Hubert Michael Jr. gets a stay execution – only 6 hours before he was scheduled to die

Rockview State Prison

A Pennsylvania Third Circuit Court judge granted a stay of execution to Hubert Michael Jr. today, just six hours before he was scheduled to be put to death in Rockview state prison.

The state has filed an appeal of the stay with the Supreme Court. The status of the appeal is unknown but the appeal will have to be over turned before 11:59 pm tonight for the execution to take place.

Garry Allen executed in Oklahoma

Allen’s sanity has been questioned leading up to his execution.

Garry Allen was executed tonight in Oklahoma. Allen was put to death for the murder of his ex-wife and mother of his two children. in 1986.

On a night when the country elects a new President, officials at Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester were busy making preparations for the execution of Garry Allen. Even though the Pardon and Parole Board had recommended a commutation of Allen’s sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 2005, Governor Mary Fallin decided to go against their recommendation. Allen’s attorney’s argue that he was mentally ill at the time of the murder and his mental state has worsened since then.

Garry Allen’s case is unique as he entered a “blind guilty plea” – this means that he pleaded guilty to a capital murder case without working out a deal with the prosecution to spare him from the death penalty. Allen testified that he pleaded guilty to spare the families of he and his victim’s the ordeal of a trial but his attorney’s believe his mental illness and drug problems are the real reason he made the plea.

On November 21st, 1986 Garry Allen shot his 42-year-old Lawanna Titsworth just days after she had moved out of the home where she lived with Allen and her two sons. 911 was called and when an officer in the area responded to the call, Allen grabbed his gun and during a struggle he was shot in the face.

We were unable to find a photo of the victim, Lawanna Gail Titsworth, if anyone is able to provide us with one, we will happily post it on our site.

Any friends or relatives of either Garry Allen or Lawanna Titsworth are welcome to submit statements to Crime Ticker and we will post them on our website.

Allen’s last words were largely unintelligible, he spoke of the Presidential election, Jesus and often said “Hi” to his attorney who was watching from the witness room.

Garry Allen was pronounced dead at 7:10pm EST.

Texas inmate executed for 2003 murder of girlfriend

Donnie Lee Roberts was executed in Texas this evening for the 2003 murder of his girlfriend Vicki Bowen. Roberts shot Bowen in her East Texas home and took her belongings to sell to pay for his crack habit.

When asked if he had any final words Roberts looked at Bowen’s father who was seated in the witness chair, “I’m really sorry. I never meant to cause you all so much pain, I hope you can go on with your life. I loved your daughter. I hope to God he lets me see her in heaven so I can apologize to her and see her and tell her.” He repeatedly said he was sorry as he started to take deep breaths and the Pentobarbital began to circulate through his system.

Roberts was pronounced dead at 7:39pm EST.

Donald Moeller executed in South Dakota – murdered 9-year-old girl

Remember 9-year-old Becky O’Connell.

In 1990 Donald Moeller raped and murdered nine-year-old Becky O’Connell in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. His horrific crime stunned Sioux Falls and all of South Dakota.

For more than 20 years Moeller has sat on death row awaiting the sentence to be carried out and after years of appeals and constant denials that he committed the crime, Moeller finally confessed to the crime a few weeks ago and all but saying he deserved to die for the crime he committed against that little girl. ”It’s time. If the rape and murder of Rebecca O’Connell does not deserve the death penalty, then I guess nothing does,” Moeller said.

After Moeller was strapped to the gurney he was asked if he had any last words, Moeller replied, “No sir.” Then after glancing over at the witnesses asked, “They’re my fan club?”

Moeller was pronounced dead at 11:24pm EST.

Texas executes 11th inmate of the year

Hines was executed this evening in Texas.

Bobby Lee Hines was executed this evening for the murder of 26-year-old Michelle Wendy Haupt more than 20 years ago.

Hines was 40 years old at the time and was on probation when he stabbed the 19-year-old 18 times and then strangled her. He was her next door neighbour in an apartment complex. Hines was tried and convicted in 1991 for her murder.

Hines’ original execution date was set in 2003 but for almost a decade the courts have been filled with appeals based on his mental capacity. In 2012 another execution date was set for May, but again his execution was delayed when he won an stay while DNA evidence was tested. But it would only delay the inevitable. The tests confirmed Hines’ guilt and his last execution date was set for today.