Barbara Graham

Barbara Graham was born Barbara Elaine Ford on the 26th June 1923 in Oakland, California. Graham was the third woman in California to be executed by gas.

In 1953, after giving birth to 2 children, serving a stint in prison and spending years working as a prostitute, Barbara married Henry Graham. Through him she met Jack Santo and Emmett Perkins, and in March 1953, along with two further accomplices named John True and Baxter Shorter, she undertook the robbery of 64-year-old
Mabel Monohan in Burbank. Barbara reportedly gained entry to Monohan’s house by asking to use her phone. Once inside, the gang demanded money and jewels from Monohan while Barbara “pistolwhipped” her. They then suffocated Monohan with a pillow. After they were arrested, True testified against Graham and she was sentenced
to death for robbery and murder, along with Perkins and Santo.

Graham died in the gas chamber at San Quentin State prison on the 3rd June 1955.