Jake Bird's Motive For Murdering Bertha And Beverly June Kludt

Publish date: 2024-05-06

Sword and Scale explain that although Bird was undoubtedly a vicious serial killer, he is less remembered for his crimes and more for his curse, the Jake Bird Hex. According to History Link, this hex was placed by Bird on those who desired to see him dead. At his sentencing, the judge asked Bird if he had anything to say. Bird then went on to give a 20-minute speech wherein he stated, "I was given no chance to defend myself. My own lawyers just asked you to hang me. They apologized for defending me. If they were so reluctant to defend me, why did they contest the prosecutor's proof of murder, and now say that everything is proven?"

He added, "All you guys who had anything to do with this case are going to die before I do" (via History Link). Per the Toronto Sun, six men connected to Bird's trial did so. They include the judge that sentenced him to death, two police officers, and a death row prison guard. Bird's defense attorney, Selden, also died. All but one death was caused by a heart attack (via the SouthSound Talk). Strangely, they all died in 1948, months after Bird was sentenced to death.

Find a Grave reports that Bird is buried on the grounds of the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. His tombstone is marked not with his name, but with his prison number, 21520.

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