Nearly 300 people are awaiting execution in Florida. With Duane Owen († 62), the US state has now killed one of its longest-serving death row inmates. The American died Thursday from lethal injection. At 6:14 p.m., Owen was pronounced dead in state prison.
The 62-year-old’s last meal was sumptuous: There was a cheeseburger with bacon, but no buns, plus onion rings. For dessert, a vanilla milkshake, cherry ice cream and fresh strawberries.
When asked if he had any last words before he died, the double killer simply replied, “No.
Owen’s crimes were downright brutal
Debbi Johnson, whose 14-year-old sister was murdered, reads a statement after the execution
The crimes for which Duane Owen was executed are downright brutal.
In March 1984, he stabbed 14-year-old babysitter Karen Slattery to death. Just two months later, the killer killed Georgianna Wilson († 38) with a hammer. He molested both women while two children each slept in an adjoining room. Two other victims managed to escape Owen.
In 1985 and 1986, the perpetrator was sentenced to death for his crimes. It would be another 38 years before the poison began to flow through Duane’s veins.
Petition for clemency denied
The Florida Supreme Court denied a clemency petition a week before the killing. The defense had argued that their client was not of sound mind at the time of the crime. However, the court ruled that Owen was aware that his actions would carry the death penalty.
Debbi Johnson, Karen Slattery’s sister four years younger, was also present at the execution. Before the killing, she told US media that she “unfortunately has little memory of her.” The act “changed everything in my life”.
Johnson explained his desire to be present at the execution: “He looked my sister in the eye as she died. And I will look him in the eye when he dies.”