Virginia Christian

Born on the 15th August 1895, Virginia Christian was the first female juvenile to be legally executed in the United States.

A “wash girl”, Virginia murdered her employer, Mrs. Ida Belote, a 72 year old white woman, at her home in Hampton. Belote frequently hit Christian, and on the 18th March 1912, an argument broke out between the two when Belote accused Christian of stealing a locket and skirt. Belote hit Christian with a “spittoon”, the argument then escalated when Christian and Belote ran for two broom handles which were used to prop up bedroom windows. Christian grabbed one of the broom handles and struck Belote on the forehead. In an attempt to stifle Belote’s screams, Christian stuffed a towel down her employer’s throat, and Belote died of suffocation.

Christian was electrocuted in the State of Virginia on the 16th August 1912, one day after her 17th birthday.