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Crime and Punishment Trivia

Crime and Punishment Trivia Quizzes

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56 quizzes and 575 trivia questions.
1.
  Last Hangings in UK Prisons    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I will give you a prison name and all you need to do is tell me the year that the last hanging took place there. Good luck
Tough, 10 Qns, me67, Dec 30 12
Tough
me67
347 plays
2.
Reasons Not to Be Naughty
  Reasons Not to Be Naughty   great trivia quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
How much do you really know about punishments from the past? I thought I did until I undertook the writing of this quiz. I learned a lot through the research. Maybe you will to.
Easier, 10 Qns, dcpddc478, Jun 18 23
Easier
dcpddc478
Jun 18 23
1700 plays
3.
  Don't Stop the Thieving   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Just a sampling of some of history's most famous thefts and robberies. Some of these crimes were solved, but sadly some were not.
Average, 10 Qns, dcpddc478, Oct 02 19
Average
dcpddc478
Oct 02 19
6832 plays
4.
  Capital Punishment - A Historical Perspective editor best quiz   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Capital punishment has been controversial as long as man has existed on Earth. Here are some interesting highlights, or lowlights, of the practice.
Tough, 10 Qns, woofi, May 21 13
Tough
woofi
10435 plays
5.
  Innocent Man   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A look at some miscarriages of justice throughout the ages.
Average, 10 Qns, Christinap, Jul 28 11
Average
Christinap
3306 plays
6.
  Sitting in the Hot Seat   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The electric chair, often referred to as the hot seat, has been a symbol of the death penalty in the US for many years. The main focus of this quiz is how it came into being.
Average, 10 Qns, pollucci19, Jan 23 22
Average
pollucci19 gold member
Jan 23 22
2972 plays
7.
  Breaking the Shackles editor best quiz   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
As part of the Amazing Trivia Race 2, this quiz looks at the history of prisons, prisoners, and the prison system.
Average, 10 Qns, doublemm, Jan 10 14
Average
doublemm gold member
2640 plays
8.
  Famous Beheadings   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I know what you are thinking: 'What a delightful subject' - well one thing is for certain, these events mark some of the most important and bizarre moments in our history. I'll describe the person and their exploits, and you tell me who it is.
Average, 10 Qns, hews, Aug 18 11
Average
hews
7510 plays
9.
  Crime and Punishment in the 20th Century   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Famous crimes of the last 100 years. I have avoided asking any O.J. Simpson questions. :)
Average, 10 Qns, matriplex, Jun 04 14
Average
matriplex
3969 plays
10.
  Spare Me That Old-Time Brutal Execution   top quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
It's good enough for me. Match the heinous, horrendous execution method to the culture/people where it was invented or perfected--or most famously used. ***Most of these involve torturous death; sensitive players be forewarned.***
Easier, 10 Qns, gracious1, Jun 30 16
Easier
gracious1 gold member
814 plays
trivia question Quick Question
Bonnie Elizabeth Parker and Clyde Chestnut Barrow were ambushed and killed by a posse in 1934. Which of these Texas officers led the posse?

From Quiz "Want To Join My Posse?"




