Oklahoma executes killer found by DNA years after the crime

 The 18th Execution of 2023

Anthony Sanchez was executed in Oklahoma for the rape and murder of a dance student which went unsolved for years until DNA from the crime scene was matched to him while he was in prison for burglary, Sanchez, 44 declared his innocence as he was strapped down in the death chamber at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, on September 21, 2023, according to Sky News.

He was declared dead 11 minutes after the lethal drugs started to be administered.

While Sanchez maintained he had nothing to do with the 1996 killing of 21-year-old Juli Busken, he took the unusual step of opting not to present a clemency application to the state's pardon and parole board, which many viewed as the last chance to spare his life.

Ahead of his execution, Sanchez criticized his former lawyers and thanked his supporters, including his spiritual adviser who was in the chamber with him.

He said: "I'm innocent. I didn't kill nobody."

At one point during the procedure, a member of the execution team entered the chamber and reattached an oxygen monitor that prison officials said had malfunctioned.

Shortly before he was put to death, the US Supreme Court rejected a request for a stay of execution submitted by his new lawyer, who had said he needed more time to go through the case evidence.

Juli Busken's family 'has found closure and peace'

Ms Busken had just completed her last term at the University of Oklahoma when she was abducted on 20 December 1996, from the car park of her apartment complex.

Her body was found later near a lake on the outskirts of Oklahoma City.

She had been bound, raped and shot in the head.

Busken had performed as a ballerina in several dance performances during her time at the university and a scholarship was set up in her name at the College of Fine Arts.

Years later, Sanchez was in jail for burglary when DNA from the victim's clothing was matched to him.

He was convicted and sentenced to die in 2006.

None of Ms Busken's family attended Thursday's execution, but state attorney general Gentner Drummond said he had spoken to them several times in recent months.

He said: "Juli was murdered 26 years, nine months and one day ago. The family has found closure and peace."

Sanchez had long maintained his innocence.

In an interview earlier this year from death row. "That is fabricated DNA.

"That is false DNA. That is not my DNA. I've been saying that since day one."

He said he had declined to seek clemency because even when the five-member pardon and parole board takes the rare step of recommending it, governor Kevin Stitt was unlikely to grant it.

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