Bio

John B. Nixon Sr. was born on April 1, 1928, in Midnight, Mississippi. As a teenager, he dropped out of school in seventh grade, but he later earned a GED while in prison. Both of his parents struggled with alcoholism. He experienced physical abuse from his father during his childhood.

During World War II, Nixon volunteered and served in the United States Navy. After his honorable discharge, he re-enlisted in the Army but received a hardship discharge to help his family after his father abandoned them.

After leaving military service, Nixon worked as a car mechanic. He became skilled in his trade and even trained others while imprisoned. 

Nixon married and had children. His relationship with his family was complicated, and he faced challenges as a father. He had three sons, two of whom were involved in criminal activities related to his later actions.

Murder Story

On January 22, 1985, John B. Nixon, along with his son John Nixon Jr. and Gilbert Jimenez, entered the home of Thomas and Virginia Tucker in Rankin County, Mississippi. Nixon pulled out a .22 caliber pistol and stated, “I brought y’all something.” Thomas Tucker recognized them as men hired by his wife’s ex-husband, Elster Joseph Ponthieux. As Thomas offered Nixon money to spare their lives, Nixon replied, “that’s not what I’m after. The deal’s already been made.”

Nixon aimed the gun at Thomas but the gun misfired. Thomas attempted to escape but was shot twice and managed to flee outside. Jimenez held Virginia Tucker down. Nixon then held the gun close to her ear and shot her in the head. Virginia was discovered later by a co-worker, who took her to the hospital where she died the next day.

Thomas survived and identified Nixon as the gunman. Additionally, the man who hired Nixon, Ponthieux, was convicted and sentenced to life for orchestrating the murder. Nixon and his son were also implicated in the crime. Gilbert Jimenez, who testified against Nixon, received a 20-year sentence.

The trial lasted three days. The jury found Nixon guilty within thirty-one minutes. They took only an hour and a half to sentence him to death. Nixon remained on death row appealing his conviction until the U.S. Supreme Court denied further appeals.

Finally, on December 14, 2005, at the age of 77, Nixon was executed by lethal injection. He was the oldest person executed in the United States since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. In his last moments, Nixon maintained his innocence. He claimed that one of his sons and others were responsible for the murder instead of himself. His last meal included a well-done T-bone steak and peach pie. Before receiving the lethal injection, he expressed sorrow for his actions but denied being the actual killer of Virginia Tucker.