Foiled Escapee Urged Wife to Shoot Him
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
A death-row inmate who slashed his leather shackles and tried to escape with the help of his gun-toting wife became unglued when their plan went awry and begged her, “Shoot me. Shoot me,” authorities said. Floyd Bennett Thornton Jr. died Wednesday in a hail of gunfire from his wife, Rebecca, who was outside the gate, and guards in watch towers at the state prison in Florence. But it was unclear whose bullet killed him. Rebecca Thornton was shot and killed by guards.
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