James B. Clarke, Jr.

James B. Clarke Jr. was an inmate executed in April 1996 in the State of Delaware for the murder of his adoptive parents. Clarke confessed to the crime. He was motivated by a desire for the couple's life insurance. The murders took place in May 1994, one month after he had been released on parole for an earlier conviction. Clarke had served 21 years of a 30-year sentence for his attempted slaying of a 3-year-old girl in 1973, but in spite of his failure to participate in rehabilitation and repeated discipline by prison authorities for fighting, he was released for good behavior. His case inspired public outrage and proposed legislation to curtail unwarranted early release.

Clarke was born February 8, 1957, and was a resident of the State of Delaware.He was adopted by Elizabeth and James B. Clarke Sr.The identity of his birth parents is unknown.

He waived his appeals and was executed by lethal injection on April 19, 1996.