Guard Robert H. Holtman

Robert H. Holtman

Guard Robert Holtman was pushed and then beaten to death by an inmate who had been disobeying him.

After being pushed, Guard Holtman was attempting to draw his weapon when the inmate struck him on the head with a metal pipe, causing fatal injuries. The suspect escaped from the state penitentiary in Baltimore, but was eventually apprehended in New York state. He was returned to Maryland where he was found guilty of murdering Guard Holtman and sentenced to death. The suspect was hung at the state penitentiary on August 14th, 1926.

The suspect was a member of a New York City gang that had robbed merchants. On November 2nd, 1926, two other members of the gang attempted to escape from the Tombs Jail in New York City. During the escape attempt, the suspects murdered Warden Peter Mallon and Keeper Jeremiah Murphy. Both suspects committed suicide during the failed escape attempt.

Guard Holtman was survived by his wife.