Mississippi executes man for 2001 killings

The 21st execution of 2012

Mississippi executed Jan Michael Brawner for fatally shooting his 3-year-old daughter, his ex-wife and her parents. Brawner, 34, was pronounced dead at 6:18 p.m. on June 12, 2012 after receiving a chemical injection at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman.

Brawner had admitted to the killings and said he didn't deserve to live after shooting his daughter, Paige, his ex-wife, Barbara Craft, and her parents, Carl and Jane Craft, at their house on April 25, 2001, reported the Associated Press.

In his final statement, Brawner said he wished to apologize to the victims' family, adding he could not change what he had done. "Maybe this will bring you a little peace. Thank you," he said as he lay strapped to a gurney, reported the AP.

When the drugs were administered, he appeared to take a deep breath. His mouth opened wide for a moment and then his head tilted to the side.

Before the execution, Brawner appeared talkative and said he deserved to die for what he'd done, Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps told the AP.
Court records based on Brawner's testimony and statements to police, as reported by the AP, describe the killings and the series of events leading up to them like this:

 He shot his ex-wife's mother first, then shot his ex-wife. She had wounds to her hands from trying to protect herself.

He walked across the room to his former mother-in-law and "put her out of her misery." Then he shot his ex-wife again.

The child had blood splatter on her from the shootings and said, "Daddy, you hurt me."

He took his daughter to a bedroom and told her to watch television, but decided she could identify him as the killer. He shot her in the chin and head. He killed Carl Craft when he arrived from work.

To read more: http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Man-executed-in-deaths-of-daughter-ex-in-laws-3628835.php#ixzz1xg9CDsuq