Lewis Lyons

Murderer

1known / alleged victims

Similar offenders

John S. Williams Murderer · USA · 1910 John S. Williams was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment on… 18 victims

ED Edward Walton Murderer · USA · 1896 Edward Walton was a Georgia native. He spent most of his life on the road, drif… 5 victims

Floyd Allen Murderer · USA · 1912 Floyd Allen (July 5, 1856 – March 28, 1913) was an American landowner and patri… 5 victims

JO John F. Morgan Murderer · USA · 1897 John F. Morgan was executed by hanging at Ripley on December 16, 1897. John F.… 3 victims

Jackson Lee Davis Murderer · USA · 1896 Jackson Lee Davis, also known as Diamondfield Jack, was an inmate. · June 4, 18… 2 victims

Robert Stroud Murderer · USA · 1909 Robert Stroud, known to the public as the “Birdman of Alcatraz,” was a federal… 2 victims

Random profiles

Joseph Jernigan Murderer · USA · 1981 Joseph Jernigan (January 31, 1954 – August 5, 1993) was a Texas murderer who wa… 1 victim

William Lamar Todd Murderer · USA · 1988 William Lamar Todd was convicted by a jury in Harris County of murder and armed… 1 victim

Clifton Lamar Williams Murderer · USA · 2005 Clifton Lamar Williams (TDCJ Number 999515) was born on 08/23/1983. He was rece… 1 victim

Lydia Trueblood Murderer · USA · 1915 Lydia Trueblood was born in 1915. She was convicted in Idaho in 1921 and died o… 6 victims

AB Abdul Razzaq Serial killer · Pakistan · 2001 Abdul Razzaq was a serial killer and rapist of elderly women in Ahmedpur East.… 7 victims

Robert Garrow Spree killer · USA · 1973 Robert Garrow was sentenced to a term of 25 years to life in prison in 1974. He… 4 victims

Case Facts

Gender: male
Country: USA
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Date of birth: 1849
Age at first offence: 54
Characteristics: revenge
Victim profile: J. Ward Gurley (district attorney)
Method of murder: Shooting
Date(s) of murder: July 20, 1903
Years active: 1903
Date of arrest: Same day (suicide attempt)
Status: Executed
Executed by hanging in Louisiana on March 24, 1905

Case Summary

Background

Lewis Lyons was 55 years old when he was arrested for theft in 1895 in the USA. He decided to sue after the arrest but lost. This outcome outraged Lyons, and he turned his anger on his own lawyer.

The offence

Lyons shot lawyer J. Ward Gurley dead in the lawyer’s New Orleans office in July 1903. After the shooting, Lyons turned the pistol on himself but survived a self-inflicted wound in the head.

Investigation

Lyons’ killing of J. Ward Gurley occurred in Lyons’ lawyer’s New Orleans office.

Trial

At trial Lyons pleaded insanity but was found guilty.

The Louisiana Appeal Court ordered a retrial on the grounds of the judge’s misdirection. At the second trial Lyons was again found guilty.

Sentencing

Lyons was hanged on Friday, March 24, 1905, in New Orleans Prison.

Outcome

Lyons was executed by hanging in Louisiana on March 24, 1905.

Other details

Lyons hassled J. Ward Gurley for years and even challenged him to a duel prior to the July 1903 shooting.

Spotted an error, or have more information about this case?