James H. Snook

James Howard Snook (September 17, 1879 – February 28, 1930) was an American athlete, veterinarian, and murderer.[1][2] He is the only Olympic gold medalist to be executed for murder.[3]

James Howard Snook
Snook in 1929
Born
James Howard Snook

(1879-09-17)September 17, 1879
South Lebanon, Ohio, U.S.
DiedFebruary 28, 1930(1930-02-28) (aged 50)
Ohio State Penitentiary, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Cause of deathExecution by electrocution
Resting placeGreen Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio
OccupationProfessor
SpouseHelen M. Snook
PartnerTheora Hix
James H. Snook
Medal record
Men's shooting
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1920 Antwerp Team 30 m military pistol

Biography

Snook was a member of the U.S. Olympic Pistol Team, which won a Gold Medal in the Men's 30 metre team military pistol event at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium.[4]

Later, Snook was the head of the Department of Veterinary Medicine at Ohio State University. He invented the snook hook, a surgical instrument which is still used in spaying animals. He also was a founding member of the Alpha Psi veterinary fraternity.[5]

Snook was convicted of murdering Theora Hix, a 24-year-old medical student with whom he had had a three-year sexual affair. Snook claimed at his Columbus, Ohio, trial that he had killed Hix because she was threatening to kill Snook's wife and family, and that he feared she would shoot him. The trial was considered shocking for the sexual activities discussed, including fellatio. The jury took 28 minutes to deliberate before finding Snook guilty, after which he was sentenced to death by electrocution.[5]

Snook was executed on 28 February 1930 at the Ohio Penitentiary, by means of the electric chair. He was buried in Green Lawn Cemetery after a short service at the King Avenue Methodist Church.[6]

References
  1. "James H. Snook". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  2. "James H. Snook". Olympedia. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  3. "Professor James Howard Snook, Ohio’s ‘Gold Medal Murderer.’" Crimescribe; accessed 2023.03.02.
  4. Susan Wittstock. "For OSU alumnus/staffer, Olympics are a lifelong passion". oncampus.osu.edu. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2010.
  5. "Dr. James Howard Snook". Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Archived from the original on April 3, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  6. Ohio Exploration Society. "Doctor James Howard Snook". OhioExploration.com. Retrieved July 12, 2005.
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