James Dupree Henry (January 17, 1950 – September 20, 1984) was an American criminal who was executed in Florida for the murder of civil rights leader Zellie Riley.

[2] While on death row, civil rights leaders Jesse Jackson and Coretta Scott King advocated for officials to stop his execution.

He claimed the man was trying to rob him, but nevertheless Henry was forced to be housed at a boy's reformatory in Marianna, Florida, for a few months.

[11] He also was behind several other projects to alter the view of African Americans of Orlando, such as a community center in Washington Shores.

Henry bound Riley, gagged him, slashed his throat open with a razor, then viciously beat him with his fists and a gun.

[13] After the attack Henry scoured the house and stole multiple valuables, including $64 of Riley's personal money.

[15] On March 28, 1974, Ronald Eugene Ferguson, an award-winning Orlando detective, approached Henry to question him about the murder.

Ferguson was rushed to the hospital where he was treated for critical injuries, but ultimately made a full recovery.

[16] In June 1974, a 12-member jury found Henry guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced him to death days later.

[18] As Henry's scheduled execution date approached, William Riley, Zellie Riley's son, who was a taxi service owner in Orlando, publicly stated that his father "loved peace and despised vengeance", and that he did not want Henry to be executed; "This is not the way, a life for a life.

[21] In September 1984, Graham received letters from civil rights advocates Jesse Jackson and Coretta Scott King, begging the governor to grant clemency for Henry.

On September 20, Henry ate his final meal which consisted of a dozen oysters mixed with hot sauce and crackers.