11.
  Don't Blame the Executioner   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
You may know the saying 'money for old rope' refers to the practice of selling sections of used rope after public hangings, but what do you know about the history of executioners and their work?
Average, 10 Qns, looney_tunes, Oct 02 11
Average
looney_tunes editor
1272 plays
12.
  American Gangs and Hate Groups   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
It is an unfortunate truth that many large US cities are home to gangs, involved in numerous illegal activities. This quiz looks at ten of these gangs, their past and their present.
Average, 10 Qns, doublemm, Mar 13 13
Average
doublemm gold member
2479 plays
13.
  No Such Thing as Justice   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Sometimes legal decisions are just no good - let's take a trip through the history of face-palmingly bad so-called "justice" system travesties.
Easier, 10 Qns, merylfederman, Feb 12 13
Easier
merylfederman gold member
851 plays
14.
  Already Gone   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
There have been many kidnappings throughout history involving celebrities of all types. Often, it was not until friends or family went looking for them did they find that the victims were already gone.
Average, 10 Qns, dcpddc478, Dec 24 16
Average
dcpddc478
1173 plays
15.
  Executions in History   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here's a gory subject for your entertainment and enlightenment: the history of executions all over the world.
Difficult, 10 Qns, bullymom, Jan 16 04
Difficult
bullymom
3696 plays
16.
  Medieval Torture in all its Infamy   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
How much do you know about the hideous tortures people have visited on each other? Not for the squeamish!
Tough, 10 Qns, drowsteel, Jan 11 12
Tough
drowsteel
1120 plays
17.
  Murder Most Foul   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz focuses on ten most foul, strange and unnatural murders that continue to haunt us from the last 100 years.
Tough, 10 Qns, matriplex, Oct 22 19
Tough
matriplex
Oct 22 19
378 plays
18.
  Want To Join My Posse?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Both lawmen and citizens have formed many a posse that have captured or killed outlaws in the U.S. Here are questions on just a few.
Average, 10 Qns, mlcmlc, May 28 14
Average
mlcmlc gold member
2232 plays
19.
  Found Guilty!   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Throughout history, political convictions have often led to criminal convictions, many resulting in execution. Some were guilty of the charges, some were not. Here are 10 cases from the annals for you to ponder and pronounce upon...
Tough, 10 Qns, beergirllaura, Apr 14 13
Tough
beergirllaura
679 plays
20.
  Murder in the Skies   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
This quiz concerns the monstrous crimes of Albert Guay of Canada and John Gilbert Graham of the US, each of whom sabotaged an airplane, killing all on board, in order to murder one person.
Tough, 20 Qns, jouen58, Jan 03 19
Tough
jouen58
Jan 03 19
584 plays
21.
  Spies Like Them   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Whatever their motivations might be, spies make for some fascinating stories. Test your knowledge on a handful of famous spies.
Easier, 10 Qns, PootyPootwell, Jul 05 16
Easier
PootyPootwell gold member
627 plays
22.
  Swinging in the Breeze   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Did the punishment fit the crime? In each of these ten cases, the sentence for the 'crimes' committed was death by hanging. Do you know them all?
Average, 10 Qns, reedy, Jun 06 12
Average
reedy gold member
976 plays
23.
  Imperfect Crimes   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Many criminals get caught as a result of seemingly minor or insignificant details. Here are a few examples.
Average, 10 Qns, robert362, May 25 14
Average
robert362
4810 plays
24.
  You're Tearing Me Apart!   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The term "tearing someone apart" has its origins in European torture methods. To be torn apart on the rack was a horrible way to die. What do you know about punishment and torture methods in history?
Average, 10 Qns, dcpddc478, Jun 18 14
Average
dcpddc478
1533 plays
25.
  The Hangman's Noose   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I accepted an author's challenge to write this quiz. There are two general questions about hanging and the method used. For the rest you need to know something about criminals who met their end with the use of the hangman's noose.
Average, 10 Qns, Jomarion, Mar 12 14
Average
Jomarion
647 plays
26.
  The History of Torture and Execution   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A quiz about the cruel and violent ways in which man has meted out punishment - from early civilization to the present.
Average, 10 Qns, ElusiveDream, Jun 26 23
Average
ElusiveDream
Jun 26 23
681 plays
27.
  Crime(s) of the 20th Century   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Many crimes have been called 'the crime of the (twentieth) century'. Here are some of them.
Tough, 10 Qns, robert362, Mar 09 07
Tough
robert362
5310 plays
28.
  Infamous Executions    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz takes on a journey through the ages and asks questions about the not so good, the bad and the very bad. All of whom were sentenced to the death penalty. See how much you know about this motley brigade.
Average, 10 Qns, nickdrew55, Jan 08 12
Average
nickdrew55
1409 plays
29.
  The Death Sentence in 20th Century Britain   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
For much of the 20th century execution by hanging was an accepted part of British criminal justice. This quiz tests your knowledge of capital punishment in 20th century Britain and of some questionable executions which hastened its abolition.
Tough, 10 Qns, baldricksmum, Dec 04 04
Tough
baldricksmum gold member
1465 plays
30.
  Going for the Gold    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Robberies fascinate us - until we are robbed ourselves. This is about some of the more famous - or infamous robberies in history.
Average, 10 Qns, GillianO, Jul 31 11
Average
GillianO
534 plays
31.
  Crucifixion: A Fate Worse than Death   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Crucifixion was one of the most painful ways in which to die. This quiz is on the history of this horrendous form of execution.
Average, 10 Qns, Bdawg89, Jul 01 23
Average
Bdawg89
Jul 01 23
1668 plays
32.
  Maritime Crime   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A unique set of international laws govern the oceans of the world and nations have to come up with laws addressing knotty issues on internal waterways. This results in an interesting set of maritime crimes and misdemeanors.
Average, 10 Qns, wjames, May 29 17
Average
wjames gold member
386 plays
33.
