EXECUTION #2 2009

James Harvey Callahan
Executed January 15, 2009 06:24 p.m. by Lethal Injection in Alabama
2nd murderer executed in U.S. in 2009
1138th murderer executed in U.S. since 1976
1st murderer executed in Alabama in 2009
39th murderer executed in Alabama since 1976

Summary:
Becky Howell was a 26 year old student at Jacksonville State University. On February 3, 1982, around 11:00 p.m., Becky Howell met her fiancé, Murray Knight, at the club where he was performing with his band. After visiting, Becky went across the street to the Norge Washerteria to do laundry. She was supposed to return to the club, but when Knight’s band finished playing at 1:30 a.m., she had still not returned. Knight became worried and went to the laundry to look for Howell. He found her car, her school books, her laundry, and her jacket, but he did not find her. Knight called the police. Two weeks after her disappearance, Becky Howell was found dead of asphyxiation in the Tallasseehatchee Creek in Calhoun County, Alabama—her hands were taped together; her belt was on upside down; and she was not wearing pantyhose, socks, or shoes. A vaginal swab revealed the presence of seminal fluid. A concerned citizen had been near the Washerteria the night of the incident and had witnessed a green Ford pickup, noting the license number after he saw a woman running from the truck. The license number and vehicle description was traced to James Callahan, who eventually gave several conflicting statements to police admitting everything except the murder. Callahan was on probation for Assault with Intent to Murder at the time of the Murder.
Final/Special Meal:
Two corn dogs, french fries and a Coke.
Final Words:
In his final moments, Callahan waved his left hand toward his son, Kevin Callahan, who was seated in a witness room, and asked him to take care of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. "I love you. That's all I have to say." Callahan never looked toward the victim's family members who were seated in a separate viewing room, but told his son, "I have a lot of remorse that I can't be here for you."
The Execution
Shortly after 6 p.m. Chaplain Chris Summers knelt alongside Callahan, 62, who was strapped to a gurney in the execution chamber at Holman Correctional Facility near Atmore. Summers took Callahan's left hand in his own and said a short prayer. When the injection began, Callahan closed his eyes, pressed against the restraining straps, yawned, coughed and became still. He was pronounced dead at 6:24 p.m.