Bio

Earl Lewis Steward was born in 1919 in Maryland. He grew up in a time when the country was facing many changes. He became a machinist, which is a skilled job that involves working with machines to create parts and tools.

As an adult, Steward traveled around the country. His work as a machinist likely led him to different places. At one point, he ended up in Salt Lake City, Utah. There, Steward met a truck driver named Thomas Jessen at a truck stop. They talked about work, and Jessen offered Steward a job.

The two men traveled together, picking up and delivering furniture. They made a long trip to California and then started heading back to Salt Lake City. At that time, Jessen had about $1,400 in cash on him from payments for their deliveries.

While driving outside of Fernley, Nevada, on September 9, 1957, Steward made a decision that changed everything. He attempted to rob Jessen, who was asleep in the truck. Jessen woke up during the struggle, and Steward shot him.

Murder Story

Earl Lewis Steward was involved in a serious crime on September 9, 1957, in Fernley, Nevada. He met Thomas Jessen, a driver for North American Van Lines, at a truck stop in Salt Lake City. Steward asked Jessen for work, and they traveled together to California to pick up furniture. On their way back to Salt Lake City, Jessen had $1,400 in cash with him.

While driving outside Fernley, Steward attempted to rob Jessen. Jessen was asleep at the time, but he woke up during the struggle. In the conflict between them, Steward shot Jessen, resulting in his death.

After the murder, Steward fled and was later apprehended in Philadelphia. He was arrested and faced charges for Jessen's murder. Steward was tried and convicted. He was executed in Nevada on February 24, 1960, by asphyxiation-gas. These actions and their consequences marked the end of his life and criminal activities.