Frederick Heisler
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- Gender
- male
- Country
- USA
- Location
- New Mexico, USA
- Date of birth
- 1924
- Age at first offence
- 27
- Characteristics
- hitchhiking
- Victim profile
- John Gunnish ( Army deserter )
- Method of murder
- Shooting
- Date(s) of murder
- October 1951
- Years active
- 1951
- Date of arrest
- —
- Status
-
Executed
Executed by electrocution on October 29, 1954
Background
Frederick Heisler was convicted of the murder of a hitch-hiking Army deserter named John Gunnish in the early weeks of October 1951.
The offence
Frederick Heisler murdered John Gunnish, an Army deserter who had been hitch-hiking. Heisler claimed that his shooting of Gunnish was in self-defense.
The angles of bullet wounds were identified by the prosecution as having been inflicted while Gunnish was lying down.
Investigation
Heisler was captured due to matchbook advertising an establishment in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, that was left at the scene. Further investigation revealed that Heisler had been employed at this business.
When apprehended, Heisler was using Gunnish’s name and was carrying his Social Security card.
Arrest
Heisler was apprehended after being linked to matchbook advertising an establishment in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, left at the scene. When apprehended, he was using Gunnish’s name and was carrying his Social Security card.
Trial
Frederick Heisler claimed that his shooting of Gunnish was in self-defense.
The prosecution identified angles of bullet wounds as having been inflicted while Gunnish was lying down.
Sentencing
Frederick Heisler was executed by electrocution on October 29, 1954.
Timeline
- early weeks of October 1951 — Frederick Heisler murdered a hitch-hiking Army deserter named John Gunnish.
- October 29, 1954 — Heisler was executed by electrocution.
- 12:12 A.M. (October 29, 1954) — Electricity from the chair began coursing through Frederick Heisler’s body.
- 12:15:40 A.M. (October 29, 1954) — Frederick Heisler was pronounced dead.
Outcome
When told that he was to be executed for the murder of John Gunnish, Frederick Heisler responded: "Its not murder... God have mercy on YOUR soul."
Frederick Heisler subsequently murmured to accompanying priests prior to the execution: "Don’t let them do it."
Electricity from the chair began coursing through his body at 12:12 A.M. on October 29, 1954. A black curtain was mistakenly dropped around the cage after the first electric surge, despite Frederick Heisler being yet alive. The curtain was raised and a second charge delivered; he was subsequently pronounced dead at 12:15:40 AM.
Other details
Frederick Heisler’s capture was linked to matchbook advertising an establishment in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, left at the scene. Further investigation revealed Heisler had been employed at that business.
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