California, February 15th 1944: GLENARD BROWN Executed in San Quentin by Gas for the Murder of 78-year-old Ada Belle Turner

 

People vs. Brown , 22 Cal.2d 752

[Crim. No. 4486. In Bank. Sept. 15, 1943.]

THE PEOPLE, Respondent, v. GLENARD BROWN, Appellant.

COUNSEL

Charles A. Tuttle for Appellant.

Robert W. Kenny, Attorney General, and T. G. Negrich, Deputy Attorney General, for Respondent.

OPINION

THE COURT

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On September 27th, 1942, Mrs. Ada Turner, a widow seventy-eight years of age, was living alone at her home in Colfax, Placer County, California. She was seen that day in her yard by neighbors. She was seen in the rear yard of her home with Brown on the same day, and he was carrying a gun.

DOWNTOWN Colfax

The dead body of Mrs. Turner was discovered in the basement of her home the following morning, and shortly thereafter, County and State Peace officers were at the scene. The basement where the killing occurred showed blood on the floor, walls and furniture. There were large smears of blood on the floor indicating that the body of Mrs. Turner had been dragged about. Mrs. Turner's body was practically nude.

Dr. Smith made a post-mortem examination of the body and examined all wounds, as well as the vaginal tract. Eight knife wounds were found; also one wound on the face made by a blunt instrument. The blow producing this last wound was of sufficient force to fracture the jaw bone. The cause of death was hemorrhage due to multiple lacerations. There was no evidence of trauma in the vaginal tract; the vagina was dry and there was no evidence of rape.

On October 1st, 1942, Brown made a statement to the District Attorney and Peace Officers. In this statement he admitted the killing and asserted repeatedly that he did not know why he had done it. The rifle and knife used by defendant in the killing were found by officers at places designated by Brown.

Glenard Brown, (a Goat Herder) testified that he drank large quantities of intoxicating liquors the day of the killing; that he was "rumdum" as a result of such drinking; and that he was eighteen years of age at the time of the killing.

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Youth Sentenced To Gas Chamber

Nineteen-year-old Glenard Brown will be executed in the prison gas chamber Friday for the knife slaving of 78-year-old Mrs. Ada Bell Turner of Colfax, Placer County. Brown employed as a goat herder in the Oolfax area, was convicted in November 1942. He admitted knifing Mrs. Turner to death after she refused to lend him 4 Dollars. He was arrested soon after Mrs. Turner's body was found in the basement of her home. She was the widow of a former Colfax City Councilman.

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Who's Who in the Colfax District cemetery

FROM: www.colfaxhistory.org
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Ada Belle Turner (Maiden Name: Powers) 1864-1942

A Colfax housewife and widow of Colfax City Coucilman Randle L. Turner, who preceded her in death by 19 months. She was murdered by 19-year old Glenard Brown, who was employed as a goat herder in this area. He was convicted in November 1942 for knifing Mrs. Turner to death after she refused to give him $4. He was executed at San Quentin in 1944. She is buried next to her husband at the Colfax District Cemetery.

Another event happened in 1942 when an infamous murder occurred in Colfax. A 78-year-old woman, Ada Belle Turner, was found dead in the basement of her Auburn Street home. Coroner West took part in the investigation that led to the arrest and conviction of a local goat herder. Glenard Brown was found guilty and sentenced to the death penalty, which was carried out in the San Quentin gas chamber on February 15th, 1944.

Source Link: http://www.auburnjournal.com/article/funeral-home-has-lively-history