EXECUTION #27

Donald Lee Gibson
Executed May 14, 2009 06:19 p.m. CDT by Lethal Injection in Oklahoma
27th murderer executed in U.S. in 2009
1163rd murderer executed in U.S. since 1976
2nd murderer executed in Oklahoma in 2009
90th murderer executed in Oklahoma since 1976
Summary:
The body of 8 year old Shane Coffman was found in an abandoned freezer outside the mobile home of his mother, Bertha Jean Coffman, and her boyfriend, Donald L. Gilson. An autopsy showed two fractures to the boy's skull, a tooth missing from his right jaw, and fractures to his collarbone, shoulder blades, ribs, legs and spine. Four other children, aged 12, 11 10, and 7, lived with Coffman and Gilson in the trailer and showed various signs of abuse. Two of the children were emaciated and had trouble walking. The children told police that six months earlier Gilson beat the boy with a board and then placed him in a bathtub as punishment for going to the bathroom on the living room rug. They heard Shane screaming while in the bathroom with Gilson and Bertha Coffman, who later told the children that Shane had run away. The couple gave various accounts of the killing to police. They first he had ran away, then they said they found him dead and thought some other guy killed him. Eventually they said the death was an accident. Coffman entered an Alford Plea and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Final/Special Meal:
A cheeseburger, chili-cheese french fries and a chocolate shake from Chili's restaurant.
Final Words:
"I'm an innocent man, but I get to go to heaven, and I'll see Shane tonight. It's God's will that this take place."
The Execution
Donald Lee Gilson, 48, lifted his head and smiled at his family before the lethal combination of drugs began to flow through his veins at 6:14 p.m. He was pronounced dead five minutes later.