  Death Becomes Them   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A brief examination of capital punishment in the United States.
Tough, 10 Qns, rockdoktor, Jun 14 11
Tough
rockdoktor
1312 plays
34.
  Just Hanging Around   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A look at the history of executions in the United Kingdom.
Tough, 10 Qns, Christinap, May 23 11
Tough
Christinap
657 plays
35.
  Great Unsolved Crimes   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Crime is frustrating enough when it is prevalent, but when a story persists in the news without a solution, it can become almost legendary. What do you know about these famous unsolved crimes?
Difficult, 10 Qns, RivkahChaya, Oct 19 15
Difficult
RivkahChaya
469 plays
36.
  Infamous Indiana   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Most people consider the most exciting things about Indiana to be corn or the 500. There have been, however, several rather nefarious people with connections to the Hoosier State. They tend to liven things up a bit.
Average, 10 Qns, YourLordship, Oct 06 14
Average
YourLordship
402 plays
37.
  Weird Sisters   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A quiz about some of the fascinating people that have been accused of being witches.
Tough, 10 Qns, 480154st, Jul 07 20
Tough
480154st gold member
Jul 07 20
202 plays
38.
  America and the Death Penalty: 19th Century   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz only covers famous/notorious executions carried out in the United States between 1800 and 1899. Good luck!
Tough, 10 Qns, ReallyBeAmazed, Jun 28 16
Tough
ReallyBeAmazed
427 plays
39.
  I Told You I Wasn't Guilty    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
All around the world, there has been a history of innocent men and women being found guilty and imprisoned. This quiz will deal with some from a number of countries who were initially found guilty, but later released and/or exonerated.
Average, 10 Qns, Trivia_Fan54, May 05 20
Average
Trivia_Fan54 gold member
May 05 20
335 plays
40.
  The St. Valentine's Day Massacre    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Everybody knows that the St. Valentine's Day Massacre is the most famous mass murder in the history of the United States. But how much do you really know about it?
Average, 15 Qns, randa16, Mar 22 12
Average
randa16
1821 plays
41.
  The Great Train Robbery   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
"The Great Train Robbery" was a daring heist which occurred in the south of England in 1963. See how much you know, or what you maybe able to learn.
Tough, 10 Qns, nickdrew55, Mar 26 12
Tough
nickdrew55
359 plays
42.
  Crime and Punishment...in Ancient Rome   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A quiz on the myriad forms of punishment in ancient Rome. Not for those with a low threshhold for disgust ...
Difficult, 10 Qns, foregone, Apr 27 07
Difficult
foregone
1229 plays
43.
  Let's Swing    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
No apologies for my sense of humour (or lack of) with the theme, but it's all about hanging.
Average, 10 Qns, ironhammer, Nov 19 12
Average
ironhammer
471 plays
44.
  The Fascinating Electric Chair    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Nearly every American has heard of the notorious execution method, the Electric Chair. This riveting way of killing prisoners has always been a key topic for historians. NOTE: This is my first quiz. Constructive criticism is appreciated.
Average, 10 Qns, xxFregiltxx, Apr 23 13
Average
xxFregiltxx
660 plays
45.
  A Snitch in Time    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here is my offer you can't refuse. A quiz about some of the most famous criminals who became informants for law enforcement.
Average, 10 Qns, dan180dan180, Sep 13 16
Average
dan180dan180
524 plays
46.
  You Stole My Diamonds!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Diamonds are a thief's best friend. So are rubies, emeralds, gold and pictures. Join me in a quick look at some famous thefts.
Difficult, 10 Qns, StarStruck60, Nov 17 10
Difficult
StarStruck60
363 plays
47.
  One Head Is Better Than None    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
All the historical figures in this quiz can attest from personal experience that one head is definitely better than none. But can you figure out who these people are based on descriptions of their crimes and executions?
Tough, 10 Qns, lingophilia, Aug 19 16
Tough
lingophilia
568 plays
48.
Love it or hate it, some countries still apply the capital punishment. Let's learn a bit about its history.
Average, 10 Qns, Caeiro, Mar 05 13
Average
Caeiro
452 plays
49.
  Tudor Crime and Punishment    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Tudor punishment was very cruel, but interesting, so I thought I'd do a quiz about it. I hope you like it.
Tough, 10 Qns, sophie38, Mar 25 05
Tough
sophie38
1936 plays
50.
  Transportation To Australia    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
No! Not a quiz about vehicles, but about that peculiar punishment of the ninetenth century, transportation to Australia/Van Diemen's Land. I hope you find it as interesting to play as I found to research.
Tough, 10 Qns, Fiachra, Dec 30 12
Tough
Fiachra
836 plays
51.
  Executions in the U.S.    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The death penalty and executions have been a key feature of American culture since the formation of the Nation. What do you know about this custom? Take this quiz and see. Good Luck.
Difficult, 10 Qns, AirBossJohnson, Dec 21 12
Difficult
AirBossJohnson
939 plays
52.
  Capital Punishment (All American)    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A mix of questions about the demise of some convicted felons
Average, 10 Qns, owl007, Aug 12 15
Average
owl007
655 plays
53.
  History of the Electric Chair    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The electric chair is an American invention. Whether you support or oppose capital punishment, you can't deny that the electric chair is the subject of morbid fascination. How much do you know about it?
Tough, 10 Qns, falcon621, Aug 13 09
Tough
falcon621
1095 plays
54.
  Chain Gangs in the USA    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Chain gang prison labor in the United States was once prominent. In the post Civil War South, chain gangs served to replace the labor base of slavery. Today, chain gangs are back, and as controversial as ever.
Tough, 10 Qns, xackery12, Jan 30 08
Tough
xackery12
488 plays
55.
  American Outlaws    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This should not be too hard for history buffs. It covers American outlaws from the 1860s to the 1930s.
Impossible, 10 Qns, jamess45, Mar 27 07
Impossible
jamess45
2093 plays
56.
Enjoy your brief trip through the history of capital punishment.
Tough, 10 Qns, snoozer998, Sep 09 14
Tough
snoozer998
436 plays
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Crime and Punishment Trivia Questions

