Jimmy Thompson | |
|---|---|
| Born | James H. Thompson January 9, 1896 Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | October 12, 1952 (aged 56) Mississippi, U.S. |
| Occupation | Executioner |
James "Jimmy" H. Thompson (January 9, 1896 – 12 October 1952) was executioner for the state of Mississippi executioner from 1940 to 1950, responsible for about 55 executions.
Thompson traveled around the state to perform executions, operating the only portable electrical chair in the world. In the days following executions he was often found intoxicated, and faced arrests for drunk and disorderly conduct.
He had previously worked in carnivals and had many tattoos of snakes, strawberries, black cats, and other items. He used a portable electric chair and was paid $100 per execution.
His life became the inspiration for the 1970 film Traveling Executioner starring Stacy Keach.
Jimmy Thompson died in a traffic accident on October 12, 1952. He was a passenger in a pick-up truck when it crashed and Thompson was thrown from the vehicle, suffering fatal injuries. He was 56 years old when he died. He left a sister and five brothers, but no children of his own. His life and work later formed the basis for the movie 'The Travelling Executioner' starring Stacy Keach as Jonas Candide, a very-thinly veiled version of Thompson himself.