Bio

Lem Davis Tuggle Jr. was born in 1952. He grew up in a rural area of Virginia. Not much is known about his childhood or family life, but he was raised in Smyth County, Virginia. This region is known for its mountains and small communities. During his early years, Tuggle had limited opportunities and faced challenges like many in his community.

As a teenager, Tuggle started getting into trouble. He often found himself in conflict with the law. By the time he was in his late teens, he had committed serious offenses. In 1971, at the age of 19, Tuggle was convicted of a violent crime. This led to a significant legal consequence that would shape his future. He was sentenced to a 20-year prison term. This incident marked a turning point in his life.

Tuggle was paroled in 1983 after serving part of his sentence. At this point, he began reintegrating into society. However, it was only a few months after his release that he found himself in trouble again. His past actions had already set a pattern that would lead to further criminal behavior. His early life experiences laid the groundwork for the events that would follow as he navigated life outside of prison.

Murder Story

In 1971, Lem Davis Tuggle Jr. murdered 17-year-old Shirley Brickey. He strangled her, which led to his conviction for murder. He was given a 20-year prison sentence for this crime. After serving part of his time, Tuggle was paroled in early 1983.

Only four months after his release, Tuggle committed another murder. On June 2, 1983, he met 52-year-old Jessie Geneva Havens at a dance at an American Legion Hall in Smyth County, Virginia. Later that night, he raped and shot her.

The police became involved when Havens was reported missing. An investigation led to Tuggle, who was found driving a black pickup truck. When confronted by police, he confessed to holding up a nearby store and mentioned that he knew where Jessie Havens was. After being taken to the sheriff's office, Tuggle revealed the location of her body, stating that she was "over a bank" at a specific site.

Law enforcement officers found Havens' body in the location Tuggle indicated. An autopsy showed signs of assault and confirmed that she had been shot. Tuggle was quickly arrested and faced serious charges for the crimes committed against both women.

In 1984, Tuggle was convicted of capital murder in connection to Havens' murder. He was executed by lethal injection on December 12, 1996.