April 14, 2025

Episode 163 Toni Jo Henry Louisiana's Femme Fatale

24 minutes

In 1942, the state of Louisiana executed a woman in the electric chair for the first and only time in its history. She was young, beautiful, and utterly devoted to the man she loved, a Texas outlaw. Toni Jo Henry was willing to do anything to free him from prison which led her down a dark path…the cold-blooded killing of an innocent man. Toni Jo claimed her accomplice pulled the trigger. He said she did. Was Toni Jo Henry a ruthless killer, or a woman trapped by her tragic past and her devotion to the wrong man?

Want more Southern Mysteries?

Hear the Southern Mysteries show archive of 60+ episodes along with Patron exclusive podcast, Audacious: Tales of American Crime and more when you become a patron of the show. You can immediately access exclusive content now at patreon.com/southernmysteries

Connect

Website: southernmysteries.com

Facebook: Southern Mysteries Podcast

Instagram: @southernmysteries

Email: [email protected]

Episode Sources

The Times: Former Shreveport Girl to Face jury for Lake Charles Slaying, March 24, 1940

The News Star: Toni Jo Henry is denied new trial, May 25, 1942

The Atlanta Journal: Woman Slayer, Awaiting death in chair, wisecracks over fate, August 4, 1942

The Town Talk: High Court denies stay of execution for Toni Jo Henry, November 4, 1942

Shreveport Journal: Toni Jo Henry Executed, November 28, 1942

Del Rio News Herald: Kin of Toni Jo Henry Claim body for burial, November 30, 1942

The DeQuincy News: Burks to follow Toni Jo to chair, High Court rules, December 4, 1942

Greenville News: Trip of Death Ends as Burks electrocuted, March 24, 1943

State v. Henry, 196 La. 217, 198 So. 910 (La. 1940)

M. Watt Espy Papers: Documentation for the execution of Harold Burks, Toni Henry, 1943-03-23

Harold Burks executed on 1943-03-23 in Louisiana (LA); Toni Henry executed on 1942-11-28 in Louisiana (LA)

Find A Grave: Joseph Prince “Joe” Calloway

Find A Grave: Claude David “Cowboy” Henry

Find A Grave: Toni Jo Henry/Annie Beatrice McQuiston

Nola Mae Ross: Crimes of the Past in South Louisiana, 2004

Episode Music

Out of the Mines, courtesy of Ross Gentry, Asheville, North Carolina.

...more

View all episodes

By Shannon Ballard

4.8

972972 ratings