Bio

Jimmy Wingo was born in 1952. He grew up in a small town in Louisiana. Details about his early life are not well documented, but it is known that he was a former Boy Scout. He had a difficult childhood and struggled with various challenges.

As a young man, Wingo got into trouble with the law. He faced burglary charges which led him to be confined for a period of time. While in jail, he met another inmate named Jimmy L. Glass. The two men formed a friendship during their time in the Webster Parish Jail.

On December 24, 1982, just before Christmas, Wingo and Glass escaped from the jail. This escape set the stage for the events that would change both their lives forever. After their escape, they walked several miles along railroad tracks to reach a nearby home. Wingo had plans for committing crimes which stemmed from his difficult past, including previous experiences with theft and burglary.

On Christmas morning, Wingo arrived at the home of his sister, Betty Whittington. He brought with him items that he had stolen, including cash, clothing, and weapons. This act marked a significant moment in his life, highlighting the choices he made after his escape.

Wingo's life gradually spiraled as his connections with crime deepened. His actions would lead him down a dark path that would eventually lead to a tragic confrontation with a married couple, altering his life and the lives of others in significant ways. Eventually, his involvement in crimes caught up with him, culminating in a lengthy legal process that would follow his early years.

Murder Story

On December 25, 1982, Jimmy Wingo, along with Jimmy L. Glass, was involved in the shooting deaths of Newton Brown and his wife, Erlene Nealy Brown. They entered the Browns' home in Dixie Inn, Louisiana, to commit a robbery. Two days earlier, on Christmas Eve, Wingo and Glass had escaped from the Webster Parish Jail.

After the crime, the bodies of Newton and Erlene Brown were discovered in their bed. Both were gagged and bound, having been shot in the back of the head. The entry to the home was made through a broken glass patio door, and there were signs of a ransacked house.

Shortly after the murders, Wingo returned to his sister's home. He arrived with cash, clothing, weapons, and ammunition that he had taken from the Browns. The Browns' car was later found nearby, abandoned and stuck in high water.

On January 5, 1983, Wingo and his girlfriend, Gwen Hill, were captured in Texas. Glass was apprehended in California. Both men were indicted on two counts of first-degree murder. Glass was tried first, convicted, and sentenced to death. Wingo followed, facing the same fate.

Wingo maintained that he was not at the scene during the murders and claimed that Glass acted alone. However, during the trial, a jury found him guilty based on circumstantial evidence linking him to the crime. This included items found at his sister's home and statements made after the incident, which implied his involvement in the killings.

Wingo was sentenced to death and his appeals were denied. Ultimately, he was executed by electrocution in Louisiana on June 16, 1987. Four days prior to this, Glass was executed for the same crimes. Wingo's final words expressed his belief in his innocence.