Norman Roye
Norman Roye (September 6, 1935 – January 19, 1956), known as The Dreaded Strangler, was an American serial killer and rapist who murdered three women in the neighborhood of Harlem in Manhattan, New York from 1953 to 1954. Sentenced to death for the final murder, Roye was executed by the electric chair at Sing Sing in January 1956, after spending less than a year on death row.[1]
Norman Roye | |
|---|---|
 Roye shortly after his arrest | |
| Born | September 6, 1935 New York, U.S. |
| Died | January 19, 1956 (aged 20) |
| Cause of death | Execution by electrocution |
| Other names | "The Dreaded Strangler" |
| Criminal status | Executed |
| Conviction(s) | First degree murder |
| Criminal penalty | Death |
| Details | |
| Victims | 3 |
Span of crimes | 1953–1954 |
| Country | United States |
| State(s) | New York |
Date apprehended | June 7, 1954 |
Before the murders
By all accounts, Roye appeared to be a normal boy and an athlete who played in the major league for his school's baseball team.[2]
Murders
On January 2, 1953, Roye was prowling through an apartment complex in Harlem and, after gaining entry through an unlocked apartment roof door, strangled 40-year-old Margaret Branch to death.[3] Over a year later, on May 28, 1954, Roye found himself inside a subway station, where he stalked 25-year-old Kathleen Stewart through the station all the way back to her Harlem river apartment. There, he strangled Stewart to death and fled.[3]
On June 7, 1954, Roye confronted 66-year-old Isadora Goomes as she entered the apartment building where she lived. Roye threw a noose around her neck and demanded money, and Goomes handed Roye five pennies, but not feeling satisfied Roye tightened the noose, resulting in Goomes dying of asphyxiation.[4] With the five pennies Goomes had netted him, Roye bought a box of crackers, which he ate while watching police examine Goomes body. Detectives took notice of this, and arrested Roye.[5]
Trial
Roye confessed to each of the murders, describing in detail how he had committed them. According to Roye's confession, he said he did not intend to kill Goomes, but claimed when he tightened the noose she "Just died on me."[6]
Two days before Roye's arrest, a man named John Francis Roche was arrested after he was spotted driving erratically, and once in custody confessed to five murders which took place in the Yorkvile neighborhood on Manhattan's east side. The two cases, which occurred in close proximity to one another, were compared to each other by the press and the media.[4] In a jailhouse interview with his sister, Roye denied his confession, stating "They found my pants in the hallway." While awaiting trial, Roye was not eligible for bond. On February 4, 1955, Roye was convicted of first degree murder in the death of Goomes.[1] The jury did not recommend mercy, making a death sentence mandatory. Roye was formally sentenced to death on March 5, 1955.
Execution
While awaiting execution, Roye received no visitors, but turned to religion. After 10-months on death row, on January 19, 1956, Roye was executed by electric chair at Sing Sing Prison. His last meal consisted of roast chicken and steak.[7] Roye had no last words.[1]
See also
References
- "Norman Roye's Sentence Is Carried Out at Ossining". Wellsville Daily Reporter. January 20, 1956. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
- "Boy Puzzle To Teachers At Warwick". Wellsville Daily Reporter. December 2, 1954. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
- "Need More Cops At Subway Exits". Wellsville Daily Reporter. December 2, 1954. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
- "Assault Victim Dies, Second Alleged Killer Seized in New York". The Washington Star. June 7, 1954. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
- "School Girl Rape Victim Dies In N.Y." Key West Citizen. June 7, 1954. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
- "Youth in Rape Killings Denies All to His Sister". New York Daily News. June 8, 1954. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
- "Roye's last meal". The Kingston Daily Freeman. 1956-01-19. p. 23. Retrieved 2022-02-28.