Clifford Gayles
Ohio Serial Killer Execution
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Cincinnati, Ohio
TIME PERIOD
1947
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Clifford William Gayles, an American serial killer, committed two murders during a Labor Day weekend crime spree in southwestern Ohio in 1947, shortly after being released from prison for a previous murder. On August 31, 1947, Gayles shot 28-year-old Ollie Davidson in the thigh after she objected to his relationship with her underage sister, Ada; Ollie later died from her injuries. That same night, he abducted Edna Adkins and her 10-year-old son, Paul, holding them at gunpoint before murdering Edna and attempting to kill Paul, who survived. Gayles was apprehended on October 1, 1947, and subsequently sentenced to death for his crimes, being executed by electrocution on July 2, 1948. Key evidence included eyewitness accounts, the murder weapon, and Gayles' confession, which solidified his conviction.
Clifford Gayles is believed to have been a violent individual who, after his release from prison, quickly reverted to his old ways, leading to a murder spree that some speculate may have been fueled by unresolved psychological issues. There is speculation that his initial murder conviction and subsequent release did not adequately address his violent tendencies, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the parole system at the time. Additionally, some theorize that Gayles may have targeted his victims due to personal grievances or emotional instability, given the nature of his first murder.
The Tale of Clifford Gayles: A Journey from Parole to Execution
The Early Life and First Murder
The life of Clifford William Gayles began in 1913 in Cincinnati, Ohio. His life, however, was far from ordinary and would soon spiral into a series of violent events that would leave an indelible mark on the state of Ohio. On a fateful day, October 5, 1934, Clifford Gayles engaged in a deadly altercation with his girlfriend, Mamie Robinson Barnes, behind a YMCA in Cincinnati. In a fit of rage, Gayles pulled out a knife and stabbed Barnes nine times in the heart, leaving her lifeless in the alley. He then discarded the murder weapon and made his way to the local police station, where he confessed to the crime without hesitation. As officers verified his claims and discovered Barnes' body, Gayles had calmly fallen asleep in his cell. His confession was chillingly straightforward: he had stabbed her, though he offered no explanation for his actions. Convicted of second-degree murder, Gayles was sentenced to life imprisonment.
A Temporary Freedom and a Deadly Spree
After serving ten years, the minimum required before being eligible for parole, Gayles was released on January 22, 1945, upon the Parole Board's recommendation. His freedom, however, would soon lead to another series of tragic events. During the following two years, Gayles became involved with a young girl named Ada Davidson, living with her sister, Ollie, in Xenia. On August 31, 1947, Gayles demanded to take Ada on a Labor Day trip, a request that Ollie vehemently opposed. Enraged by her refusal, Gayles shot Ollie in the thigh and abducted Ada, fleeing in his car. Ollie was later taken to a hospital in Springfield, where she died a week later.
That very night, Gayles and Ada encountered Edna Adkins and her ten-year-old son, Paul, in Franklin. They held the pair at gunpoint, commandeered their car, and forced them to accompany them. Gayles' brutality was relentless; he ordered Edna to undress and pistol-whipped Paul for making noise. On a remote road, he raped and shot Edna, leaving her to die. Paul, though severely beaten, was thrown out of the car but survived. Passers-by found them and took them to a hospital in Middletown, where Edna succumbed to her injuries.
The pair continued their journey in the Adkins' car towards Cincinnati. Near Glendale, they collided with another vehicle, leading to an altercation with Edgar Rizzo, a 45-year-old from Cold Spring, Kentucky. Gayles stabbed Rizzo multiple times and dumped his body near a turnpike in Wyoming. Despite his severe injuries, Rizzo managed to survive.
Arrest, Trial, and Execution
The following day, a massive manhunt was launched by police across several counties, with the FBI joining in the search. The chase ended on October 1, 1947, in New Orleans, Louisiana, where Gayles and Ada were apprehended without resistance and extradited to Ohio.
Gayles faced trial for the murder of Edna Adkins, undergoing a psychiatric evaluation which deemed him sane. Nevertheless, he pleaded insanity, supported by his aunt's testimony of his erratic behavior following a head injury at 16. The jury was unmoved, declaring him guilty with a recommendation for no mercy, resulting in a death sentence. In stark contrast, Ada Davidson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, receiving a life sentence but was paroled on February 20, 1958.
As his execution date loomed, Gayles' wife filed for divorce, receiving custody of their son. On July 2, 1948, Clifford Gayles faced execution in the electric chair at the Ohio Penitentiary. He accepted his fate with calm dignity, requesting his eyes be donated to a New York eye bank after his death.
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First Murder Committed
Clifford Gayles stabs his girlfriend Mamie Barnes to death.
Released from Prison
Gayles is released on parole after serving ten years for the murder of Mamie Barnes.
Murder Spree Begins
Gayles shoots Ollie Davidson and kidnaps her sister Ada.
Additional Murders
Gayles murders Edna Adkins and her son Paul during a violent crime spree.
Arrest Made
Clifford Gayles and Ada Davidson are arrested in New Orleans.
Death Sentence
Gayles is sentenced to death for the murder of Edna Adkins.
