Callum Jones
The last words of a death row inmate are always pretty eerie, but Jamie Ray Mills' is surely up there.
The 50-year-old was convicted of beating to death and robbing elderly couple Floyd and Vera Hill in 2004.
Floyd, 87, died in the attack, while 72-year-old Vera survived the original incident but sadly lost her life two months later due to the nature of her injuries.
And after many years on death row, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall filed a motion to set Mills’ execution date, stating that 'it was time for his death sentence to be carried out'.
Advert
The Montomery Advertiser reported that Mills had a last meal consisting of three oysters, three large shrimp, two catfish filets, a stuffed crab and three onion rings
on Thursday (30 May) before being executed later that evening.
And at 6:26pm, Mills was strapped to a gurney and had an IV connected to each arm.
Given the chance to make some final remarks at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Mills said: "I love my family. I love my brother and sister. I couldn’t ask for anything more… I love y’all. Carry on."
The killer prayed with a spiritual adviser and flashed thumbs up at his family members who watched on.
Speaking after the execution, the Hill family stated: "For the past 20 years our family has been seeking justice. Justice has been served."
It comes as an Alabama inmate was the first to be executed by a new controversial method in January.
Kenneth Eugene Smith was originally sentenced to death after he was convicted of capital murder for the murder-for-hire of Elizabeth Sennett in 1988.
And on 25 January, Smith was executed at 8.25pm CST at Holman Correctional Facility, Alabama.
The new execution method involved the use of nitrogen hypoxia, in which the inmate breathes in nitrogen through a respirator placed over their nose and mouth - killing them as a result of oxygen deprivation.
In a final statement before his passing, Smith said: "Tonight Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards. … I’m leaving with love, peace and light."
He then made the 'I love you sign' with his hands toward family members who were present, before concluding: "Thank you for supporting me. Love, love all of you."