Saturday, March 22, 2014

EXECUTION WITNESS SHOUTED ‘DIE’ AND HE DID

On November 2, 1987, Robert L. Henry murdered co-workers 53-year-old Phyllis Harris and 35-year-old Janet Thermidor while robbing a Deerfield Beach, Florida fabric store where the three worked. Henry killed the two women by beating them with a hammer and then setting them on fire. Thermidor lived long enough to identify Henry as their killer.

Thursday evening Florida executed Henry, 55, by lethal injection. Just before he was put to death, Henry read a 3-minute long last statement in which he apologized for the killings and hoped his death would bring some comfort to the families of his victims.

Henry also criticized the death penalty. “Thieves don't get their hands amputated as punishment,” he said. "Why then do we continue to be the murderers of those who have murdered?"

When Henry asked that question, one of the family members witnessing the execution shouted, “Die.” Several minutes later he did.

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