1. In which country was Malin Mattsdotter convicted of witchcraft based on the testimony of her daughters in 1676, and her denials of such activity were taken as proof that she was indeed in league with the Devil?

From Quiz
Weird Sisters

Answer: Sweden

According to her daughters, Anna and Maria Eriksdotter, Malin had taken them and other children to the legendary island of Blockula to visit Satan on many occasions. Furthermore, when Malin was asked to confess by the court, the Devil appeared beside her, visible to the children, instructing her to not do so. Upon being ordered by the court to fall to her knees and pray to have the ability to confess, Malin finally did so, and the children reported that the Devil was now no longer visible, although they reiterated their testimony regarding the island of Blockula. Malin's denials only increased her guilt as Satan made it possible for her to withstand interrogation. Malin was found guilty by a unanimous decision and sentenced by a majority vote to death by being burned alive. A bag of gunpowder would be secured around her neck in order to make her death quicker. She maintained her innocence to the last, and according to reports from witnesses at the burning in the town square of Horterget in Stockholm, she did not scream. Her death in silence provided further proof of her guilt, as witches feel no pain.

2. In 1982, Lindy Chamberlain was sentenced to life imprisonment in Australia for killing her nine-week-old daughter. She was released and exonerated when evidence supported her claim that a ________ killed her child.

From Quiz I Told You I Wasn't Guilty

Answer: Dingo

When Lindy Chamberlain's daughter went missing while she and her husband were camping in central Australia, she was charged and convicted of murder. Her husband was incarcerated after being found guilty of being an accessory to the murder. Then, in 1986, a tourist went missing in the area where they had been camping. During the search for the tourist, the daughter's jacket was found in an area that had many dingo lairs. The couple was released, the cases were reopened and both were exonerated by the courts in 1988.

3. This Dutch beauty was an exotic dancer who was found guilty of spying for Germany during World War I. She was born Margaretha Zelle but is better known by her stage name. Can you name her?

From Quiz Spies Like Them

Answer: Mata Hari

Mata Hari was born in the Netherlands to a well-to-do family and had a lavish childhood, but struggled to make a living as a young divorcee and became an exotic dancer. She became famous for her provocative act which allowed her travel freely around Europe during wartime. She was found guilty of passing secrets from the French and British to Germany and was sentenced to death by firing squad in 1917.

