Unusual Circumstances
Jimmy Lee Gray
Jimmy Gray’s execution is Mississippi’s most infamous “botched execution.” It took Gray nine minutes to be pronounced dead in the gas chamber. During this time, he convulsed, slammed his head into the metal backing behind the chair where he was strapped, and made noise. Gray’s disturbing execution led Mississippi to switch from the gas chamber to lethal injection as the preferred method of execution.
Via “Gas Chamber Gone Wrong: The Botched Execution of Jimmy Lee Gray”
Edward Earl Johnson
Edward Johnson’s legal proceedings and eventual execution were the subjects of international attention. The 1987 BBC documentary 14 Days in May followed the last two weeks of Johnson’s life. Johnson’s confession was allegedly the result of police intimidation. A friend of Johnson also claimed that he was with her during the time he was said to have committed the murder which led to his execution.
Via “No steps forward for some: Edward Early Johnson at sixty”
Bobby Wilcher
Bobby Wilcher’s initial death sentence was vacated and sent back to a jury in 1993. A second jury sentenced him to death. After numerous appeals and post-conviction relief motions, Wilcher was set to be executed on July 11th, 2006. The United States Supreme Court halted his execution noting that they needed additional time to review his case. In October, the Supreme Court decided not to grant Wilcher a reprieve.
Earl Berry
Earl Berry’s first death sentence was remanded for resentencing. After a second jury sentenced him to death, Berry made multiple appeals citing, among other things, jury selection and cognitive issues. These appeals were denied and Berry’s execution was set for October 30th, 2007. The United States Supreme Court halted his execution while they were reviewing Baze v. Rees, a case on the legality of Kentucky’s lethal injection protocol. After deciding that case, Berry was executed in 2008.
