Executed
William Vandiver
William Vandiver was executed by the state of Indiana by electrocution in 1985. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, the execution was botched: he was still breathing after the first application of current. His attorney reported seeing smoke and smelling burning during the execution. The account is drawn from the Death Penalty Information Center's reporting and the attorney's observations.
Cause of death, as reported: Executed by the state. The article reports that the execution was botched: he was still breathing after the first application of current, and his attorney saw smoke and smelled burning.
Reported by: news reports.