Birmingham’s Biggest Crooks: Mary Kay Beard
By Wade KwonIn August, we’re celebrating Birmingham’s Biggest Crooks, whether they be liars, thieves, extortionists, swindlers or thugs. Running daily until Birmingham mayor Larry Langford’s Aug. 31 federal trial. Thanks to Bhamwiki for helping with this project.
Mary Kay Beard
Positions held: nursing school graduate, now Center Point resident and founder of Angel Tree ministry
Wanted for: grand larceny and armed robbery, including robbing banks and staging a prison break for her then husband/partner in crime. In 1972, Beard made the FBI’s Most Wanted List.
Date of conviction: 1972
Sentence: 21 years in Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka, but paroled after 6 years.
Criminally fun fact: Beard once had a contract on her life for crossing the mafia in a diamond heist. She started the Angel Tree program in 1982, which has given Christmas gifts for 6 million children of prisoners.
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Additional reading:
- Bhamwiki: Mary Kay Beard
- Crime Watch
- Meet more of Birmingham’s Biggest Crooks | RSS feed
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Monday, July 5, 2010, 7:37 am
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