Bio

William Eugene Thompson was born on July 26, 1951. He grew up in Kentucky, specifically in Pike County. Not much is known about his family background or his experiences during childhood. However, later in life, he became known for serious criminal offenses.

Over the years, Thompson got into trouble with the law. His early criminal activities led him to prison, where he was serving a life sentence for a murder that took place before he committed another serious crime. He had been involved in a murder for hire case in Pike County before his later offenses.

In the mid-1980s, while Thompson was in a correctional facility, he participated in a work detail at a prison farm. This setting is where he would later commit another crime that would change his life forever.

On May 9, 1986, while working, Thompson's actions led to the death of a prison guard, Fred Cash. After this crime, he attempted to escape the prison. He was later arrested at a bus station while trying to leave Kentucky.

Murder Story

William Eugene Thompson was involved in a series of violent crimes. In 1974, he murdered someone for hire. This crime is part of his background but not much is known about the victim. In 1986, while serving a life sentence for that earlier crime, Thompson was allowed to work with other inmates at the Western Kentucky Farm Center in Graves County, Kentucky.

On May 9, 1986, during his work detail, Thompson attacked Correctional Officer Fred Cash. He used a hammer and struck Cash multiple times on the head. This brutal act caused Cash's death. After killing him, Thompson moved Cash's body to a nearby barn. There, he took Cash's belongings, including his wallet and keys.

Thompson then attempted to escape by taking the prison farm van. He drove to a bus station, hoping to get away. However, law enforcement soon located and arrested him at the bus station.

In the following legal proceedings, Thompson was initially convicted of murder and sentenced to death in October 1986. However, seven years later, this conviction was overturned by the state Supreme Court. A new trial was ordered, and the venue for the trial was changed to Graves County. Ultimately, he was sentenced to death again for the crime committed against Fred Cash.