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.