EXECUTION #42

Reginald Winthrop Blanton
Executed October 27, 2009 06:21 p.m. CDT by Lethal Injection in Texas
42nd murderer executed in U.S. in 2009
1178th murderer executed in U.S. since 1976
19th murderer executed in Texas in 2009
442nd murderer executed in Texas since 1976
Summary:
Blanton and his twin brother, Robert, and Robert's girlfriend LaToya Mayberry, went to the apartment of Carlos Garza, 20, an acquaintance of theirs. While Mayberry waited in the car, the twins kicked in the door of Garza's apartment and went inside. Two shots were fired, one of them hitting Garza in the forehead. After taking some jewelry and cash, and looking for drugs to steal, the twins returned to the car, and drove away. Mayberry later told police about the murder. She said she saw Reginald return to the car with jewelry in his hand, including two necklaces. She said Robert told her Garza confronted them while they were inside the apartment, and Reginald shot him. Garza's jewelry was recovered from a local pawn shop. Reginald Blanton was recorded on videotape about 20 minutes after the shooting, selling two of Garza's gold necklaces and a religious medal for $79. At the time of arrest, he was wearing a ring and bracelet that had also belonged to Garza.
Final/Special Meal: None...what? No fried Chicken?
Final Words:
Blanton declared his execution an injustice and proclaimed he was wrongly convicted for the crime. “Carlos was my friend. I didn’t murder him. What is happening right now is an injustice. This doesn’t solve anything. This will not bring back Carlos.” Blanton also complained that the drugs being used to execute him were not even permitted to be used to put down dogs. “I say I am worse than a dog. They want to kill me for this; I am not the man that did this.” Blanton addressed friends in attendance, including fiance Sandra Stafford, telling them he loved them and urging them to continue their fight for his innocence. “Stay strong, continue to fight. I will see y’all again.”
The Execution
Proclaiming innocence to the very end, condemned murderer Reginald Blanton was executed Tuesday for the 2000 robbery-slaying of a 22-year-old Hispanic man in San Antonio. Blanton, 28, was pronounced dead by lethal injection at 6:21 p.m., just eight minutes after the dosage began at 6:13 p.m.

EXECUTION #41

Mark Howard McCain
Executed October 20, 2009 07:24 p.m. by Lethal Injection in Georgia
41st murderer executed in U.S. in 2009
1177th murderer executed in U.S. since 1976
3rd murderer executed in Georgia in 2009
46th murderer executed in Georgia since 1976
Summary:
At approximately 1:00 a.m. McClain left the house of his girlfriend, Tina Butler, and drove to a nearby Domino’s Pizza. When a delivery man returned to the store McClain asked to purchase a pizza. When the delivery man gained entry to the store, McClain forced his way in and pulled a gun. The deliveryman ran through the store and as he was leaving saw McClain demanding money from the store manager, Kevin Brown. He then identified the license of the vehicle driven away by McClain, which was traced to McClain's father. When the deliveryman returned to the store moments later, he saw Brown dead in a pool of blood shot in the chest. He died before paramedics arrived. McClain returned to Butler's house within an hour after leaving and gave her $100, without explaining where he had obtained the money. Following his arrest, McClain called Butler from the jail that evening and told her to dispose of the clothes, boots, and gun that he had left at her house. McClain also demanded that Butler provide him with an alibi for the night of the shooting and threatened to implicate Butler if she refused. The police later questioned Butler, who eventually told the police about McClain’s telephone call to her and gave police McClain’s jacket and boots. McClain’s gun was recovered a month later when Butler’s nephew was involved in a shooting. Butler testified against McClain at trial. McClain testified that he shot Brown accidentally when he heard a noise as he was leaving the store and believed Brown was pursuing him.
Final Meal:
Declined.
Final Words:
When prison Warden Steve Upton asked him whether he would like a prayer to be said, McClain said "No, I'm fine."
The Execution
But as he lay strapped to a table inside the maximum security state penitentiary, he broke his silence, however briefly, when prison Warden Steve Upton asked him whether he would like a prayer to be said.
Seconds later a deadly series of drugs entered his body through two IVs in his arms. As his death drew near McClain's ruddy complexion turned pale. His body lunged forward slightly as the potassium chloride raced through his veins, but otherwise his passing was quiet.
Mr. McClain, 42, was pronounced dead 15 minutes later.

