Bio

William Williams was born in 1877 in St. Ives, Cornwall, England. As a young man, he immigrated to the United States and eventually settled in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He worked as a miner and steamfitter.

In 1904, while recovering from diphtheria in a hospital, Williams met John Keller. John was a local teenager who was also recovering from the same illness. The two formed a close friendship that developed into a romantic relationship. After leaving the hospital, they began boarding together in different places in Saint Paul.

During the summer of 1904, Williams and Keller traveled to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, together. Their relationship faced challenges, especially from John Keller’s father. He disapproved of their bond and forbade John from seeing Williams. Later, John moved back in with his parents.

In 1905, Williams sent John several letters expressing his love and urging him to return to Winnipeg. However, John’s parents insisted that he not respond to these letters. By April 1905, things escalated after Williams returned to Saint Paul.

Murder Story

On April 13, 1905, William Williams entered the Keller home in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He was filled with anger. In a fit of rage, he shot Johnny Keller, who was just 16 years old, in the back of the head while the teen lay in bed. After killing Johnny, Williams shot Johnny's mother. She later died from her injuries after a week in the hospital. At the time of the attack, Johnny's father was not at home.

Later that same day, the police arrested Williams. He was charged with the murders of Johnny and his mother. During the trial, Williams claimed he was not guilty due to "emotional insanity." However, the court rejected this defense. On May 19, 1905, he was found guilty of premeditated murder for both killings.

William Williams was sentenced to death by hanging. The Minnesota Supreme Court confirmed his conviction and sentence on December 8, 1905.

On February 13, 1906, Williams was executed in the basement of the Ramsey County Jail. There was a mistake with the rope used for hanging. It was too long. When Williams dropped through the trapdoor, he hit the ground. To keep him off the floor, three police officers had to hold him up by the rope for over 14 minutes until he died from strangulation.

His execution was seen as poorly handled and was later used by opponents of capital punishment to argue for its abolition in Minnesota. In 1911, Minnesota officially abolished the death penalty, and it has not been reinstated since.