Bio

Michael Eugene Sample was born on May 23, 1956. He grew up in a challenging environment in Tennessee. Details about his early life are limited, but it is known that he experienced various difficulties in his upbringing.

As a child, he lived in an atmosphere that was not always stable. Growing up in Tennessee during the 1960s and 1970s, Sample was influenced by the social dynamics and economic conditions of that time. His family faced financial struggles, which impacted his childhood environment.

By the age of 25, his actions would ultimately lead to serious consequences. Sample's life trajectory took a dramatic turn as he became associated with violent crimes.

Murder Story

On August 29, 1981, Michael Eugene Sample and his accomplice, Larry McKay, entered the L & G Sundry Store in Shelby County, Tennessee. They were armed and intended to rob the store. During the robbery, they shot two store clerks, Benjamin Cooke and Steve Jones, killing them both. Another person, Melvin Wallace, who was a witness to the crime, was also shot but survived.

The day after the murders, police arrested Sample and McKay. They found a .32 caliber handgun in their car, which was matched to the bullets from the crime scene. Eyewitnesses, including Melvin Wallace, identified both Sample and McKay as the culprits during lineups and at the trial.

Sample and McKay were convicted of two counts of felony murder. On February 7, 1983, Sample was sentenced to death. His legal battles continued for years, involving various appeals and court opinions. Sample's attorneys argued that the prosecution had suppressed exculpatory evidence, meaning evidence that could have been favorable to Sample.

Despite these claims, the courts upheld the conviction and the death sentence. Sample's case was reviewed multiple times, including appeals to the Tennessee Supreme Court. Ultimately, the courts maintained that the evidence of his guilt overwhelmingly supported the conviction and that the death sentence should stand.