Billy Bailey, born in January 1947, was a convicted murderer whose execution by hanging on January 25, 1996, marked a notable moment in the history of capital punishment in the United States. His case gained significant attention not only due to the nature of his crimes—the 1979 double murders of Clara and Gilbert Lambertson in Delaware—but primarily because of the method of his execution, which was increasingly rare by the late 20th century.

At the time of his death, Billy Bailey became only the third individual to be executed by hanging in the United States since 1965. The two preceding hangings were those of Charles Rodman Campbell on May 28, 1994, and Westley Allan Dodd on January 5, 1993, both carried out in the state of Washington. Bailey's execution also held particular significance for Delaware, as he was the first person to be hanged in the state in five decades, underscoring a stark shift in the preferred methods of capital punishment nationwide.

The method of hanging, once a common form of execution across the United States, saw a significant decline in use throughout the 20th century, largely being replaced by methods such as electrocution, gas chamber, and lethal injection. Lethal injection, in particular, became the predominant method by the 1990s due to perceptions of it being more humane and less prone to botched procedures. Billy Bailey himself made the choice to be executed by hanging, a decision permitted by Delaware law at the time, which offered inmates the choice between hanging and lethal injection if their crime predated a certain legislative change. As of 2022, Billy Bailey remains the last person to have been executed by hanging in the United States, solidifying his unique place in the historical records of capital punishment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Billy Bailey's Execution

Was Billy Bailey the last person executed by hanging in the United States?

Yes, as of 2022, Billy Bailey remains the last individual to be executed by hanging in the United States.

When and where was Billy Bailey executed?

Billy Bailey was executed on January 25, 1996, in Delaware.

Who were the other individuals executed by hanging in the U.S. since 1965 before Bailey?

Before Billy Bailey, the only two individuals executed by hanging in the U.S. since 1965 were Charles Rodman Campbell (May 28, 1994) and Westley Allan Dodd (January 5, 1993), both in Washington state.

What was the significance of Billy Bailey's execution for Delaware?

Billy Bailey's execution marked the first time in 50 years that an individual was put to death by hanging in Delaware, highlighting the rarity of this method by the late 20th century.

What crime was Billy Bailey convicted of?

Billy Bailey was convicted of the 1979 double murders of Clara and Gilbert Lambertson in Delaware.