As the clock ticked towards his inevitable fate, an Arkansas inmate delivered some unexpected parting words that echoed through the chambers of justice.
According to CNN, Kenneth Williams, aged 38, found himself serving life for the tragic 1998 slaying of Dominique Hurd. Escaping confinement in ’99, he faced further charges, this time for the capital murder of Cecil Boren.
Photo Credit: AP via NBC News, James Heilman, MD/Wikimedia Commons
The state of Arkansas, under pressure as its lethal injection supplies dwindled, orchestrated the executions of four inmates within a mere eight days. Williams marked the fourth of eight slated for the final curtain call before the expiration of their lethal cocktail.
With the piercing gaze of Boren’s daughter, Jodie Efird, fixed upon him, Williams met his end. She acknowledged the execution’s limited solace for her family, stating, “Every time we drive down this road, he’s not here anymore.”
Yet, Williams’ last words defied expectations, dripping with a semblance of contrition. “I was more than wrong,” he confessed. “The crime I perpetrated against you all was senseless.”
At precisely 11:05 p.m. on April 27, Williams succumbed to the lethal injection. But as NBC News reports, the procedure wasn’t without controversy. Williams convulsed, prompting his attorney to demand an inquiry into the disturbing scene witnessed by many.
“This is the most I’ve seen an inmate move three or four minutes in,” remarked Associated Press reporter Kelly Kissel, who observed his 10th execution.
Kissel’s account revealed Williams’ unsettling movements, raising questions about the efficacy of the sedative midazolam used in the lethal cocktail.
Shawn Nolan, Williams’ attorney, expressed grave concern, demanding a thorough investigation into the execution. “What’s important right now is that all the information about tonight’s execution must be meticulously documented and preserved,” Nolan emphasized.
The rush to execute, driven by a fear of dwindling drug supplies, underscores the contentious nature of the death penalty debate. Critics argue against midazolam’s use, citing its potential to cause agonizing pain during executions and pointing to past botched procedures as evidence of its unreliability.
Please note: This story, which first grabbed headlines in April 2017, is being republished for our readers.