4. In 1848 a posse captured Joseph Peter Lynch and his men after they had killed twelve people at Mission San Miguel. What was the motive for the murders?

From Quiz Want To Join My Posse?

Answer: a fortune in gold

John William Reed was operating the mission as a bread and breakfast, accepting only gold in payment. The rumor was that the gold was hidden on the property. Lynch and his gang killed Reed, his pregnant wife, and all of the employees and guests. They never did find the gold. They were found by the posse and Lynch was executed by firing squad.

5. The development of the electric chair was spurred on by two factors - the cruelty of hanging as a means of execution and the campaigning of which noted inventor?

From Quiz Sitting in the Hot Seat

Answer: Thomas Edison

Chapter 352 of the Laws was enacted in 1886 which enabled the New York State Government to assemble a commission to investigate and identify a more humane way in which to carry out capital punishment. To this point the favoured method was hanging but the downsides of this option were the length of time it took for the prisoner to die and the amount of pain that was inflicted upon the condemned person. Thomas Edison was the founder of Edison General Electric. His organisation had, in 1882, established the first electrical utility industry. When he heard of the commission and that one of the options put forward was death by electric current he became an advocate and a powerful campaigner for the method. He was most insistent that alternating current be the appliance for this purpose. Edison's motives for this, however, were not without flaw. Sources: http://www.ccadp.org/electricchair.htm http://targetstudy.com/knowledge/invention/124/electric-chair.html

6. A man born in 1905, in Clayton, Yorkshire, was very well acquainted with the noose and used it to carry out hangings - between 1945 and 1956 - on over 600 people, during his career as Britain's Chief Executioner. Can you find his name in this list?

From Quiz The Hangman's Noose

Answer: Albert Pierrepoint

Albert was the most famous of the family which provided three of the UK's official hangmen. Henry was Albert's father and Thomas was his uncle. Whatever Pierrepoint thought and felt as he executed all these people is unknown but in his 1974 autobiography he wrote, "I have come to the conclusion that executions solve nothing and are only an antiquated relic of a primitive desire for revenge which takes the easy way and hands over the responsibility for revenge to other people." (At least 200 of the people hanged by Albert Pierrepoint were Nazi war criminals executed in the British Zone of Germany).

7. Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano is famous for having turned states evidence against his former boss in 1991. Who was the "Teflon Don" that Gravano testified against?

From Quiz A Snitch in Time

Answer: John Gotti

Gravano was placed in the Witness Protection Program following his testimony. He also had plastic surgery to help conceal his identity.

8. A person having their limbs stretched by ropes, under the control of a torturer who adjusted the tension by means of a crank, was known as what?

From Quiz Medieval Torture in all its Infamy

Answer: The Rack

Being broken on the Rack was simple in principle, but a horrible torture which had a couple of different forms. Most commonly, a sufferer was strapped to a table with ropes pulling their arms and legs in different directions. A variation had the victim suspended over a wooden horse (wedge), with the ropes pulling downward.

9. What was the name of the German Foreign Minister throughout World War II who was hanged for war crimes in 1946? He was the first man found guilty at The Nuremberg Trials to be executed.

From Quiz Infamous Executions

Answer: Joachim von Ribbentrop

Joachim von Ribbentrop was found guilty of all charges at Nuremberg and was the first to be hanged. Hermann Göring was scheduled to be the first, but he committed suicide hours before he took his place at the gallows. Martin Bormann, was missing and was sentenced to death in absentia. Heinrich Himmler never made it to trial as he also committed suicide after being arrested by British forces.

10. In 1911, a former employee walked into the Louvre and stole which world famous painting?

From Quiz Don't Stop the Thieving

Answer: The Mona Lisa

Vincenzo Peruggia, a former Louvre employee, walked into the museum one day after being fired. In broad daylight he took the painting out of the frame and hid it under his clothing. He walked out the front door unnoticed and was not caught until he attempted to sell the painting two years later. He only received 6 months in jail and was considered a hero in his native Italy.

11. For many years hangings were a public event. What was the name of the main public execution site in 18th century London?

