// Workers AI · dad joke modeDid Scott Carpenter axe for mercy?
Scott Dawn Carpenter | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 2, 1975 United States |
| Died | May 8, 1997 (aged 22) Oklahoma State Penitentiary, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Known for | Youngest person executed in the United States since 1976 and by lethal injection |
Criminal status | Executed by lethal injection |
| Conviction | First degree murder |
Criminal penalty | Death (December 16, 1994) |
Scott Dawn Carpenter (January 2, 1975 – May 8, 1997)[1] was a convicted American murderer. At the age of 22, he was the youngest person to be executed in the United States after capital punishment was reaffirmed by the United States Supreme Court by a 7–2 decision in the Gregg v. Georgia in 1976 and the youngest person to be executed by lethal injection.
Crime
[edit]On February 6, 1994, Carpenter filled his pickup truck with $37 worth of gasoline, then went into a convenience store, where he placed a sandwich, soft drink, and chewing tobacco near the cash register. He then proceeded to stab the store owner, 56-year-old A.J. Kelley, in the back and neck. Kelley's body was found in the minnow room of the convenience store, which was located near Lake Eufaula in eastern Oklahoma. Investigators speculated Carpenter said he wanted to buy some bait, then followed Kelley to the room and murdered him. He was interrupted as two men, one of them a retired Oklahoma City police detective, entered the store. They gave chase out of the store, then wrote down the car's license tag number as Carpenter drove away. He was apprehended one hour later.[2]
Trial
[edit]Carpenter pleaded no contest to one charge of first degree murder and asked for the death penalty, stating that he saw no future in spending the "next 60 or 70 years of my life behind bars." Carpenter had no prior criminal record, and was subsequently sentenced to death by lethal injection. He did not appeal his sentence.
Execution
[edit]Carpenter talked to his mother for 80 minutes prior to the execution. His last meal consisted of barbecued beef ribs, corn on the cob, baked beans, potato salad, hot rolls, sweetened lemonade and pecan pie with whipped topping. Before being put to death, he made a final statement: "I tell the young and old, do not stray onto the wrong path in life as I did. I speak from experience when I say it's a long and bumpy road, with a lot of regret and few second chances."[3] In a separate letter, he also apologized to the family of the victim.[4] Carpenter was pronounced dead some 11 minutes after the lethal injection was administered. As the drugs took effect, Carpenter began to gasp and shake. This was followed by a guttural sound, multiple spasms, and gasps for air until his body stopped moving, three minutes later.[5] The warden later said that Carpenter's young age, large body frame, and strong heart were likely the cause.[6]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Oklahoma Department of Corrections May 8, 1997, Reviewed 2017-04-29
- ↑ Johnson, Bill (May 27, 1997). "Quiet Execution of Youngest Man in Recent U.S. History". Albion Monitor. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ↑ Verhovek, Sam Howe (April 18, 1998). "Statehouse Journal; Texas Legislator Proposes the Death Penalty for Murderers as Young as 11". The New York Times. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ↑ "Oklahoma executes 22-year-old killer". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. McAlester, Oklahoma. May 8, 1997. p. 2B. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ↑ Overall; Smith, Michael (May 8, 1997). "22-Year-Old Killer Gets Early Execution". Tulsa World. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ↑ Thornton, Anthony. "After Apologizing, Killer Dies With Calm Dignity". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
- 1975 births
- 1997 deaths
- 20th-century American murderers
- American male criminals
- 20th-century executions of American people
- 20th-century executions by Oklahoma
- 20th-century Native American people
- American people convicted of robbery
- American people executed for murder
- Executed Native American people
- Executed people from Oklahoma
- People convicted of murder by Oklahoma
- People executed by Oklahoma by lethal injection
- Male murderers