Robert South
Murderer
Brian Kevin Rosenfeld
Murderer · USA · 1985
Brian Kevin Rosenfeld Brian Kevin Rosenfeld was sentenced to three concurrent l…
23 victims
Marvin Gray
Murderer · USA · 1975
Marvin Gray was convicted killer who claimed responsibility for 23 slayings and…
23 victims
Yahweh ben Yahweh
Murderer · USA · 1980
Yahweh ben Yahweh was born and legally named Hulon Mitchell Jr. (October 27, 19…
23 victims
Russell Ellwood
Murderer · USA · 1991
Russell Ellwood was a former taxi driver. Authorities suspected him of killing…
20 victims
Mary Hamilton
Murderer · Russia · 1717
Mary Hamilton (also given as Maria Danilovna Gamentova) died on 14 March 1719.…
1 victim
Luther Jerome Williams
Murderer · USA · 1988
Luther Jerome Williams was convicted in 1989 for the murder of John Robert Kirk…
1 victim
Michael Patrick Moore
Murderer · USA · 1994
Michael Patrick Moore was executed by lethal injection in Texas on January 9, 2…
1 victim
John Hicks
Murderer · USA · 1985
John Hicks was executed by the state of Ohio on November 29, 2005, by lethal in…
2 victims
Albert Edward Matheson
Murderer · United Kingdom · 1957
Albert Edward Matheson was employed as a handyman at a hall in Newcastle, where…
1 victim
- Gender
- male
- Country
- USA
- Location
- Lexington County, South Carolina, USA
- Date of birth
- 1945
- Age at first offence
- 38
- Characteristics
- police officer, rape?
- Victim profile
- Daniel Cogbur, 29 (West Columbia police Officer)
- Method of murder
- Shooting
- Date(s) of murder
- April 12, 1983
- Years active
- 1983
- Date of arrest
- —
- Status
-
Executed
Executed by lethal injection in South Carolina on May 31, 1996
Background
Robert South was executed in South Carolina on May 31, 1996. He was aged 51 at the time of execution.
The offence
Robert South was convicted in the April 12, 1983, slaying of West Columbia police officer Daniel Cogburn. On April 12, 1983, Officer Cogburn was writing a traffic ticket in his squad car. South shot him from a passing pickup truck. The shooter had nothing to do with the traffic stop and fired out of the car window as he drove by the vehicles. The years on death row wore on Robert South, and he later advised his lawyer to cease all appeals.
Victim
Daniel Wayne Cogburn was a 29-year-old officer. He had a tour of duty of 4 days and a badge number of 25. His end of watch was Tuesday, April 12, 1983. Officer Cogburn was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons, and also by his father, brother, and sister.
Investigation
Officer Cogburn was shot and killed by a suspect while writing a traffic ticket. The suspect was apprehended and executed for the crime in 1996.
Trial
Robert South was convicted in the April 12, 1983, slaying of Officer Daniel Cogburn.
Sentencing
Robert South was executed by lethal injection on May 31, 1996.
Appeals
Robert South advised his lawyer to cease all appeals. Teresa Norris, a lawyer who represented South last year, said:
"It was a feeling of futility, primarily,"
Outcome
At the time of execution, Robert South bid farewell to his lawyer with the words, "I'll see you when I see you." He swallowed twice and his mouth slowly opened as he lost consciousness in the death chamber at Broad River prison.
Other details
- Cause of death: Gunfire
- Weapon used: Gun; unknown type
- Execution: Broad River prison
- South was the second man executed in South Carolina in 10 months; the last one was Sylvester Adams on Aug. 18.
Spotted an error, or have more information about this case?