Herman Dale Ashworth was born on February 26, 1973, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up in Ohio, though little is publicly documented about his early family life beyond his eventual estrangement from his adoptive parents. By the mid-1990s, Ashworth was frequenting bars in Newark, Ohio, where he developed a reputation for drinking heavily. In September 1996, he was in a relationship with a woman named Tanna Brett, with whom he often socialized.

Herman Dale Ashworth admitted to committing aggravated murder and aggravated robbery on September 10, 1996. He killed Daniel L. Baker after meeting him at a bar in Newark, Ohio. They went to another bar together. Later, Ashworth led Baker into an alley and attacked him. He used his fists, feet, and a 6-foot board during the assault. Ashworth claimed that Baker made unwanted sexual advances toward him.

After the attack, Ashworth stole $40 and three credit cards from Baker. He returned to the bar where they had started. Then, Ashworth took his girlfriend, Tanna Brett, to the alley and found Baker still alive. He left the scene, saying he would make sure Baker could not identify him. Brett later returned to the alley and discovered Baker's body near a metal loading dock door.

Baker's body was found at 3:45 a.m. by a couple walking their dog. Ashworth called 9-1-1 anonymously about the beating, but the call was traced back to him, leading to his arrest. During the trial, Ashworth pleaded guilty and did not present evidence to help his case. In May 2005, he dismissed his defense lawyers, who had been trying to save his life.

On August 31, 2005, Ashworth did not attend a hearing of the Ohio Parole Board. The board recommended his execution. Ohio Governor Bob Taft denied his request for clemency on September 23. Ashworth chose to drop his appeals and became the fourth prisoner in Ohio to do so since capital punishment was reinstated in 1999.

His adoptive parents could not visit him before his execution due to Hurricane Rita. Ashworth's last meal consisted of two cheeseburgers with lettuce and mayonnaise, French fries with ketchup, and drinks of Dr Pepper and Mountain Dew. The execution took place on September 27, 2005. It took ten minutes for the medical staff to insert the catheter for lethal injection. His final statement was, "A life for a life, let it be done, and justice will be served." He was pronounced dead at 10:19 a.m. EST.