On Guard

Jason Oric Williams was executed in Alabama on May 19th, 2011

Jason Oric Williams, 42, was pronounced dead at 6:19 p.m. local time at the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama. Jason was the first inmate put to death in Alabama using pentobarbital, and his execution was the third in Alabama this year. He had been on death row for 18 years. His last words were: "I hope that the family of the victims will forgive me for what I have done." May he rest in peace.

Rodney Gray was executed in Mississippi on May 17th, 2011

Rodney Gray was visited by his mother before his  execution on Tuseday. Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps told the media at a 4:45 p.m. briefing that Gray maintained he was not guilty of any of the crimes that led to his death sentence. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected his last appeal. May he rest in peace.

Daniel Lee Bedford was executed in Ohio on May 17th, 2011

Daniel Lee Bedford, 63, was lethally injected this morning at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility near Lucasville. The US Supreme Court denied a last appeal. He had no formal last words but is reported as talking out loud to his daughter, Michelle Connor, who was watching through the glass. "I love you, 'Shell,'" he said. She called back to him, "I love you, daddy." After the lethal drugs began flowing, his final words were, "Love you all. God bless you."... May he rest in peace.

Benny Joe Stevens was executed in Mississipi on May 10th, 2011

Benny Joe Stevens used his final moments to ask for forgiveness but acknowledged that his victims' families likely would not forgive him. "What I've taken from God and you, I can't replace," he said. "I'm sorry." His brother, Ricky, and father, Ben, also witnessed the execution. "He went out with dignity," Ricky Stevens said. "I just hope that, now that it's over, everyone can move on." May he rest in peace.

Jeffrey Motts was executed in South Carolina on May 6th, 2011

Soon after his conviction, Jeffrey Motts began writing to the South Carolina Supreme Court asking to forgo all appeals and be put to death. In April, the state Supreme Court, having found him mentally competent to make the decision to die, granted his wish. In his last words, he apologized to the families of his three victims and his own family and warned children away from drugs. "I was the child everyone wanted their children around until I got on drugs," Motts said. "Drugs will destroy your life." May he rest in peace.

Cary Kerr was executed in Texas on May 3rd, 2011

Cary Kerr was pronounced dead at 6:19 p.m.,16 minutes after the lethal drugs flowed. A sedative that has often served to euthanize animals was used. The southern state administered pentobarbital instead of sodium thiopental, which is no longer manufactured in the United States, along with two other drugs as the lethal cocktail to execute Cary Kerr, 46. It was the first time Texas had used the drug.

"To the state of Texas: I am an innocent man," were among Kerr's final words, according to Lyons. "Never trust a court-appointed attorney. I am ready, warden... Here we go. Lord Jesus, Jesus.."

Kerr was the third prisoner to be put to death this year in Texas, which executes more prisoners than any other state. May he rest in peace.