History of Jessie Hoffman Jr. in Timeline

Jessie Dean Hoffman Jr. was an American convicted murderer sentenced to death in Louisiana for the 1996 rape and murder of Molly Elliott. At 18, he abducted the 28-year-old advertising executive in downtown New Orleans on November 26, 1996. Hoffman forced her to withdraw money from an ATM at gunpoint and then drove her to St. Tammany Parish, where he committed the rape and murder.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

September 1, 1978: Jessie Dean Hoffman Jr. Born

On September 1, 1978, Jessie Dean Hoffman Jr. was born.

Others born on this day/year

1985: Tracy Lee killed Rohn Blackston

In 1985, Tracy Lee killed 15-year-old Rohn Blackston and raped Blackston's mother and sister during a home invasion. Hoffman's execution paved the way to the possibility of more executions in Louisiana.

1993: Larry Roy killed two people

In 1993, Larry Roy, the Cheneyville Slasher killed two people. Hoffman's execution paved the way to the possibility of more executions in Louisiana.

1995: Andy Elliott married Molly Elliott

In 1995, Andy Elliott was married to the victim, Molly Elliott.

November 1996: Carpark Valet Job in New Orleans

In November 1996, after graduating from high school and working various jobs, Jessie Hoffman began working as a carpark valet in New Orleans.

November 26, 1996: Abduction and Murder of Molly Elliott

On November 26, 1996, Jessie Hoffman, then 18, abducted Molly Elliott, a 28-year-old advertising executive, in downtown New Orleans. He forced her to withdraw money from an ATM at gunpoint and then drove her to a remote area in St. Tammany Parish, where he raped and murdered her.

November 28, 1996: Discovery of Elliott's Body

On November 28, 1996, Molly Elliott's body was discovered by a duck hunter on Thanksgiving Day. Her husband identified her, and police found her belongings, including ATM receipts that led to Hoffman.

1996: Darrell James Robinson killed a family of four

In 1996, Darrell James Robinson killed a family of four. Hoffman's execution paved the way to the possibility of more executions in Louisiana.

1996: Molly Elliot was murdered

In 1996, Hoffman took the life of Molly Elliott. Cecelia Koppel, one of Hoffman's lawyers, stated that Hoffman was no longer the cold-blooded murderer.

January 8, 1997: Indictment for First-Degree Murder

On January 8, 1997, a St. Tammany Parish grand jury indicted Jessie Hoffman for first-degree murder.

May 31, 1998: Brother's Death

On May 31, 1998, one of Jessie Hoffman's brothers, Charles Fields, was shot and killed in New Orleans at the age of 25.

June 25, 1998: Guilty Verdict

On June 25, 1998, the jury found Jessie Hoffman guilty of first-degree murder. His lawyers argued for mitigation due to childhood abuse and neglect.

June 27, 1998: Death Penalty Recommendation

On June 27, 1998, two days after his conviction, the jury recommended the death penalty for Jessie Hoffman.

September 11, 1998: Sentenced to Death

On September 11, 1998, Hoffman was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to death.

November 11, 1998: Transfer to Death Row

On November 11, 1998, Jessie Hoffman was officially transferred to death row at the Louisiana State Penitentiary.

April 11, 2000: Louisiana Supreme Court Dismisses Appeal

On April 11, 2000, the Louisiana Supreme Court dismissed Jessie Hoffman's appeal.

October 16, 2000: U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Appeal

On October 16, 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Jessie Hoffman's appeal.

March 30, 2012: Federal Judge Denies Habeas Petition

On March 30, 2012, a federal judge turned down Jessie Hoffman's federal habeas petition without a hearing.

December 22, 2012: Lawsuit Filed Against Lethal Injection Protocols

On December 22, 2012, Jessie Hoffman filed a lawsuit against Louisiana's lethal injection protocols, arguing they constituted "cruel and unusual punishment."

February 13, 2013: Suspension of Sepulvado's Execution

On February 13, 2013, Christopher Sepulvado's execution was suspended while Jessie Hoffman's lawsuit against lethal injection protocols was ongoing.

February 2014: Second Lawsuit Filed Against Lethal Injection Protocols

In February 2014, Jessie Hoffman and Christopher Sepulvado filed a second lawsuit against Louisiana's lethal injection protocols after the state switched to a new double-drug combination for Sepulvado's rescheduled execution.

May 12, 2014: 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Rejects Appeal

On May 12, 2014, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Jessie Hoffman's appeal.

January 20, 2015: Final Appeal Denied by U.S. Supreme Court

On January 20, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Jessie Hoffman's final appeal and petition for a writ of certiorari, confirming his death sentence.

October 19, 2021: Louisiana Supreme Court Rejects Another Appeal

On October 19, 2021, the Louisiana Supreme Court rejected another appeal from Jessie Hoffman, citing insufficient evidence of racial bias and no consensus against executing people under 21.

