A South Carolina man convicted of torturing and killing a woman 16 years ago was executed by lethal injection. The man, Joseph M. L. Gardner, did not make a statement, but he mouthed the words "Thank you; I'm O.K." to a relative who was attending the execution. Mr. Gardner was convicted in the kidnapping, rape and murder of Melissa McLauchlin, 25.
Gardner becomes the 3rd condemned inmate to be put to death this year in South Carolina and the 40th overall since the state resumed capital punishment in 1985.
Gardner becomes the 37th condemned inmate to be put to death this year in the USA and the 1136th overall since the nation resumed executions on January 17, 1977. There are no more executions scheduled this year in the US; the 37 executions marks the lowest national total since1994, when 31 inmates were put to death across the country. The 37 executions also marks the 3rd consecutive year in which the overall numbers of persons executed has declined. There were 60 exeuctions in 2005, then 53 in 2006, 42 in 2007, and now 37 this year.
Sources: Associated Press & Rick Halperin, December 6, 2008
Gardner becomes the 3rd condemned inmate to be put to death this year in South Carolina and the 40th overall since the state resumed capital punishment in 1985.
Gardner becomes the 37th condemned inmate to be put to death this year in the USA and the 1136th overall since the nation resumed executions on January 17, 1977. There are no more executions scheduled this year in the US; the 37 executions marks the lowest national total since1994, when 31 inmates were put to death across the country. The 37 executions also marks the 3rd consecutive year in which the overall numbers of persons executed has declined. There were 60 exeuctions in 2005, then 53 in 2006, 42 in 2007, and now 37 this year.
Sources: Associated Press & Rick Halperin, December 6, 2008
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