Second-degree murder: On July 26, 1911 (age 17), suffocated 73-year-old William H. Jackson with a chloroform-soaked rag during a robbery at the Iroquois Hotel in New York City. Sentenced to 20 years to life. Spent most of his sentence at Sing Sing, Dannemora State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, and Fishkill.
Background
Paul Geidel Jr. (1894–1987) served one of the longest prison sentences in U.S. history that ended in parole — 68 years and 296 days for second-degree murder. Released May 7, 1980 at age 86. Died May 1, 1987 at age 93 in Beacon, New York. He had become institutionalized and initially declined earlier parole offers.
Sources & Verification
Convicted of second-degree murder in 1911 in New York for the July 26, 1911 killing of William H. Jackson. Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Geidel . Paroled May 7, 1980 after 68 years 296 days (third-longest U.S. term to end in parole at the time). Died May 1, 1987. Buried Fairview Cemetery, Beacon, NY. Find a Grave memorial 219719363: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/219719363/paul-geidel (includes marker photo). Additional: New York Times coverage 1911–1980; New York Daily News Justice Story Jan 14 2012.
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No other flagged graves found within 5 miles of this location in our current database.