Murder & Mayhem in the Finger Lakes

The pristine waters of the Finger Lakes inspire tranquility, but the region has not been spared a history of high—profile murders. George Chapman’s execution for killing a hostler in a drunken rage drew one of the largest crowds in Seneca County’s history. Charles Sprague was the only person from Yates County to be executed and the last person electrocuted at Auburn Prison after shooting a neighbor in a dispute over potatoes. A plea of insanity did not save James Williams from the electric ...