Richard Gerald Jordan, Mississippi’s longest-serving death row inmate, was executed, leaving behind unsettling final words directed at the victim’s family.
Jordan, aged 79, was convicted nearly 50 years ago for the murder and kidnapping of Edwina Marter in 1976.
On the day of the incident, Jordan contacted the Gulf National Bank in Gulfport where Charles Marter worked, confirming his presence at the office.
Realizing Edwina was alone at home, Jordan went to the Marter residence, abducted her, and subsequently killed her in a wooded area.
It is believed that Jordan’s motive was ransom, as he attempted to extort $50,000 from Edwina’s husband.
On June 25, her family members shared statements before Jordan’s execution, with her nephew, Keith De Gruy, delivering messages from her husband and sons.
“Nothing will bring back our mom, sister, aunt and friend,” De Gruy read aloud, according to Clarion Ledger. “Nothing will ever change what Jordan took from us 49 years ago.”
He added: “Jordan tried desperately to change his ruling so he can simply die in prison. We never had an option. He took Edwina’s life, never thought about the many people who loved her and relied on her. He took her away from us never thinking about us.”
At the time of Edwina’s murder, her sons were only 10 and three years old.
Jordan was executed by lethal injection and declared dead at 6:16 p.m. local time.
In his final moments, Jordan expressed remorse to the victim’s family, stating: “First, I would like to thank everyone for a humane way of doing this. I want to apologize to the victim’s family. I will see you on the other side, all of you.”
For his last meal, he requested chicken tenders, French fries, strawberry ice cream, and a root beer float.
This execution was the first in Mississippi since 2022. Unlike several other southern states, Mississippi conducts fewer executions, with only three men executed in the past decade, including Jordan.
By contrast, Florida has executed seven inmates this year alone, with the seventh being Thomas Lee Gudinas.
Gudinas was convicted of the 1994 rape and murder of 27-year-old Michelle McGrath. He received his conviction a year later and remained on death row until his execution.
His last meal included pizza, fries, and soda, and he was pronounced dead at 6:13 p.m. local time on Tuesday, June 24.
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