On Guard

Mark Wayne Wiles was executed in Ohio on April 18th, 2012

As he lay on the gurney, a prison staff member removed his glasses at his request, so that he could read his last statement from a piece of paper held in front of his face.

"The love and support of my family has sustained and supported me throughout the years," he said. "I love you all. Since this needs to happen today, I hope my dying brings some solace and closure to the Klima family and their loved ones. The state of Ohio should not be in the business of killing its citizens. May God bless us all that fall short." May he rest in peace.

David Gore was executed in Florida on April 4th, 2012

Nearly 30 years after his conviction, Gore's execution was right on schedule. He was declared dead 10 minutes after being administered a lethal injection.

“I want to say to the Elliott family I am sorry for the death of your daughter. I am not the same man I was back then 28 years ago,” he said. “...I hope they can find it in their hearts to forgive me.”

In his written statement, Gore said, “I wish above all else my death could bring her back.” May he rest in peace.

Jesse Hernandez was executed in Texas on March 28th, 2012

"God bless everybody. Continue to walk with God," the 47-year-old Hernandez said. Moments later, he shouted "Go Cowboys!" in honor of his favorite football team. May he rest in peace.

William Mitchell was executed in Mississippi on March 22nd, 2012

William Mitchell was pronounced dead at 6:20 p.m. Thursday after a lethal injection. May he rest in peace.

Larry Matthew Puckett was executed in Mississippi on March 20th, 2012

Larry Matthew Puckett, 35, was pronounced dead at 6:18 p.m. Tuesday following a lethal injection at the state penitentiary, authorities said. A local reporter said "Watching Puckett die has left me pondering much - far more that I can adequately describe here. One thing's for sure: After watching that, I feel like anyone's opinions on the merits or pitfalls of capital punishment are incomplete until they watch it happen." May he rest in peace.

Timothy Stemple was executed in Oklahoma on March 15th, 2012

Timothy Shaun Stemple shook his head no when asked if he had any last words, as members of his family and his wife's sat separately from each other watching the condemned man through glass.

The 46-year-old Stemple gasped for about 20 seconds, his eyes opened and he groaned. He then laid still with closed eyes and his face turned pale. He was pronounced dead at 6:11 p.m. May he rest in peace.

Robert Towery was executed in Arizona on March 8th, 2012

From his diary:

As this is my last entry, I just want to say thank you. Thank you all for the kindness. Please give everyone my best and know that I will carry y'all on my lips to God. My best wishes to you all. Take care. May God Bless!! Sincerely, Robert Charles Towery. May he rest in peace.

Keith Thurmond was executed in Texas on March 7th, 2012

Thurmond, 52, a former auto mechanic and air conditioning repairman, went to his death protesting his innocence. "I swear to God I didn't kill her," he said in a final statement tinged with tears. May he rest in peace.

George Rivas was executed in Texas on February 29th, 2012

"First of all, for the Aubrey Hawkins family, I do apologize for everything that happened," Rivas said in his last statement. "Not because I'm here, but for closure in your hearts. I really do believe you deserve that." Rivas then expressed love to his wife, sister, son, other friends and family, and his fellow death row inmates.

"Thank you to the people involved and the courtesy of the officers," he said in conclusion. "I am grateful for everything in my life. To my wife, take care of yourself. I will be waiting for you. I love you. God bless. I am ready to go." The lethal injection was then started. He was pronounced dead at 6:22 p.m. May he rest in peace.

Robert Moorman was executed in Arizona on February 29th, 2012

Robert Moorman, 63, was diagnosed with mental retardation and attended special education classes while in school.  His first stay at a mental institution occurred when he was 13. The state argued that that Moormann's mental capacity at the time of the killing was just above the legal requirement for mental impairment. May he rest in peace.