On this day 183 years ago, thousands of people gathered to watch the second and the last execution in Michigan. Stephen Simmons was sentenced to death for the murder of his wife. From this case eventually came the end of capital punishment in the State.
David G. Chardavoyne is a law professor and author of the book “A Hanging in Detroit: Stephen Gifford Simmons and the Last Execution under Michigan Law.” He explained that Simmons was not a well liked man.