The first woman executed by the US federal government was defended by an attorney that was jurist from what state?
Reverdy Johnson Reverdy Johnson (May 21, 1796February 10, 1876) was a statesman and jurist from Maryland. He gained fame as a defense attorney, defending notables such as Sanford of the Dred Scott case, Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter at his court-martial, and Mary Surratt, alleged conspirator in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. A former Whig, he was a strong supporter of the Union war effort. At first he opposed wartime efforts to abolish slavery until 1864, and supported 13th Amendment.
Louise Peete Louise Peete (September 20, 1880 – April 11, 1947) was a convicted American murderer. Peete was first convicted of murdering wealthy mining engineer Jacob C. Denton in 1920 and was sentenced to life in prison. She was paroled in April 1939. In May 1945, she was convicted of murdering her employer, Margaret Logan, and sentenced to death. She was executed in April 1947 making her the second, and one of only four women, to be executed in the California gas chamber.