EXECUTION #40

Max Landon Payne
Executed October 8, 2009 06:25 p.m. by Lethal Injection in Alabama
40th murderer executed in U.S. in 2009
1176th murderer executed in U.S. since 1976
6th murderer executed in Alabama in 2009
44th murderer executed in Alabama since 1976
Summary:
Payne was at his sister Wilma’s house with his girlfriend, Sandra Walker, and Wilma. Payne left the house with a double-barreled shotgun. Later that evening two customers saw Payne at West Point Grocery, which was owned by Braxton Brown. Payne had robbed the store, kidnapped Brown, and taken him at gunpoint to his sister’s house. Wilma was still there with Sandra. Sandra testified Brown appeared very nervous and scared, and Payne had a gun and ordered Brown to give Wilma money. Wilma asked Payne to leave Brown with her or take him back to his store and said “maybe he would forget about this.” Payne rejected the suggestion, stating, “No, I am going to do this.” Payne forced Brown into the car and drove to a nearby bride where he shot him twice in the face with a shotgun and dumped him into the Crooked Creek. Around midnight, Payne purchased a bus ticket to Florida. Following a call from Alabama authorities, a Miami police detective met Payne’s bus when it arrived in Miami. Items found on Payne included Brown’s handgun; a jeweler’s invoice made out to West Point Grocery; a vehicle registration in Brown’s name; three cartons of Marlboro cigarettes; three bank deposit bags containing numerous checks written to West Point Grocery, credit card receipts, rings, and food stamps; bank receipts in Brown’s name; and a total of $1,085.84. Brown’s son identified many items as coming from West Point Grocery. Forensic testing matched human tissue recovered from Payne’s arm sling to Brown’s blood type.
Final/Special Meal:
A turkey sandwich with tomatoes and mayonnaise, potato salad and cake.
Final Words:
"I just want to tell my family I love them."
The Execution
Donald Blocker of Kairos Prison Ministry knelt beside Payne's two sisters and two friends in the execution viewing room before the curtains were opened. He told them Payne wouldn't suffer and was ready for what was to come. No witnesses were present on behalf of the victim.
The small, white room was dark except for a soft red light glowing in the corner. Four of Max Landon Payne's closest family and friends sat in a row in front of a window shielded by a white curtain. At 6:01 p.m., a corrections officer pulled back the curtain to reveal Payne, strapped to a table.
The heavyset, balding Payne made his last statement after warden Grantt Culliver read the execution order issued by the Alabama Supreme Court. Once the lethal injection began, Payne gestured to family members and spoke quietly with prison chaplain Chris Summers, who was standing a few feet away. At one point Summers grabbed Payne's hand and patted him on the knee. Payne closed his eyes, pinched his lips and seemed to take a deep breath. Then he was still.
Payne, 38, died at 6:25 p.m.

EXECUTION #39

Christopher Bernard Coleman
Executed September 22, 2009 06:22 p.m. CDT by Lethal Injection in Texas
39th murderer executed in U.S. in 2009
1175th murderer executed in U.S. since 1976
18th murderer executed in Texas in 2009
441st murderer executed in Texas since 1976

Summary:
Coleman and Derrick Graham were paid $12,000 to take part in the scheme hatched by Genero Garcia so Garcia would not have to pay an $80,000 drug debt. They arranged a meeting with the drug suppliers and stopped on a dead end street in a residential neighborhood. Coleman and the two other men got out of their car and approached the second vehicle, where one of Coleman's companions spoke to the driver. Then, standing close to the passenger side of the car, Coleman opened fire on the occupants of the second vehicle.Jose Luis Garcia-Castro; his girlfriend, Elsie Prado; Prado's brother, Heimar Prado Hurtado; and Prado's three-year-old son, Danny Giraldo were all shot. Only Elsie Prado survived the attck and later testified against Coleman at trial. Upon arrest, Coleman admitted being at the scene, but denied he was the shooter. Accomplices Garcia and Graham received life prison terms for their role in the plot.
Final/Special Meal: None
Final Words:
“Yes. Ain’t no way fo fo, I love all y’all.” It was unclear what “fo fo” meant, although in urban slang it can refer to a .44-caliber pistol or distinctive car rims made in 1984 and apparently popular in Houston.
The Execution
The fatal combination of drugs caused him to sigh, struggle for breath and snort before falling silent. He was pronounced dead at 6:22.

EXECUTION #38

Stephen Lindsey Moody
Executed September 16, 2009 06:28 p.m. CDT by Lethal Injection in Texas
38th murderer executed in U.S. in 2009
1174th murderer executed in U.S. since 1976
17th murderer executed in Texas in 2009
440th murderer executed in Texas since 1976

Summary:
Calvin Doby recruited Moody to rob a drug supplier. They forced their way inside the home of 28 year old Joseph Hall and demanded money and drugs. While Hall pleaded for his life, Moody shot him at close range with a sawed-off shotgun. Moody and Doby then fled with $1,200 in cash and divided the money at a friend's house. Hall’s girlfriend, who saw him talking with two men, crawled through a bathroom window to run next door and call 911, heard a shot and returned to find Hall dead on the living room floor. The murder case went unsolved for nearly a year until a relative of Doby give police a tip. Hall's girlfriend, Rene McKeage, who witnessed the murder, then identified Moody from a photo lineup. By that time, Moody was already in prison, serving a 40-year sentence for robbing a Houston bank in December 1991. Accomplice Doby was also convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Final/Special Meal:
None.
Final Words:
"Yes sir, to Joseph's mom and son. I was unable to respond to you in the courtroom. I can only ask that you have the peace that I do. To my brother, you are a good brother. You're the best. And I love you. Can't beat ya. The beautiful lady standing next to you. Kathy you are next to my heart. Amber I love you. Warden, pull the trigger. I love you brother never forget it. Ronnie, Linda, Amber, Kathy. Chaplain Hart you're the best. Love you Thomas."
The Execution
The lethal injection was started. He was pronounced dead at 6:28 p.m.

