William Kemmler - the first execution in the electric chair. On June 4th, 1888, the New York Legislature passed Chapter 489 of Laws of New York of 1888, providing for the execution by "a current of electricity of sufficient intensity to cause death" for offences committed after January 1st, 1889. On May 15th 1889 in Buffalo, New York state, Judge Childs sentenced 30 year old William Kemmler, aka John Hort, to die “by the application of electricity”. He had been convicted on May 10th of the ax murder of his common law wife, Matilda “Tillie” Ziegler at their home on March 29th 1889. He became the first man to be sentenced to death under the new law that changed the execution method from hanging to electrocution. Kemmler's lawyers appealed citing the 8th and 14th amendments to the American Constitution which prohibit "cruel and unusual punishment." The state appeal was turned down on October 9th, 1889. On May 21st the Supreme Court heard arguments in the case as t...