Gary Gilmore

Gary Gilmore mugshot

Gary Mark Gilmore (December 4, 1940 – January 17, 1977) was an American criminal who gained international notoriety for demanding the implementation of his death sentence for two murders he committed in Utah. His case attracted significant media attention and sparked a renewed debate over the death penalty in the United States.

Early Life

Gary Gilmore was born in McCamey, Texas, to Frank and Bessie Gilmore. He had a troubled childhood, marked by frequent moves and a tumultuous family life. Gilmore's father was an alcoholic, and his mother was often abusive. The family eventually settled in Portland, Oregon, where Gilmore's criminal behavior began to escalate.

Criminal History

Gilmore's criminal activities started at a young age, with minor offenses such as theft and vandalism. By his early twenties, he had graduated to more serious crimes, including armed robbery. He spent much of his adult life in and out of prison. In 1976, after being paroled from a prison in Illinois, Gilmore moved to Provo, Utah, to live with a distant cousin.

Murders

On the evening of July 19, 1976, Gilmore robbed and murdered a gas station attendant named Max Jensen in Orem, Utah. The following night, he killed Bennie Bushnell, a motel manager in Provo, Utah. Both victims were shot in the head. Gilmore was quickly apprehended and charged with the murders.

Trial and Sentencing

Gilmore's trial began in October 1976. He was found guilty of both murders and was sentenced to death. Unlike many death row inmates, Gilmore refused to appeal his sentence and demanded that it be carried out swiftly. His insistence on being executed brought significant media attention to his case.

Execution

Gary Gilmore was executed by firing squad on January 17, 1977, at the Utah State Prison in Draper, Utah. His execution was the first in the United States after the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976. Gilmore's last words were "Let's do it."

Legacy

Gilmore's case had a lasting impact on the national conversation about the death penalty. It was the subject of Norman Mailer's Pulitzer Prize-winning book, The Executioner's Song, which was later adapted into a television movie. Gilmore's life and crimes have also been referenced in various works of popular culture.

See Also

• Death penalty in the United States
• Capital punishment
• Norman Mailer
• The Executioner's Song