that we did not have a fair chance in life. Coming from broken homes, we grew up in neglect. In youth we were denied parental care, affection and guidance. Religious training would have pointed us in the right direction, but we were not taken to Sunday School or to church services. While in prison during the long years of waiting we have tried to build up in our souls what was lacking. We now try to accept our severe punishment with true religious resignation (Deseret News and Telegram, 11 May 1956).
Braasch and Sullivan ate their last meal of roast pheasant, green salad, and strawberries and cream. The warden in his memo authorizing the last meal also ordered "one pint each of dry wine and sweet wine to be shared between the inmates."18 [photo p.136]
Scene of the Braasch and Sullivan double-execution by firing squad. Note one black chair and one white chair. Courtesy Utah State Historical Society.[photo p.137] Theirs was a double execution, the second in Utah's history; the first was that of Antelope and Longhair in 1854. [p.139]The two chairs were placed on a sled-type apparatus. Sandbags were placed behind the chairs and wood shavings covered the floor. Two chairs were used—one black, which had been used for other executions, and one white, newly painted. Sullivan sat in the black one; Braasch in the white. The execution was conducted by the sheriff of Iron County, where the trial had been held. (The trial had been changed from Beaver County, because it was feared an impartial trial could not be conducted in the county where the crime occurred.) The sheriff placed his hat over his heart thus signalling the two separate firing squads to do their work. Both men were pronounced dead within one minute of the shots.
Two hearses leaving the prison after the Braasch and Sullivan execution. Courtesy Utah State Historical Society.Manzione's father, along with "several hundred" other witnesses, was present at the execution. Afterwards he said: "Now perhaps we can have peace. We want everyone to know that we have never had any thought of revenge or malice toward anyone. We're just glad that at last it's over" (Deseret News and Telegram, 11 May 1956). The Catholic chaplain wrote to Braasch's mother, "Verne helped stabilize Melvin at the time of the execution." She wrote back requesting his help in finding a marker for her son's grave. [photo p.138]
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