Nicolas J. Pelletier, a notorious highwayman, became the first person executed by the guillotine in France. This significant event unfolded in Paris, where Pelletier faced trial for multiple crimes, including highway robbery and murder. The guillotine was introduced during the French Revolution as a modern method of execution that would replace the often brutal forms of capital punishment that were common in the past. Supporters believed it provided a more humane and egalitarian means of carrying out the death penalty, avoiding the torturous methods used previously. The guillotine was designed to ensure a quick death, utilizing a heavy blade to behead the condemned swiftly.

Pelletier's trial generated considerable public interest, reflecting the shifting attitudes towards justice and punishment during a time of social upheaval in France. The use of the guillotine was not only a practical choice but also symbolic of the revolutionary ideals of equality and fairness. As Pelletier faced his fate, large crowds gathered to witness the execution, highlighting the event's role as a spectacle in revolutionary France. The experience gained from this execution paved the way for the guillotine's widespread use during subsequent political purges and the Reign of Terror, changing the landscape of capital punishment across the nation.

Pelletier's case exemplifies how the revolution influenced the legal system and introduced radical changes to societal norms regarding crime and punishment. The fact that he was the first to be executed by guillotine became a notable historical point, marking a departure from older practices and setting a precedent for subsequent executions. The guillotine soon became a fixture in the French judicial system and remains an enduring symbol of the period's tumultuous legal reforms.