From Quiz Just Hanging Around

Answer: Tyburn

Tyburn was situated close to the current day position of Marble Arch. It was used as an execution site until the late 18th century. The Tyburn Tree was a unique gallows that allowed several people to be hanged at once. The most ever recorded was a simultaneous hanging of 24 people in June 1649. Public executions were very popular. People made a day out of it and there was much competition for the best seats. The condemned felon had the opportunity to make a farewell speech from the gallows before being hanged, and the public expected these to be witty - a difficult feat to pull off under the circumstances.

12. When this Roman orator ran afoul of the Second Triumvirate, they sent assassins not only to behead him, but to cut off his hands and nail them, along with his head, to the wall in the Forum Romanum. His name means 'chickpea'.

From Quiz One Head Is Better Than None

Answer: Cicero

Marc Antony had Cicero's hands cut off because they were the hands that had written Philippics against Marc Antony and Octavian's handling of the Roman Empire after the murder of Julius Caesar.

13. In 2000 an attempt was made to steal the 203ct. Millennium Star diamond. Where was it being exhibited at the time?

From Quiz You Stole My Diamonds!

Answer: The Millennium Dome, London

The flawless, pear shaped, diamond was the central part of a diamond exhibition at London's Millennium Dome. The robbers' plan was to smash the display case with a mechanical digger, grab the Millennium Star and the eleven other diamonds in the exhibition, and escape by speedboat down the adjacent River Thames. Police had been tipped off in advance and were waiting for them. The entire gang were arrested.

14. The first death penalty laws date back as far as the 18th century B.C. For how many different crimes could one be sentenced to death?

From Quiz Legal Murder: A History of the Death Penalty

Answer: 25

As you can imagine, the forms of execution used were quite barbaric.

15. This small torture device was put into the mouth, and then by turning a screw, petals opened up like a flower blooming, stretching the mouth impossibly wide. What was the descriptive and fruity name was given to this instrument of torture?

From Quiz You're Tearing Me Apart!

Answer: Pear of Anguish

The pear of anguish or choke pear was a terrible device that was capable of killing a person. While it had the ability to act as a gag it was usually used for torture. It was also used in other orifices when punishing homosexuals, women who had committed adultery or women who had caused themselves to miscarry. First mentioned in the 17th century, there are many examples of these devices in museums throughout the world.

16. Which was the first American state to abolish the death penalty?

From Quiz Legal Murder: A History of the Death Penalty

Answer: Michigan

Michigan abolished the death penalty in 1846. Wisconsin did so in 1853 and Alaska in 1957 (when it was not yet a state). Virginia still applies the death penalty.

17. If one was to be executed in Texas how would they do it?

From Quiz Capital Punishment (All American)

Answer: Lethal Injection

Certainly makes one even more scared of needles - right?

18. Barry George was imprisoned for seven years before his conviction was overturned. Which crime was he imprisoned for?

From Quiz Innocent Man

Answer: Murder of Jill Dando

Television presenter Jill Dando was shot and killed on the doorstep of her home in April 1999. After a long investigation, which often appeared to be going nowhere, Barry George was arrested and, in July 2001, found guilty. The case hinged on forensic evidence. George always protested his innocence and in 2007 the Court of Appeal quashed his conviction. A re-trial in 2008 found him not guilty as the forensic evidence was flawed. Police did not reopen the case and no-one else has been charged with the murder.

19. Which state first suggested the electric chair as a method of execution?

From Quiz The Fascinating Electric Chair

Answer: New York

After a gruesome hanging in 1887, New York decided to start a committee to search for a humane method of execution. Harold P. Brown, an employee of Thomas Edison, created the first Electric Chair using the formula from Nikola Tesla's alternating current. The Alternating-Current Electric Chair was adopted by the committee in 1889. (Wikipedia page on the Electric Chair).

20. When did Winchester prison hold its last hanging?

From Quiz Last Hangings in UK Prisons

Answer: 1963

The hangman was Harry Allen and it was the third from last hanging in the UK. The executed prisoner was Dennis John Whitty.

21. The Latin Kings grew to be the largest and most violent street gang in New York in the 1990s. The gang was brought to New York by Latin King member Luis Filipe. In which city do the origins of the Latin Kings lie?

