May 18, 1948: The day Caryl Chessman was sentenced to die — and the 12-year fight that followed
California death row prisoner executed in 1960 whose twelve-year fight against execution made him a national symbol of death penalty controversy.
Also on this date
- 1801 Murder of Elizabeth Fales, Dedham, Massachusetts (May 18, 1801)
- 1990 Murder of Cornell Burns, Salt Lake City (May 18, 1990)
- 1980 Mount St. Helens Erupts (May 18, 1980)