Richmond, Virginia (August 15, 1895 – August 16, 1912) age 17 yrs

Virginia Christian was the first and only juvenile female executed by electric chair in the 20th century in Virginia. This occurred on August 16, 1912, the day after her 17^th birthday. At 13, Christian left Hampton Whitter Training School. She started working as a laundress for Ida Virginia Belote. Belote was a white woman from Hampton. Belote was known to often beat and berate Christian. In mid-March 1912, an argument ensued when Belote accused Christian of stealing a locket and skirt. When Belote hit Christian, the altercation escalated. Christian struck Belote on the forehead with a broom handle. Then, she stuffed a towel in her mouth to stop her screaming. Christian readily confessed to the murder. She contended that she ‘didn’t want to kill Ida.’ Christian was terrified of her screaming. In fact, she didn’t even realize that Ida was dead. This was a time when Jim Crow legislation and racial purity laws were in effect. Virginia, an African American, was not granted a fair trial.