William Long, victim Jennifer Long's father speaks after the execution of Wesley Ira Purkey Thursday, July 16, 2020 in Terre Haute, Indiana. Jennifer Longs Father
Syndication: Indianapolis
(William Long, victim Jennifer Long’s father speaks after the execution of Wesley Ira Purkey Thursday, July 16, 2020 in Terre Haute, Indiana.)
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — The United States has carried out its second federal execution in three days, killing by lethal injection a Kansas man whose lawyers contended he had dementia.
Wesley Ira Purkey was put to death Thursday at a prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, for kidnapping and killing a girl in Missouri.
In another early morning 5-4 order, #SCOTUS allows 2nd federal execution to go forward. Death sentence for #WesleyIraPurkey had been appealed based on his mental competency. His attorneys say he has Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and brain damage. pic.twitter.com/SlVkcN6JMY
— Carol Zimmermann (@carolmaczim) July 16, 2020
He expressed remorse before his execution, saying he regretted the “pain and suffering” he caused. The victim’s father said he hoped Purkey “rots in hell.” The Supreme Court cleared the way for Purkey’s execution to take place just hours before.
DOJ Spokesperson @KerriKupecDOJ on this morning’s execution of Wesley Ira Purkey: “After many years of litigation following the death of his victims, in which he lived and was afforded every due process of law under our Constitution, Purkey has finally faced justice.” pic.twitter.com/5fxr2WS1uw
— Clare Hymes (@ClareHymes22) July 16, 2020
The Trump administration has pressed for a resumption of federal executions after a 17-year hiatus, and another man, Daniel Lewis Lee, was put to death Tuesday.
