Leroy Linden

Outcome

Leroy Linden was executed by asphyxiation-gas in Nevada on July 15, 1954, together with Frank A. Pedrini.

The executions were carried out at the Nevada State Prison, and the event was the first double execution at the Nevada Gas Chamber.

The offence

Leroy Linden and Frank A. Pedrini murdered Clarence Dodd, a Lancaster, California carpenter.

Clarence Dodd was returning home to California after visiting his mother in Winnemucca. Dodd picked up Pedrini and Linden hitchhiking and drove 150 miles west on Highway 40. Near Mustang Station, Dodd was forced to drive up an isolated canyon.

Linden and Pedrini strangled Dodd by pulling equally hard on a 30-inch length of binder twine.

The account diverged between Linden and Pedrini:

• Linden’s story was that he went to buy beer in the Mustang Station and came back to find Pedrini and Dodd on the ground. Linden and Pedrini told Dodd they were going to tie him up, leave him and drive his car to Reno. Linden claimed he walked away from them to watch the highway.
• Pedrini asked Dodd if he had any rope, and Dodd apparently said, “Yes, in the trunk.” Dodd retrieved a length of binder twine.
• Linden claimed he heard a shot and ran to where the men were.
• Pedrini’s story was that they both tugged on the 30-inch piece of binder twine to strangle Dodd. Pedrini also said they covered the body with rocks.

Dodd’s body was described as garroted and hunters found it in December.

Investigation and confession

In January 1954, Linden confessed, implicating Pedrini.

The killers had extensive criminal records. The two men had been cellmates at the Folsom State Prison in California.

Pedrini was described as having served time for two previous murders.

Trial

Frank A. Pedrini and Leroy Linden were prosecuted for the murder of Clarence Dodd.

The Washoe County District Attorney Jack Streeter and his deputy Dyer Jensen prosecuted the murderers, while Bruce Thompson and Leslie Gray defended them at trial.

The jury found the men guilty and sentenced them to death.

Sentencing and execution

Pedrini got his last wish: he wanted to die with Linden and insisted they be executed together.

They entered the gas chamber two minutes apart and were strapped in the metal chairs at 6:05 a.m. After the door was closed, the HCN gas was released at 6:10 a.m. Linden’s heart stopped by 6:18 a.m., and Pedrini’s heart stopped by 6:19 a.m.

People

• Leroy Linden — executed; born in Aurora, Illinois; 34 years old at his death.
• Frank A. Pedrini — executed; born in Los Gatos, California; 46 years old at his death (also described as age 47).
• Clarence Dodd — victim; a Lancaster, California carpenter; returning home to California after visiting his mother in Winnemucca; found dead in December after being strangled with a 30-inch length of binder twine.
• Jack Streeter — Washoe County District Attorney; prosecuted the murderers.
• Dyer Jensen — deputy; prosecuted the murderers.
• Bruce Thompson — defense counsel; defended the murderers at trial.
• Leslie Gray — defense counsel; defended the murderers at trial.