Donald Grant, a 46-year-old disabled man became the first person to be executed this year in the US. Here’s all you need to know about the first execution for 2022.
The first execution of 2022
The State of Oklahoma executed Donald Grant after being convicted of two murders. Grant admitted to killing Felicia Suzette Smith, 43, and Brenda McElyea, 29, during a robbery in 2001. Grant is guilty of taking their lives to stop them from identifying him. The Supreme Court also denied the request for an emergency stay on his execution as calls were made for ending the death penalty.
Grant’s execution took place at Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. He had requested execution by firing squad but, it was denied. It was carried out one month before the beginning of a federal lawsuit that is challenging length injection drugs According to the lawsuit, they are a cruel, unusual, and unconstitutional mode of punishment. Advocates believe that it makes people feel like “they are being burned alive”. “The State’s execution of Donald Grant was carried out with zero complications at 10:16 this morning. Justice is now served for Brenda McElyea, Felecia Suzette Smith, and the people of Oklahoma,” stated Attorney General John O’Connor.
More about Grant and the movement against the event
Grant was fighting through mental health challenges. He stated that he stole $200 during the robbery over twenty years ago to bail his girlfriend. Before his execution, he started regretting his actions and was blaming the devil for the murders. “First and foremost, I’d like to express my sincere deep regrets and remorse for my actions. I know words can’t bring them back, I understand. I can’t change that. You know, I wish I could and everything,” said Grant. His attorney also pleaded for mercy as he was suffering from brain damage and mental illness.
Prior to his execution, Grant requested the last meal of sesame chicken, shrimp fried rice, egg rolls, and apple fritter. He requested three pints of strawberry ice cream if there was no dessert. His last words were “yo god I got this, I got this, it’s nothing. I’ve got things to handle, no doubt, no doubt”. He also chanted “Brooklyn for life,” among others. Outside the jail, a small group of people protested the execution.
Over 7,000 people signed a petition against this. “Donald Grant’s mental illness and congenital and acquired brain damage was so severe that it took five years for Mr. Grant to be stabilized where he could somewhat assist his attorneys in his defense,” stated the petition. “There was no assurance Mr. Grant was even competent to be put on trial, but he was in 2005 and sentenced to death. The jury who sentenced Grant to death received limited evidence of his severe, documented mental illness,” it added.
