Deputy Sheriff Earl Anson Torrence

Earl Anson Torrence

Deputy Earl Torrence was beaten and strangled to death with a rope by two prisoners in the county jail during an escape attempt. The prisoners had lured Deputy Torrence, the lone jailer on duty, into the cell after the lights had been turned off for the night and then beat him and garroted him.

Deputy Torrence's body was found in the morning with the rope tied around his neck.

The two prisoners escaped from the jail. One suspect was captured the next day in Keene Valley near Elizabethtown. The other suspect was taken into custody a few days later. Both suspects ages 21 and 32 were convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 50 years to life.