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In 1890, William Kemmler made a fateful decision—he chose the electric chair over the hangman’s noose, becoming the first man in history to die by electricity. But what he thought would be a quick and painless death turned into a gruesome spectacle. Behind it all was Thomas Edison, eager to showcase his latest invention in a way no one had expected. As the current surged through Kemmler’s body, the world watched in horror—and the Supreme Court ruled it constitutional.
Join us as we unravel the chilling story of the electric chair’s dark origins, Kemmler’s ill-fated gamble, and how Edison’s “gift” became a tool for death. In this episode, we delve into the court’s controversial decision, the terrifying spectacle of Kemmler’s execution, and the legacy of a ruling that haunted the nation for decades. This isn’t just a tale of crime and punishment—it’s the story of how progress turned deadly, and how the Supreme Court’s darkest ruling paved the way for a century of electric justice.

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