The state of Michigan in the United States has never used capital punishment, having abolished it in 1846; however, previous political institutions and the federal government have executed people in the territory of the modern state. Current federal policy is to carry out executions only in states which use the death penalty themselves. The "Espy file", compiled by M. Watt Espy and John Ortiz Smylka, found 13 executions which took place in Michigan (not counting those before European arrival). There were probably a small number of others which have been overlooked due to the age of the incidents and lack of complete records. Of the known executions, only one was of a woman or of an African American; both the same person, Ann Wyley, executed as a robber. The majority of the executions (7 of 13) were of Native Americans. No one has been executed in the state since 1938.
unknown male 29 November 1683, Native American, executed for murder by firing squad, by a local authority
Bartellemy Pichon, 7 November 1707, white, soldier, executed for treason by bludgeoning to death, by a local authority
Joseph Hecker, December 1775, white, furrier, executed for murder by hanging, by a local authority
Ann Wyley, 26 March 1777, black female, executed for robbery by hanging, by a local authority
John Coutincinau, 26 March 1777, white, executed for robbery by hanging, by a local authority
Kewaubis, 27 December 1821, Native American, executed for murder by hanging, by the Territorial government
Ketauka, 27 December 1821, Native American, executed for murder by hanging, by the Federal government
Stephen Simmons, 24 September 1830, white, tavern owner, executed for murder by hanging, by the Territorial government
Wau-Bau-Ne-Me-Kee, July 1836, Native American, executed for murder by hanging, by the Federal government
Anthony Chebatoris, 8 July 1938, white, age 38, executed for murder by hanging, by the Federal government
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