Herman Allen
Family Murder Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Benson, North Carolina
TIME PERIOD
1942
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
On January 14, 1942, David Herman Allen was apprehended for the brutal triple murder of his family members in Benson, North Carolina, which occurred on January 12, 1942. Following a confrontation with his wife and children, Allen fatally shot his wife, their two children, and a family friend, motivated by a history of domestic turmoil and jealousy. He was previously convicted for the murder of a lodger in 1930 but served only four years of a 20-year sentence before his release. Allen was tried, convicted of first-degree murder, and subsequently executed by gas chamber on October 30, 1942, just months after the crime. Significant evidence included eyewitness accounts, a confession made to law enforcement, and the murder weapon, which linked him directly to the crime scene.
Herman Allen's first murder is believed to have been motivated by jealousy and rage over his wife's infidelity with their lodger, Handy Minson Hodges. Following this, some speculate that his violent tendencies escalated, leading to the later triple murder of his family members in 1942. Investigators and the public theorize that Allen's history of violence and prior prison sentence may have contributed to his inability to control his impulses, ultimately resulting in his execution for the heinous crimes.
The Tragic Tale of Herman Allen: A Journey from Betrayal to Execution
In the small town of Benson, North Carolina, the life of David Herman Allen unfolded like a tragic play drenched in betrayal, jealousy, and violence. Born on November 18, 1905, Allen's life came to a dramatic end in the gas chamber of Central Prison, Raleigh, North Carolina, on October 30, 1942, after a series of violent acts that shocked the nation.
Early Life and the First Murder
The year was 1930, and Herman Allen was living a seemingly ordinary life. He resided in his hometown of Benson with his wife and young child, working diligently at a local lumberyard. However, the calm of his domestic life was shattered with the arrival of a 50-year-old lodger named Handy Minson Hodges. Hodges, who worked at a nearby grocery store, initially became a close family friend. He spent much time with Mrs. Allen, teaching her about the Bible and instructing her on the use of a typewriter. The arrangement seemed innocent until the night of August 6, 1930, when Herman Allen's world turned upside down.
Awakened by the cries of his baby, Allen noticed his wife's absence from their bed. His search led him to Hodges' room, where he found them together. Overwhelmed by the betrayal, Allen confronted his wife, who eventually confessed to the affair. In a haze of anger and heartbreak, Allen borrowed a double-barreled shotgun from a neighbor the next morning. He confronted Hodges, who admitted to the affair. In a fit of rage, Allen shot Hodges, wounding him before delivering a fatal shot to the chest, despite the victim's pleas for mercy.
After the murder, Allen did not flee. Instead, he visited his workplace, instructing employees to send a doctor to his home, and then made his way to the deputy sheriff's house, where he confessed to the crime and surrendered peacefully. The confession led to a swift trial, during which Allen was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Remarkably, he served only four years before his release and return to Benson.
The Triple Murder
Following his release, Allen attempted to rebuild his life. He remarried Ruth Mae Lee, a 26-year-old woman, and for several years, life seemed to stabilize. The couple devoted themselves to family, spending time with their respective parents. However, old suspicions resurfaced, and Allen became convinced that Ruth was unfaithful with a neighbor, Cap Raynor.
In the predawn hours of January 15, 1942, Allen's suspicions boiled over into violence. Armed with a 16-gauge shotgun, he called Raynor out onto his porch and shot him. As Raynor lay wounded, Allen reloaded and fired again, killing him. Allen's rampage continued to his mother-in-law's house, where he fired through the windows, mortally wounding his brother-in-law, Grady Lee. He then dragged Ruth to a nearby barn and ended her life with a shot to the head.
As neighbors alerted the authorities, Allen returned home, gathering clothes. He was arrested shortly thereafter. Meanwhile, Grady Lee succumbed to his injuries two days later at Johnston County Hospital.
Trial, Imprisonment, and Execution
Charged with three counts of first-degree murder, Allen's defense hinged on a plea of temporary insanity. He claimed a drunken stupor had clouded his memory of the night's events. Despite these claims, a jury found him guilty of murdering Grady Lee, sentencing him to death. Allen's appeal to the North Carolina Supreme Court was denied, sealing his fate.
