Juanita "The Duchess" Spinelli

 

 

Juanita "The Duchess" Spinelli

 

 

Mrs. Juanita "Duchess" Spinelli, schedules to be the first woman to be executed in California
and the first to die of poison gas, grips a crucifix and smiles after a dramatic last minute
reprieve gave her at least thirty more days of life. "Thank God, he has listened to my prayers,"
she said. This is the first picture permitted in San Quentin's new death cell. June 21, 1941.
(Corbis photo)

 

 

Saved from death three times by gubernatorial reprieves, Mrs. Juanita "Duchess" Spinelli, (C),
walks the "last mile" into San Quentin prison, before her execution, which took place on
November 21, 1941. She was the first woman to die in San Quentin's lethal gas chamber.
At her left in the picture is the matron, who accompanied her from Tehachapi Woman's
Prison, (R), and Warden Clinton Duffy. November 21, 1941.
(Corbis photo)

 

 

Juanita Spinelli: First Woman to Die in California's Gas Chamber.
(Corbis photo)

 

 

Juanita "The Duchess" Spinelli

 

 

Juanita "The Duchess" Spinelli

 

 

San Quentin Prison, California: Ashen faced and pensive, Juanita "The Duchess" Spinelli sits
in warden's office at San Quentin Prison where she faces execution tomorrow morning.

She was transferred from Tehachapi Women's Prison when all hope of executive clemency
waned. "The Duchess" is the mother of three children, and was convicted for the murder
of 19 year old Robert Sherrard. Convicted with her, and awaiting execution also are Mike
Simeone, 32, and Gordon Hawkins, 21. The Spinelli woman's will be the first legal
execution of a woman in California's history and will be carried out in the state's
lethal gas chamber at San Quentin.