Frank Hairston
Frank Hairston was one of seven Black men from Martinsville, Virginia, who were executed in the electric chair in Richmond in February 1951. Family members and advocates say the men were interrogated without a lawyer and that their confessions were coerced under threat of mob violence. They also say the trials were unfair. In 2021 Governor Ralph Northam granted posthumous pardons, citing due process failures and a racially biased death sentence, though the pardons did not address guilt.
Cause of death, as reported: Executed by the state. Family members and advocates say he was interrogated without a lawyer, his confession was coerced, and his trial was unfair, and Governor Ralph Northam later granted him a posthumous pardon citing due process failures and a racially biased death sentence.