EXECUTION #37

John Richard Marek
Executed August 19, 2009 06:33 p.m. EST by Lethal Injection in Florida
37th murderer executed in U.S. in 2009
1173rd murderer executed in U.S. since 1976
2nd murderer executed in Florida in 2009
68th murderer executed in Florida since 1976

Summary:
The bruised, nude, strangled, and burned body of Adela Simmons was discovered at 7:00 a.m. on June 17, 1983 in the Lifeguard area of Dania Beach. Three and a half hours earlier, Marek and accomplice Raymond Wigley were observed in a stolen vehicle approximately 100 yards from the lifeguard stand. Simmons and Jean Trach had been vacationing in Clearwater the day before and were on their way home to Miami when their car broke down at 11:00 p.m. Marek and Wigley drove up in a pickup truck and offered to take one of the women to a tollbooth, where she would be allowed to call for help. Jean Trach warned Adela not to take the ride, but she took it anyway. In statements to police and testimony in court, Marek claimed to have been asleep off and on when Simmons was murdered by Wigley. Wigley stated that once in their truck, Simmons was forced to perform oral sex on the men and was repeatedly sexually assaulted. He also stated that at the beach, both men had dragged her into the observation area of a lifeguard stand, her shorts were taken off and that the men burned her pubic hairs and one of her fingers. Wigley stated that she was strangled to death with a bandana between the hours of 3:00 and 3:30 a.m.
Final / Special Meal:
A BLT sandwich, berries with whipped cream, french fries, onion rings, Dr Pepper.
Final Words:
"Jesus, remember the sinners."
The Execution
John Richard Marek lay on a table, his arms strapped down with brown leather belts, a white sheet covering his body. He hadn't taken a sedative, but he looked sedate. He had spent the day preparing for this moment — the last of his life.
He mouthed the Lord's prayer to himself as chemicals started coursing through his veins. His mouth went slack. His face went pale. He was dead in 13 minutes.

EXECUTION #36

Jason Getsy
Executed August 18, 2009 10:29 a.m. by Lethal Injection in Ohio
36th murderer executed in U.S. in 2009
1172nd murderer executed in U.S. since 1976
4th murderer executed in Ohio in 2009
32nd murderer executed in Ohio since 1976
Summary:
Getsy was paid 5,000 dollars by John Santine to kill Charles Serafino, with whom Santine had a business dispute. Getsy went to Serafino's house to carry out the contract and shot his target seven times before opening fire on his mother, Ann Serafino, who was killed in the attack. Charles Serafino survived the murder attempt and local media reported that he attended Getsy's execution Tuesday. Accomplices Ben Hudach (20 years to life), Richard McNulty (30 years to life) were convicted of murder and sentenced. Accomplice John Santine was tried later and was sentenced to 20 years to life after the jury rejected a request for the death penalty.
Final/Special Meal:
A ribeye steak, cooked medium rare with A-1 sauce on the side, hot barbecued chicken wings and onion rings with ketchup, fried mushrooms with marinara sauce, a chef salad with ranch dressing, pecan pie with vanilla ice cream and two types of soda pop.
Final Words:
“Charles and Nancy Serafino and all your loved ones, for all the pain that I caused, you get my earnest prayer that God grant you peace and healing,” Getsy said, looking at murder victim Ann Serafino’s grown children, who witnessed the execution. “I’m sorry. I know it’s little words but it’s true. “God is so good that he gave his only son for my sins. Even lying here today I can say how blessed I am,” Getsy said.
TheExecution
Getsy spent Monday night writing letters - he asked for 15 stamped envelopes - making phone calls and reading the Bible. He ate part of his last meal, including rib-eye steak, barbecued buffalo wings and onion rings. He saw visitors on Tuesday morning, including his grandmother and an aunt and uncle, and seemed upbeat and positive, said prisons spokeswoman Julie Walburn.
On the death gerney Getsy tilted his head to the left and appeared to smile at his aunt and uncle and spiritual adviser before his eyes closed at about 10:19 a.m. His chest rose and fell three times and then he was still. Warden Phillip Kerns shook Getsy and called his name to see if he was unconscious, as part of prison policy when putting inmates to death. At 10:21 a.m., without explanation, a member of the execution team re-entered the death chamber and checked the shunts on both arms.
Getsy was pronounced dead at 10:29 am.