An Arkansas convict said some unexpected final comments before being executed.
Kenneth Williams, 38, was sentenced to life in prison for the 1998 murder of Dominique Hurd. He was convicted of capital murder in connection with the death of Cecil Boren after escaping from jail in 1999.
Arkansas killed four people in eight days after its supply of a sedative used in fatal injections ran out. Williams was the fourth of eight convicts who were scheduled to be killed before the supplies ran out.
Jodie Efird, Boren’s daughter, observed Williams’ execution from the death chamber. She stated that, while the execution would not provide her family closure, it will assist in some ways.
He’s not here anymore every time they go along this road, Efird said of Williams.
Some were surprised by Williams’ closing statements, in which he seemed to express regret for his conduct. He was completely incorrect, Williams said. The crime he committed on all of them was heinous.
Williams died via fatal injection at 11:05 p.m. on April 27. Williams’ attorney ordered an inquiry after the convict apparently convulsed during his execution, which was characterized as “gruesome.”
Three or four minutes in, this is the most he has seen an inmate stir, said Associated Press writer Kelly Kissel, who observed his tenth execution.
Kissel stated that three minutes after being administered the sedative midazolam, Williams “lurched” around 15 times swiftly, then by another five slower lurches.
This is highly distressing, but not unusual given the history of the hazardous sedative midazolam, which has been used in numerous botched executions, said Shawn Nolan, Williams’ attorney. What’s crucial for currently is that all details regarding tonight’s execution be thoroughly documented and maintained so that they can learn precisely what transpired in that execution chamber, Nolan continued.
Arkansas sought to carry out a number of executions in late April since authorities were unsure if the state would be able to get more deadly chemicals. Drug manufacturers do not want their goods used in executions.
Critics of the death sentence have contended that since midozolam is a sedative rather than an anesthetic, it should not be used in executions. They claimed that the sedative would cause considerable suffering to the condemned during the execution. Midazolam has been linked to a number of botched executions in the past, according to some.
