Episode 8: #11 Frank Belew

Episode released early!

Frank Belew had it out for his siblings. He was the third of five children and when he was left out of his parents’ estate—the money being divided among the other four—he plotted revenge. His case would make history, prompting the question, Could a person inherit the estate of those he murdered? At the time, in 1897, no laws existed in California preventing one from doing so, which meant . . . yes, they sure could. Frank might have gotten away with it, too, if it hadn’t been for his meddling brother-in-law.

Frank Belew, 1898; source: personal collection

The San Francisco Call & Post, November 10, 1897

The San Francisco Examiner, November 14, 1897

The San Francisco Examiner, November 15, 1897

Constable Newby, Detective Fitzpatrick, District Attorney Frank Devlin; The San Francisco Call & Post, February 4, 1898; The San Francisco Examiner, February 6, 1898; San Francisco Chronicle, February 9, 1898

The San Francisco Call & Post, November 24, 1897

The San Francisco Examiner, November 24, 1897

Sheriff Rush & John Bird; The San Francisco Call & Post, February 4, 1898

The San Francisco Call & Post, February 5 & 6, 1898

The San Francisco Examiner, February 5, 1898

The San Francisco Examiner, February 6 & 15, 1898

The San Francisco Examiner, February 7, 1898 & The San Francisco Call & Post, February 7, 1898

Top: Tennesse Belew, Thomas Belew; Bottom: Merritt Belew

Frank Belew, 1898; Source: Folsom Prison Mug Books, Ancestry.com

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ABOUT THIS PODCAST: Step behind the walls of Folsom Prison where author and criminal justice professional, April Moore, delves into the haunting, yet profoundly human stories of the 93 men executed between 1895 and 1937. Join us as we explore the paradoxes of justice, taking a deeper look at the death penalty, and re-humanizing those that history might have left behind. New episode every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month. Episode extras and bonus episodes available on Patreon!

Music:

Intro: “Left for Dead” by Wastelander
“Dear Frederic” by Elise Solberg
“Fight or Flight” byYerself
“Center of Gravity” by Yerself
“Distant Water” by Chelsea McGough
“The Bookshop” by CJ-O
“Evelyn” by CJ-O
“The Search” by CJ-O
“Coo-Coos” by Dresden The Flamingo
“The Open Steppe” by Wicked Cinema
“Tippy Toe” by VOLK
“All That Remains” by Wicked Cinema
“Alone in this World” by Moments
“Night Music” by JCar
“Druid” by Wicked Cinema
“Departure” by Alice in Winter
“Aftermath” by Wastelander
Outro: “Lamentation” by Wastelander