Two More Executions

During a home invasion in Blaine County, [Wendell] Grissom entered Dreu Kopf’s home, injuring her and killing her friend, Amber Matthews, who was there helping take care of Kopf’s two young children. Grissom fatally shot Matthews and fired and hit Kopf multiple times.

That was November 3, 2005. You can learn more about the victims here. 

Grissom’s accomplice, a hitchhiker named Jessie Johns, is serving life in prison without parole. The jury foreman later said that would probably be appropriate for Grissom. 

Grissom’s lawyers argued he should not be eligible for the death penalty because of significant developmental issues. During his clemency hearing, attorneys showed the five-member board detailed reports on abnormalities in Grissom’s brain, as revealed by CT and MRI scans. 

Oklahoma said Grissom rejected clemency. The board rejected it 4-1. He was executed without final appeals. Regarding how smoothly it went, you can see the comment from a witness yesterday. 

Fla. Man Who Raped and Killed 8-Year-Old Girl and Then Murdered Her Grandmother Asks SCOTUS to Halt His Execution

A blunt headline provides the basic information behind the second lethal injection today. Edward Thomas James was convicted over thirty years ago. So, yes, check out Glossip v. Gross (Breyer's dissent). 

The final appeals focus on other issues. The use of a nonanimous jury [11-1] to sentence him to death is again tried though it has not gained much traction (Sotomayor has cited it in the past).  

Other procedural issues are raised. The other main allegation is that cognitive decline makes it cruel and unusual to execute him. Others might deem it a sort of forced euthanasia after over thirty years. 

The justices rejected the final stay and cert requests Thursday morning without comment. I continue to think that is wrong; someone should at least briefly explain. Florida then executed him.  

Four more executions are scheduled next month, which gives me a break from examining these depressing and very unpleasant crimes and criminals. I continue to oppose the death penalty, both on policy and constitutional with varying degrees of concern.