Execution
Clifford Gayles is executed by electrocution at Ohio Penitentiary.
Clifford William Gayles, an American serial killer, committed two murders during a Labor Day weekend crime spree in southwestern Ohio in 1947, shortly after being released from prison for a previous murder. On August 31, 1947, Gayles shot 28-year-old Ollie Davidson in the thigh after she objected to his relationship with her underage sister, Ada; Ollie later died from her injuries. That same night, he abducted Edna Adkins and her 10-year-old son, Paul, holding them at gunpoint before murdering Edna and attempting to kill Paul, who survived. Gayles was apprehended on October 1, 1947, and subsequently sentenced to death for his crimes, being executed by electrocution on July 2, 1948. Key evidence included eyewitness accounts, the murder weapon, and Gayles' confession, which solidified his conviction.
Clifford Gayles is believed to have been a violent individual who, after his release from prison, quickly reverted to his old ways, leading to a murder spree that some speculate may have been fueled by unresolved psychological issues. There is speculation that his initial murder conviction and subsequent release did not adequately address his violent tendencies, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the parole system at the time. Additionally, some theorize that Gayles may have targeted his victims due to personal grievances or emotional instability, given the nature of his first murder.
The Tale of Clifford Gayles: A Journey from Parole to Execution
The Early Life and First Murder
The life of Clifford William Gayles began in 1913 in Cincinnati, Ohio. His life, however, was far from ordinary and would soon spiral into a series of violent events that would leave an indelible mark on the state of Ohio. On a fateful day, October 5, 1934, Clifford Gayles engaged in a deadly altercation with his girlfriend, Mamie Robinson Barnes, behind a YMCA in Cincinnati. In a fit of rage, Gayles pulled out a knife and stabbed Barnes nine times in the heart, leaving her lifeless in the alley. He then discarded the murder weapon and made his way to the local police station, where he confessed to the crime without hesitation. As officers verified his claims and discovered Barnes' body, Gayles had calmly fallen asleep in his cell. His confession was chillingly straightforward: he had stabbed her, though he offered no explanation for his actions. Convicted of second-degree murder, Gayles was sentenced to life imprisonment.
A Temporary Freedom and a Deadly Spree
After serving ten years, the minimum required before being eligible for parole, Gayles was released on January 22, 1945, upon the Parole Board's recommendation. His freedom, however, would soon lead to another series of tragic events. During the following two years, Gayles became involved with a young girl named Ada Davidson, living with her sister, Ollie, in Xenia. On August 31, 1947, Gayles demanded to take Ada on a Labor Day trip, a request that Ollie vehemently opposed. Enraged by her refusal, Gayles shot Ollie in the thigh and abducted Ada, fleeing in his car. Ollie was later taken to a hospital in Springfield, where she died a week later.
That very night, Gayles and Ada encountered Edna Adkins and her ten-year-old son, Paul, in Franklin. They held the pair at gunpoint, commandeered their car, and forced them to accompany them. Gayles' brutality was relentless; he ordered Edna to undress and pistol-whipped Paul for making noise. On a remote road, he raped and shot Edna, leaving her to die. Paul, though severely beaten, was thrown out of the car but survived. Passers-by found them and took them to a hospital in Middletown, where Edna succumbed to her injuries.
The pair continued their journey in the Adkins' car towards Cincinnati. Near Glendale, they collided with another vehicle, leading to an altercation with Edgar Rizzo, a 45-year-old from Cold Spring, Kentucky. Gayles stabbed Rizzo multiple times and dumped his body near a turnpike in Wyoming. Despite his severe injuries, Rizzo managed to survive.
Arrest, Trial, and Execution
The following day, a massive manhunt was launched by police across several counties, with the FBI joining in the search. The chase ended on October 1, 1947, in New Orleans, Louisiana, where Gayles and Ada were apprehended without resistance and extradited to Ohio.
Gayles faced trial for the murder of Edna Adkins, undergoing a psychiatric evaluation which deemed him sane. Nevertheless, he pleaded insanity, supported by his aunt's testimony of his erratic behavior following a head injury at 16. The jury was unmoved, declaring him guilty with a recommendation for no mercy, resulting in a death sentence. In stark contrast, Ada Davidson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, receiving a life sentence but was paroled on February 20, 1958.
As his execution date loomed, Gayles' wife filed for divorce, receiving custody of their son. On July 2, 1948, Clifford Gayles faced execution in the electric chair at the Ohio Penitentiary. He accepted his fate with calm dignity, requesting his eyes be donated to a New York eye bank after his death.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Murder Committed
Clifford Gayles stabs his girlfriend Mamie Barnes to death.
Released from Prison
Gayles is released on parole after serving ten years for the murder of Mamie Barnes.
Murder Spree Begins
Gayles shoots Ollie Davidson and kidnaps her sister Ada.
Additional Murders
Gayles murders Edna Adkins and her son Paul during a violent crime spree.
Arrest Made
Clifford Gayles and Ada Davidson are arrested in New Orleans.
Death Sentence
Gayles is sentenced to death for the murder of Edna Adkins.
Execution
Clifford Gayles is executed by electrocution at Ohio Penitentiary.