Saturday, January 8, 2011

Oklahoma Carries Out First Execution of 2011

The 1st Execution of 2011

Billy Don Alverson an Oklahoma death row inmate convicted in the 1995 killing of a convenience store worker was the first man executed in the U.S. this year.

According to the Associated Press, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections reported that the 39-year-old man was pronounced dead at 6:10 p.m., Thursday, January 6, 2011 at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary.

The execution is being closely watch by other states because it is the second execution in Oklahoma and nationwide to use the drug pentobarbital. The drug is being used in place of sodium thiopental which is in sort supply.

Alverson was among four men convicted in the February 1995 killing of 30-year-old Richard Yost, who was the night manager of a convenience store in Tulsa. His body was found bound and beaten on the blood-soaked floor of the store's cooler.

According to Nathan Koppel's Wall Street Journal Law Blog, his last meal was a large pepperoni and sausage pizza, accompanied by a large Dr. Pepper.

In his last statement, Alverson apologized to Yost's family and asked for forgiveness, then told his own family "I'm alright," reported the Associated Press.

To read more: http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2011/01/07/oklahoma-conducts-first-us-execution-of-2011/

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