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Lavinia Burnett (died November 8, 1845) was the first woman to be executed in the state of Arkansas.^[1]

Burnett, her husband Crawford, and their son John, were arrested, tried, and convicted of the murder of Jonathan Selby, who lived near Fayetteville, Arkansas, and who allegedly kept large sums of money at his residence.^[1] John Burnett was actually implicated as the suspect who killed Selby. One of Lavinia and Crawford's daughters informed authorities that all three were involved in the plan, and all three were present when it was carried out.^[1]

Lavinia and Crawford Burnett were tried in October 1845 and sentenced to be hanged on November 8, 1845.^[1] The hanging was reportedly well attended.^[1] John Burnett was arrested in Missouri and was found guilty on December 4, 1845.^[1] He was hanged on December 26, 1845.^[1]

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