safety
Michigan’s last execution happened 88 years ago: That man’s story and the death penalty today
By Morgan Russ, Kayla Clarke at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News
· July 8, 2026
· 6 min read
The last person to face the death penalty in Michigan was executed 88 years ago by the federal government.The 1938 execution was the first since Michigan abolished the death penalty nearly 100 years prior. Now, in 2025, there is one Michigan man on death row for a crime committed on federal prope...
Key takeaway Read: May 4, 1846: Michigan becomes first state to abolish death penaltyTony Chebatoris: The last man to be executed in MichiganTony Chebatoris was first convicted on July 20, 1920, for armed robbery of a Packard cashier.
Why this matters
Public-safety stories like this one shape community trust, emergency response, and how residents experience their neighborhoods. The Detroit tracks these reports so readers can make informed decisions about where they live, work, and travel.
About this story
Original reporting by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News ·
Reading time: 6 min
Get more The Detroit stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The last person to face the death penalty in Michigan was executed 88 years ago by the federal government.The 1938 execution was the first since Michigan abolished the death penalty nearly 100 years prior. Now, in 2025, there is one Michigan man on death row for a crime committed on federal prope...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Morgan Russ, Kayla Clarke at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter