TIL the term "death row" comes from an assassination attempt on FDR. The shooter Giuseppe Zangara was sentenced to death, but there was already a convict awaiting execution, and FL law forbade them from sharing cells. A second cell was built, turning the "death cell" into the first "death row."
en.wikipedia.orgSubmitted by AdmiralAkbar1 t3_11xih6i in todayilearned
tetoffens t1_jd38xhv wrote
Huh, didn't know about this assassination attempt on FDR. And glad I do now, for the funny mental image.
So Giuseppe Zangara decided to try to shoot Roosevelt while he was surrounded by a crowd of people. The problem was Giuseppe was only 5 feet tall. So in order to try to line up his shot and actually see what he was shooting at, he stood on a wobbly chair and then used the shoulder of the woman (who was only a few inches taller) in front of him to try to keep the gun still while he fired.
It's just...I don't want to be one of those people who makes fun of people for their height but come on. Tiny assassin. Makes me think of the guy from the 3rd season of Twin Peaks.