1952 - 1997
Summary
Name:
Harold McQueen Jr.Years Active:
1980Birth:
July 25, 1952Status:
ExecutedClass:
MurdererVictims:
1Method:
ShootingDeath:
July 01, 1997Nationality:
USA1952 - 1997
Summary: Murderer
Name:
Harold McQueen Jr.Status:
ExecutedVictims:
1Method:
ShootingNationality:
USABirth:
July 25, 1952Death:
July 01, 1997Years Active:
1980Date Convicted:
March 29, 1981"I am sorry for the pain I have caused... I ask for forgiveness."
— Harold McQueen Jr.
Harold I. McQueen Jr. was born on July 25, 1952. He lived in Kentucky. He had a history of alcohol and drug abuse and had also been involved in criminal activity before the case. On the day of the crime, records show that he had been drinking and using drugs, including Valium and marijuana.
McQueen was connected to his half-brother, William Keith Burnell, and his girlfriend, Linda Rose. Both were with him on the night of the robbery and murder. Linda Rose later became an important witness for the prosecution.
On January 17, 1980, Harold I. McQueen Jr. spent the day drinking and using drugs with his girlfriend, Linda Rose, and his half-brother, William Keith Burnell. Later that night, the three drove to the Minit Mart convenience store in Richmond, Kentucky.
Rebecca O’Hearn, a 22-year-old clerk, was working alone at the store. McQueen and Burnell went inside while Rose stayed in the car. McQueen was armed with a .22-caliber pistol. During the robbery, O’Hearn was forced to open the cash register and safe.
After O’Hearn followed their orders, she was shot twice. She was found behind the counter with severe gunshot wounds and later died from her injuries.
McQueen and Burnell left the store with stolen money, food stamps, and the store’s surveillance camera. They later threw the camera into a pond. Police eventually found evidence connected to the robbery, including cash, food stamps, firearms, and the murder weapon.
McQueen and Burnell were tried together in 1981. Linda Rose testified against McQueen and helped connect him to the crime. On March 29, 1981, both men were found guilty. Burnell received prison sentences, while McQueen was sentenced to death for the murder and 20 years for robbery.
McQueen appealed several times, but his conviction and death sentence were upheld. His final legal challenge was rejected on June 30, 1997.
Harold McQueen Jr. was executed by electrocution at the Kentucky State Penitentiary in Eddyville on July 1, 1997. He was the first person executed in Kentucky since 1962.
