First Execution in Washington: James McGirk <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/409">James McGirk</a>, also spelled McGurk, was hanged on October 28, 1802, near the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/59">Capitol</a> in the same area today occupied by the statues of Presidents <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/13">Garfield</a> and <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/21">Grant</a>. He was the first person executed in the District of Columbia. In April 1802, McGirk was convicted of having beaten his wife to death shortly after she delivered stillborn twins; newspapers speculated that his repeated physical abuse may have contributed to the infants' death. Appeals to President Jefferson by McGirk and his lawyer for a stay of execution were unsuccessful. <em>Washington Federalist</em> 10/28/1802 <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=38&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1800-1829">1800-1829</a>