The first execution by electrocution in history is carried out against William Kemmler
On August 6, 1890, at Auburn Prison in New York, the first execution by electrocution in history is carried out against William Kemmler, who had been convicted of murdering his lover, Matilda Ziegler, with an axe. William had accused her of stealing from him, and preparing to run away with a friend of his. When the argument reached a peak, Kemmler calmly went to the barn, grabbed a hatchet, and returned to the house. He struck Matilda repeatedly, killing her. He then went to a neighbor's house and announced he had just murdered his girlfriend. Kemmler's resulting murder trial proceeded quickly. He was convicted of first-degree murder on May 10. Three days later he was sentenced to death, destined to be the first person executed in an electric chair under New York's new execution law replacing hanging with electrocution. A chair was made ready at the Auburn state prison, and the date set for his execution - August 6th. On the morning of August 6th, Kemmler was awakened