Alabama Executes Killer of Elderly Woman

The 22nd Execution of 2011

Eddie Duval Powell was executed for the sexual assault and murder of a 70-year-old woman in 1995. Powell and a friend lived across the street from Mattie Wesson in Holt, Alabama. On the morning of March 25, 1995, Powell borrowed his friend's leather jacket and attacked Wesson in her home, according to Reuters.

Powell's hand print was found on the window on the front of her home -- where a screen had been cut -- and his semen was found on her body. He shot Wesson and her blood was found on his pants and on the borrowed leather jacket, according to court documents.

Powell took small change and jewelry from the home. He purchased wine with mostly nickels at a nearby gas station, and jewelry similar to Wesson's was found in the pockets of the leather jacket.

Powell was tried twice. The first trial ended in a mistrial when the jury could not agree on the punishment. A second jury found him guilty of murder and recommended the death penalty, which Alabama's appellate courts upheld, reported Reuters.

Powell did not request a special last meal. He ate sandwiches, soda and corn chips from a vending machine.

"I'd like to say I'm sorry for the pain I have caused everyone who has had to deal with this situation -- my family, the victim's family and everyone in this state," he said before being put to death, according to the Department of Corrections. "I've made peace with myself and God, and hope that everyone can move on from this situation," reported Reuters.

Powell was pronounced dead at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, June 16, 2011 at the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama. He died four minutes after Lee Taylor who was executed in Texas.

To read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/17/us-execution-alabama-idUSTRE75G02720110617