Press Releases from State Executions

The State of Mississippi executed two death row inmates on consecutive days for the first time in fifty years. Paul E. Woodward & Gerald J. Holland were executed by lethal injection on May 19 and May 20 respectively. The following are the press releases from MDOC concerning the executions:


May 19, 2010 Execution of Paul E. Woodward
7:00 p.m. News Briefing
Parchman, Miss. - The Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) today conducted the mandated execution of state inmate Paul E. Woodward. Inmate Woodward was pronounced dead at 6:39 p.m. at the state penitentiary at Parchman.
MDOC Commissioner Christopher Epps said during a press conference following the execution that the evening marked the close of the Paul E. Woodward case. Woodward was convicted in 1987 for the crimes of capital murder (with the underlying crime of rape), kidnapping and sexual battery of Rhonda Crane in Perry County in 1986.
“It is our agency’s role to see that the order of the court is carried out professionally with dignity and decency. That has been done and justice was championed today,” said MDOC Commissioner Chris Epps.
“In this final chapter tonight, it is our heartfelt hope that the family of Rhonda Crane may now begin the process of healing. Our prayers go out to you as you continue life’s journey,” said Epps.
Epps concluded his comments by commending Deputy Commissioner of Institutions Emmitt Sparkman and the entire Mississippi State Penitentiary security staff for their professionalism during the process.
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May 20, 2010 Execution of Gerald J. Holland
7:00 p.m. News Briefing
Parchman, Miss. - The Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) today conducted the mandated execution of state inmate Gerald J. Holland. Inmate Holland was pronounced dead at 6:14 p.m. at the state penitentiary at Parchman.
MDOC Commissioner Christopher Epps said during a press conference following the execution that the evening marked the close of the Gerald J. Holland case. Holland was sentenced to death in 1993 for the crime of capital murder (with the underlying crime of rape) of 15-year-old Krystal D. King in Harrison County in 1986.
“For the second time in as many days, the State of Mississippi – Department of Corrections has carried out a court order issued by the state Supreme Court. Again, our agency’s role is to see that the order of the court is carried out with dignity. That has been done and, again, justice was championed today,” said MDOC Commissioner Chris Epps.
“The entire MDOC family hopes that the family of Krystal King may now begin the process of healing. Our prayers and thoughts are with you as you continue life’s journey,” said Epps.
Epps concluded his comments by commending Deputy Commissioner of Institutions Emmitt Sparkman and the entire Mississippi State Penitentiary security staff for their professionalism during the process.
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