1990: Samuel K. Doe
September 9th, 2008 Headsman
On this date in 1990, deposed Liberian strongman Samuel Kanyon Doe was tortured and summarily executed in Monrovia by the putschists that overthrew him … and gruesomely filmed in the process.
Doe had come to power killing his predecessors — personally murdering, some sources say, President William Tolbert in 1980, then executing his chief aides.
That coup toppled civilian authority in the west African country now permanently prefixed with the adjective “troubled.” “The first of the monsters,” the War Nerd called him: Doe’s murderous rule through the 1980’s set up the succession of current war crimes prisoner Charles Taylor.
Samuel Doe’s turn in the obituaries arrived in particularly grisly fashion, with Taylor rival/semi-ally* Prince Johnson swilling beer as he interrogated — and ordered the ear sliced off — the groveling former head of state before having him executed. (Or if you like, just plain murdered.) The video shot of Doe’s ordeal became an international sensation … so it’s a little surprising that only this paltry excerpt seems to be readily available online:
* And current Liberian Senator!
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Entry Filed under: 20th Century, Borderline "Executions", Capital Punishment, Cycle of Violence, Death Penalty, Execution, Famous, Heads of State, History, Infamous, Liberia, No Formal Charge, Political Expedience, Politicians, Popular Culture, Power, Soldiers, Summary Executions, Torture
Tags: 1990, charles taylor, coup d', monrovia, prince johnson, samuel doe, samuel k. doe, samuel kanyon doe, september 9
6 Comments Add your own
1. ExecutedToday.com »&hellip | October 31st, 2008 at 12:00 pm
[...] September 9, 1990: Samuel K. Doe [...]
2. Junior | January 16th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
i know that this is been done but we the people of samel K deo, we i not done yet.
3. ExecutedToday.com »&hellip | April 21st, 2009 at 12:18 am
[...] April 12, 1980, an ethnically Krahn officer named Samuel Doe overthrew — and personally murdered — the last Americo-Liberian president, William [...]
4. steve kimba | August 3rd, 2009 at 4:55 am
Samuel K Doe was the greatest president Liberia ever to be elected to the Republic of Liberia. The love he had for his country was unconditional. Regardless of your ethical tribe. America has portrayed Dr.Doe as a illiterate indigenous animal with no self control and compassion for mankind. The truth may never be revealed in its entirety but at the end of the day Dr.Doe came from the bottom and made it to the top. No one will ever amount to his level of excellence.
5. ExecutedToday.com »&hellip | October 31st, 2009 at 12:36 am
[...] 3. September 9, 2008: Samuel K. Doe [...]
6. junior myers | January 16th, 2010 at 2:50 am
hi i kno that was good greatest greatest president for liberia we the liberian was happy with preesident doe but them come and kill his i miss my bro so much R.I.P samuel k doe
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