Bio

Jesse Joseph Tafero was born on October 12, 1945. He grew up in New York. Little is known about his childhood or family life. As a young man, he had some trouble with the law. When he was 20 years old, he was sent to prison for attempted robbery and other related crimes.

After his release from prison, Tafero moved to Florida. He met Sonia Jacobs, and they began a relationship. They had two children together, a son and a daughter. Tafero's life took a difficult turn when he was arrested again.

In February 1976, Tafero, Jacobs, and a friend were found asleep in a car at a highway rest stop. The police approached the vehicle, which led to a series of events that changed his life forever. Tafero was a family man at this time, living with Jacobs and their children, who were ages 9 years and 10 months.

Tafero's demeanor and choices in later life would ultimately define his future. He faced serious criminal charges that would lead to a significant and tragic conclusion.

Murder Story

On the morning of February 20, 1976, a Florida highway patrolman named Phillip Black and a visiting Canadian constable named Donald Irwin approached a car parked at a rest stop. Inside the car was Jesse Tafero, Sonia Jacobs, their two children, and Walter Rhodes. While investigating, Black noticed a gun on the floor of the car. He woke the occupants and ordered them out of the vehicle.

At that moment, Rhodes allegedly shot both officers. After this, Rhodes forced Jacobs, Tafero, and their children into the police car, and they drove off with it, eventually kidnapping a man and stealing his car. The three were caught later at a roadblock.

Walter Rhodes, who was found to have gunpowder residue on his hands, testified against Tafero and Jacobs during the trial. He claimed they were solely responsible for the murders of the officers. This testimony led to the conviction and death sentences for both Tafero and Jacobs, while Rhodes was given a life sentence.

The children of Tafero and Jacobs were placed in the care of Jacobs' parents after their parents were imprisoned. After a series of events, including tragic accidents that affected the children's guardians, they became estranged from their parents.

Year later, in 1982, Rhodes recanted his previous statements and confessed that he had been the one who pulled the trigger. Despite this confession and other evidence suggesting Tafero's innocence, Tafero was not exonerated before his execution.

On May 4, 1990, Jesse Tafero was executed in Florida's electric chair. During the execution, the chair malfunctioned, and flames reportedly shot out of his head. It took three jolts to ultimately cause his death, which took over 13 minutes.

Tafero's execution raised considerable public outcry due to its brutal nature. Many advocates against the death penalty pointed to procedural issues during his trial and execution as violations of his rights. After Tafero's execution, evidence later led to the overturning of co-defendant Sonia Jacobs' conviction, whereupon she also reaffirmed her innocence.