How long did Dr Richard Kimble go to jail?

Answer 1

These days, the average wait on Death Row averages 15 years or more, but before Furman v. Georgia in 1972, the rules on appeals were actually pretty arbitrary, and the process was typically measured in months rather than days. I would guess for a well-publicized trial like Kimble's, where the evidence seemed overwhelmingly stacked against him, he would have spent no more than a year to 15 months in prison before heading to execution. Fortunately, his train derailed!

Using some details from Sam Sheppard's trial and the 15 month estimate, this would be an approximate timeline: Helen Kimble murdered and Richard arrested - July 1961, Richard convicted - December 1961, Richard sent to execution / escapes - March 1963, first episode of "The Fugitive" (Kimble has been on the run for 6 months) - September 1963.