On October 30, 1942, Herman Allen faced execution in the gas chamber at Central Prison. His final hours were shared with Otis Harris, a 17-year-old also sentenced to die that day. Allen maintained his narrative of intoxication and betrayal, yet faced death with a resigned peace. His last words spoke of a hard life and an embrace of the divine: "I am ready to go. I do not dread it. There is a better world for me. I have had a sad life, but that is over now. I have experienced God in my soul. I am glad to leave this world of sin."
Sources
- "David Herman Allen (1905-1942) - Find a Grave..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
- "H. Minson Hodges Killed by Herman Allen In Benson Wednesday" (PDF). The Johnstonian-Sun. August 7, 1930 – via North Carolina Newspapers.
- "Roomer Killed; Intimacy With Woman is Alleged". The News & Observer. August 7, 1930 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Herman Allen Kills Boarder in Home". Statesville Record & Landmark. August 11, 1930 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Jury Returns First Degree Verdict In Herman Allen Trial". The Herald-Sun. February 17, 1942. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Farmer Runs Amuck; Kills Wife, Neighbor". The Charlotte News. January 15, 1942 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Third Victim of Allen's Murder Rampage Dies in Johnston County Hospital". The News & Observer. January 17, 1942 – via Newspapers.com.
- "SLAYER OF THREE READY FOR TRIAL". The News & Observer. February 10, 1942 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Jury Returns First Degree Verdict In Herman Allen Trial". The Herald-Sun. February 17, 1942. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
- "High Court Sends Pair To Death". The Charlotte News. October 14, 1942 – via Newspapers.com.
- "STATE EXECUTES SLAYER, RAPIST". The News & Observer. October 31, 1942 – via Newspapers.com.
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First Murder Committed
Herman Allen kills Handy Minson Hodges after discovering his affair with Allen's wife.
Arrest for First Murder
Herman Allen confesses to the murder of Hodges and is arrested.
Sentenced to Prison
Allen is convicted of murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Released from Prison
Herman Allen is released from prison after serving four years.
Triple Murder Committed
Allen murders his wife, brother-in-law, and a neighbor in a violent rampage.
Grady Lee Dies
Grady Lee, Allen's brother-in-law, succumbs to injuries from the shooting.
Trial Verdict
Allen is found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to death.
Death Sentence Upheld
The North Carolina Supreme Court upholds Allen's death sentence.
Execution
Herman Allen is executed by gas chamber at Central Prison.
On January 14, 1942, David Herman Allen was apprehended for the brutal triple murder of his family members in Benson, North Carolina, which occurred on January 12, 1942. Following a confrontation with his wife and children, Allen fatally shot his wife, their two children, and a family friend, motivated by a history of domestic turmoil and jealousy. He was previously convicted for the murder of a lodger in 1930 but served only four years of a 20-year sentence before his release. Allen was tried, convicted of first-degree murder, and subsequently executed by gas chamber on October 30, 1942, just months after the crime. Significant evidence included eyewitness accounts, a confession made to law enforcement, and the murder weapon, which linked him directly to the crime scene.
Herman Allen's first murder is believed to have been motivated by jealousy and rage over his wife's infidelity with their lodger, Handy Minson Hodges. Following this, some speculate that his violent tendencies escalated, leading to the later triple murder of his family members in 1942. Investigators and the public theorize that Allen's history of violence and prior prison sentence may have contributed to his inability to control his impulses, ultimately resulting in his execution for the heinous crimes.
The Tragic Tale of Herman Allen: A Journey from Betrayal to Execution
In the small town of Benson, North Carolina, the life of David Herman Allen unfolded like a tragic play drenched in betrayal, jealousy, and violence. Born on November 18, 1905, Allen's life came to a dramatic end in the gas chamber of Central Prison, Raleigh, North Carolina, on October 30, 1942, after a series of violent acts that shocked the nation.
Early Life and the First Murder
The year was 1930, and Herman Allen was living a seemingly ordinary life. He resided in his hometown of Benson with his wife and young child, working diligently at a local lumberyard. However, the calm of his domestic life was shattered with the arrival of a 50-year-old lodger named Handy Minson Hodges. Hodges, who worked at a nearby grocery store, initially became a close family friend. He spent much time with Mrs. Allen, teaching her about the Bible and instructing her on the use of a typewriter. The arrangement seemed innocent until the night of August 6, 1930, when Herman Allen's world turned upside down.
