A convicted murderer became the final person to be executed in the United States this year, after being put to death in Oklahoma, authorities said.
Johnny Dale Black, 48, was executed by lethal injection and pronounced dead at 6:08 pm (0008 GMT) at Oklahoma State Penitentiary, corrections department spokesman Jerry Massie said.
Massie said the condemned man’s final words were: “This isn’t accomplishing anything. It’s just another death, another family destroyed. I love everybody. I love you - you can count on that, Mama.”
Black’s death brings the total number of executions in 2013 to 39, the lowest figure since 37 inmates were put to death in 2008.
Johnny Dale Black, 48, was executed by lethal injection and pronounced dead at 6:08 pm (0008 GMT) at Oklahoma State Penitentiary, corrections department spokesman Jerry Massie said.
Massie said the condemned man’s final words were: “This isn’t accomplishing anything. It’s just another death, another family destroyed. I love everybody. I love you - you can count on that, Mama.”
Black’s death brings the total number of executions in 2013 to 39, the lowest figure since 37 inmates were put to death in 2008.