Oklahoma executes James DeRosa

James DeRosa

McALESTER — A convicted killer, and death row inmate at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary, was executed via lethal injection Tuesday at 6:07 p.m. in the prison’s death chamber. James Lewis DeRosa, 36, was convicted Oct. 19, 2001, of two counts of first-degree murder and was subsequently sentenced to death.

Earlier this month, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-2 against granting DeRosa clemency earlier this month.

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt filed a request March 25 with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals to set DeRosa’s execution date after the U.S. Supreme Court denied the inmate’s final appeal.

In October 2000, Curtis Plummer, 73, and Gloria Plummer, 70, both of Poteau, were found dead in their home with multiple stab wounds and with their throats cut. About one year later, in October 2001, DeRosa was found guilty by a jury of his peers for the LeFlore County first-degree murders of the Plummers. He was subsequently sentenced to death.

According to Pruitt, DeRosa was briefly employed by the Plummers and told several friends on multiple occasions he thought the elderly couple would be an easy target to rob. DeRosa’s 21-year-old friend, Eric Castleberry, also known as John E. Castleberry, agreed to help with the robbery. Castleberry’s 18-year-old friend, Scotty White agreed to drive.

Pruitt said DeRosa and Castleberry were welcomed into the Plummer’s home, which at the time was equipped with a security system. Once in the home, Pruitt said, DeRosa and Castleberry brandished knives and, while the couple begged and struggled for their lives, DeRosa stabbed the Plummers multiple times and slit their throats, the AG’s office reported.

“DeRosa and Castleberry left the scene with $73 and the couple’s pickup truck,” Pruitt said. “The truck was ditched in a nearby lake.”

In exchange for a life sentence without the possibility of parole, Castleberry testified at DeRosa’s trial. Castleberry is serving his two life sentences at OSP in McAlester.

White was charged with accessory to first-degree murder after the fact and received two 25-year sentences, to be served concurrently, and the last seven years to be served as probation.

DeRosa becomes the 2nd condemned inmate to be put to death this year in Oklahoma and the 104th overall since the state resumed capital punishment in 1990. Only Texas (499) and Virginia (110) have executed more inmates since the US Supreme COurt re-legalized the death penalty on July 2, 1976.

DeRosa becomes the 16th condemned inmate to be put to death this year in the USA and the 1336th overall since the nation resumed executions on January 17, 1977. 

Source: mcalesternews.com, Rick Halperin, June 18, 2013