Bio

Michael Eugene Thompson was born on June 30, 1959. He grew up in a troubled family in Alabama. Thompson's early life was marked by significant trauma and hardship. His father had a history of violence, and Thompson experienced physical abuse during his childhood. There were also references of a violent incident in which Thompson witnessed his grandfather shoot his father in an attempt to defend Thompson's mother.

As a young boy, Thompson started to struggle with substance abuse. He reportedly began drinking alcohol and using drugs at a very young age, around ten years old. He was introduced to alcohol and drugs by his father, who would give him liquor and pills. This early exposure to substances likely contributed to his future issues with addiction.

Tragedy struck when Thompson was 17 years old. His father was killed during a dispute over money. This event had a profound impact on Thompson, and it led to feelings of guilt. He felt responsible for his father’s death and began to drink heavily to cope with the emotional pain.

Thompson's academic life suffered as well. He dropped out of school in eighth grade and struggled to find stable employment. By the time he was in his twenties, he was living a chaotic life characterized by substance abuse and unstable relationships.

Thompson later moved in with a woman named Shirley Franklin, who was significantly older than him. Their relationship was tumultuous, fueled by drugs and alcohol. It was during this time that Thompson became involved in criminal activities that would eventually lead to his arrest and conviction.

Murder Story

On December 10, 1984, Michael Eugene Thompson entered the Majik Mart convenience store in Attalla, Alabama. He was armed with a .22 caliber pistol. At the time, the store clerk, Maisie Carlene Gray, was working alone. Thompson forced Gray to empty the cash register. After taking the money, he made her get into the trunk of his car.

Thompson drove around for some time. He eventually stopped at a remote location where there was an empty well. Using the gun, he forced Gray into the well. He fired several shots into the well until he ran out of ammunition. Thompson then went to his girlfriend's house to get more bullets.

With his girlfriend, Shirley Franklin, holding a homemade torch for light, he returned to the well. He fired several more shots down the well to ensure that Gray was dead.

The following day, Thompson and Franklin cleaned the pistol and disposed of it in another well. On January 5, 1985, law enforcement received a call from Franklin's husband, who reported that he knew where Gray's body was located. Upon investigation, police found Gray's body in the well. Shirley Franklin gave a statement implicating Thompson, leading to his arrest the same day.

Initially, Thompson refused to sign a waiver of his Miranda rights. However, after a visit with Franklin, he changed his mind. He eventually gave a taped confession to the police, admitting to the robbery, kidnapping, and murder of Maisie Gray. In later interviews, he reiterated his confession.

Thompson was tried and convicted of capital murder on May 10, 1985. The jury recommended a death sentence, which the judge imposed. Thompson's conviction and sentence were upheld by the Alabama Supreme Court, and despite numerous appeals, he remained on death row.

On March 13, 2003, Michael Eugene Thompson was executed by lethal injection. He was pronounced dead at 7 p.m. after the execution procedure was delayed due to difficulties finding a suitable vein for the IV. He did not make a final statement but did express affection to a friend before he was executed.