Bio

Derick Lynn Peterson was born in 1961. He grew up in Virginia. As he grew older, Peterson faced conflicts with the law. By the age of 15, he had already been committed to detention for armed robbery.

Throughout his youth, Peterson continued to struggle with various issues. He had several encounters with juvenile authorities, which indicated a pattern of troubling behavior. As he transitioned into adulthood, his legal troubles escalated.

He was convicted of breaking and entering, as well as grand larceny. These early experiences set the stage for further criminal activities. By the early 1980s, he was involved in serious crimes that would ultimately lead to his arrest and conviction for murder.

Murder Story

On February 7, 1982, Derick Lynn Peterson entered the Pantry Pride grocery store in Hampton, Virginia. He went to the office cubicle and took several thousand dollars in checks and cash. During this robbery, he shot Howard Kauffman, the 45-year-old grocery store manager, once in the stomach before leaving the scene.

After the crime, Peterson was arrested and charged with capital murder, robbery, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He was found guilty and sentenced to death. Peterson's execution took place on August 22, 1991. It occurred in Virginia's electric chair.

During the execution, an issue arose. The first attempt to electrocute Peterson did not result in his death, which was unusual. A doctor checked his pulse and confirmed that he was still alive after the initial jolt of electricity. As a result, a second series of electrical currents was administered, which ultimately led to Peterson being pronounced dead.

The incident drew attention not only because of the nature of the crime but also due to the complications encountered during the execution. The director of Virginia's Department of Corrections later explained that they were using new equipment and would make adjustments for future executions. After Peterson's death, he remained a subject of discussion regarding the procedures and policies surrounding capital punishment in Virginia.