Rickey Bell — black, age 30
Sentenced to death in Tipton County, Tennessee
By: a jury
Date of crime: June 1, 2010
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Bell was convicted of the kidnapping, murder, and rape of Starr Harris (age 36) who owned the lawn-care company Bell worked for. The attack was the result of an argument Harris had with Bell over his paycheck. Prosecutors pointed out Bell’s long criminal history as an indication of Bell being a dangerous offender.
Sources: Memphis Commercial Appeal (TN) 6/9/10 (2010 WLNR 11770885), WMC-TV 4/9/12 (http://www.wmctv.com/story/17365238/rickey-bell-tipton-countys-first-death-penalty-inmate).