April 3, 2022: Lawsuit Challenging Lethal Injection Protocols Dismissed

On April 3, 2022, U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick dismissed the lawsuit challenging Louisiana's lethal injection protocols, nearly a decade after it was first filed. The court ruled that Jessie Hoffman and other plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge the protocols.

May 24, 2023: Bill to End Capital Punishment Rejected

On May 24, 2023, a bill to end capital punishment in Louisiana was rejected by the majority of lawmakers.

June 2023: Clemency Petitions Filed

In June 2023, 56 death row inmates, including Jessie Hoffman, filed petitions for clemency, hoping to benefit from Governor Edwards' opposition to the death penalty.

July 2023: Clemency Petitions Rejected

In July 2023, the Louisiana Board of Pardons and Committee on Parole rejected all 56 clemency petitions, including Jessie Hoffman's, due to ineligibility.

January 2024: Alabama Uses Nitrogen Hypoxia for Executions

In January 2024, Alabama used nitrogen hypoxia for executions of inmates, and this method had been used by Alabama to execute four prisoners between January 2024 and February 2025

March 2024: Alternative Execution Methods Authorized

In March 2024, Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill into law that authorized the use of nitrogen hypoxia and the electric chair as alternative execution methods in Louisiana.

2024: Louisiana began executions using nitrogen gas

In 2024, Hoffman became the first inmate to be executed in Louisiana following the state's 15-year moratorium on capital punishment. Hoffman was also the first person in Louisiana and the fifth overall to be executed by nitrogen hypoxia. Louisiana became the second state in the U.S. to carry out executions using nitrogen gas.

2024: Mother's death and family struggles revealed

In 2024, Hoffman's older brother, Marvin Fields, revealed that the family was not well-off and their mother, who passed away in 2024, would often beat her four children, including Hoffman. This information was shared during appeals for mercy on Hoffman's behalf.

2024: Prosecution defends nitrogen hypoxia execution method

In 2024, the prosecution argued that the nitrogen hypoxia method for executions was already in use in Alabama and resulted in seemingly painless deaths.

February 12, 2025: Death Warrant Signed

On February 12, 2025, Judge Alan Zaunbrecher signed a death warrant for Jessie Hoffman, scheduling his execution for March 18, 2025.

February 2025: Resumption of Executions Announced

In early February 2025, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced that the state would resume executions using nitrogen hypoxia, targeting Jessie Hoffman, Christopher Sepulvado, and Larry Roy.

February 24, 2025: Execution Date Remains

On February 24, 2025, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals halted Judge Dick's ruling, enabling Jessie Hoffman's execution date to remain scheduled.

March 8, 2025: Hoffman requests more humane execution method

On March 8, 2025, Hoffman appealed to the U.S. District Court for a more humane execution method than nitrogen gas, suggesting a firing squad or assisted suicide. His lawyers argued nitrogen hypoxia was "cruel and unusual punishment" and violated his Buddhist beliefs. They also requested transparency regarding the nitrogen gas execution protocol.

March 11, 2025: Judge issues stay of execution for Hoffman

On March 11, 2025, U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick issued a stay of execution for Hoffman. Attorney General Liz Murrill confirmed that she would appeal the decision.

March 14, 2025: 5th U.S. Circuit Court overturns stay of execution

On March 14, 2025, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Murrill, overturning Judge Dick's ruling. Judges Ho and Oldham believed a firing squad could inflict greater pain than nitrogen hypoxia, while Judge Haynes dissented, arguing for more scrutiny.

March 15, 2025: Religious leaders protest Hoffman's execution

On March 15, 2025, religious leaders gathered outside the State Capitol and protested against the execution of Hoffman. They urged Governor Landry to stop upcoming executions, advocating for forgiveness and mercy.

March 16, 2025: Family and supporters appeal to Governor for clemency

On March 16, 2025, Hoffman's family members and supporters gathered outside Governor Landry's mansion, appealing for clemency and halting his execution.

March 17, 2025: Hoffman's state appeal rejected by Louisiana Supreme Court

On March 17, 2025, the Louisiana Supreme Court rejected Hoffman's state appeal to cancel his execution. Hoffman's lawyers argued he was entitled to a new execution date after his federal injunction was briefly issued and then dissolved.

March 18, 2025: Execution by Nitrogen Hypoxia

On March 18, 2025, Jessie Hoffman was executed by nitrogen hypoxia, marking Louisiana's first execution in over fifteen years and its first use of nitrogen gas.

March 19, 2025: Larry Roy's Execution Canceled

On March 19, 2025, Larry Roy's execution, originally scheduled a day after Hoffman's, was canceled as Roy had not exhausted all his appeals.

March 20, 2025: Other Inmates Scheduled for Execution

On March 20, 2025, Edward Thomas James of Florida and Wendell Grissom of Oklahoma were scheduled to be executed. Hoffman was one of four inmates scheduled to be executed in a period of three days from March 18 to 20, 2025.