John Avilez, a soldier stationed at Fort Mitchell, Alabama, killed fellow soldier, John Hart, in October 1825. The killing took place in Indian Territory, resulting in federal jurisdiction.
Avilez, who apparently was Cuban or Spanish, was described as unable to speak English.
He was convicted of murder in U.S. District Court in the spring of 1827 and sentenced to death on May 16, 1827. On appeal, he argued that a recent act of the Alabama state legislature gave the state jurisdiction over the case. The court rejected that argument.
John Avilez was hanged in Mobile, Alabama, on October 5, 1827.
The Federal Death Penalty Project 