Nevada State Prison Inmate Case Files
Earl Lewis Steward
Earl Steward was executed at the Nevada State Prison on February 24, 1960. He was convicted in the killing of Thomas Jessen, a North American Van Line driver. Steward met Jessen at truck stop in Salt Lake City and asked for work. Jessen took him on and the two drove to California to pick up furniture from various points before starting the return trip to Salt Lake City. Jessen was carrying on his person about $1,400 in cash. On September 9, 1957, outside Fernley, Nevada, Steward attempted to rob Jessen as he slept. Jessen awoke and, in the ensuing struggle, Steward shot and killed him before fleeing to Philadelphia, where he was arrested. The Maryland native was forty-one at the time of his death and his occupation was listed as machinist.
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