Alabama executes Marshall Co. man convicted of 1993 killing

ATMORE, Ala. (WBRC) - Thursday night, the state carried out its second execution this year, an Alabama death row inmate who killed a man he tried to rob. Casey McWhorter was sentenced to death after he killed Edward Lee Williams in 1993.

WBRC’s Taylor Pollock was one of five media witnesses for McWhorter’s execution. The portion viewed by witnesses was over in 17 minutes.

The lack of delays in McWhorter’s execution came as a relief to the victim’s family who say they’ve waited enough. “It’s kind of unfortunate that we’ve had to wait so long for justice to be served, but it’s been served,” said Gilbert Williams, the brother of Edward Lee Williams.

McWhorter was executed via lethal injection Thursday, his official time of death 6:56 p.m. Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) Commissioner John Hamm told reporters there were two accessed veins for lethal injection, one in the left arm and one in the right.

McWhorter’s last words were: “I would like to say I love my mother and family. I would like to say to the victim’s family I am sorry, and I hope you’ve found your peace. It is not lost on me a habitual abuser of women is carrying out the procedure.”

The latter part of McWhorter’s statement is possibly in reference to Terry Raybon, the warden of William C. Holman Correctional Facility where his execution was carried out, and who has a checkered past.

ADOC’s Public Information Officer had no comment when asked by another reporter for context on the latter part of McWhorter’s statement.

After he gave his final words, McWhorter closed his eyes, but later opened them and looked up murmuring something. His spiritual advisor, who was in the chamber with McWhorter told Pollock on the phone later that those words were, “I’m coming home, Lord.”

“He experienced a tremendous amount of peace, I think that, you know, over the 30 years he kind of came to terms with his frailty, came to terms with the fact that he killed someone and you know sought forgiveness for that, sought grace for that,” said Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood, McWhorter’s spiritual advisor.

Williams brother, Gilbert, spoke at the news conference that immediately followed the execution, and pointed out the contrast in how McWhorter died compared to his brother. “Although this man killed my brother in the most vicious violent and heinous way, he died in his sleep not more than an hour ago. Peaceful death to a murderous dog,” Williams said.

McWhorter refused most meals during his last 24 hours, and was visited by family and friends including his mother. His final meal request was simply Turtles candy.

A timeline of what was witnessed during the execution is as follows:

6:30 p.m. – The curtain was pulled back to reveal the execution chamber. Warden Terry Raybon reads McWhorter his death warrant.

6:34 p.m. – McWhorter gives his last words.

6:35 p.m. – McWhorter closed his eyes after his statement, his spiritual advisor placed his hand on his foot and appeared to pray over him

6:36 p.m. – McWhorter opened his eyes and looked up as spiritual advisor continued to pray.

6:37 p.m. – McWhorter’s Adam’s apple begins moving up and down as if he’s swallowing repeatedly, his eyes are closed.

6:38 p.m. – Guard called McWhorter’s name and checked his eyelids.

6:40 p.m. – McWhorter’s Adam’s apple stops moving.

6:41 p.m. – McWhorter’s eyes open slightly.

6:45 p.m. – McWhorter’s hands were slightly clenched and blue, the color drained from his lips.

6:47 p.m. – The curtain to the execution chamber closed.

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