From Quiz American Gangs and Hate Groups

Answer: Chicago

The gang was founded in Chicago, Illinois in the 1940s with the original intent of fighting injustice against those of Hispanic origin. However, members soon became involved in crimes such as kidnapping, drug smuggling and murder. This was especially felt after the move to New York, headed by Filipe (aka King Blood), inciting a huge police crackdown which resulted in the arrest of many high ranking members of the group. Despite Filipe being incarcerated for much of his life he continued to influence many on the inside and outside with his teachings, thus causing the group to grow rapidly. In 1996, the new leader of the Latin Kings, Antonio "King Tone" Fernandez, attempted to create a new image of the gang, one which seemed more aligned to their original ideals. In the early 2000s the Chicago and New York chapters were relatively separate in their activities. Latin King members tend to wear yellow (gold), black and red and can be associated with symbols such as the pentacle and a number of crown designs.

22. The word crucifixion comes from the Latin word "crucifixio" meaning what?

From Quiz Crucifixion: A Fate Worse than Death

Answer: "fixing to a cross"

When a victim was condemned to be crucified their arms and legs were fixed to the cross with rope, or less commonly nails.

23. What year was hanging abolished in Great Britain?

From Quiz Let's Swing

Answer: 1965

The Labour government of Harold Wilson in 1964 made the abolition of capital punishment a major priority. On the 9th of November 1965, the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act suspended the death penalty for murder in the United Kingdom for a period of 5 years. On the 16th of December 1969, the House of Commons reaffirmed its decision that capital punishment for murder should be permanently abolished. Theoretically the death penalty continued in Northern Ireland until the passing of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Powers) Act 1973.

24. In 1995, which state was the first to bring back chain gang prison labor programs in the US?

From Quiz Chain Gangs in the USA

Answer: Alabama

Followed closely by Florida and Arizona. Limestone Correctional Facility, near Huntsville, was the first site of this revived prison practice.

25. From 1900 until 2007, how many women were legally executed in the United States?

From Quiz Executions in the U.S.

Answer: fifty

Of those executed, eight women were hanged, seven died in the gas chamber, nine received lethal injections, and 26 were electrocuted.

26. The 12 Tables prescribed the death penalty for singing or composing an insulting song. How was this penalty to be executed?

From Quiz Crime and Punishment...in Ancient Rome

Answer: Clubbing the convict to death.

It would seem that this kind of thing happened often? Table VIII prescribes this punishment for a lyrical law-breaker. Most countries today would treat this, at worst, as a civil matter.

27. Who was executed for the kidnap and murder of the Lindbergh baby?

From Quiz Crime and Punishment in the 20th Century

Answer: Bruno Richard Hauptmann

A lot of people believe Hauptmann to be innocent. I disagree with them but you should look into the case and decide for yourself. I recommend starting with either "The Lindbergh Case" by Jim Fisher or "The Airman and the Carpenter" by Ludovic Kennedy. The case remains fascinating today.

28. When did the last hanging take place in Britain?

From Quiz The Death Sentence in 20th Century Britain

Answer: August 1964

21 year old Peter Anthony Allen and 24 year old Gwynne Owen Evans (real name John Robson Walby) were simultaneously hanged on 13 August 1964, for the murder and robbery of John West at Workington in April 1964. Peter Allen was hanged at Walton Prison, Liverpool and Gwynne Evans at Strangeways Prison, Manchester. They were taken to separate prisons after their trial at Manchester on 7 July 1964 because double executions (that is, the use of double gallows) were no longer carried out. However, double gallows were used on 13 December 1945 at a prison in Hameln, in the British Zone of Germany, with Albert Pierrepoint as executioner. He had the task of hanging 13 people convicted by a British Military Court of a wide range of appalling crimes at the end of the Belsen trial). The last death sentence was passed on David Chapman at Leeds on 1st November 1965 but he was subsequently reprieved and his sentence commuted to life in prison. The Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act passed on 8 November 1965, effectively abolished capital punishment. Parliament confirmed the abolition of capital punishment for murder in December 1969.

29. After committing their infamous "thrill killing", Leopold and Loeb became instant suspects because of what piece of evidence?

From Quiz Imperfect Crimes

Answer: A pair of eyeglasses

A pair of eyeglasses that belonged to Leopold were found near the scene of the crime; Leopold had inadvertently lost them. They instantly became suspects - and ultimately ended up in jail for a long time.

30. What was the date of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre?

From Quiz The St. Valentine's Day Massacre

Answer: Feb. 14, 1929

One of the most famous dates in U.S. history.

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