Eight prisoners on death row have been executed so far this year, with more executions expected to come.
The capital punishments took place at facilities in Alabama, Missouri, Georgia, Oklahoma and Texas. The inmates ranged in age from 41 to 69. All of them were male.
Most of the inmates were killed by lethal injection, with the exception of Alabama death row inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith, who was the first inmate to be killed by nitrogen hypoxia, an execution method where the person is forced to breathe only nitrogen, causing asphyxiation.
Who is Kenneth Eugene Smith?
Smith was killed by nitrogen hypoxia on January 25 at the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama.
Smith was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in 1989 for a murder-for-hire plot of Elizabeth Sennett.
The plot started when Charles Sennett Sr., Elizabeth's husband, recruited Billy Gray Williams to kill his wife. Williams then recruited Smith and John Forrest Parker. Smith and Parker stabbed Elizabeth Sennett to death in her home.
Charles Sennett Sr. killed himself when he found out he was a suspect in the murder. Williams was sentenced to life in prison. He died in 2020. Parker was executed by lethal injection in 2010.
Smith's original conviction and sentence was vacated in 1992, but he was convicted and sentenced to death again in 1996.
The nitrogen hypoxia execution was ordered after a botched attempt at lethal injection.
The Alabama Department of Corrections said Smith's final meal was steak, hashbrowns, and eggs.
"Tonight Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards. I'm leaving with love, peace and light. Thank you for supporting me. Love all of you," were Smith's final words, according to AL.com.
Who is Ivan Abner Cantu?
Ivan Abner Cantu was executed by lethal injection on February 28 at the Huntsville Unit in Huntsville, Texas.
Cantu was convicted on two counts of murder and sentenced to death in 2001.
Cantu was found guilty of the 2000 fatal shooting of his cousin, James Mosqueda and Mosqueda's girlfriend, Amy Kitchen in their North Dallas home.
Some people argued that the evidence used to convict Cantu was questionable, including politicians such as Texas Democratic Representative Joaquin Castro and celebrities such as Jane Fonda and Kim Kardashian.
Cantu maintained that he was innocent in his final words.
"I want you to know that I never killed James and Amy," Cantu said, according to a transcript provided to Newsweek by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. "And if I did, if I knew who did, you would've been the first to know any information."
He also said that his death would not bring any closure in the case.
"If it does, if this is what it takes or have any reservations off in your mind, then so be it," Cantu said. "This is not going to help you guys and I want you to know from me that it never occurred. No. I want all of you to know I did not kill James and Amy."
He thanked his attorney, mother and others for supporting him as well and recited a verse from the Bible before saying, ""Warden I'm ready."
Who is Willie James Pye?
Willie James Pye was the first inmate to be executed in Georgia following a four-year moratorium on executions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pye was executed by lethal injection on March 20 at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Butts County.
He was convicted of murder, kidnapping, rape, burglary and robbery in 1996. He was sentenced to death for the murder charge, 20 years for burglary and life in prison for the other three charges.
Pye fatally shot his ex-girlfriend Alicia Lynn Yarbrough after he kidnapped and raped her in 1993. Pye, with assistance from Anthony Freeman and Chester Adams, was planning to rob Yarbrough's new boyfriend's home, but Yarbrough and her child were the only ones home. They abducted Yarbrough, raped her at a motel and shot her three times on a dirt road.
Freeman reached a plea deal by agreeing to turn in evidence against Pye. He was sentenced to life in prison for charges of murder, robbery, and burglary. After serving 24 years in prison, he was paroled in 2020.
Adams pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five consecutive life sentences. He is still in prison.
Some controversy surrounded Pye's sentence due to alleged inadequate legal representation during his trial. His lawyer allegedly left out details of Pye's childhood that might have saved his life, including that Pye was reportedly a victim of child abuse and neglect. An appellate court agreed to vacate the death penalty based on this argument in 2021, but a federal appellate court reversed the decision in 2022.
The Georgia Department of Corrections said Pye's final meal was two chicken sandwiches, two cheeseburgers, french fries, two bags of plain potato chips and two lemon-lime sodas.
He declined to make a final statement.
Who is Michael Dewayne Smith?
Michael Dewayne Smith was killed by lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester on April 4.
Smith was convicted on two counts of murder and sentenced to death in 2002.
Smith fatally shot Janet Moore, a 41-year-old mother, and Sharath Pulluru, a 22-year-old store clerk, in 2002.
Smith tried unsuccessfully to appeal the sentence multiple times. His legal team argued he is not responsible for either of the murders, even though he confessed to both crimes. They also cited a former substance abuse problem and intellectual disability.
He did not request a final meal. When asked if he wanted to make a final statement, he said, ""Nah, I'm good," according to the Associated Press.
Who is Brian Joseph Dorsey?
Brian Joseph Dorsey was executed by lethal injection at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre, Missouri on April 9.
