Jailer John Asberry Gillespie

John Asberry Gillespie

Jailer John Gillespie died after being assaulted by three federal prisoners during an escape attempt from the county jail in the 600 block of Walnut Street.

He and several trustees were taking a mattress into the cell when the inmates attacked him with iron piping that had been ripped out of the newly installed plumbing system. One of the trustees was also seriously injured as they attempted to stop the assault on Jailer Gillespie and keep the prisoners from escaping.

Responding officers from the Chattanooga Police Department prevented the prisoners from making their escape. The three federal prisoners were charged with Jailer Gillespie's murder.

Jailer Gillespie died of a fractured skull the next day. All four inmates were convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.