Awakened by the cries of his baby, Allen noticed his wife's absence from their bed. His search led him to Hodges' room, where he found them together. Overwhelmed by the betrayal, Allen confronted his wife, who eventually confessed to the affair. In a haze of anger and heartbreak, Allen borrowed a double-barreled shotgun from a neighbor the next morning. He confronted Hodges, who admitted to the affair. In a fit of rage, Allen shot Hodges, wounding him before delivering a fatal shot to the chest, despite the victim's pleas for mercy.
After the murder, Allen did not flee. Instead, he visited his workplace, instructing employees to send a doctor to his home, and then made his way to the deputy sheriff's house, where he confessed to the crime and surrendered peacefully. The confession led to a swift trial, during which Allen was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Remarkably, he served only four years before his release and return to Benson.
The Triple Murder
Following his release, Allen attempted to rebuild his life. He remarried Ruth Mae Lee, a 26-year-old woman, and for several years, life seemed to stabilize. The couple devoted themselves to family, spending time with their respective parents. However, old suspicions resurfaced, and Allen became convinced that Ruth was unfaithful with a neighbor, Cap Raynor.
In the predawn hours of January 15, 1942, Allen's suspicions boiled over into violence. Armed with a 16-gauge shotgun, he called Raynor out onto his porch and shot him. As Raynor lay wounded, Allen reloaded and fired again, killing him. Allen's rampage continued to his mother-in-law's house, where he fired through the windows, mortally wounding his brother-in-law, Grady Lee. He then dragged Ruth to a nearby barn and ended her life with a shot to the head.
As neighbors alerted the authorities, Allen returned home, gathering clothes. He was arrested shortly thereafter. Meanwhile, Grady Lee succumbed to his injuries two days later at Johnston County Hospital.
Trial, Imprisonment, and Execution
Charged with three counts of first-degree murder, Allen's defense hinged on a plea of temporary insanity. He claimed a drunken stupor had clouded his memory of the night's events. Despite these claims, a jury found him guilty of murdering Grady Lee, sentencing him to death. Allen's appeal to the North Carolina Supreme Court was denied, sealing his fate.
On October 30, 1942, Herman Allen faced execution in the gas chamber at Central Prison. His final hours were shared with Otis Harris, a 17-year-old also sentenced to die that day. Allen maintained his narrative of intoxication and betrayal, yet faced death with a resigned peace. His last words spoke of a hard life and an embrace of the divine: "I am ready to go. I do not dread it. There is a better world for me. I have had a sad life, but that is over now. I have experienced God in my soul. I am glad to leave this world of sin."
Sources
- "David Herman Allen (1905-1942) - Find a Grave..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
- "H. Minson Hodges Killed by Herman Allen In Benson Wednesday" (PDF). The Johnstonian-Sun. August 7, 1930 – via North Carolina Newspapers.
- "Roomer Killed; Intimacy With Woman is Alleged". The News & Observer. August 7, 1930 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Herman Allen Kills Boarder in Home". Statesville Record & Landmark. August 11, 1930 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Jury Returns First Degree Verdict In Herman Allen Trial". The Herald-Sun. February 17, 1942. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Farmer Runs Amuck; Kills Wife, Neighbor". The Charlotte News. January 15, 1942 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Third Victim of Allen's Murder Rampage Dies in Johnston County Hospital". The News & Observer. January 17, 1942 – via Newspapers.com.
- "SLAYER OF THREE READY FOR TRIAL". The News & Observer. February 10, 1942 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Jury Returns First Degree Verdict In Herman Allen Trial". The Herald-Sun. February 17, 1942. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
- "High Court Sends Pair To Death". The Charlotte News. October 14, 1942 – via Newspapers.com.
- "STATE EXECUTES SLAYER, RAPIST". The News & Observer. October 31, 1942 – via Newspapers.com.
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
Herman Allen kills Handy Minson Hodges after discovering his affair with Allen's wife.
Arrest for First Murder
Herman Allen confesses to the murder of Hodges and is arrested.
Sentenced to Prison
Allen is convicted of murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Released from Prison
Herman Allen is released from prison after serving four years.
Triple Murder Committed
Allen murders his wife, brother-in-law, and a neighbor in a violent rampage.
Grady Lee Dies
Grady Lee, Allen's brother-in-law, succumbs to injuries from the shooting.
Trial Verdict
Allen is found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to death.
Death Sentence Upheld
The North Carolina Supreme Court upholds Allen's death sentence.
Execution
Herman Allen is executed by gas chamber at Central Prison.