David Chardavoyne
Encyclopedia
David G. Chardavoyne is an American attorney, professor, and author of A Hanging in Detroit: Stephen Gifford Simmons and the Last Execution Under Michigan Law. The book is a historical account of Stephen G. Simmons, a fifty-year-old tavern keeper and farmer, who, in September 1830, was hanged in Detroit for murdering his wife, Levana Simmons, in a drunken, jealous rage. Simmons was the second and last person to be executed under Michigan
law. The book also chronicles Michigan's abolition of capital punishment in 1846, the first state to do so.
Born in Ohio
, Chardavoyne lived for six years in Geneva
, Switzerland
where he attended the International School of Geneva
. Returning to the U.S. in 1964, he graduated from Kennett Square (PA) Consolidated High School (1966) and from the University of Michigan
(B.A., English, 1970). After serving in the U.S. Army Airborne in Germany
, he graduated magna cum laude from Wayne State University Law School
in 1976. He was a partner in one of Detroit's top law firms for 20 years until he started his own practice and began his research. He now teaches at Wayne State University Law School
and the University of Detroit Mercy
School of Law. He also continues to write about Michigan's legal history, including a chapter in The History of Michigan Law
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
law. The book also chronicles Michigan's abolition of capital punishment in 1846, the first state to do so.
Born in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, Chardavoyne lived for six years in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
where he attended the International School of Geneva
International School of Geneva
The International School of Geneva , also known as Ecolint, is a private international school based in Geneva, Switzerland. It is the oldest currently operating International School in the world...
. Returning to the U.S. in 1964, he graduated from Kennett Square (PA) Consolidated High School (1966) and from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
(B.A., English, 1970). After serving in the U.S. Army Airborne in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, he graduated magna cum laude from Wayne State University Law School
Wayne State University Law School
Wayne State University Law School is located in the City of Detroit’s Cultural Center, and is one of the schools of Wayne State University. It is one of two public law schools in the state of Michigan. The Law School has educated and trained lawyers since 1927, and its 10,000+ alumni serve as...
in 1976. He was a partner in one of Detroit's top law firms for 20 years until he started his own practice and began his research. He now teaches at Wayne State University Law School
Wayne State University Law School
Wayne State University Law School is located in the City of Detroit’s Cultural Center, and is one of the schools of Wayne State University. It is one of two public law schools in the state of Michigan. The Law School has educated and trained lawyers since 1927, and its 10,000+ alumni serve as...
and the University of Detroit Mercy
University of Detroit Mercy
University of Detroit Mercy is a private, Roman Catholic co-educational university in Detroit, Michigan, United States, affiliated with the Society of Jesus and the Sisters of Mercy. Antoine M. Garibaldi is the president. With origins dating from 1877, it is the largest Roman Catholic university...
School of Law. He also continues to write about Michigan's legal history, including a chapter in The History of Michigan Law