Dorsey was convicted on two counts of murder and sentenced to death in 2008.
Dorsey fatally shot his cousin Sarah Bonnie and her husband Ben Bonnie in 2006 after asking them to help him with a debt he owed to drug dealers. He then sexually assaulted Sarah Bonnie's body and stole items from the house to pay off the debt.
Multiple attempts to save his life, including a petition to the Supreme Court, were rejected.
His final meal was two bacon double cheeseburgers, two orders of chicken strips, two large orders of fries and a pizza topped with sausage, pepperoni, onion, mushrooms and extra cheese.
Dorsey showed remorse in his prewritten last words shared with Newsweek.
"To all of the family and loved ones I share with Sarah and to all of the surviving family and loved ones of Ben, I am truly, deeply and overwhelmingly sorry," Dorsey wrote. "Words cannot hold the just weight of my guilt and shame. I still love you. I never wanted to hurt anyone. I am sorry I hurt them and you. To my family, friends, and all of those that tried to prevent this, I love you; I am grateful for you. I have peace in my heart in large part because of you and I thank you. To all those on ALL sides of this sentence, I carry no ill will or anger, only acceptance and understanding."
Who is Jamie Ray Mills?
Jamie Ray Mills was the second death row inmate executed at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama this year.
Mills was killed by lethal injection on May 30. He was convicted of capital murder in 2007.
Mills broke into the Guin home of 87-year-old Floyd Hill and 72-year-old Vera Hill in 2004. He beat the victims, then stole money and medications. Floyd Hill died from blunt-force wounds to his head and neck. Vera Hill died from complications of head trauma 12 weeks later.
His final meal was a seafood feast, including three large shrimp, two catfish filets, three oysters, three onion rings and one stuffed crab.
"I love my family. I love my brother and sister. I couldn't ask for anything more.... I love y'all. Carry on," were Mills' final words.
Who is David Russell Hosier?
David Russell Hosier was the second inmate executed by lethal injection this year at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre, Missouri.
Hosier was killed on June 11. He was convicted of capital murder in 2009.
Hosier was found guilty in the 2009 fatal shooting of Angela Gilpin and Rodney Gilpin at their Jefferson City home.
Hosier maintained his innocence and tried to appeal his sentence several times, but he was unsuccessful.
His final meal was a New York strip steak, a baked potato with butter and sour cream, Texas toast, Dutch apple pie and orange juice and milk, according to NBC News.
"I leave you all with love. Now, I get to go to heaven. Don't cry for me. Just join me when your time comes," Hosier said in a written final statement.
Who is Ramiro Gonzales?
Texas executed Ramiro Gonzales by lethal injection on June 26 at the Huntsville Unit in Huntsville, Texas.
Gonzales was the second inmate executed in Texas this year. He was convicted of rape and murder and sentenced to death in 2006.
He sexually assaulted and fatally shot Bridget Townsend, the girlfriend of his drug dealer, in 2001.
His lawyers tried to argue that Gonzales has devoted himself to self-improvement, contemplation and prayer, and he was no longer a threat to society.
He apologized to Townsend's family in a written final statement.
"To the Townsend family, I'm sorry," he said, according to a transcript provided to Newsweek by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. "I can't put into words the pain I have caused y'all, the hurt, what I took away that I cannot give back. I hope this apology is enough. I lived the rest of this life for you guys to the best of my ability for restitution, restoration taking responsibility."
He also asked for forgiveness.
"I never stopped praying for all of you. I never stopped praying that you would forgive me and that one day, I would have this opportunity to apologize. I owe all of you my life and I hope one day you will forgive me," Gonzales wrote.
He thanked family and friends for their support, as well as the prison system for helping him.
"To the administration, Warden Dickerson, Hazelwood thank you for being so courageous for making decisions to make this penal system better. You guys are also my goal. It's why I've been better," Gonzales said. "Giving me the responsibility and the opportunity to become responsible to learn accountability and to make good. Continue to fight the fight especially in your faith. God Bless you all."
Upcoming Scheduled Executions
Oklahoma is expected to execute Richard Norman Rojem Jr. by lethal injection on Thursday at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. Rojem is the state's longest-serving death row inmate, spending nearly four decades awaiting execution.
Rojem was convicted of kidnapping, rape and murder in 1985 and sentenced to death.
He was found guilty of the 1984 kidnapping and stabbing of his former stepdaughter, 7-year-old Layla Dawn Cummings. Rojem continues to maintain his innocence and unsuccessfully tried to get his sentence changed to life in prison.
The next scheduled execution is Ruben Gutierrez on July 16 in Texas.
He was convicted of capital murder in 1999.
In 1998, Gutierrez broke into the home of his friend's aunt in Brownsville with two others in an attempt to steal money she kept in a safe. He struck and stabbed the woman 13 times with a screwdriver, and she died from her injuries.
Gutierrez was originally scheduled to be executed in 2020, but the Supreme Court halted the execution.
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