Bio

James David Rich was born on May 2, 1972. He grew up in Georgia and had a troubled childhood.

He struggled in school and ultimately completed only the eighth grade. In his late teens, he began engaging in criminal activities. His first significant run-in with the law came when he was convicted of shooting into an occupied vehicle in 1988. This incident led to a felony conviction.

Following this, Rich was involved in more serious crimes. In 1990, he was convicted of second-degree murder, which resulted in a life sentence. He was incarcerated at the Eastern Correctional Institution in North Carolina. While serving his life sentence, Rich became known for his violent behavior.

In prison, Rich expressed frustration with the mandatory educational program. He had difficulty coping with the enforced schooling and believed that violent action was the only way to escape his situation.

Rich's early life set the stage for his violent behavior in prison. From a young age, he struggled with learning and social challenges, which contributed to his criminal path. He developed a reputation in prison that would later lead to further violence and ultimately his execution.

Murder Story

In August 1994, James David Rich killed a fellow inmate named Paul Gwyn at the Eastern Correctional Institution in Greene County, North Carolina. Rich was serving a life sentence for murder when he decided to stab Gwyn.

The altercation began because Rich was dissatisfied with a mandatory educational program at the prison. He wanted to be transferred to Central Prison and believed that Gwyn could help him with this. When Gwyn refused to assist him, Rich attacked.

Other inmates witnessed the incident. Rich chased Gwyn, demanded money from him, and then stabbed him multiple times with a homemade knife. After the attack, correctional officers apprehended Rich while he was still holding the knife.

Rich confessed to the crime, stating he intended to kill Gwyn. He later pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on August 15, 1995. The jury recommended the death penalty, and the court sentenced him to death.

Rich's execution was initially scheduled for September 18, 1998, but it was postponed after a federal judge requested more time to review his mental competence.

After several legal challenges, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed his execution to proceed. On March 26, 1999, Rich was executed by lethal injection.