Paul Geidel Jr. is a name that resonates in the annals of U.S. criminal history due to his extraordinarily long prison sentence. Born in 1894, Geidel's life took a dramatic turn at the age of 17 when he was convicted of second-degree murder. His incarceration lasted nearly 69 years, making him one of the longest-serving inmates in the United States. This article delves into the life of Paul Geidel, exploring his early years, the crime that led to his imprisonment,
and his experiences behind bars.
Early Life and Background
Paul Geidel Jr. was born on April 21, 1894, in Hartford, Connecticut. His early life was marked by hardship, as his father, an alcoholic saloon keeper, passed away when Geidel was just five years old. This loss led to a childhood spent largely in an orphanage, shaping a life of instability and struggle. Geidel dropped out of school at the age of 14 and began working various jobs in hotels in Hartford and New York City.
The challenges of Geidel's early life were compounded by the absence of a stable family environment. His mother, Annie Prumbaum, and his sister, Agnes, were his only immediate family, and they too faced the difficulties of life without a father figure. These formative years set the stage for the events that would lead to Geidel's infamous crime.
The Crime and Conviction
On July 26, 1911, Paul Geidel committed the crime that would define his life. At the age of 17, he robbed and murdered William H. Jackson, a 73-year-old wealthy broker, in New York City. Geidel, who was working as a bellhop at the Iroquois Hotel, entered Jackson's room and suffocated him with a chloroform-soaked rag. The robbery yielded only a few dollars, but the crime was severe enough to lead to his arrest just two days later.
Geidel was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. His young age and the nature of the crime shocked many, and his sentence marked the beginning of a long and arduous journey through the New York state prison system.
Life in Prison
Paul Geidel's time in prison was marked by significant developments. Initially incarcerated at Sing Sing Prison, his sentence was reduced due to good behavior. However, in 1926, doctors declared him legally insane, leading to his transfer to the Dannemora State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, where he remained until 1972.
In 1974, Geidel was granted parole, but he chose to stay in prison, feeling unprepared for life outside after spending his entire adult life behind bars. It wasn't until May 7, 1980, that he finally left Fishkill Correctional Facility, having served the longest prison sentence in U.S. history at that time. Geidel spent his remaining years in a nursing home in Beacon, New York, until his death in 1987 at the age of 93.
Paul Geidel's story is a poignant reminder of the complexities of crime, punishment, and the human capacity for endurance. His life, marked by a lengthy incarceration, continues to be a subject of reflection and discussion in the context of the American criminal justice system.
