Execution Eve

by William Buchanan

In a story reminiscent of Dead Man Walking , the murder of golf star Marion Miley enraged the nation. People were finally quieted when three men were arrested, tried and convicted. But on the night of their scheduled execution, the warden, "hang'em high" lawman Jesse Buchanan, is unsure of one prisoner's guilt. His actions change his life forever and alter the course of capital punishment in America.

200 pages, Hardcover

First published September 10, 1993

Reviews

[Laura McGee · Rating 5 out of 5]

My soon to be in-laws recommended this book to me since I was fascinated by the Kentucky State Penitentiary which is very near where they live. It’s this fascinating story about 3 men set to be executed the same night for a crime that had made national news. It follows the day of the execution, both the prisoners and the warden of the prison who was completely haunted by what was happening. This book was suspenseful and a really interesting look at the prison system and things we are still debating today.

[Jo-Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this volume for a long time and came across it recently. Little did I know that I could not put it down.
This is the true story of the moral and ethical dilemma that Warden Jessie Buchanan faced in 1943 on the cusp of the execution of three men in the muder of golfer Marion Miley and her mother. Warden Buchanan had been known as an upright man who possessed integrity even in the duty of presiding over executions imposed by the Death Penalty laws of mid century Kentucky. He determined the basic truths of this ultimate penalty - bestowed in most cases where black people and poor people were found guilty of crimes. While Warden Buchanan was uncomfortable with what he saw, he did what he felt was his duty.
This shifts dramatically during the Miley murder, when the guilt of one of the parties is of significant question, and Warden Buchanan is faced with the terrible concern that he may be presiding over an innocent man's execution.
I'll say no more, other than to encourage anyone interested in criminal justice to pick up this book. It is guarenteed to shake one's moral certainty.

[Catherine Timmerman]

This book was written in connection with the 1941 murders of two Lexington, KY women, Marion Miley, who was a young and beautiful rising golf star and her mother.
The author is the son of the prison warden at Eddyville and he had the unique opportunity to meet and get to know the men convicted of and sent to death row for the Miley murders. It didn't end as I thought it would and that made me like it even more! It's a quick read.

[Gypsy Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Period piece. Poorly edited.

Page 235
"Poor Willie. Executed for the crime of poverty and ignorance."