Mississippi Executes Death Row Inmate After Decades

After nearly fifty years, the longest-serving prisoner on Mississippi’s death row was executed Wednesday. The lethal injection ended the life of a Vietnam veteran who had committed a brutal kidnapping and murder. The execution comes amid a continuing debate about the death penalty’s application.

The Execution of Richard Jordan

Richard Gerald Jordan, a 79-year-old, was put to death at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman. He was convicted in 1976 for the murder and kidnapping of Edwina Marter. Jordan, who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, had his final appeals denied by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Prison officials reported the execution began at 6 p.m. Jordan was reported to have taken several deep breaths before becoming still. The time of death was recorded as 6:16 p.m.

“First I would like to thank everyone for a humane way of doing this. I want to apologize to the victim’s family.”

—Richard Jordan

Jordan also expressed gratitude to his lawyers and wife, seeking forgiveness. His final words were: “I will see you on the other side, all of you.” His wife, Marsha Jordan, along with his lawyer Krissy Nobile and a spiritual advisor, were witnesses.

During a post-execution press conference, Keith Degruy, a spokesperson for the Marter family, shared a statement on behalf of her family. The statement acknowledged the irretrievable loss caused by Jordan‘s actions.

Jordan’s execution was the third in Mississippi in the last decade. The state’s use of capital punishment is low compared to other states. As of 2022, Texas has carried out the most executions in the U.S. with 569 since 1976 (Death Penalty Information Center).

The Crime and Appeals

In January 1976, court records show that Jordan contacted the Gulf National Bank in Gulfport to speak with a loan officer. After finding the Marter family’s address, he kidnapped and fatally shot Edwina Marter.

Jordan then called her husband, claiming she was safe while demanding $25,000. Numerous appeals and four trials followed, stretching over decades.

Krissy Nobile, who represented Jordan, said his jury never learned of his Vietnam experiences. A recent petition requesting clemency for Jordan cited severe PTSD after his military service as a factor in the crime. The governor, Tate Reeves, denied the request.

“He was never given what for a long time the law has entitled him to, which is a mental health professional that is independent of the prosecution and can assist his defense.”

—Krissy Nobile, Director of Mississippi’s Office of Capital Post-Conviction Counsel

Eric Marter, the victim’s son, disagreed, stating Jordan‘s motive was financial: “I know what he did. He wanted money, and he couldn’t take her with him. And he – so he did what he did.”

The execution concluded a long-running legal process.