A double murderer who killed two hotel workers has become the first US inmate to be executed in 2022.
Donald Anthony Grant, 46, admitted murdering Brenda McElyea, 29, and Felicia Suzette Smith, 43, during a robbery in 2001 so they would not identify him.
An emergency stay of execution was denied by the US Supreme Court on Wednesday, despite calls to abolish capital punishment.
He was put to death at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester by lethal injection after a request to be killed by firing squad was denied.
Ahead of his lethal injection, Grant said he was sorry and blamed the devil for the killings.
He said: "First and foremost, I’d like to express my sincere deep regrets and remorse for my actions.
“I know words can’t bring them back. I understand. … I can’t change that. You know, I wish I could and everything.”
A small crowd of protesters against the execution gathered outside the jail.
During a clemency hearing held last November, Grant’s lawyers argued their client was mentally ill and suffered brain damage, making him a candidate for mercy.
The death row inmate told the board he felt "deep, sincere remorse" for his actions, adding: “I can’t change that.
“If I could, I would, but I can’t change that.”
The state’s Pardon and Parole Board voted 4-1 against recommending clemency.
More than 7,000 people had signed a petition to save Mr Grant.
The document read: “Donald Grant’s mental illness and congenital and acquired brain damage was so severe that it took five years for Mr. Grant to be stabilised where he could somewhat assist his attorneys in his defence.
"There was no assurance Mr Grant was even competent to be put on trial, but he was in 2005 and sentenced to death.
“The jury who sentenced Mr Grant to death received limited evidence of his severe, documented mental illness.
“The jury never saw pictures of Mr Grant’s visible brain damage or had an expert explain the impact this damage and his undisputed mental illness had on his crime and behaviour."
His death comes amid calls to abolish the death penalty, with 23 US states abolishing capital punishment.
Mauree Turner, a Democrat for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, said: “We have seen a growing movement, in the last year especially, of people calling for Oklahoma to abolish the death penalty.
“And I want to give people a chance to express that on the ballot.
“Nearly 200,000 more Oklahomans voted in the last election than in 2016, with more information, views around this issue are changing, and we should give people a chance to express those new beliefs.”
Last October Oklahoma executed inmate John Grant who was seen vomiting and gasping for air after being given the first drug used in the lethal cocktail.
The state is also due to put Gilbert Ray Postelle to death next month.
