PARCHMAN – Joseph Burns’ final appeal for clemency never came as the State of Mississippi executed the Death Row inmate by lethal injection shortly after 6 p.m. Wednesday evening. Burns was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m.
Burns’ was the third Death Row inmate executed this year. Convicted murderer Frederick Bell is slated for execution in November 2010.
Burns, 42, had been on Death Row since his 1996 conviction for the 1994 stabbing death of Tupelo motel clerk Floyd Melvin “Mike” McBride.
Officials at the Mississippi Department of Corrections said two days before his execution Burns was moved to a holding cell adjacent to the execution room and the entire state penitentiary was placed on lockdown.
The morning of his execution, July 21, Burns refused breakfast, but ate a slight lunch. For his last meal, Burns requested turkey and roast beef sandwiches and a Coca-Cola. He declined a sedative and a shower and by 4:45 p.m., was still hopeful that the U.S. Supreme Court would grant him a stay of execution.
Witnesses to the execution included several members of the media, a representative from the governor’s office, two members of McBride’s family and Burns’ mother and sister. Three of his daughters visited with him earlier in the day.
At 6:16 p.m., MDOC received word from the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office that the U.S. Supreme Court refused to delay Burns’ execution.
Burns then apologized to McBride’s family, quoted the 23rd Psalm and delivered personal messages to his family during his final statement.
Burns had requested that his remains go to a funeral home in Tupelo.
Following Burns’ death, MDOC Commissioner Christopher Epps said during a press conference that the evening “marked the close of the Joseph D. Burns case.”
“It is our agency’s role to see that the order of the court is conducted in a manner which is professional and with decency and dignity,” Epps said. “That has been done and the cause of justice was championed today.”
Epps concluded his comments by commending Deputy Commissioner of Institutions Emmitt Sparkman and the entire Mississippi State Penitentiary security staff for their professionalism during the process.
“In this final chapter tonight, it is our heartfelt hope that the family of Mike McBride may now begin the process of healing. Our prayers go out to you as you continue life’s journey,” said Epps.
Be the first to comment