A killer refused the option of a last meal before before being executed by lethal injection for the murder of his ex-girlfriend nearly 30 years ago.
Joe Nathan James Jr, 49, was sentenced to death for killing Faith Hall in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1994.
He shot dead his ex-girlfriend after breaking down the door of her friend’s apartment and attacking her. James was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death in 1996, then again following a retrial in 1999.
Last minute appeals to have the execution overturned were dismissed - despite the victim’s family opposing it and saying it will not bring justice for Ms Hall.
James was executed about 9pm local time after refusing a final meal.
He did not eat his breakfast which is reportedly served normally between 3am and 5am, he had his lunch and turned down the option of a final meal and had no final requests.
His breakfast would have been made up of grits, eggs, apple jelly, two biscuits, orange juice and a slice of bread.
During Thursday, James had no visitors but did have phone calls with his lawyers and his mother, reported AL.com.
There have been more than 25 years of legal appeals by James’ lawyers.
He had a “volatile” relationship and after splitting with Ms Hall, and after making threats to kill her, he followed her to a friend’s home and shot her three times.
James’ final appeal to the US Supreme Court was denied and he was executed at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore.
Alabama Representative Juandalynn Givan released a statement on behalf of Faith Hall’s family who protested about the decision to execute James.
The statement read: “Today is a tragic day for our family. We are having to relive the hurt that this caused us many years ago. We write to inform you that we have decided to not attend the execution of Mr. Joe Nathan James Jr. We’ve asked Governor Kay Ivey and Attorney General Steve Marshall to hear our voices and respect our wishes. We know they decided not to.
“We hoped the state wouldn’t take a life simply because a life was taken and we have forgiven Mr. Joe Nathan James Jr. for his atrocities toward our family. We have relied upon our faith to get us through these dark days. Although we knew this day would come, we hoped to have our voices heard through this process.
"We’d like to thank State Representative Juandalynn Givan for her help and assistance by reaching out to the Governor’s office. We pray that God allows us to find healing after today and that one day our criminal justice system will listen to the cries of families like ours even if it goes against what the state wishes. Our voices matter and so does the life of Mr. Joe Nathan James, Jr.”
