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| Crump, Former Death Row Inmate and Author, Dies at 72 |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 10/23/2002 |
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Former death row inmate Paul Crump, whose novel 'Burn, Killer, Burn,' described a murderer who commits suicide to avoid being executed, has died. Crump, 72, died at the Chester Mental Health Center, where he had been held since 2000 after being convicted of harassing a family member and violating an order of protection. Crump's sister, Gwendolyn Jones, said he died of pneumonia and lung cancer on Oct. 11. Crump served 39 years in prison for shooting to death a security guard during the robbery of a Chicago meatpacking plant in 1953. His four accomplices received prison sentences, but Crump was sentenced to die in the electric chair and escaped 15 dates with the executioner. The sentence was later changed to 119 years by Gov. Otto Kerner, and Crump was paroled in 1993. While in prison, Crump was inspired by a visit from writer Nelson Algren and began reading classic literature. His novel was published in 1962. Those who backed Crump's efforts for parole, including the Rev. Billy Graham and gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, said the book proved Crump was rehabilitated. William Friedkin, director of 'The Exorcist' and 'The French Connection,' made a documentary that focused on Crump. |
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